Summer 2018

July 25, 2018

I had a really fun birthday with my sisters! We kind of went crazy on the dessert, but it was sooooo good. I love the Cheesecake Factory!

When the junior high kids got off the bus this year, all of the moms attacked them with water guns and hoses. I really doused Sydney good . It wasn't until a little while after that we realized her phone was in her back pocket and I ruined it. oops!

Paige had an amazing experience at the Mormon Matters Conference this summer. She learned a lot about herself and even got to meet Dan!! We were kind of jealous.

Jackson attended our Stake AP Camp this summer. He was dreading it, but actually ended up having a pretty good time. His favorite part was the tough mudder and sleeping under the stars.

Sydney's first time going to girls camp was quite eventful. After being there for only a day they had to be evacuated due to a forest fire. She wasn't too sad though. She's not a huge fan of sleeping in a tent. We haven't raised very good campers! ha ha

Sydney and I drove to Utah for a couple days. We went to my Great Uncle Blain's funeral in St. George Saturday, McKay's farewell on Sunday, and spent time with Paige before she took off on her study abroad to Europe. One of the unexpected perks of being there was attending a session at the newly renovated Jordan River Temple where my cousin Cami received her endowments. It was so special to be there with Annette and her family, Tess and Rosalyn, and my Mom and Grandma Fabrizio. They are all such beautiful and special people to me. I realized that it was 25 years ago that I had received my own endowment in that same temple and I reflected on the power and strength the temple has always given me in my life.

Sydney got to spend a week in Colorado at Sean and Natalie's house. It was her first time flying alone but she was so excited to go. She and Taylor have stayed close and get along really well even though Taylor is two years older. She and Summer really bonded too this trip. I think she felt pretty spoiled going to the zoo and paddle boarding. Our house isn't that exciting with all the older kids around now.

While she was gone we also decided to part ways with our Suburban. It holds many memories for us these past 8 years and the 180,000 miles have whizzed by. We purchased a much smaller Volvo, and I'm determined not to drive a bigger car again.

Paige has had quite the memorable summer! She's been in Italy, Germany, Denmark and Greece. She is loving every minute. We hope she will actually come home later this week. :)

We spent the week of July 4th in Newport, California for a family reunion with my side. It turned out to be really fun and relaxing. We each rented a condo in the Marriott Newport Villas and so we had our own space, but still spent time together too. We are learning as an extended family how to share with each other and be better listeners and have more understanding. It's not easy when you throw a lot of different personalities and world views in the mix together, but I think we accomplished a lot and built some common bonds and memories with each other. I sure love everyone in my family and appreciate them for who they are and what they teach me.

This last weekend Grandma and Grandpa Park braved the heat wave and came to visit us. We have such a good time when they're here. They're so easy to please and make us feel like we're doing ok as a family. Grandma knows how to compliment everyone on everything, right down to how white and pretty our teeth are. HaHa

Unfortunately for Sydney and Jackson they had to head back to school on July 23! Sydney is an 8th grader and we are officially experiencing our last year of junior high with our kids. Yahoo!!! Jackson is in 11th grade and made the decision to take some harder classes this year, so his care free days of childhood may be coming to an end.