Table for Eight

Summertime is definitely our favorite time of year here in Utah--especially when we get to spend time in the mountains, on the lake, in the pool ... or on ropes' courses ! (Sidenote: It's not all unicorns and rainbows ... we have boring summer days, too. Promise. They just don't photograph as well. LOL.) Bam and Harriet at the lake near our home. Jr, Papaya, Bam, Lu, and Zu at our ward's Youth Conference (2-day church camp in the mountains = INCREDIBLE). The youth group, their amazing (and cool!) leaders, outside the cabin where they stayed (boys were in tents; girls in cabins). Here they are listening to a speaker (me!). The youth group went to Park City, Utah and ran this incredible ropes' course. Two levels--super high and difficult. Isn't that amazing? (PS: That's the US Olympic bobsled track nearby. They were able to also watch the alpine ski team practice. They land their jumps in a POOL!) We think Elder Meehan is al...

My favorite anniversary card ever--the Up! couple. Yesterday Dave and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary.  Twenty-third! That truly seems impossible! I can remember so many details of our lives together; every memory feels so close. Not 23 years ago. It's wild. We decided this year that we would keep our anniversary low-key. For one, because it fell on a Sunday and that's a usually a family day (and kind of busy day for us with church and church meetings). And  for two, because the last few years have felt like huge anniversaries for us. (Two years in a row we were both overseas with Survivor: first Samoa and then the Philippines.) Anyway, my point !  We had a really good day, thought a lot about the last 23 years, and had fun exchanging smaller gifts. (For fun, we set a $15.00 limit to see how we could do.) Dave gave me a candle (I love candles) and a cool cookie dough scoop. And I got him a shirt and some Reese's cups.  Small, but perfect ...

Day before Lus bday. (beginning the celebration a day early because her older siblings are going to a youth activity). It's been a BIG Birthday Party week here. First Lu's friend C had her bday party--and the next day Lu had hers. It was back-to-pack parties! Today is Lu's actual bday, which she is pretty happy about. Something about being the youngest of 6 makes ya long for hitting those bigger numbers. And at least for the next 6 months, she and Zu will both be the same age, so technically she's only the youngest kiddo for 6 months of each year. And she can handle that. LOL. Here are some of the photos from C's bday, Lu's bday, and then a few from Father's Day, Papaya and Bam's last youth group activity at church, and Elder Meehan's letter this week from the mission field. Have a happy weekend! Our older kids are off to a cabin for a youth activity this morning (ropes course = awesome), I am speaking Saturday morning, and then Sunday...

Lu and cotton candy--which maybe should have been her middle name: Lu Cotton-Candy Meehan (Wow, does that bambina LOVE her cotton candy.) Happy almost-Bday Lu! We are so excited to celebrate your 11th Birthday with you! We hope it's a beautiful day/week and that you know how special you are to all of the people who love your guts (our family, your extended family, your friends, and your birthfamily--that's a lot of love for one kiddo!). In honor of your Bday, I thought it would be fun to list some of the things we LOVE about you at this age: Top 11 Things We Love About Lu 1. She wakes up happy. 2. She is happy 99.9% of the time. Not your average happy--a kind of JOYFUL happy. 3. She's always--always--willing to help her siblings. Lost wallet? She's the first to help them find it. Need someone to get the mail? She's on it. Need someone to water the garden or deliver bread? She's the first to offer. 4. She's thoughtful. I th...

My brother, my nephew, and MY Dad. Happy Father's Day Dad! I love you and hope it's a great day. You deserve it. XO XOX PS: Here are some of the things I love about my dad: * He loves to read/learn. * He is a hard worker. In addition to having a super long commute for a good chunk of his working years, he also woke up at about 4-5am six days a week for work. And I really can't think of time when he missed work. I know he probably had a sick day or two--appendicitis--but other than that, he was completely devoted to his work. * He and my mom are best friends and equal partners in life. My brother and I were born in the 1970s--when many women were just beginning to work more and more outside the home. My mom and dad managed to balance a great family/work life for our family. * He is a great grandpa. I don't think my parents ever imagined they'd have 10 grandchildren, but they are super grandparents, so it makes perfect sense! Our kid...

With Father's Day this Sunday, I wanted to take time on the blog to share a few of memories/thoughts about my two favorite dads: Dave ( not my dad , haha, but a super important one in my life) and my own dad, Gary. I thought I would begin with Dave today  and then write about my own dad on Father's Day, Sunday. Happy early Father's Day Dave and Dad! I love you both to the moon and back! Thing I Want Our Kids to Remember About Their Dad Dave and the kids, 2014. (PS: This is hilarious to me, but 2 of my favorite impromptu photos of our family include my BFF Whittney's son in them. LOL.) * Your dad is the hardest working person I know. He volunteers for all assignments (Clean the church at 7am on Saturday? SURE! Mow the neighbor's lawn? SURE! Help 2000 people move? SURE.). He works a full-day (and loves Adobe). He does the best work he can in all situations. And he doesn't complain. Whenever someone compliments one of you...