Sunday Evening

Our across-the-street neighbor, Dan Passmore, has been out of town for a while, and his wife, Nancy, is currently out of town, so we invited him to come over this evening and have dinner with us.  We talked and talked through dinner, then went outside to sit on the porch and keep talking.  It was beautiful, cool from a bit of rain with a lovely petrichor.  As we sat talking, Emily Jensen hailed us and told us there was a double rainbow.  Shining brightly over Rock Canyon and Squaw Peak was a fantastic, bright, incredibly vibrant double rainbow.  It was terrific!  And while I didn't get a picture of Dan with us, I did get a picture of the rainbows.  Naturally, it being Sunday, Brandt also took a selfie or two.

No filter on this photo.

All that light and color is natural!

Block Party VIII

This evening was the annual neighborhood Block Party, now in its eighth year.  It's marvelous to get together with our neighbors, talk, eat, watch the kids run wildly amok, and enjoy a beautiful summer evening.  The kids love it, Kent and I love it, it's just the best.  Brandt wasn't there this year, as he and Paul Moreland went camping with the 11-year-old scouts, getting him one campout closer to finishing his camping merit badge, but Blythe had a great time running around with the Bradford girls and Ellen.  It was one of the best nights of the whole summer!

This is Blythe participating in the girls-v-dads tug of war.

For just a moment it looked like the girls might triumph.

Alas, they wound up in a giant heap on the grass.

Public Transportation as Entertainment

Today we rode the bus.  We had nowhere to go and all day to get there, but we needed an activity.  Cora and Kal needed an activity, too, and to give Mikayla a bit of a break, I suggested we ride the bus.  Cora loves to get out of the house, and she loves the bus.  Kal also loves to be out of the house, and he loves me, so when I showed up with Brandt and Blythe (an added bonus!), Cora and Kal were happy to come with us.  We drove over to the football stadium to catch the currently free bus that runs from UVU down to East Bay and back again, via BYU, 9th East, 7th North, and University Avenue.  We rode all the way to the end and back to the stadium which took close to an hour and was great fun for one and all.  We sang "Wheels on the Bus" more than once, enjoyed looking out the windows, and talking to our fellow riders.  Here's to free public transportation!

Adios Nuestra Querida Prima

Tess went into the MTC today.  She's been super excited to go on a mission for a long time, and the day finally arrived.  She has been called to serve in Bakersfield, California Spanish speaking.  Michelle came out with her to finish up preparations and put her into the MTC, and we sadly had to say goodbye.  We went for ice cream at the BYU Creamery yesterday evening, to catch up and encourage Tess in her next great adventure.  Then today, Brandt went with Michelle to drop Tess off at the MTC.  We will miss her, but we are certain she will be a fine missionary and do good work in helping to build the kingdom in California. 

Godspeed, Tess!

 

 

Scooting

The young men and young women had a combined activity this evening.  They played water kickball.  The deacons were in charge, so Kent has helping transport things they needed to and from the park.  He seemed to think that the scooter was adequate transportation.  He must think they're in China.  All that's missing are two chickens and six bags of cabbages.

Family Movie--Toy Story 4

We went to see Toy Story 4 with DeMartini cousins.  It was wonderfully funny and made me cry at the end, as always.  It was about love and loyalty and friendship, and about finding ourselves.  A friend said, "Is it not better to look outside of ourselves and find the one who is lost, than to wander around alone and lost ourselves?"  Yes.  Yes it is.

An Afternoon at the Pool

After spending all morning at the golf course, we were ready for a swim.  We spent most of the rest of the day at Grandma Sue's house, swimming with cousins.  We do love an afternoon at the pool.