Life slappin' and slapping ya in the face

Back to life! I knew that before I knew it, life would just be back to somewhat normal and Adren's mission would be a memory. Funny how time just marches forward and shifts after these milestones.

Speaking of milestones, Zeke is ready to get his license! Jon took him, which was a first, and quite nice for me :) I am proud of Zekey for doing all the work he needed to get this done. He is an excellent, cautious and confident driver and I have full confidence in him.

He is inheriting the red car... which is hanging on by the thinnest thread. He's a little sad about that. I suppose that goes with being #4. His 3 older siblings really did a number on it (Paisley) and I'm not sure how long it will limp along. Oh dear.

For now he is sharing it with Paisley. The deal is, we provide a car for those in High School and working. So she has until the end of summer before Zeke gets first priority.

He did it!

I was really looking forward to Adren reporting to the Stake Council. I always enjoyed hearing from the newly returned missionaries at this meeting. Adrens report was fantastic!

I was also looking forward to our first Taylor summer reunion with Adren back! Ashley rented a really great house in Bear Lake. I already knew Adrens schedule was wiiiide open (he-he)

Jon couldn't attend until a day or two later, so I drove up with Adren and Paisley. Eli drove his car with Zeke. Somehow we got separated and Eli took a different route. It was a little stressful when Eli called me, I could tell by his voice something was wrong. His tire had blown on the freeway! He was a bit rattled. I told him to carefully change it and I would find what was nearby and call ahead so that he could be expected. It was getting close to 4pm and I didn't want everything to close up before he could get to them. Luckily, it worked out and he got a tire put on. Eli-Pie!

Of course, it is always the best party when we are all gathered. Ashley did most of the coordinating, which is so sweet and great! First night- GLOW-IN-THE-DARK-DANCE-PARTY!!!

It was really nice to set up camp at the beach with easy-ups and coolers full of cold drinks and snacks. It was also lovely to drift out on inner-tubes on the lake. I had to chuckle, the first night there wasn't really anywhere for Adren to sleep so he climbed in with me. Welcome home! Ha-ha!

Some of the kids rented E-Bikes after the lake one day. We got the famous raspberry shakes and even fit in a little shopping. LT had some fun beaded crafts for kids to work on. There was a constant pickle-ball game going out on the back court. Mostly, everyone just loves being together and catching up.

Early Sunday morning I quietly gathered our things and loaded the cars. We wanted to make it to Drew's mission homecoming! I tip-toed up to the top of the stairs with my bag, trying to be so quiet. Romney, Austin and babies were asleep on the couches. I lost my balance a little and bumped against the wall. This bumped the switch to the overhead lights and the fan remote fell from it's holder and clattered to the floor! Austin bolted upright. So much for trying to be quiet. Sorrrrry!

We did make it in time for the homecoming, it was sweet to see the friend reunion. Drew's a real sweet guy!

Provo is a very festive town on the Fourth of July. I love seeing the set up for the parade on University and people claiming their spots. I also love the hot air balloon launch. Mind you, I love it all from my air-conditioned car as I drive by.

I told Zeke we should try straightening his hair to see how long it actually is.

It's LONG!

Eli bought a new snazzy guitar. He is the bassist for two bands right now: Carving Initials and Snowing out of Season. One super hard core, one very mellow. He's pretty cute and great.

Jonny and I usually hit a movie every week on our date night. Sometimes things get real crazy.

I sometimes can't believe my little baby Zeke is turning into such a big boy.

I love this cute shot of Eli at one of his shows. Like I said, he's pretty cute and great.

I found these brown chairs on fb marketplace and needed Jon's help and truck to pick them up. They aren't quite right for the space, but I still like them and will use them somewhere. This room is proving to be a little tricky to style and find furnishings. I know it will get there. In the meantime I'm grateful for the extra space!

Our summer yard is making me nervous. We don't have our sprinklers fixed yet, and moving a hose around the yard takes a lot of attention and work! I'm not sure if everything will survive. We've already lost three evergreen bushes which makes my heart hurt!

I do love the morning sunlight spilling into the kitchen nook. It feels so much more open over here with the table moved.

I snapped this pic of Carter and his mom, Mandi, dancing at his wedding. Adren was one of his groomsmen. Carter is a sweet kid, I've known him since they were in first grade together.

I have been meaning to paint this office room for quite some time, and since we've had some artwork donated and it was all stacked against the wall, I decided I should get to it. I took a weekend and painted it a warm brown. With the art on the walls, it looks really nice in there now. So glad that is done!

TREK! It is finally here, and I am ready for it! My goodness this is a massive undertaking! My dear friends Mary and Kent are running it and have done so much prep work. I thought being on the food committee was the perfect spot. I'm not in charge of anything, I don't have to spearhead anything, I just take orders and work hard. My favorite! This is the second trek for Jon and I. To be honest, we're happy to not be trekking.

Zeke is not jazzed to go, but bringing his best friend Micah is making it all more bearable. Because we had to be at the church before the crack-o, he slept over the night before. Micah is actually excited about this! He's heard of Trek and has always been very intrigued. His mom's family is native American. The night before he told me, "You know, our family has a lot of really bad stories about the Pioneers." Oh dear!

From day one it was work-work-work! We put on three big meals a day for 300 souls. We camped in different areas each day, so we would set up and break down an entire kitchen, serving tents and tables every day. One day twice! We were the first to rise each morning to get things going. At camps I usually hear the kitchen crew stirring, but I don't necessarily need to be up yet. It's a little stressful having to be the first up! Our kitchen crew was a little too small, but we hustled and had help from other leaders in the stake. Jon was running all over with Trent, they were in charge of filling the water buffalo as well as helping with equipment. That water buffalo! It is massive- and a wonder to watch that water line lower all day. We went through so much water! On the last day, they made a sign saying "Water Buffalo Rides!" We all got a turn sitting on top.

When we'd arrive at our new camp, I'd see Jon and crew hammering posts, stringing twinkle lights, hanging banners etc. So much to do! There was no down time. The only time we sat was to eat our meal as fast as we could so that we could start cleaning up. It was fun working with our group though! At one point, Cherie and I were in the trailer looking for something when an avalanche of chip boxes toppled on us. We could have easily caught the first one and stopped it, but were both too tired. This put us into a delirious giggle-fit, our crew all peeked in to see what in the world was going on. When you work that hard, you really bond with those you work along side. One morning as we watched each family head out with their handcarts after breakfast, we all realized that looked much easier than the day we had ahead! Ha!

At one point I kept hearing there was trouble with a group of youth. They kept taking off away from the group, climbing to the top of a hill and insisting they sleep up there. The stake leaders would huddle in the kitchen to discuss their plan of action. I happily washed dishes and whistled while I worked, so happy to be on my end and not in those huddles!

It was always fun to see Zeke and Micah come through the line. They were doing great! The only problem was that Zeke broke his toe at Bear Lake while playing volleyball on the beach. It was so swollen and purple. We wrapped it good, but by dinner time he was hurting. And Micah fractured his ankle while skateboarding just a few days before Trek! He had an ankle splint on, but was also pretty sore. They both really wanted to be able to say they trekked the whole thing though and were such troopers. I did have them drive along in the medical van for a portion though. It was neat to see the impression Trek and the stories and firesides was making on Micah.

The last night our plan was to make scones. As we were pulling out the bags of Rhodes Rolls, we realized it was miscalculated and we were really short! We only had enough to make under 130. When the dough had thawed and risen, we started dividing rolls to make smaller scones so they would go further. We started frying them up and the crowds descended. We were so stressed that we would run out before everyone got one! We witnessed a miracle when somehow we had an overflowing table of scones. Everyone came back for more and more. We had so many leftover after everyone had their fill. We were so puzzled how that happened! A tender mercy for sure!

On the very last day (Saturday) we drove the trailers to the last spot where the kids would arrive and finish their trek. We set up a line of tables and tents in time for the pizza to arrive! It was a fun surprise for the kids to get hot slices of pizza as they were cheered to the finish. And nice for us to not have to make another meal! As we broke down the tables and tents after that final meal, I realized I didn't have it in me to set it up one. more. time.

We all drove back to the Stake Center and then was the task of unloading, sorting and cleaning the trailer. This is always such an exhausting part when we are all so exhausted. Laura, our food leader knew this (she was my food person for several YW Camps) and had a fresh crew waiting for us to help. So nice! When Jon and I got home, we both talked about how much work that was! We were so exhausted! I'm grateful I had the energy to somehow be a support. I have never been so happy to have an event over though! Over the next week Jon and I would say to each other: "Aren't you so glad Trek is over???" It was a success!

It is so special to have this guy around. I can get a big hug whenever I want!

I think his adjustment home is going ok. It's hard going from a constant, exhausting schedule to a wide open schedule. He's not wanting to slip into old habits, but when you have wide open days, it is hard to keep motivated. He purchased a phone, a laptop and a car! He is picking up a few shifts at Chipotle. I tell him he is doing great! He has barely been home a month. He asked about putting a white-board on his wall to help with his time and goals. Ha!

He is also mending a broken heart, which is always hard. It is hard to think things are going one way, and then try to re-route and plan a future that looks different than you thought.

He went up to Idaho to be in a missionary buddy's wedding. He took Drew with him so that they could see his mission in Idaho Falls. They had a great trip, Adren seemed much better when he got home. He is dating a bit, which I love to see. Things are going to be ok for this guy!