Riggs and Lottie BFForeevvaaaaaaaaaa.

Yesterday I drove up to find Lottie and Riggs on his Honda 50 

 headed to Lindsay's sister's house
(who lives three houses down)

for an afternoon swim.

If I was 9 years old, riding on a motorcycle with another cute 9 year

old, I would have died and gone to heaven.

Riggs and Lottie are the cutest of friends,

and have been for their whole lives.

Now I don't know if anything will become of anything, but I've got

quite a folder on my computer full of amazing photos of the

two of them- you know, in case.

Like these from church last Sunday:

And this one from 2016 at their "wedding." 

All the older kids planned this

(and made them kiss).

Or this cutie one when the Jones's owned the Gilbert

Sweet Tooth Fairy!  (Those were good days!).

Or this one when they are four years old and they

 hid behind the temple doors to smooch:

And this one at the beach:

....and the rodeo:

Saying goodbye:

And the time they tried to be secret and hold hands

in family pictures.

(They were caught red-HANDED!):

And this cute one when they were still sucking on binkies:

Oh, and this adorable one in Spencer's lap while

 sailing on the AuroraMark in 2013

Oh, and these gems, too:

I mean, can't you just see the makings of

a fantastic wedding slideshow?!

Packed it in.

 The weather is so lovely and warm, and 

the restaurants are ENDLESS!

Every corner and street has a delicious place to eat; it's so much fun!

I really, REALLY miss good restaurants; Chapel Hill has

some work to do!

Christian, Oliver, Claire, and I visited the Mesa temple tonight.

I especially loved the newly renovated temple; it's so

gorgeous inside. Serving in the temple with my children is the most

rewarding experience. 

"I am satisfied that every man or woman who goes to the 

temple in a spirit of sincerity and faith leaves the house of the 

Lord, a better man or woman. There is a need for constant improvement in 

all of our lives. There is a need occasionally to leave the noise 

and the tumult of the world and step within the walls 

of a sacred house of God to feel His spirit in an environment of holiness and peace."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley 

After the temple, we met up with everyone else for dinner.

They had just come back from Riggs's 

flag football game. Every time we're together, I take photos of 

Lottie and Riggs, because, well, you know.

They are so cute!

I don't think they'll be as willing to take these photos in the next

few years as they get older, but I'll sure as heck try!

Tomorrow afternoon we're leaving and headed back to NC.

Christian and Oliver gave Claire a blessing of

encouragement and for her to feel God's love for her,

especially as she begins her new life here in Arizona!  

And, how cool that Ollie can assist Christian

with this very important and sacred opportunity.

What a beautiful, spiritual, enlightening day!

We packed in as much fun as we possibly could.

Ollie took a photo of my hair.

I am posting it because I want my posterity to know I've NEVER

colored/dyed my hair, and I'm 41 with NO GRAYS.

See, kids, this is what you have to look forward to! Yay!

Amen.

Giant Piles

At 4:45 in morning, Mr Nielson and I drove

the Jones family to the airport to catch their 7:00 am flight.

It was kind of a somber sleepy drive.

After a tearful goodbye at the airport, we came home in the pouring rain

 to a house full of sleeping children.

 I jumped back into bed for a few more hours of sleep, and

after a nice little morning-nap,

 I was ready to catch up with the housework.

Around 10:00 I asked Ollie to run Angus.

When Ollie runs Angus, he doesn't actually run himself.

Instead he hops on his motorcycle and rides the back roads while Angus

speeds along.  It's really good for both of them.

About 20 minutes after they left, the rain turned into classic

North Carolina rain (pouring), and when Ollie didn't come back after a while

 I got worried so I jumped in the car 

and drove the neighborhood roads looking for them.

It was raining so hard my windshield wipers couldn't even keep up.

 Then I found Ollie huddled under a abandoned tree-fort in the woods with Angus.

I was amazed that I spotted them.

Ollie thought the rain would pass, which it didn't.

In fact, it poured all day and the power kept turning on and off.

It was fun and super cozy, and I would have normally LOVED it, 

except I needed power for all the dang laundry 

I had in giant piles on the floor.

While cleaning up, I occasionally would find

 little reminders of the Jones family,

like socks and toys, and wrappers, and soap left in the shower.

It made me feel homesick.

I also found these amazing signs written by 

our 1st graders, Lottie and Riggs in their "juice cafe" 

in the dining room:

"NO SMOING  ULARMS ON" 

(no smoking alarms on)

"No awkahol Bad for You"

(no alcohol bad for you)

* * * *

A very Happy Pioneer Day to one and all!

I am so grateful for my pioneer heritage and the

sacrifices and hardships they made and conquered for me

and my posterity!

A very Joneson Summer 2016

Usually, our friends, the Joneses, come to Utah for the 4th of July,
 but sadly, this year, our schedules collided 

and our annual reunion was canceled.  

The Jones family made their Utah trip earlier than usual,
 we will undoubtedly take them anytime!  

We visited the new, beautiful Provo City Center Temple, 

 had dinner at the delicious Good Thyme Eatery
(which is across the street), 

and topped off our night at Rockwell Ice Cream Company

for some unique and delicious ice cream.

We spent the night at Fox Hill, chatting on the back porch

 while the kids messed up the house and came up 

with some fabulous dances. 

Have you seen the new temple yet?

 To see last year's Joneson reunion, go HERE

 Lottie and Riggs are in love.  

They smooch and hold hands, and Lottie calls him her "husband."  

It's cute.

(Did you happen to look at the first few photos above? )

 

I love Provo, and I love summer, and I love the Jones family.

Saturday in Mesa.

Jane, Christian, and I met with our Kilimanjaro team 

for a brisk early morning hike in the desert mountains.

It was beautiful and smelled fresh and clean!

It was so great to meet some of the other survivors 

who will be on the climb with us in June.  

After the hike, we drove downtown Mesa to grab breakfast at Proof Bread

at Jane's request. Jane has wanted to try out Proof for years!

(Jane is a connoisseur of bread).

We were not disappointed; everything was delicious!

We must have tried one of everything on the menu and sat outside

on a bench in the Spring morning sun and devoured it.

As it happened, Proof Bread was right across the street from my 

favorite antique store- a place I often frequented as a young mom

when we lived in Mesa years ago.

I bought hundreds of Christmas presents, birthday gifts, decorations,

 clothes, and jewelry throughout the years there.

Jane and I went inside, and it brought back so many fond memories

and I got a little choked up.

It reminded me of life long ago- it was such a good time (BC!).

Good thing we went inside because we found some

fantastic, fantastic treasures!!

After dinner (Cafe Rio), we went to visit

 Livvy at work (Soda Rush), and she made me the best

 Dr. Pepper coconut cream raspberry concoction I've ever had.

(And which I'll attempt to copy when I get home). 

Then to end off our long day, Lindsay and I, along with

 Lottie, Riggs, and Jane drove to Walmart to get 

ingredients for our Sunday family dinner.

As soon as we walked into the store, Riggs and Lotties disappeared

and returned with giant stuffed animals just as we were checking out.

They might get married one day, and these photos and

memories will be solid gold.