July Adventures

It was our last month with our family as we know it. We tried to find some fun as a family this month, but we also spent some great time just hanging at home.

Fishing, always fishing!

We went to the Ogden Dinosaur Museum. We haven't been here since the kids were little. 

It was a grand opening for their new playground.

We had fun checking it out.

Everyone had fun with their pics.

Reenactment of the picture below. We like to recreate these old pictures.

Looks the same.

We had a lot of fun!

Then we went over to the Ogden temple.

Mark went to the temple quite often with friends.

They are saying goodbye before everyone heads in different directions.

Dax caught a massive bluegill. 

Mark got a missionary haircut.

We got some new lights on our house. Randy LOVES them.

Wow! When did Seth get such big muscles?

Stopped at Peach City after Bear Lake.

Then we went to the Brigham City temple with cousins.

It has been fun trying to make it to all of the Utah temples.

Family reunion with Grandpa Daniels' side of the family.

We went for treats and the kids played duck, duck, goose.

The peach and cherry sundaes were amazing.

The chickens are doing great. They are resting during the hot summer we had!

Seth found his old baseball uniform and insisted he could still wear it.

Seth directed a reenactment of some Lord of the Rings scenes.

We let Mark pick a lot of places to visit before he left on his mission. Smoked Taco was one of those spots.

Mom and Dad went on a wildflower hike one evening.

Mom was in heaven!

So many pretty flowers!

It was a fun night!

We went to the Manti temple with Mark. It was so special.

And of course we ate at Roy's!

Last adventure was a trip to the Bear River Bird Refuge!

Mark spotted a sora--new bird for him.

He also spotted a bunch of frogs.

It was a fun outing.

Mom being silly!

Mark with Mason and Will and Ivy at someone's farewell. 

This group of boys sang at Mason's farewell. It was awesome!!

We got to go to a sealing with Mark. It was awesome doing all these new things with him!

Mark Prepares for His Mission

Much of our summer was spent getting Mark ready for his mission to Rosario, Argentina. We started early, working with the Missionary Mall to get lots of white shirts, two new suits, socks, belts, and lots of shoes. Before Mom sent her oldest away, she made sure he tried on dozens of pairs, mostly from Amazon, and all but 5 got sent back. 

We went to the Missionary Mall to get a bunch of things for Mark.

He got a fancy new suit.

He is getting ready.

On June 8, 2025, Mark received the Melchezidek Priesthood from his dad. Grandma and Grandpa Daniels showed up because both Mark and Daniel were becoming Elders. It made more sense to do them both on the same day.

We took a picture in the foyer. 

Mark is very ready to be an Elder.

Since the Webbs moved to town, Mark and Daniel have shared a lot of milestones.

Mark also went to the temple to receive his own endowment. This was really special for Mom and Dad, because we are the Temple Preparation teachers for our ward. Because we have several missionaries leaving this summer, we had a class of four right in our own living room, including Mark and Daniel. We enjoyed the lessons and the boys testimonies. Near the end of the course, we took Mark over to Desert Book and got him everything he needs to attend the temple.

Finally, the day came. We had quite a few family members attend the temple, mostly aunts and uncles. Mark went through our own Saratoga Springs Temple. It was a beautiful evening, and Mark said he felt well-prepared, so the class must have been just right. 

Dad got to sit by Mark during the session. 

Laurie and Glen have always supported Mark.

We've worked for a long time to get Mark here.

Grandma and Mark have a special relationship.

Outside the temple.

Family that came to support Mark and Daniel.

Grandma and Grandpa with the boys.

Mark and Daniel spoke in Sacrament Meeting prior to leaving on their missions. Mark did an amazing job, and we felt like he was speaking right to us. Of course, we sit up front, but much of the time he was looking at us, delivering his remarks as if to say, "See, Mom and Dad? I'm ready for this!" We were so proud of him. He and Daniel also performed a musical duet on piano and organ between their talks. Mark laughed because he lost a whole line, but we were sure no one could tell.

Mark did such an amazing job on his talk.

Even more family came to this one. 

Mark and Aubrey, one of many friends who attend the meeting.

Ben was so sad that he wouldn't be seeing Mark for 2 whole years.

Mom and her brunette sisters.

Grandpa, you ok?

Mark and all the boy cousins (except James).

Grandpa was unable to come to some of the events, but he and Mark visited at Kaylan's wedding.

It's tradition to have some kind of get together on the day missionaries speak, but we left that to the Webbs. They hosted a party for the Daniels on that day. The following week, after Mark had entered Home MTC, we had a party for Mark's relatives on the Ockey side. This worked really well, because Gary and Shelley were in town. Lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins were able to attend, and Grandpa was there, too. We had a nice barbecue and enjoyed being together.

There were lots of Ockeys.

We had two cakes. This one was for Grandpa's 90th birthday.

And this one was for Mark.

Sandy was in Alaska, and Jim stayed in New Zealand.