Because We Can

With the craziness last weekend, and then Aaron's Camp this past week, I didn't get a chance to post pictures and let you know what was happening in our world a week ago . . . so here it is.

Dallin started a new job!  He had to buy these new work boots in preparation for working for Meridian Fire in Denver.  But his first week on the job he got sent to Otis Colorado to install fire alarms in an elementary school.  He was gone all week.  He said they got in about 60 hours in four days.  They worked really hard, and Dallin said it felt good.

So, while Dallin was gone, Dad and I got our first taste of what it will be like to be empty nesters.  We came up with our new motto: "Because we can."  Monday evening we ate cold cereal for dinner and watched Captain America for Family Home Evening . . . because we can.  All week long we would say, "Let's do that . . . because we can!"  It was a fun week . . . for a week.  But by the end, we were ready for Dallin to come home.  So after Dallin leaves on his mission, I guess you kids will have to take turns visiting us!

Dallin got home just in time to shower and then head up to the Denver Temple with us.  The youth in our ward did baptisms for the dead.  http://www.mormon.org/faq/baptism-for-the-dead

There were a couple things that made this particular trip special.  I was able to be baptized for five deceased family members, and Dad baptized me.  Dallin was able to be baptized for fifteen deceased family members.  And since Chip, Dallin's good friend, went through the temple for his own endowments last Saturday, he was able to baptize Dallin.  I wish I could have had a picture of the two of them in the font together.  It was one of those things you will never forget.  

Dad, me, and Dallin

Chip, Marc Phillips (Dallin's Young Men leader), Dallin, and Chris Porter

Saturday, Dallin and the Young Men leaders--and I along with the camp cooks, made a trip up to Camp Firewalker to prepare for Aaron's Camp the following week.  We had the young men help us unload the first shipment of food.

Dallin carrying out one of the most important items . . . Oreo cookies!

Dallin and some of the leaders eating lunch and discussing plans.

One of the things they did was put in a slab of cement on which they could place a generator.

The camp cooks--stocking all the shelves, refrigerators, and freezers!

Lynnel, Jean, me, Stephanie, and Shyrlene

Once we got back from Firewalker, we went to a pot luck dinner at the Church.  The Smiths, who used to live in our ward but moved to Singapore last year, were here for a visit.  Ike Smith and Dallin are good friends--so it was a fun reunion!