Reception, my nephew Jake, and the first news from Ryan

After a busy, wonderful week, I think life is about to slow down a bit.

Thursday after school we drove to my sister's house in Vegas and spent the night. We were up and out fairly early on Friday and made it to Mesa in the early afternoon. Our hotel (Comfort Inn) was one block down from the Mesa temple, so we spent a few minutes walking the temple grounds.

Hannah and Alex had been amazed at the giant cacti on our trip, so when we found some on the temple grounds, they wanted their photo taken there (the temple's in the background):

The reception that evening was actually fun. Seeing as how Glen and I find it painful to try and talk to people we don't know, I was surprised by that fact. I guess, though, having something to talk about (Heather and Andrew) made it all OK. Plus Heather's family is really nice, so we had a great time.

This time the frosting stayed on the cake.

Hannah, second from the left, did not catch the bouquet, thankfully.

Heather's mother, Joylene, had us use sparklers to usher the newlyweds out

She looks like a fairy godmother granting a wish (a blessing to the new couple?)

the gorgeous Salt Lake Temple quilt that Joylene hand quilted for Heather and Andrew

The next morning we drove back to Vegas to my sister's house. I really like the drive between Phoenix and Henderson...much more interesting than Vegas to Fallon and the roads are often divided with 2 lanes instead of just one.

That evening, Glen and I were able to attend the temple when our nephew received his own endowment. Jake, who was one of Ryan's roommates last semester at BYU-I, is leaving in 17 days to serve a mission in Manila, Philippines. Super cool--that's the 3rd own endowment we have attended in the last 15 days (Ryan's, Heather's, and now Jake's). There's nothing better.

Denise, Jake, and Pat at the Las Vegas Temple

me, Jake, and Glen

Our first letter from Ryan arrived while we were gone. His companion is Elder Barker from south-eastern Idaho. Elder Barker is also going to the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission. Most in Ryan's MTC district are going to Wisconsin, but a few are heading to Louisiana with Ryan. I wish he had told us what day his P-day is as we don't know what day to expect an email.

But he sounds as if all was well the first day. We are so excited for him.