Rylee did a thing

You may have noticed that Rylee has a lot of hair.  A lot of heavy, textured, unruly hair.  She was struggling with it and we finally decided it was worth the investment to take her to a Curly Girl Hair Studio.  It was significantly cheaper to do that in Utah than in San Diego, so I booked an appointment for her in Salt Lake City while we were there.

This awesome gal is Taislee. She was Auh-Mazing! She trimmed Rylee's hair.  She told her what to do to tame her hair.

She explained what products she would want to use and walked her through every step and made sure Rylee knew what to do and how to do it.

We had a one hour appointment booked, but this sweet girl spent two hours with us (she said we were her last appointment of the day) and she was just so fantastic!

And LOOK!!!!  Just LOOK at this!

This is what good product and know-how can do.  Go back and look at Rylee's pictures from the last year and then comeback and look at this.  Such a phenomenal difference!!

Granted, it does currently take her an hour in the shower to properly wash, moisturize, product and plop her hair, but it is totally worth it. And somehow with this process, she can now get away with only washing it every 3-4 days (which I never would have believed possible!). Was it expensive?  Oooooh yes! Was it worth it?!  Another resounding YES!

 

Some other stuff that happened

 

I forgot to mention that this kid had her learners permit for 30 days and was able to pass her drivers test!  She is a licensed driver!

And yes, some of her practice was on this!

Anyway, while in UT, we did stop by our favorite place as much as possible.  

Half the extended family was staying this vacation rental home and it was fun.  Alex discovered a snack and had to show us.  It was pretty cool!  

I went on a little hike.  My awesome friend who was my BYU roommate picked me up so we could go hike.  IT was NOT a little hike!  She that waterfall behind me?  Yeah, that's what we hiked up.

Here is the instigator herself!  We hiked a ways up before a rockfall made it impassable and then we turned around and climbed down and went somewhere a little easier.  

 

Temple Square!

After dropping off Marian, I cried most of the way to Salt Lake City.  And I spent a few days with my friend Steph, and then I met back up with family!  Katie was getting married, so we were all there to prepare for that.  We spent one of the days touring Temple Square.  The Temple was still being renovated, and stuff was blocked off, and it was drizzling.  I may not have had the best attitude, but it ended up being a really nice outing. 

Miley thought Uncle Andy was pretty awesome.

Miley also enjoyed hanging out with my girls.

So, I guess Miley just likes hanging out with everyone!

Callie at the top of the Conference Center with the Temple behind her.

Walking in the rain, but still having fun!

I love that Callie is holding hands with Liza in the stroller.

This is what the Temple looks like, with all the work being done.

Oh yes..... another picture of Miley and another adoring fan!

 

Launching Marian

Marian and I flew into Salt Lake City and then drove up to Rexburg.  It was cheaper for me to get a hotel in Rigby, so that's what I did.  It was great!  I had a glorious roads to run and I could run to Lake Rigby and run around it. 

This was the beautiful sunrise I got to run in.

I also got to take Marian to her new apartment.  I'm standing in her parking lot and can you see what's behind me?!  Its the Temple!

Marian's little room.  This is her desk area.

And her closet area.

And her stupid tiny "dresser" and her bed.

Her super-awesome friend Hailee came over to help her with her classes.

She got settled in.  We made multiple trips to Walmart and got her set up with groceries and sundries. She walked the campus and learned where her classes wold be.  We thought she would have an apartment-mate, but the girl didn't show up till after school started and she rarely came out to socialize. (She lived in a 4-person apartment with her own room.)

On our last day together, we went on campus to take pictures.

I was so proud of her!  She was confident and ready!

And the campus is really pretty.

We did an official photo in front of one of her buildings.

And just did some silly stuff.

Selfie with her in the background!

And this was the final selfie, right before I walked out the door and drove away and sobbed for an hour as I drove back to SLC.

She is amazing and wonderful and so grown up and going to do great with college!

 

Goodbye Pix

We have an odd tradition.  Whenever I leave for a trip, I take a selfie with each of the kids before I go.  Initially, the first time, I told them that this was in case one of us died; that way we would have one last photo.  And somehow this morbid thing has become a tradition.  

I was leaving to take Marian off to college.  The two of us were flying away and I had to say goodbye to Dad and the other three kids.  The girls took one last picture together, and then I got my selfies in.  And then we ran away.