When our Stephenson Reunion was over and most everyone else had to get back to their normal lives, we had a lot of errands to run and projects to do. We always have lists for these state-side visits: stops to Target, favorite restaurants, clothes shopping, as well as driving practice (for Emma), and planned & surprise maintenance at our little house.
With only a few days left with Chris before he had to go back to London, we wanted to fill it with some fun. We were able to get tickets with Chris’s dad, Jed, and Heather to see the Sacramento River Cats, a minor-league baseball team, play. It was the kids first minor-league baseball game and we had a great time!
Pre-Game Smiles
Cami
Caleb
What’s a baseball game without Cracker Jacks?!
Seventh Inning Stretch
Mascot Teasing
Tied until Late at Night
Leaving the Game “Early”
When Chris left for London, Caleb and Emma left for Utah to attend EFY. It felt a little weird being at our house with just three of us, but I had a great time with the younger girls that week.
We spent some time at Grandma and Grandpa’s house to enjoy the pool and yard.
Reading by the Pool
Swinging in the Backyard
We also had a couple outings for some fun activities.
Putt-Putt Golf
Picnic at Sacramento Temple
We had some time at our little house to get ‘to do’s’ ticked off. We had a number of things that fell into disrepair while the house was vacant so we had to arrange to get those fixed. I also took the time to go through all our boxes that we shipped from my parents’ last year. It’s amazing what we store and years later wonder why they were so important.
The girls kept busy as well doing crafts, helping go through boxes, and working on their own talents.
Hannah’s Artwork
I was able to see a few friends from our Roseville days. One was a surprise! One day, while looking at Facebook, I saw that some of our old friends, Dirk & Rory Anderson, were visiting family nearby. We connected and they came over one Sunday afternoon for a little bit. It was so great to see their family . . . with three more kids than when we both lived in Roseville (they are in Utah now).
Dirk & Rory
Anderson Family
When the older kids got back to California, the Brownings had returned from a Utah reunion so there was instantly a need for many cousin sleepovers and activities. The girls spent a lot of time at the Brownings or Grandma & Grandpa’s while the boys took turns at our house or the Brownings. It truly felt like ‘summer bliss.’
During the end of our California visit, we got to drive down to Elk Grove to meet up with my amazing BYU freshman friends, Natalie & Jennie! We met our first summer semester at BYU and have continued to visit whenever we can. The bonus is that Natalie is married to Clay, another of our good friends from that fun summer! It’s so great to get our families together and visit, no matter how short the time!
Natalie, Becca, & Jennie
We filled the rest of our time with work . . .
We helped Grandpa put a water fountain in his backyard.
Cami Mixing Mortar
Emma Filling in Mortar
Caleb Fitting Pipes
Semi-Finished Product
Over the summer we decided to rent out our little house while we are away so we had a few unfinished projects. First, we needed to finish the sprinkler system.
Caleb Digging the Trench
Fitting the Pipes
Once the pipes were all laid, we put in the walkway to the front door. All these projects we won’t get to enjoy for awhile, but at least someone else will!
Mapping out Walkway
Then we had the big project of packing up the house and moving it all into a storage container we bought for the property. We couldn’t have done it without the Brownings help!
Packing up the House for Storage
Emptying out the House
Helpful Boys
Equally Helpful Girls
When the house was emptied, no one ran off. We enjoyed just sitting around visiting and being together. We are blessed with amazing family!
Hanging Out
It was a little sad to say goodbye to our house, knowing it will be someone else’s house for a time. But, we are glad it will be taken care of and used.
Our Little House
To round out our California stay, Emma got her driver’s license!! This was a huge feat living in another country and probably not something we’ll try with the other kids. I think we were all surprised when she passed . . . but so glad it worked out and she reached her goal!
US Licensed Driver
The worst part about our visits are definitely the goodbyes. The Brownings came to Grandma and Grandpa’s to help see us off . After all the smiles, there were many tears as we drove away. We are so grateful for these family times to hold on to!
Liam, Caleb, Jack, Ben
Sydney, Hannah, Lily, Emma, Cami
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