Justin's Home!

My brother Justin just got back from serving a two year mission in the Peru Lima Central Mission. We picked him up from the airport on Wednesday. It was so great seeing him again. I won't even try to hide the fact that I got a little teary-eyed as he came down the escalator. It was so great seeing my brothers see each other again. Kevin and Kyle have been so excited for Jay to come home. Kyle actually jumped up on Justin. Kevin and Justin compared heights with each other. Justin still has some height on Kevin. It may not look like it in the pictures; that is because Justin had jumped into their arms.
Justin really misses Peru and still speaks Spanish to everyone. I am grateful that I took Spanish in high school so that I can translate for everyone else and I can also converse with Justin. It has been really fun, and my Spanish skills are rusty, but they get the job done.
Joey comes home next Friday, and that will be a happy reunion as well. He has been serving in the Taiwan Taipei Mission. It will be fun to see Joey and Justin see each other again! What a blessing it has been to have these missionaries out serving our church. Our family has definitely been blessed because of their hard work! Viva a Peru!

Summer fun!

So I went to Chico for one of my best friend's wedding. I have known Ali since I was probably 4 or 5. I moved away when I was 12 years old, but we have remained the best of friends over the years. She married Dan Phelps on June 19 in the Sacramento Temple. It was incredible being with her in the sealing room as I saw her be sealed to her one and only.

I was also a bridesmaid for Ali's wedding. It was a lot of fun. I was able to be a bridesmaid with all of her sisters-Annette, Valerie, Carrie, and Tiffany. Her new sis-in-law, Amanda, was also a bridesmaid. We wore brown dresses with a cream tie. And my bouquet was absolutely gorgeous! It is laying in my room to remind me of what a fun time I had.

While I was in Chico I was also able to go out to lunch with my 6th grade teacher, Beth Sarcona. It was so fun to see her again and to be able to catch up with her. She is a huge reason that I became a teacher. Her example and her help since then has been so amazing.

I was also able to drive around Chico in my cute lil' rental car and drive around to the various parts of Chico. I went to Big Al's, where we used to get shakes and fries after soccer games and for fun treats. I was also able to drive to Chico One-mile where we used to go swimming in the creek. I went to Capre Acres Park where it was, I swear, the best park to play in. They had the best slide there and tunnels to play in. I also drove to my old houses-I hardly remember living there, but it was fun to drive by them. I have such fond memories of Chico. Like I said earlier, I moved away when I was 12 and as I have such good memories of living there. As I was driving back to the Sacramento Airport I started getting a little emotional about leaving Chico, because I honestly don't know when the next time I will be in town will be. It was a great vacation!