YSA service Surprise!

We had an awesome service done for us.  The YSA’s called and asked if there was something on the Bishop’s to do list that they could do in the house or yard for him in secret.  We have had our front flower bed sitting with weed paper on it and waiting for rock since April because of Wayne’s bad back…and we have a dead cherry tree in our back yard that needs to be cut down and taken to the dump.  So on Saturday, while I was gone and  Wayne was  on a bike ride the YSA’s showed up in force and did those two overwhelming , back  breaking jobs.  Wayne got home and couldn’t believe the surprise.   It was shock and awe and tears.   He said, the only problem with the whole thing was the YSA’s had to see their bishop in spandex.    We love our ward.

________________________________________________________________In other news.....

Monson and Lexi are living with us for one more month while their town home in Saratoga Springs gets built. We have loved having the little girls here.  Lady is a joy and Tayla is a hoot.  Tayla is into her naked phase. She hates clothes.  As soon as she comes in the door her clothes come off.  Some of it is for potty training purposes but she loves being "nakey."

Junior year has begun!

 First week of school. Done.  Check it .  Laila survived, likes her teachers- and classes for the most part and is a busy SBO.  Prior to school starting we did have one day to get pedicures, go to lunch, shopping, waxing, eye appt…you get the picture.  She actually didn’t do much shopping because her wardrobe this year is filled with Brave t-shirts.  So it’s easy to know what to wear each day.  We are still waiting for her SBO sweater to come in.    Laila is really peppy and happy and goes like crazy then comes home and crashes and takes a nap most every day.  
Her classes are:  1st: Debate   2nd: Seminary   3rd;  Choir  4th:  Math  5:  Zoology  6th Student Gov.  7th  English  8th Us History.    She got asked to Homecoming by Parker Gold and already has her dress  -- one she bought from another girl—I like when she saves me money!

 First day of school STEAK dinner.. Laila loves Texas Roadhouse and her steak medium RARE.  Then we headed to Savannah Bentley's Peter Pan show at HopeBox Theatre.  Cousin Savannah did a great job as part of Tiger Lily's posse.

Laila's Scotland Trip

Our Laila has had a wonderful fun, family filled week with the Gilardis and Sharkeys in Scotland.  She went to the Gilardi’s bakery for Family night along with the Sharkeys and they made their own individual pizza.  Laila got to go to Millport Island and ride mopeds all over and picnic.  Laila went to two movies, she had a spa day and got fingernails put on by Christiana.  

  She played at a Skypark fun center with rock climbing etc… and really the only disappointing thing was as they were leaving to go to the Preston, England temple- a 4 hour ride, to do baptisms, they received a call from the temple that it was closed.  She has loved going to church for 2 weeks and being with all of the saints, and attending a ward party and a baptism as well.   She has met some lovely people and missionaries.     Laila will have a hard time saying goodbye to these beautiful people. 

 We  LOVE the SHARKEYS.  They really are angels in our lives.

Trump Golf course ( where Christiana works) ...Spa on the coast between Scotland and Ireland.


We are proud of Laila for traveling by herself...this is a big deal.   I was a bit nervous about her going alone, but she was full of confidence and promised me she would ask for help if she needed it, and call and check in often.  All went well.  IN Glasgow she was interrogated by customs officials making sure she wasn’t being “trafficked”  or being used for slave labor.  It was  a bit crazy because she didn’t know the Gilardi’s address to tell them where she was staying.   Angie Gilardi showed up and was interrogated as well, then finally Laila was allowed to leave.  
 Other than that... and the authorities taking away her IRN BRU that she was going to enjoy in Utah....she really had a great time.  

Portland and Truman

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After church last Sunday Wayne and I loaded our car and drove to Portland.  We got there just after midnight and Truman was gracious enough to let us crash in his bed.  It’s very , unusually hot in Portland…98 degrees …so Tru got a window AC…which was very much needed.  Tru says it’s funny in Portland with air conditioning…they all say, "it’s only hot for part of the year, so  we don’t need to have AC,"...... Tru likes to tell them that that’s true most every where…It’s called Fall ( 4 SEASONS ya know).  

 We  ate at a lot of delicious food places.  Portland has a great food scene.   Wayne was ready for anything money wise...and Tru was so excited to show us all of these places.  

We went on a hike,  visited a historic home, checked out Truman’s work place-Lardo’s, spent time on the water front, checked out the ride share scooters and had brunch two days in a row.   

 This is Truman's mantle.  I said, "what is this line drawing? Some mountains on their side?"  Truman laughed a ton... it's a bum.   "Oh, Now I see it."

So we played and visited all day  on Monday, had brunch on Tuesday and headed back home to be in Bountiful driving  and more driving…home by midnight.  It was fast.     Tru is doing good and liking his work and Portland more and more.

_______________________________In other news__________________________

We are loving having Monson and Lexi here in the basement while their Town Home is being built.  Mostly we love having Tayla and Lady here.  Lady is such a smiler and is always catching my eye.  Tayla is so smart and talking better all of the time.  She loves to sing and dance, and if you can get her to sing "You are my sunshine" it's a treat.  Tayla loves ordering ALEXA around...which is not succesful for her but really funny to listen to.  She has to wear sun glasses any time she is outside  even in the car and have a purse or a back pack with her always.  She is a cute lil momma with all of her babies. Tayla has attitude when she wants...is working on potty training...which has been a SLOW deal, and is talking better all of the time.  She always announces anyone who comes to our home...and when I walk in the door it's like being greeted by an enthusiastic puppy dog!   WE LOVE IT!

Wayne has had to perform 3 YSA weddings with his bishop calling.  He does a great job.   For one of these he had to do the ceremony in English and in Spanish.  So he did a paragraph in English and then did the same paragraph in Spanish.  He did great…although he was literally sweating it.  His glasses fogged up.  The bride and groom got to say”I do” twice and kiss twice…so it was a win win in both languages.