My inspiration

Here's a duplicate of what I posted on my mothers blog...

Last week, I posted about how we have implement "points" in our home, primarily for Princess1. Well, the same source that inspired that has inspired me again. I'm not sure how I'm going to implement the concept but I have to share the concept with you today.

Please click here and read Lara's post. See if it inspires you too.

Our Home Away from Home This Summer

Adam got a second interview in Quincy so time for a road trip!

Krispy Kreme does a special treat for kids' report cards. So as we started our road trip, we stopped at Krispy Kreme with Kaylyn's report card - 6 free donuts! The hot sign was flashing was we arrived so we each also got a free HOT glazed donut. Personally, I didn't think there was anything special about Krispy Kreme - until I'd had one fresh off the glazer. YUMMY!

The girls agreed. It was delicious! And now they believe every road trip starts with a stop at Krispy Kreme. I don't mind :)

Because we were only an hour away from Adam's parents, after the interview, we drove over and checked in at the hotel there. The hotel was our home away from home this summer with 3 trips there - this was trip #2. We actually had two home away from homes - the hotel and our van :)

We took over the hotel lobby to play pool and yahtzee. Adam thinks he's a decent pool player because he can calculate the angles. He does great - against me. But he'd probably not do so well against an actual decent player. But it's fun and that's the important part.

Zeb had not played before so Adam and Zeb played together most of the night.

Grandma and Uncle Alma are avid Yahtzee players, and Zeb usually is too. Kaylyn has played before with them. Morgan HAD to play too this time. Kaylyn's actually getting pretty good. We need to print out some Yahtzee forms, gather the dice and play with her at home.

On the road trip, Morgan kept singing and singing and singing, with motions. I finally got it on video - totally adorable! If you can't understand the words, they are below the video.

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

Hiding behind the tree.

These little children are asking you.

To please come out so we can play with you.

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun,

Please shine down on me.

Jayna's dance recital

One of my best friends in college was Denise. She was the bridesmaid at our wedding. She waited a few more years to get married. But we had our first kids the same year. And as soon as Luke was born, we started using Jim (Denise's husband) and Denise to watch our kids while we went to the Temple. So Luke and Kaylyn became friends when she was just 8 months old and Luke was a few weeks old.

Since then we have both added children. And they all look forward to visiting each other. Luke and Kaylyn play. Then Kaylyn and Jayna play. Then Jayna and Morgan play while Luke and Kaylyn play. And then Morgan "takes care of" Isaac, who although he is a year younger than Morgan will probably be as big as she is very soon.

After Adam got laid off, we started talking about a temple trip. The ward announced they would be going the end of June so we contacted Jim and Denise. It was the same date as Jayna's dance recital. We could have left after lunch like normal but Kaylyn and I wanted to see the recital. Adam agreed and off we went to the recital.

Morgan fell asleep on the way and stayed asleep for quite a while.
Luke, Kaylyn and Jayna HAD to sit together while we waited for the recital. Notice the hand holding? As I said, good friends.

Jayna's first dance was a daddy/daughter dance. Jim was really excited to get to participate and did an awesome job.

Here's Jayna's second routine. The girls were hesitant because of the lighting and where the teacher stood (you can see her hand), they couldn't see her.

But Jayna did great! She didn't run off the stage as we've seen others do their first dance recital. And she enjoyed herself - that's the important part.

The day also turned out to be Denise's birthday. I felt bad because I had it in my head that her birthday was in July, not June. So Happy Birthday, again, Denise! And next year, I'll do better at remembering the real birthday day.

Time for Bed, Morgan

Almost every night, it's a challenge to get Morgan to bed. That's because she refuses to nap early in the day and then she'll fall asleep while I'm making dinner and can't keep her awake. One night in June, we sent her to bed. She begged for a drink and Adam gave in. Later when I peaked down the hall, this is what I saw....
Too cute! Can you believe those sunglasses?! And I love all the bright colors.

Allison family reunion - Part 2 - the Field Trip

When we got back from the lake, all the grandkids present posed for a picture. The only ones missing are Nathan, Isaac and Esther who live in California. From left to right, back row, Daniel, Kaylyn, Joseph, Halee, Taylor, Ariel, Dylan, Elijah. Front row - Rebekah, William and Morgan who were all born in 2007.

On day 2 of the gathering of the Allison clan, we headed to the "Heartland" where we toured a dairy facility, a goat farm and ate lunch at a diner with old cars on display.

Naomi and Ariel. Grandma and William.

Brand new babies - they literally had just been born when we walked up. Mama goat is cleaning them up for the first time.

Kaylyn, Joseph and Morgan posing by Model T car for me.Morgan enjoying her lunch.William may be little but he loves to eat.

After the field trip, we gathered at our hotel and enjoyed the pool. All the group pictures were really blurry but I cropped an okay picture of Dylan.

Allison family reunion - Part 1 - the Lake

Spencer and Sheree came out to Missouri in June. We met them at the Lake, along with Grandma and Grandpa Allison, Uncle Zeb, Uncle Alma, Aunt "Nomi" (aka Naomi) and Uncle Chris and a whole bunch of cousins.

Although it wasn't the warmest day or the warmest water, the girls convinced Uncle Spencer to get in the water with them.
Every time Spencer thought they were done, they dragged him back in. Morgan and Rebekah both enjoyed some time learning to swim.

Kaylyn just enjoyed being in the water.

The boy cousins loved the dirt/sand.

Dinner with Nana

We started having Nana come over to our house for dinner after Church on Sundays. It's a great way for us to spend time with her without her worrying about what the girls are getting into in her apartment. It also lets Nana get a home cooked meal outside of the dining room at her apartment.

Morgan and Kaylyn love having Nana over. Here's a picture from one visit with Nana helping Morgan eat.

We're #3!

In June, we attended the state high school baseball championships. Adam's high school was playing for 3rd place so we made sure we went to the game. It was a great game! My favorite part - the Bulldogs were playing okay but not winning. The girls and I were cheering but Adam was just watching. I told him they weren't winning because he wasn't cheering. So to show me, on the next play he cheered. And to show him, the Bulldogs scored. Adam continued cheering (not as loud as me) and the Bulldogs won the game!!

Reading Star

At the last assembly of the school year, Kaylyn received the Reading Award for her class. She was very excited and we are very proud of her reading abilities!

Granny and Poppa visit

The last Sunday in May, Granny and Poppa stopped by to visit for a few minutes. The real purpose was to get Adam to look at their laptop.

But Kaylyn grabbed Granny (and Morgan) for a quick game of Dora's ABCs.And Morgan got a story from Granny too.

After they headed home, we then went to Church. After which, Morgan and Kaylyn relaxed in front of a video. A few minutes in, this was the result. (Sorry for the blurry pictures)

I'll follow you

As it got beautiful outside (this is May), Morgan and Kaylyn wanted to spend more time outdoors. And what did they do? Well, Morgan basically just follows Kaylyn's lead so this picture is a typical adventure - Morgan following Kaylyn.