"June is Busting out all over"

(Song from my favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein movie Carousel, the 1956 version with Julie Andrews singing among other favorites, "If I loved you" and "You'll never walk alone.")

Schools are out, temperatures have risen, swimming pools are filled (few of my lap lanes available), summer camps and other fun activities, and the anticipation of America's 250th birthday on July 4th)

Nick is 22; Kelly (22),and Ming (21) unable to make it today

                 Andrew Taylor (23) in summer tournament 

   "The Orchard" at University mall has fun summer evening concerts

Quick trip to Palo Alto, CA, for the funeral service for long-time dear friend Leanne Giles. So many shared memories

Peter and Leanne (and family) loved Hawaii!

Taylor Giles (center, above) and Adam Giles (pictured with wife Kristy and their son Hunter & family, below, right) gave wonderful tributes to their mom....a great family!

Great opportunity to visit with very long-time close church friends, at Nanci Thomander's.  Back: Alice Miller, Nanci, Miriam, Marguerite Hancock, Wendy Parry; front: Karen Bradshaw, Dawne Hollis, Sue Allen, Sara Gilman

And at Sue Allen's, Palo Verde elementary school moms: Back:Joyce Schmid, Marie Wolbach, Susan Dorsky, Cindy Flynn, Sue; Front: Ruth Carleton (96, 4 of my kids' first grade teacher), Miriam, Trudi Reinhardt, Ruth Cantwell. Our kids went to school together years ago!

I walked around my old neighborhood and checked on the house where our family lived from 1976-2021. Demographics have greatly changed, and homes have turned over and been rebuilt/remodeled.

And I took a long walk to and at the San Francisco Bay Estuary, which is the largest estuary on the west coast of North America, with lots of migrating and 'permanent' birds. An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water with one or more rivers flowing into it and with connection to the open sea (Pacific Ocean). 

I have missed the abundance of California poppies, artichokes, and the familiar smell of fennel along the bay and in town. You can take the girl out of California (5 yrs now in Utah) but not California out of her.

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June 14 was a special day for my youngest grandchild, Phoebe Carlston, who was baptized by her father in Millcreek (South SL)

    With some of her cousins: Lucie, Coco, Taffy, Evie & below: Kelly

After the baptism we had dinner at the Carlstons. Aaron and George help make pizza for the special pizza oven outdoors. 

I started taking a watercolor class at the Provo Rec Center. Can you recognize the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland (my first attempt) (which I visited last fall)? This time last year I was in beautiful Scotland.

View from and of my front door. Wishing you all the festivities leading up to our July 4, 2026, 250th anniversary of American Independence.

Mount Timpanogos is still green, but soon to turn brown in this heat!

Happy July 4th! May we be mindful of our amazing heritage, humble and grateful for our freedoms, committed to correct our many flaws, increase our love and compassion, service and sacrifice to make our world more peaceful, safe and healthy for each and every one of us.

 

May 2026 Weddings, Graduations, Memorial                                   Services, Reunions

Great lunch reunion of Dominican Republic missionaries at a Provo Mexican restaurant. Mark Tanner (today on the right) was one of the first 10 missionaries to come from Puerto Rico mission (second on left, top) serving when the mission was begun almost 50 years ago. There'll be a big commemoration for that historic day when this beautiful island nation was dedicated for missionary work.

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End of school barbecue with friends at Taylors

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9 fun days hosting the Vallejo family, my friends visiting here from Ecuador for the wedding of Emily Davidson and Mateo Vallejo (on left). Payson Temple for sealing, reception in Payson

Daniel and Sari to marry in September.

Mom Maria is delighted!

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Wasatch Elementary School has a fun tradition of dances for the last day of school. Sixth graders always perform Maypole dances, fifth grade, parachute, and (my grand-daughter Cordelia, in Chinese immersion) Cha Cha,Cha fourth grade.

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Luke and John Carlston graduate from Skyline High School (built in 1962, 9-12th grades with lots of great academics, sports, IB, championship teams and activities) in Millcreek (South Salt Lake City). Graduation was held in the Huntsman Center at U of Utah. I'm so proud of these 2 wonderful grandsons, off on missions in August.

Sadly our dear friend of almost 60 years passed away in April, but I was privileged to listen via zoom to wonderful memories shared by Karen and Lynn Bradshaw's 7 sons

So proud of these smart, fun, courteous and helpful young men! They are the oldest in a wonderful family!

As we approach the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, I am grateful for its inspiring words and hope all of us will feel motivated to do our part in any way we can to uphold the principles of our inspired Constitution, and to feel gratitude for a beautiful, albeit imperfect country.

As we approach the 250th Anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, I remember with gratitude the amazing and inspired men and women who founded our country, and vow to do what I can to do my part to continue the principles of freedom set forth in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and just laws. There is much that is imperfect, but I hope that this commemoration will bring out our best collective efforts.

What a beautiful sight ! The seven sons of Karen and Lynn Bradshaw shared memories of and thoughts about their dad who passed away in April. I appreciated being able to listen via zoom. The family has a special place in our family's heart.

Unfortunately I was not able to attend the memorial service in Palo Alto for longtime (almost 60 years) friend Lynn Bradshaw. His and Karen's amazing 7 sons each spoke fondly of their dad.