Madelyn at 10 months

Madelyn turned ten months on February 10th. She has been scooting around for about two months now, but still isn't officially "crawling". I guess she gets to where she wants to go so she is content. It would certainly be a lot less work if she crawled, but she is getting quicker all the time. She can crawl up the step from our family room into the kitchen so she is right at my feet all the time. Her latest achievement is standing up in her crib. She was so proud of herself the first time I walked into get her from nap and she was standing up. She just loves all of the attention she gets from everyone and is the happiest baby! I can't believe her birthday is less than two months away!


Daddy's little girl!

Mommy and Madelyn getaway

I wanted to take Madelyn out to Idaho for two reasons: let everyone see her before she's a toddler next summer and watch some basketball games. Madelyn was sick and not her real self most of the time and most of the basketball games were canceled due to the two feet of snow they got while I was there. I haven't seen so much snow since I was a kid! It made me wish the rest of the kids were with me so they could enjoy it too and play in it with their cousins. Even though we didn't get to do all I had hoped, it was still worth the trip to see everyone!


Madelyn did great on her first plane ride. She had a fever and wasn't feeling well on the way out so she just snuggled with me. On the return trip she was feeling a little better so she was trying to play with anyone who would look at her.


Super Bowl party at Frank and Dolly's house; Grandma and Kaylia with Madelyn.


Frank with Madelyn and Jessika at Kaylia's game.

He's the man!

It's very rare that I have time to go shopping without kids so whenever Aaron is along he is so great about keeping the kids occupied so that I can shop! One Saturday last month we all went to the outlets and Aaron did a great job with thekids! I came out of the dressing room from trying something on and he was sitting like this with all of the kids so I had to take a picture. What a great husband!


Here's a picture of Justin's basketball team. Aaron really didn't want to coach this year because he's in school, but they needed a volunteer so he's doing it and doing a great job! The boy next to Justin is in his third grade class and is one of his good friends. Our lives are so busy now with Aaron in school. I don't think either of us realized how much work it would be. I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end.



Aaron told the kids that if they got all of their Saturday chores done, he would help them make Silly Putty. They found a recipe and demonstration on youtube and were dying to make their own. I've never seen our kids so anxious to help! I was sick with a cold and didn't feel well so he did it all on his own and the kids were thrilled with the results. I'm not so thrilled with all of this silly putty we now have, but I guess it's worth it to have the memories, right??

Our 2007 Christmas

We had a fun Christmas and I loved the time at home with Nancy and the kids. We spent a few days before Christmas in Delta visiting with family and attending family Christmas parties. The kids had lots of fun with their cousins and it a was treat to have the Florida cousins in Delta. Justin was pretty emotional when we left. Too bad we can't spend more time with all the family. We are hoping to spend Christmas in Idaho next year.

I think the kids got everything on their wish lists. Justin received a Star Wars Lego set from Santa and a Lego Bionicle from baby Madelyn. Elizabeth loves her jewelry making kit and Santa brought her several American Girl doll items. Will got a Leapster from Santa. Santa gave Bruce a pirate ship of which Will is very jealous.

Zimmer has a company wide shutdown between Christmas and New Year so I got to spend lots of time at home. It just doesn't get any better than this time of the year; lots of family, food, presents and football. If only I could find a way that both Nancy and I could be stay at home parents then I would really have it made. In the meantime I'm just hoping that Ohio State will win the BCS National Championship. It still just doesn't seem right that the game is not on January 1st.

Last night we received over 12 inches of snow. I am not sure what the official amount was but it looked like 18 inches. Church was cancelled so we got to sleep in a little which was nice. I haven't see this much snow since I was a kid. So much for that global warming stuff Al Gore! The kids had a great time helping me clean the drive but it wasn't too bad. One of the neighbors has a large John Deere tractor with a snow blade. We heard him plowing the drive around 7am but by the time we went out there was another 3 or 4 inches. This time there was no fighting over the snow shovels. After the last storm we bought more shovels so each has their own. Bruce wanted to try using the snow blower but could hardly pull the cord. They have already cancelled school for tomorrow. I am so jealous and would love another day to spend with the family.

Merry Christmas family and friends! The year 2007 was a very fun-filled year for us. Here are a few highlights…

Justin turned eight in February and was thrilled to be baptized in March. He loved having many family and friends come for his baptism from Ohio, as well as Grandma and Grandpa from Idaho. Justin began Cub Scouts and has earned his Wolf badge. He had a lot of fun making his Pinewood Derby car and attending Day Camp. He played basketball in the early part of the year and soccer in the fall (both coached by Dad). He got a dog, Buddy, in March and has been pretty good about taking care of him. He is in third grade and is a very good student.

Elizabeth turned seven on the seventh of May (her “special” birthday) so we surprised her with a day in Chicago and visited the American Girl store. She loved it and especially loved getting her doll’s hair done at the in-store doll salon! She is such a good little mother to her younger brothers and sister. We can see her as an elementary teacher one day, and definitely a good Mom! She is in her third year of ballet and started taking piano lessons in the fall. Elizabeth is in the second grade and is also a very good student.

Will turned four in July and is in pre-school this year. We have begun to nickname him “The Incredible Hulk” because he is this sweet little boy, until he loses his temper and he becomes so emotional. Luckily, 99% of the time he is a sweetheart. You just don’t want to see the other 1%! Will played soccer this fall for his first time and had a lot of fun.

Bruce turned three in November and keeps me on my toes. He is so good natured and loves to play with anyone. He is especially good at holding his little sister. He is such a Daddy’s boy! We had our first trip to the ER for stitches with Bruce this summer.

Madelyn was born April 12, coming almost a month early. She weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces and was healthy. She has been such a delight to have in our family. I love seeing each of the kids with her because they each love her in their own way and she lights up when any of them give her any attention. She has remained small for her age, but is very active and is starting to scoot around.

Aaron enjoys his job at Zimmer and has had fun coaching the boys in basketball and soccer. As if our lives aren’t busy enough, he is beginning an MBA program in January at Ball State.

I feel like I just run around crazy all day long trying to keep up with our family, but I know these days will go too fast. I have been able to get back into running again. That is the one activity that I feel helps me keep my sanity. I’m hoping to run another half marathon sometime next spring.

Our year for the Buckeyes didn’t start out too great, but we’re grateful for another shot at redeeming ourselves in the national title game. We love this time of year as we spend time with friends and family and count our many blessings. We wish all of you a Merry Christmas and pray the Spirit of Christmas will be with you throughout the year.

Love, The Allens

2007 Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas family and friends! The year 2007 was a very fun-filled year for us. Here are a few highlights…

Justin turned eight in February and was thrilled to be baptized in March. He loved having many family and friends come for his baptism from Ohio, as well as Grandma and Grandpa from Idaho. Justin began Cub Scouts and has earned his Wolf badge. He had a lot of fun making his Pinewood Derby car and attending Day Camp. He played basketball in the early part of the year and soccer in the fall (both coached by Dad). He got a dog, Buddy, in March and has been pretty good about taking care of him. He is in third grade and is a very good student.

Elizabeth turned seven on the seventh of May (her “special” birthday) so we surprised her with a day in Chicago and visited the American Girl store. She loved it and especially loved getting her doll’s hair done at the in-store doll salon! She is such a good little mother to her younger brothers and sister. We can see her as an elementary teacher one day, and definitely a good Mom! She is in her third year of ballet and started taking piano lessons in the fall. Elizabeth is in the second grade and is also a very good student.

Will turned four in July and is in pre-school this year. We have begun to nickname him “The Incredible Hulk” because he is this sweet little boy, until he loses his temper and he becomes so emotional. Luckily, 99% of the time he is a sweetheart. You just don’t want to see the other 1%! Will played soccer this fall for his first time and had a lot of fun.

Bruce turned three in November and keeps me on my toes. He is so good natured and loves to play with anyone. He is especially good at holding his little sister. He is such a Daddy’s boy! We had our first trip to the ER for stitches with Bruce this summer.

Madelyn was born April 12, coming almost a month early. She weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces and was healthy. She has been such a delight to have in our family. I love seeing each of the kids with her because they each love her in their own way and she lights up when any of them give her any attention. She has remained small for her age, but is very active and is starting to scoot around.

Aaron enjoys his job at Zimmer and has had fun coaching the boys in basketball and soccer. As if our lives aren’t busy enough, he is beginning an MBA program in January at Ball State.

I feel like I just run around crazy all day long trying to keep up with our family, but I know these days will go too fast. I have been able to get back into running again. That is the one activity that I feel helps me keep my sanity. I’m hoping to run another half marathon sometime next spring.

Our year for the Buckeyes didn’t start out too great, but we’re grateful for another shot at redeeming ourselves in the national title game. We love this time of year as we spend time with friends and family and count our many blessings. We wish all of you a Merry Christmas and pray the Spirit of Christmas will be with you throughout the year.

Love, The Allens