We started this week by celebrating Sarah's 16th birthday . . . and we just kept celebrating all week!  On Sunday we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Gazdik's and had a lovely dinner and cake and sixteen candles. . . Sarah's cousins Kayla, Anna, and Erin came over from BYU to help celebrate, too.  It was super!

Sixteen candles make a lovely light . . .

Kevin had to leave on Tuesday for training in Santa Fe and was gone the rest of the week.  Because of that, we gave her a big present on Monday.  She and her sisters also did the high school dance for us.  Meg didn't know it, but why let that get in the way of a good time?  They are such fun girls!

So, yes.  Kevin left us on Tuesday, but guess who came for a visit?


My mom came to visit us this week!!  Yay!  It was so fun!  She arrived on Monday and stayed until Friday.  I put up a quilt while she was here and so we worked on that some while we visited.  She helped out with the kids and some of the driving and we watched some of our favorite shows.  Mostly we just talked!  It was so great to have her!

We put Ben's train table under the quilt frame to save space.  The little ones thought it was great fun!

Wednesday was Sarah's actual birthday.  She was pretty busy with tennis practice and their last tennis dinner that night. I did have flowers sent to school, though.

Isn't she lovely?

Thursday Megan had a tennis meet and she won!  She played Tuesday, as well.  They didn't win that match, but they had some great rallies!  It was fun to watch her this week!  She is getting pretty darn good!

This was Ben during the tennis match.  He can, apparently, find dirt anywhere.

Since Sarah was busy on Wednesday, Grandma took her out to dinner Thursday night.  I got to go, too!  We had lotsa lotsa pizza at Brick Oven!  Afterwards they sang to Sarah and brought her a big piece of chocolate pie!

Grandma Elton and Sarah

Friday morning Grandma had to head back home! *sob* That afternoon, Mariah had another cross country meet where she placed 4th overall and  2nd for her team.  SJHS won again!

Mariah  also had a  soccer game on Saturday.  It was the first game of their tournament and they won 4-0! They'll play in the championship game on Wednesday.

Saturday evening was the Women's Broadcast at the church. Our stake RS provided a dinner for us ladies, as well.  I went and had a great time!  Savannah was at work and Sarah was at Allyson's (and Kevin, if you will remember, was out of town) so Megan took all the younger ones to Reams and then off to the park for a picnic.  Isn't she fun?  She is a great party maker.  I was so happy that everyone was so happy while I was gone!

But I am glad to be with my kids and so glad to have Kevin come home again TONIGHT!