Splash Park

Went to the Splash Park in Kennewick, WA. Had a great time and Lily Sue loved getting wet!

Huckleberry Picking!

Tasha was getting anxious to go Huckleberry picking so she could make some of her famous Raspberry Huckleyberry Jam. We headed up to the hills last night only to find out that we were about a week late. We were still able to get about a quart or so, but not as much as usual. Here are a few photos:

First Day of School

The kids started school on Wednesday. Hanna is in 5th grade and has to catch the bus to the middle school. Gunnar is in 3rd and Gavin in 1st grade. The boys just walk across the street to school. It has been hard having Hanna all the way across town in school, but I think she is really enjoying it.



Tasha made her "Back to School" cakes again this year, part of a family tradition. She has to get more and more creative each year!

Lily Sue Turns One!

Lily Sue turned one on August 14. We ended up celebrating her birthday with the Leishman Family up in Island Park at the cabin last week. She didn't quite get into the whole birthday thing, which was typical, but she had some great Birthday cupcakes to destroy.

Chukars Baseball Game

I took Hanna, Gunnar, and Gavin to an Idaho Falls Chukars (Pioneer League) baseball game during the first week of August. We sat right behind the visiting team bench. Gunnar was mildly interested in the game, Hanna was only concerned about catching foul balls, and Gavin was interested in the concession stand.

Camping at Palisades

We went camping up at Palisades Resevior at the end of July. It was Lily Sue's first camping experience and she did fairly well, mainly because she wasn't walking yet!.

Palmyra, NY

Just got home from another week of hosting a youth conference. I spent the week in Palmyra, NY with 37 teenagers. It was a wonderful week. Palmyra is where Joseph Smith and his family grew up and where Joseph experienced what is now referred to as the First Vision, where he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees.

Many of the youth that come to Palmyra know the story and know the history of Joseph Smith but few really have a strong witness of their own to what took place in this special place. Spending time each day in the Sacred Grove helps solidify the truthfulness of the historic event.

I am always grateful for my dear wife Tasha, and her sacrifice while I am away hosting the youth conferences. She may never really know the impact of her sacrifice on so many youth.

J.D.