Kyle Tenney Allen

I am taking a digital storytelling class at school and had an assignment to tell a story about something that was difficult to talk about. After much thought I decided to do my story about Kyle. I can't believe that it has been 7 years since he died! Doing this assignment has been very therapeutic and I think that it is a great tribute to Kyle. I hope you enjoy!!!

Hoppy Easter!

For Easter this year we spent the day at my sister Kathy's house. The weather was just perfect and the cousins played all day. We had a huge egg hunt and then a hoola hoop contest.

Guess who won???

Welcome Home!!!

My parents came home today after spending the last 18 months in South Africa on a mission. Today at 12:20 p.m. all 20 of their grandkids and most of the family were at DIA to meet them. They traveled from Port Elizabeth to Johannasburg to Atlanta to Denver for a total of 30 hours...needless to say they were exhausted.

All my dad wanted was a Dr. Pepper and Chipotle so we went there for lunch and then to their house for a few hours.

It is so great to have them home!!!

There is NO place like South Dakota in December

To ring in 2010 we decided to go to South Dakota. There is an indoor waterpark inside the hotel near Mount Rushmore. They were having a New Year's Eve party and so at the last minute Kathy, Sam, Ben and I decided to make the 6 hour drive with our families. The kids swam the night away while the adults played cards and watched the kids play. We had a blast!
The next morning we got up and braved the negative 15 degree weather and went to see Mount Rushmore. What an amazing place...I can't believe I have never been there before!!!


It was a good time had for all. I think we might need to make this a yearly tradition!!!

Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas!!!

Christmas Morning 2009

We took the same picture last year.

This year I told the kids that we were going to make gifts for each other. Ryan made a piggy bank for Katelyn...
and Katelyn bought a football and made Ryan a Christmas and Birthday card.

Katelyn made me a Build-A-Bear.

When you push the hand it says"I love you mom and I don't care who knows it!!!"

Whoo Hoo! Madden '10

All Katelyn wanted was a "trick" scooter for Christmas. Her cousin Spencer has one and she loves to play with it when she is over at his house. She says that all you have to do is shake your bum to make it go.

Merry Christmas to all...and to all a Good Night!!!

South Africa 11, 12 and 13

Day 11

We left Port Elizabeth on Saturday on our long way back to Cape Town. We drove about 4 hours to the town of George. On the way there we stopped at the "World's Highest Bungy" jump. I would like to say that I tried the jump...BUT I AM NOT THAT CRAZY!!!!

We did have fun watching though.

Next we stopped at Knysna Elephant Park. There we were able to feed some elephants and see them REALLY close up. They are amazing animals. When I told Katelyn that we were going to see the elephants she asked me to kiss an elephant for her. There you go Katelyn...

That night we went to see Invictus. It was so exciting to be able to see a movie about South Africa in the country that it was filmed in. I loved the movie!!! I brought back Springbok jerseys for Ryan and Katelyn.

Day 12

Sunday morning we woke up and went to church in George. The Mission President and his wife just happened to be there, so we were able to meet them. The branch was so friendly and welcoming. After church we headed back to Cape Town to get ready to catch our flight home.

When we left Cape Town the week before my dad was freaking out that we had too much stuff to fit in our car. Everytime we came out of a store with anything he would say "I don't know where that is going to fit." Luckily we were able to keep some of our stuff at the bed and breakfast that my parents were going to stay at Sunday night. We picked up our bags and packed everything into our suit cases.

We went out for a final dinner and then headed for the airport. Our plane left at 12:50 p.m. early Monday morning. We began our 12 hour flight to Amsterdam.

Day 13

Luckily we slept most of the way to Amsterdam. When we got there my ankles began to swell. The next flight they got even worse. By the time we got home my ankles looked like I was 9 months pregnant. It was painful to walk. We finally got home at 8:30 p.m. on Monday night.

It was a trip of a lifetime!!! Thanks so much Mom and Dad. I love you so much and can't wait until you come home in March.

South Africa Day 9 and 10

Day 9

Port Elizabeth

On Day 9 we went to the beach in Port Elizabeth. We spent the day reading, looking for shells and people watching. It was fun to watch the kids get into the water for the first time.

The water was FREEZING!!!

After the beach we drove past the soccer stadium in Port Elizabeth for the World Cup 2010. There is construction every where in South Africa right now trying to get ready for the World Cup. I didn't realize that the World Cup is even bigger then the Olympics.
They have built a stadium in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Johannasburg.

Port Elizabeth Stadium

Cape Town Stadium (taken from the top of Table Mountain)

Day 10

We woke up early and drove a couple of hours east of Port Elizabeth to Port Alfred. On the way there we stopped in the town called Kenton by the Bay. The town is right by where the river meets the ocean. On a dock by the river there were a group of boys playing. It was fun to watch the boys goofing off and doing tricks. I could just imagine Ryan and his friends doing the exact same thing. It is amazing that kids half way across the world are so much alike!!!

While driving to Port Alfred we saw some giraffes right off the side of the road.

Port Alfred Beach