Cali and Alan's Sealing, an Arizona Horologist and Family Time!

 August 25 - 30, 2021

Darryl and I made a quick trip to Mesa, AZ to be with Cali and Alan for their Temple Sealing.

Yes, according to federal guidelines we did have to be masked the entire flight.... well, sort of. 😉

FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2021

It seems like wherever we travel Darryl is able to find a collector of clocks or Horologist. We met a gentleman named Bruce in Phoenix who not only lives in a very unique home, but also has some very incredible clocks to look at.

Like our home, every room had clocks and more clocks to look at.

The clocks on these shelves are some of the most unique and expensive clocks we have ever seen. Especially in a private collection.

SATURDAY - AUGUST 28, 2021

Shiloh and Jason, Cami, Jesse, Hillary and Cody along with Alisa and his children, all came to Phoenix for Cali and Alan's sealing in the Tucson Temple. Alan's Parents and Sisters were there also along with John and Nancy Eppert, my brother and his wife. It is such a beautiful temple and the ceremony was lovely. It was around 110 degrees in Tucson.

You'll notice that Skye is missing from this photo with her siblings. She was busy riding in her first cycling race in Witchita Falls, Texas.

Hello Darryl!

Cody, Alisa and Family at the temple.

Hello Hillary our beautiful desert flower!

The desert gardens are so lovely... and Cami is the loveliest desert bloom..

Dad plays fashion photographer with Jesse in the garden.

Some fun in the courtyard.

Cali, Alan and his sisters..

Darryl and I with the happy couple and Alan's parents, Roger and Andrea.

After all these years I still love taking selfies with my grandbabies! Here's Gideon..

Rachel was having fun posing in the gardens.

Rachel and Grandma..

..and Gideon..

My beautiful Jesse..

..and sweet Parker!

The sealing was in the morning and the reception/dinner was at 5:00 in the evening at Nando's restaurant. Darryl and I went to set up and the girls soon joined us.

Cali had ordered 4 cakes, one was decorated incorrectly and the carrot cake fell apart and the icing did not survive the heat. By inspiration, Shiloh and Cami purchased to lovely gourmet pies as a wedding present for Cali and Alan so we were able to use them on the refreshment table. It looked wonderful! Cali and Alan loved it when they showed up!

It is never a burden to celebrate those you love. We are so happy for Cali and Alan! 

SUNDAY AUGUST 29, 2021

Our family went to church with Cali and Alan and we sang hymn #69, All Glory, Laud and Honor.

Of course some of us partied a little harder than others and had a hard time staying awake. Here we see Cody practicing Narcolepsies Theology. 

😉

After church we were invited to our cousins' Shannon and Doug Skelton's home in Mesa for a get together and Birthday Party for Darryl's cousin Jane Carr Medlock.

At 111 degrees outside we all took advantage of the pool.

..and Hillary made friends with Skelton boys' bearded dragon.

MONDAY AUGUST 30, 2021

While Cali and Alan were at work and Gideon and Parker were at school, Darryl and I took a tour of the new Mesa Temple Visitors Center.

It was a fast vacation but so worth it. We had some very special family time together. And, Although we wish Skye had been there with us, you can see in these photos that she had a wonderful time with her Aunt Sandy riding in the "Hotter than Hell Hundred" bike race. 

And finally, as we think of all the work and dedication it took for a novice cycler like Skye to do so well in her first long distance race, here is a good reminder for all of us!