First Day of School!

On the first day of school, it's tradition to get up extra early and eat breakfast at a restaurant. We left our house at 6:15 am to eat at Denny's in Salina.  The sun wasn't even up yet!

Nathan and Abbie decide what to order.  Luke already knows what he wants!

                                                                                   

It's a hard decision for Nicholas...or maybe he's just trying to remember his multiplication facts!

                                                                                        

Luke is excited to see the sun peek out from behind the mountain and shine through the window!

Look how I can smash a crayon!

Dennis is a little nervous for his first day of school in America....but it turned out to be very successful!

Dennis arrives in Utah!

We are at the airport waiting for Dennis! 

Illegal Photo in Denver.  Who knew you couldn't take a picture of your own luggage!

We meet!!!

One of our first meals with Dennis...spaghetti, breadsticks and watermelon. 

On the third evening, Dennis told us he had some presents for us.  He gave Lee and me a customized apron that said
 "Holly and Lee,  German Cooking Chiefs"

He gave Abbie a pink hat, perfume, a purse that says "Stuttgart" and a German/English translator!

Nick got an awesome soccer club shirt and a hat from the best soccer club in the world and a Lego toy!

Dennis gave Nathan a soccer hat and an awesome shirt from Germany!

Luke got a cool hat with the Germany Flag on it, colored tub tablets, a Lego farm tractor, and Play Mobile figures!

Then Dennis dumped out a bag of special German candy...yum!

SCHMEGGA LAU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dennis!!

We all sat out in the yard and talked and played until dark. 

Three boys making good use out of a summer day!

Luke, Nick and their friend, Justin, dug an abandoned bike out of the muddy wash across the street.

They came back knee deep in mud.  They weren't sure if I was going to be mad...I was thrilled!  This is the kind of stuff summer is made for!!!

Luke really believed Nick did this on accident...he is so understanding!!!

As the mud dried, it started to pull on their skin.  They decided it was time to wash off, which I (Holly)  happily did on the front lawn with the hose hooked up to warm water from the garage.

After the boys got all squirted off, they went back to the ditch for more mud!!

So this is after the second time rolling in the mud!

After getting hosed off again and drinking a tall glass of red punch, the boys are ready for their next adventure!

Family pictures in Richfield, Utah

 Our summer has been so busy but we finally took the time to get a family picture.  We went to the Richfield Golf Course where there is a white, wooden bridge over a pond.  Jerika Brown was our photographer.  She did an awesome job!  August 2011

Our little Abbie is turning into a beautiful young lady

Luke is Dad's little cowboy!

Nathan is going to be a Freshman this year! 

Nicholas is going to be in fourth grade!

Luke is our darling little redhead that keeps us all laughing!

Carl's Funeral, Cedar City, Utah

Carl passed away on August 5 at 12:15 pm at home with his family around him.
His funeral was a week later, on Friday, August 12.

Carl was cremated...his ashes are in this little box. 

Carl's two sons, Lee and Eric and his wife, Mona

Carl's grandchildren: Nick, Shelby, Abbie, Nathan, Kenzie, Coby  (Luke was wandering around)

Mona, Abbie, and Coby next to Grandpa's gravesite

Beautiful bouquet from Barbara, Mona's sister

Lee and Eric and their sons drove Carl's old '59 Chev to the funeral and cemetery.

Luke, Nathan, Lee and Nick and Grandpa's  old chevy

Mona

After the dedication of the grave, we went to the church and enjoyed lunch together.

The Hulets and the Glovers

Holly and Ranon

The three Twitchell kids!  Mona, Ed and Barbara

Rachelle and her father and children

four cute cousins!

Men in white shirts!

Rachelle and her nieces

three handsome cousins!

Coby is a nice cousin!

Kenzie and Abbie

Reagan, Greyson, Ranon and Curtis Hulet

Mona and Liala (Rachelle's mom)

Mona gets a hug from two nephews

Lee and Holly

Eric and Rachelle

Abbie and Nathan at Grandpa's grave after the burial.

Many friends and family gathered to remember Carl.