Bear Lake Day 1

For the Mikesell reunion we all stayed at Ideal Beach Resort in Bear Lake. It was a perfect location: not only was there easy access to the lake, there was also a playground, pools, grassy areas, yard games, mini golf, and activities.  Jon still thinks it was a bit overpriced for what it was, but it really was great for the kids!

Of course, being native East Coast kids, my kids were always up stupid early. But Elijah had to go beyond even that and wake up SUPER stupid early on our first day there. Since we were sharing a condo with Weirichs and Mom & Dad, I had to get him out of there before we woke everyone up. So a sunrise walk on the shore it was! 

Sunrise on Bear Lake

It may have been late June, but it was CHILLY.

We could see our breath for a bit before the sun rose fully.

Eventually the other normal humans got out of bed, which meant cousin time!

Elise ADORED Lexi.

Actually, we all did.

She is just a charming little doll baby.

Trying out some of the cool activities at the resort.

(this picture was taken off our balcony, which was right above the store)

Once it got warm enough, we headed down to the lake!

The water was SO COLD, so we mostly played in the sand.

Burying Adleigh in the sand

Elise buried Austin next.

Aaron and Russell buried Elise in revenge:

And then there was Elijah:

The construction vehicles had SO much work to do on the beach!

Finally some brave souls tried the water out:

Clearly I should have made all my kids wear swimsuits:

Catherine and Adleigh warming up after the cold water:

My tan child looks much less tan than Kenna's tan child...

More beach cousins (thankfully not burying Lexi):

The adults were not up for braving the water that day.

We enjoyed the "sit on the beach and chat" option instead.

Catherine and Lexi:

Once all the beaching was done, it was time to try out the giant chess game:

My boys in particular were much more into chess than I expected.

They would frequently run out of the condo to go play chess.

Grandma Jan got her own condo and stayed with us as well!

I'm so glad we got to spend more time with her.

Grandma Jan and her great-grandkids:

Also, this condo had a really cool ladder to get up to the loft:

Despite my great fears, no one even died once!

Westward Ho!

We knew we wanted to do a trip out west this summer. It has been a long time (like 9 years) since our last trip as a family. Plus both the Bloods AND the Mikesells were doing reunions in Utah. Unfortunately, with seven people in our family now, we're too big for a single hotel room. And two hotel rooms was super expensive. A friend from co-op mentioned that her family camped across the United States during Covid Summer and how it was super cheap. And thus was born our "Camping Across the USA" road trip.

We installed a hitch on the van, bought a hitch tray and a rain-proof hitch bag. We loaded up all the camping supplies, prayed it would all fit (it did!) and headed west.

This was the original seating plan.

Modified seating plan moved Elise to the back with Seth.

That way the two siblings prone to pestering were stuck with each other.

The rest of us had peace.

Elijah still does not like car trips.

Catherine agreed to be his helper in exchange for her choice of treat every day.

I don't think she was paid nearly enough.

Our first night was camping in Indiana at Pokagon State Park. Other than the poison ivy ringing the entire campsite and the crazy neighbors who kept turning their headlights on (right into our tent) at all hours of the night, it wasn't too bad. 

Driving stories: we saw lots of windmills as we drove (actually wind turbines as Jon constantly corrected). Elijah was fascinated by them. My favorite part was that he called them "tin mills." "Mommy, we find more tin mills?"

But even better than tin mills were trains! We started praying to see trains since they were one of the only things that could get Elijah to stop whining. He would watch it the entire time, all the while making a very realistic train whistle noise. 

Because we weren't totally insane, we did scatter some Airbnb's in the mix so we could shower and sleep in beds. Our first one was in Iowa in a 100 year old farmhouse (which involved 4-5 miles of driving on gravel roads to get to). We all slept majestically after showering and sleeping on actual mattresses. 

Aaron exploring the cool cellar at the farmhouse.

And then it was back in the car for another eight hour drive, this time all the way to Wyoming.

Elijah was thrilled to be back in the car.

So thrilled that he spent his time kicking Catherine in the face.

She finally tied his legs together with his blankets and tied him to the chair.

He had a great time breaking free and being re-tied.

Not sure how much fun Catherine was having.

But we finally made it to the paradise of Warren AFB, Wyoming!

Complete with tumbleweeds, mosquitos, and dirt!

At least someone was happy to see all the dirt!

It was super fun to lay in the tent and see the hoards of mosquitos just waiting for us to have to go outside. Thankfully no one seemed to have any terrible bites (probably because they aren't the stupid Asian Tiger Mosquitos we have in Maryland that start itching the second they bite you). 

Also fun: there was a train track running right next to the camp. Like RIGHT NEXT to the camp. We walked right up from our tent to see it. And of course, what comes down those tracks in the middle of the night?

Everyone at 2 am: sleeping

Train: approaching noisily

Elijah: "IT'S A TRAIN!!!!!!"

Me: "Shhh! Everyone is sleeping!"

Elijah: "It goes CHOOOOOO-CHOOOOO!" (continues making realistic train noises until he can no longer hear said train). 

Did this happen every single time he heard a train, every single placed we camped? Yes. Yes it did. Were there tracks next to almost every site we camped at? Yes.

Another fun Elijah camping quote: 

Upon waking up one morning: "Uh oh. The sun came out again."

And then it was time for our last leg of the trip--the final drive to Bear Lake! We were greeted by hoardes of little boy cousins happy to all share the screens with Aaron:

Seth was also happy to share the screens with Grandpa Russell:

Honestly, I wasn't sure the camping thing was going to work out, but it ended up being totally doable! But it was nice to be back in a place with running water and actual beds. And being with family is the best!

5th Grade Graduation

Can't believe Catherine is almost done with elementary school and heading to middle school! One morning she and I were invited to attend an awards assembly for students who had earned honors. I'm so proud of her for coming in mid-year and then excelling!

Waiting for her turn

Receiving her award from Principal Clinton

So proud of this girl for working so hard!

During some fun activity at school, Catherine injured her ankle. It was bad enough that the school nurse sent her home and told her to go see the pediatrician just in case. Thankfully it wasn't broken, but it was sprained badly enough that she needed crutches for several days. She LOVED getting to hang out at the pediatrician and wait for answers.

Thankfully by graduation day she was up and walking (although still carefully):

Walking into the gym for graduation

Standing to be recognized for either band or Patriot Program

Each grad made a set of slides. 

Catherine's first says:

"When I was younger, I used to want a singing Rapunzel pillow."

Second slide:

"But now I don't like Rapunzel and I don't like singing."

Receiving her diploma from the principal

So excited to be done!

With her most favorite teacher, Ms. Roderick.

Ms. Roderick was the band teacher and she ADORED Catherine.

The feeling was mutual.

Band was the reason Catherine decided to stick with public school.

Catherine with Ms. Derby, her homeroom teacher.

Also mutual adoration. 

All the teachers loved Catherine!

Grandpa & Grandma Brady came to watch Talia graduate, but got a bonus getting to see Catherine!

We love our ward family and are so grateful for bonus grandparents.

They even paid for the girls to get ice cream as a graduation treat!

Elementary school grad!

Each grad got a carnation to give to their parent.

Ours was a little...sad...

Catherine's super cool koi artwork from school.

I am still a bit nervous about middle school. I hope it's not overwhelming for her. I hope she finds good people to be her friends. But she's SO excited that I'm a little less nervous. 

Elijah Life

Who needs a toy mower when you can play with the real thing?

(Not on, don't worry--he was literally pushing it around the cul-de-sac).

And after you mow, you must clean the clippings up!

Preferably until the battery gives out.

Repeatedly. 

But if anyone is actually using the mower, Elijah will be there!

Can't mow without an assistant. 

My neighbor Caroline texted me this picture. She said she could not figure out what her dad was doing over by the fence. Then she realized he was chatting with Elijah. Mr. Chris is the BEST neighbor. We really lucked out. 

Living the dream here.

Living the dream.

We celebrated Father's Day a week early since we would be driving across the country on the actual day. The kids brought Jon's pillow and blanket down so he could have a nap on the couch. And what could Daddy possibly want more than a nap with Elijah?

Elijah snuggles for Father's Day!

And no, he is not sleeping.

He's not even holding still.

Constant. Wiggles.

Vacuuming!

It's like mowing the lawn, but INSIDE!

The bulldozer had quite an adventure exploring Jon's face and hair.

We sure love Construction Vehicle Elijah!

100 Miles

I've been struggling to feel God's love in my personal life lately. Not sure why, but I have faith it will all work out. I'm just not very good at the waiting part.

Yesterday I excitedly announced to my kids that I would finish my goal of running 100 miles today. I started in March and my goal was to finish before school ended on June 16. Not only was I going to finish, I was finishing early!

Also yesterday, I was texting a friend who has been in my thoughts. Talking with her made me think about two years ago, when I found out I was having a baby and losing that baby on the same day.

I started running to counter the depression I began sinking into after that surgery. Now it's just a nice way to get outside, get exercise, and get Elijah to nap. I hadn't thought at all about the connection between my running and losing my baby. Not for a long time.

But last night in the shower I realized it hasn't been 'about' two years. It's been almost exactly two years. I wasn't sure of the exact date, but I knew it was very early June. I checked my calendar: June 7th.

With absolutely no planning on my part, I was finishing my goal of running 100 miles on the same day I lost my baby two years ago, which is why I started to run in the first place.

So this morning I ran my last few miles in memory of my loss. And in celebration of healing. And in gratitude for how perfectly a loving Father arranged things, just because He loves me.

June Begins

This squirrel. Dude. Eats all our birdseed, then just lounges on our steps like he owns the place. Jon loathes him so much that he designed special Nerf darts with push pins on the end to shoot at the squirrel. So far no hits, nor has it dissuaded the squirrel from visiting. 

Luau Seth, complete with Luau hair!

This was the fundraiser for the boys in the ward to some cool stuff this summer. They hosted a luau, complete with games and fresh pineapple. Seth worked hard to earn that money (and Elijah worked hard to eat all the pineapple off all the tables).

Gabe & Seth with the spread of food

Everett, Adam, Gabe & Seth

Our family enjoying the luau with Alena & Talia 

One of my YW graduating this year is named Elise. My Elise adores her. When we went to Big Elise's grad party, Little Elise made her this card (don't miss the big red grad cap on Big Elise's head). Big Elise thought it was completely adorable. 

Little Elise's newest talent.

I'm so proud. 

Our stake was assigned several days to help at the Washington DC Temple Open House. Seth helped one day, but I really wanted a chance as well. Jon agreed to watch the kids so I could go with my friends (Montano, Cate, & Melissa). I was worried it would be boring to stand for hours directing people (our shifts were seven hours long), but the time flew by! Everyone was kind and respectful and I was happy to be there. I got to see some old friends and spend the driving time with some of my favorite people.  There was definitely a sweet, peaceful feeling there, even with all the crowds of people walking through. 

I'm not sure what this assignment was, but this is hilariously accurate.

Catherine was not impressed.

This year for our YW we opted to do specialized singing telegrams for each girl. For Big Elise's birthday we went with a Pride and Prejudice theme since she LOVES that movie with a deep and abiding passion. We all dressed up in old timey clothes and walked to her front door while the music from a key scene in the movie played. Cate delivered a historically accurate letter wishing Elise a happy birthday. Elise was laughing so hard. It was perfect. (Although we all joked that we looked like a bunch of spinster aunties escorting the elegant Cate to a dance). And of course Little Elise had to come along as well! I love this YW presidency that I get to work with. They are so much fun and such amazing women.