The Bountiful Parade - 2013

Celebrating the 24th of July comes a day early if you live in Bountiful.  The 23rd of July parade starts off the festivities.  This year marked the 62 year anniversary of the parade.  We have been Bountiful Parade -Goers for about 25 years.  Many times, but not always, we have one of our children in the parade.  This year was no different, watching Lizzy with the other MPJ Cheerleaders walking behind the school float cheering, and tumbling. They were fabulous!

It is also tradition for Ella to spend the night at our house attending all the celebrations with us.  It is a day that is anticipated long in advance.  We arrive early, and leave a little early to minimize crowd rage.  Ben and Ella found solace waiting for the parade to start by braiding boondoggle.  Ella is the champion at boondoggle, her designs are divine.

Ben and Ella love to catch, or snatch, all of the candy and goods thrown towards the patrons.  Just kidding, they are fair players in the hunt for parade prizes.  Sometimes I loose a little control and receive a small reprimand for their behavior.

The parade is about the pioneers, and our forefathers.  The entries portraying these strong men and women are our favorites.  We revere them, and celebrate their strength and courage in crossing the plains.

We enjoy other floats and entries as well.  Another float favorite, is the one bearing the crimson red color with a huge U displayed.  Yes, we love our Utes!

The kids cool off from the sizzling temperatures at the parade by jumping into our neighbors pool.  It is a great way to wind down and prepare for the fireworks.

Colorful lights illuminate the night as the firework show begins.  What a great way to end the evening.

Liz and Baylee

Cooling off

Mitch, Ben, and Ella.

Boondoggle (a little bleary, it's not your eyes).

The cutest little patriot.

The parade.

Fireworks

Mishap by Henefer

Oh I bet you thought we had a mishap- free trip to Flaming Gorge.......not so.

Saturday night on the way home from the Gorge, we were flagged down on the freeway by a fellow camper.  We pulled over, and so did they.  Smoke was billowing from the back tire of the trailer.  Unbeknowst to me, the bearings on the trailer wheels must be packed and lubricated annually.  When boats are brought in and out of water, it tends to dry up the lubrication.

Since, this has not been done for 5 years, we had a problem.  A BIG problem!  The bearings on the back wheel of the trailer were burned, and the wheel had become very wobbly.  There was nothing our fellow campers could do for us, so I told them we would call AAA.

Upon calling AAA, they referred me to a towing company in Coal Ville.  Tom, the owner, told me to drive very slowly into Henefer, unhitch the boat on main street, and leave it for him to tow in the morning.

I slowly drove into Henefer, without further incident, and unhitched the boat in a Morman church parking lot (I felt like it would be safer there).  I then called the police dispatch, and told them that we had had a break down and would be leaving the boat in the parking lot for a least the night.

The next day, (Sunday) I called Tom, who was not able to tow the boat until Monday.  The married kids and I drove up to Henefer that night, emptied the boat, and brought the contents home.  Tom was able to tow it on Monday.  It is now at Metal Craft getting repaired.

Wow!  What an adventure!

I was glad that I wasn't alone with my two kids.  Aunt Jen provided much help and entertainment.

The Gorge 2013

The annual Family Reunion at the Gorge was schedule for July 18 through the 20th.  Some of the relatives came earlier, and some later.  It is a great time for my kids to bond with their cousins.

We decided to carpool to Flaming Gorge since Aunt Jen and I only had two kids each that were going on our vacation.   The four kids had a great time singing and chatting the entire way there.

When we arrived at Flaming Gorge and began setting up camp, I realized that although a tent may be in a bag, packed in the garage, it does not mean it will have all the necessary poles to set it up.  We had a make-shift tent, that really only housed our luggage.  My cot was also held together with an old belt.  I decided, Mike is very thrifty.  Maybe a little too thrifty for me, as I placed the tent and cot in the dumpster once our vacation was over. We decided since our tent was inadequate, and it was hot at night, we would sleep in the back of the boat.  It was perfect laying under the stars, looking up at the moon, on the clear warm summer nights.

Once camp was set up we  quickly got on the lake.  A beach (baptism bay) was secured, and the three boats took turns giving boat rides, and pulling tubers, wake-boarders, and skiers out on the lake.

Flaming Gorge is absolutely stunning.  The beautiful scenery differs from place to place.  You can find billowing pine trees scattered over the mountains, or cliffs of rocks dressed in fiery red and oranges.  Wherever you go you will be mesmerized by the beautiful scenery and wildlife that inhabits the area.

A long eared owl was perched above the rocks under the bridge.  While the kids were swimming, we were able to watch this amazing animal in it's habitat.  The next day we spotted long horned sheep.  The mother sheep had her calf in tow, wandering along the banks of the lake.

The weather was perfect with light blue skies and the sun beating down on us. We spent all day on the lake.  Once we were off the lake, we made dutch oven dinners and dined together.  There is nothing like a good dutch oven dinner and smores to make a night complete.

Lizzy wake boarded for the first time.  She was amazing!  She got up on her first attempt, but didn't stay up long.  I'm sure the next time we go boating she will have the hang of it.  Lizzy and Ben tubed a lot, and went rock jumping with the cousins.

Ben loved to fish.  He became Hayden's little shadow.  Hayden was a good sport to prepare Ben's reel, and take him fishing with him.  Ben was a happy little camper as he reeled in a small fish the first day, and a 23 incher the next.  In all his attempts to catch a fish at Flaming Gorge in the past, this is the first year he was successful.  Happy boy!

At the end of the trip Ben said, "This is the best trip to Flaming Gorge ever."  What a funny guy!

Make-shift tent.

Jarvey's

Under the bridge.

By Hideout.

More scenery.

Long horn sheep.

Ben's first fish.

The 23 inch fish caught under the bridge, while the others were rock jumping.

Basking in the glory of his BIG fish!

The beach.

Tubing

Football Frenzie

Wake boarding and beach goers.

Cousins

Jumping off the rocks under the bridge.

Dutch oven and smores.

Rock jumping in Jarvey's.

Tender Mercies

Today is July 15th, Steve's birthday.  I talked to Elder Brown prior to his departure to Alaska.  He is happy, and doing so well.  Happy kids make a happy mom!  Is it a coincidence that it is Steve's birthday, and Mike is flying into Alaska where Steve served his mission?

We heard from Mike a little later in the week and found out that his first "official" area he will be serving in, is Kenia Alaska.  That is the first area that his Dad began his mission.

Mike and Kate also, left for their missions on July 3rd, the day their Dad arrived in Alaska in 1980 to begin serving the Lord.

So many coincidences, or are they? I don't think so. I believe they are tender mercies.

"We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord’s tender mercies. The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live. When words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance (see 1 Ne. 1:20)." Elder Bednar.

Tender mercies seem to be abounding!

Mike - Called to serve Anchorage Alaska Mission 2013-2015

Steve - called to serve in the Anchorage Alaska Mission 1980-1982

A mom on the plane took this and sent it to me with the message, "From one mom to another."

Arrived in Anchorage Alaska - in the office with Ken Lambertsen (Quinn's Uncle).

Steve in the Anchorage Alaska office

First letter from Steve to his parents.  Note the date and area.

Messages To Heaven - July 15, 2013

Dear Steve,

Another year has past, and you would have been 55 today.  Wow!  I know you never wanted to get old, but 55 isn't really old.  I keep thinking about how much you have missed since you have been gone, but then again, maybe you are around more than we realize.  Knowing you, you probably haven't missed a beat.  I'm sure you are aware of everything going on in our lives.

We love you, and miss you every day!  We feel your presence often, and are grateful for that.  The veil is thin, and I know you will be especially watching out for our little missionaries.  How much sadder your departure would have been, if we didn't believe and know of the Plan of Salvation.  We are so blessed to know we will all be together again some day.

We wrote messages, and sent them up to you in heaven.  We know you are there, and know that you are aware of the love we have for you.

Happy Birthday today!

Love your family!

Happy Birthday Papa!

The Clan!

Mase had a hard time letting his balloon go.

We are missing a few, but are so happy they are serving the Lord.

Messages to Heaven.

Party Crashers

The Young Women had a combined swim party at the Gulbransen's. The girl's are absolutely adorable, and well behaved.  Most of the leaders (me included) didn't swim with the girls, but watched and enjoyed their company.

Near the end of the party, two hooligans came and crashed the party.  As I saw them (at a distance), talking to the girls, Sister Muir and I wondered if we should intervene.  Scary looking people!  We observed, rather than intervene for a moment.  As the two gangsters made their way around the pool, Sister Muir starting laughing, "It's Ben!"

Oh my, my baby and his buddy crashed the party, dressed up as a ninja, and a girl.  Who knew my baby boy could make out to be such a pretty girl?

Allergies

For years Lizzy has had severe seasonal allergies, as well as trouble (itchy throat, sometimes hives, and swelling) when eating some fresh fruits and vegetables.  She has learned to avoid certain fruits and vegetables, or relieve the reactions by eating a piece of bread afterwards, and or taking an antihistamine.  Her seasonal allergies have been so bad, that she takes Allegra daily.

We met with an Allergist, to determine some options for her seasonal allergies.  Dr. Broadbent, decided to conduct a thorough allergy test.  An intolerance test was conducted.  A grid was drawn on her back, and with a prick of the skin, tiny amounts of potential food allergens were inserted under the surface of her skin. When red bumps or swelling occurred, they were measured and recorded.

Nut testing was the first test done on her back.  Once they determined there was a definite problem with nuts, they conducted the same tests on her arms, testing trees, weeds, fruits, vegetables, fish, and animals.

Blood tests were also conducted to determine her intolerance's.  We were VERY surprised with the results. She is allergic to ALL nuts except Brazil nuts. Who eats Brazil nuts anyway?  She is most allergic to Hazel Nuts which had a reading of 75+ (out of 100) which is not good.  I don't know all the numbers, but we were informed to avoid nuts completely and to always carry an epupen.  She needs to read all labels and make sure that anything she eats has not been contaminated by nuts.

She is also allergic to MANY fresh fruits and vegetables.  The doctor said, "Eating fresh fruits and vegetables that she is allergic to will make her uncomfortable, but will not kill her; nuts no the other hand will."

The good news, is that she is NOT allergic to animals.  Yay!

So the question you might be asking is,  How did we not know about this for 14 years? The answer is, your intolerance's can alter over time, so she will need a blood test annually to determine whether her food allergies are better or worse. That may not be the entire answer, but it is the complete answer I want to believe.  However, it might have something to do with a uneducated, or an unalarmed mom (yep that's how I want to word it).  I thought, as long as she is breathing well, she would be ok.  I guess that is not so. Still learning, after 6 kids.

Happy to be there.  Intolerance testing.

Cream for the itches.

Starting the nut test.

Yummy fruit tray she made for the 4th of July. No more tasty fruits.

Fourth of July

To celebrate the 4th of July and to get out of the intense heat, we ventured up to Silver Lake. Silver Lake is up Big Cottonwood Canyon, by Brighton Ski Resort.  It is beautiful!  The scenery on the way, is just as stunning.  I love the mountains with the billowing pine trees, shimmering streams, and lush green grasses covering the mountainside.

Our main objective was to catch a fish.  Ben was so excited that Quinn would take him fishing.  As we hiked around the lake to find a premiere fishing spot, we saw two moose grazing on the field grasses, and a flock of ducks out for a swim. Nature at it's best!

When we arrived at our fishing spot, Quinn and Ben baited the fishing pole, and cast off from a big rock.  There were people all around us fishing.  They had been fishing for quite some time.  First cast, Quinn walked away, and Ben scream, "Quinn, I think something is tugging on the line."  Quinn yelled for Ben to grab the line, and quickly ran to assist Ben.  Sure enough, they caught a fish.

It was quite impressive to the fishermen around us.  One asked, "What kind of bait are you using on that line."  Quinn offered to share his bait with the others, but they declined.  We had a good laugh when one serious fisherman fell into the lake.  Oops!  I really tried not to laugh!  Hopefully, they didn't hear us. How rude!

We had a lovely afternoon enjoying our picnic, catching a fish, and basking in the beauty of our Utah Mountains.

Scenic Views

Fishing, and grilling up the catch to eat.

Joy!

Boys