Young Women Activities

The summer has been so busy that I felt like I really didn't get to spend that much time with the girls. Luckily we got to celebrate the end of summer by doing two fun activities in one week! For mutual we went over to Key Biscayne and walked on the beach. We got to watch the sunset and get a little exercise in at the same time. It was really fun to get out with everyone!

That weekend we had our end of summer sleepover. The girls all came over to my house as well as the leaders Kim and Andrea. We missed you Marisabel! The girls decided that they wanted to go swimming that night so we got to hang out outside and enjoy a perfect summer night. When we came back in, some of the girls wanted to learn the "Cups" song. I learned it at camp when I was a teenager and so we got lots of practice in. I think some of the girls actually learned it! After, the girls watched "It", the 1980's Steven King movie. Apparently it wasnt as scary to them as it was to me when I was younger because the girls found it pretty funny. 

The next morning we all woke up a little late and made breakfast. We had pancakes and eggs and chowed down. After we went swimming and laid out. I think the girls had a really good time... I know I did! Sadly, we didn't get a group shot but I am so happy so many girls could come. We will miss Melanie and Alejandra as they move on to Relief Society. Love you girls! 

Birthday Celebrations

Last week the birthday celebrations we started at Islands of Adventure finished with a dinner for Jacki. Olivia's birthday was the Friday we were at Islands of Adventure, and then Jacki, her roommate, had her birthday on Wednesday. Olivia planned two awesome celebrations. We had cake the night before, and dinner at Michael's Genuine on her birthday. I think Jacki had a great time and we loved celebrating the birth of such an awesome girl!

Jacki and the goofball boys

The birthday kids

Love these girls

Happy birthday Jacki!

The group at dinner

All of us outside. So many lovely ladies!

Islands of Adventure

The end of summer caught me off guard this year. It seems like we were so busy the whole time I didn't even realize Derek was going to be back in school before we knew it. Luckily, a bunch of kids from Derek's med school class planned a fun get-away to Islands of Adventure a few weeks after school started. We had a great time celebrating everyone's birthday and just being together.  I loved going on the kids rides (I don't love roller coasters), especially Jurassic Park. We are so lucky to have such great friends!

Getting ready to celebrate the birthday girls

The distraction pic so we could sneak in the cake

The crew after the long, awesome day

At dinner at Port Canaveral

Another group shot

Derek and Shawn make this shot

Leaving the park. Such a fun day!

Kim's Baby Shower: Little Man

Since we moved to Miami, I have been so fortunate to make some great friends. One of these great friends is Kim Wait. She is an amazing mom and friend and she has been such a great help with church stuff. When we heard that she was pregnant with her third kid, all of the girls were so excited to throw her a shower. We set to work creating a theme and organizing games. The girls really seemed to enjoy the shower and I think Kim was surprised. We had a great time and we all can't wait to meet baby Foster!

Being silly

The matching presidency :)

Love these ladies!

Someone stole my phone

The crew

Sissies

So serious

Goofballs

Karen

Trying to be serious

Melanie

The bottle game was a hit

The decorations

Cupcakes

Sanibel Island 4th of July

I love the West Coast of Florida. If you want to go to an incredibly gorgeous and peaceful place and not leave the US, go to the West Coast. Sanibel Island is particularly amazing and a gem of a vacation spot. If you haven't been there and have the choice, GO! My Mom was amazing and got a condo on the island so we could all get together for the 4th of July. Luckily Mike came down from Chicago, Dillon could join us, Sarah and Ryan got work off and Derek and I came for the weekend. It was truly perfect. We relaxed, enjoyed the ocean and beach, fished, etc, etc. I collected some shells for our house, showed Derek what real sand dollars look like and got to be with family. On top of that, we had some awesome fireworks on the island and celebrated the 4th with a bang. I wish every day was a vacation like this. Big thanks to Mom for organizing the trip :) Hope we can do it again soon!

Perfect views

Sunset

So many shells! It hurt to walk down the beach because there were so many. 

Comet came too and loved hanging out on the beach with us. 

Getting ready for fireworks. Derek can never keep a straight face. 

Happy 4th!

Sunrise on the beach 

There was a lot of laying around too

I just love him! 

We went fishing and the boys had a great time... but didnt catch anything :(

Sibling love (and Derek's butt)

Finally got some DQ

Relaxing like pros

Daddy and Mikey

Leaving the island... so sad for it to be over!