Bailey Goes to FSY!

 Bailey just finished a week at FSY and she had a wonderful time. I drove her and her sweet friend Ashlyn up to Warrensburg, MO on Monday, June 16th. We sang Broadway musicals the entire drive up and it was so fun. Then I dropped them off at the University of Central Missouri and they got moved in and checked in at the dorms. Bailey was nervous but excited. It was nice having Ashlyn with her because Ashlyn went last year and was familiar with the campus and everything else. That gave Bailey so much comfort. 

Bailey spent the week with her FSY "company" going to classes, listening to devotionals and attending dances and other fun activities. She absolutely adored her counselors and made some great friends. 

I'm just so grateful she had Ashlyn!

Bailey had a blast being silly with the other girls and just making all these new friends. 

We picked Bailey up from FSY on Saturday and then continued on our 15 hour drive to the Northeast and she talked our ears off and told us all about her week. She even shared some really sweet experiences she had at FSY and let me read the letter her counselor had written her. 

Bailey loved FSY and I'm so glad. She is definitely looking forward to going again next year. 

Tanner's YM's Camp

 Tanner left for YM's camp the same week Bailey was at FSY which meant he got home this evening and we left 5 minutes later to drive up to Missouri to get Bailey and leave for our big New England trip. He had no time to relax, just shower and then hop in the car to leave. 

Luckily for us, Tanner is a super good sport about stuff like this and he was happy to oblige us. 

Tanner had a great time at young men's camp though. They camped at Buffalo Point and it was completely gorgeous. They got to go canoeing and float the river. They explored Blanchard Springs caverns and explored the many cave systems around. They also spent lots of time bonding and Tanner said they had great devotionals. 

I'm so grateful for amazing youth leaders who plan camps like this to strengthen our young men and give them opportunities to grow closer , not only to each other, but to their Heavenly Father and their Savior. 

I was grateful one of the leaders captured this picture of one of their nightly devotionals because it shows how invested they are in the boys spiritual growth. Boys love to have fun, explore and be outdoors, but they also have a deep love for the Savior, Jesus Christ, and it's in times like these, that those tender feelings get shared and they are able to strengthen one another. 

We are so glad Tanner got to go to camp. He had a blast and came home smelling awful and smiling really big- so that's a pretty clear indicator of a good time. 

Happy Father's Day!

 We were so happy to have Chris home for Father's day. Originally he wasn't supposed to be home until tonight, but he was able to get his soldiers Sunday off, so he got to come home too. 

He made it home last night and today we got to celebrate him. 

We have 8 am church so we woke up and went straight to church. The primary kids sang and the RS put together a breakfast for all the men. Chris said it was delicious and because he was so full from that treat, he didn't need breakfast after church. 

Instead, Chris and I took a nap after church. Then we had sandwiches for lunch and for dinner we had pork chops, risotto, squash & zucchini and rolls. It was delicious and Chris loved it. 

We also gave him his presents and Bailey made him cookie dough for pizzokis. 

That night we watched the premier of season 5 of "The Chosen". It was a pretty great way to end the day. Chris said it was a wonderful Father's day and we thoroughly enjoyed spoiling him. Happy Fathers to all my favorite Dads!

Here is a picture of Chris and the kids for another time. I didn't make him take any pictures on Father's day- that being part of his gift for Father's day. Everyone knows how much Chris hates pictures. 

Fun Family Time!

 While Bailey was gone to girl's camp, the boys were able to go to Branson with Nanny, Papa and Uncle Joseph and his family. They had a great time. They stayed up late, played way too much Minecraft and Mario Cart.  They played at the pool and just relaxed with their cousins.  

Then, after their week in Branson, the boys went to Mtn. Home and once Bailey got home from camp, we went over too. The Allreds, Aunt Laura and Uncle David all drove over too so I got to hang out with all 4 of my siblings. It was so fun. We only had three short days together but it was the best. I'm so grateful for the relationship I have with my siblings- we all just love being together and it's so fun. 

We went swimming at the Bertel's house on Thursday. The cousins had the best time playing together and we had some epic chicken fights. 

Our visit to Mtn. Home coincided with a visit from our Richter cousins. It was so fun. The Richters have always loved Arkansas and fireworks so after they spent a few days at the lake boating and fishing, they came over for dinner and fireworks. We had a delicious dinner of BBQ and then spent the evening on the driveway watching my cousin Christian set off about $1000 worth of fireworks. 

On Friday we worked outside with Papa. We mulched the flower beds and the trees and cleaned the driveway. It kept raining on and off all day so by the end of it, we were soaked and exhausted but it felt so good to help my parents. They never want to ask for help so we were ll thrilled to get to do something helpful for them. 

Saturday during the day we worked outside a bit more and the kids played together. We also decided to take some sibling pictures and pictures with Nanny and Papa. We decided it was essential since we aren't together very often.

Tonight the kids and I drove back home. Chris had been gone for his 2-week annual training, but he came home so he wanted to be there. 

We had such a great time in Mtn. Home that it was hard to leave. We are so blessed to have such great family and that we all get along. We are counting down until we can be together again.