Travis & Stephanie Evans Family: July 2023

Collin and Weston did dive again this summer and did great! They had the early practice times at 6am Monday-Thursday so props to them for getting up early during the summer! At their last, championship meet, Weston took 2nd place and Collin took 1st! Woohoo!

Weston went to Flagstaff with the deacons for YM camp and did the ropes course, hiked Mt. Humphreys and went to the lava tubes. Travis is still one of the advisors so he went too!

I signed Weston up for a loooot of camps this summer. I think he got a little burned out. Especially from this baseball camp because it was just too dang hot to be outside. At least the Highland volleyball camp was inside!

Finally time for a new dishwasher! Ohhh the new one is so nice! No broken, rusted off prongs. And it has THREE levels! Love having the top one for long serving spoons and such. I giggled seeing the monster truck it was delivered on.

The disposal bit the dust. Everything is breaking! for me, Travis is Mr. Fix-it-Man and installed a new one himself!

The Shaheens and Kings came to Scottsdale for the holiday weekend so we met them at their resort, the Westin, on July 3. Our kids are very familiar with that pool now! These kids together make me happy!

That night, Maren invited all the Spark girls over for a make up tutorial night! She had a friend come to teach the girls how to apply their own make up. I will love not having to do it anymore. It's all good when she's happy with it but if she's not, then sparks fly haha!

The 4th of July fell on a Tuesday this year and with Olive's Nationals starting the next day, we stayed in town. Cheers to patriotic ice cream floats and fireworks with the Connors!

Tanner sporting some cute, new swim shorts from Abbey's store!

Millie sent me this picture of Olive and Emerson at dance and I don't know why, but I love it so much. These girls work hard at dance. I'm glad they have each other.

NRG Nationals were at the Westin! Inspire only participates every other year. This was our first year to do it. I was doing this dumb metabolism reset diet so I packed lots of beef jerky and cucumbers and eggs and was pretty much miserable. The overall experience was fun though! Olive and I got a room and I was looking forward to some down time to get caught up on blogging! Well, there was a lot less down time than I expected. So much going back and forth between classes and making sure we were where we were supposed to be. There were a LOT of girls and I think the convention classes were crowded and Olive felt overwhelmed at times. She also won a scholarship earlier in the year so she was in extra classes to fine tune a dance they would perform at the closing ceremonies. She had to learn it at home before Nationals and oh boy that was not my favorite. She didn't think she'd ever get it down so I was her personal coach and cheerleader for all of it. Lots of tears and meltdowns. I knew she would be able to do it though and of course she did! The bummer was that once they were at Nationals, they divided the girls up and she didn't get to perform most of the dance she had worked so hard to learn. Pretty frustrating. The girls all did amazing on their Spark dances though! Seeing the whole company perform I Can Fly for the last time was emotional! I love that dance so much! I got lots of quality time with Millie and the other moms. The first night was a massive Zombie party. Professional DJ, strobe lights, cotton candy machines, drinks, snow cones, huge TV's with zombie videos. I felt like I was at a teeny bopper rave. Every day was a different Spirit Day so we had to pack beach apparel, neon clothes, 80's outfits, etc. There was one day that we actually had a chunk of time to ourselves! So we got ready and she painted an owl in the craft room and we flagged a golfcart to take us down the street to all the shops at Scottsdale Quarter. Found some cute back to school clothes on sale at Gap, got some new shoes at the Van store and got lunch at Shake Shack! There were rainbows everywhere for Pride month which sparked a conversation about all of that. Olive initially had negative emotions associated with the rainbow stuff but after a long conversation I think she learned a lot and is able to see things with more compassion. I was grateful to have that time with her. It's so fun having a daughter! I'm so grateful she loves being with me!

This was my other favorite dance.. My Wish!! So darling and tugged at my heartstrings!

It was our anniversary on Friday and Olive had classes that night which worked out perfectly! Travis picked me up and we got dinner at Dominick's steakhouse. It was so delicious but I couldn't fully enjoy it because of my stupid diet. At least my date was hot. I love him and our life together. I truly couldn't have married a better man. He treats me like a queen and I miss him when he's at work. Happy 17 years to us!

Saturday night they had the closing ceremonies and everyone got dolled up in their fancy clothes. To be honest, I thought it would be more than it turned out to be. Travis came to watch and we took pictures and tried to get a good seat but ended up way in the back. Olive performed but it went quick and we couldn't see super great from where we were sitting. They announced final awards and boom it was over. Kind of anti-climatic. We had already cleaned up our room and taken everything out to the car (no small feat!) so we were able to just go home! Nationals... check! So proud of my tiny dancer and all she's accomplished this year. She really is a beautiful dancer with so much spirit and talent. It's a big joy in my life to see her progress and shine in this way!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Tanner was living his best life as a Figueroa!! Seriously though! Marcie saved me by having him over for several days while I was gone and Travis was working. She's the cutest mom and homemaker. I mean, who lets 4 kids on the kitchen counter to help bake?!

Summer is expensive!! QT drinks and snacks for the win.

How can earth get this hot? True love is cheering your kid on at a swim meet. Let's go, Olive!

Collin is going to high school so he finally gets to switch from a Gabb phone to an Apple phone. He is next level thrilled. The guy who helped us looked like Jefferson's doppelganger. I couldn't believe it. Even his pleasant demeanor was similar.

Took Weston in for his allergy tests. He lit up but thankfully handled it better than Tanner. We are going to try the allergy shots for him. His normal existence is a stuffed up nose. He doesn't even know any different, poor guy. Even though it's years of shots, it will be worth it if it helps him the rest of his life.

Someone showed me this girls' Instagram account and it's fascinating. She's a hospice nurse and wrote a book about her experiences. LOVED IT. I basically read it in a day. All about spiritual phenomena when people are close to the veil and the lessons it's taught her. Highly recommend.

Dieting sucks. They end.

I don't remember why I made key lime pies. Hankering for them? Saw a new recipe? Who knows. It's been almost a year haha. But I made these pretty pies and gave them to bishop's family and someone else I think and then we got one!

Visiting Grandma Ann and enjoying her fun toys!

Back to school shopping at Tilly's! Weston is going to be a big middle schooler! I went to the parent orientation at Greenfield and was disappointed that they've altered the dress code to allow midriff shirts and hats. They're giving up the fight I guess.

Back to school father's blessings for these kids.

Tanner cracked me up. He went running and fell HARD, flat on his face. I thought for sure I'd hear him burst into tears. Instead, his arm swung back and he gave us a thumbs up, haha.

Birthday time!!! I don't usually need to make a fuss over my birthday, and going to Israel was our big hurrah, but for some reason I just wanted to be doing something on my actual 40th birthday. I remember texting my friend last year on her 40th and she was at her kids' soccer game and I was like, nope. I will not be doing that when it's my turn. I felt super guilty planning a trip when I had just gone to SLC with my sisters and mom and would be going to BYU education week next month, but it is what it is. I was due to see Rachel anyway and I didn't need to be doing anything spectacular, I just wanted to see her! And her new house!! And with Southwest points, the flights were free. They had lived in Allen for 6 years and then moved to Rockwall to be closet to one of Doug's offices. They bought 10 acres (I think) and remodeled the house last summer. It was so pretty inside! Fresh, new kitchen and decorated to perfection. Rach has excellent interior design taste. They took me around the property to see the pond and all the pecan trees. Then we went... where else.... Torchys!! My fav! After that, Rach and I went and got couples massages haha. It was a little cheaper booked that way. So relaxing!

The kids put a sign on my room; so cute! And I died laughing at this owl that Doug's mom had saved for decades then gifted to them.

We stayed up late talking then I woke up to the whole family singing Happy Birthday to me in bed! I didn't have my contacts in and was so disoriented haha. I feel bad I think I was so surprised I didn't react how I normally would have. They wanted to sing before they had to leave for the day. Doug was taking them to their things while Rach and I took our time getting ready. She had decorated the fireplace SO CUTE and had gotten me donuts and put them all displayed cute on a cake stand! It was all adorable! So many presents too! I opened them all throughout the day. We started by going to get our nails done then got lunch at the yummiest restaurant.. Standard Service. The salad I got was out of this world! I couldn't believe how delicious! As we were walking to the car I got a text from Camilla. She had made a music video with her family and I about died from laughing. Brandon was shirtless with suspenders and even Pippy was in on it. Her antics are way beyond anything you can imagine! I can't believe I landed a friend like her!

Next we went shopping! It's funny because the mall looked like a plain, boring building from the outside but it was full of the fanciest stores on the inside! I told myself I needed more "going out" clothes! Guess what I walked out with? A new exercise top.

Rachel booked us a room at a pretty resort that I guess used to be a Ritz Carlton but is being rebranded. It was a really pretty property and the weather was amazing. The staff had a pretty cake for me too! Rach thought it was hot but compared to AZ, it felt like heaven! We got all ready in our Barbie gear and pink lipstick and headed for the movies! The Barbie movie came out TODAY so obviously that was where we needed to be! I had very low expectations and was pleasantly surprised... I laughed a ton! I thought is was really entertaining; perhaps a bit long, but overall a win! Many thanks to Ryan Gosling. ;)

After some dessert, we went back to the hotel and talked the night away. I also finished opening my presents! Rachel spoiled me big time. She gave me a pretty, glass drinking bottle with my name on it, a NY Yankees hat (all the rage right now), a LuluLemon cross bag, and .. darn it, I'm forgetting something. But then it was time for one more present she had me save for last. A book. A book filled with messages and pictures from my friends and family! My jaw fell open. I had not been expecting this. I started reading and the tears came fast and hard. I couldn't believe this! So much love I couldn't hold it all in my heart. I felt so overwhelmed and special and cared for. Rachel is amazing! That she thought to put this together for me meant the WORLD. I honestly don't think I've ever felt so loved in my entire life. Truly. It had been the BEST day with my best friend and now I was being swallowed up in a virtual hug by everyone I loved most. I couldn't imagine a better day, ever. I couldn't even sleep because I just marveled at how anyone could be as lucky as I. Turning 30 we had just moved to Gallup and I thought my life was over. If only I had known what was in my future!

The next morning we grabbed a yummy breakfast then soaked up the sun, poolside! My happy place!

I forget the name of the restaurant we went to for dinner but it felt like Whiskey River Cake. Maybe it was haha! We stayed up late talking again and then I caught an early flight Sunday morning to make it to church on time. I found out our Relief Society teacher couldn't make it so I got to prepare a lesson on the flight. It was the perfect weekend and I'm so grateful for Rach and all she did for me!

Collin was at FSY in Flagstaff with McGuire the week I went to Texas. I was going to have to drive them up, but we found out that CJ Cottrell was driving Jackson to a baseball tournement at the exact same time and he offered to take them. Oh my goodness, what a tender mercy! I really hate driving and it was so nice to not have to leave the other kids alone all day long! Then, because the Evans were in Flagstaff that week, Collin got to hang out with them on Saturday and caught a ride home with them on Sunday. I'm so glad he got to spend a little time with his cousins!

As we pulled in the driveway from church on Sunday, the entire Porter family was on our driveway in the sweltering heat, playing kid instruments and singing a happy birthday song to me! They had hung signs all over the yard and embarrassing pictures of me. I was dead! Camilla goes way above and beyond!

The Connors have invited us to the lake so many times over the years but we've never been able to. Well, finally it worked out, although Travis was at work. We met them at Canyon Lake and had such a good time! They go big when they go to the lake. They grilled burgers half way through the day and had lots of fun drinks and snacks. The kids loved cliff jumping and getting bounced off the tube. We put down the anchor several times to just swim and enjoy the water. Janice is so much fun to be around. We had to leave a bit earlier than we would have liked to get Olive to dance but it was still a full, amazing day!

First day of school was Tuesday, July 25 for the younger three! Gilbert district goes back early! Collin still has two weeks left. Tanner is in 1st grade with Mrs. Parker and Olive is in 5th grade with Mr. Moore. Their first year at Greenfield Elementary. They both looked so cute! I can't believe Olive is in the grade I taught. I made the traditional Mickey Mouse pancakes for breakfast. First, I drove Olive and Tanner and waited with Tanner until his teacher came to pick up his class. He was being very brave but I could tell he was so nervous. His face looked really sad and he just stood in line like he was waiting for his sentencing. I saw some tears but he didn't cling to me or fight it at all. He accepted his fate. I was so proud of him being brave like that! Once they walked in, I raced home to get Weston and drive him to school in time.

Celebratory after school treat at Dairy Queen! I was nervous for Olive because she was really sad to move from ALA to Greenfield but she had a great first day and already has lots of friends! The boys seemed to like their day too!

Even when I try my hardest to prepare healthy, balanced dinners, look what shows up...

Doritos.

Collin was ready for a haircut. He wanted the trendy, mullet/mohawk look. I didn't really know what I was doing, but it turned out good! He approved and that is hard to get. He was actually really liking it and he gave me a look that took me right back to a look he'd always give me as a toddler!! I even found a picture.

Our fridge got very decorated this summer!

Family camping kind of fell apart but the Montagues and Lindbloms were going on the same weekend and my Dad and Marcie's family drove up for the day. Grandpa let the older boys come too! Lucky Weston got to miss a day of school.

Fancy, new Bentgo boxes for lunch!

Olive said the music teacher told them that if they didn't do strings or band this year, music was going to be so boring and no fun. So annoying that she'd say that. I had no interest in her learning a new instrument. She never practices piano! But she wore me down. There was a music shop in a random shed a mile away for a nominal monthly fee so we got her a violin.

Birthday dinner in honor of us July triplets! They went to see the Barbie movie afterward which I wish I could have done but I was driving a lady in our ward to work. Her name is Christine and she's been having car trouble so I've been driving her to and from work the past couple of weeks.

Family lake day! We stayed on the Goodman's boat mostly but Grandpa's boat was out there too! Travis tried wakesurfing with Olive and her shrieks and facial expressions were hysterical!

We got the kids Venezias for dinner but we have been wanting to try the new Torchy's restaurant that just got finished by San Tan mall! I'm so excited!! Although, it was kind of fun to look forward to it when I visited Texas. The queso did not disappoint!

Collin pulled a prank on me pretending he caught a mouse under that bowl! I totally fell for it and screamed when he lifted it up!

I took Collin and Lincoln to Top Golf to treat them during their last week of summer. We ordered yummy food and they taught me how to swing a golf club. It was a lot of fun!