And So It Begins...

Summer that is! Caleb and I were so looking forward to May 28th, 2010, the last day of me teaching and the last of living life in Provo, and the first day of living back in our homegrown fields and the first of the trip. The trip that made it possible for the first time in two years for all of my siblings to sit on the front porch together, sit at the same dinner table and talk, play games with everyone, and do the usual chillin' that we do best. Andy made it back to Utah for the first time since my wedding and the trip was perfect (minus Chris serving in Afghanistan still...).
The last day of school was bitter-sweet. The day went a little like this. Sweet because students attended all of their classes for only 15 minutes each. Sweet because we laughed and signed yearbooks. Sweet because the boy who was the main source of my stress for the last five months of my life finally broke down and apologized and proceeded to tell me I was his favorite teacher. Sweet because school then ended at 11:15. Bitter-sweet because I hugged my mentor teacher, also one of my heroes, said goodbye and cried. Bitter because I cleaned out my classroom completely and took down everything that I devoted my life to for the past four years. And finally bitter because I turned in my keys to the principal and she proceeded to say, "Well, LaurEL, this is it..." Seriously did she just call me Laurel?! Trying to hold my sometimes not so nice blunt personality inside, I set the keys on her desk, turned and walked out of her office, and left the school. I walked through the hollow halls for the last time feeling a little empty, but mostly feeling gratitude for my sweet, unforgettable students who I hoped to change for the better, but ended up changing me for the better. So that concludes that chapter of my life and I'm still waiting for the next one to begin...
On to the trip!!! Wahoo is what I say to sum it up. Every minute of the week was spent creating a fun, loving, and lasting memory. Ticket to ride, chats til 2 am that consisted of Andy giving me and my man advice about life, princess tea parties, front porch laughs, crazy and unimaginable untold stories of Andy's E.R., teaching Preston how to play Scum (Boggles my mid that I now have a nephew old enough to play grown-up games), Heber Valley Girl's camp, Smoot Park barbecues, favorite things, chic flicks, FOOD, and the list goes on.

We laughed until we cried (or til some of us snorted)... Love this picture of my mom. Looks like she doesn't have to create a seminary lesson! Wahoo!My brothers doing what they do best... making fun of me. How many millions in a billion again?! Come on I haven't been in math since my H.S. days. By the look on Mike's face I'd say he enjoys making fun way too much...
Love this picture! These two became besties...
THE Cinderella, the Cinderella who lives in the castle at Disneyland, made her way to grandma's house for the tea-party. Magical day and lucky girls.
My favorite spot in the whole house with one of my favorite people.
Love him and his curiosity about life.
Lucky me. Sitting at a table with my five favorite girls. This was the annual Favorite Things Party... deserves a whole post for itself... coming later.
Heber Valley Girl's Camp... My family's true colors came out when Caleb was voted to be the first to swing onto Shark Island.
Future dad in the making... here again no announcement intended.

Granny's Drive-In, best milk-shakes ever and great place for some manly bonding. My brothers are good dads and I really look up to their examples. Millie had never met Andy until this trip but yet this super shy little girl was so drawn to him. As was Tessa drawn to Mike. That says a lot about their loving fatherly skills... (After posting this I now remember one afternoon in Chicago did happen for the two families. But a few hours from a year ago doesn't count. :))

Lunch at Beaver pond. Love Porter's face. He is on top of Luke who is on top of Caleb. Caleb gets a constant work-out when we're around the kiddos but he wouldn't trade the time for anything. The train goes on from there.

All I wanted was a "cute" picture. So what does Caleb do?! Start shoving fruit snacks in my mouth. Whatevs.

Minute-to-win-it! Porter and Carlee love this game! Shay and Andy can get them to do anything if you just say the four magical words. We set up some fun games at camp.

Ropes course and my husband's sexy calves. Yeah baby!

Porter and Carlee can not get enough of this guy even when the word studying is involved... funny thing cuz I can't either. Okay time to be serious, we can't get enough of these spunky kids! Soooo fun.

By the time the week was over my mom's camera load surpassed 1,300 pictures! The week couldn't come fast enough and then suddenly it was gone. Saying goodbye is almost impossible for me to do anymore so Shay has taught me to end on "see ya later". Hope that see ya later comes soon! Caleb has been blessed with the gift of tongues yet again in his life and is enjoying his new job with Jet Blue. As for me I'm enjoying my days off and have spent most waking hours with my sisters and mom making up for some much over-due girl time. I even read "The Hunger Games" and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I was always the girl who hated reading but now that I get to read for "fun"... it really was fun and I can't wait to start book 2. I'm still on the lookout for a job so keep me in your thoughts and send any ideas my way! Life is good!
-Peace.