my daughter

Caroline turned 16 last week.  I love/admire/adore her for so many reasons, but for tonight I just have to share one reason that makes me smile . . .

Her uncanny sense of humor and the typical twitter post:

Every now and then I jump on my teens' twitter accounts.  Count it as a little "checking in" and a whole lot of entertainment.  Caroline's sloth posts crack me up.

Thank you Lord for sending me this girl to raise - she's truly one of a kind.

year in review: april & may 2012

{ April }

I actually did cover a lot of April on the blog, but missed a few important events (i.e. Ryan's birthday) . . .

April began with a quick trip to St. George for spring break - 

a little chilly, but a much needed welcome break from our day to day routine!

Sophie meeting the author of The False Prince, Jennifer Nielsen at her book launch.  Jennifer and I grew up together and Sophie was thrilled to meet her and get her book signed.

Ryan's Birthday:

RYAN'S 17TH BIRTHDAY

His best friends came over (early) and surprised Ryan (in his bed) and stayed for breakfast.  Meet Ryan's friends: Maddie P., Stu B., Maddy H., Julie T., and Sean S.  (I adore these kids and Ryan is so blessed to be surrounded by such great friends).  Having everyone over was a great way to start the morning, and I'm feeling like a bit of a slacker mom since these are pretty much the only pictures I have from his 17th.  Hopefully we'll be better for his 18th in a few months.

{ May }
Liza's baptism, Mother's Day, the last month of school & activities, Caroline's 15th birthday, SPRING . . .

Forgive the orientation - I couldn't fix this, but just HAVE to post Liza's sweet ode to spring: 

composed May 2012 (2nd grade).

Liza's Baptism:

My attempt to capture just the right picture for Liza's baptism invitations 

(she was very patient with my very amateur photography skills).

Everyone gathering at the house before heading over for Liza's baptism (Grandma with the girls and cousin Owen).  May 12, 2012.

Liza was so excited for her special day, and it was a beautiful baptism and confirmation by Chris.  Ryan and Caroline gave the talks and we were all a little emotional watching our little Liza become the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Lunch and desserts ready at the house for family and friends

Liza with her best friend and cousins

Uncle Travis and Liza.  Doesn't she just look so clean and pure in this picture?  So sweet.

Had to grab the big kids for a picture with Liza - especially after their tender talks at the baptism

The next day (Mother's Day) we realized we never got a picture of Liza with Mom and Dad, 

so better late than never.

Mother's Day 2012.  Thank you kids for enriching my life in ways I could have never imagined.  Motherhood is indeed a most wondrous blessing.

End of school activities:

Sophie was Helen Keller in the 5th grade wax museum and did a fantastic job ignoring me and staying in character as I took pictures.

Oakridge "Art Night" - Liza with one of her works of art and Sophie with friend Amelia demonstrating their skills on the cool instruments (I have no idea what they are called).

Sophie was pretty proud that she took 3rd place out of the 5th grade girls in the annual "fun run."

Oakridge Elementary "Super Kids Day" to celebrate the end of the school year.  

I love volunteering for this event - so much fun!

Caroline's birthday:

 CAROLINE'S 15TH BIRTHDAY

It was a covert operation to plan a surprise party for the girl who continued to remind me and all her friends that she "did NOT want a big party!"  Her best friend Maddie planned and carried out a huge party at her house just for Caroline (I think there were close to 60 kids who came), and after the initial shock, I'm pretty sure our Miss Caroline thought it was pretty neat to celebrate in style with all her friends.

Video of Caroline's reaction

Her really close friends (Sara G., Olivia, and Maddie) came over for breakfast the next morning - May 25, 2012 - they had to be there for the actual date she turned 15!

Sophie was so excited to give her the i-pod she had won in a raffle at school, along with an i-tunes card.  Such a sweet moment - Sophie could hardly wait for Caroline to open her gift!

homecoming 2012

Caroline's first high school dance

Last weekend was homecoming for both our teens, and can I even tell you how much FUN it was having two kids involved, especially a daughter.  From the excitement of getting asked, to picking out the perfect dress and matching shoes, and finally sending her out the door to have the time of her life with all her friends . . . it was truly memorable.  First of all, she looked darling.  Caroline is definitely my daughter - it took her all of 30 minutes to get ready: make-up, hair, dressed, DONE (no fancy curls or manicures for this girl).

She went to the dance with one of my favorite young men on the planet, her best "guy friend" since 6th grade, Jacob.  I love this boy, ADORE this kid, and knew he was the only person good enough to take my girl out on her first date (yes, I'm biased).  One drawback was that his soccer game that afternoon went into overtime and he had to have his mom, along with another couple she was driving, pick up Caroline and bring her flowers - how great is that?!

Although I didn't get to witness her first attempt at pinning on a boutonniere (that would have been comical) and see her date personally pick her up, his mom did email over a boatload of pictures that captured their friendship perfectly as the group gathered before they headed out for dinner (to the Spaghetti Factory of course . . . Caroline thought it was pretty cool that even I ate there before school dances back in the day :).

Here you go - a TON of pics, but I had to post them in succession so I can remember the sweet friendship these two share:

I can hear Caroline saying, "OK, enough my friend!"

Really, aren't these two just so cute!!

Miss Caroline - the life of the party

LOVE this group of kids!

Ryan also went to the dance . . .

Poor Ryan won't get nearly the face time his sister did on this post, but I do remember quite a detailed blog post when it was HIS first dance.  Anyway, I was hoping that more pictures would pop up on Facebook, but unfortunately I only have a few from his Homecoming festivities (all the kids instagram now, and I can't figure out how to pull pics off their instagram - ugh).  He and his friends planned an all day activity, so he took off in shorts and a sweatshirt up to Park City (the picture would have been Ryan holding a hanger with his dress clothes, opening the car door while Chris and I wish him well - not that exciting).  I didn't see him until he made his way back home at 2:30am.

At the football game Friday night

The guys . . . it makes me happy that my son sports a bow tie :).

Part of their crew - they were in a group of 42 - yes, all 21 couple reserved a patio area at a sushi restaurant - oh my.  They even all squeezed into one picture at the dance.

Now, THAT is a pic I want to see!

One memory the kids shared that has no picture, but worth recording:

While at the dance a large group had formed a circle and Ryan was in the center doing his thing (whatever that was - dancing apparently :), and he sauntered up to Caroline who was clapping along with the crowd and took her by the hand, led her to the center of the circle and danced with her. OK, melted my heart to hear that story. I'm pretty sure that gesture meant the world to Caroline . . .