The Last Day of School

 Holy smokes these kids did it! 180 days of waking up and leaving for school at 6:45, 7:05, and 8:40, respectively. This year was FULL of activities and new friends and trying new things and staying the course even when the days got rough. 

This school year was very kind to us overall, but even good years are so, so, so long. I would say that all of us are ready to close this chapter, take a long summer break, and take on the new adventures of another school year- eventually!

The end of this school year marks the end of a chapter for Mom and Dad too- no more babies in elementary school! We have officially ended this 13 year chapter of our lives. Wow! 

The sixth grade clapout always brings me to tears. These babies that we dropped off in kindergarten just a few years ago are so grown up all of the sudden. It felt especially bittersweet this year, knowing that I will be back at the school in the fall by myself. I have loved sharing this year with Noah. 

"I want to be remembered for the music." 

Noah has had a great run at Jordan Creek, but he is nervously anticipating all that Stilwell promises for the fall! He will be amazing there, just as he was in elementary school. 

He had an awesome sixth grade celebration at the park afterward!

A few days into summer we unheld our awesome family tradition of burning school papers, coupled with a newer tradition that we have with friends of burning ultra-crisp Christmas trees. 

This was officially the biggest flame we have ever got out of the firepit. 

It was a gorgeous night! 

Why, hello there summer!

Leah's Mission Pictures

 Leah had her mission pictures taken during her last week at BYU, and they were made extra sweet at the Provo City Center temple, where she worked this semester as a temple worker. Just look at this babe, she is the cutest missionary ever!

We Have a Missionary!

 We have all been waiting for May 19th for a while now- with so many to-do lists and questions and nerves and unknowns ahead- but the day still seemed to come so quickly. Leah is officially Hermana Morales! 

Cacti, espanol, and scorpions, blessings, sacrifice and miracles, here she comes!!!

Her farewell talk was wonderful- Emma spoke too! Many people complimented them on being such good speakers, both with sweet messages of service and missionary work. 

And we had a little farewell party that was so much fun! 

Leah was in charge of inviting people and was delighted that just the right amount of friends came and stayed and filled her up with lots of love! 

By her first day of home MTC, she was ready to go! 

She said the hours of online learning didn't feel all that different from Covid days. Yikes! 

She was connected to her computer from 3-10 PM every day, which was not exactly the timing any of us were expecting, but it was sweet to see her connect with her first companion Hermana Balland, her all-girl district of 12 sisters, and her teachers.  Most of all it was amazing to watch her quickly transition from regular life to full-time servant of the Lord. 

And we took lots of breaks and mini adventures every day to shake things up! 

We squeezed in as many hugs as we could to stock up for the next 18 months. 

Classtime support!

Bird blind!

Laney is ridiculous. 

Sister Hansen and Sister Charles scooped Leah right up and gave her lots of missionary love and encouragement while she was here!

Break time! 

Look at that dubious smile! These two thought they would give leg waxing a try the night before Leah left for the CCM (Mexico City MTC). 

The tradition lives on! 

Best sisters-

Our missionary!

Home MTC lasted for 15 days, and in that time we had two visiting general authorities, President Teixeira and Elder Naajtes, here for stake conference, Noah's sixth grade graduation, a city council temple meeting, Jason was at work every day (and tried to work from home as much as he could), I was working every morning (and tried to zip home as quickly as I could), the kids were still going to school every day, we had 11 grad parties, lunch with the Parodi's, the beginning of the Stilwell musical, a surprise party for a family friend, the last supper at The Chicken, Noah's final afternoon show, the 26/27 season show choir parent meeting, the start of marching band week, and a whole bunch of other stuff! I commented on the daily that it would be an entirely different experience to have home MTC happening at a different time of the school year, or a different season of life, but here we are and Leah handled it well! 

It was so sweet to have the extra measure of the Spirit in our home as we listened to her pray and speak Spanish and get to know her district, and I knew she would be just fine about three days in when the girls were all a little more comfortable with each other and the giggling started. She is already one fantastic missionary!