Priest Laurel Missionary Activity

Tonight we had a very fun missionary preparation activity for the Priests and Laurels in our ward.  Brother & Sister Johnston just returned home from a mission to France and were willing to come and help make sure our youth were prepared with some basic and important skills:  ironing, sewing, cooking, shining shoes, and making a bed.  I think the youth had a great time - they also took some time to find scriptures that would correlate with each activity.  A great activity.

Mormon Prom 2013

Several years ago some of the youth came to the stake leadership and asked if they could have a "prom" sponsored by the church because they didn't want to attend the school proms because of the lack of standards in dress and dance.  So it's been happening for many years and tonight was the 4-stake dance at our building here in Lacey.  The theme was from Alice in Wonderful and the decorations were very nice.  Here are some of the pictures we took:

Some of the fun decorations

With a couple of young ladies from our ward - Katie and Isabella

We served dinner for the youth and so they gave us cards to wear

With their "real" dates: the Williamson twins

We had quite an enjoyable time :)

Oregon Coast

Last Saturday, April 13, Megan, Jeremy and Dallen were in Astoria Oregon and we were able to spend a wonderful day with them!  We drove down the coast past Gearhart into Seaside - climbed the famous Astoria Column and had lunch at a very interesting fish & chips joint.  We ended our day in Portland at Gustav's German restaurant and had a blast.  A few photos:

Dallen didn't sleep particularly well Friday night but made up for it with a great 2+ hour nap on Saturday as we drove up and down the coast 

 Jeremy was told about this fish & chips place - it's literally a little boat on the street as you can see in the 2nd picture.  The food was delicious - when we left town a couple of hours after lunch the line-up to order food was a block long! You have two choices when ordering:  a 5-piece or 3-piece fish & chips!

 You had to bring along your own place to sit!

 Loved walking along the Columbia River

 A picture from the Astoria Column of the Astoria-Megler bridge which unites Oregon and Washington

We ended our time together at Gustav's on Sandy Blvd in Portland - Dallen quite enjoyed the German food...

even the fondue!

Spring Break - Springfield Missouri

During the second part of spring break we traveled to Springfield Missouri to spend some time with Megan, Jeremy and their family.  We had a great time with them and are so grateful for video chatting capabilities as we are sure that keeping in touch visually with the grand-kids eliminates any "getting reacquainted"  time we otherwise might need!  Here are a few of the many pictures taken:

The first day we went to the Discovery Center - a hands on play area for children and it is great.  They had a  wind tunnel to simulate a tornado that went up to 79 mph and several of us got our hair quite messed up!

 Visually fun mirrors

 Hunter serving as cashier for Justin & Emma at the "store"

Had a fun Easter egg hunt in Springfield on Tuesday! 

 The four older kids all started swimming lessons Tuesday night - we were able to go and help that night as well as their 2nd lesson on Thursday night.

 The weather was fairly brisk but several days we were able to get outside to play

 Emma shows off the sombrero look!

 One day we met Hyrum's 1st grade class at the Nature Center and took the tour with the class - it's a wonderful place very close to where Megan and Jeremy live.

 Individual shots of the kids

 Hunter 

 Emma - she and Anne are the two girls among 9 grandsons!

 Hyrum

 Justin

Dallen

Our last night in Missouri and before swim lessons we had a bonfire and hot dog roast at a state park by the river - what a fun time!  Love this picture of Jeremy and his 5 little ones:)

Love this picture of Dallen and Marcie - he was quite calmed by the sounds and sight of the river.

We had a great time together - thanks so much!!

Spring Break - San Antonio

Marcie had the first week of April off so we decided to spend part of the time in San Antonio with Zac and Joy and their family.  We had a wonderful time and spent Easter Sunday with them which was a real treat.  Here are a few of the pictures taken:

Kids ready for their egg hunt on Saturday

 Posting this next picture is under protest - Marcie wanted to include it but I don't - we'll see what the appeal judge says:)  On Saturday we went to a Texas Rangers game held at the Alamodome and had a blast.  Andrew and I wanted some pistachio's and didn't know what to do with our gum....

 The Alamodome

 The converted basketball arena into an indoor baseball field.  Was the fastest game we've ever been to: 2 hours, 25 minutes.

Jackson was the photographer of the feet picture and did great!

Beautiful grandchildren on Easter morning

  And of course a photo op with this crew wouldn't be complete without a goofy one!  

Thanks for a wonderful time together