Over a month!! I know, but I've been busy with.....

The Twilight Saga!!!! I finished the fourth, and last book (tear), about 8 days ago and I am having with drawls. It was the best four books I have ever read. I have gotten many others on the Twilight train as well. Here is how it went down..... I got the books from Jenna, I read them, as soon as I was done with the first I gave it to my cousin's wife Jennifer, she then gave them to her husband (my cousin) Aaron, I then got them back and gave them to my mother-in-law Becky, then gave the first book to Marnie. But, Marnie just had her baby on Friday morning so I don't think she will be finishing it right now. So, my hope is that I can get Nate to read them so he can understand my obsession. I know, I know, he won't be a part of "Team Edward" which really, I wouldn't want him to be, but they are REALLY great books. So, that is my mission now... to get Nate on board the Twilight train.
P.S. The second movie, New Moon, comes out on November 20th. You can bet that me and all my twilight love'n friends will be there. Team Edward shirts an all.

Twilight..... it's a must read!!!!

Ok, so with Nate and I being teachers we have been exposed to all of the students absolutely obsessed with the Twilight series. Nate and I were both curious what all the hype was about, so we rented the movie one night a few months ago with Troy and Jenna. After we watched the movie, which was awesome, Jenna got on Amazon that night and ordered the entire series in hard-back. (She really liked the movie) Needless to say, Jenna turned into a teenage girl and finished all four books in about 5 or 6 days. So, again I was intrigued because Jenna became a part of "Team Edward".
With it being the last week of school I just finished the first book and have now started the second. I have to say, I totally get the obsession now. The book is so much better than the movie and I am officially part of "Team Edward" with my girl Jenna. I recommend these books as a great summer read!!!!

A great reason to start blogging!!!!!

I would like to introduce everyone to the newest member of the family.... Ian Jacob Dodd. This beautiful baby boy was born on Wednesday, May 13th. He was 21 inches long and a little over six pounds. I don't mean to sound like a biased Auntie, but he is one of the most beautiful newborn babies that I have ever seen. We love him so much already and can't wait to watch him grow. This pic is of my Grandpa (Ian's Great Grandpa- no that's not my dad!), my cousin/brother Dustin (Ian's Daddy), and baby Ian. I'll post some other pics soon.
Congratulations Dustin and Jenny!!! We love you guys!

It's been too long.....

I am sorry that I have been such a horrible blogger! I thought I would update everyone on what has been going on with us in the Allen household. Nate's basketball team, Clovis East, was absolutely amazing this year! They were undefeated and ranked 15th in the State... AWESOME! In their first round of playoffs they had an awful turn of events...They lost against Buchannan, which we killed them by 30 points just the Wednesday before. Kevin Bailey, a star sophomore from New York, broke his nose and was taken to the hospital during the game. The officiating was absolutely horrible. We lost by one point! It was by far the biggest shock and one of the hardest losses I have ever witnessed. The Valley Championship game is this Saturday, one that the Timberwolves should be playing in and winning. It was such an awesome season, and so fun to watch. It is a shame it ended like it did.

On a brighter note, Nate took me to Cayucos for Valentine's Day. I love my husband. It was great to relax and enjoy time together. I am so lucky!

Geocaching

Ok, we are total nerds... but if you've never heard of geocaching here is the rundown about it:

People all over the world hide "treasures", then you go find them. You might be wondering what you win when you find these treasures.... nothing. Just the thrill of finding it and validating your find with your signature on the geocaching log inside.

I know it sounds silly, but don't knock it until you've tried it. Check it out at geocaching.com. Here are some pics of our first two nights out geocaching.

It's a tradition

Two years ago, my closest girlfriends and our moms, started a tradition that every Christmas we would all get together and have a mother-daughter lunch at the Tea House in Old Town Clovis. Girls, if you haven't gone before, add it to your to-do list. They have great food and the atmosphere is girly and fun. The first year that we did this was really to get together to celebrate the first baby into the bunch..... Miss Brighton Grimes. This year, Breena and Mama DeeDee couldn't come because Breena lives in Virginia (which is beautiful by the way!). They were missed, but Marnie, Karen, and I, along with our wonderful moms went and had a great time together. It is so awesome having friends that I have had basically all my life, and we are so lucky to have such amazing moms.

RC Jones Potography

Our good friend, Ryan Jones, is an amazing photographer! He offered to do some pics for us this year for our Christmas card. If anyone ever needs a photographer for engagements, weddings, family portraits, senior pictures, baby portraits... you name it, he's the one to call. So thanks Ry for such a great day with you, as always, and for the awesome pictures. We love you! Everyone else, here are a few samples from the day, enjoy!