Happenings During the Past Couple of Weeks

As most of you know, Billy's and Amy's wedding is drawing near, April 26th. Jenny hosted a shower for Amy on March 20th. Some of Amy's relatives came, along with some of our relatives also. She got some nice gift cards and also presents, that were shipped to Billy's apartment.

Here are Ali, Amy, Shelby (Amy's sister), and Jenny. Jenny did a great job organizing and delegating food assignments and putting together games. It was really fun to see some of Amy's relatives (the Hopkinsons), who Jenny and I knew from Jenny's clogging days.

Three days later, Dick and I flew to Kansas to see Scott and Amy and their children. The first day we were there, we attended Sam's soccer practice and the temperature was 70 degrees. But it didn't stay that way for long. As a matter of fact, the weather turned out to be cold, rainy and blustery for several days. We seem to attract the cold weather.

Here Dick and Amy swing Ashlynn in a blanket at the soccer field.

Sam practiced many drills with his teammates and even played a little scrimmage game.

The kids were in school, so Amy, Bob Kimball, Dick and I went for a tour of Leavenworth, Kansas, which is currently a military base. In the past, it has been a prison and was where the Santa Fe and Oregon trails met. Bob Kimball knows the history of Kansas backwards and forwards. He's very knowledegable. He and Dick are looking at the sign that tells about the two trails. Mormon pioneers came from New Orleans to Leavenworth to join the Oregon Trail.

Amy stands in front of an Episcopal Church at Leavenworth.

The next day, we went to visit the place where Scott works. I didn't get a picture of it. We were able look around his work and have lunch with him. Afterwards, we visited the Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas City.

We probably had the yummiest keylime pie I've ever had in the restaurant of the art gallery. We saw some artifacts (Chinese) that dated back to 300-500 AD. Afterwards, we went out on the steps and took a couple of pictures.


Dick and Amy.

This picture was taken from the steps out onto the lawn. Notice the giant birdies. You'd have to have a big badmitton racket to play with those. Also, notice the statue of "The Thinker" off to the right.

That night, we went to Sam's pack meeting, which was set up like an airplane with rows and aisles and even plastic bags with flight magazines in them. They even had a flight attendant who moved a food cart around and gave drinks and peanuts to the audience. Sam received his Arrow of Light. Scott is his eleven-year-old scout leader. I think Sam is pleased with that and that Scott is also.

The next day, we took another trip to see the temple site for the Kansas City Temple. It is in Clay County, Missouri. There were tons of tractors there (about 20 or so), but the clay dirt was too wet for them to do much. Apparently, there will be a ground breaking this spring sometime. Right now, all it looks like they are doing is moving clay.

Liberty, Missoui, is a couple of miles away from the temple site, so we went through Liberty Jail and listened to Sister Nelson tell us about the events that took place there. She did a very nice job and the spirit was strong. Bob Kimball is a really good listener and a good sport to go with us to several Mormon sites. For those of you who don't know, Bob is a Presbyterian, sort of.

This is a depiction of how it was when Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and three others were in prison there. Joseph Smith is on the far left with a feather pen in his hand. They lived in terrible conditions in the jail. It was dirty, the food was very bad, and the sanitation was awful.

But, within these walls, some of the most profound sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were received: 121, 122, etc. "All things shall give thee experience." What inspiring men they were.

Saturday, March 27th, was Elle's baptism. She was the only child getting baptized. She asked Dick if he would give the talk on baptism and asked me if I would give the talk on the Holy Ghost. Sam said the opening prayer. Ashlynn led the singing of the opening and closing hymns. Some of Elle's friends and family sang the song: "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," and Bob Kimball gave the closing prayer. He did a great job! It was a very nice baptism. Scott baptized Elle and confirmed her. He gave her such a beautiful confirmation that was very appropriate for Elle
Elle and Ashlynn

Elle and Scot
The children who sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me"

Group picture of our family and Bob Kimball. It really was a nice event.

Dick and Bob visiting after the baptism.

I think, besides the baptism, my favorite part of the whole trip was sitting with Ashlynn and Amy at the General Young Women's Broadcast and watching Ashlynn laugh at President Uchtdof's talk. Ashlynn is such a sweet young woman. She is still trying to fit in with everyone, and his talk was so good for her to hear.

I don't think we stopped for very long the whole time we were there, but we had a great visit.

Happy Eighth Birthday, Enthusiastic Elle, and Late Birthday, Sam!

Today, March 14th, is Elle's 8th birthday. I remember going back to Kansas in 2002 to help Amy when Elle was born. Ashlynn had a hard time with that birth, and for a while, she wasn't too happy with me. But, after Elle and Mom came home from the hospital, Ashlynn started to warm up to me. She decided I wasn't as bad as she thought. Sam did great!

Elle is full of energy and enthusiasm. She is quite dramatic and loves to perform. She likes to be doing lots of things all the time. For the most part, she's fun to be around. Hope you had a great birthday, Elle.

Here are two cute kids this past summer. Sam had his birthday February 27th. Sam is organized and loves anything BYU, as you can see. We love you too, Sam, and hope you had a great birthday.

Happy Anniversary, Matt and Stacie--Six Years Later

It was six years ago today that Matt and Stacie were married. We have very fond memories of that wedding and thank the Packards for a wonderful time in Arizona. None of us will ever forget the fun we had.

We are grateful for Matt and Stacie and their two sweet little boys. They bring us much joy , and they are truly good people who try to do what is right. We wish you MANY more years together. We love you.

Welcome to Detroit (Canton), Michigan

Last Tuesday, February 23rd, we flew into Detroit. It was not snowing, but it had been snowing and snowing a lot. We were glad that the weather let up long enough for our plane to land and get to Matt's and Stacie's house. The first thing Jacob wanted us to see was the snowman he and Matt had made. It is right by the mailbox. Great snowman, don't you agree. For the the most part of the next three days, it snowed and kept snowing. I think it snowed all day on Friday, so we pretty much stayed home that day, except for eating dinner at a mid-eastern restaurant in the evening.

Here are two darling little boys that we got to play with and enjoy for one week. It was so fun.
Don't you love those eyes!

Wednesday morning, Stacie had a preschool at the house. The theme was on Mexico and the kids learned about Mexico, made maracas out of toilet paper rolls, danced the Mexican Hat Dance, had cheese quesidillas, and learned about bull fighting. Stacie did a great job and the kids had fun. There were seven of them, I think.

Before bed one night, we all had a fun time dancing to the CD player. Of course, every night we watched the Olympics. Jacob, Grandpa and Matt ran ski races around the house with the toy golf clubs. I think Jacob is a budding skiier.

On Thursday, we went to a very fancy mall and did a lot of walking for exercise. We visited a pet shop and found a puppy almost exactly like Scott's and Shelley's. The lady at the shop let Jacob hold her. Isn't she so cute with Jacob. I would like to have bought her.

Stacie and the two boys. Stacie is a great mom and the little boys are very pleasant to be around. I might add that she is also a great cook and fixed such nice meals for us while we were there. Thanks so much, Stacie.

Matt with Owen. Matt is a great dad. Matt and Stacie make a good pair.

On Saturday, we took both cars (because we couldn't all fit in one) to Toledo, Ohio, to a "hands on" Science Museum for kids. Jacob had a great time, and I think Owen thought it was okay as well. Here Grandpa and Jacob start two balls rolling at the same time. Which track do you think was the fastest track?

It was the wavy track, which really surprised me. Oh well, what do I know about science.

Here, Jacob and Matt put together a giant tinker toy set. I think Matt had as much fun putting it together as Jacob did. It's the engineer in him.

Below, Owen plays in the water. That yellow bib was great and kept him realatively dry.

Sunday, we had a nice time at Church. It was ward conference for their ward.

On Monday, Stacie had jury duty in downtown Detroit. She left around 7:00 a.m. Matt took the day off work, and we went to another science museum. Stacie didn't end up serving, so she met us at Five Guys Burgers, where we ate lunch. Monday evening, we enjoyed family home evening together.

Here are two proud grandparents and two happy little boys.

We love this little family. They are fun to be with. Thanks for letting enjoy ourselves for a week.

Thanks to Stacie and Matt for entertaining us for the past week.

This morning, we left Detroit at 6:30 a.m. and got in Salt Lake at 8:00 a.m., which would have been 10:00 a.m. in Detroit. Our plane was ONE hour early. Wow, I don't think that's ever happened to us. It was nice to have the whole day when we got home, but it was a little early to wake up at 4:30 a.m.