Family Ties July 30 - Aug. 13, 2006

Hello Family,
We wish the rest of you would have written during these past two weeks. If any of you think no one is interested in your happenings...you are wrong. Even though you may not be interested in our writing, it becomes a journal entry and it is amazing how much one forgets the events between entries. Anyway, more are interested in your writings than you realize.
On Monday, July 31st, our friend and neighbor below us, called and requested a blessing. Rick McIntosh has had serious surgery relocating some of his vital organs and has not healed in a timely manner. Since he and his wife Pam were on the way to the hospital felt the need of this blessing. He is now on the mend and they were in church today for the first time in several weeks.
Chet & Becky Sealey and their children returned to their home in Korea following a two month time where Becky was able to contract with Clint Kelley (in our ward)for some major remodeling to their cabin on Forget- Me- Not Lane. Their dilema was how to get all of their luggage and themselves to the airport on Tuesday morning. We were very happy that we were able to take their luggage and see them off til they return again next year.
Leaving the airport we drove to Provo to attend the funeral services of Susan Payne (Shoshana Rose). This was a most unusual funeral attended by her brothers, sisters, mother and many friends. It was unusual in that her non Christian funeral was held in Oregon and followed up with some of those same friends who traveled from Oregon to attend our typical LDS funeral conducted by her brother Ben who is currently a bishop and Jan gave the eulogy. Following the funeral and unusually large luncheon was provided by Jaynann's R.S.
On Saturday we returned to Utah Valley where we spent a good part of the day cleaning and organizing our aparatment in Highland. We also began serious shopping for an automobile. It seemed that every car dealer had something of interest but nothing quite clicked and we wanted to explore what Dan & Ann's friend, Tony Devino in Ogden had to offer.
Sunday was the blessing of Marguerite Jolie Moody, the baby daughter of Cyndi and Michael Moody. We then enjoyed a lovely brunch at their beautiful home in Draper where family members of both Michael & Cyndi's gathered. On our way to Dan & Ann's we paid a visit to Martha Lingard, Joe Larkin and Ed & Deb's. We found Joe much the same condition as when we werethere on July 14th. This time however, Joe Jr. was there with his father reading to him from the Book of Mormon, providing us a nice opportunity to visit them both. When we arrived at Dan & Ann's we were able to finally get acquainted with Russ & Tommi's baby, Gracie and it was obvious why she has won the hearts of this family.
Our purpose this week was to buy a car, it had to have certain features to satisfy our needs such as: 4 wheel drive, automatic transmission, either suv or station wagon, tow bar, low miles, six cylinders, air condition, power steering, four door, cruise control and preferably good mileage. After trying several models, we settled for one that gave all of the features except good mileage, but the price we paid for it would justify paying for higher price gasoline over the years. We finally decided upon a 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada that appeared to have had excellent care from it's previous owner. Only time will tell if our decision was wise. We were especially impressed with the manner in which Tony treated us. He gave us the benefit of every doubt and at a price that was below what we had thought we would have to pay. It hadn't been our intent to trade in our Mazda truck but the offer as a trade in was too good to pass by, so for the past week we have enjoyed driving our new purchase.
Early yesterday morning we picked up Whitney, Dallin and Clayton from their week at BYU's EFY experience. We have had them over the weekend and will deliver them at the airport Monday night where they will join their parents who have arrived in Maine sometime today. Jeff begins his work tomorrow and the family will occupy their new home on Wednesday at the same time their furniture will arrive. Tuesday will be the registration for all of the childrens schools. Following church today we and the children had a special tour of the Heber Girls Campsite by Elder & Sister Thompson, our close neighbors here in Timberlakes and tonight a special family home evening.
This has been a great two weeks and simply testify's once again, our joy to be home with our families.