Our sweet grandmas

 

We love these grandmas of ours so much and love visiting and laughing with them.
We are so grateful and know how blessed we are to have them as a part of our lives.

Nineteen years

These coordinates that I wear on my wrist belong to Zollikofen, Switzerland.
Where a beautiful LDS temple stands. Nineteen years ago today, I walked into
that temple holding hands with Jacob Allen and walked out his wife for eternity.
He had my entire heart, the least I could do was to take his name.

So much kindness

I don't know that there is a better feeling in the world than being truly understood without having

to explain yourself. So having received some really sweet and wonderful news, yet heartbreaking

for me at the same time, it meant the world to me to have my sweet friend completely understand.

And not only understand, but bring flowers by two days later and a card that made me laugh

and then cry. Having people choose you, who don't have to, is a pretty amazing feeling.

Seminary assembly

This beauty was chosen to speak at the seminary assembly today (just like a regular
assembly, but focused on the gospel) on the topic Service Doesn't Mean Look at Me.
It Means Look at Him. She wrote a beautiful talk and will deliver it wonderfully well.
That is the thing about Annie, she is all goodness. I just really love her.

Our favorite Christmas tradition

I've read this book aloud to our kids every December as far back as any of them can remember.

And I've never once read it, that I don't hear my Dad's voice instead of mine. I laugh at the

same places he did, because I can't help it. And I become emotional at the end, at the
same point he did every year. It is easily one of my favorite Christmas traditions ever.

But my far, the best part of the book, was anytime my dad had to take off his glasses

and wipes his tears. Because he was laughing so hard. It was the absolute best.

Ultrasounds and kidneys

Just for the record, a kidney ultrasound is much less exciting than a baby ultrasound.
But since I'm not too many weeks away from forty plus one, I think I'll take the boring version.

And for you kind people worrying, don't. (For your mean people not worrying, seriously,
so much rudeness.) The medication I currently take to get rid of the excess spinal fluid
my overachieving brain produces, makes me a little more prone to kidney stones,
so my neurologist is just being preventative. All is well and lovely.

Merriest Christmas!

 

From our little family to each of you, a very Merry Christmas!
With all of our hearts, we rejoice in Christ!
We love Him, we honor Him, we adore Him.
And are grateful this Christmas season for so much goodness
that exists in the world because of His birth and life and atonement.
We are so deeply grateful for our many blessings, with each of you on that list.

With much love, the Allens

Ben's first piano recital

Ben boy had his very first piano recital today and he was amazing. I love watching our kids work
consistently toward good things. We also loved hearing Ben's cousins perform and are especially
grateful for their recommendation of such an incredible piano teacher. We absolutely adore her.

Colors

 Today was red day at preschool and this little sweetheart
was excited to wear her Mexico shirt.

And while I had her attention, I had to capture the first shiner anyone in our family
has received, at least that I can remember. Those kitchen stools are pretty fierce.

Christmas stockings and island peninsulas

A few years ago, in one of my greatest mothering moments to date, I put my children in charge
of each other's Christmas stockings. It has become one of our (possibly the) favorite Christmas
traditions. Which in and of itself makes me so incredibly happy. But the fact that they each
work hard the first two weeks of December to earn the money to spend on their chosen
stocking gifts is kind of the best. Because right this moment, the grossness under our
huge kitchen peninsula is being scrubbed clean and my life is feeling pretty awesome. 

It really is the most wonderful time of the year, isn't it?

My sweet Gram

Grief is such an interesting thing. This will be my third Christmas without my Gram
and yet it was only a week ago that the thought entered my mind that while she could
obviously no longer give our kids a Christmas ornament each year, we could most
definitely buy an ornament each year for her. And that is exactly what I've done in
the last few days--added three Christmas ornaments to her tree that represent my
darling grandma. I love them so. And already know what I want to buy next year.

Christmas dance

My beautiful Annie and her handsome date for the Christmas dance last night. 

My handsome Campbell and his darling date for the Christmas dance last night. 

And two fabulous groups ready for an incredibly fun night. 

I loved, loved, loved taking all of their pictures tonight. It's kind of my favorite thing.

My darling oldests

These two darlings of mine went to the Christmas dance tonight. It was girls' choice and
Annie asked the nicest boy and Campbell was asked by such a darling girl. It was pretty
crazy for me to see them both going to the same dance. I was asked to take pictures
by the girls of each group, so I'm pretty excited to share those, but in the meantime,
I'm just loving these pictures of two darling siblings that are just really close friends.

And a great big thanks to Annie's friends (who happen to be sisters) for letting me hire
them to do her hair and makeup. They stepped in with their amazing talents where I have
none. I'm such a fan of good people who are so willing to share their incredible skills.

My favorite wall

I love it so much I could cry.

I just wish a picture of it could do it justice. You really have to see it in person.
It is on a huge wall in our master bedroom and is just perfect in every way.

I really love this family of mine. So very much.

Christmas parties and trampolines

Last night was the annual family Christmas party with Jacob's company. And I was
reminded once again how grateful I am for the wonderful people he works with and
their darling families. They are good and funny and generous and I truly enjoy
being around them. And having a company party at a trampoline park is brilliant.

But just a little

This morning when Grace woke up, I told her I had a surprise for her and took her to the front door
and opened it. Her eyes got really big and she broke into a huge smile and then she turned to me
and said in a quiet voice, "Thank you Mom!" And my crusty, snow-grumpy heart melted a little.

Savior of the World

 

 

 

Last night, several of us went, for the first time, to the production of Savior of the World.
And I absolutely loved it. It was the perfect way to bring in the Christmas spirit and
I found myself emotional multiple times. I'm so thankful for my Savior and for the
constant reminders of His birth and life and goodness and love during this time of year.

This morning

This morning, Jacob and I went to the temple with a few of his family members
and it was absolutely wonderful. There was just something about the company and
the experience that I needed today and I've felt so grateful all day. And then I looked
closely at this picture I took afterwards and it might be one of my favorites ever. 

I really love the temple.

Meeting Belle

 This little sweetheart went to her first birthday party today. And she pretty much loved it. A lot.

And then the mom of the sweet birthday girl sent this picture and it made me so happy. Grace has
talked constantly about meeting "the real Belle" at the birthday party she went to. She was in heaven.

November phone pics

 

 Two teacher conferences, two handsome studs making their mom proud. I'm so thankful to be a
mom and for the incredible privilege of being a part of the big and little moments of my kids' lives. 

 Well, good morning then.

Don't let this gorgeous sun fool you, it felt like the first day of winter. And I wanted to cry.
But I was too cold to muster up the tears. I'm such a wimp. And the cold weather does not help.

This particular morning I hung out with some fabulous preschoolers for a Thanksgiving
party. My station was Thanksgiving-themed bingo and I chose well. These kids are
adorable, hilarious and seeing my Grace in her element was the best part of my day. 

We've never done fourth grade in this elementary school before, so we learned
all about Utah cakes for the first time this day. Fun times. And this boy,
honestly he is such a handsome little stud. He makes me happy. 

These three friends are seriously the cutest! I adore them.

Our newest Bear scout

I'm so proud of the young man he chooses to be and absolutely love being his mom.