Happy Halloween! (blank)

Riley and Alyssa Get Married!

I think I was one of the first to get a pic of Riley and Alyssa when they came out of the Logan temple - as a married couple! Aren't they beautiful?

St. George on Conference Weekend

When we heard that Joann and Justin were going to go to St. George over Conference Weekend, we decided that we'd go down too. We wanted to see Aida at Tuacahn! We put out a call for grandkids who wanted to go down with us and we had four takers - Lex, London, Kate and Baylee. We had a great weekend - made even greater because Danny and Dalena drove up from Mesa to spend Saturday and Sunday with us.
As soon as we got into St. George, we went straight to the temple so the girls could do some baptisms. Jack was able to baptize and confirm them, and he assisted in some additional confirmations (in Spanish even) while the girls were waiting their turns in the font.
This is the Barbers' back yard. The fence goes around the swimming pool and on the other side of the fence is the mountain! The older girls climbed up to Lizzard Head, clear at the top! Can you see it?
Some of the kids swam in the backyard pool between conference sessions. Aren't these cousins so cute? I don't know where Alexis was - probably napping in the house.
While the older kids swam and climbed on rocks, Bo and Alli had fun making mud pies in the front yard. I love how little kids can just squat and play with no effort at all. (They can even get up with no problem!)
We jokingly called the Barbers' home, "Barbers' Bed and Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner." Phil and Sally were up north, taking care of Grandpa Winegar, who had just had surgery. It was so nice of them to let us use their home for the weekend! They have this huge family table in their dining area - plenty of room for everyone!
On Friday night we took all the kids to Tuacahn to see Annie. After the show, we met the cast. The big girls had their picture taken with Annie - who was probably just about their age. They talked to her about her summer and her schedule during the play. She was very personable!
Marianne was game to have her picture taken with Miss Hannigan. Allison would go nowhere near her! She was scared to death of her and took every precaution to stay out of her way!
Joann had to have her picture taken with Miss Hannigan too. She said, "I AM Miss Hannigan in real life!"

I put this picture of the plug in on this post, only to recall a most hilarious story that happened on this trip. As you can see from the picture below, all of our group sat together for Aida, except Jack and me. We were in the center section, by ourselves and they were in the side section. Shortly after I sat down, I was very aware of someone wearing very, very strong perfume or cologne. It was just overwhelming! It was making me cough, and I was fanning myself with my program so I could get some fresh air. Nothing was working! I mentioned to Jack how rude I thought it was for anyone to wear that strong a fragrance in the public place! During intermission, we went over and visited with the rest of our group. I told them about the scent too. I could even smell it over there! After the play had ended, we walked to the van and were all piling in. I could still smell the heavy fragrance! I said, jokingly, "I can't believe I can still smell that perfume! Wouldn't it be funny if it was me?" Well, it turned out that it WAS! I could smell it on the right sleeve of the sweater I had on. The sleeve on the arm I was using to fan myself during the play! When we got back to the Barbers', I found out what had happened. I had draped my sweater over a chair in the downstairs bedroom. In the wall, right next to the chair, was a Glade Plug-in!
Danny and Dalena drove up from Mesa, just in time to go to Tuacahn's production of Aida with us. It was so good!Tia came up to watch conference with us. She lives with the Barbers, and is finishing her mission in St. George at the visitors' center.
Dalena got a relaxing neck massage while she and Danny watched conference. It's a wonder it didn't put her to sleep!
All the kids were playing conference bingo. I don't think Bo was listening to conference. I think he was thinking, "When do I get to eat these M&Ms?"

Thank you dinner at Prairie Schooner

Jack wanted to take all of our family who helped us with the wedding activities out to dinner as a thank you. I seriously don't know what in the world we'd have done without them! So many of them got in and worked their tails off to make the whole thing fun and memorable! Some went to the river with the Schellenbergs. All were at the stake camp, setting up, cooking and cleaning up at the shrimp boil. Everyone except Gus (who worked) and Lisa (who didn't have her recommend yet) was at the temple on the morning of the wedding. Bishop John did a wonderful job performing the ceremony. The cake lady commented to me how impressed she was the way the daughters-in-law took over at the Senior Center when it was time to set up for the open house. Everyone helped set out and serve food and clean up after the party was over. Heck! Some of them even got out and danced! I love my family!!! Thank you Jack for letting everyone know how much they were appreciated! I love these guys!

Becky Sings at PV Stake Fair

We got to see Becky sing with her old friend, Kevin Hull at the Pleasant View Stake Fair. It was so fun to see her on stage again. She is such a performer!

The Mean Dean Machine

A Reception in Mesa

Danny and Dalena scheduled an open house in Mesa for friends and family late in August. Jack and Lisa and I drove down for it.

This is actually the last picture I took before we went home - but it was the only one I got of the bride AND groom! They're standing on their front porch, in front of the sign that Kurt Umbrell made for them as a wedding gift. Pretty cool.

Here's my beautiful daughter-in-law in her wedding dress and an apron. So typical! :o)

Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Dalena made this little bear bride and groom. Man! Is she ever talented! We got to watch her decorate and sugar the cakes. She is a professional!

I asked David to pose by the watermelon canoe he created and this is what I got. I think everyone in this family is very artistically creative! Notice the wooden spoon paddles strapped on the sides of the canoe!

Bernie is stirring up some fresh fruit juice in one of Dalena's "big jugs."

Another picture of the gorgeous bride!

Dalena really loved this wedding book that Reagan made for her and Danny. And Reagan was so excited to see this picture posted on Facebook.

Family Reunion, Jace's Baptism, ACapella Stock (08/22/09)

Happy Birthday Amberly and London!

Another Family River Trip

Movin' on Out (08/11/09)

Joann and Justin and their family stayed with us for a couple of months until they could get into their new house...

A Grose Family Camp Out

Domo Arigato - Jeff's on a Billboard!

I've been trying to get a photo of this for weeks! Every time I spot it, I'm without my camera. Leila sent me this picture, so I thought I'd post it right away! Domo arigato, Leila!He's kinda handsome, huh?

Finally!!!

We've waited a long time for this! We are all so thrilled to have Dalena in the family! We love her, and we love the Schellenbergs! Danny and Dalena were told they had to wait a year for their sealing. That was disappointing news. But...a wedding is a good thing - no matter where it takes place!We all met at the temple for an endowment session in the morning. That was wonderful! It literally took my breath away to walk into the chapel and see my children and their spouses sitting on the back row, waiting for us. what a humbling experience! I love my family and I'm so grateful for them! John, who is bishop of his ward, was given permission to perform the ceremony.Beautiful couple!!!
Cutting the cake
Ha ha! I love this one!Their first dance as a married couple
Well said!♪♫♫♪"Tonight's Gonna be a Good Night!♪♫♫♪

Shrimp Boil

We invited the Schellenbergs and some of Danny's close friends to join us for a shrimp boil at the stake camp tonight. We rented a huge blow-up for the kids to play on. After dinner, we hung a couple of piñtas from the ceiling - lots of candy and money and a lot of laughs!Dan and Dalena at the shrimp boil
Balloons for decorations were Dalena's idea. I think it looked quite festive!
Potatoes, corn, shrimp and sausage - all boiled up Cajun style. Yum!
Kurt and Carrie and J.B. and Ashley and their families came. It was good to see the friends together again!Dinner wouldn't be complete without Sharon's home-made ice cream!One of Dalena's nephews - happy with his loot!

A Bridal Shower for Dalena (blank)

Schellenberg/Arrington River Trip

Danny and Dalena thought it would be a great idea to get the two families together on a river trip! Most of the Schellenbergs were already in Island Park, visiting their family, so they drove on over to Alpine and we took them on a couple of runs. Magdalena and Cary, Dalena's mom and sister-in-law, were a little nervous about going down. In fact, they hid in the bathroom when we loaded up for the first run. But, they went on the second run and had a great time.The first group of Schellenbergs. They are officially Mad Hatters!Just before we gathered people for the second river run, Dan and Dalena came out with their river hats! How appropriate!Here are the folks on the second run, with the bride and groom, and Magdalena in the moose hat!After the river runs, we had Dutch oven cabbage chicken and peach cobbler. I think they liked it!

Justin's Ordination (blank)

Family Cookout and Backyard Movie

Many of the family went to the Pioneer Days Parade the morning of the 24th. Later on that day, we met at Jeff and Angie's for a cookout and some outdoor theater.There was lots of good food...And of course, Sharon's home-made ice cream!Yum!
.And a movie after dark. We love summer!

Family River Trip