Adoption Day

This was a happy day. Granny's here for a two-week visit as we celebrate Ana's adoption. Today was the day. Here's a funny picture of some of us waiting in the courthouse hallway.














Ana could not hold still, so she danced for Granny on the tile floor. She knew something big was going on and took full advantage of all the attention. It was actually pretty adorable. She looks so grown up in these pictures.

Deacon Day

Eliah just chilled while everyone else celebrated his priesthood ordination outside on this beautiful day.

Lovebirds

Steve and Debbie wait patiently on our porch after Eliah's ordination yesterday.

The Celebrating Never Ends!

And last, Eliah's birthday dinner at Tucano's with Colby.














Ana refusing food? Shocking!














The best gift of all.

Ya's Birthday Song (video)

Lighting the Candles

Everyone was enthralled by Ya's skill with the matches.

Katie Cake with Katie

Katie surprised Eliah with--what else?--a basketball cake. It was "just the best"! Katie does such a great job at trying to get Eliah pumped up and excited. She knows it's an uphill battle, and I appreciate her fighting it. 'Cause secretly he loves it!

Birthday Boy

Eliah turned 12 and enjoyed his favorite meal--hamburgers! The family contingent arrived and we had a whole bunch of fun. Thanks to everyone for making him feel adored. This was really a fun afternoon. His actually birthday was the next day but that's just being technical.

Geocaching Close to Home

Geocaching along a dirt road in Mapleton. I think Meili found this one. We selected a toy for Ana out of the container and traded it for a quarter. (We're not very original.)

Really Bad Bowling

We're all horrible but we had fun bowling on another day of spring break.

Stockton & Malone

Over the kids' spring break we took a day trip to Salt Lake City. Eliah's favorite destination was the home of the Utah Jazz. Outside they have statues of John Stockton and Karl Malone. Eliah has no memory of them playing, but he worships them anyway. He is an official Jazz fanatic. Daryl is so proud.

Family Togetherness

My mom's cousin Sue and her daughter Shelly came out while Natalie was here. We all went through quite a few of Mamoo's photos, and Sue helped us identify those we didn't recognize. What a fun afternoon. We love our Garner relations!

Wisdom from Ana

Ana was riding in Katie's car the other day when Katie passed a dead dog in the road. Thinking it could serve as a learning lesson for Lincoln, Katie started talking about how the dog died because he didn't look both ways before crossing the street. She asked them, "So what should we do before we cross the street?" Ana answered, "Let the doggies go first!"

Feeding the Ducks

While the girls shopped, Natalie, Katie and I took Ana and Scout to see the ducks by Novell. Ana loved it, as you can see. She will tell you all about the one that nipped her finger because he wasn't waiting his turn.

All of Us at the Mall

After feeding the ducks, we joined the girls at Provo Towne Centre. Ana and Scout kept up with the teenagers just fine.

Girls at the Mall

Chillin' Out

Abbie, Carly and Meili hanging out on our stairs. Natalie and Abbie came out for spring break. We loved that they brought Carly along! The girls had fun all week! It was NOT Meili's spring break, however, so she spent the week alternating between school and home. The school secretary must have thought she had some strange disease that kept striking randomly.

1st Dance

Meili attended her first dance last month and had a fabulous time. It was hosted by Utah Valley Groove at Mapleton Memorial Hall. This organization is trying to revive the lost art of boys and girls actually dancing at the dances. She left with her friends Cassie and Chelsea, and they all looked soooo beautiful. When I went to pick her up, she was dancing with a BOY! Gotta admit, I got a little choked up. We can't deny it any longer--Meili is growing up.