April 5th Conference Weekend

 We had one of favorite families come to visit, the Altops! We were young married together and helped each other with the struggles with being young parents. I learned so much from Alison and her husband Ben is also super talented. They are spiritual giants and just so much fun. Our kids hung out and played games and got along swimmingly. They have seven kids ranging from 22 to 5, two boys on a mission and a nephew that lives with them who fits right in. They live in Pine Top and were down for their son Chase's soccer tournament. It was conference weekend so we watched the sessions and did things in-between. Olivia and I bought an Easter dress and a graduation dress and she made a t-shirt quilt in under two days! She is so stinking driven and will accomplish whatever she wants to do!!

March 20th Birthday weekend! !

 We went to Vegas with the Smiths to celebrate our 47th! We went for a comedian act by Nate Bargatski and Maroon 5. Both shows were awesome!! What we weren't expecting was how awesome the Kiss Mini Golf would be, the bunny sanctuary and the Ice Age fossil museum!! We love hanging out with the Smiths. What a blessing that Lindsey and I's husbands get along so well. We ate yummy food, walked a ton chatted about life, parenting and being baby old! Bargatski introduced that term to us, baby old. We are just at the beginning of being old. What a ride. Olivia made me a cake on my actual birthday. Nana and Papa went with us to Top Golf to celebrate.

March 19th Freaky Friday

Parkin and Adrian crushed the Freaky Friday musical!! Parkin was 5 characters in the play! He was a Spanish teacher, biology teacher, a grandfather and two different dads! He sang, danced and genuinely wowed the crowd!! Adrian as a freshman had two lines, was in the "mean girl" clique and looked fantastic.  They had the Smith family come, Pershings, grandparents, Julia and John and a slew of friends. Parkin did all the sets and will earn the fine arts seal on his graduation certificate and earn cords. 

 

March 16th Beryl and Rex

Beryl and her boyfriend Rex came to visit!!! It was so fun to see her again and to spend time getting to know her boyfriend. We of course went to Golf in Stuff and they made us dumplings!! So yummy! She graduates with a PhD in a couple of months from UCLA. I am so grateful we have stayed in touch. It's been about 7 years since she lived with us. So much can change from year to year.Glad this bond has not 💗

 

March 4th Newest citizen!

My very talented paraprofessional/ very smart friend and coworker Claudia passed her citizenship test!! I surprised her with a homemade cookie a decorated classroom and cards from the kinders. I'm so glad she did this before President Trump shuts down the border entirely! 

 

Feb. 22, Six Flags

Six Flags.

I hate six flags. Apparently at 46 I can no longer appreciate/tolerate rollercoasters. I did alright for the majority of the day but felt queasy often. I survived Goliath where I blackout for a couple seconds (Olivia, Adrian and Holman did as well) and then I did one more ride...that did me in. It was one in which they swing you in the air back and forth back and forth and then it starts to spin. I threw up in my mouth and by the grace of God I swallowed it and didn't sleep on my neighbors. Brutal. We went to the ocean, beautiful. Adrian and I waited in line for a famous burrito, yummy but oh such a long wait!! Benjamin and I went on a beautiful walk. But when I look back at the trip my head starts spinning 🤢 Never again.

 

Feb.2, Valentine's nails

Adrian has become quite the nail artist! I had to document their awesomeness. She has a nail study set up in our family room. Her clients are mostly herself.... and those lucky enough to book her.

 

Jan 24th Papa's birthday!!

 

What a man, what a guy! We love Papa and love celebrating him 💗 Cupcakes, Mexican food and hot tub oh my!

January 18th family photos!

Bella and Sam were in town for Holman's Homecoming so naturally we had to take a family photo! It had been two years. Belland Sam moved to North Carolina, Liv moves to an unknown location in June who knows when we will be together again. We got to soak up each opportunity.

January 17th Holman's Homecoming!!

 We finally got Holman back after his 10 year mission!! We had so much love and support at the airport. We wept like babies (well I did) seeing our handsome son/brother/grandson/ cousin/nephew return!!  He came back 60 lbs lighter and 2 inches taller!

He gave an excellent talk about the love of God. He talked about his experience feeling inadequate and repenting of his sins and just feeling worse and worse. Then he heard a voice saying "you are my son" and as his despair grew the voice got louder until he felt the love of God envelop him. He talked about the challenges he felt and that he felt despair again and it was a previous companion who noticed and encouraged him to talk to someone. It was a very raw, very real heartfelt talk. Not many dry eyes in the congregation. An absolute parent paycheck to see the growth and love and sacrifice he gave.  Years pass so quickly what an amazing thing to say that 10%of his life was given to help try and improve others. He's my hero