Everything Evans

On Monday we went to Flaming Gorge. Unfortunately, it was really hazy from all the forest fires in the area. That was a bummer because we were wowed by all the beauty. The last time we were there was when Emma was really little, we appreciated it more this time. It was gorgeous!

For some reason, we were all a little silly and slap-happy that day. It was a day full of laughs, jokes and good times.

I love these people!

Emma about gave me a heart attack when she went out on this ledge. I was so happy when she finally got off. Ugh.

Oh but there is a lot of adventure ahead for this girl!

We had planned to swim while we were at Flaming Gorge, but it was cool and too smoky. Instead, we headed to Dinosaur National Monument. I can't believe we have never been there in our visits to Vernal. It was really cool! We were all impressed with the wall of dinosaur bones right in front of us. They are hard to see in these pictures, but they were easy to see when we were there.

We were glad we went!

When we got back to Grandma's house Isaac was right back on the cart.

Grace was happy to get this picture from Sis. Sisson with the picture of a giraffe she drew.

That night we had FHE with Grandma and Lolo and then watched Jurassic Park. It seemed fitting for our dinosaur day! Tuesday was pretty chill. It was our last day before we had to take Emma to BYU. She took advantage of that hammock!

Emma and Dad both took turns on the cart.

We went to Freddy's in Vernal for lunch and then to a fun park.

We found a friend!

Emma wasn't the only one to take advantage of the hammock that day...

The twins had fun exploring.

Lee gave Emma a blessing that night. There were tears. From all of us. It was a special experience. Emma was ready, but we were going to miss her. I hope she felt of our love for her and the love that Heavenly Father has for her and His confidence in her at this stage in her life. What a night.

We lightened things up a bit by watching Mirror Mirror. Isaac slept in the hammock that night. We didn't think he would really last the whole night, it was cold and scary. But he did! I went to check on him pretty quickly after we tucked him in and he was already out. He loved it!

Lee, Emma and I left bright and early Wednesday morning. The goodbyes were hard. The reality of her leaving was starting to hit.

Isaac and Grace are really going to miss their big sister.

We stopped at Kneaders in Heber for breakfast. Unfortunately, that didn't end up being a good idea! Emma felt really sick after eating and she ended up throwing up right as we drove onto BYU campus. It was a little traumatic, Emma hardly ever throws up! We were pretty sure that she was just more nervous than even she realized.

Isaac and Grace were having fun at Grandma's. I was happy to get pictures from her because Grace was upset about us leaving.

Thankfully Emma felt better pretty quickly and we got to work. Our first stop was the Wilkinson Center to get her BYU ID, take care of the paperwork for her job, and to pick up her books. The books weren't ready yet but I was super impressed by the system of ordering them online and picking them up. Way better than standing in line forever like I used to!

I can't believe she is here!!

Next, we went to find her room in Helaman Halls, and we got to work.

Well, some of us did!

Lee and I made a trip to WalMart for some last-minute things. That place was CRAZY busy!

So exciting for these two!

We got that room put together pretty quick, and it turned out cute.

Then we took a tour around campus and found Emma and Ashley's classes.

We had dinner that night with all my own roomies. Stacy's Hannah was Emma's suitemate so we were excited to get them reacquainted. It was so fun to catch up with everyone! Even Meredith flew in from Arizona. We went to Crumbl for dessert, but Emma started having a hard time. I went in to say goodbye to my friends and then we drove around with Emma to settle her down and comfort her. It was a heart-wrenching night. She wasn't feeling well again and was nervous about us leaving her if she was sick. She was definitely having some anxiety about school. It was all such normal feelings, but none of this had been evident before now. Lee and I were worried sick about her, but we took her back to her dorm and said goodbye for the evening. We went to Robert and Candy's for the night, we enjoyed chatting with them for a bit before going to bed. I didn't sleep much that night, I was too worried.

Emma was doing ok though, and she got up the next morning and happily went to New Student Orientation. We got good reports from her all day. Lee and I met the Leptich's for breakfast at Hruska's. Oh man, it was delicious! Total hit. Lee was in Texas heaven.

Then we went to parent orientation. It began with watching all the new freshman entering the Marriott Center. What a sight! We ran into a few that we know, including Sam.

Look at all those kids! Emma is so blessed to be in there.

We went to the opening session, got lunch, and then went to a few parent classes. Then we hit the bookstore to get some merchandise for the kids.

Then it was time to see Emma one last time and say goodbye. She had a good day at NSO and was feeling better, more confident.

Oh, how we were going to miss this girl that we love so much. Our feelings were bittersweet. It was so exciting to see her off on her adventure and to see her spread her wings, but so sad to know she was leaving our nest. Those 18 years went by way too fast, and I wasn't looking forward to the change that would happen in the dynamics of our family. But we are also so proud of our Emma Mae, and can't wait to see how this year unfolds for her.

I couldn't help but think of my own experience as a freshman at BYU. I knew she would be ok.

But that didn't mean that I didn't cry almost the whole three hours back to Grandma Vicki's house! It is hard leaving your firstborn at college. We got Swig on our way out to drown our sorrows, but that didn't help much. Even worse? We found out Isaac and Grace's class assignments, Isaac was in a class with all of Grace's friends, and Grace was with all of Isaac's friends. Ugh. I knew they would be disappointed and I didn't want to tell them. Being a parent is hard!!

We had planned on staying another day, but we were feeling a little antsy and needed to get back. Our ward boundaries had changed (again) the week before and Lee's phone was exploding. We decided it would be best to be home well before Sunday. This time it was Grace's turn to crash. See that Crumbl box? That was from the night Emma wasn't feeling well, we never ate those cookies!

We did, however, stop at Hruska's in Salt Lake. Isaac and Grace loved those kolaches just as much as we did!

It was so crazy, and sad, to drive home without Emma. A new normal I guess. It was a good trip, but we all felt a little unsettled. We miss you Emma!

Saturday we worked to get ready for school to start for the twins the next week. We went to the Sunderland's that night for an outdoor movie.

Sunday was a big day for our ward. Because of the boundary realignment, we got a lot of new members. Our ward went from really small to a much more normal size and even more strong. People who live in the Mulino area are now in our ward. We are thrilled to have them, but it will also take some adjustment. They are in the Molalla school district and a completely different community, which means that our ward that is already spread out is even more spread out. We are excited to meet new people and to be able to serve with those we already know and love in that group. Exciting times! Grace got to help in the Good Samaritan drama in Primary on Sunday. She looked like she really did need help!