April 2025

A quick April 2025 post:

Our neighbors a block over put a cross up in their front yard this month. On Easter Day, the added this beautiful wreath. It made my heart happy. I am grateful to live in a community surrounded Christians of many different denominations.

Kaide seriously pondering during the Easter egg hunt.

My mom found one of her baby dolls' headbands and put it on. I think she looks pretty cute. When she was sufficiently distracted, I slipped it off because it was very tight.

Derek and Brinley were able to take advantage of their break between winter and spring terms to fly out to Houston to see their amazing friends and former roommates Kiersten and Tanner.

Parker trying to mess up his pretty face with a gash and stitches. (kickback from the 7 mm gun he was shooting.) Luckily he was in the Boise area and reached out to Aunt Kris. She is a nurse, and he was hoping she could stitch him up. She and Eric were able to hook him up with a friend who is a plastic surgeon, and he did the work for free. It was definitely a blessing all around: no Harry Potter scar and no hospital charge.

The weather is getting warmer, and Aubrey and friends are doing their best to take advantage of the sunny days. I was inside helping w/ Gram and they were outside playing Speed.

We love it when Kaide and Tanner stop by mid week to visit. Papa got in some Play-Doh fun.

Conference! Love this time of the year. Grandpa sent this picture to the Vore sibling/spouse thread. He said Gram sat quietly through the morning session of conference. That is miraculous.

Chris and Ang sent this one to me. Parker was in Utah that weekend and joined them for a session of conference.

Couch left-rt: Chris, Park, Benja, Joseph On the floor: La & Kate

I am grateful for this shared experience of tuning into our leaders to hear their counsel and direction. 

Here are some pictures from our Odessa General Conference gathering:

Brit and fam are great to host. She sends out a text to join in the "Superest Bowl" for the final session of conference, and we go to the Birds and have a huge spread of food and treats to enjoy.

Britney

This picture doesn't do it justice, but it's all I've got. We had a spread! Homemade kalaches, cake, chocolate covered strawberries, chips, dips, veggie trays and more. There was probably real food, but I like the treats so that’s what I remember. 

Even Gram and Gramp made an appearance. It was quick though because Gram was ready to go home.

To wrap up April, here is a cute throwback picture Kerry sent me. I couldn't figure out where this was from, but the kids guessed it was probably the Gwilliam family reunion in Cali where we kayaked. I think they are probably right. Aunt Karol was kind enough to have Aubrey as her partner, and Aub fell dead asleep on the kayak. Sorry and thanks Aunt Karol!

Bryn 12, Park 10, Aubrey 6 and Tanner 8

 

Senior Prom 2025

Senior Prom 2025

Dress shopping stress/fun went much like last year. (see Jr. Prom post) It is so tough to find a formal dress with any type of coverage and plus a dress in general that Aubrey liked. We succeeded though, and Aub was super excited to go with a big friend group of eleven: three couples, two guys and three girls. 

We went together to get a pedicure on Monday ($55 each--we each paid for our own.)

She had her nails done on Thursday ($80--we paid.)

She had jewelry and shoes from her closet. (Bless her for that savings.) 

We contributed $30 to her $50 Prom ticket.

Brian and I bought her a white rose bouquet to make her night extra special. ($35-a steal!)

(Just listing the prices and how we had Aub contribute for history’s sake. Also, her prom dress was only $70 which was amazing. Most dresses we saw were in the $200-$350 range.)

Aubrey had Saturday on a schedule: work from 10-2, head straight to Parker's house to get ready, Nisi would style her hair, pictures at a beautiful spot in Midland, dinner at Salt Grass at 5:30, Prom at La Hacienda 7:30, and a (girls) sleepover at Parker's house for the after party.

HOWEVER...

Aubrey was up all Friday night with either food poisoning or a violent stomach bug. She was much too sick to get out of bed on Saturday. She was pathetic about missing out. When I would check on her, her eyes would fill with tears and she would weakly say, "It's my Senior prom."  She was so sad, and my heart hurt for her.

This is how badly I felt for her...I refrained from snapping a prom photo of her wiped out on her bed. I was REALLY tempted! 

Here is picture of her dress. I'm hoping she will dress up one day, and I can post that picture.

Her bouquet:

Her friends, minus the boys who opted out of a group picture. (It was freezing, misting and they were running late for dinner.)

Maci, Lacy, Nisi, Parker, & Talia

A few pictures I took of the PHS Facebook page:

Over 1000 students attended

Including a few pictures of her cousin Braddock and his date Becca. Britney did an AMAZING job decorating a beautiful place for dinner. Braddock said they had a fun night.