General RS Meeting and Dinner

Okay, in August I was up in Utah at a restaurant and saw this darling balloon flower at another table...and snapped a picture with my phone.

I came home and told my presidency we just HAD to do this for the RS dinner coming up. They all looked at each other like, oh boy, that looks like a lot of work...but despite the hesitation we pressed forward and figured out our color scheme based on the fact my counselor just had a wedding reception done in red/black and white. We found out a friend in our ward was a balloon animal expert and he accepted the challenge to help us. He taught Calla and our secretary how to make some while he assembled the others. I stood at the grocery store while a girl aired up the balloons with helium (that took 2 1/4 hours). My counselor and another helper drove the balloons (put in big plastic church garbage bags) to the Church as we got ready. The green stems weren't filled with helium, just hot air from Bro. Shumway's lungs.

So we used all of her table decor, adding the balloon flowers to the other tables and Jerusalem artichoke (yellow) flowers to add the final touch. So CUTE!

SIDE STORY: Okay, this was not a stress-free day. The first 3 flowers that were blown up with helium did not have a special "goo" put in them to make them last all day, and they weren't aired up as full as the other 7. So about 3 p.m. when I ran back to the church to add the fresh flowers, the three of them were laying down on their tables. ACK! Luckily, I had filled up some extra balloons and they were in a bag in the multi-purpose room, already on long strands of ribbon. Phew! I put 3 together and replaced the "dead" flowers. I sat the dead flowers on the stage and floor and they still looked so cute.

ANOTER SIDE STORY: Okay, again, there were little stresses. Like, Calla accidentally bringing a lone balloon into the cultural hall and playing with it. Only problem was, she lost her hold and it floated to the ceiling. That was my biggest fear that day. I DIDN'T want any free-spirited balloons floating up on the ceiling. I looked at her in frustration, then the wheels started turning. We got in the car and ran and got Calla's BB gun. Yes, we brought a firearm into the Church. Calla is a "one shot wonder." Got it her first attempt. Yeah Calla!

I confessed to the Stake President that night...he finished my story before I could. I said, "How did you know?" He said the Lord told him. Gulp. He laughed.

Homecoming Parade

It's a tradition each year to end school half-day on the Friday of Homecoming, for a little parade featuring the high school football team, cheerleaders, royalty, band and class floats. Calla was excited to ride on a fire truck. She threw Tootsie rolls out to the onlookers and at some football players on the truck in front of hers.

We beat St. Johns at the game that night, and the cheer squad performed their "state" competition routine for the first time. Homecoming week has other traditions, one of which had Calla decorating two of the football players bedrooms with streamers, confetti, candy and a new pillowcase. Mark and I went to the big assembly Friday morning and watched her perform there also. Fun times!

Early morning hike in Utah

We hiked up to a pretty little waterfall along a fun trail with narrow walkways crossing a creek. Quite an adventure! Beautiful scenery. The boys and Jenny had fun throwing rocks in the water.

Water fun in Utah

Jenelle took us to a fun park where there is a sidewalk fountain the kids could play at. It was a warm day, sunny and perfect.

July 25th: EFY and Jenelle's BD

We drove up to Utah to take Calla to EFY (Especially for Youth) at BYU. Christopher rode back home with us as he had flown down for Tim's graduation. That Monday, July 25th, was Jenelle's birthday! It was really fun to be there with her. Chris made her favorite chocolate/peanut butter bars. They were very yummy. Jenelle has a special place in our family. She is such an example to us in many ways. She loves good literature and media and shares that passion with Chris and her sons. She is teaching herself an instrument, the (peaceful) ukelele, and it's a good fit. Her sweet voice blends so well with the softness of the instrument. Jenelle is a very organized homemaker, and her family knows that they will be well fed, week in and week out, as she carefully plans within her budget. The spirit is sweet in their home.

Durham

Dawson

Calla was very nervous and insecure her first day at EFY, she absolutely would not let me take a picture of her on campus. I took a general picture and had to call it good. So if you want to see any pictures of her at EFY, you'll have to check out her Facebook page. :)

24th of July parade

Calla's first time to march in the parade with the cheer squad. Christopher took these shots for me, while I videoed. He gets an "E" for effort (he also gets a "W" for being on the wrong side of the street). She was on the back row, far corner. Look for her shiny blue headband!

Tim graduates!

If you click on the picture above, you can see Tim's name and his image accepting his diploma on the big screen. Yeah! Christopher flew down to attend. It was a wonderful program and there were tons of graduates, a very exciting place to be. We are so proud of you, Tim! And "thank you" Cindy for being supportive of his goal. Someday Connor and Kamri will understand what a big day it was for their Daddy.

Sweet days of summer

We brought Sarah Reed back home with us, after our trip down to Mesa. She stayed for a week and we really enjoyed her. She and Calla got feathers in their hair, tried zip-lining at the Muder's, and played in
the creek with Marissa Fusselman. Jannie and Natelle, Aunt Becky and Shelbie Merrill came up for a couple days also. We went out to Bert Solomon's ranch to play in the creek and on their big tire swing. We're so glad they all came! It was so much fun!