Kai riding Benny

This guy has never been to or seen a rodeo, but somehow he's got the moves. Riding Benny the Bull like a pro

 

Flower Partner

Had the best partner for flower picking

She is good at picking out bouquets and people who could use them that day. 

 

Greatest Travel Companion

Headed to the airport to drop Kay off for her next adventure.  The girls have packed their summer this year with lots of good things and lots of adventures.

This morning, Kay is headed to Rome to explore the sites, sounds, and delicious foods in Italy before heading to Uganda for a public health internship.

When it came time to books flighs for her internship, BYU asked where each participant would be on a certain day, so they could coordinate air travel to Uganda.  Kay's friend Nat is doing the same intership in Uganda, so they decided to find a place in the world that they would be and then let BYU know.

  They chose Rome, and have spent lots of time studyng, preparing, and scheduling tours & activities to fill pretty much every waking moment, and probably some 'should be sleeping' moments too. 

Whenever one of the girls leaves for a trip, I always think back on the time when Kayla was 11 years old, packing her suitcase to travel to London and France as a People to People Ambassador.  I remember so well,  sitting on her bedroom floor, trying to think of things I could put in her suitcase to bring her comfort or remind her of home while she was away.  

The spirit spoke so clearly to me in that moment - "she has the Gift of the Holy Ghost and that gift from the Lord will provide all she needs to make it through this journey ".  Those were the words I heard and they penetrated deep down into my soul. 

  I can still feel the immense comfort that came over me, and I have felt it many times since as I have reflected on that experiene, and as we've encouraged our girls to go out into the world and spread their wings.   There is great peace in knowing that we have the constant companionship of the spirit that will lead, comfort, and guide us through the joys, sorrows, triumphs, disappointments & all of the experiences of this life. 

So excited for all that Kay will learn and see, as well as the ways she will push herself and develop her talents, testimony, and relatioship with the Savior during her time away.  Love you mucho Kay!

 

Father's Day Late

We got to go up at the cabin on Father's Day this year

The kids all came up, minus the honeymooner's

We all went to church, took Russell out for a bit and spent the day talking & visiting, which is pretty much what we do everytime we're together. I had gotten Robert a few things, but didn'[t take then with us and now they've just beein sitting in the living room for 2 weeks, so he finally opened them. 

A new book, new clothes, and new BBQ gloves to try to keep him from burning all the little hairs off his forearms when he makes pizzas and bbq's.

Happy Father's Day babe!  We love you more than any gift could represent.

 

Saying Goodbye to Kay

This girl is packig up for her big trip tomorrow.  Yay!  She is so excited to go.  

I didn't plan or arrange anything for today, but everyone just came over because they wanted to be here and be together one last time before Kay leaves.  That is something that stems from pure love and I will always be gratefeful for how much these sisters deeply love and care about each other.

These 2 will miss each other

Our Crew

The usual - lots of time to talk & visit

 

Park City Lacrosse

Tourney time in Park City. Seems like we usually play atleast 2 tournamanets up here each summer and we love it.  A little cooler than down in the vallley, and so so beautiful. 

Lindsay & Kayla were reffing this tourney, so we got to see them in passing and Jeremy came to watch several of Brenna's games

She had a good few days of lacrosse.  

She loves this team. We love this team and especially these coaches! They do such a great job os  teaching skills and bringing out the best in their players.

Had a few goals and lots of assists,, as well as GREAT defense,  It's fun to play out of state teams and get some different competition (and lots of horizontal checks)

Her fan club this weekend :)

 

Duluth Dreams

Duluth dreams do come true.  Brenna has been wanting to go to this store for quite awhile and today she finally went it.  She's never seen so many fishing vests and overalls in one store before.  This may be her new favorite store

Tractor and all :)

 

Mosquito Killers

Salt Lake County Moquito Abaitment crew stopped by for lunch today.  

They were out dropping pesticide packets near South Jordan, so they trucked over to say Hi

Their infamous bikes that get them all over town...literally covering like 30 miles a day on these bikes

Off to gave so the world, or atleast our country from West Nile.  Love you girls!

 

JEF Golf Tourney

Annual Golf Tourney Day at Glenmoor.  This event has really grown the past few years, and brings in a ton of money for the foundation. I can't say enough about how much Doug & Christy & Darci do for the communtity and for the foundation.  Glenmoor Golf Course has come a long way since we lived up here, and as a community we so appreciate how much the Young Family has invested in this course and making it a special gem within our city.

I got everyone checked in and to their carts before the shot gun start

33 foursomes golfing with us this year.

Once the tourney starts, I spend most of the time greeting and giving away balls and hats at the 1st hole.

But I did sneak away to the 9th hole to get some Scoop ice cream. 

Such a beautuful morning! I always love the views from this course!

 

Day with Kenzie

Got to spend the morning with Kenzington while Ally went to the temple

Park time

Driving time

Visiting our favorite SoJo Volunteer at the Gale Center

Kenzie at school

playing on the farm,,,not nearly as realistic as the farm she lives on

Glae Center shopping

Teepee

 

New Home 4 Russell

We keep the blog as our family journal for ourselves and our posterity, and keep a separate journal to keep a record of tender mercies and experiences that draw us closr to God.  I'll record this one in both places. 

It's been a busy drving week.  Brenna had a tournamant up in Park City this weekend, so Thursday and Friday we went from SoJo to Park City, down to Provo, and back again. Saturday 2\we were headed up there again, and had found a newer Russell we were interested in buying that was up near the Idaho border.  We thought we'd just head there from Park City after the game, but we couldn't get a cashiers check because our bank was closed. Bummer, but that's okay.  

We get home from Park City and the seller says he figured out a way we could transfer the money on a Saturday since we bank at the same bank.  We were tired, but got back in the car pulling the flat bed trailer and headed out for another trip up north.  We really liked the new Russell and were ready to buy it.  We were able to set up a transfer account in our bank app.... ready to go, but the amount exceeded the limit we could transfer.  We spent awhile on the phone with the bank trying to make it work or make smaller transactions go through, or something, but no luck. We were headed home with our flat bed trailer empty, and spent most of the long drive home talking about faith and trials and ways we could better recognize the Lord's influence in our individual lives.  The long drive was totally worth the time the 2 of us had to talk and share and strengthen our spirits as companions. Totally worth it. Tender Mercy. 

The seller then called Robert on Sunday while we were at Boston's ward listening to him speak.  Robert was like...I'm SURE the guy sold it to someone else. He called him back as we drove to our ward, and he had NOT sold it to someone else.  In fact, he was calling to see if we'd like his large enclosed trailer WITH the Russell for only a few thousand dollars more.

Total tender mercy.  That enclosed trailer is nice and not cheap, and though we were frustrated by not being able to purchase the new Russell on Saturday, waiting until Monday ended up working out much better for us and the previous owner was awesome happy that our family could get good use out of the side-by-side and trailer. 

We have seen this cycle so many times in our lives (& recording it defintely heps us remember).

When something doesn't work out the way we hoped or planned, we continue to trust in the Lord.  We continue to grow our faith even into the final miutes of the 11th hour.  m trust in Him always and know that faith precedes the miracles.

 

Bees Game

It was a beautiful night for Bees Baseball with Boston & Brenna or Bust.  B & I were lying on the grass in the front yard just before dinner and decided to see if the Bees were in town.  Yep, in town and running a $5 family night special, woke up Boston, and off we went.  

We've been going to Bees games since the girls were little.  I feel like we've watched the trees in the outfield grow over the years and take away some of the moutain views, but still such a beautiful field.

Blast from the past - https://necfamily.blogspot.com/2009/08/bees-baseball.html

 

Wet Pool in the Pool

Woke up to this view from our bedroom window ths morning. 

The girls have always loved sleeping together in the pool in the pool. I remember when they were little and woud get all 5 of them in there with all their blankets and stuffed animals. Such fun memories, and I'm so glad the still love to be together as much now as they did when they all lived here.

Looks like they just had to make room for Milo's kennel this time

When I went out there, they looked cozy and content

but  when they woke up they found te,selves laying in water. There must be some type or leak or hole that let water into the main section of the pool float.  Pillows, girls, blankets, everything in the pool was soaked.  They'll have to figure out the problem before their next pool slumbr party.

 

Meet Milo Miller

It's now been almost 4 year since we brought Jett home from Arizona and 7 months since he passed away.  The girls have asked incessantly since then about getting a new dog, and we have repeatedly said No.  We plan to serve a full time mission in the not too distant future and you can't take a dog on a mission. Plus, how would we ever find a dog as mellow and well behaved as Jett.

Well, the girls have assured us that one of them and their future spouse will take the dog when we are ready to go and that we could help mold the dog into being mellow and well behaved like Jett, we just needed to find one as cute as him.

Meet Mr. Milo Miller.

He is cute, he is mellow, and he has been such a fun addition to our family.

We've had him 4 days now....and these girls are still this HAPPY & EXCITED when they see him.