Brooke's bridal shower luncheon

One of the joys of serving in the Young Women's program, 

a program in our church for young girls between the ages of 12-18, 

designed to help each girls better understand who they are, where they are going,

 and what they are to achieve in this life.  

As a leader, we are there to help guide the girls, organizing weekly activities,

 teaching lessons on Sunday and just being their friend.  

I've really grown to love and care about each and every one of the girls, 

but Brooke has a extra special place in my heart 

probably because I have been her leader ever since she was in jr. high

 and have really seen her grow and change over the years. 

 When I realized that she wouldn't be able to come home before she got married 

(she's been in Africa for the past couple of months)

 and I might not be able to throw her a shower, I was so sad! 

But then I figured out that I would be in Utah the week before her wedding

and insisted that we have a bridal shower luncheon with her friends from college, 

to honor Brooke and celebrate her upcoming marriage!   

Ashley, Allie and Brooke, three of my young women.

I ordered Brooke her very own personalized pizza and as you can see, 

she was pretty excited about that!

 And she was excited to open up her gifts! 

 And the avocados that one of the girls gave her!

It was obviously an inside joke and Brooke got such a kick out of it and posed for this pic!

 And she was a little coy and smug but definitely excited about this pink bag!

 And she loved the ice cream maker almost as much as she LOVED the ice cream scooper that we gave her:)!  

She was super pumped about the scooper! So glad that she gets so happy about the little things in life!

 A fun photo with the entire group holding up the bride-to-be!

 And we had to get a normal group photo too! 

Actually, I look anything but normal... I mean, why am I squatting so much!??

But, hey, it's a great picture of everyone else so I had to include it!

 And last, but not least, we had to get a "GB3, Horses of the Sea" photo

with some of my favorite GB3 ward girls!

Horses of the Sea was the team mascot chosen by these girls

 during a Stake basketball tournament many years ago.

We chanted it during every Stake sports tournaments

and at breakfast, lunch and dinner every day at Girl's camp!

It was quirky and rhymed and just kind of stuck.

The hand signal was added at a later GB3 ward activity.

It is equally as quirky and fun and has become part of the tradition,

so it was only appropriate that we end the shower with this photo!

Wow!  I love these girls!  I love the Young Women program!

And I love that I was able to celebrate with Brooke and her friends!

Congratulations, Brooke!  We are so excited for you!