The End of Summer

What do you do when you have been to football camp, basketball camp, scout camp, participated on swim team, gone on family vacation and you know it is just a matter of time until it all comes to a screeching halt? Play mega long games of Monopoly!

Stacey's Baptism

Oh, Happy Day!
Stacey was baptized on August 1, 2009 in Tempe.
Stacey's conversion story is amazing. She worked as a burn tech at Maricopa County Hospital last August 16th when Christian and Stephanie were transported there after their plane accident. Stacey was impressed with the family love and support that she witnessed on behalf of C & S. Curt would visit with her when he would go to the hospital and they would have many discussions on what she was feeling, seeing and the beliefs that we all shared as members of the church. She eventually came to our ward and then took the first discussion. Her life got complicated and we lost touch for several months. Then, just a month ago, she called Curt and said she needed to talk. She agreed to once again have the missionary discussions. After a chance meeting with the Tempe Mission President in Fiesta Mall, (we live in the Mesa Mission) Curt explained to him the situation of wanting to teach Stacey in our home, but that we lived outside of his mission. He quickly gave his permission for his missionaries to travel outside of their mission to our home and give Stacey the first discussion. The subsequent discussions were then taught in the home of Stacey's new bishop. She has been lovingly welcomed into her new ward in Tempe and we feel very honored and to have been a part of her special day. Curt and Stacey...

The Tempe Elders who taught Stacey the missionary lessons...

We missed Haley and Cassidy who were at Girl's Camp and Tia who had work, but it was a special day, nonetheless.

Just a side note to make this story come full circle: We received the text from Stacey saying she was going to be baptized while we were in Provo. At the very moment we received this news, we were visiting Christian and Stephanie in their home.

Stephanie immediately texted Stacey back with her love and congratulations.

Conincidence? I think not...

Stacey looks forward to the day when she can personally visit with Christian and Stephanie and thank them for their example and support.

Stay tuned...

Utah Trip-Part 4

The Spanish Fork Rodeo was sooo fun! Most of the group...

Bare Back ...

Eliza...

Cassidy and Amy...

The clown had a couple of good laughs...

Steer wrestling...

Mutton Bustin'...

Bull Riding...

What a fun night!

Utah Trip-Part 3

Clark decided to run the Pioneer Day 10K on July 24th.
The race started at Timpview Highschool and quickly went up some major hills.
I was a little worried about him running after we drove the race route.Without any training, not being used to the altitude and worst of all, having to wear his Dad's running shoes, Clark did awesome.



Here he is crossing the finish line (he's the far right white T-shirt and dark shorts) with a time of
51:40, a personal best!



The amazina Snows! Uncle Dan also ran the 10K with a personal best just under 49:00.
The girls ran the 5K and were still smiling!

Way to go, Clark! We love your grit and determination!

Utah Trip-Part 2

One of the highlights of this year's trip was a visit to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.
It was gorgeous, both inside and out!
The whole gang...

Elizabeth and beautiful girls, Abbey, Amy, Ruthie, Lydia and Eliza

Ruth Ann and beautiful girls Emily, Hannah, Julia, Hilary

My beautiful boys...Nick (not quite mine, but we'll take him!), Clark, Curt and Bennett

Curt capturing a teaching moment

The boys again...

Elizabeth and Ruthie

What a wonderful opportunity to be with our family inside the temple.

Curt was able to give his own personal explanations to a very nice couple from New Mexico who were impressed with all that they saw and heard.

We are so excited for the three new temples that will soon be built in our own state!

Utah Trip-Part 1

This year our annual family vacation was very different.
Tia and Haley opted to stay home to earn the big bucks while Cassidy was at EFY at BYU during our week long stay.

All the boys wanted to do was bowl at the Wilkinson Center and eat at the Creamery.
We indulged them as much as I could stomach hamburgers and french fries.
While we were bowling, we were surprised to run into Curt's cousin Heidi, her husband Kit and their family who were visiting from Texas.

Clark using some creative bowling technique and form

All the boys...Curt scored a game over 200 and was awarded a free T-shirt!

Brown Family Swim Party

Each month all the Browns congregate for Family Home Evening.
In July we had our annual swim party hosted by Chuck and JuDene. Loved playing games

Courtney, Baby Eden, Tia and Jen

Lisa and JuDene

Deborah, Heidi, and Addison

Matt showing off his diving skills

Celeste and Chuck

Rachel (Brandt's girlfriend) and Haley

Jalee, Cassidy and Nick

Jace showing us how to eat like a "real man"

We had a great time and appreciate all the work Chuck and JuDene did to make the night so fun!