Mark Andrew

Well this trip was mostly all about this hunk...

I flew in just in time to see him graduate from High school. 

We were so proud of him. I can't believe how fast time flies, I was just looking at pictures from our graduations and Mark is this little boy..

After graduation, the final countdown to the Mission was happening. We basically just enjoyed every moment we could with Mark. Real games, food runs, chilling at the park, campfire, shopping, and going to the temple.

This is one of my favorite pictures and is in the process of going in a frame. All of these amazing friends came and supported Mark for his farewell talk. He has been their 'little brother' one time or another in the past six years and it was great to have a little reunion in honor of Mark on his special day. From giving Mark a ride home from school, taking him to piano lessons, coaching his junior jazz team, to just chilling with us on a Friday night...

Along with Mark's special day, my parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. It was a special day altogether.

Such an exciting, bittersweet, blur of a day. I will never forget the spirit that was felt the night before Mark left when he was set apart in our family room and we all had a little testimony meeting. To hear what my closest family members believed and how much they loved the gospel was inspiring. Including why Mark was about to serve 2 years of his life and hearing the testimony that he will bear to many people in Houston was incredible. A night for the books. 

In other news:

went to the Payson temple open house with Shaun's family. When one isn't cooperating, you improvise.

One day when my parents decide to move, I won't be able to open the front door and see this beautiful sight. Took that in a lot this trip, just in case. 

Speaking of beautiful sights. My in-law's backyard is one of my favorites. Many hours were spent outside staring out at the beautiful mountains. It became a running joke with my brothers, I would send it to them everyday I was there. 

pickleball tourny

movie's with mom

cruises in the convertible 

Ohp, there is my precious view again

HS reunion for a second

Last but not least: when you make the grandma pierce the ears of your baby and she has the most traumatic experience...

AND THEN a week later you think one earring is higher than the other so you demand the grandma to do it again... 

YOU get your ear pierced for a second just so you know what you're putting your baby through #hilarious

#syncanddrive

I should be blogging about the last month: Utah, Mark's farewell, temple trip, the fact that we don't have any large garbage bags in the house right now (that actually is a funny story), the new nephew, my photography class...

But I simply don't want to right now. Too overwhelming.

I will say though how sad I was flying home--although I had a handsome man greet me at the airport with taco bell which softened the blow immensely--I won't deny that I did miss that gentleman extremely, along with the sand between my toes and the other half of my closet that wouldn't fit in my suitcase. But welcoming those things back meant saying goodbye to my beautiful-ginormous mountains, the hoodie I enjoyed (probably more than I should have) putting on during cool nights, pork barbacoa burrito and of course my beautiful family!


However I do always come home refreshed, ready to hit the ground running in my "normal" routine and put the house back together from my husband's bachelor party while I was gone (that's only a semi-joke. no large garbage bags left in my house remember??). I was super grateful that SJ did make it out for Mark's farewell and got to spend a few days with us. Even though we were apart he still kept me laughing. If you follow him on instagram, then you know he does these crazy #syncanddrive 15 second videos lipsyncing in his car. This one has to be an all time favorite:

ANNNYWAY, onto the next adventure of the summer: Girls Camp! Yep, girls camp in hot and humid Florida? Good one. You know those times where you are just so hammered and disgusting and there is nothing left to go wrong so you are just peeing your pants laughing with everyone around you? I think that is just a small preview of what it is going to be like. How do I know this? Because that is basically what we have experienced planning this charade! But oh, I am pumped! This is my element.

|in one's element. Adj. In a situation which is entirely suitable, familiar, or enjoyable.| 

Maybe I'm speaking too soon. I will let you know if it was in-fact my element when I return on Saturday (ON SATURDAY! IT'S A WHOLE WEEK? IS THAT NUTS TO ANYBODY ELSE? I guess I am used to a good old three day girls camp recharge...). 

Everything put a side, girls camp has been some of the fondest memories of my youth and as a leader. It is where I have come to appreciate Heavenly Father's creations, and where I have gained a testimony of the scriptures and my divine worth. I am excited to get a little glimpse into that again.