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HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!

36 and still looking good!

MTC tour

We took a tour of the MTC a few days before Sadie went in.  We met our awesome neighbor who snuck in the picture and then I ran and hugged him-  whoops.  I was so excited to see him.

The MTC was inspiring.  SO many great pictures and quotes.  Sadie said it kind of feels like she if off to Hogwarts.  She got her letter in the mail:)  It felt like a little campus.  It calmed her a bit, I think. 

These kids, all sitting in the back of the shuttle, made me realize they are all growing up on me. 

I was amazed at all the missionaries in the MTC from all over the world.  Pretty amazing for Sadie to get to be part of it all.

kai's birthday

LOVIN' ON KAI on his 13th birthday!!

Started the day with traditional birthday table.  I think was afraid he might not get anything good, since when I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he couldn't think of one thing.  Pretty impressed that he didn't ask for anything.  We came through though!!  Max helped me pick out a skateboard for him and he loved it.  And we got him two pairs of shoes- Kai likes shoes!

I figured it would be a hit.

To celebrate, we had the scouts come over for s'mores and night games after mutual.  There are a lot of boys his age in our neighborhood so it's intimidating for him to think about who to invite and have a party, so we figured this was good, spontaneous and inclusive.  

It was great and lots of boys showed up to celebrate.

The best part of the birthday table, in my opinion was the BIG sour patch kids.  

We considered them sour patch teens:)

Kai invited one friend and his brother, who happens to be Max's good friend at the Provo Beach resort.  They each got an all day pass, which included ropes course, bowling, arcade, and croquet.

It was the perfect activity for this new teenager.  The boys had a great time, and he loved the one on one instead of trying to navigate a larger group.  It worked out great!

Vivian got to get in on the fun.  She and I hung out while we waited for the boys.  Carousel, splash pad, arcade and eating:)

BIGGEST CORN DOG EVER!!

I had a family baby shower on my side at night, so I called in for reinforcement and Dave's mom let Max and Kai continue celebrating at her house with a sleepover with cousins on that side.  They went to the movies, ate, had cake, and Mimi gave him a whole basket full of teenager supplies- acne medicine, black head strips, old spice deodorant and after shave;) good times!!!

SO THANKFUL FOR KAI!!!

He is kind hearted and responsible.  

He has righteous desires.  He is a good friend and a hard worker.  All great qualities.  

Plus, he is nice to his mom.

refugee friends

Our neighbor is really good at helping the refugees and providing opportunities for us to do the same.  She invited about seven of her refugee friend families that live in Salt Lake City to come up to Midway for the day.  She pulls in all kinds of neighbors and their amazing talents and sets up a day full of workshop type activities.  One friend teaches art, one does fairy gardens, one does a music camp, and at one house they play a big game of soccer.  I was busy for most of the day, but got in on the tail end- swimming with everyone all together.  Even though I couldn't be there, she invited my boys to play soccer and spend the day.. They LOVED it!  The refugee women cook lunch for everyone and it's all quite the experience.  These families' stories are pretty incredible.  Glad my boys got a day of interacting and feeling that we are all children of God and we have so many similarities.  It's important for us to watch out for one another.  

24th of July

We spent the 24th of July with Dave's side of the family.  Swimming, eating and enjoying the fireworks around the whole valley from the beauty of Dave's sister's new backyard.  It was ideal.  Listening to "UTAH...THIS IS THE PLACE" which was a song Max sang in his 4th grade program.  Vivian danced around on the patio to her souls delight.  

I enjoyed being with everyone since Dave and Abe were still in Paraguay.

Dave's family is so good at hanging out and laughing and talking.  They are extremely supportive and family is a big deal to them.  We get to benefit from it. They were all so interested in Sadie's prep and her mission. I think she felt the love and I was grateful.  

Grateful for a good place to live, and for good families.

(sadie and viv, heather and her new baby- penny)

family fun day

LAGOON!

Summer wouldn't be complete with a Lagoon Day.

Every summer the kids pick a couple family fun adventure days.  While Dave and Abe were in Paraguay, we tried to fit a few fun days in.  Trying to soak in our time with Sadie. 

It was super hot and then it was perfect.  The kids had a great time and they are always thoughtful of each other, and I noticed them all trying to make sure I had fun too.  They insisted that I went on a few rides, especially the ones they thought I would like.   It was a good mom day!  I spent some of the day with Vivian, while they rode the big rides. 

Good times before school starts.

flash from the past

Wow.  

Look at this little family of mine.  

And no Vivian in this picture.

A good reminder to soak it in and be present.

I am working on that this week.