Packing up and moving to the dorms

Ethan packed up and got his car all loaded.  Everything fit in his car so we didn't have anything in the van.

He loaded his bike on the back of the car and Courtney drove with him (she actually slept part of the way but she was physically with him on the drive).

His room is looking bear again.

Ethan had stuff all over the living room as he was putting it in his car.

His appointment to move into the dorms was at 6 pm.  We were a bit early so we drove around running some last-minute errands before we went back to see if he could check in a little early.  He went to the check-in office and they said it was fine.  He got his key, BYU ID card, and the information as to which room he would be staying in.

It only took 2 trips to get everything inside.  We then unpacked him.  Courtney did his clothes, I made his bed, and Ethan set up his WIFI.  Bryan supervised and figured out the WIFI when we weren't sure what was going on (turns out, there is only one live ethernet connection per room so we had to figure out which one was the live one). 

One of these things is not like the other...

Ethan is in Building 9, the only one without a name! ;) 

We went to dinner and then let Ethan get a good night's rest.  Sunday, we went to a random ward that was meeting in the Church by the Provo Temple. When it was time to say goodbye, we took pictures (which Ethan was supposed to send to me), and then we left.

It was rough to say goodbye but not as bad as when he left for his mission.  We can still see him and go visit. And he will do great things. I'm excited for his new adventure!

Preseason soccer games

Teams from the northern part of Utah come down to play preseason games against our Region 10 teams.  This year we had 4 preseason games but some of them were lightning delays or cancellations.  It was kind of crazy because we actually have had a monsoon season this year.  It is something we haven't had to deal with for the last few years and I love it!

Anyway, here are some pics from the 3 preseason games where I took pictures. Remember, Courtney is #28.

Their coach is a seminary teacher so they pray before each game (if you were wondering what they were doing in this pic).  Courtney is on the left with her number toward the camera).

She's 17!

Courtney is now 17 years old!  How did that happen?  She got her usual breakfast of a Texas donut and juice.  Bryan bought her flowers and we had balloons and streamers up in the kitchen.  She got to open her gifts from us in the morning and then she had a pretty relaxing birthday with friends wishing her a great day.  

She wasn't quite awake yet!

Ethan gave her a threadwallet she wanted.

She got a Goosebumps blanket which is amazing!

And she got some gift cards (Chick-fil-A and Crumbl):

She also got concert tickets, money, cards, and birthday wishes from family and friends.  I think she had a good day.

That night we had Courtney's favorite meal..Costa Vida salad.  Then we cut into the really lop-sided cake (I forgot what humidity does to the frosting so the cake started to tip).  It still tasted really yummy although it looked like a mess.

Monsoon season

We have been in such a drought that we haven't had a monsoon season for quite a few years.  We used to get a ton of rain in August and the temperature would cool down, but that hasn't been happening.  This year we have had a proper monsoon season and it has been amazing.  I take a ton of pictures because I love the rain.  The only thing I really don't like is the humidity.  When the son does come out, it gets so hot and humid that it's miserable.  But we will take the rain.

Courtney has had soccer practice canceled a few times because of lightning and one preseason game was canceled because of lightning.  So we have had to deal with those changes, but we need the water. And the clouds make for gorgeous sunsets!

It was hailing at one point.

Last first day of high school

We are hitting all the "lasts" for Courtney.  This was her last first day of high school.  She actually only has seminary at SCHS, but it still had to start sometime.  I made her take a picture so I can document it.

Courtney will be taking her classes this year completely on campus at Utah Tech University (previously Dixie State University) through Success Academy. Those classes begin on August 22nd, so that's when she will really have her first day...although she has Tuesday/Thursday classes so her first day will really be August 23rd.  This gets too confusing.  She is taking Psychology, Intro to Criminal Justice (online), Art Appreciation (online), and Intro to Exercise Nutrition (online).  So, as you can see, she will only be on campus for one class but she is going to stay on campus and do her online classes.  I am excited to see what this year brings for her!

We sold our car

Ethan didn't need the gold car anymore and we didn't want it just sitting around while we paid for insurance and registration.  So I posted it on our neighborhood GroupMe and within a few minutes we had someone who wanted to buy it and 8 other people asking about it.  It was so crazy to me!

We sold it to the first person who contacted me and is our friend in the neighborhood.  Their daughter needs a commuter car to get to Dixie State and back.  This one will do the trick and we sold it cheap.  We were kind of sad to see it go.

It was an interesting experience selling a car because we haven't ever done that before.  We usually drive the cars until they die and then we donate them.  I know the process for donation but we were a bit unsure about selling.  But it all worked out just fine and it wasn't hard at all.