Hyrum and Carley's Wedding

In August we had the privilege of flying out to witness Hyrum and Carley's sealing. It was kind of crazy flying with a newborn, but Benjy did great and we were all glad we went.

We stopped by In-N-Out on our way to Bryan and Emily's house--the kids loved the hats, but the burgers were, sad to say, not as good as Five Guys.

Clara and me between bites.

We were so happy to get a visit from Hyrum before his wedding. He was excited to meet Benjy and see the kids, too.

Bryan and Emily (and their kids) were very gracious with our crazy family--Bryan enchanted the boys with snow cones and a snail hunt in their yard as well as tolerating their messes and interest in Alexa.

I was so happy to get to chat with Emily and grateful for her holding Benjy while I napped.

On Friday morning, we were very grateful for Grandma and Grandpa for babysitting so Michael and I could go to the Provo temple. With the D.C. temple closed for renovations, it is tough making it up to the Philadelphia temple, especially with a new baby. Here we met them afterward at the playground at Rock Canyon Park. And it was on this playground that sixteen years ago, Michael proposed to me! So happy we could come back with our children and see how good the Lord has been to us in the intervening years.

There is always so much to do in Utah that we never have time for it all. But Michael was able to take the kids to the Provo Rec Center one afternoon, where they had a blast, and he took them for an early Sunday morning hike to Bridal Veil Falls so I could sleep a little more.

The highlight of the weekend, of course, was Hyrum and Carley's wedding. The sealing was so beautiful, and I was in tears as I looked around the sealing room and realized, once again, that this is what life is about. Hyrum and Carley were radiant, and the sealer's testimony and teachings before the sealing were very powerful.

Clara had fun with her Weiler cousins waiting outside of the temple.

And here are the happy couple with many of their nieces and nephews.

Everyone was there except Melody (we sure missed her!).

The brothers.

Oldest and youngest boys.

Man this kid has grown.

It wasn't so long ago he looked like this. We are so grateful we have been able to be a part of his life, and he of ours.

The reception/wedding lunch was a lot of fun. Here are Michael and Seth waiting for ring bells for the happy couple as they prepare to leave for their honeymoon.

Congratulations, guys!

After the wedding festivities, we had fun at Rock Canyon Park with the Weiler cousins. Robbie and Henry went ice blocking for the first time.

Another evidence of Uncle Bryan's kindness to our kiddos.

We were grateful we could spend a little time with the Nemelkas on Sunday.

And Nana and Bapa were in town, which was fun as well!

All in all, it was a full and wonderful trip!

School is starting!

Hard to believe, but school has already started.

Clara was very nervous/anxious/excited ("nervousited," as she calls it) all summer long about starting eighth grade, but so far things have gone well. She is trying out chorus, which I am super proud of her for doing. We decided to opt her out of PE because it has been such a sore point for her for the past years and we just decided it wasn't worth it anymore. She is happy she isn't doing it, and I feel good about the choice.

 Robbie was very excited to begin Kindergarten (his teacher is Mrs. Rice) and didn't really seem nervous at all.

He was excited to ride the bus despite the long ride (he gets on at 7:15 and school starts at 8:15).

 Henry wishes he could go to school, too! He begins preschool next week--two mornings a week, which we're going to try for a month and see how it goes.

I know people say this, but now that Robbie is starting Kindergarten, I realize how quickly the time passes and how special these days are. I am so grateful for the privilege of being their mother.