Prepare ye the way of the Lord

Our Papa & Mommer

Monterrey, Mexico Temple Mission

September 2010 - March 2012

My parents got their call back in the middle of May....they are beyond excited for their call to work in that temple and the adventure that awaits them.

They were hoping for a Spanish speaking mission, maybe Central or South America...so here they go! My Dad served in Mexico City and my mom was 21 when her dad was mission pres. in Uruguay, so they both speak Spanish. My parents have a large Spanish Branch in their stake...so my dad and mom have had all these years to brush up on their Spanish skills giving them their Patriarchal blessings and attending and helping in that branch from time to time.

They have this great ability to take in others with open arms and hearts.

My mom is known for her hugs.

My Dad is known for his humbleness and kind voice.

My mom makes friends with the phone salesmen, those annoying people at the boothes in the mall and in waiting rooms. She is sincerely friendly and loves to get to know others.

My Dad has a quiet strength and is always hard at work..."doing".

We know that now is their time to bless the lives of others in a new place.

Now is their time to share their testimonies with the people of Monterrey.

They will make life-long friends there and grow in ways we can't imagine.

Being the dedicated grandparents they are, I know it's so difficult to leave their little ones. Really difficult. Thank you Mom and Dad for that sacrifice. There isn't a bigger way we could teach our kids the excitement of serving or the truthfullness of gospel the way you will be able to.

Your example always has and will continue to be the greatest blessing in our lives.

[sharing their testimony]

[sharing their wisdom]

[sharing their love]

Ecstatic

Found this little gem of a picture

and it was automatically set as the wallpaper on our computer

for a good laugh every time we walk by.

Camping with six

I love camping.

But the past few years (maybe more than a few) we haven't gone very much...excuses would be: not having a tent big enough to fit all of us, no camping gear, having babies and not enough time to take off work. Jay takes David every year for Fathers and Sons and last summer he took the older two, but we haven't been camping together since Anna was 3 and David was 1.

Well, we were finally able to do what we've always wanted to do...and decided that we would be going every summer as much as we can. We had a blast and plan on going two more times before the summer ends.

Did I mention I love camping?

Here we were with the Clark's this past weekend up at the Willow Springs Lake area.

We chased and caught some lizards, a snake, a skink and a horny toad. The kids even saw some elk. There were SO many areas to hike and play...the kids loved being with each other. The kids 5 and up went shooting with Uncle Kevin and the Dads (and thanks Kevin for a normal toilet while we were camping!!). Mommer and Papa even made it up there for a night.

We won't forget this fun camping trip!

It's kind of a tradition to get sick when we travel somewhere so Blake and David kept that going by getting a fever and strep throat while we were there. Blake was kind of miserable the whole time but David bounced back that last day and got some playtime in. They're doing better now. We had a really great time despite the sick part and now we're determined to make a trip up north this summer sick-free! Hear that kids? :)

Their oldest counsin up there, Jaci, took them on lots of safaris. This one was at night.