250 Years of America!

This month we celebrated 250 years of America's freedom and independence. I'm so grateful to live in the U.S.A. I love it, it's my home! 

Mom, Courtlyn, and I made sure to go on our walk to the lookout behind our house. I've been on this trail countless times over the last 10 years. Always good conversations as we trek to the top.

And soooo much beauty. I love the Utah mountains.

Temple date at our favorite place. <3 Can't believe it's been five years since we walked out of those doors as newlyweds. We had no idea what was in store for us.

Shawn and Krista were en route to Idaho, so of course we met up at Costa Vida off of I-15! I love these people. I can't believe how much these cute kids change each year. They're the smartest, sweetest, and so full of light.

We got to have a family dinner with GG Wag. I love them so much. It gave Justin and I a chance to sit down with them and really catch up. 

We found out Waffle Love added a new location at the base of Spanish Fork canyon (!!!!). 

Mom had a singles match and killed it!! She inspires me. Tennis is on my bucket list to learn one day. I was so happy to watch a match while I was home. & to catch up with Courtlyn! She has been so busy working and wedding planning. It was nice to have uninterrupted time together.

We had our annual Lindquist/Rowley/Blauer bbq! It was so fun having Mauri and Shelby's families there too. We had World Cup playing and no shortage of yummy food.

Logan had the best night with Ivy Jane. He was so happy to have a friend to jump on the trampoline with. I knew he was having fun because it took some coaxing to get them inside for ice cream. Cute, cute friends. 

Fourth of July morning began with my favorite holiday tradition - Provo parade!! Everyone was in their red, white, and blue, and happy to be celebrating our country's birthday. Logan loved the firetrucks, airplanes, and his sucker.

Justin and I joined the pre-parade for a piggy back contest. We made the podium with 3rd place. Ha! I love my country!

While living and traveling abroad, I've noticed people are quick to judge the U.S. With all sorts of media floating around, it's hard to find truth. There have been lots of videos on social media of individuals visiting the U.S.A. for the first time to attend the World Cup. In these videos, people are apologizing for their pre-conceived opinions of Americans. They had no idea how kind the people are here.

We are kind, hard-working, loving people! 

I loved this thought from a different blog writer. 

I am forever proud and grateful to be an American!! 

Logan Made It To the Farm

After months of FaceTiming Grandpa at the farm and seeing all of the tractors, semis, and other equipment, Logan made it on the backhoe... and four-wheeler and gator. He was in heaven!

I was in heaven too. Teasing Justin about how he probably never thought he would marry a farm girl. We all drove around the farm through the orchards and it was soooo fun. 

One of the best parts of working on the farm was driving to and from our daily assignment.  Cousins and siblings crammed on the gator or four-wheeler, singing country songs at the top of our lungs, feeling fulfilled after spending the morning working together. 

It made me happy to drive that same gator through the same orchards, but this time with my husband and kids. & parents & Andrew. :) 

We stopped by the wedding venue to visit Courtlyn while she was working. Only one more month until her reception is here!!!

Hi sweetie baby Emery!!!! 

It was a happy, fun memory. I'm excited to do it again.

CHAMPIONS!!

Sunday morning, we woke up to a Father's Day french toast breakfast for Dad and turned on Justin's basketball game. It was Game 5 of the Finals!! The whole series had been close and this final game was no exception. 

Justin did amazing. The first half was kind of close but by halftime, Alba was down by 20 points. I was bummed, but also it was okay because we're used to losing. Ha! But they came out in the second half and went crazy!! We went on a 17 point run and closed that gap. 

Everyone's three pointers were going in and we were screaming as we watched it on Dad's iPad. For the fourth quarter we put it back on the TV and couldn't believe what we were seeing. The best, biggest comeback ever. 

Here's some pictures I want to remember from this week.

When his shoe came off during the game but he didn't stop.

We were up by 3 points with 20 seconds left. Justin was fouled and missed BOTH of his free throws. Munich had two attempts at the three and missed them both. This was a relieved, on cloud 9 Justin as the clock hit 0:00. 

That turned into this...!!

& this was our view from home!!!! We couldn't believe it. Champions!!!!! I'll spare you the 34 second video of me screaming, "We won!"

I was so, so happy for Justin and his team. They all play so well together and truly play team basketball.

Coach Pedro

JB34 being named MVP. <3

So proud!!

Another favorite picture. When I got Justin’s FaceTime notification and we celebrated over the phone. 

Justin's team took the train home and arrived at Hauptbanhof just after midnight. Norman and Birgit sent me this picture of them on their way to welcome those champions home at the train station. They're the best!

The next days were full of FaceTimes while Justin packed. Logan was especially excited to see the choo choo train.

The last fan event. Justin holding up his can of beans from a fan.

Sweet Anneliese. Justin gave her his piece of the basketball net he was given. <3

Then, after exactly 2.5 weeks of being apart from our Justin, he arrived in SLC!!!!!!! We had just wrapped up the Wagner family reunion and GG Wag came to the airport with us. 

See all of those legs in the picture above? There were HUNDREDS of people there to welcome home the mission presidents and missionaries arriving from the Manchester mission. Justin came out before all of them. Since we were towards the back of the crowd, I hopped up on the couch, threw up the "bean" sign and yelled, "Justin Bean MVP!" 

It went quiet and everybody looked at me but I didn't care. I was sooooo happy to see Justin. 

So was sweet Logan.

What a season and what a way to finish it out. I am SO proud of Justin and our family. Forever grateful for the person he is on and off the court. 

Go Alba Berlin and go JB34!