PIONEER DAY 2009

Our July 24th started with McKenzie running the Deseret News 10k - that's 6.2 miles to you and me. Then we headed to Ogden for the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo. It started off with the sky divers bringing in the American Flag, then the Budweiser Clydesdales made a couple of trips showing off those massive horses and their ability to make all kinds of turns and ended with crazy motorcylists making some serious daredevil jumps and flips. But the best is seeing all the different horses and cowboys/cowgirls. Remember those days when we had the choice of 6 or 7 horses to ride? We had a fun time with perfect weather. There's absolutley no better place to watch a rodeo than in Ogden!!!


McKenzie

Elaine, Dad/Grandpa George & Garrett

Brock & Raymond

Steve & Dad/Grandpa George

Grandpa George & Brock

MCKENZIE'S 20! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Ciao famiglia!

 

This week was kind of funny, probably 75% of the normal appointments we have cancelled on us. Lame! But somehow we still found people to teach. So this week should be even better because no one is allowed to cancel on us. We had dinner with our bishop in the North Hills ward and we were talking about some less actives that we tried to visit. It was a little sad because he didn't even seem to have much hope in him. If the bishop doesn't believe things are possible...well, it's hard for other people to think it too. But I think maybe the ward has just settled on the idea that they won't have baptisms, and that certain people won't be reactivated. They're bummed out or something. It will happen. We're really trying to hard to get the work to be equal in both wards. Yeah!
Today for our district activity, we played a little sand volleyball. The sand was sooo hot and it reminded me of playing in the burning sand every day in the MTC. A year ago! It's an odd point to be at when you can say, "What was I doing a year ago?" and you were on your mission. Pioneer day this week. Anyone doing anything to celebrate? I don't think they'll have fireworks here. Maybe we'll watch "Legacy" with someone! Oh yeah, today is Moon day. Forty years ago we landed on the moon! One of our less actives told us that. She's quirky and tells us what the day is. Last time we saw her it was national pecan pie day so she had some for us. Someday I hope to be like that. Zone Conference is this week and that's exciting! Elder Cordova is speaking to us. I think maybe he's an area authority or something like. Not sure. And I think we get to go to the temple this transfer, yes!
Soooo, things are fantastic! I've also been reading in the Old Testament lately. Well, really, on and off my whole mission. I just think people are scared of that book. And there is some gooood stuff in there. Funny stuff! I'm trying to read in all of the standard works, though I'm pretty sure I won't finish them all before I'm done here. Sometimes I get all confused by the chronology of the Book of Mormon, but I think I'm starting to get it more. I'm pretty sure I always took the Book of Mormon for granted. But I love it now!

I hope everyone is happy and dandy! Enjoy your weather and your gardens and your families and your dogs and your books and everything (in no specific order)! Thank you all for everything you do for me! Love you all!

Love,
Emily

P.S. Random fact. We all know that I love to sleep. But as far as I can recollect, I have never woken up past 6:30 and I believe I've taken maybe 3 naps on my mission. And really I'm not too tired. Just proof that miracles still happen!
 

Ward Stuff

Brock and Raymond went with the teacher's quorum in our ward and ran the Snake River. They were able to run it 3 times with Raymond getting dumped into the freezing, cold water a couple of times and Brock hanging on for dear life and never getting thrown off. He later jumped in just to get wet. They also went to Jackson Hole for a chuck wagon dinner and some cowboy music, which they said was the highlight of the trip.

Our stake, Centerville North, has put on a stake softball tournament for all ages the past 3 years. We have 9 wards in our stake and our ward's women's team ended up taking 2nd, losing in extra innings by 1. Fran's New York stickball experience was huge for our team. She scored the winning run twice. As you can see by the grimmace on her face, she was out for blood!! In fact, her home team, the New York Yankees, have contacted her about playing for them. Look out A-Rod!!!!

Fran swinging for the fence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anne & Fran talking strategy.

MADDI

MERRI

The ball players - Fran, Merri, Anne & Maddi.

Maple Grove Days

 

This past week our community held the annual Maple Grove Days. It began Thursday with a small town parade and ended Saturday night with a bang! Kirk and I volunteered on Saturday at the carnival like setting where our assignment was to keep the tables clean (where people eat) and to pick up the garbage there. Not only did we gain a lovely new turquoise shirt as our volunteer "gift" but also had access to the all important hospitality room (read that food!) for the various volunteers. Saturday night we watched the firework display with Erin and David. All in all it was a good day!

 

Eight Days a Week

This past week we watched Braden learn to play an all important All American game: TBall. He is really having fun learning and says he is a real baseball player now because he slid into home base. He's earned the reight.
Kirk and I took Ashleigh on an outing with us to Medicine Lake where we rented a canoe and paddle around the lake a little bit. We had lots of fun together and even got wet..hmmm. It's always great to have opportunities to have individual times with the grandchildren. Just as I thought and do think it important with our own children, I still think it is a valuable thing to do with the grandchildren.
One of our new favorite things about Minnesota is to go to Lake Harriett where there is this bandshell and concerts are performed every night for the summer. We here in Minnesota have to make the most of the sunny, coat free days! We are loving going with a few our several thousand friends, setting up our chairs, and just relaxing at this most beautiful spot. Through the back windows of the bandshell you can see sailboats floating by. Incredible to me that such a frozen land can utterly transform for several months a year. We are determined to enjoy it!