I Love To See the Temple

We had the opportunity to attend the temple today. It is sure nice to be able to go to a place where I can focus on eternal things and not be bothered by the things of this world. It is wonderful to be able to go to an oasis of peace and solitude to escape the loudness and confusion of the world. I have been blessed to have always lived near a temple. It caused me to think about all the temples which have had an impact on my life and the life of my family.

Logan Temple-where our family was sealed in 1958

Salt Lake Temple-first temple I went through


Ogden Temple-first temple Stella went through


Manti Temple-where Stella & I were sealed


Provo Temple-the temple we attended as poor students


Seattle Temple-our "home" temple

Portland Temple 1989


Seattle Temple 2002

Sound to Narrows

It's been kind of a tradition for our family to run in the Sound to Narrows every year, and although not everybody is able to participate every year, enough are there so that we can consider it an official family tradition. This year, Matt used his graphic design skills to design a logo so that we could all wear shirts proclaiming our pride and athleticism. Maybe that's overstating it just a little bit. We really loved the red color, as it helped us find each other with a minimum amount of difficulty. This was especially important because we all participate in indifferent events. Matt and Dacia took part in the 12-K run, Travis and Jaqui did the 5-K run, Reagan, Kelsey, Tanner and Anson (with Devin and Matt running as the support team) did the 2-K run, Ella and Gwyn ran the Diaper Dash, and Stella and I did the 5-K walk. Gina, who happens to be one of the more serious runners in the family, had to sit the race out, as she was feeling very ill before race time.

Reagan, Kelsey, Tanner, & Anson--The 2-K medal winners

One of the neatest things was that in the 2-K run, Reagan finished well ahead of the others. As the other three neared the finish line, Reagan ran back to be with them so they could all cross the finish line together. They have a very deep love for each other.

Team Shumate 2008

Gwyn & Ella--the Diaper Dashers

Anson Call Shumate--future Eagle Scout

Tacoma News Tribune, June 14, 2008, page A-12

We take a lot of family pictures and one of the things we do is bribe the kids by telling them that if they act good in a "normal" picture, we will take a picture of them making funny faces. We had finished taking our "normal" pictures and were taking the promised "funny face" pictures, when I heard somebody behind me taking a lot of pictures. I looked around and noticed it was a photographer from the Tacoma News Tribune (the local newspaper). After getting all of the names, he included this photo in yesterday's newspaper.

It is interesting to note that five years ago, Gina and Reagan had their picture on the front page of the News Tribune after Reagan had just finished running the Diaper Dash. Soooooo, if you want your picture in the newspaper, it may just pay to apply to be part of Team Shumate. Worse things could happen.