Croquet

Tammy has been talking about playing croquet in their massive backyard for a while now. So, we all went outside to set up and play. And, of course, the boys want to come and they start hitting each other with the croquet sticks and it turns into a circus. Good thing I like the circus. It was blazing hot outside but we all had fun learning a new game and spending time together. Jared and Sereen have to go home tonight, so we're sapping all the fun out them that we can. ;)

Check out this VIEW! I love Jeff and Tammy's backyard. 

Only Sereen can (or would) rock a scarf in the Texas summer heat

 Aw.... young love. ;)

 Umbrellas channel your inner Downton Abbey and make you look and feel cool

Mitchell demonstrating the Common Style, or how-people-normally-hit-the-ball

Adventure Style (because Derek and sticks make a dangerous mix)

 Austin demonstrates Redneck Style (with lemonade)

 Here's Tammy demonstrating... dare I say it... Granny Style!

Playing the part of Sweet Southern Belles

 We all instantly became experts, critiquing hits and making recommendations. No pressure right?

At least your kids don't care how well you're hitting the ball. :)

Check out this sexy man in his security uniform! OW OW!!

Girls' Day Out

We went out for a Girls' Day today. It was AWESOME!! I, for one, really needed today. It was so nice to bond with my sisters (ok, some of them are cousins, but I don't care). We went to Sam Moon and then over to The Cheesecake Factory. It was so funny to see Tammy and Aunt Terri spend HOURS poring over jewelry. They were best friends in high school before Aunt Terri married Tammy's brother, Mike. Pretty cool! My habitual wear-no-jewelry-to-Sam-Moon-because-I-always-buy-something-i-want-to-wear-immediately backfired today - but I found a really cool Texas wallet. :)

 Shelley and Aunt Debbie - she's not even six (let alone sixteen) and she already wants to drive! Lol

We're so cute! Tammy, Grandma Allred, Aunt Terri and Aunt Debbie told us to go sit on our own. :) I don't think I've giggled that much in a loooong time. 

 Lanae was impressed with Loni's impromptu "spirit fingers." lol!

 Ally and Jenelle

 Liz and Angie

Me, Sereen, Liz and Angie!

Family Photos

We have been so blessed to have so many family members able to come together at this time. We have tons pictures of awesome family that didn't fit into a particular event, so I'm just going to do a conglomeration post. It's been bittersweet to have this much time to bond with family - I even met some family members that I hadn't met before! I just wish we'd been able to get together under different circumstances. Several people remarked that Jeff would've loved to see how well the big house held all 24 people and 12 kids. Not everyone slept here, but we all congregated here during the day. 

 Logan is getting some serious air!

 Ashley and Preston

 Caleb plays a mean piano

 Savanna, Kimmi and Bryce

 Um... yum?

 Bryce, Emeri and Savanna

 I just had to crop this one down. Love Bryce's unhappy face. LOL!

 Derek and Bryce loved Madison, Taylor and Ashley. They were MASSIVELY helpful with them the whole week, too. I wish they lived closer. They are such awesome girls. I hope my daughters are just like them.

Grandma was one of our rocks. She told us lots of cool stories about what life was like for her growing up, how/where she met Grandpa Allred and tons of other cool stories.

 My poor boys. We were so distracted catching up with family that we rarely got them in bed on time. It sure made them super cuddly though.

 We played a massive game of Scatter-gories (you have no idea how long it took me to remember the name of the game!).

 Derek is so cute!!

 I love this man!

 Grandpa and Grandma Wade, me and Mitchell, Derek and Bryce

 Bryce loved Uncle Mike. These two formed a really special bond.

The Tarantulas

The day before yesterday, some of the boys came in talking about a "big spider." Ok, cool. We gave them the normal don't-touch-it talk and they went back outside. Then Isaac rushed in shortly after talking about a "tarantula!" Ooookay... Aunt Judi went out to check on the kids and came flying back inside and confirmed that there was an actual tarantula in the backyard. Of course, I grabbed a couple cups and dashed out to see the boys huddled on the porch pointing and staring at a black spot on the green grass. Sure enough, it was a good-sized Mexican Golden Red Rump tarantula - a beginner's domestic tarantula. I caught it in the cup and then a couple of the older (teenage) boys dared me to hold it in my hand. Psh, please.

 Mexican Golden Red Rump

Yep, that's a wild tarantula in my bare hands.

 Lesson for the kids on what NOT to touch without an adult

 Trust me, this didn't last long. Derek flung it halfway across the yard. Lol!

And then it happened again yesterday. Garret came tearing in yelling for me to come see (and catch) another tarantula. I didn't bother with the cup this time, but this tarantula was quite a bit more agitated than the last and kept rushing up my arm. It made it all the way to the top of my shoulder and almost to my hair once (which, honestly, surprised me a lot) but the teenage girls that screeched watching it run up my arm made me crack up. I didn't let any of the kids hold it this time, but Aunt Debbie was totally game.

 No cup this time!

Close up

 Lots more kids were out yesterday. Shelley, Derek, Logan and Jamie were the only ones who wanted to get close. What you can't see is the ring of teenagers about 3 feet out.

Yeah, Aunt Debbie!

Funeral Day

There really are no words to describe the feelings and events of today. Suffice it to say that the funeral was beautiful, all five of Jeff and Tammy's children gave wonderful talks about the Plan of Salvation and shared some great memories about their dad. The Holy Spirit was present and comforting the entire day, but I felt it especially during the funeral. I was so grateful to have support from my own family who drove a considerable distance to help watch the kids and just be present. After the funeral, we drove in a procession to a National Cemetery outside of Dallas where Jeff was buried. It's a beautiful site and it was touching to see that the Marine performing the flag ceremony was exactly the same rank that Jeff was (Sergeant).  The Relief Society in Tammy's Ward provided a delicious luncheon back in Prosper for the family after the funeral. It has been wonderful to see all the extended family (and Ward family) pull together to support each other and especially Tammy now. 

Funeral program cover

Ward and family members waiting for the casket to be loaded and procession to begin

Jeff's siblings: Judy, Mike and Debbie

I rode with David in the next-to-last car

The procession was escorted by DFW motorcycle police. They took great care of us and made sure nobody was left behind during the 45 minute drive.

Madison, Taylor, Ashley, Uncle John, Sereen, Preston. Waiting our turn for the military honors ceremony.

 Nate

Angie and Andrew

Pallbearers: David, Mitchell, Colton, Jared, Uncle Mike, Austin

 Jeff would really appreciate how precise and orderly everything is. Just beautiful.

 The Luncheon Spread - so delicious!

 The lovely ladies from the ward - thank you so much!

 Uncle Bill and Meg

 Aunt Kathy and Baby Lizzie

 Sis Boyd, Loni, Lanae, Sereen

Garrett, Jamie, Kimmy, Isaac, Derek, Logan