Missionary Visits; Family Snapshots; Utah State Fair

We continue to have visits from former missionaries who sometimes bring their families. This time it was Lexi Bradford (standing next to her brother).

Another day we had Darcie Povey stop by with her parents. They live in Clifton, Idaho. Her father's brother is married to my cousin Melanie, so my cousin is her aunt. My Aunt Anna Mae was Darcie's school bus driver. She knows Aunt Carol and Uncle Lyle as well. Small world!

Darcie came over for a visit another day with Alex Durfee and we fed them dinner.

When one of our senior missionary couples was in town, we invited them over for dinner. They were sure a spunky pair riding around on their 3-wheeled motorcycle whenever they got the chance.

They did such a great job working on base as military relations missionaries. The recruits loved them, as do we!!

We went to a wedding reception for a former missionary Braden Figgins. I thought the decorated swing set was a cute backdrop for a back yard reception. 

Kaytlin Porter came by one day to introduce us to her newfound love, Harley Yazzie.

We attended church when McKell Childs (next to me) returned home from her mission. It was like a little mini mission reunion with this group of missionaries.

Glen and I received callings in the ward. He is one of three rotating adult Sunday School teachers. I am one of four rotating ward organists. 

I had been missing the opportunity to play the organ and am happy to be asked to take my turn playing once again. I was ecstatic to see the addition made to the organ while I was gone. It's a small round mirror so the organist can see when the sacrament is finished being prepared. No more turning around on the bench to get a view of the sacrament table. 

We were asked to substitute two different times teaching the stake missionary preparation class. Glen absolutely loved being back in the missionary teaching mode. The girl in green is really good friends with one of our missionaries who is still serving. That was a fun connection.

We had the Goldens over for a holiday cook-out.

They had gone to Lagoon--hence the matching Lagoon t-shirts--and were enjoying the refreshing homemade ice cream.

The Golden children have been so good to come over and do weeding on the days they go to Lagoon. Work before play!! 

This particular day they did all the work and got to Lagoon and it was so crowded they just went back home. Unfair for the children, that's for sure!! Work and NO play that day.

Brooke is proudly showing the "Paws for Praise" certificate she had received from one of her teachers praising her for being focused, listening carefully and working hard. Good for her!!

Brooke won a writing competition in the preteen division and the Mayor of our city presented her with a certificate and a gift card. 

We got tickets to President Nelson's 95th birthday party at the conference center and invited Dallas and Rebecca to go with us. We ate at the Lion House before the event.

It was a very impressive program with lots of beautiful singing and wonderful tributes to our Prophet who is still going strong! 

Ben and Haley love playing games. Most of them are thinking/strategy games and I don't love those as much. This one isn't as detailed and I was able to catch on and play with them.

Here are some pictures of Ben, Haley and Kade and some of their summer adventures. 

Here are a few picture of Jeff and Sarah's boys.

Jacob and Laurie's oldest son Luke won scholarship funds for his submission to an art contest.

Abe and Klarissa's son Newland had an Indiana Jones-themed birthday celebration.

Jacob took his family to a BYU game and they were able to get a photo taken with Zach Wilson.

Mom and I attended the funeral of the mother of my childhood friend, Kelley Carruth.

After the funeral, we went to Nani's home to pick her up so she could go to lunch with us.

We went to eat at The Greenery Restaurant at Rainbow Gardens.

After lunch, we looked at all the merchandise on display in the area which used to be a swimming pool. Interesting setup as people can wander down deep into the pool area or look at things up on the deck level. Unique thing to do with a non-functioning pool, I guess.

This is my dad and his living siblings. Arlo, Joe, Merlin, Carol and Lucille. Their brother Earl and sister Clarice have passed away.

Glen and I went to the Utah State Fair. 

We walked through the animal buildings which were much more enjoyable than walking through the buildings where people were trying to sell things.   

 We also liked the artwork building. These cakes were my favorite part of the craft building.

We opted out of riding any of the rides and went to find some food.

It was so crowded at the picnic tables that we had to keep our eye on who was finishing up and getting ready to leave. We spied one couple leaving a table and walked over to sit down in their place. When we looked at the couple seated across from us, we were flabbergasted to see we know them.

They are Wade and Karen Fenn from Clearfield. He was in Glen's bishopric those many years ago when we were young marrieds. It was so fun to eat dinner with them and get caught up on what has been happening through the years with each other. What a fun, random chance meeting!!

The butter sculpting display is always entertaining.

We called it a night. It certainly didn't compare at all to the Minnesota State Fair or even the San Diego County Fair, but it was still a fun date night experience.