Mini Mission Reunion

Our last day in Utah included a mini mission reunion.  We attended a temple session at the Jordan River temple followed by a picnic at a stake center pavilion in West Jordan.  So many friends to see and this made it easier to see more of them. 

Brian and Pat Poll

Bob and Linda Bailie

The gardening Sisters.

MaryLee Barrow, Caren Nelson, Linda Bailie and Darcia Pinette

Pat with Fred Mensel and Matt Nelson

The entire group which included the above couples as well as Marilyn Rizley, the Jensens, Warners, Schmidts, Crumps, Julanders, Mensels, Guiques, Flanders, Greens, Masseys, Menoas and Aveys.

A wonderful time with some terrific friends in a beautiful location!

Utah Trip

I asked Pat if he would like to take Cami to school so we could go to Utah and visit friends.  We worked it out with Clare and the four of us headed West.

While there, Pat and I were able to attend several different temples.  We decided where each evening and headed there the next morning. 

The Mensels were kind enough to put us up for a few days.  Fred said we needed to attend the Taylorsville temple.  So we did!  It is just as beautiful as all the others.

Matt and Caren Nelson put us up for two nights.  They were our first contact in the mission in Nauvoo.  I worked to Caren and Pat and Matt worked together.  They were also our district leaders.

They took us on a ride through the Unita Mountains.  We came across the Devil's Slide which I remember from my childhood.  

We ate at one of their favorite Mexican restaurants.  The food was good but I prefer El Tequila in Shawano instead.  

Cami had a shopping list that wasn't complete so we went to get her things on our final day in Utah.  I think we got her out of bed.

The Payson temple was our first stop.  After coming out I decided to message Richard Oram who we met in the MTC.  His wife Sharon had surgery the week prior.  No response. 

Then Pat decided to go to the wood working store where he orders a lot of his supplies.  Imagine my surprise at walking through the door and finding Richard at the desk!  Miracles!

Our wonderful friends, Bruce and Sherry Robertson, were kind enough to make time for us to stop and see them.  

Bruce ended up being a handyman with Pat during Covid while on our mission. 

No trip to the west is complete unless we stop by Brian and Kellie Welling.  

Brian taught and baptized Pat. 

When we left Utah we headed north to Burlington, WY to visit Mary and Allan Howard.  We loved working with them on the mission.  They live off the beaten path so no one visits them.  We loved our short time with them.  An overnight visit and we were off again.

 

Cami’s Graduation

Our dear, eldest grandchild, Camille, graduated from high school as her class valedictorian!  She gave a great speech and ended it with a vocal solo while playing her guitar.  It was sweet!

She received some good scholarships but wasn't the big winner of the night. 

I was a little salty that she did NOT receive the Hoffman Transit scholarship.  What the heck?  She even works there cleaning the office on the weekend.

I'm so happy about the woman she has become and how hard she's studied and how much effort she has put forth into everything she does.  

Her Papa was able to present her diploma.  She even gave him a kiss which I think was totally unexpected.  

Instead of throwing their hats, the class had confetti poppers!

Cierra's family has a tradition of making candy leis to present to the graduate.  I bought a lot of candy and together we made the leis.  

I was able to wear the "Cami" t-shirt to graduation.  

The first one to graduate and move on to BYU.  I don't anticipate all the grandchildren to attend BYU but I hope they can all be successful in their endeavors.  

 

Eloise Maeve

Our 10th grandchild, Eloise Maeve Fagersten entered our lives on April 26th.

She is our 4th granddaughter.  Each one of them is six years apart.  The only reason I thought she would be a girl.

What a joy to have her enter our lives!

Erin didn't have a difficult time giving birth which was a blessing.  And now her blood sugars have gone back to normal which is another blessing.

We're in LOVE!

 

Baby Shower

We held a baby shower for Erin and Jacob on Easter weekend only a week prior to her giving birth.  

We did it on a Saturday mid morning and served brunch to all who attended.  

There was a good turnout of women from the ward as well as family and friends. 

I spent my time sitting with Pam Huck and Alyssa Verstoppen.  It was so good to catch up with them again.  

Jacob's mom and sister, Becca, and niece Savannah were all in attendance. 

They got some cute things and lots of necessary things as well.

I think I'm almost done throwing showers.

 

Cami’s Last Concert

Cami's final high school concert was a success.  

I accompanied the choir on two of their numbers so I had a front row seat. 

She's a percussionist and she will be missed as she reads music beautifully.

Not only that but she is beautiful.

She competed at state in both of her vocal solos.  She took and first and and second.  I was really happy that she was able to compete at state because I missed seeing her singing at the regional level. 

 

Bay Beach Family Time

Our yearly trip to Bay Beach was a great time.  We started the night with a picnic and then off to the rides!

Cierra didn't ride this year due to her pregnancy.  Erin and Jacob as well as Andrew are not huge fans of thrill rides.  

One of the first rides for these two was the helicopters.  Andrew volunteered to go with Eddie. 

These fine people are waiting for the Ferris wheel. 

Eddie ended up riding with Eli so Andrew rode all by himself. haha

The tilt-a-whirl is always a favorite for the young people.  I used to love it but now it just make me dizzy.  

Tom used to love the spinning rides too but not anymore.  He sticks to the tamer rides.  

Clint was able to join us and he loves the thrill rides.  Can't remember the name of this ride but it was fun!

The Bay Beast is a drop ride and it is fun!

Henry and I rode the Zippin' Pippin' together.  It was his first time and he wanted to get right back on.

There was a lot of family on this ride and only Eli didn't have a smile on his face. 

Up on the top of the Ferris Wheel.

Heading down.

We ended the night with a massive Bumper Car ride.  I love that our family was all together...minus Adam.  Cami's friend Ethan joined us for the night.