College Bound + Mission Accomplished

August 2025

College Bound

This month was filled with goodbyes for Aub Daub. She had lots of "last dinners" and "last hangouts" with her friends. They often followed with one or two more "lasts" because they just didn't want to have to say a final goodbye.

I will miss these girls hanging out in our family room four or five nights a week.

Aubrey isn't a big crier, but she was often teary this month. I think that surprised her. She was anxious about roommates, college and the unknown. She was sad about leaving friends and family. I gladly accepted the extra communication and hugs from her coming my way. I also tried to reassure her that everything she was feeling was normal, and that it would all work out. 

Then I would walk through the den where she and her friends were gathered, and my stomach would drop. I would think, "What are we going to do without our crazy girl? It's going to be so quiet around here." And then I would reassure myself that everything I was feeling was normal and that it would all work out.

Maci & Aubrey

Saying goodbye to Tanner, Erin, and Kaide was tough-especially Kaide. Aubrey doesn't want to miss out on all of the cute things he says and does, and she doesn't want him to forget her.

She stopped by Gram and Grandpa's and had a final Sunday night farewell with the Birdies. She got emotional hugging Britney, who is not only her aunt but also her dedicated seminary teacher for the past several years. She was also super sad saying goodbye to Hudson. They are buddies. I think she felt a little guilty about abandoning him on future Sunday nights.

Back: Braddock, Brit, Aub, Hudson, Adam  Front: Char & Ella

Aub & Ella

This was pretty much how she said goodbye to me. Fitting! Wrestling is our love language. Well, it definitely was our love language for years, until my back became delicate. She showed no mercy on this day though.

Mission Accomplished

While Aub was saying her goodbyes this month, we were able to fly to Idaho to welcome home our nephew, Max. He has been serving in the Washington D.C. mission for the past two years. 

I especially loved that Parker, Brinley, and Derek were able to go too. We all stayed in a very compact VRBO. We enjoyed time eating, shopping, taking walks, and playing games together in between the official homecoming family events. We also celebrated Brian's birthday and he (we) received the best b-day surprise. See the post here.

This cute picture at the airport has a pretty hilarious backstory. When Max was a Senior, he ordered a service dog vest from Amazon. The last day of school, he put it on his very large dog and took her to school. The principal and teachers just shook their heads, laughed, and looked the other way.

Well, the family decided they needed to utilize that service vest once again--this time to surprise Max. Their dog is older and was kind of a nervous wreck in the airport, until she realized his long lost bestie, Max, was in the crowd! Pretty sweet.

Kris and Eric know how to throw a party. They had a Saturday night Fiesta for family, and a Sunday lunch for family and friends. We had lots of time to visit with extended family, and I think everyone had a chance to enjoy some one-on-one moments with Max.

Bri, Henry, Derek, Brinley, Max, Parker, me (Erin)

Kris, Macy, Brinley, Me

Some of the Gwilliam girls! Kris is a wonderful sister-in-law. I love visiting with her and wish we lived closer. She has also been the best aunt. She took excellent care of Brinley when she was on her mission and is now is doing the same for Parker when he is in town. Also, Brinley and Macy are good friends (and cousins) and have really enjoyed their BYU years together. 

Jack and Henry-Max's younger brothers. 

Megan, Lindsey, Bri, Parker, Levi, Kaitlyn, Holly & Ryley

Bruce, Denise, Lindsey, Tyson, Megan and her family, and Kaitlyn and her family were able to make it to Max's homecoming as well.  

Bruce and Eric

Max did an excellent job with the limited time he had for his talk. He focused on The Book of Mormon and following the spirit. He shared two really impactful stories about both.  I'm really glad it worked out for Brian and me to fly out for the weekend.