JULY~GRANDMOTHER'S ICE CREAM~JEREMY'S SECRET SAUCE

We used to have family steak frys at Grandmother Nora's house, and if they were in the summer, she usually made ice cream...mostly vanilla, but sometimes maple pecan.  Her recipe was an old one, first making a cooked vanilla custard and then adding canned milk and milk or cream, sugar, a pinch of salt and turning the crank forever until it froze.  I used to make it that way but it took so long to cool.  Then I heard that a lot people just put the custard ingredients in and froze it that way without cooking it first.  I did it that way a few times but felt uncomfortable about raw eggs, so I switched to using vanilla instant pudding instead of custard.  Everything else is the same, except that Dad and I cut back on the fat because of his high cholesterol and used skim milk.  Not as rich or creamy, but still tastes good.  For a 6-quart freezer, use 1 large package instant vanilla pudding (or chocolate if you are making chocolate ice cream.  Vanilla for every other flavor), 3 cans of evaporated milk, 3 cups sugar, a good splash of vanilla, or almost a whole small bottle of maple flavoring, a dash of salt (don't forget the salt), fill to the full-line with whatever milk or cream you are using.  If you use fruit, put it in before you fill up the freezer, of course, and some fruits may need their own sweetening along with the 3 cups of sugar.  Chocolate is best with Hersey's cocoa, dissolved in hot water and mixed with pudding mixture.

The ice cream to go along with Dad's German Chocolate cake on his birthday

Jeremy's secret sauce is the perfect topper for almost any ice cream flavor, store bought or homemade.  We give Jeremy the credit for it, although I think it originally came from Bertha Day.  But Jeremy refined it and made it so often that it became his own.  Melt 1 cube butter in microwave, stir in 3 spoonfuls of Hersey's cocoa (It's the chocolatiest) until it is completely dissolved, then add 1 can of sweetened condensed milk.  It is so so simple, but tastes like it was simmered forever.  Keep it in the family,  ya'll.  Hence the name "secret sauce."

July is always a month of dramatic skies and this July has been no exception.  The first two pictures are from Rachel and the last one is from Darlene Taylor.  We've had crazy thunderstorms and I'm surprised that we haven't had fires on the mountain as we usually do.  Of course, there's probably nothing left to burn.

I gave Dad a hummingbird feeder for Fathers' Day, and then he got another one, and a window box bird feeder for his birthday.  We have a regular bird restaurant. 🐦 It's been so fun to watch them in our back yard.

In July we celebrated our country's freedom, our pioneers' courage and Dad's birthday, along with, of course, the birthdays of our other family members who have July birthdays.

Dad turned 77 on the 16th.  Still so handsome and very spry for an old man 💕 He makes old age look good!

Jonathan turned 16 on the 22nd.

Jeremy's birthday was the 23rd.

Joel and Stephanie's 28th anniversary was the 24th.

Taylor's birthday was the 27th.

Devynne's birthday was the 30th.

Maya turned 8 on the 31st.  Her baptism is the 18th of August.

Henry turned 6 on the 31st.

~OUR JULY~

Oh July! I always expect July to be frantic and I'm never surprised or disappointed.  It always is.  And this July has been no exception...except...it has been crazier and busier and more frantic than ever!!  You'll see as you read through everyone's sections.  For one thing, we have had family members all over the world, from China and Poland to New York and California and many places in between.  Even some of our away-from-home members have traveled to the hot Arizona desert...in July...talk about crazy!  I think everyone is finally home in their own little nests, and although Dad and I are glad you are having these wonderful adventures, we always rest much easier when we know you are all safe at home.  

As usual, July gave us some blessed relief from the unrelenting heat of June.  We had some wonderful, cloudy days and rain and spectacular thunder and lightening displays.  At the beginning of July, though, and again at the end, it was just plain old HOT.  We really appreciated being able to cool off in the pool.  These pictures are from the 4th of July cookout and swim party that we had on the 3rd of July.  We wanted to free up the 4th for all the kids to do the other things they wanted to do.  It worked very well, I think.

I had given Dad some fireworks for Fathers' Day, so we shot them off and really enjoyed the excitement of "bombs bursting in air," actually on the ground.  Still very stirring.

Then one of the kids turned on some music and we danced.  That was my favorite part 😀

On the 7th, we went to dinner at El Charro with Mary and Tyson.

Then the next day, Sunday, Thomas and Jenn invited us to dinner at their house.  He spoke in church that day and did a fantastic job.  He is such a good teacher as well as speaker.

That evening, when kids came to visit, Kirtlyn, Lindsay and I had a crochet lesson.

We have bought a new house.  It is a cute 4-bedroom, 3-bath house in Gilbert, in the Cooley Station subdivision.  It is the kind that requires no lawn care on our part, and is big enough that we can close off our bedroom and still have room for families who need a place to stay.  It is closer to all the Mesa/Gilbert kids and I think we will really like having it.

Levi, who has his realtor's license, found it for us and set up all the paperwork.  He has been very diligent, getting us a really good deal and making sure everything worked in our favor.

We went to Mesa to finalize the deal on Monday, the 9th, and for Dad to see the eye doctor on Tuesday. That Monday there was a huge, scary storm...microburst...that hit the valley.  We had taken Esther and Harrison over to the house to show it to them, and as we were leaving, we saw that a haboob (we used to just call them sand storms) was headed our way.  We actually drove right into it.  That is Esther's car in front of us, and the bottom picture was one of the storm I found on Facebook.

Dad dropped me off at the condo and went to the office to work, and I was in the condo alone when the microburst hit.  It was so loud that I just had to go to the door and look out.  I took these pictures of the wind uprooting the tree across the parking lot.

When Dad got home, we went to lunch with Esther and all along the way to Red Robbin, we saw trees lying on the ground, having been torn up by the storm.  These are just a few.

These are Facebook pictures, one of the Mesa Cemetery and one from a weather helicopter.

At Red Robbin with Esther's family.

When we got home, we took Maya to Walmart to size her finger and then let her choose a CTR ring on the internet for her baptism.

The next Sunday we went to Mesa (Gilbert) again, this time for Docker's farewell.   He gave a very good talk in  Sacrament meeting.  I was impressed.  It was well thought out and beautifully written and presented.  He will be a good missionary.  Afterwards, Joel and Stephanie invited everyone over for a delicious Sunday dinner.

That night, after we got home, the kids came over for a Sunday night visit.

Dad and I have been trying to eat low carb food and he found a recipe for lettuce wraps that are just like the ones at PF Chang's.  They taste almost just like them, if not even better!  I even took a couple to the temple for lunch.

Thought you might be interested to see the Mesa Temple as of now.  They've pulled out all the trees and plants and cacti and flowers, as well as tearing down the visitors' center.

Also, I saw this picture of the old Southside District Hospital on Facebook.  This is where Dad and I were both born and where Nathan, Joel, Daniel and Rebecca were also born.  It was the best place!  The doctors and nurses were very personal, coming in every night (we used to have to stay 3 days) to bring me cookies and milk and rub my back.

We have finally decided to sell our properties in Safford so that we can afford to buy the house in Gilbert.  Levi came up and put up some signs.

While we were gone, I asked Rachel to  find some area rugs for the back porch for Dad's birthday, which was the next day.  She did.  They look just perfect with our outdoor furniture.  Mary and Tyson came and put them down for us so they were ready for Dad to see on his birthday.

On Dad's birthday, Mary came over to cut his hair while Carson mowed the lawn.  Both good birthday presents.

Then that night we had a Masa party at her house.  He got lots of hugs from his beautiful granddaughters, a gift he liked best of all.

Then we played Penny Up.

The next Sunday, some of Rebecca's kids were in town...Allison, Harvey, Lucy, Sara, Parley and DeWitt, so they came to our ward for church.  They even stayed for all the meetings.  I loved it.  During Sunday school, I stayed in the foyer because Lucy had just fallen asleep during the last "Amen" of Sacrament Meeting and I didn't want to disturb her.  She woke up in time for Relief Society and it was fun for me to introduce all of them.

That afternoon, we went to Rebecca's for a delicious Sunday dinner.

And took some 4-generation pictures.  Four generations of "Joyce."  Susan Joyce, Rebecca Joyce, Allison Joyce and Lucy Joyce.

We also got pictures of Grandpa and his great granddaughter.

The next day, the 23rd (Jeremy's birthday btw), we had the responsibility of ironing all the temple curtains and veils.  Rebecca and DeWitt and Thomas and Jenn all came to help.  We were so efficient!  Even the laundry ladies commented on how quickly and smoothly it all went.  Thanks a lot guys!

The 24th was the viewing for our friend and co-temple worker, Cheryl Goodman.  We had to open the next day, so were not able to go to her funeral, but we went to the viewing at Caldwell's.  We were all so shocked by her death.  She was so young and seemingly in good health.  I still don't know if she had a heart attack or a massive stroke, but it was sudden and very quick.  That's how I want to go when it's my time.  

On the 26th, we came home late from the temple and went to Rebecca's to give Taylor a birthday card.  His birthday was the next day but we were leaving early to go to Mesa before going to the Hiatt reunion the next day.  Dad had a car appointment on Friday, and as you know, not much is more important that getting his regular car checkups.  Dallin also got to Arizona that night, but he and Sara and Parley stayed in Phoenix, so we didn't get to see him.  He saw the ones it was important for him to see, though, after such a long time in the Orient.  Sara and Parley picked him up at the airport as a surprise.  He thought Taylor was going to do it.  

On Saturday, we went to Pine for the Hiatt reunion.  Except for a few hours that Joel and Stephanie and Levi and Crew were there with us on Saturday afternoon, we were all alone of the Biggs family.  I felt lost.  It was a weird experience.  But the reunion was very good.  Jan and Kent were in charge, and of course, that means that Emily and Melissa made it extra good.  The theme was a family history theme based on the movie Coco.  I loved it.  They even had an ofrenda with family pictures and candles on it.  It was also really good to see my siblings, but I totally didn't know all their grandchildren.  Some of them I could place because they look like their parents, but it was surprising how much alike most Hiatt babies look.

We had a sibling meeting on Saturday before dinner.

There was a herd of antelope (?) that feasted on the grass at Wimpy's.  They were so tame, they stayed around even with all the 50+ little kids running around.

Dad was asked to give a talk in the Sunday meeting and then offer the family prayer.  Of course, it was the spiritual highlight of the whole reunion.

After the reunion, we drove to Joel's house where we were invited to a turkey dinner for Lindsay's birthday.  Her birthday is August 1st, but Sunday is always a good time to have a turkey dinner. Crew was so cute with Baby June.  I don't know if you can see her little hand around his finger.

The next day, Monday, Esther, Harrison, Marlie, Bridger, Brody and Isabel came over to help us start packing up our belongings in the condo.  Jenn and her kids were staying in the condo, so they pitched in to help when we were clearing out the garage.  We really appreciated everyone's help.  Hopefully we can be moved in by next Sunday when we go down for June's blessing.  We need to get the condo sold as soon as possible.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE FAMILY

~NATHAN AND SHAUNA~

They are enjoying an Omaha Stormchasers' Baseball game on the 4th of July.

Hannah participated in her bank's entry in the 4th of July parade.

Jovie's first day in the nursery at church.  She looks like she enjoyed it.  Bethany looks like she really enjoyed it.

Jovie's selfie 😉

Hannah and Seth.  They went to Idaho to visit some of his family.

And with some friends who were getting married.

Nathan and Shauna made a trip to visit Bethany and Palmer and Jovie in Arizona.  Here they are at a Diamondbacks' Game.

Some of Josh's Preservationist buildings in SLC.

A beautiful family portrait.  They sent this one and one other, which I posted several months ago after I lifted it from Facebook, but I like this one because Nathan and Shauna are holding their grandbaby.

~JOEL AND STEPHANIE~

This month in the Joel and Stephanie family has mostly all been about June and Docker.  Sweet Baby June Alet (with so much hair you could braid it) was born in June and blessed in August, but July was the month her family really got to know her and realize that they have to plan their lives and activities around her.

Docker was set apart as a missionary this month, and entered the MTC to learn Mandarin so he can teach the Gospel in Mandarin...in Boston MA.

Before he entered the MTC, the family took their traditional trip to San Diego, staying at the Del Coronado Hotel on Coronado Island.

Then, on the 15th, Docker gave his farewell talk in Sacrament meeting, with dinner following, at his house.

The Brown family, except for Marlie, came to the farewell, but because Marlie was sick with Hand/foot/mouth disease, and knowing how germaphobic Joel is, they decided not to go to his house afterwards, taking no chance of their being unwitting carriers of the disease.

It was nice to sit and visit with Paula Layton.  She is Stephanie's mom, as well as my friend from the Gila Valley Temple.  Rebecca and Scott came, and DeWitt and Polly were at the church, but had to leave to catch a plane to Washington to help Allison come to AZ.  Jeremy and Erika's family were also there.

Their family all went together to take Docker to the MTC, having an enjoyable Utah trip on the way.

After the Hiatt reunion, on Sunday the 29th, they had a birthday turkey dinner for Lindsay, whose birthday is really August 1st.  It was so delicious and we were glad to be invited. Her favorite dessert is brownies, so she had a brownie cake.

~DANIEL AND CONNIE~

This is Shadrach with his girlfriend, Hannah's family.

Emma

Their new house is almost ready to move into.  Connie sent a video from which I took screenshots.

Theo, enjoying the splash pad in St. Louis.  Devynne says it gets really hot and humid there.

Theo and Brock at the science center and the acquarium.

petting the sting rays (aren't they dangerous?); peach picking for Devynne's birthday; riding the train at the zoo.

They have acquired new cats and new pigs.

Shannyn and Analynn school shopping...they will be going to rival high schools!

Analynn with some of her friends who were performing in The Little Mermaid.

Shannyn, Analynn and Emma with their YW group.

Devynne's July 30th birthday.

This month has been a scary one for Parker and everyone who loves him.  He went to the hospital for a routine hernia repair and ended up having to go back to the hospital and stay for another two weeks due to a tear in his intestine which leaked into his body, causing intense pain and infection.  He was kept medically, sedated because of the pain, while they filled him up with antibiotics and watched him in the ICU.  It was literally life threatening.  We enlisted all the family to pray for him, which they faithfully did.  When it finally seemed safe to move him to another room, they still had to watch him carefully, but we were able to send flowers and balloons and cards.  He is holding the card Dad and I sent and a packet of cards Jenn's and Mary's kids wrote to him.  I can't say everyone who sent things...balloons, flowers...a pillow...other things... to him because I don't know who they all are, but I know he had an outpouring of love from our family.  I think he knows he is loved.

Parker's journey from nearly dead to safely home.

~REBECCA AND SCOTT~

Rebecca and Scott moved into their apartment in Phoenix where they are close to DeWitt's place.

They were blessed to have kids come home.  Sara and Parley and Sara's sister came to await Dallin's return from China.  After they got to Phoenix, they went around to show Sara's sister some of Arizona and included a quick visit to the cabin.

The arrivals of the cherished grandkids.

Parley and Harvey have become really good friends and even ask by name to play with each other. Allison has been teaching Harvey to play tennis.

Polly went to WA to help Allison bring Harvey and Lucy to Arizona.  She had a good time playing with them while she was there.

Then, in Arizona, at Rebecca's apartment complex pool.

They also went to Rockin' R Ranch.

And also to our own Pioneer Day celebration...the parade and the barbecue, where they saw other family members who made a big fuss over the beautiful babies.

On Sunday, they came to our ward.  It was so much fun to show them all off.

Four generations of Joyces

Beautiful Lucy Joyce

Taylor had a birthday when he got to Arizona.  That was thankfully before Harvey got sick with hand/foot/mouth disease!

Dallin flew in from China, expecting to be picked up at the airport by Taylor, but Sara and Parley surprised him.  It didn't take Parley very long to warm up to his Daddy again.

Amazing story: Rebecca and Scott slept in their motor home one night and Parley stayed with them for fun.  He slept on the sofa bed and they slept in the bedroom.  He woke up way too early, so Rebecca gave him her phone to play with and went back to sleep.  After a while, Parley decided to go back to Rebecca's house, so he opened the very-hard-to-open door, walked on the gravel in his bare feet, diaper and t-shirt, across the field, across the cul-de-sac and rang the doorbell to Rebecca's house.  (how did he reach it?)  After a long time of ringing, Sara heard it and went to the door.  Looking out the peep hole, she didn't see anyone but decided to open it anyway.  Lo and behold!  There was her son, holding Rebecca's phone with a big smile on his face.

He spent some time at the Alders, playing trains with Luke, and fell in love with their dogs.

What a memorable time for Rebecca and Scott!  All their grandchildren in one armful!

~JEREMY AND ERIKA~

Even though the church history trip was in June, I just found out, in July, that Hayden sang a solo/duet with Leslie Hiatt Hobson while he was there.  I heard the video and I was touched and surprised at his beautiful voice.  I didn't know he had that gift.  I'm constantly surprised by my grandchildren.

Daynen and Jori took a late honeymoon trip to Hawaii.

Erika had this picture from my cousin, Cindy Poole, framed.  It really looks good.

We saw some of the things they are doing to their house.  They are making their huge living room into two rooms.

At Docker's farewell dinner.

Dad filled up at Joel's before we started home.  He was able to use Daynen's Zumfuel to do it.  

I saw this commercial for Daynen's fuel business and screenshot some of it.  He actually goes around to those who subscribe to his fuel business and fills up their cars for them.  They never have to go to a gas station and get their own gas.

Jeremy and Erika and Tayte took a dream senior trip.  They went across the country going to baseball games.  I know they went to Washington, Baltimore, Boston, New York and maybe other places to watch games and see the sights.  They even saw Leslie and Magarin Hobson.  What a special experience that must have been for Tayte to have 100% of his parents' time and attention...and for his parents to have 100% of their son's time and attention.

Wax museum.  Can you tell who everyone is?  I know you don't know the first one.  F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda.  He wrote The Great Gatsby among other things.

~RACHEL AND TONY~
They had their own fireworks display on the 4th of July.

Rylie's boyfriend, Brandon...I guess he's the beef?

Rachel bought outdoor carpet for me to give Dad for his birthday.  What a nice husband to ask for outdoor carpet.

At the Pioneer Day barbecue.  They saw other family members there, including babies.

Rachel and Brynlie and Camille had the opportunity to go to San Diego with Esther and Shad and their family.  It was a week-long blast, I think.  They played on the beach, went to the Mormon Battalion visitors' center, went to church, Sea World, Hotel Del and some really fancy restaurants.

On the very last day of the month, Rachel and the twins and their friend came over to swim and Dad put them to work watering plants.

~ESTHER AND  SHAD~
The traditional front porch kid picture at their Grandma's house in Eagar on the 4th of July.

4th of July parade

After they got home from Eagar, Marlie got very sick with blisters in her throat and nose.  Thinking it was strep, they took her to the doctor for antibiotic.  She was diagnosed with hand/foot/mouth disease, or Coxsackievirus. She eventually broke out with a rash all over her body.  She got it from Parley, who had it when they were all in Palmyra.  Sara didn't even know that Parley was sick until that night and then it was just a fever.  He broke out a couple of days later.  Marlie stayed pretty isolated at home, so fortunately, none of the rest of her family got it from her.

She was all well by the time they took their vacation to San Diego.  They go every year for a continuing education thing for Shad and just have a great time.  This year they took Rachel and the twins.  They had a condo right on the beach so they really enjoyed the water, and the amazing ocean sunsets as well as the food, and fun places to visit.

When they went to the Mormon Battalion Visitors' Center after church, they saw a film about the Mormon Battalion.  Magarin Hobson was in it.

When they got home, their air conditioning didn't work upstairs, where their bedrooms are, so they all camped together downstairs.

July 31st, for those who don't already know and celebrate, is Harry Potter's birthday.  At the Brown house, that means Harry Potter movie marathons, a birthday cake and other British food, including homemade English muffins, thanks to Harrison.

~THOMAS AND JENN~
Jenn and her kids came over to help get the back porch ready for our 4th of July (July 3rd) cookout.

The held their own fireworks in their back yard on the 4th.

A girls' camp reunion party.  Thomas said "Henry made a lot of new girl friends."  He collects girl friends 😉

All snug and ready to watch some scary movie together.

Breakfast on the way to work?

A leaky sink...having to dehydrate the whole kitchen!

At the Pioneer Day parade

Just got measured for her CTR ring.

Jenn brought her kids over to swim and while they were swimming, she pulled the weeds out of my rose garden.  Thank you very much!

A Penny Up FHE...one of the most important of life's lessons?

Hair cuts for school

The birthday girl and birthday boy.  Both Maya and Henry have birthdays on the 31st.

~MARY AND TYSON~

For some reason, Ethan was so affectionate after one of their Sunday visits.

Hugged everyone, even Thomas, who sometimes he's scared of.

Jenn and Dad got haircuts while Carson mowed the lawn. It was so hot, though, that he had to jump in the pool to cool down so he could finish the job.

Usually when Carson comes to mow the lawn, Tyson works on our weeds.  What a job that is!

Jared throwing candy at the Pioneer Day parade; Mary and Lucy at the barbecue.

Tyson took Mary on a secret trip through Edward Jones.  She had no idea where they were going and he didn't even tell her what to pack.  She didn't know if they were going to someplace cold or hot.  She even wore earphones and looked down in the airport so she wouldn't see or hear where they were headed.  Finally, when they got to Belgium, he told her...Poland!  Go figure.

At the wall surrounding the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw.  It was an amazing story of courage and determination and will to live that captured Tyson's imagination and made him want to go there and see where it all happened and show it to Mary.  I wish I were young and strong and could have gone.  I would love to have seen where it all happened.

Amazing food and monuments to those uprising Jewish prisoners who fought against the whole German army and almost brought them to their knees.  At the very least, it delayed the Nazi's efforts to conquer the world.

Mary saw a guy selling a tennis tutorial video so she played with him right on the street.

They even saw some missionaries in Krakow.

If you have never seen Schindler's List, you should watch an edited version.  He saved many Jews by keeping them employed even when he didn't need them; Mary and Tyson went to a Polish restaurant where they were treated like royalty; Poland from their train.

The last day of the month, the last lawn mowing of July

And little brothers to watch him.

~OUR MISSIONARY~

Docker at the MTC, with his district and his companion. 

This is where he's going...Boston MA.

~SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE~
Kirtlyn posted this after our 3rd of July party.

Never a truer word spoken.

Even driving, as Reygan knows, requires special protection for your hands.

They turned to look when they saw their mom taking a picture.  They said "cheese!"

In view of last month's trek, I saw a couple of cute trek themed pictures that made me smile.

And finally, our own little bubble blower.  That cute little tongue made me smile.

~LAST WORDS~

In July we celebrate heroes...those who fought and died to give us freedom from the tyranny of another country, and those ancestors who suffered and died to find us a place where we could be free from the tyranny of our own countrymen.  Our nation's founding fathers and our church's pioneers all had the same basic goal...freedom to worship the Lord according to the dictates of their...and ultimately, our... own consciences.  We owe them our undying gratitude and respect for all they did.  They are not just names on a pedigree chart or in history books, but your own grandparents who had tender feelings of love and fear, worship and patriotism.  It seems appropriate that we have special days to honor them in the same month.  I hope we never forget why we celebrate.  It's not all about fireworks and parades and barbecues.  And we especially need to teach our children to have these same feelings of respect and admiration for their ancestors and forefathers.