Brian & Riley Scout Camp - Goblin Valley

Brian & 3 other YM leaders took 11 young men to Goblin Valley (3 hours south of Provo) for a Scout Camp Overnight.  They left Thursday, May 31 and planned to stay until Saturday, because of the long drive.  On Friday night, after they had dinner, they saw a storm coming with high winds.  After many prayers and consideration for their safety, they decided to pack up camp and head home at 11 pm.  The boys tents were flying away and the sand was blowing all into the tents and equipment, to where it was going to be a big sand storm.  They all made it home by 2 am, full of sand and an experience to remember.  The many pictures show that Goblin Valley is a beautiful state park, with its high rock formations and the beautiful sunsets that surround it.  They may have to take another trip, when there isn't a sand storm coming.

Cameron Talk and Erika new calling in YSA Ward

Cameron was asked to give a talk in the YSA Ward that he and Erika attend now.  I believe this is his 4th talk since he has been home from his mission.  As always, he did a great job.  Also, during the same meeting, Erika was called to be the Choir Director and Music Chairman in the YSA Ward.  The new bishopric saw that her email is violingirl, so they figured that she was a music person.  She is nervous, because she has never lead a choir before, or even been in a choir, other than in the YSA ward.  She will do great.  It is amazing that Cameron and Erika are old enough to get real adult callings.  We are so proud of them.

to Cedar City for Justin McDonald Wedding

 Brian holding Chad's baby, Elsie.

 Brian found this in the hotel accommodations book.  It was the joke of the trip!!

 We all went to graves of Jason and Wendy, before we went to Mandy's.

 Julie

 Christi and Kimber

 Laena and Kacey

 Anna

 Justin & Lonia

 Daira, Justin, Lonia and Uncle Norm

We decided to take a quick trip to Cedar City to be with Justin and his family for his wedding.  Justin is the son of Brian's cousin, Wendy McDonald.  All the cousin's were there, except for Jennifer Ellen.  We all stayed at the same hotel, so we could play games and visit with each other.  We had breakfast with everyone, and then the kids went swimming at 10 am, which was weird, but they closed the pool at check out time and didn't reopen it until check in.  Then we all headed to Kingston to Ryan and Mandy's house to a family BBQ dinner.  We all were able to visit and take cat naps before we headed home on Saturday at 7 pm.  Riley was the only one that went with us, because Cameron and Erika were both sick and didn't want to make the drive.  It was good to be with family and visit with Chad and his family again.

Riley End of Year PHS Choir

Cameron's Compnaion Elder Nate Roberts

 Nate was Cameron's companion when he was serving in the Hillsboro Area during 2010.  Elder Roberts just returned home from his mission two weeks ago, and is starting at BYU in the Fall and was at an interview at the Provo MTC and noticed on his GPS that Cameron lived close by, so he stopped to visit with us.  They had some great catch up time together, and then he stayed for dinner with us.  It was great to meet him, and hear about their experience together.  There are some good things about living in Provo, and that is most of the returned missionaries come back to the MTC or are enrolled at BYU, no matter where they live.  So glad that Cameron had some great companions.

Annual Solar Eclipse

Riley was so excited to see the Solar Eclipse that he had to share it with all the family.  We were at Grandma Holly & Grandpa Gary for family dinner, so we had to stop and see the eclipse with the glasses that we got for FREE the day before.  Cameron was able to get some pictures of it with his phone and the glasses over the camera part, which turned out pretty good.  TJ didn't believe Riley that the glasses would really work, because all he could see was black, but when the eclipse came out behind the clouds, Riley proved him wrong.  It was a great evening to share with the family.  There will be a total solar eclipse in 2017 and venus will be crossing the sun on June 5 this year, so the glasses will come in handy again.

Father's & Son's Overnight

Brian & Riley went on the ward father & son overnight by Goshen, on the other side of Utah lake.  They decided to sleep in the van this time, instead of setting up the tent.  On the way home on the freeway, the pictures below is what they saw.  They had a good laugh and had to share them with us.

AstroFest at BYU

The things we do for FREE!!!  We found out that BYU Eyring Science school was giving out Solar Eclipse glasses for FREE from 10 am to 4 pm.  So, like a mom, I ran up to BYU to pickup some.  Well, come to find out, that you have to participate in the activites in order to get your FREE pair of glasses and you could only get 1 pair per person, which is understandable.  We stood in line twice to get two pairs.  We went to the Physics show and then headed home at 2:00 pm.  Yeah, just run up and grab the glasses, WRONG!!!  At least Riley had a good time, and that is all that matters.  He loves this kind of stuff.  Good times and so much for getting alot done on Saturday.

Riley's last PHS Men's Choir Concert of the Year

Riley has enjoyed being in the PHS Men's Choir this year of school.  He had his last concert tonight with all the other choirs.  It was a treat to hear them all sing and have fun together, even though it was a 2 hour concert.  More concerts coming next year when Riley is in Concert Choir.  Stay tuned.....!!!