Elle's Tree

[Updated] One day, Rob's brother Mark announced to the family, "We are going to create the biggest, best tree ever at Festival of Trees for Elle."

And so, they went to work...

Cousin Ashley, Uncle Mark, and Aunt Meme

Grandma worked on the pink tutu for the dressmaker, while Aunt Cindy sewed the tree skirt and table skirt.

 Mark and Cindy and Rob's parents funded the majority of the tree, and Rob's sister Ann (Meme) was the chief decorator/designer. Pro!

Cindy wrote me an email with some details I wanted to include in this post, "Angela Keddington donated the barbie case, my sister donated the big pink teddy bear, Jen and Mark McNees donated a Justin Bieber CD and DVD and a barbie, Clay and Debra Hatch donated a barbie, Emily donated the white teddy bear and toy chest, and she had Sienna help pick out the barbie clothes, a neighbor of your sister Brittany donated the Justin Bieber doll, a CD, and the Justin Bieber bag. I just wanted you to know how many people were involved and wanted to help out.... SO many other people contacted Mark and wanted to help donate items or give us money for the tree. Not just those who actually donated things. Lots of people from your ward and your family. We ended up just telling almost all of them that they could help by spreading the word and coming out to bid or just support the festival. You have some amazing friends and neighbors who have done so many things to honor Elle."

Elle's best friend, Sienna, and her mom also came to help out.

WOW.

Vases filled with glittery lipglosses, kisses, and gumballs

Of course Justin Bieber showed for the event ;)

The Masterminds: Rob's sister Ann, brother Mark, and our sister-in-law Cindy

[Preview night.] Rob's family had kept the tree's appearance a secret from us, so we walked toward it in amazement. A nine-foot larger than life tree with personality plus, just like Elle! Such a beautiful, meaningful way to honor and represent her. It's humbling to think of the hours and effort that went into making that tree. That's true love in my book.

Standing in front of it and gradually as we began walking around the festival, Rob and I felt such a sweet presence. So many of the trees represented a child; it was like walking on sacred ground.

Grandma handmade pink fur purses as ornaments for the tree.

JB and two tickets to his "Believe Tour" concert. The Justin Bieber tickets were donated by a complete stranger named Carol, who Mark had contacted and who was touched with Elle's story. Cousin Sara helped decorate the tree and decked out the tickets for the show. Awesome!

The back of the tree. Two women are reading Elle's story on the back of the sign.

Bidders gathered around the tree as the bidding closed.

The bid went to a silent auction with three final bidders.

This cute couple won the tree, paying twice its estimated value. When the winning bid was announced, the wife did a hitch kick—furreal, ha!

The tree is headed for her dance/cheer studio. Too perfect.

When I talked to MK on the phone, she recognized the name of the dance studio and laughed. She said, "I remember Lightbox from dance competitions. They would always mark their dancers with orange construction cones, so we'd joke around saying stuff like, 'Caution...it's Lightbox. Warning...,' haha" (I guess you had to be there.)

Uncle Mark did a great job on the write-up of Elle's story:

Uncle Mark and Aunt Cindy with cousins Ni, Abby, and Soda. Aunt Cindy did a ton of behind-the-scenes work and had to contrive a couch fort in their family room for two weeks to protect it from the kids and their friends, and especially their foster baby. Mark and Cindy had just moved to a new home, were still in the process of unpacking, were working with contractors to finish their basement, and were helping a neighbor clean out her house for a move. Not much going on at their house....

(below: Apparently the older the boys get, the fewer warm clothes they need...)

The boys all told me Elle's tree was their favorite, even beating out the awesome sports trees. Their hearts are just full of Elle's puddin'. That's what little boys are really made of.

So, I'm biased, but I say Mark and our family and friends pulled off the biggest, best tree ever!!

Thank you!!