Recently.

We've had such a busy spring so far. If you are ready for a picture overload, then continue....

Jr. Miss: 

I was a host mom this year for the "scholarship program" called Distinguished Young Women of Mini Cassia. 

A.K.A....the Jr. Miss Pageant. :) 

My girl was Lauren, and she was beyond sweet and so fun to get to know. She and her best friend Maddie made the whole experience so exciting and fun. I went to rehearsals once a week for the past couple of months to watch her and give her constructive criticism, then was there for 3 nights of performances this week to do her hair, makeup and help her get ready and pumped up for the night. We had a blast....

 Another perk to being a host mom this year was that I had quite a few girl friends who were also host moms. We had such a fun time watching, chatting, and helping each other out.

The theme for the performances was, "Wishin' and Hopin'" (like the song)...so here I am with Ericka and Adele "plannin' and prayin', and thinkin'", Adele was posing like her girl did on stage for "thinkin" which actually looked a lot like a gun :) we laughed every time...her girl was a sweetie and so very entertaining.

 Ashley, Adele, Megi and me in the middle of the performance night chaos. It was a blast....Megi was actually one of the directors, she was in charge of self expression (evening gown). 

 Here I am with my new friend Carrie, who was Lauren's best friend Maddie's host mom. The four of us were basically one big team and cheered each other on and helped each other out a lot. Carrie and I would race each other down the long hallway from the auditorium to the cafeteria (dressing room). She beat me every time. 

 After tons of hairspray, Dr. Pepper and bright pink blush to get us through the nights, here are the host moms taking some time to unwind and have some pie....we deserved it.

 Ashley, Jessica, Adele, Ericka, Megi and me. 

I loved being a part of Jr. Miss this year and hope to be able to do it again next year! (if Jared lets me...)

Murder Mystery Dinner...

We were invited to a murder mystery party this weekend. The theme was '30's formal. We had absolutely no idea where to even begin finding outfits until Jared thought of his grandparents Gary and Deb Jones. They basically have an entire room full of costumes. It's so fun to look through! We found perfect outfits and were ready for some mystery solving.

 Here we are....Donny and Flo.

 The entire mysterious group. Every one of us could have been the murderer, really. All of our characters were pretty shady. But it ended up being Jason (top, by Jared in the beanie hat).

 I was so impressed with everyone's outfits! It makes it so fun when everyone gets into it.

Hillary and Mike Ramsey hosted the evening and had a 4 course dinner planned, with waitresses to serve us! It was so well planned and we had so much fun getting to know everyone better. Even if they are murderers.  

New trampoline....

Jared set up our trampoline which has already gotten tons of use. It's nice because it has a big net around the whole thing so Gracie can just go out and jump to her hearts content without falling off (which she would...not the most coordinated little thing).

I just had to get some pictures of Jared's little helper all bundled up watching. 

 She's such a sweetheart, but I think her new nickname will be the "eternal teether." Sheesh!

Last but not least, our frosting fight.

Jared wanted this documented. We made a chocolate cake with delicious cream cheese frosting. Jared kept dipping his finger in the frosting bowl, so finally I grabbed my spatula and tried to frost his face a little bit. It didn't happen.  You see the little speck of white in his hair? Yeah....that's all the frosting that made it onto Jared.

I should have known he wouldn't let me attempt to frost his face without him fighting back. He retaliated by bending my arms back and frosting my face like crazy. He's good....but someday I'll get him when he's not expecting it.