The Big Slacker is Back!

I know, I know it's been a long time. But I have some good excuses. I had to plan the fourth of July reunion. That took a lot of time. And then we started working for the Perpetual Education Fund. And then there were all the times we had to go to the cabin and get it all fixed up. And of course there was golf......that takes up a lot of time too. We've had house guests and parties and we went to China for three weeks. Oh, and don't forget that Becca had her baby and I needed to go to Reno. We've needed to spend time with the kids and grandkids and take them to LAGOON. And some of them came to stay with us. There was also a time where we didn't have good access to the internet. Well, we now have good internet access at home, the cabin has been closed for the winter and the golfing will be sporadic at best. So I promise to fill in my faithful fellow bloggers on what we have been doing. Repentance is a good thing!



I guess I should start at the beginning...

We moved back to Utah and we immediately got involved with the Perpetual Education Fund, volunteering for three days a week. We also enjoyed the family that we hadn't seen for so long...at least the part of the family that is here in Utah. We also travelled to Reno to see Rebecca and Phil and enjoy their family. We spent a lot of time golfing with Tammy and Marty and going to the Cabin in Oakley every Friday and Saturday. I was called to be the Compassionate Service leader and organized 2 luncheons for funerals in the first couple of months. Greg was called to teach the Gospel Doctrine Class in Sunday School. He teaches once a week. Later he was called to be on the High Council.
We took a lot of time planning for the family Reunion. The Fourth of July week was a very busy one and we loved seeing our entire family at the cabin. We had some great times. I will write about the reunion and show photos in another entry.
In the late summer, we took the Utah kids and grandkids to Lagoon. We had a great time. I'll put some of those pictures in too. Nieve, Rebecca and Kiera went on their first roller coaster ride. They loved it....although Nieve was pretty freaked out. She now says it was very fun! Sydney (Michelle came to see us with the two kids) was ready to ride every ride she was tall enough for--and I think she did. She is fearless. They all enjoyed the water park too. I enjoyed going down the water tubes with the kids. We had a yummy picnic and didn't leave until dark. Even little Lauren had a great time. I think she and Nieve rode the Carousel a half dozen times. Samuel loved it all and went on all the big rides with Jordan. Gavin loved the bumper cars and everything else he could go on. It was a very fun ime for everyone.
Recently, Greg was called to serve as the Executive Secretary for Elder Claudio Costa of the Seventy. We didn't even know there was such a calling. Elder Costa set him apart in Portuguese. Greg is enjoying this calling very much. So now he has three callings and does not work at PEF anymore. I still work there finishing up my work.

Ana Marcia and Cleto Visit the Cabin before heading to the MTC

In June, Ana Marcia and Cleto de Oliveira came to stay with us from Brazil. They were called to preside over the Cuiaba Brazil Mission and came to stay with us before they went to the MTC. We had tons of fun with them and also had a Brazil Party where we invited our kids and everyone we knew who lived in Sao Paulo and Recife. And a few other people that would appreciate Feijoada! We had Feijoada and Pudim and of course Pao de Queijo. Our girls performed for everyone after dinner. We also invited Carol Thomas to sing with them. It was a great party. Also in June, I attended my 40th High School Reunion. I had a real good time and think Greg enjoyed it too. It was great to see everyone and see the school again after forty years. It hadn't changed much and brought back a lot of memories.
We went to China in September. It was a long trip and very interesting. I will do a separate entry about China.
I just returned from Reno helping Rebecca with her new baby boy. It was so fun to be with her and her special family. Their little boy is named Jared Phillip Walker. Kaylin and Zachary just adore him. We are expecting two more grandsons in the next few months. We look forward to th new additions to our family.
Well, there is a little synopsis of the Gollaher life since April. More to come......