Labor Day 2018

This Labor Day was a little different. I was invited to go with my boss and his family up to Bear Lake. Bear Lake is such a beautiful place! The lake is so blue! I pulled some pictures from the internet to show you (I forgot to take photos). I also learned how to ride a Sea Doo. It's kind of like a snowmobile for water. I stayed in a camp trailer with Melanie and her family. She is Tammy's daughter that I knew from my days at USU Eastern. Tammy also bought be a shirt (a tradition she has for her family, raspberry jam, and raspberry salsa. Thanks Tammy! That was very kind of you!


I also was able to go up on Monday to Price Rec for the family party. Originally I wasn't going to be able to go. But my work schedule changed again (it changed many times during that weekend) and I was able to work early in the morning and then go up for the party in the afternoon/evening. Cameron and Sam were able to bring up their twins. This was the first time most of us saw them. I even got hold them. We had book club. For this book club we read the book The Girl Who Wrote in Silk. It was a great book and I would recommend it. Good Reads synopsis says:

The smallest items can hold centuries of secrets...

Inara Erickson is exploring her deceased aunt's island estate when she finds an elaborately stitched piece of fabric hidden in the house. As she peels back layer upon layer of the secrets it holds, Inara's life becomes interwoven with that of Mei Lein, a young Chinese girl mysteriously driven from her home a century before. Through the stories Mei Lein tells in silk, Inara uncovers a tragic truth that will shake her family to its core — and force her to make an impossible choice.

Inspired by true events, Kelli Estes's brilliant and atmospheric debut serves as a poignant tale of two women determined to do the right thing, and the power of our own stories.

Photo Credit goes to Mandy

Happy Birthday Kindsey

Happy Birthday Kindsey! She turned 1 years old and we had a party to celebrate. Thanks Kelsey and Kurt for the party. It was fun catching up with you, your families, old friends and meeting some new friends. And thanks for letting me hang out all day with you. I appreciate it.

National Ability Center

For the past 6 weeks I have been volunteering at the National Ability Center (NAC) in Park City. The NAC is a really cool place. On their website it says, "The National Ability Center empowers individuals of all abilities by building self-esteem, confidence and lifetime skills through sport, recreation and educational programs." I have had the opportunity to volunteer with archery. I have never done archery before so this was a new territory for me. We have challenges for the participants and, if there is room, the volunteers and instructors too. Today's challenge was based on the story of William Tell and how he had to shoot an apple above his son's head with a single shot. Granted he was using a crossbow and we were not, but I am proud to say I did finally hit the apple (on my last attempt) and I never hit a balloon. 

Busy Weekend

What a weekend! My weekend started on Friday. I was able to work in the morning so I could go home earlier. Mom had the Duchesne County Fair (she is one of the ladies in charge of the home arts exhibit) and so I decided to go check it out. I got there around 6:30 pm. They had a lot of fun things. There were some exquisite leather saddles, a doll that was very life-like, some amazing quilts, and some fun photography. I had a hard time choosing a favorite. When the exhibit closed we had to count up the people's choice ballets and put on ribbons. Then Mom and I wen to go get some food. We got our food from Thacker's dutch oven food. It was good! I guess Mom's been going there all week because they asked her if she wanted her regular. I got her regular of chicken, potatoes, corn on the cob, and a roll. Yum!

After we made it home I called Emma to catch her up on all the happenings of my life and to see how Alabama and her first week of teaching went. It was fun to catch up with her! Then my mom, sisters, and I just chatted for a couple more hours before headed to bed.

The next morning, Saturday, I left with my sisters to go to the Humphrey Reunion. I left my car for mom to bring to Green River later. The reunion was fun. To be honest I really only go for the food. They have a lamb fry and scones. Lamb is one of my favorite foods. This is also probably one of the shortest reunions. Everyone shows up to eat and then leave. There is some pre-meal mingling but not much after that.

Then we went over to my Grandma's to visit with her. I don't think she gets too many visitors anymore and I don't make it to Orangeville to often anymore. We had a nice visit with some stories from her past.

After that we went back to Price and stopped by Melissa's for a quick visit and to drop off some Harry Potter movies they were borrowing. They just got a piano and they wanted me to play it to see how it sounded. I think I had Dallas mesmerized by my playing ability (not that it was super great or practiced or anything). He kept moving close to the piano where he could watch my fingers.

Then we went to Helper to watch my cousin Millie in her children's play The Pirates of Penzance. It was cute and they did a great job. Unfortunately we were a little late and they did a mini version of it beforehand. Most of Millie's lines were during this. What we saw of the mini one and the main versions, the kids did great.

After that we stopped at Walmart and then made our way to Green River for the night. We chatted with Uncle Lee, Aunt Ann, Anna, and Avan for a little while. We opened Mandy's mystery Harry Potter Wands from Walmart and talked about Harry Potter and how we should have a Harry Potter party.

The next day we went to Sacrament meeting for Ross' homecoming. Welcome Home Ross! He did a great job on his talk. I am proud of him for all he accomplished on the mission. Corinne sat with me through most of Sacrament meeting. She kept stealing my sunglasses and putting them on and then taking them off and putting them back on me. She also wanted to wear my bracelet, which was really my apple watch and watch the Toy Story characters on it. At one point while she was wearing my watch she crawled over to Kara and said, "Cassy said I could have this (holding up the watch). We don't have to tell her I have it." Silly girl.

After dinner we had dinner at the Senior Citizens Center and then went back to the house for the after-party. Not everyone was able to come to the after-party so we didn't do book club. We had a nice time visiting with everyone. Ross came over and he brought some gifts for Aunt Ann and Uncle Lee. He got a handmade leather case and machete for Uncle Lee and a wooden carved bird for Aunt Ann. They were pretty cool.

As Kameron and Sydney were leaving we learned that Highway 6 had closed down due to the Coal Hollow Fire. I made the decision to go home to Altamont that night and sleep (since I hadn't slept well the 2 nights before) and leave between 6-6:30 the next morning for work. I got up with Mandy at 5:30 am and left by 6:15 to be to work around 8:00.

It was a great weekend and thanks to everyone who made it all happen! Also the photo's I'm posting I didn't take. So thanks to my relatives for letting me use your photos.

August 5, 2018

My cousins Brayden and Bracelee just turned 12. Crazy how fast they are growing! I remember when they were born. With turning 12 has brought some changes. Bracelee is now in Young Women's and Brayden will be ordained into the Aaronic Priesthood. On Aug. 5, the Gardner side was invited to go to Brayden's ordination. Mom, Mandy, Mary, and I, Uncle Lyndon, Aunt Shauna, and Jen, D'Lee and Aunt Natalie, Eric, Melissa, Ansley, Molly, and Dallas, Aunt Joyce, Uncle Vic, and Christene, and of course Rachel, Bracelee, and Kenzlee came. After the ordination we went to Washington Park for a quick lunch (another group was using the pavilion after us). It was nice to catch up with the family.

After lunch, Mom, Mandy, Mary, and I headed to Wellington for another party. Laura was out from D.C. and we wanted to see her. So We headed over their for the rest of the day/evening. It was great to see everyone. I feel like I say that a lot, but I guess that shows how much I enjoy family get-togethers. We chatted, played some Harry Potter Uno, ate some stew, dutch oven rolls and cobbler, called Kate a few times to see where she was and how long until she got there, and just enjoyed each other's company.  Thanks Boyd, David and Kara, and Paul and Bel for the delicious meal!

Thanks everyone for a great day!

Petersen Farewell

On July 29 I had the opportunity to go to the Petersen's farewell. They are going on their second mission to the Ukraine Kiev Temple. I'm so excited and proud of them. I know how wonderful they were in Sherbrooke, and I bet they will be just as amazing in Kiev. I'm excited to see what adventures they find.

I went to the first 2 hours of my ward because I had primary, but then I headed out to South Weber. Who else did I see and was able to sit by... The Hatfields. It was so nice to see them and to have someone to sit by during sacrament meeting. Unfortunately they were not able to stay for the dinner. I stuck around and I went to Sunday School (the Petersen's daughter was teaching) and then to Relief Society, although it was a combined meeting since it was 5th Sunday. After that we went to their home for dinner. I sat next to Jan's sisters and brother in-law. They were great and I had a great time getting to know them. I also got to meet all of their daughters and one has even been to Altamont. Crazy right!

After saying my goodbyes I decided to go visit some more friends that live in Riverdale (it is only 10 min. away) Kurt, Kelsey, and their daughter Kindsey are doing great. It was fun to see them. Kindsey can almost walk by herself and she loves Ring Around the Rosies. Although you really only get through saying, "Ring around the rosies... we all fall down. Falling down is her favorite part.

All in all it was a great day spent with great people!

Photo's I have with the Petersen's. I realized we haven't taken one since the mission.

Altamont Longhorn Days 2018

Altamont Longhorn Days has come again. From the looks of the facebook page it looks like it was a successful week. I wasn't able to come home until Saturday morning. Emma had come out to Provo and spent Thursday and Friday night at the house. It was great to see her!

Anyway so I made it home in time to go to the children's play Rock Bottom. It was cute with some great 1 liners. I was impressed with the leads' singing. Great job ladies!

It was time for the parade. We didn't have as many semi's from the oil fields this year. We were also missing Ken Pugh driving Hullinger's buggy. They did have some other fun entries. Meg and Mandy were in the parade.

We later went to the park to see what vendors there were and how much the quilts sold for at the action (Mom pieced the ones the wards donated). Then we ended the night at Millers eating Sue's homemade ice cream and chatting. We didn't have fireworks. Originally we were, but the wind picked up and some hot spots from the Talmage Fire sparked. The fire trucks/crew went to get that back under control.

Thanks to the Longhorn Days Committee! You guys do a great job!

Favorite Scenes from the Parade. (Most photo's are from Carol and the video is Emily's)