Mi hermano

Today is a very special day. Today is my baby, little, younger brother's 24th birthday. It's a little insane if you ask me. Stephen isn't a 24 year old to me, he's still that blond boy that taught me football, how to tackle, played Jurassic Park with me, made up dances to 5ive with me, "sold" rocks using a questionable sales tactic, and rode bikes motorcycles all over the neighborhood. He's still the boy that I would trade "heater spots" with so he could play Super Nintendo before we left for school. The boy who usually had one sock sort of on (usually with a hole) and butter and jam smiles. The boy who wrangled up his best friends to beat up the 5th grader that called me a mean word (the boy that got his larger friend to sit on this boy until he apologized). Yup he's still the boy in his optimist football uniform, his AAU basketball uniform. Still the boy who not only knows some of my embarrassing moments but was usually there laughing at me when they happened.
But, he grew up into a man. He grew from a cute jock into a handsome musician, artist, and a bit of a football nerd still. He grew up to be part of the 3-man crew that showed me that it was going to be impossible to settle because they had set my expectations so high. He grew to be one of my best friends. One of the people I cried to, cried with, laughed with, dreamed with, and one of the people that will always melt my heart no matter how mad he makes me.
He's my little brother. He's not actually little but he'll always be my Stephen Timothy. I have a lot of great childhood memories and since Stephen is the closest to my age, most of them involve him. He was my greatest playmate.
So Stephen, on your birthday, I wish you happiness, peace, and the creativity to achieve those. Don't sell yourself short. Dream big and press hard after them. I'm excited to see what God has planned for you this year. I know one thing, there's a new little girl that you are going to protect. Little Meemo is going to have the best uncle in the world to look after her and teach Ollie how to weed out those dumb boys that are most surely going to be following her around. This year is going to be awesome, I can tell :)
I love you baby brother and happy 24th birthday :)

Another reason to love him.

Here's something you may not know about my Brand. He is a big softie. He likes to joke that he's a robot without feelings but luckily I get to see how false that is on a daily basis. Yesterday, our Dexter had these horrible bumps on his nose that today we found out were the result of an easily treatable bacterial infection. But before we knew that I went on a Google spree trying to diagnose my dog (next time one of my animals decides to have something wrong with them, it needs to be on a day a regular vet is opened, not a Sunday). I worried so much knowing that it was probably something like an infection or allergic reaction. But Brand kept calm for me and for Dexter. He talked in his sweet voice to Dexter and kept making sure we were both okay. And even though I knew he was worried (he also went on a Google spree), he was our rock.
I can only imagine that when we have kids and I'm freaking out every day about something they might have, I'm definitely going to need my rock to get me through it sanely.
So Brand, thank you for being the best dad ever to our sweet furry boys. We love you :)

Dexter is a cuddler.

Give it a Chance

That title sounds like this is going to be one of those really thoughtful blogs huh? Not.At.All.

I'm a huge Project Runway fan. I love fashion, design, wacky people, Heidi Klum, and because of Project Runway, Tim Gunn.(I may cry if I ever meet this lovely man). So when I heard there was going to be a Project Runway: All Stars, I was all on board. This meant the wackiest of them all which meant a few of my favorites are back (sadly, Andre and his awesome faces are not..sadsies). However, when they said the regular judges, Heidi Klum, and Tim Gunn were not...I was baffled..and turned off. But, then I heard from a reviewer that this season will be more hilarious, more awesome, more fashionized (?) than the rest PLUS Mondo my absolute fave was going to be back to claim what should have been his in the first place, Project Runway winner. (Gretchengate: look it up, barf at her hideous clothes, then realize that your unknown dream of fashion designer can come true if hers did).

Gretchen, that is a diaper. Nothing says sexy like incontinence

So tonight I watched it. And despite the awkwardness of the new host (at least she's pretty but she doesn't say auf wiedersehen) and the fact that they aren't at the legendary Parsons School of Design but 1407 Broadway (for the record, totally been to both now: NYC for the win.) it was pretty awesome. They even got rid of who I wanted them to get rid of! And Mondo is already looking strong. I swear if some undeserving female wins again just because it's on Lifetime...I'll keep watching who am I kidding.

My personal picture of Parsons, magic happens here people, magic...and diapers.

So there we go. You've just entered into the mind of Allison. I love TV and I love writing about it. Plus, there are so many shows out there I feel that my audience is not trying out for one reason or another, and I may have to inform you guys about these gems. So give Project Runway All Stars a chance.

Next time: Happy Endings on ABC (seriously people, this show is uh mah zingly hilariously genius and incredibly underrated, but more on that later)

An open letter to 2011

May the obligatory, thoughtful year-end blog begin. Enjoy. (Note: I'm writing this while experiencing some great pain in my back, the only way this might make less sense is if I were on lovely drugs to get rid of the pain so bear with me).

Dear 2011,
You started off pretty sucky. Brand lost his job but we never lost our footing. He silently freaked out while I buckled down and prayed for a miracle. In two months we were supposed to be jetting off on our dream vacation in Ireland and we could barely pay for the necessities. But then a month and a half later you answered with a perfect job for Brand: a perfect fit, doing what he loves to do, with room for growth. Just in time for our amazing Irish adventure where I fell in love with the country, the people, the food, the beer, the candy, and the spirit. I thank you for that. You blessed us with a beautiful spring and a hot summer. We found our place in the most perfect small group at church and found new friends.
It was the end of August that you proved to be a year of give and take. My father being diagnosed with a progressive, terminal illness made all the wonderful of 2011 seem so far away. 2011, you broke my heart. You found my kryptonite and used it against me. You messed with my family. But thankfully, someone is more powerful than you 2011. God blessed me with a wonderful family, the ability to live out dreams and adventures, the ability to laugh through the tears, and pray through the silences. He set in motion every person in my life to be a part of what I'm praying will be a miracle that will make 2012 the best year ever. With an army of prayer warriors from my small group, to my friends, to my family, to my dad himself we prayed that the awful that 2011 brought us would go away. After another adventure and lifelong dream of a trip to the Big Apple, that miracle that seemed impossible started to peek at us with a smile on its face. Because 2011, you can't perform miracles. You are just made up of 12 months. You have no power in my life or its outcome. You are just numbers. But God can perform miracles, He is eternal, He is faithful, He is merciful, and He is infinite. That prayer that I prayed the night that my life came tumbling down at my feet, that a miracle would happen, that even if my dad had that awful disease that some day he just wouldn't, no matter how impossible that was, may be coming true. It's hard to be hopeful when you know that you can be right back there on the kitchen floor unable to hold yourself up as you cry your heart out. But God has shown me hope. My dad is feeling impossibly better, doctors are doubting their original diagnosis, and we have no idea what is going on. But we have hope. 2011 you were made of disappointment, fear, adventure, love, intrigue, laughter, hurt, change, growth, and tears. 2012 might bring a lot of the same but I know that God never changes and that no matter what may happen in a year He is with me every step of the way.
So 2011, wipe that smirk off your face. You didn't do a job-well-done, you didn't provide adventure. You were merely just the backdrop of a life that lives and loves because He lived and loved me.

Sincerely,
A hopeful Allison

Happiness is Christmas with the Ekhoffs

Christmas with my family is happiness wrapped up in more happiness wrapped in the arms of a baby seal. It is perfect and lovely. We have traditions (staying up late, going to the capitol building to see the Christmas tree, sitting in our assigned seating, etc). But sometimes we like to mix it up a bit. This year was spaghetti for dinner and epic Nerf gun fight with all family members (including my mom and my dad).

From my 89 year old grandmother to my unborn niece, I can safely say: my family fills my heart so full.

Happy birthday Oliver John!

Four years ago a little man entered this world and changed all the lives around him. My nephew, Oliver John, came into the world at 9 lbs and continues to leave an even bigger mark. The moment I met Ollie I was in love. I can't even imagine the overwhelming love that his wonderful parents must've felt right away. If you know Ollie, then you've been swept away by his charm, his Ekhoff smile, his Dudley cheeks, his big blue eyes, his AWESOME red hair, his sense of humor, his intelligence, and of course, his incredible dance moves. He is the perfect mixture of his mom and dad and his own little self. I am constantly amazed by the funny things he says, the kindness he has towards strangers, and the wonder and imagination that resides in his body.
Ollie is going to change the world. He is a force to be reckoned with. He will leave everyone with a smile on their face and joy in their heart. I'm excited to see what he grows into and I'm pretty sure he can do anything he wants to.
When I visit Boise one of the first things I look forward to is a big hug from Ollie. His eyes light up and he runs towards me with that big smile. He is infectiously joyful. Sure he can be a serious grumpypants sometimes and he is even great at that. He is truly good at everything he does.
I'm pretty sure that Ollie is the greatest kid alive. But that will soon be tested when his little sister is born in April. She will most likely be just as incredible as him. And I think she'll make him even more awesome because he will be the perfect big brother. If he's anything like his dad, he'll play the part of tormentor pretty well but will also be protective and deep down loving and caring. I'm pretty excited to see him in his new role. But I guarantee he'll win her heart just like he has won everyone he has met.
Ollie you are the most amazing thing in this world. I love you more than you'll ever know. Thanks for being our little sunshine. :)

Ollie at 1 week old and for his first Christmas

Ollie this fall

Thankful for a break :)

I think I've finally burned off all the calories I ate for Thanksgiving. Holy cow it has been a week! But holy cow was it a Thanksgiving! An Adams Thanksgiving is a little different than an Ekhoff Thanksgiving. Here's a quick rundown:

• Adams: 20 lb turkey for 4 people Ekhoff: 20 lb turkey for at least 10 people.

• Adams: Shrimp cocktail for apps. Ekhoff: Julie and myself sneak olives.
• Adams: Buffet                              Ekhoff: Pass it around
• Adams: Mashed potatoes are mostly mine. Ekhoff: I have to share 20 lbs of mashed potatoes with Julie & Rheanne. Oh and the rest of the gang.
• Adams: Quiet conversation Ekhoff: I mean c'mon we're a bunch of former thespians and comedians. We talk, a lot, and loudly.
• Adams: We nap afterwards Ekhoff: Nap and games afterwards. We all try to beat Josh in Scattergories but he cheats.

Basically, they're different but both awesome. And with both Thanksgivings I eat way too much, laugh a lot, and sleep a lot. I love my whole big family.

And this week has truly made me thankful to be getting a week long vacation in a city I've been dying to see since I was a little girl. I head out for a day and a half in Boston early Saturday morning. Then on Monday morning I will be taking my first train ride ever and it's to the Big Apple. When I was preparing to leave for Ireland, I really earned it with a tough week at work. And it never fails, this week has been tough. Just a wild, weird, rollercoaster week at work.When you get your degree in social work you also get your degree in "multiple hat wearing". And I have worn oh so many hats this week. Realtor, exterminator, heavy lifter, shoulder to cry on, fixer, calmer-downer, friend, authority figure...bah! That's too many. So next week I take off my social work hat collection and put on my pretty crocheted beanie and walk in a Winter New York City Wonderland.


Ahhhh...