Oh no he didn't! (Written by Don)

Well...yes I did! Kelley and I have been talking for a while about how we were going to figure out the transpiration issue that was going to occur this upcoming school year with only two cars. My daughter Aubrey was only going to have a partial day schedule during her senior year of high school, so she would need a ride home and then turn around a few hours later and go back to the high school to attend her dance practice everyday after school was over. In addition, I would have my college-attending sons coming home during breaks who would need the car and I did not want a repeat of last few years when many times I went to work by either getting a ride with a co-worker or having my children drive me back and forth. I used to always jokingly comment to others that something was wrong when I pay for the cars and the insurance, yet I was the one who always had to get a ride with someone else. In addition, Kelley was working during the day and then driving all over the place trying to transport Ian back and forth to school and get Aubrey where she needed to be. The solution was really obvious, as much as I hated having a car payment, we needed another car. Since Kelley and I have bought only 5 cars in 27 years of marriage, I have to be honest...I really do dislike buying new cars. Yes, it is fun getting the car but I really detest the process of dealing with the sales people at the car dealership. After the usual negotiations and headache, I settled on this Hyundai Sonata (I already own another Sonata...love the car). Now I know some of you are thinking, hummmm....Don is 50...he has a sporty car....it is red in color.....what is going on with him? The answer is nothing! I love the look of the car and anybody who knows me, knows that I LOVE the color of red; in fact, I owned a red mini-van a few years ago. So here I am with an awesome looking new car with tons of extras/cool features and a lot less stress about transportation during this upcoming school year.

Hiking Merit Badge Complete (Written by Don)

After five 10-mile hikes over a three year time span, on Friday, July 24. 2015, Ian and I set out to finish the Hiking Merit Badge by attempting the daunting final hike: a 20-mile hike done all in one day.......our destination was Mount Charleston (the highest peak in southern Nevada) via the North Loop Trail. I must admit that I was very apprehensive about this hike because it was actually 21 miles long and I have not attempted a hike this long since I was a youth. At the same time, I was looking forward to the challenge of the hike and the joy of being with my son Ian for a day in the outdoors. 

....and so it begins. The sign at the beginning of the trail.....5:15 am...yes, 5:15 in the cold morning. 

The sunrise over the mountains.

After hiking about 2.5 miles, we arrived at a very famous tree in the Mt. Charleston area: the rain tree(next two pictures). This tree is well-known for its age with many scientist believing that it was alive when Jesus Christ walked the earth over 2000 years ago.

From time to time it was necessary to stop for a little bit, take a break, drink some water/Gatorade, and eat some food. The views during these breaks of the canyons below were breathtaking. 

The prize(Mt. Charleston) comes into view for the first time. Hard to believe that with the peak looking so far away, we would actually be standing on it that day.

 As we continued hiking, it is good to see Mt. Charleston looking closer and closer.

Ian attempts an "artsy" photo of Mt. Charleston.....I think the picture turned out well!

Mt. Charleston is getting even closer.

SUCCESS.....Mt. Charleston summit....on top of the world!

Ian and I posing with a mountain range in the background called Mummy Mountain. If you look carefully, the series of mountains and peaks look like a mummy lying on its back. 

Ian poses in his favorite coat that he bought in Mexico. Also, in the background is the Las Vegas valley. Again,  if you look closely, just to the left of the top of Ian's head, you can see a large blue area...that is the massive Lake Meade.

Ian was fascinated with this flag on the peak, so I fixed it so that it would blow nicely in the wind and Ian could take a picture of it. 

An interesting tree on the edge of a cliff.

After 14 hours of hiking...yes, 14 hours. We complete the hike totally exhausted, but very proud of our accomplishment! All Ian wanted to do was hug the Armada....funny.

What an amazing experience working on this merit badge with Ian. I have truly enjoyed all six hikes because I was with my son and our time together was most precious to me. 

Finally We Celebrate.......He's 50!!!

The original plan was that Don was going to come home early from Scout Camp and we would celebrate his birthday.  I feel like we are never together for his birthday or our anniversary because of scout camp and other things. So this year we were going to be together for his birthday.  (Our anniversary...well that's another story for later!) When we were camping we got a call from Don's family in Idaho saying that his Aunt had a stroke and died.  The funeral was going to be on his birthday.  He left Scout Camp early and flew to Idaho to be with his family and support his mother.  His family celebrated his birthday with a cake and everything, but the pictures didn't come through email very good, so I don't have them.  Then Don and I spent a few days together Utah while Ian played lacrosse.  Finally, yesterday for family home evening, we celebrated his birthday.  Well, the weekend before we went to his favorite seafood buffet.  I don't really like buffets, so on special occasions like this, I go.  Yesterday I made the Don's favorite chocolate cheesecake and the kids celebrated with Don.  Aubrey didn't want the traditional 5-0 candle. She wanted 50 candles.  That took a lot to light!

Don always puts up with our shenanigans, so he doesn't mind.  I can't wait to tell everyone what I got him for his birthday/anniversary!  It is awesome, and he is super excited!

I decided to ask Don the birthday questions this year, so here it goes:

1.  Did you have a childhood hide-out? Where?

You know what, I did!  The corn patch was one (We loved the corn patch.) and we had two tree houses.  One across the street that was only a board in a tree, and one in a field behind the house.  The one behind the house was great.  We could sleep in that one.  The one across the street was great because we would use it to throw dirt clods at Doug. Sometimes those dirt clods had rocks in it!

2.  Did you and your father share an interest in any special activity?

We loved to watch Alabama football.  We hunted and hiked.

3.  What is your favorite Christmas memory?

All my memories is that we opened all our gifts on Christmas Even. Then Santa came for Christmas morning.  Nothing was wrapped, it was all laid out.  I remember that surge of excitement when we saw our gifts.  Oh, we got clothes too, but we didn't notice those until hours later. 

4.  What is your favorite Halloween memory?

I didn't like Halloween in Idaho.  It was always cold and snowy.  The houses were too far apart.  We had to wear our coats.  No one could see our costumes.  It was too blooming cold.  I loved the first one in Vegas when we went trick-or-treating door to door.  I also loved one in Connecticut when it was raining!  We took your mom's brothers trick-or-treating and had to drive because the rain was so bad.  No one was out, and when they went to houses people dumped the whole bowl in their pillow cases.  If they were giving out Snickers, I would go up to the door and people would give me some candy!  It was crazy, but we got a ton of candy!

5.  What is the weirdest dream you've every had?

The freaky house and bedroom one.  The room was evil and no one would go into it accept me!  (shuddered) Bad dream!

6.  Do you like rainstorms? Why or why not?

Yes.  My favorite time of a rainstorm is when we sat out on the sing set in Idaho and watched the storms come in from the west.  I loved the first rush of the wind from a storm.  I love to wait and watch for the rain, clouds, and feel the storm approaching.  We would stay out for a s long as we could.  I hated that in Connecticut, we couldn't watch storms roll in.

 

BYU Lacrosse Camp

Ian asked that we send him to BYU Lacrosse camp for his birthday.  So we registered for the camp and finally 6 months after his birthday, he went.  He lived in the dorms for four days and played lacrosse with members of the BYU lacrosse team and the head coach. I was a little worried about him, but he loved it!!!!  It was a dream come true for him.  He learned so much!!!  We got to go and watch him play at the end of the camp.  He got an evaluation from his coach.  His coach told him that he is a solid athlete, good speed and tenacity for heightened situations.  His coached loved his mentality too.  He was told he has good passing and catching skills but he needs to work on ground balls and shooting on the run.  The head coach told all the boys they needed three things.  1.  Athleticism - Spend time becoming a well-rounded athlete.  Learn to run, lift and be agile. 2.  Stick Skills - Become proficient with both your right and your left.  Learn to throw on the run, pick up ground balls and scan the field as you play.  3.  Academics - Dedicate yourself to your school work.  Prioritize your schedule and always put school before lacrosse.  Excellent grades and test scores will provide you with more options than just being a great lacrosse player.  Good advise.  This camp was totally worth it.  Ian is feeling a bit sore and a little sick from playing in the heat all day, but he loved it!!!  It was a great week for him.

While Ian Plays Lacrosse........

Last week Ian went to BYU lacrosse camp.  We had some things come up, so we decided to stay in Utah for the four days that Ian had camp.  We got a hotel room between Provo and Salt Lake.  We just kind of hung around and did some things while Ian played lacrosse.  No visit to Utah would be complete without walking on Temple Square.  I am always in awe when I see the Salt Lake City Temple.  I just can't get over how pretty it is and how much work the pioneers did to build it.

 

Don and I also went to the Payson, Temple. It is one of the newest temples.  We were excited to go to it.  I can describe this temple in one word...elegant.  It was so pretty.  I am so glad I was able to go to it and really focus on the Lord that day!  It is such a blessing.

While we were there, Don wanted to make sure he got his workout in.  We weren't eating very healthy and even though I was running on the treadmill at the hotel, Don's machine that he works out on was broken.  So we made sure we hiked every day.  This made Don happy.  (Funny to see this shift!  I used to be the one going crazy if I didn't work out.  Now Don feels the same way.  I love it and I am so proud of him!)  The first hike we did was just up to this little canyon by the MTC. (Missionary Training Center) The last time Don hiked this hike, we was a missionary.  He had asked if he could take his district on a little hike, and they hiked this canyon.  I don't think missionaries are able to do that now!  It was a fun little walk.

The next day we went to Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon.  It is so pretty.  I really enjoyed this hike.  At the bottom of the falls, there is a shallow pool of water and it was neat to see all the moms around playing with their kids in the water.  If you want to know more about this park click here.  It was so pretty.  Here is the legend on how the falls were formed.  I love stuff like this.  Many moons ago, an Indian named Norita and a brave from a rival tribe, named Grey Eagle met and fell in love. They planned to meet near a streamlet high on the mountainside and elope to a land far away from both their tribes. On that fateful night, instead of her lover, Norita was confronted by braves from her own tribe. Fearing her lover had been destroyed she leaped from the high ledges.
Mother Nature was touched by her wild beauty, and she caught up Norita's streaming tresses and made from them a Bridal Veil of falling water. From her flowing gown an alter was formed on the face of the mountain. Then her spirit was sent out as a mist, causing a green carpet to spread over the mountainside.The intruders fled while her saddened lover stood and gazed down at the strange yet beautiful transformation. His grief was more than he could bear, so out of compassion for his sorrow, Mother Nature molded his massive frames into the mountain and stretched his mighty shoulders high into the heavens like silent sentinels to guard over his loved one. His cries of anguish were softened into love calls to whisper forever.

We also drove up to Sundance.  It is so pretty up there.  We decided to ride one of the trams.  I am very scared of heights, so this was a big deal for me.  Don loved it.  We had a great view of Mt. Timpanogos.  Don wanted to get out and look around, but I was on this thing and didn't want to get off.  They also have a zip line up there.  Don wants to do that someday.  I might have to think about that!  I am so impressed with how Sundance is so into preserving the mountain!  I love that.  I also love that they have full moon tram rides and Halloween tram rides!  To get more information click here

Then one day we climbed the "Y" in Provo.  It is the thing to do if you are in Provo.  It is only a little over a mile, but it is pretty steep.  It is easy, but steep.  We watched mothers carry their toddlers in carriers and a guy run it.  So it is a hike that can be done.  There are great views up at top. It is pretty cool.  You have a great view of the Provo temple and two other temples in the distance.  It is a great view of the campus and town.

Don't think that Don didn't plan this.  Yes he purposely wore his Alabama shirt and hat so he could stand on the "Y" with those on.  He may be on the "Y" and spent money at BYU, but his heart is still an Alabama fan!!!

We read the history of the "Y" and it is pretty funny.  The origins of famous "Y" on the mountain above Provo, Utah, are found in friendly, rowdy rivalries between classes at Brigham Young University High School (1876~1968).  During the 1905-1906 school year, high school juniors -- the Class of 1907 -- devised a plan to assert their superiority over the other classes. They selected March of 1906 for their project, after the snow had disappeared from the steep mountain just east of the new Upper Campus. Before dawn one Saturday morning, they shouldered sacks of white lime and began to hike their way up the side of the mountain. About halfway up the mountainside, in bold view of everyone in the valley, they began to create their graduating year "1907" in a relatively bare patch.The BYH seniors and other classes were outraged, and they declared war on the upstart juniors. A massive invasion of the mountainside began. In order to control the vandalism and rivalries BYH Principal Edwin S. Hinckley immediately called a meeting with elected student leaders and BYU President George H. Brimhall. The idea came to put B-Y-U on the mountain. 

Preparations for placing the initials BYU on the mountainside began in April of 1906 when president George H. Brimhall commissioned surveyors for the letters "B," "Y" and "U." The letter "Y" was first laid out to insure that the initials were properly centered on the mountain. Beginning in the early morning, students formed a line that zigzagged up the mountainside. Standing eight feet apart, each student would carry a load of lime powder up to the next person and then return for another.

Officials expected to complete laying out all three letters by 10 a.m. By 4 p.m., only the Y was covered. After such a laborious day of work, plans to fill in the other two letters were scrapped.

The original Y was made by a thin layer of lime powder and was in need of constant repair. Hoping to make it more permanent, a layer of rock was added in 1907. The next year, 20,000 pounds of sand and cement were carried up the mountain to form a three-foot high wall around the letter to hold it together. Several years later the letter underwent a final facelift as the blocks, or serifs, were added to it to give its current appearance. As a dominating feature of Utah Valley, many students are drawn to the Y. Freshmen often hike the mountainside as an initiation of sorts when they arrive at BYU, solitary figures climb to the Y in search of reflection and couples frequently visit the Y to take in the majestic view from its heights as they plan out their dreams. Five times a year Y Mountain flares to life. The Intercollegiate Knights, a club dedicated to chivalrous principles and maintaining traditions, string a cord of lights around the border of the Y for Freshman Orientation, Homecoming, Y Days, and April and August graduations. Hordes of students flock to the Y during those days as a way of getting into the spirit of the event.

We also visited with people.  Zach was off this week from EFY, so we got to spend time with him.  It was great.   We also spent time with our niece Rachel who is due to have a baby in 3 weeks, her husband, and our niece Kaeley.  It was wonderful visiting with these guys.  It is so neat to talk to these guys about their plans, dreams, and things going on in their lives.  They are amazing kids!!  I am so grateful that we got to spend time with them and get to know them better.  They are doing great things with their lives and their priorities are in the right place.  I was grateful Zach was off.  It was great to talk with him!  Poor Rachel, she is done being pregnant!!!

We went out to eat at this restaurant.  Let me tell you, it is great!!  Click here for more information.

My friend Jodi was in Utah visiting her family.  She used to live in Vegas, and now she lives in Massachusetts!  Crazy right.  She lives back east, and I am still here!  I was so glad she took time out to visit with me!  Oh how I miss her!

We also went to the Sweet Tooth Fairy Bakery!  Oh snap!  It is wonderful.  We loved it.  Then I learned that there is one in St. George!!!  It was so yummy.  Click here for their website.  They are winners of cupcake wars!!!!

Then Alan told us about Hruska's Kolache!  We decided to check it out, and we are sold!!!!  We loved it.  Not expensive and very yummy!!!  Click here for their website.

 

We had a good little break.  I think we are done traveling!!!  Time to get home!