July was a wonderful and fun month. Here are our highlights!
Eve enjoyed her July. She went to Stadium of Fire at Lavell Edwards Stadium for the 4th of July. It was a spectacular show!
She continues with her land surveying job. She loves the peaceful days out in nature though it can get pretty hot in Nevada. Here she is with some samples, cool landscapes, and other fun finds.
When in Provo, Eve loved connecting with her cousins. Her cousin, Luke, and his wife, Rebecca had a baby boy. Eve loved helping to tend their apartment, bringing them food, and meeting the new little guy.
She also loved seeing the Sanchez family who was in town for the occasion.
She went to the temple and Menchie's with Camille and Sabey.
They have so many happy times together.
Down in Brazil, Sterling has been finishing the last few weeks of his mission.
He has enjoyed working with the other missionaries,
teaching friends,
and working with the members. Here are some of the newest members.
Some of the youth.
He happily participated in the baptism of Charles.
Near the end of his mission he gathered with the other missionaries that were returning home at the mission home.
They had a nice dinner together.
They also visited the temple in Sao Palo for the first time.
We are so excited for his return!
Back in San Antonio.
On the 4th of July we celebrated our independence with a ward breakfast and then went to Sea World.
Sheri has been wanting, for years, to swim with dolphins. She finally got her opportunity.
They also had fun signaling to the dolphins and watching them do tricks.
It was a scorching hot day so we swam a bit in the evening.
Also in the evening, we enjoyed fireworks in the neighborhood, made a fire in our backyard pit, and roasted marshmallows.
On July 9th and 10th we drove to San Diego for the Smith reunion.
The first evening we enjoyed going through the San Diego Temple open house. What a magnificent building!
I'm so grateful that we are sealed together with our family!
The next day we went to Balboa Park. There were so many fun things to do including cottages representing different countries, artisans, a huge outdoor organ, and a botanical gardens.
That evening Christian went with the Ramos family to Belmont Park which is an amusement park located right on Mission Beach. Sheri, Matt and I enjoyed the shopping, the sand, and the sights. Sheri even got a henna (temporary) tattoo.
On Sunday we went to church and then went to the Ramos' rented apartment to make dinner and then we relaxed at the park.
On Monday, 7/13, the reunion officially started. We spent the day shopping for supplies, making dinner and getting settled in at the AirBNB. We were able to hear a report on all the missionaries. Each family had one currently serving (Tyler (Mike & Tarlie's) finishing his service mission, Joshua (Kelly and Marcelino's) serving in Mexico, Ivy (Jeff and Stacey's) in the MTC, headed to Spain, Sterling (in Brazil) about to return home, and Mary Jane (Katie and Rodolfo's) who is serving at the Ohio church history sites and then on to El Paso. How remarkable is this? It's so amazing to be part of something so incredible. Here is a statistic that illustrates the magnitude of the work.
The next day (Tuesday) we rented sail boats and enjoyed beach time in the bay.
Then in the afternoon we went to the Mormon Battalion church history site. It is incredible how the Lord blesses us when we are obedient. (The battalion never had to fight, they were able to send money home to their traveling families, and they opened up the way for many to come to California.) We have a rich heritage!
That evening we had a very fun activity! Sheri and I planned a project runway activity where 4 teams would design an outfit based on a theme. Certain items had to be incorporated into one of the rounds. The first theme was "Animal". We got a jellyfish, lion, unicorn, and a "bunny". The second round was a "Celebrity". We got Bob Marley, Elton John, and 2 Michael Jacksons. The third round was " Movies" and we got a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Isma (from Emperor's New Groove), Indiana Jones, and Princess Leia (Star Wars). It was so fun and creative, especially when the contestants walked down the "runway" with corresponding music. We also had a fun trivia game that Taralie created.
Of course we also enjoyed our Rook Tournament throughout reunion and during the final morning Sheri and Carson won the Rook Cup!
We also enjoyed family games at the park and a visit to Menchie's Frozen Yogurt before heading our separate ways.
We are very blessed to have such wonderful times at the Smith Reunions!
We then drove to St George where Ivan graciously let us stay for the night and then we drove to Colorado for our reunion there.
The next day was my 47th birthday. We went to church and had dinner with the Murray family. It was nice to be able to celebrate with my family.
The next day was the official start to the John Murray reunion. My dad planned some great activities! We enjoyed two very interesting shows at the Air Force planetarium and then had a picnic lunch. We then went to the penny arcade and had a fun time there.
In the evening we went to Catherine's house for pizza, swimming and talking.
The next day we were able to go to Paint Mines Interpretive Park. It "features striking hoodoos, spires, and gullies with bands of yellow, red, purple, and white clay created by oxidized iron compounds." It was pretty fun to walk through, even though, it was pretty hot.
In the afternoon we went to the Money Museum which was also pretty cool.
The following day we were so excited to meet Sterling at the airport for his mission homecoming!
Matt was able to surprise Sterling in Atlanta by taking the same flight home and they were even able to sit together!
The airport was so exciting! When you have been missing for someone for 2 years, you can't help but feel the thrill, anticipating that they will walk out any moment!
When you finally see someone that you love so incredibly and that you have missed so much, the emotions take over! I did, in fact, sob for a moment or two. I just love my kids so much!
Annie graciously shared some additional photos!
We felt so much love and support from our family! Here are some of the posters.
We went back to my parents' house where we had lunch, Sterling got released over Zoom, and in the evening we had a family dinner. It was fun to hear Sterling share highlights from his mission and get to ask him questions. He slipped back into Portuguese only a few times.
Here is a collage I put together of some of the best photos from his mission.
That evening Joseph Robinson flew in to Denver and Sterling and Joe Cammack surprised him at pickup when Sterling popped out of the back seat. It was SO nice of him to fly in to welcome Sterling!
The next day we were able to go to Deckers to float the river. It was beautiful and it felt good to be in the Colorado mountains!
Joe's chair broke and he was pretty funny about it.
On the drive we enjoyed the scenery, talking and listening to music.
That evening we had dinner and games at the Cammack's house. It made me happy to have Sterling back with the group again! I know that family time has been a tough thing for him to miss out on. I am proud of all the sacrifices he made to serve the Lord as well as the people of Santos, Brazil!
On Friday, 7/24 we went to Water World in Denver. This is the first time I have taken my kids here. It was a fun day!
On our final day in Denver we went to the Renaissance Festival. We enjoyed the jousting, the performers, the shops, and the food. It was a fun experience to have.
We then drove to Amarillo that evening.
The next day Sterling was able to give a talk in our previous ward, Bishop Hills. It was so great for him to reconnect with his youth friends, his caring leaders, as well as friends from school. We were also grateful that the Hendricks hosted an open house for him in the evening (after we attended Duke Blaser's open house in the afternoon). It was wonderful to see our friends and feel their love and support! I am grateful Sterling was able to return to Amarillo to feel a sense of closure.
The next day, Monday, 7/27 the kids got together with a few friends while I packed the car. Here is Sterling with his good buddy, Nick.
We also ran into Christian's old Bushland coach and got to say hi! We have been blessed by many great people in Amarillo!
Finally, we drove home to San Antonio and brought Marianne with us!
The rest of July was filled doctors visits, hanging out with Marianne, and recuperating in San Antonio.
We feel tremendously blessed! We are so grateful for time with our families, safe travels, amazing friends, and for Sterling's completion of his mission chapter of his life. We know that these blessings come from God and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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