Senior Ball

Last night was Granite Bay high school's Senior Ball, 

which was held at the Hyatt downtown across from the Capitol.

 Brooke had a fun night with her date, Wes Finkemeier,

  her good friend from student government and next year's student body president. 

 She looked stunning in her gorgeous purple dress

 (the same one that she wore for Homecoming Royalty in the fall)

 and he looked dashing in his tux and matching vest. 

 We took pictures with their group over at Erin Bell's house 

and then Brooke and Wes carpooled downtown with Maddie and Josh. 

 I decided that since this was our last Senior Ball, that we really ought to chaperone. 

 Dad wasn't quite so excited about volunteering (and to be honest, neither was I)

 when we heard that we had to be there from 6-12pm, manning the doors all evening. 

 He thought it might get boring, but it proved to be a very exciting, eventful evening, 

filled with drama and suspense! 

 I will spare you all the details of the night.  I'm not sure some of the details are Holt family blog worthy.

 All I can say is that the Holt kids would be proud of their dad 

for taking charge and helping out when he was needed. 

As he put it, texting Ashley last night, 
"I was just happy to be a humble servant for student government." Ha! Ha!

 It was actually quite fun to see all the kids dressed up, and visit and talk to them.

We have known many of the kids since preschool and watched them grow up through the years. 

 I'm always amazed at how polite the kids are, stopping and talking to us. 

 It reminds me that although there is a lot of crazy stuff that goes on these days at the high school, 

there is also a lot of good kids out there doing good things too. 

It was fun to be there with Brooke and watch her enjoy the evening with her friends. 

 For the past 10+ years, we have had the priviledge of chaperoning many of the high school dances

 and for the most part, really enjoyed doing it. 

 We love interacting with the kids and working with the other volunteer parents and teachers and staff. 

But most of all we feel grateful that our children have not only allowed us to chaperone 

but have wanted and asked us to come to the dances and enjoy the evening 

and be a part of their high school experience. 

So it was only fitting for our last chaperoning duty to include some excitement 

and as I texted Ashley last night, "What a way to end our high school chaperoning career!"

Brooke and her date, Wes, outside the Hyatt.

Yes, I snuck them outside and broke a few rules to get this cute picture,

but hey, a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do to get a good photo!

The group in Erin's backyard.

Brooke and Wes are smack dab in the middle.  Cute!

A close up of Maddie, Josh, Brooke, Wes and Allison.

All the girls.

Brooke and Wes.

I couldn't decide which picture I liked best so I decided to include both all of the photos 
and let you decide which one is your favorite...

because I think they are all so adorable!

Really, really love this photo!
This might be my favorite.

And this one too!  Wes was a very patient victim date! And very photogenic too!

Oh, and did I mention that he is also a very good dancer and charming too!

Brooke and her good track buddy, Maddie Lummis.

Brooke and her good friend, Allison Cook.

Brooke's favorite YW leader, Tani Bragg was here so she had to get a picture with her.

Brooke and Anne Barton.

Another good one of Brooke and gorgeous Maddie.  I really loved her dress.

Josh, Maddie, Brooke and Wes.

I had to include this awesome picture of Allison Garvey's fabulous vintage hairclip.

I know Ashley will love this one!

Mom and her little Brooke.  And when I say "little" I mean little...

I could have wrapped my arm around her little waist a couple of times:)!

Mom and Dad with their little Bear!

Boy, are we going to miss that Bear!

We had to take another photo outside the Hyatt...

And then Brooke gets a little close with Wes:)!!

After we took photos at Erin's, dad realized that his yellow and blue tie didn't match Brooke's dress,

so we drove back to the house so he could change his tie.

And as we walked back into the Hyatt, he insisted on taking another picture with Brooke.

I just want Dad to know that these little gestures don't go unnoticed.

We all appreciate his keen sense of fashion and his attention to detail.

This picture represents his thoughtfulness and remembering that it is the little things that truly matter.

The ballroom at the Hyatt.  

Our dear friend, Spencer was there and we had to get a picture of him with, 

as he affectionately calls Brooke, "The Boss."

Brooke and Brittany, friends since childhood.
The Holt family loves this girl.

Cousin Tanner and his date, Candice.

The following pictures were taken with Brooke's camera,

 mostly of her and her friends on the dance floor. 

I just had to include them along with the lyrics of one of Brooke's favorite songs!

 I like to whip my hair back and forth. 

 Hop up out of bed and turn my swag on,

 So don't tell me nothing,  I'm just tryna have fun,

 So keep the party jumping,

 Keep my head up and I know I'll be fine.

 I whip my head back and forth.

 Brooke and her friend, Melly, the Homecoming Queen.

You know, just Wes and Brooke, eating dinner at the White House;)!  

The usual for the President and his First Lady!

 A great date, a gorgeous dress, yummy food, exciting entertainment, and fun music.

Definitely a good time was had by all! 

This is what happens when you are the last child at home.

Over the past year and a half, since Ashley left for college, 
Brooke has been the last and only child at home.

After spending lots of quality time, this past week with Mom and Dad, 
vacationing, just the three of us together 24/7,

Brooke has decided that being an only child isn't such a bad gig.

If fact, she came to that realization one night,
 as we were eating dinner at a nice restaurant, for the third night in a row.
 After she finished her delicious meal, it was if a light went off in her head 

and she said, "Wow!  This is really sweet!  I feel so spoiled!  
Hanging out with you guys and being the last child does have it's perks!"

And she is right, she is spoiled...at least for now.

I mean, it's hard not to.  She is the only child that I can fuss over, dote upon

and pay attention to at home.  She gets to pick what we are having for dinner,
 text me and tell me what special treats to buy her at the store, 
have me help her with projects, ask me to drop off "forgotten" homework at school
 and pretty much, our schedule revolves around Brooke's schedule. 

I'm not complaining.  I love it! 
 And if any of the other kids were home,
 I know that Brooke would willingly share all this extra attention and love from Mom and Dad.

But along with all the "perks" of being the only child 
comes the responsibility of still being a child.  The only child. 
 Fortunately, being a child has never been a problem for Brooke. 
 I think in my mind, (and all of her siblings) Brooke will always be "Brookie" 
or "Brookalina" or "Brookers" or my personal favorite, "The Bear."  
She will always love pigs,  always shop at GapKids, and forever think that "sexy is the C word."

So, since this was the last year that we celebrated Easter with a kid at home,
 I was glad that the Easter bunny still paid us a visit.
Once again, Brooke acknowledged that there are a few advantages 
of being the last kid at home on Easter, such as:

1. The Easter bunny still comes to your house and hides Easter eggs, 
but you can take your time and leisurely "find" the eggs
 since you don't have anyone else running around, "looking" for the eggs. 
 I believe it was about 2 pm before Brooke finally found the last egg under the couch.

2. You don't have to share any of the Resees peanut butter Easter eggs with anyone but Dad.
  Don't worry, Mom wasn't left out.  She had her own stash of See's Milk Butterchews chocolates 
and she didn't have to share them with anyone. That's the advantage of being the Mom:)!

3. You get to keep all the money that you find hidden in the Easter eggs, 
which totaled about $12, mostly in quarters, nickels and dimes.
 But it is always good to have some spare change in your pocket. 
If you add in the $2 bill from Grandma, you have a grand total of $14.  Not too shabby.

4. Mom still has to take tons of Easter pictures, 
but you no longer have sisters in matching Easter dresses 
sharing the spotlight in the photo with you. 
Nor do you have a brother in a matching tie, suspenders or an argyle sweater.
  (Boy, do I miss those days when I could dress Tyler up in a matching Easter outfit.)

I've asked Brooke many times, if she would please stop growing up.

When she was little, I'd tell her, "I want you to stay just the way you are forever."

And she would answer and say, "I'll always be your little girl."

And she is right, she will always be my little baby!

Spring Break in Monterey

We decided to stay closer to home this spring break. 

 Especially since we have been traveling so much lately, and I'm kind of tired of traveling by plane.*
(scroll to the bottom of this post to read the sad, annoying, funny story 
about how I lost my new favorite coat with a darling ruffle.) 

So we suggested to Brooke that we head down the coast to Monterey. 

 She was so excited because she said that she had never been to Monterey or Carmel.  

That isn't really true, but it has been a long, long time since we have taken a family trip down there 

and she was probably so young that she doesn't remember it. 

 Apparently, neither does Ashley, so after having such a fun time in Monterey these past few days, 

we decided that we are already planning another trip back there this summer with Ashley.

First thing Monday morning, we headed over to the 17 mile drive 
with our bicycles and Brooke's running shoes.

Dad and I rode our bikes while Brooke ran 10 miles along the coast.

The view was pretty spectacular, with the beach on one side and the golf course on the other.

I love this picture of her running with the waves crashing in the background!

Brooke and Dad making the last turn back to Spanish Inn, ready for some lunch.

Dad and Brooke stopped and took a picture of the baby seals,

which, by the way, is illegal.  Oops!

After a great workout, Dad treated us to a yummy lunch at Roy's at the Spanish Inn.  

This was our view from our table.

Brooke, with her new favorite running trail, the 17 mile drive (and Mom's favorite riding trail.)

We spent the afternoon at the Monterey Bay Aquarium...

where we enjoyed the seahorse exhibit...

and saw a dragon seahorse.

The penguins were adorable!

We loved the colorful fish.

And of course, we made Brooke put her hands in the water and pick up the starfish.

We had to talk her into touching the starfish, but she is a little kid at heart and

before I knew it she was at the interactive learning center entertaining herself.

And then we caught Brooke, on her hands and knees going through the tunnel

 at the Flippers, Flukes and Fun exhibit.

After we finished at the Aquarium, Dad and Brooke did some shopping at the Cannery.

Brooke loves the 17 mile drive so much and so do I...

so we drove back there that evening to see the sunset.

And take some cute pictures of Brooke along the way.

And more cute photos!  I was wishing that I hadn't forgotten my camera.

I had to resort to using my iPhone the whole trip.  Not bad but not quite as good as my big camera.

Since we all had a great workout that day, 
we rewarded ourselves by going to Old Fisherman's Grotto on the wharf in Monterey.

Brooke had the filet and it was delicious!

She wished Tyler was there to help her finish it.

Dad ordered the crab and put on a bib so he wouldn't spill on himself.

Brooke and I walking along the wharf with the roses given to us as we left the restaurant.

Mom and Dad, on the second day of riding along the 17 mile drive with Brooke.

The ride was shorter that day because Brooke only had to run 6 miles.

Brooke and Dad along the scenic drive.

 That night we went to dinner at the Fishwife, which was incredible.

Brooke ordered the chicken pesto pasta and said it was delicious!
I took a few bites of her dish and I have to agree, it really was yummy!

I ordered the salmon and it was absolutely, hands down, 

one of the best grilled salmon I have ever tasted.

Brooke is definitely a "daddy's girl."

I don't know what she is going to do without him next year,

nor do I know what he is going to do without her.

We spent our last day doing a little shopping 

and enjoying the sights on Ocean Avenue in Carmel.

Dad was a very pleasant and patient shopper 

and joined us as we browsed from store to store.

We are so lucky that he is such a good sport, 

doesn't ever complain about shopping, 

and even picked out a few items for Brooke to try on.

He actually has quite a eye for fashion and we always enjoy his fashion commentary

and appreciate his fashion sense and advice.

After a fun morning of shopping, we had lunch at Demetris Greek Restaurant in Carmel.

The restaurant came up first on Trip Advisor with reviews like, 

"the best place to eat on the Monterey peninsula" 
and "the happiest place to eat in the world" 
and "most deserving of every accolade received." 

I think we would agree with the review that read, 
"Great food and great fun and great atmosphere!"

Just look at how fun and festive this place looks!

And everyone in the place is so happy!

 What a fabulous way to end a wonderful trip!

We can't wait to start planning our trip back there this summer with Ashley!

*My sad, annoying, funny story that I promised to share:

On my last flight home from Utah, I got caught in an extremely long security line, got stopped by TSA because I had a roll of starbursts in my bag. Apparently, it looked like a dangerous weapon. Once I got cleared at security, I had to full out sprint to my gate, E47, the furthest gate away. I'm fast, but not as fast as Brooke, so by the time I arrived at my gate, it was closed. But there was a lady at the desk checking in passengers to a flight to Denver on the other side of the gate. I begged her to check me in so I could run down the hall (I was at the discount wing of the SLC airport) to catch the plane. She looked at her watch, then looked at me (I think she sized me up as someone that was somewhat physically fit) and said, "OK! But hurry to gate 38!" I, once again, took off in an all out sprint to gate 38, which was the very last gate at the end of the wing.  I boarded the plane and was relieved that I made the flight as I found my seat, 6B, I put my cute coat up above in the overhead bin and sat down. I quickly got my Diet Pepsi out of my carryon bag, my People magazine, put on my headphones and made myself comfortable. I was ready to take a nice nap, when an older couple boarded the plane and came to my seat and questioned me about my seat.  They looked confused.  I looked confused. Then someone asked me, "Are you going to Denver?"  What?!  Denver?!  It took me a few seconds to realize that I was on the wrong plane and now for sure, I was going to miss my flight.  I grabbed my Diet Pepsi and People magazine, threw my iPod and headphones into my bag and once again started running.  The kind stewardess yelled to me, "Gate 23" as I was sprinted down the runway.  Of course, gate 23 is the furthest one away from gate 38. Seriously, I'm not making this up.  I finally made it to gate 23, which was closed, but there was someone waiting outside for me (I think the nice stewardess must have called ahead for me.)  She opened the door, I boarded the plane, sat myself down, completely exhausted and out of breath by now.  And as soon as I sat down, they closed the door and pulled away from the gate.  And right at that moment, I remembered that I had left my cute coat with the cute ruffle on the plane heading to Denver.  There was nothing that I could do but sit there and sulk.  So that is exactly what I did.  All the way home.  Once we landed, I put in a lost baggage request at Delta baggage claim but I haven't heard anything yet.  It was just such a cute coat and I got it on sale this winter at a cute little boutique on Main Street in Park City while shopping with my friend, Sue.  But I'm over it...really, I am...well, now that I have written this long post, I am really, really over it.  When Brooke and Dad picked me up and I told them my sad story, Dad was so nice and said, "Don't worry, I'll buy you another coat and it will be cuter than the one you just lost."  He reminded me that it was just a coat.  And he's right.  

Kimber on FoxNews.com

This is Kimber jumping for joy on her last day of her contract.

For the past three years, Kimber has been working as a reporter/anchor 
for News 12 Connecticut in Norwalk, Connecticut.
She has really enjoyed her job there,
 but the commute from New York City everyday has definitely been a challenge. 
 Most days she was on the road between 2-3 hours, at least, somedays longer.
She has learned a lot and grown as a reporter while working at this station.
She covered some interesting news stories such as the murder of Annie Le on the Yale campus.
She actually appeared on the CNN that morning as their "local reporter", 
which was very fun to see her on a national news station.
One of my favorite stories (and most humorous) is the story
 about the hot sauce that spilled in the middle of the road in Fairfield, CT.
She won an Emmy for that story.  It was her second Emmy.
Kimber loves reporting the news and is good at it.
Now that she has completed her contract at News 12 Connecticut,
she is working as a freelance reporter at FoxNews.com right in NYC, closer to home.
She is enjoying the commute (only a few stops away on the subway),
likes the flexible hours, but also, she loves being back at FoxNews,
 where she first interned 7 years ago in NYC.
Then she returned to Fox, right out of college 
and worked as a writer/producer for the Tony Snow show for FoxNews in DC.
When she left FoxNews for her first "on air" anchoring job at KIFI News8 in Idaho Falls,
her boss said, "Well, we will see you back here on air in 5 years!"
That was almost exactly 5 years ago.

Here's her first travel story for FoxNews.com:

Mary Ann and the little girls

Spending time with these two three little girls, is one of my favorite things to do.

 So Friday night we took my sister, Mary Ann and her two little girls, Megan and Molly 

out to dinner at Brick Oven to celebrate Mary Ann's birthday.

As soon as we checked in with the hostess, the little girls saw a large bouquet of party balloons. 
They turned to their mom and begged, "Can we have a balloon? Please! Please!"

Mary Ann, being the soft spoken one, didn't even get a chance to answer before I took matters into my own hands
 and said, "Of course you may both have a balloon!" 
Then I grabbed a couple of balloons from the lady and tied them to the girls wrists.

The girls squealed with joy and I thought to myself, 
"Wow! It's amazing that such a simple (and cheap) thing as a balloon can bring such a thrill."

Once we were seated, our waiter came up and the little girls asked if they could order a drink.

I quickly answered and told them that they could order a lemonade, homemade rootbeer or chocolate milk.

They clapped their hands with joy and once again, I thought, "Wow!  That was so easy!" 

Just watching their reaction made Ashley and me giggle and laugh.

Apparently, it's a tradition at Brick Oven for the birthday boy or girl 
to stand on their chair while the crowd sings happy birthday to them.

So when they brought out Mary Ann's birthday pie,
 the little girls insisted that their mother stand on her chair.

Mary Ann, being not only soft spoken but also reserved, replied,
 "Oh no!  I'll just sit here while they sing to me."

The little girls didn't miss a beat and in unison they said, "Then I'll stand up for you!"

And just like that, they were both standing on their chairs
 enjoying all the attention from the crowd.

Too cute!

The minute the singing ended, 
they were quickly by their mother's side to take a bite of the pie.

Watching the little girls enthusiasm and excitement 
 when the "balloon man" came over to our table 
and asked the girls what character would they like him to make
was probably the highlight of the night.

Megan asked for Naveen from Princess and the Frog.

The girls were completely mesmerized as the "balloon man"
 twisted and turned the balloons and created a masterpiece.

It really was quite amazing to watch, 
both the "balloon man" and the little girls expression 
while they watched the "balloon man" create Naveen. 

The happy little girls with Naveen.

Molly asked the "balloon man" to make her Rapunzel from Tangled.

Doesn't this guy just look like a "balloon man?!"  He was awesome!

My absolute favorite picture of this two little girls with their balloon creations!

Priceless!

As we walked out of the restaurant, I couldn't help but stop by the counter
 where the old fashioned lollipops are displayed.

I turned and asked the little girls if they would like a lollipop.

Once again, they squealed with excitement, jumping up and down with joy.
I think that I probably won the "Favorite Aunt Award." 
 I have some pretty stiff competition but maybe just for one night.

Me and my sister, Mary Ann.