Riley's Farewell Week

At the end of May, the family gathered to see Riley before he left on his mission and for an overall get together. Everyone was here except for Katelyn (how many more times am I going to have to say that?).  Riley gave a very nice farewell talk in Sacrament meeting and afterwards we invited everyone back to our house for lunch.  All the aunts and uncles, cousins, Grandma and Grandpa, and immediate family were in attendance. I think we ran everyone ragged with hikes, canoeing, dutch oven dinner, swimming, horseback riding, trax and City Creek, matt's birthday party and just being together.  Dad and I love every minute.  We have lots of pictures (no certain order), but none of the farewell day, did anyone take any pictures that day? I also stole a couple from your blogs, is that legal? :

Hermano and Hermana Serafine

On Sunday, April 17, 2012, Dad and I were called to be part time service missionaries.  We serve in the Draper Eastridge 9th Spanish Branch.  We have been called to teach the daily dose English lessons to non members and to support the Branch in any way we are asked.  We are delighted to serve!

Mother's Day 2012

For Mother's day this year, I got to hang out with all of my daughters, only one of them just happens to still be 2000 miles away.  I loved the day Kelli, Allison and I spent shopping at City Creek, and had a lovely lunch. It is so beautiful there.  I also loved the day where we got to talk to Katelyn through Skype!  I have always and still do love being a mother.  Of course if you have children like mine, who wouldn't??

We also took a short trip through the Grand Canyon on our way to Matt and Stacy's house in Arizona.  It was quite chilly and windy, but we persevered and saw another spectacular  view of red rocks and  the deepest canyon. Then we headed down to Arizona, where we went to a baseball game,shopped at the outlets, went on a train ride, and played with Graham!  We forgot our camera, so all of the pictures are from my phone and we didn't take many.

Riley Turned 19 Years Old!

Kelli and Jake invited us over to their house to celebrate Riley's birthday this year.  Grandpa and Grandma also attended. Don't worry, Riley got plenty of luggage and mission stuff.  We also took Riley out to dinner at Texas roadhouse on his actual day.

Claire's Baby Blessing in St George

So, we were barely over the shock of Riley's mission call, when we were glad to drive down to St George for a lovey weekend with all of our family, (except Katelyn) for Claire's baby blessing. Thanks to the Davidson's, we had wonderful accommodations where we all gathered.  The weather was so beautiful and we were able to spend time outside.  Matthew and Jane entertained us all by doing the pillow dance while we waited for our unlucky and stressed out traveler Bradley to arrive. We love watching the kids get to know each other and the girls just adore Graham.  Here are some pictures from St George 

I'm sorry, but this picture of Matt and Jane doing the pillow dance just makes me laugh.

    
We love new babies and their parents too.  Thanks for including us all in such a special event!  We look forward to many more family times.

thanks 

February 2012

On February 1, 2012, and after what seemed like a lifetime, Riley received his mission call.  He had the call sent to our house, so after school and work, the family gathered for a much awaited moment...

Sierra Leone Freetown Mission!!!!  I think these pictures tell it all. We were all really shocked.  Things had to happen really fast; we had to get passports, visas and immunizations all done in a week or two.  Then we could relax until he finished his school semester and get him ready.  He left for the MTC in Ghana on June 14th. 

December 2011

Christmas was a little different this year, as it was only the three pack at home Christmas morning.  Ok, it was just plan weird, but we muddled through and tried to find the positives.  We woke up to a quiet house, heated up the traditional cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate, roused Riley from bed and went off to church.  Kelli, Jake, Allison and Riley arrived and we all waited together for the BIG phone call from our missionary Katelyn.  We gathered around the laptop and visited with Katelyn while the rest of the family not at home were hooked up by various methods so they could join the conversation.  Thank goodness for technology that brought our entire family together, if only for a few minutes. Matthew, Stacy and Graham were able to visit later in the week after they spent Christmas in Idaho.  Here are a few of the highlights from 
Christmas.

We just love this little guy, always a smile on his face and always so happy.  Thank goodness we get to seem him every so often!

Kansas November 2011

I took a nine month hiatus from the blog, but lucky for all you followers, I am going to update this site today. OK, maybe you're not that lucky.  So first, we will hearken back to last November, or was it October that we visited Bradley, Mandy and the girls?  Most importantly, newly born baby Claire.  We loved holding this sweet, soft, beautiful little baby.  We had lovely fall weather and great fun. Here are a few of the highlights. 

In case you are wondering why we stuck the white SUV in here, well, as far as I can remember, we were all quite enthralled with the length of this man's cigar and when we pulled beside him, Dad shot this wonderful picture. We just love our Kansas trips. They are all so good to us when we visit.  We just love being grandparents to these adorable little girls.