Brandi Carlise Concert with Besties

The girls try to get together and go to this concert every year at Red Butte Gardens. It is such a fun time to just connect, share some wine and relax together as friends.  I love this tradition.

Saying Goodbye to the Girls

These girls met in Kindergarten. I can't believe they've stayed close like cousins all these years. Each one of them is going off to a different college.

Sieauna - Utah State University

Lauren - Southern Utah University

Madison - Boulder Colorado

Ashlee - Salt Lake Community College

Anna - University of Utah

We held a "Goodbye BBQ" in their honor. Good luck girls! You will be missed by these momma's of yours and we know you will all do amazing in your future!  Holli made us a video with photos of all the kids growing up. It can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqgMTEOqkrc 

She did such a great job. All the mommas were in tears! Thank you Holli!

And even though Remi is the baby of the group, I couldn't help snap this photo of him going to town on the red velvet cake. He's adorable! 

Red Pine Mountain Hike

Bethanie got me out of the house and out to enjoy a beautiful morning in the mountain air. She took me on a nice hike to Red Pine. I can't believe such beauty is literally right in our front yard. I only made it up two miles and back two, so we didn't quite make the lake, but it gives me something to look forward to next time!

Alex Goes to Europe

This kid has been working so hard in school to earn a trip to Europe! Sadly, it didn't go quite as planned, but once he got to Dublin, the magic happened! He loved every minute and was so sad to have to come home and leave such beautiful places. I am so proud of this kid for dealing with so many adversities from actually getting to Dublin (he had several plane delays, long lines, and ended up missing two days of Dublin sightseeing) to not having his luggage for five of the days of the trip, to needing to rely on himself and total strangers to help him get clothing for the trip. While it seemed stressful for this momma, he made it seem easy and if he was struggling, he sure didn't let on.  Here are just a few photos that I took of him leaving and returning, as well as a few he texted me on his trip. There is an entire book of photos that he took for our enjoyment. I am so proud of you Alex! You took some bad times and turned them into lessons and enjoyed the time of your life!

Making Bank

This kid! He works his butt off so hard in the hot (and cold) weather to make some money for his trip to Europe! I'm so proud of his saving money skills and his motivation to get up and go to work even when he doesn't want to or doesn't feel well. I am so dang prod of this kid!