Tropical Storm Fay

Living in Florida, you know you will have warm, tropical weather pretty much the whole year. You also know that warm, tropical weather brings tropical storms and hurricanes! This past few days we have certainly felt the effects of Fay--which fortunately didn't turn into a full-fledged hurricane, but brought many of the same problems.

George doesn't like one twig or branch on his lawn. He works very hard at keeping it look nice!

We were still without power for about 20 hours, we still had tons of rain, and we still had lots of clean-up afterwards.

There are always some blessings that go along with things like this, however. We got to read a lot--even if it was with flashlights, and neither of us had to go to work on Thursday or Friday. Also, this time we were so happy to not have any trees fall on us like we did four years ago when we had three hurricanes in a row. The root structure of the trees is so shallow that with all the wind and rain, that becomes the real concern since we all have so many trees on our property. George and I will never forget when we were in the bonus room playing with Ethan and all of a sudden we heard a giant crash and a big thud. We ran out and found a huge tree which was about two feet in diameter had fallen about three feet away from our house, but parallel to it so only the tree branches fell on our house. However, the branches punctured a hole in our roof which we had to have repaired. So you see, we feel blessed to only have a big clean up job this time!

Jenna's Baptism

The week ended so perfectly--with Jenna's baptism on Saturday, August 9, 2008.
Jenna couldn't wait for this day to come. She looked so beautiful in her white dress. She is such a sweet, wonderful young lady who always wants to do the right thing.

Kim and Kyle with Jenna.


Jenna and Lauren wanted their picture taken with their identical white dresses they each wore on the day of their baptism.


So many family and friends attended the baptism. Jenna asked that I speak at the baptism, and I felt it a great honor to do so.
Jenna in her baptismal clothing with her parents.



Kyle and Kim, Carter, Jenna, and Brady

Grandpa George and Grandma Laura with Kyle and Kim's family. Jenna's other grandparents, the Harmers, live in Hawaii now. Her grandpa wasn't able to come, but her Grandma Patrece came. I know Grandpa Scott surely wished he could have been there.

Jenna with her two grandmas.

I was so surprised when two of my sisters, Natalie and Joyce, and Natalie's husband, Mark, and three of their children, also, came to the baptism. That was so thoughtful of them!

After the baptism and confirmation, Kyle and Kim had a big party for Jenna at their beautiful home. The food was divine!

Jenna received her scriptures, a special memory book about her baptism, and stickers for her scriptures. She was so happy!

Tyson's birthday will be on August 26 and he will also be turning eight. George and I feel so badly that he will be the first grandchild that neither of us will be able to attend his baptism which will be in Shanghai, China. We actually got to go to France for Parker's baptism. So, we gave Tyson his birthday present a little early.

Of course, Koda came to the party, too! Here he is with Taylor.

Grandma Patrece, Jenna, and Kim--Three Generations

Kim's sister, Bethany, and her husband and daughter.

Kim's sister, Alyse, and her husband and three children. Kim's brother, Ryan, and his wife Cassie were there, too, but I didn't get their picture before they left.


Grandpa George kept the kids busy playing games. They especially liked to play the "Don't smile" game and "Try to hit my hands" game.

Parker with his little brother Preston

I had to take every opportunity I could to get a picture of Bracken. He kept so busy, too, while he was here in America. He attended a week of tennis camp at B.Y.U., Especially for Youth in Montana, Youth Conference in Flaming Gorge, and a scout camp in the mountains to earn merit badges towards his Eagle Scout award. So, he has been a busy young man this summer! Way to go, Bracken! He'll be glad to get back to China for a little rest!

Kevin and Angie

John and Alison

Danny and Kelly Tilby and their family. Danny has been a friend of all of our kids for many years!

John and Alison's housekeeper in Shanghai, who we've learned to love so much, sent all these special gifts for us from China. Thank you, WauLi!

What a beautiful, spiritual day! It doesn't get any better than this!

A Wonderful Day at Park City and Olympic Village

On Friday, Kyle and Kim, Kevin and Angie, and their families took George and I to Park City. It is a well-known ski resort in Utah and was the home of many of the Winter Olympic Games in 2002. It is, also, some of the most beautiful country in the world!

We first went to the outlets where the little kids rode the children's rides while their parents shopped.

We then went to the Alpine Slide where you ride the chair lift up and come down the hill on little sleds. It is really exciting! Here Kyle, Kim, and Jenna get ready to board the chair lift. Then off they go!

Kade, Carter, and Connor take off while Angie and Lauren get ready. Kevin and Hannah got on with them.

Grandpa took care of little Koda while his family went on the slide. Can you tell how he fell in love with this little dog, too!! He even helped the kids find cute little outfits for him to wear.

Brady and I hung out together. He loved the little shovel they had there.

We, also, played miniature golf.

After about a half hour, everyone started arriving on their sleds. Here comes Kade and Carter!Now Connor!

And Angie, Jenna, Kim, and Kyle!

Last, but not least, Hannah and her daddy.Grandpa complained that he never got to use the camera, so he shot this picture as we were leaving the Alpine Slide area. Pretty good, huh!

After some great ice cream, we headed for Olympic Park. The U.S. ski jump team as well as the bobsled and skeleton racers practice there in the winter, but since there is no snow there now, they have improvised a way to practice their ski jumps. They jump into a pool of water with giant water bubbles below to break their fall. When we were there, some amateurs were jumping--but believe me, they were fantastic and we enjoyed it so much.

George and Laura at the entrance of Olympic Park.

We then went inside a fabulous museum about the Olympics and interactive exhibits. It wasn't the sort of thing you could really take pictures of. But I did take one:
Did Hannah join the downhill ski team?

What a great day, AGAIN!