Elder Ralph in Queen Creek, Az

Elder Ralph, Brother Evans, and Ethan's new companion.

Elder Ralph (and I think that's the oversized basketball we sent him-it's supposed to help with shooting)

This cute little Brother Evans sent me this picture with the following, "We had your son for dinner tonight. Great young man!!" Ethan sure loves his mission and is growing so much.

He still loves basketball. He asked us to send him an oversized ball that is supposed to help with your shooting. He says it's awesome and after he shoots with it for a while and goes back to a regular sized ball, everything goes in. He also ran 4 miles with another missionary in under 30 minutes. He is working hard on staying in shape and improving himself in every way.

Eli's Trampoline

Abby York, Ava, Tallan Flinders, Brock York

Enjoying a sprinkler soaked trampoline.

Ava doing a flip and Eli catching some major air.

Brock, Tallan, and Eli getting a bit of relief from a 100 degree day!

Eli has been begging for a trampoline since last summer. Dennis finally relented and bought his boy one. It has been a huge hit! We put the sprinkler on underneath on these hot days and they can jump and cool off at the same time. The kids love it!

Brad is on the road!

Taking the permit test for the first time. 

Proud owner of a permit! 

Brad has studied for his permit the last few days. He and Dillan took quite a few quizzes on the computer to prepare for the real thing. Yesterday, June 29, he asked me to take him to the DMV to try for his permit. We had Dillan and Mitchell with us too. Well, he failed the first time by one question (over the allowed limit). But he passed the second time around. He was one happy boy! We went to JCW's to celebrate.  :)

Back to Seven Peaks Fun Center (Lehi)

Hunter and Jake after they drenched each other on the bumper boats.

My little dude, "surfing" in the glow in the dark mini golf room.

Brad and Dillan "helping" Eli out of his shirt after they drenched him.

How many teen boys does it take to take a shirt off a kid?!

The kids had so much fun at the Fun Center that we went back. It was so hot but everyone had a great time again. The bumper boats were the best because it cooled you off for a bit.

Eli's snapshots (June 2016)

Eli's favorite, Mr. Blake Jesse Daniels

Ricker figuring out the next activity

Caden Vance Daniels and Elena (trying to do her homework)

Elena being a good sport and smiling for the cameraman!

Eli loves to get my phone and take as many pictures as he can before I take it away from him! He captured our Texas crew (except the girls) while they were here visiting. What a funny kid!

My Juice!

Jake Isaac Ralph (13 almost 14)

Autumn took a picture of Jake when they were at the park by G&G Merrill's house. I love this photo! It captures Jake's calm, sweet personality. He is such a wonderful kid and is always willing to help me or anyone really. He loves his family and friends. The world is definitely blessed by his presence!

Jake's photos of Autumn and her friend

Autumn brought her little friend over to Grandma and Grandpa's one day and Jake took some pictures of them and also at the park right down the street from their house. Autumn sure is a pretty girl! Watch out Rachel Merrill!  :)

Team "The Shallows" vs. Team "Finding Dory"

Blake, Brad, Caden, Eli (team "the shallows")  vs. Hunter, Jake, and Ava (team "finding dory")

Dean, McKenna, Dave, Mom, Blake, Caden, Lexi, Morgan, and Brad (Team "The Shallows")

Dean, McKenna, Elena, Mom, Lexi, Caden, Blake, Morgan, and Brad

This was a fun afternoon. Dave had been counting down the days until the movie "The Shallows" came out. It's a modern day "Jaws" movie. Well, Jake, Hunter, and Ava didn't want to see that so they went to "Finding Dory" together. Eli wanted to go with Blake (who he was totally enamored with) so he came with us to see the scary show. I covered his eyes for the really scary scenes but he was quiet and did really well. Most of the time he is so active and rowdy during a movie but not this one. It kept his attention for sure! :)

Seven Peaks Funland (Lehi, Utah)

These three went on the bumper boats while the Shaw kids went on the go-carts. Jake was too tall for the carts.

Getting ready for the roller coaster.
Ava, Autumn, Eli, Jesse, Jake, Hunter

Eli, trying dipping dots and LOVING them!

Little man had such a blast on these flying planes.

I love this shot of Eli turning back to talk to the little girl in the back seat.

Autumn and Jake on the go-carts. (One girl let Jake ride. Every other operator said he was too tall).

All the kids on the bumper boats

Everyone but me on the roller coaster. Eli only did this ride one time. Not his favorite.

Ava had spent 4 or 5 nights at Autumn's house and this boy missed his sister! He kept hugging her and telling her he loved her. Melted this momma's heart!

Hike to Timpanogos Cave

Back Row: Mitchell York, Brother Josh Schultz, Brad Ralph
Middle Row: James Hanna, Jack York, Liam Bryne, Elijah Hanna, Jake Ralph
Front Row: Sydney Schultz, Ryder Schultz, Eli (Spiderman) Ralph, Ava Ralph, Dennis Ralph

Teachers and a couple of Deacons (And Eli)

Ralph Family (missing our Ethan)

Dennis and his namesake

Having a rest and a photo moment with my Eli

A view as we were climbing. I think this was as we were just starting up.

Our guide explained the what, whys, and hows of everything in the caves but I didn't catch it all. I just thought each thing was amazing and so different from what you see as you look at the outside of the mountain.

I think the guide said this is what happens as water seeps through the layers that have calcium in them-maybe?

The "Heart" of Timp Cave. I guess it's 3 or 4 stalactites joined together.

This past Thursday the Scouts went on a hike to Timpanogos Cave. I've always wanted to do the hike and see the caves but never have. Dennis asked me Tuesday night if I wanted to go with them; if I thought Eli and Ava could do it. I wasn't sure but said we would try it. It was a steep hike for sure and the extreme change in altitude so quickly really does affect how you breathe. I'm not going to lie, it was a tough one for me! I had to stop quite a bit. My head and heart were both pounding. Eli made it around the first couple of bends and then Dennis had to carry him on his shoulders the rest of the way. (Thank goodness that man is in top shape) Ava girl did amazing and only had to stop a couple of times. Even some of the Scouts had to stop like 8 or 9 times to catch their breath. Eventually, we all made it to the caves. 

We had the most talkative (and a bit strange) little tour guide. He definitely liked to hear himself speak and show us his knowledge but the boys thought he was great. Almost as soon as you enter the cave and go down a bit, you are inside the fault line of Timp. Our guide showed us how all the stalactites were broken off all in a row. They were at the center of the fault line. It was crazy to think we could walk along inside the fault. Jake was a bit nervous about being there. (He's my worry wort). 

Our guide also showed us what the caves would look like if all the lights were turned off. Absolutely nothing! It was complete and total darkness. He said no light could make it's way in there. We held up our hands right to our faces and couldn't see a thing. Jake and I were talking about how it must have been for the Nephites when they had complete darkness and couldn't even light a fire or see anything. Jake said how scary it will be for those sent to outer darkness. It really was a horrible feeling. We naturally seek out the light. Total darkness caused a desperate, claustrophobic feel.

Oh, before we started the hike, a young guide warned us that if we heard a "clapping" noise, to look out. It would be a rock slide. Sure enough, on the way back we came across a bunch of rocks on the paved pathway and a bit further on the other side we saw and heard a few rocks falling down the mountain. 

It was a really neat hike and the caves were amazing but it was a tough one for sure!

Day of Service

Ethan's district getting ready to provide some service. (Even in 100+ degree weather)

Elder Ralph with another Elder in his district.

Ethan said they do a lot of service projects for the community. He mentioned how they planted tons of plants for the city. It looks like they might be weeding or clearing this land. They also donate their time to city activities when they need volunteers. The weather has been so hot this past week, I don't know how much "outdoor" service they will be able to do. He is happy to be back in his own area with just one companion now.

Last Hurrah

Back Row: Savannah (12), Brad (15), Nick (14), Jake (13)
Front Row: Whitney (11), Reagan (9), Ava (8)
*Nick is now taller than Brad!

Jake and Whitney

Reagan, Whitney, Ava

Eli getting ready to score big!

Brad says bowling is NOT his sport. He had a lot of fun anyway.

Jill, me, and Carolyn

Don and Jill will be leaving Utah the 23rd of this month for Henderson Nevada. So, Carolyn asked if we would like to go bowling before she left for St.George (Savannah has a swim meet) and then California. The only day that worked for everyone was yesterday, the 7th. We played 2 games and had so much fun. The kids did awesome and we moms didn't do too bad (as long as we had bumpers). Nick and Brad did not like that their moms beat them so they took our bumpers off for the second game and left theirs on. We also went out to lunch together at Chick-fil-a. It was packed! 

We sure are going to miss these Ralph cousins of ours! Their new house in Henderson has a pool though and a palm tree so Jake is already planning on a visit. :) Fun day!