Life without Kate and Finding our Groove

It's crazy the let down we felt when we said goodbye to Kate. We had nothing else scheduled for the summer! Now we are trying to fill it back in. Here is what we have found.

Chad and I hike to Lake Blanche on the 4th of July and hammock

We attended a "Chicago Reunion". Our friends from Chicago found many people now living in Utah, so a reunion was in order. How fun to see people 20 years later!

I went to Thanksgiving Point flower gardens with my sweet friend Cheryl. We loved these little fairy houses and met the artist. We also did the bounce house obstacle course, tube slide and spent an amazing time viewing the "Tree of Life" exhibit. I highly recommend it to everyone.

We have started a hiking club - here is our group at the Alien Tower

And, here is the cool pic that we did there.

Jake and Graham go to FSY, which is amazing for them, sad to be TOTALLY alone all week.

Another hiking group day - Jake's Mountain

Having lunch with Sage and Rachel. This was a super way to hang out with the cool kids.

 Another hike - to Gloria Falls, I had never been here, and that is too bad because we have been all over the mountain there and missed this!

We just made plans to visit Audrey in Alaska next week - so that is going to be super fun!

June is Golden and Memorable

 

June was Girl's Camp - and since I was camp director - it was a ton of details and a ton of fun! Here we are just before we load cars and head to camp. This was a highlight of my year! We did slip n slide, zipline, aquapark, boating, skits, had a three plane fly by complete with smoke and so much more. So much fun!

Kate, Carmen, Emily all came boating with us and we had so much fun including them. 

Here are the girls doing a question and answer session around the campfire. 

We celebrated Kate's birthday - and Father's Day. We are so grateful for Kate and Chad.

I went on a hike with neighborhood women. This was so much fun. Hopefully it is the beginning of a hiking group!

Sunday, June 29th was Kate's Farewell. Here she is just before her talk, meeting her new mission leaders, the Clarkes!!! Can you believe it? a last minute mission leader change and Stephanie Mecham setting up a meeting between the two made it possible. We know she will have good people on her side in the Philippines. 

We had to say goodbye to Kate at the airport. She is such a good person and will be a wonderful missionary. We will also miss her so much!

Goodbye Graham!

Goodbye dogs . . . .

Chad's heart is breaking

Audrey was already back in Alaska, but here are the rest of us at the airport.

Goodbye Kate!

Mission miracle - Kate and Koko found each other in the San Francisco airport! Kate is on her way to Manila, Philippines and Koko is on her way to Melbourne Australia. What a tender mercy.