Preston in Provo

Mike took Bear to get a haircut early this morning. He really needed one! Bear is pretty well behaved when he does things like that. Thank goodness!

Handsome Bear Dog

I took Preston to FSY this morning. We left plenty early. I got an email saying that some roads would be closed for parades, because it's the Fourth of July. I wasn't sure how traffic would be either. Preston and I stopped by Harmon's and I let him pick out some snacks. We made it to BYU about twenty minutes before check-in. There were already lines, so we waited in them. Once 11:00 hit we got through pretty quickly. Our next task was setting up Preston in his room. We decided to walk to Building 8. It wasn't too bad, although I brought Jorja two extra blankets that made it a little awkward. Once she met us and took those away it was smooth sailing. We found his room and were the first ones there. The only problem, his key only fit into the last room but he was assigned room 2. We just decided to set up in the room that the key fit. Here is Preston in room 3.

Preston

We were about to leave when one of his roommates came. His key also only fit room 3 and he was assigned room 3. I went back and tried all the other rooms again. Preston's key didn't work in room 1 but worked in both rooms 2 & 3. I don't know why we couldn't get room 2 open the first time we tried it. Preston and I then spent the next thirty minutes moving everything to room 2. It wasn't too bad and I was glad to get him all settled. This bed is also lower which I think Preston will like better.

Preston Room 2

Preston's roommate came when we were about to leave the dorms for the second time. His name is Max and he will be a senior at Highland. He seemed really nice and friendly, so hopefully Preston will have a great time. There are four other roommates and they are all going to be seniors. Preston will be a sophomore next year.

Max & Preston

I wanted to get Preston lunch before I left. When I thought we would have lots of time I made the brilliant decision to leave my purse thing in the car. Whoops. Preston's dorm was right next to the BYU Creamery. Luckily there is a mini-creamery in-between his dorm and where I left the car. We walked back to that and Preston was able to get a sandwich and ice-cream. I got Blue Goggles ice-cream and it was so good! Blue mint ice-cream with cookie dough and chocolate covered honeycomb. Anyway, after lunch I said goodbye to Preston and hurried home.

Steve & Shannon and their family came over for dinner and swimming. It was a low key thing so we didn't put much thought into it. Mike made pizzas for our family and Steve made burgers for his. Brandon also brought his roommates so there ended up being a crowd. It was perfect weather and turned out to be a really good time.

Bear & Mike

People in the pool

Stockton gave Alyssa her ring today. He tried to find a good place with fireworks, but kept getting foiled. Sometimes by police, sometimes by sprinklers. He ended up giving her the ring in front of her house. He got on his knee and everything. Guess things are official now! Haha

Alyssa's Ring

Smith 4th of July

My teaching partner, Judy Bennett, was released at church today. She has been teaching this Sunday school class since before we moved in. That is a long time. She is now going to be doing activity days. I think she will be great at that. I don't know who my new partner will be yet.

Mike and I talked Maysen, Stockton and Jorja into going to the singles ward this week. They actually all really liked it. Yay! The ward is close by, starts later, and the talks/lessons will be more age appropriate. I'm sure they get bored when everything is about raising teenagers or grandkids. Haha

We went to the Smiths for hot dogs today. We had hot dogs and played games. Mike brought over Bunny Kingdom. Stockton played many ping pong games with Weston. Weston was victorious overall. He said Stockton won him right before he left on his mission and he was so mad, so he is glad he won right before his mission. Haha We ended the night playing Dictionary. One of Mike's favorite games to play when he was younger. It took a long time and was pretty fun. Preston ended up winning that one. We didn't do fireworks or anything, it just was a relaxing day.

Jordan River

Mike and I went to Salt Lake early this morning to drop off the Pilot. They put a hitch on it that will hopefully tow the boat. Steve is skeptical. Mike and Steve decided to do a test run with the boat next week. That way Steve will be there to help Mike if he needs it. I'm not sure if Steve is going to tow the boat or Mike. I know he told Mike that if it feels like he is towing jet skis then he would probably be okay.

Jorja is watching Madison's dogs for a few days. They gave her their garage opener to get in the house. I went with Jorja this morning. We got in the garage, but the door to inside the house was locked. That was a bit stressful. Madison's brother is staying in their basement with his girlfriend and their baby. We had to go through the basement door, say an awkward hi and head upstairs. Jorja spent a lot of time with the dogs trying to make sure they ate. There are three of them. We took them on a short walk as well.

Around noon we headed up to Steve and Shannon's. We were in swimsuits covered in sunscreen. We drove to one of their friends house. The Jordan River is right in their backyard. Just like it is right in Steve and Shannon's backyard. Steve and Shannon had twelve tubes for us to float on. We put the tubes in and the plan was to get out at their house. It was fun, but pretty slow. Also thorny. Steve, Brandon, Jorja and Preston all had their tubes pop. Preston floated down with Mike. Jorja floated with her life vest. Weston and I got separated from the rest. It was fun to float with him. He told me stories about getting lost hiking last week. Search and rescue had to be called. Weston was able to make it down the mountain, but the helicopter had to go get four of them. One of them was in really bad shape, but is okay now. Weston and I finished first. It took about three hours, I think. We didn't get out in their backyard, but a little bit away and walked. We put up our tubes. I washed off my feet and changed into clothes. Then I decided to wear Jorja's shoes and go back to look for the others. I had left my phone in the house but knew Mike and Jorja had theirs. I was using Find My Friends to try and find them. Steve saw me looking for them and pointed out where they were. They were getting out right then. Jorja was glad to have her shoes. She had been wearing mine, but Maysen had them now. Mike asked how Maysen was doing. I told him I hadn't seen her. That was the first clue something was wrong. Turns out Maysen and Anna (Smith's cousin on Shannon's side of the family) had missed the pull out spot. They were together and both were unfamiliar with where to get out. Mike and Steve jumped in a truck to go look for them. Weston took off on his bike. Weston found them. They were at about 114th. When Maysen came back she said that they were trying to figure out if they should get out. Maysen told Anna, "My mom will be waiting for me. She wouldn't let me float past." So, that was a good mom moment there. I don't know why I assumed that she was with someone who would know when to get out. At least I hurried back there to look for them. 

After the exhausting and fun day on the river, we had a barbecue. Jacob had done all the grilling while Mike and Steve were looking for the girls. That was nice. We were supposed to bring brownies and completely forgot. Doing great today!

Jorja and Weston

Preston and Jorja

We have left Bear home alone two times. Both were to go to Steve and Shannon's house. This was by far the longest time. He was soooo happy to see everybody when we got home. Everyone got sunburned way bad except Jorja. Probably because she had a bad sunburn a few months ago. We decided to have a relaxing fourth. We didn't go anywhere for fireworks. We also didn't want Bear to be alone, because he gets scared when he hears them. Jorja wanted to go out with her friends. She headed out to meet Kate somewhere. They met up with other friends. Listened to Janelle's brother's band play a concert, saw fireworks at a lookout point and a few other stuff I can't remember. I know she met up with Allison and Hailey. I think she met with Ben and his friends too. Anyway, she had a great time and got home at midnight. I found these pictures on her phone. I am NOT a fan of the first picture though.

Jorja

Jorja & Kate

Allison, Hailey, Kate, Jorja

When Jorja got home she came and found me and said, "I forgot to put away Madison's dogs!" Her plan was to go after the concert, which was the first thing she did that night. So, she headed over there at midnight. There was one accident she had to clean up, but she was able to make sure they were all okay. Glad the door wasn't locked this time!

Lazy Fourth

We had the laziest fourth of July and it was amazing. Mike made crepes this morning. I worked on Mina's stocking that came yesterday. Mike is making all sorts of crazy contraptions around the house. We went swimming in the backyard with Quacky Chan. Maysen and Preston watched fireworks on the roof. As we were eating dinner I got this text from a random lady. Yay! That made me so happy!

Two Elders, Elder Alia, Elder Smith

Jorja said her day was crazy. After she got to the school, super late, she ended up having a wild class. One kid climbed out the window. Haha! Still, she said she has LOVED this trip. I asked her if it was worth missing student government camp for. She said YES! Still wish I could have gone tho. True. I wish she could have gone to both, but this experience....this is something else! Jorja said this same organization does this in the fall, except students from Taiwan come over and are hosted by Corner Canyon kids. Abi told Jorja she would send her the information to sign up. Jorja REALLY wants to host someone. She also wants to go to Zupas with Abi and her dad straight from the airport. Haha. Jorja went to the batting cages today. She said she was awful, but it was still fun. She hasn't been in one of those for a long time.

4th of July Movie Night

We had a pretty low key 4th of July. It was great. Maysen and I walked up to the pavilion for the breakfast they have every year. It was a nice walk. Pretty crowded. We were hoping to see the parade, but we were a bit late for that. Jorja had work today. Chick-Fil-A closed at 6:00, so we showed up at 5:30 for dinner. Jorja wasn't expecting us.

Jorja clearly thrilled to see us.

Jorja taking our order.

We spent the night swimming with ducks, playing games and watching a movie. It was so much fun! We watched UHF. It is a Weird Al Yankovic movie that came out in the 80s. The kids loved it. It should be noted that Stockton isn't in any of these pictures, but he was there. I'm guessing he got into the pool after I did.

Jorja

 Maysen

 Preston

 Jorja trying out my mermaid tail.

Jorja the mermaid. My pictures didn't turn out, this is the best I could get.

 I'm guessing she's singing?

Maysen's so nice. She was going to wear the tail first, but let Jorja when she found out Jorja wanted to. Maysen never did get a turn. I played around with it after Jorja. It's . . . interesting.

Maysen with all the ducks.

Maysen

Maysen, Preston, Mike is ready to play, and Jorja. Bet Mike's regretting those ducks now!

 Preston, Mike, Jorja

Idaho Falls Fireworks

I have been procrastinating writing this entry because I have so many pictures! Now I have dug myself into a hole and am now a week behind. Anyways, we started today up at the cabin. I bought a little kid toy at the store. Jeff liked watching his dad play it.

Matt, Abby and Jeff

 Matt & Jeff

Terry and Debie had a barbecue at their house. Mike and Stockton got there first. They came from Utah. It was fun to see some cousins. I didn't get to talk to many, but I saw Terry, Tammi, Jordyn, Courtney, Jason, Steve, Sharon and Renee. There were lots of people there. Terry and Debie set up a slip and slide. The kids had a great time. Preston had the bright idea to play a mini game with the kids as the bowling pins. They had so much fun doing that. Marie kept getting pummeled, but she took it like a champ.

Maysen & Anne, Grace

 Abby & Marie

 Mike

 Grace, Abby, Lincoln, Max, Preston holding hands getting ready to slide

 Grace loved the slide

 Matt & Jeff

Mina

 Maysen & Anne

 Maysen

 Abby, Ella, Lincoln

Marie, Mina, Preston

 Marie

Mina, Preston, Abby

Ella, Lincoln

Jeff, Matt, Greg

We hung out at Terry and Debie's for a long time. Debie had to leave and we were still there when she came back. She was surprised and said, "You are still here?" I told her we had no where to go. I did get to talk to Missy for a bit. Missy lives in Texas now and I haven't seen her for a long time. My kids found the playroom upstairs and had fun making a lego Mario Party board. Preston won.

Stockton, Mike, Jorja, Maysen, Preston

Jorja dancing

I have wanted to see the Idaho Falls fireworks show (put on by Melaleuca) for a long time. Everyone would say how amazing they were. First we stopped by Walmart and got some food and games to bring there. We followed Matt and Sam and drove and drove on fields for the parking. All I could think of was, "We are never getting out of here." We laid out our blankets near Sam's family. I was surprised. I thought everyone would stay at Terry and Debie's until it was time to go to the fireworks and we would all sit together. Oh well. I'm sure Sam loved sitting by her family and it was nice of them to save a space for us. We played a Brain Games board game while we waited. The fireworks were really pretty, and we had a great view.

We tried to hurry out as soon as we could. Mike took Maysen, Jorja and Preston in the jeep. My dad took me, Stockton and Max. We were able to pull out of our spot and drive about 20 feet. Then we were stuck there for two hours. It took us two hours to get out of the parking lot. Brett and Rachel watched from the other side of the river and were able to get all the way back to the cabin (about an hour and a half away) before we were even out of the parking lot. I was glad I was riding with my dad. I wanted to make sure he stayed awake. We got back to the cabin about two in the morning. Bubs and Ange left the fireworks and went home to Utah. Bubs said it took them over an hour to get out of the parking lot. Then about ten miles down I-15 they got a flat. They had to drive home slow on a spare the rest of the way. They got home about 5:30 in the morning. That sounds awful.