August Eve

Well, these last two weeks we had to get back into the swing of things. As much as we love our vacations, we wouldn't enjoy them as much if we didn't have work...right?

We did manage to go to the Olive Garden after a good long afternoon in the Jordan River temple.

Us at the Olive Garden

Speaking of food, we made some Amish friendship bread (and got rid of most of its offspring). Lisa's also made mango chicken and other scrumptious time-tried recipes.

As good as it looks or better, tho' the chocolate one was even better...

YAPotY (Yet Another Picture of the Y)

We were surprised by an intense rainstorm that lasted all of an hour, but dropped 0.84" of rain. A few families in the ward were flooded, but we were lucky and simply ended up in thoroughly drenched outfits.

A snapshot of the rainstorm

Happily now, the Provo temple is once again reopened, so it's a six minute drive again instead of a minimum thirty minute drive. We really are blessed in that aspect, though: we have 13 temples within 250 miles, compared to much larger distances for those around the world, including 400+ miles for most members in France to get to any temple. That being said, France may soon be getting a temple, says an official announcement by the Church.

We also managed to go on a few walks, due to some slightly cooler weather, and got a few pretty clouds. The best thing about getting up early around here is definitely the clouds, too, as sunrises are somewhat ruined when you live at the foot of a mountain.

Cool contrast...

...and pretty colours!

Lastly, we've been working on transcribing a journal of one of Thomas' ancestor's, Lucretia Hupper Mower, who left her parents in Maine to cross the plains and join the Saints. She wrote many poems, two of which are shared below:

Truth

Truth is a radiant gem divine
Bequeathed to mortals here
Then may we let its virtues shine
And all its laws revere.

O let us practice it in life
'Twill many blessings give
'Twill put an end to war and strife
And teach us how to live.

Then let us speak the simple truth
And ever keep our word
'Twill honor all, both aged and youth,
And bring us near the Lord.

Spring and the Resurrection

The wild flow'rs of spring in their lov'liest bloom
Are springing in beauty from winter's dark tomb,
The song of the birds are heard in the grove
And nature is smiling in innocent love.
Just so will the saints when the Lord shall appear
Arise from the tomb and meet him in the air
Like the birds in the grove they shall join with rapture
To sing of salvation in anthems divine.

Midway (NOT halfway) House

After a hectic week last week, we've enjoyed a quite relaxing (although way too short) weekend.

Because Thomas' family had made arrangements for events surrounding his grandmother's funeral to take place on Thursday and Friday, we in turn arranged our work schedules so that we could get as many of our hours in as possible, and still attend those events.

Elma was a talented artist, and the family displayed some of her works

Elma's children: Jeff (Thomas' dad), Bonnie, Jon, Judi, Scott.

These are some of Elma's grandsons. They were her pallbearers. All of her children's families are represented here.

We enjoyed seeing so much family, and I got to meet several cousins who live far enough away that I had not met them yet. As it turns out, some relatives, like Thomas' brother's family (from Washington) and his cousin Colin's family (living in China), happened to be in town just visiting at this time, and so were able to be there for the funeral.

two of the three sets of twins that were present

Our niece, one of the twins, Lydia

This is Thomas' mom Kathleen with her cousin Steve

Mom Kathleen with Colin and Jeanetta

Thomas' cousin Carlye

Thomas' cousin Carlye, again

Descendants of Mark and Elma Bradshaw, plus spouses, who were in attendance. Big, good-looking group!

Thomas' younger brother, Samuel, returned home from his mission (Arizona Tempe) last week! We hope he gets some rest next week, after flying from Arizona, to Florida, to Utah, and back to Florida all over the course of about 4 days. He was a wonderful missionary and we look forward to his return to BYU this fall!

For this weekend, Thomas and I took a much-anticipated trip back to his family's cabin in the Heber Valley area. The last time we were there was the week after our wedding, and while the weather was definitely different (we didn't get almost-snowed-in this time), it was just as nice to be in such a peaceful, homey, and green place.

A wet winter and mild first bit of summer has done this place a lot of good!

The Cabin!

We got lots of relaxing in, with free time to read and watch movies to our hearts' content; we even played a game, Not at All Trivial, which Thomas recently found at DI. We took a short (but very steep) hike on Saturday morning (we think at the Mill Flat trailhead of the Wasatch Mountain State Park). We weren't expecting the trail to be so steep, but we felt better that the 4 cyclists that were going up at about the same time weren't expecting it either, and we felt even better that they turned back before we did :o)

Worth it? I think yes. Even if our legs did not agree.

Later in the day we went to Midway's Main Street to take a look at the glockenspiel clock atop the Midway Town Hall, constructed in the 1940s. We were disappointed that the town hall appeared to be under construction, but we are guessing it will be back to normal in time for Swiss Days in September.

On our honeymoon, we happened to drive by this glockenspiel clock a couple of times when it was putting on its show, but no such luck this trip.

Many of the buildings in Midway - including this gas station & restaurant - have a Swiss look to them

The Bees Knees ice cream

We also stopped by the Homestead to see the famous crater, we drove through the Midway cemetery, and we took a trip up to the Wasatch County Memorial Hill.

Pretty poppies around the Crater

At center, you can see Memorial Hill from The Crater.

Thomas and Lisa on the Crater

How's this for a fabulous picture? We saw this brilliantly orange dragonfly as we were leaving The Homestead. It's chilling on a car antenna.

After leaving the cabin today, we went out to West Jordan to attend the missionary homecoming talk and open house of Thomas' cousin David, who just returned from the Texas Lubbock mission last week. It was another great excuse to visit with family.

In addition to the missionary homecomings on Thomas' side of the family, I am happy to report the homecoming of my aunt and uncle who just completed a two-year mission in Bulgaria and also returned last week. I haven't seen them yet but we are so grateful for their example to us!

oxox

Provo Freedom Festival Grand Parade 2011

Here are some pictures from the Provo Independence Day "Grand Parade" on July 4, 2011.

There are captions where I knew what the picture was of. Not every float/group/etc. is depicted, but a majority should be.

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Pre-parade : everyone is set up by 6:00 AM the day of the parade!

Tuacahn's Little Mermaid float

Tuacahn's Little Mermaid float

Primary Children's Hospital - Kung Fu Panda float

Utah Valley University float

Payson Royalty

Star Wars droids

O.H. Berg, Undertaker - Old time hearse

Cecil O. Samuelson, President Brigham Young University, and Sister Samuelson

Brigham Young University float

Jason Chaffetz, Congressman

"The world is our stage"

Utah Old Time Fiddlers Association

Yogi Bear balloon

Liahona Alumni Band

Sterling Beck, Provo City Council

Moonlight Serenaders

"Living the Sweet life in Springville"

Fred Flintstone balloon

Neil Pitts, President, Utah Provo Mission

Central Bank, celebrating 120 years

Uncle Sam balloon

Tour Israel with AIFL - 1847 pioneers ; 1850 Jewish pioneers, Settle in Utah -->  2011 Still friends

Llama fest

Stars, Stripes, & Strawberries

Utah County Fair - Macey's

Lehi (?)

Utah Community Credit Union

Cowboy Poetry gathering

I thought these mules were so beautiful!

Institute of Religion - Tree of Life float

American Fork

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