Our Annie girl

Our gorgeous Annie was in a big time play last evening, this afternoon and this evening
at our local university. I loved every second of it. It truly makes me emotional every time
I see her on stage because she is just that incredible. I adore this girl of ours so much.

The play, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, was just so well done.
Annie played Naphtali's wife and did an amazing job.

What a wonderful couple of days for us and for our darling Annie!

First three

Wa to the Hoo. Guess what was in our hen house today for the first time? And guess
who is ridiculously excited? Supposedly, chickens don't usually begin laying during
the winter months, but I always knew our chickalettas were overachievers.

Way to go ladies! I'd high five you. If you had hands.

Books and bedrooms

I'm pretty darn strict when it comes to the kids' rooms and their cleanliness. But you'd
better believe I won't be telling any of them they can't keep a huge stack of books they've
read in the last many weeks by their bed. Boy howdy, makes this momma proud.

My friend and mountain villages and light

I have a friend, Rachel. She really is the best of the best. I don't say that lightly and I adore her to the deepest part of my heart. And miss her something crazy.

She moved away from Massachusetts not too longer before we did. She moved to the west coast and then on to exotic France. We moved to exotic Utah. Essentially, we live the same life. Obviously.

A few days ago, she posted the above picture on Instagram. And it put a catch in my throat because I loved the picture so much. But when I saw it was of Chamonix, where her family was visiting, I loved it beyond what I could explain in words. Because that is where Jacob and I spent part of our honeymoon. And I will never forget standing in the Alps on Christmas Eve, in the charming village of Chamonix. The largest snowflakes I have ever seen were falling and there were literally chestnuts roasting on an open fire. I was standing with my husband of two days and everything was right in the world. It was absolutely unreal and one of my favorite memories ever.

Ever.

So within seconds of seeing this picture Rachel shared, I asked her if she would mind sharing the picture with me. It took about six minutes before it was in my inbox. See why I adore her? And that is the very least of what she has done for me.

I will love this picture forever. As long as I will love Rachel.

She's the best. And this picture reminds me of her and my wonderful marriage and beautiful memories and God's kindness to me and mountains and trees and light.

A life filled with so much light.

I'm so blessed.

Ski day

Jacob spent the day yesterday skiing with several of his brothers. I love when he gets
to do those kinds of things. And when he takes incredible pictures like this one.

Ben's 9th Birthday

Happy Birthday to our amazing Benjamin! I remember so vividly nine years
ago today, feeling so excited for his coming, coupled with nervousness at his
too-early arrival. He is handsome and brilliant and athletic and sensitive
and kind. I feel grateful everyday for the privilege of being this boy's mom.

Our little Sunbeam

First day of Sunbeams for this little lovely. I can't believe nursery is officially over for all
of my chicklets. Yet I love watching my kids grow up to be funny and darling and their own
little person. Being in Primary with Grace and her two brothers each week is pretty fabulous.

Speaking of our cute ones...all six of our littles on the day they became Sunbeamers.
It does something to my mother's heart every time I see pictures of them all together at the same age.

December phone pics

This is what I shared on Instagram about this picture:

Just over two hours ago, I received a text that the basement of our bishop's home had
flooded. It was bad. I sent the message out for floor fans and water vacs and then Jacob
and I headed there ourselves with what we had to help. We weren't the first ones there
and most certainly were not the last. What you can't see behind me in this photo is more
than a dozen cars, never mention those neighbors that just walked. The number of those
helping blew me away. Literally dozens of people who just went to work. There is so much
good in the world. So very much. I feel honored and emotional every time I see it in action.

Ben's teacher needed a piñata filled with candy for a Christmas activity the middle of
December. I was glad to get it ready for her and put it in our library closet until it needed
to be sent to school. Grace could not have be more terrified of the "candy guy" and wouldn't
go anywhere near the closet and would barely step into the library. If I were a better mother,
I wouldn't find it absolutely hilarious and probably wouldn't have suggested to Jacob
that maybe I should put it in the hall outside her room at night, just in case she decides,
as she does on occasion, that coming upstairs in the middle of the night is a good idea.

Puzzle obsession. It's a real thing at the Allen house.

The morning I took this picture, I just had finished The Book of Mormon. I'm honestly not
sure how many times I have read it, but it is a lot. Because I love it to the deepest part of
my heart. And know it is true. It blesses my life every single day and to a degree I can't
even put into words. It has changed who I am. I'm so very grateful for this miraculous book.

This picture I took on an afternoon I dropped by my parents' house for a few minutes
and of course my cute mom had to get out her very fancy (and fragile) tea cups and
plates to throw Grace a tea party (complete with apple juice and lemon cake).
Grace was in heaven. And I was reminded how many things my mom does that
are extremely sweet and special and mean so much to our kids. And their mother.

Christmas Vacation ~ Day 5

On Christmas Day, we gave each of the kids three strips of paper with the instructions to

write down one movie they wanted to watch as a family, one restaurant they wanted to eat

at as a family and one activity they wanted to do all together. When all eighteen strips were
filled out, we hung them on the wall and worked hard (or rather played hard) all week
to make them happen. It was one of our favorite weeks of the year, hands down.

 Day five was a little more relaxing and it was nice to finish up that way. We watched
Pirates of the Caribbean late in the morning, went to Costa Vida for dinner and then
visited a place called Dart Zone for some nerf gun shooting. (Well, two of us relaxed
at home, since Grace wasn't old enough to go.) But I heard it was incredibly fun.
The environment isn't super conducive to taking pictures, so we just snapped this group
picture after the dart gun competitors came home (hence the reason Grace is included).

 And apparently the one who didn't attend feels the most passionate about shooting nerf guns.

 And our final photo of the week. Here are our eighteen strips of paper, all with a check mark by
them. That is a big deal people. Eighteen fun activities in five days...not a small thing for this mom.

It couldn't have been more worth it though. We absolutely loved it. 

And can't wait for the tradition to continue next year.

Christmas Vacation ~ Day 4

On Christmas Day, we gave each of the kids three strips of paper with the instructions to

write down one movie they wanted to watch as a family, one restaurant they wanted to eat

at as a family and one activity they wanted to do all together. When all eighteen strips were
filled out, we hung them on the wall and worked hard (or rather played hard) all week
to make them happen. It was one of our favorite weeks of the year, hands down.

 

Day four was a busy one. We had breakfast at a local diner in our town, went to Moana not long
after, headed straight to a bounce house called Kangaroo Zoo and finished with dinner at Olive
Garden. Because we were fitting all eighteen ideas of fun into five days, we had to double up on
several days to fit everything in. It was super exciting. And crazy exhausting. In a good way.

 

 These kids have a fun dad.

 This handsome boy has a great smile.

 So does this one. Which he decided he didn't want to show. Seriously, my children.

 Sweet Annie spent a lot of time with Grace.

 While another of my children gave me just the look I was going for. Honestly.

 Ask our kids sometime why this bounce toy is now referred to as "The Stephen."
I'm shaking my head if you can't see me.

 This darling boy knows how to smile. As does his photobombing sister apparently.

 A good part of this activity was spent playing tag among six kids I know.

 And the best picture I could get of Grace. She just wanted to climb this super tall slide over and over again.

Christmas Vacation ~ Day 3

On Christmas Day, we gave each of the kids three strips of paper with the instructions to

write down one movie they wanted to watch as a family, one restaurant they wanted to eat

at as a family and one activity they wanted to do all together. When all eighteen strips were
filled out, we hung them on the wall and worked hard (or rather played hard) all week
to make them happen. It was one of our favorite weeks of the year, hands down.

 Day three was the only time where we spent most of the day in two groups. Matt 

wanted to go skiing, but the youngest three haven't learned to ski yet, so we decided

 Jacob could take the oldest three to spend the day on the slopes and the three youngest

 were going to hang out with their mom and be extremely exciting. And for those of you

 laughing, I actually was this time. Go me. We ate lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, 

went bowling and then went out for frozen yogurt. When the whole family got back 

together later in the evening, we had Wendy's as per Grace's request and watched 

Zootopia, another request by Gracie girl. All of us had a really wonderful day.

 Ben is a natural bowler and so fun to watch.

 Nate was so good and I loved how he kind of willed the ball, with his body, to go certain ways.

This girl. I couldn't quit laughing. Let's just say she spent plenty of time watching the ball
head down the lane. Long enough to put her hands in her pockets and hang around.

 And all three of my bowling buddies at the end of our game.

 Okay, I couldn't help but share this picture before we switched activities. Sometimes waiting is exhausting.

 And now for the super skiers. On the lift and ready to go.

 It wasn't the saddest day to ski for sure. Oh, and having some of their cousins join made it all the better.

 And at the end of a fabulous, exhausting day.

And pretty much my favorite picture of the entire week. Have I mentioned I love this guy?