Saturday, July 31, 2010
Photo shoot
We did a photo shoot on Wednesday with the Texas grandchildren and Alison's girls. You will be seeing the results of that here.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
View from Cedar Breaks
We caught this view from Cedar Breaks as we were driving home from Navajo Lake on Tuesday.
Happy 16th birthday to Tamsyn
Happy Birthday, Tamsyn! I hope you have a good day. I love you. grandma
Friday, July 16, 2010
Fairy House
Kennedy and Tristan made this fairy house at the Cabin where we stayed in the Apalachian Mountains. Kennedy also has an armful of "Silly Bands" which are the latest Craze sweeping the country. The tooth fairy brought them to her so watch out, they're coming!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
I'm back
I'm back from our vacation in NC and have a ton of pictures in my possession. Here's one of Kennedy, Tristan and Jack all dressed up for the Fourth of July. Kennedy was so proud of the patriotic flower that Aunt Marilee made for her to wear in her hair.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Fishing With Mom
I don't have a perfect recollection of the trip but I do remember the time Mom took Steve and I fishing. The way she tells it she set us both up with fishing poles and was set to relax and read a book. When she looked up she discovered that we had both quickly become bored with just sitting there and were off exploring and having a good time. She was praying that a fish and game officer wasn't near by. I don't know when my love of fishing really kicked in but I know that it was that first trip with Mom that planted the seed. This love of fishing has been passed down to my posterity. Thanks Mom for that first fishing trip. Glad you didn't get a ticket!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Another Country
During the last few years of medical school Chris and I talked about going on a "big trip" after graduation to celebrate his accomplishment. As the light at the end of the tunnel approached we talked about going to Europe, maybe Italy. By the time graduation rolled around it was not a safe time for Americans to travel to Italy. As we started talking about where we could go, Chris recommended. . . .Utah. Utah! I didn't want to go there. That certainly didn't sound as appealing as traveling to another country. After some consideration and planning, I agreed, reluctantly. To add to the adventure we invited our mutual friend, Rance, and his new wife, Vicki.
Now, this wasn't going to be just any trip home. This wasn't a week-long luxurious stay in Beaver, this was a carefully planned trip to include all the parks in southern Utah.
We started our trip in Zion hiking the narrows. After a day-long hike we were exhausted. We spent a cold night in a tent at Bryce Canyon. It had been awhile since I had been there. I saw the canyon with new eyes and wondered how I could have taken it for granted. It was so amazing!
We had a nice drive through Escalante Grand Staircase and picnicked at Capitol Reef. This was new territory for me as was Goblin Valley. Never had I been so close to home, yet felt so far away.
We spent a night in a cute KOA cabin in Moab and visited Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point. I had heard of all of these but had never seen them with my own eyes.
We then started our journey to Arizona. We stopped at Natural Bridges National Monument on our way. Monument Valley in Arizona was . . .monumental.
On our way home we drove through Page and stopped at the Lake Powell Visitor Center where we saw a miniature model of all the places we had just been. It was amazing to see an aerial view of all these amazing places and see how they were connected.
After all was said and done, I felt like I had been in another country. I feel so fortunate that I had the opportunity to explore my home state so I could appreciate where I came from. We are so blessed to live in this country and to have so many beautiful things to appreciate.
Now, this wasn't going to be just any trip home. This wasn't a week-long luxurious stay in Beaver, this was a carefully planned trip to include all the parks in southern Utah.
We started our trip in Zion hiking the narrows. After a day-long hike we were exhausted. We spent a cold night in a tent at Bryce Canyon. It had been awhile since I had been there. I saw the canyon with new eyes and wondered how I could have taken it for granted. It was so amazing!
We had a nice drive through Escalante Grand Staircase and picnicked at Capitol Reef. This was new territory for me as was Goblin Valley. Never had I been so close to home, yet felt so far away.
We spent a night in a cute KOA cabin in Moab and visited Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point. I had heard of all of these but had never seen them with my own eyes.We then started our journey to Arizona. We stopped at Natural Bridges National Monument on our way. Monument Valley in Arizona was . . .monumental.On our way home we drove through Page and stopped at the Lake Powell Visitor Center where we saw a miniature model of all the places we had just been. It was amazing to see an aerial view of all these amazing places and see how they were connected.After all was said and done, I felt like I had been in another country. I feel so fortunate that I had the opportunity to explore my home state so I could appreciate where I came from. We are so blessed to live in this country and to have so many beautiful things to appreciate.
At the Footraces
I was never big on participating in the 24th of July footraces at the park. But I liked to watch them. I especially enjoyed seeing the little kids run, the one- and two-year-olds who could barely make a straight line down the course.
They were fun to watch because they didn't understand the concept of a race. All they knew was that their mom--or dad--was down at the other end, arms outstretched, calling for them to run as fast as they could. The little ones didn't care about the other kids who were running. Their eyes were fixed on the parent at the end. And when the word "go," came, off they toddled.
The distance wasn't far and when they'd crossed into the waiting arms, there were shouts of glee from everyone watching, no matter who came in first or last.
Sometimes, a child's eyes would stray. He'd look left or right, see the crowd, see the other kids racing, and lose sight of his parent. Usually he'd stop, stare around confused, then start to cry. When that happened, someone would come to the rescue, point him in the direction of the waiting arms, and off he'd go again. When he finally reached the end, the cheers would be as great for him as for those who'd already crossed the line.
I watched those footraces every year as I was growing up. And I think that's why they came back to me as a missionary when I had a talk to prepare. The parallel was clear. And since then, I've tried to remember the lessons I learned at the footraces: 1., to keep my eye on the Father who's waiting with open arms, 2., to not compare myself with others who are running alongside me because there is room in His arms for everyone, and 3., to remember that no matter how many times I trip, fall, stumble, or get lost, all I have to do it get up and keep going. He'll still be waiting, with arms outstretched.
They were fun to watch because they didn't understand the concept of a race. All they knew was that their mom--or dad--was down at the other end, arms outstretched, calling for them to run as fast as they could. The little ones didn't care about the other kids who were running. Their eyes were fixed on the parent at the end. And when the word "go," came, off they toddled.
The distance wasn't far and when they'd crossed into the waiting arms, there were shouts of glee from everyone watching, no matter who came in first or last.
Sometimes, a child's eyes would stray. He'd look left or right, see the crowd, see the other kids racing, and lose sight of his parent. Usually he'd stop, stare around confused, then start to cry. When that happened, someone would come to the rescue, point him in the direction of the waiting arms, and off he'd go again. When he finally reached the end, the cheers would be as great for him as for those who'd already crossed the line.
I watched those footraces every year as I was growing up. And I think that's why they came back to me as a missionary when I had a talk to prepare. The parallel was clear. And since then, I've tried to remember the lessons I learned at the footraces: 1., to keep my eye on the Father who's waiting with open arms, 2., to not compare myself with others who are running alongside me because there is room in His arms for everyone, and 3., to remember that no matter how many times I trip, fall, stumble, or get lost, all I have to do it get up and keep going. He'll still be waiting, with arms outstretched.
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