HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SAMANTHA!   Sammi celebrated her 19th birthday on Wednesday this week - Where does the time go?????  I remember still the day Adam called and said she had arrived.  She is fun and funny, and always makes us laugh.  She has the most tender heart, yet can be fierce if the need arises (i.e. the megaphone she carries in her car to encourage other drivers to get out of her way, and the knife she sleeps and sometimes carries in her purse. 😁).  We love you Sammi and can't wait to see what your future holds ❤

Samantha spent her birthday afternoon at the Outlets in Castle Rock.  Paul drove us and did an amazing job, and we just had a fun day wandering through shops.  

Not only did we wander through the shops, some of us also found the Furniture For Life store - massage chairs - and had to take a break 😀

Before he got sick on Tuesday, Adam was able to get his table stained and set up in their theatre room.  He did a great job, and I think it looks so nice.  

 They also put in new carpeting and Cory did some painting.  

  I am ready for a movie night! 

  BEST SURPRISE OF THE WEEK!

  Last Sunday evening, Dad and I were relaxing, watching an episode of All Creatures Great and Small, when we heard voices coming through our front door.  Kim got a flight into the Springs, and Sammi and Lily picked her up at the airport.  What a treat!!! We have stayed busy this week pulling weeds, planting flowers, shopping, cooking (mostly Kim), visiting Shannon, and relaxing outside under the pergola.  Our days have been full, and we have walked a lot of steps.  She is going to try to go home on Tuesday, so tomorrow is our last chance to stir things up in Colorado Springs.  

BLIZZARD'S IN JUNE, ANYONE?

Yesterday, after we left Shannon, Kim and I went to Dairy Queen with Angella, Ben, and Eilis, to see Hollie and take in some Dairy Queen blizzards. YUM!  They were truly delicious, and we had a fun time visiting.  

 Eilis got a promotion at Canes, so she is working more hours, which leaves Hollie home to watch Ben while Angella is working.  I love watching how these girls take such good care of him - (and only torment him occasionally 😊)  They are great sisters and work hard at taking care of each other and Ben.  

FAMILY NEWS ~

*Dad had hand surgery this week, and it went very well.  He is healing, though his finger is still very sore.

*Friday we got our new refrigerator!  Yay!!!

*Thursday, Kim came upstairs and gave us the bad news that our walls and carpet in the downstairs bedroom and bathroom were the victims of a leaking pipe.  It turned out that our kitchen faucet was broken and AGAIN it leaked into the downstairs, so AGAIN we have to have sheetrock repair done and replace the carpet. (we did the sheetrock just a couple of months ago for the same issue 😒)

*Shannon has declined quite a bit over the last 10 days.  Kim and I visited her on Friday and Saturday, and she spoke very little, often being unresponsive to questions.  She used a walker on Friday, and we walked for a few minutes before she became tired.  She can no longer feed herself. The person we spoke with at Lark Springs is unsure if this might be temporary. 

*Grant had minor surgery on Friday also, and Chris has been his caregiver this weekend.

*Max did not love climbing Mt Timpanogas 😄

* Kate, Jonathan, and Sayre are off to Phoenix on Tuesday for their family reunion.

* Kate says everyone needs to look for these at Costco 

SUNDAY SELFIES

 We took Sendai with us to Adam's house tonight. She did fairly well, staying away from the fence (only slipped up once), and spent quite a bit of time in the house.

With so many crazy things happening in our family over the last couple of weeks, we could easily get discouraged and frustrated.  But we haven't felt that.  We know that Heavenly Father is watching over us and is helping us to learn patience and to listen to the Holy Ghost.  We feel His love and know that He has answered our prayers time and again.  Love you so much!