Cami and Mae Visit

What a great time we had with Cami and Mae.

Mae stoled the show and kept everyone entertained.

Uncle Ammon must be one of her favorites.

I bit my tongue.

Can I help with that grandma?

Just hangin' out with uncle David and uncle Matt.

Hey grandma, let me help you water the flowers.

Nothing like a cold drink on a hot day.

Did I already water this one?
She watered the same pot about 10 times.

Mae really had a great time doing this.

Hey you guys, I'm Seth's little girl!!!

No, really?

Mae wanted uncle Josh to sit with her on this bench.

Only problem was, there wasn't enough bench.

Mae was a hit with her uncles.

She learned quickly that she could have

anything she wanted from these two guys.

This will be one of those classic family pics

David and Matthew hatched out some chicks for Mae.

But she wasn't sure if she liked them. We couldn't get her

to hold them. She would touch one for just a moment

and then throw it down. But she loved the kitty.

She was so cute by grandma's flowers.

But when she figured out that she was having her picture taken,

we couldn't get the eyes, the smile, and the flowers all coordiated.

We miss them both.

Distance is a grandparents worst enemy.

Goodbye Ben

Well the time came. He was packed up and it was time to load up and head for the airport. These little guys are going to look a whole lot different in two years.

Little sis. This girl will be sixteen when he comes home. Now there's a scarey thought.

Josh is glad of one thing. He gets his own room. That's what happens when one moves out. You shed a few tears, and then get right to work moving beds around.

At the airport, going down the list. All eyes are on Ammon. "Did you get everything?" "Dad, I don't know if I got my toothbrush" "Don't worry about it Ammon, I'm sure Jonny has an extra one."

Ammon said he got stuck with the "girly" suitcase.

Well, off they go for a one week stay with the girls and their hubs in Utah. Then on the 3rd of September Ben reports at the MTC.

He'll be set apart by President Thad Adams, Seth's father, the night before. We really appreciate his help.

What a suprise. Taylor was waiting for him at the airport. She had been there for 40 min. by the time we got there.

"Goodbye mom." "I better hear from you every week Ben." "Oh mom, don't forget to send some jam, I need one jar a week."

"Goodbye dad." "Goodbye Ben, I expect to get my money's worth. Work hard, be obedient, and think about how hard we have to work to keep you out there. Just kidding."

"Goodbye Ammon, stay with your brother, don't wander off, don't go to the bathroom by yourself, be careful." "Mom, this is embarrassing, I'll be alright, ok?"

Well, we won't be taking a picture like this one for at least 3 1/2 years.

We saw him off with mixed emotions. You know it's the right thing, but you wonder if it has to be. Life goes on, things change, mostly for the better. But it's hard to see your friend and son leave, never to return the same. He's a great man with a great future. God bless and take care of our baby.

Jambin'

They're loosing the lead guitar. Ammon says that dad will have to pick it up. They may not like his style.




Ben taking the lead vocal. You would have to hear it to appreciate it. Fortunately the guitars are really loud.
"Ben, settle down. Are you singing the right song? That doesn't sound right"

Josh has mastered the bass, and with his 100 watt bass amp, HE WILL BE HEARD!!!!



This guy's a natural with the drums. He's really letting it go here.

They've had alot of fun together, but like every great band, the break up must come. But in their hearts, the steal and skins will always sing, and someday, they'll play again.

Goodby to the Shop

Ah, shedding a tear. So many memories, and so many great times here in this sweat shop.

Come on Ben you can't stay. You have to go on a mission. "No, I can't leave the shop. What will I do, how will I spend my time, I'm lost, Help!!!"

Actually, I don't think he was too hurt about it. He just turned around, look inside, and said....."Goodbye Shop". Wow, that was deep.


It was more like he was jumping up and down and doing cartwheels. Personally, I think he's going to miss it.

We certainly will miss him. Ben has been a great help and a responsible worker, and he still has all ten of his digits, as uncle Kelly would say.

But the show must go on. We will have to manage without him.

Spending time with the bros

Just trying to get a little quality time in with the brothers before Ben is gone FOREVER!!

Ben got his radio controled airplane out and got it

flying again.

Ammon has had it ruff though. He is really suffering from separation anxiety. Going to Ben's room every morning to make sure that he's still there.

All things concidered, we've really enjoyed the past few weeks and we all will miss him.

Ben's Temple Trip

This story begins with Friday night. Dad had been sick for a week and progressively getting worse. With chills and fevers, and deep painful coughing that seemed to come from the depths of hell. Well anyway, it didn’t look like dad would be going to the Temple with Ben. So dad asked Ben to give him a blessing. The family gathered around, and Elder Palmer gave dad a simple but wonderful blessing. "I bless you that you will be able to go with me to the temple." It’s times like these when one realizes just how little faith one has. At 2:00am we arose to get ready. Some changes had taken place during the night, and dad was able to get through the preparations to go without a cough, without a heave, and without a fever sweat. We made the trip to the temple and went through the session and did the whole thing without a hitch. Dad hardly coughed. Ben was the most handsome thing that his mother and grandmother had ever seen of course. He expressed his testimony about the experience and a desire to return soon. He’ll be a great missionary. He said later that he knew dad would be going after the blessing.

So...here are the vacation pics.

First of all, getting everything loaded up for 8 people
was a challenge.

Then there's the trip. Mile after mile after mile.....
Hour after hour, on and on we drove.

And then......there it was,
That wonder "SIGN"
of RELIEF.

"Hey guys, LOOK AT THAT! ! ! What is it? Josh, do you see her? Yea, oh my gosh. What is she wearing? You mean what is she not wearing?" The first thing everyone noticed was how much skin they could see. That was both fun to look at and sometimes scarey, or even down right disturbing at the same time.

This is the Days Inn that we stayed at. Not the best, but cheap enough.

"Emma, here comes a wave....you might want to move." Ok, that's gotta hurt. Salt in the eyes.
The water was very salty. It takes some getting used to. It was crystal clear however. That's why the Pensacola Bay is called the Emerald Bay.




This is skimboarding. You throw the board onto the water while running and then jump on it and try to stay up.

Not for Dad! ! !

They got better after awhile, but Dad didn't try it.

Good one Josh....nice ride. Ammon stayed after it until he got it down pretty good.

Ammon worked at it for quite awhile

and mastered it.

The waves were pretty good for body boarding. The best waves were on Monday, but the beach patrol wouldn't let anyone in the water because of the waves and the currents left over from the hurricane.

Is that Ben in the wave, or a shark?


Ride that wave.

Josh is waiting for the big one.
Ammon caught this one just right. If you can get on the front of the wave you can ride it all of the way in.

The next morning we went

on a fishing trip 9 miles off the

coast, looking for that big one,

the mother of all fish.

The fishing was good.
The boat trip was really something too.

It took about 35 min. to get to our first spot.

The sea was moving with swells of about 5 to 6 feet and it's a good thing we took

motion sickness pills before we went.
Ammon couldn't wait to taste his catch.

So, this is what we caught. 8 Snapper was our limit, and then Ammon caught a nice Grouper.
We could have caught 3 times as much if not for the limit, which was imposed just about 2 months ago......or so our guide said.

"Ok, Ben, where did we see those girls.

I've got something that I want to show them.

The ones with the, you know, the ones that.....anyway, where were they?"

"You'll have to go without me Ammon,

I'm too close to my mission."

What's wrong Brenda, is the water too cold?

Or maybe you just don't want to
put that sexy suit on, huh?

David got more jellyfish stings than anyone.

Go figure.

"Hey, you guys. What's that in the water?

It looks kind of weird. Yea, what is it?"

"It's a jellyfish,
run for lives. Where is it?
It's everywhere.
One there, and there, oh my gosh.....run!"

There were Jellyfish in the water because of the

hurricane that passed through the area just a few

days before. Several of the kids were stung, but it

didn't keep them out of the water for long.

One evening we were on the boardwalk. We ate icecream, shopped, and took stupid funny pictures.

This is a great picture. I've got to tell you

we still have it. Just look at us. We don't

look a day over 25. Just two love birds.

On the boardwalk. With the chef. He didn't say much.

Josh, chillin' at the boardwalk. He tells his friends that this is really his car.

We went to the Naval Air Station. There were a lot of exhibits and a lot airplanes to see. Can you find Ammon in the picture?

Hint: Look behind Ben

David liked this one for the color.

Yes, these are grown boys. But this was just too cool. To sit in the cockpit of a real jet fighter

There were simulators, and open cockpits to sit in. It was all pretty cool to see. We also saw a film on a 7 story IMAX screen. Really COOL!!

This Naval base is home to the Blue Angels.

Matthew, ready for take off.

This is Dad standing by his all-time

most favorite airplain, the Corsair.

Back into the water every chance

they got. The water was very salty

of course, and it stung our skin, but

we played in it until dark.


The white sand was great. We dug holes and made sculptures and just had a great time.

Emma stayed in the sand a little

too long, and David lost his head in it.

Can you figure out which one is David?

Well, Pensacola was fun. But the time

ran out, and we had to say goodbye

to the beach, and the ocean.

Ok, everyone, open your eyes and smile.

Time to go.

Back on the road for another 12 hours.

We drove through storms, took a detour

and got lost....but not for long.

"Let me out! ! ! I swear I have to pee. I mean it. I have to go....now. You don't believe me?"

"Just hold on for one more hour.

What, are you crazy?"

"Can I lay down here? Move over, I need a little more room."

"Are we there yet? How much further? I've got to pee?"

Well, it was a great trip. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed being together. That's what it's all about.