Funnest Summer Yet

We are having the best summer.  Our yard is finally manageable, beautiful and so enjoyable to sit and enjoy.  It has taken a long time to reach this state, which makes it all the more rewarding. (pics to follow).  We have been able to do alot of travelling to see family and friends whom we have missed the past two years.  And we are having a great time just being at home to enjoy beautiful weather and get together with our family whenever we want.


Last week we went to Ame's hula recital and luau .  She continues to amaze us with her abilities and charm.  We are proud of you big girl and were so glad that we could all get together to enjoy your "special" evening.  We were THOROUGHlY entertained!!

We are hosting GRANDPARENT CAMP (as Debbie terms it) with Evan and Kyle.  We snatched them away when we were in California with Cox's and get to enjoy these 2 munchkins for 2 weeks.  We are so entertained and constantly laughing at their comments and antics .  Our fun began with a cousin sleepover the first night and a great day at North Beach Pools.

Dinosaur Park is always an adventure for 2 curious and energetic boys (minus 2 exhausted grandpts) .   We are gaining much more respect for you YOUNGER parents and your vitality!

Another hot day was enjoyed with a cool-off at the Splash Pad park.  It is so fun to watch those rowdy boys interact with each other and become good "buds".  And grandma enjoyed just sitting in the shade and watch the expended energy!!

Grandpa is a great entertainer with his tractor rides around the block and flying paper airplanes.  Of course a few "Creamies" seem to finish off a GRAND day!!

Isn't it pretty evident why we think this is the best summer ever.  How we love our dear grandchildren.  They truly liven and lighten our lives.

Grand Reunion with Dear Friends

We went to California last weekend to see our dear friends, Bob and Becky Cox who just returned from serving as Mission President in Leon, Mexico.  It was so great to see them after such a long time and enjoy their wonderful friendship again.  We spent lots of time gabbing and even got time to do a little shopping (lots of grocery shopping if you can imagine Bob and Allan anywhere near that).  We played a fun round of golf and best of all got to enjoy their mission report.  They are such tremendous leaders and have touched innumerable lives during the past 3 years, both in Mexico and back at home.  We have experienced a special bond the past 2 years with Becky and Bob as we have been able to share our experiences while serving the Lord.

Guess we didn't get pictures outside the golf course, but we look forward now to many other fun times together.

4th of July Celebrations and MORE

This was such a fun and busy weekend.  We began with a fun swim afternoon with Brittany and the kids who all are little fishes, even 8 month Nalu.  I think I got my exercise "running" the lazy river while hanging on to at least one child.  I could spend everyday playing at the pool with the grandkids (if only we weren't struggling with EVERYONE'S grandkids).

Next we went to Logan and spent the evening with Karli and Chris and the sweetie pies and watch the fireworks from their yard.  As is usually the case, it was way more fun watching Kaiya in "awe" with her real first fireworks!!

Saturday morning, after enjoying a yummy breakfast prepared by the "sickling" hostess we took Chris and Kaiya and went to the big car show in Logan.  It was really fun and interesting and Kaiya was so hilarious following us around for 2 hours slurping on her snowie.

Monday we got together for an "early" birthday celebration for Brittany.  It was a fun and yummy barbeque--our first one cooked in our yard this summer.  The weather was PERFECT and the company was EVEN BETTER.  Happy Birthday Brittany!!

We felt such tremendous gratitude this 4th of July for this "chosen" land of America in which we are blessed to live.  Being out of the country for the past 2 independence days makes us more cognoscente of the bounteous blessings we daily enjoy here.  How deeply we missed seeing our beautiful flag flying and singing our national anthems and now can hardly salute without being overcome with tears of gratiude.  We pray that this nation will remain free and safe and prepared for the Saviors coming.

Trip to Canada

Last week we went to Canada to visit Allan's family.  It was a spectacular drive through Montana this time of the year.  Everything was so green and beautiful. 
We had a great visit with Allan's mom and Jim who were, as usual, the supreme hosts.  We helped do some planning for grandmas 90th birthday celebration in September.  This should be a great event in her honor.

Jim is so totally devoted to the Prairie Tractor Museum and has been the lead developing it into a pretty grand place.  He had several classes of school children visiting one day so we enjoyed helping him at the "Old School".

We had the usual family potluck one evening and quite a few family members came--about 50, which is less of half of the entire gang.

                                             ALLAN, JOE, MARK, GRANDMA, & JAY

                                        THE "OTHER" DEBBIE, KENNA AND SHIRLEY

                                             AUDY, SHIRLEY & 2 OF GEREMY&ADA'S KIDS

                                                  SUSAN & RUSSELL (JOE'S BOY)

                                                   ABBY (lives in S.L.) & ADA

Well I rescued Allan just in time to head home.  He was becoming a Canadian cowboy!

 

Visit with Mom

Last week Brittany, Nalu and I went to Mom's for a few days.  We had such a fun time .  Mom is always so glad to have company (even if it is just boring me) and she (WE) talked non-stop.  One day Brittany and I attempted to prune her shrubs and with the electric hedge trimmer it was a pretty easy project.  Must say, it turned out quite nice.   We had Aunt Donna and Uncle Marlin over for dinner one night and compared mission tales.  Once again, I think I lost !  It is quite interesting when you get "wound up" with missionary adventures!
Mom was quite entertained by smiling Nalu and could hardly let him go when it was time to leave.

My mom is an amazing woman.  Does she look 90 years old?  Does she act 90?  She keeps her life so full with productive and learning opportunities and is so versed in the gospel as well as local happenings.  She never misses a birthday of her children or 28 grandchildren and even knows the names and ages of all her 45 great-grandchildren.    I love and admire Mom for the constant example she is to our family.

Girls Camp - I SURVIVED !!

This week was our ward girls camp at our Stake camp in Ogden canyon near Eden.  I must admit it was a "luxury" camp with a nice big lodge to sleep in, modern and clean bathrooms/showers and a great kitchen.  So NO complaints here or from any of the girls--other than sleep deprivation for the leaders !
I must brag about the marvelous 32 young women who we were blessed with for the week.  Not once did I see or hear unkind words or attitudes, but rather so many acts of kindness and sensitivity to those who were new or feeling alone.  Their "divine natures" were so evident toward each other and that was truly the success of the camp.

Thanks to our marvelous camp director and YW leaders everything was so fun and organized.  The theme was MISSION POSSIBLE. 
(a take off from Mission Impossible with groups of CSI, FBI, SWAT, and CFA)  Some of the highlights were service quilts made for several individuals and organizations, a value walk, a super beautiful hike, swim-day at Pineview Resevior ,  and lots of great games, songs and crafts.  And the food was delish !

We had 10 YCLs who were so amazing and planned and carried out really wonderful activities.  They will soon be fabulous YW leaders.
We loved their fun and creative spirits.

Bishop Ross once again entertained everyone with his dancing.  Does everyone love this man or what?

As with every YW camp , small and sweet miracles occurred in building faith and testimony within these beautiful daughters of God.   The value walk and testimony meeting were filled with the spirit and I was particularly impressed with their bearing of "pure testimony" with little emphasis on "best friends" as so often occurs at camp.  I must admit I was somewhat hesitant about being the "granny" at camp but what a joyous and loving experience it was for me to see deep into the hearts of these sweet girls and feel of their wonderful spirits.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JASON

We enjoyed a fun day celebrating Jason's birthday.  It is a weird feeling when your children get older than we were when they were born.  (not that we feel old, ha)  But every stage of life is an adventure and we love them all.

We are so proud of you Jason and the fine husband and father you are.  You are a kind, sensitive and very generous man and a real leader in the church and our family. 

The girls spent a fun day with the "little indgins" while the men played golf.  I'm not sure who enjoyed the beautiful warm afternoon most but we all loved relaxing and playing in LeAnn and Jason's beautiful backyard.  Thanks for the time together.

                                      Nalu is so cute and cuddly.

                               Grandma can't resist these 2 characters.

                       All the munchkins loved the hot tub.

                      Guess Ash had enough for one day.


The evening concluded with a relaxing and yummy birthday dinner at Hamiltons.  Happy Birthday Jay.