MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND IN FRISCO: Friday, May 9 - Sunday, May 11, 2014
We celebrate Gary's birthday and Mother's Day with Kristen, Kyle, Justin and Seth during a very fun, busy weekend in Frisco. (Aaron and Parker are at a baseball tournament in Oklahoma.) We picnic at the park on Friday evening, take in the movie Rio 2 and, finally, stop for ice cream sundaes. Saturday is a full day with ball games; Kyle's band tryouts and volleyball; an early dinner at Genghis Grill; an evening Minor League Baseball game featuring the Frisco RoughRiders and the Corpus Christi Hooks. Unfortunately the home team isn't competitive, but it's a fun, festive atmosphere at the ball park on a beautiful night.
Gary and boys volunteer to fix Mother's Day breakfast on Sunday, but Kristen already has a plan. She makes a delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon and fixings. Following church, Kristen also treats us to a yummy meal before we leave for home. Thank you for a lovely weekend, Kris!
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| At Frisco RoughRiders/Corpus Christi Hooks Minor League Baseball Game |
GRANDSON SPENCER DYAL'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: Saturday, May 31, 2014
Spencer, who turned eighteen on March 14, recently received a mission call to Quito Ecuador. He enters the MTC in Mexico City at the end of July. Originally, our plan was to meet the Dyals in Utah in July. Of course, this plan was dependent on Spencer reporting to the Provo MTC. Instead, we go with Plan B ... We attend Spencer's high school graduation in Michigan on May 31st. We are so very proud of this fine, young man. Spencer graduates cum laude from John Glenn High School. He plays in the band during commencement, while Sister Jessica sings in the choir. Spencer, our oldest grandchild, continues to be a wonderful example for our sixteen other grandchildren!
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| Spencer's Graduation Day |
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| Spencer and His Proud Parents |
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| At Spencer's High School Graduation in Ypsilanti, Michigan |
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| Lunch at Rose's Italian Cafe following Spencer's Graduation |
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JESSICA DYAL TURNS SIXTEEN: Monday, June 2, 2014
This is a big week of celebration for the Dyal family. Jessica's sixteenth birthday is on June 2nd -- just two days after Spencer's graduation. Julie and Josh's twentieth anniversary is on June 3rd -- the day after Jessica's birthday. And Spencer's graduation open house is on June 7th! While continuing to babysit full time, Julie gracefully manages each of these special events.
Jessica has high expectations for her special day. Most, if not all, of her wishes come true! Josh leaves work early to get Jessica to the DMV before it closes for the day. Success! Jessica returns with a driver's license! When Jessica opens presents, another wish comes true. She receives two gift cards for a shopping spree at Kohl's. After dinner at BD's Mongolian Grill, Jessica enjoys this shopping spree. She returns home with adorable new outfits. A long pink ribbon leads from the Dyal's front door, up the stairs and into Jessica's bedroom, which is filled from floor to ceiling with pink balloons. While we were eating out, friends carefully decorated Jessica's room. What a fun, memorable birthday for the sweetest sixteen-year-old young lady we know. We love you, Jessica!
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| Sweet Sixteen and Photo Bombed! |
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| Triple-Chocolate Birthday Cake ... YUM! |
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SPENCER HITS THE ROAD WITH GRANDPA AND GRANDMA: June 3-5, 2014
Our plan to visit Niagara Falls with Spencer is modified by rainy weather. Instead, we decide to visit the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. Coincidentally, Spencer has a cute girlfriend who lives in Dayton. Quality time with Alyssa is the highlight of Spencer's two days in Ohio. He hopes to see Alyssa at least one more time before leaving on his mission.
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| Alyssa and Spencer at the Movie -- "Million Dollar Arm" |
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| World War II Section of the United States Air Force Museum |
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| Air Force One (SAM 26000) Took JFK to Dallas in November 1963 | | |
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| Cockpit of Air Force One (SAM 26000) |
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| Rhonda Beside Air Force One (SAM 26000) |
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| LBJ Took Oath of Office Aboard Air Force One (SAM 26000) at Love Field in Dallas |
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| We See "D-Day: Normandy 1944" (3D) at US Air Force Museum |
SPENCER GOES THROUGH THE DETROIT LDS TEMPLE: Friday, June 6, 2014
We feel privileged to be with Spencer, Julie and Josh when Spencer goes through the temple for the first time. It reminds us of being with Julie during her initial endowment session. We can hardly believe it's time for another generation to begin this important process. Again, we are so proud of Spencer and the righteous decisions he's made to be worthy to enter the Temple of the Lord. We are also grateful to Julie and Josh, who have carefully taught correct principles and instilled within Spencer a desire to make wise, though difficult choices!
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| A Beautiful Night at the Detroit Michigan LDS Temple |
CUTE KIDS AT GREENFIELD VILLAGE: Saturday, June 7, 2014
Kim and her cute kids make the three-hour drive from Columbus to Canton on Friday morning, June 6. We stay in adjoining rooms at the Dearborn Inn on Friday and Saturday nights. While Julie, Josh, Spencer and Jessica work hard -- preparing for Spencer's graduation open house -- the rest of us spend the day playing at Henry Ford's Greenfield Village, just across the street from our hotel. The Dyal and Brown kids always enjoy their time together.
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| Eight Cute Grandkids at Entrance to Greenfield Village |
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| Logan and Ethan -- Just After Riding the Village Train |
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| High-Spirited Cow at Firestone Farm - Greenfield Village |
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| Walking the Firestone Farm - Greenfield Village |
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| Lambs and Kids Relax in the Shade on a Warm Day |
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| Daddy-Daughter Time at Greenfield Village |
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| Alex Helps at the Village Print Shop |
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| Feeding Cereal to Ducks and Fish |
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| William Loves the Carousel |
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| Allie Pumps Water into the Playground Trough |
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| Logan Takes Great Care of Baby Elizabeth |
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| Alex, Jacob and Carter -- High Atop the Rock-Climbing Wall |
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| Find Logan and You'll Find Baby Elizabeth! |
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| Ethan and Allie Sit on a Wall ... Ethan and Allie, Please Don't Fall! |
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| Alex and His Sore Foot Hitch a Ride to the Car |
I didn't take pictures at Spencer's graduation open house. I was busy working in the kitchen. It was a lovely event. Great job, Dyals! Thank you for inviting us to be part of these milestone events in your lives! We love you all!
