Roasting Darren

There is always so much to do in Utah haven't been there for 2 years and you want to see everyone!  We started off by having a big graduation party for Darren.  Laura hosted it at her beautiful house that they just put a new addition on- I should have gotten some pictures- it is amazing!  She has a slide that goes downstairs into the game room.  The kids loved it.  Laura and Gordon are the perfect hosts- their house is clean, and fun, and big and beautiful.  They make everyone feel right at home.  I think it helps that Laura loves to have parties.  Laura bought a bunch of Graduation decorations to set the mood.

She bought 30 balloons so all the kids could have one to take home.

Laura provided the main dish and the rest of us brought delicious side dishes.

Erica ordered this huge sheet cake- that was totally delicious!

We had secretly planned the party to Roast Darren.  Of course my mom went ALL out and got a ton of funny gag gifts for him.  It was great- she went to so much work and everything was wrapped beautifully.

I've got to tell a story about Laura.  Laura is one of the kindest, thoughtful, unselfish people that I know.  See those candy bars in the bottom right corner?  Well, a couple nights before the party a kid came by her house selling candy bars.  He was one of Jame's friends.  It was late, cold and he seemed tired.  He told Laura he was selling candy bars to raise money for him to go on a track meet or something.  Laura said, "How many candy bars do you need to sell?' He said, "35"  She said, "when do you need to sell them by?"  He said, "tomorrow." So Laura bought them all from him so he could go home.  He was so happy!  She put cute wrappers on them that said, "Congratulations Darren" and gave them to everyone at the party.  I feel so lucky to have such a great siblings.  I have lots of stories about each one of my brothers and sisters and the small, kind things they have done.  They are all such examples to me.   

They all learned it from my parents.  My parents are angels here on earth.

Each one of my mom's gifts had a clue written on the outside- and a gift on the inside that turned it into a joke. Like this one was something like, "What's the best part of being a Nurse Anesthetist? and in the bag was a mini propane tank that said, "it's a gas!"

We ribbed Darren- it was great. 

Then the party got a little serious as Darren thanked all our family members get through the last 9 rough years. We had a really rough time for a while there.  It's a long story and maybe I'll blog about it some day.  Getting through school hasn't been easy either.  But we made it.  Then he thanked me for standing behind him the whole time.  We were both in tears.  It was really sweet.  Then my dad said a funny joke and we were all laughing.  It was such a fun night.

Julia gave me this fun "Jacob" shirt from Twilight- cause Darren is like Jacob- he can become a very grouchy werewolf very quickly.   I can't thank our family enough for supporting us through everything.  We would not have made it with out them.  I love you guys.  Seriously.