Early summer randoms

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Lily and Chloe cleaned house for my good friend Angie a few times this summer. So fun to see them working hard and earning a little money. 

Chloe spent an amazing couple of weeks working with Ray Corn, the retired USU gymnastics coach- a very important opportunity for her. She progressed so rapidly and loved every second of her time working at the camps. 

Henry eats a frozen banana. He's just cute. 

My darling niece, Morgan, came to stay for a couple of days- she had a soccer tournament here in town. She's an awesome player and it was a ball to have her here!

Cindy and the rest of her kids (minus Regan- sad) came to stay overnight and watch the last part of her tournament, too. SO loved having them here!  I did have a good chuckle over this very monochromatic meal we prepared one night, though. :)

Charlie acting like a human. 

I love Cache Valley skies. 

I discovered that I can trap Henry in my tub with a few toys and he'll play long enough that I can curl my hair. It's a nice little discovery. 

A Dream Worth Keeping

This came home in Lily's folder today. It warms my heart. I love this girl!

Various Items

Just some summer snippets.

I mean....really.  How adorable is he?  

Lulu was working hard on her letter for Grandpa David's 70th birthday book.  We had a surprise party for him in August and each child and grandchild wrote him a note.  Lil was so sweet with hers.





Oh man, this was just the beginning of Henry's busyness.  He is into everything lately!



A pretty Cache Valley sky.



Henry in a pickle.


I went on a guacamole kick this summer.  It was a good kick.


We ate more watermelon than I think we ever have.  And I'm that person who only eats the sweet parts.



Judy and Henry.  Gosh, that's so blurry.



Me and sweet Caroline.  She is too adorable.  I love her!




Visiting Grandma Allen.  Need to do that again soon.


Playing a fun trick they learned from Emma and Matt.  It's so funny to watch!

Wind Caves Hike

One Monday night mid-summer, we decided to hike the Wind Caves for Family Home Evening.  Of course, we had to wait till Chloe was done with gymnastics and then we had to have dinner and get out the door.  Oh, and, of course, we had to DRIVE to the trail head.  By the time we started our hike, it was around 7:00 pm.  Not ideal...but look at that sky!  Worth it.  The kids were a-mazing on the way up.  Chloe practically ran the entire way and was the first one up.  Cannon was a trooper, walking the entire way.  Lily and Brigham were equally incredible.  It was a happy hike up and I was patting myself on the back for my insistence that we take the hike even though it was late.

Can you see where this narrative is leading?  haha...

My troop.  Hi, Charlie!

The Bridge.

How darling is Cannon with his hiking pack?  

Sweet, beautiful Lily.  I love that she's wearing a headband.  

I actually have a couple of pictures where Henry is looking, but they were unflattering.  Selfish much?

Inside the caves.  We had a little lesson up above the caves.  Stanton sang "How Great Thou Art" to the kids and it was so special.

Now...the rest of the story.  We all headed down the mountain - happy go lucky and feeling great about life.  Chloe started running and made it halfway down the trail before Brigham got ahead of himself and ran right into her, knocking her down.  In true Chloe fashion (she doesn't break easily, but when she does...watch out), she completely flipped out, hyperventilated, thought she was dying, and all in all made it an absolutely miserable rest of the hike.  That is, until Cannon fell and had a melt-down.  Then she realized she was okay and held it together.  Cannon made it down with Stanton carrying him the last part of the way and promptly fell asleep in the Jeep on the ride home.  

There were definitely some eye-rolls and heavy sighs between Stanton and I.  Nearly 10:00 is not the ideal time for finishing a hike.  But darn it, it was fun!  And such a great experience.  And I love that hike.  It's my happy place.  And...it was worth it if only to have this adorable picture of Cannon - filthy, hammered, and holding on to his hiking stick.  Ugh.  Love it.

Jana will kill me for this one

This was when Jana and I were doing P90x faithfully.  What's up with the sweat ring looking shadow under my arm?   haha!

So thankful for such a dear friend.   This was on her birthday, I believe.

Twins

Oh my heck, I seriously need to start shooting with my real camera again!!

Anyway, Chloe and Henry are just about as twinsie as you can get.  I just love it.  And what's even more fun is that we have photographic evidence that they are simply second generation David Allens.  Chloe looks SO much like him as a young person, it's crazy!

The Best 4th of July EVERRRR!!!

We spent the morning at beautiful Tony Grove Lake. Between Jana & Tyler, Stanton & me, and our combined 10 children, we pretty much moved in up there. Pack and Plays, coolers, life jackets, raft, food, treats, diapers, bottles, swimsuits, towels...you get the idea. :)

S & T took the kids out on the raft.  They had so much fun.  They even took a few trips out without the adults (well, Chloe and Jackson did).  It was fun to see those beautiful kids on that beautiful lake.

Jackson & Max - Jana & Tyler's bookends.

Lil & Eva on our short hike to the amphitheater.  (On the way to Mt. Naomi - which we didn't hike).  

Chloe & Jackson at the amphitheater.

Lauren (aka, the love of my life), Jana, & Max.

Hiking in flip flops....

Chilling out and watching Pokemon in the motor home after the fun.

Fireworks in our backyard.  Eva shared her blanket with Brigham and we all swooned.  :)

Yeah...iPhone pictures of fireworks are not so hot.


This was a dream day.  We barbecued, we hiked, we played at the lake, we spent the entire day together.  It was a highlight of the summer....one of many Brallen days to follow.

Family Reunion in Island Park

We had a great family reunion in June with the Rose side of our family. Poor little Henry was sick from the first night we got there to the end of the trip, and by the time we all left, he had gotten about 10 of the cousins sick, too. He threw up, they threw up, but miraculously, none of the adults did. Even with the sickness, it was so great to be with all of my siblings- especially Matt & Sara, whom we see only once a year. Love them so much. 

This was just before floating the River by Mack's Inn. Super fun - Chloe and Emma rowed like crazy. They got us back to the Inn in record time. 

Uncle DJ did a lot of snuggling with Henry. 

Stanton stayed home with Henry while the rest of us went to Beauty & the Beast at the Playmill. Such a great production!

My sweet Mom & Dad. Love them. 

Cannon was found like this several times throughout the week. The bug was hitting him hard. 

Part of our photo scavenger hunt. Brad on a tiny bike. Haha. 

Little darling Eva trying to figure out what Uncle Stanton is passing around (drinks from his water backpack). 

Family pictures to end the reunion. Kids were throwing up between takes all evening. 

Other highlights were a talent show, races, and a tour of the Johnny Sack cabin. 

It was a great week.