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Two Years

  Our little Allie is two years old! How in the world did that happen? Allie is the happiest, silliest girl you'll ever meet. She keeps me laughing all the time. She brings so much joy to our family! We love her so much. 
  Allie LOVES barbies. She got six little barbie dolls and was over the roof when she noticed they had shoes. 




  Now we travel everywhere with her barbies.

  We celebrated Allie and Chris' birthdays in Avon last week. We had yummy steak, fruit and salads. It's always so fun to be together.

  THIS.  This is the world's most amazingly beautiful barbie cake. Lindsay really outdid herself this year. She's seriously so, so talented. I only wish Allie was old enough to actually appreciate all the work that went into it!

  She also made these delicious morsels. I forget how to spell them but nonetheless, they were divine.


  No one dared cut the cake. Finally, after some persuasion, dad finally broke into it. I'm so glad he did because it was the most delicious raspberry, chocolate cake I've ever had!

    My friend, Michelle Williams and her kids were visiting her parents in Corrine, which is just outside Brigham City. They're living in Texas right now so we couldn't miss the chance to catch up with them. Adeline and Lydia picked up right where they left off last Christmas. It's hard to see them so grown up. It seems like just yesterday they were toddlers playing in Virginia. It's always a blast to see them.

  The girls love eating our homemade popsicles when it's hot outside.

My Aunt Linda came down to help my mom unpack and organize her house last Thursday. We took the opportunity to go to The Secret Garden at the Ellen Eccles Theatre. It was so fun! I sure love my Aunt Linda. She's been there for me through every stage of my life from childhood, to college, to my married years. I especially appreciated a letter she wrote me right after I had my miscarriage about six years ago. She has such great faith and love. I hope to be like her someday.

Hot summer weather calls for swimming! Trying to make our small pool make do until our bigger one comes.


  Summer nights in Avon are heaven.


  I took Lydia to have her first haircut! She did so well and sat so still. We have the best hairdresser, Marina Mitton. Her husband passed away about a year ago so I always look forward to the chance to visit with her and find out how she's doing. She's a sweetheart and helped Lydia to love her first experience at the salon.

  All done! So cute!

The after-haircut selfie.

  We got together and celebrated mine and Nate's birthdays with my family. I've always loved having a birthday close to Nate. It's fun to have someone to celebrate with. I remember as kids we'd always chose to go to the Brigham City pool with our Rigby cousins. Good memories! Brayden made the cake and it was so amazing! He's an awesome baker!


  We celebrated Brendan's two year Angelversary on the 23rd. Loren and I both admitted that this year was harder than last. In the morning I took the girls to pick out some flowers at the store and then we took them to his grave. 


Mom, Lindsay, Landon and Aaron came up a few minutes after we got there. It was nice to soak in the peace of cemetery together. They also brought Sarah, via FaceTime, who's in Bangladesh. We're getting so excited for her to be home.



  Later that day Dad, Mom, Lindsay, Landon, Aaron, Loren and I all traveled down to Primary Childrens to serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald Family Room. I wasn't able to go last year so I really appreciated the chance to help this year. 

  It's always hard to know how many people to plan for. It could be anywhere from 50-100. Mom and Dad brought french dip sandwiches, fruit, chips and Lindsay made homemade cookies. It smelled so good in that kitchen!





  One of Brendan's doctor's came for a quick visit.






 

  We had plenty of food and our hearts were full as we walked out. I met many people experiencing trials with positivity and hope. It was humbling to see. I was so grateful for the chance to be there and soak in the special spirit that resides there.
   Later that night Loren and I were able to talk about things that we've never been able to talk about before. Sometimes it takes too much to remember. Sometimes, you just don't want to take the time and energy to relive what happened. Grief is unlike any experience we've ever gone through. Sometimes, out of the blue, you'll see something, hear something or feel something you haven't in a long time and it brings you to your knees. There are also times, however, that it's safer just not to feel.  I was talking with a friend the other day who asked if it gets easier over time. The easy answer is, no. You just find a new way to live, new ways to cope. You're a much different person than you were before and you've got to spend years trying to figure out how to make it through life as that new person. But I believe in my heart that Brendan is doing all he can to help each member of our family navigate through all the ups and downs of the process.

  This morning we went to North Logan's Pioneer Day Parade with Nate and Kiana. The girls adore their fun aunt and uncle. Thanks, Kiana for all the candy! It was such a fun morning and I'm so grateful, again, that Nate and Kiana came back home for the summer.





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