a quick update

FIRST!  Amy took her last exam and had her exit interview for her internship TODAY.  In other words...AMY IS DONE WITH COLLEGE!  She officially graduates April 22.  Currently she is planning on NOT being in Utah for the graduation.  CONGRATS to AMY!  She will continue helping out in the schools where she has interned and look for more work (and school) opportunities in the future!

Scott is one the countdown to graduation too!  Only 9 more weeks of high school for him.  Scott is busy - with school, work, church, friends, life.  He is currently starting a business with two friends building skateboard ramps.  They are working hard.  He has registered for classes at BYU for summer!  It is mind boggling to think how soon he will leave us.  Scott is a temple guard in the Easter Pageant!  Look for him!

Jason is busy with school, track, church, friends, life.  He still cheers his Suns on but they have had a few heartbreaking games.  He plays basketball with friends when he finds time and is one of Pilot's servants in the Easter Pageant!  Look for him!

Taralynn enlisted Jay's help this week - to help with a baby shower she is planning!  She was re-writing words to "These are a few of my favorite things" with "little girl things" and knew that her Dad was good at rhymes and songs!  He helped and it is so cute!  Her sister in law is expecting a girl after two very busy boys!  Taralynn never complains (I guess she has nothing to complain about!) and is happy whenever I talk to her.  Kory works a lot and hard.  He's good to her.

Jay is Thomas in the Easter Pageant!  Look for him!  He is enjoying the experience so far and have I ever told you - I love Jay!

We gave 160 medals out on Saturday at our SEEK 13 Challenge Walk.  Young women and leaders walked/ran 13.1 miles!  There was an excitment in the air that was fun as well as rewarding.  It was a GREAT day!  The girls were proud, as they should be.  The weather was perfect (a "young women miracle") and I have not heard any negatives yet!  

I accepted a long term sub job - a month in Kindergarten!  Can you think of anything funner?!  I start tomorrow!  

It will be a busy month with teaching, Easter Pageant, young women, family, life.  How lucky I am!

Hope all is well at your house!

love,

Lori

Spring Break Memories!

We enjoyed another GREAT spring break.  When Jay and I were in college, vacation time was an important part.  It continues to be as we raise our kids.  We want them to enjoy memories that will help them in life and we love making those memories with them!  

Highlights...pictures...and words...

(I stayed awake for the entire movie!)

WE VISITED IDAHO!  Taralynn and Kory's home is still as beautiful as ever.  We loved the additions in decor since our last visit (especially Kory's framed world map).  It is comfortable and they are great hosts!

SKIING, for the boys!  They skied at Targee, Snowbasin, Solitude and the Canyons.  (Kory just got to ski one day.  He wasn't  on vacation!)  They connected with friends at each place--Ben, Paige, Quinn, the Stewarts, the Arnetts and Dan

TIME TOGETHER, SHOPPING, FOOD, for the girls  I love spending time with my girls.  We visited friends and cousins, shopped for things we needed...and didn't need, and enjoyed time together.  We saw the Carl Bloc art exhibit at BYU(and are ready to travel to Denmark!).  Here's Amy and some of her friends (she has many more!)...fun lunch in Provo...at one of Taralynn's favorites...California Pizza Kitchen!  We enjoyed dinner in Rexburg with some more friends and I forgot to take a picture!  Bummer!

TEMPLE!  We try to include the temple in as many family vacations as possible.  It is a great tradition.  This time we did baptisms in the Idaho Falls temple.  We walked Temple Square after seeing the Joseph Smith movie.   I've learned that some of the things we did as a family when the kids were small, the kids have forgotten...so we are doing them again (like a tour of the Beehive House)!  I must say, that visiting local DI stores also is becoming a tradition of family vacations.  Jay found some "new" skis and the boys each purchased a shirt!

FAMILY, FAMILY and more FAMILY!  It doesn't get much better than family.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner, complete with angel food cake, prepared by Amber,  Kati and Adrianna for Marki's (and Marya's) birthday!  We got spoiled by Amber's Marriott rates and enjoyed soaking our feet in the hot tub after a day of shopping! We were entertained and amazed by Alex!  We celebrated a new job for John!  Marya was in the country!  So many good times.  Thanks Baxter family for everything!

If there is something to climb on...Scott does!

Timing the perfect shot is sometimes hard!

  

This picture will always make me smile!  Boys will be boys!

 LAUGHS, QUARRELS, CRY and then GOOD BYE!  Like any typical family (I hope) there was much laughter, a few sibling quarrels (let's just say Scott packed a ping pong ball!), only once did I cry (only Taralynn knows why!) and then we had to say good bye - to Provo and friends, to snow filled mountains, to extended family and to Taralynn and Kory  (The elevator picture by Scott...they were waving before the doors closed!)

Timing is everything...!

Hopefully these pictures and words somehow relay to you the great time we had together.
Family is central to Heavenly Father's plan.   I believe time together strengthens us in more ways than we know.  I love the line in the Joseph Smith movie when Joseph is describing his upbringing.  He says, "We were taught to trust in the Lord and take care of each other."  I truly hope my children have been taught this too!

Love,
Lori

Do all blog posts need titles?

I am not very creative and thinking of a title for my updates is hard.  So really, this is just another weekly update from me - nothing fancy, nothing too thought provoking, just what we are up to around here...

Poston's first track meet was quite successful for JASON.  He took first in the high jump (5'5) and their relay team (4 by 400) also took first place.  Jason ran the second leg of this race and ran STRONG!  He was awesome!  Poston won with no problem.  It's going to be a fun season watching Jason and his friends on the track team!  Amy loved the meet - has great memories of Poston track.  Grandpa came as soon as scouts was over, just in time for the start of the relay (last event of the meet).  He has changed his scouts to a different day to come and cheer Jason (and Poston) each week!

Spring break next week - takes us to IDAHO to visit TARALYNN and KORY!  We can't wait!  Yes, skiing will be in the schedule as well as shopping, visiting friends, eating and playing games.  We hope to find Taralynn a spring wreath for her door as well as fill the pantry with good food!  We will also see family in Utah.  Amber is coming from San Diego, Marya from Qtar, and Heidi from North Carolina ALL to Utah when we will be there!  Good timing.  Mel will also join the family affair!

SCOTT has ONE more quarter of high school.  That is CRAZY!  He wishes we were going to Hawaii for  Spring Break, but Utah and Idaho are his second choice!  He has had so many snowboarding days this year!  We won't even think about the spring break in Utah when he broke his leg...

AMY has just a little over a month left of college!  That is CRAZIEST!  She is looking forward to visiting friends in Provo almost as much as she is looking forward to fun family times together!

JAY bruised some ribs playing church ball.  He really may have to let the younger ones play!  It was an intense game and they pulled off a fabulous WIN!  The next night they played the singles ward, were ahead the ENTIRE game until the final 1:40 (when it counts) and lost by a basket.  It was a very disappointing loss!

I walked 13.1 miles!  We did a practice walk for our Stake Young Women SEEK 13 Challenge.  The girls will walk/run in a couple weeks!  The challenge also included 13 Personal Progress experiences, memorizing the 13 Articles of Faith and 13 Conference talks read.  It has been fun for the past 13 weeks to visit with young women on how they are doing.  Most are looking forward to the challenge of walking 13.1 miles to end the SEEK 13 Challenge.

Life is GREAT at our house.  I am almost finished reading President Monson's biography.  I must say it has been  most inspiring to me.  He is an amazing man, so Christlike.  I have learned many things that I am trying to apply to my own life.  I think the most important one to me is to listen and hear the spirit directing me and doing what is required.  Not always easy...

Pictures of Spring Break next week!  Enjoy the beautiful weather and whatever you do!

love,

Lori

Birthday Celebrations!

In the Allen family, a birthday is not complete until the angel food cake has been properly made complete with lemon frosting, candles are lit on top and a song is sung with the special spatula.  This tradition began before I joined the Allen family.  Grandma next door was always the maker of the cake for her children and then her grandchildren.  I remember after she passed away, my kids asked who was going to make the angel food cakes.  I wasn't sure who was going to because years ago in Utah I had totally failed in the making of an angel food cake for Paul (where did Marki go that afternoon anyway??!)  All of my family can testify that after several FAILED attempts that first year of passing that assignment onto me I finally figured it out and the tradition continues!  I still miss Phyllis more than normal at birthday times!  Hers were the best!

Celebrating BOTH birthdays with the same cake...

JAY

AND MEL!

(with limited candles, there is a system to these.  Kind of like the roman numeral system though instead it was the Jay system)

The week after Mel's birthday is mine.  I was going to opt out of the cake this year, but Jason volunteered to make it so I couldn't resist!  

LORI

(Jason's first cake attempt was MUCH better than mine!  GREAT job Jason!  We got to frost our own pieces...you get more frosting that way!  Lori's favorite!)

A quick update for you...

A pageant apostle in the making...doesn't the beard look apostle-like?!  It's fun!  I can imagine he will look much younger in a couple months when he shaves it.  For now, we like it!  We are happy to be able to be in the Mesa Arizona Temple Easter Pageant this year.  I have wonderful memories of participating as a youth and then with Taralynn one year when she was a teenager.  There is something good about hearing the story of Jesus' life at Easter time and something amazing at hearing it over and over at Easter time.  He lived a perfect life and His mission was for each of us.  I am truly grateful for the knowledge I have of Him and the love I have for my Savior.

I love Jay! He has played some church ball this season.  He continues to work hard and serve well.  He is a great father and husband.  We are looking forward to spring break together as a family.  

SCOTT got yet another acceptance to college...BYU!  And the decisions continue.  When I asked him what he thought he would do he gave me his normal Scott shrug.  The next day, Amy informed me that his facebook status indicated that "he was Provo bound for the summer and then to somewhere where there was snow in fall and winter."  That was helpful!  Scott and friends sold another half-pipe and are looking into making a quarter pipe to sell next.  Scott amazes me and Jay with his entrepreneur-ness.  Scott got a job at DI.  He works a couple days a week.  Comes home tired.  Nothing wrong with that!  His senior-itis continues...and my realization that he is leaving me sooner than I want to admit makes me sad.

JASON has his first track meet this Wednesday.  He will high jump, triple jump and run the 4 by 4 (Amy reminded us that that was Grandpa Mel's race).  I think long distance runs are still somewhere in his future but we will see.  I am excited for him to compete in these events.  Jason seems to love socializing most these days.  He has got a shrug of his own, but still answers most questions.  We got to go to Grandpa and Grandma's for FHE this week.  By the end of the night Jason was the only kid left with us old adults!  We played SEEK.  Jason did fabulous and taught us a thing or two!  We will try to remember to catch the "prayer ball" when bad thoughts come into our minds.  We love the lessons learned at Grandpa's house.  Always replace those thoughts with prayer. 

 Amy escaped the camera at the birthday celebrations, as did Sam and Liesl for some reason, who were there celebrating with us.  Amy is doing great!  Have I told you I love having a daughter home?!  She had her formal evaluation for her internship and got very high marks! (of course)  She enjoys what she is doing and is not quite sure what the future holds for her, though graduation time is coming soon!  Speed dating is popular among young adults these days.  She has had her share lately.  A few "real dates" have come from them too!  Some of Amy's friends are coming home from missions.  It is a fun time.  Amy looks forward to Jason's track meets and visiting Provo for spring break!

Taralynn and Kory enjoyed family at a cabin in Pine Basin for the weekend.  LOTS of snow, games, food and fun.  You can learn more about what they are up to on Taralynn's blog.
http://tk-sibbett.blogspot.com/  Taralynn is home alone this weekend as Kory has  gone to St. George to golf with friends...though the weather was not looking so golf-worthy and I haven't heard if any golfing was actually done.  We haven't taken advantage of skype as much as we should, but I hope to be better about that soon.

I had a great birthday.  I tried to let the day pass quietly by taking a sub job (kindergarten wouldn't have been too quiet I suppose, but it would have been fun), but it got cancelled at the last minute.  So I got to enjoy lunch with friends and visiting with Mom and Dad.  I enjoyed talking to my terrific sisters and brothers too.  That night we went out with the other Allens to dinner and the first ASU baseball game of the season!  It was fun!

Amy woke up (on my birthday) to me washing dishes with a few tears in my eyes.  I was remembering so many birthdays - I can't remember one not like this - when Grandma Webb would call and tell me about the blizzard in Wyoming the day Bunny was born.  Bunny, my Mom's sister, and I share a birthday.  Her formal  name was Lorian, though she was seldom called that.  I was named Lori Ann after her (thanks Mom!).  I love my namesake even though I have yet to meet her face to face.  That afternoon, I visited Mom and Dad.  Mom gave me some of Bunny's things including her senior picture.  I went home and was looking through the cedar chest and found a letter written to me, from Grandma, on my birthday several years ago - telling me about that blizzard in Wyoming.  I am grateful for the many letters Grandma Webb wrote to me over the years.  I miss her.

Spot is home from his mission!  He looks great!  It was nice spending the day with family today in honor of his return.  I loved that he shared so much with us.  I am grateful for a good family who love and care for one another.  Life is good.

Love,

Lori

P.S.  I hope to change my blogging habits and post once a week.  Look for it!

Tribute to Grandma Webb

February 9, 2011

Dear Family,

It’s been almost another month since I’ve written.  Time seems to move faster these days.  I stay busy but am always trying to improve how I use my time.  But, here’s how our family has used some time lately…

Grandma Webb passed away January 28.  I can’t help but imagine the reunion!  It has been over 50 years since Grandpa passed away.  Her parents, siblings, daughter and two grandchildren preceded her in death.  She loved her family on both sides of the veil so much.  It was evident in all she did.  To the end she was obedient and shared her testimony with them.  I will miss her!  Though I only saw her a couple times a year, usually, we wrote to each other regularly.  She read my letters and sent me love, encouragement and advice.  As she shared her experiences in life with me, I grew and became a better wife and mother.  As she is my last grandparent to leave this earth, I reflect on them all and hope that my children grow to love their grandparents as much as I grew to love mine.  How grateful I am to KNOW that I will be with them again someday.  It brings me great peace as I continue my journey here on earth.  I was privileged to travel to Wyoming with my siblings for her funeral.  It was a great tribute to her, filled with music, words of wisdom and testimony.  Her family gathered round to honor her, as she deserved.  It was a beautiful, sunny, COLD Wyoming day.  She has been laid peacefully to rest next to her dear husband, Paxton and daughter, Lorian, lovingly known as Bunny.  I feel confident that she gave them each a hug from me when she saw them.

JAY had a birthday!  Yep.  Another year older and wiser.  Jay and I went to Las Vegas for his birthday weekend with five other couples (Allen, Costello, Rose, Bauden, Peterson).  It was so fun!  Good friends, good food, entertainment and JAY! What could be better, really?  The new memory made on this trip, believe it or not, was that Jay and I renewed our wedding vows at the Wedding Chapel…with Elvis!  Crazy?!  Yes.  We arrived in Vegas at lunchtime on Thursday and found us a yummy lunch.  As we were visiting, Lori Costello, called her cousin, who works in Vegas and invited him to join us.  Come to find out, he is part owner of a wedding chapel.  Quite the business for a family man from Gilbert AZ.  He has done this for about 20 years and has been quite successful, weddings almost every ½ hours every day of the year.  BUT, there was a half hour time open that day, so he invited us to come check it out.  He sent the white limo to pick us up and when we arrived asked if anyone wanted to renew vows, so we could really get a taste of the business.  Everyone else in the group was too shy, so Jay volunteered us!  This tiny wedding chapel provides the limo service, flowers, and pictures (including video of the entire ceremony.  You are welcome to watch it anytime!), even cake for the reception!  Elvis, the other owner, took charge of the ceremony.  It was a memory for sure!  I have neglected to tell you that Jay and the boys and me are in the Easter Pageant this year.  Jay will portray the apostle Thomas.  He has begun the process of growing a beard!  It is soft (with a touch of grey!).  Grandma Webb loved Jay and often commented on what a kind and loving husband and father he is.  I agree Grandma…

Just in case you didn’t believe me!  Here's the wedding party!

It was bitter/sweet when the half pipe was taken away...
I think Scott will miss the TacoTime sign most!

 SCOTT got accepted to BYU-Idaho!  Yeah!  Actually it happened quite a while ago, but we didn’t know it.  Stamps are too expensive, I guess!  Everything is on line these days and you have to know where to look.  He is still waiting to hear back from Provo, but has some good options to think about.  Scott has flown again recently.   He continues to keep having fun, snowboarding a couples times since the last time I wrote and going to the Barrett Jackson car show/auction.  But the big news for Scott is that he and his friend sold their half pipe…well traded it for a big screen TV.  Does Scott ever do anything the easy way?!  Just kidding.  When I asked him why he couldn’t just wait to sell it for MONEY he reminded me that a TV is much easier to sell than a half pipe.  He is so wise.  It only took a few days actually to sell the TV.  He is quite the negotiator and could hardly wipe the smile off his face as the guy placed bills in his hand.  Success!  Between the time they traded the half pipe and sold the TV they had bought a new half pipe.  Like I said, nothing Scott does is easy in my mind!  It needs a little fixing and then they can sell it for more!  You can just see the money signs in Scott’s head!  Oh boy.  So the business has begun, I suppose!  But, I gotta say, when Scott is busy with a project he is much happier and actually kinder to his Mom so I will not complain (much).  I love his spirit and just have to get used to the idea that, for now, Scott is not doing things the “conventional” way, but he is working and learning and is happy.  What more can a Mom ask?  Like Grandma Webb always said, “love them for who they are.  See the good and always love them.”

Taralynn came to visit!  We loved having Taralynn home for a quick weekend.  She didn’t have time to eat at all the favorite spots but she did get to enjoy, Angel Sweet, Sweet Cakes and Someburros…and Mom’s mashed potatoes and gravy!  We did some unnecessary shopping, making sure everyone went home with something new, played Skip-bo, watched the Suns, and laughed at JesterZ.  She was able to visit with friends, enjoy a back rub from her Dad, fuss with her siblings, enjoy church without the nursery (!) and wash dishes with her Mom.  I will admit, I thought about extending her trip for her, but while she was here, Kory’s Grandma passed away, so I couldn’t keep her longer even if I tried as there were funeral services to attend and family to be with when she got home.  We send our love to the Sibbett family at this time of loss.  Grandma Sibbett had a lot of spunk and will be missed.  Taralynn enjoyed the warm sunshine and hopefully took a little back with her.  Grandma Webb loved Arizona this time of year to warm up and enjoy the citrus!  But always loved home best…I think that is how Taralynn felt.  It was so great having her here.  Thanks Kory for sharing her.

We had Jason’s Eagle Court of Honor, honoring him and three other Eagle Scouts in the ward (Paxton, Mitch and Adam).  It was a really nice program.  I am proud to say that I produced my first movie!  I put together a movie with pictures of these four scouts.  It was a lot of fun.  I am grateful to my kids for adding the music to make it even better!  When you come to visit, ask to see it!  Unfortunately I forgot my camera that night so if any of you took a picture of my Eagle, I’d love one!

Jason played his last basketball game while Taralynn was here!  It was nice that she got to see him play.  The season was good.  Jason worked very hard and I’m sure learned a lot.  We loved watching him play.  He was always happy to play as much as the coach would let him.  He was intense and was a great team player.  He will continue to play and practice and enjoy the game for a long time, I’m sure.  The last game was a Friday and Monday Jason didn’t come home on the bus, as I imagined he would.  Apparently, track season began that day.  Jason plans on high jumping and running.  He has some ingrown toenails to take care of though…and then he will begin working as hard in track as he did in basketball.  I’m proud of him.  Jason continues to be a top student and loves hanging out with friends.  He still watches the Suns and will always remember Grandma Webb cheered for them too, except when they played the Jazz…that was her team of choice!

See how she keeps us balanced??!

Amy is enjoying her new internship at the school around the corner.  She gets to work with the kindergarteners mostly.  They love “Miss Amy” and she is growing to love them.  She comes home happy and always has a fun story to tell about them.  Amy told me a few days ago that she misses her friends in Provo.  I was sad for her, but happy that she will get to visit them for Spring Bread next month.  The boys Amy’s age are beginning to come  home from missions.  It’s a fun time to have Amy home!  I am proud of Amy for “putting herself out there” to meet people here.  She is active in the singles ward (not even going to church with us when Taralynn was here!) and enjoys spending time with us too (Amy went to all of Jason’s basketball games and encourages him to run fast in  track.  She is a great sister to Scott and sticks up for him sometimes when I’m grumpy and Amy loves when Taralynn visits!)!  I love having her around.  She tends to keep our family more balanced, I think.  She’s a lot like her Dad that way.    She gave a fabulous talk in church about preparing for the future…using the scripture “Press Forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God, and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal Life.”  Amy does press forward with steadfastness in Christ…So did Grandma Webb, who endured to the very end of this life…

Austin and Monica got married!  Ted, Erin and Dalton came to Wyoming!  Katie came to Wyoming, leaving Ashton for the first time in their marriage!  Erik and Michele made their annual anniversary trip to Disneyland!  Wonder if they renewed their vows there??!  Mel made me some fresh orange juice today!  I’m spoiled to have him for a neighbor!  Liesl and Sam sat with us in church!  Marya has plans to come visit in March!  Dawn and Haley came to watch Jason play basketball! (I regret not having pictures of all these!)

Seems like I always get to this part in my letter and think, who needs to know about me?!  I enjoy my family and all their activities. Like all mothers, when they are happy I am happy.  I enjoyed very much being with my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins in Wyoming.  Some I haven’t seen for a LONG time.  I wish I had the chance to interact with them more often because they are such great people!  I know why Grandma loved each one so much.  I enjoy my neighbors and friends who look after me and are kind.  I enjoy serving my Heavenly Father in the Young  Women program.  We gave a SEEK 13 challenge to young women and leaders in the stake to read 13 Articles from the last conference Ensign, memorize the 13 Articles of Faith, and complete 13 Personal Progress Experiences in 13 weeks.  At the end of the 13 weeks we challenged them to walk/run 13 miles with us.  We are half way through and I am hearing some positive things that girls are doing to rise up to the challenge.  I am enjoying positive things by participating myself.  Sister Dibb came to Arizona recently and taught Young Women leaders.  She has a wonderful spirit about her.  The leaders in Salt Lake have encouraged young women to be PROS at Praying, Reading the scriptures, Obeying the commandments and Smiling!  I enjoy serving in the temple.  I enjoy running with Jay and my friend Brit.  I enjoy reading when I take the time to.  I enjoy working hard and doing my best.  I enjoy writing to you and sharing my life with you. 

Though these letters began to just my Grandparents, they have been extended to you and because of that my love for you has grown.  Funny, that when I go to send this e-mail, even though I have you all “grouped” so I don’t have to put each address in individually, I often look over the list and think how happy I am to be connecting with YOU because I love you each for different reasons.  Thank you for being a part of my life, for teaching my by example, for loving my kids and for being my friend!

I love you and will miss you Grandma!

Have a great week!  I hope to write again soon.

Love,  Lori

Christmas Photos--compliments of Scott!

One of the regrets of the Christmas season is that I didn't have a family picture taken. It was a plan in my head that never became a reality, mostly due to all the fun memories we were making (and family pictures usually do not make for fun memories in this family).  

Scott did take some fun ones while we were in Strawberry Christmas day.  So here you go!  Enjoy!

Compliments of the photographer...my own Scott Allen!

The holidays really began when Taralynn and Kory arrived!  Notice the shirt choices!  Notice her long beautiful hair!  Notice their smiles...Alligiant flight straight from Idaho Falls, arriving EARLY on Christmas Eve day!

A new fun lamp--doesn't it look just like her?!

A surprise from one brother to another.  This is not just a backpack.  There are special pockets AND  speakers for the IPod.  Who would think?  Cool, huh?!

Watch out--College here I come!

Thanks Dad!  Amy's new running friend!

and her new reading friend--the snuggie (thanks Scott)!

A giftcard for the handyman, Kory

Seems like EVERY year someone takes a picture of Jay looking like this!

This is one of my favorite pictures that Scott took.  Yep!  He took it!  

But, he didn't take this one!  (though he did edit it)
This is Scott's heaven on earth...and another favorite picture that makes me smile.

I love pictures of my family.  My children bring me great joy!  I love them all so much!

Finally, the first update of 2011!

Due to the fact that this has taken me so long to get written, no pictures will be added, but next time I will find some, I promise!  I just had to get my 2011 started...!  Isn't that always the hardest part! 

Dear family,

Not very often have I gotten so far behind in my updates that I dread writing them, but this is one of those times.  I must record some events and feelings though and will try to categorize them so you can pick and choose what to read!  If this is as far as you want to read, know that I have thought of you often, prayed for you, and am so thankful for you in my life.  Know that “Life is Good” in the Allen home.

Grandma Webb:  if you don’t know, these updates are mostly for my Grandma Webb. Writing to her over many years has kept me connected and increased my love and respect for her.  Grandma spent a month with us in November, including her birthday and Thanksgiving.  I enjoyed spending time with her.  She is now back in Wyoming, her home.  Before Christmas she was put in the hospital for pneumonia.  It didn’t get better before it got worse.  But, in time, she has gotten much stronger and last week was able to move from the hospital to a rehabilitation center.  My Mom was able to go spend some time with her.  Mom describes the 10 days she was there as a ride of ups and downs.    All of Grandma’s children were there taking care of her as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.  When Mom left Grandma to come home, she said, Grandma told her “I need to be here (earth) longer.  I don’t know why, but I need to.”  So Grandma has put up a fight and is winning, growing stronger everyday, and surprising everyone.  I’m sure “surprising everyone” is the right phrase, though anyone that knows my Grandma knows she is strong and capable of anything she puts her mind to.  She is faithful to the end.  She has a deep love for her family on both sides of the veil and a strong will to be obedient to Heavenly Father.  I am happy she is doing better and pray for her daily as I know many of you are.

Christmas:  Ahh!  What can I say about Christmas?  I describe my Christmas 2010 as living in a bubble and enjoying every minute of it!  The phrase “Family is Central to Heavenly Father’s Plan” ran through my head several times throughout the season.  It was one full of family and I loved every minute of it! 

Amy left Provo and drove to Arizona, with all of her college possessions (and cousin Nathan) on December 19.  It was a safe trip and Amy is home to stay!  (more of that in the Amy section!) Taralynn and Kory took a direct flight from Idaho Falls to Mesa Gateway Airport on December 24 and their flight was EARLY!  They were here for a week—so fun! 

The Andreasen tradition of Family Home Evening happened at Dawn’s house, also celebrating Grandma’s (Mom’s) 75^th birthday, complete with M&Ms with her picture on them!  Dawn asked the question that caused Lynette to tell the news that she is expecting!  Jill reminded us of the symbol of the star and we read the Christmas story from the scriptures.   Some members were missing, but we thought of you too!  Games were exchanged so we can enjoy more family times playing them in 2011! There is nothing better than family.

The weather in Arizona was quite warm for December and I was loving every minute of it!  Christmas with the Allens was celebrated in Strawberry and it was almost like a spring day!  That’s my kind of Christmas!  Jason, Mel and I drove to Strawberry on December 23 with the rest of the family following on December 24.  We had all the Allen bunch there except for Matthew, Sarah, Andy, Nicki and kids.  Full cabins, good food, gifts and laughs.  Little Alex kept us young!  He is sooo cute! Especially when he tells you what a cat says!  When to get up on Christmas morning is always a decision made on Christmas Eve.  John lost, wanting to get up at 4 a.m.  (and he sounded serious!) The compromise (?) was 8 a.m.  John was up, bright eyed and excited.  We had Chinese food for Christmas Eve with Heather, David and girls (in Pine) and Mexican food for Christmas day with the Allen clan and fellow firefighters!  Of course, games were played, The Christmas Story was watched and memories made.  The Utah and California family members drove and arrived safely. Their trips were too short, but so fun! 

FAVORITE GIFTS: from my observation the favorite gifts of the season were…Jay, family time.  Taralynn, trip to Arizona in February (I want to think that’s her favorite!).  Kory, golfing in Arizona in December.  Amy, new clothes.  Scott, snowboarding trip to Idaho in January.  Jason, the long awaited phone.  Lori, watching family open gifts and be surprised and grateful.

Taralynn and Kory:  It was so great having them here for a week.  They loved the sunshine and the restaurants!  Taralynn always has all her meals planned out when she visits Arizona now.  Some of her “must eats” are Someburros, PeiWei, Serranos and Sweet Cakes.  Kory had his golf days planned out as well.  They golfed in some spectacular Mesa December weather and the second golf day they enjoyed Mesa snow!  Yep.  It snowed here just for him!  It was windy and freezing (for us) but I think Kory was right at home that day (and was silently laughing at the Arizona wimps!).  We played games, watched games on TV and went to a Suns Game.  It seems like every time I am with Tarlaynn and Kory they are happier and more content.  It is a good thing.  They made it home in time to bring in the New Year with Kory’s family.  They share their time with family very well and we love our time always.

Amy:  Where to begin with Amy?  She’s home and we love it!  Christmas with her was wonderful.  She was settling in just great and looked forward to her internship starting on January 10.  January 10 she woke up not feeling too great.  Since Jay had had the stomach flu the day before we weren’t sure if it was the flu or nerves but she was quite pale and I was a bit nervous about her driving.  So I took her to her training and dropped her off.  She made it through the day.  It was long but she was feeling better and was scheduled to go back the next day for her official first day, working from 9-5.  She interviewed with this organization a year ago and about every other time she called about something the person she had talked to before was no longer working there.  It was like she was new every time she went or talked to someone.  But now she had been “trained”, and had talked to people that she would be working with, had a schedule and was ready to go.  That evening a little before six she got a call.  The woman from the office informed her that she could not do the internship, as she was not 21 years old.  Amy’s whole world collapsed for several hours at that moment.  I couldn’t believe it, actually.  How could they not have asked that question over the many months of planning this internship, or seen her age on her application she turned in a year ago?  What were they thinking?!  Before Amy had left Provo she was very careful to make sure everything was in order for her to do this internship on both ends (BYU and AZ Family Foundation) so she would not loose any credit, or scholarship and be on target to graduate this April.  How could this have slipped through that careful planning?  But, I must say, that even through her tears, Amy thought of solutions.  She made some calls, I made some calls, she e-mailed her BYU supervisor and tried to find another opportunity.  She had some great contacts and wonderful friends who helped her.  By the end of the next day she had several options in motion.  The Lord is aware and answers  prayers.  I am confident that the opportunities she will have will be greater than those she would have had before.  Thanks for all who have helped her!  The next update will update you on what she is doing and how she is liking it!

Amy attends the singles ward in the stake.  She is looking for fun people to do fun things with.  She loves the sun and doesn’t miss the snow.  She is taking a parenting class on line and has suggestions for us now and then!  Oh boy!

Scott:  Jason said at the end of Christmas break, “Scott is spoiled.”  At which I replied, “yes, as we all are.”  But really, if you listen to all the fun Scott had over the break you will come to the same conclusion.  Scott got to go to the Dunes the week before Christmas with some great friends.  He didn’t give a lot of details but had a GREAT time and friends tell me he is fun to have around always.  He did take time to go to Strawberry with us for Christmas!  Then he came home, went golfing with friends and the next day went snowboarding with friends.  He was home for another two days—golfing again, this time with Kory, Jay and Jason, then got to go snowboarding again on New Year’s Eve day.  I decided I am sending Scott snowboarding on New Years Eve day every year.  He got home about 7 pm and was so tired.  He was home for the night by 10:30 and asleep before midnight!  His alarm was set to go to breakfast at Waffle House at 2:30 a.m. but didn’t get up!  I always sleep better knowing all my kids are home in bed (especially on New Years Eve) Scott got to go to Idaho the next weekend to visit Taralynn, Kory and the ski slopes.  He had a great time and we are grateful to Taralynn and Kory for having him.  Scott is in his last semester of high school!  Oh wow!  He keeps us jumping as he scares us every time we turn a corner and laughing as he tells funny stories!  We love him.  Still waiting to hear from BYU and hope to have that report to you soon!

Jason:  While Scott played Jason played too…played basketball.  He is right in the middle of basketball season and so practices continued through some of the Christmas break.  Jason plays hard and we love watching him.  He is a great defender.  His team is doing well.  Thanks to those who have come to cheer him on.  But, don’t feel too bad for Jason.  He always finds time for fun and friends.  With Arizona fireworks becoming legal (?) Jason and friends enjoyed some.  For the record, I bought none.  I still don’t like them!  But I will admit it was fun listening to Jason and friends come in and tell us about each one, whether it was worth the money or not.  Jason is a bit disappointed in “his Suns”.  The games are not quite as fun to watch.  Jason is always thinking of new creative ways to become rich.   He is bound to be quite successful in life.

Missionaries:  The missionaries moved out this week.  It was sad.  But, having Amy home is better!  We have enjoyed “our missionaries” this time around since April.  I especially miss them coming in about 9 p.m. and giving a report on their day.  We will miss having them in our home.  They were fun, hard working and brought a wonderful spirit into our home.  They were great examples to us and the boys especially enjoyed having them around.  It was good to see how missionaries live.  I wouldn’t be surprised if someday again we have missionaries live with us.

Jay:  He’s the best!  Never once does Jay complain (well, except this week after I clogged the kitchen sink…but he had good reason, I suppose!).  He loves Christmas more than all of us put together (and that’s a lot!) and makes it a good time for all of us.  For Jay, it is not about getting.  It is all about the lights, the stories, the Savior and giving.  He gives the gifts that last.  I love him and memories made with him and our family.

Extended family/random thoughts:  We had a very fun cousin party in honor of Austin—and getting to know the soon to be Mrs. Austin Christiansen, Monica!  We are excited for them.  I had a dream that Ted/Erin and Aaron/Chanelle were having baby girls!  Weird since they both have pretty new baby boys!  But in my dream, Jill was going through her childhood things and dividing them out to her soon to be new granddaughters!  Funny things, but her most prized possession was a ballerina doll!  Luckily in my dream she had two so they both got one!  Random, I know!  It’s Erik’s birthday today!  Uncle David broke up a fight in the Poston parking lot after the Poston/Taylor basketball game.  I think Scott will always remember his voice saying, “Walk away.  Just walk away.”  We heard it, thought it sounded like a familiar voice and then saw the familiar voice was our loving uncle!  I guess that’s enough for today!

Me:  Well, I’m great!  But it has taken three days to write this so you’ll have to wait til next time for more about me!  I MUST get this out and get back on schedule of writing these updates regularly. 

I love you all. I love life and am so grateful for my time here on earth to learn and grow, with you.

with love,

Lori