Carly's Birthday Party

12 years old

Mystery of the Missing Crown Jewel

For Carly's birthday this year she wanted something really special because turning 12 is a really big deal. We've done movies and lots of pool parties (what else do you do when it is 115 degrees in the shade) but nothing "totally cool". So this year we threw our first mystery party for 8 of her closest friends. It turned out to be so fun, it was the "best party ever"!

The party was the mystery of the missing crown jewel and the crime happened at the Miss Teen USA Pageant. Each of the girls were assigned characters from one of the 50 states and came as the contestants of the pageant. We had an evening gown round, an interview question, and a talent competition. Each of the girls were asked to perform a talent related to their state, for example Miss Texas did a lasso routine and Miss Nevada did a magic show. During the talent competition the crown jewel was stolen from the pageant tiarra and the girls had to stay until they solved the crime. The girls came dressed up and completely played their characters to the hilt. It really was such a great party. Here are some of the pictures.

This is a picture of the girls in their talent round costumes. Carly, Emily Smith, Rebekah Williams, Kinebritt Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Mikki Stone, Clarissa Flores, Emma Spalding and Sara Kendall in the middle.

The evening gown competion group picture.

Carly's Teen USA runway cake.

Father and Son's Campout

May 08

Brady looks all snuggled in with the bear that he made from his fieldtrip to

Stuffington Bear Factory. Even though it was Arizona the weather was chilly

enough to have to sleep inside the sleepingbag.

Brady played so hard that he couldn't even stay up to pose for pictures.

Yikes, Brady may have woke up on the wrong side of the sleeping bag.

Brady is pretty tight with the "big boys". Cameron Larsen, Bro. Wayne Layton, Brady, Riley Layton, and Conner Larsen. They are so good about looking out for Brady and

letting him hang around them. We have an awesome ward.

This is Brady sitting on Alex Erickson's lap during the priesthood program. Brady has

always looked up to Alex since he babysat him a long time ago. He is

the big brother Brady would like to have.

A great picture of David and Jay Williams.

This is a series of pictures from one of Carly's last achievement day activities

(she goes into Young Womens this month). We had a mother-daughter party

where we played a version of the newlywed game that tested

how well we knew each other and the girls had to design us

an outfit out of toilet paper and crepe paper for

a fashion show. Most of us couldn't walk well enough to make it to

the catwalk. Carly had her own original design in mind and we looked

good enough to win most elegant. I think she did a great job.

Carly and I got most elegant and Janet and Michela won funniest.

Here is a cute picture of all of the Stone girls. Carly, me, Janet and Michela Stone.

Notice how Carly has grown!!

Here are a few pictures of my kids at their school art show. Carly's picture is a pencil self portrait for which she received an Honorable Mention award. Brady's pictures was of fish that he cut out of paper and painted. He was really proud of the fact he made a stamp

that made the water look like it had white capped waves. Kelsey's picture is of a purple

flower she made using pastels.