Aren't They Beautiful!?!

I love these shots of Misty and her sweet Gideon... they are so beautiful together. I love to see the sweet tender moments.... had to share.

Senior Tubin'

This shows what sports... and really how athletic Dad and Phyllis are. Some of the shots of dad are a bit blurred, but he and Phyl did great. She looks pretty dang good too! They are a pretty cute couple. We had so much fun with them. They were pretty much up for anything. Gotta love 'em!

More Tubin'

Alex did pretty great... he hung in there even when dad was tryin' to lose him. He looks pretty dang cute too!

This was as close as he got to standing up like the Jake and Zach... I thought he did awesome!

Then we have me... I know for a fact that Brent was tryin' to dump me... I could hear them laughing... oh, maybe that was me... what a hoot. Never dreamed it would make you so tired hangin' on for dear life. Sure didn't want to be the only one that got dumped.

I had a blast, held on to the bitter end too. Pretty much had numb arms when I was through.

Tubin'

So Jake and Zach were the first up for tubin'... it was kinda funny... no one wanted to be first... so the guys decided they could go together.... what a hoot!

You can tell they were really getting in to it... They were pretty much the bravest all around.

Then we have Miss Misty... she even looks great tubin'... what is that all about?

I loved this shot... she was having a blast... I love the water shot.

Day 3... Lake of the Ozark

On Friday, day two, we just did a little site seeing in and around the Lebanon area... a little shopping thrown in for good measure. Misty, Jake, and Gid joined us on day three... Brent rented a boat at Lake of the Ozark, we had a great time. Here are a few random shots through out the day. The weather was PERFECT! We could not have asked for better. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the day.

1st Day at Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City.... or as Brent likes to say... steal your dollar city.... was lovely. The weather was perfect, we went on a Thursday and there were no lines... yeah for no lines... it was a great day!

You can see Alex was way excited to have his picture taken.... I almost cut him out and then I thought.... no this is life.

Ok... they loved this ride... I tried to get the picture of Brent and dad, but couldn't get is snapped in time.

I had to put this in... Phyllis is such a good sport.... as you can see, she got totally drenched. All in all it was a great day... if you take out the yucky food.

Family Vacation...

We have had such a great time on our summer vacation.... I have so many fun pictures to add when we get home... can't wait to get home... I am pretty sure I am in deep doo doo with my dogs though.... oh well... We had fun and that's the important part. I am so glad Misty, Jake and Gideon were able to come join us. It has been great and Jake's a good sport to come. We love him... in spite of him... I mean because of who he is.... He is so much fun... even when he is making fun of me... which is pretty much all the time.... and I can never tell when he is having me on.... maybe I should say... I can rarely tell.... he thinks he is sooooo funny... and you know what, he is. Too bad Zach thinks it is ok to make fun of mom too.... I guess that's what moms are for. Pictures will follow soon... I have missed everyone.... ps.... will someone please tell me how to get my times to post correctly... It is really six something.... not four.

The Snatch....

The snatch... all dad was left holding was the wrapper.

Well first it was.... what the heck.... Then it was pretty much a look of pride.... that's my boy.

You can tell he's pretty much lovin' it. (Sweet pic of Jake too)

The final outcome... now look at that face... dad had to give in.

ps... it's really 5:27 a.m., just another day in paradise.
I don't know why it always posts 2 hrs early.

Kearney's Beautiful Sunset!

What a gorgeous sunset we had this evening. Loved it...We won't have a new blogs until we get back from our family vacation. bye for now....

If the Savior Stood Beside Me....

The Kearney Third Ward Youth Choir sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" in sacrament today.... This is a voluntary choir that meets every Sunday after church for 1/2 hour. They were asked to come up with a special musical number for this week four weeks ago. Why? Because we were having Stake President Lehnardt speak. With just four short weeks to come up with a special musical number, you might think this would be a difficult task... not so. Every week the choir grew and grew. In fact a few friends from Kearney First Ward joined as well. What started as an idea... a Youth Choir, wouldn't that be nice.... became a mission, if you will.... in fact word spread throughout the stake of a great Youth Choir and the missionary tool it could become. They had not yet sung one note, but word had spread.

Well let me say... when 50+ young men and women voluntarily join in song... hearts are turned. Sacrament started with a beautiful talk on service by Sister Belcher. She spoke of the importance of service, particularly - building maintenance. During her talk other than a few small children's squeals and such... it was quite nice. Then the Youth stood in mass and began to sing... a hush fell over all of sacrament. I testify, that when they began to sing, all noise ceased and true peace fell over the congregation, the words of the song touched the hearts of all present. This is what song can do! President Lehnardt had tears in his eyes when he stood to speak and was quite choked up. He said he wished he had been able to see the faces of the youth, but he new he heard the sounds of angels!

IF THE SAVIOR STOOD BESIDE ME...

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of his commandments, and try harder to be true?
Would I follow his example? Would I live more righteously?
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Saviour stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if he were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently?
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, Watching over me?

He is always near me, though I do not see him there,
And because he love me dearly, I am in his watchful care,
So I'll be the kind of person, that I know I'd like to be,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, Watching over me.

I'll be the kind of person, that I know I'd like to be,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, Watching Over Me!

~ Sally DeFord

Thank you to the Kearney 3rd Ward Youth Choir, for setting the tone for the rest of the day. Thank you for your willingness to be a missionary through song. It was truly glorious and brought tears to my eyes and spoke to my heart. If we but follow the lyrics of the song, and truly ask ourselves "If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?" If this was in our thoughts before we took actions, or spoke harshly, think of the change that could come. I pray that I can learn to take this song to heart and instill it in my life.