2011 summer vacation - week 7

Our last week! So very bittersweet.

On Monday we had dinner at my mom’s. This was hard because it was our last time seeing most of my family.

Here are some cute pictures of Caleb and Benjamin!

I love this baby so much!

Noah played me a beautiful song!

Logan and Cambria had a wonderful time picking strawberries in Nana’s garden.

Then they had an even more wonderful time eating them!

This beautiful, sweet boy came over and offered me a strawberry. I love this photo. I love the dichotomy between his precious, dirty hands and the strawberry he picked just for me.

Isn’t he wonderful?!

Jonathan and Derk had a great time hanging out, laughing, and playing the guitar.

Then Derk fell asleep, and Jonathan got creepy…

Saying goodbye to Abby and the boys that evening was SO hard. I tried to keep it together, but I just couldn’t stand leaving them. Abby, I absolutely LOVED being there with you – to hang out, to laugh, to cry, to help you when the baby was born, everything. I loved it all. You will never know how much it meant to me that you let me be such a huge part of your life while I was in town!

On Wednesday, it was time to say goodbye to my mom. We were going to Silverwood for the last time, so she asked if she could have the kids over in the morning for a special tea party. She had the table all set up in the back yard, and everyone was dressed in their fanciest clothes!

When we came to pick them up, this is what we saw. Sweet Cambria knew this was her last visit with Nana, and she wanted nothing more than to curl up on Nana’s lap and listen as Nana made up a story just for her.

What a fun memory they created! We love you so much, Mom, and loved being with you!!!

We had to say goodbye to Derk’s parents before spending our day at Silverwood (they were leaving town on business). Poor Kyrie having to say goodbye to both grandmas within an hour of each other! She sure loves her Grandma and Nana! Thanks so much, Mom and Dad, for letting us crash at your house for the summer. We appreciate it so much and loved seeing you. We can’t wait until you come visit us this winter!

Thank goodness we had Silverwood to keep us busy because saying goodbye was hard for all of us! And we were even luckier because my brother came with us! The weather was basically crap, but we still managed to have a fun time!

We are so glad you came with us, Jon, and had the BEST time hanging out with you!! You’d better come down this winter like you promised because we miss you already!

The following morning, we got up bright and early to set out for home. My sister Katie came by to see us off. More goodbyes! I hate goodbyes. Kate, I had such a blast with you and am so glad I was finally able to meet Stellan. I hate that we live so far away! You guys have got to come visit because I can’t stand the thought of not seeing you for another year! We love you guys so much!

We arrived in Salt Lake City late Thursday night. Then we woke up on Friday and drove to see my very best friend April! I was so excited to see her – we haven’t seen each other in a few years! We spent most of the day with her just hanging out and having a good time. We took a loaf of bread over to a local farm and fed all the animals. The guy had a really huge assortment of animals, which was quite interesting.

I caught little Ashton sneaking bites of his bread in between animals….

Check out this picture of our sweeties from the last time we hung out!

And here they are now, 3 years later! April, I just realized they’re all sitting in the same spots as the previous picture! How cool!! We totally didn’t do that on purpose.

I love you, girl!! Don’t know what I’d do without you in my life!!

After hanging out with friends, we continued on to St. George. We stayed in Derk’s uncle’s condo for the night and had fun swimming in the pool. Saturday meant the last leg of our trip home! Just a short (ha!) 7 hour drive. We made it home around 5:30pm, and we all literally breathed a sigh of relief when we walked in. As much fun as we had in Idaho, there’s NO place like home!! Thanks to everyone for helping us have a super fun summer!