Fiesta!!!

Okay, so almost a week later I am finally going to write about last Saturday. Yes, I just started the last sentence with "Okay" but hey, it's my blog, I can do what I want.

Anyway, last Saturday was a busy day just FULL of mission friends. Which, as you know if you know me, just makes me happy. To begin with, Tiawni Thomas [my favorite English companion...] came down to SLC from Ogden so we could go to a bridal shower together for Emily Jenkins [another missionary.] We had been discussing ideas for a gift, everything from "spaghetti dinner' kits to cake mixes and cookie sheets, but we finally decided on a "In sickness (and in health)" Kit. We knew that buying everything you need to take care of each other when you're sick would be expensive, even if you went to Wal Mart. So, we pulled a trick out of our "missionary" bag, and went to the dollar store! It was funny how many memories were brought back just by walking around the dollar store with Tiawni. There's a slight chance that on the mission we may have done that together...on more than one occasion. Anyway, we found a cute basket, and began filling it with everything from Kleenex to cough drops, and soon we had a "kit" that would at least get them started on a medicine chest for their new home. We even got a "Get Well Soon" card instead of a bridal shower card! We arranged everything in the basket and headed over to the shower.

The shower was fun, simple. We sat and visited with Emily, as well as with Cherelle Jones and Cindee Perry (more missionaries) who came to the shower, too. We ate treats, and Emily opened her gifts, and soon the shower was over. Tiawni and I headed out to the local Applebee's for a late lunch, and enjoyed a great meal as we caught up on recent happenings. Our waiter was also a source of entertainment as we discussed whether he was "gay" or just pretending.


After lunch we headed back up to Aune's house to get ready for the Torres' party that night. I managed to convince Tiawni to stay for the party, even though she didn't know the Torres family, or Alexis Zamora, who also came. I told Tiawni that she would know tons of missionaries, and that the food would be worth staying for if nothing else.

Anyway, she stayed, and we got to work chopping tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, cilantro, and limes for my pico de gallo. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water now... anyway, we helped set everything out, and get it all ready for the guests to arrive. Gaby Torres put on some "party music" and soon the house was full of people.


From left-ish to right-ish: Teya [Phil's daughter], Phil Catudal, Johnathon [Mark's nephew], Mark McAllister, Braden Piggott, Kenneth Price with his girlfriend, Chris White[in back], Rob Corbridge, Gaby Torers, Neftaly Torres, Cherelle Jones [in the back] Neftaly Torres Jr., Aliah Torres, Alexis Zamora, Me, Nate Steele, Karen Johnson, Corrinn Aune, Cindee Perry, Nelssie Flores, Rachel McAllister [Mark's sister] with her nephew Justin. Phew! It was a full house!




Here's what we did:
We all enjoyed eating great Mexican food(thanks in part to Matt Trappett for the tres leches cake, even though he couldn't come). Here we see Kenneth and his friends partaking.














We had a pinata. Here Mark is helping his nephew take a swing at the beast.














We also took pictures (obviously), signed pillow cases for Neftaly Jr. and Aliah, signed a book for Neftaly Sr. and Gaby, and just talked with old friends. It was a great night. Here are some more pictures:






















































All too soon it was over, and people started leaving. Mitch McBride had arrived a little late, so he stayed the longest, plotting with Corrinn to take a road trip to Houston in August. I think that so far they have 8 people or so who want to go along, and Gaby and Neftaly offered them the floor of their living room to crash on for the week. They are such giving, generous people! All in all it was a great night, and the party was a great success. It was, as always, great to visit and catch up with mission friends, and to see those who will be part of my heart forever. Thanks to everyone who came, and see you next time!