Home Just In Time For The Ence Sumer Party In Pine Valley

Roger and I look forward every year to going to Ence's cabin in Pine Valley for our Branch Summer Party. 

 I think we have been having our party here ever since they made us a branch.

Isn't it lovely?

Jay and Janice are some of the nicest, generous people we know.  Janice is my visiting teacher and has been ever since we moved to St. George, which will be nine years ago in January. I love her!

Jay and his brother have been pillars in our community.  They are co-founders of Ence Homes, which is the largest homebuilder in our parts. There is an entire chapter written about Jay Ence in a newly-published book by another long-time native, Lyman Hafen, about St. George, entitled, 

Where Two Streams Meet. He is one character!

Jay's health hasn't been very good and he is now very forgetful, but he still has his cheerful demeanor.  

He's sitting on the right with another member of our branch, Bob Routsong.

  

We left my sister, Patty's, after a delicious breakfast that morning, bought some wonderful up north produce at a couple of outdoor stands - corn, tomatoes and peaches - then hurried home. Just as we were arriving at the party, a huge thunder storm erupted, forcing everyone inside.  The tables outdoors on the lawn had all been set up so lovely with fresh sunflower centerpieces.  

But, in a way, it was kind of cool, because, well, yes, it cooled everything down, but it also caused people to squeeze together on chairs and couches and move around visiting with probably more people 

than they would have sitting at the tables.

I love the air after a rainstorm in the mountains -

 it smells so fresh and piney and somehow, everything looks clearer.

We sat on the porch by Richard and Linda Webb.  I am her visiting teacher.

Someone always makes pulled pork for sandwiches and the Priesthood men make Dutch oven potatoes,
 then everyone brings salads and desserts.

Visiting with Kathy Nielsen and Brother Fresh's, our stake patriarch's, new daughter-in-law.

Cute Patty Haynes, who loves to take pics,

takes lots of candid shots at all of our branch events, then posts them for all.

Every year, several non-LDS neighbors and friends come to this fun event. I love it that they feel comfortable to come, usually year after year. 

I'm visiting with Martha O'Donnell, a past Sunbrook aerobic buddy and Tennessee native, and her daughter. The daughter is very independent and her job has taken her all over the world to live, such as Istanbul and Syria. 
We had a very interesting conversation.

It was a great party, but we couldn't wait to get back to our Home Sweet Home after being away so long.

  It's fun to go and it's fun to get back home!

A full report on Roger's 50th Reunion 

is coming soon!