while the parents were away, the children played

As I mentioned, it was really hard for me to say goodbye to Connor and Kylene when I dropped then off with Theresa before Byron and I left for California. But when I heard what a great time they were having, I rested much easier.

They spent a lot of time outside playing with the new tractor,

feeding Princess,

playing with the Reese,

digging in the sandbox

and playing in the sprinkler!

they also had a fun time at the mall,

learning how to text,

riding the carousel,

and taking a ride on the ice cream truck.

They got to go over to the Parsons a few times to swim with Kylie, Logan, Baylee, and Hunter.

At the Zoo, Aunt Tracey spoiled the kids with rides on the train,

grain to feed the animals,

a comfy stroller and huge, cool zoo cups filled with cherry slushy. Connor still talks about those slushies!

They got to go bowling with their Uncle Jarom, and be loved on by their Uncle Logan and Aunt Codi.

When we were driving back home after picking up the kids, I looked back and noticed that Connor was silently crying in the back and wiping tears away. I thought he was happy to be back together, but it came out that he was really sad to leave Mimi and Papa's. Who wouldn't be?

When we pulled into our driveway, Connor asked if he could put his pajamas on. It was well past their bedtime and I was pleased that Connor was ready to head in the direction. I said, "Sure! That would be great buddy!" He then asked if he could then come down and watch a movie before he went to bed. When I told him no, it was time to go to bed, he began to cry and said, "That's what we do at Mimi and Papa's!" Ah yes, it really is living the high life at Mimi and Papa's. Thanks so much for showing the kids such a wonderful time!

Ben and Karin's Wedding

At the end of June, Byron and I got to travel out to San Fransisco for Ben and Karin's wedding. We left Connor and Kylene with Byron's parents in South Carolina. This was the first time we had been away from both of our kids over night. It was really sad to see the kids drive away with Theresa, but once we knew that the kids were happy and doing well, we felt foot loose and fancy free! It was so fun being together just the two of us again and we realized how much we have to say to one another when we're not constantly interrupted! :)

The first night in Oakland, we attended a dinner with the family and friends that had come into town for the wedding. We had a great time sitting with some of Ben and Karin's friends, Ben Tingey, his wife, Ben "Blue" and his fiance, Sammy.

The next morning we attended the wedding at the Oakland Temple where Karin's grandfather performed the sealing. It was so wonderful to be in the temple with Byron,my parents, sister, brother and their spouses. Ben and Karin couldn't have been happier or more beautiful!

We got to eat at In-and-Out on our way to Merced for the reception at the Rowan home that evening. The weather was perfect and we had a great time visiting and dancing the night away.
It was especially great to be with my parents and Ashley, Jon and Zach. (By this point though Byron and I were really starting to miss our kids.)

We spent the next few days in San Fransisco in a really cool hotel called the Warwick. We did Pier 39, rode on cable cars, visited Alcatrez (creeepy),

and did one of my favorite things of the trip, biked the Golden Gate Bridge from pier 31 to Salsalito.

When we got to the little town of Salsalito, we had lunch at a cafe and then loaded outselves and our bikes onto the ferry to take up back to San Fran.

Byron and I were the last of the couples to leave the city for home and the night before we left, Byron and I were treated to a showing of Wicked by my parents. It was stunning.

Byron and I had a wonderful time together and enjoyed just walking around the city and exploring new things. We also really enjoyed all the good food. We were dying to be with our kids again though and found it hard to think of anything else until we got to hug and squeeze them.

Itsn't that the picture of happiness? :)