We Ate Our Way Through Utah...And Here's The Proof!!

 

 We started with Sodalicious...and it did not disappoint! 

If you are in Provo or nearby...it is a MUST! 

The Rooster became very fond of the "Second Wife...Extra Dirty!" 

Every drink has it's own funny name...or you can mix your own!

 

JDawgs...again...a MUST!

   

 The Provo Food Truck scene... 

This is so much fun! And so delicious!!!

 

And then there was...Waffle Luv! 

Oh My!!!

   

 One of the great perks of the Waffle Luv location in Provo, 

is the fun mural that is on the dining room wall. It was painted by Provo artists one of which 

I am a HUGE fan of... Brian Kershisnik...I love his work! 

That just made the waffles taste better...yum...yum!!!

   

 And finally...Communal. 

A charming restaurant in downtown Provo, 

where only local and in-season ingredients are used. 

The food is beyond fantastic! It is an "experience" to dine there. 

What made it even more enjoyable was sharing it with my Darling Brother Ben! 

 He has a very developed palate and appreciates a wonderful meal!

   

And yes...

I do photograph the food it eat! ...don't judge me! ;)

July 2

 

July 2.

It came faster than I thought it would.

Her check in time to the MTC was 1:00.

We spent the morning having breakfast together...

Closing suitcases...

just soaking her up for the last few minutes that she was ours.

 

 

  There were other good-bye's that hurt her heart a little.

But never did she waiver in her position to serve her mission.

It is something that she had planned to do her entire life.

And then the time came... The Farmer gathered our small family together,

 we shared our feelings about our Precious. We shed lots of tears.

The Farmer then set PreShie apart as a full time missionary.

It was a very spiritual time for our family.

And then we loaded her bags into the car...and headed to the MTC.

 

.

 

We, along with many other families,

 parked,

then unloaded our very most valuable possession onto the curb of the MTC.

We held as tight as we could to our Precious, for as long as we could.

And we cried.

  Not because we were sad, but because we will miss her.

We are so blessed to call her ours.

  Gratitude brought this Mom to tears...

that she would pause her life for a time of service humbles me.

 

 

I know that The Farmer's heart broke a little on the curb of the Provo MTC.

He and PreShie have a very special connection.

But he was brave...mostly for me I think.

 

And then it was time.

Time for her to walk away from us and walk toward an amazing adventure.

 

.

 

And we stood and watched her go.

The most "bitter"...yet..."sweet" moment a parent can have.

Oh how we will miss our PreShie Girl...what joy and excitement she has brought to our family.

  I can't wait to hear about her adventures a full time missionary...she is going to be amazing!!

 

 

And then...

we went to Sodalicious to drown our sorrows...

and for the record...

It didn't work! ;)

Summertime...And The Living Is Easy....

Summer has gotten away from me! I am very behind on blogging...and will spend the next several days catching up...in the name of family history;) It has been a nice Summer...we have grown to love our trips to Utah...really...is there anywhere more beautiful than Utah in the Summertime?? I don't think so! Catching up with old friends...hanging out with new friends...sharing some tears...enjoying lots of laughs, and eating entirely too much amazing food!! One of the funnest events for The Farmer was "Harley" riding through some of the most scenic parts of Utah. He and a few good friends decided that it was something they must do. They rented the "bikes"...geared up...and hit the road!

The Farmer discovered...when his dear (church employed) friend showed up with some serious leather gear...that he knew nothing about the world of Harley riding. There are special waves...from one biker to another, a great sense of freedom on the open road among other things. What worried us all a little, was that The Farmer like it a little too much! We were worried...just for a few moments...that he might just take off, never to return! Thankfully he did;)

 

The Darlings really enjoyed riding with The Farmer and his friends!

  Some great memories were made for them.

One of PreShie's friends was with us when the "biker gang" was preparing to begin their ride...he stood nearby...taking in the sight of the "bikers" and said "that is kinda weird...a bunch of old guys on Harley's"...to which I responded...

"Buddy...that is what a midlife crisis looks like!" And he agreed;)

The first day of riding was the Alpine Loop, ending at Sundance. The second day of riding was to Bear Lake...back to Provo...and everything in between.

  It was a really great time for some great friends!

Check'n In At EFY....and Cousin Love!

After a funfilled 4th of July weekend....came EFY check-in which fell exactly on the 4th!

The cousins arrived the night before and we all loaded up Monday morning and headed for BYU.

We had cousins from Mexico....cousins from Mesa...and a great group of friends that also

came from Mexico to attend EFY.

Aunt Shauna took a moment to say a little prayer...that Niki would be able to "walk-on" to EFY since she

was not able to get in earlier....and her prayers were answered!

A whole load of teenage energy was dropped off at one time...the kids were happy...and

the parents were pretty happy too!!

PreShie returned Saturday from 2 1/2 weeks of touring in Europe...and was thrilled to be

reunited with her cousins!

They were all happy to see The Boy....

The Boy hasn't seen his cousins for a few weeks...and it was a very happy reunion!

Lots of cousin love!!

This was The Rooster's first experience at EFY.  The Boy took him shopping the week earlier...to make sure

The Rooster was "ready" for EFY.  He looked pretty cute when I dropped him off.  The Rooster isn't always

up for new experiences..in fact...he avoids them like the plague...but after many pep talks...he was ready to

go.  He told someone he wasn't too happy that his Mom had paid $$ for him to go to church for

a whole week!  I thought that was pretty funny.  The Boy quickly said that there would be alot of

"hot chicks".....tons of fun...and he would get to be spiritual!  What more could a 14 year old boy ask for??

I thought he would have a hard time when I dropped him off...but NO....he grabbed his suitcase from the car, and headed for the dorms.  When I started to follow his...he said..."what are YOU doing here???"  and even though I was really there to make sure he was ok....I told him I just wanted to snap a few last

pictures and then I would go.  It was fantastic to see him soooo excited!!

PreShie....well....she started with week tired.  She was suffering from jet lag and wasn't sure how

she would make it through the week.  She was excited to be there...just a little worried about being so

tired.  She is in the same group as The Rooster...just to keep an eye out for him.  She will make the best

of the week...I know she will....that is the kind of girl she is!!

The Boy is attending for the last time!

He was super excited to go...but really mad at me for taking too many pictures!

He will thank me someday...YES....he will!

He said he felt old...but he didn't care...he really loves the EFY experience.

And me....well I dropped them off...and drove away with a big smile on my face.

I am so grateful that they are having this experience...I too...love EFY. 

I will be a great week for The Darlings.....and for their Mother;)