CryFest '08

Goodbyes are horrible. I think some of the hardest will be with my parents. We live with them and they are part of our everyday life. They are unbelievably kind and helpful and giving and everything. I can only hope to grow to be parents like them. It will be especially sad to not have the everyday interaction with Sawyer. He loves them very much, and I know the sentiment is returned. I love that he is so close to my parents. We love them and will miss them everyday.

We had to say goodbye to our BFF's Ashlie and Luke. Ashlie made us a DVD of pics over the last few years, we've been friends practically since we were both married and then had baby boys practically together. We love our friends and will miss them a lot.

Ernesto's work had a going away dinner for him and a couple of co-workers who were also leaving at Rodizio's. It was delicous and a fun night. There have been a lot of great things about Ernesto's work, and they are really thoughtful and nice. I know E will miss it there.

My parents and family threw us a going away bash. All of the kids were here, and it was a lot of fun to have everyone together. Activities included a treasure hunt, and making adorable cards for E, S and me. (Garen's card had Sawyer and E drawn in brown marker, me with an orange :) And a water balloon toss, which Geoffrey and Lawson won. But Hannah was the real winner, as you can see below:

We had fishing and a bubble-gum blowing contest. Saylor, Lara and Cheyenne had 3 inch bubbles, way to go! Here is my cute niece Savannah doing the bubble gum contest, doesn't she look adorable? For some reason her gum wouldn't work so good to give her a huge bubble, but I've seen her blow them really big before. I sure am going to miss this sweet girl.

We had a jello eating contest. Team #1 won! Wahoo. The kids loved it, example Saylor with the Jello coming out of her nose. While looking at these blonde/brown heads, I thought I was happy to be bringing a little variety to the family.

There was facepainting at the party. Heather and Kasey were the artist (as far as I know) and they did a great job. Here is a sampling: Clockwise: Mckenna, Heather and Saylor, Emily, Rylee CW: Garen, Geoffrey, Cheyenne, Liberty
CW: Hannah, Jasmine, London and Dan's back

We had so much fun at the party. In the end, after some water fights, see below, it was super sad. Thus CryFest '08. To those of you who stuck around to witness, it was quite the scene. I had several nieces crying outloud, and I was bawling as well. It was really really sad, and I was really overwhelmed by how much we're going to be missed. I love you all sooooo much. As I told the little girls, we will still talk all the time and write letters. I will get my address out ASAP, because I will need care packages ;) I am really going to miss my family, they are my closest friends. I see my sister Heather AT LEAST twice a week, and it is going to be really hard to not see her all the time. I love you guys, we'll be in touch as we get there.