Spring Break at Sea World

We've always wanted to go, and it finally worked out for us to get to Sea World.  This was such a great birthday present for Grandma and Grandpa to contribute towards the tickets.  We have memories to last a life time from this fun day!  We loved the dolphins, whales, and the ride over the bay the most.

Spring Break in Arizona

 

The first part of our Spring Break was spent with our wonderful family and friends in Gilbert.  It was great to see Aunt J. and lots of cousins.

They spoiled us with a late night stop at In-and-Out Burger and ride with the sun roof when they picked us up from the airport.  They also introduced us to Smash Burger- which is now a favorite of ours.

We visited the brand new amazing Gilbert Temple which was oh-so-beautiful!  The stone kind of looks like the color of the dessert dirt, which was so pretty and unique.

 

We got to see my niece whom we hadn't seen in too long and her new baby.

My nephew who loves pizza and comic books and Mind Craft- he uses the pizza board to take frozen pizza out of the oven- too cute!

It was just fun times for the cousins.  I love that these kids have been getting together since they were babies, and that some how we find time to meet everywhere from Minnesota, Arizona, Las Vegas, or Idaho- you never know where we'll be able to catch up with each other!  It has been fun to share adventures and life with each other through the years even though we are seperated by so many miles.

We also caught up with dear friends.

Dinner at Becky's and playing with the kids.

And a visit with Alice.  It was great to catch up.

We are so grateful we got to spend a few days in Arizona.  It was a wonderful trip and we love everyone we got to see so much!

I'm 18!

I don't know if it hasn't hit me or what, but I handled this day quite well, even though is some ways I dreaded how I might react.  My oldest is 18 years old.  I guess I am just so pleased with the woman she has grown into that I am fine with it.  She is smart, hard-working, committed, filled with integrity and high standards, fun-loving and full of sunshine, and she is a caring and concerned person to top it all off.

 The tradition in our family is picking the menu for dinner for the birthday meal.

Birthday Dinner:

• Cub's Marinated Terriyaki Stake
• Chinese Cabbage Salad
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Dessert- She wanted a "moist chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting."

Gifts:

• Mom and Dad- trip to San Diego (this was also her graduation gift)
• Grandma and Grandpa: Contributed towards Sea World Tickets
• Dinner at Panera with friends
• Birthday donuts at Seminary

She didn't want a birthday party, so she surprised us all and came home with pierced ears!  I didn't believe her at first because she is so afraid of needles.  But she took photos to prove it.  I think it is adorable that her friends held her hand and the store let her hold this teddy bear.  

 

 I am not sure if you can see in the photo, but she did look extra sparkly with her new earrings.

 She also had lots of "Happy Birthdays" from friends and family.  A couple of friends surprised her and decorated her room- I love the door wrapped in birthday paper.

 

 Happy Birthday to my Girl!  I know you are a woman, and it sounds cliche, but you really are our "girl".  Having said that, we are proud of the woman you have grown into, and are so looking forward to see all that you will contribute to this world and the many new experiences that will come with graduating and going to college.  We love you so very much!

I'm 15!

My youngest daughter turned 15!!!!  How time flies, and how I love this girl.  She has such a great sense of humor, she always keeps things "real" (meaning she doesn't get caught up in things that don't really matter), she is logical, and she is bright and fun.  She has a tender heart, is artistic and musical, and  I love to hear her sing, play the piano, and cello.

The tradition in our family is picking the menu for dinner for the birthday meal.

Birthday Dinner:

• Caesar Salad
• Homemade Stroganoff
• Chocolate Frozen Yogurt

(To humor me, I made Grandma Rita's homemade peanut butter chocolate sauce since they share the same birthday).

Gifts:

• Mom and Dad- trip to San Diego
• Grandma and Grandpa: Contributed towards Sea World Tickets
• Subway sandwich and chocolate milk dropped off at school that day.

Man.... she couldn't get the candles out!  I think we need to check for asthma- that is only 2 candles.

 She's looking stressed... still couldn't get those darn candles out.  Haha

Birthday fun:

• Lots of friends and family remembering her birthday with well wishes, although she declined the donuts dad wanted to bring to Seminary before school to celebrate because she didn't want the attention. 
• Big Sister made her favorite dessert for her friend-party: Deep dish chocolate chip cookie pie with ice cream.  Yum!
• Party- She had several friends over to celebrate and they made a movie with the iphoto movie app.  It was a murder mystery.  The parental units (that would be me) were not involved in the planning of the party.  My teens pretty much run their own show now.  It is sad in some ways, but also really cool in others to see how capable and independent they are becoming.

I have to say, I am really worried about those lungs again- still can't get those candles out.  Too funny!

 Finally!!!  The candles are out.

Here is wishing you a wonderful year ahead.  We love you and are proud of all the growth you've had the past year.  You are a very special young woman.