LUCKY CHARMS: Family and Friend Visits

One of the greatest things about summer is visiting with some of our faves:

"Reunited and it feels so good." The Callister's came to visit from Tennessee. They were our neighbors/dear friends in Cedar Hills. I used to call Lyndi "Dex" because I used to go to her when I needed anything. She would do anything for anyone. Pictured here: Katie, Lauren, Lyndi, Michele, Cate and Brynn.

Pictured here: Todd, Ethan, Brady, Chad, Thomas, Anthony, Christopher and Joseph.

Sitting on Grandma Sher's swing in Alpine. I love that Ethan will actually pose for me in pictures now. I look at this picture and it makes me sad to think that my favorite little people will be going back to school soon. I really like just hanging out with them - they are so cool.

Playing with the Traveller kids at the park.

Kare Bear - yeah, I really miss her. We can laugh so hard together and talk about anything.

Claire and Ethan

Anthony and Grace

Cate and Sophie

Tyler and Brady

Brynn and Emily

We stopped by the Lewis house to check out their new pad. Here is my cute friend, Julie. She is literally a creative genius. She makes every space brighter and more beautiful.

We went to Connie Allen (now Williams') wedding reception. She was our piano teacher/friend in Cedar Hills. She is one of those people that makes you feel special just by being in her presence. She looked so happy and I am thrilled for her. As we were standing in her wedding line, Elder Oaks and his wife were standing behind us. Unfortunately, the girls and I did not scrub our fake tattoos off of our calves from the 5K race we did - nice. Ethan kept trying to eat Elder Oaks' ice cream. Elder Oaks said he would let Ethan have it but he didn't think his mom would like it. Kristen, his wife, was so warm and kind.

This is Ethan's new forced grin when I bring out the camera - love it.

We traveled to St. George to see the Jackman's and the Himelright's. The Jackman's bought a new house there, so it was fun to stay in it. Here is Lori reading to Pierce and Ethan. Ethan loved to snuggle with her every morning. Lori likes to take care of everyone and I guess he felt that.

Kassidy and Ethan in da hood. Kassidy is so cute with Pierce and Ethan.

Is there anything cuter than two clean babies in diapers on a white comfy bed? Answer: no.

Here is the Honeycutt/Himelright family. Tammy is always up for a good time and likes to party, so she joined us at the Jackman home. We also met them at the Washington Community Center to swim.

On Sunday we decided to try and take the most awkward family photo combinations that we could think of. Take a look at the combos we came up with. Pictured: Brady, Kassidy and Kayley.

This might be my favorite awkward combo: Shawn (Kassidy's boyfriend), Chad, Kayley and Cate.

Ethan, Krystle and Trevor (really awkward).

Ethan, Krystle, Brynn and Trevor.

Kassidy, Chad, Anthony and Lori.

Shawn, Michele, Eric and Pierce.

Chad didn't have pants to wear to church so Eric let him wear his slacks. Eric put on his sassy grey jeans and went to church. Thanks for taking one for the team, Eric.

We played a fun dollar game and these were the final 4 contestants.

And the winner is...............Chad!

We stopped by Cove Fort on our way home. They told a story about Sister Hinckley and how she pulled out her best china for every guest - it didn't matter who they were. The missionaries talked to us about pulling out our best china (figuratively speaking) with everyone we meet. Isn't everyone special enough just by being a child of God to deserve our best? Great thought.

They said that these type of trees in the fort normally only last about 75 years, but they were going on 150 years. Because they were surrounded by the protecting walls of the fort, they have lasted longer than expected. The missionaries compared it to surrounding your children with safety and the gospel so they can grow deep roots of testimony and strength.