the { w e d d i n g }

my best friend got married!

There aren't words to describe how happy this wedding has made me. Aubrey has been my go-to girl since my byu days. She has been my best friend, wingman, dancing partner, my crazy let's camp out for basketball games friend, my let's watch the game friend, the quarterback on the only intramural team I played on, the friend willing to come and meet (and love) my students, the person I turn to about everything, (in fact, she is on her honeymoon right now and I already have a list of things I am dying to tell her...) and Rooney's aunt.

Aubrey and Preston's relationship started nearly 10 years ago and I have been able to witness the whole thing. From their first day our freshman year, to letters over the mission, soooo many dates, and finally true love! In fact, I have rooted for Preston for a long time. I couldn't be happier to see them fall so in love.

Everything about Friday was perfect. Aubrey looked beautiful and absolutely radiant. It is obvious how happy he makes her. Preston was (emotional) and so very smitten by her. I am a big fan of them together - if I haven't said that already.

Their special day was one of the most magical and dreamy that I have ever seen. A wonderful celebration of true love!

 off to catch the subway for wedding day brunch

rosa mexicano with some of my favorites. ps. if you are in nyc, you definitely have to eat here! 

so in love

 our first picture with the new MRS. DARGER!

 aubrey & her ladies + josh

 long live virginia 6 and all of our traditions

 the best cheernastics picture we have ever taken

 have I told you guys how much this girl means to me? I am constantly overwhelmed by all of her goodness, her willingness to love, serve, and give, and simply by the fact that she is my best friend! 

 levains between all the festivities (as if i hadn't had enough sweets yet - all I can think is, thankfully, we were walking about 25,000 steps a day).

we're on a boat!

 if we were to have a sitcom, it would be a must watch, and this would be our picture

 I've always hoped for Aubrey to marry someone I got along with, that Ashton would become friends with - so to watch her marry Preston, someone I have called a dear friend for several years now, was a dream come true. I love you both! Today was wonderful, beautiful, perfect.

 the city never looked so good

 time square + all the lights

I can't believe the new york adventure is over. It was a wonderful few days spent with people I love celebrating one of the greatest loves I've seen.

color esperanza

I haven't had a summer with no job or no school probably since my sophomore year of high school. I loved it back then, but I need something to keep me busy these days.

Today I washed my car. It's now raining.

For family home evening we walked to a park (during the walk there a few girls and I talked about our favorite canciones en espanol - hence the title of this post) and it turned into a huge whipped cream/water balloon fight. I can still smell the whipped cream stuck in my nose. It is disgusting but it was sooo fun. I love getting dirty, especially when I am wearing Aubrey's clothes and get to use her shower to clean up!

Later we decided to head to a playground, one with a lot of swings. I decided to have a twist contest (meaning I spin myself in the swing and see how many times I can go around...) and Kendrick made sure to twist me until the swing could twist no more. I now have a serious headache. ----- This is amazing to me. My students would sit in our swing ALL day if I would let them and their favorite thing to do was spin and spin and spin. I never realized how truly hard that is. Wow.

A Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

This Memorial Day weekend has been one that I will never forget.

Friday I went to the funeral of Jenny Ames. She was in a car accident driving home from BYU Idaho a little over a week ago. I did not know her personally, but I know her mom and her mom was always talking about her. She was "too perfect" her mom told me. I was very touched by the service and it was very apparent that she lived as an example of Christlike love.

After the funeral, Michelle picked me up and we went to visit the cemeteries where my great grandma and great great grandparents are buried. What a wonderful experience, one I am very glad Michelle shared with me.

Then that night it was off to Vegas. As many of you might know, a good friend of mine, Robi, passed away last October. I still think of Robi nearly everyday. Well, Robi's parents invited us down for a BBQ at their place on Saturday. So I left with SEVEN boys (lucky me right!?) and we made it to Vegas at about midnight on Friday night. We explored the strip until about 3:00 a.m. when we headed to the Sundell residence.

The next morning through early evening was spent outside, swimming, eating, and playing a game of fishing - the boys could've done that for hours on end. It was wonderful. The Sundells were so very nice and I could not be more grateful for them. I loved seeing where Robi came from. I saw Robi's gigantic heart in each of his family members. There was no contention and a whole lot of serving all weekend.

After playing all day we ate at Robi's favorite restaurant - Farm Basket. Yum! Then it was off to the strip again. This time we wanted to get home semi early. I went up to the Stratosphere with two of the boys to ride those insane, crazy things up top. It was like I was up there, ready to die! I was so scared but eventually got on two of the rides. A thrill...but I screamed more than anyone else and unless I feel really brave, it would take a lot to get me to do that again!

Oh! I also finally saw the Bellagio Fountains! They ended with the National Anthem - pretty neat.

Sunday we went to church with the Sundells and then it was back to Provo with a few stops a long the way in Mesquite and Parowan (where the boys got to shoot BB Guns and sling shots, of course).

All weekend I have really thought that I am the luckiest girl I know. Even now, as I talk about it and tell people what I did, I can't stop thinking it. I am so glad that the boys thought to invite me - it means more than they will ever know. I have absolutely LOVED every single minute and memory I have with these great boys that I met three years ago in Liberty Square. They have become family to me and of all the kids I have met at BYU, they have stuck around the longest. I love them. I am so grateful for the Sundells and the love that they have shown us. I am grateful that I got to see how Robi became Robi. I know that am so blessed to have known Robi. He never fails to touch my life and I am trying my best to become a better person through the lessons he taught me.