Photos from Rexburg

Andrew and Veronica have been loving the country life out in Rexburg! I have received exactly ONE photo from Andrew with his actual face in it. The other 22 have looked something like these. 😂

I love that he’s getting out and exploring and discovering just how beautiful this place is. I’m really hoping he can find a good riding group and turn it into a fun, social thing—because what’s the point of having all that beautiful country around you if you don’t have people to enjoy it with?

He’s living in an apartment with all returned missionaries, which is great… EXCEPT I’m thinking this boy may need a little more freshman energy and stupidity in his life and a little less responsible RM energy. 😂

But we shall see. For now, I’m just happy he’s happy, getting outside, and making some memories. ❤️

 

Xander Lost his FIRST Tooth!

I feel like the old lady in Titanic: “It’s been 84 years…” 😂

After what feels like approximately 93 years, Xander finally lost his first tooth! And no, it wasn’t because anyone did anything to help it along. This kid would NOT let anyone touch that tooth. But today at school, it finally decided it was time and simply fell out.

When I asked him what happened, he explained, “I was smelling, then my tooth was floating, then I just got it out.” 🤷‍♀️😂 Honestly, I have no idea what that means, but apparently it all worked out.

This morning, he came running back to my bed (because, as you know, this kid is a CUDDLER) absolutely bursting with excitement and waving a whole dollar in the air. 💵🦷

And, in true Xander fashion, his first thought was:

“I need to lose another tooth so I can buy what I REALLY want to buy.”

What does he really want to buy? No one knows. Not even Xander. 😂 But that one dollar has already been spent approximately 45 different ways hypothetically this morning.

Of course, he is taking his dollar to school today to show ALL HIS PEOPLE. I’m fairly certain that dollar is not coming home with him, and there will probably be tears when it mysteriously disappears.

But hey… he earned that dollar.

And I’m ready for the inevitable emotional breakdown. 😂🦷💵

 

Beard to No Beard

Welp… to say the beard situation went over well in our household would be the understatement of the year. 😂

Christopher got home after being gone for almost TWO WEEKS and apparently decided that wasn’t enough excitement for one day. He promptly decided it was time to shake things up, disrupt the peace, and completely alter the trajectory of our lives.

He shaved his beard.

After TWELVE YEARS of having a beard.

Why? 🤷‍♀️ Who knows. Honestly, who knows what goes through this man’s head sometimes. He just woke up and apparently thought, “You know what this family needs? A completely different face.”

The family reviews were… mixed. And by “mixed,” I mean absolutely brutal. 😂

Zack: “That was a bad choice.”

Nick: “WHAT HAPPENED!?! WHAT DID YOU DO????!?!?!?!"

Xander: “DAD! YOUR BEARD FELL OFF!”

Me: “I just can’t. Why would you? This is terrible. I don’t like it when you talk. I missed you… and your beard. That was a huge mistake. That looks terrible. I hate it." (I had alot to say)

Ben: “Not my favorite.”

Kallie: “You don’t look the same without the beard. I think you should grow it back.”

Andrew: “I cast my vote for the original beard.”

So there you have it. The people have spoken. 😂

Apparently, after 12 years, that beard had become less of a facial feature and more of a family member. And now we’re all just supposed to pretend everything is normal while this strange, freshly-shaven man walks around our house.

Welcome home, Christopher. We missed you.

Your beard, apparently, was missed more. 😂

Back home at Kings Dominion

I now feel whole again. 😂 We didn’t have Kings Dominion passes this year, and honestly, it just felt…weird. I LOVE going to Kings Dominion!

So we decided it was time to get our passes again—and thankfully, the Freckleton family loves theme parks just as much as we do, so they happily joined us on the dark side and got passes too! 😂🎢

We decided to make a stop on our way down to Virginia Beach for the airshow, and it was SO much fun! I got to ride a bunch of rides I’ve never ridden before, and now I’m officially itching to go back.

And honestly, everything is just more fun when you have friends to share it with! I’m so glad the Freckletons are joining us for all the roller coasters, questionable decisions, and theme-park adventures to come. 😂🎢❤️

Kat

 

I'm not saying I'm glad Kat's mom had to have her knees replaced - but I'm so happy I got to see her again - and so soon! But I've never had a more stressful ordering situation. Who know Cava and toppings could be so stressful!? It was really the dressing choices....

Andrew Entertains Visitors

I just love these boys! Hunter (Elder Ericksen) popped by with his comp (Mike and Brit) to visit Andrew at his apartment. I wish they had a little bit more time together before Hunter leaves for Brazil!