Saturday, July 31, 2010

July Family Memories

What a wonderful month we have had with family. We enjoyed the Whitlock Reunion on July 10 with 130 of us at Mutual Dell in American Fork Canyon. The last part of the month we were delighted to have all of our children and grandchildren together. Thursday morning , July 22, almost all of our children and their spouses were together in the Jordan River Temple for an endowment session.
Katrina, Neal, Anna, and Daniel Carter visited with us from July 19 to August 2. Lillis and Frank Byers and Kathie and Dennis Smith came to visit them here in West Jordan and they were able to visit with friends from New York who have moved to Utah. They also visited us at Temple Square, commuting by TRAX which was a big deal for Daniel.
Melody and Brandon were with us from Missouri from July 16 to July 26. They spent part of their time in Boise, Idaho with his family. They are excited about their new condo in Kansas City.
We had family pictures taken at Murray Park on July 21. The reward was to get to throw rocks in the river afterward.
Keith with one-year-old Kira and Mike with two-year-old Mordecai.
Kathryn with Grant Eliason. Desi and Kim Rogers. Katrina Carter, Melody Roberts, Kristilyn Eliason, and Julie Burningham.

Desi and Mike announced that they are expecting a baby in February, 2011. Mike and Desi, Emily and Mordecai drove to Utah from Colorado and were with us from July 20 to July 26.
We rented a big house near Bear Lake in northern Utah July 22-July 25 so every family could have their own bedroom but that we would still be able to be together. There were 22 of us--14 adults and 8 grandchildren.

Mark, James, Grant and Kristilyn Eliason on the paddle boat we rented .
We also rented a Ski-doo or some kind of motorized water toy which was very fun for the adults.
The first beach was rather muddy but the second day at Rendezvous Beach, the sand was better and the water was warmer.
The house had plenty fo fun things for both the children and the adults. They loved the pool table, large televisions for DVD's, skee ball, foos-ball, etc.
Brandon, Neal, Desi holding Mordecai, John, and Mike.
Eliasons brought up their Thomas the Train stuff and Daniel, Mordecai, Grant and James loved playing with the pieces. They know the name of every train car and its specifications.

Saturday morning most of the family went to Minnetonka Cave in Idaho.

John, Talisa in the pink, Jason, Keith with Kira on his back, Katrina holding Daniel, Neal, Desi, Mike holding Mordecai, Kim standing on the end, Kristilyn is James in the nay jacket and Grant in the brown jacket, and Emily.

The meals were fantastic. Each family took turns preparing a meal and the clean-up crew varied according to the assignment--twenty-somethings, wish they were 20-somethings, summer-winter birthdays, men, etc. There were two large cabaret tables for eight each and seating along the bar for the children. They were so excited about their fun stools.

Kim and Desi stayed home so their little ones could have naps on Saturday while others went to the beach. They really liked the home theater!

Katrina took Anna into the hot tub (which wasn't very hot) so she could have her therapy. In New York they go to the therapy pool at the YMCA.

Our children insisted that we have the master suite with its oversized tub and double shower. The little ones liked to come in and out of our patio door as a shortcut!


Kristilyn brought a parachute which was fun to manipulate. Notice the view from our place. Desi also brought pop-its to celebrate July 24th which was a big hit--even when one had to stamp on the thing five times to make it pop.

Mordecai John Rogers--two-years-old.
Emily Jean Rogers--four-years-old

Talisa, Emily and all the children love the playhouse in the back yard.

Talisa shows how agile and flexible she is. Emily watched and then did the same trick herself.

Sunday was a special day because we all attended church together in the Garden City Ward. There were about 1500 people there and we sat on folding chairs in the cultural hall. They requested volunteers who were dressed appropriately to assist in passing the sacrament. Those 27 priesthood holders were reverent and efficient. I was pleased at how well behaved our grandchildren were during the meeting. Obviously they have been well taught by their parents and attendance at church is an important part of their lives. It has been a joy to hear our grandchildren pray. Sunday evening we had family dinner at our home in West Jordan. The little ones like the little table and red chairs.

Richard and Karen Keetch invited us over to their home in the evening for an opportunity for the Rasband-Rogers-Keetch-DuPaix family to get together.

Stephen Jacob DuPaix was ordained an elder that day.

Mike enjoys visiting with Ryan Rasband. Bill Rasband is talking with Katrina. This summer Keetches removed the wooden deck from the west side of their home and poured steps and a patio in its place. They also installed an attractive cover over the area.

Richard Keetch-John Rogers-Roger DuPaix

Richard Keetch continues to be the master gardener of the family. He keeps his yard looking like a show-place from Better Homes and Gardens. Roger DuPaix has been ordained a patriarch in his stake. He continues to coach football for Skyline High School.

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