Awesome doesn’t happen by accident

{For 18 months – Jan ’17 to Jul ’18 – I'm posting our letter to Miranda while she's on her mission to Cochabamba, Bolivia.  Our letter titles are taken from a list of family sayings & catchphrases we recorded onto a pillowcase she has with her.  You can read her adventures on her mission blog: www.hermanamadsen.blogspot.com!}

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Ok this week, you'll never guess what happened: David came to visit! 

Right? 

But we are the worst family ever. We loved having him, and we intended to take tons of pics, and we just forgot. No chess with Morgan/ BARBEQUE AT GRANDMA'S/ Pokémon Go with CarMorD/ missionary week teaching lesson 2 at the Seal's house with Morgan's group/ Battlefront with Morgan. BUT right before bed, caught this magical moment with Car:

In the morning, proof that he petted your doggy for you:

And these were his living quarters:

Worst family letter home ever, I know. Sorry!  Thank you so much for visiting, David. I'm so glad you did. It made such a difference for us, and I'm so glad the kids will have that extra connection and memory while you're out serving. You'll seem even more real & present. You're so amazing and you're going to be a great missionary. We PROMISE to take more pics with you when you're back & hanging out with us in 2yrs!

So Fathers & Sons got cancelled because:

So Dad & the boys got a hotel room in salt lake where they had a water park inside:

Is that guy really in his jeans and on his phone standing in a line?!?!

Watched the Jazz game, ordered pizza, devoured snacks.

Meanwhile, we had girls night here. Nails, A Series of Unfortunate Events, snacks, and the twins slept in my bed:

while I took theirs.

Sterling & Pepper joined me:

I finally caught Sterling on video licking Peppers face, and I can't attach it, so here's a pic. :) they're so cute. 

Saturday, the boys stopped for a small cheeseburger on their way home:

And Carlie went to meet RyRyBear (!!!) at a State Solo Ensemble at Orem High. She had been a "page turner" earlier that morning at it, and after she had come back home, he texted & she ran back to hang out/ went out to lunch with his fam, etc. She was in heaven.

Then she went shopping.

Last picture - when I was headed out the door for church today, I got this text from some people who were already there waiting for me:

Love, Mom