Aruba

Mom and I just got back from a very quick, 4-day trip to Aruba for my friend, Katherine's wedding.  This was my first time being a bridesmaid and it was a real honor to be asked to be in her wedding.  

Here are some pictures of the hotel we stayed at, the Divi Pheonix.

The hotel rooms were mini-suites with a kitchen, living room, 2 bathrooms and a large king-size bedroom.

 The pool changed color at night.

Iguanas were everywhere!  They loved to hang out at the pool.  At one point we saw about 10 iguanas hanging out at the same place.  It was so crazy to see!

 This was the view from our balcony.

This is a picture from the hotel beach...very white, silky sand and clear, turquoise water.

Downtown Aruba....just a few pictures. 

Wedding Day!

Bride's bouquet

 Wedding dress

 Katherine was practicing her father/daughter dance.

My hair turned out great!

 Katherine getting her hair done for the big day.

 At the beach waiting for the wedding to start

Showtime!

 Katherine's sister and niece

 Bridal party

The happy couple: John and Katherine

 All the bridesmaids: 3 from New York and 3 from California

The wedding cake

This pier was the location of the welcome cocktail hour the night before the wedding

 Our hotel is the building in the background

The end of an amazing 2-years at UCNS

This past week was Kate's last few days of preschool.  Next year she starts Kindergarten!  Her amazing preschool, University Covenant Nursery School, held a special ceremony for all the pre-kindergarten kids.  Each child received a special certificate from their teachers then they sang a song for all the parents.  

Kate and Nicholas have become best of friends over the past 2 years of preschool.

 Ms. Kirsten and Ms. Jen presented Kate with her special certificate.

 Here is a picture of most of Kate's class.

 Kate has established a deep love for her teachers.  Ms. Kirsten has been so amazing, caring and loving towards Kate.

 Ms. Jen gives Kate's hundreds of hugs each day and brings so much joy to Kate.  We are so excited to be taking private swim lessons from Ms. Jen this summer!

The kids got to run around the school grounds after the ceremony.

 It is rare to get a family picture these days, especially with everyone smiling and looking at the camera.

 Silly Maggie, always so lady-like! :-)

 On the last day of school, the teachers presented each child with a special award.  Kate received the "Super Star Award" for her joy of singing all day long.

 We are SO VERY VERY SAD to end this school year.  UCNS has been so amazing for Kate and our family.  Ms. Kirsten and Ms. Jen have had a huge, positive impact on Kate's confidence and independence.  They especially have helped nurture Kate's love and understanding of God and his creation.

We had to take a picture of Kate and Nicholas one more time before school ended.  Unfortunately Nicholas will be going to a different elementary school so we will have to keep their friendship growing with play dates, Sunday school and kids choir.

 Silly picture!