OUR NEWEST EAGLE SCOUT !!

McKay had his Eagle Court of Honor last Friday night. It was a real treat to honor him and two of his friends, Sean Whitnah, and Garrett Parker. There was a video put together that highlighted their lives and some wonderful speakers who spotlighted each boy. He also received an American flag that has flown over the US Capital. We are so very proud of McKay. May seems to be his month, between graduation and now the court of honor, he has been in the spotlight with many busy things. To top it off he has 60 days left before he leaves for Marine boot camp. He is very excited. Congratulations McKay for earning your Eagle. You're awesome!

WE LOVE YOU 2008 GRADUATE

The time of attending class, doing homework, and creating class projects is now drawing to a close for McKay. It seems like it was just yesterday that he was ready to start kindergarten. The time has really flown by. He is excited to be out of school and on with his life. He is even refusing to go to the classes that are just showing movies for the last couple of weeks. He will graduate on June 11 at the Chiles Center at Portland State University. He is also going to attend the all night party at Bullwinkle's Fun Center. Can you imagine 8 hours at the Fun Center? He will love it. He has had a wonderful school experience and we, at home, want to congratulate him on his achievements. We have included some of our favorite pictures of Mac. This has been a delightful journey.

Our Active Children and Oh, by the way, "Happy Birthday Mom"

Happy Birthday to the best darn Mom in the world (and she's a pretty good wife too!).

Griffin and McKay have been spending time in the valley on the dirt bikes. It was Griffin's first time riding the range. They both came home with a huge mud stripe down the back of their shirt and pants. No injuries, just plenty of fun!!! Today Griffin bit the dust for the first time.

He made it through the hard part but he fell prey to the deep, deep ruts. He couldn't get out and it flipped him off the bike. But, like a good sport, he hopped back up and sped away.

Also, Abby's first track meet came and she triple jumped 34'6". She got back to school and looked at the records for the school. The school's record for triple jump was 34'6"! Not too shabby for her first track meet. She is looking awesome.




















McKay has been training for boot camp with the Marines. Last Thursday he had a test and had to do 4 pull ups for every wrong answer on the test. Too bad he missed just 10 questions. Let's see . . . . a mere 40 pull ups! His arms are killing him right now and all we can do is think about what is to come in 4 months as he heads off to boot camp. It may not be as "fun" as he thinks it will be. Time will tell.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!

It has been a long 53 years but the old geezer has finally made it and with most of his teeth and practically all of his hair! Where has the time gone? I figure during his life he has played somewhere around 700 basketball games, slept about 135,400 hours, eaten close to 636 gallons of ice cream, hunted wild animals and such about 25 years of his life, created 6 beautiful children and 2 wonderful grandchildren. What more could you ever expect? Happy Birthday Russell J. We think the world of you and want to wish you a Happy Birthday!

LOOK WHO IS ONE YEAR OLD - TODAY!!

From those first days in the hospital with RSV,
the sleepless nights of your mom and dad
while you were learning to sleep through the night,
and those screaming airplane trips,
every single day has been ever so worth it.
There are yet many more challenges for you and them
as you grow and mature but what great years lay
ahead. Happy Birthday to You Brylie.




HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYLIE DEAR
HAPPY DAYS WILL COME TO YOU ALL YEAR
IF WE HAD ONE WISH, THAT YOU COULD TRUST
IT'S A HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU FROM US!




HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR FAVORITE NIECE AND GRANDDAUGHTER!

ONE OF OUR HEROES

It is so very hard to express what President Gordon B. Hinckley has meant to us as we have looked to his leadership and example, then raised our kids from the inspiration we have received from him. He is truly a giant in our eyes and he will be sorely missed. We are so very grateful for the chance we had to learn from him for all of these years. We are thrilled at the thought of the great reunion he is having with his family and loved associates.

We love you President Hinckley!

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

Wow, where has the time gone? There has been so many things happen since November when Abby put this ridiculous video on. Probably the most exciting for the Allen clan was the return of Griffin from his mission in Brazil Riberao Preto. We put together a great plan and then put it into action! He arrived home on Wednesday, December 19. Much to his surprise we had arranged to have all of the kids home for Christmas. This was extra fun because he hadn't ever seen Brylie or Jonas.

We spent the first night home and then traveled to the coast to stay for 3 days at a friend's beach house. It was so relaxing. There was a tremendous amount of wind and so the waves on the beach were awesome and huge. Brad had brought the "crabbing" equipment but we weren't too successful. We ate, played games, watched movies, ate, went for walks on the beach, and just enjoyed each other's company.
















It was so enjoyable to be all together. On the 21st Paige and Matt had to leave to meet Matt's family and begin their Christmas vacation in Mexico. They had a wonderful time but we missed them tremendously. The rest of the family headed home to Grandma and Grandpas in Aloha where we continued with the Christmas festivities. Cassidy and Brad went to visit Brad's family in Wilsonville for the remainder of the vacation but we had a great Christmas dad with Shay, Chelsea, Jonas, Griffin, McKay, and Abby. It was a vacation that we hated to see end.