Pictures from Bear Lake

Thanks to my friend Camille, here are a few pictures of our trip to Bear Lake.  It was so much fun and enjoyable.  The weather was a little cold, compared to what we are use to, but it was still so much fun. I love hanging out with my friends!

It all happened so fast

Kara got her driver's license on April 24th.  She has already been driving for over three weeks.  She is a really good driver, but it still makes me nervous when she takes off by herself. Funny story, the driver's test instructor, couldn't find any one to go with them to take the test, so he was going to cancel.  So Kara asked if her dad could come.  How many kids can say there parent was in the car when they got their driver's license.  She got a 100% on her test. 


Kara was asked to sing the National Anthem in front of her whole school for an assemble.  They only request this during the election assembles.  I wanted to go so bad, but it was the day Coby was graduating and I didn't dare ask to take the morning off too,  Someone recorded it, but  it is too big of a file to send in an email.  Everyone I talked to said she did an amazing job!

Kara got another 4.0 this semester.   She is also in a play at Bingham.  She has been working on it for several months and her performance is May 23rd and 24th.  I am excited to see it.  She is just too buys, seriously. 

 

 Kara recently went to a girl's choice dance.  It was a take you out to the ball game theme.  Her group seriously looked like they had too much. For a day activity they decorated their shirts and then went on a ferris wheel at SHIELDS.  Then they came over to our home for dinner.  The food all turned out yummy.

 After the dance they came back to our home and hung out.  We had ice cream sundaes.  This was one fun group.  I seriously don't think I have ever heard that much laughing by so little of people.

Sweet 16 party!

 On Kara's sweet 16 birthday I brought lunch to her at school and brought a few birthday pins she could wear.

 After school two of her young women leaders brought over this cute container with a bunch of yummy, fun, treats in it.

 Three  of her friends came over and decorated her room while we were gone.  She was surprised!

 Matt and I took her out to dinner.  She chose Olive Garden. It was yummy!

 Afterwards she opened one of her presents.  She wanted some decorative scarves and above she models it!

 I hung up a big sign in front of our home.

 And made a sign.

My friend Kelly made the cute birthday invitations for me that are above.

Kara in front of all the food before the party started. Her friend Tianna came and helped us set up her party! My friend Ann let me borrow some of her glass dish container and the big balls on the table.

I made 90 cake balls for her birthday party.  They are really cute, but are a lot of work to make and then dip etc. 

                         Drinks were in the kitchen along with make a wish for Kara

 In the basement we we had a poster board where others could sign a message to Kara.

 The party was a lot of fun.  There were around 30 people here and they all seemed to have a good time.  They played some fun games,   After the games some kids were in the living room singing and playing the piano, some were in the kitchen singing, and then other were in the basement playing video games or visiting.

 Kara has a lot of fun, good friends.  They are all so sweet and gracious!

Singing Happy Birthday to Kara!

 Singing Happy Birthday to Kara!

 Afterwards Kara and her cousin Mikayla opened up some of her friends birthday gifts.  Mikayla spent the night.  She is such a sweet girl!

Happy Things.....

I love  the month of February!!!!! Even though it is winter, I love that so many people I love have birthdays in February and Valentine's day is one of my favorite holidays.  I love putting up Valentine decorations.  I LOVE hearts, like, crazy love them. 

 I love going to lunch with friends.  Last week I met Julie at the temple and then we went to lunch. I love talking to Julie and even though I moved, I am so grateful we are able to get together so frequently.  In case anyone didn't know they remodeled the  Jordan temple and they did it QUICK!!!

Last weekend, Kara spent it at the Utah Theater Association.  She loved it.  She saw a few musicals, she went to many classes and had a wonderful time.  She went for three solid days and came back renewed. 

 Also, last weekend we had planned to go to Coby's girlfriend Colleen's mission farewell, but the weather was HORRIBLE.  Coby's car was broken and they had a lot of people who wanted to go to Las Vegas for it.  So Matt rented a car for Coby, that was 4 wheel drive and was an SUV.  The ride home was a little scary, my words not Coby's, but it took a lot longer.  There were accidents everywhere.  I was worried sick.   And over the weekend, Matt fixed Coby's car.  He was pretty happy that he was able to fix it for Coby.  He is a great dad!

 I have been worried about Coby. I feel grateful his girlfriend is serving a mission, but it is hard on Coby to be away from her for 18  months.  I hate seeing my kids suffer.   She leaves this Wednesday, February 6th, and she is going to Thailand.  She will be a phenomenal missionary!!!  I really adore this girl and I am crossing my fingers that things will work out, and I am praying really hard too.

 On Tuesday night Kara, Coby and I went to see the Phantom of the Opera.  My friend Mindy got our tickets for us and I gave them to my two children who would enjoy it as a Christmas present. 

 The weather was so bad, that I was worried about driving there. So Kara and I drove to Provo with Mindy and family. Luckily, Brent, is an excellent driver and their Suburban does really well on the roads. 

 Above is a picture of Coby, Kara and Tianna. After we left him at 10pm, he was going to the library to study.  He usually stays until midnight and then walks all the way home, in the freezing, dark weather.  It makes me sad, that he does this practically every night, but he is a very dedicated student and he says if he drives it takes him almost as long to find a parking space.

It took us forever to come home from Phantom, but it was AMAZING!!!  The freeway was an ice rink.  It took us so long I was seriously worried, I wouldn't get my 7 hours for my fitness challenge and I didn't, but I came home from work on Wednesday and took a nap for less than an hour, even though I didn't have time, crazy, what a contest will do.

Yesterday I went to lunch with one of my best friends, Diane.  She is lives in Layton and we usually see each other at least every 3 months.  It was great to catch up with her.  Love her.

Friday night,  Matt planned our date. We went and saw Warm Bodies.  There really isn't any words I can use to describe it.  Very strange.  But he liked it.

On Friday afternoon I had a great visit with my friend Ann.  Even though we live in the same neighborhood, I hadn't talked to her like, I like.   She also let me borrow her Downton Abbey Season 3.  I have almost finished watching it. Thank you Ann, you are always so generous!!!  I won't even comment on my thoughts on Seasons 3.

 We planned a family activity for today with everyone, but plans changed.  Spencer had to work, Kara was sick with a bad sore throat and felt miserable, so it was just  the rest of our family.  We went up to the ski resorts, that Coby or Colton  had never been too. It was so yummy.  Coby and I both had the fish tacos and they were delicious and I probably used most of my calories for today, but it was worth it.

 Yesterday Coby told us that he got offered a job.   He told us about the opportunity a few weeks ago, but we didn't  know for sure if he would get it or not.  Well, he found out yesterday that he did.  He is moving to  ISTANBUL, Turkey. 

It is a wonderful opportunity and he is getting paid very well.  The company he is working with is providing free housing and several of his friends are going to work there too.  I think it is a good opportunity for him.  I am excited for him.  He is such a hard worker.   CONGRATS  Coby!!!!!!   We love you, and we will miss you terribly!  He will leave right after he graduates from college this April.