Annie in Disneyland

This darling girl just spent the last four days with her theater group in Disneyland. I'm so thankful she
gets to interact with tremendous friends and fabulous mentors and do something she loves so much.
And am also so glad to have her home again, safe and sound. Oh our Annie girl is something else. 

Grandmas

These two ladies are a huge part of my life. I get to talk to them often, be with them
on a regular basis and feel grateful every day that they chose me as a granddaughter,
even though they didn't have to. I loved the time I was able to spend with each of
them this week and feel so blessed for these two important relationships in my life.

Our little dancer

Grace's first dance recital ~ Halloween edition

Turning seventeen

Oh beautiful girl, you are so incredibly loved. Seventeen years ago today,
our Heavenly Father blessed us with you and we have felt thankful every day since.
You are happy, kind, hilarious, brilliant, full of faith and creative to the core of your
being. Happy Birthday Annie Linn! We are so grateful to belong to you forever.

Disneyland performance

One of the theater classes that Annie takes gave the students a chance to audition for a trip
to Disneyland where they would perform at the park. Annie made the cut and tonight, all of
those going to Disneyland performed for the parents. It was so fun to watch and I'm beyond
excited for Annie to take a trip next week with this group. She is going to have the best time.

Last flag football games

Family time at the park

Weddings, horses and blessings

Excerpts from Elder Allen's most recent letter (you can read it in its entirety here):

It has been such an amazing week for us. So many miracles and blessings
and I hope that you are all feeling the love that our Savior has for us!

Today was a really good day. I just felt happy all day and there is no good reason why.
Actually thats a lie. I am doing the Lords work and He is blessing me. That was why.

I hope you all have the best of weeks!! My challenge for you this week
(I say that like Ive been doing that but this is the first one) is to read
Alma 5 because it is a BOMB! We can learn so much from that.
 

Love you all! Go and serve!

Elder Allen

Pink helmet, pink rain boots, pink bicycle...happy girl

My memory tree

Just when you think there can't possibly be more kindness
headed your way, you are proven wrong.

I have several high school friends that live outside of Utah. And they all went
in together and purchased a memory tree for our yard. And then my sweet friend,
Adri, who was in town with family this past weekend, brought the tree by.
And she and her darling parents helped plant it. Good grief, just so much kindness.

And now, every time I look out my window, I not only think of my
sweet mom, but of tremendous friends that have been such a huge
blessing to me for the past twenty-five years. And there is no end in sight.

Thank you Adri, Andrea, Rebecca and Natalie and your kind husbands.
I will never forget such a beautiful gesture by such incredible friends.

Picture day

One of Matt's greatest joys is seeing what he can get away with on picture day.

This is only his second year with this mission in mind and I don't even have words.

Yes, this is his actual school ID he received today and yes, this will also be

his official yearbook picture. Could there be a mother more proud? Not likely.

Our beautiful Annie

A few nights ago, the group of young women in our ward that are Annie's age
had the opportunity to have their hair and makeup done and then have an
extremely talented photographer take their pictures. And sweet waffles,
Annie's photo are just plain gorgeous. I just can't get over this girl's beauty.

(A giant "you're welcome" to her future husband.)

But even more important than her outside beauty is honestly that she is just good
as gold in every way. She is kind and happy and hilarious and sweet and talented
and brilliant and sings like an angel and loves the Lord and chooses to do what
is right, even when it's not always easy. I'm so privileged to be her mom. She's my
daughter, but she's honestly one of my best friends and I adore everything about her.

Pictures by this friend and incredible photographer. Thank you Nicole!