Baby boy

Annie and polar bears

Annie had a project due in school. She had to write a report on a particular
animal, illustrate the cover and then make that animal out of craft supplies.
She was assigned the polar bear. And did pretty fantastic, if I do say so myself.

(Especially as midway through the creation process, that bear above
looked a whole lot like a lamb and Annie and I could not quit laughing.
Gratefully, we were able to turn that fluffy lamb into a ferocious bear.
Okay, not so much ferocious, but it looks like a bear, so we're happy.)

The story of the easel

I've wanted something to fill up the corner of our dining room for many a while. But I didn't know what. Until many weeks ago when I realized I wanted an easel and blackboard so I could write quotes, scriptures, thoughts, etc. on it. Have you searched for large blackboard easels lately? I have. They are expensive. Yikes. So I decided on another route.

I went to IKEA. Where they sell easels for $14.99. No really, they do. Annie has one in her bedroom that she received for Christmas. She uses it constantly. The only catch is that they only sell one kind of easel and the wood is natural and the chalk holder is red. Not going to work in our dining room. But I picked it up anyway, because I knew it could be transformed.

Fast forward to Jacob's parents coming for Matt's baptism. His dad asked several times what one project he could do in the couple of days he was here that would be of help. I felt silly having him do work for us, when he should just be visiting and relaxing. But when he insisted, I gratefully (and a little sheepishly), asked if he wanted to stain an easel.

I picked up the necessary items, along with some black felt to cover up the red laminate on the chalk tray, and within a couple of hours, I had the easel I have always wanted.

You like? Boy howdy, you'd better believe I do. Can you stand at how

fantastically the stain matches our table? I know, neither can I.

So there you go, folks. The dining room easel of my dreams. I'm so very happy about it.

Thanks so much Rex! You are the staining king.

Matt's special day

A week ago Saturday, our sweet Matthew was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I hope I never forget the feelings of that day or the look on our boy's face after both his baptism and after receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We are so grateful that Jacob's parents were able to come and be a part of it. They each gave a beautiful talk and Jacob's dad gave a wonderful presentation for the children while we were waiting for Jacob and Matt to change their wet clothes and join us again.

We missed my parents, who would have come in a second if it were at all possible.

Mostly, we just felt such intense gratitude for this boy that is ours and for the choice he made to follow his Savior. It truly was a perfect day and we all were so grateful to be a part of it.

We love you so much Matthew! Thanks for being one amazing boy.

The break that is spring

Boy howdy, things have been a little busy here. Matt's baptism, Jacob's parents here to visit, the kids out of school all week...it has been wonderful. And busy. Did I mention that?

Just wanted to share that we're still alive and that photos of the wonderfulness of the past few days are coming. Eventually. Sometime. Most likely.

But while you are waiting, would you like me to tide you over with Jacob's new favorite photo? I thought so.

Um, come again? Would someone explain this photo to me? Because there is no explanation in my mind. Parts of the photo, sure. But the whole thing? No way. It is like dominoes. But the baby didn't get the memo about being in a row. And Annie had to fix her hair first. And Ben didn't know it wasn't fun to be pushed over onto your head. And I keep on bossing everyone around no matter how unsteady their feet are or how much they need a V8 today.

Anyway.

Stay tuned.

For more photos. Not for an explanation.

Because it isn't happening.

Nate and his daddy

Easter Sunday

Five photos for five months

This sweet boy turns five months old tomorrow. How we love him.
He is growing up before our eyes and I was able to capture
a few photos that show his personality right now.

Nate loves music. I mean, absolutely LOVES it. I find myself practicing the piano
often of late, because he will lay on the rug and just listen for as long as I will play.

This here would be some truth in advertising. To say the least.
And even Nathan knows it. Hence the reason he is pointing it out to you all.

Happy much? That is our boy. He smiles a lot. And we love it every time.

And he is just sweet. There is something about this boy that does something to my
heart. That is the case with each of my kids, but something about this baby and his
amazing light and sweetness that makes me so grateful, so very often, to be his mom.

And last, what he spends every waking moment doing...smiling and
drooling like crazy. One tooth out. Two almost here. Many more to go.

We love you Nate the Great. So very much.

Matthew's 8th birthday party

Tonight was Matt's friend party for his birthday. He thought it was fabulous, so we thought it was fabulous!

Matt wanted a sports' theme and he and his friends spent a very long time outside playing on the tramp, playing soccer, playing lacrosse, playing tag and just plain playing. They did manage to break themselves away from the fun to eat some pizza and later some cupcakes and ice cream, but otherwise they were just happy to run themselves silly.

A few people mentioned that we are pretty nutty to want to have so many young boys at our house, rather than have the fun at a party place, but I tell you, we love it. And our kids have pretty amazing friends, so it is a win-win for everyone. Plus, I love having them close, so I can watch and smile at all of the fun they are having. It is totally worth it, in my opinion. And if Matt agrees, then that is all that matters to this mom.

We sure love you our Matthew boy!

What does...

...our Ben + a crown + a tower = ?

King Benjamin.
Of course.

One more try

So...a few years ago, I decided to go private on the blog. But didn't look into it enough and didn't realize there was a max number of people you could invite to a blog that wasn't public. It was only after all of you incredibly kind people asked to be invited that I realized I was over the number. And I didn't want to exclude anyone.

Well, with so many "instant" social networks now out there, blogs are becoming less popular (at least all of my friends say that is the case with their blog and I've noticed it with ours also). And so, if that is the case and there is less interest, I'm thinking now is the perfect time to go private. I definitely don't want to hurt any feelings, but if less people are reading the blog, then it shouldn't be a problem that Blogger only allows so many to a private blog party.

So come April 15th, these here Allens will be going private. If you would like to be sent an invite, please email me (comments off on this post) at linnallen at gmail dot com. There were many last time that felt a bit timid to ask, because they didn't think I knew them that well, but please know I was flattered. So please don't hesitate on my account. It means a lot that you want to stick with us no matter our blog sharing preference.

Thanks friends! No matter how out of style a blog gets, I plan to always keep with it. After all, this blog really is for our little family anyway (even though we absolutely appreciate you all being so kind and interested in our lives). And the past four years of memories and photos and funny stories and heartache are priceless in my book. And already, my kids get on it together and spend long periods of time remembering and laughing. And that is worth every second of blog keeping to me.