Allred Thanksgiving

 As always, we had 2 Thanksgiving dinners.  The first one was early in the day on Thursday with Brent's family.

Here's some photos from our visit:

 

 

 They have 3 tiny kittens at their house - and Ry loved the "kickies" - not sure why he is giving one a stare down in this photo, but it's funny!

 

 sitting at the kids' table (joined by mom and dad)

 Brent and Stella

 Ry-Ry and momma

 Ry's favorite thing about grandma and grandpa's house is their big yard with lots of fun toys.  I think he would live there if I would let him.

 almost all the cousins (we missed you Sara and Garrett!)  

My Marathon Goal

So in addition to working, parenting, applying to grad schools, and taking 2 classes, I decided to also start training for a marathon.
I signed up to be a volunteer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with Team in Training (TNT).  TNT is an organization that trains runners for races all over the world - we meet a couple times a week for team runs and get personalized training plans, nutrition info, shoe fittings, etc.  In exchange for the amazing training I am receiving - I will be fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  In order to qualify for my marathon, I have to raise $1,500.
I am not really a runner - I've always ran a little... but never pushed myself.  And because I'm slightly crazy and definitely an overachiever, I signed up for the "high-intensity" team.  Needless to say I've been working my butt off.  In my first week of training, I've already ran further and longer than I EVER have.  I'm definitely going out of my comfort zone here!  And while I am training for the full marathon, I am contemplating signing up for the half since it is my first real race... We'll see how my body responds and that will help make my final decision!  
I signed up because I want do something good for me that doesn't involve school or work or even my precious little guy (and let's face it, these three things consume my life lately).  Team in Training is perfect because in addition to improving the quality my life, I'm raising money to find cures for Leukemia, Hodgkin's, Myeloma, and Lymphoma.  As an organization, they've raised over $1.2 billion for research!  I'm proud to wear my Team in Training jersey - and I am hopeful that I can raise the money to remain on this amazing team. 
I'm trying to pull together some projects for my etsy store (which has been sitting empty for awhile).  The proceeds from that will all go to LLS.  But until I finish my final papers for my class, I just don't have the time to get that up and running. 
If you'd like to make a donation to LLS by sponsoring me, I would greatly appreciate anything you can give!   I can promise you Team in Training is a legitimate, long-running, well-known, and fantastic organization.

If you are able and willing to donate anything to LLS (and by doing so sponsoring me on my quest to become a runner!) - you can visit my personal fundraising website here

I'll keep you all updated on my journey - and thanks for your support!

-Brandi

Cabaret 2011

"Barcodes" - a song Auti and Bailey wrote

 (the sound comes in at the 0:28 mark and i eventually figured out how to flip the camera at somepoint too) - the video really doesn't do it justice - they sounded so good!

Auti's 1920's flapper song - "You're Just Too Sweet for Words" - really cute!

My adorable little sister, Auti, had SIX acts in this year's high school cabaret show.  These were my two favorites.  The first video is an original song written by Auti and her friend Bailey.  These two girls are always writing music together.  I definitely teared up watching them perform, they are so so so talented.

Happy Halloween!

 

This cute little pup LOVED every minute of halloween.  We woke up and made jack-o-lantern pancakes, went to a toddler halloween carnival, took a nice looooong nap, and then went trick of treating at University Village.  

Pumpkin Patch!

 We looked forward to the pumpkin patch ALL year - and spent the day there yesterday.  This little guy couldn't have been happier

 We started off our day with a wagon ride out to the corn maze

 Our friend Addie was there too!

 These two are the cutest pair

 but getting a picture where they are both looking and smiling is impossible!

 awwww.... sweet daddy-baby moment

 The corn maze is a replica of the state of Washington - the same one we did last year

 This year we took a different route - we started in Clarkston

 Someone took a nice rest through the maze

 Every highway and interstate in Washington is carved into the maze

 and every city is there too

 12 acres of corn to walk through

 Katie took more pictures than me ;)

 fitting.

 When we made our way out of the maze - at "Grey's Harbor", it was time to pick a pumpkin

 Ryland was very particular - and passed up a lot of good ones before he found the perfect pumpkin

 He could barely lift it - but he tried!

 Addie found the perfect pumpkin too - she seemed to love them all!

 Ryland said "Addie!" over and over while picking pumpkins.  How nice to have friends with easy-to-say names :)

 getting a little fresh...

 Haha!

 Brent and his favorite babies

Love this one... Addie is not sure about this guy!

Love fall, the pumpkin patch, and our friends!

18 months old & a trip to Lincoln park

Last Sunday, I took the day off.  I've been working what seems to be non-stop lately. 

We went to Lincoln Park for our first time - it is a block away from Brent's work in West Seattle - right on the puget sound.  It's HUGE, and beautiful.  

 Look closely at this picture - there's a cute baby seal disguising himself as a baby log (he's hard to see, I didn't bring my zoom lens with me this day).  This part of the beach was roped off to give him some space.

 Our baby boy turned 1 1/2 on the 3rd.  

 He is the cutest jabbering 1.5 year old we know.

 His favorite things are:  cars, trains, trucks, buses, airplanes, boats (are ya seeing a theme here?)

He also loves animals - especially dogs, cats, ducks, and hippos (he always points out hippo pictures and toys)

He LOVES going to stores, and gets pretty darn sad when he doesn't get to leave for something.  I think the terrible twos have arrives a little early...  

 He is still a non-stop, climbing, adventurous, curious little guy.  He is ALWAYS busy.

 

He says new things every day - trying to repeat things I tell him.  He's mastered "I wandat" with a big smile ("I want that")

 Our neighbors have this toy - and we've borrowed it several times.  Why?  Because my child can play with it for HOURS.  Seriously - he once sat and played with this van for 1.5 hours before I forced him away from it for dinner.  It's the only time he sits still.  You know what he's getting for Christmas!  Of course he likes the "vintage" model that can only be found on eBay. 

 I love this age.  He shows us so much love.  He greets us with hugs, gives Shelby kisses on her nose, and plops down in our laps when he wants to be close.

 Despite him looking more and more like a big kid every day...

He still looks like a baby when he sleeps.