The most fun in a long time...

I need to start off by telling Trevor that I love him and miss him. He is one of the truest people I know and I feel blessed to have spent the last week with him.

My boys and I spent the past week in Idaho with Trevor, Lara and her family, Darci, and my mom and dad. It was an amazing experience on so many levels and I am grateful for the time we spent together and the unforgettable memories that we created. It was the first time that I have been able to spend time with Trevor and feel like we were able to get to know, respect, and love each other as true friends...outside our big sister, little brother relationship (not that Trevor ever acted like the little brother...he was always our protector). I have been lucky to have been able to spend a lot of time with Darci as of late (I am so glad she is at BYU) and have been so amazed at the awesome and fun person that she is and it was so fun to watch Trevor get to know her on that level. Trevor kept saying, "Darci, you are just all grown up." It was cute.

I guess we have a relatively young family. There are six living kids, I'm the oldest (30) and Darci is the youngest (19). We are at a cool transitional place in our family because we are all out on our own now (though we still don't mind letting dad pay for things) and have become different people than we were growing up. We are probably the same in a lot of ways but have all had life experiences outside of our immediate family unit that have helped us learn and grow. So now we are getting to know each other as friends who are siblings outside of the roles we may have been type-cast into growing up. I think it has a lot of it has to do with being in a place personally where you feel comfortable with who you are and are ready to share that person with the people that know all about you and amazingly still love you. I couldn't have chosen better friends to be my siblings and I am so thankful for all we share.

Trevor is so fun to be around, his laughter is contagious and he is an honest and loyal friend. He doesn't sensor and that makes being with him even more real, super funny, and sometimes you need to cover your kid's or your mom's ears. Darci has a strong spirit and always stands true. I have always admired people who know themselves well and I think that Darci was born both knowing herself and with the confidence to be herself at all times. Lara plays an important role in our family because she sits at the center and keeps us together. We are all friends but she makes each of us stronger and fortifies each relationship.

I will always cherish this past week as one of the best I have spent with my family (minus Travis and Tyra who were both missed). I will also cherish it because I won't be seeing Trevor again until February 2008. It is so scary having him in Iraq and I pray that the Lord watches over Trevor and his buddies. I pray that they are kept safe and protected from the physical and emotional horrors of war. I am so amazed and proud of Trevor and the way that he handles himself. He has been through so much and seen so much pain and yet he deals with it.

Trevor telling George a story with picture cards. George thought it was really cool.

Trevor eating otter pops with George and Scarlet Next time we all get together Trevor and BGH should have an otter pop eating contest. I am not sure who I'll put my money on but I do know that the contestants better not crunch their ice where mom can hear.

Trevor and Charlie just hanging out and watching TV.

Now for the travel log...
I got up to Driggs with my boys late Monday night (Charlie slept the whole way and George watched videos until he fell asleep) and we all stayed in Driggs until Thursday afternoon. Thursday night we got a babysitter and went out to dinner and then a movie. We had about an hour before the movie started so we played video games at the little arcade in the movie theater. Maybe because we were in IF and probably because it was Thursday night we had the entire theater to ourselves and it was a good thing. Trevor and Lara started throwing popcorn and then Darci joined in. I ended it when I dumped the entire bucket of popcorn over Darci's head (I tried to take a picture with my phone but it was too dark). It was one of the funniest things ever. My mom and dad tried to act mad but I don't think they were.

Playing arcade games before the movie started on Thursday night.


Friday night my dad took us all go-cart racing. Trevor said that he had never been beaten in a race (which naturally triggered a competition between him and my dad), Lara and Darci were excited and talking trash, and my mom and I were nervous because we had never raced before. There are too many little stories to write but suffice it to say that we had fun. We decided that my dad is going to rent out the place when Trev gets home (mark your calendars Tyra and Travis) and we are all going to have an awesome time.

Trevor got into his uniform on Friday to speak at a school with Congressman Simpson. Lara has a recording of his speech which I haven't heard yet, but everyone said it was awesome and he got a standing ovation. I took advantage of Trevor being in his uniform to get some pics.

We all think Trevor is really strong (and he is) and think it is cool that he can pick us up.

Darci thought it would be cool if she could pick Trevor up and she did it too (for about a nano second).

I can't sign off without giving a nod to Elder Travis and Tyra. Travis, I love you and am so thankful that you are my brother and friend. I admire the way you take time to look deep within yourself and change the things you think you should. I also have to say that the fact that you recorded Loki while you were gone moving pipe and then came home and watched it is one of the funniest things of all time. You are one of a kind. I love you and miss you!

Tyra, I was reading through my mission journal today and the whole last month is filled with my worries about going home. I was so scared and you just took me under your wing. You dressed me and acted as my surrogate companion until I was brave enough to go it alone. I will forever be grateful for your love during that difficult time in my life. I am also thankful that you told me that I should like Paul when everyone else said I shouldn't. Wow, do I ever owe you.