February Fun

In February, Dusty's dad called and asked if he wanted to come work for a week so we packed up and headed back to sunny AZ. It was a bit nicer than in Dec. (warmer and a few less people-we love family but everyone together gets a little hectic). Here are some fun pictures from our trip. Dusty actually really enjoyed working with his dad and I had a blast hanging out with mom and the kids. We were outside every day!


Brian and Lily playing "dogs" in the yard. I don't think Brian was actually eating anything.

Samantha and Macie exploring the jungle.

The kids making bubble beards.

The orange vehicle is actually a modified VW bug.

Dusty and dad went to California to buy it while we were there. The 14 hour trip turned into over 30 hours because they had car trouble-go figure.









But meanwhile, Mom and I read the third book in Robyn's series while they were gone. The perfect ending!

Christmas Joy

Here are a few pictures from Christmas. We had "Santa" come early to our house so we didn't have to take presents to AZ. Samantha LOVED her new doll and stroller.

We also celebrated early with my family. All of us kids went together and got mom a modern picture display (The frames hang from the knobs with ribbon). She previously had all our pictures in mismatch frames on her china hutch. With beautiful vaulted ceilings and really empty walls, we figured it was time for a change. She absolutely loved it!

It's a Fillmore family tradition to do the nativity story with felt puppets. We've done it as long as I can remember. So know the grandkids are the main stars. Dusty and Tyler were the Stage (held up a sheet). This is everyone taking a bow after the show.
















We travelled down to AZ for Christmas will all the Allens. Even Dusty's two half sisters and their families got to come from Oregon. It was a blast. This is Smantha playing with Grandma Black's airplane (cousin Macie in the background).

Happy Holidays!

The holiday season was so busy for us that we never sent out a Christmas/New Year's Greeting. We did get a family picture taken but only because Dusty is clever with the timer on our camera. Not to bad for the front yard eh? (The kids are looking at a rock I threw to try to get them to look at the camera, it worked until the rock fell-darn gravity!)

See Me Run

Brian was outta control tonight! I don't know if he had too much sugar, was too excited about his sister's new bed or just plain sick of being inside but he was literally bouncing off the walls. He kept asking me if I would play with him (sweet) while I was making dinner and then doing the dishes. I hate it when I have to keep telling him no. So, when the dishes were finally done, I put on the "Watch Me Sing" CD from Brite Music http://www.britemusic.com and we had a blast running and dancing and pretending to be animals in the front room. I felt pretty silly at times (which is why there are no pictures) but the kids had a blast. You should have seen Brian and Samantha pretending to be ballerinas! I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving!

Sibling Love

Tonight we were doing our typical bedtime routine and I asked (the same as I do every night) Brian if he wanted to give his sister a hug. Well tonight he said yes, and he hugged her, tackled her, tickled her and made her giggle and laugh! Either he's finally learning how to be a little softer or Smantha's finally getting a little tougher but it just made my night.

Here's an awesome picture my brother took of Samantha and Brian on his big bike. I love my kids!

I debated whether to break this up into different posts but I'm just bad at posting regularly and I have some fun pictures I want to share so here it goes...


My latest creation... My sister, mom and I threw a baby shower for my cousin. I absolutely love decorating cakes (I don't mind eating them either)

This is a really bad picture, but the only one I could get of my new dog, "Pepper". It took Dusty and I almost a week to agree on a name for her. She's an Austrailian Shepherd and still only about 3-4 months old. Someone had abandoned her and siblings on the hwy and so I brought her home. Dusty was pretty shocked because I am not strictly speaking a "dog person" but she plays really well with our Ty and hopefully I'll figure out how to get her to sit and all that fun stuff.

Proof that big brother's really can be nice to their little sisters!

Our new-to-us trampoline! My sister sold their house and the renters didn't have room for it so now it's in our backyard. It's missing some springs but the kids LOVE it!

Travelin' Allens

We just had an awesome trip to visit Dusty's family! Here are some pictures!
Samantha swinging on one of our stops on the way down. The kids did really great in the car!

Dusty, Grandpa and Uncle Trevor went riding with Brian. They had a blast!

Pudding painting with Grandma!

Our trusty travelin truck and Dusty's new hot rod!

We stopped at Glen Canyon Dam (Lake Powell) for a break on the way home.

Dusty, you grew two arms and a really small head.

Another break, chillin with Ty.

ahhh, home sweet home. Grandma and I made this awesome bib while we were down for our visit.

Dusty had fun working on his new '77 Chevy Nova and the kids and I had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa. I helped Dusty's sister with my neice's 4th brithday party and we went on a couple of dates. Oh, and we went out to the lake (but forgot the camera). Probably more but it was lots of fun and good to relax.