~Summer Break with Dad at home~

Having Travis come to Utah made that trip the BEST 

Utah trip that we've experienced since our summer back home in between 

Medical School semesters in Poland. 

Having him home from work for two weeks here in Iowa was also so much fun.

One fun part was during a three day nature camp that the boys were signed up for at Lime Creek. While one boy went in with their group Travis would take the other boy mountain biking on their trails. During their break the girls and I would come and join them for snacks and a walk through the fields. Then the next boy would go into his group and the other would then get to bike. 

Travis said Maddix's favorite parts on the rides are the steep drops, while Aaron's favorite parts were the more technical parts :) Either way, I think they're all pretty awesome. 

Another fun time was when Travis, being as awesome as he is, took the kids down to Des Moines, by himself, to go to a drive-in movie (Lion King/Toy Story 4), camp the night, and then go to the Iowa State Fair the next day! I stayed home because I was sick, plus super burned out, so he killed it as the only parent dealing with Addie... and she gave him a run for his money. He said the only survived because the boys were such big helps! 

They saw lots of strange people, ate ridiculously junky food, and.... MY FAVORITE PART, found a prize winning HOG!! This is my favorite because ever since I met the Johnson family I've heard my father-in-law recite a phrase anytime his children would complain that something wasn't fair, "Now, what's a fair? A place where hogs win blue ribbons." This is something we've continued to tell our children; they roll their eyes every time. 

We've had date nights again, which have been awesome. We went to a fancy dinner and then walked around our down town one night, and then yesterday we grabbed a kebab and then went Mountain Biking; my first time! I absolutely LOVED being able to go be active with Travis, and share in something he's so passionate about. I also loved that he was on our hybrid, trying to mountain bike, so that I could be on his big papa! It really evened us out! 

In Other News: 

Maddix and Aaron have had some fun playdates with friends. 

Travis has been called as a Primary teacher. 

We had to say goodbye to yet another dear family that we love, the Foxes. So. Bummed.

The boys got their class schedules and found out they will be with great teachers and some of their close friends!! 

Also Big News: 

Travis went back to work! He keeps telling me just how much he loves being an attending.

His office was pretty sad and bare, so he took his things and has begun making it his own.

He has a half day every week. He's home by 5:00.He doesn't work weekends...

Is this real life?! 

I feel like we're on a permanent vacation. And i never want it to end!

And the Biggest News 

*for those who've hung in there: 

We bought a house! 

Moving our first belonging into our new house!

And not just any house, our friends that moved to Idaho... we bought their house! 

I won't even try to recap all the decisions, thoughts, and prayers that went into this decision; however, I will say that when the Lord opens the door to where he wants you to go, he has a way of changing your mindset and removing the stumble stones you thought were in the way. And so now we've been cleaning up our house, packing things away, and preparing for this REALLY new chapter in our life. 

Medical Journey.... Done!

My schooling.....Done!

Growing our family.... Done? (According to our plan!)

And now we're heading to a new home and new adventures! 

Iowa State Fair Fun House

Us girlies waiting back home

If only she would just watch a movie like normal American children
(She became a nightmare, I was told)

We should have known she was getting
sick when she refused to walk
for more than 5 mins

Lime creek days

Iowa State Fair

Baseball field Day + Hair dye=
Childhood memories

Yep, she was definitely not feeling well

Always too small to go out and play 

Back to school haircut.. before.

After

Maddix, Aaron, Will, and Lucas

This funny little thing she does :D

Aaron made a hammer
for building his blanket fort

Picked the kids up from a playdate a mile from
our house and they were too tired to walk home.
Yep, Aaron is down in the basket! 

Oh, and the girls are sharing a room now!
And they love, LOVE, LOVE it!

The HOG!!! 

First time using grocery delivery to restock our kitchen after
being gone a month. I may never go back to grocery shopping
in the actual store ever again! 

Maddix took two friends to scouts with him...
member missionary, or trying to punish his leader?!

First day as a full fledged Attending!!

Our last time having the Fox Friends over!

We are so glad these cuties aren't moving out of visiting
range!

Feeling a little more personalized

 Cleaned out the toy room and took a load to the new house

Thanks to Trav's new awesome schedule, I'm able to attend
a 6am gym session and get home to make healthy breakfasts

Aaron LOVES when anyone will snuggle him
and may have bribed her to stay with multiple
bags of chips!

And then we had our 11 year Anniversary! We did our big celebration by going to the Aerosmith concert while out West, and then spent the actual day, August 16th with the kids and enjoying a WONDERFUL homemade dinner. It was SO good! 

Happy 11 years, Love