September Events

My parents and brother, Gordon came to visit September 9th -11th. My dad helped Jim get the big 400amp electrical box up on the house and ready to receive the electrical wires. We had a great time visiting and eating ice cream. Seminary started on the 12th. I have a great class of Freshman and Sophmores. We are studying the Old Testament this year. We went to Spokane for James Micheal's 6th birthday Monday and enjoyed visiting with James' family before they left for the fair. Makayla was so excited after returning from her first day of school that she would not stay still long enough to take a picture. We visited with Jordan and his family for a while before going to Home Depot for more supplies to finish the electrical project. Saturday we participated in a community service project where we fixed up the Clayton Fairgrounds. Jim worked on an electrical project and I painted bleachers and metal fencing. Others built a wooden fence around the beer garden, built a horse barn and painted the grand stands. We had a great time with the 300 plus people involved.

We now need to move the electricity from the small pedestal to the large gray box on the house.

James Micheal with his cake that is Mom and Dad made for him

Sadie

Evan

Della

A picture of the horse barn going up.

Weekend with James' children

Jim and I spent Saturday and Sunday with James' children while they were away in Seattle watching the Mariners game.  We took them to the park Saturday morning.  After lunch Jim went shopping for paint for the great room.  Jeff has one half of the ceiling painted in primer and two walls.  The great room is transforming into just what Jim pictured. James Micheal and I went on a bike ride while Evan and Sadie napped.  Jim only had to take care of Makayla while we were gone.  Saturday night Jim enjoyed their Netflix and ate cheddar cheese popcorn.  Sunday I had to get the children fed and dressed for church at 9:00.  Jim went to Clayton ward and I had the children all by myself.  We made it to church and it was a slow process getting them all into the building and sitting down.  Jordan and Mariah came and sat by us which helped out a lot.  Evan really likes Jordan. I had help getting them all back to the van and home we went.  Lunch was a challenge but somehow I managed to get them all changed and fed and Sadie down for a nap.  James and Audra returned home at 2:00.  Jim got back at 3:30 and we left for home at 5:00.  It was a great weekend.

Tori's Wedding Day

Saturday morning Jim flies into Spokane at 8:00am and waits until Trissa, Gavin, Derrick, Laura and Kendra arrive. I go to the airport too because they cannot all fit in one car. We drive to James' and get ready to go to the temple. Trissa and Derrick take care of Gavin and Kendra during the ceremony. After pictures have been taken of those present we all head for Tomato Street Restaurant. Jerry, Jill, Jonny, Anne, Jason, Richelle, Tristan, Jeremiah, Hillary, Adeline, Grandma and Grandpa, Jeff, Kathy, Jodi, Steve, Jeri, Emma, Mark, Jim, James, Audra, James Micheal, Makayla, Evan, Saddie, Trissa, Derrick, Gavin, Laura, Kendra, Jordan, Mariah, Della,and I all eat lunch. It was quite the scene. I was at a table with James Micheal, Makayla, Kendra, and Gavin. It went pretty good until Makayla had to go to the bathroom and they all followed. I just had them all come into the handicap stall with me. It was exhausting but fun. After lunch I went to the church to help with the reception food. It was a great reception with wonderful food and great atmosphere.

Tori and Trent in front of Spokane Temple

After the Ceremony

Lunch at Tomato Street

Fun with Family

July 16th Andy's family came to visit from California for two weeks. Rip has vacation this week also. I have to go to girl's camp on Monday. I enjoy girl's camp which includes a "cougar sighting" one night. I returned home to lots of family and enjoyed the weekend. I have decided to be on vacation too and put off camp clean up until the family is gone. Trissa and Gavin came up Saturday and left Sunday.  James and Jordan and their families came up Friday night. Tuesday I go to Spokane with Grandma, Kathy, Didi and Ali. We had a wonderful time shopping and eating. We attended Tori's Bridal Shower that evening and I bring Makayla home with me. She got to stay with me until Saturday. Jim and I attended the Temple with Tori and her family and enjoyed lunch at the park afterward with a lot of the family. Sunday we got together for lunch after church. There were over 40 people in attendance. Dave's family left at 4:30pm and the others after that. Andy's family left Monday morning early and life is back to just us until this next weekend when Tori gets married.

Frisbee Golf

Ali playing with Makayla

Gavin with the trucks

Horseshoes

Andi and Sadie

Mark, Gavin and Jason

Andi and Evan

Grandma and Jason

Jordan and Cameron

Having fun at the park after the temple

Jeri and Evan

Jennifer, Lizzie and Mariah

Heidi, Nicole, Andi and Grandpa

Family at the Park

Jim, Rip and Jason(9 years old) the only ones that can do fingertip push-ups

These pictures were taken on Sunday when we all got together.

YW Campout

I have been busy getting ready for Girl's Camp. I had a pre-camp campout on Friday and Saturday. I had 11 girls come and we learned about fires and cooked foil dinners and of course smores, learned about clouds and their scientific names, and about the Stars. It was a clear night to observe the stars and very cold to sleep out under the stars but we all managed and had a great time. Saturday after enjoying biscuits and gravy cooked in Dutch ovens we ventured out on our hike. I took them out around grandpa's field and into State land. We all had a great time and can't wait for camp on the 18th.

4th of July Weekend

Jordan, Mariah and Della came up Friday night. Laura, Craig and Kendra arrived Saturday afternoon. Rip and Sarah came up so we enjoyed playing games and after dinner we helped Grandpa pull up a grove of little trees. He used his tractor to pull them up and Rip attached the chain and Jordan stacked the trees. The weather is perfect here. Highs in the upper 70's and low 80's and lows in the 50s. Sunday we all drove to Jordan's ward for Della's blessing. After church we all returned to our house for dinner. We ate and played games and then ate ice cream. At 9:00 is started getting dark so Rip and Jodi and their families went back up to Grandma's and we got ready for bed. Monday we went to our ward's 4th of July breakfast at the church. After a trip to Walmart we went home and played Frisbee golf and later a game of Settlers. We enjoyed BBQ steak, chicken, pineapple, with salads and brownies for dessert. Way too much good food. Instead of watching the fireworks we stayed home and watched "Adjustment Bureau" on Blu-ray.

Steve enjoying the coolness of the great room

Emma, Kendra and Craig relaxing on the tramp

Kathy and Jeff enjoying dessert

Sarah Grandpa and Grandma enjoying Giant Marshmallows

Mark finishing off his giant toasted marshmallow