hallelujah!

We've had a huge blessing this week: Russell got a phone call Thursday morning inviting him to attend medical school! He'll be starting at A. T. Still University in Mesa, AZ on July 28th. We're so excited for this amazing opportunity.

To do list for the next 2 weeks:
- pack and clean house, sell contract
- figure out how to pay for med school
- tie up loose ends at jobs
- find a place to live
- figure out how to get our stuff there
- vacation to TX for 10 days (pre-planned!)
- the hardest part - say goodbye to family, friends, ward members, primary kiddos, coworkers, and neighbors

A little overwhelming, but we've been waiting for most of the past year to be able to make plans, so we'll take it! Wish us luck.

independence day

we spent the fourth of july at my parent's house and bbq-ed, ran through the sprinklers, played outside, and watched fireworkscalvin chose these sunglasses as his prize at his 18 month doctor's check-up last week

patriotic cousins - alex, calvin and logan

logan and calvin in the pool

running through the hopscotch sprinkler with mom while cousin jake waits his turn

russell and the kiddos

grandpa & grandma perkins and jamie & rich

june

Some highlights from last month...

father's day

calvin showing his dad the card he made

new basketball shorts

calvin loves to try on dad's shoes

we took a last-minute trip to manti for the mormon miracle pageant:

we enjoyed the manti city bbq turkey dinner and had plenty of time to walk around
(it doesn't start until 9:30)

calvin opted out of a nap that day and decided to play chase with dad instead

calvin actually stayed awake through the entire show and then passed out as soon as we got back to the car. this was our first time at the pageant and a nice little adventure. once you get past all the protestors outside the temple grounds, it really is a spiritual experience and i'm glad we decided to go.

random shot of oreo-cookie-face

we had a nice perkins family get-together/birthday party for gramps a couple weekends ago:

unfortunately i only got one candid shot of family before the card was full

handsome birthday boy!

it was so nice to see family that we don't see often enough and remember our grandpa's special day. he is a singular example of hard work, unconditional love, and selfless service.
love you, gramps!