Jayden's Armenia bound

Instead of sending Jayden off to Utah and the MTC from Pasco, we drove him down so we could spend some quality time together. Quality it was! We left Saturday late afternoon and made it to Boise where we checked into our new favorite "cheap night's sleep"...at the Sleep Inn. It was awesome. Bed's (and pillows) were great and the shower was warm. Even had a nice breakfast the following morning of scrambled eggs and biscuits with gravy. Can't beat that.

Sunday, after breakfast we drove on down and stopped in Brigham City to take some pictures and see some sights before driving on up to the ski resort in Eden. The new temple is absolutely breathtaking. The town was all decked out for the holidays! It was fun to drive around and see all the different decorations.

Brigham Temple

We stopped in Ogden for dinner and then checked into our condo where we snuggled in for the night. It's an amazing resort with all the comforts of home. The view was awesome. Fortunately, the roads were clear and dry and it didn't snow much while we were there.

Dad and Jayden

 View of Powder Mountain

 Our bedroom upstairs was huge!

Jayden settling in

Monday, we drove on down to Salt Lake and walked around temple square. There was an almost surreal feeling around about us; knowing that in just a few short days, we would have to say goodbye and be separated for two years. It was bittersweet.

Jayden and Dad at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

 Father & son, forever and ever

Mother and son

Temple square was festive and the lights were beautiful. We loved walking around taking it all in. We were trying to capture moments in everything we did. Jayden wanted to eat lunch at the Lion House so we did that. It was fantastic! We went to Deseret Book and bought him Armenia scriptures and had them engraved. We didn't want the day to end. 

Salt Lake Temple

For dinner, we met up with Dad's old missionary companions, Rob Thompson and Steve Solberg and their wives at the Red Iquana. What a place!! The food was so amazing they had people lined up behind the block. Fortunately, they were there early and had a table waiting for us. Good times. (I ate a salad smothered in prawns...omg).

On our way back to the lodge, we met up with John's niece Stephanie and nephew, Kevin with his wife Melanie (and kids) at a convenience store. It was so much fun reconnecting with Steve's kids. Jennifer wasn't able to come but her husband, Dave brought the kids to meet us. So fun!! They are so awesome. We committed to not let so many years go by before we visited again. 

 Jayden, John, Kevin and Stephanie

Tuesday, we got a late start because it snowed overnight and it was an icy commute into Salt Lake but well worth the effort. We did a session at the Salt Lake Temple. Neither Jayden nor I had ever been so it was powerful to say the least. Afterward, we walked around temple square again, taking in the visitor's centers and talking to several of the Sister Missionaries: getting Jayden all excited about his adventure! We ended our evening visiting with our good friend, Lucy! (which I didn't get pictures of, darn it!)

 Truly a missionary!

I cannot express in words the ache and void that filled our hearts as we stood across the street of the MTC (missionary training center) while we said our goodbyes. Jayden was strong, and kept his parents from falling totally apart :) So like him... We love him so much and are so proud of the choice he's made to go and serve the Lord in the great country of Armenia. We pulled it together long enough to send him off, then John drove around the building and parked the car where we sobbed our hearts out. We cried all the way home and for three days after, literally mourning over the separation. As time moves on, we're learning to celebrate the beautiful man he's become. Carry on Elder Cornett!!

Thanksgiving at the Thorn's

It was a final holiday for Jayden before his mission and we spent it with Karen, Travis and the kids. The Olsen's joined us, which was so great. Of course, the food was spectacular and filling. Our hearts were a little heavy as the impending trip loomed ahead. Time with Jayden was coming to a close and we felt the emotions. Good memories...

 Cindy hanging out with the kids

 Kevin and John into some deep conversation, as usual

 The Olsen's with Jayden

Cannon Beach

It was our final trip to the Oregon Coast with Jayden before he goes on his mission. Another "last". A big thanks to Karen who was able to score our accommodations from her boss! It was an awesome room! We stayed at the Inn at Cannon Beach and our room was connected by a porch to Karen and Travis'. They were beautiful and nearly new; had two awesome queens, a fireplace and an enormous bathroom. Colby bunked with us so he didn't have to sleep on the floor:) We had a complimentary breakfast each morning and could even rent videos.

John, Jayden, Shyane and I left Thursday afternoon and stayed in Longview so we didn't have to do our heavy traveling on Friday, which left more play time. We took our time and toured a little of Longview, and then drove over to Long Beach so we could check out the town, shops and museum. Karen and Travis met us there when they got into town. Of course, we had to sample some scrumptious homemade clam chowder.

On the way over to Astoria, we went through Ilwaco ~ a little city of about 950 that sits on the Long Beach Peninsula. There are fishing charters and a processing business right on the bay. Hence, the photos of John's dream job. Afterward, we went to Astoria where we had to get our pictures taken at the "Goonies" house!

The weekend consisted of shopping, playing at the beach, eating lots of fun food and spending time together. It was a good time to capture these memories in our hearts. Saturday afternoon we drove on down to Oswald State Park where John proposed to me back in 1994 and played on the beach there. At night, we dropped the kids off at the Fun Center in Seaside and the adults had a wonderful dinner at McKeown's Restaurant down the street. The food was fabulous and it was a time to relax, reflect and be grateful.

There seemed to be a lot of emotions during this weekend. I know for me personally, I was trying to hold Jayden close, to remember everything we were doing so that I can draw on these memories when he's gone.

Camping at Jubilee Lake

We're doing a lot of "lasts" before Jayden heads off on his mission. We wanted to get a camping trip in so we headed down to Jubilee with Karen, Travis and the kids where we're guarnteed to catch fish...which we did. We snagged over 50 trout! Weather was beautiful and it was so relaxing. 

 Kenzie got a boo boo...

 Tracen being a little dork

 Colby loves fishing with Grandpa

 Karen lookin' cute

 Grandpa was playing monster with Tracen

 Total goofs

 Grandpa teaching Tracen to tie his shoe

Grandma feeling blessed

On Sunday, we took our time coming home; heading down to Lake Wallowa and stopped in Joseph, Oregon for lunch.

On the way home we ran into a horrendous storm that forced us to hide behind a large warehouse in Pendleton until the winds died down. We had 70 mph winds that nearly ripped our canoe off the truck! It was crazy. By the time we reached Umatilla we were on empty and pulled in to get gas. Unfortunately, there was no power anywhere so...no gas. We said a little prayer and drove 30 miles on an empty tank and made it. The Lord is always watching over us.