A Lovely Visit

My mom and dad are doing a 50th wedding anniversary get-away in their typical style, which means they are "anxiously engaged in a good cause" (or causes). They are driving cross-country visiting temples and doing family history research. They were able to spend over a week here with us and helped with many projects, including the huge one of keeping Seth happy.
We had three great moments they were able to participate in. The first was the ordination of Quinn to the Melchizedek priesthood, which his grandpa participated in. Immediately following that, all my men-folk were able to be part of a beautiful blessing that Paul gave to Seth - even Luke helped by holding the microphone. And then yesterday we held Quinn's Eagle Scout Court of Honor, and both of my parents were a huge help in that. We had some of Quinn's favorite youth leaders speak - Brian Nanto, Justin Turner, and Josiah Hunter. And of course, Paul, who has been Quinn's "youth leader" from the beginning, but also served as his Scout leader for a while.
We wish we lived closer to family so that visits would be more frequent, but we must take life as it comes. And having mom and dad all to ourselves for a week is something that wouldn't happen much if we lived closer. So we count our blessings!

Mormon Prom

A week before Seth was born was another big event we were involved in - Mormon Prom. It got sidelined on the blog, but was really so much fun I've got to post about it. In our area we do a big multi-stake prom each year (thank goodness it wasn't our turn to host!) The theme was "Around the World in 80 Days" and our stake's assignment was to turn the foyer into an 1870's-era train station where the kids could come check in before going into the dance. So Quinn made some sketches of people in correct costume and he, Adrianne, and another woman in our stake painted them life-size on some canvases. Our YW secretary did a fabulous job of painting a huge mural of the stairs and windows in Grand Central station, and my counselor, her sister, and I made three ticket booths. The whole place looked great - you can see the amazing pics here.
But that was only half the fun. Quinn and some of his friends (and their moms) planned a dinner for 7 couples which they used our house for. We set up tables on the deck and they had menus with various choices of entrees, etc. and Luke and another little brother were the waiters. It was all good fun!