Hello out there...there...there...there...(echo) :)

It's been a long time since I've slacked THIS bad with my family blog, I'm sure you've cried yourself to sleep at night wondering what in the world the Allen family has been up to :P Well, I'll fill ya in the best, and shortest way I can.
At the end of June through most of July we took a trip out to Las Vegas/Lake Mead and California. We had such a great time and wished it would never end. I have to admit that those trips home are really good in some ways and others, really bad for me. I just feel so homesick almost the minute I get back "home" to Georgia. It makes me HATE this place even more than all the reasons it naturally gives me...yet, I DO try to be positive and keep perspective! (some good news, I hope about that later...).
Anyways, the trip was full of excitement and opportunities to be with the ones we love. Parker and I flew out to CA 5 days earlier than expected, for my Uncle Jim's funeral, while Ryan and Skylee stayed in GA until our original trip planned to Vegas the following week. The funeral service was really nice, and although it wasn't a circumstance that anyone would have chosen for a family reunion or sorts, it was just that. I am SO grateful I was able to attend. My Uncle Jim was an amazing example to me and I'm glad I could be there to show my great love, and respect for him.

^Baby Brinley, Kayla, Jennette, Me, Laura, and Michelle

^Parker and I at my Uncle Jim's grave site

^Almost the whole (Bob/Kathryn) Skaggs family minus Ryan and Skylee

Once Parker and I were reunited with Ryan and Skylee in Vegas, we kept busy while staying with Jennette (my sister) and her family, who reside there. Mini golf, bowling, dinner, Mandalay Bay Shark Reef, shopping, and a visit to the slash park kept us busy and entertained! It was great to spend some quality time with them, thanks Jennette and Steve for having us! :)

^Seth, Elenna, Eliese, and Skylee at the Shark Reef
^Parker enjoying the sights at the Shark Reef

Black light mini golf at "King Putt" in Vegas

^Cosmic Bowling- strike a pose!
^Cookies!

Ryan's Dad invited us to join them on a houseboat on Lake Mead for 5 days over the 4th of July weekend, and we could never turn the offer down! We had a blast! Jet skis, wake-boarding, swimming, water slides, great food, not a care in the world, boating, Ryan's birthday, and inner tubes! We made lots of memories and really enjoyed our week with family :)^Parker in his "Rex Kuan Do" swim shorts

^Ryan blowing out his sparkler candles on his b-day (4th of July)

^Ryan and Parker at Lake Mead^Skylee and Parker happy little campers

^Ryan in his element :)

^Ryan cliff jumping...

^Skylee on the 4th doing sparklers :)

After the Mead trip, we headed out to California for the remainder of our trip. Laura (my other sister) and her girls came out to spend the week with us too. Skylee especially, loved playing with them! We had park days, trips up the the Santa Rosa Plateau, lots of visits from long time friends, family time, ate out WAY too much, movies, pool parties, bonfires, Chuck E. Cheese and Soak City. Thanks Mom and Dad for having us there, we loved spending the time with you :)

^playing at the park

^A visit with Holli, Carder, and Jake (not pictured)

^Out to dinner with Ashley

^Skylee in heaven at Chuck E. Cheese

^All the Skaggs fam cousins/grandchildren

^Skylee and Papa making popcorn

^Parker, poolside!

See why being THIS far away from family is so hard? There's always so many fun things I could be doing with them if I were closer...one day *sigh*

Since coming home from our vacation, we've settled back into our routine. I participate in a preschool co-op for Skylee a couple times a week with other friends, that she really enjoys. She is also starting dance classes this month... I may be a little more excited than she is, if that's possible?
^Skylee posing after bath time, while dancing

Skylee also loves to pretend everyday is a birthday party, she's getting really into Barbies, and she's also a really good little artist! Parker is 16 months now, and really not the chunky monkey little man anymore that he used to be. We owe that to him walking! He's a mobile little monster now ( I say that with love). He's been one to skip a few "normal" steps in his little life like no baby food, straight to regular solids, no crawling, straight to walking...I expect him to just skip straight to high school :) He is learning new things all the time and such a joy to be around. Ryan and I are trying our best to figure out what will be best for the future of our family, we have a lot of really important decisions coming up, and trusting that prayers will be answered. We'll keep you posted :)