Our Nephew, Howard Ray Allen is here!!

Howard Ray Allen was born (a week earlier than his due date) this past Monday, November the 16th at 3:49pm weighing 9 lbs 8 oz. We like to call him Ray.
He was named after our dad.

He is such a beautiful little baby. Big sisters are so happy he is finally here. Drew and Charlotte were beaming with pride and of course Charlotte did awesome (as usual) and says she feels great.

One of the best things was seeing Drew holding his son as he beamed with pride.
I know their bond will be very special.

Congratulations Drew and Charlotte.
I am so happy for you and your sweet family.

I love lunch!

I am a big fan of the Improve Musicals. I think because I have this desire to be a part of one someday.
Maybe I will set one up in Longview. Watch out - You may be somewhere with my family and we may just bust out in a musical. Seriously though, we do bust out in musicals at home all the time :)

Coming Soon: Baby Ray Allen

This past month has flown by with all of the activities we have had going on and with going to school three days a week.
I can hardly believe that our little nephew will be here soon! It seems like just yesterday that Drew and Charlotte delivered the news that Charlotte would deliver a baby BOY! This will be the first (and probably only) Allen boy in their family. I was elated when I heard that news because I knew how badly they wanted a little boy. I know his big sister's, Alyse, Alex & Allie, can't wait to meet him either. I am so curious as to who he will look like. I can't wait to hold him! I am getting plain giddy as I am typing now. Charlotte told me she would be induced (if Ray does not come on his own) on Nov. 23rd. WOW, that is soon!!
Here is a sonogram picture taken of him in August:


Ray will be the 7th cousin of Aubrey and Pete's on my side of the family, making a total of 9 grandkids for my mom :) This is a collage I made of all the cousins on this side of the family. If Charlotte or Amy has anymore babies, I will just have to get a bigger collage. I thank God for all of the healthy children in our family. I pray this delivery will be a smooth one like the rest of them.
You know Aunt Dre will be there awaiting his arrival.

SO HAPPY FOR YOU DREW & CHARLOTTE!!

Fall Festivities

We didn't actually do anything on Halloween night except pass out candy at our house because Pete was a little under the weather AND because Aubrey was so tuckered out. She had no naps for several days in a row, and a late night the night before so she fell asleep around 5:30pm that evening and was asleep for the night. She did not get up until 6:30am the next morning. CRAZY! Her body obviously needed it.
I am so glad that we had went to Fall Fest the week before. ACA (Alpine Christian Academy) parents & staff did a great job at putting Fall Fest together. It was a fund raiser to benefit our school that raised close to $3,000.

It was SO much fun and the kids looked adorable :)

Aubrey was Annie from the musical (obviously)

It was fun that Aubrey followed in her Aunt Gi's footsteps as dressing up like Annie AND got to wear the same dress her Aunt Gi' wore:
Aubrey's has been interested in Annie since she watched the movie AND went to Austin and saw (these are Aubrey's words) "The real Annie on stage."


So Debbie came over to help get the kids ready and Aubrey tells her that she wants Debbie (Nana) to be Miss Hannigan. SO guess what? Of course, Nana goes home to dress up like Miss Hannigan! I was VERY impressed with the costume she whipped up in 10 min. But not surprised because my mother-in-law is a pretty remarkable lady :) It was fun for Aubrey AND Nana. Thanks Nana for being so loving and so willing to be there for your granddaughter.


And of course, we can't forget about Pete who was just as cute and adorable. Pete was a cowboy (wearing an outfit Bryan wore when he was a young lad. (Precious to me)
(thanks Mindi Collier for taking this picture)
Pete has grown so much since last year!
Oct. 2008


It was fun to see him interact more and really enjoy himself this time around. Bryan is pretty cute too ;)

Feelin' Better Now, Thank You

Bryan and I went to Tyler on Friday night and left the kids with Darrell in Longview.
After we arrived in Tyler, Darrell noticed that Pete was looking a little sluggish, and was VERY short of breath (up to 55 breaths per minute). Pete's temperature also got up to 103. After talking with us, Darrell took Pete to the ER and Pete was given a breathing treatment just before we got there. By then, Pete had slowed down his rapid breathing quite a bit.

A similar episode happened a couple of months ago to Pete but thankfully we had a breathing machine in our possession.

Our Dr. thinks that Pete is having asthmatic attacks triggered by something. But what? The only correlation I know of is that he has been congested both times. The great news is that the breathing machine (a nebulizer containing albuterol) seems to help him get back to a normal breathing pattern and temperature.

We will go back to school tomorrow if all goes well. Pete is doing well as far as breathing is concerned and has not had a high temp. since leaving the ER. THANK GOODNESS!

God is Good!! I thank God that Pete is well and is a tough little guy. He has been so awesome through this. I have enjoyed spending lots of time with him lately (playing, cuddling, ect.)
We will probably get back in the regular swing of things tomorrow by going to school and resuming activities.