ELI'S RECIEVES HIS ENDOWMENTS!

 Exactly one month before he is set apart as a missionary Jared go to escort Eli through the Gilbert, Temple. Jared was smiling every time I looked at him throughout the session. Jared said when he was going through the veil he was so emotional and almost couldn't speak because he knew that Eli was watching him and that was a very special and overwhelming feeling for him. 

When we were in the Celestial room, Brother Brooks got emotional telling me how special and different Eli was. Even when he was scared to do things, he still does them and with a smile on his face. He said how of course Eli wants to be cool in front of his friends but a lot of times after Mission Prep Eli would go up and ask very insightful, deep questions. Brother Brooks knows Eli is very special and different and that he is so prepared to serve his mission. 

We were so lucky to have Grandpa and Grandma Jensen, Kara, Shawn, Jacob & Ranae there! Sadly, Grandpa Rodgers was having a rough day and couldn't make it so Grandma needed to stay with him. Kati, Amber and Chloe also came to support Eli and they are some of my closest friends so they became my family and sat with me. It meant the world to me! 

Afterwards we went out to eat at Cafe Rio and Eli was being so kind, but I knew he secretly wanted to book it out of there quickly to go meet friends to play basketball so we let him leave! Eli is very special indeed and we love him so much! This is a day we will never forget!

BABY SHOWER BUILDING BONDING!

 Kati and I found something we want at the shower and we needed Jared to build it. I went with him to Home Depot last night and then today decided it would be a good little bonding experience for Eli and Jared to do it together. Admittedly, it wasn't Eli's favorite thing....but in between using the brad gun and wood cutting....him and I would lift weights, I would secretly take pics of him and he would get annoyed, then we would tease Jared....and it just made the night a little more fun! Love these 2 and the time they get to spend together! 

KALEB COMES!

 Another summer with a visit from Kaleb Dommer! The boys love this week...they stay up late, all crash out together in the BRO, sleep on the sleeper sofa and run around and do whatever! The only pictures I got this time was on Sunday when some friends came over for dinner and then the missionaries came over for a discussion and homemade ice cream! 

SAYING GOODBYE TO FRIENDS

 The boys spent some time with Seth before he left for his mission and Jake and Eli went and hung out with Braxten the night before he left for the summer to BYU...one last round of Bouncy Bouncy! 

HAWAII DAY 9!

 Day 9:

It's the day we go home...the saddest day. Normally Jared and I are ready to go home...but this vacation...we could have stayed longer! It was hard to believe that the vacation we were dreaming and hoping to take for the last couple of years had finally come to an end. Hawaii was beautiful, amazing and relaxing, but my most favorite part...getting away from life with my family and just spending time together! We listened to Tyson's punk playlist every day in the car, we laughed, we teased, we ate, we bonded! This might be our last family vacation with just the 5 of us....bittersweet! 

HAWAII DAY 8!

 Day 8:

The twins turned 17!!! no matter how big they are getting they are still and forever my babies! We took the boys to Ted's Bakery for the best breakfast for their birthday! The boys saved the best for last...they spent the day cage free shark diving! They take a boat ride out to the middle of the ocean and the sharks are used to the sound of the motor and that it means there will be food so they instantly start coming around. The boat puts a big stick of chum in the water and they put a rope in the water and they tell the swimmers if they yell get to the rope then you have to immediately get to the rope. While Jared was swimming head on towards a shark (a no-no) another shark started swimming up to the side of him and was about in an inch away from biting his arm, but the safety swimmer saved him and pushed the shark away! The sharks were about 10-12 feet long! I didn't want to swim with sharks because I don't like snorkeling so I spent the day at the beach on the Ritz Carlton again enjoying my umbrella, chair laying out, reading my John Stamos book, and my nachos from the bar! I snagged my last shave ice from Kula Shave Ice  and the boys wanted fancy drinks from the bar so I got them some fancy virgin "Lava Flow" drinks and some edamame to end their big day! 

HAWAII DAY 7!

 Day 7:

Eli was dying to hit at the Arnold Palmer Turtle Bay Golf Course at the Ritz Carlton so Jared took Eli and they got up early and went to hit at their practice course and he loved it - he said it was so nice! When they got back we grabbed some early lunch and then it was off to the Polynesian Cultural Center! The boys loved it! We watched some shows at the different islands, sampled all the food we would find, tried a bunch of different games (shuffle board, checkers, wheel through some pins), played the drums, went fishing, threw some spears, got some fake tribal tattoos, took some ukele lessons, went paddle boating, etc! Finally it was time for the buffet...the boys LOVED it! They said everything was the best! After that we enjoyed our great seats at the "Breathe of Life, fire and dancing show"!