June's Ten Things

June has been crazy.  I've been so busy packing and trying to get ready to go, I am kind of amazed that I even did anything else.  But I packed a lot in.  I wanted my Ten Things to Smile About in June to be ten things I haven't mentioned in previous blog posts.  So here are my ten random things to smile about in June:

1.  The South Jordan Parade with cousins

 2.  My sister

 3.  Having the entire family cavity free at the dentist and watching Cooper be awesome there!  Not even a tiny fit.  He was perfect!

 4.  Dad playing outside with the boys

 5.  Teeny tiny pool parties

 6.  Funny faces with the kids

 7.  Cooper raking and playing in leaves.  What?  We sure have a messy tree!  But it makes Cooper very happy.

 8.  Going to a really fun pack meeting with giant dogs, tortoises, chinchillas and other fun animals.

 9.  Brothers!

10.  Feeling God's love as I prepare to move.  Seeing His hand in my life.  Knowing it's all going to be okay.

Road Trip!

On Sunday morning, Todd and I left in his truck to drive up to WA.  Just a short little 15 hour road trip.  Ha!  Some might call us crazy, but for me it was an adventure I needed to take.  The drive up was quite enjoyable and the time actually passed pretty quickly.  Here we are when we finally got to Washington.  Don't be deceived though, we probably had at least five more hours to go.

 I was grateful to get there and get out at Todd's parents new little place.  It's really cute and they are very nice company.  It made being there instantly feel like home.  And speaking of home, I finally got to see mine the next morning:

The inside is just right.  I was surprised at how just right it was.  It's really meant to be our house.  I felt so comfortable inside that I could have just stayed all day.  The yard is enormous and quite lovely.  We will enjoy two cherry trees, three apple trees, and two pear trees.  I'm excited to make applesauce again!  And pies!

 Being there settled my nerves and made me feel happy.  I even laughed about the neighbors really loud roosters.  We will see if I still am when I live there.  But seriously, it just felt good.

 The area is just beautiful.  Lot of trees and lots of farmland.  Dairy farms, corn fields, berry farms.  It feels slower and quiet and peaceful.  Here is what part of the drive to my house looks like.  And about that much traffic too.  It's really lovely.

 Todd and I also enjoyed going to Whatcom Falls Park, one of my favorite places on this planet.

 We had some good meals with Todd's parents and more good visiting.  And then the next morning we left for home.  We got up with the sun, and were still driving to watch it set.  The drive home was much harder than the drive there.  My back revolted.  But it will recover and it was totally worth it.

I'm glad I know now where I'm going.

4th Grade Program

If there was one thing Ethan was excited about this year, it was the Utah History Fourth Grade Program.  They worked on it all year, and he talked about it all year.  He said he for sure just didn't want to move before the program!  And honestly, after going to it, I could see why!  It was completely awesome.  So cute.  And wonderful.

 They had speaking parts, singing, playing the recorder, and dancing.

 All of which were entertaining.  The recorders where much more pleasing to my ears than I had anticipated.  The songs were really good.  The dancing was so fun to watch.

 I loved it!

 And you could tell that Ethan did too

 He had so much fun dancing

 and he had a smile on his face the entire time.

 They were such a cute bunch of kids.

 I admit I was teary-eyed the entire time.  Partly because when a group of kids sing cute songs I am always teary-eyed, and partly because we are leaving.  The songs about Utah made it even more difficult to not start ugly crying.  But I didn't want to seem like a crazy lady, so I kept it in.

 Caleb, Ben, Ethan, Jordan - buddies!

I'm so glad I got to watch Ethan having such a wonderful time performing!

Father's Day

I sure feel grateful for the fathers in my life.  My dad is one of the greatest of men.  My husband is an incredible father.  The kids treated both of them to homemade cards and special gifts.  And I felt happy and thankful the entire day.

Stake Carnival

The Stake Carnival was loads of fun this year.  Cooper loved the bounce house.

 Madeline and Ethan competed in a pie eating contest.  Ethan won his heat!

 The cotton candy was as big as his head...lol!

 His monkey head!  :)

Packing, packing, and more packing!

Hours and hours of packing and there never seems to be an end!  This is sort of how my house looks now days:

 No, I'm not freaking out.  Why do you ask?

 And while I pack, the kitchen gets more and more like this...

 I can't really imagine this place being empty!

 All the while, I have a little helper!

 He decorates the boxes for us!

The many, many boxes.

 I'm really grateful for the people who gave us boxes.

Friends

Savannah and Madeline

I've been so grateful that Madeline has had such a wonderful school friend these last two years.  Sweet sweet Savannah.  She's happy, fun, giving, kind, and has made my daughter a happy girl.  I know they will miss each other.