Boy Scout Camp from Nate's View

If you noticed in the previous post that Nate was not with us at the Salt Flats, it is because he had flown back to San Francisco for Boy Scout Camp.  He flew by himself!  He tried to put on a brave front, but as he was about to board, both of us got a little teary eyed.  This picture is of him as he got off the plane in San Francisco.  Nathan texted it to me to assure me that Nate was safe.

Nathan got Nate all ready for camp and texted me this photo of Nate geared up and ready to go.

Nathan sent a camera with Nate.  We got some really interesting pictures as a result.  Nate said that he took a picture of every meal, though I spared the blog readers and didn't include all of those.  Nate was most proud of his first shot with a 22 (near the end of the post) and that he earned more merit badges during his first scout camp experience than his dad!  It was interesting for me to see what interests a 12 year old boy at scout camp.  Enjoy!

 



 

Hangin' with the Kirks

  After my brother Brigham got married, we went around the campus at Ricks, I mean, BYU Idaho and recalled good times.  The campus has changed a lot since the last time that I've been there.

We stayed with my sister Mandy and her family after driving back to Utah.  We had lots of fun!  We celebrated Mandy's birthday at a yummy Mexican place (the name is escaping me right now)...

....got shaved ice twice!  A must do in Utah!.....

...spent an afternoon at Liberty Park and the water feature....



...toured Temple Square....



It was a really hot day, so the kids played in the fountains every time we walked by one. 

I didn't realize that Temple Square had so many fountains!



....and had Sunday dinner with Grandpa and Grandma.

The last night we were in town, I took everyone out to eat at The Olive Garden.  We also explored the new City Creek Mall.  My Dad told me that the Church had bought the Crossroads Mall and the ZCMI Center and the surrounding block and made it all into one mall and remodeled the whole thing.  It is a really neat place to walk around.  The kids especially enjoyed the big fountain in the center of the mall.  The fountain performed a show with music and even fire!



On the drive back to San Francisco, we stopped at the Salt Flats.  As you can tell, Alina, was not up with taking her picture by a big flat of salt!



My Brother Brigham Gets Married!

On June 12, my brother Brigham married his true love, Shanelle.  During the wedding brunch, Shanelle sang a beautiful love song to my brother.  She has a beautiful voice!

They got married in the Rexburg, ID temple.  It was so exciting to be in Rexburg again.  The temple was absolutely gorgeous!  I feel so grateful that my brother found someone who is just perfect for him!  They both have a style of their own!  Just look at the socks that Shanelle gave Brigham for the occasion!  Shanelle had her dress made by a friend and it turned out so beautiful!

 The boys!  From L to R: Holden, Nate, Michael, Finley, and Andy.  They are throwing up a big "Hooray" that Uncle Brigham got married!

 Two of the most beautiful girls in the world!

My brother Cory and his wife Suzanne.



My sister Mandy and her husband Tyler.

Ring around the Rosie with Finley, Grandpa and Grandma.

 Cutting the cake.

The kids favorite part of the reception was these really cool jelly bean dispensers.  They were sensory, so all you had to do was put your hand underneath and you got a handful of jelly beans.  But these were not just ordinary jelly beans, they were Jelly Bellys!!  Tasty!  Shanelle painted the sign.  She and Brigham made a lot of things for the reception and it all fit together so well!



For example, they made this platform.  These director's chairs were for the bride, groom, and their parents.  I thought it was very clever.  They even painted "Bride" and "Groom" on their respective chairs.  My kids fell in love with the chairs and I had to take each of their pictures in them!