Camping we go!!

Since Brendon had some time off for the 24th, we decided to take advantage of it and plan a camping trip. Camping with a 6 week old is a whole new world for us, but I have to say it was a complete success!! Instead of going to our property in Manti, we decided to try something new so we headed up Spanish Fork Canyon to the Manti-Lasal National Forest. This was great because it was only about 30 miles from our house, and it gave us a chance to use our tent trailer. It doesn't have any air conditioning so Brendon, as handy as he is, rigged up our old swamp cooler to sit on our four wheeler and blow in one of the windows. As ghetto as it looked.... it worked great and kept us nice and cool inside when it was 100 degrees outside. Michael was our little Happy Camper!! And needless to say this is just the begining of many more camping excursions to come.
On another note, Michael is doing great! He is growing so fast, and its no wonder with how much this little man eats. He is now wearing all 3 month clothing and the 6 month stuff is ready to go. Michael just loves the outside. During the day he and I just lay out on the lawn and chill, and at night, we take our nightly family walks to the park. For the most part, his hair is blonde, but those eyes are sure looking brown. Michael has my eyes and chin, and Brendon's nose and body structure. It is just so fun watching him grow and change. He changes so much from week to week, and even day to day. Sleeping through the night is one of his many talents!! For the most part he can make it all the way through. We are excited for more of the family to meet him this weekend!

Hi everyone,

When I was talking to Alison the other day about the family get together I told her I was out in the shop working on a project for a fund raiser at work. Our company is a big supporter of a place called "City of Hope". Chris has probably heard of them. They are really big into cancer research and treatment. They also do all kinds of other medical research and treatment. We are doing a raffle to raise money along with a BBQ and other things to raise money. I told her I would post a picture of the shelf. It was an idea I had in my head and I just made up the plans as I went. (kind of like Marilee and cooking)

Sunday night we had a nice thunder storm. We had one of those close ones where the light and the sound had no time in between them. I was standing by the computer when it happened and I noticed the lights on the modem flashing and blinking funny. I hurried and shut it off but I could tell by that all too familiar smell that it was too late. It had experienced the component failure that we in the electronics field refer to as "somebody let the smoke out". We are using the old modem until the new one gets here. Qwest is replacing it free of charge. The technical service rep said that this particular modem is very sensitive to lightning. Ya think? Looking forward to seeing everyone at the family get together. Love, Ron

An Invitation

Calling all family members far and wide. There will be a gathering at the Randall home on July 27th to celebrate the 75th birthday of Mom/Grandma Mary. We'll meet around 2:30 for a late lunch/early dinner of barbecued meats and assorted salads. There might also be a birthday cake.
Come if you can. If you can't we'll be thinking of and missing you.

Five Weeks and Smiling

Sunday was a depressing day for me. After five weeks, mom left. Help! To make matters worse Chris left for a business trip in Rhode Island. Talk about being drop-kicked into reality. I was determined to take my kids to church even though I would be doing it alone. Happy to say I made it with only a few outbursts in sacrament meeting. It was a little stressful at times but we survived.
When I got home I called Chris on his cell phone. We talked for a while then he instructed me to go out to the mailbox where I would find a surprise. I took the phone with me and we kept talking. The mailbox was empty. I was then instructed to look east. Oh yeah, a treasure hunt! Just then our little tan Corolla came up over the hill and Chris was driving! Turns out his flight was cancelled and the next flight would not get him to the meeting in time for it to be worth it so he decided to stay home.
This week has been extremely busy with the three kids. However, I have been ok. I have just been pretending that having three kids is no big deal. Fake it 'til you make it, right?
Jack turned 5 weeks on Tuesday and he greeted me that morning with his first smile. He smiled at me about half a dozen times. So cute. It's nice to get some feedback.

Shaking Hands with Brother Schmidt

Most of you know that we are great admirers of Jon Schmidt and his music. We had a unique opportunity on Sunday to attend a fireside put on by him.
He played five songs, some of our favorites like Waterfall and All of Me, but the best part was his talk. It wasn't a formal talk. He just stood up and spoke from his heart. He was speaking mostly to the youth. But I was inspired by what he said. I hope you don't mind if I share a couple of things.
He admitted that when he was a teenager he hadn't felt a great need for God. He had his friends, his music, his sports. But there came a time when he realized he really needed God. Usually, he said, that time comes about the same time as the first baby. You realize you can't do this by yourself.
I could relate to that.
Since then he said he's become a lot more dependent on the Spirit and has tried to a establish a firm connection with God. How cool is that, he said, that we can have a connection with "the God of the Universe."
He even relies on the spirit in his music. Sometimes he'll come across a problem when he's writing a new song and he's found that if he'll kneel down and pray, about 50% of the time, he has the solution in his head before he's off his knees. The other 50%, he pounds it out and soon the solution comes.
I was touched by that. I know there are areas in my life where I could rely a lot more on the Spirit. He encouraged everyone to try it--in school, in work, with friends. God wants to help us. All we have to do is ask.
When he played the song, "All of Me" he talked about how he tried to give all of himself to the Lord. He's found that the Lord came make a whole lot more of his life than he, Jon Schmidt, can by himself.
Those are a few tidbits from one of the best firesides I've ever been to. Afterward, the kids went up and shook his hand. Josh told "Brother Schmidt" he'd been a big inspiration in Josh's piano playing.
That night Jon Schmidt was a big inspiration in lots of other ways, too.

One Month Old

Jack is a month old and I can't believe it. Time flies. We send mom off on Sunday and then I will be drop-kicked into reality. Chris is leaving for Rhode Island the same day for a meeting. Jack is a very good sleeper. He has been waking up just once to eat in the night, almost since I brought him home from the hospital. He sleeps a lot during the day with some occasional fussiness, if he doesn't get put to sleep soon enough. He's very strong. Here is a picture of him at three weeks old holding his head high. We have enjoyed him and I think he's a keeper.

Michael's One Month!!

Well hello everyone!! Sorry it has taken so long for us to contribute to the family blog but we are so excited to do so. Yesterday was Michael's one month birthday I guess you could call it. He is doing great! Growing at an incredible rate, Michael loves to eat!! And he is the best cuddle buddie. Chevis has adjusted to the change well playing the role of big brother like he was born to do it, and Michael just loves spending time with him. At Michael's 3 week visit he weighed 10 lbs 8 oz and was 22 in long. His hair isn't quite as blonde as we all thought it would be and it looks as though his eyes are going to turn brown.

Over the 4th of July weekend we had the whole family together and spent a great day outdoors. We started out the day with a pinic at a park up Sundance canyon, then it was off to Cascade Springs. The weather was great and a good time was had by all. Brendon and I are loving being new parents, and we feel so blessed to have Michael.