Ure hospitality is like none other

#jerseyures #sarahgaveupherbedandleftmeatreat

The Jersey Ures

These Ures were awake when I arrived (5 out of 7 ain't bad).  I haven't seen them in about 20 months.  #jerseyures #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #johnnyhassixoldersisters

Newark at night

This photo is kind of ridiculous but I really love Newark at night!  #epinnjandphilly #newarkatnight

Thanks for all the options, Jersey

#gotlostonlyonce #bythenewarkairport #epinnjandphilly

First stop, New Jersey!

#epinnjandphilly

#roadtripready

#epinNJandPhilly

Things are better with butter

#thiswilllastlessthanamonth

Superior Nut

Not very inviting, but I just bought 5 pounds of the best sanding sugar there.  #superiornut

Thinking of Marjorie

I was the photographer at Marjorie's first birthday party and this is one of my favorite photos from that day.  I have a heavy heart today for the Staples family. #familiesareforever #MOS #everyonelovesmarjorie #marjorieoliviastaples

In memory of Marjorie Staples

I stopped for a few minutes at the Boston Temple this morning in memory of Marjorie Staples.  She would be 4 years old today.  #everyonelovesmarjorie #MOS #familiesareforever

#fakeaunt

It was fun to see the rocking Hsiehs last night.  #fakeaunt

The Arlington Ward bishops

L to R: 1-Bob Chandler, 2-Kip Thompson (missing--serving as a mission president in Durban, South Africa), 3-Lee LaPierre, 4-Travis Waller (missing--lives in Houston), 5-Jim Johnson, 6-Mark Sivers, 7-Paul Dredge (missing--singing in Tanglewood this weekend), 8-Kenny Bement, 9-Aleks White.  #afewgoodmen #arlingtonwardbishopsareamazing #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Road trip prep at the Lexington Library

I have a new couch!

It fit through my hallways!  #iwasworried #youcancanceltheorderifitdoesntfit #bostoninteriors #timetosellmyoldfurniture #hellocraigslist

Dinner at Wahlburgers

A few of us went to dinner at Wahlburgers after getting ice cream at Kimballs.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Advice for Adrienne

I asked some friends and family members (returned sister missionaries) to share advice I could pass on to Adrienne as she adjusts to being home.  In the words of Adrie, it was the best thing she could receive right now.  I enjoyed reading the submissions and all the advice was so good.  My favorite was from @jennywhitcomb - buy yourself a new pair of jeans or shoes that aren't missionary sensible.  I appreciate them for taking the time to do this.  #LDS #sistermissionaries

Sunken Kisses

I'm a sucker for a cookie request.  Especially from #kategetzschman.  They are heading her way tomorrow.  #madeatmidnight #ilovetobake

TBT: driving with permits

One summer at the end of August, Nan took John and I ("the Reds") on a road trip from LA to Utah, Yellowstone and the Tetons.  John and I had drivers permits and between the two of us we did ALL the driving.  It was great driving experience and a fun trip and we loved seeing the national parks.  When we got back Nan was telling our friend, who was a copy for the LAPD, about the trip and he told her that our permits were only valid in California.  Oops!  #pattonmemories #thereds

Claudy&Marc

Sealed for eternity.  #BostonTemple #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

I started the day at a sealing

#BostonTemple

YW activity - farewell Brinley

Part of our YW activity tonight was a farewell party for Brinely (red shirt, curly hair) who is moving next week.  #onelessbeehive #wewillmissher #arlingtonwardyoungwomenareawesome #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Celebrating with Rimika

I took Rimika to Dairy Joy tonight for creamsicle softserve ice cream to celebrate her passing the Japanese high school admissions exam.  That's the good (great!) news.  The bad news is she is moving back to Japan this fall.  #bittersweet #thearlingtonwardyoungwomenareamazing #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Lunch buddies

I had lunch with the Raymonds today which included a few items from Phoebe's Food Truk.  #phoebethefoodpreneur

FHE at Walden Pond

My friend Tona and I walked around Walden Pond tonight and we are going to do it again.  #waldenpond #FHE

I talked to Adrienne!

I finally talked to my niece tonight!  I can't wait to hear more about her mission and hopefully see her soon!  #imallaboutthescreenshots #ineedtochargemyphone

Sunday dinner

I had dinner with 2/3 of the Petersons tonight which was fun (the boys are in Utah getting ready for school at BYU).  We ate delicious fish that Randy caught in the Boston Harbor last week (striped bass if I remember correctly).  The Petersons are moving to Utah the end of the year and I'm really sad about that; we've been good friends for 21 years when they arrived in Boston for grad school.  The Arlington Ward in Utah just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #eveniftheymovetoUtah

My view from the hammock

The Bouck boys

#arlingtonwardcampout2016

The Lords

Elder and Sister Lords are on their 14th mission (their 4th at Camp Joseph).  They are delightful and it was good to see them again.  #arlingtonwardcampout2016

Arlington Ward youth

If you know anything about the Arlington Ward youth program (for years we had only a handful of kids) then this photo will warm your heart like it does mine.  I love these kids.  #arlingtonwardcampout2016 #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #arlingtonwardyouthareawesome #wearemormon #lds #josephsmithbirthplace

Even new babies love the Ward Campout

L->R Juniper is 2 months, Sam is 7 weeks, and Eli is 4 weeks.  #arlingtonwardcampout2016 #samlookslikeheisoverthewardcampout

Oh how lovely was the morning

Friday night Campfire

I told some of the Arlington Ward Campout history (we've been coming to Camp Joseph for 25+ years) and favorite memories at the campfire tonight.  I told about the time we woke up and Jodi and Jesse Aldous had packed up in the middle of a rainy night and went home.  And the time Brian Sweeney slept under the stars and when he woke up someone had put a blanket over him.  And he felt like it could have been anyone in the ward (it was Deb Butler).  And when the Duke family hiked up Patriarch Hill and planted a tree the first campout after their dad had passed away.  And we'll never forget the year the Adams rented a RV and brought it!  The stories and memories and friendships are endless.  This is a very special place (where Joseph Smith was born) and a wonderful tradition for the Arlington Ward.  #arlingtonwardcampout2016 #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

TBT: my graduation from BYU

It was this time of year a long time ago. #pattonmemories #pattonhair #toquotegrandmapitchforthitsnatural

First timers at Camp Joseph

Benjamin cabin

I assigned Ben to the Benjamin cabin.  Because I could.  #arlingtonwardcampout2016

I'm going to the Ward Campout!

#havesnacksforcampjoe #ihavesomerealfoodtoo #arlingtonwardtraditionsarethebest

Chicken salad

I just made 2 cans worth of chicken salad for my meals at the ward campout that starts tomorrow in Sharon, Vermont.  I thought the mayo expired in 11/16.  I just noticed it was 4/11/16.  #andiwaswearingmyglasses #amigoingtogetsickatcampjoe #ibetternot

YW activity

A friend in the ward is moving so for our YW activity tonight we helped pack boxes.  The girls were happy helpers.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #arlingtonwardyoungwomenareawesome

Dewars chews

My dad was raised in Bakersfield and my Patton grandparents are buried there.  We made many trips to Bakersfield cemetery (90 minutes from where I grew up in Van Nuys) and we ALWAYS stopped at Dewars for ice cream on the way home.  My favorite treat was a black and white sundae.  They have these really good chews and my dad sent me a pound of peppermint ones that I got today.  #candyislove #pattonmemories @dewars

Peach Cobbler for me

The best recipe is from the red and white checked Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.  Guess what the secret (or not) ingredient is?  Mace.  I bought the peaches at Wilson Farm and they are delicious.  #cantstopbaking #pyrex #bakesomebodyhappy

Today's the day!

My niece gets home from her mission today!  I had my friend @kierstenkn design this and I ordered a poster from Vistaprint that arrived in Florida today!  #iwishicouldbeattheairport #shebettercallherfavoriteaunttonight #thatpersonisme

#griefshopping

#thiscouchbetterfitthroughmyhalls #bostoninteriors

Nan's grave

My friend Sarah took flowers to Nan's grave in Nephi today. 

❤️

One year without Nan

Homemade caramel sauce for Carmelitas

#giftformybossforherbirthday #shelovesthem #kelseynixon thanks for the recipe! #ineedastudiosetupformyphotos

New old shoes

#thrifted #brandnewfor8bucks #22daystolaborday