Hibiscus and Friendly Visitors

The photos above and below are of Eli

and Nathan during the Speck visit. They

had a "ball" together .


Our Hibuscus plant is going wild. Every day we see at least 10 new flowers.

They don't stay open for long but are very large--larger than my hand. The

two colors are represented below. Our gardners (mostly mexicans) keep

asking if the plant is marijuana. Hopefully the blosoms will dispell that notion.
We are amazed that this plant survives the winter considering it is a tropical

plant. What happens is that the plant is cut down to a few sticks poking from

the ground during the fall and winter. Then in late spring something happens

and eventually the plant grows quickly. In the case of our Hibiscus plant this year

it is higher than I am tall.

Our home is full of guests. We have Ken & Catherine Groscost, Amy Groscost, Liz Carol and her daughter, Katy, and Greg Groscost. Greg arrived with a cast on his leg, a wheel chair, and oxygen which he uses during the night and occasionally during the day. The reason for the visit is the wedding and reception of Nick & MaryAnn Smith's daughter Katy. The wedding was this morning and the reception is tonight. Tomorrow, Amy Groscost will leave with Liz Carol and her daughter Katy, and drive back to Mesa, Arizona (about 12 hours). Ken, Catherine and Greg will stay for a few days and then drive to Port Townsend.

As you may know, Greg has been through lots of serious health problems. When I saw him last (at the funeral of Jeff Groscost) Greg was in very difficult shape. But, he looks good now considering. Apparently he was riding a "go-cart" with one of his wife's sons and didn't make the turn. The consequence was a broken leg.

July II

During the Speck visit one of our favorite
places was the BYU Creamery. Eli loves root beer floats. Both boys
also loved grilled cheese sandwiches. Marge was taking photos and
asked Eli to smile. The photo below is Eli doing his smile.


On Monday evening Marge and I went to the home of Lewis and
Joan Taylor in Salt Lake to also meet Ken and Carol Toone and
Sharon and Jan Dayton. Elder and sister Dayton are serving a
mission on temple square.

The occasion was a reunion. Ken and I graduated from Green
River (Lincoln) High School in 1951. Lewis graduated in 1952.
Sharon graduated from Cokeville, Wyoming HS in 1951.

We were all pals during our HS years and roomed together for
one year at the Aura C. Hatch (Valley) Mortuary while attending
BYU. The Mortuary is located on first east and third south in Provo.

Ken is the youngest son of Eldred Toone so, at least for a while,
that made he and I step-brothers I think.

It was a wonderful evening. Lots of memories floated back from
the late 1940's and the 1950's.

Sharon and Lewis remember the many times I drove my Model-A
Ford from Green River to Cokeville for fishing and outdoor fun.

L to R - Ken, Lewis, Sharon and I

With wives (Carol Toone is taking
the photo)

Marge is taking the photo

July

I went on the Heber Creeper with
Becki, Ben and Eli - Along with Alese, Henry and Lauren.
This is the engine the pulled the train. Below are the 4 kids
with the engine.


Below is a photo of Becki, Ben, Eli and Grandpa
on the train.

One day during the Speck visit, Liza
dropped by with Matty who just
turned 1. Note the earrings.

Below are some various photos
of the Specks at our home.

Eli loved to spend time in my den.
He usually parked his shopping
cart in the den at the end of the
day. Nathan does this also.
Is there a message in their behavior?

Below: On July 4 in the evening our

Normandy Drive residents always

have a celebration for the community.
Dave, Jackie and Nathan were here.

We are waiting for the parade.

David and Nathan in the parade.

Below are some photos at the

Provo 4th parade.


Even Jenni came to the parade.

Elder Nathan Carrol

Elder Nathan Carrol


(L to R) Layton, Katy, Matthew,
Nathan & Liz


BEST PHOTOGRAPH
Katy, Layton, Nathan, Liz
and Matthew

Liz Carrol and 4 or her children came to visit on Monday evening. The occasion--Elder Nathan Carrol entered the MTC today. He has been called to serve in the Domnican Republic. With Nathan in the MTC Layton (age 18) is now the "big dog". He has one year before he can be called to serve.

This is part of a wonderful family. Congrats to Catherine & Ken.