You're Welcome Arizona!

I have the ability to bring rain to our barren desert.  It is something I have known for some time and since I have been back in town from my travels to Utah and California I have generously done my part.  This is what I have learned.  If you want it to rain, go get your car washed!  It only works during the monsoon season but I can assure you that I am doing my part.  I pay a monthly fee to the local car wash and so I have unlimited use of their facility and because of that I can go weekly when necessary.  Between the dust storms that literally darken the skies and the rain that comes soon after, my car is getting a lot of washing.  And as expected when I went to the car wash yesterday I knew that rain would be coming.  It did!  When I woke up this morning it started to rain and now five hours later it is still raining.  It's a gentle rain so far and the water isn't running down the street taking the leaves with it.  But it is raining!  You're welcome!

Graham and Duncan

Uncle Christian headed home and back to work but the rest of the family stayed in Utah.  Duncan is attending the FSY (For the Strength of Youth) program and Graham is attending a class on writing.  We were all a little nervous how Duncan would handle it for the week but Aunt Amy got this text last night from him with his roommate.  So far so good!  Graham is attending a writing camp and came home excited about all that he got to do there.

The Bean Museum

The Whitney's decided to check out the Bean Museum that the Eastern Duncans had gone to.  Aunt Amy said it is small but free and there were really fun activities there for the kids to do.

Family Reunion and 4th of July Activities

I want to thank all of you for coming to our family reunion.  You are all wonderful and as I watched each of you I was incredibly grateful that Heavenly Father gave me the best children and grandchildren.  I know that Grandpa would have loved being there but I don't doubt he knows all about each of you and all the good you do.  When Aunt Amy gets home I will be sharing the pictures and I'm sure she will send you all copies of your family.  I was sorry the Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Florida family had to leave before the activities for the 4th of July.  Uncle Bill, Abby and Katie did the patriotic run.  The Whitney's saw the parade and went over to Orem for the Colonial Festival with the Ca and Ut Duncans.  Thank you Bill, Andy, Ben, and Amy for all you did to make this wonderful activity for all of us!  Thanks also for those who made the amazing food that was provided.

Lexy

Fun time for Lexy as she visited her parents.  They headed over to Amish country so they could buy a porch bench rocker.  Her latest trip was to Gary, Indiana to see the childhood home of Michael Jackson.

My Trip to California

Thanks to Sister Walker I was able to go over to California last weekend.  It was great fun and we had lots to talk about and to remember.  We left Arizona on Friday and drove over to San Diego and spent the night there.  The next morning we went over to the Open House at the San Diego Temple.  We enjoyed a tour of the beautiful inside of it.  Our guide told us that they had 20,000 reservations made for the day we went.  There were people everywhere but it was amazing how well done the whole process was.  

After the tour we drove to Corona and had lunch with Barb's Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law.  It was nice to meet them and he reminded me very much of Barry.  I am glad that she has been able to stay in contact with them.  We spent Saturday night in Hesperia and then on Sunday morning we drove out to the Andreasen's ward in Apple Valley.  They spoke about  their time in the Philippines serving in the Cebu Temple.  They both gave excellent talks and their children and grandchildren sang a beautiful song during the meeting.  Joe even shared his testimony in Tagalog.  I hadn't told Beth we were coming and when she saw me she got teary eyed and so did I.  While there the Bishop of the ward walked up and gave me a hug and told me how sorry he when he heard about Scott's death.  He also mentioned his time working with the young men and how much he enjoyed having Andy when he was a teenager.  It was Corwin Porter.  I also got to see Dennis and Monica Christofferson and the Stake President was in the meeting that day.  I was delighted to see that it was Mark Lacy.  

After the meeting we went back to the hotel and packed up and left for Indio where we spent the night.  We came home this morning.  It was a fun trip and I appreciated so much the time I got to spend with Barb remembering our time in Victorville when Barry was stationed at George Air Force Base.

California Duncans

From Andy:  The weekend before the reunion we did a quick trip down to the San Diego temple open house. The night before we stopped at Oceanside pier. The next day went to the open house and then got burritos before heading home.  During the reunion I only took a few photos. One of a bird at the Tracy Aviary and a few of flowers up at the lake.  On July 4th we met up with Bill's family at the Colonial Heritage Festival in Orem. I got a photo of myself in the stocks.