thanksgiving

Alex, Max, Reggie and Maya

Grandma Patsy and the babies

Our newest cousin Kalia.

Baby push-up contest.

Aubrey, Marci and Maya.

Marianne and Maya.

Great-grandpa and Max

We had a wonderful time with family over the Thanksgiving holiday. It seemed like the parties never stopped. The kids loved the attention but were a little overwhelmed with the constant partying. I am afraid they will be bored with just me at home now. Thank you to all of you for making our holiday so memorable. We miss you and wish the distance between us wasn't so far.

wally and norma

Last weekend, Lonnie and I went to California for my grandfather's 90th birthday party. My grandparents have 5 children, 15 grandchildren, and a growing number of great grandchildren. I have always loved my paternal grandparents. They are kind and loving to each other and everyone around them.

My family gathered photos of my grandparents' life, and I put them together into a slide show. It was great to see photos of them as children, then as young couple very much in love, through the years raising their children, going on a mission, exploring the Holy Land, and loving their grandchildren.

They are wonderful amazing people. Through the course of our lives, Lonnie and I hope to contribute to our family in much the same way as my Grandpa and Grandma Allred have.

-Alisa

remember the alamo

My parents were in town for a visit this week. We had a great time going to NASA, playing games, and going out to dinner. We also made a road trip to San Antonio for the weekend. We had a great time exploring the old missions, strolling along the river walk, and eating good Mexican food.


Mom, me, and Dad inside the courtyard surrounding the Alamo.

Lonnie and me in front of the Alamo.

San Antonio's Riverwalk is a beautiful area right in the middle of the city. The Riverwalk is lined with restaurants, pretty gardens, and interesting architecture.


Sparkly pinatas in the Mi Tierra restaurant.
Mexican culture is more openly displayed in San Antonio than in Houston. Part of the difference is because there are so many cultural backgrounds in Houston that the Mexican culture is part of a panorama of many cultures rather than the focus, as in San Antonio.

The Mision San Jose is the biggest and most beautiful of all the San Antonio missions. They call it the Queen of the missions.

Although many of the buildings are in ruins, the chapel is still used today.

My favorite guy and me in front of the chapel.

Me and my mom in her Southern Bell sun hat.

My parents were in town for about a week. It always feels so quiet when they leave. My parents never stop going. Because none of their kids live near them, they are constantly traveling to be around their kids. We have only lived here in Texas for five months, and they have already come to visit twice. My parents have always shown a great example to me of how important family is.

so in love are these two.....

My grandparents, Norma and Wally. This year my grandpa will be celebrating his 90th birthday, grandma will be celebrating her 85th birthday, and most importantly they will be celebrating their marriage of 65 years. They are still so in love. They hold hands when they walk and like to snuggle. They have so much fun together. They told me that they still have stories to share even after 65 years of marriage. My grandma told me they are so used to each other that not being in same room makes them feel uncomfortable. They like to dress in matching outfits so that "people know we go together". They have four children, fourteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren so far.

I was able to spent some time with my grandparents last week. My dad and I took grandma and grandpa on a sightseeing tour off all the places they used to frequent when they were in love. We drove to the house where he grew up and areas of the University that he frequented, including his old fraternity house. We even went to the candy store where grandpa used to buy grandma chocolates that grandma claims "sealed the deal" when they were dating. Grandpa even bought me some chocolate.

-Alisa