24th of July 2009

Dearest Family,

We've had an exciting week. Monday, July 20, the Pioneer Program from the Elijah Choir turned out well. John is enjoying his student Elder Millcreek. My student only came part of the during the week so I had good time to do personal family history. Neal, Katrina, Daniel, and Anna went down to Provo to pick up Katrina's wallet and to walk around BYU campus. Tuesday we went with Carters to the Expo Center in Sandy and saw the display of floats in aire-conditioned comfort. Wednesday Kim, Talisa, Kira, Kristilyn, James and Grant, and the Carters went to the Kangaroo Zoo in North Salt Lake and the kids jumped on the blow-up toys for five hours. See Kim's blog for cute pictures.

Wednesday we got the news that Kevin and Candice Smith's twin girls arrived three months early. They are very tiny in the NICU in Ogden.

Talisa, Grant, James, and Daniel all received hair cuts this week. They look cooler for the summer and are always beautiful!

John and I had Thursday and Friday off. I got a shingles immunization because I got the placebo. John received his earlier when we were in the research study. I went with Katrina and Neal to get family pictures at Olan Mills. Katrina and Neal went to the Jordan River Temple to do initiatory work for Neal's family while John and I watched Daniel and Anna. In the afternoon we went down to the Rasband Celebration for Grandpa's 100th birthday at a family park/swimming pool complex in Lindon. It was fun to have nearly all the Rasbands, Rogers, Keetches, and DuPaixs there. There was plenty of food. The kids loved the pool and the train.

Friday, July 24th, we watched the Day of 27 parade in our pajamas. It was fun to recognize the floats. Lillis and Frank joined us for dinner that evening along with Carters, Burninghams, and Keith's family. Eliasons didn't come because Kristilyn had the flu. Julie and Jason stayed overnight and the Carters and Buringhams stayed up late playing games on Friday night. Saturday Jason and Julie were delegated to purchase balls for more exciting family activities. We now have a wonderful variety. We, Carters, and Burninghams then to Thanksgiving Point to the Ancient History (Dinosaur) Museum. That is a wonderful learning place with lots of kid-friendly activities.

When we arrived home we learned that James was up at Primary Children's Hospital with a high fever and severe abdominal pain so I picked up Grant from Ian Willard's family and brought him to West Jordan. Daniel was thrilled to have a playmate! They had James stay overnight at PCMC in the Pediatric ICU so he could be monitered frequently during the night. Mark stayed overnight with James. James came home from the hospital on Sunday afternoon. They decided it was a viral infection and he was doing much better. James went to church with Neal and Katrina and was happy to be there, especially if he had Old Doggy with him. Old Doggy has been through the washing machine so the music box doesn't work so he's safe to take the church now.
Sunday evening we had family dinner in West Jordan with Carters, Keith's family, Julie and Jason, and Kristilyn and Grant. It is so fun to watch the aunts and uncles interact with the little ones and interesting to see who is the "chosen one" when. It has been a joy to see all of our posterity these past few weeks. Neal and Katrina are on their way back to New York today. Siegfried Klunker drove them to the airport. They will stay at a motel in Buffalo tonight because they are getting in so late and it was cheaper to stay in the motel than to play long term parking.

We love and appreciate each of you very much. Love and care for one another.

Love,
Mom and Dad Rogers