July 2026

July saw us adjusting back to the heat after our trip as well as getting back in the regular routine of work and school.

Megan with a bouquet of trees that grew in the yard while we were gone.

The grass is almost as tall at Artemis!

U, Matthew, Me and Megan waiting for fireworks on the 4th of July

A few pictures of the fireworks through the special glasses they gave us.

Brazil Yum box was good.

Marching Band Camp was the first full week in July. It consisted of 10 hours days Monday through Friday plus 5 hours on Sunday. Welcome back to band!

Megan and Matthew at the performance they did for the parents.

Matthew playing the baritone. Can you spot Megan behind his bell?

We did a lot of driving with Megan and Matthew (Matthew got his permit when we got back from the trip). Megan liked driving by temples.

The band performed during the new student orientation.

Matthew loves Artemis!

One longer drive took Megan and U by the Mesa and Gilbert temples.

Yum to milkshakes!

We went to Tucson to help Sarah out and brought Lionheart back with us for the weekend.

Lionheart with the teepee we gave him for his birthday.

Teepee, Bluey couch and blanket: what more could a 2 year old want?

Sarah and Lionheart

Lionheart walking with determination!

Lionheart and Matthew on Lionheart's trampoline.

Matthew, Lionheart and Megan

Lionheart and Matthew eating their subs. Lionheart did a great job eating his!

Lionheart sharing with Grandma.

Few pictures from a trip to the park with Grandpa.

He wanted to go to the sprinklers so they did. And they got wet. 

Lionheart walking home from the park.

Matthew, Lionheart and Megan watching Cars.

Lionheart loved playing with the cars!

Uncle Matthew spinning Lionheart around.

Lionheart likes going in the dog crate.

Cheese!

Snuggles with Matthew!

Megan, Matthew, Me, Lionheart, U

Lionheart wakes up ready to play.

We'd moved Lionheart away from the light switch but he figured out how to get a longer reach with the spoon. He still couldn't quite reach it but it was a valiant effort.

Megan with her red face after outdoor marching band rehearsal. Her answer if you ask if she put on sunscreen: YES!!!

We see these little DoorDash robots driving around. They are cute!

Finland Day 9: Jyväskylä, Lahti

 We left the lake cottage and headed towards Jyväskylä where we saw some of the places U worked and ate lunch at Rax Pizza Buffet. U has fond memories of eating there as a missionary although it had moved to a different location.

Matthew, U and Megan at the church in Jyväskylä.

U by the door to his apartment.

His apartment is in the center of the picture with the blue railing and is not glassed in.

Megan, U and Me at the church on our way back to the car.

Matthew taking a nap on his sister as we drive to Lahti.

Once in Lahti, we headed straight to the ski jumps. The elevator to get to the top of the high ski jump was long--it took about 39 seconds!

View from the top of the ski jump. I do not want to go down! It is so steep!

Megan and Me with the view over Lahti

We went to the ski museum which was quite fun. Mostly we played with the biathlon and ski jump simulators.

Matthew and Me doing the biathlon while Megan watches.

Me giving 2 thumbs up as she got the 9th longest jump of the day.

U got the 10th longest jump.

Proof of placement

And then Megan jumped into 3rd place!

Leaderboard with Megan in 3rd.

They had a lot of ski memorabilia including this display which showed how skis have developed over time. 

Looking up the ski jumps.

U and the Lahti sign

Matthew and Megan in the Lahti sign. You can see the ski jumper statue to the left of the photo.

Me, Matthew, Megan, U

U at the church in Lahti

We then drove to the Helsinki Temple where we took a lot of photos.

Megan, Me, Matthew, U

Matthew, Me, Megan

This patterning reminded Megan of Minecraft.

We then drove to our Airbnb and unloaded the bags. U went to return the car while the rest of us unpacked.

Megan's favorite door: you open it to find keys.

U and Me's bed

Megan's and Matthew's beds. The host matched the duvets to their gender.

Kitchen

Bathroom

Living room with a big tv (approximately 74" tall x 45" wide). Megan noted that the tv was bigger than her wingspan!

Megan and Matthew enjoying the huge tv.

U's Step Count: 10560