An Amazing Summer- June

St. George Temple June 2008

This summer was full of amazing events. On June 13th, we rushed up to Utah to attend Ivan's Ashcraft Family Reunion in Ogden, Utah. It was so wonderful to see so many relatives that we don't get to see near enough. We enjoyed the beautiful 85 degree weather after experiencing temperatures in the 100s in Arizona. While the family was exclaiming how hot it was, we were thinking how wonderful it felt!

Dorothy and Grant enjoy the reunion!

The next day we made a surprise appearance to the church we attended for 5 years in Provo. We were so excited to see all our old friends- the Paytons, the Johnsons, the Boshards, the Lindgrens, and so many others. I felt really strongly that we are who we are today in a large part from our associations with the wonderful people in that area. We truly were blessed to have found that basement apartment so many years ago!

The next day was a whirlwind of activity. I appeared on Good Things Utah at 10 a.m.. From there we rushed across Salt Lake City to get to the Roth Concept Center to film for KUTV2's Noon News. From there, we drove to the airport getting there in plenty of time (Thanks to a delayed flight) to pick up Andrew Law at the airport. Andrew is the one who opened his mission call at our home in a previous blog. He's the whole reason we made the trip. We couldn't let him report to the Missionary Training Center by himself.

Andrew Law at Temple Square

After picking him up, we took him to see Temple Square. It was his first trip to Utah. We stayed the night at my friend, Paula Taylor's home, in Provo. She, bless her heart, watched all 4 of our kids the next day so we could go temple hopping with Andrew. We left at 10 a.m. and got home after 9 a.m.. We were blessed to attend the Salt Lake Temple and the American Fork Temple plus see more of Temple Square.

Ivan and Andrew at the American Fork Temple

The next day we took Andrew to the MTC. I love the Missionary Training Center! It looked just how I remembered it from my time there in 1994. What an amazing experience to be there with Andrew!

Missionary Training Center

After the MTC, we packed the van and headed to meet up with Ivan's brother, Ryan, and their family in Manti for the Mormon Miracle Pageant. We stayed a really neat rental home there in Manti.

Spencer and Liz loved the Manti Pageant!

The next day (the 19th) we went to Bryce Canyon National Park and drove through Zions National Park with Ryan's family.

Bryce Canyon is worth the stop!

We got to Ivan's brother Ben's home in time to change, leave the kids with a sitter, go out to dinner, and see Les Miserable at the Tuacahn in St. George. The Tuacahn is an outdoor musical theater nestled under a huge red rock mountain. What an amazing experience!

Les Miserable at the Tuacahn

We had fun spending time with Ivan's 2 brothers and their families. More happened on the trip, but this is a good synopsis. I'm tired just thinking about it again!

Mom and Dad weren't the only exhausted ones!