Three birthdays and a graduation.

This past week we have been busy, busy, busy celebrating birthdays and a graduation with our families. And we've loved every minute of it...even if we have both gained a few lbs. in the process. So what if "celebrating" to our families means eat a lot, and than eat some more? We wouldn't have it any other way. 

On Saturday we were able to celebrate Justin's Grandpa's 79th birthday! We partied it up in Grandpa's backyard with the whole fam. Cousins even flew in for the event--so much fun to finally meet everyone! We spent hours sitting out in the yard, talking, laughing, and (yep, you guessed it) eating lots of food. I loved being able to just sit and listen to all the cousins talk about their memories growing up with each other and playing at Grandpa's house. I honestly married into such a great family, and Justin and I both had a very hard time finally saying goodbye to everyone that night. Happy birthday Grandpa Jennings! We love you!

On Sunday we spent the night at a BBQ at my parent's house to celebrate my dad's birthday. We ate lots of my mom's yummy food, went for a family walk around the neighborhood, and spent the night visiting, opening presents, and eating chocolate pie (my mom's chocolate pie is seriously to die for.) Justin's mom and our favorite family the Paulsen's came to join the celebrating. Such a fun night! We love you so much dad! Happy happy birthday!

And on Tuesday we had an extra special day...Elena's birthday and Maddie's graduation! This beautiful girl has finally finished High School and is off to bigger and better things. In August she'll be packing her bags and moving out to Orem to attend Taylor Andrew's. Can't wait to let her try all her new skills out on my hair. I know, I'm such a good sister.

Really though, Maddie has been my best friend growing up, and I got a little teary-eyed watching her get all dressed up in her cap and gown and receive her diploma. Maddie is such a kind, loving, hardworking person, and I am so, so proud of the woman that she has become over the last few years. Even though it breaks my heart to know that soon she'll be moving a whole 30 minutes away from me, I can't wait to see what life has in store for her. Congrats Mads! We're so happy for you.

Tuesday night, we finally got to celebrate this cute girl's 11th birthday! Elena was so patient and so nice to let Maddie share her big day with her. She waited all day for us to finally give her some attention, and then we spent the night bowling, enjoying some Costa Vida, opening presents, and eating cake and cupcakes. I always say that Elena is the little sunshine of our family. She is always smiling and laughing, and will chat your ear off with stories if you let her. She is such a happy girl and I love her to pieces. It blows my mind that she's  old enough to be starting middle school next year. When in the world did my family get so old?? Happy birthday babe! Love you!

Justin and I are so blessed to have such great families and there's nothing we love more than being able to spend so much time with them. And good news! With Father's Day and Corinne and Joey's birthdays coming up soon, there's only more celebrating to come! We can't wait :)