{Missionary Photo's}

"Missionary:  Someone who leaves their family for a short time, so that others may be with their families for eternity".

Between the break in Conference sessions Saturday afternoon Taylor and I went out to snap some missionary photo's of him.  I think we got some good ones.  One needs to go on his missionary plaque at church.  I especially love the ones where he is holding both his French Book of Mormon and Tahitian Book of Mormon.  He will be learning both langauges in 11 weeks at the Missinary Training Center (MTC).

 

I had fun playing around with editing and love this blurry version I made too, which highlights the books.  Fun.

I think this is the one that will go on the plaque.

His fave :-D

 

 

 

And this was the humungous bee (big as my thumb!) that made us decide to take a picture in another spot.

And the selfie!  Ha!  He's so fun!

{Taylor's Mission Farewell}

"Who the Lord calls, the Lord will qualify." 

Thomas S. Monson

    

Taylor received his call in May and opened it on May 25th - After a very long wait, and traveling to send off 2 cousins, and saying goodbye to many friends who left on their missions this summer, it was finally, almost, Taylor's turn to go.

We are so very grateful for all the family that came into town, and all the friends who were there to support Taylor as he spoke in church and to talk with him at the open house afterwards. 

I loved his talk, which was on teaching by the Spirit.  He explained to me, that as he had been studying the scriptures, and thinking about the topic, and praying over the week or two previous, that he would jot down feelings and thoughts that he had that came together as his talk over a period of time.  It was very sincere and personal.  He told me later that he felt strongly that he hoped the Spirit would be there while he spoke because how can you give a talk about teaching by the Spirit if the Spirit is not present.   He need not have worried because the Spirit was there.  Taylor is very, very humble and teachable, he has studied enough and sought the Spirit enough to know that it is not an 18 year old boy that goes out on a mission and converts souls - he is the messenger and it IS the Spirit that converts those who are ready.  He also said this in his talk.  It was beautiful.  I know he will work hard and do his very best in all ways while he is on his mission.

We missed our Brittany.  She is on bedrest at 6 1/2 mths pregnant.  Jaxon was able to hold his phone on his chest and Skype the whole talk during Sacrament meeting.  So she was able to watch it while it was happening.  LOVE Technology.  We didn't tell the Bishop - Ha ha.  Do you love the Pareu (men's skirt)  he is wearing in this picture and the Tahitian tie?!

 

Eleanor is going to be so big when he gets back!

 

Terri and Mike

Uncle Mikey the photobomber!  Cracks me up!

 

Brothers

 

Brothers from other mothers.

Bryan, Taylor and Timmy - We are missing A.J. Boo.

 

Davis cousins and Aunt Ruth

 

 

Girls

 

 

Guys

 

 

We were matchy matchy before church (do you see our photobomber...Trent!).

And so were these pretty girls!  And still a photobomber...Trent!  How does he do that?

 

 

 

 

 

We had alot of fun with everyone here over the weekend, just doing the crazy things families do!

 

2 of these pictures are Skyping with Brittany.

 

 Alot of pictures, Alot of memories.  I'm going to miss this kid- I love him so!

 

{The Temple With #4}

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony".

Ghandi

 

 

We had a wonderful evening with Taylor at the Temple last night.  I am so grateful for his choices and his wonderful spirit and testimony. 

I am also grateful for family and friends (not all pictured) who could be with us.  Grandma Petridge, Grandma and Grandpa Clark, Demonds and Jones.

 

He leaves on his mission in a month.

{Summer's Last Hurrah! - McCall - Labor Day 2013}

"The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows,

spectacular skies and serene lakes,

It has enough lush forests, 

flowered fields and sandy beaches.

It has plenty of stars

and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day.

What the world needs more of is people to appreciate

and enjoy it!"

Michael Josephson

Upon getting into the car Friday afternoon and driving towards McCall, it happened.  As the city melted away, and the mountains rose up I felt the stress slowly drain out of my body.   I saw the river flowing past me on the left and then on the right - the forest of tree's soaring into the sky all around me and I breathed a deep sigh of contentment.  When I reached my destination this is what greeted me.

Is it any wonder that the mountains are my favorite and McCall especially.  After holding our annual Memorial Day Campout in McCall with friends and family for some 20 years, we found that this year and last year we could not make it.  Last year Eleanor had just been born and this year Taylor graduated on Memorial Day weekend.  So we asked our friends, "How about Labor Day?".  And so a new tradition begins.

It was the perfect weekend.  Family, great friends, great place, and great weather.  

 We went on an adventure one day and found Crystal Mountain.  It was pretty cool!  A big mountain all made of different colors of quartz.  The boys had a great time climbing it, the views were incredible and we all came home with a few beautiful rocks for the yard.

 Kamryn and Taylor

In the top middle picture I spy Jake and Trent up on top of the mountain.

 Kurke cooling off. 

 These boys are stinkers.  They took off on their bikes to go swimming and awhile later I went down to take some pictures and they were nowhere to be found.

I finally got into the lake to look as far as I could and I saw them way and the heck down and this is what they were doing:

Having a blast jumping off big boulders.  

The only problem was that I had to hike through brush and bushes for 1/2 mile to get to them so I could take these pictures.  When they saw me coming I heard Isaac say, "There's your mom - she found us!"  Ha Ha so funny!  I took a few pictures and left them alone.  They were having so much fun.

I think there are Werewolves out there!  Werewolf was the favorite game this camping trip.  It was so much fun that we played it most of Sunday afternoon and then Sunday night after the group dinner. 

 We also played Adverbs - my kids crack me up.  They are dramatic!  Well...except Taylor - Ha ha.

Kurke took this night photo with his panoramic camera.  Cool.

It was such a fun weekend.  So relaxing, lots of laughs, good food.  It totally rejuvinated me.  

Summer's Last Hurrah!