Best Day Ever! HE IS HOME!! 8/20/15

From the night before...

This was a day full of many photos and many emotions. We had to be extremely patient in waiting minute by minute until late that night when we would finally go pick up our missionary. In the morning, I felt like there were surges of nervous energy. I had a difficult time focusing on any one thing. The outcome of the activities I had planned were driving me crazy. We hung up both welcome home signs early and then in the afternoon I started arranging the balloons on the lawn. But, unfortunately because of the heat, half of them starting popping. Derek bought new balloons and we decided not to blow them up as full, which seemed to really help. The wind came up and blew the house banner down and crunched it under the car.  Luckily, were were able to salvage it and rehang it. A few of my ideas for posters didn't work out too good, so I waited until the girls got home from school to help. We were busy creating and counting down the minutes now. It kind of felt surreal to think we would be having Jake sleep in our home this night.

We jumped in the car and headed the the airport at 8:30pm. Everyone was beyond excited! We met extended family and friends there to welcome Elder Butters home too! Again, enthusiasm was off the charts!

Jake's flight landed a few minutes early at 9:53pm. We could see him coming down the far escalator around 10:00pm. He was with three other missionaries and he looked great. There is nothing like seeing your son for the first time after 2 years! I wondered what he was feeling as well. I ran out and gave him a great big mother hug and instantly felt my heart melt. Emotions and tears were starting to come. It was such an amazing moment to see him safely back and to know he was really home.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Farewell Summer...Hello School

 Here is our newest Lone Peak Knight! She was up early and ready to go and try out the high school scene.

 Madi was all smiles as I dropped her off today. She felt confident with where her classes were from visiting early this week.

 There she goes - A new school....another year older....moving forward in life.... These moments pull on a mother's heart strings just a little.

 Sara is starting 8th grade. I cannot believe how much she has changed in just one year.

This year she asked me to take her picture. Usually, I'm begging for first day photos. She was ready extra early and wanted to get them done before we were racing out the door. 

 There she goes...I can't believe we are starting again...

An after school picture of my two lovely girls!

Fun Friday with Everett and Sherman

From reading books and playing board games, to jumping on the trampoline outside...Madi and Sara are two of the most fun babysitters. Today, we decided to give Taryn a break and take Everett and Sherman for a fun Friday! We got all the good times in and in the right order. Everett wanted to go to Snoasis before lunch. He said he always goes to the yummiest place first. hahaha :)

 

Signs - We are getting ready!!!

One last boat trip before summer ends...

 Yay! We finally found a day to get my sister Tina and some of her kids out on our boat. Kathy couldn't make it, but she sent a few of her girls too. It's a first!

These girls can surf and fun jump! It's such a warm day up at Deer Creek.

 

Getting ready to jump off the back of the boat while moving. Thanks Derek for being our trusty driver and spending all evening pulling us around. Sadly, Derek didn't get to water ski...at the end, a big monsoon rainstorm rolled in and we had to race to get off the lake. Still fun memories of being pelted by large drops of rain.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

We had such a great time hiking up to Stewart Falls on Saturday! Pictures can't show how hot the day was...it was close to 97 degrees. When we got to the waterfall, I really wanted to jump in. 

It was beautiful and the mist cooled us off nicely...

Of course, Derek had to hike even higher. He was curious to see if there was a pond in the middle. Now, this is after running 18 miles this morning, hiking 3 miles with me and then we'll be walking even more tonight.

That evening, we saw this cute neighbor and former young woman of mine as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz! Hannah was amazing!

 Relaxing on the porch (really working on Sharingtime) Sunday morning before heading back home for church.
These Sundance Cabins treated us well.