June 2025

 

Gwen and Keerslee at girl's camp

Keerslee, Emma, Bella, and Gwen

Whew!  What a fun-filled month!  Nyle, Ned and Gwen took turns at their camps with the youth in the church.  Then Lincoln had his mission farewell on Father's Day.  It was so great--Lincoln did such a great job, even if he did give his farewell 43 days before he's scheduled to leave.  

Then, right after his farewell dinner, Jodi and Chris whisked the three youngest boys off to Annabella to spend the week.  Gwen went to her girls camp the next day and a few days after that, Zach and I flew off to Tennessee.  

Then, since we were gone the day Lincoln turned 18, we celebrated his birthday on the following Monday when everyone was reunited.  I sure missed my family while we were scattered everywhere.  It was fun to be off doing so much, but I really love my family and love being with them!

Nielsen, Johnson, and Hills cousins hiking to Bouillon falls

West and Ned at a picnic with Aunt Jodi, Sarah, Kaven and Libby

Nyle at Gooseberry Reservoir

Sara

Nyle, Anna, Sara, Ned, and Kaven

Aunt Dallas, West, Elcee, Ned, Anna, and Granpda Hills

Flying kites

West, Nyle, Ned, Sara, Anna, Whit, Zoey, Whit's girlfriend, Libby, and Elcee at Bouillon Falls

Climbing down from the hike

Sara, Elcee, Libby, Zoey, Anna, Whit, Ned, West, and Nyle

Helping out in the Garden

Ned and his "raft"

Libby and West

At the end of the week, these kids had been able to grow so close to these cousins.  They sat themselves boy/girl by age at church.

Getting ready to fly out!

On our property- at the top!

A beautiful neighborhood in Lenoir City

The meadow on our property

Watt's bridge boat ramp access from Crystal Cove

Ayers Building at University of Tennesse

Knoxville Temple progress

Walking through Sedgefield neighborhood

Indications that there are many Native American mounds in the area of our property

Lincoln turns 18!

Lots of gear for his mission was his birthday gift this year!

What we love about 18-year-old Lincoln

• Such a hardworker.  He's been working at Chimera Golf Course for almost 2 years. He always works an 8-hour shift and has learned so much about how to talk to adults from all ages. 
• He loves his siblings, especially West ;).  When the three youngest went to Utah for a week, Lincoln was a bit upset that I allowed them to go and leave him. 
• He's patient.  He's learned this through golf and it serves him well with tennis- which he can now beat Zach in.  He showed patience when he tried to teach me how to play Crash Royale.  I'm not good at it, at all.  
• He still gives me hugs- which I love!  He always tells me he loves me when he leaves. 
• He's an excellent public speaker--he has given quite a few talks in church over the last few months. 
• He'll make an amazing missionary.  He has some good street smarts, and he is dedicated to going out for the right reason.  He even endured receiving extra travel immunizations so he can go.  This is a big deal, since shots usually make him pass out and this time was no different.  I appreciate his dedication and goodness and will miss him terribly. He begins July 28th and leaves us August 6th, for 2 years to serve the people of Guatemala City.