An update on Joshua

Joshua is doing really well.  He was transferred to Marquette, Michigan last week and is now a district leader.  He's enjoying the cooler temperatures and being a stone's throw from the shore of Lake Superior.  He's also enjoying driving a 2013 Jeep Compass instead of the typical missionary Chevy Malibu.  Not that my son would care about such things.  ;o)

Leaving his previous area of Elkhorn about ripped his heart out.  There were a couple of families with baptismal dates on the horizon that he absolutely adored, and one family in particular that really looked out for him and loved him.  Joshua LOVED the mom so much, and said that he and she both just cried and cried when he went to say goodbye.  He told me often of this family and all that they did to make him feel loved and taken care of.  He promised them he would go back for their temple sealing.  I hope he has that opportunity.

He is really enjoying the new area and says that his ward is a great missionary ward.  There is lots of action there and the members seem to get that it's at least partly their responsibility to keep the missionaries busy.  They have some baptisms coming up and he's really excited about that.

Joshua asks me repeatedly every time he writes to have his family and friends write to him, so here's his address:

Elder Joshua Whicker
612 B Willow Rd #5
Harvey MI 49855

With Elder M just before transfers

With Elder M.  And cows.

With Elder S, the new companion

a wedding #2

The wedding took place in Manti, Utah.  I'd forgotten how beautiful that temple and grounds are.  The last wedding we attended there was a couple of months after our own when some of our high school friends got married.

What?  Playing chicken isn't part of your wedding traditions?  Stinks to be you, doesn't it?

My cute hubby

G and J

My dad and his friend, K

Ethan strutting

My father-in-law and his new bride, Kathy

Curtis' uncle and aunt

All the grandkids - his and hers

Grandkids and kids

Dancing at the reception

a wedding #1

I'm back after a little hiatus.  :o)

My father-in-law got remarried last weekend, so we spent the week prior in Utah.  It was nice to spend some time just relaxing (at least the kids could get away with that!) and being free of our usual responsibilities.  We ate - a lot, went swimming, went four-wheeling, saw a movie, and took a fun side trip to St. George to go to a trampoline park thingamajig.  It was stinking hot the whole time we were there, but we also had some cool rain and thunderstorms.

We got to meet the family of my new step-mother-in-law, and that was pretty fun.  Our kids were thrilled to have yet more cousins to play with and harass.

Here are a few pictures.

Cora, Lily, Curtis and Ethan looking their finest

Great-grandma D

Thalia and Lily

Jonah and Ethan filling water balloons

Sofie's 10th birthday

Happy birthday, Sofie!

Getting a little help from Thalia

Minecraft Legos!

Zoe's graduation

My computer battery is about to die and my feet are so sore from two days of being on them that I'm not about to go in search of my cord.  I'll update with more details tomorrow, but for now, here are some pictures of Zoe's special day.  We're so proud of her and grateful for the wonderful daughter that she is.  I love her so much.  

weekly menu

Here's our menu for the week.  Our baskets were pretty typical, except for getting butternut squash in the spring, and fava beans.  I had fun figuring out what to do with all this interesting stuff.  ;o)

Tuesday's meal is pretty boring because I'll be in Billings with Maizie so she can get her bottom braces on, and I needed something that Curtis or one of the kids can throw together.  Not that Curtis shies away from tough recipes, but I know what my afternoons are like and he'll be doing all his work plus mine, so I wanted to keep it easy.

Monday's meal is something I'm just sort of throwing together, but I'm using this recipe for the vinaigrette.  I'll blanch the favas, coarsely chop the peppers, cool the cooked pasta and toss it all together.  

Thai curry with lentils

Roasted butternut squash alfredo (I'm really looking forward to this one.  People say it's amazing!)

Last week

I haven't written anything of any substance in a long time.  I feel badly because this is supposed to serve as something of a journal for me, but we have just been so busy!  Over the next two weeks we have graduation and Zoe's and her friend Q's open house, Jack and Cora's baptism, a dance recital, and Thalia's sealing/my birthday.  We get a short break and then we'll be traveling to Utah for my father-in-law's wedding.  It will be a wonderful time, but I'm looking forward to spending the rest of the summer playing, relaxing, and doing some sumer school.  The only formal activities we have going on are baseball, gymnastics and piano.

Anyway, last week was pretty fun and eventful.  Here are some photos.

Joshua with Elder Church, who is also from our town.  He'll be coming back in August.

Joshua's Mother's Day gift to me, which I LOVE!

Cora at her school play

Maizie with her top braces on.  Bottoms come on Tuesday.

Maizie playing the bells at her 5th grade band concert.

Jack finally got to go out for his birthday dinner with us.  I was sick the previous week.

Part of Curtis' new Billings office.  Almost ready to open!

Ethan playing Big Timber in Billings

Screen shots from our Mother's Day Skype call with Joshua

Love that boy!