August was our final month to enjoy summer freedom and prepare for going back to school. We went to Six Flags, floated the Comal River in tubes, went to see the new Spiderman movie, played volleyball at the park, and went swimming at our community pool.
Sheri and Marianne went to a Noah Kahn concert in Denver and had a lovely time staying with Jennifer and Scott. They absolutely loved seeing this concert together! They even had prayers for better seats answered! :)
Also in August, we shopped for school clothes, school supplies, and got dental visits. Sterling also had his medical check ups. Sheri was able to start receiving iron infusions for her anemia. We are hoping after her series of 5 she will have more energy. We learned that she and Sterling often pass out when their blood is drawn.
Sterling was asked to speak in our San Antonio ward and I sang a solo. Here is a picture of Matt and Regan and our boys after church. It is fun that Matt and Regan were in a Priesthood quorum together as youth and now they are all in the same ward Priesthood quorums.
In the middle of the month Matt and I were able to fly to Denver to celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday. It was great to spend time with both of my parents, my siblings, and even extended family (Uncle Joel and Aunt Mabel.) I enjoyed reflecting on all the ways my Dad has taught me consistency, selflessness, dedication to God and family, and self discipline. I'm am so thankful for my dad!
It was a fun celebration!
.jpg)
The following weekend Matt took Sterling, Sheri, and the Allen kids to the rodeo. They had a great time, especially dancing! I took Christian to a stake youth activity.
Christian started cross country practice/workouts a few weeks before school started.
School started on August 25th. He is starting his 8th grade year!
He will have honors classes, Spanish, high school algebra, and honor band.
That weekend Christian had his first Cross Country (XC) meet.
A few days later Sheri, Sterling and I flew to Utah to take them to BYU. We were able to pack 6 checked bags filled to the 50 pound weight limit, 3 carry on bags and a personal item each. They were filled with compressed clothing, blankets, towels and miscellaneous items. It was a trick to get everything checked, park the car, and get through security on time but we did it! We rented a car in Salt Lake and met up with Eve that afternoon.
Eve was tremendously helpful in finding kitchen items for Sheri's apartment prior to our arrival. She also had little welcome goodie bags for each of us! She is so excited to show the kids around Provo!
We spent the next few days, moving Sterling and Sheri in, buying items for their dorm rooms, showing them around the campus, and attending New Student Orientation. The commencement was thrilling!
We also had dinner at Locals, one of Eve's favorite restaurants in Provo.
Here they are at the stadium with Marianne.
Sheri is enjoying getting to know her new roommates.
Eve joined me in the alumni/parent section. :)
They had a fun program and an epic drone show! Luckily, our prayers were answered and the weather stayed nice despite threatening grey clouds.
My last morning in Provo (Sat 8/29) we got photos at the iconic places.
I am so proud of these kids! They have all worked hard to be here and I am so happy they will have each other to help and support one another.
...as long as they don't drive each other crazy. Hahaha!
The kids had more fun after I left. They went to more orientation activities, checked out downtown Provo, went on a picnic hike, and Eve planned a family dinner with Carson, Tyler, Sabey, Camille, Soren and Swede.
Art and Lunch on Kyhv outlook.
Here are some fun pictures of Eve before we came out in August.
Here she is collecting soil stability data.
Here she is on her 3rd Hitch in Wells, Nevada sectioning her test area.
She memorizes many new plants every day!
She finds lots of cool things!
Eve gave a talk on 8/16. Sabey came to listen and support her.
Here she is on hitch #4 in Wendover, Utah and Wells, Nevada. Sometimes it gets VERY hot and she hikes a LOT!
Here she is holding a coyote skull that she found on a hitch.
Here she found a Greater Short-Horned Lizard.
Check out this massive sage brush!
This is a concert that she was able to attend with her cousins on August 26th - 5 Seconds of Summer.
We are very happy for all our kids who are doing great and have so many opportunities to learn and grow! Summer was filled with so many transitions and now we are looking forward to more routine and growth. We feel so blessed to have safety, freedom, time together, general good health, and so many fun experiences! We are grateful for the Lord's help as we've moved through so many big life changes this summer! Whether we were in Amarillo, Brazil, San Antonio, Maine, California, Colorado, Georgia, Nevada, or Utah, we see all the ways God has blessed us and inspired us! We are grateful for the consistency the gospel has given us through it all!
