Kevin was gone for part of Labor Day weekend, so Monday was our only day to do something as a family. We headed up to Lake Tahoe to meet friends. Despite it being the last holiday weekend of summer, the beach was pretty empty. Could have been in part to the wind, or the fact that the air is still filled with smoke from the massive Rim Fire. Either way, we had fun. We made some rootbeer once we got to the beach. Molly tried her best to get it out herself.

The dads and boys headed out to the rocks to dive for crawdads. They dove till their bodies were numb and ended up with about 50. Jameson was a little nervous to pick one up, but Molly had no fear. We had to keep her away so she wouldn’t get pinched.

We had BBQ and the boiled up the crawdads. They were a lot of work for the amount of meat you get from them, but not bad tasting. Ella enjoyed watching everyone eat them, but she was not about to touch them.

While we were eating, Molly was having deep conversations with her friends.

We had so much fun, and loved spending time with friends. We were also as to spend time with family that happened to come to the same beach. Till next summer, Tahoe!

Kevin was out of town all week, and I wanted to go to the rib cook-off that came to town for the weekend. I check with Steph to see if they would be going, because I did not want to tackle it alone with my kids. They just so happen to be going that day, so we hurried and left to join them. Molly loved the ribs, but did not want to sit in her stroller.

Aunt Steph took Ella and Jameson to get balloon animals. Then the balloon dogs needed her drink.

We had fun, and I have missed those ribs!

I have been thinking about our blog  a lot lately. I am going to start making most post private. I am just not comfortable with the whole world seeing our family anymore. Our blog will still be public, so it should show on your own blogs when we update, but individual post will be private. A lot of you are already on an email I send with the passwords to posts. If you would like to be added to this email, comment or email me and let me know. I will keep things such as young women, baby showers, etc. open so people can share ides, and I will get our blog up to date, hopefully soon.

A quick update on our December….

We were out of town the last 2 weeks of November, and returned home, December 2nd. While out of town, I was called as Young Women’s president. December 4th, I had my gall bladder removed.

December 7th-12th, we had fun visitors.

December 11th, I had my tonsils removed.

December 14th, Molly endured getting her first tooth.

December 17th, Ella went to the doctor, found out she had croup. They gave her a steroid so she never had too bad of symptoms. we caught it early.

by December 22nd, we took Jameson to the doctor. Found out he had an ear infection so he is on amoxicillin.

December 23rd, took Ella in because she was showing signs of an ear infection. She was clear, but old she had a really bad cold.

December 25th, canceled our dinner plans.

December 26th, took Ella back to the doctor. She now had an ear infection and beginning to get pneumonia in her left lungs. She is now on amoxicillin that has an added boost to it for her.

December 28th, took Molly in for her well child check up that was already scheduled, but she has started coughing as well. Turns out, she now has an ear infection and bronchitis. So she too, is on amoxicillin and a breathing treatment.

So, between my surgeries and the kids being sick, I think we have lived at doctor’s offices for the month of December. Which, is partly why my blogging has been lacking. Hopefully, I can catch back up. Here’s to no one being sick by 2013!

I know I am way behind on actually updating our blog, but I need to interrupt those updates for my thoughts tonight. It has been a week of changes. I know my church calling is changing, because our Young Women’s president is moving. I found out, after a few doctor appointments, I will have my gall bladder out. Molly can now roll both ways, which opens up a whole new world. The elections were held today… while the results terrify me, the most important change has nothing to do with that. My baby brother packed up his belongings and headed to Utah to enter the MTC today. And while we have known this date was coming since June (he’s had his call for what seems forever), the realization hit me tonight while I was sitting in the quiet of my home after everyone was asleep, and I lost it.

This morning, the kids and I called for a final good bye. Jameson was all excited until Weston answered the phone. Then he burst into tears, and said, “I don’t want Uncle Weston to go on a mission, ” and ran to his room. That was not a response I was expecting. I had to hang up and go find him. We then had a discussion about how Uncle Weston will be back before he turns 7.

As I sit here tonight, papers are scattered everywhere as I try to organize myself, and I can’t help but cry. This is different. I remember taking my other brother Paul to the MTC. And while it was sad to say good-bye, he was so excited. A few tears were shed, but we made it though the day.

This time, though, this is different. I was able to go to his farewell talk last weekend. (I will blog about that when I finally catch up.) But this is a time where I absolutely hate living so far away from my family. We were not able to see him off. We were not able to give him that one last hug at the airport. When I left last weekend, I knew I would still talk with him this week. But not having the chance to give that one last hug at the airport… this is hard. I know two years are going to fly by. I know we only see him a few times a year as it is now, but I am sad that my kids are going to miss Uncle Weston. I am going to miss seeing the parties he was a DJ for, and all of his girl drama.

I think what hit me so hard tonight, was seeing pictures of him at the airport, and knowing I wasn’t there. As much as I want to be there for my family, I couldn’t. I know he is doing the right thing. He will be awesome in Australia. I was able to attend the temple this morning, and couldn’t help but think of  how grateful I am for this gospel and how he gets to share that with the world. So for now, know that we love you Weston, and you are truly going to be missed.

(Pictures with the kids were taken when he came to visit us a few weeks ago.)

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