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. =)
This week, Carlie went to Girls' Camp, and the subject title is from that week-long experience. =) First, Monday, I took her to buy some last minute supplies, and we had to try on cute hats & buy a couple.
Also, the cog made her appearance numerous times... just climbs up and wants to be touching her humans.
Mir & Car went to float by themselves in our neighbors' pool after sundown, to relax & be sisters.
And that night, BAM: Ladybug
Tuesday morning at 6:30 (who gets up that early anyway????), I dropped Carlie off to go to Camp... they're going to a ward member's property in Southern Utah... houses/cabins.... Did I say Camp? I meant Glamp. Then Miranda & I went to our favorite place. It has to be our favorite place; look how smiley Miranda is:
On our way home, we stopped at Hats with Heart - a hole in the wall/ manufacturer of ADORABLE hats. For some reason, Miranda really liked their Paris style... We had to get some.
Zeus' girlfriend (Ok, let's be real - he has a collection of GF's around the neighborhood. He used to be monogamous, but she doesn't come around enough, so he started finding side baes) Scout, kept running away from the neighbor taking care of her while her family is out of town, and I thought she looked pretty skinny in her mugshots on the neighborhood FB page, so we invited her over... she always gobbles Zeus' food down, so I knew I could get her filled up. He was so happy for his 5 hour play date.
That night, Carlie had a backstage tour at Tuacahn outdoor theater, then they all attended Cinderella. =)
BUT I THINK MORGAN HAD THE BEST NEWS EVER. He invited Mariah, from EFY, over. We made up some lame excuse that Miranda needed a snap for a friend to get this picture during the movie... he was NOT happy about turning on the lights (!!!), but hey, we have this piece of history now. =) The night included some serious hand holding and cuddling, and maybe a small smooch... our boy has the moves.
Wednesday, we got a new road!! Highland is finally starting to make the rounds and repave/ reseal all the roads... it's so pretty!!
Thursday, Jeff went up to Girls' Glamp, I got up late, went to my workout, came home, and the kids still hadn't surfaced for the day... came to find out they were happily playing games together in the basement.
We had to get a picture of (as usual), the dogs snuggling up to the tired girl, but check out Zeus with his face under Miranda's head. Lately, he can't get close enough. He really is such an emotional, sweet dog.
Meanwhile, Carlie had a service project at camp. They cleared the other side of a dam from weeds & debris.
They also went to the temple to do baptisms. Subject title explanation: Over & over again, with Carlie's giant jumpsuit she was swimming in, and her buzzed hair, people kept saying, "Brother, I'm going to have you come over with this other group," or "Brother, it's almost your turn." But after correcting them a few times, when she got into the font, the man in charge kept looking for her (blue) card, then realized his mistake and put the pink card into the font reader, but it was COVERING HER FIRST NAME, so the baptismal man went ahead and said "Brother Madsen, having been..." and one of the ladies rushed up and said, "This is a sister." To which the baptismal man, bless his heart, said wryly, "I'm pretty sure this is a BROTHER." Oh wow. Our gorgeous model of a girl... Seriously, the beauty - and I'm not biased - is astounding. But she was our little Brother Madsen that day. BLESS THEIR HEARTS.
Then, after the temple, they went to the lake for water adventures.
That night called for some much-needed hot tub time here... this was not an easy week. Not recovering as quickly from everything.
A neighbor came by with these darling flowers for Miranda. Our ward is STILL GOING STRONG, bringing little cute things over and dropping texts and running errands... they're the best.
This is the day of the Water amusement Park (!!!), the spa pampering day, and the Faith Walk. Jeff was asked to play the part of Satan... turns out he's really good at this. A little too good; he kind of overdid it and the leaders had to adjust the lesson they were trying to teach the girls... watch out for Jeff. He's the devil.
Morgan got to go over to Mariah's house Friday night... we were so happy for him. =)
Friday, the kids got a new cousin. =) Little Lexianny Rose was born to Mark & Arianny. So cute!!!
The girls went on a hike before they came home. There were slot canyons, king snakes,
injured girls who had to be carried out,
And sundogs... #nofilter
Meanwhile, while we waited for them to come home, Miranda had a makeover day with H&K, the gorgeous twins.
This is what big-sistering is really about.
When Car & Jeff got home, my kids sat around discussing camp, and putting together an exercise bike Jeff bought for when Miranda's just hanging around and wants to get some workout in but doesn't have a lot of energy.
Meanwhile, so exciting, Jeff took the kids to wash his TRUCK! I know.
Saturday, Carlie cleaned her room. Actually, this is more toward the end of cleaning...
Miranda wanted to go outside for a while, and I had to get this... My actual focus was the patch of white wild flowers that are growing right along the park line.
Then the Exhausted One took a small nap, and Zeus could not quite get as close to Miranda as he wanted, so he kept arching his back to try to nestle in... it was so darling.
Then, while Miranda went to her temple assignment, the kids went to Scott & KelsiJo's for games... best Uncle/Aunt award, right? #goals
H&K were at friends' houses all day, and Connor was, too; he is such a great pal to his besties. They can spend whole days together and get along perfectly. I love it. Here's a fort at James' house Saturday. =)
And this capped off Saturday night. One of my HS friends took this picture of "the real life Arizona flag." Again, NoFilter:
Today, I thought you'd like to see one of the many amazing cars in our Stake Center parking lot that we see every week. We don't see this one every week; sometimes we just get to see a rotation of people's cool cars... it's like they have collections and make sure they don't drive the same car every week.
Carlie gave a great talk about Glamp and the things she learned from it. =) No one takes a sacrament mtg picture like we do. Thanks, and you're welcome.
And then tonight we went to my parents' house for dinner. It was awesome to spend time with them. Here's my dad teaching them "Matthew, Mark, Luke, John." Hahaha!!!
And memes!!!
Because Mark & Arianny just picked a baby name, and it's totally true:
Love, us!!!
