July 3rd is just as exciting to those of us who are from Plain City as Christmas is. We start the Patriotic Holiday off with a bar b que on the 3rd, followed by fireworks. We now play it safe and have only a Utah legal show, no more of the super Wyoming fireworks. Always a sleepover at grandma and grandpa's for those who want. Parents have to stay with children. Abigail was sure she did not like the noise and spent most of the evening in the house with Beau. Adam curled up tight to his Dad and did not move. Carly was delighted with the sights and sounds and clapped and giggled. Luke had a blast with so many extended cousins around.

This is the sign that we found on our picnic table in the campground that we stayed in with Jay's brother Glen and his wife Marie. I am sure glad that they invited us to stay in their beautiful trailor instead of outside. We went up above the quaint little town of Oakley Utah. We had a great time visiting and Jay and Glen are the mighty fishermen. Thanks for the invite, we a wonderful time and enjoyed the absolute beauty.

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We have had such a great time getting Blake ready to leave on his mission and I realized that I haven't had anything posted about Bub for long time. He has been gone 18 months. SHOCKING! The time has truly flown by. He is doing great. He is so happy and he absolutely loves doing what he is doing. I don't have any pictures of the other Elder Jenkins yet from the MTC, but he is also doing great. He was in a very special meeting this past Sunday where a very small and select group of Elders were able to bless and pass the Sacrament for all the new mission presidents (Bub's included), all the General Authorities including all 12 Apostles, and the First Presidency. What an honor and privilege Blake has just had. I love missionaries and the work they do.

We had a great family night tonight. It was Plain City night at the Ogden Raptors. Mayor Jenkins got to throw the first pitch out. That is him on the mound. I don't have much of a lens to get the far away pics, but that is him and he did a fine job. We are not at all sure who the woman is that wanted so badly to pose with Meg and Ben's family. We missed Luke, Lisa, Adam and Carly, and of course Bub and Blake, but we wouldn't want the last two any other place than where they are:)

When Jay and I found each other 30 (I know it is hard to believe because I can't believe it either) years ago, we also found another couple that just got engaged too. They are regulars still to hang out with on the weekends. Their oldest and youngest are the same ages as ours (we just got two more in) and their grandkids are around the same ages also. This weekend we went out on a limb and did something different instead of "dinner and a movie". We went camping with them and had a great time in spite of the most incredible down pour we had for a couple of hours. It did clear up and we had great food and even better company! This is Brent and Holli Speechly and somewhere behind us on the hill side there really is a moose. We saw him.

I have had a little bit of an issue with my camera and haven't been able to download my pictures that I have wanted to post, so here is start. When Luke found it was my birthday, he told his mom that grandma had to have a birthday party with cake and balloons. What a great surprise that was for me. We met at the park for our usual Friday afternoon lunch. I could not have had a better party or surprise.

Blake's farewell was this past Sunday. We had a great day with so many friends and family all together. Blake gave a super talk and we had lunch afterwards. We are so grateful for all of the support of so many. Here we have a picture with all here except Bub, who couldn't make it. This is the end of our season of raising a family and sending out missionaries. Very bittersweet! We are so pleased with Blake's decision to serve the people in Barranquilla, Colombia. We love you Blake.