Valentine's Day, a baby shower, New York, and a swim banquet.

Since I post less often lately, every post has to cover a whole lot o' ground, thus the lengthy post titles. I've learned, through my hundreds of posts, that if I'm vague in the title, it's hard to find things without a long, arduous search a few years down the road. I'm trying to alleviate that issue the best I can these days {wink}.

Valentine's Day 2018:

I  made these for my Seminary class...

...made cookies for the fam with Evie...

(she looks thrilled, doesn't she?)

...decided after making the cookies that instead of glazing them, I was hankering for some fruit pizza, so that's what we did...

...put together a little Valentine for Evie (I had put one together for Scarlett and Ellis a few days earlier, but didn't get it in the mail in time for them to receive it by Valentine's Day, so decided just to deliver it in person a day late)...

 ...and made an Evie sandwich.

While Mar went on a date (think flowers, Italian restaurant, ice skating, hot chocolate), the rest of us stayed home and had a nice home-made Valentine's Day dinner. It was perfect.

On February 15th, Nae, Evie, Cole, and I headed to Utah.
It's always a good time when I'm with some of my favorite peeps!

On the 17th we threw a baby shower for Lex.
I have to admit, the older I get, the less talented/skilled I feel. Thank heavens I have some amazing creative daughters that can help me out! We had tossed around a few theme ideas, had decided to do a "Guess How Much I Love You/To the Moon and Back" theme, but it morphed (thanks to my lack of creativity haha) into a children's book-themed party. We had already determined that we would suggest guests bring/sign a book instead of a card, so it seemed like a good fit :-)
It turned out adorable.

It was so sweet how many family members and friends were able to make it to the shower.
Some had come from far, far away... Jill and Lex's Stepmom-in-law from CA, one SIL from Idaho, one from Logan. Thanks for the love and support, everyone!

We had a lot o' babes at the shower, too.

Luke and Ellis (first cousins once removed),

...and Evie and Liam (second cousins).

My traditional grandma gift...

We were sad that Lo bounced before we could get a group girls shot... we missed you, Shi!

Lex's StepMIL, Jacki, brought the beautiful flowers and the cute balloons. So sweet.

Lex and Baby P were well showered with gifts and love. I think she's ready for baby boy to get here!

That evening I went to dinner with mi madre and mi padre (their treat), then we went to see The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Hale Center Theater (our family's gift to them for Christmas). We had such a good time. It was so nice to have some time together to visit and catch up. Love them!

The next morning we got ready to head to church.

I couldn't resist snapping a pic of these lovely people... you know it, back row {wink}.

During Sacrament meeting (their ward conference, btw, so the Bishop and Stake President spoke and it was SO GOOD), I received a text from Robyn asking if I was coming home that day or on Monday... she said there was a big winter storm coming on Sunday night/Monday morning to Utah, moving the direction of CO. Right there I determined Nae, Evie and I would head to Britt's after the meeting, pack our stuff, load our gear, gas up, grab Cole, and go.

But I had to walk Wonderful Sweet Scarlett to her Sunbeam class first.

Britt and Austin were home in time to see us off, after a quick cousin play sesh.

I am happy to report that we chose wisely. Our drive was easy and uneventful. Evie (and Cole) traveled well. I couldn't have asked for better. The next day was just as predicted - a whole lot o' snow. I was so so glad I wasn't driving in it.

Meanwhile, Mar was in New York for a choir trip.
(Feb 17 - 21)

Their choir got to sing in this:

...at Carnegie Hall.

They had to practice every day, but Mauri said it was the coolest thing ever. They sang back-up chorus for Broadway stars doing various songs from different musicals. She loved it. They had an after-party for them at Hard Rock Cafe after their performance, which Mar thought was super fun, too.

In all, I think it was a success, despite the hotel bathroom (slow draining tub/shower and a toilet that could barely flush liquids... if you know what I mean), rain rain rain the first day, and dinner that evening that took 3 hours and was less than delicious and not worth the time and money. It only went up from there (except for a dramatic episode where Mar had to stand for truth and righteousness by chastising the parent of a friend -- via text... so much easier than face-to-face, don't you think? -- for NOT doing the right thing).

We were so happy to have her home!

February 23rd was the Swim and Dive banquet.

 Mar received an Academic award AND a letter. Yay! I neglected to snap a pic of her with her letter, so I'll have to get one of the corkboard in her bedroom... soon.

We did grab a pic with her coach before cutting out early (we were there for over 1.5 hours... don't judge us... they were still going to honor the 20+ seniors by having each of their parents share something, then show a video, then do team awards - for coaches, I believe - etc, etc, etc.) The coach asked if she was coming back next year... "I'm still deciding," she said.
No, you're not. (And no, she's not.)

Her goal for lettering was achieved, so I'm calling it a win.


Now it's back to the grind of everyday life. We are patiently waiting for Jason and Lex's little guy to make his appearance, then we'll plan another trip to UT. I can't wait!

Sing, Swim, Sadies, Sayonara.

Mar has been keeping herself busy the past month, so I thought I would do a quick update lest I forget what she's been up to.

On January 27, one of the choirs Mauri participates in {Mirinesse} performed at the CMEA (Colorado Music Educators Association) Conference at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. I'm new here (haha), but I've been told that this is a great honor, as only 8 (I think) choirs are invited to perform each year, and you can only be invited every three years. This particular year, two of CV's choirs were selected: Mirinesse (the lowest level audition women's choir at the school, made up primarily of sophomores and juniors), and Voices of the Pride (a mixed choir, and highest level of audition choir at CV).

Bill and I could only stay for Mirinesse's performance, but they were seriously
A.MAZ.ING.

(These were my sneaky pictures because I don't think we were supposed to take any haha. Bill and I had actually acquired the front row seats by stratagem, only to have CV's other choir director ask us to move so he, his daughter, and the principal could sit there. Dang. We could have had the front seats on the other side of the aisle and NOT have been asked to move. With all our strategizing, we did not see that coming.)

Mirinesse did sign language to their final song (above pic).

I loved the variety of songs they performed.

Here's the whole program:

Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe 

(East African Kenya Worship Song - Celebration of Life)

And Nature Smiled

Ouvres tes yeux bleus 

Libertango

The Blessing

Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down

There was (of course) absolutely NO RECORDING of the performance, so Bill and I purchased a DVD ($$$), and I am excited to watch it again once we get it.

We also had the opportunity to purchase pictures... but I think the ones Bill and I snapped are perfectly sufficient (I was so glad we were "allowed" to take our own haha).

This has been my favorite choir this year (no bias!... I think) and I am so glad Mauri had the opportunity to participate in the whole CMEA experience. On our drive home, Bill and I discussed how we've observed, through our many many years of supporting children in their varied activities in high school, what a difference a director... a teacher... a coach makes. The success of the whole seems to be in direct relation to the expectations, efforts, and quality of the leader. Just saying.


On February 2nd, Mar had her final swim meet, not only of the season, but most likely of her life.
She got to swim in the A League meet, and swam the 100Free and in three relays.
She did awesome.

I'm proud of her sticking with it, and we have hopes of her possibly lettering, although I've been informed that such things are not necessarily as prominent in today's BYU application (there's been some changes, I hear, since our last application process 4 - or was it 5? - years ago). Whatever the end result, it was a good learning experience, and growth is necessary for progression, right? I can say that I won't miss sitting endless hours on hard cement benches (or tiny metal bleachers) in a crowded, steamy room smelling of chlorine. On a quick side note, her swim coach ("Profe") was named the 5A Coach of the Year, and her County Co-op team placed 10th overall at state. Impressive!


Sadies was coming up, so Mar set to work on asking her favorite boy to the dance.
Themed around The Office (which, sadly... or not, I know little about. I've watched a few episodes, I may have laughed a couple of times, but I've just never been able to get into it).

Mar tried to explain it to me... it just went over my head haha.
I was impressed with her Cricut-cutting hot-glue-gunning skills, though.

Those letters are on a stapler, btw. It's hard to see through all that green.

The next day she had arranged with Gavin's mom to stop by while he was out running an errand, and she presented herself (as Dwight), the poster, and the jello to him upon his return.

After a lot of confusing coordination going on about the actual plans for the dance, it was finally decided that we would host dinner at our house.

Fast forward to February 3rd and the dance.

(Nicki, Mar, Ashley)

This time Bill and I did not plan to go with the group as they took pictures.
Because we live in Castle Rock, now, and apparently that isn't what Castle Rock parents do.

Once they were finished with dinner they headed to the dance, and Bill and I cleaned up.

After the dance, they went ice-blocking, then came back to our house to have hot chocolate and "start" a movie. By this time it was past midnight, and there were only three of the initial group of six left standing. Around 1:30, after texting Mar a few times with no result, I sent Bill down to send everyone home. We had Stake Conference the following day, and had to be up much earlier for church than our usual 1pm time.
May I interject, parenting is EXHAUSTING.

Overall, I think it was a success.
But that's just coming from the person that cooked, cleaned up, set up, cleaned up {again}, and stayed up.


The weeks following Sadies have been a bit of a roller coaster.
After several discussions, it is the consensus at our house to say SAYONARA to boyfriending.

We do, however, still "friend." Haha.

Separating the two has been tricky, but, according to one of my favorite prophets {Gordon B. Hinckley}, "It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is... It will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future."

Mar had a Walmart Scavenger Hunt double date on Saturday, and in her efforts to wrangle up a date for her friend that night, got herself another date for Valentines Day.
At least she's not lonely.