On July 1 Kory brought the kids to Rexburg Rapids to play.
It was fun because we had Kenzie and Ryker and Austin and Andy there with us
too. I came over after I was done with work and hung out for a few hours.
Kristi brought her younger kids too. I was celebrating because I magically passed my French test, which means that I will probably be on schedule to graduate with my PhD in December!!!! Cannot express how happy I am.
On July 3, Kory was a good sport and went with me to by 30-year
class reunion. Kind of crazy to think that it’s been 30 years. About 20 of us
met up at the Bee’s Knees for dinner and just enjoyed chatting and catching up. Later that night, Sorensons
had their annual Driveway of Fire celebration. I always love that little
neighborhood celebration.
On July 4, the kids were with us. Kory and I left bright and
early and laid out some blankets down at Snake River Landing so that we could
go back that night and watch the fireworks. We watched the parade at Tautphaus
Park. The kids were kind of bored after an hour, so we packed up in the car and
headed to Victor to have a barbeque with Kory’s dad and Jared and Josh’s
families. The kids played around on the four-wheelers and we had fun visiting.
We headed back to Idaho Falls and went to another barbeque at the Packer’s
house. Mia Packer is one of Chloe’s best friends and I happened to go to high
school with her mom, so we’ve done a few things together as families. It was
great food! Even though we had eaten a few hours earlier, we couldn’t resist
their ribs. After that, we headed home. I went down to the fireworks to make
sure our blankets were still there. Kory and the kids came later. Then we were joined
by the Packers, the Andersons, and my brother Shawn’s family. So, it was a nice
big group. The fireworks were fantastic and then we walked home. We decided
next year to bring our bikes, because they’ve made it very bike friendly to
bike down there. Over all it was a great fourth.
We had fun throughout the month hanging out with Austin and
Leah and their kids. Austin got paternity leave with the new baby, so they
decided to come here for most of July. Kory took Austin and the kids up to
Victor again.
On July 17, Isaac came home from his mission. We all
gathered at the airport around noon and welcomed him home. There were five
missionaries on the plane. There were lots of family and cousins and friends
there to meet him. From there, we went to Denny’s with the kids and had lunch.
Then, we hung out at our house for a little bit, and the boys practiced their
musical number for that Sunday. Then the parents and some of the kids went to
the Stake Center to be with Isaac as he was released from his mission. Brother
Stohl released him. We headed back to the house and then Kory and I went back
to the airport to see if we could find Isaac’s luggage, since it had not
arrived with him. We had to go back again at 6:00 to get it. Isaac was
exhausted so he took a nap and the rest of the kids went to Lynette’s, so we
just kind of chilled. Another elder had accidentally grabbed Isaac’s backpack,
so Kory and I drove to Sugar City to get it. It was great to have him home and
see the growth and change in him. They really do leave as boys and come home as
men.
On the 18th, Kory and Lynette went to a session
at the temple with Isaac. He had not been since before his mission, so he was
really eager to get back. On that same day, my mom had some outpatient surgery,
so I was checking in on her. That night, Kory went with Austin and Leah to
Leo’s Place and played with Andy. After that we watched Andy for a little while
so Austin and Leah could do some things with her family. On Friday I took my
mom and my dad to lunch at Dairy Queen, since we all like their hamburgers.
On Saturday the 20th, Kory and I were busy getting ready for
the report and dinner on Sunday. We got a lot of things done around the house.
On Sunday the 21st, we practiced the boys’ song again and
then headed to the church. There were a lot of family members there to support
Isaac and he gave a wonderful talk about the Holy Ghost. It was great to hear
him teach the doctrine of the gospel and bear his testimony with so much
conviction. Missions really are a great converting tool and I can see now why
the Lord needs us to serve missions as youth to deepen our conversion.
After the meeting, we went to our house and had a brunch
with pancakes, muffins, bagels, fruit, etc. Everyone seemed to get plenty to
eat and stayed to visit for a couple of hours. After they left, Kory and I had
a nice nap. It was a busy week, but so great to have Isaac home.
On July 23rd I wrapped up the semester with
graduation! The rest of the week I worked on my dissertation revisions. The
kids were kind of still in celebration mode with Isaac, so there were a lot of
games, movies, and eating out together going on.
On the 24th, Chloe got back from her week in
California with her Andrus cousins. They had a great time at the beach,
Disneyland, shopping, and just hanging out.
The 26th was Kory’s 56th birthday. We
went to Smitty’s for breakfast and everyone but Lakyn was able to join us.
After that we packed up Caleb, Chloe, and Morgan to go to Ogden for the Gee
Reunion. We got there just in time for the talent show at a local church. Kory
impressed everyone with his “Sound of Slicing” song and the hymn he wrote for
Dad featuring some lyrics my dad composed. We had everyone sing it together. After
the talent show, we went and checked in the hotel and the kids swam for a
little bit. Then, we went to the North Shore Aquatic Center to swim and eat
with the rest of the Gee crew . It was fun just hanging out and visiting for a
few hours while the kids swam. Kory took the girls after awhile to get food at
In n Out but Caleb stayed and played with cousins and I stayed to visit. They
made everyone jealous when they brought the food back to eat. From there, we
went back to the hotel and the kids swam for another hour before hitting the
hay.
Saturday the 27th, the kids slept in, had
breakfast, and swam. I headed over to Mt. Ogden park for a light breakfast with
the Gee cousins. I had a great time visiting for another couple of hours. I
have always loved the Gee reunion and still enjoy it as an adult. So grateful
for all of those good people in life. We checked out of the hotel, did a Swig
run, and headed home to get our Saturday chores done.
On the 28th, Isaac reported his mission to the
high council. After church, we all went to Rexburg to the Rowe’s to celebrate
David Rowe’s homecoming from his mission to Arizona. On Monday the 29th,
Kory took the kids to Victor to hang out with Grandpa Kunz. They had a cookout
and smores and played on the 4-wheelers. On the 31st, Kory and I went to the temple with a
couple of older ladies in the ward.
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