Friday, July 8, 2016

Philadelphia temple

Happy Birthday Jared Ammon!

I don't know the girl, but she is cute.

Yes, that is a bird on his head.

The boy had wisdom beyond his years
at such a young age.

Alma 30:12-28

12 - Korihor preaches that there shall be no Christ.

13 - Why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things, he asks the people.  Why do ye look for a Christ?  No man can know of anything which is to come. 

14 - Your prophecies are only foolish traditions of your fathers.

16 - You can't know of things you can't see.  Therefore ye cannot know there shall be a Christ.  Ye say ye look forward to a remission of your sins.  But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind.

17 - There is no atonement.  Everyone fares in this life according to the management of the creature.  Whatever a man does is no crime.

18 - He lead away the hearts of many to commit whoredoms.  He told them that when a man was dead that was the end thereof.

19 - Korihor goes to Jershon.

20 - The people of Jershon bind him and carry himm before Ammon who was the high priest.

21 - Ammon causes Korihor to be carried out of the land.  The same thing happens in Gideon.

22 - The high priest in Gideon ask Korihor why he went about perverting the right ways of the Lord.

23 - The high priest was Giddonah.

24 - Korihor says the people are in bondage because of their religious beliefs.

26 - Ye say that Christ shall come.  I say that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ.

27 - Ye lead this people away after foolish traditions.  Ye keep them in bondage that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands.  What a lie!!

28 - The people are afraid of offending an unknown God.

BMSM:

"Korihor insisted on a strictly rational and scientific approach to all problems; anything else being but the 'effect of a frenzied mind' (Alma 30:13-16).

GC: The Healing Balm of Forgiveness by Elder Duncan.

Here is a quote I like: "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss." - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Today's News:

Police officers shot in Georgia and outside St. Louis.  Will this never end?

Trina, Lexy, and Suzy took Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, Kylie, Kayla, Kreed, and Ivy to Fossil Springs today.  Here are some pictures:

Everybody except Lola is in this picture.

Three awesome girls!

Lola helping herself to Ivy's Cheetos.

Kreed 

Beautiful girls

Here come the boys

Go Ruby!

Two cute mom's and their babies

Rowan goes for a swim

Alex and James Hayden went on a Black River trip with the Galveston 3rd ward priests.  Alex caught 108 fish and James caught 40.  They didn't take any pictures except these that Alex posted on Instagram.

This last one was a video.

Tonight James and I watched the latest Hallmark moving starring Jack Wagner.

I don't know how good it was because I fell asleep.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Six years ago, July 6, 2010, Alex

caught a woodpecker.  I am not sure why the

bird is staying on his shoulder.  Maybe he is

the bird whisperer, as well as the fish whisperer.

Alma 27:16-28:8

16 - Ammon and his brethren meet Alma

17 - Ammon is swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength and he falls to the earth.

18 - This is joy which none receiveth but the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.

20 - Alma takes his brethren to his house in Zarahemla.

21 - The chief judge sends out a proclamation regarding admitting the Anti-Nephi-Lehies into the land.

22 - The people give the Anti-Nephi-Lehies the land of Jershon.

23 - We will protect them with our armies.

24 - We will do this on condition that they will give us a portion of their substance to assist our armies.

25 - Alma tells the Anti-Nephi-Lehies of his conversion with the sons of Mosiah.

26 - Anti-Nephi-Lehies go to Jershon.  Now called the people of Ammon.

27 - They were distinguished for their zeal towards God and men.

28 - Death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it.

30 - They were a zealous and beloved people, highly favored of the Lord.

Alma 28:1

1 - The armies of the Lamanites had followed their brethren into the wilderness; 

2 - There was a tremendous battle and thousands of the Lamanites were slain. 

3 - There was also a tremendous slaughter among the Nephites; nevertheless the Lamanites were driven and scattered.

4 - There was a great mourning and lamentation heard among the Nephites.

6 - This was a sorrowful day, a time of solemnity and a time of much fasting and prayer.  

7 - The 15th year of the reign of the judges ends.

GC: "Where Two or Three are Gathered" by President Henry B. Eyring, and "A Child's Guiding Gift" by Mary R. Durham.

I had my infusion this morning at 8am.  I saw Frances, Rahwanda, and Tina.  On the way home I stopped at Kim's to pick up the key to the cabin from her and to visit.  She said she had a great time and she wanted to stay.  

James and I had lunch using our leftover food at Cathi and Terry's.  

Right after eating I got a call from Jean Howard about going to lunch.  I didn't want to tell her I had already eaten, so away I went.  James left for Vernon.  I will see him later this evening.  

Jean and I went to what used to be The Good Egg and is now called A Fresh Start.  I had the lemon ricotta pancakes.  They were delicious.  Jean has to have another back surgery because the rods in her back are being rejected by her body.  I am so sorry for her.

After taking Jean home I went back to Cathi's and packed up in the 109 degree heat.  I left for Vernon at 2:55 pm.  I stopped in Payson for a Big Hunk and a drink to keep me awake.  My next stop is at Harold and Vickie's to pick up a copy of Nannie's life story from Vickie.  Vickie had made chicken fajita burros for dinner and invited me to eat with them, which I did.  This is a picture of the property that used to belong to James and I.  Dad gave it to us and we sold it to buy our property in Pinedale.

I love the landscaping.

At home James carried in all my stuff and I put it away.  It took about two hours.  I can't bend my knee so I take some Tramadol and now I can't sleep. 

Lola refuses to take off her "monkey" shirt.

She put it on yesterday at the party. 

I saw this news on Facebook about my friend Karin Ford's son and grandson.

John Belnap was piloting his small plane off the Oregon coast late

Monday evening when he crashed into the ocean. He had his 17 year old son Max and Max's friend with him.   The bodies have still not been found.  The sad thing about this story is that Karin lost her first husband, John's father, and two children in a small plane crash years ago before she married her current husband, Robin Ford.  Karin was the Relief Society president in the Pleasant 1st ward when I was the stake Relief Society president.  Her husband Robin served as my priesthood advisor for a time.

The John Belnap family

John

Max

John was a volunteer rescue diver.

James and I are praying that the bodies will be found before the service on Monday, July 11th.

Monday, July 4, 2016

Happy 2nd Birthday to Lola!

Perseverance leads to success.  The Lord said to the sons of Mosiah in Alma 17:11 - "I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls."  With this promise they "took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God." Alma 17:12.

Alma 27:1-15.

1 - Lamanites return to the land of Nephi.

2 - Amalekites stir up the Lamanites to anger and they begin again to destroy the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.  

3 - The Anti-Nephi-Lehies suffer themselves again to be slain.

4 - Ammon and his brethren are moved with compassion.

5 - They suggest to the king that they take the people to Zarahemla.

6 - The king was afraid the Nephites would destroy them.

7 - Ammon says he will inquire of the Lord.

8 - The king says if the Lord says they should go, they will go and be the Nephites slaves.

9 - Ammon says it is illegal to have slaves and they will rely upon the mercies of their brethren.

11 - Ammon inquires of the Lord and the Lord sas unto him:

12 - Get this people out of this land.

13 - Ammon tells the king.

14 - The Anti-Nephi-Lehies departed out of the land.

15 - Ammon goes to Zarahemla to tell his brethren of the situation.

GC: "Trust in that Spirit Which Leadeth To Do Good" by President Henry B. Eyring.

Around 10 o'clock this morning Cathi, Sheri and I went shopping.  First we went to Deseret Book where I got a new temple dress and slip, a new sash, and some more garments.  I didn't take long because Sheri was waiting.  

Next stop, the Chandler mall.  First we went to the Oil and Vinegar store where Cathi bought some strawberry rhubarb vinegar and some lime oil.  I bought some more bottles.  Sheri went to Ann Taylor and Banana Republic while Sheri and I went to See's Candy.  I got a dozen butterscotch brown sugar candies to give to Nancy for fixing my glasses.  Sheri said she would see her on Wednesday.  

On the way home we stopped at Circle K for drinks.  Thanks Cathi for buying mine.  I should be buying yours.  Back at home I call James and get him to stop at Fry's and then I go to Walmart to get us some food for tonight.  James was at Lindsay Smith's and has to go back.  We take a short nap and then he goes back to Lindsay's.  

After he gets home we pack the car, stop at Charlotte's to look at her toilet and go on to Lola's party.  James will come back tomorrow to fix the toilet.

We picked up Adam on our way out to Darrel and Trina's.  Jared and Sheri were already there.  We were a little late.  Sheri took the cutest video of Lola on Snapchat when we sang to her.  She was so excited!

Mesmerized by the candle

So excited!

Getting ready to blow!

Opening her gifts from us:

Curious George books and stuffed animal,

ferris wheel, and clothes, including a 

Curious George shirt.

Paper!

An outfit from the Gap and

a pink tutu to go with her 

"monkey" shirt.

Grandpa helping out

George takes it all in.

I made pesto flatbread and a salad for our dinner.  I also brought some corn on the cob to cook in the microwave.  James and I didn't have any but Adam did.  

Jared posted this on Facebook

After dinner and the "party" some of us headed out to look for the fireworks.  Adam, James, Rowan, Max, Addy, and Evan stayed at the house.  I guess they were having too much fun to watch fireworks.  Lola, Ruby, and Molly started out in our car but Lola eventually ended up in Trina, Darrel, and Jared's car.  Sheri went home.  She's a party pooper.

The fireworks were great!

Sunday, July 3, 2016

The First Presidency

President Eyring, President Monson and

President Uchtdorf

Alma 26:17-37

17 - God was merciful to us and snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state.

18 - We threatened to destroy His Church.

19 - Why didn't He allow the sword of justice fall upon us and doom us to eternal despair.

20 - . . . He did not exercise His justice upon us, but in His great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.

21 - What natural man is there that knoweth these things?  None, save it be the penitent.

22 - He that repenteth and exerciseth faith and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing - unto such it is given to reveal things which never have been revealed, to bring thousands to repentance . . .

23 - We were laughed to scorn when we said we were going among the Lamanites.

25 - The Nephites wanted to destroy the Lamanites.

26 - Our desire was to save some few of their souls.

27 - When we were depressed, the Lord comforted us and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give you success.

28 - We have suffered every privation but relied upon the mercies of God.

29 - We taught them everywhere and have been cast out, mocked, spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks, stoned, bound with strong cords and cast into prison.  Through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered.

30 - We did it that perhaps we might save some soul.

31 - We can witness the fruits of our labors.

33 - They have such great love, even greater than the Nephites toward their brethren.

35 - We have great reason to rejoice!God has all power, all wisdom and understanding, knowledge, and mercy.

36 - This is my life, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo.  Blessed be the name of my God who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37 - God is mindful of every people.  I will give thanks unto my God forever!

GC: "I Was An Hungered" by Sister Linda K. Burton.

We  attended the Galveston 3rd ward meetings today.  Cathi and Terry rode with us to the church but we sat by Sheri's family.  

Mike Ellsworth conducted the meeting and bore his testimony.  It was wonderful and really got the ball rolling.  Cathi and I both bore our testimonies.  I loved Brother Arington's testimony.  He is a new convert.  Brian Ross who leaves for his mission this week, and his dad Mike Ross both bore their testimonies.  The Ross's are also moving this week.  Brooklyn Lieb sat by us and drew this picture for us:

Brooklyn just turned six and had on the cutest

Little Mermaid dress.

I got to sit in Primary with Sheri's class while she met with the bishop and here one of my favorite songs: "I Can Follow God's Plan for Me." After opening I went to Sunday School because Ian was there to teach the class. 

Julio Careces was the teacher and always does a great job and has lots of power point presentations.

Debbie Lieb taught Relief Society.  The lesson was based on Elder Cook's talk, "See Yourself in the Temple."  We had lots of good discussion.

We broke out fast when we got home from lunch and ate leftovers for our meal.  I had the rest of my food from Cheesecake Factory and James had the rest of some chicken he had from El Pollo Asado.

We visited with Terry & Cathi and then went to see James's mom and Dawn.  At first Dawn was gone helping Aunt June who has alzheimers.  Lois talked about how much she didn't like the Lambson's until I got her started on her life history.  We got as far as her first year of high school and stopped.  I told her we would continue again next month.  Dawn said she was amazed that she would tell me anything because she and Rebecca were trying to talk to her for months.

We had two invitations for dinner, first from Sheri, and then from Cathi & Terry.  We went to Sheri's and had steak, potatoes, asparagus, and rolls.  Yummy.  When we got back we tasted the potato salad and sirloin steak Cathi & Terry got at Sam's Club yesterday.  Very tasty.  

Jared, James, and Molly came by on their way to Darrel and Trina's.  Molly got along great with Cathi, and Indy.

Showing Cathi something on her arm.

Such cute little faces!

Who do you think is taller?

I think Ian by a very slim margin.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

After a session at the Gilbert temple.

We are terrible at selfies.

Alma 26:1-16

How is it a blessing to be an instrument in the hands of God?

1 - . . . Ammon: "How great reason have we to rejoice; could we have supposed when we started from the land of Zarahemla that God would have granted unto us such great blessings?"

2 - These are the blessings:

3 - Our brethren the Lamanites were in darkness, . . ., but behold how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God.  This is the blessing bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.

4 - Thousands rejoice and have been brought into the fold of God.

7 - They are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day.

8 - Blessed be the name of our God; let  us sing to his praise, let us give thanks to His holy name, . . .

11 - Ammon in response to Aaron's accustion that he is boasting:  "I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy and I will rejoice in my God.

12 - Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things.

14 - We have reason to praise Him forever, for He is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell.

16 - Let us glory in the Lord.  Yea, who can say too much of His great power and mercy, and of His long-suffering towards the children of men.  I cannot say the smallest part of that which I feel.

GC: "What Shall We Do"?  Neill F. Marriott

James and I went to the 7:45 am temple session at the Gilbert temple this morning.  I gave James a name, Levi Strickland, by accident, that did not have the initiatory done yet.  Before the session he was able to do the initiatory.  That was pretty amazing to me.  While he was going through for one of my relatives, I was going through for Ida Ballentine, one of his relatives.

When we got home we took James truck to Sears to get it serviced and then we picked up Michael and Alex to take them to lunch at Cheesecake Factory.  This is our celebatory scripture reading lunch.

A couple of handsome young men

After taking Michael, Alex, and James home, I went to see if Sheri could fix my glasses.  She had spent the morning at the emergency room at the hospital with Ben.  Thank goodness the doctor didn't think it was anything too serious.    

It looks serious to me.

Sheri didn't have the tools to fix my glasses so we went down to Chandler Eye where Nancy was catching up on some work while the office was closed.  Not only did Nancy fix my glasses, she fixed the noseguards too.  For some unknown reason they had melted.  Thank you so much Nancy!

I went to the mall and Target with Sheri while James took my car to Sears and picked up his truck.  We bought clothes for Lola at the Gap and then went to the Oil & Vinegar store.  I went a little crazy before it was all over.  

I still have a couple of bottles to fill.

I got the tuscany garlic olive oil,

strawberry rhubarb, cranberry, and apple & lime vinegar.

My salads are going to taste delicious!

Sheri and I also went to Target Greatland.  She bought Ruby an Girl Scout Oven that bakes the Girl Scout Cookies.  I bought Lola a little Fischer Price ferris wheel.  I am so excited!  

We stopped by See's for some candy and then it was back home where I started my fast.  James had already started his.  I have to confess that I had some See's candy.

It was nice to be able to get both of our cars serviced today and ready to make the trip home

Cathi gave me some of this sunscreen and I am going to have James wear it when he works outside.  It is always so hard to find something you want to put on your face that will actually block the sun.

Ben needed to use this.

Guess who has a new dog?  Joshua.  He took his parents to the pet store in the mall where we were last night and they got "Shipley" for free.  I guess she has been there for awhile and some people even adopted her and then brought her back.

Cute outfit Shipley

Brian sent us a video from the cabin of a hard rainstorm with rivers of water running everywhere.  I am glad for the rain but I wish I was there to enjoy it.  

He also sent this picture that he took while he and Kim were coming off Christmas tree trail.

They went out looking for wildlife but never in their

wildest dreams thought they would see Big Horn sheep.

Friday, July 1, 2016

Happy Birthday Max!

Sheri posted this on Facebook

Max is an exceptional young man,

and I love him!

Alma 25:1-17 (Fulfillment of Abinadi's prophecy in Mosiah 17:15-20).

1 - Lamanites swear vengeance on the Nephites.

2 - The Lamanites go to the land of Ammonihah and destroy the people there.

3 - Many battles with the Nephites.

4 - Almost all the seed of Amulon and his brethren, who were the priests of Noah, were destroyed.

5 - The remainder, . . ., caused that many of the Lamanites should perish by fire because of their belief.

6 - Many of the Lamanites were converted in the wilderness.

7 - The rulers, who were the children of Amulon caused that they should be put to death . . .

8 - This martyrdom caused many of their brethren to be stirred up to anger, . . . the Lamanites begin to hunt the seed of Amulon and destroy them.

9 - They are hunted to this day by the Lamanites.  Thus the words of Abinadi were brought to pass which he said concerning the priests.

10 - Abinadi: "What ye shall do unto me shall be a type of things to come. 

11 - Abinadi was the first to suffer death by fire because of his belief in God.

12 - Said to priests of Noah that their seed should cause many to be put to death, . . . that they should be scattered and slain by wild beasts . . . they were driven by the Lamanites, hunted and smitten.

13 - Many more Lamanites join the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi

14 - They did bury their weapons of war, and began to be a righteous people. . . .

15 - They kept the law of Moses . . . looking forward to the coming of Christ.

16 - The law of Moses did strengthen their faith in Christ. . . .

17 - Aaron, Ammon, Omner and Himni did rejoice exceedingly because of their success among the Lamanites, seeing that the Lord had granted unto them according to their prayers.

It is time to start over on the conference talks.  I try to read all of the most recent conference completely through in a month.  Today I listened to "He Asks Us To Be His Hands", by Sister Cheryl A. Esplin.  

The arthritis center called this morning and cancelled my infusion.  Something about the nurses mother being in the hospital. I am rescheduled for Tuesday morning at 8am.  

I read a chapter to James from our book, "Corinna" before he leaves to go fix the problem at Desert Mountain.

This is a sample of the stamped concrete he did

to make a bridge.  They love it, but there is a couple of spots where it is de-laminating.  

I had an appointment at Dr. Douglas's to get a new crown put on and an old one taken off.  When Dr. Douglas got the old crown off she said the cavity was very close to a nerve and I would need another root canal.  I said no.  I just want to pull the tooth.  So she gave me the name of an oral surgeon.  I was a little discouraged, but this view out the window helped to cheer me up.

Dr. Douglas calls him "Dale the Quail"

I wasn't going to let my bad news and numb mouth ruin my day.  Off to Walgreen's to buy some essentials.  

James come home and then went back to Desert Mountain this afternoon.  I told him he needed to make it back by 6:30 because we were taking Max out for his birthday.  

Actually, we ended up taking Max, Evan, Joshua and Rowan out.  I went and got Rowan.  When we past the two Mattress Firm stores on both sides of the street, he wondered why there would be two stores with the same name across the street from each other.  He said, "you know, one of them use to be Mattress Pro but now they are both Mattress Firm.  I find that interesting."  I find it interesting that a kid would notice such things. 

Speaking of teeth, which I was awhile ago, Ruby lost her first one!

Two dollars, wow!

The Tooth Fairy is very generous!

Max led the way when we got to the mall.  The first place he wanted to go was to the Lego Store.  

Follow the leader.

Deciding what to buy.

All six of us made a Lego character.

Max didn't end up spending the birthday money we gave him.  Either he didn't have enough, or they didn't have what he wanted.

Next stop: Game Stop and then the food court.

Max and Joshua had pizza, Rowan and I had mac and cheese at Paradise Bakery, and James and Evan went to Subway.

I love the picture of the Panda in the background.

Last stop was the pet store to look at cute little guys like this:

This dog is a chihuahua mix

As we were returning to the car I noticed the Spaghetti Factory on one side and the Taco Garage on the other.  Interesting names.

When we got to Darrel and Trina's we were well versed in the various creatures found in the sea thanks to Rowan.  It was a fun evening and to top it off, Lola liked James!

Lola getting ready to cook some dinner.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Happy Anniversary

Stacy and Paul

Happy 27th Anniversary!
and 
Happy 13th Birthday Colton!

Colton and his buddy Colin on their recent 
trip to Disneyland with Cathi & Terry,
or Nana and Papa as they call them.

Alma 24:19-30

19 - Converted Lamanites are firm in their belief.

20 - Their brethren make preparations for war.  They came up to the land of Nephi to destroy the king and the people.
21 - The Anti-Nephi-Lehies prostrate themselves to the earth and they call on the name of the Lord.  The Lamanites begin to slay them with the sword.
22 - With no resistance, a thousand and five were slain.  They have gone to dwell with God.  
23-24 - The Lamanites stop slaying their brethren.  Many repented of what they had done.
25 - They threw down their weapons of war . . . they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them.
26 - The people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain.
27 - . . . the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of His people.
28 - The greatest number of those who had slain their brethren were Amalekites and Amulonites, the greatest number after the order of Nehors.
29 - Those who joined the people of the Lord were all descendants of Laman and Lemuel.
30 - . . . after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things.

We got a five minute cloudburst of rain this morning.  
Before leaving for the valley at 7am James made our bed and helped me put clean sheets on Kim and Brian's bed downstairs.  I really do appreciate him!

I listened to Elder Holland's conference address for the third time now and I still enjoy it.  "Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among you" is based on Joshua 3:5 where Joshua says to his people: "Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you." I think I am going to send this one to Michael and Alex.

After doing my gospel study and texting the scripture assignment to Alex and Michael I started getting ready to go to the valley.  I have a doctor's appointment at Dr. Allen's office in Mesa at 1:30.  I had planned on leaving at 9 but it was 10 instead.  I cleaned out the refrigerator and mopped the kitchen floor for Kim and Brian who are coming up tomorrow.

I arrived at the doctor's office right at 1:30.  I was happy.  I met with Ruth Hoskins and really liked her.  Dr. Allen is on vacation.  She went over my labs for my hormone supplements and thyroid and then gave me a copy to keep.  I've never had a doctor do that before.  I need less thyroid and more estrodial.  

My next stop is our home away from home, Terry & Cathi's.  James is not there so I unload my car by myself.  It takes awhile because I put everything away as I unload.  I lay down to take a nap and James arrives.  Good timing on his part.

After my nap I go shopping at Deseret Book with Kim.  Stacy was suppose to go to but she had other plans.  It is her anniversary so I understood.

I get ten books at Deseret Book.  Two of them are free because if you buy four, you get the fifth free.  Here are the books I bought: the five book Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull.  I am getting these books to read because one of the children in my Primary class is reading them and I want to be able to talk about them with him.  Also, I like to have children's books in my own library for my grandchildren to read.  I got three Regency Romance novels and two boos by Tim Ballard, The Washington Hypothesis and The Lincoln Hypothesis.  We already have the Lincoln Hpothesis but I don't know if we will ever get it back from Stacy.  This one is paperback.  I love Tim Ballard.  He is one of my heroes.

Some of my new books.  The others are in the car.

I have already started reading the Washington one and

Fablehaven, and I like both of them!

The Trezise's, except for Alex, went to Seaworld today.  Ben has a bad sunburn on his face.

Poor Ben!

He still managed to have a good time at Sea World.

James and I had dinner at Taco Bell.  Wendy and Colton came by after having dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  Colton is so quiet.  I always enjoy visiting with Wendy.  I gave them some of my Utah cherries to eat and I gave Cathi a jar of Kathy Crane's jalapeno jelly.

Jared says he has read this book and I am putting it on my wishlist.

I really like Jack Christianson

We are grateful to Cathi and Terry for their hospitality in taking in a couple of refugees.  

Dave and Laura left for Boise this evening.  It is a 15 hour trip and Dave plans on driving all night and then Laura will drive in the morning.  I hope they have a great time!