July has been a full, fun, exciting, hectic, special, spiritual, interesting, and exhausting month. I will remember it forever.
We had submitted our mission papers earlier, but had not said much about it. We were hoping the call would come while everyone was here for a reunion and it did. That was the highlight of the reunion for us.
Jason arrived in Utah on the 5th, Steph and the kids arrived on the 15th, Steve and Lisa and their kids arrived on the 17th and right away the reunion began. We stayed at home to sit with the young ones that weren't old enough to go to the Pioneer Day Celebration Concert in the Conference Center. From what we have heard they all had a great time and great seats. A lot of them were in the General Authority area and were just a few rows from the Prophet. We had a fun time with Trevor, Preston, Gavin and Lindsay.
We received our mission call on Wednesday, the 15th of July, but did not open it right away and did not tell anyone that we had received it. We were trying to decide on a special time to announce it. We also decided to open it in private and we did, we were so excited when we found out where we would be going. It was very difficult to wait, but we wanted it to be special.
The picture we sent with our mission papers
Since we were all going to the open house of the Oquirrh Temple the next morning we decided to wait until after we had gotten back. We were going to have a big breakfast of French Toast with Christi being the hostess, at our place and with her homemade caramel syrup, but we made them wait until afterwards. We had all of them sit down in the living room and told them we were going to do a little spiritual activity since we had just returned from the temple. Right away when everyone got quiet Michael told them we had received our call. They all seemed a little taken by surprise, shocked, stunned, excited, happy. Don't know which for sure or all of the above. We had a board fixed up with all their names listed and let each person guess where we were going. Jason did the honors and read the call letter to the rest of them. It was such a special event.
In the hospitality tent at the Temple open house
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The family in front of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple
Jason reading our Mission Call letter
Stephanie got the closest by guessing Vermont, and was rewarded with a $20.00 bill.
There were congratulations and hugs a plenty for us.
The next day July 19th our Mission Call was officially announced in our ward, Michael was asked to announce it and I added a few details. Like what all the area covers. It is the Canada Halifax Mission. Covers all of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, New Foundland and Labrador, and the Northernmost 1/4 of Maine.
Christi and Lisa at the Park below Y mountain
Lisa sang in our ward that day which really topped it all off.
We all returned to our house for dinner. Ham and cheesy potatoes, rolls, corn, salad, healthy homemade jello, watermelon, brownies and ice cream, Rice Krispie Squares. Then we played games and laughed a lot.
After a great Sabbath Day everyone turned their attention to getting prepared for the next day spending the day all together at the lodge at Mutual Dell. What a beautiful and fun place.
The family at Mutual Dell
Some random things Christi and I have posted on facebook.
Have Stone Hollow breakfast in the morning, looking forward to some time with some good friends and neighbors and some good food. Less than a week until our family reunion starts (posted July 10)
What is on my mind is that it is a fabulous experience to go through a temple open house with your kids and grandkids. There were 21 of us, grandparents, parents, teens, tweens, primary age and babies. Happy times. (posted July 18)
Basking in the love of family, preparing for our mission, shopping for cold weather clothes. Looking forward to a new adventure, serving, seeing places we have never been. (posted July 22)
Our family reunion continues, I beat my son, Jason and son-in-law, Steve at Scrabble last night, that is always a good night. I even out lasted my hubby at holding 5 pounds weights with straight out arms, shoulder height, now that is a good night. A few crazies are on their way to climb Y mountain. I opted out on that one. It will be the big Brick Oven night tonight, and that is a very good night. (posted July 23)
Lois and Michael, Mom with Jason
At the park after Brick Oven Pizza
I think the traveling to our mission by car, from here to Halifax will be one of the biggest adventures of all. We are really looking forward to that one. (posted July 23)
Christi's comment
First Activity of the Family Reunion - Great!! We went to the Pioneer Day Concert. We were four rows from the prophet of God, President Thomas S. Monson!! And Alex Boye' (my friend), You rocked the conference center! Second day of the Family Reunion - We went to the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple Open House this morning. Mom & Michael accounced thier Mission Call, Dinner, Snow Cones, Fireworks, Games. Day three of the Family Reunion - Lisa sings in church, a BIG dinner, and being together for games and fun. Day four of the Family Reunion - A fun filled day up American Fork Canyon at Mutual Dell, (what a beautiful place!! just off the Alpine Loop) we had a great lodge, ZIP line, played badminton, kickball, soccer, games, Lots of Yummy FOOD, hiking, skits, songs, and ended it with a camp fire & smores. Day five of the Family Reunion, some left for Girls Camp, Provo Temple Day six of the Family Reunion, We went to the Movie "UP" and than to The BYU Creamery. Day seven of the Family Reunion, The annual hike of "Y" Mountain, Brick Oven for dinner and the park afterward. What a great time!! We had a few missing, hopefully they will join us for the next one. Love you!! ( posted July 20)
We still feel so blessed for the place we live and for our wonderful neighbors. We just love being able to walk to the Church each Sunday.
A couple more random shots of the months events.
Jason, Christi and Lois at the Luau
Dinner with Mom at South Town
