Getting ready to leave and goodbyes.

We have been busy thinking about being gone, and what to bring with us. And worrying about how much our suitcases weigh.  At the same time we have three daughters and seven grand kids here for a week.  We also gave our farewell talks in sacrament yesterday.  Settling matters here and enjoying the kids for one last time while being one foot in the mission field is distracting, tiring and fun.

Our talks went well, it was the second week of us in our new ward, so it is odd to speak about something so dear to us with mostly strangers.  Lucky for me several friends from our previous Wards, Eagle 8 and Beacon Light were able to attend.   It was nice to talk with them afterwards.  

Pool time saved the hot afternoons. 

Maggie, Carrie and Audrey still got in the hot tub.

Our activities with the family have mostly centered on the pool at home, it has been hot here.  The cousins generally get along very well.  We have been out to eat and had a very nice evening without the kids at Joe's Crab Shack.  The posted pictures will show some of us and our outings.  

Amos and Morgan always like Donnie Mac's Trailer Park Diner.

Driveway scooters, cars and bikes keep the cousins busy.

Levi loves trains, and Amos has been sharing the trains he brought with him this week.  This set is a new one Liz got out while Levi was in bed to check it out.  Maggie, Audrey Morgan and Amos gave it the stamp of approval  Levi woke up and looked over the balcony, by the time he climbed down the stairs the new train was put away and forgotten.  I think he thought it was Amos's train. 

Joe's Crab Shack made a good location for our night out. 

Eric gets a lesson in eating a crayfish.

After Joe's and our mega-meals we stopped for ice cream at Fanci Freeze in Boise.

Liz flipped over her snow crabs legs.  Slow but sure she finished them all.

Yesterday, Josh, Eric , Maggie and I went to Parma to try josh's new boat and to have Eric show us how to fish.  Maggie had fun swimming to the new platform with her dad, walking and climbing with me and riding on the ATV with her Dad.

Eric landed this large-mouth bass.  Hopefully, we learned enough to catch our own soon.

Maggie climbed the asphalt mountain and did a celebratory jig.

The Yamaha Badger ATVs continue to please the novice and experienced riders alike.  These have been with us since 1994 in Ft. Myers.