Memorable Memorial Day

A quick look at our memorable Memorial Day

Living Room Hike

With our living room still under construction, we thought we'd go nature's living room up above the University of Utah.   

Maybe not quite as comfy as a leather couch, but it is a great place to relax and enjoy the views of the valley below. 

Seminary Graduation

She's a graduate!

Some of our South Jordan Stake Priesthood Men & Royal Daughters celebrating their graduation

We've got 3 more of these to come

JOhanna, Nathan, & Kay.- the fabulous 3-some. 

Aubrye Lynn's Farwell

Aubrye Lynn and Aubrey Janae have been friends since they were about 18 months old.  Carrie, Aubrye Lynn's mom and I were neighbors in the Rivergrove 2nd ward and we did a lot together - so many trips to the 'toy area'  at the Provo City  Mall, McDonald's, the Bean Museum at BYU, and endless play dates at our houses. 

We moved from Provo to South Jordan when our Aubrey was 4, and Aubrye Lynn moved to Australia for a year when she was 11, but through it all, these 2 have remained friends.  

After a year together at BYU, Aubrye Lynn has now decided to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She has been assigned to labor in the San Diego Mormon Batallion Mission.  You can learn more about missionary service here: Why Mormon youth serve missions Her family is so thrilled that she will be serving so close to her extended family, and we are thrilled that the Schmitt's will be her mission presidents, even if only for a month or so. 

We are so happy for Aubrye and know she will be a great missionary!  

Anniversary #22

It's our favorite day - May 27th.  Such a fun day to look back on the many years we've shared together and to look forward to all that still lies ahead.  We both believe wholeheartedly that our marriage is not until death do you part, but that it will continue on into the next life.  Our marriage was sealed by the power of the Priesthood, which is the power of God given to man to act in His name.  We believe that through this priesthood power, that which is bound on earth is also bound in heaven.  That knowledge brings great strength and an eternal perspective to our daily lives, as we go through the ups and downs of mortality.  We love being together.  We love knowing we can be together again after this life as well, and we are going to do our best to enjoy this amazing journey together.  Happy 22! 

Emily's 14th B-day

Emi's day started early with a 6:00 am dance rehersal at school in preparation for their recital.  

Since we didn't get to have a special breakfast together, Brenna and I took her Cafe Rio for lunch and cookies to share with the lunch crowd.

Grabbed a quick pic after school before heading to studio dacne practice

More treats with her dance friends 

We ended the day with a new tradition of dinner & presents @ Denny's at 10 pm

Have you ever seen someone so excited to get chaptick?  We have some chapstick lovers in our family.

This special present arrived from Oklahoma....a 3 Sloth Moon shirt.  Her new FAVORITE shirt.  Em has always loved Sloths and this is a take off the '3 Wolf Moon shirts'  

Our family became Denny's fans a few years ago when we had Thanksgiving Dinner there after  a long day at 6 Flags Magic Mounatin.  They opened one up in South Jordan about a year ago and it's  become a family favorite - because remember "It's Denny's -  and we NEVER close!"  

As the girls get older and busier, birthdays get less traditional and predictable, but we love the life we live and are grateful for the time we are able to spemd together celebrating each other. 

Happy 14th Emily !!!

(and Thanks Tessa for joining us well after bedtime on a school night)

Final SBO Assembly

Today the torch was passed from the current Student Gov officers to next year's officers.  For Kay, it is hard to see this year coming to an end.  She has whole heartedly LOVED serving the students at Bingham.  That service came with a price - but it was a price she was always willing to pay.  She has grown and stretched herself in many ways and has made friendships that I do believe will last throughout her life.  

"She will always remember, in May and September, Bingham High as her happiest years"

What a blessing that Lindz and Kay could share this fun year at Bingham together.

Kayla and her advisor Liz

With Kenna

and Jane

and Mom

Stud Gov 2016-2017

We sure love this Crew!

FAB 7 BYU Bound Party

These are 7 truly fabulous girls - Kelsey, Sarah, Kendra, Kayla, JOHANNA (welcome to the blog Jo), Allie & Maddie.

 They have ALL been friends since middle school, many since elementary school, and some since they were 18 months old. They have experienced all the ups and downs of childhood and adolescence together.  From dances and dates to AP tests and ACT scores.  The good, bad, ugly, happy, sad, exuberant, exhausting, and exhilarating - they have helped and supported one another through it all.  Now, these 7 get to head down to BYU altogether - something they have hoped for and worked hard for these past few years.  

In true Oniki fashion, Tom & Brooke invited all the girls and their parents over for dinner and games before they graduate.  We enjoyed Cafe Rio salads and each others company for quite awhile, but once 'game time' hit, it was family to family competition time.  We had mini golfing, one-handed fruit loop bracelet making (tough), ping-pong bounce to stick to an open-faced peanut butter sandwich (who thinks of this stuff?), 1st to get the Oreo in the mouth from their forehead with NO hands, chopstick Cocoa Puffs, penny stacking, pencil flip, & BYU trivia.

Each family got points for how well they performed in each game, and at the end, the scores were tallied and the girls were able to pick from the prize wall in the order of how well their family did.  Kayla got a desk lamp, while Kelsey landed a crock pot and Kendra a rice maker. Johanna's last place finish may not have landed her a crock pot, but it did get her a place on the blog. 😏  You can decide for yourself where the Miller's finished based on the desk lamp prize?

I'm not sure I can adequately thank these girls and their parents enough for all the love, support, and joy they have brought to Kayla and to our family's lives.  I think every family expressed those same feelings.  This is a really special group of girls.  WE LOVE them and are so proud of who they are and the goodness they share with the world.   

5th grade Beach Party

I am a BIG believer in 'many hands make light work'

Though I was happy to chair the Beach Party this year, it was the awesome 5th grade parents that really made this party such a success.  

From the DJ station, face painting, frisbee golf

Cupcake walk😍

Outdoor obstacle course

Rockin' Concession Stand (some kids said this was better than Halloween)

Beachball Volleyball, bracelet making, Jumbo Jenga

Plinko

and a Photo Booth, ripe with costumes and decorations,  

This was my 5th and final 5th grade Beach Party.....and I think it was my Favorite!

Happy Birthday Aubs!

Celebrating Aubrey's birthday from a far this year as she and Elan spend the summer living in Edmund, Oklahoma.  We relied on memories from the blog and favorite baby pictures like this one to celebrate her 2nd decade of life.

Here was a shot of  the birthday fun at their apartment out there. So grateful that she has found joy and happiness in marrying Elan and the gospel centered life they are living.  Happy Birthday AJ!

Lindz vs. Viewmont

Today was Varisty's 1st playoff game vs. Viewmont.  

Photo Credit to Marc Gibson for seriously the BEST game pics!  He is very talented and we so appreciate him sharing his time and talents capturing our girls' games

Lindsay's well known flying ponytail

But this might be my all time favorite from this season!  You go #14!

Mom's Day

It was Mother's Day minus a kitchen

Luckily Grandma Webber knew just what I would need - Fruit & Chococlate!

This was a fun Mother's Day Weekend memory from 5 years ago - Doing a 63 miles bike race with K