Blessing Baby Maverick

Rus was in shock the night his good friend Clint called him up out of the blue to invite us to the blessing of their new baby boy Maverick. Clint is not really the type to pick up the phone and call an old friend. He's not much of a talker face to face (unless it involves vehicles, guns, or redneck stuff), so phone conversation is really a stretch. So when Rus hung up the phone he said we were going to Safford the next weekend because Clint called and asked.
And we did. And it was a great trip. We didn't want to descend on them with our entourage, and we knew they had a lot of family in town already, so we decided to stay with Rus's parents in Lordsburg (Only 70 miles from Safford). I know I've already mentioned the shooting range in Roger's backyard...we all were able to enjoy a little target practice.
Each kid got a chance to shoot Grandpa's .22

Bekah...

Jacob...

I love this multigenerational pic, these men (+boy) right in their element.

 Beau...

I wish I could explain Beau's face in this picture...

 I even got a turn...I am shooting Louise's single action rifle in this picture. I really liked her gun.

We spent Sunday with Clint and Nicole and their family, going to church, eating good food, and visiting. I had to take Marianne out of sacrament meeting to change her bum, and as we were walking out she loudly exclaimed, "BYE!!" And waived to everyone we passed. I just tried to keep my head down as I laughed embarrassedly, but I heard later that the bishopric got a kick out of her earnest farewell.
I loved holding Maverick. He is a sweet baby. I painted a picture for Nicole of him laying on the floor, sucking on a stuffed animal goose. (Top Gun. If there is a Maverick, there must be a Goose.) I also raided Louise's fabric stash and sewed him a stuffed goose. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of both.
Here we all are...I'm amazed how Rus, Clint, Nicole and I have evolved from four single kids to two married couples to two full grown families. (Ooh - you can see the picture I painted sitting on the shelf on the right.) Jacob is holding Maverick. Marcy is sitting next to Bekah and Merry is next to Clint. A picture of their angel son Marshall is on the shelf.
I dearly love Clint and Nicole. We have traveled quite a ways with them, some roads pretty rough. Our relationship is pretty special.

It was a great trip...hopefully we'll see more of each other in the future!!