A Little More of June

June 2025 

The littles are now the bigs, and it's so cute.  Charlotte (12) and Ella (almost 10) love playing with the "little Vores" and Kaide. They are awesome to create games, build forts, and play with them all throughout our Sunday night gatherings.

I was sitting out on the back porch when this group was heading into the house.  I overheard this conversation and it made my heart happy:

 Charlotte: "I feel like Aubrey and Lauron.”

Ella: "For real!"

Aubrey and Lauron put in the hours with these two. They would teach them dances, play dresses, make up games and keep the little girls happy and entertained. Now those two little girls are the big girls and continuing the cousinly love.

On Thursdays we have "girl lunch" with Dad. We rotate picking the restaurant and lucky us, it's his treat each time. We visit nonstop about our weeks, our children, Mom, gospel insights, seminary, callings, t-shirts... really anything. My dad shakes his head and chuckles because "girl lunch" is so different than Mondays and Fridays when he goes to lunch with Chris and Kerry. (Brian and Adam are invited but due to work, don't go.) From what I gather, there isn't as much chatter going on during "boys lunch." My dad laughs and says, "y'all never run out of things to talk about."

I'm grateful for my dad who helps us all stay connected. We are going to miss having Angelique at our Thursday lunches.

Father's Day was so quiet this year. It was just me and Brian. Aubrey was out of town with a friend. Tanner and family joined Erin's family that day at the Sandhills. (We can't complain, because they join us every other Sunday evening for dinner and Sunday night.) Parker and Brinley called with well wishes, and Brian was celebrated with gifts and cards throughout the week, but the quiet day might be a little bit of foreshadowing of things to come as empty nesters.

Brian is an wonderful father: helpful, patient and supportive. He is also the one around here who keeps us laughing and helps lighten the mood when things (cough, cough-me) get to too intense. When I asked him for ideas for Father's Day, he mentioned he wanted to get some new fishing supplies when we are in Utah next month. Perfect! I found a YouTube tutorial and folded up a $100 bill so he can purchase supplies in July.

Kaide celebrating when he cut his banana. I sure love this boy and his twinkly eyes and his huge grin. He brings so much joy to our lives.

One last Taco Villa Monday on Wednesday at Chic-Fil-A....while we still have Chris and Ang.

Aub prepping for her Alaska trip. Her new scarf and earmuffs arrived, and she was just testing them out while scrolling on her Ipad.

Speaking of Aubrey's Alaska trip...

Last year, her friend Parker Huse, invited Aub to join her family on an Alaskan cruise. Her cruise room was covered, but Aub needed to cover air fair, excursions and the extra travel days before and after the cruise. Aub saved about $1000 to put toward the trip, and Brian and I purchased airfare and gave her some extra spending money. She had an amazing time in Alaska, Canada and Seattle.

I believe this was Canada. She was in awe of the trees and the overall beauty.

Parker's Mimi surprised the girls with a helicopter ride over the glaciers.

This picture just makes my soul happy. Aubrey says it doesn't even begin to compare to Alaska in person.

Puttingher earmuffs to good use.

My dad was able to be in Utah for Chris and Ang's setting apart. He reached out to the grandkids ahead of time, and they planned a couple of get togethers. The group below rented and rode e-bikes up to Bridal Veil Falls. Brinley said her favorite part was at the top when they got off their bikes, and Grandpa asked them to share their dating stories. She said it was fun to laugh together and share those special memories.  

Shortly after this e-bike adventure, they went to lunch with Chris and Ang before they left to the MTC.

While my dad was gone, I worked evenings from 8-midnight with my mom. That time of night is mostly just backup if she wakes up to use the restroom so I mostly just relaxed. (massage chair, Netflix, etc) 

The first night, when I was trying to follow my dad's evening routine with her, she was not pleased. "Where is Steve?" It was pretty startling to hear because 98% of what she says is not coherent. I loved that she knew and was able to express that her husband was supposed to be the one lying next to her in bed singing a hymn and reading from The Book of Mormon.  

She is so good to love on and take care of her two babies. She usually doesn't sleep with them, but she did two the two nights my dad was out of town.

She also loves this grandkid blanket that is probably 17 years old. She will roll up in her wheel chair and tell them individually how cute they are. In this picture, she was having a little interactive time with her baby and the grandkids.

We had a t-shirt quilt made for Aubrey for graduation. I think it is so fun to have all of these memories sewn together. The shirts on her blanket are from elementary school, Vore family vacations, sports, middle school and high school sports, SIP, girls camp, a Taylor Swift concert, her first job/work shirt and more.

This little boy loves his dada. (And this momma is so proud of her little boy who grew up to be the sweetest dad.)

Caregiving for Gram can make for long days. I work all day on Tuesdays and Fridays. I love it when Brit and girls stop by to visit. It makes for a nice diversion and helps break up the day.

They made it to Cote d'Ivoire.

Celebrating these cute grads

Parker is always on one adventure or the next. He works hard and plays hard-always has.  We are looking forward to seeing him, Bryn and Derek next month.