Halloween

Remember these days when everyone was home on Halloween and went out trick or treating. We went from 5

to 4 

now we're to 1 - who was here for a bit before heading to a party

Oh wait, another one stopped by with a friend on their way to a party,  so we got a picture of them.

Aubs sent us a picture of her dressed up like the Grandma Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood

After work, Elan became the Granny Wolf and she became Little Red Riding Hood for the party they were headed to.

and yes, Jett got all dressed up too.  Jett was our little UPS man.

We have a really good relationship with our UPS man Chris.  He was our original driver when we opened Sunny Decals in West Jordan and was super helpful with all our deliveries and stopping by later in the day of we had orders going out.  He was awesome and we were sad to lose him when he changed route.  BUT.....lo and behold, he became out Home UPS driver and with the change in hours at the shop and still gets to deliver all of our materials and supplies, just to the house now instead of the shop.  He also loves Jett and always leaves him dog treats with our packages.  We were hoping to get a picture of them together today, but he took the day off and we weren't sure the substitute driver wanted to be in a picture.

Here's a video of Jett in action.

We finally remembered to bring home a Halloween from the shop, so our front door was festive, but not scary.

Trunk or Treat

 The ward put on a super fun Fall Fest tonight.  All the kids 'Trunk or Treated' from car to car in the parking lot, took pictures with a fun back drop and finished off the night with Chili and Mac N Cheese.

Our 50's trunk had some records hanging down and a hopscotch game off to the side

But Marianne's Trunk was the best by far.  

Em was having so much fun at the Trunk or Treating she actually went home to put on a costume instead of just being 'herself"  

BYU game with Friends

What a beautiful day for College Football. LaVell Edwards stadium in Provo has to situated in one of the prettiest parts of the country in the Fall.

 Lindsay and friends went down to Provo for the BYU vs. Northern Illinois game.  It should have been an easy win, but that's not always how the game plays out.  Final score : BYU lost 7-6

Lindz and Jeremy.  Maybe not the outcome they were hoping for, but as possible future Cougs,  they sure had fun being there.

Thriller Half Time Show

If you want to be scared, you'll want to enlarge the video to full screen.  This is Minerette's Thriller dance.  Em starts and stays on the left hand side close the the 45 yard line. She has a ivory dress and very white and scary face

Okay, maybe not that scary

Back to scary!!!!

Love these girls!

One more GIFT

Tonight we got to tell the girls that Kayla had left them each one more gift!

 

As a family, we really like the movie The Ultimate Gift.  It teaches about gifts and finding true meaning and love in this life.  Before Kayla left, she made gifts for each of her sisters/brother-in-law to be given to them after she had left.  Each one represented something important to that sisters life right now or a special experience they had together.  She wrote a letter for Dad to read, similar to the movie, that talked about what really matters in life and staying close to the Savior and one another.  I've included just a snippet of that to help us remember this special night.

  

Provo City Center Temple

Kayla's MTC drop-off time was 1:00 today.  She wanted to spend out last few hours together at the Provo City Center Temple.  We brought sandwiches from Village Baker (her favorite) and just talked, ate, and walked around the temple grounds until the hour arrived to drop her off.  It was extremely peaceful and enjoyable for all of us.  

MTC Drop Off

After a quick pit stop to CHIP to get some of our favorite cookies, we headed to the 

Missionary Training Center.  

As we were pulling in, there were several people outside directing cars and traffic about where to go.  Elan mentioned that his brother Lex is a Security Guard at the MTC, but he didn't know if they let him use those cool baton things to direct traffic.

We were directed to head down to the under ground parking and then to the 4th row to unload Kayla and her luggage.  As we pulled up and open the doors we were greeted by Elan's brother Lex, who recently returned from serving a mission in Honduras. It was not a coincidence that Lex was there to greet us, it was a tender mercy from a loving God who knows us individually and loves us unconditionally.  

Aubs, Lex, & Elan 

He was able to snap a quick picture of our family

before Kayla's HOST Sister Lizzie Ruegner (who happens to one of her best friends - another Tender Mercy!)) got her luggage situated.With that, another car had pulled up behind us, and it was time to GO.  

We LOVE you Sister Miller! You will be awesome, and we'll see you in 18 months - NEC 

Post MTC Drop Off

After dropping Kayla off, we took Elan & Aubs to their house so they could get back to school and work.  The rest of us returned to the Provo City Center Temple to do Baptisms and enjoy the spirit of the temple.

The temple provided some wonderful tender mercies for us that we've recorded in our family journal.  We can all testify that the Lord knows us and is mindful of each one of us and the experiences we are going through.

As we turned our phones in the temple parking lot, we had another tender mercy - an email from Sister Miller.  Our hearts were full of love and gratitude as we read her words and traveled back home.

Official Setting Apart

Tonight Kayla was Set Apart as a Full Time Missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by President Maxfield, our Stake President.  We gathered as a family, along with President Maxfield and his 2 Counselors, President Conrad and President Stevens.  We were all given a chance to share the thoughts and feelings of our hearts about Kayla and about the service she would render.  The room was filled with love and the spirit of the Lord.  

With each of the 4 men in the room holding the Priesthood, they placed their hands upon her head as President Maxfield called down the powers of heaven to bless her and set her apart with the power and authority she needs to go out and teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ,  He gave her direct counsel and guidance to help her as she serves.  Upon completion of that blessing, she is now officially a full time missionary!  

It was such a sweet and tender experience for all us of.

Once we returned home the girls all sat on the couch chatting and laughing

until they eventually all fell asleep.  Can't think of a better way to end their last night together.

Kay Final Present

We wanted to give Kayla one last present, something that would be meaningful and practical as she serves her mission. Here it is:

Goodbye to Rily

The Goodbye's are getting harder.  These 2 have bonded in unique and special ways these past few months.  No one knows and understand more about what Kayla will experience serving as a missionary in Cebu, Philippines than Rily does.  She left part of her heart when she completed her mission there 4 years ago, and today she gave Kayla a whole list of people, divided by area, for her to visit.  

These 2 have been a great blessing and strength to one another and their connection and love for one another will always be felt.

One More Bingham Loop

Before Kayla is set apart as a full time missionary tonight by President Maxfield, we wanted to do one more run, one more Bingham Loop.  Oh how I will miss this girl.  The time we have been able to spend together these past few months has been priceless. I will miss her tremendously, we will ALL miss her tremendously, but oh how happy she is to go and serve, and oh how happy we are to see her continue to grow and blossom. 

K's Final FHE

Kay was in charge of FHE (Family Home Evening) toinght.  She taught us a lesson from Peach my Gospel and provided treats from her VERY FAVORITE Dunford Donuts! She got some serious smiles and thumbs for that!

Sneak Peak

With Kayla leaving in a few shorts days the girls put together this years Christmas Video.

 Looks like there may be a new family member in this years video.  Watch for it's 'official' release later this Christmas Season.

View from the Y

Today we did one final hike up to the Y in Provo.  We have hiked this trail many many times throughout the years - from carrying Aubs in a hiking backpack to now taking our family of 8 + Aubrey and Elan's dog Izzy.  Provo is a special place for us and from the top today we could see the Missionary Training Center where Kayla will be living a few short days.  We were blessed with clear skies, beautiful weather, and great company.   

Scoot Scoot

Aubrey and Elan ride Scoot Scoot up to the Y Trail, and Brenna was Soooooo excited to ride on Scoot Scoot back to the house.

 We followed them through the streets of Provo.  Look at those beautiful tree lines streets!

Came up next to them near the Provo City Center Temple.  

Thanks for the side Elan & Scoot Scoot!

Bye to Johnson's

Curt and Tammy were up at Jason the Sunday Kayla spoke in Sacrament Meeting, but they were so nice to call and ask if they could say goodbye to Kay before she left.  Not only have Curt and Tammy played a big role in Robert and I's teenage years and future family, they have been so good to our kids as well.  They housed Kayla and I during her Brain Treatment Program and housed Aubs and Elan after Jerry's unexpected death so that his family could all gather at their house.  They have loved and supported us through the years and they are so excited to have Kayla out serving at the same time Skyler is out serving in Mexico.  Love you guys!

I love that Lulu joined the picture too!