Jul 19, 2011

20 years!

Twenty years ago I met some of the most amazing people that changed my life forever.  These were the deaf program missionaries in the MTC!  We had a really close district. There were about 17 or 18 of us (including an older deaf couple) and our teachers used to tell us that we were the closest group they had ever seen.  We all really loved each other and learned so much from each other.  
When you serve a deaf program mission, it's unlike any other mission.  Usually, your companion and you are the only two ( with a few exceptions) in the mission. No one else understands what it's like.  You also are transferred a couple of times (thankfully, I was only transferred once) and when I say transferred, I mean you get on a plane and fly to an entire new mission with new rules, new president, new missionaries.
2 weeks ago, we had a 20 year reunion!  Only 8 of us were able to come, but boy it was sure fun!  We often commented that when we think of our mission friends, these are the people we think of.  Isn't that weird?  We were only with each other for 2 months!  It's amazing how the gospel, the spirit and a culture can bring people so close together!
This may just look like people standing there, but actually, it's a few of us  "chatting" (signing)

Here's 2 of my favorite elders.  Brek Bolton and Travis Cook. They made the MTC so fun! They were the clowns of the bunch

This is Anne Minnich Framptom.....she was in a threesome with me in the MTC but then we served together for 9 months and then were roommates for 3 years after the mission.

Back: Sister Wendy Weaver Ormsby, Anne Minnich Framptom, me, Julie Banks Peery
Front: Elder Steven Swain, Brad Houck, Travis Cook, Brek Bolton


It sure was great to see you all!  We'll see what another 20 years brings......not that we have to wait that long!

July!

July has always been my favorite month and yes it's cause my birthday is in it, but it's mostly cause it's FULL of so much fun!  I hardly got any pictures of my birthday, but here are some fun pics of the fun we've been having!
Maili is helping to flatten one of the hot air balloons at the Freedom Festival


Ashli decided that walking was a better route. 

The girls loved the rainbow balloons and the "July" balloons (red, white, and blue)

I love my little family

Here's the girls at the parade!

They absolutely love it...especially the "princesses" and the bands.

Our "street" had a first annual BBQ firework party!  It was a blast and I hope we can do it every year!



My friend Heather made this cake for my birthday!  So sweet!
Kevin made me one too, but I didn't get a picture before we ate it!

For good measure I had to throw in this picture of a little cake I made for my friend Megan


Jun 27, 2011

Rich's wedding

My brother got married last week. I was a great day, a nice ceremony and lots of fun!  Welcome to the family KayLyn!

I made their wedding cake! The bow on top was just for fun

my 3 princesses waiting for it to begin

The cake with the topper.  This topper was on KayLyn's parent's cake

Rich getting ready!

The bishop began

exchanging rings

the two of them with my masterpiece :)



my studly man with his darling baby

love them both!
Hope you had a great day Rich and KayLyn!

June stuff

June was busy with swimming lessons (sorry no pics) playing with friends, My brother's wedding (next post)
learning to ride bikes, Father's Day (oops no pics) feeding the ducks and princess camp!  Here's a few pics of the month!
Maili's precious Rock store

Maili finally mastered a two wheeler!  She's so proud and so are we!
 Every year we get at least one bird's nest in one of our trees. This year we got a special treat!
bird's nest #1 built on a tiny ledge

Bird's nest #2

Bird's nest #3 but unfortunately, something bad happened to mama bird
and she didn't come back, so these cute eggs will never be birdies

This is the cake I made for my cute niece, Briana and her soon to be baby boy!

Briana's baby shower

Feeding the ducks!

She's all cheese!

Our little princess LOVED the Ducks!

The two oldest girls went to the preschool for 2 hours everyday for a week and did crafts, danced, sang, read books and had fun with everything princess. On Friday they had a "ball" and did a little performance for us.

Haeli walking the red carpet

Maili on the red carpet
doing their dance


and..........end with a pose
Ashli has to get in on the action!

 It was a great month!  a few days left and then it's the big fun month of JULY!

Haeli's b-day weekend!

Our sweet girl is 4 years old! I can hardly believe it!  She is the more calm one in the family, so attention doesn't usually come her way. I was excited to see her feel special!

Her original birthday!
On Saturday, she brought 3 friends with her to Jumping Jacks (they have blow up slides and jumping things) then back to our home for cupcakes and presents.
opening some presents from her little friends.

enjoying a doggie cupcake and ice cream

I had a good time making these little cupcakes.
Later on, we went as a family to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and games

Loving the big car


She wanted a doggy cake. It was fun to make the little dog and paw prints!

Me and my sweetie
Happy Birthday sweet girl!  We love you so much and we're so happy you're part of our family!  Hope you had a great and special day!