N8oween 2009

Well, this year N8oween was another big hit! Once again the costumes were awesome and everyone went all out. Below is a slide show of the night dedicated to Popculture Icons. The winners of this year's awards went to:
Best Female: Jacqui Seibert as Amy Weinhouse
Best Male: Ryan Jones as Prince
Most Creative: Johnny Allen as Where's Waldo (be sure to pay attention to the background in most of the pictures, Waldo is sure to be hiding somewhere!)
Thanks to everyone who was able to make it, we had a spectacular time... and to those of you who didn't we hope to see you next year. Until then... here are some pictures of the night. Enjoy!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Two???

Our time has finally come, times 2!!!! On the morning of October 25th I took a pregnancy test, and it came back positive!!!! After a year of trying we could hardly believe that our little miracle was finally on the way. On November 9th, we went in for our first ultrasound. Here is how the appointment went:
Doctor says: "So how many are we hoping for?"
Kara's reply: "Uh, ONE!?!"
The doctor proceeds with the ultrasound, where she then says: "Yup there's two!"
Nate and I look at each other in total shock! Nothing could be said. The doctor left the room and still we sat there staring at each other, with absolutely nothing to say. As we left, the doctor's response to us was: "Well, you got the deal this month... Two for the price of one!"
I don't even remember what was going through my head except, oh my God! Two?
After a few days passed and the shock wore off, we became very excited. Not many people will get to experience raising twins. So we are so happy that we are among that bunch. God gives you what you can handle, so I guess that is twins for us. All I can say is that we are VERY blessed!

Here is our entire summer, in one post!

So, I have been a very busy girl this summer, but I wanted to keep all of you updated on what has been going on in our lives. So I'll start with our trip to San Diego. We took this trip with Nate's parents for his cousin, Lindsay's, wedding. The wedding was beautiful and it was great to see Lindsay and her new hubby so happy. While we were there we also spent a day at the San Diego Zoo. Nate and I have been there before, but it was a first for his parents and brother.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

As summer began and June passed, we decided to go to Yosemite with two of our closest friends, Troy and Jenna. We all wanted to hike some waterfalls, so our first fall was virtually small, but still gorgeous. We made our way to Yosemite Valley and had a picnic lunch. As we sat and ate we enjoyed the scenery and fed a sweet little squirrel. Little did we know that feeding them is against the law, and if caught doing it, you must pay a $1,000 fine. Oops! We ended our day with hiking Vernal Falls. If you haven't had the chance to do this, it is absolutely AMAZING! Nate and I had already hiked this waterfall, but we did it again for Troy and Jenna. This hike is tough and long, but it was totally worth it. At the top is a huge "pool" of water that is made from snow run off. Cold right? Well, not for Troy. Even though it is clearly stated not to swim here, Troy did anyway. We had a great time, and made some great memories. Dirty buggers and all!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Mid July came and we went on our trip to Santa Cruz with Nate's parents. We spent alot of time at the beach, went shopping, watched movies, went to the Boardwalk, and relaxed. The Boardwalk was a lot of fun. We got wristbands that got us on to any ride we wanted. I even got Nate and Becky on the Ferris wheel! We rode Nate's favorite ride a few times... the bumper cars. It was like we were kids again. The weather was beautiful there, and we lived it up considering it was averaging 106 in Fresno that week!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

While in Santa Cruz, our last night there, my best friend Marnie went in to labor! She was in labor for 27 hours! I was texting her husband and mom all night, and finally around 5:55 am the next morning I got the text letting us know that Bryson had arrived. All 9 pounds 21 inches of him. We got home that afternoon and went right over to the hospital to meet the little guy. He is amazing and beautiful. I just can't get enough of him. Welcome to the world baby Bryson. Auntie Kara and Uncle Nate love you bud!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Once the last week of July hit we were off on our last trip of the summer to our favorite true vacation spot... Cayucos. We went with my family and stayed in the usual little yellow beach house as always. We went to the beach every day, Nate golfed and actually had a good time, played polbie (a new game that consists of 2 polls, a frisbee, and two bottles), and boggie boarded for hours and hours. Yes, not only do we young peeps boogie, but so do my parents and aunt and uncle. Awesome!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Summer is truly my favorite time of year. With Nate and I both being teachers and having the summers off together it is something I look forward to every year. Our school year is always so busy, but summer allows us to just hang out and be together. There is no one I would rather spend a life time of summers with than my hubby. We are very lucky!

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!