Mini Reunion

On Monday, April 18th, a group of Reed's classmates from Preston High School got together for lunch at the Red Robin in Layton.

The saying on the wall was appropriate for the occasion.

Here are the sixteen class members who showed up. Most brought spouses as well. Some have weathered better than others. They spent time getting reacquainted and reminiscing.

Wayne was the one who set up the lunch date and invited others to attend. His wife was a good friend of cousin Marcia back during BYU college days.

After eating we wandered the mall, checked into Town Place Suites, got a bite to eat, went to bed, got up and drove to Ogden, sat down for a quick Denny's breakfast, went to an appointment, then drove home and mowed the lawn before the rainstorms started again. (On the way out of Logan we passed by walls of sandbags, flooded roads, news trucks and emergency crews monitoring the rising floodwaters of the Blacksmith Fork River)

Sunday and Monday

Sunday afternoon was the annual Temple Workers Devotional held at the Logan Tabernacle. I always enjoy attending the meeting. We had to skip out on our church services after the first hour or so in order to get there early enough to find a seat. The choir was really good. It was great to see those we used to work with on Group 9 as well as co-workers on Group 2 and the spouses of those work on my shift who currently don't work at the temple. Cousin Trena's husband, Warren, came and sat next to us. President Rolfe Kerr spoke first. He also introduced those who keep things running at the temple...the recorder, secretary, maintenance director, laundry coordinator, head groundskeeper, lunchroom supervisor etc. We were surprised and pleased to have Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles be the main speaker. Besides bearing his apostolic testimony of the divinity of our Savior, Jesus Christ, he told us that the second coming isn't right around the corner. He said there are lots of things to accomplish first and, yes, the world will get much more wicked and there will be many more calamities and disasters.

On Monday, instead of our regular DUP camp meeting, six of us went to Salt Lake and spent time at the Pioneer Museum. I drove. Although the museum is an excellent one, I didn't spend time looking through displays. I headed to the history department and perused many histories on Reed's family lines. Then I went to the photo department and looked at the photos they had available. Between the copies of histories and ordering a CD with old family pictures on it, I spent $36. After I receive the CD in the mail, I will work to update two of my family history blogs: www.myconlinfamily.blogspot.com and www.myransomfamily.blogspot.com. Gotta love that rich pioneer heritage! I enjoy reading the histories and looking at the pictures but I get really frustrated with all the errors. We ate at the State Capitol Building and then headed home.

Reed is driving a school bus route today so we'll have just a short time to re-charge before tonight's Stake Talent Show at USU. Last Monday night we had our Ward Talent Show. We voted on which one we liked best and would represent our ward at the stake level. Each of the 9 wards will have about 5 minutes on the program. It should be entertaining.

'`'`'Rain'`'`' and **S*N*O*W**

I am so tired of rain and snow! There's standing water in fields and yards and rivers are running high. Our concrete and plants have taken a hit with extreme temperature changes and the freeze and thaw cycles. Between storms Reed got some yardwork done. The lawn is aerated and fertilized, radishes are planted, some of the periennials were trimmed back, the snow blade is off the 4-wheeler and the snowblower is put away. Maybe that is premature as it snowed all day on Thursday and Friday and Saturday. And to think this is Cache County and Logan School District's Spring Break! Kim's family spent a snowy, uncrowded day at Hogle Zoo. Robin's family headed to California. The VanWagenens just got back from a week in sunny St. George with a little color on their arms and faces. They were using their Christmas gift from us. The boys have been off-track. Brandon's birthday was on the 2nd and Katelyn turned 5 on the 7th.

We didn't have a good camera with us so this is really a long shot and doesn't do it justice. Click to enlarge to see if you can find the elk in the center half of the picture about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom.

The temperatures and weather were nice for last Saturday's (4/2) Conference but we woke to a white landscape on Sunday morning. Nevertheless, we went on a ride during the Sunday morning session of General Conference. I've got to admit, Cache Valley is a beautiful place and it is nice to see wildlife and birds whenever we take a drive. We saw a huge elk herd on the northern bench in Providence and a smaller group of elk in Sardine Canyon. On this ride we also saw deer, wild turkeys, hawks, thousands of robins, bluebirds, pheasants, doves, geese, crows, ducks, cranes etc. We have had so much moisture that there is already some flooding, yet the spring run-off really hasn't begun in earnest. Many of the rivers and streams were muddy. Glendale Reservoir still had some ice on it. Hyrum Dam has the dock out but with murky water we don't know if the fish could see the bait or lures. We checked on the progress of the 10th West Bypass. 14 homes have or will be demolished so the road can be widened. We drove from 1st Dam along Canyon Road and tried to figure out which 11 homes will be demolished on as a safety precaution because of their proximity to the canal. Three people lost their lives when the canal gave way and crashed into their home.

The Ogden Temple has closed and will be re-built. Since construction on the Brigham City Temple has barely begun, the Logan Temple has 'inherited' many of the stakes previously assigned to the Ogden Temple District. I understand Bountiful has assummed the rest. With the influx of new temple patrons coupled with several conference talks on doing temple work, Tuesday at the temple was absolutely unreal. I wondered if we surpassed the fire code's building capacity of 999 persons. It is nice, however, to have the temple fully utilized. We'll have to get used to busier shifts for the next two years. There were so many people that we ran out of lockers, some patrons had to wait a long time, the schedule got way behind, workers got hung up on one assignment and couldn't make the hourly rotation etc. What a day to begin my new job as Post Assistant! I often felt like I was a traffic director. Wednesday was a little less hectic. It was fun to see a couple of people we served with at Heber Valley Camp. There are a few spring flowers braving the cold temperatures and poking their heads up around the temple. I think it is a little early yet, but the temple fountain is flowing again.

We recently had a repair to our snowblower and pickup and get updated on a computer. Then our monitor went out and had to be replaced. We need a new paper shredder. I hope these costly expenses will cease. There are other places I'd rather spend money. The cost of gas is ridiculous; it goes up a few cents per gallon 3 or 4 times a week. It has passed the $3.50 mark and will be $4/gallon before we know it.

Congrats to Tami and Dave on the birth of their son, Liam, on April 4th! Ben's girlfriend is in our YSA ward. I was curious how they got together so I emailed Andrea. She said she had a Spanish class at Utah State with Allyson and they became friends. So Andrea lined up her brother, Ben with her friend, Ally! Staci and Matt are getting married on May 13th. The Ransom Reunion is on June 25th. Brandon and Maria are getting married on July 8th. July 9th is the Conlin Reunion. Robin has arranged a camp-out for her siblings and their families at Mutual Dell in American Fork Canyon from August 15th to 19th.

We stayed at the Residence Inn in Sandy on Friday night. We ate at Joe's Crab Shack and had a treat at the Megaplex Theaters. Landon was baptized and confirmed on Saturday, April 9th, in West Valley. We headed for home after visiting and having lunch at the VanWagenen's.

In front - Brooklyn (2 1/2) and Landon (8). Behind them are Candace, Jory, Tanner (10 1/2) and Mason (12).

Family Happenings

We are really proud and excited that Courtney's (15) hard work, smarts and talents have paid off. Within a week she was awarded a $4000 scholarship and was selected as a cheerleader for next year at Mountain Crest High School. She is really going to be busy and involved! Way to go Courtney! So do you like the beard that Riley (15) is sporting? Tee-hee, just kidding.

I think I got a cold from Ty when we were in Texas, but he redeemed himself when he went to the grocery store and came back with a bag of my favorite Easter candy...Hershey chocolate eggs with candy coating.

My brother, Kent, moved into his new home in Cove.

Andrew's sister, Becky, had a scan that showed her cancer had spread. She's on chemo again. Andrew's dad, Fred, recently spent 9 days in the hospital. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

My niece, Emily, had surgery to put a patch on her aorta. She has been through so many surgeries, I hope and pray this one takes care of everything. Her brother Sam's wife, Kacie, has had eye surgery again. I'm wishing for an improvement in her vision.

Niece, Staci, is engaged

My niece, Natalie, is the first one in the family to have 5 kids, and the first one to have 6 kids. Now her brother, David, and his wife, Melissa, are having their 5th and 6th kids together. After 4 daughters, they are having twin boys. And I think Natalie's husband finally got a job! Congrats to them all!

On the other side of the family, niece Tami will be having a baby boy very soon. He will join a sister and two brothers. We're happy that nephew, Brandon, is engaged. (Brandon, Candace and Tami were all born the same month)

Bryan has been nervous that funding cuts at the prison might result in many inmates being let out early and many officers being let go. He thinks things are looking better and that his job will be spared.

It's great to be eight! Landon will be baptized on April 9th in West Jordan

Brynlee's jack o' lantern smile

Sisters Ashley (13) and Brynlee (6) showing off their teeth--

Ashley just got her braces off

Ashley wrote my biography for a school assignment. She got the highest number of points possible...no deductions!

Owen (5) confided in me, "It really isn't much fun being the oldest kid in the family. I have to do most of the work. The others do very little work. Olivia (2) isn't much help at all." Poor Owen.

Six more weeks and our YSA ward will be disbanded for the summer. Yeah! Two of those Sundays will be testimony meetings, one General Conference and one High Council Sunday. There will be a lot of activities packed in as well.

The bad thing about vacations is that you have to come back home. I am having to put in double shifts at the temple to pay people back for subbing for me. I have a new temple assignment. I don't know what the official title is...something like 'Roving Director.' This means going in earlier and staying later. I will be walking around with a clipboard, checking hourly at each post, starting rotations, filling in during bathroom or lunch breaks, etc.

Reed is back to driving school buses. It is sort of funny...Reed, his hometeaching partner and a guy they go hometeaching to are all substitute bus drivers. Also, 5 of Reed's co-workers from Thiokol are driving as well.

On The Road Again...

Olivia - 2 1/2, Miles - 3 1/2, Grandma, Owen - 5 1/2, Grandpa, Abby - 9 1/2 months


We took a road trip for nine days and eight nights. Gas prices were steep so we're glad for a car with fairly good fuel economy. We covered just over 3000 miles. The main purpose of our trip was to see the Hawkins family. This was our 3rd visit in 9 1/2 months to see them. It was Owen's Spring Vacation. We had given them accommodations in New Braunfels, Texas as a Christmas gift. The unit slept 8, so we ended up joining them for part of the time. We had a great time but remind me to never travel to places of interest during March or the first two weeks of April when everyone in the country is on Spring Break! I don't like crowds, long lines, busy restaurants, congested traffic etc.

We stayed four nights in Texas and four nights in New Mexico. We never pushed it too hard or for too many hours. One of us would drive and the other usually read. Reed completed a new Tom Clancey book with 950 pages. I read two Amish books. We enjoyed our car's navigation system. Most of the time we were guided accurately though a few times we were lead astray. We stayed in Marriott properties where available for the bargain rate, compliments of Candace's employment. The nice units have really spoiled us. One night we had to stay at a Super 8 which was a 'fleabag' place. I took pictures that I might send to the corporate headquarters.

The weather was great with temperatures in the mid-70's to upper 80's. Many trees were in blossom, some had completely leafed out and others were just starting to green up. In a couple of weeks the deserts should come alive with color from blooming cacti. The trip was a wonderful diversion from a long, cold Cache Valley winter. We had good traveling conditions and didn't hit storms until we were two hours from arriving back home. We were greeted with snow on the ground our first morning back.

When we left we had anticipated returning home to boxing up and moving during the first week of April. We had received earnest money, the uniform real estate agreement was signed, disclosure statement filled out, the buyers had their financing and a title company was working towards a closing on March 31st. The buyers were also going to purchase most of our big furniture. While in Texas we received a phone call in which they backed out...cold feet due to the uncertainty of the economy. That's twice a sale has failed. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

The posts below tell about our vacation.

Monticello Temple

We had previously seen the temple in Monticello from the highway but decided to make a very quick stop and see it close up. We needed to stop to stretch our legs and input addresses in our car's navigation system anyway.

Also, as we began our trip we passed by the construction site of the new Brigham City temple. It has taken a long time to see evidence of work being done because an underground parking lot had to be excavated first. Finally, four large upright concrete corners or pillars are visible. I suppose they mark the corners of the future building.

San Antonio Temple

We stopped to see the San Antonio temple on the way to check in at our accommodations at WorldMark New Braunfels, which is between San Antonio and Austin. The temple and the grounds were pretty. Some of the leaves and blossoms were out.

There were stained glass windows all around the temple.Each was different.

The light coming from inside illuminated the stained glass tree.

Fountain and reflecting pool

Waterfall

The temple was in a nice area. Here's the view from the front.

Reed taking a picture. I included this because it shows him with his 'visor with hair.' There was a guy walking around the temple that kept looking at Reed and snickering. We talked to him later with his wife and either parents or in-laws. They all got a good chuckle over the hat. As is usual in the church, we knew several of the same people. The younger couple lived in Brazil for a while and were really good friends of Shiree Parker and Scott Nixon, Cache Valley natives who live in Brazil. Shiree's parents (Jon and Ronda) are our friends. We all lived in Millville for 30 years. Reed was a counselor to Jon in the bishopric.

WorldMark in New Braunfels, Texas

The accommodations we had were nice and roomy. It was a fully furnished three bedroom unit with two and a half baths. With a sofa bed there were sleeping places for eight people. There were lots of closets and shelves. Abby actually slept in a large walk-in closet in a 'pack-n-play.' There was a spacious laundry room instead of a laundry closet. On the down side, perhaps it wasn't really practical for little kids and a crawling baby. Also, it was right by the railroad tracks so there was train noise both night and day. The decor was rustic/southwestern.

The Alamo

Here are some random pictures taken at the Alamo. They are not in any order, nor have I labeled them. Some were taken by me, some by Reed and others by Jodi. (Reed's pictures are sharp, clear and detailed. Due to the high megapixels, they take forever to upload and take up lots of space. My pictures are a snap to use but aren't as good quality. Jodi has already reduced the size of her pictures so it is nice to 'steal' some of them.) There were too many people there to be able to see or read any of the displays. It was difficult to navigate the double stroller through the crowds. The kids were really good considering they are too young to grasp any historical significance of the battle of the Alamo. One of my favorite pictures below is of Miles and Owen on a cannon by the six flags over Texas...the rule under which Texas has lived. The flags are: French, Spanish, Mexican, Confederate, Republic of Texas and the United States of America.