Ben Play in Mines

Morgan (Ben's friend) is really into caving and has taken Ben along for the ride! We got these photos from Ben, along with a video of them riding in an old mine cart, of their most recent adventure. He said it was a tight squeeze to get into the mine shaft, but once they were in it was huge! I'd be good if this was a one time deal!

 

 

Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens

 It’s always a blast hanging out with the Freckletons! We bought Busch Gardens season passes with them and the Deans, and we’ve pretty much been looking for any excuse to go play—which is really just a fancy way of saying we’ve been completely irresponsible! 😂

Sadly, the Deans couldn’t join us this time, but we were so happy to get a whole day of fun with the Freckletons. There’s nothing better than friends who feel like family, and we absolutely love this chosen family of ours! ❤️

Andrew's Band Concert

Any opportunity to take pictures of Andrew—willingly—I’m taking it! 😂 Concerts are the perfect excuse, and I even managed to recruit a friend or two to join in on the photo fun.

I just love these boys. Andrew has the BEST friends, and I’m so grateful for the people he surrounds himself with. ❤️

Also, completely unrelated but worth documenting: this kid gets more packages than anyone I know. Seriously. I’m not even sure what he’s ordering anymore, but the delivery people basically know us by name. 😂📦

My Own Little Boy Band

Yeah, this is adorable.

 

Just Things

Ben is finishing up his time at BYU Provo and it is starting to hit him that he needs to enjoy everything Provo has to offer before he leaves! He has been enjoying the Provo river walk every Sunday, a few miles at a time. I love when I get pictures from my handsome son!

Look who Kallie ran into! Alysa and Madison are in the ward just before or after the ward Kallie serves in. This Sunday they ran into eachother and snapped this picture. I love it! Kal only has 6 more weeks until she comes home!

We finished off the Olympics with a bang with the Deans and Freckletons! It is always so fun to hang out with these awesome people!

Oh yeah, and this one accepted BYU Idaho college admittance! Yes, it was a few days ago, no he didn't even tell us, and yes, we are thrilled!

 

Goodbye Kylie!

Oh, I am going to miss this friend of mine so much.

Kylie is truly one in a million — sassy, fiery, unapologetically herself, a little inappropriate in the best way, lighthearted, steady, solid… the kind of ride-or-die, true friend everyone hopes to have.

Life is taking her family on a new adventure as her husband starts a business, and that means she and her three amazing kids are heading out too. We were lucky enough to have her here two extra months, but then the house sold and everything moved so fast. Somehow that made the goodbye feel even more real.

In true Kylie fashion, she wanted a “favorite things” party — not a goodbye party. Because that’s who she is… celebrating joy instead of dwelling on endings.

I’m going to miss everything — watching Xander and Rowan just be buddies, hot tub nights, taco runs, and all the completely wild, hilarious things that only she could say. She brings so much life and laughter wherever she goes.

She really is one of a kind… and the luckiest thing about knowing her is getting to call her my friend.

They are so lucky to be getting her — but wow, are we going to miss her.