Where did July go?!

July FLEW by, and not because we were necessarily busy, but I think because it signified the last month Cooper would be home. It was packed with trips to the temple(s), Cooper dancing every week (sometimes twice!), TA-ing the lift workshops at ballroom camp, getting mission pictures taken, family float trip, Cooper's farewell 😢 and looooooong overdue family pictures. Each day became more and more precious knowing that there is a quiet countdown until Cooper leaves. I am SO PROUD of him and his decision to serve a mission. He's so excited to serve the people in Iowa. But holy cow, am I gonna miss him like crazy. 

4th of July parade!

                                           

I also finally set up an appointment for family pictures. With Cooper leaving and Amelia most likely getting married soon, I couldn't put it off any longer. The last official ones we took was when Amelia was 7, and Cooper was 4. So, 14 years later, here ya go:

Next up, August. It'll be a difficult one because that's when Cooper will leave--but difficult in the best way. Stay tuned!

A Little Bit Slower June

 The very first thing that happened in June was Cooper receiving the Melchizedek priesthood. He was ordained by his former young men's leader, Daniel Lusk, who he's pretty close with. It was a beautiful prayer and experience. I'm so grateful for Cooper's willingness to be righteous enough to be worthy to receive it. It's already been a blessing in our home. 

The rest of June fell into a pattern of me teaching summer school, Amelia working, and Cooper doing all his "last" things before he leaves in August. I was fortunate enough to go on a short trip to San Francisco with my hallway from work. One of the teachers is single with no children, so she surprised us with the trip--fully paid for. I'd never been to SFO, so it was really fun to see all the sights I'd heard about and always wanted to see. We went to a Giants game, hiked the redwoods, visited the Winchester Mystery house, crossed the Golden Gate bridge, rode the famous trolleys, and finished up with an Alcatraz tour. In between all those fun activities we ate A LOT of sourdough! Here's some pictures:

When I returned, we started getting Cooper prepared to go through the temple and receive his endowment. He went through on June 19th, and we were blessed to have many friends and family there to support him. We have really met fantastic people here in Rexburg, who have loved and supported me and my children while we've lived here. We didn't get very many pictures of his endowment (it was in the evening so most people had to boogey home) but here are a few!

The rest of the month was spent shopping to prepare Cooper for his mission. I didn't know that SENDING your child out cost so much! Plus, Cooper is NOT a shopper, so we had to do the trips staggered a bit. It helped that one of his friends worked at the suit shop, so it made it more bearable for him to try on clothes. 

The end of June Cooper attended a dance workshop on BYU-Idaho campus. One of the girls he danced with at IBA was going and talked him into it. At the end, they had a parent workshop to show what the dancers had learned. Cooper was the only boy in the cha cha group, so he danced with 3 girls. Believe me, he handled it just fine. 

That finishes June! I'm almost caught up, stay tuned for July!

Merry Mayhem May!

 If you thought April was crazy, sit down--May is about to beat that without even trying!  We'll start with Prom 2025. Cooper asked his friend/lift partner Sage. Yes, the same on he took to Homecoming. He kinda likes her. 😉 They had a fun group that made the day and night even better. Cooper had a fantastic time and he and Sage were a beautiful couple. Best thing was they could actually dance at prom, so they tore up the dance floor, even doing a few (careful) lifts! Here's some pictures. 

The very next weekend was Cooper's last performance with Ballet Arts. He played Aladdin in the ballet Aladdin. As with the Nutcracker, Amelia did the choreography for the solo Cooper had with Natalie (Jasmine) and it was a beautiful, fluid, impressive dance!

Jake and Amelia. She likes him a lot.

The next week was busy with school and Cooper's IBA Senior Dinner and Dance. I helped with this because I'm the mother of a senior. Where are my pictures? Well, I don't have any, because it was CRAZY busy. At least for those of us behind the scenes. The seniors had a great time though, and it was a perfect ending for Cooper's ballroom era.

The following Sunday was seminary graduation. It was fun, and a little emotional, to attend. Not only was it a prelude to Cooper actually graduating, but it also was a huge step toward him leaving to serve a mission. 

Treyson and Cooper

That brings us to the first of many tear-jerking, proud, exciting moments this summer---Cooper's high school graduation. Unlike Amelia's crazy weather one, Cooper's was held in the I-Center on campus. Cooper graduated with a class around 420. He, academically, was 167. That's pretty amazing! He could've worn braids to show that achievement, but he didn't care, so we didn't buy them. 😂

It was a fantastic night that I'll never forget. I'm so grateful for the family and friends that attended to support and cheer Cooper on.  This is the link (I don't know how long it'll be posted) if you want to watch Cooper walk: https://video.byui.edu/media/t/1_ku9yu8q8

Here's a few pictures:

They had each seniors picture and name rolling before the commencement started. 

Cooper and Trevor

Ethin, Kendal, and Cooper

Cooper and Treyson

Cooper and Ian

Sage, Cooper, and Sarah

Cooper and Bro. Lusk

Gideon, Treyson, and Cooper. If you didn't figure it out--they are all ballroom boys. 

That night was the all-night party. Now, Cooper is NOT a night-owl. I didn't think he'd make it past 1:00am. Imagine my surprise when I heard him come in at 4:00am, when the party ended. Of course, after I saw his BeReal, I realized why he stayed the whole time:

If you think the fun wound down after graduation--boy, are you wrong! I suffered through the last day of school and then we loaded up our rental van and headed to Layton. Cooper decided he wanted his senior trip to be to Disneyland. Yes, we went last year with the ballroom group, but there were....responsibilities and people we were in charge of that tainted his experience a bit. He wanted to go back and do it HIS way. 

When my sister Katie found out we were going, she asked if their family could join us. After getting Cooper's ok, we planned the whole thing. We did a stopover in Vegas, hit the beach, and closed out the park! Here are some of the highlights:

Dream on, Amelia. But good effort.

Look at those guns! But alas, the sword stayed put.

Cooper on the replica of a pirate ship. He was in heaven.

Cooper related more to Gaston in this restaurant, which, ended up being his favorite place to eat the entire time we were there. 

Amelia FINALLY getting on the top row on the ride Soarin' Around the World. And all she had to do was ask.

Now, I'm not a Disneyland fanatic like some people I know--it's too much money, too much waiting, and too many people for me to really adore it. BUT, I do like it when I'm there. Amelia, Cooper and I started off the first day by rope dropping the Cars ride. It's notorious for over 120 minute wait--but we walked right on using the single rider lane. I ended up being in a car with Amelia, and we raced Cooper at the end of the ride. Then Amelia and I hit the Incredicoaster a few times before meeting up with Cooper to ride Soarin Around the World. Amelia went to get in line for Guardians of the Galaxy  while Cooper and I got some lunch and walked around San FranTokoyo square. Later that afternoon we met up with Katie and her family and hit the rides there. The next day was alllllll Disneyland. Cooper did exactly when he wanted to do, and the trip was a success!

We got home in time for me to attend my teacher workday for summer school, and closed May out. It was a crazy, amazing, fun, emotional, unforgettable month. Take a breath, and June will be up next!