Pope Family Reunion 2009 at Sucher Cabin

Patrick didn't want to pose on the stair with the rest of the "kids." Please don't ask me to name them all. Everyone is growing up too fast.

We had fun just visiting, telling stories, eating, playing games, and being together.

Edward and Krystal were in Salt Lake for an Outdoor show. They helped me move Michael's things from Pope's old house where it was stored to Michael's new house. Then we packed up Grandpa Pope's truck again with a bed and vanity that were Grandma Larson's and drove them to Blanding. This was Thursday, July 23. The next morning, we climbed in the truck, (Don too) and drove it back to Provo. We got our car and drove up to Heber to Janice and Jason's cabin for a Pope reunion. On the way we got rear-ended while we were stopped at a traffic light. A Fed. Ex. truck hit us and on our bounce, hit us again. We expected to see a crunched in back end but there was nothing. Not even a scratch and we didn't get whiplash! We really felt like we were watched over. Here are some pictures from the reunion. I didn't take very many.

24th of July Parade Preview

Becky went with Amelia and her children to the KSL float preview for the 24th of July parade on Monday July 20th. The float pictured was a stake float that was decorated entirely with quilts that were later donated to the Humanitarian Center. We saw a lot of incredible floats.

The next few days were spent tending these three wonderful grandchildren while their mother went to Young Women's camp. This came the week after I was with Michael when he had his knee surgery, again.

Fourth of July in Blanding 2009

Don took this picture of our flag early in the morning of the 4th. What a beautiful sight!

Don was the featured speaker at a morning service. It was called the "Mayor's Prayer Breakfast."(The sun was at his back.) He did a great job. He talked about the Gettysburg Address and heroes. He related those heroes of the past with present day heroes who fight in our own "Gettysburgs" He talked about two soldiers who earned the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for bravery in Iraq and Afghanistan. Don then talked about other heroes who don't get the Bronze or Silver Stars for giving their all in daily living. He mentioned that what makes America great is those people who are not called on to give their "last full measure" but live their lives with full commitment and effort. Their our our heroes. We need more heroes of that type. We need to "do our duty to God and our country and to help other people at all times."

After the breakfast and speeches, we hurried over to the South Chapel to get our regular place to watch the parade. We had fun intoducing Krystal to the Blanding celebration.

Of course we had our traditional pork shishkabobs that are yummy. Salvation prepared over 5,000 pounds of meat. They used it as a fundraiser for a Wrestling program. (She gave us some leftovers later that day too.)

In the afternoon, Edward performed in a pageant. He and some other men from the community acted out a scene from "1776." Edward was Thomas Jefferson. He did great singing about his lovely wife. (I forgot my camera but I'll get some from Edward and post later.)

Before dinner, we played a game that Dad made the day before. It is called Kubb and is a Scandanavian game. We had a lot of fun with it and hope to play it at other family events.

It was great to have Edward and Krystal here with us for the weekend. It was also great to have Tori and her family here. We all enjoyed the multitude of events. Chris and the girls went to the part to watch the fireworks with all of the rest of the town plus their families and friends. We sat on our deck and had a great view. The fireworks lasted amost a half hour and were terrific.

We hope everyone had a great Independance Day. We are so grateful to be Americans and to live in this great land.

God Bless America!