July Craziness

When thinking back on July, I still don't know how we managed to survive and get done everything we needed to get done. We were truly blessed!! At the beginning of July we didn't know where we were moving or have our house under contract. Both of those happened the third week of July and then we packed up our house and were ready to move on Aug. 1st. Somehow we also fit in a week of vacation/family reunion in Florida. We had so much help from so many people!! I'm grateful it's not July anymore, that was a crazy month. Here are a few pictures documenting our crazy month-- minus the vacation in Florida which will be it's own post.

We went to our last Moms Club activity at the Erlanger Train Park. We enjoyed seeing friends and saying some goodbyes, although it seemed a little unreal to say goodbye.

Emma and Lydia

We celebrated another fun Independence Day at Coney Island Park, which has become a fun family tradition. We went with our friends the Huxels and Clores. We enjoyed carnival rides during the day, ate a yummy picnic dinner and then listened to the Red White and Boom concert put on by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. I love patriotic music! And they had a really cool fireworks show afterwards that was really fun to watch, especially with friends!

Gavin and Lydia

Lydia with a doll in her shirt...another example of how much she wants to be a mom. :)

Ethan worked hard everyday on a kindergarten level book to earn money for a Lego kit he wanted. And here it is!

A yummy pie night to celebrate Charlotte's birthday. She sure knows how to do it in style!!

Lydia loves doing these sort and snap pictures and then running in to show me each new picture.

A tower of bricks they built together in our basement.

We also threw an early birthday party for Ethan just days before we moved. We invited friends to our neighborhood pool on Saturday and had an absolute blast. The weather was perfect and we pretty much had the pool to ourselves. The kids all loved it and it turned out so well thanks to the help of our friends the Huxels. Charlotte made these custom camouflage cupcakes to order just for Ethan. They also picked up pizzas for us and helped everything run smoothly. We are so grateful for them and the many friends we have in Kentucky!!

Don't those look amazing? They tasted amazing too!!

Claire

Rachel and Saylor

Just 3 days before we moved they finally finished the new Hebron Library that we watched them build as we drove by daily for over a year and a half. We were sad that we never got to actually use it, but we did stop by on it's opening day just to say hello and good-bye. That visit to the library was also when I discovered gum stuck in Lydia's hair that required an emergency haircut the next morning from my friend Emily. Man, I sure have the best friends!

June Decisions

June has been busy! Lots of things going on, and decisions to make! Jason interviewed with a faculty member at BYU and the interview went very well. Not only was he admitted into the program, but he was given a very generous scholarship. He was awarded the Presidential Scholarship that covers 100% of tuition which in the equivalent of $26, 900! Such a huge blessing and an answer to prayer. Going back to school wasn't necessarily in our plans, or something Jason wants to do, but we both feel that it is right and what the Lord wants us to do. We both needed to feel good about it because it brings huge life changes to our family. With a formal acceptance to BYU in mid-June, we quickly got our house ready to sell and listed on the market. We also started making plans for a moving truck and looking for places to rent. There is always so much to do and many decisions to make. Thankfully, although it's not easy, things do seem to be working out, and I'm grateful.

Library Summer Reading Kick-off

CVG Airport Viewing park

The tallest marble track ever!

Rides to bed

Best Friends

I got to spend a whole day at girl's camp at Versailles State Park in Indiana. I drove there with another counselor in the Young Women's Presidency, Emily McCombs. It was such a nice break from everything and I really enjoyed spending time with the girls.

Girls camps with Emily McCombs

Building a rock bridge on the hike at girls camp

We took a quick family trip one weekend. We visited a cool park in north Cincinnati, stayed overnight in hotel and spent a day hiking at Hocking Hills. We enjoyed perfect weather, beautiful hikes, and great company.

For a young women's activity I got to ride a horse. I really enjoyed it and wished I could do more, especially out in some fields. I was happy that although I haven't ridden a horse in over 20 years, I still remembered how. :)

cleaning off the cement

We told everyone in our family that we're moving to Utah on Father's Day. We finished getting our house ready and put it up for sale later that week.

Happy Father's Day!

Last trip to Totter's Otterville

Fierce road race competitors

sleeping in his fort

Finding fossils at Fossil Park

Playing in the park with the Huxels afterwards

Trying out her Doc McStuffins bike

Riding up the sidewalk in front of our house, our house is up for sale

Last trip to the Louisville Temple