Albuquerque Turkeys

We recently spent some time in Ceres, California with my family. I caravaned out with my family from Grandma's funeral (in UT), while Arthur flew home to squeeze in three days of work. Then he flew out to CA, and spent a week with us and we all drove home after a week of fun with Nona and Grandpa and lots of Aunts and Uncles. We had a blast! As always, I took way too many pictures, and couldn't narrow them down very well. Browse until you're bored.

On the way up to Utah for Grandma's funeral, we stopped at the Canyonlands, and Arches National Parks. They were well worth the time! In fact, I think we'll probably have to go again when we have more time and actually camp up there so we can do some of the longer hikes that are available. 

My Grandmother, Alice Earl Packard, passed away June 5th. She was amazing, and we will miss her. We were able to take our family up to Utah for the funeral and it was a really spiritually uplifting time to be together with everyone, and celebrate her life of service to the Lord and to her family. She is such a great example of a life well-lived and I came away with a renewed desire to be totally committed to our Heavenly Father. Our love and prayers go out especially to Grandpa, and my mother and her siblings who will miss her most of all.

Alice Earl Packard passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband and children on June 5, 2008.  Alice was born July 9, 1932 to Kenneth Owen EArl and Vertie Ann Leavitt Earl in Bunkerville, NV.  She married Floyd L. Packard on Feb 8, 1951 in the Idaho Falls Temple, thus beginning their eternal journey together.  Alice dedicated her life to her husband, her 14 children, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She and her husband settled in Carlsbad, CA for 49 years where they raised all their children.  She loved her country and was influential in all 5 of her sons earning their Eagle Scout Award.  Alice loved music and passed this love on to her family.  Her compassion and determination helped her successfully raise her large family.  She possessed a beautiful smile and refreshing laugh, which always brought a twinkle to her eyes.  She was a quiet pillar of strength and supper to her husband as he served in many positions in the Church.  Together, she and her husband presided over the Florida Tallahassee Mission from 1984-1987, served as the first president and amtron of the San Diego, CA Temple from 1993-1995, and served a couples' mission to the Washington DC Visitor Center from 2001-2003.  Floyd and Alice recently moved to Highland, UT where she continued to strengthen her family.  Alice is survived by her husband of 57 years, her 14 children, 101 grandchildren, and 41 great grandchildren, and many friends.  She will be deeply missed.

 We were at the library on Saturday minding our own business when we were suddenly invaded by imperial troops! So we got some pictures with them to prove it to you. Would you believe that within the last week, I found out that two of my friends didn't know what a storm trooper is or who Bobba Fett is? Shouldn't that be a crime? Star Wars is a very integral part of our American culture. Amber and Sarah, we can still be friends, but I think you should watch Star Wars and educate yourselves in the ways of the force.

Dallin suggested checking out non-fiction books because he wanted to learn about deep sea creatures.  I figured learning was a pretty good idea.  So I checked out a book about robins since there are some living in our backyard.  And would you guess I actually learned some stuff?