Oakcrest 2018

Todd and I were able to go to Oakcrest again this summer for the stake visitor's night.  Alexis (Wendy's daughter) was able to attend this year, and I was so excited to go see her!  I showed her the "picture" wall of all the staff pictures over the years, and I noticed that my first year (1989) is now the FIRST picture on the wall!  (Far left on top)  And my second year is the second picture (1990), and the reason I took a picture is because I think that next year when I visit Oakcrest, my first picture won't be there anymore.  I am now at the tail-end of the cycle! So sad!

Oakcrest just had it's 60th year reunion, so I understand that they don't have room to keep all 60 staff pictures on the wall, but I'm still going to be sad when I don't see my years up there anymore!

My two years--a close up

I made Todd take a picture of me as we were leaving for the night. I really love this place!  It will always hold a very special place in my heart!

And here's a picture of me and Alexis.  I'm pretty sure I tortured her with my embarrassing hugs and comments!  But I just wanted to share my love! :) 

I hope to see you next year, Oakcrest!

Leatherby's 2018

On the 24th of July, we went to Leatherby's and celebrated Wendy's birthday. (Sadly, she was back in Vegas with Anthony getting the last of their stuff from their house, so she missed it! BUT she is moving here now, so we will make it up to her!) 

Since Jacob is always game to pose with me, we took a few silly pictures....

These first 2 were selfies!  Not bad, if I do say so myself.

I think Kyle took this one

Brandon, Kyle, AJ, and Aunt Gina Nicholson

Grandpa and Grandma Johnson

I don't see Gina very often, so I thought I'd better snap a picture while I had the chance, and this one turned out quite well of us...

Gina and Alexis

Happy Birthday Wendy!  Sorry you missed your celebration! :(  We love you!

MTC drop off for Dallin

The night before Dallin left for the MTC, he was set apart as a full time missionary!  

It was really cool!  And by the way, this is really happening! :) 

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Handsome boy!

Cute little smilies! 

Last family picture in the front yard!

Kyle, Dad, Mom, Jacob, and Dallin 

(Eric and Andraea couldn't come, and Brandon was actually on a retreat for school, so he missed this picture in the morning.  But we picked him up in Provo right before we dropped Dallin off.)

I think Dallin was tired of smiling by this point, but I couldn't help but snap a picture of him waiting in the car for us to all load in...

Yeah, tired of smiling for sure... :) 

We were directed to drop Dallin off in the underground parking of the MTC.  It was different than Eric and Brandon, and it kind of threw me off my routine.  After we got out of the car, we took this family picture, and then I hugged Dallin first.  And for some reason, I got straight back into the car (and waited), and I didn't take any pictures of him hugging anyone else, or of him walking away with his luggage!  I don't know what I was thinking, but I was sad the second we started to drive off, and I wanted a do-over! And obviously, that wasn't possible!  Grrr!

Dad, Brandon, Jacob, Dallin, Mom, and Kyle

We are so proud of you Dallin for making the decision to serve a mission!  You are going to be awesome!  We love you!  See you in 2! :) 

Jacob is 14!!!

Can you believe that Jacob is 14 years old?  Oh man, I can't!

Look how grown up he is getting!

For his birthday he got some wireless earbuds...

And this cool tennis toy/game that allows him to play tennis whenever he wants (and he doesn't have to play with someone else either; he can practice by himself)

We didn't do a lot for Jacob's birthday because we were packing up Dallin for his mission, but Jacob had a good day, and the following Sunday, we had his special birthday dinner!  

We love you Jacob!  Please stop growing up so fast!

Dallin's Farewell July 8, 2018

Dallin finally had his farewell on July 8th!  He did so amazing!  So many people commented about how he sounded like a returned missionary, and not an outgoing missionary.  And honestly, it really was an excellent talk. I believe he is very prepared.  

(He has attended the missionary class for like 3 years!) 

What a good looking kid! :) 

Some random person took these pictures of Dallin and his friends.  It cracked me up because we didn't know who she was, but honestly I'm so glad she took them because they were better than mine.  I don't know how to take the black edges off though...

Sadie and Dallin

Abby Peterson, Sadie Durham, Dallin, Emma Jones, and Alyssa Fenstermaker

Carla Nygren is in the back. 

Teddy Garrick and Dallin are in the front

I think this is the only one with me and Todd, so like I said, I was really glad that this lady took these pictures. :) 

A bunch of Dallin's friends

Dallin and Brandon

Dallin and Eric

The cake!

Grandpa Jones (the back of him), Judy, Eric, Zach Wall, and Uncle Aaron Jones

Jones family

Family and friends

Grandpa Johnson, Uncle Brad Johnson

Uncle Rob Wall and Uncle Ryan Jones

Jacob Porter, Abby Peterson, and Emma Jones

Lou Faulk, Isaac Barrows, Abram Barrows, and Dustin Barrows

Alyssa Nielson, Sadie Pearson, Alyssa Fenstermaker, Dallin, and Sadie Durham

More family and friends...

Jacob and Alice Jones 

(Their birthdays were the next day, so I had Malissa make a cool birthday cake just for them!)

It was so amazing!

And in the back on the right are the Kummers (Cameron, Jacob, and Rachel and Josh is on the grass)

And look at the inside of it!  Full of M & M's!  So cool, huh?

And with that, Dallin will be gone in 3 days!!!

We love you son!