Deseret, Cactus, & Texas: August 2017

LA LA Land with John and Tom

We did lots of fun things in California while visiting Gordon and Alison and John and Tommy. First there was Disneyland...

John and Luigi Video...Click Here

John and Dumbo Video....Click Here

We visited the beach.

We visited Johnny's school

We visited Griffith Park and the Observatory there.

Newton, Keppler, Galileo

We had fun visiting the California Kids and Grandkids.

Baby Blessing - Thomas

We traveled to Glendora, CA to participate in the blessing of baby Tommy. On the way, we stopped in Quarzite to see the Hi Jolly monument. Before the civil war, the US Cavalry leader in Quarzite, AZ imported camels to support the troops stationed there. He brought a camel handler from Syria named Haji Ali. Here he became known as Hi Jolly. The military leader who brought the camels and Hi Jolly to AZ was Jefferson Davis. When the civil war started, Jefferson Davis left to join the Confederacy. Hi Jolly stayed in AZ until he passed away.

Hi Jolly Monument

We made it to the CA and got to hold Tommy.

Johnny had been invited to a birthday party for his friend, It was held at the Chef's Academy and the children were able to make a pizza.

Making Dough

Finished Pizza

Watching the Baby basket

Haley came and the many family members gathered for the baby blessing.

Haley made it

Dedication

It's been a few weeks since I last posted so I need to catch up. Today was the dedication of the Tucson Temple. Felicia and I were able to attend the first dedication session in the Temple. We were in the room next door to the Celestial Room where Pres. Uchtdorf pronounced the dedicatory prayer. It was a great day. We waited a long time for this. Felicia got some specially embroidered handkerchiefs for the occasion

But let me go back 2 weeks to catch up on occurrences. Aug 3rd was Felicia's Birthday (57). We celebrated with instant pot, jewelry, and bundt cakes.

The next day I drove to Utah for my Mom's 89th birthday and to see Janet in the hospital .On the way up I stopped to walk to the Toadstool formations.

The largest Toadstool

Interesting rock

Another view of large Toadstool

Group of smaller Toadstools

Wider view

Seems like this formation will fall apart at any time

I stayed with Terry. Stephanie and Austin are living downstairs while he arranges the next phase of his medical schooling. Everyone is still sorting out everything that Janet was taking care of. Among other things, Janet was in charge of obtaining and providing medications for my mom. She also paid bills and knew where the paper towels were stored.

Terry related the details of the accident and the status of Janet's recovery. She is still in a coma and may be for months.

Janet had reserved the clubhouse at Oak Meadows for Mom's party. Haley and I provided the birthday cake and KFC for the party.

The Party Meal

Got 'em out in one blow

Mom received a new Triple Combination

Great Grandkids from Utah.

The big ones are Kate, Emmy, and Lizzy. The little ones are Ben and Andrew.

The Family Assembles for a Picture (Colby took the official one)

All the siblings went to see Janet after the party. Haley also went. I am glad I wasn't there earlier. Kris said she had to turn away when she went to visit. She said her face was unrecognizable with all the swelling. She now looks pretty good with the exception of some scars. Everyone is exercising faith with prayer that she will recover.

Haley and I decided to go see the Provo City Center Temple after the hospital. We parked and were walking to the Temple when we saw a family running dressed in BYU clothing. It just happened that a BYU 50 drop was announced right where we were. We ran to the Nuskin building and Haley got to do an egg hunt for prizes. We were the 15th group to arrive.