A Happy, Sunny Day

We enjoyed the Labor Day Weekend in Minneapolis. We went to the temple, watched BYU and celebrated Lauren's birthday, and on Monday, we went to the Minnesota State Fair. Ben and Joanna went twice!

Ben is eating a pickle covered in cream cheese, wrapped in prosciuto or pastrami. (I'm sure Ben knows, but I can't remember.)

It was a long day, but fun. We ate all kinds of yummy fair food.

My overall take on the fair is that it is more commercial than the Ohio State Fair and less agricultural.

Joanna helped me with this lovely cake for Lauren's birthday. You can tell that by the time we were done, we didn't care what the tusks looked like.

Rah, rah, rah, rah, rah....go Cougars!

We enjoyed a guided tour of William Mitchell Law School. It's a very nice campus.

Judge Lauren

It was a great weekend! Every minute of time we spend together is precious to me.

More fun

Our Minneapolis kids came over for Sadie's blessing. While Emily and Janet were out together, Preston and I took Lauren up to Rib Mountain.

Fun

I'm very grateful that I've been feeling generally well this summer. It has allowed us to do some fun things. Here's one of them:

Before Janet went back to school, we took Macey to the Bay Beach amusement park in Green Bay. Macey's reaction was priceless. The look on her face was great. It was almost like "Hey, I'm driving this thing and I'm doing it all by myself."

Work

It's that time of year...harvest! We've made several trips out to Rene's big garden lately. Corn, beans, zucchini, beets, green peppers are all on. The tomatoes are just starting to come on and we always dig potatoes. Here are some recent pictures. Yes, the top picture of is Ben WORKING!?!! I feel that he's getting ready to take a break, though.

Thrift

Sadly, Janet left today to go back to school. We are extremely thankful that she can attend BYU, but she will be missed a lot around here.

While she was here, she did virtually all of the grocery shopping and cooking and much of the cleaning. When Rene and I are here alone, we don't spend much on food, but we get whatever we want, pretty much regardless of the price. Janet, however, is on her way to being a thrifty shopper and couponer. She is patient enough to wait for the sales and then match her coupons up to what's on sale and has gotten some great deals this summer. She (and some of her sisters) are committed to getting the best deal they can and they do a great job of it without being excessive.

This strategy applies to all of us in a spiritual sense as well. At a special stake conference in May, Elder Ardern counseled all of us to not become casual in our Church service or in our living of the gospel. It's easy to just go with the flow rather than remaining vigilant and committed to our pursuit of righteousness. Janet has set a great example for me this summer, both at the grocery store and spiritually.

Springville Montage

Question: What is that pile of white stuff on the mountains behind Springville? Janet couldn't believe that I never was curious enough to hike up there to see what it was. It looks exactly the same as it did when I was a kid. Also, does anyone know the names of those same mountains--the ones that provide a backdrop to Springville?

They are so good to me...

I have always thought that I was lucky to have been born into the best family on earth. I've said before that our parents sacrificed much to raise us in a way pleasing to the Lord and to help us be happy. I also have two brothers and six sisters. Since we have become adults, we have lived quite a distance from each other, but every time I am with them, they inspire me to be a better person and to do more with my life. Although I am not around my nieces and nephews often, they also are doing wonderful things in life and it blesses me to see how they have grown and progressed.

We got home late last night from a wonderful trip to Utah. This morning, the mailman brought our held mail. In it was a box from my sister Miriam. Inside was a beautiful quilt with blocks made by the beautiful women in my family--my mom, my sisters and sisters-in-law, my daughters and daughters-in-law and my nieces. Among other things, the note inside says: "May this quilt warm you not merely physically, but especially emotionally as a reminder of those who love you the most!"

Thank you all! I love it and I love you. And to those who intended to send blocks, but didn't have the time or energy or ability--don't worry, I feel your love so strongly, too. I know that the Lord hears the prayers you all have offered in my behalf and I am touched by that.

"I have a family here on earth. They are so good to me. I want to share my life with them for all eternity. Families can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan. I always want to be with my own family and the Lord has shown me how I can."

"Miraculous things happen when families pray together." --James E. Faust

PS. Notice Janet's square--it's two rows in from the left and three rows down. It has birdies :)