Dirrrty Dash 10k

Saturday we tagged along with Shellee, Danny & kids to watch them "compete" in the Dirty Dash 10k at Soldier Hollow. It was the first time this particular race had been held in Utah but they have promised to make it a regular annual event from now on. Teams of 4 registered, and many showed up in hilarious costumes: Elvis, Captain America, Dr. McDirty, the bikini girls, the wedding dress girls, the Army family, Waldo, the business man, the toga party, and more.
Shellee, Jon,, and Jacob competed in a somersault in the mud contest and won an Ogio Backpack! The worst part of the race for many was washing off afterwards in the cold water spray. Bre, Halle, & Grandpa hiked up the hillside and tried out the giant waterslide. I stayed at the bottom with a frozen muddy Jakey Bean. Jon ran the last leg of the race with his mom & dad, and finished in grand style across the finish line. It was a fun event with beautiful weather.

Paul McCartney, the "cute" Beatle, in Concert

One of those things you dream about your whole life, then it finally happens.

Sushi: How to make a California Roll

And the winners are.....

A Big Congreatulations to Jacob's Murray All-Star team. They really played well today, and won by a convincing margin of 18-2 at the Ballpark in Ogden. If they played like that every game, nobody could beat them. They had great hits, pitches, throws, and steals.
And a double thanks to Alliyah, Bre, Halle, & Jon who are as good as gold during the games!!

Wendover Car Show and Fun, Fun, Fun!

June 18 & 19th, we went out to the Wendover Car Show and the Beach Boys concert. We were able to meet up with Rick & Mike after the concert and get caught up on what they've been up to for the last 2 years. Saturday we enjoyed the car show, then headed home with a stop at the Bonneville Salt Flats to take pics of the Mustang in its native habitat.

Saddle Up!

These 2 little apples did not fall far from the Grandma tree. I used to beg my mom to take me horseback riding at a stable out in Draper. It cost $1 per hour; A fortune, when you only made 25 cents an hour babysitting, but totally worth it. Anyone who has ever galloped on horseback knows what I mean. There's nothing like it. And now, Kenzie and Sophie love horses too. Nowdays a 5 minute pony ride costs $3, but ask any little girl--it's totally worth it!

Sometimes a girl just needs to ride a pony.

Mackenzie Pre-School Graduation

Getting her diploma

"Don't Talk to Strangers" song

Today Mackenzie graduated from Miss Debbie's Pre-school. The class sang several cute songs, including "tony chestnut knows I love you" and one about not talking to strangers where they all donned dark glasses and dark hats. Very cute. Can't believe our little Kenzie Dus is ready for Kindergarten!! ♥

Take me out to the ballgame - Part 2

I love watching the boys play ball. I especially love it when Jon or Beany slide into home plate.

The intensity on the Bean's face is priceless!!

Bre's Kindergarten Hoedown

I don't think there's anything in this world that our Bre-Bre loves more than singing and dancing. Friday, the Kindergarten put on their annual "Hoedown" program at Grant Elementary. My favorite part is at the beginning when they do the 'roundup'. All the kindergarteners ride around the gym on a stick horse they have made themselves, to the tune of the "bonanza" theme song. I can never decide whether to laugh or cry it's so dang cute!! They then did the 'boot-scootin boogie', sang cowboy songs, and told corny cowboy jokes. (What doyou call a dinosaur from Dallas? "tyranosaurus TEX!!" ) I hope this is school tradition that keeps going for years to come. It's adorable!!

All they wanna do is dance, dance, dance!

We just love watching the little girls dance! Tonight it was Halle & Mackenzie's turn to shine! They wore cowboy hats in their dance and were adorable!

PLAY BALL!!!

I love little league. I love watching the boys play their hearts out. I love Jacob's face when he's running the bases. I love it when Jon turns around and flashes his beautiful grin at me. I love buying Halle & Bre french fries from the snack shack. I love sitting with Shellee and chatting between innings. I am a nervous wreck when the boys are pitching. My stomach gets in a knot and I want to slap the umpire when he says "BALL" instead of "STRIKE" on those pitches that go right over the plate. I love it when the boys steal a base or slide into home. The look on their faces is priceless!!

Adorable

Who can resist these cute girls? Certainly not me!!

St. George Mini-Vacation

Ben & Larry preparing to ride 4 wheelers at Sand Hollow State Park. Beautiful day, even with the somewhat cool temperatures

Shellee, Danny & kids were staying at Green Valley so we dropped in to say hello before heading back to Murray

It's a new day - Back to Reality (sort of )

The drive home from Seattle was mostly foggy, and due to some over confidence on my part, we ended up not selling the Malibu before we had to leave for home, and had to drive both the

Burb and the Malibu home. Larry bought walkie-talkies so we could chat along the way. To make sure neither of us had the chance to get drowsy while driving, we took turns singing songs to each other in our best falsetto voices. =)

The other thing that kept us alert was the phone calls from Jacob asking where we were, and how much longer till we were in Utah. Then once in Utah, where were we, and how much longer till we got to his house? We arrived at Shellee's just after dark, and were greeted by cute grandchildren screaming "GRANDMA!! GRANDPA!!" It was so good to see their adorable faces and HUG them. Halle Buggie wasn't sure she wanted anything to do with us, but after an hour or so, she finally gave in and let me hug her. And to those who wonder, yes, it's good to be home.

Mission Epilogue

Elder Adams, Tonya Moore, Elder Rojas

Tonya & Bill Moore

We just HAD to go up to Seattle/Bellevue for Tonya Moore's baptism. We became good friends with Tonya and Bill while we lived in the Bellevue 3rd ward, and were pleased that she called and wanted Larry to baptize her. It was great to see everyone. We celebrated by going out to dinner with Tonya & Bill and Shannon & Sam Adams at the Square Lotus near Factoria. It was a great end to a wonderful day!

Happy Trails To You, Until We Meet Again...

Final Ceremony at the Mission Home-Sister Moffat cuts off the bottom of your tie (for a quilt)

Saying Good-bye to the Sisters at Transfers: Sister Kim, Bush, Williams, Gibbons, Hoskins



Our Home Teachers:The Hoopes-Brent & Sandra, Me, Larry, saying our good-byes

Triple XXX Burger Challenge: Jordan Kester, Elder Adams, Mosqueda, Rojas, Mina Kester, Sister Wilson, Elder Wilson

Our Last Free-Lunch Friday at Tu Casa: Elder Wilson, Lindsay, Elder Flickinger [fish-flinger], Barton, Ball

We dragged our feet as long as we could, but our time ran out, and it was time to say good-bye to the missionaries and the mission.