The Princess has Turned a Royal Three

There was once a little baby born, in a hospital, to a mommy that loved her very much. This baby was sweet, beautiful and healthy. The mommy and daddy named her Sophie after her great-great-great grandmother. Her middle name was chosen to be Malia after a dear friend.



This baby decided she wanted to test just how much the mommy loved her. So for many days, weeks and even months after she was born, this baby decided to cry. The mommy loved her, carried her, nursed her, sang songs to her, cried with her, danced with her and every once in awhile...got to sleep with her!



Finely one day the baby decided that she would stop crying and just start repeating everything that she heard. She was like a little baby parrot (or a Bunny). Mommy loved hearing her talk. By the time she was two, that little baby could almost sleep through the night. She still would cry for her binky or her bedtime snack...1/2 of an apple or 1/2 of a cucumber in bed, but at least now she could tell why she was crying.


By the time she was 2 and a half the mommy suddenly noticed one day that the crying was gone. The little baby that had demanded all the love that the mommy could muster, was now a sweet, happy, fun little girl. What joy! What rejoicing! That little girl did so much so quickly...no more diapers, (not even in bed), no more binkys (we took them to walmart and traded them in for a fairy doll), no more bedtime snacks (okay now and again), and no more crying (except when she is hurt or tired or...but not just to test the mommy).



Sophie loves to play with her little friends. Go to Joy School. Wear dresses. Eat macaroni and cheese, ice cream and go to the mall for See's candy. Play with Ember, Ethan and Sydney - in that order. Play with the doll house and have the dolls act out our lives. Go to the beach and swim, swim, swim! Swing. Watch PBS Kids. Hug Licorice the cat. Giggle. Get tucked in - especially her toesies. Sleep on the floor for her naps. Be silly.



My Sophie has turned THREE! She is my baby. She successfully weaned me from wanting any more babies. But I am so glad to enjoy the four that I have. Sophie, I love you.

Deborah Cornelia Carruthers Allen...Mom...Grammy...

Once upon a time in a beautiful country called Santa Monica, there was a little family. The second world war had started and the daddy had to leave when the mother was 7 months pregnant. Before he left, they talked about what to name their baby. One day the mommy was listening to a bible study on the radio when she heard the pretty name: Deborah, and she thought, I think I will name this baby Deborah when she is born.

With her husband away, the mother stayed at her in law's home. Neither of them drove. On September 2, 1944, the Grandmother called to check in on her pregnant daughter. It was the grandmothers birthday! The baby was not expected for 2 more weeks, but the Grandmother instructed the mother to call them at any time if they were needed to drive her to the hospital. Grandmother did not drive, but, brother Russel did. The mother assured them that she would not need them that night.

Sleep was sound until the mother had to get up to use the bathroom. When she returned to bed she realized that her water had broken. The contractions started soon after and she progressed quickly. By the time Russel got her to the hospital, the baby was crowning!

So it happened that the little family was blessed with their second beautiful baby girl. They named her Deborah. Deborah Cornelia Carruthers. On her grandmothers birthday! Healthy and Happy! They called her Debbie. The mother wrote a letter to tell the father that a healthy baby girl had joined their family. It took a month for the letter to arrive. The older sister Judith was only 11 months old! Two babies!

The mothers name was Corneila, but they called her Penny...and then Nana. Nana described her Debbie as a placid, sweet little girl that was easy to be around. She can still picture her at a school festival dancing around in an organdy dress. Unaware that anyone was watching and throughly enjoying herself.

She took ballet - the Tutu series. Fell off a trike and had to get stitches in her face. Nana couldn't stand to watch and Debbie was so brave and did it all by herself at only about 15 months old. She may have tried ant posion at a neighbors house so they took her to the hospital to have her stomach pumped. She liked to play with her ear when she was trying to go to sleep!

One day she was all grown up, beautiful and a senior in high school. There was an assembly and Nana had come to the school. They started calling up different girls with outstanding qualities. These girls made up the royal court. The very last girl called would be the Cotton Queen. Deborah was the last one called!

Next she married Greg LeRoy Allen. Did some junior college. Had some healthy baby boys...only 12 months apart! Two babies! And became the wife and mother that we all love.

Many years later they added Amy and Jonathan to the family. Four lovely kids and some awesome parents.

Happy Birthday Mom! 66 Years Young!

4 Generations: Nana, Debbie, Amy and Sydney

Her first Son Greg LeRoy Allen Jr. with his 4th son Connor.
Her first son in law Troy Patrick Anderson with his 1st son Ethan Paul.

Her 2nd son Aaron Scott Allen with Sydney.
Aaron describes his mom as "Kind, Gentle, Sweet, Loving, and Compassionate. She always gave me lots of attention when I was hurt." He was always proud of his mom because she was so young and pretty. When she would come to school the other kids were jealous. Aaron also said that she is a very graceful water skier!


Her 4th son Jonathan Thomas Allen with Sydney.

The Island Grandkids: Connor Allen, Sydney Anderson, Morgan Allen, Ember Anderson, Griffin Allen, Ethan Anderson, Drake Allen, Zack the granddog

A whole mix of Trouble: Ethan Anderson, Noah Allen, Ember Anderson, Logan Serene, Sydney Anderson, Anna Allen, Alana Calandra
Owen Allen, Sophie Anderson, Luke Allen, Sage Allen and Tanner Allen


The Maui Bunch: Sophie, Ember, Ethan, Sydney, Grammy and Captain!


Jonathan and Josie's Bunch of Boy's: Oliver, Owen, Noah and Tanner.
and the Anderson Bunch with Nana and Uncle Ben and Grammy.


My mom has always been there for me and my family. She is especially wonderful when I have a baby. She does such a great job stepping into our world and routines. She cooks really good food, keeps the house really clean and plays with the kids. Maybe when I am a grandma I will be as good as she is.
She is always excited to do any crazy adventure that we devise when she is visiting. I have seen her hike, bike, snorkle, swim, sew, scuba dive, water ski, camp and horseback ride. She is always pleasant, insists that my couch is very comfortable and cleans up messes before I can say thank you for cleaning up the prior mess!


Captain, Grammy and Sophie! The 14th grandchild out of 15!

We love you lots Mom. Have a great day and we look forward to many more adventures!
Hugs,
Amy