Sun Valley

This is where we spent a few days last week. What made it so wonderful?

#1 It is in Sun Valley! It was spectacularly gorgeous there. Everything looked like this:

#2 This is right across the street - you can't see it but there is a trail and it we (John and I) walked jogged around the mountain and thru town - an 8 mile loop. It was so gorgeous I didn't care how long we were out running/walking. I LOVED this place.

3. There was pond for Boston to throw rocks in the "wogger" which he would be happy to do 24/7 with his Grandpa.

4. Our backyard faced a gold course and at night we took it over. An impromptu game of baseball -

(This was Michele's home run)

5. One afternoon we heard someone calling - we were looking around and then saw that Landon and Tanner Chatterly were at the top of the mountain - (those 2 specks are them).

6. They also hopped on the bikes a few times and road around on the trails

(truthfully the expressions on their face tell the true story - they wish they had been in Sun Valley for the winter season to snowboard - they weren't crazy about the small town/quiet summer vibe).

but admit it guys - this picture with everyone smiling is proof you still had fun.

#7 Spending more time with the grandkids. We've been lucky lately. This all happened because Michele and John decided to drive out to California to surprise John on his birthday/Father's day weekend. Tanner told them we would be in Idaho that weekend at his best friends wedding so we figured out a place in Idaho to meet up with them and make it all happen.

Isn't she just the cutest?

And him?

#8 Being with the grandkids any where is a blast - but I really loved Sun Valley. Thanks for coming to spending the Father's Day weekend with us - it was great!

Father's Day

On Saturday we drove to Rexburg to attend Alden and Ashley's wedding. Alden was Tanner's best friend all through High School - we wanted to be there.

The Temple was beautiful . . .

The bride and groom looked so happy - along with their families. We were so happy for all of them. Tanner got to see some friends he hasn't seen since before his mission. It was a great day for everyone.

Back to Sun Valley to hang with the family some more.

Landon and Naomi after church (in a very small ward).

So here we all are . . . (photo courtesy of Tanner Chatterly who came up with us)

and here's the gang with me behind the camera.

Hope it was a memorable birthday/Father's Day John :) We all love you!

Lucky Me

A couple of weeks ago (I know I am way delayed on this post) my girlfriend Linda called me -

the cute one here on the left. She was in town and wanted to know if I could get away and meet her and her sister Shelly for dinner. Well I jumped at the chance and got out of my obligations for the evening. This is the first time in about 18 years (if I am remembering right) that the three of us have all been together again. Much too long!

19 years ago the three of us took a trip together. It was the trip of a lifetime - a whirlwind tour of Europe - my first time there. I can't believe it's been that long ago but all the wonderful memories are still there. As we talked about some of our fun experiences on that trip it was funny how it didn't seem like all that long ago. It made us all want to go and pull out some pictures from our adventure - so here are a few:

Here we are in Nice, France

This was a fabulous day in Bath, England . . .

----

Here we are in Rome . . .

and shopping in Florence, Italy.

It's great to have long time friends - even better that despite the time and distance we can still pick up right where we left off - and reminisce about the past and talk about the present.

Thanks for the reunion Linda - it was so much fun!

In case you didn't notice the "baby bump" in the first picture Shelly is having her 1st babies - twin girls. I am pretty certain this is going to get "Aunt Linda" out to California a lot more often in the next little while. I hope to see a lot more of both of them. I love them both -

Lucky me to have such great friends.

PS - Happy Birthday today Linda. You're still just as young and fun as ever.

A Quick Trip to Utah

I did something totally spontaneous last week - I went off to Utah with less than a day's notice. (Thanks everyone for covering for me and making it possible) - I was so glad I went. I had a fantastic time.

Michele and John put us up at their home where we had the pleasure of being with Boston and Naomi all the time - so fun!

We love all the time we get to spend with them (even though it still isn't enough)

Naomi loves to be held, and played with.

She is definitely a cuddler - it is so sweet.

We had a blast with Boston . . .

He loved the ballon stuff I got him - although Michele may be sick of it about now.

Then to top it all off Summer and Paul had just flown into Utah to visit his family and we got to meet up with them for a wonderful breakfast - on Summer's Birthday! Perfect ending to a wonderful 3 days with the family. Thanks everyone!

Last 2 days in Mexico

Sunday we went to church in Tanner's last area of Chicoloapan. We met lots more wonderful members and converts. We also met up with these awesome missionaries.

Elder Gutierrez, Elder Duce, Tanner, Elder Given, Elder Hilari

It was so fun to see them together - they were so happy.

At the end of the day we drove out to the temple grounds on our way back to the hotel.

It was a big temple and the grounds were beautiful.

We got permission from the Mission President to have the Elders join us downtown on their

P-day for breakfast before we had to leave for the airport (it took them 2 hours from their area on the metro to get to the financial district of Mexico City where our hotel was). We rewarded their efforts by taking them out to brunch where they could load up on some good food - it was fun. We got to hear lots of mission stories, and just get to know them a little better. Tanner said they were the best missionaries out there and after being around them I can see why - it was wonderful to spend our last day in Mexico with them.

Wow - do I like shrimpy next to Elder Given or what?

Wish I could tell you some of the wonderful things these Elders said about their mission service. But once again I would fail to do them justice - just ask me about it. They were incredible.

The trip to Mexico City far surpassed all my expectations. It was more spiritual, more fun, more emotional, and more rewarding than I would have ever expected. To see Tanner back in "missionary mode" was pretty special to witness too. Can't say enough about it all - but the blogging is officially done :)

The Best Day of our Trip

Tanner took us out to visit his families from his mission and it was an unforgettable experience. In fact I hesitate to try and describe any of it because I won't be able to do it justice. Please ask me about it - I'd love to tell you about some of these remarkable people we met. I am hoping some of these pictures will give you a feel for what the day was like for us.

For example - Tanner pulled up here and told us to wait in the car and he would see if anyone was home. I was in the back seat of the car looking for something in my purse when I heard screaming. I looked up to see a little girl fling herself into Tanner's arms and she just kept squealing. A second later her brother comes flying out and jumps into Tanner's arms too. Then they are both just hanging onto him and screaming - and then a mother and older sister come out and they are both in tears - and Tanner - well I don't know if I've ever seen him look so happy. It was an incredible thing to witness.

We were invited in to visit. LaPerla never let go of Tanner.

She is 6 now - Isn't she just darling?

The mother is Concepcion. Tanner baptized Concepcion and her son Omar (age 9) and her daughter Brenda (18) when he served in this area. It was about 9 months ago and he hadn't seen them since then. Tanner didn't tell anyone he was coming so it was quite the surprise. He interpreted for us as we visited. I cried as I shared my testimony and gratitude to her for accepting the gospel and bringing such joy to my son. She cried and said - "thank you for sending us your son. We have the gospel now and it has changed our lives." A lot more things were said and shared and it was very emotional.

So were the goodbyes. . . .

The day continued on like that as each house we visited there were hugs and tears.

Tanner baptized Fatima and her mother Isaura.

Diego is 6 now - his mother said he really missed Elder Hunt.

the whole family . . .

Tanner was so adored by all the kids.

This is Paula and her family. She was baptized along with her daughters.

They really wanted a picture with everyone in it so we asked a little boy in the neighborhood to take this picture. We were cracking up because it looked like he wasn't even pointing the camera at us - it was his 1st time using a camera that was for sure.

This is at the apartment of Betty - her son had just returned from serving his mission in Texas. Her sister's family came up to visit as well (along with their 96 year old grandma). We had a great time visiting - they were wonderful to Tanner while he served in their area of Las Aguilas. (ask me about what Betty did for my son ) - that made me cry too. They were awesome!

This is Bero and her daughter Marlen. It was such an emotional thing for me to have the opportunity to thank her (and many others) for being a "Mom" to my son while he was in Mexico. It was obvious how much they really loved their "Elder Hunt". And we loved them.

Little miracles all day long - like the fact that Tanner wanted to surprise everyone - and each time we went to a home - they were all there. We didn't miss anyone.

Like I said - words can't begin to express all that we experienced that day as we visited these wonderful families and converts from Tanner's mission. It was definitely the high point of the whole trip - and we all agreed that it was the best day of the whole trip. Simply incredible.