A tribute to AWESOME Uncle Josh

An added blessing of a wedding is all the family that comes home to celebrate with you! During the weeks we had all of our kids here and their little ones, Josh was the best uncle imaginable. He played with and entertained everyone. He helped when ever and how ever he could. He was amazing! Grace, Vivian, Sam, Juliana, Ella and Tanner think he is the BEST uncle ever!

The Perfect Wedding Reception

The evening of the wedding, we had a reception in Bob's twin brother Dick's yard. It was the PERFECT place! The whole yard was spectacular! The weather was perfect, also! Not too hot, cool and pleasant---and most importantly---NO RAIN! We had the line with the parents and Janie and Colby in the upper corner of the yard in the Gazebo. We LOVED seeing family and friends! It means so much to share these special times with loved ones. After talking with us, the guests then went down some stairs to the main body of the yard and had their choice of ice cream, toppings, and just made waffle cones. The line never seemed to get long even though they estimated about 500 people were served. For music, we had a harpist playing in the background. It truly was a perfect night!

Mrs. Colby Neville!!!!

Jane Anne became Mrs. Colby Neville on Aug. 15, at the Draper Temple. Despite the dark and stormy beginning to the day, the weather began to clear just as we pulled into the Draper Temple parking lot. It was so fun for me to be the "Mother of the Bride" this time! Always before, I had to go to the temple waiting room alone, while Bob went with our sons when they were to be married. The brides' room was gorgeous and the workers twinkling with delight at helping these brides get ready for their sealing ceremonies. They raise kindness and helpfulness to a new level! After Janie was ready, we went into the sealing room which was so beautiful! It is a large spacious room seating around 80. The whole wall across from where the engaged couple sits is done in a white stained glass. It was so wonderful to look out across the room and see all of our loved ones---even Grandma Jackson came, missing her sister's funeral! What a pay back day for Bob and me to look out and see all of Janie's older brothers and spouses sitting in the temple with us. Elder Craig Christensen performed the sealing---he was our next door neighbor when Janie was growing up. She was good friends with his son, Ben. The ceremony was short with him focusing on the ordinance to be performed and it was perfect. Just as he was talking, the sun must have burst forth from the storm clouds and the whole room lit up with light. It was awesome! It was such a happy, happy time!

WE'RE BACK!!!

We're back! I haven't blogged for more than two months and what an adventure those two months have been!!! We had a trip to Lake Powell with the Willey family, Josh's sixteenth birthday, BYU graduation for Ryan and Becca, Janie's wedding and all the details that involves, and family staying with us for almost the entire time. At one point we had thirteen extra people (Colby, Rob, Julie, Grace, Vivian, Sam, James, Angela, Juliana, Ella, Jared, Jennifer, and Tanner) in the house, six of them four and under. We had three different "pack and plays" and three different forms of high chairs (thanks to neighbors and family who were willing to share), not to mention strollers, diapers, varying forms of baby foods and treats and all the activity that goes along with it. We were also blessed what we termed the "cousins malady" of GI upset that went through almost the entire family. Despite the choas that sometimes reined, we had a wonderful time with everyone here---it was very fulfilling to be the parent watching all your children enjoying each others company and laughing and playing games and just being together. It was really fun to see how much Grace and Juliana enjoyed each other. Another awesome thing that was SO wonderful for me was that all the married children took turns cooking the dinners. IT WAS FANTASTIC! Pictures of our life for the past two months and the last of our trip to Europe will be following. It's great to blog again! I've really missed it!