Summer 2009

I'm late with posting this but here's out summer events. I've already posted some summer events earlier but no good pics - so here are the details along with the events)! It didn't feel like a summer because of how busy we were but none the less it happened during the summer. We LOVED spending so much time with our family however our kids asked their Dad if next summer we could just take a vacation. We've never done that before. We've taken trips but NOT vacations - we're always performing or something like that. We'll see - it's always fun performing but perhaps they have something to that whole relaxing thing. Love you kids!!!

Washington

Our summer began going to Burley, Idaho (where I'm from) to celebrate my folks 60th Wedding Anniversary! It was a very nice event. The following weekend we all drove to Washington to be with the Blacks. We couldn't get there soon enough. We hadn't seen those sweet kids since CHRISTmas! Eliza had grown so much and remembered all of us. She wasn't shy at all. Porter had grown a TON and didn't know any of us. He was still so sweet to us strangers. Brook's Stake had asked our family to perform at their Stake Youth Conference. It was a positive experience - the Spirit was strong but it was very emotional. We hadn't sung together as a family for such a long time (still missing Guy). We enjoyed our stay sooooo much. Here are just some of the pics from our day at the Columbia River. We were also able to stay for Porter's 1st b-day! The cutest thing was watching these cousins with each other. Eliza was soooo adorable to Brockton. They all seemed to get along so well. Can't wait to see them in October!

Barry's 30th Class Reunion

July was an EXTREMELY busy month (read on you'll see). July 3rd was Barry's 30 Class Reunion from Orem High. Since he was Class President we were in charge of it. He really spent a lot of time trying to make sure it was a fun/memorable event. It was held at the Provo Marriott and thank goodness for our children (once again) for helping out! They ran sound, helped with decorations, games and making gifts. Barry really did a great job as well as others that participated.

AnnAlyse's 19th Birthday

AnnAlyse turned 19 in July! She has been looking forward to this for a long time (19 just seems so much older) and it was a fun day. This pic is of her holding a "hand"made card from her niece, Eliza and nephew, Porter - it was sweet (of course with the help of their mother, Brook). She was spoiled by all her relatives. We LOVE our Nannies and feel so blessed to have her in our lives! She's talented, has a STRONG testimony, funny, loving, energetic, kind, thoughtful, passionate, giving, loves serving others and LOVES her family!!!!!!!!!! That smile is truly AnnAlyse!

Tower of Power

One of Barry's dreams has been to record "Tower of Power". Well this dream came true in July! T.O.P. was coming to SLC for the Jazz festival and Bare called their manager to see if they'd be able to come and play on "Hair Spray" that Barry's company was recording (his business called "The MT Pit). Sure enough, their manager called back and said they'd love to!!!!!! We couldn't believe it - a Total dream come true. Well, the most amazing part about this was the night they came (trust me, we were all there) Barry turned to our son, Michael, and let him record T.O.P.! I started crying. This was Barry's dream and he just handed it over to his son. That says EVERYTHING about the kind of man Barry is. I love that man more than Earthly words can say. What a memorable night - very nice men and talk about TALENTED!!!!!!!!!!!

The Black Family

Right before we left for Nauvoo Brook and her family came to see us for a few days. They were headed down to Blanding for a Family Reunion with Daniel's side of the family. Even though it was only for a few days (and we were sooo busy with rehearsing for Nauvoo) it was sooooo good to see them. We felt like we really bonded with Porter and Eliza kept us in stitches the whole time. We wish they lived closer but we know they're doing a great work where the Lord needs them in Washington. Don't they just melt your heart?

Nauvoo

The biggest highlight of our summer was going to Nauvoo again. Our family was asked to do a Sunday Night Sociable there and we performed a Broadway Musical Review (we were told that this show should NOT be religious for the most part because the whole community would be invited). The folks in charge told us to plan for about 500 people to attend. Almost 1000 were in attendance. We were overwhelmed (and Barry a little panicked because he provided the sound system and was hoping it would be loud enough for the bigger crowd). We definitely felt blessed and soooo grateful for our children, their support and willingness to not just perform but all the many hours of rehearsing. Our in-law kids had never been to Nauvoo before so it was a real treat to have them along. Brook and her family were the only ones that couldn't join us (which was very sad for us) but it was so nice to have all our other kids there with us (well, of course not Guy, he's serving a mission). After we did our show we were able to spend the rest of the week touring around and seeing our favorite places (Nauvoo's become our second home). Barry's mom, Donna, is serving a mission there and it was so nice to spend time with her and watching her perform in her Rendevous. Our grandson Brock was an absolute angel! He's such a joy and melts ALL our hearts. My mom-in-law (Grandma Great) hasn't seen Brock since he was one day old so it was good for them to get to know each other a little bit better. Brock makes us laugh and he laughs at us- so it works out either way. We all did Sealings (married kids) on Grandma Greats 70th b-day) in the Nauvoo Temple!

Youth Conference

The youth in our Ward had a great Youth Conference! I'm so glad Bare has such a great camera to capture these pics of Grant and Aubrea. It was challenging but they did it and LOVED it! Grant said his testimony grew so much from this particular Youth Conference. Thanks to the Liljenquists for making it fun, challenging and spiritual.

Homecoming @ BHS

Last but not least Grant won Homecoming King at Bountiful High School! He was in total shock and so were we! Michael did the same thing his Senior year so we were beginning to wonder if our kids were bribing their peers. His date was Camie Knight and they had a GREAT time. Here are a few pics of the weeks events.

More Than Air

Yippee!!! My sweet daughter-in-law Jenny helped me (actually she did the whole thing) put up our boys music on my blog!!!!!!!!!!!! It makes me soooooo happy to hear them right off the bat when I open up my blog! That's all I wanted to know how to do (well actually, getting pics loaded a little easier would be nice too - um, Jenny?). Now, I can promote the boys CD to everyone that views my blog - oh yeah, I have to start making friends so people will want to view my blog!
Our boys CD is called,
"The Gibbons, More Than Air". Go BUY it!!!!!!!!! =-]

BIG AnNoUnCeMeNt!!!

Well, Michael and Jenny just got back from their ultra-sound and the baby is HEALTHY and doing well (that's the most important thing) - and they're having . . . a GIRL!!! Truth be told you're grateful for whatever it is - it's just so exciting to find out the gender! Now we will have two granddaughters and two grandsons thus far (until Brook announces what they're having in about another month)! Congrats to them - they were so excited and so are WE!!!!!!!!! They'll be such wonderful parents! We love you Michael-Jenny and baby girl!

Summer!

Way too much news to even know where to start! Ahhhh! First off our missionary son, Elder Guy, was called to be the assistant of the France, Toulouse mission. He's loving it and says he's never been more tired and more happy! We're so grateful he's happy and doing well! Barry and I are going to pick him up in December and tour his mission for about a week!!! Can't wait. Guy is on the second row (ish) second on the left - blonde and HAPPY!

Next, we have two more grandchildren on the way!!! Michael and Jenny are expecting their first in November and find out today (!!!) what they're having and Brook and Dan have announced they're expecting their third in January (that will be three under the age of three for about a month)!!! We're thrilled to think we'll have FIVE grandchildren right after Guy comes home!!! These grandchildren are such a joy and we love having more!

We've had a VERY busy summer thus far (I calculated last night I've been out of town six times since

 school got out and we haven't even gone to Nauvoo yet! Bare and I went to Burley to celebrate my folks 60th Wedding Anniversary the first of June. We went to the Twin Falls Temple to do a session (while they were working there) and Bare and I were asked to be the witness couple. It was a tender experience for all of us. It's a beautiful Temple (they all are)! The next weekend we went to Pasco, Washington to be with our daughter Brook and her family. We were asked to perform for their Stake Youth Conference. We were blessed to have us all there (except for Elder Guy) and the youth were VERY receptive to our music and message. We Love performing as a family and I cried seeing & hearing us all together again. Eliza, Porter and Brook were so much fun to watch as they became better acquainted as cousins! We celebrated Porters 1st Birthday while we were there. Brook and Dan were perfect hosts! THANKS!

I also want to share a little about Aubrea and how grateful I am for her. My sister-in-law, Annette Gibbons was diagnosed with Breast Cancer a few months back and has been going thru Chemo (and has been doing remarkably well) - because of this Aubrea had the idea to do a 5K Cancer Run (or walk if you're more like me). It is being held here in Bountiful on August 8th and all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. Besides doing this to support her Aunt she is also doing this for one of her 10 hour projects for Personal Progress. Here's her blog - 5kcancerwalk.blogspot.com . Come and support it if you can! 

We've been rehearsing for our BIG Nauvoo show coming up in a couple of weeks! We're excited to have this opportunity and hope all goes well. We've fasted and prayed to make sure we've chosen the right music and now we're practicing like crazy! 

Barry had his 30th Class Reunion July 3rd at the Provo Marriott. Since he was Senior Class President we were in charge! He went to so much work to make sure it was nice for all who came and thank heavens our children are ALWAYS so willing to help us out with EVERYTHING we're up to! It wouldn't have come off as nicely if it weren't for them! Thanks kids! We had several people come up to him and tell him they wanted to do a cruise for our next reunion in five years. That would DEFINITELY be a lot easier on our part! We'll see. This pic is of Marilyn Allred Jenkins (and us) and she graduated with Bare. While Bare was out on his mission Marilyn married his first cousin Dave Jenkins! We love that we're related!

Barry and I celebrated our 27th anniversary of the day we met on the 4th of July! I can't believe it's been 27 years! My life has been sooooo blessed because of him! I can't even imagine how things would have turned out because he has made me so happy! I've laughed more than I ever thought possible for ANY human being! I'm sooooo grateful for his humor, testimony, strength, wisdom, love of the Lord and His work and mostly his love for me and our family! I love you Bare, more than earthly words can express!

Our latest BIG news is that Bare has contracted for . . . ready for this - it's BIG . . . "Tower of Power" to come and record at his studio!!!!!!!!!! It's like a dream come true for Barry! They're coming this Saturday night to record on some of the songs from "Hairspray"! We're soooo excited to meet them! Barry knew they'd be in town this weekend for the Jazz festival in SLC and so he contacted their manager and made the arrangements for them to blow horns for a few hours! Bare has received several emails from some of the players asking questions! AHHH, receiving emails from TOWER OF POWER!!! It's so exciting to think we'll get to meet them! We're surprising Guy and not telling him until next week when we write and we'll just send him pictures! He'll NOT believe it! I'll try to post pics of that! TTFN!