Double Hoola & Mormon Tatoo's

Family photo at Ogden Dinosaur Park. That's me on the left - the really hungry dude with the big teeth.

My C#. This is a bunch of guys who got together at the talent show at our ward campout. Our EQ president had 7 or 8 bottles all with just the right amount of water in each one - just enough to create enough notes to play "Take Me out to the Ball Game."

Lauren shares one of her talents with the rest of the ward. Double Hoola Hoops. Two hoola hoops is nothin' - you should see her do this while playing the harmonica and doing the Hula dance with her hands all at the same time. Very cool.

Lauren received a standing ovation. This shot was taken a few minutes after, and she was still smiling about her performance. She takes a moment to revel after the applause. Rylee was going to jump rope using the small pink hoola hoop - and she can do it too. But when she got out in front of the crowd she was overwhelmed. Everybody was chanting her name, but shyness won out. Maybe next year.

By the way, that butterfly tatoo on Rylee's cheek wouldn't come off for church on Sunday. Is this odd to anyone else? At the Mormon party we pass out free sticker tatoo's and encourage our kids to get one on their face? I'm still trying to figure this one out.

My Girls

This is Lauren helping me cover the 1" water pipe so I could see if the water would come out all the places other it should in my sprinkler system. She got a little wet, but it was fun.

Rylee & Lauren bought new hats

Nice bum shot of Rylee. We went to Bear Lake yesterday, that place is amazing.

Rylee has been telling us alot about her imaginary friend named Della. Della came to church with us today. While Rylee had Della on the phone I told her to tell Della to come to dinner but she had to bring me $1 Million bucks. Della agreed and said she'd be over for dinner. Anybody want her phone number?

With her birthday money, Lauren & Rylee both bought some stuff they wanted. These little beads that melt together. . . ????? I don't understand why girls like that stuff. They're not interested in race car sets and laser tag- no, no, no - melty beads and a track for their wind up doll pets. ???

Elder & Sister Mangum at Provo Temple

It was on mom's camera, i couldn't resist.

Tradition

Elder & Sister Mangum at the Traditional MTC Photo spot. They entered the MTC on August 2nd, and we picked them up on August 10th. They had some great stories to tell, found some past friends, made some new friends, listened to devotionals, and sang Called to Serve with all the other missionaries. They stayed with us for two nights before flying out of SLC airport to get back home to Leesville. I hear the rest of our family was there waiting to greet them and hear the stories of the MTC and get some good detail on the whole experience.

Papa and Rylee shucking corn, these two got along well and Rylee still talks about Nana & Papa coming to visit and then going on a mission. This has been a great experience for my girls to see Nana & Papa don the missionary tags.

I have this photo on my computer background, Mom saw it and told me I should share with everyone. She's right, and she is still my mom - so here you go.

The Field is OPEN

It's true, he's back. Elder Mangum I has returned to the mission field, and this time he's brought his own companion.

The picture above was taken in front of the MTC, however, the favorite picture spot with the stone engraving that normally reads, "Missionary Training Center" was gone. Naught but a large chiseled cavity in the wall on both sides of the street. So we settled for the field sign which certainly does apply in more ways than one.

Since that great day back in June when we had a surprise retirement party for mom & dad, they have only had one thing on their minds. . . "Get the house in order so we can get into the mission field." Today was that day. Yesterday was the day I was telling all my friends at church, "I am taking my parents to the MTC tomorrow." The tables have certainly turned, and it was a marvelous experience to see mom & dad take on that missionary countenance which they brought with them to Utah.

When we pulled up in front of the MTC and spoke to the Elder who was assigned to greet incoming couples, I laughed when he told me to take my parents to the Super 8 Motel thinking surely he was joking. He wasn't. The MTC is currently undergoing renovations, including the facility that normally houses the couple missionaries. They put mom & dad up in the Super 8 Motel a few blocks away near the football stadium.

We unloaded luggage from the truck in the Super 8 parking lot, then we shuttled mom & dad back to the MTC.

It brought back memories to walk along the sidewalk in front of the MTC. The last time I walked these grounds was when Laurie & Tim brought me here 17 years ago. I can't believe it's been that long, I had to double check my math just to be sure. Not to steal any limelight from mom & dad, in fact, the last time dad was here was to meet Harold B. Lee for an interview followed by a setting apart done by Elder Ezra T. Benson. Top that, eh.

Mom was nervous, but you can see that she was much more composed than she normally gets for big events - there was an element of commitment in the mix of emotions she was feeling. Once they greeted mom & dad by name when we pulled up and she saw they were expecting her and had a place for her to stay, food for them to eat, and a fairly demanding training schedule for her to follow she seemed to relax. Not a single tear at the departure door when we said goodbye. Just hugs all around, smiles, excitement, and a very strong missionary spirit.

You can't look at this couple now without seeing the Lord's hand in supporting them during all their hard years of work to get here. This was truly a crowning day.