What a grand week we have had this past week. I finished up at Utah
Valley University (UVU) on Friday, and we left on Saturday morning for our
Idaho and Montana tour to visit family and friends along the way before we
leave for our mission in the California Riverside Mission on June 24.
 |
| Lou Jean, Kevin, Brian, Gayelynn, Marla Jo, Joanne, Karen, Jeff, Julie, and John |
First stop was Joanne’s cousins’ reunion at Brian and Karen Andersen’s
home in Idaho Falls. It was wonderful to see these incredible people. Ironically,
I went to school with two of them Gayelynn and Marla Jo at Rigby High School.
Who knew then we would become family later on when I married their first cousin
Joanne.
 |
| Idaho Falls Temple (thanks to Dennis Hammon Photography for this beautiful shot!) |
Then, we went to the Idaho Falls Temple dedication at my brother Brad’s
stake center. The Idaho Falls Temple has special meaning to Joanne and me. We
were both sealed to our families there. We were married there. Anna Rose and
Christiaan were married there. While we would have loved to have been inside
during the dedication, sitting in a beautiful stake center and watching it on
satellite was almost as good. We enjoyed being with Brad and Kathryn.
On Sunday, members of my family came to Brad and Kathryn’s house for a
BBQ. What a great event! Dennis, Telecia, Brad, Delaina, and I were the
siblings who could make it. They brought some of their family members. The ones
who couldn’t make it were Shawna and Jaralyn. My cousins Lloyd and Doyle came
as well. It’s been ages since I have since them. We ate great food and just
visited. We love these people.
 |
| Clark, Joseph, Hailey, and Avonlea (Dennis Hammon Photography) |
On Monday morning, we headed to Cheney, Washington, to spend a few days
with Hailey and her wonderful little family. We drove up I-15 to Butte and then
on to I-84 and Cheney. Everything is green, green, green! It never ceases to
amaze me at the beauty of Idaho and Montana, particularly as you drive along
I-84 west. You can see why people want to visit and live there. Who wouldn’t?
Lots of trees, mountains, fresh air, rivers, and streams galore.
We arrived in Cheney and experienced a great greeting with Hailey and
family, especially the little ones. They, too, have grown.
 |
| Grandma and Avonlea |
We enjoyed being
with them and spending time with Clark and Avonlea.
 |
| Grandpa and Avonlea |
They are so cute and so
smart.
 |
| Grandpa and Clark |
We spent a lot of time eating, cooking hotcakes with chocolate chips (Is
there any other way?), watching movies, playing T-ball and soccer in the yard, eating
Dutch oven cooking (Joanne was teaching Hailey how it is to be done),
 |
| Clark and Grandma touching the Spokane Temple |
going to
the Spokane Temple (Joanne and Hailey while I was able to stay home and play
with the little ones), preparing and planting flower beds for Hailey, and just
hanging out.
 |
| Darrel and Joanne--Boise River |
After four days there, we headed south to Boise, passing through some incredible
country. We landed in Boise on Friday night. How it has changed! We stayed at a
hotel on Park Center. We drove around after checking in. Change! Major changes!
Wow!
 |
| Lone goose checking out the Greenbelt |
We arose early and went for a walk along the greenbelt.
 |
| No running or walking here. Perhaps, swimming at your own risk! |
 |
| The Boise River has taken over everything along the way! |
Apparently, the
Boise River didn’t know we were coming and basically flooded most of the
greenbelt. We did find a patch to do some walking. Incredible! What a great
asset Boise has in the Boise River and the greenbelt.
 |
| Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho |
From Boise, we headed home, stopping at Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls.
If you haven’t done this stop, you ought to. Lots of water and an incredible
falls on the famous Snake River. We loved it. We arrived home on Saturday
evening. It was fun seeing Anna Rose, Christiaan, Emiline, and William. We
missed them.
 |
| Outside of Cheney, Washington--the beginning of the Palouse |
Overall, we had a quick tour of Idaho, Montana, and Washington—all beautiful
states. The best part was visiting with our family before we leave on our
mission. We do hope many of them will visit us while we are serving.
Posts
4 comments:
What?? No stop in Caldwell, maybe next time. Good luck in California, do good.
We are so excited to find you after so many years! You were our Bishop in Boise when your 1st daughter was born. Our oldest son Chuch was killed in an automobile accident during that time. I caught up with you again in Idaho Falls. I was your Aunt LuAnnie's visiting teacher in Aberdeen. Hope this helps you remember us. We're excited to hear you are a Mission President! Dick & I served in the Scotland/Ireland Mission 2012-2013. We would love to go again...Lets keep in touch. Congratulations on your call!
Dick & Donna McConnel
What a great connection! Yes, I remember you! We are so glad you were able to serve a mission. We would love to have you serve here.
I don't know if you know, but Aunt Louannie passed away a few months ago. We were not able to go. I did talk to her bishop.
I agree: Let's keep in touch. Our mission blog is: http://hammoncaliforniariversidemission.blogspot.com/
Our phone number is 951-258-0921.
Take care.
We did know about her passing. She was a treasure! Do you remember telling me I looked like your sister? Louannie and I discovered that we are in fact, related through Sarah Leoma Hammon... Small world! We'd live to serve again but, Dick's not so sure he wants to go to California..lol
We may look you up when we go to the So. Cal. Genealogy conference.
See you two soon...
Post a Comment