End of School Concerts/ Assemblies and Abby's Braces Come Off!

 May is always filled with all kinds of end of year school things...

Here's Josh's last orchestra concert for the year...

I really do enjoy attending these and hearing the beautiful music they have been working on.

The next morning, Abby got her braces taken off!

It was a joyous occasion!

I had her take her own before and after pics in the car...

I treated her with a Jamba afterward.  She was super happy!

Great timing for her guitar concert that night!

She was front and center so it made it nice for picture taking...

They played a piece with the guitars behind their heads...

It wasn't until I arrived and saw the program that I found out she had a vocal solo/duet (she sang by herself and with the other girl).  She had kept it a secret from me so I would be surprised.

I totally was and was so pleased!

I was happy that she was confident and courageous enough to do such a thing and she did such a super job!

Way to go Abs!

With her good friend Krystal...

That night I had to get some more braceless pics since her selfies were a bit blurry...

The next day, Matt had his reading counts assembly...

His friend who had the privilege of choosing the color of T shirts for the Iditarod Champions this year told Matt that if he earned the 500 points for the award that he would let Matt choose.  Matt really wanted a hot pink shirt so he put in the work and got it done!

They sang/chanted their Iditarod song for the school and rocked their hot pink shirts!

Way to go Matt!

Ben's Graduation and Pura Vida Teacher Gifts

I was stressing over what to do for teachers this year as a thank you.

I'm always looking for something fun and not too expensive (since Ben always has a ton of teachers).

I was considering this dilemma one day very near the end of the school year and an epiphany struck!

I had just recently ordered a few Pura Vida bracelets for the first time and was loving them.

At about 6 dollars a pop they were right in my price range and I thought they would be the perfect "summery" gift!

My first order had arrived in a matter of just a few days so I knew they would come in time which was a concern since I was cutting it close :)

Each bracelet comes in its own cute, little bag and I added one of the several stickers that comes with each order into the packages I put together.

I love how they turned out and enjoyed giving them to the teachers this year!

I got them put together just in time to take to Ben's graduation...

They did a little story...Ben used his device for his parts, and then his teacher always does a fun slide show...these are some of my favorites of Ben...

She presents each student with a certificate and a gift...

We will miss Mrs. Kenzie so much!  She has been so great with Ben!

I'm super sad she's leaving us but wish her well in her next endeavors.

This is one of Ben's aides and she loves him so much.  She told me that when she has her first son she is going to name him Bennett...after him and her sister, Sennett, who also has special needs.

That was so sweet to hear!

Josh didn't have school that day so he was able to come and support as well...fun to have him there...

A ball is one of Ben's greatest motivators!  It certainly gets used a lot at school :)

Mother's Day and Lots of Flowers!

Love this beautiful lady!

Thanks for being such an amazing mom, example and friend Momma!

They're the best!

I wish I would have thought to get a 4 generation with Grandma, Mom, me and Abs but I missed that opportunity :(

Along with Mother's Day weekend, there were two high school dances so Laura and I were kept super busy!  I got to be the lucky one to open the boxes and unwrap and prep the flowers!  It felt like Christmas morning!

 I know I don't need to post this many flowers but they make me happy and I like to remember some of my favorite creations...

Ogden Union Station Gala

It was the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike at Promontory Point and there were several events in conjunction with that.

Because of a funeral that Andy was helping with, we weren't able to go to the actual Golden Spike celebration but we did attend the Ogden Union Station Gala the night before.

Here we are at the mixer...

Along with Merill and Nancy, Lance, Sheryl, Zach and Dave came...

At the gala there was an incredible train scene made out of balloons...

An awesome "Big Band" band provided the music for the evening...

and the food was fancy...

It was a super fun atmosphere with people dressed up in period costume and also some super fancy formals...

I just loved the music and the professional dancers...

"Puttin' on the Ritz"

Andrews Sisters imitators...

"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"

I never feel like I really belong at any of these fancy things we go to with Merill and Nancy but they sure are fun!