End of Summer

Ok, ok, ok...I know that technically we still have a couple more weeks of summer, but I've always considered Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of summer. Like all summers, this one flew by! There were so many good moments over the summer: Danny coming home, family visiting for the 4th, fun day trips/activities with the kids, birthdays to celebrate, etc. However, I don't know if this was my favorite summer. Sometimes the life that happens behind the scenes or what is edited from the blog can feel heavy. There were moments of frustration and (thankfully) forgiveness. There were times of impatience and times of parental "perfection". There were moments I wanted to hold on to and moments I wished away. But that's life. We live on a roller coaster of jumbled junctures where decisions are made instantaneously. Sometimes we get those decisions right...and other times we hopefully allow those decisions to teach and humble us. I'm grateful for my little family, and especially Jeff, that loves big enough to love beyond those not-so-great decisions and moments. I could probably take notes from them for myself. I think sometimes I'm my biggest critic. I'm learning how to allow myself the grace that I try to give others...so, for that reason, it was a good summer...a summer that will continue to shape me into the woman of faith I hope to become. 

Even with school starting and returning to all the after-school activities, we managed to squeeze in a few more fun activities. The weekend after school started (August 16-17), Jeff, Danny, Jonas, and I headed to Idaho Falls to welcome home Jeff's nephew, Travis. Travis had been serving his mission in the Dominican Republic. Prior to this weekend, Stan asked if we would bring up the boat so we could hang out at Ririe Reservoir on Saturday. We were all for it! We'll take any chance to play on the boat. We all met up there and spent several hours playing. We actually forgot our surf boards (long story), but I think everyone preferred to play on the tubes anyway. Afterwards, we stopped at Reed's Dairy for a quick ice cream treat before going to Stan's house for dinner. (Dessert before dinner is always better!) The rest of the weekend, we just hung out at the house. We spent a couple hours there on Saturday night then returned Sunday morning to hang out. We paused long enough to go to church where we heard Travis report on his mission, before going back to the house for another couple of hours. It was a quick trip, but we always enjoy spending time with Stan, Kristi, and their family!

The following Wednesday (August 20th) we had a ward dinner. It has become a tradition to celebrate the end of summer together with our friends and neighbors in the community. Last year, we did a Luau. This year it was a Hoe Down...complete with a fish grab and mechanical bull. (Only in West Mountain!) We had ribs, baked beans, cornbread, watermelon, and pie for dinner. There was bounce houses, spike ball, and 9-square for games. It was super fun to just hang out with so many friends...and laugh at all the antics from the fish grab and bull. Jonas jumped in on the fish action. He actually caught several fish, but put them back. He didn't want to take them home to clean and prep them. All the boys got in on the bull action. Danny and Dallin took it pretty seriously. They tried to learn all the tips and tricks from our bishop, who used to ride bulls and who was controlling the bull. I'm not sure they lasted 8 seconds, but they gave it their all!

Football season has started! Yup...hints of fall are creeping into the last days of summer. I think football is one of my favorite sports to watch, especially if I know one of the players. While Jonas decided to skip this season so he can focus on getting his black belt, Nolan has embraced all things football. Jonas and I got to go to one of his games on Saturday, August 23rd (and we'll hopefully hit a couple more before the season is over). It was so fun to watch how invested he was in his team and in the position he played (which is currently on the defensive line as a cornerback; he is also on 3 out of the 4 special teams). We loved cheering him on!

The last Wednesday of the month (August 27th) I got to watch Carter, Everly, and Ava. They were a little disappointed because Jonas wasn't around to play (dang school!), but we had fun anyways. I took them to the Museum of Ancient History where we explored all things dinosaur. Carter and Everly loved the interactive exhibits and were fascinated by all the dinosaur bones. Now that Laurin has decreased her hours at work, I will only have to watch these kiddos once a month...but I may have to grab them more often because I miss hanging out with them!

The final weekend of August was also Labor Day weekend. We did it! We made it through summer...and kind of welcomed Fall this weekend. On Saturday (August 30th), Jonas asked if we could go do something since there wasn't much we had to do that day. I explored different activity options in the area and saw that Cornbelly's in Spanish Fork opened that weekend. I figured they wouldn't open until October for their pumpkin/Halloween festival, but they actually open for a sunflower festival in September. I loved it! The weather was pleasant and the fall vibes were strong! (Bring it on! I love Fall!) We enjoyed three hours of games, activities, rides, and more. We wandered through a sunflower field and indulged in an apple cider donut and slushy too. Jonas is already requesting that we return at least once in October with his cousins. They will have a blast!

Once we got home that afternoon, we finished the few chores we needed to do then Jeff and Jonas went on a motorbike ride. Jonas was pretty excited to go and pretty proud of himself when he returned. He said they went on some pretty challenging trails and he didn't freak out. 

Monday, September 1st, was Labor Day. Because of how crazy our summer was, I didn't plan anything big; still, we found fun ways to celebrate the day off of work and school. The boys started the morning with another motorbike ride up on the mountain.

That afternoon, we headed into town to explore the annual Payson Onion Days (I still hate the name of our town festival). Jonas and I actually wandered into town on Saturday too when we saw a life flight helicopter land near the city park. They had it and all the fire engines on display. Jonas loved the big off-road tanker. 

But today, we headed back into town to see the car show. Jeff loves walking around these classic cars. I enjoy it, but I love watching him enjoy it more. In the evening, the other kids joined us for a night of swimming, eating, and hanging out. It's always a little sad to say goodbye to summer, but I'm ready for Fall and the anticipation of all the holidays (and cooler weather) ahead!

PS - These two cuties started preschool on Tuesday, September 2nd. This is Carter's second year and Everly's first. I can't believe how fast they are growing up!

Back to School 2025

I know I may say this every summer, but it went by way too fast! I always have mixed emotions at the end of summer. I wonder if we did too much or not enough. I wonder if I paused long enough to savor the moments or if I was swept away in them. I just can't believe school has started. Jonas is in 5th grade and starting his last year at the elementary school. I was a bundle of emotions that day too. It's my baby's last first day of elementary school. This will be the last year of classroom parties and field trips that I get to help with. I'm sure I can be involved in some aspect in future school activities, but it won't be the same. 

We fit in a few more fun activities on our final two days of summer. On Monday, August 11th, the Tanners came over for one last summer swim. They spent the morning in the pool and playing Nerf wars...and no, I didn't get any pictures. Jonas was in heaven though. I think spending time with his cousins is one of his favorite summer activities. It's just hard to see each other as much during the school year because of everyone's schedules. That evening, Jeff and I took Jonas to see the new movie, Freakier Friday. It was hilarious! I definitely needed the laugh because I've been holding back the tears.

Tuesday, August 12th, Jonas and I picked up Beau then went to Guru's for breakfast. Jonas has loved spending extra time with his nephews and nieces this summer. I think everyone is sad that Jonas is going back to school. After breakfast, we went to Lowe's Xtreme AirSports for one final summer jump session. 

That afternoon, Jonas and I attended Taylor's Open House where we got to meet his teacher, Ms. Watson. She is new to the school but has been teaching for five years already. I'm hopeful that this will be his best year yet! He was pretty excited that he got to pick out his own seat. His friend, Lane, was there so they chose to sit together, and before we left, Jonas met a new kid that chose to sit by them as well. I think, like any parent, you just hope your kid will find good friends and be able to have good experiences - academically and socially.

For dinner, Jonas got to choose where we went to eat. He chose Cracker Barrel (like Papa, he likes to have breakfast for dinner). We enjoyed a yummy meal and games. Once we returned home, Jonas asked Jeff to give him a father's blessing. I think this is one of my favorite back to school traditions. I love hearing Jeff pronounce blessings and give counsel from the Lord through the power of the priesthood. I am always touched at how well our Father in Heaven knows His children and inspires the men here on earth to deliver the messages He would if He were here. 

Wednesday, August 13th, was the first day of school. Jeff and I decided to let Jonas sleep in a little rather than start our morning routine, but Jonas was up before we were. He was pretty excited to start the new year...and I was glad because he had been lamenting the end of summer for several days before. We snapped the obligatory "first day" pictures then waited for the bus...which didn't come. I guess there was some confusion on new bus routes, but it ended up being a good thing. I took Jonas to school where we saw a red carpet rolled out front and the administrative staff ready to "high 5" all the kids as they walked in. At first, Jonas said that was embarrassing and didn't want to participate. He wanted me to drop him off at the playground in the back of the school, but he quickly changed his mind. The one thing he didn't change his mind about was me walking up to the school with him. That was definitely too embarrassing! I guess he's reached that point. We actually laughed about it, but I swung around the school again to drop him off up front then slowly drove away while I videoed his entrance. And that was it...off to start his last year of elementary school! After school, I picked him up to take him out to get a "first day" treat. He chose ice cream from Wall Bros Barn...and a soda from Soda Retreat. Why settle for one treat when two is always better?!

Not only did Jonas start school, but Danny headed off to college as well. It seems like forever ago that he was on his mission. It's weird how your mind's concept of time works. He has been home for 7 weeks and they've flown by. We moved him into the Carriage Cove apartments on Tuesday, August 19th and he started at UVU on Thursday, August 21st. I'm excited for him. I can't wait to see where his adult path will lead. I know he doesn't feel ready to embrace all of the wonderful world of adulthood, but it's time...and he'll do great.