The Z Date

After three months since our "Y" date, it was finally time for our "Z" date!

Now, what would be the obvious choice for a "Z" date?

The zoo, of course.  

But the zoo didn't seem real appealing to either of us.

So Dad got creative, and we went on a hike that was near the zoo!

While hiking Seven Bridges, we decided it was necessary to kiss on each bridge.

Kiss on bridge number 3!

We made it to bridge #7!

And yes, those are my hiking poles.  Don't mock me.

For dinner we went to "Zio's."

Then we came home, got in our pajamas for a slumber party (where you get a few ZZZZZ's) and watched the BYU football game--since we're "Zoobies!"

Our alphabet dating has been so much fun!

So we're going to start over and switch letters!

I Am a Mother

I love this video!

I truly believe in the eternal and most important role of mothers!

Goodbye, Goodbye, and More Goodbyes

So, this past week pretty quiet with just me,

Dad, Jayna, and Grandma and Grandpa at home.

Thursday evening we went to a Sky Sox game.

Jayna found a gluten-free, dairy-free snack she could enjoy!

Jayna thought this is what they meant by the "Seventh Inning Stretch!"

Just kidding!  But it brought back a lot of memories of Jayna singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" when she was little!

Grandma and I played Rummikub almost every day.

But the highlight was when she beat me on Friday!

Friday afternoon we went miniature golfing.

We got sidetracked with the animals!

Ok, IF bums were actually cute, whose do you think is cuter?

Dad took first, Grandpa took second, and I came in third!

Friday night Jayna slept outside.  I think she is missing AFY.

She said it's the best night sleep she's had since being home!

Saturday we took Grandma, Grandpa, and Jayna to the airport.

We convinced the Frontier agents we needed to help Mom and Dad get to their gate--so they gave Dad and I passes to get through security.  It was wonderful--because we got to see Michelle and the girls again.  They had a layover from Seattle on their way to Memphis.

When we found them, Afton was asleep in her stroller.

But when she woke up, she was excited to see us!

I didn't have my surprise drawer with me--

but I had a special surprise purse with snacks!

Eliza and Grandpa playing "possum!"

After we said goodbye to Jayna, Michelle, Afton, and Eliza,

we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's gate, where we said goodbye to them.

There's been too many goodbyes the past couple weeks--

I don't think my heart can take much more!

Then Dad and I headed home to a very quiet, very empty home.

(Big sigh.)

A Day in the Life

A day in the life of the Pages!

Dad:  Leaving for Utah to spend time with family.

(Dad's picture was actually taken on the 15th.)

Mom:  Playing Rummikub with Mom while Dad watches.

My Mom loves this game!

Ty:  I'm so proud of my Mom for graduating from BYU today!

Michelle:  I love Jane and am so proud of her!  Best mother-in-law ever!

Afton:  Ringing the graduation bell with Grandma Jane.

Eliza:  Taking pictures with all my cousins and Grandma Jane is harder than you think!

Josh:  Studying for the GRE, applying to graduate school, finishing spreadsheets for my internship, and making home teaching assignments!

Elizabeth:  Hanging out and playing board games with Lindsey, Cassie, and Kyran!

Jayna:  My last week at AFY!  Belaying at the jungle gym.

Dallin:  Leaving at 4:20 a.m. for the airport.  I'm on my way to Mexico!

(Taken on the 13th.)

And He's Off!

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014

4:15 a.m.

Packing up some last minute things.

It's 4:20 a.m., and we're off to the airport!

Josh, did you notice what tie he is wearing?! 

(It is Josh's lucky tie from his own mission that he gave to Dallin.)

Much to our disappointment, they did not let Dad and I go through security to wait with Dallin at his gate.  So we spent our last few minutes together in an area outside security.

Dallin is finishing some thank you notes!

Time to say goodbye.

I'm tearing up again as I write this!

Some nice lady walked by and asked if we would like a picture together.

And then he was gone.

I couldn't stand it--so Dad and I walked over to the security area and watched him go through security.  Dallin didn't even know we were there.  

It was a tough morning.  But once we got an email from Dallin stating that he was safe at the Mexico MTC, I did a lot better!  

We will miss you Dallin!

But we know you will be an incredible missionary!

Family TIme - August 12th

Dallin is not watching Afton play . . . he is still sleeping!

One last Taco Bell lunch!

This is what I saw when I went in to wake Afton up from her nap.

Soooo sweet!

Michelle and Ty made this study notebook for Dallin to take on his mission.  It contains many talks that will serve as supplements to the principles taught in Preach My Gospel.

https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service?lang=eng

They also gave him some marking pencils.  Very thoughtful!

At about 3:45 this afternoon, Dallin was set apart as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  President Powell set him apart.  Grandpa Applegate, Josh, and Dad stood in the circle.

Dallin and Afton

Then we all piled into the car to take Michelle, Afton, Eliza, Josh, and Elizabeth to the airport.

I didn't take any pictures after this.

But we said some sweet goodbyes at the airport.

Then Dad, Dallin, and I headed home to a very quiet house.

Family Time - August 11th

Look what Afton found in Grandma's surprise drawer this morning!

Teaching Grandma Applegate how to play Rummikub!

Whenever Josh would play "The Happy Song," Eliza would start dancing!

Family Home Evening

Our "Fun To Do" bag.

Eating a chip is fun to do!

Family Home Evening lesson.

The story of the Little Red Hen.

Ring Around the Rosies.

All fall down!

Eating Fat Boy Sundaes for our treat!

Afton's enjoying her ice cream.

Although she's having a little trouble getting it from the bowl to her mouth!

Goodnight hugs!

Then it was time for the second half of our Family Home Evening.

We all took turns teaching Dallin a principle of the gospel he could use on his mission . . . and sharing some of our last thoughts with him.  Ty joined us on Facetime.  And we pre-recorded Jayna so she could participate with us.  

My intention was to take a picture of everyone as they spoke to Dallin, but I got so engrossed in everyone's comments that I only took this picture of Jayna--and stopped there.  But thank you everyone for sharing.  It was a very special evening and I was strengthened by everyone's testimonies.