Family Events and Europe is ON

As parts of the nation suffer from extreme weather we continue to have unusually cool and wet weather. There was snow on the yard just yesterday morning and low temperatures still hoover around freezing with highs rarely reaching 70 degrees.

After prolonged negotiations Dad and Dave have accepted an offer to contract with ON Semiconductor in Oudenaarde, Belgium during July, August and September. They will assist with work on expansion of the factory automation system they developed and installed there while working for AMI before it was acquired by ON. We plan to travel around some in Europe while there with some weekend trips and possibly a more extensive tour at the end of summer before returning home. I look forward to learning about other cultures and languages and the time Laurene and I can spend together exploring the area immediately around Oudenaarde while the guys are working.

This past week we visited with our three kids and their families in Northern Utah. Last Saturday we went to the final performance of "Les Miserables" performed by Merit Academy High School in Springville. LaRinda and Trevor's kids, Brendyn and Kaylie as well as their Danish foreign exchange student, Josie, had multiple parts in the play. This performance was spectacular! The kids all put so much emotion and intensity into their parts. The costumes and props were most impressive as we compare this performance to the austere presentation of "Cinderella" at the school just a couple of years ago.

Brendyn, Kaylie and Josie



Most of Cast with Drama Teacher on Floor in Front

Then the following Wednesday we attended the graduation from Payson High School of Leon and Nicole's daughter, Kendra at the UVU special events center in Provo. We are especially proud of Kendra as she was one of just four students in her class to complete high school with a perfect 4.0 GPA.



Brendon, Chrissy, Kendra and Leon

The preceding Monday evening we attended a party for her at the Maple Dell Boy Scout Camp a few miles up the canyon East of Payson. Kendra's step father, David, is a scout executive responsible for this facility. It was a nice setting in the mountains with a lake just outside the hall where we met.

Kitchen Help

 

Kids Goofing Off

In the time between events we spent time with each family. At Laurie and Evan's we got to go to a special treat and movie with Mckinsie's class at school. It was fun and Dad got assigned by the teacher to pick the order the kids could come up to be served ice cream prior to watching the movie on "kid" safety.

Now that the creek flow has dropped a little we see that the pond is now completely filled with gravel after Dad completely dredged out all the mud and sticks earlier this spring. Thanks Mother Nature for the added exercise! Along with house and yard work we continue to enjoy having little Taylor to brighten our lives a couple of days each week.