CV Prom 2018.

Thursday, April 5th
 The Promposal:

Mar {again} was not expecting it to happen when it did. Jake left seminary a little early, then Mar's friend Haley left, then came back and asked Mar if she would help her find her brother's jacket that he had left in the gym the night before. Since Mar doesn't have a first period at school, she had gone to seminary pretty much straight out of bed, planning to go back home to get ready for school. She had on glasses with an OLD prescription, so she said she didn't even see the sign on the stage and the arrow on the floor until she was literally right in front of it haha. I thought this was a particularly cute and creative way to ask her to prom :)

She said yes... I think Jake's sister was recording and neglected to get that part.

I have to say that I really like that {in general} here in CO (or is it just Castle Rock?) the kids generally ask IN PERSON, which makes the answering part easy. Unless you don't really want to go with the particular person that asked you...then perhaps it's a bit awkward haha.

Saturday, April 21st
She's ready!

I'm not sure who picked the location for prom pictures, but it was a cold, snowy day, so we congregated inside the church where we were told to meet. I think whoever selected this location thought the gazebo near the church would make good pics, but we were waiting for the whole group to arrive for over 30 minutes, so much of that time was spent... inside the church. 

This boutonniere/corsage exchange was blessed by Jesus haha.

This is the only pic I happened to snap of the back of Mar's hair. 

Shi had done her make-up and it looked amazing. The dress alterations were... sufficient. Luckily I don't think most could tell that the fabric wasn't an EXACT match (this picture accentuates that fact more than others), and that these little sleeve-ettes were much more problematic to sew onto the bodice than my previous prom dress alteration experiences.

I still consider it a miracle that I found fabric to match as good as it did, so I'm not complaining.

 

Ahhh... aren't they cute?

That adorable umbrella was one we purchased years back for Lex's wedding, which we ended up not needing because her wedding day weather was perfection. The latch, however, was broken and Bill had fiddled with it to get it to work... for about 3 pictures, then it broke again. At least we got a few cute pics with it haha. It's now in the garbage.

 Mar's date Jake is a twin, can you tell?

The virgin Mary... and Little Billy... are watching {wink}.

Once the group was all there, they braved the cold and snow for a few outdoor pictures.

Mar said the date was super fun.

She got home that evening morning around 3am, and her momma was waiting up for her. Shilo had been sick that evening and morning, and didn't think she could handle the flight back to SLC Sunday evening, so Bill and I drove her to Green River on Sunday where we met up with Kody who took her the remaining way home. Billy-my-hero drove for 12 straight hours (I might have been sleeping off and on the whole way haha), as we looped back home to CO.

We took time, however, to appreciate the beautiful scenery along our way.
It WAS Earth Day, after all.

Thanks, baby, for driving so I could rest and enjoy the scenery... you're the best!

CVHS Talent Show + Youth Conference.

This past week was CRAZY.

I started in on a CV Prom post, but realized it's best to keep things chronological (for my own sake), so I need to do a quick post about the week prior.

(Elton John's I'm Still Standing going through my head right now)

Let's start with CV's Talent Show.

Mar had decided to try out for it with a friend due to the large cash prize awarded the winner.

$500.

She and Annie practiced minimally for the try out, and were happy to have made it into the show.

They didn't have much time to practice together, but Mar didn't seem to be too stressed about it.

The day of the show (Thursday, April 19) was also a full-day jazz choir trip to UNC in Greeley, which Mar was invited to attend. They were supposed to back from the festival around 5:30, but it was 6:30 before they pulled into the school. The talent show started at 7. Phew. That was close.

Here's her performance:

My phone doesn't have great audio recording, but they did an amazing job. There were a lot of singing acts (some including instruments... a total of 3 ukulele+singing acts), a few instrument acts (2 cello, 3 piano), a comedy act, and a tap dancing act.

(Yep, "Everyone's got an act." Haha... what's it from?)

The first place winner was the tap dancing young man performing to The Greatest Show,

Second place was a piano performance, and...

Mar and Annie took 3rd place. Yay!!

They won a trophy and gift cards. Not $500, but still nice. And it's quite an accomplishment to be the top singing act. Way to go, ladies!

Since there was no school the next day (Friday), our ward had decided to plan Youth Conference that weekend. They had a local activity Thursday evening that Mar missed due to the talent show, but she was able to meet up with the other girls at a home to sleep over that evening.

The following day they had planned to drive to Pike's Peak for lunch and a devotional, but our bipolar spring weather nixed that idea due to snow. They ended up playing games and having lunch and a devotional at the church before heading to Buena Vista for the remainder of the conference. I had been asked to be a driver (mainly so I could bring a couple of the girls back early Saturday to get ready for prom), which I was happy to do. I was glad for the opportunity to get to know some of the YW in the ward and participate in a ward function. Since I teach seminary (and not even to youth who attend church at the same building I do), I feel a tad detached from the ward sometimes. This was a perfect opportunity to hang out with the youth (including Mar) -- and youth leaders -- a bit.

The main activity that afternoon/evening was to go to the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.

FYI - the outside temp was around 26 degrees.

I actually DID get in a swim suit, and only slipped on the rocks down by the river once... possibly resulting in minor injuries to my backside (thankfully not my tailbone) and lower leg. I'm pretty sure I was the OLDEST person in our group haha. Fortunately for me, I was NOT the oldest person (or the fattest, or the whitest, or the veiniest...) enjoying the hot springs that afternoon/evening. Not that I was comparing or judging AT ALL... just wanting to blend in a bit {wink}.

The next morning after breakfast, I loaded up with Mar and 2 other YW to make the 2.5 hour drive back to Castle Rock. While packing up, I may have struggled with the Thule key, and then have momentarily lost the car keys. It was freezing outside and was quite a frustrating experience, but with a little help from my friends, we resolved all problems and headed home. It was a brief YC experience for Mar, but I think she enjoyed what she was able to attend. The kids not going to prom got to zip line that day, which I heard was a blast.

Shilo had flown in from Utah early EARLY that morning (Bill picked her up at the airport), and would be waiting for us to arrive home to begin prom prep. It was so sweet of Lo to make the trip!

Next up: CV Prom

DC Prom 2018.

Just a quick post late at night (when I should be sleeping, but can't) to keep me current.

The promposal from Miles was on top of the Castle Rock.

Even though Mar figured it might be coming, she said she did NOT suspect it would happen when it did. Surprises are nice, don't you think?

It was fun helping her get ready on Prom Day. Nae had make-up tools, tips, and products to help out, and I assisted with her hair. I have to say I LOVE doing hair for Mauri. She is always so pleased and happy with the results, which eases my tension and anxiety over meeting expectations. We found a style she liked on youtube, and I did my darndest to duplicate it haha.

She was ready with time to spare. Phew! I did NOT want a repeat of last year ;-)

We hopped in the car to drive to the home where her group was meeting to take pictures. 

The funny thing was that the house they were meeting at was in Jake's neighborhood (literally right down the street) -- the guy she's going to CV's prom with. Funny.

We got the magnetic boutonniere this time (so ingenious), but Miles lost it at dinner... probably because Mar had put it on the button hole of his lapel. When we chatted about it the next day we realized that doesn't work very well, so Mar will have better placement skills on Saturday when she repeats this fun process with another... friend.

I realized after pictures were over that I never snapped a pic with just Mar and Bill. I'll be doing that on the next go-around. Those glasses of Bill's, tho. Not my fave.

It was a hard time of day for pictures. We were at Jack's house (tan blazer guy), and his dad was directing where to shoot, but there was either too many shadows or too much sun. My phone camera wasn't super happy with either haha.

 Mauri knew Jack and his girlfriend because she and Miles had double dated with them a few times, but the rest of the group were strangers. I love how Mar seems totally comfortable anyway. 

 (Showing each other the mud/dirt on their heals from traipsing around the yard.)

 Bill and I got a chuckle out of this pic as we were reviewing it when we got home because of Mar's lovely scabs on her arm haha.

Despite this beautiful view and what appears to be a lovely day, the girls were freezing their behinds off, so we wrapped up the photo sesh and sent them on their way.

Mar said the date was "super fun." Hooray!

Shi is flying in for hair and make-up for this week's prom date, and I worked all day yesterday modifying Mar's chosen dress#2 so it would be a bit more modest. We have youth conference this Thursday through Saturday (weird... I know), and Mar is in the school talent show on Thursday, so will not be able to participate in YC that evening, and because of prom on Saturday, will be leaving early that morning and missing that day's activities as well. I've been asked to be an extra driver (so I can bring prom kids back early Saturday) and to provide breakfast for the girls Saturday morning. On top of that, I'm teaching seminary tomorrow and Thursday, so it's going to be a pretty busy next few days. Thus the late night post that may or may not make any sense haha.

I keep reminding myself that this is the fun stuff.

Enjoy it. Stop only thinking of the next task to be done and appreciate the moment.

It's so against my nature, but I'm working on it.