Going, Going . . .

. . . almost gone.  Just 17 days left before the big adventure.  Here's what's been happening during the summer.

A wonderful vist to see Matt, Jessica and their girls, Sofia and Lizzie Jane.  We spent a great weekend, playing, eating wonderful food and went on a great hike/picnic up by Brighton ski resort in the Wasatch.

July in Yakima:  We had a wonderful time keeping the Ditto kids while Sara & Birch were away.  And it is gratefully always "two for one" in Yakima -- two great families in one visit.  We did lots with the kids and here's a few snipits:

Gon' fishin'

 Fishing was unproductive but fun.  The wildest part of the day hinged around these free poles.  The community puts on this great even where they stock the pond, teach the kids about fishing, and provide them with free poles and reels.  They literally had hundreds of these rigs but apparently not enough time to put them altogether properly.  We first learned this when Mom helped Nate cast his line and off came the reel, half the pole, and all the line & bait!  That happened again later with Alysee.  Let me tell you, you look like a citified dork when you're helping your grandkids fish and thew hole rig flies into the pond!

 Hair design at its best

Yeah - that's really what they're doing.  When you're having so much fun who has time to go "all the way" to the bathroom?  Always thought Chloe had great cheeks.

But the best was a jello eating contest Mom engineered:

Mila may not have won the speed contest, but she was "best in show"

Then back home for two weeks before leaving for Utah.  I had a nice (though nervous) time doing 3 presentations at BYU Education week

 But the best part was having family support . . .

While staying at Leah's we had a great time with the kids, chickens, and Utah neighbors (of course we we're jealous of Leah when she got invited to Robert Redford's 75th BD party and didn't take us!):

 Before we left, Leer took some family shots in the beautiful wheat field across the street from their home:

Then we were off for a public date with Irene at RDC -- we're just lucky she decided to swing over to Vermont and New Hampshire was largely spared (though Plymouth had flash flooding of the Pemigewassat river.  We're glad that Jared, Laura, and dear little Isla joined us.

Now it's time to pack up, cry up, and take off.  Last Friday, the Ramptons hosted a farewell reception for us and it was wonderful to visit with so many and receive their well wishes.  Then today, Mom and I delivered our farewell talks at Corvallis 3rd ward church (next week we speak at University Ward).  It's almost time -- we'll miss you all and hope there is internet access in Fiji!