July Recap...woah, this is long!

Hi Everyone,
Just an update on our fun-filled July. Lots has been going on and we've had a good month. I cannot believe that it is about over!

First, we had house guests! Kim and Mike, and Travis and Stacy stayed at our home on their way to the reunion Wednesday July 9th. It was so fun to have them there, and to visit with them for a bit. Don and I went to my family reunion July 11-13 at Tropic Resevoir. We borrowed Don's sister's tent trailor and headed out. Well, we got there close to dark, so we had a difficult time setting up the trailor. After about 1.5 hours, we figured it was as good as it was going to get! Even though it was being held at a resevoir...once the sun went down, it was freezing! I'm so thankful that the trailor had a cozy sleeping bag and bed. We slept great! We didn't hear any bears during the night, but we did hear a few crying babies. It was an interesting night! On Saturday there was a carnival. It was a lot of fun, with lots of different stations. We painted pet rocks at our station. It was fun, and I think that the kids enjoyed it. That night we had a dutch oven dinner (need I say more...definately YUM in the food department!), visited with lots of cousins, and then mom and dad did some square dancing for us. Next we sang songs round the fire, and then just visited more. It was such a memorable day for me.

On Sunday, we headed to the showers at Bryce Canyon and then stopped in Fillmore for a farewell luncheon. Jake was there with some friends, and Jan and Jeff are my dear friends. Their son Jade, returned home from his mission in Mexico. We missed the meeting, as it was at 9am. Poor Don...he was meeting people right and left at the reunion and then at dinner. I'm sure that his mind was pretty foggy by the days end! It was fun to have dinner though with Jake and Samantha while he was around.

We headed home and unpacked. Jake came Monday night and spent the night and I ran him to the airport Tues morning to fly out. It was so good to have him in our home for a bit!

Then on July 20th, we went to Lake Powell with Blake, Brent, and their friends. That was fun! We went Sunday after church, and stayed for 3 nights. We stayed on the buoy to save gas, but took a ski-boat, and went during the day up different canyons and explored. The kids rode the tubes (I tried it too), water-skiied (I couldn't get up! they didn't have a two-handled rope, and I'm a wimp with the other one!), and wake-boarded, and cliff jumped. We had lots of good food and fun. It was really relaxing and great. I read 2 novels while we were gone. It was nice to just read and read and read.

Then I drove up to Boise Friday the 25th, and went to my class reunion. THAT WAS SO AWESOME! I met my girlfriend Becky and we went and hung out. It was so fun to see so many classmates, that I hadn't seen for a while. Don flew in Saturday morning, and I gave him a mini-tour of Boise. We went to a dinner that night for the reunion, but I was definately disappointed in it. Not as many people were there, and the food was just so-so. Friday night was definately the night to go. It was fun though to hang with Linda and Brad, and Becky and Rick that night.

On our way home we hit Lagoon. That was a blast! Don hadn't been for a while, so we decided to go and do it. It was part of my birthday gift, and we had so much fun. Things like that are definately a thrill, and pump you up! We got home around 11pm...we were tired!

On Monday, my 48th birthday, my boss let me sleep in...lol Actually, Don told me that I could take off the day, but I had too much to do, so I went into work an hour late. Felt so good to sleep in! I received so many nice emails, and phone calls during the day. It was a good day. Don came in with some beautiful red roses. That was pretty cool! And he gave me some money, and the trip to Lagoon, a concert on Saturday at Deer Valley with the orchestra (playing broadway tunes! I'm very excited for it!), and took me to dinner. At dinner there was Jen and Rusty, his parents, his sister Maureen and her hubby Doug and daughter Celeste, and ReNae...we went to Olive Garden and it was good!

I've had such a wonderful July. It has been so fun and busy, and definately a month that I'll remember. I just wish that I had another big trip to look forward to! Well, maybe we will have to work on that!

Jed's Address

Okay...here is Jed's mission address...if any of you want to drop him a line, he would absolutely love it! We all know how much fun it is to get unexpected mail!!!!!!

Elder Jedidiah Monsen
Iowa Des Moines Mission
8515 Douglas Ave. #19
Des Moines, IA 50322-2924

THANKS!
His Mommy

Fort Dodge, IA

Jed is in Fort Dodge Iowa. He said that he is really enjoying it...and being out of the MTC. He didn't give me any details yet on his life...just that he is happy to be out. Me and Don looked it up on the map, and it is just north of Des Moines probably about an hour. It looks like it is out in the open.

He says his ward is small, and that there are a lot of inactives, so that is what they are focusing on. Sounds like he'll be busy talking to people and making lots of friends.

I'll keep you updated on his mission here and there, but try not to bore you with the details. Just the interesting facts.

We had a great 4th! Jenny came with her doggies, Eva and Harley, and spent the day with us. It was so nice to have her with us. (Rusty is working in Alabama) We went to Hancock (which I loved...despite the reviews!), and then to a bbq with Don's family...his parents, sisters and their families. (None of his kids could come, they were with their mother at the cabin.) Then on Saturday night we went to the rodeo in Oakley. It was fun, and they even had fireworks afterwards.

We had such a good weekend! It was nice and certainly a fun 4th to remember for us...as it was our first together.

My Baby is Gone...

Jed is officially on his mission! He flew out yesterday and called me from the airport at 6:20am. It was so good to hear his voice, and to know that he survived the MTC. He commented that it was difficult for him to be in Provo, knowing that his home was only 20 minutes away. He enjoyed the classes, and learned a lot. However, he said that he felt like he had forgotten all of it! I'm sure that he will do well on his mission. Well, he's in his Mission President's hands and the Lord's hands...and the kind people in Iowa.

Talking to him made me miss him so much. Of course I started crying when we said goodbye. (Don't most Munsons cry at the word Goodbye??? lol) It also made me miss my sons Jake and Josh, who are in CA selling security systems again this summer. I touched base with all of the kids yesterday. Needed to hear their voices and to feel the joy that I feel in talking with them.

I'm cheered up today, because Jenny is coming tonight with her little doggies to spend the night. Rusty flew out yesterday for his job in Alabama, so she is alone too. We're going to go to the new Will Smith movie tomorrow. It will be fun to have her in our home with me and Don. Tomorrow night we are going to a barbeque at Don's parents home. And then will go somewhere to watch some fireworks. It should be a nice evening.

I'm so looking forward to it!!!

Happy 4th of July to all!!!