Oceanside

The bad part of leaving CA is moving away from family. Anna and her family live about 3 hours away from us. We didn’t see each other as much we either of us wanted to, but definitely a lot more than when I lived east of the Rockies. 

We decided we needed one more trip down to their house. Not to say goodbye but to soak up some family fun time. 

We got here after dinner and spent the evening playing games. First Killer Bunnies, then Scum. It was a lot of fun.


Except for poor Zivers who is bullied by her cousin Pearl.  We have to protect her the whole time.

Ethan had a great time at youth conference. We picked him up yesterday and it was fun to hear about his adventures. 

Meh

After travelling for several weeks, and then having a party yesterday, this was the first day post home sale and purchase that I had nothing much to do.

Grace did have an orthodontist appointment in the afternoon.  Fun fact of moving: we get to find a new orthodontist to finish both Ethan and Grace's treatment. Ugh.

Today I read, watched some of the office, called schools in FL to start the move process, called insurance, worked on a project I've had laying around for a long time. I also felt kind of bored and unproductive. Rob's already in FL and we are just in a holding pattern waiting for our stuff to be picked up.  This is one of the worst parts of moving.  The stressful buying and selling is the worst part.  The waiting is second worst.  This time is even a little more worser (I know that's not a word) than normal because I am also missing all the family we just spent weeks with.  If I had a crystal ball and knew just how things would work out I would have had the kids fly to Utah and stayed there another week...or even had us all stay in Ohio a little longer.  But alas I do not.  

Tonight Rob worked late, went "home" to the hotel and ate dinner and showered then went to the temple and was home by 9:30-10.  This is miraculous.  We are both looking forward to being so close and being able to go and serve often and easily.  We have never lived so close and we are very excited about that.

Grace went to mutual tonight.  I stayed home.  Weird.  We are now both calling-less. Also an at odds time.  So I think the days will go slowly but hopefully soon and smoothly we will be together and settling in.

Weirdly since I’ve been home I’ve been laying awake at night a lot. Very not like me. The first night I thought it was because I had drank 2 5hr energy drinks on the drive home. But now??

Good-bye Swim

Ethan went to youth conference this morning at 5. Rob already moved to Florida. Grace and I are home alone and she wanted to have a good bye party for “a couple of friends”. This ended up being 17 girls and Grace.  We are 4 hours in to our 7 hr long planned extravaganza and it’s been good . There is pizza and pop, everyone brought treats. The hot tub is on, games are being played and  selfies are being taken. There is dancing and laughing & Grace has some good friends:)

Reggie's baptism day

Hannah, Kenz and Jo

Reggie takes a flying leap!

beautiful and delicious cake

Saturday was my last day in Utah.  Dani and Greg hiked Mt Timpanogos.  They got up at 4am and it took them 9.5 hrs round trip.  They saw a moose and mountain goats and I am super impressed with their efforts.  In the meantime I kept the kiddos.  We slept in late and got breakfast at McD then headed to the pool to meet the family.  The pool was closed when we got there so we went to mom's and hung out until it opened.

Poor Deo was sick.  Andrea and Yoho had lots of prep to do.  Alec, Kelly, Val and Ryan and I ended up taking the kids (this included Joneaux, Reggie and Noah) to the pool.  Kenz, Jo and Spencer, Hannah and Sawyer were also with us so we had plenty of adults. We picnicked and swam for a long time. Joneaux is a fish in the water.  Reggie is really good too.  Those two boys had a lot of fun going down slides and hitting the lazy river and the diving board together.  Noah also can swim.  He got tired more easily so we followed him closely as he wasn't in floaties.  The pool was nice and we had  fun time.  I think it helped pass the time while we waited for the evening to arrive.

all the men who confirmed him

After swimming we went home and everyone got ready then we went to the baptism.  It was really nice. Reggie looked very handsome and there was a lot of family there to celebrate with him.

Me and Tatum at dinner

We went out to dinner after.  Andrea picked the perfect place, it had a back room that we could all fit into.  The food was yummy and there were a lot of us so it was great to have our own space.  It was noisy and crazy in the best way.  The kids were free to move from table to table and say hi to people, to play together and to relax and eat with all the grown ups.  That's not an easy feat for a dinner out.

siblings

Since all the kids were together ( a rare occurrence) we took some quick pictures after dinner then went back to mom's to talk some more.  We looked at old pictures and just had a lovely time.  Heaven will be like that, family together.  I left around 11 because today I had to do the long drive home, so I missed butt charades and the last hours of hanging out. Some time soon we'll be together again, hopefully.

behaving

Today I drove home.  It was long but I made it safely.  I listened to general conference and sang along loudly with the hymns.  

I got released as YW president today.  Ethan blessed the sacrament for the first time.  Rob moved to FL to start work.

the whole family

I feel like I've been on the road for a month.  At the same time it went so fast.  I loved spending time with so many loved ones and will really miss them all now that I'm home again.
Also I am really tired and will be going to bed early tonight:)

ruffians

The gift of time

This morning Dani and I took the kids to see Hotel Transylvania 3! It was super fun and cute. We all loved it.

After that I went to the creamery to meet Rylie and Paige and Audrey. It was super fun to see them and to visit and hear about the girls adventures and plans. They are doing awesome and I’m so proud of them.

It was fun to catch up with Audrey too. I enjoyed working in YW with her a lot and have missed their whole family since they moved.

After 2 hours of gabbing I went to pick up Val from work and we went shopping. We had fun talking and didn’t buy anything. 

Then it was time for family dinner at mom’s. Andrea made Hawaiian haystacks that were so yummy.

For dessert we went to The Hukilau for delicious shave ice! It was lots of fun to spend the evening together.

This summer we have been so blessed to spend time with our families. I wish it was all the time but am grateful for the time we do have.

Family is everything. I’m so grateful for mine and that we can enjoy being together and that we have the promises of eternity!

Road warriors

Last night in the hotel:

When you travel with little boys:

The last delirious hours:


We made it to Spanish Fork. Our travels went so well really. It was long but I’m so glad we got to do it. 

Tonight we went to Zupas! My favorite:)

Then I went to visit Tori and Emma and Caroline. Which I loved. Love them, loved the visit. 

957 miles

We drove and drove and drove. The kids did awesome. The adults did okay too:) 

We drove through Iowa, birthplace of  John Wayne and James T Kirk. We drove through Nebraska and into Wyoming. 

We stopped at Penny’s Diner and at gas stations and rest areas. 


Only 5 hrs left tomorrow!