SURPRISE!

Emily is amazing.  With all she has going on with school and the many activites she's involved with, she decided to throw Kayla a surprise party for her 22nd Birthday!  Planning a surprise party for your best friend is pretty hard, but she pulled it off.  Nathan helped her by providing the location and arranging to be with Kayla that night so he could gert her to the party. 

Emily made a little 'walk down memory lane' with some of Kayla's favorite things.

Everyone except Brenna (and Lindsay of course) was able to be there to surprise her.

Kay was a little overwhelmed with all the people and excitement

Getting to see some of her friends that we love

                  And a some of her favorite sisters from her mission in Cebu. 

                 It was such a fun way to celebrate her and her birthday! 

                 Thank you Em for putting together such a fun night.

 

General Conference is Almost Here

For the past 6 months we have been meeting as a family on Sunday nights to discuss the talks from April Conference. For much of that time, 3 of the 5 girls were living here, so it was easy to get together.  It got a little trickier when Kay & Em moved down to Provo and had meetings, ward prayer, and other obligations on Sunday, but we've done our best to connect.  This is one of the things Lindsay is really looking forward to being a part of when she returns.  

With October Geberal Conference coming up this weekend, we finished the last 2 talks from April and let anyone share a favorite from the last 6 months. I love the insight the older girls bring from things they've studied in their classes, and B in things she's learned from seminary.  These insights help all of us, as we strive to better understand and follow the words of our living prophet  Now next week's Conference just feels like a continuation for April's instead of a new start after a long break.  It's defintely been good for our souls.

 

Butterfield Canyon

Took Kai for a quick ride up Butterfield Canyon to see the fall leaves.  

The colors are changing and they are beautiful

Kai loves riding on Ruseell with Gpa

Happy Guy!

 

Cabin Cleaning

Time for the yearly deep cleaning of the cabin. We went up wth Tom & Stacie and we cleaned blinds, windows,baseboards, cupboards, light fixtures....

all while rockin' out to our favorite Disney playlist. Had a quick dinner at the cabin and drove to the other side of the mountain to see some other friends that were up there.

Leaving the cabin near dusk almost always guarantees you'll see some wildlife.  This night we caught this Mama moose with her baby.

A few elk and dozens and dozens of deer.  It always amazes me that we have never hit a deer yet, and we very narrowly missed hitting one tonight.  

 

Sunday Funday

Got a visit from these cute kiddos tonight

Such a happy guy

And Kai is always happy to take Jett out for a walk.

 

BYU vs. ASU

Date night at the BYU Football game

Got to watch the game & Cougarettes (Ellsie on the bog screen)

Had so much fun visiting with some of our Faves - Jon, David, Macy, & Tyler. 

The girls even converted Tyler to move to the BYU student section, with a cape covering his ASU shirt.

And one of my favorite things about coming down for BYU games.....the Y shining bright!

 

Parade Time

It's time for South Jordan's annual Summerfest and Parade.

Kai and I got to be in the parade, and drove alonside some of the floats as we looked for a parking spot. 

Finding our spot at the staging area and eating a donut from Dawn's husband

He was very glad we were next to the Menchie's float in the staging area

Gpa and Jett found us along the parade route

Brenna and the SBO's in the parade - she was also reppin' girls lacrosse and she couldn't be with both groups (kinda the stroy of her life this year)

So glad we got to represent Dawn's re-election campaign in this years parade.  She is ssomeone I have looked up to for years and as our friendship has grown these past few year, my love and admiration for her has as well.  Sje is am amazing mom, friend, leader, advocate, and Mayor. 

Blessed with the best mayor  #SouthJordan

 

FHE in the Mountains

Last minute decision to take Russell to the cabin for FHE.  Grace was able to join us, as her parents are out of town, so not much structure while Grandma is in charge.  We didn't leave until 6:15, but we were able to get a good long ride in and enjoy the beautuful weather and sunset.

Found a few friends out on the road at dusk

Grace was brave and took the wheel for awhile.  She did great!  

Fun night up the canyon and back home by 9:15.  Love living so close to the mountains!

 

Mission of Love

I few months ago I was asked to serve with a few other Missionary Moms to put together a special departing meal for the missionaries that would be going home the next day from the mission we live in -Utah Salt Lake City South Mission-

Me, Suzi, Dez, Kathleen, Kim, Christine, Darlene & Christine

We chose a menu, decorations, and a few simple handouts for the missionaries & Senior Couples

It was such a delight to be with these young missionaries, as well as the Senior couples and Mission President & his wife and to be able to hear a little about their experiences and future plans.

  

I think often of all of the people that have loved and cared for our 2 missionary's from the isles of the sea to St. Louis and down to southern Brazil. We know of many instances that family's fed our missionary and her companion the only food they had for that day or even for a few days.  People chose to go without, in order to provide for those that God had sent to their homeland to teach and strengthen them.  The sacrifices of the people were many. 

I also think of the Senior couples, who just like the young missionaries, left their family's and lives behind and paid their own way to help and support these young missionaries.  Getting to know some of the Senior couples that have served alongside Kay and Linz in their missinos has been such a blessing to our family.  

They cared for them in their day to day activites - making sure they had a safe place to live, bills were paid, cars/bikes were in good working condition, fixed flat tires, got them medicine, helped them through tramatic experiences, made them laugh, gave lots of hugs and high fives, built their confidence, sent fun updates to their parents, and sat by their bedside for days as one lay sick in the hospital with dengue.  We will forever be grateful for each of these Senior missionaries and their Christ-like service and examples have increased our desire to go out and serve a full-time senior mission sooner versus later in our lives.

Tonight I got to Thank the Senior Missionaries that serve here in our area, for the love and goodness they add to the lives of the missionary's that are called to the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission.  These are some of the happiest senior age people I know. They are busy. They have a lot of responsibilities, work long hours for no pay,  but boy...... their LOVE for these missionaries and the work is almost tangible. A few even shed tears as they talked about how much they would miss these young Elders and Sisters headed  home the next morning.  

Missions, and really the entire Gospel of Jesus is all about Love and People.

LOVE God & LOVE Others. That's what the Savior desires us to do.

Before we left they asked if they could share a quick song with us.  There is nothing like hearing 

'Called To Serve' sung by full-time missionaries & their leaders.  It is the BEST!

 

Night with Friends

It has been fun to met up with friends again for dinner and special occasions.  I'm not one to always have my phone on me or think to take pictures, but I got a few last night.  Dinner with Abby & Dan - friends from years and years ago who we love dearly.

Hanging out with the bride - Lindsay and Kayla's friend Lizzy got married yesterday.

We love getting to see some of Lindsay/Kayla's friemd (we consider all these lacrosse girls & their family's our friends as well)  Lacrosse has definitely brought so many great friendships to our girls lives.  Grateful for weddings that give us a chance to catch up with everyone (okay,.....we actually saw all of these people last week at another event, but the more times we get to see them the better)

 Missing Lindsay lots tonight!

 

SBO Intro 2021-2022

Student Body Officer Introductions from the Opening Assembly

Sophomore Class Intro 2021-2022

Video from the Opening Assembly.