Impromptu Good-Pie Party

The Friday before we left for Disney World we had an impromptu farewell party for our friends the Wallins. More specifically, for Jon, who had just accepted a postilion at Southern Virginia University and would be leaving in the next few days to start. (Kanien is staying behind to sell the house and help the kids finish school. They just sold the house yesterday and the girls will be done with school next week. Well done, Kanien!)

Deidra, who is always up for a party (one of the many things I like about her!), texted the gang (because we're in a gang, yo) and started setting up a Good-Pie party (because good-pie is happier than good-bye) at a local park. That sounded great to me, but after thinking on it for a while decided I should volunteer our house instead because we have a gas grill (much easier), bathrooms (a must with all those kids), and a playset & sandbox (bonus!).

It ended up being a lovely evening. The food was great, the pies were delicious, the weather was perfect, and we got to break out the new canopy I bought myself for my birthday.

Lance is apparently flashing our gang sign...

I even took a few pictures of people! People like Ruth and Millie. (Nice crazy eyes, Millie!)

Jon and Kanien. I'm so happy that they got such a great job and that they're in love with Virginia. But I'm also really sad that they're leaving!! I just love Kanien - she's literally helped me become a better mom because she started Mom's Group. Plus, and just as importantly *wink*, she talked me into buying my current purse, which I lurrrve.

Here's Chris holding Letty, who is Kanien & Jon's youngest daughter. Chris is married to Deidra, who somehow escaped the camera that evening. Chris will begin teaching at Utah State this fall, which means they're also moving... *sob* Buuuuttt, seeing as how I'm in Utah at least once a year, I doubt this summer will be the last I ever see of the Hartwells! Deidra and I are very, very alike in many ways. Are snarkiness knows no bounds. (At least while texting... we do have a little self-control in public.)

Cyndi and Paul Ordyna are headed to Cincinnati. I know it's pretty close, but it still seems really, really far away!  I love Cyndi because she's great at getting to know people, asking the right questions, and is always willing to stop what she's doing to help serve someone. She's awesome.

Ashley and Calvin (an Nick the husband/dad, not pictured) are moving to Kansas this summer! I don't know why, but to me it still feels like they just moved into the ward. I like Ashley because she has lots of really good stories and really good insights. And she's so talented - spinning, crocheting, graphic design, etc. Super talented.

Here's Ruthie and Cole. Cole just loves Ruthie, really and truly. Cole used to have a really hard time going to primary, and one Sunday Ruthie literally took him by the hand and that was it. She totally tamed the savage beast!

We got one group picture at the end with most of the kids.  Spencer took the picture - I have no idea where the rest of mine were. Oh - and I never got a picture of just McKay and Sheri. They're the ones directly to the right of Lance and I. Sheri is the boys' amazing (and very patient!) piano teacher. She's so musically talented! But she's also great at sewing and felt crafts. Plus, she's an amazing cook because it always smells heavenly when we go to her house for piano lessons.  Fortunately, we get to keep the Eastons around for a little while longer.

By they way, when I was looking at the pictures taken I noticed Connor and Dallin jumping and dancing and I knew I had to make a GIF of it and it is awesome. I love those kids.

I've felt so luck privileged and blessed to have these people in our lives over these past few years!