First Day of School

The long awaited first day finally came last Tuesday. The boys hopped out of bed and quickly got dressed. I made cinnamon rolls (with the help of the Dough boy) and then we took pictures and then made our way to the school. The boys were so excited to see their friends and get back into the school routine...so was I!!! The first week they had half days every day to ease the kids (and the teachers!) back in but today, oh blessed day, is the first full day! It's been nice so far...I'm actually blogging so that should tell you something!

Here are a few pictures from the first day:

Mission Reunion

My mission president and his wife live in Canada so our mission reunions have been few and far between. I think it's been close to 10 years since our last reunion. So, when I got the notice that the Orrs would be in Utah and a reunion was being planned, I knew I had to be there. I'm so glad I did! Even though I have seen some of my companions often, there are some I have not seen in a long time. It was so fun to chat with them and rekindle our friendship. A few of us brought our mission scrapbooks and we had a great time looking through them and talking about all of our mission experiences. I loved seeing the Orrs again and feeling their love for me. Pres. Orr has such a gentle demeanor and is so funny. I loved being with them again. We didn't have a huge turnout but those that were there had a great time. I think heaven will be similar to this experience...being embraced in warmth and love by people who have shared in your special memories.

Pres and Sis Orr with some of the Sisters of the South Africa Johannesburg Mission

Rick gets hitched

Sam's oldest brother, Rick, got married to a lovely woman, Tonja on the 22nd. We were able to go to their very intimate sealing in the SL Temple. It was a beautiful ceremony that reminded me how blessed I am to be sealed to Sam and my children for eternity. We are happy to welcome Tonja, McKenna and Dakota into the Preslar clan and look forward to getting to know them better. We are so excited for Rick and Tonja and know they will be so happy together!

Playing Catch-up

Lots has been going on the last month of summer. I have lots of pictures to post and stories to tell so I'll be writing a few different posts with accompanying pictures.

First up: Evans Family Reunion
We spent a weekend in Idaho for the annual Evans Family Reunion. This Family consists of about 370 people all descended from Thomas and Jennie Evans-my dad's grandparents. The last of Thomas and Jennie's daughters, June, passed away the week before so her funeral was held the morning of the reunion. It was a beautiful service and we will miss Aunt June. We then headed to the Malad park and set up the tent and enjoyed a fun evening with cousins of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th varieties. We got rained on really hard that night and the next morning felt more like November than August. But, the kids still had a blast and I had a great time visiting with my relatives. Sam is such a good sport; he can't keep anyone straight because there are so many people, so this year he decided he was going to remember names and who they belonged to. I quizzed him and he ended up remembering quite a few. He kind of grumbles before we go to the reunion but always ends up finding someone to have a good conversation with!

Next up: Millcreek Cook out
My sis in law Rachel and I decided we needed to get together since we always enjoy each other's company, live a few miles away from each other but hardly ever see each other. So, we quickly threw together a little cookout up Millcreek canyon. The weather was great, the kids were pretty good, and the food was enjoyable. The kids had fun running around, playing in the dirt and cooking hot dogs/marshmallows over the fire. Can't wait to do it again!

It's about dang time!

I really am a horrible blogger. No need to point it out. I know it is a fact. I decided to blog today because I just got back from Girls' Camp and my heart is full.
I really do love the YW in my stake and feel so blessed for the time I have had to serve them. This may very well be the last camp I attend in this stake. It is exciting in a way thinking that my summer plans won't revolve around Camp and/or Youth Conference. But it also saddens me a bit. Why? I'll tell ya.

I love my girls. I feel like a little mama hen with her chicks when I'm around them. I want them to be happy and good. I love watching them grow in the Gospel. I love seeing that first little spark of testimony when they are Beehives and watching it develop into a full-fledged fire when they are Laurels. It is incredible. I feel so blessed to have witnessed this with so many Young Women. I love talking with them and hearing their hearts' desires and discussing the temptations they face. I love talking about boys and dating with them. I love staying up late and laughing with them. I love sharing my testimony with them. I love hanging out with them. I love learning from them. I love watching them help and uplift one another. They are amazing Young Women.
In 4 short days of Camp, I am able to do all these things. I come home exhausted but enriched, motivated to be a better example and leader.

That's why tears are blurring my vision as I type this. I will miss these girls and the bond that we share. I will miss that sacred week we lovingly refer to as "Girls' Camp".

For your viewing pleasure

This video cracks me up...it was the craziest ride I have ever been on. You can hear Lucy yelling because she did not like me being on the ride.

Back in Action

I really didn't intend to not blog for so long, really, I didn't. However, a series of events added up to my long hiatus.
Here's what's been happenin':

We took n 8 day trip to Vegas/San Diego and had a wonderful time. Stayed with the Youngs in Vegas and got to see our favorite Petts in San Diego. We did all we could to induce labor in Marina while we were there but little Sasha wanted to stay nice and cozy in her mama's belly for awhile longer! We went to Sea World (2x) Legoland, the SD Zoo and the beach. We enjoyed every minute we spent there and wished we could have stayed longer!

Curtis and Noah finished their 3rd and 1st grade years and both did a great job. They are looking forward to a long summer break but already miss their friends!

Lucy turned the magical age of 18 months which every Mormon mother longingly looks forward to because the baby can then go to Nursery at church! Lucy loves Nursery (so do I!) and doesn't even look back when I drop her off. She's growing up so fast!

Our computer got a virus (or 12) and I couldn't even log on for a few days. Our friend Collin fixed it up like new and delivered it to us yesterday so we are back in action! Thanks, Col!

I fell down our porch steps and landed right on my tailbone, I couldn't sit for 2 weeks so the computer was out of the question! I was in so much pain! I finally went to the chiropractor because my back was giving me problems from trying to sit in weird positions to avoid the tailbone. After 2 visits, I was able to sit (thank goodness)just in time for...

Youth Conference. We had YC at the U of U this last week. It was really fun and spiritual and I am exhausted! We had great speakers (John Bytheway, Brad Wilcox, just to name a few) good food, fun dance, great service project and other activities. I love it when all the planning and preparation come to fruition. It was fun but I'm glad it's over! Thanks to Mom and Dad for taking such good care of my children while I was there. They didn't even miss me!

In other news: We received 2 new little nieces into our extended families this month. Troy and Rachel welcomed little Emma on June 3rd and David and Marina welcomed sweet Sasha on June 9th. We are excited to watch these little girls grow and get to know them! Congrats to both families!

There's the last month in a nutshell. I will post some pictures as soon as I get caught up on paying bills and reading the emails I missed while the computer was sick!