The Great Room Shift

Now that Ali and Logan are at college, Jake and Eli can have their own rooms! Eli was excited to help plan, paint, and decorate his new room.

It turned out AMAZING!

This was just step one...next we're redoing Jake's room, then turning Logan's room into an office, and finally shifting the old office into a proper guest room. Whew!

BYU

We officially have two BYU students! Jason and I got to drive them out there in a very full van (can you see the stuff going all the way to the ceiling?!) We stopped at my parents' house on the way out, and it was good to see them.

It was fun to be back on campus, and we even went to the apartments where we were living when we met.

The evening we got there, we walked around campus and found their classes. They kept oohing and aahhing over Utah and saying they couldn't believe they were going to get to live there!

On Wednesday, we got them checking into their rooms and mostly settled. We decided they would go to dinner at the Helaman Halls cafeteria. Ali had been excited to meet people, but the reality of inviting strangers to eat dinner with her was clearly a bit intimidating. Jason and I went onto campus for dinner and then walked back to our car. As we were nearing the cafeteria, we saw Ali walk out, laughing and talking with four other girls. It was the sweetest little miracle from our Heavenly Father- if we'd been ten seconds earlier or later, we wouldn't have seen her. It was a reminder that He had our kids, and they were going to be just fine.

We stopped in to see my Grandma. It was so good to see her.

We went to everyone's favorite Utah restaurants. 

On Thursday, we took the city bus (that students ride for free!) to the Provo City Center Temple. It was important to me that they see how easy it is to get to the temple in Utah! And then...we said goodbye. I was a bit surprised, but I was ok! I am just so thankful that they get to go to such an amazing school, and I hope they take advantage of every good thing BYU has to offer.

The car was a bit emptier on the way home!

Jason was worried I would be upset on the drive home, so he brought surprises that he gave me every time we stopped. It was so sweet of him-how luck am I?!

We are so excited for and proud of Ali and Logan! We'll miss them, but we're so happy they have this chance. 

First Days

Jake started Junior High (6th grade) this year! He was a little bit nervous about it, but after a survival skills session and the supply drop off/ schedule run-through he felt ready.

First day of Sophomore year felt like no big deal to Eli, but he was glad to have friends in all of his classes and is excited for wrestling.

Jake is really loving 6th grade. He really likes all of his teachers and especially enjoys ELA and Choir. He likes all the "free time" that comes from passing period and a long lunch.

They had only been back to school for two days when Jason and I had to leave to take Ali and Logan out to BYU, but luckily Aunt Amy was willing to step in and make sure they got where they needed to be. She even took them out to get ice cream her first night there, lucky boys!

The Quillens Visit

Early in the summer Jake asked if his cousins were going to come visit. There were no plans for them to come, so I did something kind of sneaky...I encouraged him to invite them! He sent a MarcoPolo to Aunt Lianna, and bless her heart, she made it happen. We felt so loved and honored by their visit.

 

Final Summer Stuff

It was good for me to soak up last sweet moments with all of my kids living at home full-time. 

Sibling shenanigans:

Sunday naps:

And a youth temple trip:

Spending time with the pup:

Silly moments:

I joined Logan's gym and enjoyed learning from him: 

Ice cream on Grandpa's birthday is always a sweet tradition (haha, see what I did there?)

Fun Jake

Jake is so fun. He loves to play games (usually with his dad), read books (usually with his mom), and take silly photos for me to find on my phone.

We also had our friends the Tevangas come to stay with us for a few days. Jake loved getting to hang out with their girls.

Ali's Friends

Ali did a great job this summer spending time with several friends, some she's know forever and some newer. She's going to miss all of them!