Dream Team

 We make quite a pair, He and I. 

He's fixing the dryer....

And I'm repairing the broken sprinkler heads (this one affectionately known as Old Faithful)

It should be noted that I have permanently gained the respect of several of the men in the cul de sac that observed what I was doing and asked me how I knew "how to fix that?!"

I played it cool. 

Daily Exercise with the Young Ones

 Did you know that missionaries are required to exercise every morning?

Did you know that one Elder and one Sister exercising together is generally frowned upon?

I volunteered as chaperone and runnning buddy!

I'm in it for the blessings. 

Miranda's Turn

 Miranda is just a week behind Ethan! It's her turn for the temple 💕

These three are missing their compadre, Laynie. If you know, you know. 

Miranda's setting apart

Missionary buddies!

Sometimes we get to soak up the happy!

Elder Hufford

We woke up to a late spring snowfall.  Isn't it beautiful?

Hopefully it won't melt my asparagus.

Tonight Ethan was set apart as a full time missionary!

The Flynns and Petersons joined us for the special occasion. They are family!

Handshakes only, from here on out! (They are practically sibling, so I doubt there is a temptation.)

Elder Hufford and President Boyack

Ethan's MTC classroom for the next three weeks!

 

Delivering Mathew

 I remember the day my parents drove me up to Rexburg, unpacked my stuff and drove away. It was surreal. 

Now it's my turn to be the mom. I hope I can stop crying before we get all the way across Wyoming. 

Sunrise Apartments! (They look exactly the same.)

After we helped unpack and got him stocked with groceries,  we went to explore campus a bit!

A quick stroll through the Snow Building...the memories!

Ethan looking quite fetching in my favorite knit beanie.

We had dinner with "Elder Russell" and his wife. He was one of the missionaries that taught Mark's parents the gospel. 

We grabbed a hotel room in Idaho Falls for the night and met for breakfast the next morning with Jim, Ameli, Tom and Sarah...they were dropping Karah off too. 

Luckily, the breakfast spot sold homemade strawberry freezer jam. It felt like the only way I would be able to leave him in Idaho. 

Last Day

I'm not trying to be dramatic about the boys leaving...but I can't help it. 

We had our last family scripture study all together today. 

 Mark scored some crazy tickets to the Royals game and so we thought it would be fun to treat the boys to baseball fanciness. 

Free dinner as well as any treats you want during the game! It still blows my mind.

The seats were...wow.  Salvi!!

Cutie boys

Royals win!!

Please hold while I close my eyes and savor this day... sunshine and baseball and growing up sons and free snicker bars. 

Mathew's Grad Party

 Mathew is heading to college! 

He won't be here for the graduation ceremony...but, by dang, we'll have an open house!

Luckily, the Flynn's had a yard sign we could borrow! It takes a village.

The wall of fame!

Covid paranoia is stilled hanging about, so we made single serve fruit cups to ward off the bad juju.

Mathew and his good buddy Ashlyn, with little bro Ethan Lake. 

Glad we got a chance to show Mathew how much he will be missed and celebrate the end of 13 years of school!

Family Photos - All 8

The boys are leaving. Who knows when we'll all be together again?

Here are a few of my favorites!

Subpar grass and confetti eggs

Awwww...look at that pretty easter grass. so fluffly and full and luxurious!

ACK! It's an illuuuusion. Something when awry with the grass this year. 

No sweat. Nobody's eating that grass...they are all about the chocolate. 

Happy sunny easter kids!

We love the confettie eggs! Mark convinced Ethan to let him try to get one to explode on his body...I see Ethan is up for it...mostly.

I do not claim to have good aim.

Lest you think that this Easter was all bunny rabbits and jellybeans, I managed to almost chop the top of my finger off when I decided it was a good idea to scoop the guacamole out of the immersion blender without unplugging it first. 

To summerize....

Confetti eggs = yes!

Bloody guacamle = no.