A Fond Farewell

It has been a whirlwind of a week! We have laughed and cried and soaked in every last moment we had with my parents. Last Sunday was their "farewell" and they spoke in Church. They both did an outstanding job and even though it was quite emotional for me, it was wonderful and exciting.

We had a luncheon for them at our house afterwards and it was fun to see everyone and visit with them. My parents have touched so many people's lives and everyone was so kind and sweet to them.

Part of the food table

My mom and her good friend, Nancy

This is Phil - he's been my mom's Russian tutor

My mom and Aunt Claudia

Pat Olsen, mom & me

Becky Cowden, Claudia Nielson, mom & Pat Olsen

Then on Tuesday morning, we had the opportunity to go with my parent's to Elder L. Tom Perry's office to be set-apart. He had recently visited Russia and said some very kind things. I know that Russia is where they are supposed to go. No doubt about it - Russia needs them.
It was a great experience to be in Elder Perry's office and hear the powerful blessings that were given to both my parents.

Walking in to be set apart

After that, we all went to lunch at the Sizzler!

Rich & Misty with Lindsey, Kate & Emily

Candy & Hannah

My dad and Jack

Hannah - looking so grown up!

Don't they just glow?
They left the next morning to go to the MTC in Provo for several days. They had a wonderful experience and were taught so much!

Then, tonight (Sunday), they were able to come home for one last night. We had a BBQ together and enjoyed our last moments with them. John Mortensen & Candy had put together a DVD slideshow of pictures from the last year. It was so fun to see. It's been a great year! We figured out that 1 year ago today, we pulled out of Ohio and started heading towards Utah. My parents were with us and we never would have guessed that we'd be saying goodbye to them.

We are so blessed to have each other. If this work wasn't true, I don't think I'd let them go. But, this is a call from the Lord and I know it's where they need to be at this time. I'm so grateful for their example of missionary work, service and faith. I'm also extremely grateful for a wonderful husband, kids and siblings that are such a strength to me!

Peter & Hannah

Richard at the grill!

Oh, my dad! What a great guy!

Hannah checking out my mom's nametag

Oh, my mom! What an amazing woman!

All of us!

Goodbye Mom and Dad! As my dad wrote in all of the letters he sent to me while I was on my mission - AKBH!!! (Always Keep a Brave Heart!). We love you!

Kangaroo Zoo

We are having a blast discovering fun things to do in Salt Lake. I told the kids that most weeks, we can try something new. Last week, we discovered Kangaroo Zoo. It's a warehouse-type building with a dozen blow-up bounce things. The kids had a great time. It is so nice to have big kids that helped Hannah and nice to let them run around and wear themselves out. It was great for me too because after trying out each thing, I treated myself to a 3-minute massage in their massage chair and then talked to Kirsten on the phone! Ahh!!

At first, Hannah wanted nothing to do with getting on anything....but by the end, she was happily playing and bouncing.

Worlando Beach

A week after school ended, we went on a fun trip to Worlando Beach! Now, the actual name of the town is Worland, Wyoming, but we like to call it Worlando Beach. My aunt Claudia and Uncle Bruce have such a great house and it's seriously like going to a beach resort - it's so fun.

Several months ago, Lindsey was given in the assignment in school to make a travel brochure. The students could choose to do it on any place, and she chose Worland! Here is her brochure:

Page 1: "Worland is little and has a lot of houses."

Page 2: Fun Things to do: rockets, Maverick, boat races, creek & trampoline (then she drew each of those things underneath)

Page 3: It is so, so, so, so, so, so so FUN!

When we sent a copy of the brochure to Bruce & Claudia, Bruce took it to the Chamber of Commerce to show them. They loved it too and wanted a picture of Lindsey. So, Uncle Bruce and I took her to the Chamber of Commerce and had her picture taken with the Commissioner.

We all love Worland just as much as Lindsey! My mom, Becky, Misty, Meg & I all took over the living room with sewing projects. It was great! Emily and Lindsey would also come and practice sewing. (They are taking a sewing/cooking class this summer and they had a fun time practicing). Ah, heaven!

The second day we were there, most of us drove 90 miles to Cody, Wyoming. We do this every few trips. They have a yummy Mexican restaurant there that we love to eat at. So, we ate there, shopped for a little bit, got icecream cones and blizzards at DQ and drove back. It was a really fun day!

All of us

I love the way Kate is looking at John

Uncle Bruce also helped us to launch rockets (using 2 litter pop bottles) and we always try to catch them. He shoots up 2 at a time and we all try to catch them.

Getting ready to catch the rockets

Uncle Bruce also helped us design and paint boats to race down the canal. Each person can draw their own. We had some very fun, memorable boats!

Richard (row boat) and Peter (Rue McClanahan - recent "Golden Girl" who passed away)

Jack (Millenium Falcon), Kate (flower), Lindsey (cat) & Emily (the letter "E").

Candy (a couch), Jon (BYU spaceship) & Meg (the number "4").

Candy & Mike ("O").

John & Becky - very fancy sailboat & submarine

Hannah - red stick

Uncle Bruce (Russian flag), my Dad (Joseph Stalin) & my Mom (a kite)

Rich & Misty (ice cream cone)

John: 1st place

Mom: 2nd place

Meg: 3rd place

We had a wonderful time! Uncle Bruce & Aunt Claudia always do so much work to get ready for us to come, they feed us incredible meals and do so much to make it so fun for everyone! We will always remember this trip, as it's our last one to Worland with my parents for 3 years. We can't wait to all go back!