Merry Christmas from the Allen Family

Top (L to R): Jonathan, Bryce

2nd Row: Garrett, Mom (LaFon)

3rd Row: Craig, Lindsay, StacyAnn

Front: Owen, Jennie

Once There Was a Snowman

Owen and I made a snowman at Grandma Allen's house last week.

Daddy took a picture of Owen and I with our snowman.

Making a snowman was fun, but I think Owen just enjoyed being able to play outside in the awesome snow in his Toy Story snowboots that have lights when he walks.

Driving Home for Christmas

We leave our home and head west,

and cross mile after mile of seemingly endless highway.

There is no end in sight

as we pass countless semi-trucks and other vacationers.

After two days of driving, the landscape begins to change:

the hills get higher and sagebrush replaces winter’s barren cornfields.

We strain our eyes as we look towards the horizon

and finally see jagged mountain tops in the distance.

From the moment when the mountains appear

a subtle excitement feels the cab.

We know that a mere six hours away

we will find the warmth and love of family.

The final hours pass quickly as landmarks are pointed out

and childhood memories are shared.

Eventually we arrive at the home that centers in those memories

and as we disembark, the door is opened, and we join those memories inside.

Baking Cookies

Owen and I made cookies yesterday. Here's the story about the adventure:

First, we put on our aprons.

Second, we made sure that we had all the right tools.

Third, we added the ingredients.

Fourth, Owen watched all the ingredients mix together in the mixer.

Fifth, Owen tested the cookie dough to make sure that it tasted just right.

While Owen tested the dough, Mommy got the dough ready for the oven.

Fifteen minutes later - we had perfect cookies right out of the oven.

And last of all, Owen thinks that warm cookies are always the best to eat.