🎶 London Bridge is Falling Down 🎵

{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!}

Before I left for Havasu on Monday, probably while you were still on Hangout, Patches was whining with Zeus on either side of the fence. They were racing & chasing with a fence in between them, and even though Zeus was in HEAVEN, he was coming to me and begging me to open the gate. So I let his new friend in the yard and called the name on the tag.  



After they had played for a while, Chloe was still clueless, so I let her outside, and it took her a full 2 minutes to realize that it wasn't just Zeus outside... she really needs a haircut... she can barely see anything!  This is the moment Chloe finally met him.

When I got down to Havasu, we HAD to go to Taco Hacienda one more time... or maybe 2 more times.  Haha!

While I was packing I came across these...

I had to stop and take a picture of their ALCOHOL section at Wally in Havasu.  One of Havasu's nicknames is Havabrew... now you can see the evidence.  That is EIGHT rows of liquor, PLUS, the entire length of the cooler behind it is stocked full of cold beer.  Larger aisle than I've ever seen, and it's all for the drinking.  Yikes.  The manager thought I was taking a picture of their amazing pirate display for their rum.  I set him straight - really super nicely.  =)

Kimmy & I took Christi's girls with us when we went under the Bridge for the last time to buy souvenirs.  =)  They're remodeling and starting up the English Village again.

And when the big picture of Christ came down from the entry way, I thought it was pretty historic.  Kind of a key evidence of moving for good.

And my handsome dad.  =)

I got this right before I drove away...

The End.

While I was gone, Dad took care of everyone.  He wasn't just Super Dad, he was Super Mom.  He got everyone to piano lessons & soccer practices, homework, pets fed, tennis lessons, house cleaned, put on a mutual activity... when he worked, Grandma Madsen came and took over like a boss, even on PICTURE DAY.  I'm so grateful, so I could be in Havasu, not only helping to sort, pack & clean, but to say goodbye.  

Monday, Dad got Rocky all fixed and ready to sell.  Wednesday, Carlie had retake day, also known as: the first day she knew ahead of time it was picture day.  Can't wait to see those beautiful pictures!  Wednesday was also the first Missionary Mom lunch; Christie Smith invited all the moms over for lunch to talk about their missionaries, and even though I missed it, they shared this quote on the group text.  =)

We heard that Natalex & crew were at Disneyland during the week.  All the Cars characters were in costume.  =)

Thursday, the twins had a PIANO RECITAL.  Hals:

And Kiekery:

Friday was the Wolf Walk.  Look at those cool shirts!

A friend sent me these.  Thank heavens.  I missed a really cool event.

Kierste's crush Seth gave her a bouquet of flowers.  They decided they're too young to kiss on the cheek, and I'm so proud of them.

And Friday, Derek also had his tennis match.  He looks so cool!

And BAM.  The fall colors during Conference.  iHoly Fall, Batman!

And NO MEMES!  I was not scouring the interwebs, or even casually screening, for memes while I was cleaning & packing.  It was an amazing week; now I get to spend this week listening to Conference for real, working out, jumping back into Mommyhood, then Easton's baptism is this weekend:  Grandma & Grandpa will drive their moving truck up, and we'll all go help them unload it together after the baptism festivities.  They'll have to go back down and gather up some more things and close on the house, but they're basically Utah residents this week!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox, Mom