Discovery Cove

Grace and I went to discovery cove. I didn’t actually know what to expect, everyone I knew who had been said it was really amazing. It did not disappoint, it was so beautiful and relaxing and amazing.

My favorite part, by far,  was the coral reef. We snorkeled with rays and so many beautiful fish. There were sharks and a huge grouper bigger than me!

It was a really nice day. We also had our phones in the locker most of the day so we just talked. It was amazing. 

We got to talk to Ethan today and tonight I went to Tom and Diana’s for a Memorial Day BBQ.  

 

Some good, some bad

We had a ward beach day today. It was really fun. Grace, Lillie, Lettie and Sam came with me. They all turned into little lobsters but despite that it was so nice. I think there were 7-8 families there.

On the way home we drove thru Culver’s. I had the new chocolate covered strawberry concrete, yummy!

I love going to the beach💕

Penny had her pageant today. She won attendant!! She’s so cute!

The bad news: see this cute smiling girl in the picture below? Her arm snapped :( Both bones have been broken for 3 days. Today Chris took her to have an X-ray. They had called the doctor when it broke because she heard a snap while trimming her nails but he said he’d check it next week at her post op. Negligent. They had enough and went today and it is broken. This is so upsetting, I can not even believe it. 

 

Summer! Day 1

I watched a very nice documentary on Disney+ about Jose Andres, the iron chef, restaurateur, and previously unbeknownst to me, humanitarian. I really enjoyed it. There is so so much awful and sad in the world and it is very nice to see someone doing good. He travels extensively and works with FEMA and the Red Cross feeding people during disasters. He started a non profit called World Central Kitchen and they are very organized and resourceful and fill such an important need. 

I also cleaned, did laundry, started a new book, went to the grocery store and babysat Lincoln. 

Grace and her friends spent the night at Lilly’s and then went to rock springs this morning. Tonight they are “sleeping” here and we are going to the beach in the morning.

 

Last Day of School

 

We got to talk to Ethan for a few minutes this evening. His pday is Wednesday this week and they were on their way to Seville for a zone conference. He is happy and doing well on his mission. It is always great to talk to him and to read his letters. 

Speaking of missionary work Papa gave the water restoration guy a BOM but he forgot it or something when he left Monday. When he came back on Tuesday the first thing he did was ask me about it so I gave it to him. He came today and took down another wall that wasn’t drying. When he comes tomorrow I will ask him if he’s started reading. 

We had a taco lunch to celebrate the last day. This has been a good group of teachers to work with. I got called into the principal’s office.  She wanted to let me know that I have a spot at the school next year but they want to change my assignment to interventionist, which is totally fine. I will work with small groups of kids who need extra support to achieve academically. 

Jenna and Clayton have been in AZ. They had a great visit. I love this picture of cute Grandma Joyce and the girls!

Sunday night Rob had dinner with the Reeds. They told him that Hannah had a lot of the same symptoms as Grace and found something that helped. Rob was excited about the hope that the same things might also help Grace and wanted me to call Hannah. We talked tonight and it does sound very similar so we are going to pursue that hope. We are constantly praying and searching. Something has to help. 

Rob is enjoying being back at Pax. He feels like it’s a good fit for him. He’s been super busy setting up the apartment and getting into work so I think his first 3 days have gone well and surprisingly he’s doing better than we are. I thought he’d have the harder time, I didn’t factor in a flood, Grace’s ongoing health struggles and that it would be so weird to have him gone. 

An Auspicious Beginning…not

We got home from church and I started making dinner when John called from upstairs that there was a flood. 

That really threw a wrench in the day.

It flooded the bathroom, hallway, bedroom, stairway, and it was raining from the ceiling and the walls were weeping. What a complete mess.

I called the plumber and we got the water turned off in the house. Then I called the other youth leaders to let them know I wouldn’t be going to BYD. There were many offers of help but I said we didn’t need any. Then everyone came with fans and shop vacs and it was so nice! It turned out I did need help and I was so very grateful for it. 

Mom and Dad and Kathy and John helped so much and 4 families from the ward came. I felt so looked out for and so loved. It was really nice. 

 The plumber found the leak and fixed it. Now we have water restoration and repiping and dry wall and maybe carpet to fix. 

That should be fun. 

Kennedy Space Center

I have been wanting to go to the Space Center since we moved here but somehow we never got around to it. Anyway I had suggested we go there when mom and dad were planning their trip and they wanted to.

It was amazing. We had a very fun time. Papa was very cute and excited, he kept exclaiming that it was a very exciting day. 

We had a fun group and everyone was excited to be there and happy to see all the space stuff. 

Kathy and John have never been to Florida and they’ve been enjoying the gators and the unique things we have here. 

On the way home we stopped at Bahama Breeze for their delicious stuffed plantains. 

Rob is driving to MD, so weird. I guess it’ll be like a long business trip but it seems really strange to have him gone. 

 

Evenings

Sierra had surgery to remove some of her plates. Here she is on the day of her surgery cheering on Penny! She’s a brave girl and a good aunt.

Thursday night Rob and I went to the temple with Mom & Dad and Kathy & John. It was very nice. After we went out to dinner and it took a long time. The food was good but we got home kind of late for a work day. 

 Friday night we went to see Andrew Hill in Singing in the Rain. He did awesome. It was pouring rain outside too which was apropos. Before that Rob smoked meat for us and then we took everyone to get Mickey beignets. It was a fun night!

Scavenger Hunt

Chris, Myles, Rueben, Maddie, Grace, Marjorie, Amelia, Kayla Josh and Tucker

This may be the world's worst picture of these cute kids!  We had a "priest laurel" activity last night at Disney springs, in quotes because there is no such thing as laurels any  more!  They got into two teams and had a photo scavenger hunt and the last spot was the dole whip stand where they got dole whips for treats.  So fun!  I love these kids!

 Alicia and I hung out at the finish line while they ran around!

Mom and Dad and their friends Kathy and John are here for a week long vacation in beautiful Florida.  They were to Epcot yesterday.  When I went to bed, at 10 pm, they still weren't home so I am guessing that they had a great time!  Tonight we are going to the temple together.

Sierra is having surgery today to removed the plates in her arm and collarbone.  I'm sending out lots of prayers that it goes well.  It is relatively minor compared to her ordeal of last year but for some reason it made me a bit teary this morning thinking about her and hoping it will go well.  She's been through a lot and I just want her to be happy and healthy and thriving.  I'm sure it'll be fine.  

Rob is packing and getting ready to move.  He leaves on Saturday.  So crazy!

wedding photos

Anna is one of those people who are good at everything they do.  She was our photographer and got some really pretty pictures of Sierra and Chris.  The day was cold but still so beautiful.

We've had three family weddings this year.  Kenz and Brandon last September.  They are doing awesome.  Kenz works as a nurse in a surgery center and Brandon is going to school and they are happy and cute.  Sierra and Chris last month.  They just moved into a super cute apartment.  Sierra is working and Chris is working and they are happy.  Reggie told Chris "thanks for marrying Sierra", which was so sweet.  I'm glad that she waited until she found the person who would be a good match for her.  Spencer and Maddie of course just tied the knot last weekend and are still in Hawaii on their honeymoon.  They are going to live in SLC where Spence is going to the University of Utah and Maddie works as a nurse. It's fun and exciting to see their new families starting and to look forward to what they will do and be together.

I loved Sierra's beautiful bouquet!

I can't believe a year ago Sierra was lying in the ICU and we didn't really know for sure that she would live, and what that life would look like.  She has recovered beyond our wildest dreams and far beyond any doctors expectations.  I can't really put into words how awful those days in the hospital were.  Sierra says she doesn't remember and I hope that's true.  Dani and I remember.  We are strong....but I never want us to do that again!

 Families are Forever!

All our family except for Ethan who is faithfully serving in Spain!

Sisters!

Graduation!

Dani graduated from the University of Utah’s END program. She now can scan brains! She did awesome and it was so fun to be able to go to her graduation!  

Last night we had a family party to celebrate. The kids played, we had tons of food, we decorated and played games and visited until late in the night and until the little  kids were begging to go home to bed. 

We get to be together so rarely that no one wants the time to end. 

Today I went to see Sierra and Chris’s new apartment then Jenna, Darcy, Tatum, Sierra and I went with Dani and Penny to shop for pageant stuff. She’s going to be in the little miss Spanish Fork pageant in two weeks. 

Everyone was super tired but it was still nice to go together .

Now I’m at the airport ready to fly home and super glad that tomorrow is not a work day so I can nap!

 The party decorating committeee!

Wedding

Spencer and Maddie got married in the beautiful Draper Temple. They looked beautiful and the day was so nice. Their venue was awesome and the food was good. They had a fun donut truck for dessert and they had dancing. I was so happy that I was able to come and celebrate. 

4 generations:)

Cute cousins, Marshall and Noah.

The bride and groom❤️

My and my siblings, minus Michael. Anna and I did go see him after we left the airport. We met for lunch.