Julie and Jeff's Rehearsal Dinner

So many times in the last couple of weeks I have said, "seriously, it was the best time I have ever had at a wedding!" and you know, I meant it! Trust me, I have been to some amazing weddings (including all of my loyal blog readers so don't be worried that I would forget YOUR wedding!) but this wedding had a little special flair! I think I figured out why... First, I wasn't pregnant! haha, I feel like I was pregnant at so many fun weddings! Second, I gained another "Mrs. Grace" in the process. And third, it was the destination wedding part that made it all come full circle. The reason I say this is because we arrived on Thursday night and from that moment we hung out with old friends and new in the casino, at the pool, the rehearsal, everywhere... it felt like all the guests at the wedding had lots of time to become friends BEFORE the actual wedding! So, by the time the actual wedding and reception came around, we were all "old buddies" by this time! Here are some pictures from the rehearsal... a very important time for bonding as you can see :-)

Here we are, bonding over tequila shots (whoa, that was a common theme for the weekend, hee-hee)...

Bonding with our new auntie...


Bonding while losing money...


Bonding while finding our way out of the casino (I was always so, so confused)...

Bonding on the bus ride to Spanish Trail...

Bonding with our future spouse...

Bonding with "Hey Babysitter"...

Bonding with my man...

Bonding with my sister...

Bonding with new friends...

Lots of bonding happening here!

Bonding between sisters...

Bonding on the way home on the bus (much different "feel" than the ride there) to the famous RFer rendition of "God Bless America" led strongly and proudly by Erin Clougherty!

Some bonding at the black jack tables quickly followed this picture but I didn't get any pictures from the rest of the night! A little too much fun had by all! Whoa, Saturday morning was rough!

Great rehearsal night Julie and Jeff! You planned a spectacular night for us! I can't wait for the wedding post coming up soon!

Last Day of Preschool...

Charlie thoroughly enjoyed her last day of McGaugh CDC preschool. She sang all the songs (and acted them out) with ease and confidence! She walked up to get her diploma with a swagger. She hang out with all of her buddies and planned several playdates (such a social butterfly).

She loved her mommy and daddy so much and was so excited to show them her moves.

Charlie is going to miss her teachers so much... Mrs. Crawford, Ms. Perez, Mrs. McClean, Ms. Hollingsworth, and Mrs. Stanley.

Charlie loves David! I kept trying to get a picture of the two of them smiling and posing together (nicely)... and this is this is the best I got out of them... so cute.

Finally, we went to pick up Ryan from her last day of school. You can TOTALLY tell that Ryan is a first grader now... she looks way too cool to be hanging out with her sister! Just wait until next year when they are on the same playground at recess! Haha!

Happy Summer Everyone!

Hukilau

In lieu of a "kindergarten graduation ceremony," the kindergarteners at McGaugh perform a Hukilau for the parents! It was so cute to watch. All the students dress Hawaiian and their teachers give them grass skirts and leis to wear. They performed about 8 different dances... it was really fantastic. Our little RyRy, sang loudly and knew all the moves perfectly! She was a star!

I can't believe Ryan is now officially a first grader! Wow, this year flew by!

Kudron Family BBQ

On Memorial Day, we joined my parents and Mike and Nancy and kids for a get together. We had a very relaxing day celebrating the spring birthdays in the family... my dad, Nancy, and me. The weather was gorgeous. We played with the wiffle ball, swam, and had great food. Thanks for hosting us Mike and Nancy.

Ryan is a total slugger! Seriously, I would pitch it to her and then duck! Nice hitting Ry-Ry!

A great opportunity to catch up!

Like father, like son!

Sister love.

The cousins had a great time. Poor Cameron is getting old enough to start to realize that he is the only boy! These girls better be nice to him or... watch out! He's catching up to the rest of you girls!

Charlie loves when she gets special time with big cousin Katie.

An attempt to get all four kids together! This was the best of like 6 shots that I tried to take.

~~~~~

What a great day! Thanks again for having us over Mike and Nancy!

Oh, you beautiful doll...

Little Charlie got her day in the spotlight! That's for sure! Charlie has been taking dance class for several months and finally got a chance to perform in her first show. She was so beautiful. Boy, I love that girl. She loved being all dressed up and gave me every pose in the book! I felt like the paparazzi snapping photo after photo of her before she went out on stage. There are way more pictures in this post than necessary but how could I possibly decide which of these cute poses to choose to post? Someday, these pictures will surely be in some sort of graduation or wedding slideshow.

Pose #1


Pose #2

Ahhhh... with proud mommy!

Charlie's famous mantra is that, "everyone should love themselves most of all!"

Look how happy she is with herself! So precious!

Pose #3

(and my favorite)

Proud big sister

(and another great pose... #4)

Nonna and Grandpa got to join us for the event. No boys are allowed backstage because all of the girls are dressing. Seriously, it feels like a real grown up "show" backstage. Charlie was mesmerized by all of the chaos!

Finally, Charlie started posing with all of her little dance friends. So, so, so darn cute.

If you recognize it, the song they sang and danced to goes...

"Oh, you beautiful doll

You great big beautiful doll.

When I put my arms around you,

I could never live without you.

Oh, you beautiful doll,

you great big beautiful doll..."

There were about 20 girls in her routine, all about the same age. They stole the show! (Yes, maybe a little biased!)

Our star after the show...

Congrats Charlotte Grace on your first dance recital!

(PS... yes, "Charlotte"... she is contemplating giving up Charlie for Charlotte. We'll keep you all updated!)