Here We Go!

Bags are packed!

Soaking in the last hangout with my boy!

But it's time to go! The whole family drove up because we didn't have to worry about school. Jack requested some Crown Burger before checking into the MTC but Apollo Burger had to do. Crown Burger was too far into Salt Lake.

We took pictures in the parking lot because the MTC wants missionaries ready for drop off.

We had two vehicles driving in to drop him off. We should've put everything into one car because MTC security was confused by one vehicle having the luggage and the other vehicle having the missionary. But they let us in.

Mark and Mikayla didn't even get out of the car at the MTC. They'd said their goodbyes. We gave him hugs and off he went!

I was feeling a lot better about dropping him off than dropping Maxine. He seemed good and so I felt good. Two years sounds way longer than 18 months though, just saying. I know he'll be taken car of.

Grandpa's Waffles

With Grandpa Campbell in Africa for 18 months, we had to figure out the special waffle recipe. I tried it once just with using pre-ground whole wheat flour and apparently that doesn't work. So I followed the recipe exactly and bought a waffle iron just like Grandpa's and it turned out amazing! I might have to scale up the recipe though. I feel like it doesn't quite make enough for our family and there's more room in my blender.

But they are delicious!

 

Jack's Farewell and Starting MTC

When deciding what to have for food at Jack's farewell, we were torn because our ward is at 9:00 a.m. and I felt like we needed to have breakfast foods. However, when we asked Jack what he wanted to eat, he said he would like brisket. So we decided brisket can be a breakfast meat. We had eggs, fruit, I made muffins the day before, granola and yogurt and berries, brisket. 

I didn't know how many people were going to come but we actually had around 70 people come to the house. We kind of ran out of brisket at the end but there was still other food. 

Paul is going to Japan on his mission. These are the only two pictures I took at the event.

Lovely Leighna has been supportive but I can tell this has been hard.

Later that day, Jack got set apart as Elder Campbell. 

He started home MTC and it's a lot of learning and sitting at a computer. He had to squeeze in some naps. He says the language is a lot but Jack is smart. We know he'll get it.

Lazy Pool Day

Mark wanted to go to a pool party with Jack the evening before but I made him stay home. Jack was going with older friends and I don't want Mark to grow up too fast. So the next day, Mikayla was going to swim at Reece's house and Mark was sad because he couldn't go with her. I said we should go to the pool. As it turned out, Mikayla and her friends came to the pool with us. I made Mikayla wear a hat because she's already sunburned from swimming so much.

I think they were posing kind of like this picture. If they didn't do it on purpose, that's what it reminds me of.

I swam some and relaxed some. It was great.

 

Summer

Jack's trying to fit in as many rides and hang outs before he starts home MTC.

Kanarraville Falls

A friend in the ward, Shanae Allen, asked last minute if I wanted to go on a hike. She had a permit to Kanarraville Falls. I didn't get a picture of us together, which shame on me, but the falls were perfect. Even though it was summer, the water was freezing. I had to stop occasionally to warm up my toes.

It reminded me that I should bring the kids. It's a cool slot canyon and waterfall in the desert. 

Merril's Reflections Entry

Merril's parents are going to Ghana Africa on their mission. They start soon! They've been trying to clean out the house because Justin and Rachel are going to house sit while they are gone. They've been finding some things and Merril's Reflections was one of them. It's very indicative of all of the things that Merril does. Fixing cars and fixing things. He was five when he entered this, in kindergarten.

 

Try it Twice

The oven has been slow to heat up, and some banana bread didn't bake well at all. After Googling some symptoms, the problem appeared to be the igniter. The box said it was delicate and to be careful. And I broke it. I broke a $100 part. I had to call and order another one. And wait another week.

I was careful with the second one and safely installed it. That's a little frustrating but sometimes you don't get it right the first time. And that's okay. It still would've been cheaper than hiring someone to come fix it. 

Now it preheats so quickly! The evening was spent at the river. Maxine came to chill with me while the littles jumped off the rock. Yay for summer!

Gwen's 90th Surprise

My Mom and Shelly were so cute and planned a wonderful surprise 90th birthday for Gwen. Gwen is life goals for me. She walks a ton and is still so sharp! We're waiting for her to come.

The party was a Sunday afternoon and we were able to hit church. Trying to get as many pictures together as possible!

 

4th of July

Getting ready for the Hurricane parade!

The boys did Toquerville!

We paddled to the island to watch the fireworks.