Tuacahn

I couple of weeks ago I began to sense that summer was coming to a close.  In one last ditch effort to enjoy the time off, I threw together a super quick girls trip and headed down to St. George.  Included in the adventure were Brynn, cousin Hailey, Catilyn, and yours truly.  We had a lot of fun and it was nice to spend time with Caitlyn, especially before her college year begins.  Here are some of the things we did:

We ate a lot.  What's more fun than that?

Brynn and Hailey are evidently connoisseurs of chocolate milk.  They can tell you who has good chocolate milk and who does not.  For the record, Red Robin does not have good chocolate milk.

We went to see Aladdin at Tuacahn.  It was fabulous.  What more can you ask in a play than a beautiful outdoor setting, music, a cute (male) lead character, a flying carpet, fireworks, water features, 3-D effects, and more?

We got a KICK out of this lady sitting in front of us. She enjoyed it so much and would just laugh when anything funny happened.  She was contagious and reminded us how cute the play was.

Is there an unwritten rule that you have to wear your 3-D glasses the entire next day?  I guess so.  

The girls also swam a lot.  They never got bored of it and it was a nice activity for them to do while Caitlyn and I read, cleaned, or watched the Summer Olympics. 

While it was a quick trip, it was a fun trip as well, and I'm so glad we made the time to go.  I truly love these girls!

Hello, London!

My parents, Keith and Cheryl Allred, are officially missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  They left yesterday to serve in the England, London mission as office specialists, whatever that means (I gather they'll  be helping in the mission home, coordinating supplies, taking pictures for newsletters, scheduling things, etc.).  They are very excited and we are so excited for them.





This was the day of their farewell.  They spoke in church and did wonderful jobs. While I was impressed with them (as I always am), I was equally impressed with the family and friends who showed up to support them.  As my mother found out, preparing for your own farewell is a little odd.

You really don't know who to expect, if anyone. People have busy lives and callings and obligations.  You can imagine our delight when we showed up at church and found many, many family members there, as well as friends and well-wishers.  My dad made me laugh when he got up to speak and reflected that the people in the congregation would most likely be those people who will come to his funeral someday. Not yet, dad! 

I don't have a picture of the night they were set apart as missionaries.  I just want to briefly submit my observations about that evening, however.  We met for dinner (we've met a lot for dinner these past two months) and the stake president came to their house to set them apart.  What a wonderfully spiritual, quiet, tender time that was.  I felt the spirit in such a strong, tangible, loving way that night that I will not soon forget.  The Spirit testified to me that their decision to serve a mission was pleasing to the Lord and that they'll be blessed in doing so.  It was truly a special event. 

My parents were in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo for two weeks.  Because of this, we were able to see them a few times.  Evidently the rules aren't nearly so strict with couple missionaries (what are you going to do, send them home?) and they would venture up to Highland on drives every couple days or so. Our final goodbye was after a family dinner (above photo).  Unfortunately, Brook was out of town and didn't get a last hug.  We all know how much my mom loves hugs (insert sarcasm), so he'll have to torment her when we go visit.

I'm not going to lie and say that it was easy to say goodbye.  Tears were shed, both when saying goodbye and in the lonely hours afterwards.   I'm so infinitely proud of these two.  They are exceptional parents and I am blessed by their love and example.  

Bear Lake...... with friends

I don't know if I've mentioned it before (probably not because my blogging habits have been less than admirable), but Brook works in Colorado now.  Yes, he works and lives in Colorado and the rest of us work and live in Utah. He comes home on the weekends, but you can imagine, it's just not the same.  This all began back in October when the entire company did a complete overhaul (don't you just love corporate America?  They're so, so smart) and sent all their employees back to regional offices.  Because Caitlyn was a senior and I had a job, we finished out the school year here and played the game of wait-and-see (fun game to play with people's lives). We thought we'd have some answers by now of what to do with our situation (whether to move to Colorado or stay in Utah), but no answers have walked up and bonked us in the face,so we're still waiting and still seeing. 

ANYWAY, we knew we'd want to get away this summer but because of the aforementioned situation recognized that money is tight (running two households + Caitlyn starting college = strapped). Soooooo, thank goodness for Keith and Cheryl and Bear Yake (yes, yake, it's not a misspelling; it's what one of the grandchildren called it when they were little and it's just kind of stuck).  

Brook and I are past the point of fooling ourselves into thinking our kids still think of us as fun.  We've moved more into the vacation roles of  chaperons, meal makers, and tour guides.  Jokes on them, though, because Brook and I still have fun.  Brynn brought a friend, Emily.  Zach originally invited two friends, Eric and Hunter, but then last, last, last minute ended up inviting two neighborhood friends, Madison and Riley (best decision).  Because Caitlyn is all adulty now with having a full-time job and all was only able to come up for a day with her friend Chandler.  

It was a GREAT time.  The teenagers entertained themselves and laughed for four days straight.  Brynn and Emily hung out with us and had their own kind of fun.  And it was nice that Caitlyn was able to steal some time away and show up as well.  Obviously, we wish she'd been able to be up there more, but we'll take any time at all.

Here are some things we did:

We began with our traditional stop at Maddox in Perry, UT

We went four-wheeling a lot

We swam at the pool

We got milkshakes on a daily basis.

The girls went through Minnetonka Cave.  Cool!

The weather at the cave reminded the girls of vampires and Twilight.

We did the go-carts.

We did an afternoon at Bloomington Lake for cliff
jumping and the rope swing.  Super fun.

Zach, Eric, and Hunter

Madison and Riley. 

Chandler got highest points for his dives

from the rope swing.  He's crazy athletic.

They're always hungry.

We did a day at the lake.

They loved lying in the warm mud.  Ha.

They just had fun.

We're grateful to the parents who let their kids go with us.  It made for a fantastic getaway for our family.