So much kindness

The second night I spent at the high school taking pictures, I didn't have someone to tend Grace. So I took her with me, in her Newsies costume of course. Because who could say no to that cute request?

We arrived and I got Grace set in her seat to watch the show, as I would be all over the place taking photos. She is obsessed with Newsies and I knew that this dress rehearsal would keep her attention.

But as things began and the kids started to warm up for the show, it was suddenly requested that Grace participate with the cast. Sweet Annie introduced her to all of her friends and their reactions honestly made me emotional, it was just so much kindness. Grace was then able to warm up with the group, watch the entire dress rehearsal and join the group after, while the director talked to the kids about his thoughts.

It was an absolute dream come true for Grace and I seriously had to hold back emotion several times at the sweetness of those high school kids including our little G. All of them were beyond kind, but Annie's friend Hyrum, who plays Crutchie in the play, went above and beyond. Just look at the pictures and see if it doesn't absolutely melt your heart to see the two of them together.

And one last note. While I was taking pictures, I would look over to make sure Grace was doing okay. As the big singing numbers came on and the whole cast was dancing, I looked over to see her in the aisle copying their every move. It was one of the cutest moments I have ever experienced and the pictures I took of it will be some of my favorites forever. Actually, the whole night will be one of my favorites forever.

Teenagers are seriously the best. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. And not just because this incredible group was kind to my sweet Grace, but because I truly believe teenagers are, in general, absolutely tremendous. And are such an incredible blessing to this world.

Turning seven

Oh my sweet boy, we just love you so much. You have now been ours
for seven years and we couldn't be more grateful. You are kind, funny,
brilliant, athletic and good to the core and we think you are something else.
Happy Birthday Nathan Grant! We are so thankful Heavenly Father gave us you.

High school plays and photo addictions

My girl. Isn't she incredible? The answer is yes. Big time.

Last night, I had a chance to take photos of the high school play during a final rehearsal before
they open Friday night. Fifteen hundred pictures later, I'm pretty darn happy with more than 500
of them. Those are good numbers for me, especially of a live play. And since I can't share the
general ones until after opening night, I'll just share this money shot of my amazing Annie.

I love everything about this play--the scenery, the music, the story, these incredible kids,
the director and my girl. Last night was such a happy night for me. Even if my legs
are literally aching from running back and forth in the auditorium so many times.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Side note: I love that my darling sister-in-law, Taunya, was able to join me to take
photos tonight. She took some incredible ones and it was so fun to do it together.

Double side note: I have issues. Not anything you don't already know, but just to prove it
further, I may have gone back tonight to take just a few more photos that I felt I needed
and ended up taking an additional 1600 pictures. Um, yeah. So I guess we all know
what I will be doing in the coming days. But let's not pretend it doesn't serve me right.  

Hello, my name is Linn and I have a photography addiction. 

We love you Linn...

My breakfast date

Jacob hung out with President George Bush and his darling wife this morning.
Yet, I think I got the better end of the deal with my breakfast date.

A sibling get-together

I seriously don't have words for how much I adore the seven people you see here. They are
absolutely tremendous and amazing and the fact that I get to call myself their friend and also
be related to them is such a huge blessing to me. Which is why I was so thrilled when
Jacob had the opportunity to spend three days at a sibling get-together in Kentucky.

He loved being with his siblings and texted me multiple times to tell me what incredible
people they are and how fun it was to be around all of them, especially at the same time.
Whether it was talking or rock climbing or playing pool or laughing, it sounded like a
fantastic three days. I am so incredibly grateful he could experience it. And so thankful for
Jacob's family. They have blessed my life in huge ways and I just really love being an Allen.

All pictures taken and/or coordinated by Jacob's darling sister, Angela.

Thank you so much Angela! Sure love these pictures, and you, a whole lot.

Age 5

Because I should be tidying my house...
Behold, a collage of all my little loves when they were five.
Can you stand the cuteness? Because I can't. I'm serious, I truly can't.

A new ornament

Ahhh, this ornament just arrived in the mail and I love it so. We always order two to three

ornaments each year, that represent important events in our family from the previous 365 days,

to add to our Christmas tree. And this one makes me so, so happy and miss my Campbell

so, so much. Now to find one to represent my sweet mom and her graduation from mortality.

It's hard for me even to think about, to be honest. I'll get there, but it may take a bit longer.

A trip to London

Jacob spent the last six days in London and took a few photos to remember his trip. The beautiful
run he went on and some photos of the Thames from London Bridge. What he didn't document was
the business meeting he had, attended by an actual princess. No, I'm not talking about Aurora or
Belle, I mean an actual member of the royal family. Jacob mentioned it to me and included a link
that he had looked up, so I could read about her. At which point I couldn't help but shake my head,
because I didn't need his link. I knew exactly who she was and it made me laugh that Jacob didn't.
Not in a way of making fun of him, but at the fact that only Jacob would have to look up a British
royal. It never dawns on him to think what he does for work is a huge deal (he just knows he really
enjoys it and is grateful he can make a difference) and especially doesn't ever brag or make a big deal
about the fact that he meets presidents, leaders of other countries and royalty on a regular basis.

That is where I come in. I do enough bragging for both of us. And a few extra people, just to be safe.
So there you go. If you could care less that Jacob met with actual British royalty, fee free to move
along from my ramblings. But if you, like me, think it is pretty cool, well then, you are welcome.
Because I can guarantee no one would ever know it had happened if it was up to Jacob Allen to
divulge. I'm his wife and I have to beg the info out of him. I can't imagine why. It isn't like I share
with everyone around me or anything. Poor guy, but he is actually resigned to it. Because I've told
him my job in life is to make sure he knows how incredible he is, whether he likes it or not. It's
pretty much my favorite hobby. And he's too kind to take away my favorite hobby. Thank goodness.

Halloween

Cristiano Ronaldo, Les the Newsie and our Ostrich Wrangler
wish you a very Happy Halloween!

Week fourteen

"I love you all! Hope that your faith grows this week. Go bless a life!"

I miss this boy so much. But feel such indescribable joy
at how much he loves being a missionary. God is so good.

Elder Allen's mission blog here, for those interested.

Round one and done

This handsome guy is finished with his first round of braces. Wa to the Hoo.

Fall nights

Zip lines, huge slides, a corn maze and fabulous friends. Tonight was lovely.

Newsies girls

Preschool pumpkin patch picking with this princess

Her spot

 

Yesterday, after the temple, I spent some time at my mom's gravesite. It was the first time
I have been since her funeral, I just haven't been able to make myself go. But it was
peaceful and sweet and I still can't get over the perfection of the spot my dad chose.

I just miss her so much.

The temple and my sweet mom

 

 

Yesterday morning was one of the sweetest, most emotional,
experiences I've ever had at the temple.

A few days ago, my darling dad let his daughters know that when my mom
passed away, she left some family temple names unfinished. He wondered if any of us
wanted to do the work for those names and I was so grateful to receive two of them.

As an incredibly kind gesture that meant so much to me, my sweet older sister offered to
meet me at the temple so that both of these wonderful women could have their work done
in one day. (It was especially meaningful to me because the two women that I was given
were sisters themselves.) So after my doing the first part of the work for the both of them,
Tara and I went together to complete the second part of the work. It was beyond emotional
because I love the temple and know with every part of my heart that what we experience
there is a powerful reminder that our Heavenly Father wants every single one of His children to
have full access to the incredible plan of salvation and the blessings and miracles that come
with it. But also, seeing my mom's name on those cards, was a terribly, difficult reminder
that I am doing this work for her because she's no longer on this earth to do it herself.

With all of that said, what stood out the most to me throughout those hours at the temple
yesterday was that I know where my mom is at. I don't hope it or think it or believe that what
someone else is saying is true. I know it. And even though my heart is still shattered with the
loss of not physically having my mom with me, my overriding feeling is just that I am so
happy for her. And so grateful for the absolute knowledge I have of life after death.

I love the temple. I love the good news of the gospel.
I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.
And I love my mom.

I just can't get over how blessed I am.

He is doing so well

New companion. New pictures. New letter. Same incredible boy of ours.

Double

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.