hey soul sister

she's gone. she's out of my life. she's like the wind.
we tried to have a fun, sentimental weekend, it being the last weekend Cindy was here. We took her to Fremont street and had the time of our lives.
We watched music videos on the world's largest tv screen, saw 17 different Elvises (among other celebrities), ate deep-fried Twinkies and deep-fried Oreos. and best of all, we found a restaurant with a mechanical bull... and we made sweet, innocent Aunt Cindy ride it. Is there any better way to say goodbye to Las Vegas than by riding a mechanical bull? I think not. Aaron and I rode it too, but those pictures will be shared another time because this post is dedicated to Cindy. Watch out BYU, here she comes!
oh, and we also found the world's longest french fry. Check it.

This morning we woke up early and hiked to see the sunrise on the mini-mountain by our house.. Cindy left at 7 AM, so we had just enough time to take some silly pictures, play freeze tag at the top of the mountain and say our goodbyes. We did not have enough time to hike back up the mountain to retrieve my glasses that I left on the brick wall just before we took pictures... but again, this post is not about me..
While hiking, we talked about our favorite memories of the summer. We made lots. Our trip to Cali, waking up early for the Oprah audition, the beach, feeding donkeys, Red Rock, the drive-in, smores, museums, our favorite library, swimming, waterslides, shark reef, the mortuary, banangrams, Sonic slushies, Luke's crazy laugh, the petting zoo, Sorry-sliders, Fiddler on the Roof, Zack's love notes, the Adventuredome, Simon loving his second mommy, the time she watched our kids so Aaron and I could go to Florida, the chicken in our garbage can that smelled like a dead body, car problems and the jobs Cindy had this summer. She was an awesome nanny for two different families and made some great money for college. I love her very much and I am so grateful for the three months that we were able to share with her. This summer will be one to remember.

On the way down the mountain, Ben had to point out that I am going to be the ONLY girl in the house again. I told him not to remind me.... but things could change if he wanted to get an operation. He looked at me and said, "Nah" as if I had just offered him a piece of candy, which made Cindy and I laugh. I've loved having someone else love and laugh at my kids like I do. She has gotten to know them all so well. Zack was too tired to get up this morning (my bad, Cindy and I took him to Walmart with us at 11 pm because he's been Cindy's "store buddy" all summer and he wanted one last roo-ha-ha. Silly mistake.) At 5 am, I told Zack that it was okay if he didn't come on the hike and he sadly said, "Will you tell Cindy that I miss her?" I promised I would.

Good things are coming her way. Whatever she does and wherever she goes, she will make the world a better place. Thanks for hanging with us in the bloody hot heat, Cindy! We love you and we miss you already!