The only other major highlight of the end of my San Diego vacation was getting to watch my brother Alex graduate from High School. I was so proud to watch him walk across that field and across that stage dressed in the ceremony regalia. I do think that we were the loudest family there and it was so great to see just how much Alex enjoyed our enthusiasm for him. He kept looking up at us with the biggest smile on his face. That is one of the greatest things there is about being a part of a large family. There is always a huge support group for you and we will let the world know we love you! Alex kept screaming "Uncle Akek!!!" and really did well through the ceremony.

After it was over we were able to go down to the field to give hugs to everyone. It was so much fun to see just how proud Alex was to have graduated. It was also great for me to catch up a bit with some old friends. Christy and Jeff McConnell were there! It has been YEARS since I have seen Christy and a pretty long time since I have seen Jeff. It was just so great for me.

Later that night I met Peter and his girlfriend Maren and was able to enjoy a wonderful talk with them! Thank you for coming over guys!

That night at midnight I drove to the high school and worked the 12-3 shift at Alex's grad night. My mom was the head honcho for the night and roped me into working. It was a BLAST! The kids were so happy on their special day and I loved being able to help make their night special. It really was just too much fun! (Alex even serenaded mom and I in the karaoke station :-)

After 2.5 hours of sleep I woke up, packed my bags, visited with my family and drove to the airport to catch my flight. I probably would have fallen asleep on the plane when Evan did, but there was REALLY cold air blowing where I was sitting and there was no way I could fall asleep.

I arrived in Calgary, Justin drove me home and I immediately jumped in the car and drove with Kathy to the Relief Society retreat in Glenwood. I might be crazy, but it was well worth it. The evening was filled with games, talking and laughing. The next day was filled with a lovely walk in the country, amazing food, and more bonding with my sisters in the gospel. Thank you Kathy for waiting to go until I got home, and making that drive with me ... hope you are having fun in Utah!

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So that is it! It is finished! I will add pictures of everything hopefully today.
It is wonderful to be on vacation, but it really is good to be home with my husband!

A quick update so far!

-I got to see Alex in a dance concert wearing a tutu!
-I got go on a Father Daughter campout with my dad, sister, and son.
-I got to see Alex ordained an Elder, and he assisted in a blessing that my dad gave to Evan.
-I got to go to Alex's seminary graduation.
-I got to hang out with Mandy and Peter!
-I got to see UP with my family (we all loved it ... we especially loved Doug :-) Evan actually kept cheering through the movie!
-I got to go to lunch with Erin!
-JUSTIN SENT ME FLOWERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I love you!)
-I got to hang out with Steve!
-I got a new bathing suit (I swear I actually did need it. I was swimming with Evan today and realized that the boobs were saggy and the side is almost see through)

6 Years

I am married to a man who is loud, except when he is working. I am married to a man who is selfless, he would seriously give someone the coat off his back in the middle of a frigid Calgary winter. I am married to a man who, in the last six years, has only said "it's cold" once (he is never cold ... I don't get it). I am married to a man who acts like a child when he has to eat his vegetables, but I know it is mostly an act just to get me riled up. I am married to a man who is fearless, physically and emotionally. I am married to a man that makes me laugh. I am married to a man who works very hard to take care of his family. I am married to a man who has an infectious laugh. I am married to a man who makes friends easily. I am married to a man who is very sensitive and not afraid to show me. I am married to a man who is the definition of a good father. I am married to a man who adores his family. I am married to a man that I adore! I am married to Justin!

What can I say about the last 6 years? They have been one CRAZY ride!!! Together we have had our fair share of highs and lows. Together we have made friendships that will last a lifetime and more. We have laughed together, we have cried together, and I wouldn't change anything. I love you Justin more than anything else in this world. I am so happy that I made the decision 6 years ago today to marry you. Thank you for everything you have done, thank you for everything you are! I am Eternally yours!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

My mom and I were driving today and we, no joke, saw a real life chauffeur driving a VERY proper woman in the back of a Rolls Royce. It was crazy. It was like we were watching a real life movie!

I did a session in the temple today. My dad works there on Thursdays, which is why I chose to go today. Well I was extra lucky because he was able to do the session with me. We even got to drive home together (after jump starting the truck by pushing it through the parking lot ... oh the memories!)

San Diego trip

Well, I am unable to load pictures while I am at my parents house, but I figured I have a computer so I might as well give updates on how things are going.

Our flight here was AWESOME!!! Really I can't believe I am saying that ... I actually HATE flying. I think I have mentioned the details of that before. This was the inagural flight for WestJet to San Diego. They had so many free gifts for us. Evan and I were even lucky enough to sit next to the media spokesperson for West Jet. He loved Evan and we really had a good time talking with him. The best part of the experience was what met us at the terminal .... PENGUINS!!! It was awesome!

The next day was the main reason for this trip. My highschool director, Mr. Torns, retired after 35 years of teaching. The schools top groups performed their year end concert and after those performances (in which Mr. Torns got a standing ovation) there were 5 alumni from the 4 schools that he taught at gave tributes to him. I was the Mt. Carmel (his current school) representative. I spent a while working on the tribute for him because I wanted it to be special. I got emotional in the middle, but I kept myself together. Following my tribute we surprised him by introducing his son, who flew out from Louisiana. He got very emotional at that point. When everything was said and done the alumni were invited on stage to take a picture with Mr. Torns and then there was a reception held outside on the patio. Mr. Torns changed the course of my life with his musical influence. I love him, and owe him so much. It was such a special evening to be at, and even cooler because of how many people I got to see again.

Wednesday was a pretty relaxing day spent shopping with my mom. Who doesn't love that?

I am having a wonderful time in San Diego. I love being home.

Things that make me smile

This house!  How could you not be happy living here!

Jeff Foxworthy's comedy show that we got to go to on Friday evening ... HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!

Spending Saturday afternoon with my family in a boat on our lake ... finally the weather is warm enough!  We even ran into some of our friends on the water ... too fun!  Then we played in the sand and the water park.

Evan and I are flying to San Diego tomorrow and we will be there for 12 days!!!  Woohoo!!!!

An update in pictures

Our ward cub car rally happened right before we left for Tennessee. We didn't win, but we had a lot of fun watching!

TENNESSEE

Dixie Land Stampede

(Evan with some of the trick riders)

OUR CABIN





These are the front and side view from our porch. I wish the pictures actually showed how stunning it is here.

Boys will be boys

Quelf


I loved seeing our friends kids. Wow have they grown up!!!!

I have really awesome pictures from this first hike, but they didn't download and I am really anxious to get this post out. I stole this one off of Joe's facebook. The men and their boys, does it get any cuter? (check out Evan's smile ;-)

Is it me or am I lucky that I get along so well with my husbands best friends wives???

I love this picture of Millie and Lacy

Here are the guys that brought us together

They don't call them the Smokey Mountains for nothin! It is so cool to see it in person.

THE HIKE TO ABRAM WATER FALL


our angel



so Evan really is turning out to be as crazy as his daddy. This water was freezing and he loved playing in it! Especially when daddy was holding him upside down and dipping his head. Check out the smile on his face!


Our last day we cleaned up, checked out and did a Cracker Barrel run (mmmm ... heaven). We ended with a last hurrah at a go cart place. Thanks guys for such a wonderful vacation!




Evan would never actually look at us while he was flying. He was too busy watching the go carts zip past on the other side of the plane ride.

MY GARDEN

I hope I don't kill it!!!!

He is just too cute, I had to include this picture.

Justin took me to an Il Divo concert!!! They were AMAZING ... I LOVED IT!!!!!
Thank you Babe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love these videos!!!!! The first is one of Lacy's tasks during our game of Quelf. The second is just our baby being his usual adorable self! Enjoy