U4ia: Sunday, July 08

So Miranda came home from her mission a couple weeks early to have some surgery, but I have this great excuse to still write our family history down, since her novio is still on his mission in Paris, France for the next year. So until May 9, 2019, I'll still write a missionary letter for our blog posts. =)

Monday, Halle & Kierste woke up SUPER early, and reported at an elementary school to take a bus to Clear Creek, a week long camp put on by the school district in Heber Canyon. They were BEYOND excited.

That morning, Connor started swimming lessons, too.

Jeff & the boys picked up Connor from swimming and took him on a boy date, where they all went shopping for suits, shirts, and PINK ties, to support someone they know... And of course, they got some Panda.

Meanwhile, Miranda went to campus to try for another counsel session on her Fall schedule, and it ended up being a waste of time. We all came home and had FHE, and that night, we got some pictures from HK's camp director for the day, including this one of their cabin mates. =)

Tuesday was a pretty momentous day... one of those that defines a family, and you'll remember forever. =) It started with a chemo appt. There was a cute little family there with their Hulk Smash shirts to support their tiny brother. I had to ask them to take a picture... I'm so so so grateful that I'm not going through this with Miranda when she's 2.

I also wanted this shot... some of us become so familiar with this office. =)

Meanwhile, Carlie & the boys picked up Connor from swimming and went to an arcade.

Miranda & I stopped and shared a JCW cheeseburger, but Miranda's fell apart, and would never get its act together, so super unfulfilling. Dang it.

Connor had his friends over as per his usual, and they played together almost the whole day. Nathan & James are the best.

Miranda & I shopped for Halle & Kierste's new room for a lot of the day, because we're surprising them when they get home from Clear Creek by repainting, redecorating... it's so exciting. And crazy.

We got these pics of the girls for today:

Then it happened. Then Miranda decided that she had had it with the hair. It didn't feel connected and alive any more. Time for it to go.

We started. It had to be together, because she didn't want to do it herself. I'm glad it wasn't just me, either.

She had even said earlier that day, that she was excited to go bald. It was just another chapter of this experience. She was so positive and happy.

Tears started coming for just a minute.

We paused. No one said a single word. Just a moment to mourn the passing of a chapter, and opening of a new one.

And then it was over. Super silliness ensued.

First, she showed us what she had been saying about it being superficial hair; it felt like it would come out in chunks if she pulled on it at all. So she pulled it almost all out herself before we kept shaving.

She donated it to Jeff, who appreciated it immensely.

It was time for that last part to go, and Miranda did it herself.

Phew!!! Then she jokingly said, "Who else wants to shave their heads???" And when Carlie stood up and said, "My turn!" Miranda might have hugged her a little.

Carlie had been debating and deciding for at least a week, and had come to her firm decision at least 2 days before, but was just waiting to surprise her at this very moment.

After Jeff & I had shaved some and we had done some silly things, Miranda took the clippers.

But when they started laughing too hard together, Carlie said she should take the clippers from her until she was under control. Haha!

The red, beautiful pile.

And the gorgeous sisters.

Derek joined in, too! What a supportive, sweet brother.

I actually mourned his hair... I love my sons' hair; I have never allowed Jeff to do "summer buzzes" because I love their luscious hair so much.

Perfect night of happiness, silliness, emotion, and sibling bonding. Kind of the best ever.

The next morning, Jeff took the kids to the Provo parade while I stayed home and worked out, did laundry, and shopped for HK's room.

Then they all went to Brick Oven, as per tradition.

My dad came over and installed the girls' new light fixture in the room. It's coming together so great!!! We all worked on the room,

While the exhausted one slept. She had been running non-stop. Time to recuperate.

This thing arrived on the scene:

Then Miranda, Carlie, Morgan & Derek took off for the Stadium of Fire to see One Republic perform, thanks to Aunt Natalie's connections. =) So Jeff & I took Connor to the Madsens to party. First, Jeff helped the kids blow up Connor's water balloons he had gotten from Carol for his birthday,

And they had a fight:

We sang Happy Birthday to Lianny... holy cow, a birthday on July 4th. Turning 14 =)

Then we had backyard fireworks. Jack got burned last year when a firework went shooting right at him. Alex & Natalie made him this cool shield that protected him from future harm. =)

Meanwhile, we didn't feel sorry for these 4, who were watching an amazing display at the stadium.

That night, we got these pictures of the twins at Clear Creek.

Part of Clear Creek is making and baiting these traps to catch potguts... these adorable (and fat) little ground squirrels that run rampant there. Here's one that Halle caught!

Thursday was such a quiet day compared to the rest! Miranda, Carlie & Connor joined me for some yoga... Chloe decided she had to be a part of it, too.

We all had dental appointments today... Connor's the only one who got a picture. =)

Carlie & Miranda made their baldness official on IG, so now I have to think of a post, too.

We madly put together the twins' room some more, while Jeff went to work, and we got this pic of the twins for the day (they're in the back on the left. Watermelon and hotdog night):

Friday morning, the twins woke up super early, packed up, got their camp t-shirts, did a few more activities, and were on their way home! We were counting down the hours until we had to have their room done, and everyone worked so hard on it!

Well, Carlie took a break to go climbing with Tyler, Bethany & Alex.

And Connor finished off his swimming lessons. The last day they get to slide down the slide at the end of class. =)

And right when we had finished the very last detail, the twins walked in the door at 3:30. They were so surprised and happy!

We took a lot of detailed pictures, but we'll just put the 2 panorama pics here. I'll put the rest on the blog - you can see them later. =)

Ok, one detail we're going to zoom in on, is the little pet on the wall. Taylor made it in the room!!!

Here are the rest!

And that's where Taylor is, nice & visible... can't believe we put a goldfish on their wall!!!

And not a minute too soon. Xena had just discovered her as we were coming to move her into her new digs.

And then the family vegged, while I ran all over, gathering things for the next day: The baptism of someone in the family!

Saturday, this little guy became a member of the church!

I couldn't help snapping this:

Sorry, the panos and Clear Creek pics are making this email huge! Plus all the things we did.

The baptism went great, as usual, and then Miranda gave a tender talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

You can't see it very well, but all our boys wore their pink ties for Miranda, and we found out that "Natalex" did the same thing. The whole family. =)

Then everyone came over for lunch/ cousin party. I know you can't tell from the above picture, but we actually had quite a few family members who couldn't come because we couldn't have sick people come and hang out with Miranda before she reports for her hospital stay in 3 days.

Afterward, Carlie took the twins shopping and hanging out as sisters. =)

And PHEW! We were done with a momentous week!

Today, I couldn't help getting this picture of Halle & Kierste. We always find themselves like this: arm in arm, no matter what they're doing.

The bishop started asking the baptism kids to sit on the stand before church... it's such a great idea, but my tiny tiny little boy just looked so small up there. I kept wanting to go hug & comfort him because he looked nervous.

During church, we got this family post by Katie that her son Matthew had wanted to shave his head, all his own idea, to support his cousin Miranda and let her know that he was thinking of her and wanted her to get better fast. So sweet!!!