Kickoff to Summer

Memorial Day weekend always feels like the kickoff to summer. This year, instead of soaking up time together as a family, we were going three separate ways. Michael headed to Iowa to look at homes, Hazel and Eliza joined their Vanguard friends on an amazing camping trip to Goblin Valley, and I took the rest of the kids camping with Harrison's family, Gabby's family, and Mom & Dad. 

The Smith Family Campout was such a fun weekend. The cousins had the best time playing, swimming in the freezing lake, throwing rocks, wrestling, making fairy houses, and eating amazing food. 

We had a great time, but it was an exhausting weekend for me. I was on my own without Michael or my bigger kids, Walter was struggling with potty training, Lionel wasn't loving sleeping away from home, and I had to bring Hailey because there were showings happening at the house while we were away. Whew! Thankfully, my siblings were an amazing help, and it was worth every bit for the fun memories that were made.

 Meanwhile, Hazel and Eliza were in here! 

They had the BEST time! They hiked, played epic capture the flag on the hoodos, and had SO much fun with friends. I'm so thankful they have awesome opportunities to do teen paced things like this. They're so patient and helpful with the younger kids, and they deserve some time away too. 

Lastly, Michael drove to Iowa to look for a home. We were hoping our house would already be under contract when he left, but that wasn't the case. His trip was still super helpful to get to know the area better. Along the way he was able to meet up with friends in Omaha which was fun too. 

It was so great to have everyone under one roof again by Sunday night and swapping stories from their adventures. It's not lost on me that our time all together as a family of 9 will only be a few short years. Then the older girls will start moving on to their next adventures. Every time this move has been hard, I've tried to remind myself that this is the one and only time our entire family will move together. These days are insanely busy, but I'm so thankful for each one! 

Summer 2025

 It's August 15th and I haven't posted a single thing about our summer. While it feels like our entire summer was spent endlessly cleaning, packing, moving, and unpacking, we've actually fit in so many fun moments. Here's the short list: 

- Camping trip with the Smiths

- House hunting trip to Iowa (Michael)

- Goblin Valley (Hazel and Eliza)

- Visit to Calla and Nathan - Fish Lake, riding ATVs, etc

- Choir Tour (Hazel and Eliza)

- Girl's Camp (Hazel and Eliza)

- Forest School

- Swimming 

- Dinners with Friends

- Fourth of July and Colonial Festival 

- Baseball

- Visit to the Farrells - Soda Springs, river tubing, making movies, etc

- Very successful Lemonade Stands

- Extended Family Pictures

- Girl's camp with Anna and Zibby

- Summer Reading

- Birthdays for Justine, Hazel, and Eliza

- Pride and Prejudice movie marathon 

- Hanging out with Cousins

- Visiting with Grandma and Grandpa 

- Visiting with Gram and Grandpa

- Birthday Dance

- Hazel gets her driver's license 

- Friends, friends, friends

- Mapleton parade and dance party

- Too many goodbyes

- Our homeless week

- The big move

- Mom's Retreat (Justine)

We start school in just a few weeks. My plan is to post one fun part of our summer for daily. I want to look back on this summer and remember that even though the move was SO much work, that we had a great summer. We spent some wonderful hours with friends, we enjoyed some amazing time in nature, and we were uplifted and sustained by the Lord and earthly angels who got us through a crazy time. 

Even though it's been an exhausting summer, it's also been a joyful one, so to start us off, here are some of the best smiles of the summer. 

Vanguard

The Vanguard homeschool co-op has been such a HUGE blessing to our family this year. The year was full of so many wonderful hours of learning, so many great friendships, so much growth and character development, so much laughter, and so much fun. 

Some highlights from the end of the year included - the wax museum. Lenora was an adorable Louisa May Alcott. She gave her prepared speech so confidently too! 

  

The Rookies cooking class was such a great time all year. Near the end of the year we helped plant a garden. 

 

The Senior's film class concluded in an Oscar's night. It was incredible! Many of the Seniors sewed their own dresses and suits in the sewing class. Hazel made this beautiful Aurora inspired dress.. 

And Eliza created the entire idea and pattern for her dress. They both looked AMAZING! 

We all had lots of fun dressing up for the celebration! 

In addition to watching each movie group's final project and each scholar's commercial, Traci presented awards from their Public Speaking class. Both Hazel and Eliza won awards for their speeches! 

The cast of The Great American Bake Off!

The cast of Generic Western Movie!

Of anything in Utah, Vanguard was one of the hardest to leave. In just one year these friends have become life-long and shaped us for the better. So thankful for even a short time with this amazing bunch.