Family Means Everything

Something really special happened today!  As you probably remember I wrote earlier about a goal that Eden told her mom she wanted to accomplish this year to have a book club with some of her friends from school and church.  The girls who attended always left so excited and happy.  Some have learned that the book is much better than the movie.  And sometimes the book was very different then the movies.  Others learned how to share their thoughts about their favorite characters and parts of the book.  The book for this month was Pollyanna.  A little background about Gilbert.  When summer comes many many many families flee the area so when the invites went out they weren't surprised that some of the girls weren't going to be in town.  It looked like three of the regulars responded that they would be there.  I asked Aunt Amy if she was going to cancel the book club since only a couple of the girls would be able to come.  (Normally 8 to 10 girls have been at each meeting).  Her response was no, they would make it special for the few that were there.   So the meeting was planned and everything purchased.  This morning I was over to help them get things ready.  The theme (more from the Pollyanna movie than the book) was a carnival theme.  With corn dogs, corn on the cob, watermelon, and vegetables in a cup with ranch dressing and of course lemonade.   The dessert was make your own ice cream sundaes.  Once everything was ready I left to do some errands.  I texted Aunt Amy a couple of hours later and asked how the meeting went.  She responded,  "It was a great family party."  None of the girls who said they would come showed up.  No worries! Dad, Mom, Ruth, Jane, Eden, Graham, and Duncan had a great party with each other.  I loved the message for this post--when others may let you down and disappoint--family will always be there to love and support and party! 

Happy Birthday Graham!

 7 Years Old

Another Toothless Wonder

 

It's Official!

 Lexy is a BYU Grad!

Get Ready Jordan--Here She Comes!

Happy Father's Day!

 Fathering is not something perfect men do

but something that perfects the man.

Frank Pittman

Eden's Cooking Lessons

Meatloaf

It has been so much fun cooking with Eden.  I have to say, I am impressed by her skills.  One of the things I like the most as I teach her, is she is more than willing to get her hands dirty and can dice an onion like a professional chef.  Not only that, she is willing to try anything.  I was worried that I put a little to much on her after our first lesson.  Especially because not everything turned out the way I had hoped.  But she came back and the meatloaf and twice baked potatoes were a big hit with everyone.  Grandpa and Caleb were our taste testers when Ava cooked with me in California.  Eden has a bigger group but just like with Ava before, everyone seems to enjoy whatever we put in front of them.  I'm so grateful for grandkids!

Twice Baked Potatoes

Miriam

If you read the previous post you saw that Miriam is home from college for the summer.  Before leaving college she was  hired as an intern for the National Science Foundation (NSF),  She is doing on-line modeling of a protein to find out what it does.  I'm sure some of you know what that means but if you don't--drop a line to Miriam.  I know she can answer it!

Illinois!

Aunt Becky sent me some pictures of their move to Bloomington.  As a side note I want to thank all of you who send me pictures.  When I started my blog it was a way I felt made it possible to keep our family connected no matter where each of us are.  Thank you all for helping me achieve my desire to strengthen our family relationships.  You are all the best!!

Last dinner in North Dakota--

From North Dakota to Illinois.  The moving truck took most of their household items, but Jeremy's Bass and Aunt Becky's house plants got to ride in the car!  And the plants got to spend the night in the hotel.  

An added complication was keeping Miriam connected to her job as they travel.  This required internet service so one of the stops was in Des Moines at the city library.  She got on the internet and the rest of them enjoyed exploring the library shelves.

On Wednesday afternoon they arrived in Bloomington at their beautiful new home!

And again Miriam had to find her internet connection which her dad got right on!  

And Miriam explored placed where she could get her job done!

And now--I am going to put another heart on my map!

Love This!

Caleb

Ava took an on-line art class from BYU and she drew this picture of Caleb as her final project.  Amazing!!!

Happy Birthday Brigham!

21 Years Old 

Xalapa, Mexico

Ruth received her mission assignment today.  She will report on September 25, 2023 and will attend the missionary training center in Mexico City.  Before beginning she asked us to sing "Ill Go Where You Want Me To Go." and then Uncle Christian gave a prayer.  Before opening the letter from the mission department she bore her testimony and then shed tears as she read the letter and the location where she will serve for 18 months.  Xalapa is in Central Mexico on the east side of the country.  For those who were able to see the call you probably heard a lot of background noise.  We had a house full of people there to celebrate this wonderful opportunity Ruth has to serve as a missionary.                           

Congratulations Graduate!

Caleb is now in Junior High!

Caleb

 Caleb is graduating from elementary school and at an assembly he received a medal for making all A's on his report cards this year.  Way to go Caleb!

California Duncans

Uncle Andy sent some pictures from the last two weeks.  Perry was in California to spend some time with his family and visit with his Nana who has been ill for a while.  

Happy Anniversary!

 Evangeline & Owen

One Year

A good marriage does not require a perfect man

or a perfect woman.  It only requires a man and

a woman committed to strive together towards perfection.                    Dallin Oaks

Cooking Class

I'm so excited!  When we came home from our mission Ava and I did a cooking class together.  It is still one of my favorite memories.  Now seven years later Eden spent the morning with me and we started her cooking class.  We had some hits and some misses but Eden always had a smile on her face.  I think she had as much fun as I did.  We made a number of appetizers and finished with a pineapple upside-down cake.