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.

I don't ramble much anymore

At least on the blog. You should see me in real life. Sorry Love.

The three oldest are doing soccer this season. They are all on travel teams. They all have at least two practices a week and one game. For those that are not within reach of their calculator, that is at least six practices a week and three games. And I have two other children. One of them being the needy type that insists he should eat every three hours and be carried everywhere he needs to go. This should be an awesome few months. Stay tuned.

Today I finished Day 24 of the P90X exercise program. Yeah, no need to hold back on your surprise, I'm as shocked as all of you. Well, me and my body. We're in constant shock together.

I need to address Matt's baptism announcements and get them in the mail. Our sweet boy is being baptized in a couple of weeks. And has a birthday party next week. Birthday parties are a big deal at our house because you only get a friend party at certain ages. Eight is one of those ages. Matt has a great couple of weeks coming up and I'm in a perpetual state of excitement for him. He seems to be in one too.

I was just looking at a paper that came home from the elementary school that has something to do with next fall. As I was reading it, I realized that come this fall I will have a 7th grader, 5th grader and 3rd grader. Not to mention Ben boy will be starting preschool. The kind of preschool that you go to when you start Kindergarten the next year. I think it is best that we type away from this subject. Like Scarlett O'Hara, I'll think about it tomorrow. Or August 18th.

I've been overly calm about March Madness this year. It makes me kind of sad. We've just had too much going and I haven't been able to watch many games or even follow them well. It is like I don't even know me. Hard exercise every morning, very little time to be excited about March Madness, a banana and Greek yogurt every morning for breakfast (where did that come from?), I'm not sure I like what I've become.

In the last 9 1/2 months, we have had two sicknesses at our house. Ben had pink eye a few weeks ago and Matt got sick to his stomach twice a couple of Saturdays ago. Pride goeth before the fall. Jacob and I were sick to the max this past weekend. Bishop Allen only went to sacrament meeting, if that tells you his sickness level. The rest of us were already home, because I was not going to be blamed for a ward of sick people. We honestly don't feel terrible, but I tell you this thing is hanging on and I'm ready for it to find another place to live. Like Antarctica.

And now I remember why I don't ramble much anymore.

BA

Did you know there was a high school in Canada that goes by this name?
And did you know there was a sports store that makes custom athletic shirts for certain schools?

It's not like I could resist. And yes, they are definitely my new favorite shirts.
No matter how many times Jacob rolls his eyes when I wear them.

Back to two cars

One van with a blown transmission. Three weeks with one small sedan.
Seven people to get from place to place. Three rental cars on weekends to get to church.

And finally last night...

One new (to us) van that fits us all. Happy day at the Allen house.

Random outside pictures

This boy has been practicing hard each day after school.
Spring soccer starts next week. He is super excited! So are we.

This boy loves to write in general, but put some sidewalk chalk in his hands
and you have instant love. Our driveway has never looked fancier.

This boy is still too cute for words.

These days, he spends 98.6% of his time this way. Teething much?

This boy is being baptized in a few short weeks.
He wanted to use this photo for his baptism announcement.
I pulled the mother card on him and told him he was out of luck.

I wanted to use this one. He said his "legs look super weird." I had already put
my mother card away, so we settled on one we both liked. (Well, I loved and
he liked. He's a boy, folks.) The announcement design is almost done and
while super simple, he is happy. Which makes me happy. So all is well.

This girl decided she wanted to play travel soccer this spring.
This is how she looked trying on her new uniform. Because she was
excited. And because she is Annie. Boy howdy, I love this girl.

And her four brothers. And their dad. And this weather.

And life...

Our newest cub scout

Uncle Adam

Jacob's brother, Adam, came to visit last weekend and we loved having him!
He was here to check out a graduate school he has been admitted to
(Adam move to Boston this fall, yes please!), before he makes his decision
about which school will be best for him to attend. Seriously, we are all a fan
of Adam. How could you not be? He is smart, funny, kind, handsome and
an amazing brother and uncle. Plain and simple, Adam he is fabulous!

Thanks for coming Uncle Adam! We sure love you.
Now...time to make this get together permanent right. Right?
{Insert smiley face here to soften the pressure.}

Oh, and do you think Nate's changed a bit since their last picture together?

Lo hicimos

Dora and I now have something in common. Don't get too excited, I didn't purchase a monkey. And a very small pair of footwear. But I did do it. Again. And it feels good.

What is it that I did you ask?

Glad to tell you.

As I've mentioned before, and I'm sure I'll mention again, we have an interesting six months at our house from the middle of September to the middle of March.

Every family birthday.

Every major holiday.

Our anniversary.

And we threw in a new baby just for kicks.

It is a little intense. And worth every second. The finale is when Jacob and Matt celebrate their birthdays just four days apart. And then the morning of March 11th comes and I breathe a sigh of relief. And feel happiness at all the fun we just had. But mostly I breathe a sigh of relief.

Except that this March 11th was Daylight Savings and I'm not a fan. And, to make life even more exciting, our van and its transmission parted ways on Saturday and the age of our van doesn't make it worth trying to heal the relationship. So we get to buy a new van in the coming days. Hooray. {Insert mild sarcasm.} (New cars are nice to have, once the work of purchasing them is over.)

But, even with all of the craziness, it was a lovely six months. We did our best and had fun and there are some fabulous memories that aren't going anywhere.

Plus...

Come this Thursday, life is so happy I can hardly contain my joy. Because every year, I invite myself to this Big Dance. And what a dance to be a part of. Even without my team that I love so much being a part of it this year.

Sad.

But...

Six months of craziness.

Followed by four weekends of awesomeness.

Followed by one Monday night of happiness.

Lo hice.

And it feels good.

Our Matt

Happy Birthday to the most energetic, most hilarious, most sweet and loving eight-year old we know!

We think you are incredible Matt boy. And are so grateful you are ours.

(It really feels like yesterday and today between these two pictures. Sigh.)

In honor of his turning four months...

...behold, the onesie crown.

The one I love

Thirty-five years ago he was born.Twenty-three years ago we met for the
first time on this earth.Thirteen years ago we were married for this life and
the next. Every single day, I count him as the greatest blessing I have.
And I know without a doubt, I have loved him forever.

I would shout it from the rooftops...if I wasn't so scared of heights.
Since my computer is shorter, we'll go with that.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB ETHAN!

I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!

THANK YOU FOR BEING MINE!

Okay, that will definitely do, as I already know it is too much in his mind.
Not that it has ever stopped me before. It isn't his fault that he is
wonderful, kind, handsome, funny, good to the core and makes
my life better than I could ever have imagined.

Happy Birthday Babe. If I haven't mentioned it, I love you like crazy.

(What? That was my inside voice.)

Just when I thought...

...I already had a favorite photo of my baby.

Relaxing in the tub

Wacky

Today is the birthday of Dr. Seuss. And in Matthew's class they are reading one of his
books,Wacky Wednesday. Along with all of that fun, his teacher told the kids they
could dress in any wacky manner they wanted. Which is why everything Matt is
wearing is backwards or inside out. And why he has a fauxhawk. And why he
cannot stop smiling from ear to ear. Oh, elementary school. I'm a fan.

Persuasion

A few days ago, Matt came home from school with an envelope that had "Mom and Dad" written on the front. Jacob happened to be on a business trip and I asked Matt if he wanted me to open it now, as his dad would not be home for two days. Matt was positive he wanted to wait for Jacob to be home.

So we did.

Not long after Jacob walked in the door, he and I opened up Matt's letter and found the following:

February 7, 2012

Dear Mom and Dad,

Could we please get a flat screen T.V.? I want it because ours is breaking down a little and we sometimes don't have the full picture on the tube T.V. It would be sooo awesome if it was from Sony. Our family room would be full of awesomeness if we had a flat screen T.V.

Sincerely,
Matt

School assignment? A persuasive letter.

I think he did fabulously well. Not well enough for our family to finally lose the honor of being the last people on earth with not only just one television, but one television that is not a flat screen.

Nice effort Matt boy. But you may want to start writing letters to people
that actually care a lot more about television than your parents.

Poor Matt. And the rest of his siblings. I guess Jacob and I are lame like that. And the problem is, we don't even care. When the TV actually breaks down completely we'll give in. Until then, come on over friends. If TV isn't your thing, you can sit in either of our cars and listen to a book on tape. And I literally mean tape. Apparently, we have technology issues. Or just issues with spending money on something that works perfectly well.

Even if it is from the 17th century.

Ben and Abi

I have a preschool for Ben a couple of times a week whenever I am on the ball. He loves it and is really learning a lot.

A few weeks ago, we had an awesome family move into our ward and happy day, they also happened to move into our little town. We were pretty thrilled on both accounts! They have a little girl, Abi, who is so cute it is kind of ridiculous. She and Ben hit it off immediately and have been hilarious friends ever since.

Gratefully, when I suggested to Abi's mom, Missy, that maybe Abi could join our preschool every Tuesday and Thursday, she agreed. And folks, if you spent a few hours with these two every week you would laugh hard. They are something else for sure.

The Ben and Abi preschool.
Way too much fun on a regular basis.

So Ben

This past week Ben had pink eye. It is the first "sickness" we have had at our house (big or small) in eight months. That is an unreal record that has not been seen since I became a mother. I am super grateful. (That it has been so long since were sick, not for the pink eye.) Anyway, an antibiotic for Ben's eyes was picked up and I began to prepare Ben for what would be expected of him.

You see, we've had pink eye a few times at our house. At least two of the other kids have had it once, maybe even all three. I honestly can't remember as it has been a long while. All I do know is that the grossness of pink eye is a walk in the park compared to getting the antibiotic into the eye of the one that needs it. It has always been met with fear and some crying and at least once, major resistance. I was not looking forward to it with Ben, especially as we were given the cream this time, not the drops, so I actually had to put it on my finger and put it inside Ben's eye. Good grief, this wasn't going to go well.

I explained it to Ben, had him lay on the floor and took a deep breath to prepare for the fuss. Ben looked a little nervous, but held completely still. And when I put that goop in his eye, the boy did not flinch or fuss for a second. Just blinked his eyes a few times like he was told, kept them shut for a few more seconds so it could coat his entire eye and them jumped off the floor and started playing with his siblings again, exclaiming with a giggle, "All of you are blurry!"

Boy howdy, I'll take this reaction any day.

And every time I've had to give it to him, it has been the same. After a few times, as he was lying there, I couldn't help myself and snuck in to grab the camera to capture the cuteness.

And the second that flash went off, Benjamin boy, without hesitation
and without opening his eyes a crack, did the following.

Honestly, who is this child's mother? His cheesiness is off the charts. And I love him for it.

I also love the fact that pink eye has been driven from our home, without any other casualties. At least I'm hoping. Because I can guarantee one of us would not be this happy about eye antibiotic. And I'm a little too big to be held down during the administration.

Baby boy

It is not possible to express how much I love this picture.

Inspiration

My friend, Jules, shared this video with me and I cannot stand how much I love it.
It made me cry. And inspired me like crazy. And that dad...it really was too much.

Little chub

Sweet Matt

This blog has been short on Matthew for the past many days and I am putting an abrupt end to that. Just because he didn't act in a school play or participate in a spelling bee or celebrate a birthday (soon!) or is chubby and tiny, doesn't meant he isn't absolutely darling and such an incredible boy.

Matt is just good. He is funny and energetic (understatement of the century!) and thoughtful and loving and hilarious. He loves school, loves reading, loves rollerblading and soccer and lacrosse and running, loves his siblings and loves to tease. Really loves to tease.

His birthday is coming up and he will be eight. It makes me emotional and oh so happy just to think about it. We talk every day about what he wants for presents, what he would like me to make him for his birthday breakfast and which restaurant he wants to go to for his birthday dinner. But mostly, he is excited to be baptized. And he is ever so ready.

If you have ever heard our Matthew pray, it is an incredibly sweet experience. He prays as one who is talking to his Father. Because he is. And unlike many of us, Matt never forgets that.

How much I learn from this amazing boy of mine and how grateful I am for the privilege of being his mom.

This post brought to you by Amazon and duct tape

Our kids are home all week. They call it winter break here and we are having a great time.

Today, I was playing with Nate and started to realize that he is getting old enough to have an activity gym. Because we were told by doctors that other children would not be coming our way, I had given our old one away. We were activity gymless. So...I figured, why not put the kids on it?

I showed them a picture or two of what I was talking about and literally just let them at it. Within a pretty short time, they had some grand entertainment for the Nathan baby.

He loves it.

Thanks Amazon. Thanks duct tape. Thanks awesome kids that I love.

We are officially activity gymful. Fantastic.

Valentines

As February approached, I realized I had quite a bit of credit at Shutterfly

that was about to expire. And it was specifically for 5x7 photo cards.
The kids quickly decided they would help me use it up. And I wasn't
complaining considering that it would mean their valentines would
come to our door, ready to be given to friends. I love how each
turned out and loved the jokes they picked to put on the back.

I really should add that my pride couldn't handle it though and I did have to tell
their teachers why they were giving out such fancy Valentines. Sad, but true.

Craziness

Today was crazy sock day at the elementary school. Awesome.

And good grief, no comments on Matt's shoes. Apparently I have not been paying
attention to the state of my children's shoes of late. It will be remedied soon.

February love

This is how our dining room looks right at this moment.
And throughout the month of February.

This is what sits in the middle of the table. Construction paper hearts.
Classy don't you think? But oh I love it so much.

And this is what we do with them.

Love this month. Love this tradition. LOVE my family.

How do I love thee, Linny?

Let me count the ways...

1. Your smile.
2. Your love of pictures.
3. That you give me credit for too much.
4. Your unmitigated love for each of our kids.
5. Your eyes—the mischievous ones.
6. That you keep order amid the chaos.
7. Your discipline, in everything.
8. The thousand ways you find to motivate the kids.
9. The carefully calculated yet always kind ways you motivate me.
10. Your kindness and generosity.
11. That you love to read.
12. That you're constantly teaching the kids, especially about ways to live happier.
13. When you jump and scream and yell during March Madness.
14. That you make so many delicious things for us to eat—seemingly without effort.
15. How hard you work to avoid hurting others' feelings.
16. That you always say thank you (see three of the last four posts). Always.
17. That you're a mother. Five times over. And the best in the world, at that.
18. That you make special occasions so memorable.
19. That you make our house (no matter where we are) everyone's favorite home.
20. That you're an incredible teacher, no matter who's in the room (from four-year-olds to apostles).
21. That you're always looking for ways to improve.
22. That you let (encourage!) me to make cookies.
23. That you brilliantly become best friends with our kids' teachers.
24. That you're such a persistent runner.
25. That you always want to do your best, no matter what.
26. Your eyes—the bright ones.
27. That you were the best RS president ever (in my humble and biased opinion).
28. That you're the best bishop's wife ever, especially to this struggling bishop.
29. That you find unique ways to worry about, love, and build up each of our kids individually.
30. That you have such high expectations for yourself and everyone around you.
31. That you're such an effective judge of motives and incentives.
32. That you put up with me, which is saying something.
33. That you said YES!
34. That you revealed your life story (instead of running away) when I mentioned my (mythical) French girlfriend. (Before we were married, people. And it was a finely woven falsehood on my part. Really.)
35. That you're an extremely skilled and tenacious negotiator. Even if it means I never win.
36. Your extremely quick and sharp wit.
37. Your scary ability to convincingly tell tall tales. And that you only use it for good. As far as I know.
38. How you can make anyone's favorite pie so well that it becomes their new favorite pie.
39. That whenever you say, "This dinner is going to be terrible," it's inevitably delicious.
40. Your ability to remember and celebrate everyone's birthday.
41. That you chronicle and memorialize our lives.
42. Your competitive streak.
43. That somehow you love me.
44. That you're flat out funny. And you frequently make me laugh (even if it's not always out loud).
45. ....