Back in Texas

 It has been a little while since I posted so here is an update!

We enjoyed our last couple weeks in Idaho spending time with Matt and his now fiance Alisha and little boy Justin. It was great to get to know them and we are excited they will be part of our family. We had so much fun and got to go to so many family things. I am certainly missing the nice cooler weather, but I am happy to be home. It has been busy since we got home since I worked full time hours for the last 2 weeks and getting settled back into the groove and doing things with callings and getting JD ready for PC. He officially started his last year of law school yesterday and spent 12 plus hours studying on Monday. We wont get to see him much the next 9 weeks or really the next several months, but I am glad he has started. The dread and anticipation were getting to me, but now that we are in the swing of it, I can handle it just one day at a time. The perk of it is that I am just working one day a week for the first quarter so that should be nice to have a break. It is amazing what one day less of work means to me. Not to say that I don't like work, because I do, it is just difficult to balance church and home and life when I work more. 

One last fling at Rigby Lake...unfortunately for us the weather didn't cooperate, but it was fun to be with family anyway.

Cami skateboarding with Dad and Matt and Justin

 My cousin Ethan left to serve a mission, and we got to go to his farewell talk and they let me take their family pictures. Such a cute wonderful family. Britton will be leaving on his mission soon too! Good luck guys!

 Got to see some of my very favorite Burton cousins! Here is everyone enjoying a "cookie monster" together!

 Cami and I enjoyed a free breakfast and parade for Chubbuck days.

 This picture doesn't really do it justice, but here is a goodbye to our beautiful mountains...for at least a year or more :(

A family get-together so everyone to see Matt while he was here. Since he is in the Marines we don't see him much. I am grateful for our families. I haven't taken any pictures since we got back, and really we haven't done anything exciting, just really getting back into the groove and schedule. Cami is adjusting, she really was so wonderful over the summer with traveling and going back and forth. She misses having cousins to play with and has monopolized every moment since we got here so we are really going to have to get with friends throughout the next weeks. I am trying to figure out a preschool group so she, and I can have our social fill. 

Matt and Salt Lake City Fun

We have been busy craming in more family time before we head back. We will be making the long drive back to Texas on Monday. Last week was a super relaxing time chilling with JD's family. We got to see Fiddler on the Roof at the Playmill Theater, and have lots of time jumping on the trampoline and seeing cousins and just relaxing. Saturday we headed back to Pocatello to see my brother Matthew and his girlfriend Alisha and her son Justin. Cami and Justin get along wonderfully and have loved laughing and playing together.  

Sunday we drove to Salt Lake to see our good friends the Hickenloopers' bless little Max. It was wonderful to get to hangout a bit like old times and play some games. Monday we went to the planetarium and met up with my parents and Matt for lunch then toured temple square, City Creek Mall, and the conference center. We got some good play time in the fountains and also that night at the pool with the Hickenloopers. Tuesday we went to Hogle Zoo where we watched a sweet bird show and of course saw lots of cool animals. We were able to head back and catch a little time with my cousin Kailey and her family before they headed back to Boise. 

I am so incredibly grateful for this summer. I have learned so much and had so much time to build relationships with my family. I feel like there are so many little things I take for granted and having this time in my life where we are in Texas has increased my appreciation for some of the little things, like soft grass you can play in, big beautiful mountains, cool nights, time to sit and talk with my family, free babysitters, and a temple that is close, just to name a few.

That being said, there is something about being on your own as a family that helps you to be close and grow together. Also, I miss my bed and I will not be sad to have my closet back and not have to live out of a suitcase. We have gone back and forth so many times and made so many trips, JD is pretty much sick to death of loading and unloading the car. I have become extremely efficient at packing and am getting better at not over-packing and bringing everything. It will be tough to say goodbye though since we probably won't be back until next summer after JD takes the bar. And since we have decided to take the bar in Texas we will be looking for a job there once JD finishes his last year at Baylor, so we will be in Texas for a few more years at least. Not what I expected at all, but life does that to you, and I am choosing to be happy and see the Lord's hand in our lives. I know without a doubt that He has led us to where we are at this point and will continue to if we have faith and trust in His plan for us.

 Cami at a picnic and park playdate we had with cousins last Thursday.

 Cami and Justin playing with balloons.

 Family hike up City Creek.

 This is a goofy picture, but I wanted to have a picture of me with Max, Wendy and Scott's new little one.

 At the planetarium.

 Fountain fun!

 Temple Square...

 Sad day, my eyes are closed, but it is the only one the lady took so oh well!

 Cami was being fiesty about sitting for pictures, so just JD and I.

 At Hogle Zoo.

 They had these cool Lego scupltures all over!

Just a couple fun videos