Photo Opp!

After church, we all jumped in the side by side for one more family ride before the buyer comes to pick it up. I’m so grateful that Ben was able to have one last drive in it. It was a beautiful day, not too hot so we drove all around Northfork and then headed to a couple spots to see if we could come up with a game plan for Norah’s senior pictures. There are so many options here in the valley!  This one is at the bottom of the divide and might be a favorite. 

It was such a surreal day to have everyone together again, except Ava is down at BYU already.  Ben and Kyle took a short nap in hopes of getting back into the right time zone. We had an amazing chicken Marsala dinner and hung out with each other until an early bedtime.

 

Big Cookie!

When Kyle used to travel more when the kids were little I would make big cookie hearts and decorate them with frosting. I decided to use up the last of the August cookie dough from the cookie business and whip this up. I made the frosting and frosted it right before leaving for the airport.
 

So Sad!!

Having Ava home from German and BYU for the last 9 months has been heavenly for all of us, especially Norah. Having an amazing big sister is such a blessing, and sharing a room with her has been truly amazing for both Ava and Norah.

Before we drove to Neilson’s for our traditional cheeseburger college send off, I made the girls sit on the porch and pose for these pictures. Love how much they love each other and what good friends they have always been to one another!!
 

Hawaii Club!

Working with Coach Charlie Wade from the Division 1 National Championship winning men’s volleyball team from the University of Hawaii has been a literal dream come true for Ben.

Ben has really enjoyed his time with the club and getting to know the other highly skilled volleyball players his age on the team. Things didn’t work out this season for Ben to stay in Oahu and play for coach Wade, but the future is not written yet. He may be back!!
 

So Fake!

As I was coming over the top of the divide today I was struck by the clouds and slowed for a picture. It has been raining almost every night much to Ulli’s shagrin, making things look a lot more green!!
 

Still Going!!

The party continues a week later in the winning district of the Palio where Jack lives. Every night there is another giant table set up with food and beverages a plenty!  Italians know how to celebrate!!  We were all on the call today when Jack showed us the scene from his window. 
 

More Action!

Norah doesn’t love the pictures of her swinging, but there were too many good ones to pass up!!

This one is my favorite where Norah is up higher than Farmington’s 6’3” outside!  She was so tall, but Norah was either hitting around her or in between her and the middle!

I don’t remember anyone getting hit by Norah’s swing during the game, but this picture sure makes it look she got the outside on the forehead!

Action Shots!

There was a photographer at the game tonight taking pictures and Norah played all 5 sets of of the winning game against 6A Farmington. It was a fun game to watch. 

Norah had a big role tonight with the second best hitting percentage. Norah also had a solo block and 8 kills with an ace and the third most points accumulated during her serves. 

Algae Time!

Ava and I ventured out this morning for some paddle boarding at the lake. We walked for a very long time to get from the beach to the shore due to the water being so low. When we launched it was pretty muddy and Ava’s paddle board fin got stuck and pulled off. Luckily she noticed right away and was able to go back and find it. 

We were supposed to board by the dam, but we both wore the wrong footwear and impromptu decided to go back to the spot we boarded the last time we did a farewell paddle before Ava headed to BYU in 2023. 

It was a beautiful day, not too hot, but warm enough to force us to dip into the water halfway in spite of the film that seemed to be on the surface of the water. We found out later that there was in fact an algae bloom and that the lake was not safe to be in. We felt fine afterwards, but did both rinse when we got home!
 

Dwarf Donkey Baby!!

We’ve been driving past this guy the last couple days and have stopped almost every time to admire his whiteness and how small he is. Today he was walking around looking especially cute!!
 

Precious!!

Norah cuddling with Ulli on the floor in my closet is a must picture moment. Love these two!!
 

Stake Confernce!

The landlord at the Morgan rental forwarded me a link to the stake conference for the ward and I was able to tune in and watch Elder and Sister Renlund give uplifting and inspiring talks about following the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to happiness in this life and the next. 
 

Harry Potter Rewatch!!

We noticed last week that the theatre we love was showing the Harry Potter films this month. We decided to do see the first one tighter tonight. So amazing to see these classic films on the big screen all these years later!!
 

So Fluffy!!

I love sending the kids pictures of this cute pup. With Ben missing home I have amped up my efforts. It’s so easy when our dog looks like this!!
 

Laie Hawaii Temple!!

These guys were recalling struggling with all things Hawaii and decided the hour drive to the temple was worth it. So much peace comes from being in the house of the Lord!
 

Fixed & For Sale!

When I was picking up the side by side after it got a new belt and clutch service the service manager asked if we were thinking about selling it since it is in such good shape. I told him we were and then he proceeded to offer me a very low amount. I took pictures on the drive home and listed it. Within a day I had a serious buyer and sold it for $2000 more than the dealership was willing to pay. We had one last ride as a family with Ben behind the wheel before the buyer drove it away. 
 

Are We For Real!??

I’ve been taking the Jeep to the same car dealership for maintenance and oil changes since we purchased the car from them. They changed owners this last month so I went somewhere else and boy do I regret it. 

This morning Norah drove to school leaving behind a trail of oil they started inside the garage. The line that went the length of the entire driveway and into the street was glistening. I didn’t realize it was oil until I was on my morning walk with Ulli and talking to Jack. He said it looks like oil and then my heart sank. 

I quickly ended our call and reached out to the auto shop. They instructed me to bring the vehicle in immediately and then I figured out a way to get to uMorgan swap cars with Norah and get to the auto shop. The oil leak had stopped and the car was thankfully ok. 

Ava picked me up and we moved her stuff down to BYU and grabbed the jeep on our way hback. It leaked again in the morning leaving more oil stains on the ngarage and driveway. A completely different brand of oil filter was the solution. Now I just need the baking soda to soak all the grease up!!

Senior Year Collages!

I whipped up this collage for Norah showcasing her start of kindergarten and start of senior year. I sent it to the other kids and then decided to make one for each of them upon Jack’s request. 

Norah started kindergarten at a public a hook while Jack attended at a nearby private school in Fairview, TX and Ava was homeschooled. Such different starts for each of the kids, they are all so unique!!

 

Senior Year!!

Due to Ben being so apprehensive about starting school in Hawaii there is no first day of school picture for him for sophomore year sadly. Norah took a great photo out front with Ulli before rushing off to Morgan!  
 

New Movie!!

We’ve been gearing up for the new Spiderman movie all week by watching the first 3!  It has been so fun and tonight was the cherry on top!  The movie was great and the best of all the Spider-Man movies by a wide margin. Only complaint were the inconsiderate super fans behind us in the theater that were obnoxious during all the quiet serious scenes. So glad I got to share the evening with these two beauties!!
 

Unreal!

While on our weekly call with Jack today he was showing the scene outside his window. The Palio Race has so many festivities beforehand and Jack has been witness every night to these massive feasts lining the street below his window. What an experience!!
 

Exhausted

The drive to the airport to drop off Ben and Kyle today was brutal. We were all pretty sullen thinking about the separation. Ben, who I thought would be the most nervous started snoring so loud causing us all to look over and see him fast asleep. Thank goodness he got this power nap in before the trip started!!
 

Farewell Cake

In between the showing and the boat, Ava baked some chocolate malt cake layers. While I was making dinner she and Norah also made some chocolate malt frosting. 

We wanted to have a little celebration tonight since it is our last night together for awhile.

The cake was of course delicious and we all enjoyed the time together and then the kids played video games until late. 
 

Boat Day 2

Today after the showing we headed out on the boat. Norah had to do some stuff for volleyball, but the rest of us enjoyed another beautiful day on the lake. We only surfed and we all got some amazing turns in. Ava and I even managed to surf off and back on the boat and swapping riders without falling or having the boat come to a stop. Good times. We came home at the same time as Norah and had some Jägerschnitzel for dinner. 
 

Heartbreaking

The hardest part of the Hawaii experiment is the separation of our family. Kyle and Ben will be gone in Hawaii while Ulli, the girls and I will wrap up the house sale and move on. Today we had a house showing while I was serving in the temple and Norah snapped this picture of Ben and his pup while they hung out at Maverik waiting for the showing to end. 

Temple Time!!

Nothing brings us together more or helps us feel at peace than a family trip to the temple. Today’s trip was Ben’s idea and we did it before his haircut and Norah’s game. Such a beautiful day!!
 

Boat Day 1

This week we are trying to pack in the activities to keep Ben from having time to get depressed about Hawaii. Monday I took Ava and Ben to Lava Hot Springs, yesterday we had Norah’s volleyball game and today we are on the boat!

Ben grabbed the wheel and Kyle gave him some tips about driving. We all enjoyed some surfing before Ava needed to go to her volleyball ref training class. 

The weather was actually sunny and warm making the water the perfect temperature!  We stopped and grabbed Ogden Valley pizza on our way home. 

Family Time

This week is our last week together before Kyle and Ben head to Oahu to start the Hawaii Experiment. Norah had a game at Layton today and a home game on Thursday against Skyview. Norah wanted a family picture in a jersey that isn’t white. We grabbed one of her favorite teammates and snapped this picture after winning in 4 sets. It was a great win to get against a bigger school with a couple of old rival club teammates and a club coach that didn’t have confidence in Norah (none of which talked to Norah after the match). 

We headed to sills afterwards for dinner and enjoyed an Utah scone with some greasy breakfast food before going home. 
 

Love Him!!

So many pictures of this pup!  Can’t get enough of his fluffiness and how unaffected he is by our lack of running water due to the current broken part and scare of ecoli at our water source and pump. 

 

So Obedient!!

As we cleaned the house to get it ready for the open house we had already stashed Ulli’s bed in the garage. When we are vacuuming Ulli is trained to go lay on his bed until we are done. Since he couldn’t go on his bed we told him to lay down by the stairs. Even though he is not a fan of the vacuum he was resolute in his obedience to stay there even when the hose came astonishingly close!!