Mitchell the goose

Anyone else have a goose strolling through their backyard.
And trying to attack their son on occasion? Just us? Okay then.

Look at our poor chickens lined up and wondering what in the world is happening.

This man. I adore him to the deepest part of my heart and yet, sometimes what he does drives
me nutty. Like trying to be friends with an attack goose. Who, I have since learned, has
tortured/gone after many a neighbor. Of course the goose likes Jacob. Everyone likes Jacob.
It would have eaten the skin off my shins before I could say "I'm Jacob Allen's wife!"

PS. Matt named the goose. He likes to name things.

Define us

"Being a refugee may be a defining moment in the lives of those who are refugees,
but being a refugee does not define them...but our response will help define us."

~Elder Patrick Kearon

I watched this video a few moments ago and just sobbed.
I love it so much. As well as the incredible talk that inspired it.

Time together

We took tonight and went out to dinner and then spent some time outside on the grounds
of the temple. Even with the craziness that comes with six darling chicklets, I'm just
so grateful. As we were driving home, we all began singing along to O Holy Night
and my insides felt all soft and melty. I have a beautiful, wild, crazy, wonderful life.

Tonight

Every year my parents have been in the country, they have hosted individual Christmas
parties for each of the kids and their families. Several times, my mom came to our home
when we were living far away and held a party for us. It is one of our favorite memories
of the whole year. And when I walked in tonight and saw how my mom had their home
decorated for Christmas and the table set for the party, I was blown away. Every year I
see it and it still amazes me with its incredible beauty. It was a really wonderful night.

Christmas dance

I just really, really love this boy. And that gorgeous girl he is with
is absolutely darling in every way. What a fun night for the Christmas dance.

November phone pics

 This picture was taken just a few hours after Cam had his wisdom teeth out.
This is what I wrote on Instagram:

This knucklehead is driving me crazy. Someone should tell him he just had his wisdom teeth out six
hours ago. I just had to go outside and tell him he couldn't play football with the neighborhood kids.
On a happier note, the light outside is awesome. No filter on this beauty needed for sure.

 

Fall AND the end of Daylight Savings? Sign me up please.

Just a picture I snapped while these two cuties were waiting for me to finish at the periodontist.
The next week I got the stitches in my mouth out. Happy, happy, happy day.

The neighborhood boys were playing football in our backyard, the neighborhood girls were swinging
in our hammock and the light through the trees was begging to be photographed. I really love fall.

On Veterans Day, the kids and I loved taking a gift to our favorite crossing guard and thanking
him for his service. This is one of my favorite traditions and such a privilege. And once again,
when he saluted us as we drove away, I became emotional. I have so much gratitude to so many
who serve and sacrifice and support this great country! God has most certainly blessed America. 

On this particular November afternoon, these darlings helped me take care of the
chickens. Three-year-olds are the cutest. And the craziest. But mostly the cutest.

The day after Thanksgiving, we decorated for Christmas, thanks to Annie girl. And I had to take
a picture of my favorite tree (we have three). It is the one that holds the ornaments my Gram
gave our kids for sixteen years. I feel so happy and so emotional whenever we put it up. And I
loved Annie's suggestion that we put it in the library this year, because it sits right next to her
chair, where it belongs. What this picture is missing is the perfect star and tree skirt I found
just a couple of days later. I just love it so much. And miss my Gram even more. 

This beautiful Christmas trivet sits on our stove every December. It used to belong to
Jacob's grandma. Grandma Alice is one of my favorite people ever and I miss her.
It means so much to have this reminder of her sweet self every Christmas season. 

"Oh my goodness mom, I'm as fast as Lightning McQueen in my new shoes!"
I might love this boy a lot.

We specialize in super subtle socks at our house. And warm winter clothing, as you can see.
Matt's socks have pineapples on them. And he does own a coat. He just doesn't wear it.

Annie and her birthday present

I really wish every one of you could sit in our family room and listen to this girl sing while playing
her ukulele. It really is incredible. She has worked her head off to truly learn how to play the
ukulele and combined with her gorgeous voice, it is something else. She amazes me every day.

Snow and fashion fun

Two of my cute chalupas outside tonight. One who was super excited to help shovel
the driveway for the first time and the other just joining for the fashion show.

Not pictured, the darling oldests who were doing the real work.

Thanksgiving Day

The boys had a fun morning playing in the neighborhood Turkey Bowl while those
of us of the female gender ran the Turkey Leg 5K. Glad to get the calorie burning
out of the way so we can make it up in mashed potatoes and pie. Plus a little extra.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Allens!

Light and leaves

Another permit to drive

Yes, I feel insanely old. Again. Thanks for asking.

A BYU game with Matt

Matt was invited to a BYU game with a friend for this afternoon and he was pretty excited to
go. But it turned out that the parents of his good friend (who are our good friends) couldn't
make it today, so I had to sacrifice and spend the day at a BYU game, in perfect weather,
with three fun boys (Matt, his friend and his friend's cousin). I was so glad to spend that
time with Matt and grateful to our kind friends for making it possible. It was a good day.

Preschool field trip

Going on a fire and police station field trip with my darling Nate
(and taking along his cute sister) was pretty much the highlight of my day.
Firefighters and police officers rock. I'm so grateful for them.

Fun with stitches

When I had my mouth surgery over two weeks ago, the periodontist stitched
between six of my teeth. Twice. It was as lovely and pain-free as you can
imagine. At the time, he told me the stitches would stay in about a week.

This morning I went in, still with loads of stitches in my mouth, and he said it is
looking fabulous and he will be taking out the stitches in a week. Two at most.
Apparently that is normal for the kind of surgery I had, or so he mentioned.

Um, just a little tip, periodontist fella...give me the real story from the get-go.
Don't string (enjoy that pun?) me along week by week and think you're doing me a
great favor. I'm a realistic pessimistic (yes, it is as lovely as it sounds, ask my husband)
and need the facts. Good thing I could drown my sorrows in a piña colada smoothie.

And yes, I'm fully aware this is a really ridiculous complaint, no need to point that out.
Neverthless, these hoards of stitches are driving me batty. But I still love my life.

And piña colada smoothies.

Nate's 5th birthday party

Nate was pretty excited to have his first friend party this past Friday.
It went so well, the kids were darling and I was so grateful for such a fun afternoon.

Making towers with marshmallows and toothpicks while we waited for everyone to arrive.

Then I took the traditional picture we take at all of our friend birthday parties.

And a little "Pin the Basketball on the Hoop" was next.
Thanks to Annie's fabulous art work and Nate's help with coloring.

Then these cute kids played sticker tag and kind Campbell joined in.

Followed by an animal hunt in the basement, where all animals were found.

And the part of the party that made me laugh was the last ten minutes.
We were just waiting for the parents to pick up the kids and I asked Campbell
to do something entertaining to keep the kids occupied. He came up with a
game where he hit the ball and two of the kids raced to see who could get it.
Of course it was the favorite game of the entire party and hilarious to watch.

It was a really happy couple of hours.
I'm so grateful Nate and his friends loved it.

Sadie Hawkins

This darling girl asked Campbell to Sadie Hawkins at a nearby high school.
Love this boy and am so grateful he is surrounded by fabulous friends.

Veterans Day

Six men in my family, six who served their country, six of my heroes, six men I love.