A dog and summer

One summer morning around the 5th of July the kids reported there was a dog at the stop sign. Then the dog found our yard and there he has stayed. He was initially called Bud then buddy, then I declared his name had to change because Merle is called Buddy. So Spot he has become. He was a jumpy dog in the beginning and for a while I really hated his coming. In the month of June Andrea and Merle would play outside for hours at a time. When the dog arrived they took to sitting inside. We left for a weekend hoping maybe he would disappear but when we got home here he was waiting for us. We worked to train him to stop jumping. Spot liked to chase the few roosters not in pens. This angered Reed and the two had a few rough go rounds. But the dog is a quick learner.  

Even though Andrea was scared of the dog she was sure cute inside. She has taken to the dog as he has calmed down and now spends time outside with him each day. I'm thankful all the kids have learned how to be assertive and manage an animal somewhat. 

We went on a quick trip to Utah for a funeral which happened to be in the same place where Greg's grandparents are buried. 

Greg's grandfather helped to build the building and his payment was the two burial spots in the mausoleum. It was very reverent and solemn to be in a place we had heard about for years. One of Greg's sisters said she remembered the grandfather saying he smoothed the cement extra well in their vault. 

Our grandmothers met at our wedding reception they learned they had grown up blocks apart in Ogden they shared memories of their lives there. It was a pleasant evening for them. It was surprising to me during the funeral to find they ended up being buried close together too. I'm thankful for Greg's support and willingness to attend family things with me. My Uncle Clair had passed on and was the reason for the funeral. He holds a special place in my memory as a rescuer and place of relief. 
 

We spent many a summer in Utah visiting my great grandmother and his family. He was a great man always serving and taking care of others. He was a smart architect and spent his career building LDS church buildings. I loved his pancakes and his hugs.