Visits and Turkey

Last week Sarah, Phil, and Emily came to join us here in sunny Texas. Unfortunately, they didn't get to experience the awesomeness of Austin, due to time crunch and schedules, but it was still a fantastic visit! Sarah and Emily stayed with us on Thursday night, and Phil joined us on Friday. We did get to introduce them to Chuy's...and who doesn't love that?! Sarah and I were able to enjoy some shopping and girly movies. It was pretty nice to just hang out. Poor Brad had to work almost the whole time, but he made the most of the time he was awake to join in the fun!

Emily just amazed us! She talks so much! We couldn't believe how much she's grown and how smart she is. I mean I may be a little biased, but really. She knows all these words. She now says my name, Brad's name, Nemo, monkey, love you....on and on and on. She's like a little parrot, I love it! She suckered me into buying her a monkey from Kohls because she grabbed on and wouldn't let go. Apparently Nana and Mom always tell her the monkey has to sleep, but I wasn't that bold. Hahaha oh well, Christmas gift for the sweet girl. Here are some pictures, please try to ignore my frazzled look, it was early, and I haven't quite adjusted to sleeping regularly at night yet.





All this to say, we LOVED having them here. We would also LOVE LOVE LOVE them to move here, but we'll survive I suppose. Come back you three! Bring that baking baby once she's joined us in the world too! Can't wait for niece #2!

In other news, we're on the same schedule! It's Wednesday, and we are just now starting our week! I mean, it will not be super fun, four 12-hour shifts in a row. However, we'll be on the SAME TIME SCHEDULE! We've noticed we can get so much more down now because we don't have to work around the other's sleep schedule. It's amazing.

This week, I tackled my very first turkey. It started out a little gross, with Brad laughing and taking pictures, but that's ok...we've captured the moment. See below.








The turkey even turned out successfully! It may look a little crispy, but it was actually really juicy, and SO much easier than I thought it would be! Now I know that when Carl and Rosemary come we can have a tasty turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner. Next experiment will be some sort of pie, hopefully! Woo!

All for now. Hope you're having a fantastic week!

So...

That didn't go as I had hoped. Not nearly close. I try not to talk a lot of politics. Brad and I both follow that rule of not discussing politics with those around us. We talk to each other, and we discuss and question, but overall I try not to give my opinion. However, tonight, I will say this did not go as I had hoped. I hate to use the word fear, but I am a tiny bit fearful of where this lands our country. Thankfully, we have a God who is sovereign. Thankfully His will is supreme. Thankfully, He can work everything according to His will. So tonight, though I am very unsettled with how this turned out, I will be sleeping just fine because ultimately, my God is in control.

Also. T-42ish hours until arrival of the best niece ever. Who wouldn't be PUMPED about that.

I apologize for my political discussion, next post will be back to normal.

Election Day

Alright, I apologize for my lack of enthusiasm, but I am so glad today is November 4th. I am aware of how important this election is, I am aware of the issues, and I am aware that these guys both say they're prepared to make big changes. Regardless, I am glad the day is finally here that we don't have to listen to them bash each other anymore. Either way, I would just like to announce that (pathetically) I voted for the first time this year! I did it!Also, early voting rocks. I voted last week. I knew who I was voting for and I didn't have to wait in a line at all! AMAZING! Brad also voted early so neither one of us has to wait in those lines today. WOO.

All this to say, even though I'm tired of the campaigns, I will be watching closely today. I know who I am hoping will win this election, and I am eager to see the result! Hope you all voted too!!
Phil, Sarah, and E arrive on Thursday! This deserves a YAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY! Can't wait for that. One more day of work tomorrow, and then off for 6 days. Whoa!

Starting next Wednesday, Brad and I will have the SAME SCHEDULE! We won't even know what to do about that. It's scary.

That's about all I have. Go vote.

Exciting Times!!

1. Congrats to Blair and Adam on their beautiful baby boy! Grayson was born Saturday evening and we couldn't be more excited for the Reed's! We were able to drop by the hospital on Sunday and he is just perfect!

2. Which makes me remember I forgot to say a yay and congrats to Jared and Becca a MONTH AGO for baby Victoria! We haven't gotten to meet her yet, but we're pretty stinking excited for that! She too appears to be absolutely perfect!

3. Phil, Sarah, and Emily in Austin. 1 week! YAY! Can't tell you how excited we are to have some more family visit! We also can't wait to meet our new niece in December. Woohoo!

4. We've had such a great last couple of days! We have been able to spend some quality time with all different friends, and that just rocks! Friday we were able to do lunch with the Moore's, Friday evening Shauna and I had some girl bonding time. We watched Enchanted and strangely the fellows were ok with not being involved in that. Saturday was the Family Reunion for the Stone. We were able to celebrate with 49 people as they were baptized. It's amazing. We also were able to be right next to our new land for the church. (They also had the Reagan high school drum line come play- AWESOME!) Tonight we were able to have dinner and just some quality hang out time with the Ralston's. We were on an interview with Kendall to babysit next weekend, hopefully we've passed the test! :) Finally, tomorrow night we're going to have some quality time with our small group. We love the way the Lord has just provided for us down here with amazing friends!

P.S. Who does not love fall in Texas! It's starting to get chilly. I love it. It's not the midwest...there aren't the beautiful colors, but every day I seriously think WOW when I walk outside. Amazing.

All for now. Have a great week!

Life

All is good in the hood for the Allison family. We're a boring bunch, not much new to report. Brad's parents came down for a visit this weekend which was great. They were able to head to UT with Brad for College Game Day, I was sleeping. Sunday we were able to watch a gorgeous sunset out at the Oasis, followed by some delicious cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. It was pretty sweet!

Our home is partially fall decorated which makes us excited. We were never a trick-or-treat family, and when we have children, we most likely will head back that way. However, I'm pretty excited for the opportunity to possibly hand out some candies to the kiddos next Friday. I love seeing little ones all dressed up. Unfortunately, so far I have to work, so I'll be living vicariously through my husband. He has a pretty awesome blow up horse outfit which I think is hilarious and have been working all week to convince him to wear it to pass out candy. I'm not sure he's selling out yet. SEE BELOW. Seriously...I think it's hilarious.

Sarah, Phil, and Emily are coming to visit soon! Who's excited? These kids! Brad hasn't seen Emily since June and she's changed SO much. It's the perfect week for them to come, and we found out early enough that we could totally work the schedule so I can be off the whole time. I CAN'T WAIT!

WOOOOO!

Decorations

It's official. I am a fall nerd. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought 4 fall decorations. They are in our home. Brad even said he likes them. Whoa.

Brad's parents come this weekend. We're pretty pumped for some company!

If you have tried to call us, we are officially horrible at answering our phones and we apologize. I had 11 voicemails tonight. 11. I finally decided it was time to listen when I realized that one missed call was my boss. However, we are trying to get better at calling sooner. We think of you all so often, but feel that 3am is an inappropriate time to wake you to share that with you.

However, I will say that I am a much better responder to email. We can not say this is true of my dear husband. He's aware; I've staged an intervention. If sometimes you receive an email from him back that sounds strangely female...it's most likely me. Don't be scared. He doesn't mind.

Finally. The COLTS came back this week like the team I know and love. Yay. Brad's Chiefs didn't play, but since they are so clearly awesome we'll be rooting for them next week.

Second Finally: In case anyone missed it...UT is ranked #1 this week. I'm always going to be a Purdue girl, but the OU/UT game was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Hasta!

Hoosier Land

I just returned home from Indiana yesterday, and had a wonderful but bittersweet time. Thankfully, I had lots of quality time with both family and friends, so that was great!

Two major highlights...

Highlight #1: Brittany and Chad's wedding! These two are such a neat couple! They are two of our friends from Olivet, and it was great to have a little reunion of the Olivetians! Below are some pictures...

Brittany was a stunning bride! The wedding was perfect. They had a video where they told a little of their story, and I totally had some teary moments. God is faithful, and I love to hear a couple testify to that.

Highlight #2: Dad's Surprise 50th Birthday Party!
So Dad may have turned 50 two months ago, but that doesn't mean it's too late to celebrate. Sarah and Mom decided that my coming home was a good decoy for dad, so we decided to have some friends and family over for some BBQ on Sunday afternoon. It was great time to just spend time with the family I love so much! We missed Brad though! Had some time to just talk and visit with my family, followed by an awesome game of whiffle ball. We won! Aunt Jo, Chase and I rocked the outfield. Sarah and Baby #2 kept the pitching under control. Phil, Randy, Bradley, and Ryan saved the infield. WOOHOO!!!

There were some fun times! Aunt Jo caught Uncle Bob's pop fly, and danced...so then we danced for every catch we had. Dad would howl every time he ran the bases as distraction. I'm pretty sure Randy and Lauri collided. Lauri did the splits. I struck out, pathetic. There is just nothing like family.

After the game, the ladies all packed up and headed over to see Lauri's dorm room at Purdue. It is ADORABLE. I will tell you, I never had a room that was as decorated or as clean as her room! It suited her perfectly!

I was even able to see Kyle on Sunday evening as he came into town! He came by Ellen's just so we could hang out a few minutes before I left on Monday! We always seem to miss each other by a day or so on being in town, so I was thankful to see him! Leaving Kevin as the only cousin I didn't see..so Christmas better change that.

Nana and Papa were the cheerleaders. Apparently Nana ended her career with a fall during the last whiffle ball game. Papa did pinch hit for sarah, and I was her runner for one at bat. He provided us a single.



On the way to Purdue, and then in Lauri's dorm where we forced her neighbor to take our pictures! Kidding, she is a sweet girl and we didn't have to force.

Emily shopping...as she looked through the clothes if we said cute she said "ute." She also dug through my purse to get to those sunglasses below.
Additional Exciting times from the weekend:
I was able to see MANY friends, though not all and not for long. We're home for longer at Christmas though!

Emily is so big and so adorable! I can't believe how much she changed just in the short time since we saw her last in June. She now can say my name. (It sounds like cankle according to some family members, but she definitely tries hard) She says come here that sounds like "me're" while doing hand motions. She giggles at everything, and chatters all the time. She has names for everyone! "Kuh" (Luke), "Ori" Lauri, "Pop" Dad, Papa (whisepered) Papa, Nano-Nana, Mamy-Mom. I love it. Who knew it was possible to love a niece so much. We miss her tons down here.

As always, it was great to be back! We are looking forward to about 3 weeks from now when we will FINALLY be able to have the same schedule! Who's excited??? THESE KIDS!!!! As of November 1st, we will officially be back to the Wed-Frid schedule and Brad will go to work at 7, no more of this 11 junk. Yay! That's all there is to it, YAY! It may still be nights but it's together which makes it awesome!

All for now, hope you are having a flat out fantastic week!