ELLIE'S HOMECOMING TALK AND OPEN HOUSE!~

It's been such a busy weekend!  It continued on Sunday as we got up to attend Ellie's Homecoming talk at the Smith building. There was another sister leaving on her mission as well so she spoke 1st and Ellie concluded. SHE DID FANTASTIC!!  What a visible growth she experienced on her mission! It's so interesting to think back on her talk before she left and the one she gave today! She has got such a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and it was so evident that her conviction of the truth was expanded a ton!! I cried all through her talk as the Spirit was so strong. Such a great experience.

Ellie, Livie and their friend. The three of them all worked at Subway together. I didn't get her name but she was sweet and she loves both the Cleaver girls. After the meeting was over, we went to Lynn's house till noon. Then we went home quickly to get a canopy that Nate wanted to borrow for the open house.

It was very warm but their back yard has a lot of trees so along with the canopy, it was great! They served lots of cold drinks and a white and a chocolate Costco cake! It was great!

They had a full back yard and other's came and went and wished Ellie well! Here she is with her sister and "Joe" the maybe future hubby. (If Blake has his wish) lol I think Ellie is going to be very careful as he kinda broke her heart while she was on her mission, then made up, BUT we'll see what develops!

He is a very nice young man! 

Jess, Curtis, Blake and Stillman discussing Blake's future! His girlfriend gets home next month and he is set to propose. He's already got the ring and plans on doing it when her family comes up to CASCADE to spend a weekend with the Cleavers!

Nate, being the "Engineer" that he is, rigged up a fan to circulate the air! lol

It kinda worked!

Deedra (standing) and Tammy and Livie visiting to the left and Jaden and Jack to the right of her!

Melissa, keeping the party going. 

Several people sat out on the rocks that line the perimeter of the yard. From the left: Chris Floyd, Corcin, Lehi, Cindy and Colby, Jess Kelly, then we get into member's of their ward and I don't know them. Becky (in pink) is Nate's Aunt. 

They do have a in the ground trampoline in the back yard and that helped to entertain the young kids.

When it was getting time to leave to go to our Ward I decided I'd better start getting some pictures. I got Colby and Deedra and Charlotte!

Stillman (being Stillman lol)  and Colby !

And the 5 siblings that were there along with Corbin who got a nice photobomb in! lol

Chris Floyd and Anna. Scott and Scotlyn came over and stayed about a half hour but we were gone when they got there. Boo!  I wanted a picture of them as well but as it turns out, no one took one! I think most of the kids had left by then because they all had to travel home and that's several hours for all of them. It was a nice turnout though and we all enjoyed welcoming Ellie home.

After our Sacrament meeting was over, Tony and I went to Lynn's and Jess and Diane and Joyce and Lynn and us two made taco salads for dinner. I browned the hamburger when I got home from church and change my clothes before going over and I brought some Romaine lettuce and tomatoes from the garden. Diane warmed up chili beans and we cut up an onion and shredded some cheese. They were so good. Then we had a Peanut Butter chocolate pie, Lynn bought at Costco. It was so RICH! But so good! After eating, Tony had to rush off to a meeting for the Priesthood activity that is coming up. Us four women played games and then we watched a little TV till Tony and Tammy and the kids came over. We were so happy that Katie came back. She had so much fun playing GOLF the night before that she returned. It was a

FUN FUN Weekend!