Photo Blog: BYU Football Game

The whole family went to BYU's season opener football game. They played Arizona and it was HOT! The kids loved it and BYU won! We did have to take a break and find some shade and eat ice cream. We had great seats right up from the 50 yard line.

Photo Blog: High School Musical Birthday Party

Holland decided that he wanted to have a High School Musical 2 Premier Party/Birthday Party. He loves both movies and has decided that basketball is his favorite sport as a result. He has never played on a team, but starts playing the first week of November. He knows all the basketball moves to "Get Your Head in the Game" and taught his friends the moves at his party. The Naylors gave him the "how to" dance video for his birthday! They party was alot of fun. They played High School Musical trivia, had a basketball shooting competition, and did several sing alongs and dance alongs. It was a big hit!

Photo Blog: Summer Soccer

All 3 boys played soccer this summer, which we probably won't do again. It is too hot to play summer soccer! Plus, we'd rather be on the boat then running to 3 different soccer games every Saturday. They still had alot of fun. It was Cannons first time playing soccer. Packer also participated in a soccer camp put on by some high school students from Bingham High School. One of the coaches (Justin Sorensen) has a full ride scholarship to play football at BYU as the kicker. We got to watch one of his football games and he is amazing. He was named the number 1 kicker in the nation this year. At the game we saw, he kicked a 62-yard field goal (without wind). He's kicked a 75 yard field goal with wind. It was cool for Packer to have him as a coach.

Photo Blog: Boating 2007

Boating is one of our favorite things to do, but with a new baby and crazy schedules, we went out less than 5 times this summer. The few times we went out were a blast. Even Harper loved it. The boat put her right to sleep!

Photo Blog: Cannon's Third Birthday

Cannon turned 3 on July 20th. He had a Transformers party with all his friends at home. Mom made him a Transformers cake and a Bumblebee Pinata. Cannon loves Bumblebee -- a black and yellow Transformer (the main character in the movie). Evertime Cannon sees a cool yellow car, ye yells out "There's Bumblebee." He was very excited to receive a Bumblebee from Aunt Suzi and the Naylors and other Transformer toys from his friends.

MelRae was the host for a "Hawiian Haystack" dinner recently. This picture shows 8 of the 24 people that were present. MelRae purchased the leis at the Dollar store (acutally a $2 store). The ladies in the photo are evenly divided between Church employees and Sister Missionaries.

We meet with the 24 people every Monday evening for FHE and one Monday per month is a dinner with each couple having the chance to be the host. We also go to a restaurant once a month.

The missionaries in Tonga follow a similar pattern and we have enjoyed both groups of great people. These missionaries are great people and they have become wonderful friends.

MelRae with Princess Pilolevu

The Kingdom of Tonga continues to be a monarchy

and the King that was most respected died 12 months ago. The Queen Mother is a wonderful lady and her daughter Princess Pilolevu a really loved by the people. We have had the privilege of being with the Queen and the Princess many times. MelRae hosted the Princess and the Prime Minister's wife, 'Ainise Selvele, today at lunch. They are both lovely women and they are excited for us and for the temple. The Princess has been in the temple twice already and she has requested another visit this week and has also agreed to attend with the wives of the Heads of State on October 18th.

Elder Brown getting clipped by Palu

Palu celebrated his 69th birthday last month and has been barbering for 45 years. He was Elder John H. Groberg's barber and he has cut the hair of all mission and temple presidents for all these years. He is the uncle of Verna Tukuafu who is an outstanding young mother that works in the Church Service Center and has been most helpful to us. After driving to our home, he offered to cut my hair for nothing, but I paid him $20 Pa'anga (about $10) and he insisted that was way way too much.

I am seated on the back porch of our House #29 on the Liahona campus and the temple is about 100 yards to the east of us.

My Favorite Picture of the Brown Girls

Holly got to add her favorite pictures of Harper with the Brown boys, so now I get to post my favorite picture of Harper with Holly.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

We love you Grandpa! We hope you have a great Birthday.

Love, Packer, Holland, Cannon & Harper

Hi Grandma, I love you!

Packer and Harper

Harper is having fun watching Packer play soccer

this season. Packer has become an aggressive player and is loving the game. He attended a soccer camp in the summer with his whole team and they are really playing well!! He still stops to kiss his baby sister on the sidelines whenever he has a chance.

Cannon and Harper

Precious Girl

Holland and Harper

Holland are Harper are best buddies. When we pick Holland up from school, he always tells Harper about his day and what he did and how much he missed her. He usually comforts her when he leaves by reminding her that he will miss her, but he'll be home soon.

A picture is worth....

Forever, when I think of Mark and Harper, I will remember this picture. It's the first time I saw him lean down to kiss his baby girl.

Peter Averi following his Auckland Organ Concert

We are pictured with Peter Averi following his organ concert that was attended by 600 people. Peter is a wonderful non-member friend of the Church. He has performed on Temple Square in both the Tabernacle and the Assembly Hall. He produces a weekly TV show titled: "Praise Be." We were introduced to Peter by his good friend Iain McKay who is the New Zealand Consul General in Utah. We visited with Iain in his office at Bonneville International in January. He has become a great friend to us.

Naylor Family Alaskan Cruise

We just got back from spending a week cruising Alaska. We were on the Royal Caribbean cruiseline. It was an amazing trip for the scenery. We saw whales, dolphin, eagles, even a bear.

This was one of the dress up nights while on the ship.

This was definately a cruise for nature lovers and scenic views. This was taken in Tracy Fijore. The glacier you can see up between the moutains in one of the largest moving glaciers in the world.

We took a helicopter ride out to another glacier. I think we all enjoyed the helicopter ride more than actually seeing the glaciers.

The most peaceful part of the trip was a kayacing tour through a Bald Eagle preserve. While paddlin we saw a 600 pound brown bear eating salmon and many eagles in the trees and flying above us.

Th is was a large glacier that we flew to in the helicopter. In the last 100 years it has moved 45 miles, creating an 800' valley below it as it moves towards south.

While in Prince Rupert, BC we took a really nice hike through the forest. The river that followed the trail runs norht in the morning and south in the afternoon. It's all dueto the change of tides. Powell was able to pass off some scout stuff during this hike. You know Suzi, take advantage of every situation!!!!

Just like on any cruise, the wait staff was great. The kids enjoyed goofing off with Messe from Turkey.

All in all we had a great time!!

Havasupai

I thought I would post a few pictures from a recent YM hike that Crew and I went on. It was to the southern end of the Grand Canyon in an area called Havasupai. It is named for the Havasupai Indian tribe that lives nearby the waterfalls. We spent four days swimming and cliff diving. The hike was 12 miles each way, but well worth the trip.

These are pictures of us cliff jumping. The picture on the left was a 45' cliff. I was the first person to do a flip off of it. The picture on the right was Crew and I jumping together off of a 25' cliff.

The last picture is Crew with his good friend David as they walked through the travertine pools.