Autumn Colors and Family Updates

 Autumn officially began on September 22 in 2020.  We always enjoy driving in the canyons to see the foliage colors, which were nice this year even though not as vibrant as last year. 

 

September 24th, Sam and I enjoyed seeing the autumn colors.

 

 

We went with our good friends, Hal and Christy Smith.

 

A couple of days earlier, Sam had taken a friend, Kim Berrett, on a drive
to see the fall colors.  Sam has had some other nice sightseeing drives with our friend Kim who has finally been able to be at home after his fall from a scaffolding last February. 
In mid-July, Kim was released from the hospital where he had been since his accident;
and during most of that time, he had been in isolation due to the Covid pandemic.

 

Sam took Kim's picture on their trip to Promontory Summit where the 

First Transcontinental Railroad was officially completed in northern Utah.

They enjoyed the lecture at Promontory Summit.

The transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869 when the presidents of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met in Promontory, Utah, and drove a ceremonial last spike into a rail line that connected their railroads.  

This made transcontinental railroad travel possible for the first time in U.S. history.

 

     The Brigham City Temple was on their route.

 

Here are some autumn pictures taken on these recent sightseeing drives:

 

 

 

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We appreciated Jeff, Kate, and Miles coming for a visit on their return home to Arkansas after taking Zack and a friend to BYU-Idaho in Rexburg;
and we were pleased to have members of our family living nearby
come to enjoy a pleasant evening at our home while Jeff's family was here.
Ryan and Tani came from Eagle Mountain
and Beth and Todd's family were here.

 

Part of our family group left before I remembered to take a picture,
but the children had been enjoying time in the pool while
the rest of us had a good visit.
Beth and Todd had brought food for us to enjoy earlier in the evening.
(back: Jeff, Brynlee, Shannon, and Doug;
front:  Miles, Rebecca, Kate, Mason, Corban, Jacob, and Isaac)

 

We were pleased to have a visit from our nephew Trevor and Megan and their darling children Sadie and James, who were here from Arizona where Trevor is doing his internship.  Our visit was in our backyard as we try to respect the Covid restrictions. 

 

Paul, Trevor holding James, Megan, Haley, and Sarah

 

Trevor and James Curtis Smith (born 9/10/2019) 

 

Paul, Anna, Max, Sadie, and Rebecca

Megan and Trevor with James and Sadie

 

Beth took this photo before we had to say our goodbyes to Trevor and his family.
Trevor and Megan with Sadie and James;
Sarah with Max, Paul, and Anna (in the purple shirt);
Rebecca, Haley, Grampa and Gramma 

 

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We now have the locks added to our marriage tree for our granddaughters, Megan and Amanda, who were married this summer.  We missed getting the photos taken on their wedding days, so I appreciate their coming this month to take each other's photos
as each sister and husband added their lock.

 

 

 Amanda and Alex, married August 8, 2020

Megan and Gabe, married June 6, 2020

 

Megan and Gabe's Wedding

The morning of June 6th began with rain, the day of Megan and Gabe's wedding; but thankfully it quit in time for the ceremony and photos afterward. 

Beth's photographer friend was the official person documenting Megan and Gabe's wedding reception yesterday; but, of course, I took quite a few pictures, too. Here are some of the photos I took of this wonderful event.  The wedding was at 11:00 a.m.

Todd escorting Megan
Megan and Gabe have selected the Payson City Temple 
where they will be sealed when it becomes available;
but due to the Covid-19 temporary closure,
they chose to first be married in our backyard.

The Graham's stake president is waiting with Gabe
as they watch Todd escort Megan.

The Grahams were pleased to have their stake president
and friend perform the ceremony.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez. 

Guests at the wedding were invited to a delicious noon luncheon
featuring barbacoa that was hosted by the groom's parents.

Megan's sisters, Rebecca and Amanda, were
among her attendants.

Gabe's groomsmen included his brother and brothers-in-law
and Megan's brothers,
Jared, Ethan, and Joshua.

Gabe and Megan with his brother and two sisters
(one sister was unable to attend).

With Megan's family:

Ethan, Alex (who will become part of the family in August), Amanda, Todd,

Megan and Gabe,

Rebecca, Beth, Jared, and Joshua.

Gabe's family

Megan and Amanda with their long-time friend.

Family members who attended the wedding (taken by a guest).
Click on the photo for a larger view.

The forecast for more rain later made it advisable to move the setting for the reception; and our garage was transformed into a background for the decorative things planned. In keeping with precautions for health safety due to Covid-19, the wedding party male attendants ushered arriving guests to our circular driveway where guests could observe the decorations and photos that had been set up in their new location and then stop to be greeted and give their congratulations to the newlyweds and their parents.

The reception was from 6:00 to 8:00 that evening.

Part of the photo display.

The picture of Megan and Gabe displayed at the left

is an original artwork made by Amanda.

Specially decorated cookies made by a friend of the family.

The cake was made and decorated by

Megan's Aunt Shannon.

Each guest was given a pencil with a "Bride and Groom Trivia" sheet 

to get better acquainted with the new bride and groom.

Each guest was also given the opportunity

to write a personal message for Gabe and Megan,

which will be saved in a memory book for them.

The drive-through ended by guests being given a

bag with chips and salsa to take with them.



Among the guests we were pleased to welcome
my brother, (K. LeRoi), and Dave and Kayleen Nelson
and Kayleen's half-sister. 

 Other family members who came 
to share the festivities with us included:



Scott and Kristine



Doug and Shannon



Tani is shown here visiting with Shannon and Doug.
Ryan came, too, but he is not in the picture.



The car for the newlyweds is ready to leave for their honeymoon.



The new and happy husband and wife.
Following their honeymoon, they will be living in Provo 
and continuing their education at UVU.