Vday week in St George

Valentines day this year was spent in good ol St George again. I  didnt even mind because it meant we got to travel somewhere! We decided to celebrate a bit early so the kids could have their treats and treasures for the ride. The kids wanted pancakes so that is what Chad made for our makeshift Vday.

Carter actually wanted to stay behind and we decided to let him. He had some things going on and hes old enough and so we let him stay home, but not before he asked his prom date to prom! He told me the day of that we could ask her that day, so while I was packing up for St. George, I paused, and made some strawberries. 

It would be Berry sweet if you would go to prom with me. too cute. 

Then we were off to St. Geezey. Mollie even drove us some of the way there. The narrow back strip down is not the best place for her to learn. Chad was constantly saying, get on your side! 

 The place we had had a pool and hot tub and that is the first place we were off to! 

It was fairly warm but not warm enough for ME to swim. But the girls all hopped in and had a blast. Until they had to get out and it was cold again. 

Real V day breakfast was a breakfast snack plate with all sorts of things on it to eat. 

I even made everyone a sugar cookie. 

Vday dinner was Texas Rhoadhouse. Everyone got steak and potatoes and it was soooo yummmy. And the best way to have dinner, together and quick and at home. 

We went out exploring after church on Sunday and found the most beautiful places. 

Are we in a dream! The colors of course never translate through the lense.  We hiked up to this little cave and there were people up there playing the drums. The accoustics were unreal, echoing off the rocks and through the valleys. It was in incredible sound to hear in the distance. By the time we got up to them, they were packing up to leave. but it was still cool to see. 

Then we found this little water hole. Some people were jumping in. Such a pretty surprise in the red rock desert.

And all the soccer games in St. George were won...I believe. 

These girls always rise to the challenge and dominate! This tournament was no exception and we left with a 1st place medal. Way to go ladies! 

 

Welcome Home Elder and Sister Reed

Feb 5th was fast approaching and it felt like Christmas! We had lots of fun planning mom and dads homecoming making signs, planning food and decorations for their luncheon. With all the stress of the robbery I told my mom we would take care of everything and settle later if we needed to. Chad graciously offered to smoke some meat. Lets be honest, its his favorite thing to do. 

 

As family started arriving, the little girls saw my signs and thought they needed to make some too. 

Here we are, decked out in USA attire to welcome them back to the states. Mollie kept the kids entertained by giving chair rides to the littles. 

It was midnight when we finally saw them coming towards us! We greeted many weary travelers and got many smiles and cheers as we were waiting. The kids were so excited. 

And finally we saw them, before they saw us. Mom was expecting us to be at different spot and was disappointed when no one was there. 

We hugged and laughed and cried all at the same time. 

Its so good to have them home on American soil, safe and sound and headed home. 

G&G got to meet baby Koen for the first time. 

Chad and Carter were good sign holders and videographers. 

Everyone spent the night and stayed up chatting and having....ice cream...of course, thats what the Reeds do best. The next morning the grandgirls prepared a picnic for them. 

We went to Chubbys for lunch and enjoyed being together a little longer before we all went our different ways. 

I asked mom and dad if I could come home with them and be a helper until their homecoming, which was in 1 day! They agreed and I helped grocery shop and carry luggage and get things ready for the weekend. This is them pulling up to the Rupert sign, anxious to be home. 

Mom walked in and went straight to her rocking chair! She was thrilled to death to sit in her favorite chair and just rock. She sat there for several minutes while dad inspected things. 

The evening ended with a beautiful sunset, Ive always said it, but there are no sunsets like Rupets sunsets. Absoultely gorgeous and a perfect welcome home gift. 

The stake president came to their home on Sat night and I felt lucky to be a fly on the wall while they got released. Again, it was an emotional moment and I just felt so proud of my parents and what they did in Panama and the hard things they endured and the growth they both experienced. Seeing them take their nametags off even made me sad. Dad jokingly ripped his off and did a dance, like, IM FREE! But I know it was hard for both of them to do. Theyve carried this incredible responsibility on their shoulders for the last year and a half and one day it all stops. I know they are excited to get back to normal life, but I know theyll miss it too. 

Sunday approached and family gathered to hear them speak in church on Sunday. They both gave very heartfelt talks, my dad crying the most, hes a big teddy bear under that tough exterior! Rylee said after hearing them talk, she decided she wanted to serve a mission. I was feeling the same! I took a chance and ordered mom a few dresses, knowing she wouldnt have time to do any shopping and knowing she wished she had something new to wear. She said on the way home she wished she had a new dress. I broke the news to her and she gleefully tried on the new dresses. She picked the one I liked most to wear to her homecoming and even ended up keeping another one. 

After their homecoming it was go time for the luncheon! We had decorated a place that Dave reserved for their dinner and gathering and had it looking very tropical for the lunch. Many friends and family came and I got a few pics of everyone there. 

And it was so great to see these 2 sisters reunite. They truly love eachother and missed eachother so much. Im happy they got to spend some time together. 

It was a very special weekend, full of love is the best way I can describe it. Im happy they are home and Im looking forward to spending time with them when things calm down. Welcome home mom and dad! You were so missed. 

Heartwrenching Robbery

Just after Christmas, me and my siblings met at mom and dads and made final preparations for them coming home. We cleaned and dusted and vacuumed and hung decorations.  Then left with smiles on our faces knowing they would be home soon! 

Jordan swung by for one last check and to stock their fridge a little. He messaged us and asked us who left the window open......I didnt think I did, but while we were cleaning I thought I maybe opened it...I couldnt remember. Soon later he messaged us this picture from outside the house. 

What the....someone deliberately broke in! They used cinderblocks to stack up under this tiny window and pried out the screen with a crowbar...there were some scratch marks and they bend the window frame enough it now wouldnt close right. They knocked the window cactus out of the window, the one that we have been faithfully watering each time we went that my mom got from Grandma B! I hope it stabbed them good. 

He then figured out that this was a break in and as he walked through the house, he knew there was trouble. He messaged me and Adam and said, Do I call the cops or do I call Dave (good friend and town sherrif). We both said...DAVE! 

Dave didnt answer, so he made a 911 call and reported the robbery. Their room had been ransacked and every drawer, bin and safe totally dumped or taken. A deputy showed up and documented the robbery. Then it was time to let mom and dad know...we debated on telling them or not, but knew that they would be the only ones who would know what was truly missing. 

Jordan made the call. They handled it well, but were heartbroken and had the feeling of being majorly violated. Mom called me and cried and cried. She made it clear that it wasnt about the ~things~but about her safe place being violated. They come home in a few weeks and wanted to feel safe in their home. 

It was determined that 1 hand gun, lots of ammo, dads life time coin collection and cash in the drawer totaling about $700, some precious jewelry from Grandma D and both of their wedding rings were gone.Mom was most sad about her wedding ring, the time that my dad sacrificed everything he had to buy it.  Over time, they discovered a few other things along the way that were missing. They took their fireproof safe that had the titles to their homes, cars and all of our SS# cards. So creepy. 

 

We learned that several other homes had been robbed as well. Most of them sitting empty. Infuriating! Who is watching, Howd they know these homes are empty, why did they pick Rupert Idaho of all places! So many questions. And sadly, the cops have come up empty handed. Nothing has been found, nothing has been reported and theres not much more the cops can do. Makes me sick. 

Jordan and Tay stayed a little longer and cleaned up the home very nicely and boxed things up that mom and dad wanted to go through. There was a very nice feeling when they came home...and that post is up next!

New Year, New month

Theres never too much that is very exciting in January, so we have to make our own fun!

We started out the year seeing Frozen at the Hale Center Theater. Just AMAZING! As all of their shows are. It felt so magical and it snowed! 

Never too big for dads lap. 

Indoor BMX is still going strong. Carter doesnt have a ton of time for it, but still enjoys it. 

Indoor Track is what has taken up these cold blah months. We have never done these races before and they really were fun. Carter got to run at BYU and Weber and they are well run meets, but totaly on your own, no coaches go and no one is there to drag you there. Its all self motivated. Let me tell you, there are some motivated kids to be up at 5am on a Saturday just to run. 

He had some of his best times at these races and its so fun to watch him have success and how happy he gets when he does well. You can tell he left it all out there when he looks like this after a race! 

After one race we got to swing in and see Chad at work. This was my first visit inside and we got a little tour of what he does all day. Here he is sitting at his super desk with about 12 screens that he has to monitor! 

At the end of the month, we got to dress up and attend our Stakes Adult dance. It was a fun evening and I even bought a sparkly dress so I could feel fancy. This years dance lessons went better than last. And we capped the night with some ice cream with the Maughans! 

Bri has been ballin it up this winter. Her little team has improved a lot and done so well in their season. Bri has grown in ways I didnt know was inside of her. She LOVES basketball and is having so much fun with it. Her foul shots are getting pretty solid and her defense is so good. 

And I got to attend a Kareoke party for my friend Carrie. We called it Carri-oke. Good times! 

 Goodbye January. Its fine that you are leaving. Lets move on to Feb!