What a Thrill

We made another trip down to Oakley last week. It was the Pioneer Days Celebration. We go each year, but this year was different than most. We didn't have much of an opportunity to participate in the "festivities" like always. Strangely, I felt like I missed out because I didn't get to see friends that I had seen a year before, and I didn't get to watch the parade that lasts only ten minutes. However, we had our own exciting weekend! First, we had a firework show in the driveway. Spectacular, as always! Yes, there is some sarcasm in that statement.

And, we got to watch Oakley's one and only firework show! Each year we gather our chairs and walk down to the end of our road to watch the grand finale of the celebration...

Then, all Saturday we were over at the Air Magic Valley Air Show because my brother Todd was in it. He was there to participate in the showcase of the Air Force's aircraft, the F-16.

I had the chance to sit inside the F-16. It offers little space and millions of switches to choose from. It was really neat.

Lauren got her chance to sit in it too! She doesn't seem fazed at all.

It was a long, hot day over at the show, but we had plenty of food, water, and shade. We sat under the left wing of the F-16. We were really only there to see Todd and the Blue Angels.

Finally, the best part of the whole weekend was watching Todd fly over Oakley, hands down. He was able to fly over the Friday and Monday that we were there. He let us know beforehand, so we were able to get to our positions at the end of Oakley's airstrip and wait. Both days he came down acting like he was going to land and then would take off with the after burner on. One time he was just 20 feet above the ground and my head. It was so loud, and the most thrilling thing I have ever experienced in my life! I am always amazed and proud of Todd.

Yes, that is the Oakley airstrip. It consists of weeds and rocks. Would you want to land here?

A side note: Just recently, I read in a book that it was a big deal when the Oakley airstrip was constructed. Paul Harvey even talked about it on his radio show. So, it makes me wonder what it once looked like and how much it was actually used???

Good Times

We had a nice relaxing time in Oakley. My entire family was there for the week, except for one of my brothers. We spent much of the time out in the backyard where there were plenty of things to keep the children entertained.

There was the hammock... (Lauren and Addison)

(Lauren, Mitchell, Payton, and Addison)

The Skipbo games...

(Grandma and Mitchell)

And, the trampoline...
(Addison, Olivia, Larissa, Jared, Payton, and Dallin)

(Lauren)

The following pictures are of the day we left. It is always hard to leave Oakley after having a good time with family. Oakley is a quiet, peaceful place. I love going home. (Jason, Lauren, and Grandpa)
(Jason, Lauren, and I)

Twin Falls, Idaho Temple

My family and I got to go to the open house for the Twin Falls, Idaho Temple. By open house, I mean that everyone, whether a member or not, can go through the temple to see what it looks like inside. Then after the temple is dedicated, only members with a recommend are permitted inside. It was a great experience. The temple is beautiful. This is the closest temple to my hometown, so there was a special feeling.

We had Brother Robbins as our tour guide, who was accompanied by his wife. When they were introduced to us as the Robbins, I couldn't help but stare. I thought to myself, "I think he is related to the Robbins up in Pasco. In fact, if it's who I'm thinking of, we were introduced when he was up there visiting." Sure enough! The Robbins are amazing people. I think the world of them, and so, here we were in Twin Falls, Idaho, with Brother Robbins as my family's tour guide. It's funny how small the world really is.

4th of July

I have some catching up to do. Before going down to Oakley, we spent the 4th of July weekend with Jason's family in Caldwell. We celebrated the 4th by going to the Caldwell parade to watch Jason's dad represent the Boy Scouts of America. (He's on the left in the picture.) It was a great time with family!

This is a special holiday because I am reminded even more about how grateful I am to live in America. I am grateful for the freedoms I have. I am grateful for the Constitution. Recently, I found some great quotes by Joseph Smith and David O. McKay, who were both prophets and presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at one time. These quotes have been on my mind a lot lately.

We all know there are going to be troubling times for the United States. They've already begun. The first quote is by Joseph Smith. He said: "Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction."

And David O. McKay said: "Next to being one in worshipping God, there is nothing in this world upon which this church should be more united than in upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States."

These are excellent quotes. I believe what Joseph Smith said will come to pass. We need to do our part in protecting the Constitution from destruction in whatever way possible. What we do and how we do it is of great importance.

Here are the pictures from the parade.

Airplane, Snake, Bee, and More

So many of you tell me how much you love the videos of Lauren, so here is another one. Her new thing is an airplane sound, snake sound, and bee sound. It's great that she can distinguish how each are different.

I'm going out of town tomorrow and will be gone for a week. Lauren and I are going down to Oakley because most of my brothers and sisters will be there. So, you'll be getting a piece of the life in Oakley! Stay tuned for that excitement!