HAPPY SUMMER!  The days are still warm, school and work (for some) have taken a vacation, so I say let's make the most of what we have left.  I walked into Walmart the other day, and they already have trick-or-treat baskets out 😳.  I love summer and would be more than happy if it stuck around for a while.  

It was so much fun to have Kate and Sayre here this week! We didn't have nearly enough time to do all the things on our list (manicures will have to wait till next time). We kept super busy, and as Kate said this afternoon, she needs a vacation from her vacation.  

 Ben and Sayre hadn't seen each other for a couple of years, so they had a happy reunion.  One afternoon, we took them to Dairy Queen for lunch, and they discovered that French fries dipped in chocolate sauce are really tasty 😬.  

 Hollie watched them for us on the day we went to the Temple, and they had the best time.  She helped them build a fort, and I think they spent the day playing on their iPads inside of it.  

 In the fort 😁

  

WE LOVE THE TEMPLE

 
 We had the nicest time at the Temple on Thursday.  We attended the sealing of a couple in our Ward who were baptized along with their 5 children just a year ago.  

 We saw a lot of good friends from our days in the Monument Ward years ago.  Kate was able to chat with Lisa Davis, who is the mom of one of Kate's good friends at that time.  She also got a hug from Sister Killpack, one of the assistants to the Temple president's wife, and the mother of her current best friend, Kim, who lives in her Ward in Iowa.  It is so fun to be in the Temple and make those connections that you know will be forever.

 AND of course, we made it to the Outlets in Castle Rock.  We had a fun afternoon wandering through the stores, enjoying the weather, and pondering, "Do I really need it, or do I just really want it?".  😁
 We couldn't let our short week go by without playing a card game.  Kate taught me how to play Skyjo and it was so fun.  Thanks, Kate!

 We took them to the airport Saturday afternoon, but before they left, we were able to meet Josh for breakfast at the Urban Egg.  We were able to get a table outside and just enjoyed some time visiting.  Also, I had the best Greek omelet - spinach, onions, olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese. YUM!!!  

EXCITING FAMILY NEWS!

Samantha and Paul have appointments to get their Patriarchal Blessings.  I am so excited for them.  

Paul has begun the process of working on his Mission paperwork.  He will be such a fantastic missionary❤  (He will hopefully be leaving sometime next summer)

 

 (not -so-exciting-news) Dad was able to see a doctor this week, and it looks like he has a torn rotator cuff - no wonder he has been hurting.  He will probably need surgery to repair it, and I am hoping sooner rather than later.  I caught he and Sendai on the bed last night, both sound asleep 💤

Ralphie was finally released from Prison (Camp Inch Training Facility) this week.  I am so glad we can laugh together, and we really did while in Phoenix, mostly at Chris' expense.  If you know Chris, you know that he has a super soft heart for animals, especially if he thinks they might be suffering. (Remember Daffodil? 😃). So, he was not happy that Ralphie would be at the dog training center for THREE weeks.  We might have teased him just a little when he talked about dropping Ralphie off with his pumpkin blanket, pineapple bed, and D.W. (from Arthur).  HOWEVER, it seems that Ralphie picked up a staff infection while there, and when Kim picked him up to take him to the vet, she found they had put a pinch collar on him. That was all it took to earn him an early release!

 Max started his new job at the MTC this week!  Yay, Max, we are so happy for you!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MIKE on Thursday!   He and Barbie have been exploring Sedona this past week and were able to go to the Gilbert, AZ, temple with friends.

 Wish we could have coordinated our times for our Arizona vacations.
 I don't have a story from Mike this week, but he did send me an experience of B.F. Johnson - 

B.F. Johnson account

Before the temple was completed, Joseph Smith called on all of those who assisted in the work of the temple to assemble together. On Mar 7, 1835, Smith blessed all who had “assisted in building, by their labor and other means, the House of the Lord in this place.” Although Benjamin felt that he did not deserve a blessing, he described his experience with the Prophet, in these words:

When on the last day of blessings, I was standing by the door in the crowded congregation, and oh! how I did yearn for a blessing! And as the last blessing, apparently, was given, the Prophet earnestly looked towards the door where I was standing, and said to his brother Hyrum, “Go and see if there is not one more yet to be blessed.” Brother Hyrum came to the door, and seeing me, put his hand upon my shoulder and asked me if I had not worked upon the Temple. I said, “No sir,” but it seemed like passing a sentence upon my fondest hopes. He then asked if I had done nothing towards it. I then thought of a new gun I had earned and given as a donation, and of the brick I had helped to make. I said, “I did give often.” “I thought,” he said, “there was a blessing for you,” and he almost carried me to the stand. The Prophet blessed me, with a confirmation of all his father had sealed upon me, and many more also. I felt then that the Lord had respect for my great desire. Even to be the youngest and last to be blessed seemed to me a high privilege. When the Prophet had looked towards the door, I felt as though he would call for me, though I could not see how I had merited so high a privilege. But so it was, and my joy was full.  

  Benjamin Franklin Johnson was my great, great, grandfather.

I am loving family history and learning more about our ancestors.  It makes me realize how important it is that each of us assemble our own personal histories in whatever form it takes.  It will be a pricelss gift to your children and grandchildren ~ 

What matters most is what lasts forever, and our families are for eternity. (M. Russell Ballard) 

Love you all so very much - have a really great week! ❤