Television Debut

In Bakersfield, we have a local TV show for the hometown football season. They call it 'Hometown Sports' which I don't understand because it is exclusively about football and only football.

Should be called 'Hometown Football!'

Enough about that.

We watched this week and caught a little bit of our favorite #30!!!

Go get 'em Riley!!!

Sums up my day!

Enjoy stepping into my world for a moment....

teaching is a joy

At the start of every new story my 3rd graders have get to do a vocabulary assignment.  They write the word, the guide words (from the glossary), the part of speech, the definition, and then they draw a picture showing that they understand the word.

This student understands celebrity.

Love it.

One Direction illustrated perfectly.

Some days Most days teaching is filled with awesome things like this!!

I love my job!!

J-Quizzle!

 Oh yeah!

It's Jacquie's birthday!!!

We call Jacquie many things...

JQ, Jaquiqui, J-Quizzle

just to name a few.

I devote this birthday blog to her gangsta side...

 I had to dig deep in the family photo files to find these gems..

But she is rockin' the gangsta!!

 I wish I could have posted every one of the photos in this series...

there were about 30. (all taken in my bathroom, I might add!! lol)

I must say-- I love the hair :)

 She usually gets everyone in on her gangsta style.  We all know a few rap songs because of J-quizzle.  That girl can memorize lyrics like no other. 

Forever our middle child. Where would we be without our Jacquie!!! (seriously I just wrote a poem!!)  Speaking of poems, JQ can write poems like no one else too!  In many ways, Jacquie is like my mini-me... I was very, very much like her when I was a teenager.  Rap wasn't in, but I loved rock.  Jacquie always makes every party fun. She is the most social butterfly I know. In kindergarten other children got into fights trying to decide who got to sit by Jacquie at lunch. (True story told to me by her teacher!!)

Best thing happened when her plans of working at Disneyworld turned out not so great and she came home to work.  I am so grateful we had those months with her-- especially since Ben stole her heart and made her his bride!!  I loved when we were wedding planning, because she called me almost every day!!  I love shopping with Jacquie.  Jacquie always makes us laugh.  JQ can clean my kitchen the best. :) (that's a key to a mother's heart......hint, hint to Riley and Andrea.)

Happy 20th Birthday dear daughter!!

I am thrilled to be able to celebrate in Texas with you!!

sister times 3

 I don't know how we got so lucky...

but Jim and I have the most beautiful daughters!  I love to take pictures of them.  Scroll down and I think you'll agree!

 so pretty.

 absolutely stunning.

 classy babes.

 gorgeous.

best photo bomb ever.

Oakland, part three

 A few more photos from our day in Oakland.

Nice job for whoever snapped this shot!!  I love it!

Should a whole blog post about a wedding day be full of pictures of the brides siblings??

Sure!  Why Not???

Especially since they are the ones who had the camera!

 Jump on in Riles!

On a side note, this picture totally reminds me of a reoccuring dream I had when I was a kid.  I was at the Oakland Temple with my family.  All of the sudden what seemed like hundreds of missionaries in suits, ties, and missionary name-tags came running out the front gates and all jumped right into THIS fountain.

Weirdest dream ever.  Especially since I dreamed it over and over.  Any analysis givers out there??? 

 the other newlyweds! :)

 yes Rissa.  You are a cutie!

 awww.

the single sisters.  Watch out world.

These two are BABES.

those EYES are amazing!

Oakland, part 2

 We don't have the 'official' wedding pictures back yet-- so these will have to do.

Our family :)

now with 2 brunettes!!

 andee :)

 Uncle Mark, Aunt Carla, and Aunt Susan!

We are SO glad so many family members were able to come.

 Even Uncle Russ made it :)

I'm not sure who snapped this picture--- but it sure made me laugh when I saw it!  Uncle Russ saved the day a few hours later when a smoothy got spilled all over Ben's tux jacket.  All the way from Texas Mr. Clean Uncle Russ was ready with rags and a cleaning solution.  It was awesome!

 Grandma Wagner and Aunt Susan!

 Zach and Paige having the time of their lives ;)

This picture also made me laugh...   Ben is obviously still talking (there are many pictures where Ben is just talking away-- which makes for some pretty funny faces!!  Jacquie had to keep telling him to stop talking!! LOL.... he was just SO excited to be married!!!!)  Jacquie and her dad both are doing something here too. Not exactly sure what. 

But I was ready!! :)

Jacquie & Ben!

 August 17, 2012

A beautiful day at the Oakland Temple with two beautiful people...

Jacquie & Ben!

I must thank Marissa and Andrea for all of these pictures!! The mom of the bride is crazy busy on a wedding day!!

 Marissa, Riley, and Andrea did a little photo shoot while waiting..

 and here they are!!!

Ben's dad was able to seal them for time & all eternity.  It was one of the best sealings I have ever been to!! Brother McKee did and excellent job. He had powerful advice for Ben & Jacquie.  It was so wonderful to see my beautiful daughter so incredibly happy marrying the boy of her dreams.  Ben treats her so well and has made her so happy.  :)

Thanks Ben!

 Jacquie instantly became the AUNT of many!!

 The beautiful bridesmaids.

Come on Riles...

Weddings are super fun!!

Shower the bride!

 We are blessed with great friends.  A few of those great friends hosted a wonderful bridal shower for Jacquie!  A big thank you to Lisa, Laurel, and Megan for this beautiful night.

 The food spread was gorgeous and delicious!

 Mmmmm.  I get hungry just looking at it again!

The strawberry shortcake was awesome!

 The fruit flavored waters were so good!!

 some of my favorite people!

We played a very fun game.  Each person was asked what celebrity did they think was hot!  Then they read off the celebrity names and we had to decide who said it.  SO fun.  The best story was that Sister Holgate, probably the oldest there, without hesitation had chosen Brad Pitt.  :)  Adorable!

Jacquie's choice??  Chris Pine

Marissa's-- Harrison Ford

Andrea-- Zac Efron

Me-- Jon Bon Jovi

 more of our favorite people!

I am sorry that I didn't get a picture of Marissa!!  She was there!! I promise!

Our friends were very generous!  Jacquie was so excited with all her gifts! 

Thank you to great friends.  We love you!!

Last day in Newport

 On our last evening in Newport, we decided to drive down to 'The Wedge'

This is a popular boogie boarding and surfing spot because the waves are awesome!! A few of our crowd even ventured into the waters to swim.  It was treacherous.  Jessica got eaten by a big wave-- it was awful.  She was a great sport and still got back in afterwards.

 courageous swimmers!

 lovin' those aviators!

 the daring swimmers and poor Jessica draining saltwater from her head, lungs, etc.!!

 andee and me :)

 sorry the pictures didn't turn out better boys...

 it was fun to watch!!

Kevin & Jessica brought an activity/contest for us!

We all got a small canvas, a paint brush, and a the ocean!  We each had to paint. We could paint whatever we'd like!  I'm sorry I don't have pictures of everyone's masterpieces!!  Kevin was voted the winner.  That means he brings the activity/contest for next year!!  I'm hoping to hang these somewhere in the house as a collection :)

 Here is Jim's masterpiece!

Our last peaceful night.  Jim and I are very blessed. We have healthy, beautiful, smart children who have made great choices in their lives.  We are very fortunate. :)

Thanks kids for a great vacation!!