Family Reunion '08

The 4th of July weekend was Bonnie's family reunion. This year the reunion was held at Carlsbad State Beach. Bonnie's friend Pat let us use her trailer for the weekend. It was so much better than "tenting it". Bonnie will never sleep in a tent again! Stacy and Lance came down from Utah and Scott, Cheryl and Allie came down from Orange County. It was great to have the whole family together. We spent a lot of time playing on the beach, but we got to do some other things as well. Thursday we spent the day at the San Diego County Fair. It was a lot of fun. The Fair is mainly about the food, but rides, games and browsing all the vendors goods is fun too. The Fair is also about a LOT of walking. Saturday we drove up to the Newport Beach Temple where Spencer and Debbie were FINALLY able to be sealed to Sammy FTAAE. All of Spencer's kids were there except for Robin. I finally got to see Arnel and Lisa's son Logan. He was cute and huggable.

At least Grandma looks like shes having fun.

The Three Amigos.

Pretty Girls.

Allie's ready for the beach

(Suntan lotion on her arm and sand everywhere else)

Lance and Stacy the cute couple.

Allie loves that boogie board.

Darin just loves kickin it on the sand

Happy Grandma & Happy Grandbaby.

Stacy and Bonnie doing what they do best.

(Looking beautiful)

Allie loves the beach

Carys love to hold beach rocks.

Jared and Mom.

Allie and Mom's leg.

Cheryl is so photogenic.

Father and Son.

Come on! Lets go down to the water.

I can't wait to get to the water.

I don' think I like the water.

The Beautiful Newport Beach Temple.

The Gangs All Here.



A Beautiful Day At The Fountain.



Here We Are.

The "Sealed Together" Clan.



.....Plus Grand Kids.



Ella, Darin, Hannah, Carys and Tara.



Melissa, Brooke, Alan and Taylor.



Cloie, and Cindy.

Grandma and Allie.



Grandpa and Logan.

Arm loads Of Grand Kids.

The Professional "Make The Babies Smile" Crew.

The Fountains.

Yes the food is great and the Blooming Onion is a classic.

And lets not forget about the Chuckwagon.

Scott and Cheryl were fond of the Gingerbread Shop.

The street tacos were awesome.

But Lance and Stacy knew what was up... the Mexican Funnel Cake.

OOOOOHHHH YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

We almost finished it!

Jared had his work cut out for him with this ginormous frozen banana.

Then there were the games.

The boys line up on the starting line.

Jared takes an early lead.

Scott brings up the rear.

Scott and Lance were thrilled to have beaten those two little girls.

Scott wipes his brow in preparation for the next competition.

Jared winds up.

And Lance takes a mighty swing.

In the end its Jared 2 Scott and Lance 0.

Thats right. You BAD!!

Intense concentration!

He's up, he shoots, he.......misses.

Lets see how fast Scott can throw.

Lets see how fast Lance can throw...........his arm out!

Stacy was very skilled at darts and won a prize.

(Just like everyone else who participated)

Even the "BIG" kids got excited about the games.

Brother and sisters.

She must work out!!

Cheryl and Allie checking out the Vendors.

Jared is forced to rest against his will.

Daddy Daughter Time.

Lance and Stacy time.

This Culligan Water display has been at the fair since me and Bonnie were kids.

(Over 10 years ago)

My girls.

I think they have a new surgery for this condition.

Ahh. Young love.

Someone turned Bonnie's wallet into the lost and found with all her credit cards

and over $700 in cash. (Yes, there are still honest people in the world).

Allie couldn't believe how big the turkeys were.

Allie was not happy about that messy yogurt!

Thus ends a long day at the Fair.

ALLIE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

Chery, Scott and Allie came down for a few days this week and we got to celebrate her first birthday. Its hard to believe she is a year old already. She'll be moving into her own appartment before you know it.

Allie and Daddy

Allie and Grandma Don't Seem Too Excited About The Birthday Cake

This Is More Like It

I'll Just Give It A Little Touch

OK! Maybe A Big Touch

This Is Good Stuff

WHOOOO HOOOO Thats Good Stuff

Time To Wash Up

Interesting Experience !!!

Its crazy how things work out some times. This morning Jared and I took Spencer's trailer and suburban down to one of the rentals and worked for a little over 7 hours hauling away demolished concrete and some old appliances and garbage. We made one trip to the dump with all the appliances and garbage and three trips with cement. We hauled a little over 10,000 lbs!!! When we got home I was pretty beat; sore back, clogged nose and red eyes ( from the dust ). Bonnie and I were invited to a 60th birthday party tonight for a former member of our ward but I was just too exhausted to go so she went with Debbie. The Sister missionaries in out ward called about 5:45 tonight and asked if I knew anyone with a car seat as they were taking a part member couple to a baptism at 6:00 and the couple was babysitting an 18 month old and needed a car seat. I told them to come over and I would round one up. When they arrived I needed to adjust the seat to fit and I could see they were in a rush to go so as to not be late. I went back inside and a little after six, Elaine Foti called and said, "Bishop, are you going to come and conduct the baptism tonight. I said, " Oh my gosh!!!" I had totally spaced out. This was the only baptism I had ever forgotten about. I got ready as fast as I could and raced down to the stake center. When I got there Desianna, who is 8, was at the door dressed in white waiting with her father. He told me not to worry about it because they were waiting for Desi's mom to get there (the parents are divorced). Two minutes after I got there, her mom and boyfriend arrived. I shared this story with those in attendance saying that the moral of the story was, " If the sister missionaries ever tell you they are going to a baptism, ALWAYS asked who is being baptized." It was a wonderful baptism. The father was moved to tears as he did the spotlight for his daughter. His mom had flown out from Texas for the baptism and was a very nice lady.
Afterwards the primary second counselor told me that it was probably meant that I wasn't there because the mother would have missed the baptism. The Lord really loves me.

Graduation Day

This afternoon we went to Monte Vista High School for Roberts graduation. It was just your normal High School graduation but still fun to see these young people exited to move on to the next phase of their lives. Also, Cheryl and Allie came down on Thursday and stayed the night. I got to see Allie for a few hours anyway.

Billy, Brandon, Robert, Sammy,Debbie and Spencer

(Debbie and Spencer had difficulty seeing in the intense shade)

Debbie and Spencer can see now.

Sammy Looks So Distinquished!

Brandon is just way too cool!




A big hug for Aunt Bonnie.


A big hug for Cousin Jared.

( I don't know where Robert's left hand is )



Shauna and Robert



Allie Paige Welcomes You

GRRRRRR!

This is colorful. I think I'll put it in my mouth.



This looks tastey. I think I'll put it in my mouth.

This crushed water bottle feels wierd. I think I'll put it in my mouth.

Big Weekend

This was a rather overwhelming weekend for our family. Yesterday we had a memorial service for my mother who passed away. There were so many preparations to take care of but it all came together. Everyone in the family rallied together to arrange the program and take care of all the details and everyone in the ward I contacted dropped whatever they had planned that day to help out. I had the opportunity to give a talk on the plan of salvation to the 50 or so in attendance who were mostly non-members. That was awesome.
Today we had our ward conference and because our bishop is moving to Utah, we got a new bishopric. It was a little sad to be released as a counselor and a little overwhelming to be called as the bishop of the Spring Valley Ward. I know, I can hardly believe it myself. I have two awesome counselors; Bryan McCardell ( who introduced Bonnie and I 26 years ago ) and Jack Choppin. I spent several hours training with Bishop Williams this afternoon and I still feel clueless. I guess it will come with time. Cheryl, Scott and Allie drove home about 4:00 and we took Stacy to the airport about 5:00. I'm going to bed now. It might be the last good nights sleep I get in a while.

Bryan---- Bishop Martin ----Jack

Dad and Stacy

The Martin Clan

The McCardell Famiy

Spring Break In Utah

We took a trip up to Provo to visit stacy and Lance last week. We traded our camry with Anna's Aviator for the week so we could fit everyone in one vehicle. Bonnie, Jared and I drove to Aliso Viejo to pick up Cheryl and Allie Paige on the way. We stayed at David and Lynette Judd's (Cheryl's In-laws) home on the way up. They are always so kind to us. We stopped off at Cove Fort the next day. In 1867 Brigham Young called Ira Hinckley and his family to direct the building and operations of the fort to offer a place of protection and refreshment to travelers. We arrived at Stacy and Lance's a few hours later. Lance and Stacy are staying at the same appartment complex where Cheryl and Scott used to live. We went to the Provo Temple one day just to take some pictures and we ran into Thomas Lewis, a close friend of Stacy, who is at the MTC preparing for his mission. We also visited the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center. Cheryl's friend and former room mate Bethany works there and gave us a private tour. We went back in the afternoon and Bethany, who is an awesome photographer did a photoshoot of Allie. We went to Bob and Mary Prior's (Bonnie's Aunt and Uncle) home in Immigration Canyon and visited. We of course had to go have dinner at Chuck-O-Rama. Cheryl flew home on saturday so she could be with Scott on Easter Day. On Sunday we went to Lance's parent's home in Park City for Easter dinner. Lances brothers, their wives, his cousin mandy and her husband and his step brother and sister were also there. We had a wonderful dinner and visit. Lance's parents and family are really nice. We then headed back to St George on our way home.

The Front wall of Cove Fort.

Come on in.

The courtyard.

The telegraph office.

Wood burning stove.

Jared on top of the wall.

Provo Temple.

Provo Temple fountain.

Provo Temple sign.

We asked a sister heading for the Temple to take our picture

and she said she would take the picture on the count of three.

She took the picture on the count of two and Jared wasn't ready.

Thomas Lewis... Excuse me, "Elder Lewis".

Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center.

Bonnie and Dave.

Allie was posing like a pro.

Allie is so cute.

Allie just kickin it.

Allie at the Park.

Allie loved the park.

Grandma kinda likes her grand baby.

Cheryl thought it was cold.

Bath time for Allie.

Jared was a good boy so we let him play on the monkey bars.