Drive Home from Idaho Falls

Dave, Bryson and I drove to Twin Falls Friday night and I stayed with my parents at my Aunt Connie's house. They were having a garage/estate sale for all my grandfather's "stuff" and they needed some help. We stayed up late pricing and got up early to get everything ready. Dave and Bryson drove on to Idaho Falls so they could go motorcycle riding Saturday. (They said it was too crowded and more ATV trails than single track. I think they will stick to SW Idaho for riding).

Saturday afternoon my parents and I drove on to IF and Bryson and Dave had dinner ready for us. Sunday morning we drove to Shelley to hear Jacob's talk (he is going to the Roseville, CA mission). We had a great time seeing everyone and then left about noon for Boise. We drove through Arco and saw Craters of the Moon and the Camas Lilies in bloom around Fairfield. Good weekend, good to be home.

Ben Graduates from ASU

Bryson and I flew to AZ on Weds night (Dave was already there) and as we arrived at Sky Harbor airport we could see all the lights and traffic on campus where Pres. Obama was speaking. Friday we went to the graduation for the Liberal Arts majors where Hugh Downs spoke. It was a great ceremony and Ben was awarded his degree in communications. We are proud of Ben and his accomplishments! Chantal and Ben were great fun to visit. We saw the new Star Trek movie, went on base to tour an airplane that Ben works on, attended the shower while the guys went to the shooting range and ate lots of fresh fruit.

Chantal's Baby Shower

Chantal's friends from the school where they all teach threw her an awesome baby shower on Saturday the 16th. We played some games, ate some great food and watched her open a zillion presents. Marilyn (Chantal's mom) took this video of her opening the gift I gave her. Chantal was great about oohing and aahing over every gift - that's a lot of smiling for one day! The biggest hit was the pee pee tepee to avoid getting sprayed during a diaper change. In the video is a fellow teacher, Chantal, Grandma Broways, Rachel (Chantal's sis-in-law-to-be), and Becky, a friend from Las Vegas.

BBQ

We went out to dinner in Gilbert, AZ to celebrate Ben's graduation. The place is called Joe's BBQ and it was cafeteria style service but not cafeteria food. We ate outside and we all enjoyed it. I think Bryson enjoyed it a little more than the rest of us!

Dance Festival!!

Take notice of where Bryson is in the photo to be able to find him in the video. There were about 10 stakes involved and it was a lot of fun. Very creative dancing and colorful to watch.

Crazy Week

This has been a BUSY week. The youth have a dance festival coming up on Saturday (two stakes) at BSU. I just finished ironing three skirts (lots of material). That was the least of the problem. As the activities person in my ward we were assigned by the stake to help with the youth during the day at a Humanitarian Project. We couldn't think of anything for 300 teenagers to do that doesn't take a lot of money, time and preparation. We decided they could tie quilts from the Humanitarian Center and I was asked to arrange for 10 quilts. Okay, I thought, I will ask if each ward could bring one that needs tied along with the quilt frames. It has been like pulling teeth. Not everyone has a quilting person, or frames or someone who cares about finding them. So, I have sewed two tops and arranged for three frames (all sitting in my car). I know for sure I have five frames and three more maybes that will be there. I think we have six more quilts. Hopefully it will all come together after 10 more emails and 7 more phonecalls. THIS is why I rarely volunteer to be in charge of anything.

In our spare time Bryson went to the orthodontist Sam Smith to get spacers put in his teeth in prep. for the braces that will be attached on Tuesday. He has the same situation as cousin Janna: baby teeth not coming out, adult teeth not coming in. Even the same two teeth as Janna. They will put chains on the teeth and "encourage" them to come in. AND I got to go in to get a re-treat on a root canal gone wrong. It was still infected and I am on the third round of anitbiotics. I am also on the warpath with the sunny sweet dandelions in my yard. They've got to go--all of them. Okay, I'm done venting and thanks...I feel better

Canyon Magic - A tribute to my Uncle Curt

I just found this article written in Paddler Magazine about my Uncle Curt. It was a well-written article and gave me a better understanding of my uncle and his choices. Read the article here:
http://www.paddlermagazine.com/people/features/canyon-magic.html