The Big Day

Last weekend was Katelyn's wedding. Being a bridesmaid was such a crazy, fun, busy, different experience from any wedding I have had. I felt so honored to have been chosen. I met Katelyn when I started working at my current job. She spoke with such poise, I wanted to be her when I grew up. Then I learned I am 9 years older than her. I am her lead at work, so we work closely every day and I love the friendship we have built in work and out of it. Me being me, I was also worried to join a group of 3 other girls, all three were so nice and welcoming and I think we got along together so well, even though I am on average 10 years older than all of them. 

Night before we set up and did a run through of how to walk down the isle. 

Next day we got to the hotel at 8 am and all got our hair and makeup done. I'm not super girly, I do my hair and makeup like someone who does no know what they are doing, so it was nice to be pampered that night. 

This is Delaynee, we hung out this whole day mainly together and I love who she is and her super happy personality. We laughed and had fun all day together. She helped me take an okay selfie. 

The room was full of wonderful women who all were so nice and were there for each other all day. 

My hair. I wanted it fully up to help with the heat. I am very glad I did this.

A glowing beautiful bride. Everything fit her perfectly! 

An RV with AC was totally the way to go! This was on our way to take pictures. I'm so glad they did it beforehand. It was NOT a dress I could sit in easy. 

Beautiful bridal party. 

The wedding was at BSU Stueckle center, so they had 30 minutes on the blue to take photos. It was cool to be that close on the field and they got a lot of really cool pictures. 

I lost it during the mother/ daughter dance but seeing this part was so sweet. While not my thing fully, I kind of wish I did this part. 

To go with the sports, the bouquet toss was a football toss. I loved it!

Some of our work group that came. 

They really love their dogs and their favors were dog treats. Our dogs loved them. 

The end of the night. Two pads to remove eye-makeup, false lashes, many bobby pins and hair ties, sore feet but fully worth it. I got home about 10:30pm, super tired but fully loving the whole day. Now I have a formal dress if I need it for anything. 

Shinedown

Went to my first concert in FOREVER and Shinedown always does such a good show. It was Beck, Paul, Michelle and me. They are a band I would go to every time they are in town. 

First Day of School

We only have a few of these left but school started this year. Jackson is in 10th and this is Emery's last year, she's a senior. The end of the school year Jackson was maybe as tall as Emery, he grew so much this summer! I think they were both ready to go back. Emery can't wait to  be done and move on to bigger and better things. 

"High school has been a 'peach' b 'twix' your 'fruity mix' of friends, the 'Air Heads' and a few 'rotten' teachers. Don't be 'Sour' it's over. Senior year will be better than 'Junior'. You are 'Mega' smart and will be 'satisfied' by your accomplishments. 

Welcome back to school! 'B-ready' so you don't get 'rotten' grades. Try not to 'Takis' to the other 'Nerds' too much or your teachers may get 'sour'. You are growing into a  young man that's 'hubba bubba'! You can 'Pepper' the 'Air Heads' with your Riz. Here's a KitKat. (we couldn't thing of something)

Kids Happenings

This group that Jackson is in for mutual is really good. They do a lot of fun things he loves. This past week they learned to make sushi. A few weeks ago they went shooting. I love that he has leaders who can show him gun safety. They all said he was a good shot and hit most of the clay pigeons. At my Grandma Arrington's funeral one of my Aunts said that she was a good shot, I had no idea this was true, but if it is, maybe he got his good shot from the Arrington side. 

The seniors can pay for a parking spot and paint it. So for the year they have their own. Emery and Jenna did spots by each other and they did a scene from Five Nights at Freddy's. They took them a long time but they look cute. 

Turning 40!

 Well it happened, I turned a new decade. You really can't stop it from coming but it came quick. My mom never made getting older a big deal, so I really have never cared to age. Not everyone gets to age, so I don't let it bother me. I have heard and seen a few things that say 40's are people's favorite age and I really hope that is true. All in all 30s weren't bad, but I am very glad to leave them behind. 

Brad got me a few books and a book nook Lego. They are perfect. Here is to the next decade, I hope it really is the best. 

Camden made me a card and had all the kids sign it and he made dirt cake. It was a very good birthday! 

Broken Tree

A few weeks ago we had a short but loud thunder storm. One of the lightning strikes was really loud and felt close. Well it possibly was very very close. We noticed about a week later that a part of a tree in our yard was split and dead. Not fully sure if it was the storm, but it if was, its kind of crazy. 

Grandma Grandpa Camp 2-26

I love that there is still a camp for the grandkids. The numbers this year were small, I still love that all those who can make it go. One bad part about having some of the younger kids (mainly Jacks) is he doesn't remember some of the other family things as well as the other kids do. Our kids don't remember the Barnes New Years Parties much. Jacks doesn't remember the Easter Parties or the few Arrington Reunions we had. I love that they are keeping it going for the younger kids to have those memories. 

This year they were in Twin, they did a cook out, played games like reverse charades, got ice cream from a truck. 

They split into teams and did an escape room. My kids all love them, so it was fun for them to do. 

Grandpa's team was the winning team. 

Saturday was a day of service. They helped at the Soup Kitchen. Then they were supposed to go the animal shelter to help out, however whoever took their reservation did not write it down. So they were unable to do that. 

Mini golf and Pizza Pie instead. 

They were tired when they got home, but they all had a lot of fun!