Jace Came

Sunday evening we spent with our grandparents.  It was too hot to be out, so Austin was showing the men Google maps.

Molly, "couldn't fall asleep in her bed," so she fell asleep in ours.

I thought my Monday lunch was delicious.  I ate six cookies to balance the carb and sugar ratios.

Then, our nicest cousin, Jace, came to visit!  He flew here all on his own, and he is such a great teen.  We'd keep him for sure.  The children swam as soon as he arrived.

Tuesday I hopped in my car and jetted to the temple; I was there an back in four hours.  My time there was sacred, because I felt divine love from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, which was exactly what I needed to feel.  I know there is eternal significance in everyday life.

Evening guitar time awesome.  I dare you to listen to this talent: "Un Poco Loco"

Wednesday the monsoons hit, so Jace took them to Taco Bell for a refreshments.

Molly went to gymnastics.  I thinks she is so cute.

Thursday Austin took us to Phoenix to see "The Lion King" at ASU Gammage.  First we ate at In and Out.

My view to the left.

My view to the right.

My view of the stage.

Only Ryan fell alseep during the show.  Everyone else really liked the puppets and costumes.

Friday we went to the theater. They watched, "The Rise of Gru," and we watched Top Gun again.

Saturday we swam as a family.  The 105*air temp makes swimming very comfortable for moi.  We all took turns using our bodies to form alphabet letters as we jumped off the diving board.

The boys made the batter, and I fried up some tasty corn dogs.

Then I took these two bigs boys to float the river.

 

Sundays are hard when traveling, poor Jace.  He is so kind, but I snapped this picture of these boys winding down for the day.  I love them both so much.

Andy's #19

Andy and Me 

Andy is celebrating his birthday in the mission field this year.  Google autogenerated this movie just for us.

Celebratory Week

Austin was up early shopping for our July 4th festivities.  Eddie came up with a plan to stripe our waffles -- he added the red and bluefood coloring to each waffle -- whereupon they were gobbled.

Down the Verde River we floated.  The cloud cover and temps were just lovely.  Eddie and Ryan each navigated their own boats, so it was just Molly who shared her raft with Maisie (she didn't like my kayak.)

Home for a BBQ with Grandpa and the Booth fam.

Maddie is joining the ranks of taking selfies.

We all sat on the gazebo roof to watch the local fireworks show.  I began singing all the patriotic songs that I know, and I was very pleased that my children knew them all, too.  We sang with clarity and gusto.  We know we live in the promised land, and we know that covenant keeping allows our view of eternity to be clear and our hearts to swell with gratitude for liberty.

I had come returns to make at Target, and these bots play devices every time I step out the door.  So, I took them with me.  That was the worst.  How can it be that they are worse behaved than when they were tots? I got us out of there fast.  Blast, I wanted to browse.

New sheets.

My nice friend invited us to HER house.  We often host during the summer months, but she was a rock star and allowed us to invade her backyard.

Grandma is 73!  We were both traveling on her birthday, so we celebrated her this week instead.  She's a very special birthday girl, because she nurtures gracefully and gives generously.  We love Grandma because she makes us all feel special.

This is now happening!  Guitars come out everyday, and they like it.

Molly found Maddie's suit in the bucket.  I think they look alike.

Afternoon books and naps.

We swim most afternoon, and Maisie happened to be home this day.

Saturday afternoon was Austin's office BBQ.  We spent the morning cleaning up and preparing.  We spent the afternoon eating and enjoying.  We spent the evening lackidaisically floating in tubes.

Austin has the best team.

I found these two prepping nails for Sunday.  

Farm Fest

John and Rebekah invited us all to their farm for a pig roast.  As in, kill a pig that was born on their farm February 1st, roast it in the ground, and eat it.

Lots of family descended upon their homestead.  Grandma Goodell, age 92, was the only soul that would put her hand in the pig's "bung" hole to detach the intestines.  

Chopping the head off -- Grandma kept talking about "head cheese."  Nope.

Cousins.

Cousins/big brother

Big brother and little sister

After dinner, the zip line was the evening attraction, 

until the COWS GOT OUT!  I guess someone left the gate open. John started screaming for Rebekah (who was at the bottom of the zip line as the landing catch), whereupon they corralled the four cows.

The entertainer.

Saturday we landed at a fishing hole while waiting for the pig to roast.  The kids played well in the sand, but the water was frigid.

Once home, it was off to the kitchen where these two prepped for hours.

Late in the afternoon, the men uncovered the roasted pig and cut her up.

While they were cutting outside, we worked inside.  There was only a two minute gap between when it was time to eat and when we actually prayed and started eating.  Grandma found the floor, and Molly found Grandma.

Look at our feast!!!! (I might take a moment to boast that I baked 14 loaves of bread for the weekend, and it was gobbled up.) Sadly, the meat is in the foil tray.  We ate so much food.  Luckily fast Sunday followed our meal. 

At 8:15 pm, after the kitchen was clean and we were exhausted, I convinced my mother and her mother to sit on the trampline and chat.  We didn't allow the children to jump, but they were welcome to join us. 

Sunday we amped up the Karranaville primary and Gospel Doctrine classes.

John had no issue gathering riders home.

I have no idea why farm life breeds family ties.  Maybe it's because we remember Grandma's farm.  Maybe it's because it feels good to be self reliant. Maybe it's because we all got along so well.  Maybe it's because there is something about whole foods and full bellies.  Maybe it's because we miss Daddy so much when we gather, and we know he's watching us.  Probably it's because we spent time reading the Book of Mormon, participating the the world's longest testimony meeting, and praying.  

God has certainly blessed America.