Weirdaloupe

I bought a HUGE cantaloupe at Lee's the other day. When I cut it today, I was surprised to see TWO seed pockets (or whatever they're called). It's kind of like a woman with two uteruses, isn't it? Kind of? Sort of?

Bryan and Becky's Family Does Sacrament Mtg.

One of Bryan's counselors was in charge of arranging the Sacrament Meeting speakers for today - so he asked the bishop's family! Jack and I went out to hear them speak and sing. The topic of their talks was kindness, in its various facets. When we walked into the chapel, we were surprised to see big speakers on either side of the choir seats, and an extra microphone set up at the lectern. We both thought - "Wow! This is going to be some program!"

Actually, the speaker system had gone out in their chapel, so Bryan tracked down a couple of big speakers and a microphone for them to use.

All four of the kids spoke, and did a great job! It's amazing to me to see the maturity of the older kids. The family sang together, "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus." It was hard for Bryan to sing, because he was pretty emotional, but they all made it and they sounded good! Becky talked after the kids all did, and then she sang, "Because I Have Been Given Much." It was beautiful, as usual. Her mom was there to accompany both the songs." Bryan spoke last. As he talked, I looked around the chapel at the people watching him. I hope he knows the great influence he has on the ward. He is a great leader and a valiant servant!

Arrington Reunion - Last of its Kind???

Oops! I accidentally erased all of my pictures from the camera BEFORE I saved them to my computer! I'm hoping that Kathie Linsley got some good ones that she'll share with me!

Sunset on the Mountains

I had to run over to Jeff and Angie's last night to get help with a painting project. As I was leaving, I noticed this brilliant sunset reflection against the mountains east of their home. In the foreground, next to the driveway, were these beautiful hybiscus blossoms. Perfect photo material, I thought! So happy that my camera was in my purse! Seconds after I took the picture - the color had vanished! That's how it is!!!

Alli's first day of Kindergarten

Joann asked if I'd come down and stay with Bo and Rachel while she and Justin took Alli to meet her teacher. It was her first day in Kindergarten! I know she's going to love it! And... her teacher loves her already - she had Marianne last year.

White Streamers on the Freeway

(Not my porta-potty hauling truck)

I was on I-15 going from Layton to North Ogden this afternoon and I kept passing what I thought were long streamers of white plastic floating in and around the freeway. I had passed about 10 of them, when one wrapped around my mirror, ruffled there for a few minutes and broke off. I still thought they were white plastic streamers, until I came upon a truck carrying a porta-potty. The white streamers were TOILET PAPER, coming out a crack in the door!!! I'm sure the driver had no clue! haha

Shuckin' corn

Joann and Justin pretty much brought dinner to us on Sunday. The brought tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn from their garden and beef from their pasture. The kids even shucked the corn! Love these kiddos!

Tri-Fecta (in progress)

Caught a picture of the Js just before they left for a wedding.

Jackson

Chad w/hot dog

Bo and Audrey

Cute London, feeding olives to Rachel

Tina and Paisley - smiling with her mouth full of food

Kurt and Lucy - hot dogs and root beer

Jack and Gus at the He-Man Grill

We managed to squeeze in a summer tri-fecta at the Bolos's tonight. We had a fair turnout. Rochelle and Victor and their younger girls were there - with one of their exchange students. Brent and Leila, Tina and Kurt and their kids and Chad and Lucy were there. Everyone from our side was represented except John's family (they were in Yellowstone) and Danny and Dalena. I'm hoping that Leila will share her photos with me, because I completely missed TEN of my grandchildren and my three daughters. :o(

♪♫♫♪HaPpY BiRtHdAy Cousins♪♫♪♫

London and Amberly share an August 20th birthday. London turned 15 and Amberly is 13. Jack refereed a football game in Hyrum last night, so I did the b-day duty alone. I didn't have my camera at either place, so I am depending on Sharon and Amy for pictures of the birthday girls!

Sharon sent me hers! Thank you very much! Amy?

Late night indoor!

Jack and I stayed up way to late last night! While we were at Jace's birthday, Bryan mentioned that he and Mike had an indoor soccer game at 10:20. We decided, "what the heck?" We hadn't seen them play - ever, so we drove out and watched the game! It was pretty intense! It was the amigos vs the gringos and both teams were pretty good! The Mexicanos seemed very quick to me. I was surprised (after a 4 to 2 win for the amigos) to hear that our guys had played them three times previously, and this was their first win! Our guys only had two subs last night though, so they got pretty tired. Even though we didn't get home 'til 11:30, I was really glad we went!

My camera has very poor indoor quality, and equally as poor action-shot quality, but here are a few that turned out well enough that you can tell who is in them!

♪♫♪♫HaPpY BiRtHdAy Jace! ♪♫♫♪

We went to Bryan and Becky's last night to celebrate Jace's 9th birthday. I called Bryan earlier in the day to see if he had any gift ideas. He laughed and said he didn't. "In fact," he said, "Jace got a Walmart gift certificate from the kids and he spent 2 1/2 hours there, and all he bought was a $1 bouncy ball." It sounds like Jace inherited his shopping habits from his grandma!

♪♫♪♫HaPpY BiRtHdAy John!♪♫♫♪

We celebrated John's birthday a day early because they left the morning of the 19th to go to Yellowstone with the Markers. Ann said, "John requested peach pie, so no birthday cake." John said, "Actually, I requested German chocolate cake, but Spencer said, 'How about peach pie?'" Spence has a lot of influence with his dad.

The first and the last - now that's Epic!

Some members of John's ward decided months ago that they wanted to run the Epic Cache Teton Relay the middle of August. John chose to be on the team of 12. A few people dropped out shortly after the sign-up (I think Jeff and Angie were 2.) So, Lisa was invited to run. The team called themselves the Vilage Idiots. Vilage is misspelled - but remember - they're Idiots!

Here are the runners that were in our Yukon -

Lisa, Kate, John, Jeff, Ken and Melissa.


They decorated the Yukon - their home away from home.

Caushun!

John and Lisa knew I would want a picture, so they complied. Nice of them!

Sounds of Time at the Fair

Sounds of Time performed at the county fair yesterday. It was their final performance of the year. The kids were great! Jenna is a born performer and loves it! Jace is still good, but is getting to the age where being "cool" kind of hampers his enthusiasm. Beth Ann sat next to us, and we all got a kick out of watching Jordan. That kid has got the moves! I'm having trouble uploading the videos I took of the show. When we get our unruly, obstinate computer fixed, I'll post them

After the show, we went into the two main buildings and checked out the commercial and competitive fair displays. We were looking at the artwork when we heard a voice say, "What's this? 7th Ward at the fair day?"
Jack, Landry and Rex - neighbors from the circle

The fruits of our labors...

Dad bought us a peach tree a couple of years ago. It's a Red Haven peach. We were kind of surprised that it had peaches on it this year, since it's still a baby! Jack harvested the crop last night (SIXTY peaches!), after he noticed a couple of peaches had fallen on the ground. They should have been picked a couple of days ago! They're very sweet and very juicy! Jack had to go home teaching, so I took half a dozen peaches down to Dad. He got to take the first bite of the very first peach from our little tree! He loved it!
Here he is...taking that first bite!
It was so juicy, he had to move over to the sink to finish it. I must say, he REALLY enjoyed that peach!
After Dad finished his peach, he had to take me out to his "garden" so I could see how big his vines are. Holy Miracle Grow Soil! This tomato plant is gigantic!!! Next year, Dad wants to have a grow box, like ours and Dave's. We'll have to see what we can do.

Coleslaw, anyone?

We had dinner last night at Mike and Amy's. While we were there, Dean picked the cabbage he planted at the end of the school year. Every 3rd grade student was given a little cabbage plant in a cup. They were to take them home and plant them in a garden. Water and sunshine (and good Plain City soil) created the giant cabbage! It weighed 22 AND ONE HALF pounds after it was cleaned up! Wow!

Campfire with Jared and Scott's Families

Jared and Joyce reserved a campsite in South Fork on Thursday. They invited family to come up and join them for a campfire. Scott and his family camped with them, and I drove Dad up and joined them to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. It was a nice night - clouds all around us in the sky, but no rain! I guess the two families had spent the afternoon tubing on the river. The kids had a great time, I hear, but the adults kept bottoming out on their tubes. haha
When we got to the campground, Atticus was playing in the mud. He had to run right over and show us!Asher was having fun showing off for us. He's a cute little guy and so well mannered. He came out of Scott's trailer, "Excuse me, does anyone know where Carter is?" Later, he walked from person to person saying, "Excuse me, would you like some cake?"
Dad with Joyce and baby Thatcher
Jared, Thatcher, McKenna and Scott
Atticus prepares to devour his s'more.
Dad sure enjoys being with his family! He is quite taken with little Atti's curls! He showed Atticus his bald head and asked, "Why don't you give me some of those curls?"

More great news!

Lex and London both made Fremont's soccer team! I am so excited to hear that! Jack and I love to watch our kids play for their school teams! I'll post a picture as soon as I get one! Happy day! I love it!

Happy day for Justin! He got his learner's permit!

Justin and Becky stopped in today after they had been up to the DMV in Brigham City. Justin had just tested and gotten his learner's permit. He asked his mom if he could drive by and show Grandma. Thanks for sharing, Justin! Love ya, dude!

Visit from the PNW Groses

Jared and Joyce are in Utah for a few days. They're staying at Dad's and we got to spend a little time with them on Sunday night. Laurel and her husband Chris came up from Provo (where they're attending school) and Becky is also in town, helping with her dad, who is having health problems. Scott and his family came up to visit them too, while we were there. Dave and Julie also. It is always good to see our family from the Pacific North West.
Laurel and Chris, and Joyce, Asher and Atti.
Asher cheeses for the camera.
Thatcher is just starting to walk.
Here's Jared with his Grandpa Grose. Can you tell that Dad is ecstatic about having his family there to visit?
Three of my beautiful sisters-in-law - Amber, Julie and Becky.
Atticus wanted to go check out Scott's motorcycle in the driveway.