My Summer Activities

The hot temperatures in Las Vegas have definitely made this time of year feel like summer. Today was the hottest day I can remember in some time. Thank goodness for air conditioners and swimming pools to help alleviate some of the hot and lazy days of summer.

This is our atomic clock in the kitchen.
Yes, you're reading it right.  It was 111 degrees today!

A couple of weeks ago Julie and I went to St. George with
a friend of mine from our ward.  She had never been to
the St. George Temple.  It was really a special
treat to share such a lovely day with both Julie
and my friend, Kristi Reed.

After the temple and lunch out, we went
shopping in St. George.  Julie had fun
trying on some rather unique pieces
of jewelry.

Also this summer Steve and I enjoyed the 4th of July with
Natalie and the Ellsworth family.  We went out to the Indian
reservation near Las Vegas again right before dark and
enjoyed watching a rather lengthy display of fireworks.
Believe it or not, it actually rained that morning and was
a bit on the cool side that evening for the fireworks.

Here's Natalie, Ashton, Thomas, and Cali
waiting for the fireworks to begin at the
Indian reservation.

Here's Cali with some of the Ellsworth's cousins,
Nikki, Matty, Cali, Emmi, Ashton, and William are
all patiently waiting for the fireworks to begin on
the 4th of July

Also, this summer we have been swimming numerous times
 where Julie lives.  It has been a lot of fun.  Steve and I usually
go for a couple of hours each night.  Once this summer I
invited Cali to spend the night, so she joined in the
swimming fun with us.

Cali and Me enjoying the jacuzzi at Julie's

Here's Cali soaking her feet in the jacuzzi

Cali and Grandpa at Julie's place

Cali and me at Julie's place; we had a lot of fun
diving for rings.  We had
the pool all to ourselves.  Such luxury!

An Unexpected Trip to San Diego

I just got home from California on Tuesday afternoon, and Julie asked Steve and I if we would go with her and Cali to San Diego on Thursday.  She had plans to run in a 5K race there on Saturday, and she also wanted to spend Friday at Sea World.  Her plans had changed a few times, but it appeared she needed someone to go with her.  We quickly began to make things happen.  We had a great time.  Julie made reservations at the Sheraton Hotel where we stayed for two nights.  Cali was cute, well behaved, and a great travel partner for all of us.  We enjoyed Sea World and the race this morning.  Thanks, Julie, for including us in your San Diego trip.  It was great fun!

By the pool area at our hotel in San Diego

Waiting for the Shamu show to start at Sea World

Waiting for another show to start at Sea World

Waiting to get on a water ride at Sea World

On the gondola ride at Sea World
"Mission Bay"

Waiting for the dolphin show to start at Sea World

The dolphin show was the best;
what amazing animals

Grandpa and Cali having a little fun

The Wild Arctic was very interesting;
we saw polar bears, walruses, and
white Beluga whales

Cali was very excited to see a white polar bear

Heather and Julie prior to the 5K race
in San Diego

Natalie and Cali made signs to cheer on
Julie and Heather Jones

Part of the run was near a jetty;
so picturesque

Julie running across the finish line

That's me and Trent Jones holding up
the cute signs that Cali brought with to
cheer on the runners

Both Julie and Heather finished the
race and were very happy with
their results

A Proud Dad!

Anderson Sisters Go to CA

I just returned from a four-day trip with my sisters to Simi Valley, California.  Becky was the hostess, and everything was wonderful.  Linda and I drove from LV to Becky's house on Friday morning.  Karen and Pam both flew.  By Friday afternoon we all had gathered at Becky's home, and it felt good to be together again.  Becky planned a variety of activities, and it all was fun.  I am looking forward to many more annual trips where we can reconnect and enjoy making new memories.

Our first evening together
enjoying a lasagne dinner



Even cleaning up after dinner is
fun when we are altogether.



Saturday morning we played tennis.

Linda created a way for all of us to play;
we had four people on the court all the time with one
person sitting out.  When one team had three
points, everyone rotated to the left and new
teams were formed.

We went to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
I have always wanted to stop, but this is the
first time I've actually been inside.

Posing with Ronnie and Nancy
at the Reagan Presidential Library

This is one of the planes Reagan used while he was
president of the US.  It's called Air Force One.  It was huge and
shiney,but it seemed old and not so modern compared to
today's aircrafts

Posing as we entered the plane for a walkthrough
of Reagan's presidential aircraft

We went to BJ's for an early dinner after
touring the Reagan Presidential Library.  Yummy food!

After dinner we headed to a play that was nearby

The play was excellent.  All of the actors including
the young children had incredibly good voices.

The next day we spent about three hours in the pool
at Becky's.  She heated the pool so it felt like
bath water.

It wouldn't feel like a sister weekend
without a shopping trip.

After shopping we had dinner at the
Cheesecake Factory.  We definitely didn't
go hungry this weekend.

The cheesecake was soooo delicious.

Monday we enjoyed an ice cream treat at a local
restaurant.  We didn't go hungry or lack
for sweets on this trip.

Monday we went golfing on a 9-hole course.  Because
most of us weren't very experienced at golfing, we played
best ball.  That made the game go faster, and it
was much easier for those of us who lacked any
true golfing skill.

Here we are on the golf course trying to catch some
shade before proceeding onto the next hole.

We toured four model homes at a very expensive
location near Becky's house.  The homes cost well over a
million and a half each.  My sisters were busy
taking pics for future reference as they
decorate their own homes.

We decided to sit and rest inside one of the model homes
while we caught our breath before proceeding.

Another trip has come and gone with my sisters.  It was wonderful to see each of them.  We had lots of chances to visit which is probably the best part about being together.  I think we've all decided that it doesn't really matter where we are or what activities we're participating in as long as we can be together somewhere.  This year I had seriously thought about staying home, but I'm glad I went.  It's good to have a sister and it's even better to have multiple sisters!

Salt Lake City Cemetery

After spending a few hours at Jace and Sheldon's gravesite, we wandered around the cemetery looking at some of the markers.  The SLC Cemetery is where the most pioneers are buried west of the Mississippi.  It is also the final resting spot of many latter-day prophets.  We saw the markers for Joseph Fielding Smith, Joseph F. Smith, Wilford Woodruff, David O'McKay, Howard W. Hunter, and Gordon B. Hinckley.  I also found out that Steve's grandpa, Joseph Henry Dean, is buried in the SLC Cemetery. A few blocks from the SLC Cemetery is the Mormon Pioneer Memorial.  This is the final resting spot for Brigham Young as well as some of his family.    I can only imagine how glorious the resurrection will be at this cemetery!

Natalie and Julie by
President Hinckley's grave.

Steve and I by President
David O. McKay's grave.

This is a few blocks from the SLC Cemetery.

Inside the Mormon Pioneer Memorial

The Mormon Pioneer Memorial is beautifully
landscapped.  It is a peaceful place where
the Mormon pioneer heritage is proclaimed
and honored.

Brigham Young is buried here not far from
the SLC Cemetery. 

I think this is supposed to be Brigham Young
reading to one of his children.  I had fun posing
with him as I remembered his great legacy.