Portland Take 2

We spent Tuesday night, Wednesday, and Thursday morning in Provo. We spent Wednesday night in American Fork opening presents at Alicia and Peter's house. Needless to say, Will was quite delighted to get to open so many presents!

Thursday morning I went to class (with more success at getting out on time) and then Kyle, his brother Jordan, and I headed out for Oregon for our Open House there. The drive to Oregon is long, but pretty. Since it was actually light outside this time I got to see how pretty so that was nice. We got in just in time to hang out with Kyle's family a little before going to bed. 

Friday was very action packed. After breakfast we went over to Kyle's dad's lab and met everyone there and got to see the new lab in action. Then we headed over to pick strawberries. The only thing I had ever picked in the large of a quantity was cherries a couple years ago, so it was a mostly new experience for me. But the Dowdles have it down! It's something they do multiple times a year. We ended up picking nine flats full of strawberries. 

We headed home to clean the strawberries. About half we cut up for the reception the next day and froze the rest for jam making later. We ate dinner before heading out to Audrey and Adalyn's dance performance. They danced to "My Favorite Things" and it was one of the best things I have ever seen. There is almost nothing cuter than a bunch of little girls in tutus trying to remember what they are supposed to do!

We left before the show was totally over so we could get to Davis's piano recital. Davis is super good at the piano. He did awesome. I got to meet some more people and had a good time chatting with everyone. That night we started making the cream puffs. We made about half of the 500 we needed for the next day before we went to bed.

The next day Kyle and I met up with my parents and went to hike Multnomah Falls. It was such a beautiful hike and we went at a nice pace so it wasn't too strenuous. I love hiking and so does my mom, so it was the perfect activity. Although we regretted it a little when we were super stiff after having stood in line for two hours later that night.

We almost ran out of gas, so we stopped at this small and old place.
We had to take a picture of how old fashioned it is!

The Oregon reception was completely beautiful. Maria really went above and beyond. Again, there was pretty much a line from the beginning to the end of the reception. We have popular parents (anyone who says everyone comes for the bride and groom is lying). Also, the food was as good as it looked! We got everything cleaned up pretty quickly thanks to everyone's help!

The next morning Kyle wasn't feeling well, so the drive back to Utah consisted of me and Jordan getting to know each other better for about 8 hours. The last 4 Kyle was more with it and rode in the front with me rather than laying in the backseat. Even though it didn't end super well, it was a fun trip!

Leaving

I'm officially moved back to Provo. And leaving home was much more difficult than I had anticipated. Really, I should have expected it. Since I came to college, anytime I have spent more than 24 hours at home, I have had a hard time leaving. 

The problem is this: my parents are just too amazing. (My whole family, too, actually.) This summer has brought that fact home to me in a stronger way than ever. 

The truth is, I'm a worrier. I didn't used to think I was, but I definitely am. I worry that every time I leave them something bad will happen. And I worry that if it does that I haven't been a good enough daughter or they don't know how much I love and appreciate them.

They truly are the best people that I know. They are loving and kind. They are willing to sacrifice, and to do so without complaint. They trust their children and allow us to make mistakes, because they know how much we can learn from them. And when we do, they are always there to help us pick up the pieces, with helping hands, open arms, and loving hearts. 

A few weeks back I had a conversation with my mom that I don't think I will ever forget. We were discussing service and sacrifice. I was complaining that sometimes it feels like those we serve are taking advantage and are ungrateful. She listened to my complaints and said simply, "Sometimes they are. But the thing is, if you say no once, then you'll never do that service again. It is too easy to think only of yourself and become selfish." Someday I hope I can be as wise as she is. And that I can, like her, instinctively know when something is wrong with someone I love and come up with the perfect fix to a bad day, like going to get pedicures or going to a movie. It's a lot easier to hide my bad days from her when I'm at school. Even so, she always seems to turn up just when I need her most.

My dad has most Fridays off of work now, so he happened to be home when I left for Provo yesterday. I had everything packed when he came home from the temple, but before I ran out the door, I asked him to give me my traditional back-to-school father's blessing. Most of the time when I am given a blessing my mom is also there and I ask her to write down some of the things said so I can reread them when I need it. I had contemplated waiting and going home this weekend for my blessing, but in the end I'm so glad I did it this way. It was a very special thing to spend those few precious minutes with only my dad and no one to interrupt the tight, long, and loving hug we shared after. I'm a hugger, just in general, but my dad gives some of the best hugs because I know he will never be the one to pull back first. More than anything, I know he just wants me to be safe and happy, and he will do anything in his power to make sure that happens, whether it be talking to me on the phone as I walk home late at night or bringing me tons of water bottles to help prevent kidney stones.

The older I get the more I understand how precious and remarkable is the love my parents have, both for their children and for each other. When I was little, I thought the idea of kids worrying their parents might get a divorce was something that only happened in the movies. All I had ever seen was the incredible love my parents had for each other. To this day, I love to see my parents flirt and tease each other. There is nothing that makes me feel more peaceful and safe than watching my parents interact with each other. They are the definitive proof that love grows stronger with time.

I'm lucky. I get to see my family quite regularly. Between their season tickets to football and basketball, family group, birthdays, and other random weekends, I never go too long without seeing at least one of my family members. And home is just a short drive away.

And as I sit here at the kitchen counter in my new apartment, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Fun at Grandma and Grandpa's!

A few weeks ago, Spencer, Amy, and their kids came over and played with us for a few hours. My mom had already been making homemade donuts, which the kids loved, obviously. We thought they were pretty good too!

Lyla

Max

I told Connor to smile and this is what I got!

Abby

For Father's day, my mom got my dad a slip 'n slide for the grandkids to use and it has been a big hit! I took a ton of pictures as the kids were doing it. Lyla was fearless, as always. And Max would only go backward very, very slowly. Abby warmed up to it. But Connor wouldn't go anywhere near it. 

Spencer finally made Connor go down it, and he was so mad! It was hilarious though!

As we were putting the slip n' side away, my parents pulled out the water guns the kids had been dying to try and everyone got thoroughly wet as we had an enormous water fight. It was everyone against Spencer (and Max, eventually) and the kids loved getting their dad with squirt guns!

It was so fun to spend time with those kiddos and their parents. Family is just the best!

This Summer Life Part 2

Last weekend my cousin Daniel got married in Denver. My parents made a week long trip of going out there and stopped a few places along the way. I flew out Friday afternoon for the wedding festivities and to drive back with them. They picked me up and then we waited about an hour so we could pick up Sydnee's (Daniel's wife) aunt and uncle too.

We all headed over to their church for a delicious dinner of Chipolte. It was low key and fun. Marie had flown out with Andy and his kids a couple of days before, so she was there too. We got to know Sydnee's family a little bit too, which was nice. After the dinner we went to my mom's old roommate from college's house. She and her husband moved to Denver a little over a year ago. We sat up and talked to them for a few hours and had a good time laughing together.

During the ceremony I sat outside with Alisa's kids (and Alisa's friend and her daughter who came to help), Andy and his kids, and Dave's baby boy, Diego. Diego is possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen. He has the best cheeks! So cute!

Mary outside the temple

Taking pictures was rough because the kids were pretty much done by then. After pictures Dave, Ale, Diego, Andy, Caleb, Annika, Alisa's son David, my parents, and I went to grab food and Chik-fil-A. David was so cute. He talked and talked to us about his school and friends and his new house in Ohio. After lunch we stopped by everyone's hotel for a few minutes, then my parents and I went to an Antiques Mall my mom had seen. My mom was in heaven. My dad and I enjoyed ourselves too, but not as much as mom did. 

A Gilmore Girls find at the Antiques Mall

The reception was nice, but a little weird because we don't really know anyone. We had a good time together though, and I got to play with Alisa's Sara and Mary for a while. They are so cute. I had never actually met Sara and had only met Mary and David once, but I was so excited to me them. It was like meeting celebrities for me because I love reading Alisa's blog! 

Sydnee and Daniel eating cake

My cute parents!

Alisa's family: David, Sara, and Mary

Aunt Evie, Aunt Marie, Mom, Sara, and Diego

Annika

First Dance

Daniel and Evie

Sydnee and her dad

Annika and Daniel

Dave and Diego

Ale and Diego

Me and Daniel

Alisa and David

Mike and Alisa's friend's daughter

Andy and Annika

Daniel and Sydnee were so happy, which is really all you can ask for. I'm so glad that I got to go out and celebrate with them. And that I'll be in Provo with them for a couple of years.

This is the summer of soccer. First Viewmont Boys, then the World Cup (love it!), plus the four oldest kids in the family are playing on a rec team with some of the Hiller clan, and in August Viewmont Girls start. Good thing we like soccer around here. Plus, since Isaac Hiller played for Viewmont, their grandkids and our grandkids have had a blast playing together at all the games. They are quite the crew when they all get together.

My roommate Brittni gets married next weekend, so they had a shower/bachelorette party last week. It was so fun to spend some time with some of my favorite people and to celebrate Brittni and Cole! I can't wait for their wedding!

I have also been working this summer, even if it doesn't seem like it. I am working for Centerville City Recreation again. I forgot how much I like working there. And how exhausting it is. We've had some interesting days with getting rained out or rained on, but that just makes it more exciting, right?

Phew! I think that is it for now. I'll try harder to stay on top of things so I don't have to play catch-up quite so much.