June 2022

Since we were going to miss some of our home ward and stake summer activities, I asked if my girls could join my cousin's girls camp. It was such a great experience for them and my cousin's girls were such a blessing to mine during that time. 

While the girls were away, the rest of us played up at the mountain, at Bryce Canyon and on a few other hikes. We found snow and horny toads.

I am grateful for the time we were able to spend with Dad. I hope we were a source of help and strength to him as well.

Home from camp!

I'll never get tired of the views from my parents house.

So many little things remind me of Mom.

Someone left some orange and yellow flowers on Mom's grave. What a sweet gesture to put her favorite colors there.

For some reason using the last of Mom's lemons (she ate several a day) was a very poignant part of my grieving. It was so strange that she had been here so recently that the lemons were still so fresh, but now she would never use them. The whole process of grating the rind, juicing the lemons and baking the bars was so painful, but felt so necessary. Grief is a new feeling for me and the bitterness and sweetness of it is very much like this dessert.

One of the sweetest parts of the summer was getting together with our Texas friends who now live in Utah. We were able to stay with them for a couple of days and catch up. We will always call these the best of our friends.

Zion National Park was our next stop. Man, it was hot that day!

Can't forget to get our Junior Ranger badges!

I miss the mountain skies. It was even worth it to me to keep this picture, bugs on the windshield and all.

More kid selfies. We were happy to be in Auntie Aubrey's beautiful new home. She was the best hostess.

Early morning departure for these two to go see cousins in Washington. It was their first time flying alone and there were definitely some nerves (on both sides), but they were brave and had a good time.

Splash pad with cousins!

The aquarium was such a fun day with these kiddos.

My sweet friends got me this necklace in memory of Mom and when I said goodbye to her. What a sweet, thoughtful way to mourn with me and comfort me.

On to the Cowan family reunion! We missed Grammie and Papa, but we felt right at home with this reminder of them when we walked in.

Everyone had a great time at Lava Hot Springs.

Sweet, sweet cousins.

And a GREAT time catching up with everyone.

My 20 year class reunion happened while we were on our trip. Someone posted a video of our graduation and I found this little gem. Seems like a lifetime ago and like yesterday all at once.

We headed back south to check in on Dad before we headed on our long way home. It's no wonder he loves to take photos of the sky here.

We hit up the Grand Canyon on our way to visit the Joneses in Albuquerque. It did not disappoint. 

We had a very unique lodging experience. We found a place to stay on Air BnB and it happened to be a mobile home on the reservation a little ways down the road from the Grand Canyon. It wasn't bad, but we probably won't repeat it.

Next stop was the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert.

Then, on to Albuquerque, just in time to see Cameron perform in an orchestra concert. So glad we were able to be there for that.

Visiting the Albuquerque temple brought back so many memories of my youth.

Another sweet family friend saw my Facebook post about saying goodbye to Mom and had her daughter make signs for my sisters and me. I am grateful for good people and how they lift and support in difficult times.