Last Year of School...

EVER!

How did this happen?

I cannot believe that I am a senior in college today.

That makes me almost a real bonified adult.

And that thought scares me.

I don't want to grow up.

And probably, hopefully, never will.

I have been so consumed with wedding plans and moving into a new apartment

that I haven't even thought about school.

Last night it finally set in.

I don't know my schedule.

I don't have my books.

It's 11:00 pm

And I have one serious case of senioritis!

I am typically so excited to go to the bookstore.

Pick up my books.

Pencils

Pens

Etc.

And most importantly wear my first day of school outfit and take a pic

Like this:

or this...

But today things are different.

I am on to a whole new phase of life.

Today I will pack up my bag and head off to my first class with my fiance.

Soon I will be a real adult with a real hubby.

No more playing house.

This is going to be the real deal!

Now, if I could find someway to avoid the whole -

I am going to be a married BYU student -

zoobie appearance -

that would be fabulous!

Feathering My Nest...

On Wednesday the Orton's and Adams threw me my first BRIDAL SHOWER.

I cannot believe this is even happening.

But mostly, I am overwhelmed with gratitude toward Elizabeth, Emily, Melissa, Michelle and Kelsey.

It was the most incredible shower I've ever seen.

It was based on the theme of "tweets"

Everyone left me and James a little tweet wrapped in ribbon and tied to the tree.

 

The decorations were SO adorable and perfect for the party

Emily, Elizabeth, and Melissa spent hours putting it all together.

It was so creative and fun.

And the food.

Oh my goodness the food.

It was DELICIOUS!

And beautiful.

Michelle and Kelsey worked in the kitchen all day to put it together.

Of course Cheryl and Jessica were also a big help.

Those two are always jumping in and helping out.

The thing I loved most about my shower was getting to see and catch up with lots of important people in my life.

I love each of them dearly and was so grateful they came to the shower.

It was a perfect party and I realized how blessed I am to have grown up with such great people and role models in my life.

So glad some of my high school friends were in town for the big event.

Love those girls.

Tak - can you believe we are both going to married.

Diapers to rings.

Craziness!

On top of that they all helped me "feather my nest"

As the party was titled.

I cannot tell you how grateful I am for everything they gave me.

I do not have a single item in my kitchen.

And now I have a full functioning kitchen.

I am SO blessed.

Thank you thank you everyone!

Katie told me "be ready for the biggest out pouring of kindness you've ever seen."

And it's SO true.

Speaking of Katie.

She and Mary were so sweet and sent me these flowers.

They arrived minutes before the shower.

The card said they wished they could have been here for the shower.

Thank you girls!

Missed you and love you!

The mothers in my life are so sweet.

My Mom gave me all thee essentials.

Medicines, flash lights, extension chords, etc etc.

It was such a needed gift!

And Ann Barker.

My future mother-in-law is the most adorable sweet thing in the world.

She sent me a gift for registring.

And she has sent me a gift for every shower.

She gave James and me our silverware and napkins.

So thoughtful!

Wish she lived closer.

The Orton, Adams, Staples friendship is continuing on to the next generation.

Adam and William are besties.

They had so much fun they even made a little switcheroo 

with Grandma's keys into someone elses purse.

Although we are pretty sure Mr. William was guilty of the crime.

They were the life of the party and we just adore them.

I have to say a special thank you to McCall.

She drove all the way down from Cedar to be here for my shower.

On her first day of nursing school.

(woot woot)

Thanks McCall.

Sure do love ya.

I think I could give everyone a shout out.

I was even able to see Nan Glauser.
Cami's Mom.

I think she made me cry twice that night.

Cami was missed.

It was so great to see everyone at the party.

I wish I could name you all and thank you.

But this post is getting far too lengthy.

I am so blessed to have these two wonderful girls in my life.

We've been through everything together.

They are so sweet to throw me such a wonderful party.

They made me feel like the real deal bonified bride.

Thank you so much Missa and Kels.

As Miss would say - Lova Dova.

And to everyone else.

I honestly cannot thank you enough for helping me create my new little home!

Muah!

Finally!

I get to see this boy today!

We take our "groomals" tomorrow with Jessica.

I am pretty much so excited I could die of excitement.

Tonight the ROK DOX's are playing at the Electric Theater in St. George.

Yes, my so totally awesome Dad is in a band.

We are going to be there.

And so should you.

It benefits the Dr.'s Volunteer Clinic here in St. George, which is a great program.

And as for Mr. Dapper - get your suit and get your butt down here!

(can I say that word on a blog?)

Remember When...

Back to School looked like this?

My sweet niece Ella started kindie garden today.

All of the nieces and nephews are officially back in school.

And I wish I was right there with them.

(I may have gone to target today just to scope out the kidlets getting their back to school items)

Enjoy that jitter glitter in your hair Ella!

Can't wait to see you soon!

Winkie.

Meet Koko.

We got her when I was in the 5th grade.

And my Mom loves her more than she loves us.

And so does Grandma.

Koko has been through a lot.

Including the purchase and loss of two cats.

Two homes.

Being "brushed" by a car

causing her to have to be revived by my Dad

and loose an eye.

My Mom thought she was dying when I was leaving for college.

It was very tramatic

She was loosing both her babies in one day.

So Dad was forced to rush her to the "Emergency Vet"

which of course costs far more than the human emergency room

Only to learn that she has a severe case of......

obesity.

Causing her to have a hurt back.

She weighs 20 pounds.

She needs to loose 5.

That's 1/4 of her body weight.

Now she is loosing her mind in her old age.

She is obsessed with s.t.i.c.k.s.

I spell it like this because I fear that even if I write out the word she will some how sense it.

This is what happens nearly all day -

unless she is eating a s.t.i.c.k.

Needless to say.

Koko is still obese.

We are all annoyed with her begging.

And Dad is still mad about the expensive diagnosis. 

I tell Mom she is a psycho dog.

Which leads to my Mom explaining to me and Koko

"Karly needs a lesson in kindness.

Don't listen to her.

(whispers to me)

She is loosing her mind in her old age.

We just have to love her through it until the end."

Priceless.

Livin' The Dixie Dream...

Thanks to my high school bestie, Cami I have been looking through these pics.

I've thought a lot about Dixie lately.

I think I owe everything I am to my parents -

and to the people at Dixie High.

Pretty sure almost every person who went there would agree

that there is just something magical about Dixie High School.

I am PROUD to be a Flyer.

I will always bleed blue.

And I will ALWAYS call D's House home.

When I first met James he was on the search for a California girl.

But what he didn't know was that NOTHING

(not even a California girl)

can compete with a Dixie Girl.

No matter where I go in this world I will always call Dixie my home.

From the...

first week activities.

to football games on warm summer nights.

to  royal blue everything.

to Homecoming week with Jell-O wrestling.

to the 100 year history.

to the bucket run.

to not going to school all week during D-Week.

to hanging off that red rock to paint the Dixie.

Everything about Dixie High makes you feel like an All-American.

This place and these people shaped me into who I am.

I just thought I'd let them all know how grateful I am for what they did for me.

Ms. Stucki, Saxton, Mrs. Snow, Principal Hammer, Mrs. Howell, Miss P.

They all educated, nurtured, and loved me.

The entire student body.

I feel like I could list names for hours.

And these 14 people changed my life forever.

That Exec council was quite incredible.

I love each and every one of them like a sibling.

I am proud of who we have all become.

I try to keep in touch with them along the road.

Someday soon I hope to reunite with all of them.

But until - all my love!

Thanks for some of the best years of my life!

Sister McDonald...

Back in the 7th grade I made a best friend.

Her name was Amy McDonald.

We had 1st period science together with Mr. Bozarth.

He was the best.

He had a full blown paper tree in his room that took up nearly every inch of extra space in that old smelly classroom.

He really was a great science teacher.

A real bonified Bill Nye if you ask me.

But one day something was up.

And he kind of lost it.

He said to Amy, 

"Don't talk. Don't move. Don't even breath."

I can remember it like it was yesterday.

I am sure it was real traumatizing to our 7th grade dating life.

(Brant Parker shared the same class. It was love at first sight)

But somehow we survived.

Amy and I also shared a real admiration for Mr. Green.

Our math teacher in high school.

He was the best.

Our educational experience together continued at BYU.

We are both journalism majors.

She's print.

I am broadcast.

This past summer she did an internship in D.C.

And the summer before that - service in India.

Since the first time I met the McDonalds I knew something was different about them.

Honestly and truly they have the best hearts out of anyone I've ever met.

They are the most service oriented people.

Amy is one of those friends that for some reason every time I see her I pour out my heart.

And I trust her.

Even if I haven't seen her for a month - or two.

It's the oddest thing.

When James and I broke up for a time I am pretty sure she propped me up in our investigative reporting class.

When I saw her in D.C. she was certain I was getting engaged.

A mere 24 hours later her guess was right.

She also told me she was putting in her mission papers.

I've been dying to hear where she is going ever since.

She will be serving in the Philippines.

I am so excited for amy!

She is going to make the best sister missionary.

She is just one of those people that has touched my life and I can't wait for her to touch the lives of others.

Luckily she is going to be able to share in my big day with me before she heads off!

But I couldn't be more happy for her.

Good luck amy!

(by the way - she has always liked the little "a" more than the big one. one more reason to love her)

Happy 3rd Birthday Ry Guy...

My favorite baby boy turned 3.

I guess he isn't so baby anymore.

My sister Natalie should be an event planner

After she is an important cooperate woman that is

Ryan's party was held on a train...

Because why wouldn't you hold a party on a train?

He is OBSESSED with trains.

Kind of ironic considering his parents were married on one.

Yep you heard that right.

My parents got to go to the big event.

I am so jealous.

Ryan loves his Papa and Nana.

I sure can't wait to see him in September.

Just wait until you see what Natalie has picked for him to wear.

You are just going to melt.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Love Auntie Karly and Uncle James.

(Ryan was the first one to call him that - I nearly died of cuteness)

BFF Forever...

In separable since we were little babies.

The three of us have been through a lot.

Including lots of awkward looking stages.

Like the one above.

But no matter how long we go without talking.

And despite our age differences.

These two girls will always be there for me.

We can tell each other everything.

Because no matter how weird our families may be

or how dumb our mistakes may be

at the end of the night

we love each other and each others families just as much.

No matter what.

And now...

We are moving on to the next stage.

Starting families of our own.

All 3 of us.

About to start the tradition all over again.

When we were little we dreamed of owning houses connected by tunnels

or bridges

or pools

or anything.

And we would all have big sleepovers with our kids and husbands.

Sometimes

I still wish that could be a reality.

But no matter what.

I always know I've got these two.

And they understand me more than anyone.

Love you girls.

Sandberg Family Reunion 2010

Yesterday was the Sandberg family reunion.

My parents are in Colorado for Ryan's 2nd birthday party.

So Katie and Scott came down for the big event.

And we all went with Grandma to the reunion.

I think the reunion started before I was even born.

But I can't quite remember.

All I know is every August or September it's reunion time.

My great grandparents were Elmer and May Sandberg.

They had 6 kids.

My Grandma was the baby and the only girl.

(meaning I am the baby of the baby of the baby.)

The reunion is always so much fun.

It's always held in Pine Valley.

With Staheli catering

And lots of yummy food.

There are always lots of games.

 Lots of old time chats with grandparents.

Out of the original 6 Sandberg kids only the youngest two are still living

Ivin - 93

and Grandma - 86

Then there are three spouses left.

Marion, Rose, and Wanda.

All of the Sandberg kids are good to the core people.

Hard working.

And they all love each other.

Of course there is always the kids activity table.

This was my favorite when I was a munchkin.

And still is!

But EVERYONE'S favorite part is the RAFFLE.

Each year there is a raffle for random things.

But most importantly

a handmade quilt.

Each year I have wanted that quilt so bad.

Mostly I wanted it when my Mom and I made it.

But this year it was especially cute!

Made by the Debenham girls!

I wanted it so bad because it matches my new apartment perfectly.

I must have had good luck yesterday.

First I won a headband made by Julie.

Then I won swedish fish.

And then...

I won the QUILT.

I couldn't believe it.

I never win anything.

It was a pretty big moment for me.

I am not sure who was more excited - 

me or my Grandma.

All in all it was a FABULOUS day.

I love my family and am grateful to be a part of such a great legacy.

(The two prego cousin's - due 6 days apart!)

I wish James could have been there to experience my heritage.

This gives you an idea of how the Sandbergs really are...

Jerry asked me,

"Is he Mr. Wonderful or Mr. Weenie Head?"

I said Mr. Wonderful.

He said oh great!

And that was that.

No further questions were asked.

I loved it.

Can't wait for the next reunion!

According to Mr. Dapper:

This is going to be our backyard.

- From Versailles

For now I am letting him live in fantasy world.

When he returns I will remind him that I have $4 in my checking account.

And he probably has 5.

But for now 

I am letting him enjoy his LAST free vaca EVER.

We try not to remind James that we are poor.

Accountants don't handle it well.

Dream big babe!

Check out the Barkers rowing away at Versailles.

Pretty sure that is my future sister-in-law in that FABULOUS hat

rowing her Mom and hubbie all on her own.

Reason #5,000 why I love the Barker girls.

They have fabulous style.

AND conquer the world.

I can't wait to be a Barker girl.