Final River Trip 2010

We always camp up the Gray's River Road. It's beautiful up there - not too crowded - and free. Shortly after we set up camp, we noticed a bunch of the younger kids "huddling." Making their plans for the day. The kids always have so much fun at "cousin camp!" We didn't take a vote, but I think Joann would win for hat of the year. It used to be a ball! Sometimes our family can see river hats in everything. Pretty great hat, Jo!
These are the rafters and kayakers from the first run on Friday morning. On the far right is Amberly's friend, Megan.


I drove back to camp after the first run put in. Mary Jane had organized a game of musical chairs for the kids. Audrey (pink shirt and jeans) was hilarious! Every time she passed a chair, she bent her knees and turned toward the chair - just in case the music stopped at that point. I was proud of her when she finally got out. She and Alli ended up on the same chair, and Kendrick judged that Allison was there first. "You're out," he said. Audry just said, "Oh, Dang it!" and she was gone - no argument and no whining.
While we were getting ready to put in on the second run, this ranger came over and talked to us. "I didn't realize it was special hat day." We told her that every day is special hat day for us. We are the Mad Hatters. She said, "I've heard of you guys!" She then went through our bags of hats and chose this pink tiara - and had her picture taken with Haley, Ann and Tyler.

The crew of the second run. Joann and Justin's friends, Chris and Mary Jane and their kids were on this trip with us. Chris is the guy in the tall, green hat. All the little white-haired kids belong to Chris and Mary Jane.One of the most fun camp activities was...playing in the dirt!
"Uh oh! I'm in trouble!"
"Aw, mom!"

The crew of the 3rd run included my niece, Chalynn and the Barbers' friend from the Bahamas, Tia (the two girls on the left).
Gus and Ann are the elitist s'more makers. They have it down to a science!Camping isn't camping for me, unless we sing around the campfire. The guys and the girls have usually just gotten home from scout camp and girls' camp - so they always have some fun new songs to teach us. This year was no exception!
The Tonka truck was a hit with the little kids again this trip!
As well as the middle-sized kids...
And the big kids!
Some close-ups of the hats.
The 5th run group - I didn't get a pic of the 4th run because of the rain delay. Everyone was waiting out the rain and then converged on the ramp en-mass! The rangers were pushing everyone to hurry.

On Saturday mornings, we pack up camp and move down to the park in Alpine. Those who aren't running the river have plenty to do in the park. It is close to the Chevron, where dring, snacks and bathrooms are available. It also has some awesome old playground equipment: a tall, metal slide, big swings that even the older kids enjoy, teeter totters, monkey bars and horse shoes.
Jackson, Haley and Baylee liked the swings.
Reagan and Alli were like little monkeys on the bars.
I love this teeter-totter pic of Dean with the beautiful blue sky in the background.

After the last run on Saturday, it was time to go home. Marianne and Allison rode with us. We put a DVD in for the trip, but Alli fell asleep about 15 minutes into it, over Tin Cup. Marianne held out for about another 1/2 hour, but finally gave in and slept til we got to Soda Springs.


Thanks to my wonderful family for another great year on the Snake River! Jack and I are looking forward to another 10 years with The Mad Hatters!

Wahoo! First Picking of Green Beans!

Four days ago, while Dalena was here, we checked on the garden. We had green beans alright, but they were about 2 inches long and as skinny as the strings on these! Today? Enough green beans for supper! I can't wait!I'm in green bean heaven!

FHE Adventure

I got an email from Jack yesterday while he was at work. Basically, he said that since we didn't have any plans for the evening, he was suggesting a surprise. (He was thinking of the times Sharon has just "kidnapped" Gus and taken him off somewhere "unbeknownst" to him.) He said it wouldn't be on that grand a scale (not a Rockies game in Denver, for example), but he thought it would be "enjoyable." It would be something I'd never done before. It would include dinner - not a fancy place, "but above fast food."

He also said, "I know you don't like adventurous activities, but I think you'll enjoy this." Now...what kind of a comment is that? I've lived with him for over forty years! And that has been an adventure!

Yes! My first ride on Front Runner! We rode to SLC, ate supper at the Lion House Pantry, and took a walk through Temple Square. The air was perfect! On the verge of rain, it was thick and warm - but not too warm. It was perfect! The grounds of Temple Square are always so beautiful! I pulled out my camera and took pictures of some of the flowers. We happened to run into a couple we know who is getting married this weekend. They were having their bridals done on the temple grounds. We were very happy to see them, since we'll miss their reception because of our river trip.I don't know what any of these are, but they were certainly beautiful!

Last of the Celebration

We celebrated the last of the Pioneer Days holiday with fireworks in front - compliments of Grandpa Jack and Sharon (the pyromaniac). All of the grandkids were there except Nate and Alexis, and we invited a couple of families in the neighborhood. The fireworks went on for about 45 minutes!

Tona

Dalena said the other day that she liked sushi. I remembered a Japanese restaurant that Dave and Julie told me about - one that they like a lot, so I called them to get the name of the place. Dave was going on and on telling me how "wicked" everything was (wicked, in "Dave" is a good thing), so I asked him if they'd like to meet us there for lunch. They did! It was fun to visit with them, and the food was spectacularly wicked!!!We will return!This is the sushi Dalena ordered. It's called The Green Globe. Avacado stuffed with crab, spicy tuna and other delectables. Dalena will be back too!

Pioneer Day Parade

Jack went early and tossed some blankets onto the sidewalk by the announcer’s truck. We didn’t know how many family members would show up for the parade. We ended up with about 22. Lisa got some pictures with my camera of the kids sitting with Jack in the truck bed. Dalena got some shots of the kids on the ground. I need to see if she’ll send me some of hers and I’ll post them too.Here are Jackson, Jenna and Rachel with Grandpa JackAlli Jo, Reagan and Marianne got the bird's eye view!There were quite a few floats this year!Some of my favorites!It was fun to see all the full time elders in the parade.

A Day with Dalena and Other Family

We had a full day with Dalena on Friday, before she headed up to Island Park. It was so nice having her here!When you can't compete with Dalena in the cooking arena (and breakfast is her specialty), you take her to Jeremiah's!In the afternoon, Justin and Joann dropped off their kids while they went to the temple. Alli, and Marianne had fun in the swings with Dalena.We had a cookout at Mike and Amy's - lots of yummy food and good company!
After dark, we all gathered in front of the big screen and watched Monsters VS Aliens. What a beautiful night - full moon, clear skies...beautiful!

On Her Way to Island Park

Dalena called a couple of weeks ago to tell us she was flying up on her way to Island Park. We talked her into staying a couple of days so she could attend the Pioneer Days activities. We picked her up from the airport, stopped off in Bountiful to have lunch with Lisa, then headed to the rodeo. We grabbed a few available grandkids to take with us - it's always more fun with kids!Brent and Leila were there too - with Toby's family. We had Brent snap a photo for us. Thanks, Brent!

Arise! Youth Spectacular

A couple of years ago, President Monson made the comment that the youth of the church should be involved in worthwhile activities. He proposed they have something similar to the dance festivals and pageants of long ago. The call went out for the young men and young women of Utah North Area of the church to present a Youth Spectacular. A committee was organized. They settled on a theme. Youth and leaders were recruited and the production was on it's way. Practices began early in the year. When the practices began, there were 3,000 youth involved. Practices were long, and sometimes very unorganized. Some were outside in very cold weather, and some were outside in extreme heat! The leaders figured that over the course of months of practice, they would probably lose 1/3 of the youth participants. But, just the opposite happened. When the production was presented at Stewart Stadium the 16th and 17th of July, over 3500 young people participated! It was truly a spectacular! Although President Monson was not able to attend, his daughter, Sister Ann Dibb, was there, along with several general and area authorities. I know that the prophet was aware of what the youth accomplished and I know that he was pleased. I also know that the Spirit was present in abundance on both occasions. I am thankful that four of my grandchildren had the opportunity to participate in this landmark event! The North Council began the production with a scene depicting the pre-existence. Over 1000 pre-mortal souls - shouting for joy when Christ's plan of salvation was announced. Janna sent me this photo of Nathan that she took during North Council's presentation.
When we chose Christ's plan, we were excited to cross through the veil, leave the presence of the Father, and enter our next estate - earth life. We will be tried and tested along the way, but we will not be left alone!
When we come to earth, it is important for us to remember who we are! When we look in the mirror, do we see what God sees?
He sees His royal child!
The prophet Joseph Smith was a tool in the Lord's hands to restore His gospel to the earth.
God has given us prophet throughout time - including these latter days! Thank God for His prophets! The North Council ended with I Am a Child of God. That's an important thing to remember! The West Council's presentation was the era of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It began with pioneers, pushing handcarts and showing the trials they faced whilst crossing the plains. Also portrayed were the guardian angels that accompanied them along the way.
They also showed, through song and dance, the people in the early generations of the church - the roaring 20s, the fabulous 50s right up until today! They had a big banner than read, "It's Our Time."
Janna sent me this picture she got of Justin and Connan performing with the West Council.
I ran onto the picture that was on the Arise FB page. It seemed to just spotlight our Justin. And Connan is right next to him. This photo was taken in the field house, during a devotional right before the presentation.I snapped this picture and got Alexis and London dancing the jitter bug. Members of the South Council showed a world-wide church. They had cultural dances from each of the continents - a very colorful presentation. They also had testimonies of young people from each of the continents.
Some Utah missionaries, who happen to be from the Islands, taught the youth some of their traditional dances, and participated along with the South Council.
Scottish bag pipers represented the European Continent. I liked that segment!




This was the first part of the finale. Every participant was on the field, walking in single file, singing and holding small lights. It was so impressive!

Heartbound came out and took center field. All of the youth sang with them...



At the end of the program, all 3500 young men and young women gathered at the end of the field, near a big screen picture of the Savior, Jesus Christ. They were still holding their lights, still singing, and spontaneously went down on their knees. May God bless the youth of this church!