Detective Girls' Party

So, today was my annual girls' party and what a blast we had!!
The theme was detectives. First, of course, I sent them an invitation:

Then the day arrived and they reported to the Jackson Agency:

First they had to put on their detective badges. I had assigned them all a name based on their interests:

Then they were fingerprinted:

That's a rather messy business, so they were instructed to follow the footprints to the bathroom where they could remove the ink:

Then came their detective kits, filled with supplies that they would need to help them solve the mystery: Pad/pencil, magnifying glass, and 3 different types of decoders:

With bags in hand they put on their disguises and we had a group photo:

Sadly, this isn't all my girls. We missed those who couldn't come a lot!!! 😞

Before taking on the arduous task of solving the mystery, we built up our stamina with lunch. Sorry I didn't actually take pictures of the food, just the signs. 😏

Appetizer:

Pull-apart Pizza:

Fruit salad with yogurt:

Fizzy flavored water:

Can you guess?

 Donuts!

Fortified, the hunt began. There were 13 envelopes per group. Each envelope contained a clue to the next hiding place. The final clue led them to their treat bags and a YOU WIN card. I found this amazing game online. Here is the link for anyone interested:

http://www.queen-of-theme-party-games.com/ciphers-puzzles-codes-treasure-hunt.html

I came up with the clues I wanted to use, typed them into the spaces provided and the program put them into different kinds of codes! A maze, a word search, a puzzle, etc. etc. etc. Amazing. I had the moms be on one team and the daughters on the other. Kent and I followed the groups around to get on-the-job pictures! 

Yes, I hid one in the bath tub!!

And yes, I hid one in the fridge!

  

  

It was a close finish, but guess who found theirs' first?

Their victory dance did them all in!

The daughters were right behind but more reserved in their win:

Here is a picture of everything they got today:

Here is what was in their treat bags:

Truth Serum

TNT

Mystery Chocolates

 Danger: Highly Explosive

And here is the happy grandma who loved that they loved the party so much!!!

Since Izzy wasn't invited he got to wear the disguise when Mom got home:

What a happy day with people I love!

One of the Best Days of my life!!!!

This is two months late, but December 5, 2018 was one of the most wonderful days of my life. Let me give you a short background first:
Two summers ago our daughter Becky told us that she wanted to become a foster parent! 

We were stunned and excited for her. She did all that was required and became a licensed Foster Care mom. Her first placement was a brother and sister, ages 2 and 3. Happily, their mother worked really, really hard and was able to get them back.

Becky's second placement was a little 2-year-old boy that we called Bugsy or B because his mother didn't want him to go by his given name. Unlike Becky's first placement, this family did not make any effort to prepare for reunification. So, last December Becky became an actual Mom, not just a Foster Care mom!! Israel Jeffrey Jackson is legally hers - and ours.

Now I'll share that wonderful day. Actually, first I need to acknowledge and give a HUGE thank you to our awesome niece, Trisha Terry. She took all of the pictures at the adoption. If you need a great photographer, check out crookedpinkie photography.

The adoption took place at the Mattheson Courthouse in down town Salt Lake.

When Kent and I arrived we were greeted by almost all of our children and grandchildren:

Not only was most of our family there, but a lot of Becky's friends were there as well:

It seemed like waiting forever [actually just a few minutes] but finally the most important people arrived:

Now Izzy [short for Israel] gets greeted by everybody:

Finally, it was time to go into the courtroom for the adoption.

Kent and I were sitting right behind Becky and Izzy. Izzy turned around and saw us and said "Grandma, Grandpa! Hugs!" So, Becky got him down from the chair and he came around and gave us hugs and then made his way through the court room hugging everybody else!

During the whole procedure Izzy ran around the courtroom, playing with his car and entertaining the Judge. In the background was the testimonies of the Foster care lawyer, Becky and Izzy's foster care reps, and Izzy's lawyer. The judge was so cute with him. It was really fun to watch. And each time Izzy picked up the phone there would be a loud dial tone throughout the room!

After the testimonies of all the legal people, the judge asked Becky why she thought she should be allowed to adopt Izzy. This is when the tears started. She said, "I didn't give birth to him, but I love him as much as if I had. He loves me. I am his mommy. We have a bond." The judge then said, "Well, when I sign these papers, it will be exactly like you gave birth to him, and no one can undo it. Now, you may wish you could when he's a teenager, but this is final!" 

The judge showed Izzy how to pound the gavel and then had to move his hands out of the way to save his fingers! It was official.

Lots of pictures and hugs all around:

These people have a special place in this whole process. Their son, Jeff, was a good friend of Becky's. He died a couple of years ago in a climbing accident. Becky gave Izzy Jeff's name as HIS middle name - Israel Jeffrey Jackson.

We had to wait for the papers to get processed so we moved the party down to the rotunda:

And here they come, mom and son:

Official papers:

How much I love this beautiful girl and her sweet new son!!
Thanks for giving me one of the best days ever!!!!