The last of the good-bye parties

 

 Lana left of Saturday and so friday we had a joint farewell for her and us.  I wanted to spend more time with her, but with Penny and us being at the MTC, we just didn't have a chance.  At least we got to see her.  Everyone wanted to spend time with Lana.  I know all of her siblings love her a LOT.  It's so sad that we all live so far apart.  Val was nice enough to have the party at her house.  She is always so good that way.  She is always very hospitable and she's a great cook too.  Val is the person everyone wants to spend time wit

 These two sisters had a fun time together.

 Greg was the chief bar-b-cuer.  He made yummy hamburgers and hot dogs. Papa was the helper.  Greg is always a good sport and always willing to help out.

                                                        Three sisters together.

                              Here they are again with the addition of a mom and a little one.

     Everyone loves baby Penny and everyone wants to hold her. J is an expert baby holder. :)

                                              Who wouldn't want this kind of love?

                                                                   J  relaxing.

                                                     Mimi with her little Penny.

                                                       JaNee wanted a turn too.

                                                                I love these two.

                                                          and these two

                   and of course this sweet little bundle.  I am sad not to be able to hold her and cuddle her.

                                 Two beautiful girls; auntie and niece.   Gotta love them too.

 Here we are at Yoho's parent's house.  It was our last dinner in Utah before heading out to Montreal.

                                                       Flavia is always so nice to us.

 The Monday before our neighbors had a little farewell for us with the some of the Empty Nesters.  Caroline brought this diving strawberry cake. it was absolutely delicious and look how beautiful it is.

                          The De Witts have been wonderful friends to us.  Chuck is the High Priest Group       Leader in our ward.  Sorena head up the scripture study and book club group.  He served a mission as a young man and they served a mission together at the Washington D.C. Temple.

                             Mary Gayle and her hubby started goofing around and being silly.  He served a mission as a young man.

 Our neighbors Nelda and Art are the best neighbors.  We are sure lucky to live right next door to them.  Art is a retired judge and once when the Supreme Court members were on vacation, he was their substitute and had to make an important decision which influenced the entire nation.  Nelda is a Southern Gal who was the secretary to some of the congressmen in D.C.  She is also a fabulous homemaker, seamstress, and cook.  She likes to tease us with her little southern accent.  They served a mission in the Dominican Republic.

 Carolyn and Harold are our exercise partners.  While John went to the gym at the crack of dawn 3 x's a week, the 3 of us would do water aerobics.  This dear couple have served 3 missions.  He also served a mission as a young man.  They served in Navoo, Salt Lake, and a Temple mission.

 And here we are.  I can't believe that we are serving our second mission.  Really, I still can't believe it.

 The Cheney's were so welcoming to us from the moment we moved in.  She has had so many health challenges and yet they both remain cheerful, optimistic, and confident.  They served as a couple at the San Diego Historical Center Mission.  He also was a young missionary.
The table was set so nicely and the food was great.  I am so grateful to these couples for welcoming us so warmly into the ward and for always treating us so well.  We have been really blessed.  Actually our whole ward is extraordinarily nice.  They have all been so friendly and welcoming to us.  They have treated us as friends from the first day we met.

I am a very lucky and blessed woman.   I have the best family with great kids and they have wonderful spouses.  I have awesome grandkids and now even beautiful great grandkids.  I have the most wonderful friends.  I have a terrific husband and I have the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Especially I have the gospel of Jesus Christ who is the Savior and Redeemer of us all.