The first of July, was a wonderful day with excitement over all the events and visits of this month. We love this great country we live in. It is difficult at this time because of the protesting and the Corona virus, but we still love this country and do not want to live anywhere else. The next day brought our appointments with our optometrist. We need no change to our glasses and only need them to read. Great news. We were so pleased that we went to the drive up and had a great sandwich at Kneaders.
Saturday, the 4th of July, we went to Scott's to take them some carrot tops for the rabbits, but forgot them. We had a great visit though and Bethany was baking cookies and we left with a plate of yummy chocolate chip cookies. They are spending the day with wonderful friends, the Cooks.
After lunch, we left the rabbit food at Scott's and went to Erik's to meet Clark and his family. Erik's family is at Lake Tahoe and gave Clark the key to their home so they could go swimming if they wanted. They invited us and Di's brother Jeff's family. Di's parents were also there, which was wonderful because her father was so much better. It was a very peaceful and relaxing time. Clark even watered the garden while we all visited. The kids swam and swam. Erik has a beautiful children's yard with plenty to do.
Lily,William, Jonny, Simon
We learned that we are going to have another great grandchild in January. Good deal, Ashley and Tyler.
When the boys finally got tired, we went to Clark's for dinner. Dianne and her mother really put on a meal. We are never disappointed with the menu. Dianne learned from her mother how to feed a group with delicious food and the two together put on a feast. It was just a great day with lots of sharing and eating. While we were there, Tiffani Skyped and we all got to visit with her and Kristin's families. These modern inventions are to keep families together and the restored gospel of our Savior spreading throughout the world. We left with the grandsons popping poppers around us. What a fun day.
At 10:00, we put chairs on the front lawn and watched the BYU Stadium firework's show. They are always fantastic.
Sunday was Tyler's 30th birthday. What a good husband he is for Ashley and a great father to their boys. We love him.
Family meeting was headed by Scott and his family. Nixon gave the opening prayer, Bethany led the music, Scott spoke on Alma 13-29, and gave a great message for us all to think about, and the closing prayer was by Ava. It is always a good meeting and draws us closer as a family.
Wednesday the 8th we prepared for our camp out at Huntington Campground. Clark helped Dad get the trailer and hooked things up. We love this camp out because Clark and his family go for a family tri. The tri was cancelled, but we still wanted to go camp.
Dad really did have a good time
Dianne did all the food, we just paid for it. She served such incredible food for three days. She is amazing at things like that. It's her gift. We had a really good time and put our trailer right close to the lake. The kids played and swam. Dianne's brother, Steve, was there with his kids also. They are a great addition. Ashley and her family were also there. It was just a wonderful few days.
We left Saturday morning and got home in time for Kristin and her family to arrive. They had spent a week with Tiffani's family and had such a good time.
We love it when she comes because they live in South Carolina and she plans such wonderful trips.
One morning we spotted an air balloon go right over our house and across the street.
Sunday, the twelfth, was our church meeting on TV with Clark giving the lesson. We love these meetings.
Tuesday, Kristin, David and Jalen went to Antelope Island and then swimming in the Great Salt Lake. They had such a good time. Baylie didn't go because she was afraid Tiffani and the twins would come while she was gone and she had a sore foot. Kristin's crew got home before Tiffani and everyone had a great time.
Somewhere in here Scott and Bethany had a sleepover for the kids who were here.
learning to rope
Wednesday, Tiffani and kids left for Montana and Glacier National Park. They stopped in Malad, Idaho. Tiffani had a strong feeling to go to my parents grave. She did not know it, but my Aunt Bevalene Baker died that same day. It gave me great comfort to know they were there and calmed my heart.
Dave joined them later. They sent pictures every day and we all wished we were there. Their trip was amazing and so beautiful.
Thursday, we went to watch Nixon play soccer with his team. They won.
That afternoon, Erik's family invited Kristin and Scotty's families to play in a pond.
Jalen and Baylie love their Uncle Clark and their other uncles, but this is the only one with a picture.
Friday the 17th, Erik and Shanelle's families invited Kristin and Scott's families to go tubing on the Provo River. They had a great time and many memories were made. Dad and I stayed home. That evening everyone was so tired we had In-n-Out for dinner.
Saturday was such a wonderful evening. Kristin talked us into going to the Salt Flats, which we really didn't want to do because we were tired. We are so glad we went. We had never been in the evening and we stayed until midnight. It was light when we got there and we just had fun on the salt. I was so worried because it looks just like ice and I was sure we would fall through. Dad drove all over the place.
That evening around 11:00, the stars were such that we had never seen. There were so many visible and so many constellations that were so easy to see. The Milky Way was huge and we even saw a comet. It was just breath taking. Our cameras were not good enough to take pictures of the night sky. You can look it up online. We got home at 2 AM, still awed at the beauty. Sunday, as usual, was a a wonderful meeting. We love these Sabbaths and especially when share the sacrament with family. We played family games that evening.
Monday, the crew came over and tie dyed shirts for the family. They had so much fun making different designs and they turned out so beautiful, each one unique.
Monday, the 20th, was also our 54th wedding anniversary. George gave me beautiful flowers.
Wednesday, we left for Bear Lake and our reunion. Kristin found a beautiful home for us to rent thanks to Dianne. Not everyone could come because of the COVID and we completely understood and missed them, but love that they follow the Spirit. Kristin and we drove together and Dave and Tiff drove in right after us. They came down from their vacation in Montana. Scott pulled in shortly after them. We got all moved in at 4:00 and then went for the famous raspberry milk shakes, compliments of Granddad. They are worth the whole trip. When we got back, the kids jumped in the hot tub and we just loved everything. It was a huge home with a full theater and all the trimmings you can imagine. It is only 2 or 3 years old and everything was done, sparing nothing. Every couple had their own bedroom and some had bathrooms included. All 8 kids slept in the tree room after watching a movie in the theater.
There were 4 bunks in the back of the theater and couches in front of the beds.
Everyone loved the beds in the forest.
July 23, was Jonny's 13th birthday.
He didn't come because of the Covid 19 problem. His grandfather recently had brain surgery and the family was worried about so many people gathering. We missed them so much, but were happy that they were careful. Jonny is a great young man and is always a joy to be around. He loves his family and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He made his brother, Riley, so happy because now he has a brother. Jonny loves building and creating different things. The things he creates are amazing. He made a beautiful bike out of parts from everywhere. We love that he is a part of our family. We all sang Happy Birthday to him.
The next morning, the girls helped set out the food so everyone could make their own lunches.
They modeled the Mickey jams that Aunt Tiffani gave them.
She gave me some too but I couldn't figure how to get rid of the plastic tabs and ended up putting both legs in the same hole. Go figure. (She also basically peed her pants from laughing...)
Dad and Tiff relaxed.
We spent most of the next day at the lake. We had pop-ups and even put one up in the water.
The water is so shallow for a long time so that all the kids could go far out and still touch bottom. Kayaks and long boards were the favorite.
Dinner was hamburgers and hot dogs and everyone did their own thing and cleaned up.
David did the cooking.
After dinner, we did the famous routine of going for raspberry milk shakes at the famous La Beau's.
Sometime in here Hailey joined us and made the girls' trip. They have forever memories of this special cousin and laughed and laughed. She also helped with the meals.
Erik and Shanelle met us at LaBeau's and joined us. They had dinner also. The hot tub was a joy for the evening. I don't know why, but I haven't any pictures.
Friday was the 24th of July so every place on the beach was crowded. Dave suggested we go to the North Beach which is way on the other side of the lake. It was beautiful and had some green grass to play on.
As tradition called, we ordered many pizzas for dinner. The entire reunion was under the direction of Kristin and she did an amazing job. She planned the meals with the help of mothers and she bought all the food which we never ran out of. There were plenty of treats and always not one went hungry. We sent food home with families. All we did was pay the bills, which is the easy part. Of course, we went for milkshakes.
After milkshakes, Erik and Shanelle had games on the patio that the kids played for hours. We were so tired, we visited with the adults in the huge living room.
The next morning, we packed up to go home. I can't remember when, but sometime during all this, people played Pickle Ball. I think Erik and Shanelle started it. The court was just outside the front door.
All at once someone yelled "Dog Pile!" Poor Scott. Bethany was the last to pile on. There were many happy times.
We left the home in great shape, but sadly left each other and headed home. We went by Logan Canyon, which was a beautiful ride.
When we got home Shanelle called to see if the families wanted to go ice blocking. Do they ever get tired? We went to Pleasant Grove High School and had a blast.
Tiffani and Kristin's families stayed with us in Provo that night. Kristin did laundry and prepared for their week long trip home. The girls made cookies. Tiff made cheese sandwiches.
The girls had fun going through old jewelry.
What a fun few days with no problems and lots of laughter. We are so grateful for the family the Lord has given us and pray daily for them. They are our light and we love them so much. We were sorry some could not be with us, but love them just as much as the others.
After our Sunday home meeting, Tiff's family left for home and Kristin helped Dad with Optavia.
Early Monday, Kristin's family headed for Mount Rushmore.
We have no idea how they got everything in their car.
They had a wonderful time and we can't wait to see it for ourselves. You will have to go to her blog to enjoy their travels.
The next three days, we picked up Nixon from his soccer camp and took him home. It was fun to watch him the last day because his dad gave him some money to buy a treat after the camp. He studied it out very hard so that he would have enough money to buy something he could share with Ava and Rowan. What a loving kid.
Thursday the 30th was Scott and Beth's 16th wedding anniversary. We are so glad they found each other. They are a perfect match and have 3 super children.
The next day was Erik and Shanelle's 23rd anniversary. Again, we could not imagine a better match than they have. They are blessed with 4 incredible boys. We love these two families and are so glad they are such good people who try so hard to do what is right. We are blessed to be part of an eternal family with 5 blessed children, 18 grandchildren, and are just starting with 2 great grandchildren. The rest will come in time and we count our blessings every day to have such great people in our life.
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