In April, Jeff & Emily decided they'd be moving to Virginia Beach for the summer so Jeff could do an internship with his dad. We had mixed emotions about it. I mean, what an awesome experience for their little family?!? But we knew we would miss them...like crazy! And we do. So before they left we had to cram a few fun things into their schedule.
First off, a Boy's Only Hike with Jeff. Jeff has taken the boys out on hikes from time to time and he always carried a walking stick, which the boys would want to take turns holding. So he made them each one, with their names engraved and specifically for their height. When the day of the hike finally arrived, we met at a trail behind the Draper temple and off they went. They were gone for a good 2 1/2 hours and came back exhausted. The boys got hot while hiking, so Jeff taught them to dip their hat in the stream. He told Em that after he taught them that, they would run and dip their hat into every stream they passed by. Cameron and Gavin decided to get their heads wet one time, so Jeff held Owen by his ankles so he could get his hair wet too, without falling in. Jeff said that they all did really good on the hike and didn't whine at all! That, in itself, is a miracle! 
Next, a ReAL Salt Lake soccer game! Originally, we were just going to go with the Petersbergers. Then we invited Callie & Mike. Then Emily & Jeff. Then my parents decided to make a trip to Utah and brought Avery. Then Jeff's brother, James & his girlfriend Jillian...In all there were 22 of us that went! It started out as a cold-ish evening but by the second half it warmed up a little and was a very pleasant night. Granny bought a bag of cotton candy to share amongst the kids, Avery pretended to take a nap during the middle of the game, there were CHURRO's all around, and Gavin, Jaxon, and Madison P. got to go out on the field in their soccer jerseys. This was the first of many games for us this season and it was fun to share it with the fam.
When I figured out that my mom and sisters would be in our ward on Sunday, I arranged for us to do a musical number. We sang "Here Am I", the same song we sang at Ryan's missionary farewell, September 1996. We were a little nervous Sunday morning but it turned out okay. We are blessed to have a sister-in-law who sings with us on a regular basis, who can keep her composure regardless of the situation, who has the most beautiful voice, and never gets nervous. We missed No'el that morning. But I was grateful to have the chance to sing with my sisters, regardless of our emotions. After church, we had a lovely BBQ, cousin Jamison came for a quick visit, and then our parents headed back to Idaho. 
For FHE Monday night, we went to the Cam/Gavin's school. They were displaying a lot of artwork that the students had done and calling it "A Night at the Louvre." Every month they teach about a well-known artist and then the kids draw their interpretation of a famous painting. They call it "Meet the Masters" and my kids both enjoy art so they like learning about the different artists. After we had walked through the exhibit and had our "passport" stamped, we met Jeff & Emily & Miley for frozen yogurt. There's this little place near our house that features 8 (or is it 10?) flavors of frozen yogurt...they change the flavors daily so it's always a surprise! Then you can add unlimited topics (we, however, limited each child to three toppings) and you pay by the ounce! The boys have wanted to go for a long time so it was fun for them. And so nice for us to just sit and visit with Jemily. 
I took the Hardings to the airport Tuesday afternoon. It was kinda emotional for me. Em & I have become close and I was sad to be losing my friend for the summer. Em made me say "See ya soon" and pretend like we'd see them in the next couple of days. She tried to make me promise that I wouldn't post all the fun things we do this summer because it will make her homesick. (Sorry, in advance, Emily.) We really are excited for them to have this opportunity but anxiously await their return!
11 months ago
