Another Glorious Week!

Haley & Brinley

Last summer Brinley attended the (Logan) stay-at-home program of EFY (Especially for Youth) with her good friend, Aubrey and had a wonderful experience.  This year she opted to explore AFY (Adventures for Youth) with return-attendee Haley R.  We took the girls to campus where they boarded a bus full of other participants and headed north where they literally spent the week out-of-doors.  It was a bonus to have good friends, Tehya and Shaunae in their session also.  Each day was full of physical and spiritual adventures - white-water rafting, horse-back riding, zip-lining, hiking, etc.  It was reported to have been a marvelous week.  Brinley safely returned home Friday afternoon ready for a shower and some sleep.

Jantzen enjoyed the challenge of attending Ankle Breakers basketball camp M-F from 9-5pm.  He burned a whole lot of calories last week.  It's a very physically demanding camp but Jantzen thrived in the environment and was selected as Player of the Day on Thursday by Coach Amy.  Needless to say, Jantzen wasn't interested in playing night games last week - he needed his sleep!

Tuesday morning Tanner planned to drive to campus to take his last final.  Imagine his surprise when the garage door randomly busted and he couldn't get the car out of the garage.  I was picking raspberries 30 miles away but Aaron came to the rescue and got him to school in time.  Tanner worked hard in his classes and successfully completed his first official semester of college.  He and I enjoyed lunch together at Costa Vida (currently his favorite place) to celebrate.

G-pa & G-ma P, Aaron, Tanner, Heather

Tuesday evening G-ma and G-pa P arrived in town and met us at the soccer field where Quinn was playing and Jantzen was refereeing.  A major power outage occurred throughout the southeastern corner of the state which created all kinds of issues but fortunately it only lasted about an hour or two.  I couldn't help but think of the parallels between our dependence upon electrical power and spiritual power as we have been helping Tanner prepare to make additional covenants with the Lord in His holy house.

We appreciated having all four grandparents (and LaVerne) along with Breanna and Derek attend the temple with us on Wednesday afternoon as Tanner received his own endowments.  A lump in my throat surfaced when Mom leaned over to me and asked, "where has the time gone?".  I sat pondering that question.  Raising children up unto the Lord takes our very best efforts and I'm learning to take nothing for granted.  I'm so very grateful for the positive influences Tanner has had throughout his life and for the Lord's many mighty miracles.  Before my parents left town, we enjoyed an early dinner together at Applebee's.

Anna, Elsie and Quinn have been diligent raspberry pickers this past week.  We visited three different patches in our efforts to secure a supply.  With no freezer jam pectin available in town, I still haven't made any jam but we do have several bags of individually quick frozen berries.  Hooray!

Another item we checked off the summer bucket list this week was riding scooters at the Nature Park.  Never mind that it felt like 100 degrees outside!  These three were all about it.

Not sure why Quinn insisted on wearing black pants/shirt in such heat!  Wow - he must be use to cold weather or something.

The weekend of ward weddings!  Nathan May, Kailani Klinger and Blakley Ballard were all married in the temple on Friday.  Aaron and Jantzen helped get the yard ready for the May family's reception and Anna and Elsie helped out during Blakley's reception.  I had the distinguished responsibility of hiding out in the kitchen and being the cheesecake slicer.  Kelly sent us home with one of the extra cheesecakes - yum! Aaron worked/served with all three of these wonderful young adults when he was in the bishopric and they each have a special place in our hearts.  So great to see them marry the right person at the right time in the right place.

The Pioneer Day ward breakfast started at 7:00am.  An early morning hayride anyone?  Afterwards, I took five kids to IF where we did a little back-to-school shopping.  Still need to get a pair of tennis shoes for Quinn and Elsie - but otherwise, we are DONE.  What a great feeling!  And I must add a Happy Birthday to Grandpa Bill today....we love you!