Westward Ho!

So much has happened over the last couple of weeks that I realized if I didn't start writing things down, the whole summer would go by undocumented. And that would be a shame.

The kids and I flew out of Charlotte on Thursday, June 16th. The flights went smoother than usual and we only got bumped once - in Chicago. Jalen actually prayed that we would get bumped so he could play in the children's museum at the airport. It worked out better because the flight we ended up on had way more seats and we were able to sit together. We've always been fortunate in that I've never had to sit far from my kids and usually we're right next to each other. That's always a worry when flying standby.

On Saturday, we headed up to Cache Valley for the Mountain Crest High School 30 year reunion. It's truly hard to believe that so much time has gone by. We stayed with my mission companion, Beth. She is the most amazing person. 

She was the most obedient missionary I knew and I've always been grateful that I got to spend so much of my mission with her. We were companions for almost six months at the end of the world (Rio Gallegos, Argentina - we had penguins!). Rio Gallegos is a dark place in the winter and it was an interesting place to be. We were the only sister missionaries there with six elders. The eight of us were 14 hours away from the closest missionaries. We lived on rice and powdered milk and were almost always cold. We were both transferred out to the same zone where we saw each other regularly for the final six months of my mission. She used to sing to me to wake me up in the morning and would always do crazy things for me like leave notes on the ceiling for me to see when I woke up. 

Poor thing had been caught in an oil spill.

She is the one person David has my permission to marry if I die before him. She watched the kids while I was at my reunion. Actually "watched" isn't the right word. She took them up the canyon to roast hot dogs and marshmallows and go for a hike. They had a blast. Thanks to his gloves obsession, Jalen was thrilled to clean her kitchen. 

Prior to the official reunion, a few of us met at a local park. This was actually my fault. I wasn't going to the reunion because I didn't want to travel all the way across the country for a dinner. Plus, I wanted people to meet my kids since the last time I went, I didn't have children. One of my best friends from high school, Danny, reserved a pavilion for a picnic. After that, I had to go!

Me and Danny.

Later that night there was a dinner at the Utah State University Alumni House. It was fun to see everyone, especially since with the passage of time everyone is more self confident and happy. It was great to see that. I especially enjoyed seeing how many of my classmates are happily married and active in the Church. It was kind of like when Alma meets up again with the sons of Mosiah (Alma 17:2-3).

The class of '86 - at least those that came. 

Like many others, my high school years were filled with ups and downs, but I was blessed with wonderful friends - many of them boys. Two of the best were Danny and Lance. I wanted to compare the picture I took with them at our 5 year reunion with one at our 30th. I think we've aged well. (They've gotten fatter and I've gotten skinnier :).)

I didn't get anyone's permission to post their pictures, but they're on the reunion facebook page, so I guess it's okay.

Brenda - we were also in the same ward and are now both moms of transracially adopted children.

Kimberly - her son (Elder Loos) served in the Columbia mission where I was his personal paparazzi.

Denise - volleyball teammate.

Mark - awesome photographer and transracially adopted dad.
(He looked EXACTLY like Duckie from Pretty in Pink when we were in high school.)

Lance, Lori, Julie, me, Danny

Me, Paul, Holly

The 80's were seriously the best decade. What a fun time to be in high school.

The next morning was Father's Day. We had celebrated with David the previous Sunday since we knew we wouldn't be with him on the actual day. We stopped in Riverton on the way back to Provo so we could see Papa Frank and the kids could sing to him in sacrament meeting. Jalen wouldn't go up, but Baylie did. She was very nervous, but she did it. 

With Papa Frank (David's stepson).

David's sister, Casey, and her son were also there so we got to see them as well.

We made it in time to sing to Grandad as well. Afterwards, we met my brother Erik and his family to cook out in the canyon. These are the kinds of activities that I miss so much living far from family.

Parker, Uncle Erik, Grandad

Jalen loves his cousin Asher. Asher was Baylie's best friend when they were babies, but now it's these two boys that are best buds.

They comandeered Grandad's chair.

Aunt Shanelle and Baylie photobombed by Grandad.

Shanelle made Grandad a Yardzee game for Father's Day. It's a giant version of Yahtzee and was a big hit.

Tinfoil dinners.

We made peach and apple cobblers in dutch ovens. Yum!

Mouthfuls of whipped cream.

It was a great start to our western adventure.