General Women's Meeting . . . a Historic Day

 This was the first year that the General Women's Meeting was for all women ages 8 and up.  Since we have two newly baptized girls, Sara and Grace, this was extra exciting.  We have always made an effort to get together for the boys to attend Priesthood session together and we stay back and have dinner and activities.  But, we have never gotten together for the Women's Meeting . . . until this year.  And, we hope it's the start of a new tradition. 

Lisa, Emma ,Sara, Melinda, Julie, Grace, Maia, Lilli and Lilli's sister, Pattie. 

And, an outtake:  It was a windy day and we didn't realize that Aiden was already snapping pictures . . . well, all of us except for Grace.  There are about 15 of the photos below with us totally not ready, and Grace in her perfect picture pose.  Love her!

 Dad made it possible for us to all have dinner together after the meeting.  We opted for Mimi's Cafe and got right in.  Our server had to ask us what was going on with all of the women coming into the restaurant.  It's Women's Meeting!

Sara and Maia 

Julie and Melinda 

Pattie, Lilli and Grace 

Lisa and Emma

Mom / Grandma Betty's Birthday Remembrance

 Oh, how we love our Mom and Grandma and want to always remember her.  The Sunday before her birthday we all shared in her favorite Mrs. Backer's cake . . . . chocolate with raspberry filling.  It's so good!

Here is Mom with the same Mrs. Backer's cake at her 28th birthday.

On her actual birthday, March 25th, miraculously, we were all able to make arrangements for a family dinner at one of her favorite spots, The Mandarin restaurant in Bountiful, where we enjoyed some of hers and our favorite dishes.  

Maggie and Kristen

Julie, Grace, and Sara

Jena giving a great hug to Lisa

 Lilli and Melinda

 Brent and Davis

 Jacob, Emma and Grandpa Gary

 Julie . . . with the littles hovered around her iPad playing games

 Lisa and Brian

And, then on to Nielsen's for a frozen custard cone.. . . yummm! 

Emma, Maia, Kristen holding Ivy, and Lilli 

  

Grace, Jacob, Aiden, Emma and Maia

We are so grateful for the influence and example of Betty in our lives.  We love her so much and want to always remember.  Thanks to our sweet Dad for making this celebration possible.  

Melinda and Julie's Day of Fun

Melinda has a few extra vacation days this year, so she took off a Friday that I also had off and we had a good time playing. 

 We started with a delicious lunch at Pizzeria 712 in Orem. It never disappoints. 

 This chocolate pudding was a highlight!

Then, on to bowling at Jack and Jill's.  Melinda needed some socks from the vending machine. I grabbed the socks that I keep in my purse just for such an occasion, and we were ready!

 We got to be the only ones in the VIP room. . . as it should be. 

It was a great day . . . that we should do again soon.  Kristen, you should take a day off with us!

Celebrating Maia's Birthday

Maia turned 15!  I can't believe it.  She wanted to go shopping for her gifts so we were happy to oblige.  Kind of love that they are getting older and we get to spend fun times together hanging out. 

 We met at Gateway for food, shopping and fun. 

 We had to start with some food to keep up our strength

  

 We had fun in a new candy shop

And loved Charming Charlie's.  We had to send this pic to Bri to freak him out a little bit at what we might be getting while shopping

A break was crucial with treats from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory 

And Maia tested out her new sunglasses . . . that she will promptly forget about before Sunday. 

  

 Sunday was our family dinner celebration and Davis and Jena like to be at the center of it all.  I love to ee their different expressions. 

 Grandpa Gary was happy to hold Miss Ivy

Maia got one of her favorite films 

Jacob, Aiden and Emma 

Doing a selfie 

The sunglasses were officially hers

 Getting ready to blow out the candles. . . .

. . . with some help from the little ones

  

 A little game time

   

 Maia with her birthday balloon

 All the single ladies

 Maia with Grandpa Gary

We are grateful to have Maia in our family.  She is helpful, kind, and a really good girl.  Plus, she's so fun to be around.  We love you Maia!