24th celebration

Spending time with family in the valley is one of the highlights of our summer! Before we left, our kind neighbors brought over travel snacks and a basket of books and toys for the boys. I cried!!

We decided last minute to hop in the car with Alex and her kids and Bryan drove my car down the next day. The road trip was a lot more fun that way!

Thursday afternoon we helped Grandma Pav pull weeds and then visited with her! My boys and I stayed at her house and I just love watching my boys create memories with their great-grandma.

Friday morning was the parade and then Friday evening we all stayed in a hotel and swam and then repeated the activities on Saturday. Saturday evening was a family potluck and I'm so happy being surrounded by so many loved ones. 

On Sunday we went to church with Grandma Pav and then drove to Fruita together with my parents and Mike and Ang. The trip flew by since we were all traveling together! 

 

  

  

     

  

 

Life lately

Before we left on vacation, this is what our week looked like:

- teaching the boys how to properly eat Oreos

- finishing up the summer reading program

- enjoying a water party with friends where the boys couldn't get enough of the goggles

- thoughtful neighbors leaving notes and blueberry bread on our door

- Clinton and Mary coming to visit

-Eli going to the dentist and having no cavities and celebrating with frozen yogurt

- Austin showing off his "I'd flex, but I like this shirt" shirt

I feel so exhausted at the end of each day, especially as a single mom right now, but as I look back on the week, I feel so blessed that I get to spend my time with these silly boys!

 

  

  

  

  

The best free day

After several rough days at home, I decided a family hike was in order. 

(The boys had been awake for 10 minutes and were already in time out. I thought the day was going to be a disaster, but it turned out a lot better then planned.)

 

 

I've wanted to check out Helen Hunt Falls and it's gorgeous! 

 

   

   

We ate our packed lunch and then went to the nature center that I've read about online. It was 15 minutes from the hike so we decided to check it out. Both the hike and nature center were free!

   

   

I needed to grab some things at Wal-mart and the parking lot was packed. We hadn't been to this particular Wal-mart before so I figured it was just busier than I expected. When we got inside, the store was celebrating its 1 year anniversary so kids got to decorate cupcakes for free!

   

Dinner that night was a 1/2 price pizza from Dominoes.

   

We had such a great day being outside and together and not spending much money. ;)

Airport

Months ago my friend was talking about working out details to get her daughter to the airport on a Saturday after girls' camp because my friend and her family were moving to Texas. I knew Aaron would be gone and weekends are always the hardest for me so I offered to help! The boys love airports so they were excited to watch the airplanes. Months ago when I offered, I didn't think about the fact that we'd be taking Aaron to the airport the week before. On the drive to the airport, Eli asked if we were picking up dad. Austin saw an airplane and yelled, "Dad!" We talked about serving our friends and then went to the USO for snacks and to play a bit and the boys seemed fine. We also stopped by Alex's for a few hours and then drove by the temple on our way home. Rita's was one of our favorite east coast treats so with one in Denver close to the temple, it was a necessary stop! 

   

 

First week after Aaron left

It always takes several weeks for us all to adjust to Aaron being gone. The boys are a little extra cranky and this time I was expecting it so I'm trying to be extra patient with them! My parents sold their Kansas home and had been in Kansas so my mom stayed with us for several days on her way back to Fruita since my dad was headed to Oklahoma for work. Having my mom around is always such a blessing. The boys and I ran to get groceries before my mom came and this shopping cart was a blast for both of them.

Alex and her kids came over one afternoon for water games and then we went to 

Chick-fil-a for free dinner. 

   

   

Saying farewell

Friday evening Aaron gave the boys and me blessings. It brought so much comfort and peace into our home and individual lives. Aaron blessed me with infinite patience while he's gone. I think of that phrase daily and pray for it daily as well. We were so grateful for our friend Taylor Benson that came over and gave Aaron a blessing as well before he left on Saturday morning. We all cried as Taylor blessed Aaron with safety and success during his deployment. It was a memorable, spiritual experience for us all. 

Saturday morning arrived and with tears in our eyes, we said family prayer together before we packed up the car and headed to the base where Aaron told everyone goodbye. His unit saluted him as we drove away. So touching.

Here are the airport pictures where we said goodbye. We walked to the gate to watch Aaron get on the plane and Eli started screaming that he wanted to watch Aaron leave. It got us all crying - even a stranger that was watching everything. She started crying and apologized! 

 

 

 

 

 

(This picture is actually kind of funny because Austin was crying because he wanted me.)

 

We watched his plane for as long as we could see it. Eli was so sweet and asked if I was crying and then came over to give me a big hug. It made me feel so much better.

 

When we arrived home, our friends had covered our door with pictures and signs expressing their love and support to our family. So thoughtful! 

 

And now Aaron's been gone for only 2 weeks. Oh how we miss him. Friends and family have been so kind and supportive and we're grateful for them.