Teeny!

It's EASY to celebrate Teeny.

She's a party on legs!

We celebrated her mid twenties with Indian food, confetti and cake.

 It's lucky for us she chose Yonder.

Because we come as the side dish.

We scored. 

Seriously.

Happy 24 Teeny!

I'm so glad she was born.

Ben

Five years ago over the long Memorial Day weekend 

we had a girls weekend, and my nephew Ben tagged along. He never complained about hanging out with a gaggle of noisy, laughing girls. He was patient like that. I also think he instinctively knew how happy we are when we spend time together. He picked that happy weekend to start his mission in heaven, and I think, although he knew our hearts would break, he also knew that we would have happy memories to look back on.

I like to spend a little time each year thinking about Ben around Memorial Day. This year I went with my parents to his grave site so we could spruce up his spot for summer. I imagine he turned a few somersaults and had a few giggles knowing how much he is loved.

Goodbye April, Hello May

Too much life, not enough time.

Lemme sum up:

Instead of blogging about life, we've been LIVING it!

Fast and furiously.

There were events, vacations, visits and togetherness that didn't get documented.

April was fantastic, and now it's May.

Enrique just finished his four years at the University of Massachusetts.

He graduated with a double major in

Middle Eastern Studies

and Psychology.

We can't wait to see what's next for him.

To commemorate his accomplishments, ALL of us! gathered on campus to take some pictures and share a meal. It was memorable.

And fun.

Having all the boys

-and-

all the girls together

makes us HAPPY.

We're a good team.

More and more our key players seem to go more than they come; 

Thank heavens this guy is a constant, and not a variable.

He knows when to huddle up and talk strategy.

There's no one I'd rather have as my co-captain and team leader.

we won the lottery, basically

I keep telling everyone that about our new daughter-in-law...

WE WON!!

Teeny is WAY better than we would ever have imagined the perfect companion for our son would be.  I mean it. 

She's the BEST.

 AND she brings out the best in Yonder.

We feel LUCKY!

-and-

We feel surreptitiously lucky for Teeny's family.

They're FUN too!

(borrowed photo from FB--thanks NJ!)

and they've now gained another FUN family member in Yonder. See how that works?

Having children get married is an experience about which I was feeling a bit of trepidation... but it's now something I highly recommend.  As long as there are FUN feelings.

-

an update from Idaho

Our favorite BYU-Idaho student is mixing things up this semester. She's "off-track." This means she's not attending classes full-time; instead she's working four days a week and taking an online class. 

She moved to the apartment next door, has the same room mate who we're all crazy about, 

and is diving head-first into some new experiences and opportunities. 

She's as lovely as ever.

(and missed more than ever)

Inside AND out.

Happy Birthday to the First Lady

She was the first lady in my life; she brought me into the world and taught me to love. She has patiently and lovingly guided me for more than 50 years. We're now supporting and guiding each other, as we have become peers and good friends in life's journey.

Happy Birthday Mom.

I love you.

XOXO

in all the holiday hubbub someone turned 14

Leeli's been excited for this birthday.

It's a biggie!

And SHE's a big deal.

She was my best Christmas present ever.

Fourteen years ago.

To celebrate, she requested home made donuts.

It was a good choice.

 Then her fan section showed up to cheer on the birthday girl at her basketball game.

 She's a rebounding under-the-board scoring gift to her team.

 She's also a gift to her family.

 Sweet, talented, smart and funny.

She makes 14 look like a piece of cake.

CHEESEcake.

Happy 14 Leeli!
XOXO

Wedding WEEK... it was wonderful.

SO so much activity, travel, love and meaningful time spent with family; it's a shame to limit a post that culminates a whole wedding week to a few pictures. It was ALL so lovely and laden with moments that we won't soon forget. We couldn't feel more blessed to have a daughter in law--we're immensely in awe of the amazing person that she is; so beautiful inside and out.  Maybe you've already seen the post on the Utah wedding. Yonder and Teeny honeymooned in New England; New Hampshire in the White Mountains, on the coast of Maine and in Boston.  They joined us for Thanksgiving, and then made an appearance at home for their East Coast wedding reception/open house the next day.  There were MANY who helped make the evening happen... I'm grateful for so much help, so many loved ones who came out to show support, and so so much love.