It's hard to believe it's almost leaf-raking time again. Summer was so fun with family and more family get togethers. It's almost too quiet with everyone back to their own homes. I miss the company, but it probably won't be too long before we're together again.
I planted a few tomato plants along with a zucchini and only one died. I've had oodles of cherry tomatoes, both orange and red.
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| One day's picking of little tomatoes |
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| Bigger tomatoes and a little zucchini...time for BLT's |
In between all the BLT's (I think about 14 days straight), I headed to Oregon for a long weekend. Grandson Leif was performing a concert at Terwilliger Plaza where his Grandpas live. He played for 45 minutes...I was amazed as memorizing had always been a challenge for me. His Grandma Jody flew in as well because she was also giving a couple of speeches that weekend. Jody and I made a quick trip to the Adidas store and came home with matching running shoes...perfect for the walks we like to do when we're together.
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| Leif Olsen with his Grandma Jody and Me |
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| Leif at the keyboard |
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| Jody and I with our matching shoes as we are out on a walk |
As part of the weekend, Jody was speaking about the Peace Corps at First Congregational Church of Christ and we all went out to dinner at an Indian restaurant afterwards. Karen Hurst was in the Peace Corps back in 1966-68 with Jody, who most recently was the Director of the Peace Corps under Donald Trump.
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JaneAnne, Bob, Berit, Leif, Jody, Sheldon Hurst, David,
Me, Karen and Bruce |
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| This is what happens when you are gone a few days |
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| Wesley with his great-grandmother in Provo |
General Conference weekend, September 30-October 2nd brough visitors and mission reunions. Neil and Dianne Lathen had promised their grandchildren they would bring them down for Conference when they had turned twelve. Covid had been a major interrupter in timing, so they had brought a few with them and while they were off playing they paid me a visit. What a treat! Rob brought Hewitt and Tosh up as Burke was already in Provo attending BYU. Burke was my chauffeur for a couple of mission reunions. This is the first Armenian reunion we had in several years and it covered several years. Most of the ones before Rog and I went there (2009-11) and all of the years since then. There were a lot of missionaries and several Armenians in attendance that I had know in Armenia and have since immigrated to the US. I also had the reunion for the Washington Federal Way mission (I served 2013-15). So fun to reconnect!
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| Neil and Dianne Lathen, friends from Salem |
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| Me, President Rees and Eva Jean Carter, Donna and Carl Loveridge |
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| Paul Stephenson, Bruce Wainwright, Julie Crego Heaton, Me |
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| David and Connie Pincock, Eric Gasparyan, me, Ellen Gasparyan |
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| Me, President Dunn, Rob Allan, Patty Dunn |
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| Brother and Sister VanDyke and me |
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| President Rob and Sister Diane Eaton, me |
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| Eatons, me, McDonalds |
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| Me with the Bryants |
I love fall time and this year the leaves were more colorful than in years past, so I took a few pictures. I love walking at this time of year enjoying all of God's creations.
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| One of our neighborhood trees |
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| Some peoples Halloween decorations are amusing |
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| John was in town and took Anna and me out for Indian food |
That Sunday, he hosted some Fisher cousins who were also students at BYU. It was fun finding more relatives.
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Olivea Fisher, Burke, Evelyn Crane, John, Anna,
Karlie, Jacob Fisher, me playing some Club Seven |
LaRetta (who is now 91) loves entertaining. This time she is hosting the 2nd Annual Swedish lunch.
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| Friends from my ward enjoying a lovely lunch |
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Inga-Lill Martinson, preparer and LaRetta Duncan, hostess
of our 2nd annual Swedish lunch |
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| Snow on Timp, first of year October 26th, walking friends |
I made a quick long, weekend trip to Arizona the first part of November. I was able to attend Tosh Peterson's last JV football game. Tosh was recruited by Ty Detmer to be the kicker and did all the kick offs and extra points for the team. I also wanted to watch Hewitt as he was one of the stars in Hamilton High's musical, Legally Blonde. I love watching my grandchildren perform.
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Back row: Rob, Tamsen, me (eyes closed for some reason)
Ivy, Sue and Duerk. It was a cold night for Arizona |
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| Tosh underneath the "uprights" |
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| Tamsen, me, Tosh and Rob after a 50+ point victory |
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| Rob, Hewitt, me, Tamsen, Tosh and Truman after play |
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| Me and "the Star" Hewitt |
I just barely returned home and I was off for another Arizona visit to celebrate Thanksgiving with family in Chandler and Queen Creek. Alisa and Brett Larsen, along with children, Josef, Lukas and Danny also came down for the holiday.
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| A beautiful sunset but better seen with the eyes than camera |
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| Another yard on one of my walks |
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| A little late afternoon basketball |
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Alisa taking Truman and Danny for a wagon ride
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| Me and Sue, love this youngest daughter |
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| Danny being a silly elf |
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| Liv giving Danny a ride |
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| Playing Tennis: Burke, Lukas, Tamsen, Rob, Hewitt, Brett, me, Josef and Alisa |
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| Rob and me playing tennis on his birthday |
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| Brewers and Petersons saddled up and ready for the trail |
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| We made it to the end (but then had to hike back out) Nice day, though! |
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Temple excursion: Karlie, Ivan, Duerk, Sue, me, Alisa, Tamsen,
Rob and Burke |
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Playing games: Hewitt, Liv, Josef, Colten, Duerk, Ivan
Karlie, Tosh and me |
I feel such gratitude for my many blessings. I love my family and friends and the connections that we are continually making. God is good!
