C&K · June 17, 2023

Skipping ahead to the reception--it was truly just the most magical and beautiful night
ever. And I was so relieved because well, I don't know how to throw a reception.
Yet, it couldn't have turned out more perfectly and I loved every second.

Most especially, the joy I felt watching Kelsey and Campbell dance was beyond, beyond.
That boy was just made to move and they were the absolute cutest together.

But my favorite part of the entire day--besides being in the temple with those I love most
of all the game, watching our son be sealed to the woman of his dreams--was looking out
onto the dance floor, right as the sun was going down. The hanging lights were twinkling
and the music was definitely thumping. And there, right in the middle of it all, were all
seven of my darling chicklets--together in a circle, laughing and busting a move.
I almost couldn't handle how much gratitude and happiness overflowed my heart.

It really was just too much loveliness and melty warmth for one night. And I couldn't be more
thankful to our friends, Kevin and Kelly, for letting us use their gorgeous yard. And for darling
Lexi, for making the reception beautiful from top to bottom, with her own gorgeous wedding
decor that she so sweetly lent us. And to many, many others who loaned and helped and
set up and took down and just made all of the magic, that much more magical.

Mostly, thank you to so many of you who came to support and love on us. I still get
teary when I think of how many we adore most in this world, came and cared and
celebrated alongside us. It meant the world. And I'm so deeply grateful.


Photo credit: The darling Mad Marie Photography.

C&K · June 17, 2023

One of the happiest days of my life, all because of these two and their amazing goodness.
And the Lord's incredible kindness. I will treasure these pictures forever. I'm so thankful
for their marriage, the forming of their new family and that they are sealed to each
other for always. It was just the most beautiful day I could have ever imagined.


Photo credit: The amazing Mad Marie Photography.

Our mighty God

A rainy day, some time at the temple and a God who sometimes asks us to do hard things.
I so deeply want to become the person I promised Him I would become. So I'm going to
keep listening, doing, trusting--even when my ridiculously human self would like the
easy version. He's earned my love. Forever and always. I'm so honored to be His daughter.

A Washington reception

And the reason we were in Olympia--these darling newlyweds.

We absolutely loved being with them at their reception, along with Kelsey's amazing family.
Honestly, they are the best and the reception they hosted was so happy and fabulous
and beautiful and fun. I still can't get over the idea that we get Kelsey in our family
forever AND we get to be linked to her parents and siblings for always in addition.
It's just the greatest gift and this weekend made me realize that over and over again.

It was a really wonderful trip.

A trip to Washington

A quick trip to Washington for Campbell and Kelsey's second reception.
And a fun morning with this handsome guy, enjoying the beauty of this amazing area.

Another evening on the boat

These darling newlyweds brought some friends out for a boating day today and it was the best.
Mostly to see them, but also so that they could have some time on the lake.

A foot injury kept me from being able to join them, but Jacob and Ben made it beyond fun.
And took some wonderful pictures, along with Kelsey, because they know it is
my love language and they are way too good to me.

And in my favorite part of the day, Kelsey became a pro surfer. I was so thrilled for her and
wish so much I could have been there to clap and cheer. She's so amazing.

Ahhh, these young adults are just fantastic. I'm so thankful for absolutely any bit of time I get to be around them.

Flaming Gorge

A day at Flaming Gorge with our good friends earlier this week. It was just really wonderful.


Happy note: Twenty-five years ago this coming Labor Day weekend,
Jacob and I had our first kiss at Flaming Gorge. So it's pretty much our favorite.

This man

Oh this man. I'm so in awe of him. Who he chooses to be is such an incredible thing to watch.

This past week, he spent nearly the whole week at youth conference. The culmination
of almost a year of working his head off (in one of his stake callings as stake young
men's president), to make this experience for the young people he loves so much,
one of the most memorable and spiritual weeks of their teenage years.

And that is exactly what happened.

It was a beautiful and emotional thing to watch.

He cares so much, he gives so much, he loves so much. And he was already amazing and good
and a devoted disciple of Christ. But who he has become, through this experience, is beyond what
I would ever have imagined could happen to someone who is already so deeply good to the core.

I'm so thankful for Jacob Allen. He means everything to me. He is everything to me.
And being his wife is truly the greatest privilege of my life.

An incredible three days

 

He's home. With more dirt, sun and exhaustion then he left with, but also with a deeper love of
his Savior and a stronger testimony of the gospel than just three days ago. Oh I love youth conference.

Tonight

I just cannot with tonight--it's far too much to put even a small part into words.

All I know is God LOVES His kids, teenagers are truly the greatest and being in nature
with 300 young people and their fabulous leaders, talking about Jesus, is apparently
my favorite thing in all of forever. Doing that alongside my incredible husband was just too
much for my heart to handle. It felt like it was melting and bursting all at the same time.

I am so ridiculously blessed.

Tournament champions

This tremendous boy and his comp soccer team won the United Champions Cup tournament
championship for their age group today. After going into overtime. And then penalty kicks.
It was such a fabulous (and stressful) game to watch and Ben played his absolute heart out.

So grateful for Jacob and how he supports and makes comp soccer possible for these two youngest boys of ours.

And for how much Ben is loving his new team and amazing coaches and just the whole experience in general.

He's working his head off (both to make this team three divisions higher than he had been
playing and then to continue being as strong and fit as possible) and it shows.

Grateful for days like today and the incredible gift of being Ben Allen's mom. It's pretty much the greatest.

Our Annie girl

Our darling Annie has been an FSY counselor this summer. (FSY = a five-day experience for
youth where they participate in devotionals, classes and activities that help strengthen their
testimony of Jesus Christ.) She's already worked three weeks and has at least two more to go.

And not only has she absolutely loved it, but she's just so ridiculously good at it. She so naturally loves,
connects, cares, listens and makes others feel seen...which results in her blessing these young women
and men in ways I don't think even she fully understands. But God does. And He is so very grateful.
I've felt a part of that gratitude from Him the last few weeks. After all, if we as earthly parents feel
deep thankfulness for those who choose to love and serve our children, how profoundly grateful
must our Heavenly Father feel when we choose to love and reach out to His children.

It's been a beautiful thing to watch.

And I'm positive our God feels the same way.