Avendale Ward Youth Conference 2014

This year Youth Conference was done within the Wards.  Our ward chose to go the day after High School Graduation.  We could not have planned a better "senior trip" for Mackenzie!

The week started out with going to the Las Vegas Temple to perform baptisms.  Then the older youth had the privilege of going into the "ghetto" of Las Vegas with the one and only Tony Hladek (who grew up there) to serve in a soup kitchen.  It was an amazing experience for the youth! 

After the Temple and Soup kitchen experience the active part of the trip began!  The leaders rented a house boat on Lake Mead!  The youth had such a great time preparing each others meals, reading and acting out scripture stories, jumping off the boat, sliding off the boat, hot tubing, dancing, wake boarding and lounging in the Lake!

 On the way home my girls had to stop and buy some fireworks in Arizona in preparation for 4th of July here in California!

Class of 2014

Mackenzie graduated for San Juan Hills High School on Tuesday, June 24, 2014.  Because the end of the school year date was changed the school lost their date to graduate at the Bren Center at UCI.  So this is the first class to actually have their graduation ceremony in their football stadium.  There was limited parking, but other than that the ceremony was great!  

The weather was nice and lots of family could come support her.  After the graduation everyone came back to our house for dinner.    She opted not to go to Grad Night because she left decided to go with her church youth group to Lake Mead and spend the week on a houseboat instead.  

 Maddie Hunstein and Mackenzie

 Mackenzie and Cassie...friends since 1st grade!

 All three of these boys left on their mission within two months of graduation!

(Tyler, Xander and Spencer)

 Mom put together a memory group from birth to graduation

Congratulations Mackenzie!  We are proud of you and can't wait to see what the future holds!  Here she comes BYUI!!!

Happy 17th Birthday Madalyn

In Honor of Madalyn's 17th birthday I thought I would do a "then and now" collage!  Madalyn has brought us so much joy since the day she was born!  She is so funny and easy going.  We love how hard she has worked this school year to get straight A's and are so proud of all the effort she has put into her school work! She has overcome trials and continues to amaze us with her testimony and strength!  We love you Madalyn! You were beautiful "then and now"

Cousin Dallin

Taylor Lewis

Samantha Dayton

Kyrsten and Samantha Applebee

Addison Doezie

On Madalyn's actual birthday her friends Taylor and Addison kidnapped her from having lunch at Cinnamon productions with mom and Grandpa Jones.  They blindfolded her and took her to get a manicure and yogurt!  It was the perfect birthday surprise!  She is so thankful to have such wonderful friends!

Seminary Graduation 2104

Mackenzie survived four years of early morning seminary!  She was blessed with great teacher who taught her all the great things and lessons in the scriptures!  Obtaining this graduation certificate was worth the four years of getting up at 5:45 am and attending before every school day!  As parents we love that she started the day out with prayer and scripture study.  What better way is there to protect yourself from the evils of the world? Shout out to Brother Barr Hill, Sister Nina Palmer, Brother Fitzpatrick and Brother Hogan for their time and sacrifice to teach my daughter! 

Colton and Stephen Facer

Tyler Wright

Matthew Webber

Xander Dorius, her Senior year teacher Brother Hogan, and Tyler Wright