Sorry for the l o n g vacation from the family blog. I felt so bad each Sunday when I didn't get it done, but June has been overwhelming, and I am so happy that we are heading into July, and one of my very favorite holidays . . .
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Always one of my favorite days! This is the month when peaches are the best and my mom always made peach cobbler. My dad was the fireworks director and was the only one allowed to light them.
When we were stationed at Yokota we took the family to Tokyo Disneyland on the 4th. It was a regular school day for the Japanese student so the park was fairly empty, which translated means, no long lines 😁
S
ince no one is smiling in this photo, I would guess that I'm the only one who wanted to go on, "It's a Small World".
My other favorite memory was visiting Kim and Chris when they lived in Centerville, VA and we went to the National Mall and watched fireworks over the Washington Monument.
I love Washington D.C., even with all of the craziness now, it is so full of history, I would love a return trip.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR VERY
1ST GRANDCHILD!
Spencer taught us all about being a grandparent!
We will always remember the curly fry covered in ketchup that he was swinging around in the Tucson food court, and swiped it across the BEhind of an old man who was wearing white pants 😀 or the saying, "I can't like it" (which we say often). Spencer is so kind and thoughtful, and we love it when he calls to chat. I think I still owe you lunch, Spencer!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THIS BEAUTIFUL
BABY TURNED BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN!
Samantha has made us smile from day 1. It has been so fun to watch her grown in confidence and become a fabulous adult. One of my favorite memories and one we talk about often, is the day she came over and labeled all of my jewelry with blue masking tape, making sure she would inherit it all. 😂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YESTERDAY
to ANGELLA, AND CHRIS
So thankful for Angella and all that she has taught me about faith, perserverance, and optimism.
And I have always loved Chris' sense of humor, the fun adventures we can laugh about, and his humility.
Our family is blessed every day by both of you - your devotion to your families, and the love and kindness your share with everyone you meet. ❤
WHILE I WAS ON VACATION . . . 😁
I think everyone stayed pretty busy -
Last Friday we got to go to the Temple with Paul. It was so amazing to be there with him, and it was special to have Kim and Max there also. He is going to be one, amazing, missionary!
He actually started his summer going to FSY in Ft. Collins, and not too many days after that he took a road trip to the Tetons with some friends. He had a great time and took some amazing photos. I've just added Yellowstone to the places-I've-never-been-but-want-to-visit list.
He an his friend also met a couple of cute girls at FSY. (thankfully, they (Paul and his friend) are headed off on missions in the next few weeks!)
Eilis and Emma are busy with work and friends. Emma will be moving to Fountain with some friends in July, until she can find a place of her own.
Hollie is busy rolling around town in her "yellow bug", and mixing up the best ice cream ever at Dairy Queen. She was at the mall the other day and stopped by for a quick visit before heading home.
This is my funny "Hollie story" that she said I could share - She was telling us that she had missed some days of work the previous week, and when I asked why, she said she had a concussion. So then, of course, my next question was how did she get a concussion, and then she said her hair got caught in the blender at work and it yanked her head back hard before they could get it stopped. Ok, maybe that's not such a funny story, but I'm sorry, it did make me chuckle just a little. 😳 We are planning a lunch date for next week ~
Kate has been busy with her art show, girls camp, and keeping up with Jonathan and Sayre. She went to Chicago for a couple of days to help Kim with a wedding shower for Max and Amelia, and their Chicago friends. Kate took some photos (which she will also be doing for the wedding).
She was in charge of a craft project for Girl's Camp that went really well. What a trooper (unlike her mom), she stayed for the week, and fixed a cozy bed for herself in the back of her car.
Lily also went to Girls Camp this summer - another camper in the family - and she had fun, but said the food wasn't that good😋
And this is what I really think about camping 👇
Josh and Ben headed West to Utah for Cameron's wedding.
Josh said they had a fun time and got to see lots of family.
And thanks for sending this updated photo of Grandma and Grandpa's home, and Great Grandpa -
I have so many fun memories of time spent in these homes ~
Adam's pride and joy this month was finally acquiring Helma's Explorer. He and Chris towed over to our house, and Adam and Jake worked on it several days, and they finally got it started!
I don't know who was the happiest- Adam or Jake
While Kate was gone this month, Jonathan had Sayre and some adventures of their own.
Jonathan said they went troll hunting. That's a new one for me, but anything with those two is always fun -
Sayre has also been busy with soccer practice and games.
AND, I think Sayre loves ice cream like I love ice cream - It must be in our DNA 😁
Adam, Cory, and Jake took a trip to Utah to help Samantha get settled in her new apartment, and shortly after they got home, Cory flew to Florida for a conference for school. I love that she is so dedicated to helping her young students.
Tomorrow their family is off for a family reunion in Missouri, Lake of the Ozarks. It will be their last family get-together before Paul leaves on his mission.
LAST LITTLE TID-BITS FROM JUNE ~
Jake is truly his Dad's shadow - He soaks up everything Adam does -
Whether it's working on a car or mountain biking - He can tell you every tool to use, what needs to be done, and how to do it! I love his confidence and enthusiasm. 😂❤
Kim and
Chris have been in Mallorca, Spain this week, to celebrate their anniversary and Chris' birthday.
Safe Travels!
AND A HUGE THANK-YOU PAUL AND KIM FOR HELPING ME GET THROUGH THE LAST WEEK OF CLASS!!! I couldn't have made it without you ❤❤
Kim made the cookies, recorded the video, added the music, and Paul did all of the editing required for the assignment, whew ... If you are wondering what i did - I was the director, of course😂
DO YOU IMAGINE THERE IS A DAY OF THE WEEK WHEN WE DON'T THINK OF EACH ONE OF YOU?
That's what Grandparents do the best!!! We think of you, worry about you, pray for you, and look forward to your visits, text messages, and phone calls. Just so you know . . . 😊
ALSO, if you are having a hard time finding your smile this week, just watch this - It is one of my favorites -
LOVE YOU! ❤
