Rich Visits Elder Marlatt

This month Bob needed someone to help him get his MTG business car from Topeka, KS to Austin TX, so Rich jumped in to help. He flew into the Kansas City airport Friday August 1st, and was able to visit with Elder Marlatt on his way to spend the night at Bob's MTG apartment in Topeka. Then Saturday morning he took off for a long drive to Austin Texas and flew back home Sunday morning the 3rd. Thanks so much Rich your help was greatly appreciated!

With the permission of the mission president; one of the perks he got while there was a visit with Chris. How often do you get a free meal and visit from your brother while on your mission?!

Elder Marlatt and his companion at their apartment.
Of course, Rich made sure he got a picture of "THE 'TONY LAMA' COWBOY BOOTS"!
Or is it that Elder Marlatt made sure Rich got a picture of his awesome boots!?!
(None-the-less, in the past you would have never caught Chris wearing a pair, and a few months back Elder Marlatt admitted that yes, he did need, and was okay with wearing them. Way to go, Elder Marlatt!!)

Bishop's First Wedding & Baptism

Mike and Nancy's Wedding

This past weekend was wonderful. We had fun setting up and participating in the wedding of Nancy Cadel and Mike Bickell.
They are such a sweet couple.Bishop Marlatt watching as the happy couple arrive.Bishop performed a wonderful ceremony and the weather was great!
It was hot but the wind helped to keep it from being too extreme. I think it reached 99 degrees Saturday, or so they say. The wedding was outdoors and the reception in the cultural hall.

Bride's father.

Groom's parents and grandmother.
Cutting the Cake
Mike's mother put a lot of loving hours into the cake and watched as the weather melted all her hard work away. I was amazed as she didn't give up or fall apart as I probably would have if it was me. She just went to work to make sure it looked it's best before the reception began.
What an awesome Mother!
Sister Oakes greeting the bride.Mike's Mother and our Relief Society President Alicia Snyder.
The Relief Society worked hard to help make it a big success.
Thanks so much for all the help and support!
After the wedding and reception we all went into the Relief Society room to witness as Mike and Nancy's were baptized.

Mike and Nancy with Eld Inlet Elders
What an Awesome Day!

AWESOME Youth Dance Festival 2008!

July 24th - 26th was our Regional Youth Dance Festival with performances on Friday and Saturday. Bishop Marlatt helped back stage in the young men's area and had a great time. He was there everyday without fail.

"Vienna Waltz"

Our stake had the best synchronized performances. They did awesome in the Waltz, Swing and Samba, but then I might be a bit prejudiced too.

I went with Cheryl and Josh Friday and sat with the Martinsen family to watch the first showing. Noah was very interested in all the action and colors of the dancers.

Here he is with his Grandpa and Grandma Martinsen.

By the time the dance was about over Noah had had enough action for one day.

"The Samba"

Bob was going to sit with us for at least one of the showing but wasn't able to because they were short on helpers back stage in the young men's dressing area. Josh and Cheryl spent the night Thursday at our house and we went together to the dance festival. Bob got home late Thursday evening from the youth conference and had to leave very early Friday morning so Noah got to see Grandpa Marlatt all but a glimpse here and there each day, but was able to say goodbye in the parking lot after the Friday performance as they were getting ready to head home.


Saturday Bob and I went with Rich and Allisha to Randy and Cathy Naegle's sealing in the Portland Temple and then straight to the dance festival for the Saturday afternoon showing. We stopped long enough in Olympia for Rich and Allisha to pick up their car so Bob could stay the rest of the time at the Tacoma Dome with the youth.

"The Swing Dance"

Rich, Allisha and I enjoyed the 2pm session and then had lunch at the quaint little "Burger Stop" in Fife. They had the best milkshakes I have had in a long time! While we were there I saw a friend from Wood Badge that had his daughter dancing in the festival with one of her LDS friends. They came to every performance and loved it. We then headed home after a very long and fun filled day.

It seemed like the youth got better and better at each performance... although they were outstanding in all their performances. You could tell in their faces that they were truly having a great time.

I wish that I was closer and could have gotten more pictures of our youth, there were so many of them that participated and I wanted to include them here but the pictures didn't turn out very clear. Sorry about that.