THE ROSE GARDEN

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-27T08:50:00.000-08:00

Our theme for Christmas Eve dinner and program was THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS. The meal consisted of favorite foods from the kids memories--thus, black olives, grapenuts and half and half in memory of G. Luekenga, cracked wheat cereal, and salad.

We also enjoyed Mom's homemade rolls and strawberry jam, whole wheat bread for our turkey sandwiches.

We rented the clubhouse at the condos for the 46 of us who gathered.

We welcomed Travis's Mom and his 2 sisters.

All the cousins love getting together to play and celebrate

The families exchanged gifts with one another.

Bob, Mitch, and Matt did the technical stuff for our power point slide show of a few of our favorite things.
The grandchildren loved seeing pictures of their parents as children doing some of the same things that continue as traditions--sleeping under the tree, skiing, boating, sub for Santas, picnics, scripture reading, FHE, etc. They wanted us to show it over and over. Tammy had made DVD copies for each family. It was a great event!

The Windstorm of 2011

2011-12-06T09:35:00.001-08:00

Trees fell on houses.

They blocked streets and driveways so no one could get out.

Fences blew down.

Roots tore up sidewalks.

This was the EXTREME Makeover home.

Sunday the community united and loaded all debris to various dumping sites.

Everyone in the neighborhood had all the help they needed.

The lines to the landfill were miles long.

Then they decided to chop our tree down before it fell down!

It came down, limb by limb.

We are soooo Thankful 2011

2011-11-25T14:59:00.001-08:00

Amy and Matt hosted us, Kt and Jeff's families this year

We all brought food and it was so delicious.

Grandpa told all of us about the first Thanksgiving.

We made blankets for Lori's 2 sons, Kate and Travis's sister in law.
We used her husband's shirts for the quilt. He passed away last year.

Grandma sewed the edges. It was such a fun project.

2011-11-10T08:34:00.001-08:00

Dan Rogers telling us about the synagogue in Nazareth

Mt Vesuvius from Pompeii

My brother , Richard at the base of Mars Hill in Athens

Jewish family coming to celebrate Succoth

More Jewish worshippers on the day of the Feast of the Tabernacles

Mostly Jewish families at the wailing wall. Note the seperation of male and female

A good father teaching his children to honor their holy days

Our dinner group--Whitlocks, Roses, Adams, Rogers and Luekengas

Mediterranean Cruise 2011

2011-10-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

Bob and I were group leaders for 54 LDS people who followed the Journeys of Paul on a 12 day RCCL cruise. We had such a wonderful experience. We were watched over and protected. What a blessing in our lives.

Our group consisted of outstanding couples from Utah and Idaho plus my brother Richard and Polly from Richfield. We met each evening for prayer and review of next day. We also held church services and had an additional 12 LDS people join us.

We had excellent guides on each of our days who knew their information well. Here we are in Pompeii.

Another view of Pompeii and part of our group.

This is a view of a street in Amalfi, Italy

You'll recognize Dome of the Rock on the temple mount in Jerusalem.

Just entering the Garden tomb which states "He is not here. He is risen.

Bob and Connie, Glenda and Lonny Adams with the Sea of Galilee in background.

Bob sitting on the ruins in Lindos overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Bob in "Old Rhodes Town, Greece.

At the site of Mary's home in Ephesus where the apostle John took her to live.

The Acropolis in Athens. Overlooking the amphitheater ruins.

Attending the Acropolis Branch in Athens, Greece.

Dan and Luana Rogers, Glenda and Lonny Adams and Bob in Crete, Greece

The library at Ephesus

Looking onto the promenade from the 8th floor.

Fish eating her dead skin from off her legs.

Beautiful street in Chania, Crete, Greece

Grandma's Art show August 2011

2011-08-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

Viewing the art

Enjoying the treats

Cousins love to play

Everybody has fun

Our camping trip to Whitney Lake with the Golds

2011-08-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Bob, Tam and Connie Wasatch Forest

Bob and Connie Whitney Lake

Sarah, Aubrey and Bob going for a spin! Getting ready for the scavenger hunt. Golds and Reynolds families

Where's Parker?

I love s'mores!

The Mother of all bonfires!

Circling the campsite.

Eric, Jon and Jeff--Saints to Sinners bike ride from SLC to Las Vegas. Bob Jr. resting this leg--watching at the side of the van.

Pictures from the Luekenga Reunion 2011--Provo, Utah

2011-08-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

Annual Saturday Easter Egg Hunt 2011

2011-04-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

Regan and Lauren helping Megan and Cameron

Grandkids hunting for eggs

Mom's watching from the window

Matt and Amy taking photos and helping

2011-04-24T07:08:00.001-07:00

Easter Egg hunt Saturd

Jordan is engaged to Alyssa

2011-02-13T14:56:00.000-08:00

We are so pleased to announce the engagement of our youngest son, Jordan to Alyssa Mabrey. They met in Provo last summer and have continued their relationship since Jordan moved to NC. They will marry in the Salt Lake Temple in May this year. We held a Valentines/Engagement dinner party for them and all 10 of our kids and spouses attended. Jordan and Alyssa then told us how he proposed. It was a fun evening for all of us. Here are a few pictures.

Completion of 2010 Service Project

2010-12-13T16:40:00.000-08:00

It was very special for all of the grandchildren to be able to deliver the food bags to school children of an inner city school. The students there are from 20 different countries learning English as a second language and adjusting to a new culture and way of life. We were able to make 100 bags of food for the children.

Happy Birthday to Bob--70 Years Young

2010-12-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

We all enjoyed Bob's birthday. Each person told some experience they shared with Bob that had made a lasting impression on their life. Bob just beamed and "purred" as each child told some memory with him. It was a wonderful birthday.

Christmas 2010 Service Project

2010-12-13T09:42:00.000-08:00

The kids did a real fun service project this year for Christmas. They put together 100 food bags for kids from an inner city school that would not have food to eat during the holidays. When school is in session they eat at school but during holidays they often go hungry. It was fun to be able to have all the grandkids assemble the food kits.

More photos of Asia

2010-09-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

Bob, Emme and Yu shopping on Ladies street--the most congested pedestrian street in the world.

Note the girls ankles--the latest show rage-bling on ankles.

This is how we earn our keep!

Typical bonzai garden in Glover Gardens, Nagasaki Japan

Bob's favorite Opera--Madame Butterfly and Pucini monument in Glover Gardens.

Such a touching monument at Nagasaki Peace Memorial on the site of the A-Bomb. A mother protecting her child.

Another monument to the children who died in the A-Bombing.

Such a typical way to haul things in China.

Walking Nanjing Street at night when it had cooled down somewhat. Shanghai's walking street.

Chinese street sweeper in Background--so typical.

Emme and I at the Peninsula Hotel--Hong Kong

Asia Cruise

2010-09-21T16:29:00.000-07:00

To celebrate our 46^th anniversary Bob and I signed up as enrichment speakers for RCCL cruise ship, Legend. We left early so that we could visit our former students in Tianjin. Steven met us at the airport in Beijing and took us to our hotel room. HE spent the next day with us and then put us on the train to

Tianjin to meet Richard and Jasmine.

Our first stop was Shanghai. A typhoon was on its way to Seoul Korea so the captain changed course to miss it and we spent an extra day in Shanghai.We visited several temples, museums, shopping streets, etc. IT was extremely hot and humid. It was very crowded due to the World Expo being held there.

Our next stop was Nagasaki. Bob gave an excellent lecture about the A-bombing there. We visited the Peace Memorial and Museum. This is Peter Tam and Bob
A crowd had gathered along the pier and as we sailed away, they waved and the orchestra played, “We Are the World”. They hung a huge banner that said ‘See you again in Nagasaki.” All the ship decks were lined by passengers waving back and clapping for their performance. It brought tears to our eyes. Imagine—just 65 years ago, they were our enemies. This was very moving to us.

We next visited Okinawa's Peace Park which was huge and beautiful. The museum was outstanding.

Taipai 101-Worlds second tallest building. We went up 88 floors in 37 seconds! Bob loved it--NOT!

We also saw very tall apartment buildings in Hong Kong. It is a very crowded island with millions of people and huge commercial businesses. There are more millionaires in HK than anywhere else in the world. And it operates in the black--no debt!

The Hotel Peninsula is a very expensive hotel that picks up it's guest by Rolls Royce. Their buffet at High Tea is $400/plate. We enjoyed looking!

Yu and Emme took us on the world's largest cable car ride. It had a plexiglass bottom which Bob never looked down at. We went from Hong Kong Island to Lantau Island to see the 100 Ft Buddha that sits on top of the highest peak.

Note the Buddha and Monestary which we visited after our cable ride to the top.

The highlight of this trip was the beginning and the ending—spending time with our students. They were so happy that we had come back. They saw us off at the airport and we arrived safe and sound 20 hours later. We were exhausted and so glad to be home. But we are so glad we got to see Steven, Richard, Jasmine, Emme and Yu. They will visit us someday, we are sure of that!We enjoyed the cruise but it was too hot. Our lectures went very well. Crowds of 75-100 people came from every country. But the highlight was meeting the other speakers—Peter and Beverly Tam. We toured with them, ate meals with them, and shared thoughts and background. The Lord guided, protected and blessed us. We are so grateful. But it is sooooo nice to come home! And we got China out of our system. We are just too old for the heat and long flight..

Gaston's visit to our home

2010-07-12T08:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday after going to hear the Tabernacle Choir live broadcast and attending church where President Eyring shared his testimony at his granddaughters mission farewell, we had the family come over to meet the Gastons and had a great visit and BBQ. We watched the kids shoot the bottle rocket and have a water fight! Great fun and wonderful memories.

OH, WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE SUMMERTIME?

2010-06-24T09:37:00.000-07:00

2010-06-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

We enjoy Mother's and Father's day with the kids. We love their help with all our projects that beautify our home.

2010-06-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

They were such a great help

2010-06-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

Such happy helpers!

2010-06-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

Our project this year was the back yard. The garden area was too shady now and had to be taken out, so the kids removed railroad ties, cleaned, raked, roto-tilled, leveled and laid sod for Mother's Day and Father's Day 2010

Summer time

2010-06-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

This is the front yard English style garden the kids did for me Mother's Day 2006

June 2010--Summer is finally here

2010-06-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of our side garden that the kids created for me last Mother's Day 2009

Baltic Cruise 2010

2010-05-31T09:40:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from our recent cruise to Scandinavia, St Petersburg, Estonia and Germany. We traveled with 38 of our family and friends and had an unforgettable experience. Hope you enjoy some of our pictures.

The Rose family Christmas 2009

2010-01-06T17:45:00.000-08:00

I thought some of you might like to be introduced to our family. So here they are!

Jordan Rose at the Roatan orphanage. (I need a more recent photo of him)

2010-01-06T17:42:00.000-08:00

Bob and Wendy Rose family

2010-01-06T17:41:00.001-08:00

Matt and Angela Short family

2010-01-06T17:40:00.005-08:00

Erin and Mitch Perkins family

2010-01-06T17:40:00.001-08:00

Eric and Brandi Rose Family

2010-01-06T17:39:00.001-08:00

Tam and Rob Gold family

2010-01-06T17:38:00.001-08:00

Jon and Kori Rose family (At Eric's Halloween party)

2010-01-06T17:37:00.002-08:00

Jeff and Natalie Rose Family

2010-01-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

Matt and Amy McReynolds family

kate's family

2009-12-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Kate and Travis Lee family

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T08:43:00.000-08:00

Bob as Grandpa Prune and Connie as Grandma Luekenga

2009-11-01T07:22:00.001-08:00

Back view of Madi and Reagan

2009-11-01T07:21:00.001-08:00

Madi and Reagan were fundamentalist wives--the rest were sick at home and the husband was at a football game!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T07:14:00.001-08:00

Eric and Brandi always sponsor a costume party for the family. They usually have the best costumes but don't compete for the prize. One of Eric's favorite movies is Elf so that's what they are. They had candy, maple syrup, pop-tarts, marshmellows and all kinds of candy on their table as toppings for our spaghetti feed.

2009-11-01T07:13:00.001-08:00

Jeff and his family were the Wizard of Oz characters and won first place

2009-11-01T07:11:00.001-08:00

Jon and his family were fairies

2009-11-01T07:10:00.001-08:00

Katie and her family were Michael Jackson and his ghost

2009-11-01T07:09:00.001-08:00

Tam and Rob's family went as Twilight characters

Majuro Marshall Islands Airport

2009-10-31T11:03:00.000-07:00

The Island we served on was not very wide. You might think the island was disappearing wouldn't you!

2009-10-31T10:48:00.000-07:00

We love our split leaf maple tree just outside our bedroom window. It turns bright yellow in the fall and fills our room with light.

Autumn time in UTah

2009-10-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful time of year here in Bountiful. Sometimes it reminds me of Pennsylvania.

2009-10-24T17:31:00.002-07:00

On the street where we live.

Our door is welcoming you to come visit.

2009-10-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

I love this season of the year. The leaves and colors remind us of Pennsylvania.

Family Fun Run

2009-08-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

Tam, Tanner and Aubrey, Erin and Mitch participated in a little 5K fun run to raise money for a Stake Young Women organization. They all finished--but Mitchell took first place over all. He got a candy necklace and shared it with all his cousins.

Grandchildren's art show 2009

2009-08-21T19:57:00.001-07:00

After a summer of weekly art classes, the kids had an art show in our backyard to display their art. They all brought refreshments and it was fun to see what all they had accomplished this summer.

OH, WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE SUMMERTIME?

2009-08-18T16:00:00.001-07:00

One of the fun things this summer is having the grandkids come over for "art lessons". We have 9 kids most Tues mornings learning to paint. We have a little art show at the end of the summer and the kids show off their paintings. Some of them enter them in the Reflections contest at school and have won honorable mention all the way to State. They love it and Grandma does too.

Catching Minnows in Lake Tahoe

2009-07-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

Luekenga Family Reunion--South Lake Tahoe July 2009

2009-07-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

We just returned from our Luekenga Family Reunion held in South Lake Tahoe! It was wonderful and we had a great time. Erin and her family and Jon and his family joined us. It was good to see cousins, brothers and their families and Aunt Mitzi again.

2009-05-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

These are a few pictures of the grandchildren.

2009-05-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

Bob and I at our homecoming Sunday meeting.

2009-05-10T19:48:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day. It started in the morning with a visit to Temple Square to see the beautiful flower gardens and to hear the Tabernacle Choir broadcast. What a privilege that is to hear them in person. We enjoyed sitting behind the various dignitary guests and watching their reactions to the music. One of the guests was David McCullough, author of John Adams, Truman and other books. He is a 2 time Pullitzer prize winner and he spoke at the UofU graduation exercises. In his honor, after the broadcast the choir and orchestra did the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It was AWESOME. The man in front of us was sobbing. It was so touching. What a wonderful missionary Temple Square is--with the music and the beautiful flowers. Our hearts were so touched.
Later that afternoon all the kids and their families came to Tam and Rob's backyard for a shish-kabob/salad/potato dinner. Earlier in the week, many of them with Jon and Kori's help redid our flower garden in the side front yard. It is so pretty now and I am thrilled. Then Bob and Wendy gave us a photo album of pictures from our homecoming which I will include here. The others gave me a whole new summer outfit--shoes, levi capris and tops. They are trying to help me become more stylish. It was so nice of them and I liked the clothes.
We are so enjoying being home with all the family. They are all so good to us.

2009-04-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

We have been having fun with our grandkids during the past month. We took them by Frontrunner to Ogden and visited the train museum. We also had an Easter Egg Hunt at Eric's house that day. We have enjoyed getting reacquainted with all the kids!

2009-03-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

After leaving Memphis we went to Oklahoma and stayed with our friends, the Jacobs. We visited the Oklahoma bombing memorial which was very touching.

Groundhog Day 2009

2009-02-01T14:32:00.000-08:00

Well Groundhog Day really draws the tourists. Whoever marketed this idea was a genius. I think the proceeds keeps the town alive for the rest of the year.

2009-01-28T08:42:00.000-08:00

Bob had a wonderful day baptizing Art Evans

Another wonderful family

2008-10-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

This is Natalie (8 yr), April and John Shuey our latest convert baptisms. They are wonderful people. April is the daughter of Tom and Linda Bittle.

2008-08-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

We ate at an Amish kitchen. The food was delicious and so inexpensive. They allowed me to take a picture as long as their backs were turned away.

2008-06-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

Tom and Linda Bittle were baptized by Elder Rose June 19th, 2008. They were so happy and radiated! We were so happy for them. They just wanted a very small service--5 of us were there. We went out for lunch afterwards. They can hardly wait to go to the temple next year.