Granddaughters/Stampede/Carme Visit

Since Avril is close-by we tend to get lots of pictures of her for the blog. However, we also have beautiful Brittney, who lives in Azusa, CA as a wonderful granddaughter. Here is a shot of Brittney from around Christmastime that we haven't posted before. She turns 12 yrs. old later this summer!

Brittney Parkinson, our eldest granddaughter.

June 5th was supposed to be our ward Fathers' & Sons' camp out. But with severe weather predicted we called it off (although several ward fathers and sons went anyway and had a good, if wet, time). So the next morning we held the breakfast at the nearby Riverside Hollow Park and enjoyed the food, fellowship, and Runar Anderson's message anyway, under the Bowery roof. Meanwhile, Carme (Jesse's mother) had come up from California to visit her sons. So later that evening we all went up to Romney Stadium to see Jesse shine in the Stampede win over the Gladiators from Montana.

Here's the group waiting for the start of the game. That's Gayle with Avril, Alicia (#11 is Jesse's number), Shelby (Jesse's younger brother), and Carme.

Jesse lining up for a play.

Avril, smiling during the game. She had fun!

Close-up.

Sucking a thumb.

Jesse with wife and daughter, post win. Jesse had several great catches, including a touchdown!

Jesse works three jobs and here he is after dinner at our house with Carme, Shelby, Alicia, Jared, Gayle, and me. We caught a DVR'd "So You Think You Can Dance?"

Jared's Tree Experience, Avril, and the H.S. Senior Dinner

Friday evening of the week we got back from Georgia, Jared called to frantically share that a huge tree limb had broken and fallen on two power lines, including one that connected to his meter. The lines managed to hold up the branch but also pulled the meter off his wall and pulled out the eve siding, etc.

View of Jared's back wall.

Gayle near the downed limb, held up by the wires.

A Logan city crew came out to cut up the limb. They ended up having to cut off the power to the neighborhood to repair things.

Here's Avril on a recent visit to our house.

Avril just being her cute self.
Gayle, as the YSA adviser in our ward, held the annual H.S. graduating senior dinner at our house (with parents). Here's a shot from one end of the tables.

Looking north.

Some of the decorations.

Looking south.

The end round table. Sorry Bart, for not timing the shot well.

Georgia Trip Continued

Well, on the rainy Saturday night (it actually rained every evening while we were there) of our Georgia trip, Richard and Rosemarie took us with them to Conyers where we took in the new Star Trek movie and ate huge containers of popcorn! The next morning we left in time to get to Milledgeville in order to get to the Covenant Baptist church with Robert and Beth early so they could open it up and get prepared for the services. I played some prelude music from their hymnal as the first few folks arrived. We listened to the visiting pastor, Fred Billy, preach about remembering (Memorial weekend). We enjoyed a nice sourthern meal with the congregation after the services. That evening Beth and Robert pulled out the scrabble board for a friendly men vs. women game.

About to start the game at Beth's and Robert's house.

On Memorial Day we ate a true southern breakfast. I'm chomping down on some whole grain grits while eating my toast.

Beth and Robert took us to nearby Sinclair Lake for a ride on their pontoon boat. Here we're loading it up.

Fixin' to head out.

What a great vacation!

Two sisters with sun protection on their heads.

Our captain, Robert.

There were many beautiful homes right on the water. Here's one. This doesn't even show their boathouse on the other side of the lot.

I got a chance at the wheel too. I love the wind in my hair.

After the big day at Sinclair Lake and our afternoon exercise on the nearby school track, Gayle and I drove back to Social Circle. The next day we enjoyed the morning and then went out in the country to visit Rosemarie's daughter, Emily, and her children. Chester (dad) was at work but we were able to have a good visit (and great lunch) with the rest of them. Rosemarie joined us too. The Cleggs very much enjoy music, especially Aaron (now 11 yrs. old). I remember Aaron carrying around a toy guitar as not much more than a toddler. He has really developed his talent and plays every instrument in the house (and there are many). He's a whiz on the guitar (blue grass flat picking), the mandolin, the banjo, and even the fiddle. He'll even show his stand-up bass playing cousin tips on the bass when she needs help. He plays the piano as well. Chester sings well and plays instruments too. Abby plays mandolin and fiddle. I don't recall who plays what else, but they have a very talented family.

Just some of the stringed instruments at the Clegg home!

Here are a few more.

Aaron and I jammed a little bit as Abby and Amanda hang out with us.

Aaron showing a few licks on the dobro for me.

Gayle complained that I cut off Aaron's head in this clip, but I was trying to show his hands on this banjo piece. It's a segment from Somewhere Over the Rainbow and is relatively slow compared to a lot of what he played.


Here's grandma Rosemarie ("nana" is in pink) along with Emily and the kids - Ashley, Andrew, Aaron, Emily (mom), Amanda, and Abby.


Before we left, the younger ones insisted on shoulder rides. Note their large yard and very peaceful country setting.