3 Weeks in California

We spent some real quality time with cousins this trip. What a blast! Thanks, Nat and Robynn, for taking such great care of us and for having such awesome pools. I didn't get tons of pictures 'cause I wanted to relax too, but here are a few.

Ya in his very favorite happy place:

Ana, Emily, and Brooke striking a pose before diving.

Jake doing his "Crazy Eyes."

Meili saving the baby birds on Grandpa's back porch. That was an ordeal!

Reconnecting with my Tami & Wendy, my BFFF's (Best Freakin' Friends Forever) at--where else? Leatherby's! We brought our kids and had just the best time laughing over all the memories and great pictures Wendy brought. Everything about the 80s was awesome, but these gals made that time extra memorable for me.

Meili and Abbie came to see the triplets they connected with years ago. They used to call the two of them "Abbilee." Still works, I think.

Only shot I got of Dylan, Kelsey, and Callie. Can't believe they're 10! We just love 'em.

Ana LOVED her clown sundae. I think she was the baby of this group. As always, though, she fit right in.

Eliah and Ben making a polite appearance before heading out to the car to listen to the radio. Typical.

Tami with her sweet daughter Coral. It was so great to get to know her better. This was a great day. Thanks for more memories!

Last shot of the trip: Most of the cousins watching "Hairspray" at Dave & Robynn's. All happily bonded.

I Only Wish I Could

Earning the Swimming Merit Badge

Eliah with Sam and Joseph Furner.

Last Band Concert

I had to catch an image of Eliah's spring concert.

Guess Who's Riding a Two-Wheeler?

Favorite Child of the Day

When the cats left a lovely gift of a dead mouse on the deck, I asked the teens in the home who would dispose of it. They both shrieked like little girls. Then the actual little girl in the family stepped forward and begged to do the task. Ana is the bravest of them all.

Turning 14

Eliah got everything he ever wanted for his birthday. Well, not really. But I think he had a pretty good day. On his actual birthday, he got a few presents and was thoroughly spoiled and loved. The following Sunday we had the fam over for dessert and additional festivities. Thanks, everyone!

Timeline of a Prom Date

Meili went to prom right after her 16th birthday. (Spring babies rule!) While she was tutoring at the literacy center, these came:

I put the flowers in a vase and waited for her to get home. After she did, I tried to think of innocent-sounding reasons she needed to go into her room. At last, she found them:

A couple weeks later, the dress was made modest and the accessories were acquired. Our personal stylist and beloved aunt Debbie arrived to work her magic. 

Uncle Steve assisted in boutonniere-pinning practice.

The wait began for the date and general silliness ensued. Did I mention that besides Steve and Debbie, we had Katie and her kids all waiting for the poor guy? Best of family fun! Here's Meili in Mamoo's pink mink stole.

Then she tried out Grandma Walter's fox stole. Personally I think both looks rock!

Ana in the pink mink.

Katie sporting the fox. Ooh lah lah.

Words escape me:

The date arrived and Meili showed up her mother by pinning this on him herself. This totally impressed me because as a teen, I always passed off that task to my mom. The nice, handsome boy is David Bates, who held his own against the onslaught of family members.

At David's house:

She had a great date with a nice group of friends. Can't believe she's old enough for all this, but it's awfully fun, especially since Mei was such a great sport about it. Thanks, everyone, for helping make this day so fun and memorable.

A Good Brother

Eliah's turn to read the bedtime story.

Easter Morning Surprises

Easter is always a sweet lowkey holiday. Here's what the bunny left this year. Ana loves her new spring jammies.

South Valley Slam Champion

From his expression in almost every picture, you'd think Eliah's just biding his time til he can blow this joint (probably very true). He really does have a very pleasant smile that seems to disappear the moment a camera surfaces. (Hmm. Remind you of anyone else?) Anyway, his city league basketball team went undefeated this season, and the coaches celebrated by taking the boys to Pirate Island. Here he's modeling his pirate swag along with his championship T-shirt. The games were thrilling, I tell you. The last one, especially, was a real nail-biter.

The Threesome

Ana, Lincoln and Scout spend A LOT of time together, which is a wonderful blessing for us all. For the most part they get along fabulously, though Scout sometimes get the short end of the stick. The first picture is them at their community gymnastics class; the second is a spontaneous shot at our home one Sunday afternoon in March. I love each expression. They are precious, and it's so fun to watch them learn and grow up together.

Personal Victory

Meili spent hours and hours on this Personal Progress project--creating file folder games for the humanitarian service branch of the Church. She even recruited all her cousins, aunts, and uncles to help her during the Thanksgiving holiday. (Thank you to everyone!) She finally finished all the folders during a "Lord of the Rings" movie marathon in mid-January. She dropped them off at the Provo location and didn't look back. That was me who turned around to get the picture of her box of folders sitting near quilt material donations. The Church uses the file folder games as teaching tools around the world. Meili came up with an original design that met the strict criteria. We're so proud of her.

Smiling Gymnast (video)

This one makes me laugh. Ana in a tumbling class.

Captured on Christmas Day

Ana with her Santa gift: a Wowee Alive! Tiger Cub, Meili with a great stocking stuffer, and Eliah showing off his favorite gift from Santa with the Family Game Night Gang. It was a very Merry Christmas after a challenging year.