To St. George to Wait

So the wait started. Shortly after our arrival, we got another call from Church Travel. Colombia had evidently decided to change its system for issuing visas from manual to online. As part of that transition, they decided to return all visas that were in process back to their submitters and make them resubmit them via the online system. So.......the new MTC report date became October 7. KR took advantage of the wait to return to her tap and spin classes and her pickle-ball playing with friends (not a pickle-ball racquet in the photo). 

To Utah

Despite the delay in entering the MTC, we were faced with needing to stay somewhere other than 3675 Westridge, as Sarah Cabbage was scheduled to move into our home to take care of it while we were away. These arrangements had been made a long time ago, as she planned to move in before beginning her teaching duties at Foothills Middle School. So, we packed up our things and headed off to Utah to stay in St. George while we awaited our visas. Mike Dover had flown out earlier to work and Amy had stayed on for a few days in Wenatchee, so we came up with a "plan" (we are experts at complicated ways to travel, especially to Utah). So: 1) I headed over to Seattle on the 12th to eat lunch with Jon and say goodbye (I also visited his offices on Mercer Island), 2) next, I drove to Vancouver to have dinner with Katie, Kyle, Max, and the Christensen's, 3) I drove east along the Columbia Gorge in the fading light and stayed near Stevenson. Meanwhile, Amy and kids left Wenatchee in their car the morning of the 13th and we hooked up near Pendleton then drove together as far as Burley, ID. I stayed there and Amy continued on to Springville. Her kids are great travelers! I ate lunch with my brother, Rod, in Pocatello on the 14th and made it to Morgan that day to spend some time with Mom. We spent several days together, even traveling to Henefer for a wedding reception. I spent the next four nights (14-17) in Morgan, getting KR at the Salt Lake Airport on the 17th and bringing her back to Morgan for church the next day. We spent the next week in Springville (KR the whole week and me the first three days). I spent Thursday through Saturday in Park City with the Anderton Fantasy Football bunch, which ended with Tom, Mark and I in church with Mom (again). This time Tom, a bishop, went to church in sandals since he had forgotten his church shoes. He and Mark flew back to Wenatchee Sunday afternoon and I left Monday, picking KR up in Springville on our way to St. George. See, I told you we could make traveling to St. George complicated.

While KR Was in Springville, the Kids
Started Back to School - The Glasses
Are a Prop

The Dover Deck Gets a Makeover

As KR is Wont to Do, She Took It Upon
Herself to Clean Off Every Bit of Old Paint
On the Deck Railing Before It was Put Back

Logan Photo Shoot

All the Dover Kids

Christensen Photo Shoot

Mission Delay

As everyone was getting ready to head home, we got a call from the Missionary Department. Due to continued problems with Colombian visas, our date for entrance into the MTC was changed to September 9. Even though we were disappointed in the delay, I am not sure we were quite prepared to leave anyway. Therefore, the development was bittersweet. However, since Sarah Cabbage was already slated to move into our house, we decided to go ahead and get all of the mission preparations done in Wenatchee that we needed to do there and then head down to St. George to wait out the final days.

The Family Heads Home

Sadly, all of the fun times of August 2013 came to an end and one by one the Anderton Family split up and headed home. But, of course, not before we got some nice pictures!

Ethan & Olivia Fall Asleep in the Most
Improbable Positions

Ninja Matt

Wolverinepa

Matt & Family on the Shores of Lake
Washington Before Being Dropped at the Airport

Dover Kids Visit Woodland Park Zoo
With the Seattle Cousins

Carkeek Park

KR, Amy, Grant, Livi, Logan & Ethan
Walking the Shores of the Columbia River

Livi Absorbing Knowledge While Sleeping

Merrill Reunion

Most of the Merrill Clan united for three days of fun activities planned by Rick - good job bro! Thursday's highlight was a hike to Clara Lake near Mission Ridge. Olivia won the prize for being the first to jump in the cold water, Max munched on an apple, Henry & Grant enjoyed a picnic lunch, Logan just sat there and stared at everyone, and all got reacquainted with cousins, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. On the way home from the hike, some stopped at Dairy Queen for a cold treat. Friday, we enjoyed a morning at the East Wenatchee bowl and game arcade, then had a nice dinner at the Fancher Homestead.  

Eva Getting GrandpaTickles

Wack-a-Noah

Timed Marble Tower Contest

Most of Saturday was spent at Chelan's Slidewaters. The weather turned nicer for the outdoor activities. Whew! The entire activity was deemed a great success.

Yassar Arafat Was Spotted in Chelan

Flexible Flexers

Ahhhh, Smores