Landscaping

So, I have been meaning to post some pictures of the landscaping Bryan and I have done in the front yard. My family knows that I love plants and enjoy making things grow. Well, since we don't have a big bay window like my parents I can't have a bunch of house plants. The only thing I could do was plant them outside. I decided to take on this project in the middle of the summer. And of course I involved Bryan. We started working on the front yard in June and finished the beginning of July. You wouldn't think it would take so long to put a few flowerbeds in. Well, if you think this way you have never lived in the South where the ground is nothing but hard clay. We were to cheap to go and rent a tiller so we broke up the ground by hand and the end results turned out great. One little piece of advice do not start landscaping projects in the middle of summer.

Toby Park Volleyball Tournament

Bryan participated in the 1st Tournament of the Mid-South Digs Series with Jared Klepko. They only had one division and that was Men's Open. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, if they were both in shape. Another problem was that the tournament allowed 12 teams to enter, again that wouldn't be a problem if they had more than two nets. Needless to say they spent most of the day sitting around in 100 degree weather with a heat index of 110. Mid-South Digs has only been in operation for two years and they are growing, but they still have many things to work out. They don't turn teams away because they are trying to build the sport. Bryan and Jared did not do too hot after being seeded 12 and playing a top seed. Maybe next time, if there is one.

Thrillusions

 
On Friday we went to Harrah's out at Tunica for what we thought was going to be a magician show. But it was so much more than that. It was a rock and roll music/illusion show with some thrilliscious dancers. The rock concert and magician show featured International Award Winning Magician James Brandon and celebrity superstar Tina Turner, Rod Stewart and Prince. We went with the Sullengers and had a good time. Tina got rid of the Ike-ettes and hand picked her Tin-ettes from the audience. We had a good laugh. Bryan was really hoping to be picked, we were just too far back. We weren't able to take any pictures, but if they come to your city we recommend you attend.

Tunica Volleyball Tournament

On Saturday Bryan was able to play in the Mike Miller Foundation Volleyball Tournament with some friends. It was men's four so he had Jared, Ryan and Danny on his team. Jared and Heather Klepko just moved out here a week or two ago and we are so excited to have them here. Ryan attends the Southern College of Optometry with some of our friends and Danny was a good sport and played with guys he didn't even know.

The tournament didn't get started until 10, but finished early because there were only 4 men's "A" teams. Tournaments are pretty small here. The tournament furnished lunch for the participants and had drinks for everyone. The guys ended up taking first place and while doing so upsetting the local teams. They wanted to know who these guys thought they were. The officiating was horrible; nothing was called and the court behavior was the same. Looking past that, the day was really nice.

It's indescribably beautiful! It reminds me of the Fourth of July!

This past 4th of July was spent with our friends here in Southaven, MS. We were able to enjoy fireworks at the Redbirds baseball game on Thursday night and Friday night we attended a Christian Rock (something they failed to mention BEFORE we went... :) fireworks celebration. The fireworks were ok, but the company was great!

The Ketchers, Collins, and Sullengers all came over to our house on Saturday to light fireworks (this was our way of involving our handicapped neighbor, Kash). Think of it as our charitable deed for the month. :) In keeping with true Allred tradition, we bought out the fireworks store and loaded up on roman candles. And mom, you'll be happy to know that we didn't purchase a single illegal firework (probably because there ARE no illegal fireworks). We made homemade ice cream, and Reiko made a delicious peach cobbler. It was a lot of fun!

Needless to say we had a fun weekend. We are grateful for the privilege to honor those who have given and continue to give so much for us to enjoy the freedoms that we do.

The Devil(s) Went Down to Georgia

Turner Field

For Memorial Weekend we took a trip to Atlanta Georgia with our friends Kash and Cara Sullenger. We had a fun-filled weekend; the trip started out Friday night with our drive to Atlanta (Kash drove the entire way while the rest of us, mainly me, slept). We arrived late to find out they gave our room away and were so graciously accommodating us by giving us a suite with one queen bed and a sofa sleeper. There was also this extra room we all were not quite sure about; was it a hot box room?

Our first day in Atlanta started out with a trip to the Zoo followed up with lunch at Hard Rock Cafe before heading to the Coke Factory. If you ever get a chance to go be sure to try the drink Beverly Don't forget to get your picture taken with the Coke Bear. We finished the day up at the Aquarium where we were able to pet the sting rays and the sharks. The next day we had breakfast at Rita's Bluebird (highly recommend) and then walked around Olympic Park before heading to the Braves game. To end the day we enjoyed dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Our last day in Atlanta was spent at CNN Headquarters and the Natural History Museum.

Oh, we finally made it to Ikea, we only had to travel clear across the country when it was 25 minutes from our home in Utah.

Walking in Memphis

Well, here is our first blog entry in our first attempt at a blog! Go easy on us! Here we are in beautiful Southaven, MS, just south of Memphis, TN. We just passed our 1 year mark (happy anniversary to us!), and we love the wonderful friends we've made. We moved out here for work, and will be here while applying for various positions more in line with my undergraduate degree. At the moment, our family consists of me (Bryan), Reiko, and Miya and Memphis (our two beautiful Siberian Huskies).

Reiko is serving in the primary as a teacher for the 9 yr old children, and I am the 1st councilor in the Elders Quorum presidency (at least until they call a new president in the next couple of weeks).

We're loving our time here in Southaven and enjoying the experiences that we're having (bugs and all)!

We'll follow this post up with some more themed posts (trips, friends, family, etc.).

Thanks for stopping by!