Summer Fun; Rachel's Bridal Shower; Father's Day

 Happy birthday to Brooke who turned 17.

Speaking of birthdays...here is the progression of the Viking ship Brooke was making for her friend's birthday.

Her finished ship is so amazing!! What a creative girl!! She got the ship all set up in her friend's yard and then his mother captured on video him arriving home and seeing it. 

Brooke had also gotten many notes from his co-workers, family and friends as part of the gift as well. What dedication to have this vision and carry through with it through hours and hours of working on it.

We were invited to Eli's home for his pizza birthday party on the day he turned 14. 

Eli has just shot up in height recently. I told my girls that pretty soon we are going to have little men running around the house with the boys now maturing and getting older. 

LaVona was having a birthday and, of course, we had to have a friends' luncheon to celebrate. LaVona picked a Tai restaurant in Bountiful. 

Dad, Mom, Nani, Glen and I had another play date at Hale followed by our usual Red Lobster meal.

Sarah and Ben went hiking together in Adam’s Canyon.

Rebecca got her family tickets to see a circus. She was a bit worried about what it would be like since they were advertised as a no-animal circus and it was a small tent. But, she said it was actually quite good and their family enjoyed the experience.

Caroline spent a week with her friend Jenna at BYU for FSY (For the Strength of Youth). 

The Goldens went on an overnight adventure to Idaho. They did some horseback riding.

They toured all the historic Napoleon Dynamite sites in Preston and then had to get some tots.

Shoshone Falls was the destination of their vacation. 

They came across a waterfall by the side of the road and went on a trail that took them behind the waterfall which they thought was pretty neat.

They all enjoyed ziplining.

Rebecca said Shoshone Falls was good because it allowed them to discover Dierkes Lake which was a fun swimming hole. They spent the rest of the afternoon swimming, trying to catch fish with their bare hands, cliff jumping, and kayaking.

Glen had a friend named Pete Hunt who was part of his friend group growing up. Shortly after the birth of Pete's daughter, he was killed in an automobile accident. 

Glen's friend Randy ran into Pete's wife Karen on Memorial Day. They arranged to have dinner with Karen and Michelle, Pete's daughter, who never knew her dad so they could share their memories of him with her.

Kevin, Glen and Randy with Michelle at Olive Garden.

Glen and I had a date night at the Tabernacle where the Bells at Temple Square were performing a concert. 

Turns out it was LeAnna Willmore's last concert as she was retiring as the director of that performing group. Since LeAnna is in our stake, it has been fun to watch her directing whenever we are able to see the Bells in action. 

Andy and Amanda's daughter Rachel is getting married!! But first, a bridal shower was held in their backyard. 

Rachel looked so cute all dressed up in her dress wearing a Bride To Be banner with a Bride crown on her head. She is such a cute and spunky girl who is always a lot of fun to be around. 

It worked out great that Natalie was already coming our way that day. She was able to attend the shower before Glen and I took her to the airport that evening. She was meeting her family in Oregon for a family vacation with Laurie's side of the family.

Rachel's beloved, Nathan Womack, was at the shower. The way they met was they were serving in the same mission together. Rachel always makes sure to say nothing was going on during their mission, but once she went home, Nathan started emailing her. 

They are a good match and are looking forward to the big day when they will be sealed together in the Ogden Temple.

The next day we were back at the same location. Andy and Amanda were hosting the Ward side of the family for a Father's Day dinner. Andy is such a wonderful chef grilling up some yummy chicken tenderloins. 

Knowing Andy to be the avid hunter that he is, I got a big kick out of what his apron said: "Dinner is shot not bought."

Andy and Amanda's backyard is so wonderful for a gathering. The adults enjoy visiting together in the outdoor environment, and the little children love running around and playing together.

Everyone was happy to see Nani making her delicious ice cream/sherbert slushie with Clint as her able assistant. 

Everyone enjoyed the slushie.

What a wonderful way to celebrate all the fathers in the family--especially my dad who received some sweet gifts and lots of love from everyone. 

Glen loves to make dinner plans with whichever missionaries will join us. Neil and Abby Thomas took him up on the offer. 

Glen and I have been serving together with Abby's grandparents in the Bountiful Temple, so I have been kept up to date on her pregnancy and the birth of their son. 

This is another couple blessed to find each other from serving missions. They were not in the same mission, but Abby married her companion Sabrina's brother Neil. 

Abby and Sabrina were very close on the mission, and so it is wonderful they are sisters-in-law and can stay close forever with their familial bond.

When I looked at the table where the grandchildren were sitting, it gave me a chuckle. With Maverick (not pictured), that makes eight grandsons living here in Utah compared to three granddaughters, counting Brooke (not pictured). 

We just really have a plethora of boys in our family.

Sarah invited Rebecca and me to go with her to see the play Kiss Me Kate at Centerpoint Theatre in Centerville. Of course, Olive Garden had to be part of our evening plans. That play wasn't our favorite, but the food hit the spot. 

It is always entertaining to see things Klarissa posts about the adventures she, Abe and their family go on. The soldier shirt she has Monty wearing is so perfect for the occasion.

Such rich and varied experiences that family has as they visit various places and learn different things along the way. 

Quotes of the Week

 Unity is a powerful testimony of the Savior's influence.

The unity we seek is not to have everyone see things in the same way; it's to have everyone look in the same direction -- toward Jesus Christ.

-- Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I came to the stark realization that what I know about the Savior greatly outweighed how much I really know Him. I resolved then to put forth more effort to know Him.

-- Michale John U. Teh

Repentance also requires change, which at times, can be uncomfortable. But joy and comfort are not the same thing.

-- Craig C. Christensen

Quotes of the Week

 As we enter the temple, we are freed for a time from the worldly influences crowding against us as we learn of our purpose in life and the eternal gifts offered us through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

-- Neil L. Andersen

There is nothing easy or automatic about becoming such powerful disciples. Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee.

--Russell M. Nelson

I struggled for years to forgive myself and find peace. Then, as a priesthood leader, while assisting others to repent and helping them to feel the compassion, mercy, and love of the Savior, I realized that he could heal me. 

The Savior's healing and redeeming power applies to accidental mistakes, poor decisions, challenges, and trials of every kind -- as well as our sins. As I turned to Him, my feelings of guilt and remorse were gradually replaced with peace and rest.

-- Peter F. Meurs

Glen's Birthday; Escape Rooms in Vegas; Abe and Newland BYU Camp

Glen was happy when he opened the door to these three beautiful girls who came wishing him a happy birthday. 

His sisters wanted to have our monthly dinner date on his birthday. He chose Maddox. Turns out Rich had to miss the dinner because he was home dealing with broken water line issues. Sad because Rich loves when we all go to Maddox.

We got this photo from Abe's family showing them enjoying a special treat on his birthday. 

Abe was giving his dad a belated birthday gift by bringing Newland with him to Utah the day after Glen's birthday. 

They were arriving in town so they could attend a father and sons camp at BYU. They played lots of sports and saw many of the BYU athletes while they were there. 

Newland's watch showed how much movement they did each day while at their camp. Great thing for boys and dads to do together--lots of sports, activities and fun.

Abe was able to see his sisters for a few minutes before they headed out of town with Glen.

Sarah, Rebecca, Ben and Haley had planned a two-day/one-night trip to Las Vegas so they could go to five escape rooms, and so they invited Glen to go along with them. Escape rooms are not my thing, and driving that long and staying such a short time did not appeal to me. 

Besides, Natalie was coming to spend the night and so I had things to do here--like going to dinner at Olive Garden with her. 

We dropped her off at the airport Sunday morning on our way to the prison. She was flying to Florida to meet up with her family to go on a cruise.

Meanwhile, back to the Vegas vacationers...  They ate some good meals.

They went to the Bellagio conservatory and botanical gardens to see what was on display there.

The girls had planned to see an evening Cirque de Soleil show and Glen decided to join them even though he had seen that show before.

The five of them went to escape room after escape room after escape room, comparing them and deciding what they liked about each one.

Rebecca left Brooke in charge of her siblings while Dallas was at work and said she took her duty very seriously. 

She took the kids to the pond to feed the ducks.

She organized a service project for them to pick up trash.

She made sure they enjoyed a nice treat when they were finished with their activities. What a fabulous big sister!

Abe and Newland were finished with camp at noon on Monday, so we invited the family over for a Memorial Day cook-out.

That afternoon was devoted to a trial run of the escape room Ben, Haley, Sarah and Rebecca have been making. They are planning to open up their own escape room and wanted testers. For right now, they have it set up in our garage and down in our exercise room. 

The men were the first testers. These children were the second testers. The third testers were Brooke, Caroline, and Caroline's friend Jenna.

Levi, Lincoln, and Kade were having a wonderful time that evening playing outside with their sticks and eating Starburst.

We were happy when we got invited to Caroline and Madison's spring piano recital. It is fun to see them up on stage performing. 

As has happened in the past, Caroline has been the only student who has had her piano solo memorized and performed without any music in front of her. Impressive, considering I have never been able to memorize songs.

Natalie arrived back in town in the late evening and was starving. She had a Costa Vida meal before heading back to her apartment in Provo.