Janika's Family Bridal Shower and Wendy's 50th Birthday

Rick and I were going to do an over-nighter for my 50th birthday, but we couldn't find a place and it was one of the only free weekends we had and so my mom and I decided to throw Janika a bridal shower that day instead. My mom was gracious enough to host it at her house and helped with all of the preparations and food.

I didn't leave for SLC until Saturday afternoon because I didn't want to miss the ADA workshop at the Deaf Center presented by Wing Butler. Rick surprised me after the workshop with a little party. He called me up and had me wear a princess crown and boa and had everyone sing and sign "Happy Birthday" and then he gave me several silly gag gifts. He brought ice-cream and ice-cream cones to share with everybody there. It was a little embarrassing!

After the little party party I came home and took a nap and then the girls and I headed to Salt Lake. We arrived about 8:00 p.m. that night and then I went grocery shopping to get some more food for the shower the next day.

Today was my 50th birthday! We all went to church on Sunday. Janika and Brandon came a couple of hours before the shower to help cut up watermelon and canteloupe and help with other food preparations. We had chicken salad from Costo on croissants rolls with added grapes, lots of fruit and a couple of veggie trays. For dessert we had the big chocolate cake from Costco and cookies. The bridal shower went well. We had a great turn out from both sides of the family and we were glad that Brandon's mom and sister could come too! We had lots of yummy food and Janika got lots of really nice gifts. Janika got lots of really nice gifts!  My girls and I left around 8:00 p.m. to head home. We made good time and arrived around midnight. It was a long day but it was nice to see everyone and visit with family! Janika said that she felt very loved and grateful from all of the support she received!!

Birthday Card from Janika (It was left in my car for a while which is why it looks so hammered!)

SCMS Honor Armor Awards Banquet

Rick and I attended the Honor Armor Awards Banquet for Jaiden and Janelle held at the Gardner Center at DSU. There are three awards: the "Silver Spear," the "Gold Helmet," and the highest award, the "Diamond Shield," which is the highest award given at SCMS. The students earn points for things like academic achievement, student council, athletics, extra-curricular activities, school spirit and so forth. They can earn points in both 8th grade and 9th grade. Janelle logged her points for 9th grade but not for 8th grade. Since Emily and Jaiden earned "The Silver Spear" this year they will have a good chance of earning one of the higher awards next year. 

The tickets were $14.00 each for Rick and I. It was a nice banquet and program. Our girls both received the "Silver Spear" award and so did Emily Williams. Janelle's friend, Layla Purdy, received the highest award -- "The Diamond Shield" award! Congratulations, Layla! There were only a few students (five, I think) who earned it. They did a really nice slideshow for them with pictures of them through the years. The Diamond Shield recipients get to paint a portion of the Diamond Shield Circle of Honor with symbols and pictures to represent their personality. This is a big circle on the cement as you are walking outside of the school. It is pretty neat! Congratulations girls on your hard work and achievement!

Newest Deacon!!

Josh graduated from primary last week and received his Faith in God award!  He turned 12 last Monday and received a new bike and his first real suit! Friday night he had a big party playing night games with all of his friends. Today he received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained a Deacon!! We are so proud of you, Josh! 

Senior Ball -- Jared

Jared had a great time at Senior Ball!! He went with Hailey Hansen. For the day date they had Nerf Gun wars with a big group at the high school. They had lunch at the new Harmons and then they had dinner catered by Panda Express at Conner's house. A couple of weeks before the dance Hailey and Jared were talking about how they hate the whole expensive corsage/boutineer tradition. So they decided to make a statement by going to the to the dollar store and making their own totally tacky corsage and boutineer for each other! 

 

Josh's 12th Birthday Party!!

Tonight was Josh's birthday party. It had been raining on and off all day and so I wasn't sure if we would need to change plans but then it cleared up and was beautiful. There were 14 boys including Josh and they were pretty wild! We could quickly see that our yard wasn't big enough for the night games and so we all headed to the park.

Once we were at the park and they were able to spread out and get involved in a game (Capture the Flag) things improved.  We then went to the elementary school for some games and then Jared came (after his track meet) and took the boys through a round of "Fugitive." Back at the house they had cake and ice-cream and opened gifts. The most common gift for this age is $10.00 and a bag of candy, or chips, or whatever. So he made bank! Rick then took the boys to the basement for a couple rounds of Mafia. I was glad when the party was over and everyone was delivered safely home! 

Jonah Anderson, Brock Boyce, Caden Morris, Seth Fisher, Drew Ence, Trey Kelsch, Tag Gubler, Josh Jensen, Damon Ence, Eli Paulson, Hank Empey, Kyson Goates, Cooper Tobler, Tavin Guerisoli

Josh braces

Josh got his braces put on today!! A few days later he got four teeth pulled! Ouch!! 

Jordan River Temple Open House!

Today Rick and I attended the Jordan River temple open house with Janika and Brandon and Brandon's family. This is a special Temple to me. I am pretty sure that I attended the open house as an 11 year old before the temple opened originally on June 9, 1979. When I was 12 years old I was able to walk through the doors in order to do baptisms for the dead. When I was 21 years old I was called to serve a mission. I entered the doors of this beautiful temple to make sacred covenants with my Heavenly Father as I received my endowments. Years later on April 15, 1994 Rick and I attended a session together, as we had many times before. But this night was different. This night we wandered around the grounds on that beautiful spring night and he got down on one knee and asked me if I would marry him. I asked if he would take me to the Celestial Kingdom and he said YES. Then I said YES I would marry him! Three and a half months later on a warm day on July 28, 1994 we knelt across an altar of God in this temple and were sealed for time and all eternity!! I am so grateful for  temples where we can receive the ordinances necessary to allow us to be sealed with our loved ones forever and return to live with our Father in Heaven someday!