June is Here!

June came with getting Abi ready for her mission, work, and squeezing in some playing. My parents celebrated their anniversary. I always think that we will have more time to do things in the summer than we actually get. It just reminds me that we have to continue to be intentional if we want to do fun things. 

We took a day and did our favorite hike from Grove Creek to Battle Creek. It was a strenuous and hard hike but everyone did great. The meadow at the top is one of the prettiest places. 

Abi and I got to join my friend, Natali, for her birthday 5k run! Such a fun way to celebrate your birthday. 

 I got to sneak in another hike to Horsetail Falls with Michelle. London, Bree, Sofia and Michelle's kids came with us.

On June 10th Abi started home MTC as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She will spend the next 18 months serving in the Anaheim, California mission where she will teach the gospel in Spanish. That weekend we got to have her farewell and then the younger girls and Jared left for girls camp. Abi would have gone to camp had she not already been set apart. Luckily we got to sneak up for a morning and it was fun to see all 4 girls up there together.

For Father's Day we took Jared to hike Kyhv Peak. Unfortunately, Sofia had not eaten the best (and maybe way too much ice cream at church) so I turned around with her a few miles up. Bree and Jared stopped in the upper meadow and waited Abi and Natalie ran out to the peak and back. Abi had a meeting that evening that she was trying to get home for so they hiked really fast. 

Evan then came in to town to spend the week with Natalie. We joked that he got to stand in for Joshua. The night before Abi left we made donuts per her request. The next morning bright and early she flew to the Mexico MTC to spend four weeks learning Spanish. When we got to the gate they told us that she didn't have a ticket. Luckily the church missionary department was able to quickly get that sorted out and she was on her way! We know that she will do great and are so excited to see how the next 18 months go. 

We are blessed to have a great (and growing) youth program in the ward. When Abi started Young Women's there was one other active girl who was 18. Hollie was so kind to Abi but soon graduated leaving Abi alone until Bree started. I am glad that more YW are now entering the program and that they can attend the temple together.

June ended with a quick hike up to the Provo Canyon Campground with my friend Janel. Our husband's attended graduate school at the same time at the University of Michigan where our babies were born (and now both of them are leaving the house!). It was so fun to catch up as they now live in California and we don't get to see each other very often.

 

Sometimes Sofia forgets that she is in fact allergic to cats. She does not react to our bengals but went to my sister's house and snuggled their kitty. This was after a shower and taking oral and eye antihistamine medication.

More May!

We have been able to get out and do a few hikes. Not as many as we would like but we will take what we can get. Endra came in to town from Indonesia and Jared and the girls took him to hike Stewart Falls.

Natalie got to attend FSY right after school ended with her friend Rachel. She had a great week.

A neighbor passed away from cancer and had a lot of medical supplies left in her garage. Jared and I were able to organize it all and then donate most of it to different places. Gracie and Sofia helped me get the last of the supplies over to the Bingham Clinic. It is a free clinic that just opened near UVU. I have started volunteering once a month at the clinic but have only done one shift so far. It was good but a little weird seeing adults instead of kids. 

All About Abi

 Abi had a very busy May. First we attended seminary graduation where Abi was able to share some experiences of her time in Seminary. 

Graduation was then at the end of May. Abi graduated with her cousin, Zeke. Jared's parents were able to come up to celebrate. 

Since Jared's parents were in town Abi went through the temple the next morning in preparation for her mission to Anaheim, California. It was a great morning and we were thankful for all the family who came to support her.