Back in March when I first mentioned the potential of the WorldRace, my family suggested we ‘celebrate’ Christmas early so I could be there. So this past week we traveled to Memphis to spend the week together!
Grateful is an understatement of how I felt having had a week together. Seeing the kiddos run around together, playing games with my family, having meals together and creating memories to take with me on this next year is an incredible gift.
The week was filled with Allen dance parties, pool acrobatics by the kids assisted by Uncle Todd, games of Catan after bedtime, games of 500 while the pies baked, Memphis BBQ nachos (we vote Central as having the best, if you’re looking for the top ones) ballpark fun including the excitement of a flying bat right in our direction, Zoo adventures including feeding birds and Annie catching them, Bee school by uncle Shawn, CanJam games, early morns to keep up with the kiddos, walks to the ducks, girls night out and painting, and I can’t forget the 9 “Happy Birthday” songs for birthdays from April to September. Although it was a rainy week, it didn’t rain on our parade of fun! Form the time we rose until going to bed the fun didn’t stop. We soaked up every moment, we laughed hard, there were many precious moments of the kiddos playing together and I stole many hugs from them to try to store some for the next year.
I’ve learned so much from my family. They have shown me to not be afraid of new things, how to make commitments, how to forgive, how to create fun, how to make sacrifices for others and how to love unconditionally. The examples of their lives and the continual support has played a major role in this Race.
I’m incredibly grateful for my family making ‘Christmas in June’ happen! What a joyfull-laughterfilled- fun- precious- loving- memoryfilled week! I’m excited to remember these moments of crazy Allen-ness over the next year. It makes it bittersweet to be thinking ofmissing times together and the kiddos growing older each day. What a blessing it is to have the love and support of each of you. Thank you Dad, Mom, Grandpa Moose, Grandma, Michelle, Jason, Matty, Lindy, Shawn, Kylie, Todd, Steph, Haliey and Annie for making it happen! Love you guys and I will anticipate the next Christmas when kiddos have grown, and we share more memories together!
Here’s a few pics from the week:
Girls Night of Painting
Silly String Fun
Pool Fun!
