Maren's Birthday

Maren showing us how old she is now. 

Maren informed me last week that she wanted to stay at my house the night before her birthday so that when she went back home everyone would then be able to jump out and surprise her for her birthday.  I guess she has been a part of a few surprise birthday parties as of late.  She decided that she wanted the same.  I notified her parents that this was her expectation. 

I asked her what she would like for her birthday breakfast.  She requested panacakes, as she calls them and sausage. 

She had also decided what gift she wanted me to give her.  She wanted a nightstand.  I was desperately looking for something the past few days.  I finally found something that I thought might work.  I did have to repaint it.  I also asked Leslie to do a little hand painting on it.  She did a great job as usual on the little details. 

Leslie got the ideas for the flowers from some Tasha Tudor books. 

Stacy decided it would be fun to go miniature golfing before the birthday party started.  Stacy has pictures of the golfing adventures.  After the golfing Maren wanted to do a waterfight.  We did one last Saturday and I think she thought is was great fun and should be repeated. 

And the water started flying

and flying

and flying.

Little by little everyone got wet except Whitney who was a little under the weather so she was good enough to take the pictures.

Actually everyone got soaking wet.  No matter how wet you are it is still shocking to get a face full of cold water.

Then we had a dry off and started serving up the drinks.

I was in charge of drinks and decided to have some fun with it.  I had these umbrellas in my cupboard and thought it would be fun to use them.  We had tropical punch.

Here is Maren pretending she is on the beach with her drink.  Her smile reminds me of one we saw quite frequently on Hannah at this age. 

Stacy made the cake.  She did a good job don't you think?  Maren has switched it up a little.  Her new favorite color is blue and she wanted it on her cake. 

It was a fun-filled day.  So fun-filled that I ended up having to sleep 10 hours to recover from it.  

Hope everyone is enjoying their July.   

Quick Weekend in C.D.

I was finally able to get down to Castle Dale after doing the funeral luncheon and join in the fun.

Everyone was lounging around in Lizzy's backyard.  The weather was wonderful and I was excited to get there.

These 3 were laughing in regards to a comment that Jonas made, imagine that.  They were looking at Hannah and Jonas who were sitting across from them on the other swinging lounger thingy.

And here are Hannah and Jonas.  Noah was saying how alike Hannah and Jonas were starting to look.  Jonas pipes up with " We don't look like each other.  Just look at our toenails, they are completely different"

It was so funny we just all burst out laughing. 

The two of them looking so similar

Tenny went skydiving that day and finally arrived home to be with the rest of us. 

Maren looking very tousled.

HAPPY TO BE TOGETHER!

Switched it up with a little artsy black and white.

I love this sweet picture of her.

Then of course Kelsie and Morgan had to start the mid-air jumping photos.  Whitney had to take them because I was not coordinated enough to take the pictures while they were in the air.

It didn't take Les long to shed the name tag and get down to dancing

.   

Arden was a woopin everyone in the dance competition.  Who knew?

Arden, Kelsie, Shelley and myself doing Morgan's Wii dancing game.  Everyone was getting into it.  I was sweating like nobody's business.  It is definately a work-out

Banner got home from her trek that night as well.  We all ran down to the park to welcome her home.  We were yelling for her and when she saw us, she ran to us and we all did a big group hug.  We are good at making scenes wherever we go. 

This was a great weekend.  We missed those of you who were not able to be with us.  I had one of those moments of gratitude.  It was Sunday evening and we ended up all in a circle in the backyard just talking and laughing and I looked around and thought how blessed I am to be surrounded by people that I love.

Welcome Home Leslie!

Leslie's flight was supposed to come in at 7:00pm so we wanted to make sure that we were all gathered and had a good spot to welcome her back home.  Whitney, Tennyson and Morgan had worked hard on the poster.  We all did our hand prints.  Even the Squatch got a chance. 

Leah and Maren are so excited to see Leslie

We had to wait about 30 minutes or more before we got a glimpse of her.  We did however get a little jimmered when we saw  Jimmer Fredette coming down the escalator.  He was coming into town to play with the Jazz for a few days.  Sorry I did not get a picture.  I was there to photograph Les not  the Jimmer.

The time was going very slow and we were trying to hold up the sign and keep little girls under control and not annoy security, etc. etc. etc.

Her plane finally landed.  It was the Atlanta flight at the top.  I was clear across the room and had to use my zoom to get the close up.

Still waiting.

The girls got tired and had to take a little rest on the floor in the middle of the airport.

Here is my first sight of her.   I am not sure why my camera did not like taking this picture.  She arrived with these 2 elders.  I am not sure if there were more than this or what.

We let Dennis and Liz have there turn first.  Liz in on the other side squeezing her tight. 

After Dennis and Liz we did a big group hug and then we all went in for our personal hugs. 

It is so nice to have her back home.  She looks like she is pretty happy to be home as well.  Her friend and roommate Ashley joined us for the homecoming.  She is pictured behind Les.  When Les hugged me what did she say, what else but,  "Why did you go to England without me?" 

She looks great.  Somewhat sun-kissed and quite lean.  We are so happy to have her home safe and sound.  I can't wait to hear of more of her stories and adventures. 

Welcome back Hermana Fuller!

We are all heading or soon heading to Castle Dale to be there for her homecoming meeting in church on Sunday.