Homecoming and Farewell

It's the week of hellos and goodbyes. Jared got off his mission yesterday from Arizona and his younger brother goes into the MTC today for Honduras. At least they got to hang out for a day before they would be separated for another two years! 

Of course we had to have a family party to see these spiritually awesome young men. It was fun to see them! We have missed Jared at our cousin gatherings but now we will miss Brett. Jared hasn't changed, he is still the goofy cousin we remember two years ago and more spiritual!  

Past couple weeks

in review. Spring Term ended June 16th and then Summer Term began June 20th. We only had one day off but we made sure to make it worthwhile! We went to 7 Peaks (water park) with my side of the family. We all looked a little toasty when we got home that night. Instead of parting our ways after our day in the sun, we bought pizza and had a cousin sleepover. The next day we continued our fun with a little Trafalgal, and played mini golf and laser tag. Our fun weekend ended with going to Geoff's cousins wedding reception. It was truly nice to not worry about anything over the weekend. No homework, school, or work. 

Geoff and I decided that since he got a bike, that it would be nice if I got one too. Coincidentally, my cousin is going to Hawaii for school and needed to get rid of her bike. She let me have it! So here is my new ride...

A few months ago it started to heat up in Utah and I turned on the air conditioner and several minutes later the temperature raised 4 degrees. That is really not we were expecting to happen. Thankfully this season, it has rained a lot so it has helped with keeping our place cool. We went and bought a box fan to put in the window at night and it worked for awhile. Last week we finally got it fixed! Yay! The electrician said that we had a bad thermostat. He replaced it and the temperature was about 8 degrees higher that what it said on our old one. so when it was 83 it was actually about 91. No wonder we were always sweating! Now that it is fixed I feel like it is freezing, but I will never complain again about our place being cold. I am grateful for modern conveniences.   

Geoff and I finally used our last gift card from our wedding. We got a Kitchenaid blender and it was worth it. I have used it everyday since. I have made

orange julius

smoothies galore

green shakes (spinach and tons of fruit and veggies) 

milkshakes 

strawberry limeades 

and more to come. 

This is seriously the best blender I have ever used. It is pretty much unbreakable with it's polycarbonate pitcher. It is easy to clean because I don't have to pull it apart, the blade assembly is built into the pitcher.

Last week Geoff was super busy with work. It was Mission President Seminar Week at the MTC and he picked up several shifts. He was never home. He would work for 8 hours, have an hour break and work another 4-8 hours. I felt like I didn't have a husband, but I did get to play a lot with friends (7 peaks and girl nights). Since this week was where all the new mission presidents get trained to go out into the field, the Prophet, 12 apostles and a lot of the 70's were there. Geoff got to meet 10 out the 12 apostles and I am pretty sure he enjoyed it! What a wonderful experience! 

If anyone needs to read a good book, I have been reading "The secrets of THE IMMORTAL Nicholas Flamel." This is a young adult series that is fiction but has real people and some real events. I am on the fourth book and I can't put them down. Thank goodness there is a library only two blocks away from where we live. 

Fundraiser

Does anyone like signed memorabilia? My English professor is being extremely nice and letting us advocate for a fundraiser for Alexis Kaufusi instead of writing a paper. Alexis was diagnosed with cancer Winter Semester while in my professors class and she knows that medical bills are expensive. If you are interested click on Alexis Kaufusi. Thanks!

Bountiful Baskets

We have FHE every week with some good friends and one week Natalie gave a lesson on Finance. She told us how she is a coupon hunter and saves a lot of money. While she was researching on how to save money, she came across the website Bountiful baskets. For a couple weeks we split one basket with three couples and I loved it! I loved it so much, I got greedy and decided to get a basket just for us. I even got 5 loaves of 9-grain bread. I am hoping they will last for awhile. They also have other "baskets." They have Organic, tortilla, granola, and oranges (36 lbs) baskets. 

All of this cost $25. Fifteen for the conventional basket (50% fruit and 50% vegetables) and then an extra $10 for the bread. They switch it every week with the foods we get. Last week we got mangos and pineapple, broccoli, mushrooms and peppers. This week we have corn, celery, potatoes, strawberries, cantelope, grapes onions, and many other things. 

I now plan all my meals around what food I get so that we will be able to eat it all in one week! I love having so much fruit and veggies in my home. You should see if there is a Bountiful Baskets in your area. I know there are some in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. 

I would never buy this much if I went to the grocery store, but I certainly love it! 

New Adventures

Look at how brave Geoffrey is! It is his first "real" time to ride his bike with helmet and all. 

And he's off! 

Yesterday we went to the Provo library (two blocks away). Geoff rode his bike while I walked. You can hear his bike from a mile away. It is loud. 

Another New adventure is Miss Holly! She graduated from Lone Peak High School Thursday and is off to BYU Hawaii in September. I am a little jealous ... I haven't been on vacation there let alone live there. Lucky duck! I will have two cousins going to BYU-H this year and I think Geoffrey and I should take a trip. HA--right!