It's Been Too Long....

Well, what a great summer. So good that I haven't got around to this blog for some time. Let me see if I can give you a brief synopsis. But first, can you find the angel in this picture of Becky and me at the Bountiful Temple? The answer is found at the end of this blog.



Take me out to the ball game!

Our summer really began at the ballpark where Meile, Christopher and Jared were all engaged in America's pastime. With three kids and three teams playing two games a week each at two different parks, and add on practice to that, we found ourselves at the ball field every evening.

Topher on the Mound

Meile's team won second place in her softball league and Christopher spent a few games on the mound. Jared's t-ball team was a great collection of friends from his school and we saw some great improvement in all their play.

Meile looking to steal home

Cub Scout Camp
Christopher has declared that after Christmas, Cub Scout Day Camp is the best day of the year. Becky is the Den Leader for Pack 1 in Grand Island, and her Den is a mix of Tiger Cubs, Wolves, and a Bear (Christopher). The Pack has also succeeded in recruiting a few of Christopher's friends from school to increase our numbers some. Day Camp is held just outside of Grand Island at Camp Augustine. Highlights of the camp were shooting BB guns, archery, and arts and crafts.

Christopher at the firing range.

Jared at the Javelin Toss

Utah Trip Begins
In August, we loaded up the truck and headed along the Mormon Trail to Zion for Annie and Travis's wedding. Here's how our trip began...

We spent the first few days at Debi and Steven's home in Springville. We had a great time, visited their ward, and relaxed. Below is a photo of our first annual Hall/Rosenlund summer games races held in their backyard. Events included crab walk races, backyard sprints, around the house marathon, water relay, and the tennis ball on the spoon race.


After a few days in Springville, we traveled up to Mom and Dad's in Riverton and stayed the remainder of our trip. Also visiting were Adam and Laura with family from Puyallup, WA, Sara and her kids, and Uncle Ken from Australia. All told, we had 27 people staying there. What a great time. One of the favorite things we did was play "Jedi Wars" with lightsabers made by Tiane and her boyfriend Charl.


Lagoon Day
For years, as children, we would look forward to Lagoon Day as the pinnacle of summer fun. And, every year, Mom had created a coordinated outfit theme that would create an air of fun, teamwork and celebration. Also, it will help you identify the body (a strategy which only now I can recognize). Well, Becky and I were discussing this little Rosenlund tradition and felt that the best way to do that was to feature something that no one in Utah would have... Nebraska Husker apparel. We received more than a few comments, and even had a few Nebraskans approach us and we talked football.

Side Note: For those of you unfamiliar with the phenomenon of Husker football, here are a few analogies to help you along.

• A Husker fan is like an English soccer fan, only more invested and maniacal.
  
• Game day is like General Conference in Salt Lake City, only with tail gating.
• On game day, the game is playing in place of music in every store (including at the mall).
• I was scolded for not wearing my Husker apparel on a game day. Yes, actually scolded by someone I barely know.
  
• Joseph Smith + LaVell Edwards = Tom Osborne, former Husker coach.
  

Meanwhile, back at Lagoon.... We had a wonderful time. We were accompanied by the Halls, the Washington Rosenlunds, Marji, Zoe, Kiera, and Uncle Ken. We all sort of divided up after the obligatory photo at Pioneer Village and went in various directions. Halfway through the day, a number of us were stricken by a fever and a number of naps were taken. All in all, it was a great time, and we didn't leave until it closed down for the day.

And Introducing.... Uncle Ken
This visit was also our first introduction to Uncle Ken, my mother's twin brother from Melbourne, Australia. I must admit that I wondered how Ken would handle staying at the house with 26 other people, crazy schedules, grand kids occasionally warring with one another, and no less than a dozen curling irons in the bathrooms. Its enough to overwhelm anyone, even if they know what they're getting to.

Dad, Mom and Ken

Yet, Ken threw himself in feet first and I dare say he had an incredible time. While his trip was only about a week, he certainly got a full Utah treatment, and a rousing introduction to the Rosenlunds. You only had to begin a conversation with him and you felt like you've been "mates" with him your whole life. I found that he has a particularly keen insight into youth, which I am sure comes from his years coaching youth field hockey teams. Several times, I was quite amazed at how in tune he was to some of the grand kids when they were having a little conflict or if someone seemed to be left out.

His trip was filled with firsts, no less fun was his foray in eating peanut butter (something not brand new, but certainly not habitual) and wondering why Americans love chocolate and peanut butter together. Watching him cringe at Reese's Peanut Butter cups was priceless. I am just glad we didn't have to try Vegamite in turn.

Annie's Wedding
Our trip culminated in the wedding of Travis and Annie Olson. This was our first introduction to Travis and I found him to be a thoughtful and fun-loving young guy. They are obviously in love, and I was impressed at what a gentleman he is. They were married in the Bountiful Temple, the best in the Church, I dare say.

Travis, one of two children, now has almost a dozen new sisters.
(His sister Sarah is on bottom right)

After the wedding at 8am (you can only imagine 27 people getting ready to be in Bountiful by 0730 hrs. I checked the bathrooms three times myself for curling irons left on) countless photos (nice job ladies) and a wedding lunch in Centerville, we had a short respite at home before the reception in Riverton that night.

The following day, Saturday, I spent a somewhat lazy day at the golf course with Dad, Adam, and Eric. It was my first time on a golf course and it shows. I sent a large number of golf balls into the neighborhood, at least two streets over. Then, we gathered ourselves again for a second reception north of Layton at Travis' backyard.

Daina and Bronson (David and Tristi's boy) dancing together.

The following day, we packed, dressed for Church with David's ward to attend Cade's baby blessing, and headed straight to Grand Island. It was one of our most amazing trips and full of unforgettable experiences. The trip back is always longer because you only have work and school to go back to, which is much less exciting than the family, the Wasatch Front, Lagoon, Australian uncles, and weddings. But, we came full circle and ended the trip like this...


Well, that's a quick wrap up of our summer. Sorry for the length. I'll try to get it shorter in the next round.

Answer to the picture riddle: She's wearing the red blouse. XOXOXO