The Malones

We spent last weekend in DC with the extended Malone Family.  We had a lot to celebrate.  Matt's mom, anticipating the gathering, prepared a bunch of family names for temple sealings.  It was so nice to be in the temple together.  Whitney and Adam came and watched all 8 kids, including 2 infants!

In addition to our great temple trip, we were gathered together to bid farewell to Noel.  She leaves for her mission in a few weeks. She will be going to Eugene, Oregon.

The Peterson family is a perfect example of what has happened throughout the church since the announcement was made changing the ages for missionaries.  When the announcement was made, both Noel and her younger brother, Hyrum, were eligible to leave for their missions!  Hyrum will be leaving when he graduates from high school in June.

We are very proud of both of them, and very grateful that they are such great examples to our kids!  My kids were totally mesmerized as they listened to Noel recite The Living Christ word perfect!  

We were also together to say goodbye to Ben, who is moving to London for work.

We are all very excited to see how he likes it.  Hopefully, we will have a chance to visit him there!  

As if we didn't have enough reasons to get together, we also met to be part of baby Molly's blessing day.  

Molly is Carey's third little girl.  She is so cute and sweet!

The Malone family seems to be beginning a season of less togetherness.  Matt's parents are heading to spend the winter in Florida now (we plan to visit them in March), Ben's off to London, and Noel and soon Hyrum, too, will be off on their missions.  We took the opportunity to take a few pictures before everyone leaves.

It's a pretty great family, I must say.  I'm lucky to be one of them!