Elder Story

7pm: BEFORE he reports to the High Council and is released..... OK...so he has to strike one of his poses.

10pm: AFTER he is released!

Getting out and about the day after...

He's HERE!!

Haven't even previewed the pictures - just downloading and posting. You must know how the airport scene was...I was a little shaken. Relieved, happy, thrilled and very emotional and for those of you who knew the issue going on between Joe and I - he graciously stepped up and ushered me to Jake as he came up the isle. SOOOOO happy to have him home again. Thanks to Des for taking the picture!!! So grateful to have family around to greet and meet him.

Wasn't taking much time to get the lighting right...just shooting a picture for you to see him amid much chaos. He doesn't take serious pictures very often I have learned...goofy Elder.

Today's the BIG day!!!

Pictures of JAKE will follow upon his arrival. For now you can see we are anxiously awaiting. Ribbons are hanging out and about to Welcome him home. YAHOO!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

He has loved, tended and cared for ALL our children with the greatest of ease. They just don't come ANY better than my Joe! I have a limited selection of pictures to choose from - others are in the other computer and well....I haven't transferred them. You get the idea. He is LOVED!!

I don't have a picture to post of my dad but I did find one of Joe's. We are both very blessed to have good, strong honorable men in our lives we are lucky to call, 'dad'.

Look closely at Natures wonders....

On a HOT summer day sitting on some rocks as I tended a fire nearby and while Joe and Bo were doing some measuring these dragonflies were buzzing in and out around me, landing closer than I thought they might dare. Our camera was in the car and I wasn't sure they would come back if I left to get it but I took my chances and... waited. They came back. Enlarge for tremendous detail. Later I saw another dragonfly that looked like this one only the body was all white. Time to do some research and see if that was an indicator of gender.

Cannot believe I captured this shot of this little guy balancing on a tiny twig not too far in front of me. The detail is incredible.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTA

We may have a few miles between us but we still celebrate this wonderful day honoring your birth some 30 - I mean 25!! years ago. ha ha Not so sure how the time got by us so fast and just exactly when you grew up into the beautiful wife and mother but we relish having you in our life! Love you!! JOY and HAPPINESS are ours.

Girls Camp Adventures.....

At this swim area off to the left the water came around the bend into this water hole. We were able to walk it and I would have loved to take pictures back in there but the rocks were so very slippery and I just didn't dare carry our camera. Good thing because Sister Davidson and Sister Hall both went down - you can just guess my reaction!!!

The pictures of the water are some of the areas we went to for a 'swim'. The water was so very cold and refreshing which felt wonderful as the days were hot and sticky. Too bad the hike back to camp was so strenuous defeating our efforts to cool off! Gathered at the pavillon for our morning devotions are the leaders Sisters; Smith, Hall and Davidson.

This was our first group to leave for camp on Monday, the YCL's and 4th yr girls.

Heading out for a dip in the refreshing water in hopes of cooling off on a hot day.

Taking some time to do required reading in the comfort of their very own screen room.

Doesn't it just look beautiful????

Notice the drop from the back porch of the cabin. That will let you know just how steep our climb was to get down to the water areas! When we were told it was a hard hike I never imagined it to be so intense! Could only handle it once a day for sure.

Girls cool off after our morning hike. The rocks kill the feet! I just wore my shoes in after forgetting to bring my water shoes and the girls had gone far off and wanted me to come to them for pictures.....the things we do for these girls!!! (I'd do it again too!)

At the pavillon something caught my eye underneath a leaf as we sat for devotionals, imagine my delight when I spotted these two lovely mushrooms. I went straight for our camera to capture this image. Reminded me of the smurfs ha ha!!!

Grading begins

Bro. Simpson brought his dozer over and began moving the dirt around to level off the front and side yard for us. He was able to move more than he thought he could at first and we are so very pleased with his work! Here at the garage a retaining wall is to be built at the back then the dirt can be moved into place for the driveway. He placed this boulder just off the porch and we love how it looks there where the yard begins to slope to the back yard.

The basement windows are where your rooms were Ellie, Jenna and Krista.

Dad is getting the siding started.... we are so happy with the look. It will be painted a dark, 'russet', which will tie in with the dark part of the brick.

I was happy to see we won't have too many stairs out the front door.

Fun time as family stops by for a visit

Even though our time was far too short - it was a pleasure to share our home and time with our SWEET family from AZ! We have missed them and being with them only made us realize how very MUCH we have missed them. Thanks for stopping by!!

Not going to put away the toys from Grady just yet, it is fun having them on the floor after being used again. Our house is too quiet sometimes.
They are on their way home........BYE love you!

Such great kids! We sure enjoyed catching up a bit - so proud of their many accomplishments. Completely amazing.

Loved that Grady James came to me so quickly. Nothing better than the feel of a baby in ones arms. Such a sweetheart!