AMAZING ARIZONA

I entitled this post "Amazing Arizona" because I really think Arizona is the most amazing state in the union.  Where else do you find deserts, canyons, mountains, forests, extreme heat, and also extreme cold?  Our own Mt. Graham is an example: it goes from the desert floor, rising up through forests to above the tree line.  In fact it is one of the tallest mountains in the country...not the highest, but tallest, in that it encompasses several ecosystems.  I love being an Arizona girl.  It takes a certain kind of person to love desert living, and I guess I am that kind of person.  When we travel, I always admire the beautiful scenery wherever we go, but I am always glad to get back to the dramatic beauty that is Amazing Arizona.

I don't even know what to say about August.  This month has been full of extreme highs and extreme lows...just like Arizona!   Although we were saddened at the unexpected passing away of Grandma Hiatt, even that brought her children and grandchildren together in a renewal of love and  shared mourning, and gratitude for the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We have also found joy in so many events this month: the wedding of Porter and Alta, the engagement of Stetson and Lindsay, the new grandchildren that Daniel and Connie are adopting, and the new great grandchildren that Dallin and Sara and Allison and Taylor are bringing into the family.  It reminds me of the Bible's wisdom, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord."  We also celebrated Erika's graduation from PA school, Lillian's endowment, Daniel's new river-front property, and birthdays of some amazing people.

Tyson's birthday was the 14th.

Brynlie turned 10 on the 17th.

Camille turned 10 on the 17th.

Brody turned 6 on the 17th.

Bethany's birthday was the 18th.

Carson turned 9 on the 22nd.

We left home on the 29th of July to drive to Omaha for Porter and Alta's sealing in the Winter Quarters Temple, so the last three days of July are included in this month's blog...Devynne's birthday,  Maya's and Henry's birthdays, Porter and Alta's wedding supper, Alta's endowment and Shannyn's princess club. 

  July boasted a Blue Moon!  This picture was taken on July 30...the second full moon in the month. 

August has brought some dramatic weather to the desert.  This picture is of a tornado that actually hit the Safford area this month.

We've also had some great thunder storms, bringing much needed rain.  This picture was taken by Harrison.

On July 31st, Daniel and Connie hosted a dinner for all the wedding guests, including Nathan's family, Jeremy and Erika, the Nevin family, Alta's family, and us.

The next morning, before the wedding, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the hotel with Daniel's family.

 Dad sealed Porter and Alta for time and all eternity in a beautiful ceremony in the Winter Quarters Temple in Omaha.

Waiting for the bride and groom.  Except for her friend, most of these girls are in the YW class she teaches.

At the Temple doors.  A picture with Dad and then with me, as I seemed to be the one handiest with a straight pin.  I felt important to be asked to pin her bolero to her dress.

They exchanged rings outside the Temple, so her father and brothers could be there.

Bridesmaids (her friend and young women class)

Groomsmen, including his brothers and friends and Josh.

The happy couple with Porter's sisters.

The Biggs family.  Brock wasn't able to be there as he had to take a test for his PHD placement, which was only being given that day, and of course, Parker is serving faithfully in Milwaukee.

The reception

Daniel was dancing with his daughters and Alta stepped right in and joined them.  I was so proud of her, and of them as they opened their arms and welcomed her.  Also, Shannyn asked Dad to dance :-)

Shannyn caught the bride's bouquet!

That very same day, we got this beautiful picture from Stetson and Lindsay.  He proposed in NYC,(after asking her dad) and she accepted.  See a closeup of the ring in Joel's section.

That weekend was the Hiatt reunion in Pine.  Grandma had been looking forward to it for months and was determined to attend, no matter what.  She said Grandpa was going too even if they had to lay him in the back of someone's car and carry him that way so he could sleep the whole way there.  That is just what they did.  They went up on Thursday, I think, with Deon and Lisa, and everyone else came on Friday.  On Saturday, she was enjoying her lunch, talking to Melissa (whose plate you can see on the right)and Lisa (who is feeding Grandpa) about how thankful she was to be so healthy into her 90's.  Then, all of a sudden, she sneezed three times and slumped over her food.  Lisa and Melissa weren't sure what happened, but they could see she was unconscious and that her face was distorted, so they called 911 and then Karl, who had just taken this picture before he went below to eat his own lunch.  She had suffered a massive stroke which killed almost half her brain.  A helicopter came to the church where Karl and Phil took her and she was airlifted to the Mayo Clinic in Mesa.  They called us in Omaha that night.  We had planned to start driving home on Monday but in light of this  news, we decided that we would go through Mesa on Tuesday evening instead of going to Safford.  However, Jeremy and Erika, who had flown to Omaha, cancelled their return flight on Monday and scheduled one for us on Monday morning so we were able to go right to Mesa and see her that day. 

Sunday afternoon at Nathan and Shauna's

Nathan, with Jeremy's help, made a delicious turkey dinner.

Reygan and her friend met us at the airport on Monday and left us their nice van.  They took Erika's little blueberry which was waiting at the airport, and Jeremy and Erika generously drove our car all the way home.

We were met at Mayo's by our children, Joel, Rebecca, Rachel, Esther, Thomas and Mary.  Jeremy was on the road from Omaha, and of course, we had just left Nathan in Omaha, and Daniel was totally tied up with Porter's CO reception.  Everyone had the chance to see her, how devastatingly injured she was, and share their love with her.  And Nathan made the trip from Omaha for her funeral the next week.

My brothers and sisters were also there.  We had a meeting with her neurologist that evening and he advised that we let her go.  He said that the damage to her brain was irreversible and that she would never get any better.  I...also Lisa... and Nancy, somewhat... felt that we shouldn't just let her die from lack of food and water, but because she couldn't swallow, that would mean inserting feeding and fluid tubes.  I still wasn't comfortable with withholding those necessities until I read her advanced directive, which specifically said that if she couldn't communicate, or swallow that she not be kept alive with feeding tubes.  So we really had no choice.  Everyone was at peace with the decision, but I have to admit that I struggled with it until the end, still not sure.  One thing it did was to point out to Dad and me the importance of having very specific instructions in our living wills and not just generalizations.  Otherwise you will be forced to interpret and will possibly feel guilty with whatever decisions you have to make.

The next morning, before the Safford kids left to go home, we met at the Farmhouse in Gilbert for breakfast. 

 Then Dad and I went to the hospice facility where Grandma had been transferred.  It was very nice, near Banner Baywood, and the staff never seemed to have a problem with so much family in her room day and night.  They even brought us cookies.  I slept on the very uncomfortable recliner next to her bed for three nights.  Lisa also took turns and Jan took a turn too.  Karen had to work every day, but was there as much time each day as she could. Nancy, of course, was taking care of Grandpa and couldn't leave him, but came every day when someone got home to stay with him. Karl came every day too.  We wanted her to have someone with her constantly, touching her, rubbing her arm, holding her hand, so she would never feel alone or abandoned.  The doctor assured us that the part of her brain that feels hunger and thirst was dead from the stroke, but we kept her mouth swabbed out with little sponges so that it wouldn't be so dry.  Even though they kept saying she didn't recognize or consciously respond to people, I don't believe it, even now.  She was awake and restless a lot of the time and I think she was aware some of the time.  I just hope she could feel our love and deep sorrow.

Her sister, Donna came almost every day, bringing a different daughter every time.  This one is Diana Hush, the wife of the obstetrician Erika is going to work for. Nanette Brinton, widow of my cousin Robert, also came often and, in fact, brought a huge basket of goodies.  In the bottom picture, is the Bishop of Nancy's ward and his wife.  Bishop Lambright, is the architect of the Gilbert Temple.

On  Saturday, we went to Erika's graduation from PA school.  We are so proud of her.  It has been a long road, but so worth it.  Her family is proud of her too, as you can see.

I slept with Grandma on Saturday night and stayed with her all morning on Sunday because I had left all my Sunday responsibilities at home and was more free than my sisters.  Jan came in the afternoon and we went to Joel and Stephanie's for a delicious roast beef dinner, then sat around just relaxing afterwards until it was time to go back to the hospital.

On Monday, August 10, she took her last breath.  Lisa was staying with her and when I called Monday morning she said Grandma seemed just the same.  It wasn't long before she called back and said Grandma's breathing was slowing down and I should probably hurry right over.  By the time we got there, however, she had already passed away.  All my brothers and sisters were there when we arrived, but Lisa was the only one with her when she died.

We packed up and finally went home to Safford so we could wash clothes and unpack from our Omaha trip.  The Safford kids came over for an FHE that night, and watched pictures from my iPhoto files about Grandma.

Dad served in the Temple on Wednesday, and I got a sub.  We left on Thursday morning to go back to Mesa to make arrangements for her funeral.  We met the Mesa/Gilbert kids for lunch.

That night we had a family meeting to discuss funeral plans and estate matters. We really appreciate Shad, and his very professional presentation of the issues.  He met us there, right off the plane from a meeting somewhere else.  In the course of the meeting, the brothers all gave Grandpa a blessing.  Phil asked Dad to seal the anointing.  Everyone was so touched with his beautiful blessing to the man who has been more than father-in-law and more than friend.  I think my parents always thought of Dad as their son and me as his wife.  I love this picture with all of us in it.  The one we took at the cemetery didn't have Mike in it as he was feeling dizzy from the heat, so this is the one I will keep.

The next day, all of the siblings, including Phil and Karl, met at the mortuary to dress Grandma.  We started with our arms around each other as Nancy offered a family prayer, then we, with the help of Brother Bunker, dressed her in her brand new Temple dress and ordinance clothing.  Lisa fixed her hair, Karen did her nails, I did her eyebrows, Jan and Nancy did most of the clothing, and Phil and Karl put on her slippers.  It was a peaceful feeling, doing these last loving services for our mother.

My cousin Rhonda Bradley and her husband, Bob, came all the way from North Carolina for the funeral.  We met them at Matta's grill in Mesa for lunch.

The viewing.  Grandma usually had little patience with receiving flower arrangements because she thought they were such a waste of money.  However, funerals were different.  If she attended a funeral where there were not very many flowers, she always felt sad for the family of the deceased.  She would try to order the biggest showiest flowers.  Well, she received many many flower arrangements.  We all were not sure she would, so besides the beautiful flowers that topped her casket, each of her children sent flowers just to be sure there would be some there.  We needn't have worried.  The one Rebecca and Scott are beside is from the Tom Biggs family.

Mary made an awesome video of Mother's life for the viewing.  She worked all day and night for two nights straight, after being sick and having her whole family sick.  But it was a work of love and it turned out beautifully.  You can see flashes of it in a couple of the pictures.  It will be something you'll want to have and keep.  She sent everyone a link so you could download it.  If you don't have it, let her know, I'm sure she would send it again.

Carrie came and brought Brad.

These are my Driggs cousins, Gary and Margie Gay, brother and sister.  They have some Thatcher ancestors on their mother's side, so I introduced them to Stephanie.  However, their ancestor wasn't as far back as Stephanie's original Thatcher pioneer, Christopher Layton.  Talking to Nathan and Kent are Bob and Rhonda Bradley.  She, the daughter of Grandpa's brother, stayed with Mother and Daddy one year while she was in high school (She's Karl and Karen's age, I think) and decided, then, that she wanted an eternal family just like ours.   Most of the NC Hiatts of her generation had just given up on finding LDS spouses and married outside the church, hoping for conversions.  But she directed her life toward the goal of getting married in the Temple.  She said her time with the Arizona Hiatts changed her life.

Diana and Emily arranged the table in the foyer for the viewing.

Joel and Stephanie are responsible for this incredible program for the funeral.  Stephanie worked with me, tirelessly and patiently, because I kept changing things, to create something that would truly be a keepsake.  Her friend put it together.  I think Mother would have approved of this amazing tribute to her and to her family.  

Front

back

Inside

At the viewing the following morning before the funeral. Karen and Jan inadverdantly wore the same shirt!

The great grandchildren sang "The Family is of God," directed by Karen, with Mike's help.  I Think Stetson was the oldest, followed by DeWitt and Levi.   30 of them were ours!  I was so proud of all of them.

Then the grandkids sang "Love at Home," directed by Deon.  He was fun to watch and he pulled a Tabernacle Choir performance from them, unrehearsed.  In this group, we had 15.

I gave the life history, really more of a tribute with historical anecdotes. And Phil gave the sermon.

The casket bearers: Dad, Phil, Kent, Deon, Karl, Mike, Dale.

At the cemetery.  Rachel with Rhonda.  Also, Dale brought Grandpa.  I don't think he knew what was happening.

Karl dedicated the grave.

At the luncheon.  It was huge! Fortunately, both Relief Societies did it together, Mother's former 25th Ward and Nancy's ward.

All our boys just pitched right in and helped put away tables and chairs.  There was a wedding reception in the building that night.

That night, after a really nice and very needed nap, we decided to all go out to dinner.  Joel suggested dinner at Fat Cats where we could watch a movie in recliners and they would bring our food to us. Tony took this picture.  Joel and Stephanie, Rachel and Tony, Esther and Shad, Thomas and Jenn, Nathan and us.  Erika was "studying her brains out" for her boards on Monday, so they opted out. Scott and Rebecca and Mary and Tyson had to go home for Sunday responsibilities.  Later, when I thought about it, I wondered how we could do such a frivolous thing as go to a movie after Mother's funeral.  I think the funeral was the closure.  We had suffered so much emotion and sorrow for the week she was dying and the funeral was almost a celebration of her life and her legacy rather than a sorrowful goodbye.  We had said our goodbyes all week long.  Also, and most importantly, we know that she is in a her Heavenly Father's care and that she is happy and well and able to get around without her walker and, loving her, we are happy for her.

We went to Esther and Shad's ward on Sunday and all got together to eat.  They made masa and Stephanie brought meatballs and mashed potatoes, so everyone got to pick something they liked.

When we arrived at home, on Monday, this beautiful plant from Paula Layton was waiting at our doorstep to cheer us.

We got home just in time to go to Brynlie and Camille's 10th birthday party at Rebecca's.

On the 22nd of August, Lillian went through the Temple to receive her own endowments.  She was accompanied by her parents, of course, and Allison and Taylor and Dallin, who came to town especially for the occasion, DeWitt, her Biggs grandparents, her Grandma Sherry, Jeremy and Erika, who also came for the occasion, Rachel, Thomas and Jenn, Mary, and several Evans aunts and uncles and cousins as well.  They had to put up chairs in the aisles because it was such a full session.  Allison and Taylor were chosen to act as the witness couple, making it even more special.  Oh, and I was invited to go into the instruction by Sister Tolman.  I loved being there with Lillian and Rebecca and I was glad to see how it's done.  I wasn't paying close attention to specifics when I accompanied Allison, I have to admit.  She was so prepared for this special event.  I think she is going to be a fantastic missionary as well as an amazing woman.

Following the temple session, some of us went to El Charro.  It was packed!  We called Thomas to see where he was, and he said it was too crowded at El Charro so they went to Kainoa's!  Mary had to rush home to a "mustache party" for her father in law.  He has been called to the high council and has to shave his mustache, so they officially mourned it with a party.

The next morning, Saturday, Rebecca invited us to their house for a fabulous breakfast of eggs, biscuits and gravy, hash browns, watermelon and cantaloupe.  Jeremy and Erika and Ellie, got to come with us.  It was so nice having them for a little while. 

Walking to the house Rebecca and Scott just recently bought.  Its main attraction is the well in the back.

 Ellie is learning to crochet and she made a pair of tiny newborn booties.

Dad and Jeremy also set a gopher trap.  As much as I don't want gophers in our yard, I was glad that they couldn't find the hole!

Saturday night we went to Mary and Tyson's for a "Roman Holiday" birthday party for Carson's 9th birthday.

He had an unexpected guest.  Check out the basement steps :-0  I googled it and found that it was a common Arizona Kingsnake and that it is good to have around because it is a very strong constrictor and eats rattlesnakes and rodents.  They just let it crawl away.  The kids were screaming and jumping around as it crawled up the steps, but I'd bet it was more scared than they were.

As I was watching the snake show, I was also taking pictures of the light show in the night time sky.

Dad had the little chair that I had as a child, refinished to give to me for my birthday.  The kids love having a chair "just my size."

On the 24th, I had a knee replacement surgery in Safford by Dr. Rex Bryce.  I was impressed by the quality of care I received and I was impressed by our beautiful children who came by the hospital often to help me and make me feel better.  Dad was there almost constantly, except when he had to serve in the Temple and at night when I absolutely refused to let him stay.  I told him I would sleep better if I knew he was sleeping and not tossing and turning in an uncomfortable chair all night.

I received flowers from so many loving kids, as well as visits and phone calls.  I felt very loved. The first flowers, from Joel and Stephanie came the first day, when I was so out of it that the look on my face was the most pleasant expression I could muster.  I really enjoyed them, however, as I did all the flowers.

Even Dr. Jones came by a couple of times.  She made the staff take good care of me.

Getting in the car was almost the hardest part of physical therapy!

Walking in was a piece of cake compared to getting in and out of the car.

Mary scheduled everyone so that they came and did physical therapy with me one time a day and brought a meal as well.  So I had two visits from kids every day.

I also had visits and help from grandkids.

Dad has been amazing!  He takes such good care of me, lifting and guiding me and not letting me do stupid things...when he can prevent it, that is.

One time, right after I got home, I tried to do something on my own and fell flat on my back.  He called Thomas to come over and help him, but we figured we'd need someone strong in case two were not enough.  Jenn was the strong someone we thought of (because she beat Rylie in arm wrestling) but we didn't have to call her, she just came with Thomas and they got me up ok.

On that Friday, Safford and Thatcher played their rivalry game.  Since we have grandchildren in both Safford and Thatcher, I tried not to be biased, but actually, in high school, we only have Safford kids, so I wasn't totally successful.  Rylie and Polly, who are both taking sports medicine, got to work as field trainers at the game, and I think Rylie even got to wrap a knee!  Whatever they did or did not do, they were a field decoration, for sure.

Camille went to her mom and said that some teenager had said something mean to her and Brynlie because they had on Bulldog shirts, and then she said," Why can't we just all be friends?"  Way to go Camille.  Here they are with two of their Thatcher cousins.  They all seem to get along fine and don't let school rivalry keep them from being friends.  Thomas' kids are also Thatcher Eagles, for now, and they get along fine too.  One of the best responses I've heard is from Lindsay.  She says she's a Thatcher Bulldog! :-D

NEWS FROM AROUND THE FAMILY

~NATHAN AND SHAUNA~

At the wedding supper in Omaha.

Josh the Preservationist photos.

Cool story: Hannah's new missionary companion is Sister Na, a Korean.  She mentioned her to her dad, who said he had served with an Elder Na in Korea in 1985.  He sent her a picture of Elder Na, and sure enough, Sister Na identified him as her father.  She said she had never seen a picture of him as a missionary before.

Palmer with his niece.  Palmer aced his LDENT (whatever the Dental school entrance exam is called) and now he is considering options for Dental school.  He wants to go to Creighton in Omaha, and has an interview scheduled with them soon, but is also considering a school in Glendale.  So they will come to AZ to interview sometime soon.

Josh passed his very rigorous real estate tests for the national and the state licenses.  Good job, Josh.

Their Singles Ward participated in a lantern launching activity.

~JOEL AND STEPHANIE~

The beautiful engagement ring.  I have to say, I love the gold.  Nothing looks like gold except gold.

Levi attended the Taylor Swift concert (along with thousands of others) renewing, I'm sure, his adolescent crush on her.

BACK TO SCHOOL:

Starting school.  Docker is a sophomore, Crew is in 8th grade.

Stetson and Levi are both at ASU.

The boys, with a friend, at the Taylor Swift concert in Phoenix.

Lindsay came to visit for a weekend.

She lives in Seattle, and here she is with 3 of her siblings.  Lindsay is the youngest of 9, and then her parents adopted some more kids...I don't even know how many.  They are all younger than she.

Stetson took her to the Taylor Swift concert in LA.  December 29th in the Gilbert Temple, is their date.

~DANIEL AND CONNIE~

Porter and Alta after her endowment on Thursday, the 30th of July.

Devynne's birthday was the 30th, and this cake was from her sister-in-law, I think.

Shannyn earned money this summer by hosting a weekly Princess club for the little girls in town who are Emma's age.  Every week focused on a different princess.  They dressed like that princess, had treats that went along with the theme, made princess crafts, watched that princess's movie and played games that featured that princess.  The top picture is Ariel and the bottom one is about Jasmine.

Emma and Analynn were in a community youth theater play.

Devynne and Brock adventure-fishing.

At the Colorado reception for Porter and Alta, Connie made this beautiful Oreo cake and these strawberry rosettes.

Daniel and Connie have closed on their property west of Glenwood.  It is a beautiful 36 acre wilderness area with a little, bubbly creek running through it, huge rock cliffs, and lots of wildlife.  They plan to build a small house on the property to live in while they eventually build a bigger house, leaving their small house as a guest house.  Sounds great, doesn't it?

Devynne and Brock crabbing.  Devynne says that is the biggest crab-catch she has ever made!

With Brock's brother, Devin, and his grandmother.

At Zapata Falls and the Great Sand Dunes.

~REBECCA AND SCOTT~

DeWitt came home from Georgia to get into school...and to be with Lexie.

One of his jobs as a worker in the EAC office is to show new students around campus.

He bought a car while they were in Mesa.  A Versa.  He was able to pay cash with money left over from his mission.

Dallin and Sara on a sight seeing trip to NYC.

Cool way to make an announcement!  Yes, it's true...Dallin and Sara are going to be parents in February sometime.

Taylor driving his bus.  Allison and Taylor are also expecting a baby.  They will be parents in March. So exciting to be seeing the beginning of a new generation!

BACK TO SCHOOL:

DeWitt is going to EAC.

Polly is a Junior, and, of course, Lillian will be heading out to study at the MTC.

When the girls were driving home from the funeral, they had car trouble, but an officer stopped to help them.  Luckily, Rebecca and Scott were right behind them, so they picked them up and took them home, leaving Lillian's car behind to get repaired.

All I have to say about this is...I'm jealous!!!

Dallin and Allison and Taylor came home for Lillian's endowment and stopped by the cemetery to say goodbye to Grandma Hiatt.

Lillian in front of the Gila Valley Temple on the day of her endowment, August 22, 2015.

Happy family

Saying "goodbye" Sunday morning before they all went their separate ways.

Kayaking on Walowa Lake

Gorgeous sports trainers!

~JEREMY AND ERIKA~

Erika's proud family at her PA graduation.

I love the look on her face!!

BACK TO SCHOOL:

The big kids go to Heritage Academy in the old First Ward Building, where Dad and I attended when we were kids and where we had our wedding reception 51 years ago!  Reygan is a senior, Tayte a sophomore and Hayden is in 8th grade.  Ellie is in 5th grade.

Before and after haircut for school...the layered look.

Reygan took this beautiful picture of the Gilbert Temple.

This is her latest.  Oh my goodness!  So amazing!!  She's working on one of Grandma.

Daynen and companion working hard, trying Hayden's trick of catching the cookie in his mouth without using hands, just facial muscles.  Important missionary skill.

Ellie's booties.  I helped her with the first one and she did the 2nd one all by herself.

Erika bought an old, old travel trailer to rebuild as a project...now that she's finished her PA project :-) Just to show how old it is, this is what she found when she was cleaning it out

She took her very difficult PA board exams and passed!  She got her license and certification, or whatever she has to get to be legal.  She will start working for Dr. Huish, an obstetrician who is married to my first cousin Diana LeBaron.

~RACHEL AND TONY~

A family weekend at the mountain cabin before school started.

BACK TO SCHOOL:

Rylie is a senior and Student Body President, Isabel is a sophomore, Luke is in 6th grade and the twins are in 4th grade.

Rylie and Polly, Bulldog Babes

Rylie feels a responsibility to make sure the assemblies at school are fun for everyone.  So for one assembly this month, she called her friend, Barbara Hargis, and asked her to come and do the "Napoleon Dynamite" dance in the  Bulldog suit.  It was a hit!

Birthday bash for Brynlie and Camille at Rebecca's.

A pre-school, sisterly visit to the dentist

Tony's sister, Anna, volunteered at the Ben Carson rally.  So far, he's definitely my favorite.

Rachel, with the Evans kids after Lillian's endowment.

At the Safford/Thatcher game.

~ESTHER AND SHAD~

Miss Esther's Allstars Preschool has started up again.  She has 10 kids, I think.  Nine girls and one boy.

The full rainbow after a summer storm.

Bridger being Bridger at Joel's

Lindsay, Soren, Carson, Brianna.

At lunch.

Soren and Brody spontaneously made dinner for their mother at 9:00 one night.  What sweet boys.  They put on it all the things their mother loves.

Brody's birthday party

All his birthday loot!...and his death-by-chocolate cake!

Esther and Shad took each kid to a pre-school-starting personal lunch.  I was invited to go with Harrison to the Red Lobster.  It was right when Grandma was in the hospice facility so it was a much-needed respite.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Marlie and her friend are in 8th grade, Harrison is a sophomore, Bridger is in 6th grade, Soren is in 2nd grade and Brody is in kindergarten.

Harrison, the Harry Potter aficionado, celebrated Harry's birthday with an appropriate menu.  Look below to see what everything is.

Harrison accompanying Marlie and Isabel as they sing.

These glorious Arizona skies are courtesy of Harrison

They had an AC tragedy this month, of all months.  Their air conditioning quit and the ceiling tore open and decorated their bedroom.

Marlie with some school friends.

~THOMAS AND JENN~

Family togetherness on their trampoline.

Henry got his cast off!

Thomas was in charge of the Graham County Chamber of Commerce picnic.

On July 31st, they had a birthday party for Maya and Henry and had some surprise guests.  Joel and his family showed up unexpectedly.  We were on the road to Omaha and Joel called and said, "Hey what's going on at your house?  There are a ton of cars here!"  So he went in to investigate and found a party going on.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Kirtlyn is in 6th grade, Thomas is in 4th grade, Hyrum is in 2nd grade and Maya is in Kindergarten.

Before and after haircuts for school.

Weeds piled high!  Thomas' family and Mary and Tyson hoed weeds in their back yard after the monsoon rains made them grow...like weeds!

~MARY AND TYSON~

They "love" having lawn to mow.  You should see the back yard...they'll get to mow to their hearts' content!

Mary's family, along with Alder kids at the Chamber picnic.  I guess Tyson's and Tony's businesses are members.

Mary's enrichment activities for August.

In July, when they were school shopping, Mary took her kids by to see Grandpa and Grandma.  So she has a picture of her with Alex.  When we were in Mexico, Rachel was Alex's substitute mother.  He learned to feel comfortable in her arms even after his mother got home.

Dirty baby, clean baby.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Brianna is in 5th grade, Carson is in 4th grade, Lindsay is in 2nd grade and Jared is in preschool.

Carson's 9th birthday party.

~MISSIONARIES~

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE

Karl showed me this picture of Lisa's granddaughter, who was having baptism pictures taken at the Mesa Temple visitors' center.  Her little sister kept getting in the way, and everyone told her to "move out of the picture...we are taking special pictures of your sister, etc."  But this time, she just escaped whomever was holding her back and ran up to the statue of Jesus and jumped up to kiss his foot.  What a priceless picture.  The photobomb to end all photobombs! 

Both Jared and Henry had a hard time letting their brothers and sisters go to school without them.

It looks as if Alex is a man after my own heart...watermelon is one of the best things about summer!

I laughed out loud when I saw this picture on Facebook.  Maybe it's more something to grimace about than to smile about.  This guy was standing in a "Black Lives Matter" protest line having to do with the death of a black man by a policeman.  Of course, they were protesting the police.

It is now September 3, and I am sitting at the computer...in pain...trying to think of a way to end this incredible month.  I can't think of a thing to say.  I've said it all.  I just hope September is not like August.