It is now the summer of 2012 -  and what a summer it has been! 

The first of May found us traveling our well used route to Garden Grove CA.  Parked the trailer in our favorite driveway, and prepared to depart for the east coast and the graduation of Lindsey Ruth Price from the Dickensen School of Law in Carlisle PA.

The family gathered at Dulles Airport : Mike and Chelsie flew from Sacramento, Kelli, Dave, Evan, Colin, Mike and I from Long Beach.  Lindsey was there with Little Red ( her little Honda), so good to see her, and she even brought delicious whoopie pies for all of us.  It was pouring rain, just like the last time Kelli and I landed at Dulles - rental van was loaded and off we all went to Gettysburg and dinner in a great old Inn.  I had crab cakes - delicious, Mike and I enjoyed desert while the rest left for a Ghost Tour.  Our motel for the night was at the site of General R.E. Lee's headquarters.  The tour was a success, even had a woman with a ghost detector which indicated the presence of  something, they returned with fun stories.  It was such fun to all be together again.

Our first day was spectacular with our own Expert Guide, Mark is the college law librarian and knows all there is to know about the Battle of Gettysburg.  He spent the entire day with us teaching about the battles and the Generals and the men that lived and died during that epic event.  To end our tour we visited the cemetery, where Lindsey read the beautiful address given by President Lincoln, a solemn and perfect way to bring our tour to a close.  None of us will ever forget this day.  We could not believe our good luck - Lindsey had won the tour at an auction!  Mark became a good friend and we headed for Carlisle filled with information, understanding, admiration and Tasty Cakes, thanks to Mark.

The graduation and all the festivities surrounding it was fun and beautiful.  We are so proud of Lindsey and all she has accomplished.  Not only is she brilliant, she is a first class athlete and has the medals to prove it.

It was very sad to leave, but we had to press forward to the next big event - the marriage of Colin and Laurise in Salt Lake on June 3.  We all drove to Utah, Mike and I in charge of a huge tub of beautiful flowers for the wedding dinner at the Lion House.  With air conditioning and hauling them into hotel rooms for the night the flowers arrived in great shape. The Sealing was beautiful, and the joy of having so many of the family together in the temple was a great blessing, a memory I will always cherish.

The rest of June was busy with preparations for the stake trek, and the CA wedding reception, with a funeral, 2 High School graduation parties, taking Evan to Provo to begin his college education, work on the house and yard  - everything was perfect.  Kelli is a marvel.  I added to the fun by getting shingles - what a revolting development and I had even gotten the shingles shot!

We loaded the truck, trailer, and Colin and Laurise's car and headed for Moses Lake the first of July as Thomas was giving his Farewell talk on the 8th.  Becky had a big party for him afterward.  Thomas had prepared for a mission in Salt Lake City South, Spanish speaking only to receive a new mission call to Fort Lauderdale Florida, Spanish speaking.  Entirely different clothing needs.  He was very happy with both calls so that was good.  The Salt Lake Mission had been divided in half, hense the new call.  On July 14 David, Becky, Thomas and Megan headed for Salt Lake and the Mr. Mac store to exchange cold weather clothing for hot weather clothing.  A nice visit with Ellie, then Becky's family, a lunch with cousin Evan and Thomas was dropped off at the MTC on the 18th.  Our third grandson to serve.

Colin and Laurise have been staying with us so that he can work at an auto restoration shop in Moses Lake.  The first of September we will help move them into their apartment in Rexburg, ID where they attend BYU.  We are looking forward to a nice visit with Ellie while there.

Lindsey has taken the Bar Exam and is awaiting the results at her new home in Philadelphia PA.

Mike has fully recovered from his back surgery and is his busy self again.

It has been a whirlwind, but wonderful.  Life is Good.