Issue 125

Cookies and Doughnut Falls

Blogger is refusing to load the rest of our photos of our hike this weekend to doughnut falls. I'm going to cry "uncle" and post them next week.

Lake Blanch by Steve L.

Blanch. The kind of hike scouts have nightmares about. 7 miles one-way. 2700 foot elivation in 7 miles. 89 degree angle all the way. Rocks all over the place. And absolutly no exaguration on my part. Ask anyone who has hiked it!
Well, thank goodness it was only a day hike and not an overnighter. That means only a day pack and not a 40 pound hike pack.
The scenary and weather were nice though, and I escaped with only a bruise a blister and a slamming headache, so overall it went well.

Issue 124

One Amazing Lady

Grandma B's health has taken a worse. She recently had surgery for a broken back, but other health concerns are taking their toll. We were able to visit her today as a family, and she is mentally sharp as ever. She says that when she can't sleep, she doesn't count sheep - she counts great grandchildren! She lays in bed and names them all (almost 90 and counting!) She was so interested in everything the kids are doing. She wanted to know about Steve's Eagle Project, Whitney's social dance class, Daniel's Karate and Janey showed her some clogging moves. We found out that Grandma used to take tap dancing lessons.

The day Steve and I met for the first time in his singles' ward, we ended up sitting next to each other at a fireside that night. Then went over to Grandma B's with a group of ward members with my cousin who was living with Grandma at the time. Grandma loves to tell us how we only had eyes for each other, and that she wasn't a bit surprised when we came by 6 weeks later to tell her she was engaged.

We also had the great privilege to tour around New Zealand with her when we went on vacation in 2004. She told us tonight that we had great courage to take our family to live there for a year and she was so proud of us. We told her that she was the one who had great courage first and we were only following in her footsteps.

We love you Grandma!

Issue 123

A King Twice Crowned

Steve L. took the challenge again this year to watch, read or listen to 17 Shakespeare plays in one week! He especially enjoyed it this year since he could understand what they were saying this time around. He was crowned with 3 others who finished the challenge. (They actually have all semester to complete the assignment, but they enjoy the competition.) He has been exposed to more Shakespeare in the last year than most people will study in a life time. The awesome thing is how much they love it!

Birthday Boy

25 Friends + 44 cupcakes + gorgeous weather + flowing candy + silly hats + crazy games = 1 fantastic birthday party!

Steve L. with Super Bacon. He also received (among many other gifts) a jester hat, a turkey hat, and an actual package of bacon. Hmmm . . . I think your friends know you well Steve!

Issue 122

Eagle Project Report

Well, my eagle project is done! The troops in Qatar have limited supplies, and are feeling pretty uncomfortable. So for my project I gathered supplies to ship to them. I spent hours putting fliers on doors, and then more hours collecting the supplies. We had a great turn-out. It filled our whole front room! Then we had to have a breakfast to raise enough money to ship it. That went well to, although there was a bit of a problem, on where to have it. Thanks for all who helped! We had grandparents coming and helping, as well as other scouts. We raised a total of $400. Just enough to ship! Of course we had to pack everything, and then fill out a sheet explaining what was in it and how much it cost! That's not too easy with 31 boxes! Well we finally got it shipped, (that took a while,) and now I just have to turn in my packet! Yay!

Note by mom: We are super proud of how hard Steve worked on his Eagle Project. He spent so many hours making flyers and signs, marketing, speaking to Store managers for donations, shopping, leading the scouts, collecting items for the drive, running his breakfast/car wash fundraiser, packing 31 care packages and shipping them to the troops. Way to go Steve!

The Big 14!

Thinking hard about his birthday wish! Happy Birthday Steve.

Steve was ordained a teacher today, and doubled the teacher's quorum. His friend Eric is glad to finally have some company on Sunday! A huge thanks to Grandparents that helped make this day special. We are so proud of you Steve!

You and Me @ Camp Cloud Rim

Janey and I finally got to go on our Mother/Daughter Girl Scout camp out! I say finally, because Janey has been counting down for about 6 months for this event. The weather was perfect, the scenery gorgeous, and the company delightful. My favorite part was having 24 hours of one-on-one with my spunky Janey.

Janey says:
"My favorite parts were going canoeing, tie dying bandannas and covering Journals. It was really fun!"

We both can't wait for next year!

A Lovely Young Woman

After many years of hard work, Whitney was presented with her Young Women's Medallion today in Sacrament Meeting. They have many requirements that they fulfil for each of the 8 Young Women values and then a Value Project for each one. They are supposed to take at least 10 hours to complete, but most of hers took much longer. For her projects she:

Danced in the Temple Celebration for the Prophet

Planted a Garden

Volunteered at Courage Reins (therapeutic horse back riding for disabled children)

Menu Planned/Shopped/Cooked meals for a month

Learned to do all the chores in house for a month

Read Book of Mormon

Produced a Documentary on how to get a book published

Served as a school Senator

She said: "Through serving people I was able to grow my testimony."

Whitney, we are so proud of the lovely young woman that you are and the wonderful choices you are making in your life. We love you!

Issue 121

Local Fire

Blogging time was preempted by fire watching. Steve and I put the kids to bed and then drove out to see how bad the fire we had been smelling all evening really was. Our "quick trip" lasted an hour and a half as we watched the fire eat it's way down the mountain and engulf home after home. The wind is fierce tonight and is fanning the flames and spreading the fire. We have many friends in the area and pray that their homes will not be included in the casualties.

(My iPhone did not do the scene justice, so I borrowed this picture from the Deseret News.)