Dinner at Schmitts

Jon, Alexis. & Clayton moved into their new home on Friday and had us over for dinner on Sunday.  The house is great and will be perfect for them for the year they are here in Salt Lake.  It even has a piano, which Clayton so graciously placed for us.  Elle & Lola (the dog) are still in Gilbert, but will be joining them soon. Then Elle will head to BYU in late August to start school.  It feels like it's been a whirlwind few weeks for them, but they are calm and composed like always.  

Just so fun to be with them again, catch up, and feel of their kindness and love for each person in our growing family.  Elan is going to skip any upcoming golf tees times with John & Clayton. but Jeremy is all in, ready to play.

 

Welcome Back KAYLA

Kayla is back from her study abroad in Uganda & side trip to Rome

Lots of JOY being all together in the airport :)

Miller Crew-Here We Are

Looking forward to Kay posting about her trips and all that she was able to see, learn & experience.  I think her experiences in both places far exceeded her expectations.

 

Tibble Fork Riding

Took the new Russell up to Tibble Fork to test it out a bit. Not quite as ghetto as Russell I, but we did learn a few things.

Like we need a windshield wiper

And it's fun to have the front windshield open...most of the time

Having the front windshield open does lead to mud splashes to the face when you go through big puddles.  My white hat was completely splattered in mud, but it all came clean in the wash :)

Our backseat riders - Boston, B & Milo

Milo got to ride on the freeway in Boston's  Jeep with no lid and ride Russell in the mountains.  

Pretty good night for that guy.

 

Cruising on Home

B made it home from your cruise to Mexico.  A big THANK YOU to Heidi and Suzie for taking these kids and being the official chaperone's.  

Excited to have B back for a bit, and hopefully she'll do a post about her cruise adventures.

 

Partners for Life

These girls love carpooling together to work, but for some reason the boss isn't keen on having family members actually partner up for the work day ?? 

But when the Miller Girls become by far your most efficient and effective workers, you cut them a little slack and let them be together some days.

When they're biking close to SoJo (or even sometimes when they're not that close to SoJo) they'll come by the house to eat during their lunch break

These girls seriously kill it on their bikes, riding about 30 miles a day while dropping between 600-700 pesticide packets into storm drains. 

Thanks for keeping us safe from West Nile Virus.  Love you guys!!!!!!!

 

Parade Float Preview

Annual visit to see the Days of 47 Parade floats.  Kekoa liked the moose....

but not nearly as much as he liked the BUBBLES!

Such a happy guy

Ikaika liked the firefighter

and the fishing game

and this final float lead us to our lunch destination

Nuggies & lemonade at Chik-Fil-A

 

Jon & Alexis

Jon & Alexis Click on their names for a link to learn more about his new role as a General Authority & her role as his wife.

We became friends with Jon & Alexis at the Institute (our 2nd home in Tucson)while we were at U of A -  Robert & I were both doing our undergraduate work, while Jon was in law school and Alexis in medical school there.  They were married 2 months after us and we were in the same married ward for the last few years of college.  I was in the Primary Presidency and Jon & Alexis were our Sunbeams teachers (not sure why that didn't make it into his above bio?)  

There was actually something that happened one Sunday in their little class in the Fort Lowell building that I have reflected on several time over the past 27 years.  A little girl in their class was having a hard day, we were all aware of her difficult family situation, and they recommended that we take her to the bishops office to receive a priesthood blessing. It was recommended completely out of love, and there was such a strong spirit in that office that day. We got to witnessed 2 men, who held the melchizedek priesthood, lay their hands on this little 3 year olds head and give her a blessing of comfort and love that came directly from God and permeated the hearts of everyone in the room.  I have thought back on that many times and wondered if we do not call down the power of God through priesthood blessings often enough?? It is one of His many gifts given freely to us, and do we access it's power and influence enough? Something to ponder on.  

We sure love this couple and their family and recognize the kindness and love they so freely share with our family.  We will love having them in Salt Lake for the next 12 months before they receive their next assignment, which will take them to another part of the vineyard/world to teach, testify, & serve.  We might need to start saving those frequently flyer miles for our next visit.

General Conference when Kayla & David were both on their missions.  Kayla could not hear conference for another week in the Philippines, so we sent an email telling her to listen carefully during the sustainings and that Jon's middle name was Spencer.  When she was able to watch, she saw that he was  called to be an Area Authority 70 over the North America Southwest Area. Kay's reaction was not nearly as funny as David's, but it was cool to know that saints ALL throughout the world were sustaining Jon in this work.

Fun memory from the mission home Click to see the ordinary life at home in San Diego.

Unified Golf Awards Banquet

Tonight was the Awards Banquet for all of the students and mentors that participated in the inaugural season of Unified Golf.  This program could not have happened without the generous support of Glenmoor Golf Course owner Doug Young and head Pro Darci Olsen.  

It has bee such a pleasure for the Foundation to be a part of Unified Sports right out the gate and to be able to add Golf as a new Unified Sport.

Special thanks for First Lady Abby Cox for coming out to support tonight

and of course the blue shirt crew (where's your shirt Ty?)

 

Time

So grateful for the time I get to spend with these boys

Swinging, playing at the park,

Riding the ferris wheel @ Scheels

I am a better mother, wife, & disciple of Christ because of the time I get to spend with them.

 

Bubble Boy

Kekoa Loves bubbles.  I think he would like me to blow endless bubbles towards his face. 

I appreciate that Aubs got me a bubble blowing machine :) 

Less mess

More bubbles, more FUN!

 

Joy of Driving

This girl has been driving and loving on Jesse

She can see the light at the end of the tunnel with her drivers license in view.  I don't remember the other girls being this excited to drive, but I probably just don't remember.

Facetime with Kekoa while B is driving Jesse

Happy driving days ahead for this girl!

 

Miner Missionaries

We love seeing young men and young women called to serve the Lord as full time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It has now been 10 years since the age change to serve was lowered to 18 for young men and 19 for young women.  It has changed the landscape of missionary work and the ways and time frame under which youth prepare for missions. It has brought the work of salvation and gathering Israel to the forefront of more high schoolers minds and hearts.  

These are a few of Brenna's close friends that received mission calls during the final months of the their senior year in high school.  These are great young men, great priesthood men, who have been called as authorized representatives of the Savior Jesus Christ and to “Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end”

-Preach My Gospel Manual

 

Lisa Moving

I am so NOT ready for this sweet friend of mine to move.  Lisa, Mike, Sebastian, Kenzie, Dillan & Max moved into our neighborhood about 5 years ago and Lisa & I  became friends on Day 1. 

We shop, laugh, clean, organize, study, and stress together.  So grateful that God allowed our paths to cross, and though I won't be able to run over to visit anytime of the day or night - she will always have a special place in my heart. Love you friend!

 

Uganda map with Kay

Kay has been spotted. We had not seen her location since she left Rome, but today she moved closer to WiFi and she popped up on our Find My Friends App.

We miss her, but know she is where she and the Lord would have her be.  Love you Kay! We're praying for you and look forward to seeing you in August!

 

BYU LAX Camp

Whoah!  SO fun to have these girls together at BYU Sports Camp this week

Lindsay - Coach

Brenna - Camper

Emily - Counselor

Lindsay said Brenna was killin it on defense this week 

Good compliment from a Defensive Queem

While Lindsay gets to workout with B on the field, Em gets to party and have fun with her off the field

. 

Message from Linz to B.  Pretty awesome that she was nominated as the BEST 16-18!!!!

Bummer that she'll be in Colorado tomorrow and will miss the awards, but knowing is awesome!

Congrats B

Brenna & Addie Berg (Lindsay's prior teammate; Eliza's sister; Em's boss; Brenna's newest friend)

B hanging with the BYU team. Oh how we love Coach Summer and Lindsay & Kayla's teammates.  Being able to be part of this team has been such a great blessing for our them and our family.

Love you guys!