Dallin came home on Wednesday, July 28th...two days later, Friday, July 30th, we were up early and heading to Idaho Falls. It was a quick trip to help Stan do some finish plumbing work on the house they have been building the past 2 years! Laurin, Casey, and Carter joined us. To be honest, Laurin, Carter, Jonas, and I weren't really helpful (although Laurin and I did tackle some mounds of dust and debris), but we wanted to spend time with family. We were there for maybe a total of 28 hours before we were turning around to come home. It really was a quick trip! All the boys worked hard to get things done on the house so that Stan can get his occupancy certificate. Jonas helped clean up and move boxes. Dallin, Danny, Jeff, and Casey worked on the plumbing. Stan's boys were working on moving them out of their rental house as well as complete some other tasks around the new house. Grant had returned from his mission the same day Dallin did! I loved watching them reconnect...and work. While they were all working, Laurin, Jonas, Carter, and I made sure they were fed, ran some errands (I had to get Dallin's new phone hooked up and working), and of course, made a trip to get some ice cream at the Red Barn. About midday on Saturday, we said, "See ya next week!" and made our way home with Macey and Bennett in tow.
Since Stan is kind of homeless until he can gain his occupancy certificate (which will hopefully happen in the next two weeks), Gma Penny and Grumpy offered to take Maci and Bennett for the week while the rest of Stan's family crams into his in-laws little townhouse and feverishly works on the final little items needed to gain occupancy. In between normal chores, a couple of doctor appointments, and helping Dallin get a car and a job, we decided to have a little fun with them in town. On Tuesday (August 3rd), I took the kids (plus a couple friends of Danny's) to Lagoon! Jonas is just under 50" without his shoes on which meant he was tall enough to go on ALL the rides! He was so excited! No more kiddies rides for him (although towards the end of the day, Maci and Jonas opted for the shorter lines and less thrilling rides in the kiddie area). We immediately started at Cannibal, the most thrilling roller coaster ride in the park. Both Maci and Jonas were super nervous! It didn't help that the ride was paused for a moment while we anxiously waited in the roller coaster cart. The first time on each of the bigger coaster rides, Jonas would have moments of terror on his face while he screamed, "I hate this stupid ride!", but once the ride was over, he was more than willing to go again. In fact, we rode Cannibal three times and the others at least twice. Jonas, Maci, and I spent most of the day on our own while the teens did their own thing. We did meet up for a few rides together midday. We stayed the whole day! Maci, Jonas, and I slowed down a little the last couple of hours, but until then, it was non-stop thrills!
The day before we headed back to Idaho, I took Maci, Bennett, and Jonas to Lowe's for a little extra fun. (The night before, they actually went to the Payson Pool for a ward swim party. Jeff and I didn't make it but everyone seemed to have fun!) Jonas loved having others there to jump with. He always seems to be a little more daring when he sees others doing their flips and tricks. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
On Friday (August 6th), we headed back up to Idaho for Grant's homecoming and Carson's farewell. Jeff, Dallin, and I had the privilege of attending the temple Friday night for Carson's first time. I am so grateful that the temples are open again. It's still not the same. There is still limited capacity and you have to get reservations, but we can go! I have missed the peace I feel there. I have missed the strength I receive there. It was a beautiful evening with family! The next day was all fun and games! We brought the boat up and spent the entire day at Ririe Reservoir just 20 minutes outside of Idaho Falls. We were a little concerned about the size of the lake and the temperature, but we were all pleasantly surprised. I'm pretty sure this will be a repeated event. All the boys took turn on the boards, but most of the time was spent on the tubes! All the bigger boys (and Jonas for a little while) played King of the Tubes and tried hard to wrestle the others off their tube. It was pretty funny to watch! The boys even found a little place to go cliff jumping. Jonas loved that the most. In fact, there was a period of time that Jeff dropped us off in this little cove so Jonas could jump and swim while he took the other boys out on the tubes. I'm not sure how they still had energy after that, but that evening, they decided to go play basketball at the stake center. Crazies!
Sunday (August 8th) Grant got to report on coming home from his mission and Carson gave an address as he prepared to leave. They both did an amazing job. I know I haven't known these boys for long, but it has been rewarding to see them grow up into the men they are and are becoming. They aren't perfect. They make mistakes, but they want to do what's right. I think I can say that about all of us. Welcome home Grant and good luck Carson!
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| Almost all the Southwick grandsons - just missing Evan. |
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