Maxine's First Week Home

I had the presence of mind to make temple appointments for me and Maxine when she got home. We were late and I was speeding. And I got a ticket. Nice one, adversary. No matter, we still had a lovely time at the temple. 

While at the temple, we bumped into Mont and Joan Campbell and went to lunch with them. 

Maxine is so grown up. It's amazing how much she's matured. Don't get me wrong, she's still the same Maxine. I feel like she quickly adjusted to regular life again.

I didn't know what else to do with the banner I had printed.

We did lots of regular things like get outdoors, get Pizza Wagon pizzas so she could make a 4-wheel drive and just hang out.

Dairy Queen! So great to have everyone together.

Mama I'm Coming Home!

For two weeks, every time I see someone I know they ask, "Maxine's almost home. Are you excited!" YES! I can't keep a thought in my head to save my life. Today was Maxine's final day of her mission. She had to get up in the wee hours of the morning to catch her flight home. It was dark when she and Sister Fiame got to the mission office. She left the Santa Ana airport at 6:45 a.m. and flew to Phoenix. She changed plans and continued to us.

Family and friends made their way to the airport in St. George.

We picked up kids from school because her flight arrived at 12:11 p.m. Her plane came in and we watched it land but it took forever for them to disembark. Something was wrong with the stairs? I swear I was about to storm the tarmac!

Where is she? I was coming unglued waiting! I think it was at least 30 minutes. 

But she finally made it. My voice is so high pitched in the video! First hug for me!

Hugs for everyone!

When we took her to the MTC in Provo, the last meal we had together was at Zuppas. Now that she was home, she wanted to go there again.

Holy cow it's nice to have her home. I'm trying not to smother her.

Yayyyyyyyyyy! My heart is so happy!

She's Almost Here!

I can't take it! Maxine is almost finished with her mission! I'm so scattered I can barely get anything done! Yayyyyyyyyy!

Maxine and Sister Fiame in Yorba Linda. They've gotten along a lot better than when they were MTC companions!

Boys adventures!

Lookie! The peach tree has a nest with eggs in it! They're so cute!

Seriously so excited she's almost home!

 

Merril's 45th Birthday!

Merril and I were able to sneak away for a night in Vegas to celebrate Merril's 45th birthday! We saw the cool new LED sphere inside Resorts World. It's not the huge outdoor one but it's still pretty awesome! The next morning, we went to the Las Vegas Temple.

We had a party at the house too! All the bros and families came over for cheesecake and ice cream!! Happy Birthday babe! 45 is looking good on you! 🎂

ZPPAF 2023

It was time for Juliet to show off those piano playing fingers again! She prepared Turkish March.

She did great and won! Yay! The adjudicator said it was one of the best performances he's heard. WOW! Juliet was super excited! 

 

More Outdoors!

There has been some lovely hiking weather this Spring. 

The flowers have been crazy awesome this Spring because we've received so much rain this year!

 Here's a paddle board adventure out at Quail. Sheri was at paddle boarding too!

It's so nice to be outside and can I say that Maxine is almost home! Like 2 weeks!

Easter 2023

Video calls are an important part of my week! Merril is in Mexico and ferrying across from the Baja peninsula to mainland Mexico! I got to chat video chat with both of them.

Maxine and Sister Fiame, together again. Sister Fiame was her MTC companion. Seems to be going fine so far.

Are you ready for Easter?

Everyone looks so sleepy.

Inevitably, there's someone who can't find all their eggs. Everyone had 10 plastic eggs to find.

I made Mark look into the sun too much and he sneezed. Sorry bub. I had to throw it in. 😂

Ready for church!

Loving the pretty flowers. I made every stand in front of the flowers for a picture.

Ladies Hiking Group

I've been hiking with a ladies group and I've done quite a few this Spring. Here's a few pictures. It's been nice to talk and get to know these ladies. I tend to be the young one. 😅 I'm inspired by these ladies and how they are still out here getting it done! And they are faster than me. There are so many hiking trails near me, it's fun to explore with this group!