Little House Bytheway: June 2010

Friends

I thugged these pics from my friend's blog. Thanks!

My brain is elsewhere today, and when I posted my last weeks' posts, I didn't do them in order. I should have started out talking about my great friends, the Algers. We met about 4 years ago at Aspen Grove Family Camp. We didn't have much time together, just a few days, but we became fast friends.

Over the years we have mostly chatted through email and kept in touch through blogs, but that has been enough! They are the kind of people you feel close to, even though you live hundreds of miles apart.

Steph is one of those people that I have so much in common with, and yet, someone that is so much better than I am in so many ways. She inspires me! She has NINE children who are some of the most polite and well-behaved kids I have ever seen.

I've only seen them twice since we first met, but they came to visit us recently before heading up to Aspen Grove for their bi-annual family reunion. You'd think that 9 children plus our 6 would make for an overly- "full house" but truly, it was like filling your home with angels. We had a lot of time to chat, play, laugh, and just enjoy each others' company!

I sure love you all! The week went by too quickly, but I can't wait until our next vacation together!

Love you!

Memorial Day Weekend!

Feeding the masses! Look at all those happy faces!

Shadow, our cat, left us a little present. I was so sad when I saw this bird, but it was so beautiful I had to photograph it. I'd never seen such a brightly colored bird in our yard before. Turns out, it's a "Tanager." Sad.

Ashley and Josh getting ready to bury the bird

Tim and Tiffany are the most gracious hosts, and didn't disappoint on Memorial Day. We inaugurated her new barbecue grill on Memorial day with a fabulous get-together with all of the family (minus the Dustins) and even our Alger friends from Arizona! It was a PARTY!!! Thanks so much, Tim and Tiff! It was SO FUN!!!

Kids crammed into Thomas's bedroom to play the Wii around a tiny television!

Jeff
Madelyn and Elayna
John and Rich
Laney
Madelyn, Daniel, Elizabeth, and Ava
Me and Steph
Our "killer" game of Elimination (adults only, please!--and the occasional courageous youth)
Mario Warriors
Steph and Laney
We had such a fun weekend with everyone! I'm not the greatest picture taker in the world, and missed so many fun "kodak moments" but we sure had fun!
Love you all!

Splashing with cousins and friends

We had a great week visiting with our "Alger cousins." We're not really related legally, but certainly emotionally! We went to the 7 canyons splashground at Liberty Park with the Dustins, Hendricksons, and Algers and had a great afternoon! Love all you guys!

Bessaboo

Lauren, Bethany, Ava holding Madison, Timothy, and Daniel
Ava and Timothy
My "sister" Stefanie Alger and her son, Daniel
Look at all those cute kids! Note: the NINE children that aren't mine are ALL Algers. What a woman!

Kirtland!

John and I got to take a whirlwind trip to Kirtland to speak at a Young Single Adult Conference just before Memorial weekend. Our trip was short, but not so short that we didn't feel the amazing spirit that resides there. As the missionaries put it, New York is the site of the organization of the Church, but Kirtland is the site of the Restoration. It was so great to be there with these SHARP missionaries as well as the young single adults and their leaders who brought us to Kirtland! So fun!

Outside the Newel K. Whitney Store, the site of the School of the Prophets

Inside the upper room of the store. So many significant stories originate in this room. John said his first visit to this place, a couple of women came up the stairs, led by their missionary tour guide, and when they reached this room, the women audibly said, "What happened in HERE?" Very special place.

Outside the Kirtland temple, first temple built by the Saints

On the way home, the pilot and a flight attendant recognized John and asked to have their pictures taken with him...Gee...sit in the cockpit? I guess so... :)