What I Did For My Summer Vacation...

Visited brothers and killed each other Halo style.

Got reaquainted with grandbabies and had a couple good chats.

Were amazed at the difference a month makes in a

baby's life.


Stopped at the MTC parking lot for a familiy picture.

Said goodbye to new friends.

Hanging out and being tough before saying godbye .

Checking out the orders and rules for the new digs.

So maybe we weren't so tough but it was nice to see that these two

"non-huggers" really can hug!

We walked where prophets of the restoration walked.

And sat in the sacred rooms where they taught.

Joseph in the School of the Prophets.

And saw sacred temples that didn't feel so sacred any more.
Kirtland Temple

Sat in the room where the Savior appeared and

the fullness of the gospel was revealed to mortal man.

Visited the Johnson farm---a beautiful and large home even by today's standards

Had noodle wars with beloved siblings.

Hung out with in-laws and out-laws.

Met a new grandbaby and fell in love with him.

He wasn't so sure about us though!

Visited a very cool (or HOT) glass factory.

There was glass everywhere but we were warned not to touch anything as it could still be several hundred degrees in temperature. Pretty effective theft control.

Uncle Joe at his best: feeding and burping Payton. Did we ever doubt Joe has a talent in this area?

We got to see Payton get blessed in his Mr. Fancy-Pants outfit. He wasn't as interested in the procedings as we were.

Here's a happy family.

Posing with the whole crew.

We crosed rivers....

and more rivers...

And drove through state....

after state....

for miles and miles...

Through storm...

after storm...

after storm...

And finally we arrived home. Just in time for uncles, aunts and cousins to come play.

Took a ride on the cousin massage train.

Swam in the Kings river and yes, the water really does come from bottom of the lake---FREEZING!!!

Decided a camping trip to the beach was preferable to a hiking trip in the mountains.

Well, the kids decided. They were probably right.

Got treated to a yummy (and ginormous!) lunch at Fat Cat's--One of grandma and Grandpa's favorite seaside restauants.

We enjoyed a beautiful day or two at the beach.

Two of our very favorite beach bunnies!

Watched James and Steve catch wave after wave...

And watched a few waves catch James and Steve!

Leaving the very cold ocean for the warm (hot!) sand.

What a great summer filled with lots of traveling to states far and wide and lots of people and family to see. And just when the traveling was too much, family came to visit us! That was a real treat and so much fun. It was really the perfect summer and now we all start back to school on monday and for the first time in a long time, everyone is looking forward to classes and new friends and old friends. Thank you all who put up with our visits and all who visited us.

We love you all and feel so blessed to have you in our lives.