Johnny Plays Basketball!

We finally put Johnny boy in basketball this year and Daddy was his coach. It was AWESOME!!! We've had a hoop in our drive way for two years and it had not been touched until now. Something finally clicked in the little boy's head and all of John's prayers were answered. Johnny can not get enough of basketball. He plays every second he can until the sun goes down, he knows every good NBA player out there, every team, watches ESPN with daddy all night, and loved playing with his friends on the Owls. He improved 200% and actually has a pretty good shot-wonder where he got that from? 

 They ended the season in first place and go to play in the championship game against the best of the other bracket-the Bears. They played music and announced the starting line ups. Johnny was "Johnny the Bone Crusher Allen from Exley Elementary!"

 John had done a little scouting and knew that Johnny would be guarding the BIG guy who was announced as Greg the Gorilla!

 Johnny played great defense and only let the gorilla score one point at the very end.

 Kate and Livy-cheering their big brothers on and BFF's.

 They totally lost but had a lot of fun playing. After the game they went to the awards ceremony.

 They had each team run down and high five all of the board members before getting their trophies.

 The boys got first in their bracket and second in their division. Go owls!!!

 One proud daddy and one happy boy!

 Best friend Will was on the team with us

 These three are in Mrs. Majewski's class together.

 Daddy was so proud, he took Johnny to Academy for a new Lebron shirt and ball to celebrate!

Another (quick) Trip to AZ

About a month or so before our big trip, Ryan and Jess told me they might be coming to America during Ryan's all star break...and that would probably be around the 19th of January. I was leaving on the 9th! NOOOOOO!! While in Vegas, they called and said it was for sure and I just started to cry-I was going to miss them by TEN days?? My sweet husband looked at my sad face and said "Merry Christmas". So I booked my flight that very second. I was there for four days with all of my brothers for the first time in years. It was heaven. My niece and nephew are probably the cutest on the planet and I have the best sisters in law ever. My amazing hubby held down the fort and got the kids to school and practices perfectly. With the help of some great friends too! I am spoiled, I know this.

 I was so happy to see my brothers, but these little bugs are who make me soooo happy!

 We went to Sams club one early morning after Asher had been awake since 3:00 AM (jet lag!) and we got his first wave on camera!!

 Is there anything better than fresh squeezed orange juice? Especially when dad does all the juicing!

 I think Asher looks like baby KC.

 These are from after the tip. Jess sent home some Turkish delight for the kids. It's a marshmallow type treat with nuts in it, covered in powdered sugar.

 This is the pistachio Turkish delight

 All of the handsome Toolson boys

 Toolson boys, Mimi, and babies

 The whole Toolson crew. I know that I ruin this picture. I could have put some make up on or something...

I have about 1,000,000 pictures of Asher because that's pretty much all I did from 4-8 AM every day. I loved hearing him early in the morning and running out to get time all to myself with he and Jess. I can't imagine how tired they both were, but we partied all day long with very few naps!

Part I of our Christmas Vacay-VEGAS!

The first leg of our trip West began in Vegas. It was a whirlwind few days jam packed with family fun. 

 We always make time to see Grandpa Jerry (The sixth John Allen)! We also had the annual Gammon Girl Baking Day but I did not take one picture, what? I was too busy not helping at all and taking a nap. I don't know what it is about the desert but it makes me SO sleepy!

 Becca and Denise planned an incredible baby shower for the four Gammon girl cousins having babies this spring. Becca and I left the baking early to go prep for the next party. They had a professional cake made which was to die for, I made tomato basil soup, turkey and brie panini's and a spinach salad and there were a couple surprise visitors as well.

 The three other cousins, Heather-having a girl, Julia-having a boy, and Kira-having a boy

 And me, having a boy

 Surprise!! a manicurist and massage therapist for the mommies!

 The massage was heavenly

 Aunt Karen, the Baking Day official

 Denise got each of us Ju Ju Bee diaper bags and each layer of the cake matched a diaper bag. Mine is the green bag and bottom layer.

 Denise and Kira

 The beautiful Maddie and Chloe

 More beautiful cousins, Julie and Taylor

 Livy was so happy to be with all the big girls at the party

 She is obsessed with Chloe

 Becca the party planner

 Gramma Betty and Mitzi

 Kira and Julia

 Cute Heather

 Love a fresh mani!

 I fell asleep and maybe drooled a little bit.

 The last family get-together was the ugly sweater Christmas dinner. The entire house was filled with food and we ate all of it!

 John won the ugly sweater contest:)

 Becca and I went 80's style. The funny thing was that the younger girls didn't even get it. The 80's are long gone I guess. Come on, side ponies and big bangs?!

 This guy may look grumpy but he is the sweetest around!

 White elephant gift exchange.

 All the cousins/grand kids

 Great grand babies. They're about to get four more in just two months!