Gone for 2 Years

On Monday we all went to celebrate Trevor’s last dinner with the family for two years. I have only really been attached two missionaries that I have seen off. My cousin Chase left in November and that was extremely hard because I finally realized that my little cousin had grown up. It is a bit of a shock when you realized how fast life passes you by. Well, now it is my second time around and it is still hard. I can’t really grasp the fact that they can’t talk to you on the phone or we can’t just call to see how he is doing. Nor can I grasp that he won’t be back for another two years. I kept telling him when he gets back Gavin will almost be 6! That is crazy within itself for me. I am really still fascinated by the concept of being gone for such a long time, it’s not like they went away to college and you can go and visit them, there gone. I don’t know why it is so interesting / difficult to sink in.
Now on to the more uplifting reason for this post, on Monday we all had Mexican food and sat around talked and stuffed our faces. It was really nice to have one last big dinner before he left. I am very happy for him and I know he will do well. I myself have obviously never been on a Mission but I can imaged it would be really difficult at first. Especially those Ethington boys who are such home bodies, according to Troy he along with the rest of the brothers on some level all got home sick. I am sure Trevor will have to endure some of those feeling but they will quickly diminish when he doesn’t have any time to dwell. I will be completing this post in another two years when he returns :) ! (I will also make a post for my cousin Chase, I never took any pictures due to the fact I didn’t carry my camera around like I try to now. I wasn’t really into the blogging world as much then either. Needless to say I am very upset that I don’t have pictures, so I will post something later so that it will be in my future scrapbook. I love you Chase and miss you!)

Ironman Weekend

This past weekend was so much fun, Scott did the Ironman and Lynn and Jake came down form California to show support. But, before the Ironman on Sunday I had a few friends over for a BBQ. I am so glad to have such amazing friends that I am able to be myself around and laugh until I pee my pants. I had everyone bring something and they all did, which was a great help. I gave the assignment to Jared to bring a dessert, holy cow it was amazing. Everyone at the party loved this chocolate cheesecake and it looked so pretty. I am really big on the way foods looks only because I enjoy the presentation so much.
Well, we ate and they played games after. We played this gamed called Buzz and did boys against girls. When it came time for Regan’s turn she was laughing so hard she was crying so she lost us a good turn. In Regan’s defense she loves cats and that was the buzz word, and so for some reason we all thought that was hilarious. I had a blast and was glad that everyone was able to stay late.
On Sunday I went to support Scott in the Ironman, which is an amazing sight. I really am so proud of Scott and everyone else who did it. Last year when I went I missed the swimming portion of the race and Kristen told me that was one of the best parts. So this year we all went early to see the race start. It is amazing footage to see all these people in the water preparing themselves for the day of endurance. The energy is overwhelming and it really was a sight to see. The most humbling part of the race is at the very end when you watch the racers cross the finish line and collapse right after. Everyone was emotional at the sight and a very emotional ending. I was so glad that I was able to be there and was in complete awe of the determination of the racers. GO SCOTTIE!!!

Sand Dunes

This past weekend I had a weekend to myself because Gavin and Troy went to the Sand Dunes with a few of his friends and their kids. I was so excited to have a weekend with myself, although I didn’t spend one moment by myself. Unfortunately this post will be short because I gave Troy the camera to take pictures and they took 4! Oh well, I expected that to happen.

Gavin has been talking about the Dunes for about a month now and I used his excitement as leverage when he would miss behave (too bad it doesn’t work anymore). Friday morning came and at 4am I got Gavin up to get ready and load up. I just want to inform every one that Thursday night I didn’t go to sleep until 1:30am, I don’t know why. Well when I went to Gavin’s room his light was on and he wasn’t in his bed. I was freaking out and thought that someone kidnapped him. I know I over reacted a little. Well I ran in our room to find that Gavin had came in early that morning, I didn’t remember hearing him. That is most likely because he knows that if he comes to my side of the bed I will put him back to in his room. Well he was so tired and didn’t want to get up so Troy pretended he was going to leave that without him. I guess he must have been really tired because he said okay. Eventually he got excited and realized where he was headed. When they all finally left it was about 5:30 and I was so excited to go back to bed and sleep in for a little while. Much to my surprise I couldn’t fall back asleep. I was so tired and knew that I had to leave the house by 10. I finally went back to sleep at 9 and woke up an hour later.

Troy rented a rhino because we thought that the kids would get sick of riding their 4-wheelers. Well they did and they all loved to ride around in the rhino. Gavin came home one Saturday evening and Sunday morning told me how much fun he had. He also mentioned that he loved to watch the bikers jump the hill (his words) “Mom the motorcycles jumped over the mountains and they went vroom vroom just like that.” He has so much fun, I am sure he is looking forward to next time.

Ed and the girls in the rhino at the dunesGavin in the morning just before leaving... it was 4 in the morning that is why this pic is so dark