My baby girl is legal!

Wow! I can't believe that Leslie has turned 21! It still seems that she should be coming home from school with that backpack that was as big as she was and her purple framed glasses. What a beautiful girl she has grown into.





Leslie's new dress I made.

Leslie and Justin

Gift time!

We had dinner at Benihana's. We sat at the cook station where we could watch the chef cook our dinner. He was very entertaining and the food was delicious. Of course we had to have our picture taken with the warrior guy (or the big green creepy guy) Happy Birthday Leslie!

Rest of Utah trip

Fun pictures from our trip!

Education Week at BYU

Mike and I have been going to Education Week for about 5 years now. It has been a fun filled week of learning. Marilyn has been such a great host to us each year in letting us stay with her. It has also been a great vacation for just Mike and I to get away. This year was no different, in fact I might say that this was my favorite year as far as classes go.

Daddy's taking us to the Zoo tomorrow...

Daddy's taking us to the Zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow, Daddy's taking us to the zoo tomorrow and we can stay all day! Am I the only one that learned this song? My girls think I am crazy. I really think I learned it at girls camp. But the day after Jaman's birthday we all went to the Hogal zoo.

We have always loved this fountain! Asher loved the Zebras so she had to ride the zebra on the carousel. Jaman enjoyed the cheetah during his ride.

We saw many animals and Jaman loved them. He would look at their names and finger spell them. It was so fun to see him so curious about everything. We also had fun on the little train ride through part of the zoo.

Jaman's birthday

It has worked out well for us the last three years to be in Utah on or near Jaman's birthday, because Education Week at BYU is at the same time. This year was no different. On Sunday we attended church here in Vegas. We went to hear Leslie's friend, Justin speak in his ward about his mission and then left for Utah arriving just in time for the birthday party. Jaman was so excited to open gifts. Melissa had gotten him a Nintendo Wii, so we bought him the game Mario Kart to go with it. It involves driving little race cars on various tracks. Sometimes you can drive off the edge and angels bring you back and put you on the track. Jaman was so funny everytime he drove off, his eyes would get huge and he would cover his mouth and laugh! Cake and Ice cream were enjoyed by all.

Madrigals

It is that time of year again when I get to make costumes for the kids in Madrigal Choir at Las Vegas High School. Since half the choir is either LDS or in our ward I have been able to make a few. This year I have made four, but, I have only taken pictures of one so far...this one is for Travis Wilson he wanted the Three Musketeer look. I think he looks really good in it. I will post others when I take the pictures.

Asher turns 3 Already

Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday that Asher was being born. Now she is three years old! We were lucky enough to be there for the event. Here are some of the pictures. She loved blowing out the candles on her cake, and opening gifts, Aunt Kelly gave her a make up set that was the big hit that night. You can tell she had played with it in many of these pictures! Just look how tiny she looks riding her scooter! But she can do it all by herself!

temple open house

While were were in Utah we were able to go with Kelly and Luke and Melissa to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. It is beautiful inside and out. We did get a chance for a group picture as we were leaving. It is such a sacred place and I enjoyed being there.

Book Club

Leslie and I set a goal last year the read one book a month. We did pretty well, and some months read even more, (especially when we were reading the Twilight series). So when my ward decided to start a book club I was excited about it. They were looking for someone to hold it in their home each month and I was fast to offer, knowing this would help me get the books read. I have loved most of the books that we have read so far here is a list of them:
Jan. - "These is My Words" loved this one. Very easy to read. About a woman living in the southwest in 1800's
Feb. - "All But My Life" - A Jewish lady that survived the German concentration camps.
March - No club this month but I did read "Tuesday's with Morrie" Loved this one too. A dying man helps teach his student important life lessons by meeting with him every Tuesday.
April - "Follow the River" - A woman is kidnapped by Indians in the 1700's and tries to get back to her husband.
May- "Letters for Emily" - A Grandpa writes letters to his granddaughter, hoping they will help heal his family. Great book.
June -"The First Ladies Detective Agency" - I have to be trueful, I did not enjoy this one as much, it was just ok. About a woman in Botswana who opens a detective agency. She has lived a hard life and tries very hard to help others.

I also read "The Kite Runner" in May. Good story and really shows how different cultures are. We will not be meeting in August, so we picked a longer book for our next one...The Count of Monte Cristo. I have just started it only 1150 more pages! But I do like what I have read.

Quilts

I have to say that sometimes you have to eat your words. I swore that I would never make quilts, that it was something old grandma's did. But, thanks to Melissa help and encouragement, I have made several. Here are the latest two that I have pictures of. The pink one is a baby quilt that I made and the black and green one is a large quilt that I actually did the quilting on my machine. It was fun to try, but I probably did not do the best job on it. I have one more that I am waiting to get from Melissa, she took it to a professional to have it quilted for me. Both of these quilts I have given away but, the one I am waiting to get is for ME!

Open House in Utah

We had a week between the reception in Vegas and the Open House in Utah. I spent a couple of days during this week sleeping in. It was wonderful to know that I did not have to check on something, or order something, or pick up something! So after recovering and cleaning house plus getting back to work, (I made 2 dresses this week along with altering 2 prom dresses and a wedding dress) we left to go to Utah for the open house for Luke's friends and family. We met so many aunts and uncles and cousins. It was very nice. Luke's parents let Mike and I stay in their motor home on their property. It was like having our very own guesthouse!

the happy couple...

Kelly had a beautiful bouquet!

Jolene (Luke's Mom), Kelly and Stacy (Luke's sister-in-law)

Asher as the cute flower girl

The four sisters, Melissa, Kelly, Lauren and Leslie

The happy parents

Mike and I with the grandkids

Mike and Nancy

Nancy, Marilyn and Karen

Above is Lauren and Garn, and Melissa, Curry, Asher and Jaman

Now it is all over and they are happily getting settled (for now, they will be moving in a few months to a different apartment)