8th Grade Winter Ball

 Last Friday was Cali's Winter Ball.  This year was the first year she ever wanted to attend a school dance.  And this one was "fancy".  So her friends came over and I made them a "fancy" dinner.  But first, we attempted some nice pics.  (Jeremy was the Butler)

 I made pasta, salad and bread...

 And I attempted to do a pretty up-do for Cali, but it failed and ended up coming out...

 Scrumps to the Winter Ball!

 My beautiful Angel...

 And her adorable buddies...

 Daddy wasn't too sure about letting her go...

 The best part was that I volunteered at the dance and they put me in charge of the chocolate fountain!!!  It was awesome!  And these 2 came to play with us too...

First time...

Tuesday night, Luke got to go inside the Temple for the first time and do Baptisms.  He said it was really cool and he had fun.  I can't believe how big my kids are getting.  I'm so glad and feel so blessed that they get to have these experiences.

Big Week for the Bug

Tuesday was a milestone day in our home.  Gavin started College.  Yep.  Jeremy dropped him off at the Institute after Seminary.  The Institute!  I made so many memories at this place!

 I told him to make the Institute his "Home away from Home".  He made some new friends and signed up for a Book of Mormon Class.  He has classes at Palomar M-Th.  I can't believe I am actually the mother of a college student!!!

This week we are also getting motivated to get him his drivers license.  He is taking courses with a new driving school and driving to and from school every day.  His test takes place at the end of next month.

Next on the list is a job.  I'm proud of this kid and how he is handling all of these big changes in his life.  I just hope and pray 2016 is a good year for this guy.  I love him so much!

MLK Day

Monday was MLK Jr. Day.  So that meant No School!

Jeremy went surfing, Gavin had a friend over and Brody was at Sam's.  I grabbed Chloe, Cali and Luke....we grabbed some lunch and a chocolate milk shake for Granny and went to visit her!  

She's been in Utah for a while and now she's back.  We are going to be better at making monthly visits to see her.  We spent the afternoon playing games and cards.  She kicked our butts!  We love our Granny!

A Midsummers Night Dream

Last Tuesday was Cali's first Field Hockey game of the season.  It was also Luke's Drama class production of A Midsummers Night Dream.  Cali and I got there a little late, but we got to see Luke do an amazing job playing "Francis Flute".  He was hilarious and by far the best part of the show (no bias here...)

This is our family pic after the show.  So proud of our Lukey!

Made my day...

Last week, I was having a rough day.  And then I get a text from Candace with this picture!  Brought happy tears to my eyes...

Leaving on a Jet Plane...to see Trini get married!!!

Last Wednesday night, Cali and I drove to Long Beach and hopped on a plane to Salt Lake for the wedding of the year!  Catrina and Henrique getting hitched!

 We got in late, so we stayed at a hotel near the airport.  It was so nice and warm and comfy.  We woke up Thursday morning, got ready and headed downtown to the temple.  Cali got to wait in the big waiting room with Cindy, Grandma Parker and some of Trini's friends.  She spent the whole time taking care of Jane (Lucky!).  I got to go to the sealing and it was beautiful.  They met at this temple, while attending a friend's sealing.  Now they were back and being sealed by the same person that sealed their friends.  Trini looked absolutely beautiful in her "Elven Princess" dress!  And she is so happy! Which makes me so happy!!!  

 Mr. & Mrs. Medieros...

 So incredibly happy for this girl!

 One big happy family...

So glad my girl could come with me!  We love to see the temple...

 Look at this beautiful bride!

As beautiful as the temple was, it was FREEZING outside!  So, Cali and I took off across the street and had ourselves a nice warm lunch at the Blue Lemon.  Then we  headed to the mall in Sandy to kill some time before the Ring Ceremony.  We had fun shopping together and staying warm.  Then we headed to Lindon for the fun stuff.  

Wadley Farms, Lindon UT-

 Whoa!

 This place is magical.  The grounds, the buildings and the snow coming down....It was perfect!

 And the inside was just as magical!

 They had a ring ceremony in the little chapel in the back...

 And then the reception began....

 LOVE her dress!  Look at the back...

 There were so many peeps that we love!  We had so much fun partying it up with all of our favorite people-

 And I just keep smiling at how happy my Trini was...

 First Dance...

 And Daddy...

The day was the happiest of days!  This family holds big chunks of my heart and I am so happy that they are all so happy!!!  Congrats Trini and Henrique!!

Friday-

We spent the night in Orem at Jordan and Kerrisa's after the reception.  Then we got up to lots of snow!  We drove up to Salt Lake again, for a visit with Gramma Gerry.

 It was so pretty...

 We hung out with Papa and Gramma and picked up Sage from school.  Then we went to lunch at the Olive Garden.  We came back to the house and just visited, until I noticed the clouds moving in and then we got on the road before the snow started coming down.

 We made a safe drive back to Orem and spent the evening with these cuties...

Kerrisa made a yummy dinner and then Sean and Kayley came over to hang out.  It was a fun night!

Saturday-

We slept in and slowly got ourselves packed up and ready.  For lunch we met with "TheCountdownKids" - Colby and Kenzie!  We loved having this hour of time to visit with just them.  They are so awesome and doing so great.  I love them so much!

 Then we raced off to BYU to see Sean run in his first meet!  But I missed the turn and we missed his run (dangit!).  But we still got to see him after and grabbed this quick pic-

 We had some time to kill before we had to be at the airport, so we headed up the Canyon to see Candace and Jane.  Look at the scenery on the drive...

 SNOW & A WATERFALL !!!

 We only got to visit for an hour...but an hour with these girls is precious!

 I'm so glad we made this stop!

 We had to have the rental car back by 5:00 PM, so down the Canyon we went one last time to head home...

It was a whirlwind 3 day adventure and we loved every minute of it!  Love all of my family and so glad I get to participate in the happy occasions of their lives.  I feel so blessed.