Missionary Labor

We've got some pretty great missionaries in our stake right now.  I think the missionary experience is different in Utah than in a lot of other places.  They are missionaries to multiple stakes, rather than just a ward so we don't get to know them very well, very often.  This set of missionaries has been different.  We've fed them multiple times, they stop and say hi when they ride their bikes around and they've given us some service.  One major service they helped us with was helping to fill in the cracks in out parking strip project.  In their shirts and ties no less!  It was their P day, but they had a meeting or something afterward so they were dressed up. I tried to offer them old shirts to wear or tell them they didn't have to help, but they wouldn't hear of it.  We are so thankful to them.  With their help, we were able to fill most of the cracks in one day!

What awesome missionaries!

Elder Florence, Elder Herrera, Elder Romans, G, H and Kyle

I made a real effort to send this picture to the Elders families.  I only know for sure that they got to Elder Herrera's brother.  Elder Florence was from Ogden, just waiting for a visa, Elder Herrera was from Boston and I can't remember where Elder Romans was from.

Elders Herrera and Florence learning a new skill.

Zoo Day

We went to the zoo today.  Here are all the pictures to prove it.

looking at birds up close.

Yes, he did scream and cry when we had to take him off at the end of the ride.

snack break.  Oh, and I guess the glasses broke too.

our favorite McDonald's

Yes, I will drive past five other McDonalds to get to the one I like best.  How could I not when it has cool instruments to play on like these:

they even play music when the kids get on them.

a piano slide.  seriously, that is cool.

sparklers etc.

H's latest daring trick.  This kid has no fear!

After we got home from our little trip we decided to use the sparklers I had purchased for the 4th of July and forgotten to use.  We invited our favorite backdoor neighbors, the Steils, over to enjoy them on our new patio with us.

H.  I just love that face!

G is a pro at these now.

Olivia wasn't too sure about them.  She has a little crush on Kyle and will let him help her with almost anything.

Now it's starting to be fun!

Grandma Marta getting in on the fun.

ready to watch some fireworks at home.

these three are such good playmates.

After one small incident with the sparklers we moved on to the lame noisy fireworks we found for free in an abandoned warehouse. Seriously. Kyle and Caleb wanted to light things on fire, and the kids wanted to watch things burn, so we did it. If you can't tell, fireworks are not on the list of my most favorite things. Ah well, we created memories.

Family pictures

One of the wonderful things about my friend Roxy is that she is multi-talented and generous to boot.  she agreed to take some family photos for us while we were down there.

The boys are all dressed up and ready to rock.

Always the driver, but happy to do it. :)

The photo shoot was a bit of a challenge, but I love love love how the pictures turned out.  No need for explanation, just enjoy.  I'm including some of the filters of the one we chose to hang in our house.  I like the choices, but I always go back to the colors.

color

black and white

sepia

1970's