Memory Lane

So while we were in Animas we visited Guy and Audrey Miller in Portal. They are doing amazingly well. We were going to name Audrey after Guy if she was a boy but she was a girl so we named her after Audrey Miller. We sure had lots of fun reliving roping memories and seeing the old stomping grounds.

Father's Day 2009

Audrey, Karen and I ended up being in Animas for father's day this year. Karen is having a diet coke with Dad and then she shared some with him. I just want to say once that it is unsettling seeing your name on a headstone when you are in your 50's.
We sang earlier that morning at my Dad's grave in Cruces but we couldn't choke it out for Randy...a little too emotional.

Phobias

My greatest fear is height combined with motion. It goes without saying I will NOT be crossing the Hoover Dam bypass EVER! It is so unbelievably scary looking. Enough said.

Called to Serve

I spent a week in July with Mom. Here she is as a missionary in the new Church History building lobby where she works and another picture of us posing with the brethern.

Days of 47

Washington County had an All-High School band march in SLC in the 24th of July parade. Audrey is front and center playing a melophone. It was a very impressive parade!

Summer Fun!

This picture is for my sister Julie who gets to stay home all day and play with the Grandkids. Since Vera and I both HAVE TO work full-time we thought a little payback was necessary. Everyday we eat our hearts out that you are a stay at home Mom so just for you...eat your heart out! I'd like you to think this was a movie star but we're really kissing cousins :0

Sharing the LimeLight :)

The highlight of my Friday night was running to Cedar to see Cindy and Sarah in the play, "Once Upon a Mattress." In support of their siblings, Anna and Jared dressed as a Princess and a King and cheered them on from the audience. Ben always buys the girls flowers after their performances and this is what I saw...Sarah approached a little girl that was in the play with her and asked, "Did you get any flowers?" (This could have turned out badly but...) The little girl said No and Sarah said, "Oh! Have one of mine! Another example of how the little acts of kindness we bestow on others are passed on and we never know where our influence ends. Way to be SARAH!

February Kinder Bulletin Boards

As I was looking through my pictures I saw our darling work we did in kinder in February and know everyone else will be as thrilled as I was to see kinder crafts!

President Holland Family Reunion

So it turns out that Uncle Reed Morrell is related to Jeffrey R. Holland and today was a big family reunion and bar-b-que here in St. George. Jerry Andersen sculpted their ancestor Robert Gardner and he now stands in the middle of the round about in front of the St. George Tabernacle. It was a fun day for even shirttail relatives. Audrey and I pushed through the throng to shake Pres. Holland's hand and it was very soft. I don't think I've ever had the honor of shaking the hand of an Apostle. Another only since Utah moment for me.

Spring Break!

The second Spring Break started at 2:45 on Friday, Audrey and I took off up north. We had a little car trouble but made it for most of the British Brass Concert in Provo where Karen was featured as percussionist extraordinaire again! If you have never heard a British Brass group and you love horn music it is an experience you must work in sometime in your lifetime. Vera and Clint got there right before intermission and got in free. It was fun to have them with us.

Saturday, Aunt Janis,Uncle Rich,Karen, Audrey and I ran in the Rex E. Lee annual Cancer Run. He was a president of BYU who died of cancer. We were pounding pavement around the BYU campus for the cure! I would like to tell you I won a medal like Rich (2nd place) but the truth is I did beat 35 people out of 1,500 and all the ones in wheelchairs too. I was feeling pretty good about my casual stroll around the campus and the free T-shirt I got.

Saturday evening, Ron,Ren, Audrey and I went through the Draper temple for their open house. It was the last day and we were part of the 20,000 crazies that waited until the end. For all you Merrell's... we were on the BLUE bus from the Stake Center to the temple: blue,blue,blue,blue... What a surprise to see Vera and Clint working as ushers when we got off the bus. That was fun. The Draper temple sits high on the mountainside and you can see all of the Utah Valley spread out before you to the North. It is something to see! Inside the temple the ceilings extend 2-3 stories high in the baptistry and celestial room. It is so open with lots and lots of windows and so very beautiful.


Sunday we got to eat dinner in Draper with Vera and Clint. She made us green enchilladas that were yummy. It is always fun to talk to Clint's Mom, Audrey, because we talk about widow things and it is amazing to me how much we survivors have in common. It's like you get to talk to someone who really, really does understand what you are thinking and feeling because they have been there. She was widowed at 54 also. We had a special treat getting to see baby Sydney. She is 8 months old and can crawl all over the place. Erica sure is a good mommy and looks so beautiful. Motherhood is good for her I think!

Monday was the BIG day and the reason the Merrell's gathered on the BYU campus. Brian flew in from L.A. and we heard Karen present her Doctorate Thesis to her Doctorate Committee. She did a one hour power point presentation preceeded by her world class cinnamon rolls. Then, we were all kicked out and her professors grilled her for an hour. At the end they clapped and congratulated her on passing. She is now Dr. Karen Merrell, PhD. BioChemistry. She is more smarter than the rest of us!

We ate out a lot in honor of Ron's birthday and Karen's graduation. On the way home from Provo, Audrey and I picked up Jared and Anna for another sleepover at Grammies. The fun never stops :).

I will be adding pictures to this post as they become available.