Goodbye Lovelands–Part 2

On Wednesday night, we held a smaller goodbye bbq at our house with our friends the Kojimas, the Hamptons, and Pam and Renae.  It was a beautiful evening, with great food and great company.  I just kept trying not to think about how this was the last time we would get to do this and enjoy the evening. 

 

James and his buddy Isaac

 

Looking at the memory book Gina made for them.

 

Landon and Luke have been best of buddies since they met when they were two-years-old.  They went to nursery and primary together, to preschool together, played t-ball together . . . They are such silly, fun boys!

 

They wanted to do a silly face and a mean face too.

Eve and Davis have been friends since birth (probably slightly forced on them).  They often act almost like brother and sister how they talk back and forth.  Eve has for a few months now decided that she is going to marry Davis someday.  She didn’t even seem too discouraged when she asked Davis who he was going to marry and he replied, “My mom!”  She told him he couldn’t marry me, so he said, “Hmm.  James?”  She thought that was pretty funny.  Davis thought for a minute and finally said, “You?!”  She was so thrilled and exclaimed, “I was thinking the same thing!”  This past year, they went to preschool together, plus did many play date swaps while Jenn and I volunteered at the schools.  I don’t know if they’ll get married one day, but I hope they stay friends!

   

I didn’t get any great pictures of James and Isaac together.  They’re not quite as cooperative as the other ones!  They have become good buddies the past few months, and James always exclaims “I-Saac ouse!” when we pull up to Isaac’s house, and cries if he doesn’t get to get out and play.

 

A few more final shots of the night.

Me, Jenn, Pam, Kara, Renae, and Gina

John, Cody, Bob, and Shane

 

All of the kids (the top without James, Isaac, and Leela, and the bottom without Leela)

Our family with the Lovelands.  Our lives won’t be the same without you!

Goodbye Lovelands–Part 1

This week was the last week before our friends the Lovelands moved to Utah.  We tried to spend a lot of time with them this week, which made it a busy but fun week.  On Monday night, I helped host a goodbye bbq for them at the park.  There were over 200 people who came to say good-bye and wish them well on their new adventures.  I made a bunch of cookies that day, then helped stock the table the entire evening.  I also tried to take pictures throughout the night for them to put in a memory book and take with them (my friend Gina put that together).  It all went well except for a water shortage around 7:00, so I had to run home and refill the big water pitcher again, but other than it, it all went smoothly.  Shane helped out with the photography too, so there are even a few shots of me in there.

   

Landon and Eve on the slide, and the rocks Jenn brought for everyone to sign to put at their new house.

 

Sue Anderson and Me, and a shot of everyone visiting at the party

 

James and Eve just chillin’, and Shane with the Caziers (Joe Cazier is the other bishopric member he served/serves with)

 

Joe and Shane, and a picture of me visiting with Angie While while cleaning up

   

My friend Kara got these fun balloon bouquets for the tables.   James, Davis and Isaac had fun sneaking off with them as the party ended.

 

James deciding it was time to pull his pants down (a regular occurrence, which doesn’t seem to be ending anytime too since it makes his brothers laugh hysterically), and a picture of Landon, Davis, Eve, Luke, and the White children playing in the sandbox.

 

Eve and Davis playing in the sand, and me and Jenn at the end of the night

Mountain Lakes Challenge

To continue their biking training this year, Shane and my brother Jake signed up for the Mountain Lakes Challenge century ride.  The ride takes you through the Siskiyou mountain range, starting in Ashland, and climbing 7,100 feet up Greensprings road and around and finally ending down Dead Indian Memorial Road.  The race was on Saturday, but we drove down Thursday night so we could have some time to rest before race day.  It was a little bit different of an Ashland trip because my parents are gone in France, but we had fun hanging out with Jake and Stacey, and the kids had fun playing together as always.  The boys got a little nervous as it poured rain all day Friday, but luckily it let up on Saturday, and even though it rained a little off and on, it was much more manageable.

While we were hanging out Saturday waiting for the race to finish, James had fun with baby Maggie.  He kept putting his shirt on her, first as a blanket, then on her face.  Not sure how much she liked it on her face!  Luckily he was nice and gave her lots of kisses too!

   

James also had fun driving around Grandma’s cozy coupe.  By the time I took these pictures, I had at least managed to get his pants on.

Stacey and I kept the little kids up from naps so we could go and see Shane and Jake as they finished their ride.  It started to rain just as we got there, so we kept the kids in the car to wait.  When we heard they were almost there, we headed out with our umbrellas to welcome them in.  (Thanks Stacey for the pictures with me in them!)

 

Waiting in the car

Heading down – I love how you can’t see James under his umbrella

   

Two silly boys looking at the Lightning on the umbrella.  Ethan was sad his jacket didn’t have a hat, so Stacey found a sweater of Kallie’s to put over his head. 

 

After a few minutes, we all cheered to see them riding in!

   

Looking pretty good even after riding for 100 miles!

 

Hooray!  We did it!

Shane and Jake sporting their new shirts after cleaning up, having a little nap, and eating some refueling food at Senor Sams!