The Schank Family

TiMe FoR FuN!

2012-01-22T21:21:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it's waaaaay too cold outside,

what do you do for fun?

Invite some cute grandkids to visit!

They, along with their parents, make for some pretty great times...

like watching a good movie or two,

or perhaps catching up on some needed rest.

Maybe even hitting a UNR basketball game?

Alas...they've gone home now.
What to do?????

Track season starts tomorrow.
Nathan's found a new love...
his spikes!

HaPpY NeW YeAr!

2012-01-07T17:28:00.000-08:00

It may be 2012, but...

we're still having fun!

(Primarily because, school hasn't yet started for the new year.)

Chels has been spending a little time with some of her favorite celebrities.

N8 too.

The kids have been enjoying eating these.
(Do you have any idea what that is?!)

We've been playing in Tahoe
(where there is an amazing lack of snow!)

But you can still hike around the lake...

or take a boat ride.

Happy 2012, everyone!

ThE MoSt WoNdErFul TiMe Of ThE YeAr!

2011-12-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

Well...

Christmas came and went,

and

everyone got what they wanted.

Chels got clothes

and a CD autographed by David Archuletta.

N8 got his letterman's jacket

and some pretty snazzy pajamas.

Craig got a vest.
(Okay, so the guy never wants anything but is always happy anyway.)

And the dog got a banana split costume.
(Oh the things, Chels finds on sale.)

Wasn't it great to have Christmas on a Sunday?
(I think I loved that best of all!)

CoUnTdOwN tO ChRiStMaS!

2011-12-19T07:34:00.000-08:00

So, we've just ended 12 days of swinging,

baking,

playing,

studying,

practicing,

riding,

and partying!

Now, it's time to get back to the more serious stuff
...like sleep!

AlIvE, aStIr, At WoRk, BuStLiNg, MoBiLe, ShIfTiNg, ReStLeSs = TiReD!

2011-12-13T15:22:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy week.

We celebrated the birthday of F.D.
Craig.

Der came!
(He had an audit in Carson City.)

(Oh, he is the love of my life!)

3 grandchildren have come to visit.
(Their mom and dad have gone to the Guatemala Temple dedication.)

We put on the Clinic Christmas Party.

The dryer quit last Friday.
(The repairman can't come until next Monday.)

'Yep, it's busy around here...
but everything seems to quiet down around 9:00 p.m.

AhHhHh...DeCeMbEr!

2011-12-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

It's December....

and Craig and the dog are sporting matching outfits.

N8 and Chels are getting XC letters.
(This is an actual height size.)

(This pic is where the coach stood on his toes and N8 scrunched down.)

The cat is in disguise.
(Ooooh, love the mustache!)

And, we're decorating...
with Mary and Joseph and the Christ Child,

wise men,

shepherds,

and a few stockings!
('Just love the Christmas Season!)

ThE HaPpiEsT PlAcE oN EaRtH!

2011-11-29T13:41:00.000-08:00

So...

Thanksgiving came,

and we got to go to

F.D. Mom's....

where you can play all manner of games,

get lots of rest,

and try out your culinary skills!

You can watch a movie or two on her super-sized t.v.,

be a part of the blessing of a new niecie,

or chat with other charter members of the "Girls' Club".

You can write a secret message in her living room carpet,

eat,

or play with favorite, darling grandchildren.

You can roast marshmallows and make smores in the backyard,

eat some more,

or just cuddle!

'Yep, being at F.D. Grandma's home

is the happiest place on earth!

('Don't know what Disneyland was ever thinking!)

ExCeLlEnCe!

2011-11-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

This week has been a

week of excellence!

The dog got an excellent new hoodie.

We are excellent BYU fans
(from head....

to tail!)

Chels had her Young Women Evening of Excellence.

She put together an excellent notebook
filled with family history stories of faith.

Modeling excellent "beehive" hats

Chels spent her "Seminary Bucks" for these excellent gifts.
(She has an excellent teacher--Brother Hyde.)

We got to hang out as a family
(which is always excellent!)

We traveled to Tahoe in an excellent blizzard.
N8 and I hiked to the Zephyr Library
(which was also excellent).

We attended the ward's FHE

where our ward donated somewhere around 56 meals for needy families.
It always feels excellent when you do service for others.
(Be certain to have an excellent Thanksgiving Day!)

NoT a LoT...

2011-11-07T14:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, so not a lot went on this last week,

but the weather did turn cold...

and the dog got a new sweatshirt.

And we were able to go to the temple with our youth
(which is always a good thing.)

Right now,
I'm working on our Ward's "Day of Service".

It commemorates the 75th. anniversary of the
Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints
Welfare Program.

Remember in April when Elder Eyring asked every ward or branch
in the Church to organize a day of service in behalf of the needy in
their community?
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/opportunities-to-do-good?lang=eng&media=video

Well, families and individuals in our ward are donating
Thanksgiving food baskets for our community Social Services.

It's fun.
Just about 50 families and individuals are excitedly planning
and putting together baskets.
That means 50 needy families that possibly wouldn't have had a Thanksgiving,
now will!
(If you'd like to join in, you surely can. It's easy. Decide what foods you like to eat on Thanksgiving Day--no perishables, open containers, or homebaked goods, however. That kind of makes it even easier. Put together a container to feed a family from 2 to 8 people. They're due at the Churchill County Social Services Office by Monday, November 21st.)

A bLoG wItH tHe DoG

2011-10-31T18:53:00.000-07:00

As we enter the last week of October,
we find our children studying with the dog.

It was Parent-Teacher Conference week,
and, of course,
the teachers need treats.

I rearranged the file cabinet in the kitchen.
(Okay, not too enlightening. Hmm, maybe I should have included a before picture. Then I might have heard some "oooohs" and "aaaaahs".
(Then again, maybe not.)

Chels and N8 ran Regional X Country at San Rafael Park.

3.1 miles up and down.
Chels placed 28th. out of 48.
(23:38--a PR for Chels)

Here comes N8!

Gun it!
N8 placed 36th. out of 61.
(19:52)

Then, we took off for Tahoe.
(Since Tyler's parents ran away, he came along.)

We went hiking.

The beaches were empty.

You couldn't ask for a prettier day.

There's a survey marker on top of that rock.
('Guess who discovered it?)

The lake is still high.

Our fearless hike leader and guide extraordinaire

Craig's very favorite daughter

'Had to make another pie--this time coconut cream.

Spooky enchiladas for Halloween dinner
(As if my meals aren't scary enough to eat on their own!)

In a desperate attempt to find more notebook paper,
Chels cleaned out another file cabinet.
(I could get used to this!)

And that's about it!
(It is definitely Fall.)

A LiTtLe BiT oF tHiS aNd A lItTlE bIt Of ThAt

2011-10-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

This week contained a mishmash of events.

F.D. Craig flew to LV for his last meeting for the NV Board of Veterinarians.

They gave him a cool NV plaque and a gavel.

(As president of the board, he had previously just used that little doctor thing that they bonk your knees with as a gavel.)

This is a random pic of N8 and Chels up for Seminary and eating breakfast.
They do not appreciate photographs in the morning.
(Can you believe how dark it is outside???)

Craig has been spending a lot of time out in Smith Creek, vacinnating, preg-checking, t.b. testing, floating horses' teeth, spaying--you name it.
He drove out early Thursday morning and didn't make it back until Saturday afternoon.
He had to venture out there again today after attending an early Church Sacrament meeting.
He'll be there until tomorrow morning and then hurry back for an 11:30 appointment.
(The "ox was in the mire".)
He's been a busy man.
No pictures of the current event here. This is actually a picture of the Bug in 2003 helping his father at the ranch. (He was 6.)

The kids ran ROP this week.
'Yep, that's "Rite of Passage"--the juvenile delinquint school.
I accidentally deleted a bunch of pictures.
This is my only one of N8.
(Look at the green runner, then behind him at the white and blue runner, and then once more at the head with the black sweatband--that's him!
(He placed 27th. out of 104.)

Here's Chels running with the Varsity girls.

'Rounding one of the last bends....

And into the home stretch!
(Chels placed 23rd. out of 49.)

Stake Primary Leadership was Friday.
Our theme? "Easy as Pie!"
Hence, we needed a pie...or 6.
How about a sour cream lemon?

Or a cookie pizza "pie" (for those who don't like pie.)

Maybe a carmel apple pecan?
(There was pumpkin, fresh peach, and tart cherry too.)

Last, but not least...
it's Primary Sacrament Program time.
We've attended 5 in the last 2 weeks.
They've been oh-so-very good!
This is a giant CTR toothbrush to remind our Primary children to read their scriptures for 2 minutes each and every day.
(If you're wondering what a toothbrush has anything to do with reading the scriptures every day, just ask, and I'll let you know.)

To SpArKs AnD BeYoNd!

2011-10-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

Another Friday...another XC meet!

This time running the hills at San Rafael Park.

Up, up, up and down, down, down, and under the freeway and back again

And alas, the finish line!

Chels placed 29th. out of the 87 girls running.

(Actually 22nd. on the adjusted scale)

Here's N8 rounding a bend, then through a tunnel,
under the freeway, up and down various hills...

and then back out the tunnel.
Pass that boy!

On the home stretch!
N8 placed 46th. (44th. adjusted)
out of 161.

Saturday was Stake Temple Day.
It's sure fun to all be in the temple at the same time.
(We didn't get a picture, but here's one from 2004.)
Have a super week!

WhAt A WeEkEnD!

2011-10-10T16:21:00.000-07:00

This weekend began in Winnemucca

where Chels and N8 ran X country last Friday.

Can you see Chels?
(She's the one with the green hairband.)

Chels had a cold all week...

yet still ran strong.

My favorite part was about 100 yards from the end.
(A girl was about 50 yards ahead of her.
Even with her cold, she sprinted ahead,
and almost passed her.)

The boys ran next--

a goodly number of them.

N8 ran rapidly

and was the 3rd. CCHS runner across the finish line.

From there,
we packed up, and
drove to Cedar City...

where Easton was baptized.

It was a wondeful day!

Here are Chels and Ady.
(She's Der and Marie's and getting so beautiful and big!)

Cami's a great cook.
She fed us well.
(Can you say, "Yum"?)

We took walks,
(Lily wanted a picture by Der + Marie's car.)

stayed warm,

and played together.

It was a fun, wonderful, quick trip!

After Church on Sunday,

we headed home.

You go right through Panaca on the way,
so we went by F.D. Dad's gravesite

to put flowers on his grave.

Yes, it was a terrific weekend!

RuNnInG oN EmPtY?

2011-10-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

This weekend was commenced by....

running!
(What else?)
This time at Fernley...
Where Chels placed 9th. out of 31.
(Woohoo--go, Chels!)

The boys had a few more running-
somewhere around 90.
N8 had an open, oozie blister and a side ache.
But this cracks me up.
First, find him in the starting line.

Now, watch his facial expressions in the next few photos.

'Yep, there he is!

'Still watching???

Happy boy, huh?

What is he thinking about?

Nope--he's not smiling for the camera.
(Doesn't even know I'm there.)

'Guess the boy just loves to run.

And despite the lovely blister and sideache,
he came in 27th.

Did you notice the new XC uniforms?

After Saturday afternoon Conference, we vamoosed to Zephyr.
While the boys went to Priesthood,
the girls went shopping.
Then we all watched "Sons of Provo" together--forgot how funny that movie is.

See that little clock radio?
That's how we listened to General Conference
on BYUI radio.
'Such a cool device.
(I can even get facebook on it.)

In Tahoe, eating pancakes, listening to the Gospel--
what could be better?
We are no longer "running on empty".
(We're full of great spiritual inspiration!)

Taking notes and...

and being goofy.

A relaxed FDHHH

Mother and daughter
(Ooooh, 'loved Elaine Dalton's talk--
http://lds.org/general-conference/watch/2011/10?lang=eng&vid=1196053702001&cid=8

great advice for any dad!)

And now, it's time to bid a fond adieu...

while mother and son do the...
"Sarah, put down your handcart, wipe the dirt off of your face....."
(If you've seen "Sons of Provo", you'll understand.)
Have a super week!

ThE FiRsT OfFiCiAl 3-A MeEt!

2011-09-25T22:14:00.000-07:00

So, last Friday marked the very first, official 3-A Cross Country Meet of the Season,

and...

Grandma came!

There were exactly 100 boys running.

3.1 miles of fun in the hot sun!

Rounding the last corner

And our favored boy comes in 17th.!

The girls line up.

There's 34 of them.

And, Chels came in 12th.

'So fun to have Gma there!
(Next stop....Fernley.)

ReAdY oR nOt...HeRe CoMeS MoNdAy!

2011-09-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Another week came and went, and here's the latest:

N8 and Chels ran XC at North Tahoe.

3.3 miles of of varsity fun
(N8 finished 66 out of over 200.)

We got new family room furniture.

Somehow it seems so crowded...
(I'm thinkin' it's probably because we haven't had a couch since June.)

And we facetimed some of our grandkids.

Pretty cute crew, if I do say so myself!

Oh, and by the way--
Scout got a dental, (oooh, fresh breath)
and....

Pequop got tutored.
(I am happy to say that they are now both back to their
happy, normal selves.)
Have a super fantastic week!

WoW...tHiS wEeKeNd JuSt RaN bY!

2011-09-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

The weekend came.

The weekend went.

(But it was a lot of fun!)

The kids had a XC meet in Zephyr Cove.

Both ran Varsity

3.2 miles

Go, Chelsie, go!!!

Run, N8, run!

CCHS Varsity Boys

'Coming around the first lap
(Can you see, N8?)

Proud Momma-Bear

After the race, since we were already there,
we spent the night in Tahoe.
Ahhhh.

'Didn't take any pictures.
Here's an old one from 2008.
(Do you think anyone's changed?)

Saturday evening, we were back in Fallon for the annual piano recital.

Chels played a Chopin Etude.

N8 played the Minute Waltz and Waterfall.
(I'm such a nerd. I love the classical music!)

It was also Stake Conference weekend.
No, this is not a current picture.
(It's actually 6 years old now, but, of course we didn't take any photos at Stake Conference.)
It was a good meeting, however.

And, that's it for the weekend!

OoOoOoH, LaBoR DaY!

2011-09-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

Did you get your daily dose of fun this Labor Day?

N8 and his "Chemistry Organizer".

Now, off to Garnerville for the first X country meet of the season!

The CCHS Boys' (hey, who invited that girl???) Track Team

And the sophomores are off!

Can you see the bug?

Our favorite male runner!

At the finish line!

And now for the girls' team!

And the juniors are off!
Can you find Chels?

Our favorite female runner!

Go, go, go!

The finish line, at last!
(Both kids took 2 minutes off last year's times.)
Good job!

Elsewhere in the news... Craig moved the plow.
(He winced every time Chels backed the car out. He winces no more.)

Stay tuned next week for the annual piano recital!

'Sure hope the dog learns his part!

To tHe LaKe...LaHoNtAn, tHaT iS!

2011-08-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

Oooh, FDC had a day off,

so what to do?

Venture down the way to....

the lake--

(Lake Lahontan, that is!)

Now, this is where you can see

famous personalities modeling the latest in...

life jacket attire!

Oh, yeah!

Pictured above, we find our altruistic,
illustrious jet ski instructor.

Prepare for mentorship!

"The key goes here. Be wary of smacking large watercraft.
Attempt to not fall off. Drowning is not only discouraged but frowned upon."

N8 on his maiden voyage.

Gnarly!

"Now keep it down to 55."

Woohoo!

Congratulations on graduating from
Jet Ski School!

The end.

That's it, except for the fact that the dog
joined the hair club for dogs.

Oh, just a P.S. showing of our garden's bounty.

A pluffer of squash, too!

(We seriously need some new squash and tomato recipes.)

sChOoL dAzE!

2011-08-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

It's the 1st. day of school again.
2001

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

And....

2011!

It doesn't matter how old they get.
It's always hard to see them go.
Wow, it's quiet here, at home!

ThE LaSt HoOrAh Of SuMmEr!

2011-08-16T05:28:00.000-07:00

School is beginning on Wednesday....

so last weekend,
we hopped in the car and headed for Tahoe.

'Probably shouldn't have let N8 drive, though.

Hmm, maybe a trolley bus would be safer.

There's so much to do--don't be a bump on a log!

What if we ride bikes?

And perhaps stop for some ice cream on the way?

Oh, come on--you can't still want to be a bump on a log!

Take off on those bikes,

And travel to distant shores!

Stop for a snack

Spy where the Tahoe flows into the Truckee

Then head back to relax

Tah-dah!
That's the last hoorah of summer.
(Stay posted next week to see if that smile remains
when school begins once more!)

AuGuSt???? We DoN't WaNt No StINkIn' AuGuSt....

2011-08-03T22:08:00.000-07:00

because, that means school is rEaLlY close to starting.

But...

Here's what we've been up to:

We hung out at the Ward Pioneer Celebration.
(Some of us hung out more then others.)

Chels and the YW helped with the festivities.

Craig participated in the pie eating contest.
(I think he actually won--never saw such a neat pie eater...
but the guy on his left stuck his whole face in
and pushed the pie all over the table.
He received 1st. place, but hey, anyone willing to do that
deserves the coveted award!)

The celebration was held at this really cool, man-made pond.
(A great place to relax on a summer evening)

The following day, N8 took off for BSA camp.
(He didn't take any pictures, so we had to use this one from last year.
He's changed quite a bit,
but I don't think those kybos have changed at all.)

So, what do you do while your bro's away at camp?
Why, get a used car.

Don't get the wrong idea--
it's not Chelsie's.

(We've just put a LOT of miles on our Pilot going to and fro to Reno and such.)

Still, Chels' older bros are going to be dismayed....

the truck they drove looked something more like this:

Well, now that it is August....

N8 got his braces off!

This was 1 1/2 years ago when he first had them put on.

This is now.

Whoa...what happened to my little boy????

Well, school starts on the 17th.

We'd better get some more rest!

Old Pictures

2011-07-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Old pioneer pictures at Nauvoo!!

MeEt Me In St. LoUiS, LoUis!

2011-07-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Chels turned sweet 16 on 6/22,

(and, of course, we had a family birthday dinner party for her.)

Let 'er blow!

Then....

she abruptly got her driver's license!
(Whoa! I forgot how nice it is to have a mobile teen--
'would you run to the store and grab me a....?)

Next on July 10th., my h.h.h. and I celebrated our 19th. anniversary.
('Can't believe it was that long ago.
It seems almost like yesterday.)

Subsequently, it was time to take off to St. Louis where...

Craig attended the AVMA Conference.

You might just need a map to get around,
because...

St. Louis is a city where you can see Clydesdales,

and Busch Stadium--
(U2 had a concert while we were there)

where the Cardinals play.

St. Louis is home to the Gateway Arch
which you could see
from our hotel,

from the swimming pool at our hotel,

and from just about anywhere downtown.
(The arch is huge--630 feet tall towering over the Mississippi River.)

St. Louis is also home to the courthouse

where the Dred Scott decision was made.

It's also home to the one and only, old
Tums Manufacturing Office and Plant.
(Oh, I know that made your day!)

St. Louis is a city of unique archectecture.
(The whole city just about burnt down in 1849,
so they made an ordinance that
buildings had to be made of stone or brick.)

Right across from our hotel, we just by chance noticed this stone plaque.
This is site of the first building used by the Mormon Church
from 1854 to 1857.
(Whereas MO was quite antagonistic towards LDS members,
St. Louis was an oasis offering jobs and acceptance.)
Cool!

St. Louis has a lot of hotels,

fountains,

and a free zoo!
(Craig and N8 shown here looking for some proper head adornment.
The temps were in the 100's.
The humidity was 80+%--
together giving a "feels like" reading of 133 degrees!
Can you say "sweat"?)

The St. Louis Zoo is located in an area called
"Forest Park".

The area was built for the 1904 World's Fair.

Forest Park is over 1 1/2 times as big as Central Park.

The zoo and all of the museums there have free admissions which is really great!
(11 of the Fortune 500 companies are located in St. Louis.
They must donate a lot of $$$$$.)

Ahhh, misters!

Zebras!

This is Chelsie in front of the Art Museum.

Aluminum...

tree huggers!

The museum had oodles of amazing paintings--Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne, Monet, Picasso...
along with armor, Egyptian artifacts, and more.
How great is that?

The Art Museum is the only building at Forest Park
that remains from the 1904 World's Fair
(along with this waterway.)

At the northern end of Forest Park, you will find the History Museum.

There's a big exhibit on Charles Lindberg.
('Ever see the "Spirit of St. Louis" movie with Jimmy Steward?
Well, this is one of three planes that they used in the film.)

Question time:
What is the significance of July 17th.?

It is "National Ice Cream Day" proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984.
(Almost as good as "Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day"--celebrated the first Saturday in February)
And since the ice cream cone was first introduced at the 1904 St. Louis World fair,
the museum gave out free ice cream in honor on this momentous occasion.

In the "St. Louis of Yore", Chels and N8 try their skills at cobbling,

and check out what they would look like in a famous painting.

They also "attend" a Cardinals game.

What?
A separate entrance?

'Probably because girls are so much cooler and fashionable!

Now, take a ride to a very different museum.
(It's downtown and called "The City Museum".)

You might want to ride with a more experienced driver.

Oh my!
(Yep, that's the bus hanging atop the 11-story building.)

The City Museum is probaby one of the most eclectic museums I have ever seen.

I wouldn't even call it a museum.
The rooftop houses that old bus hanging over the side,
a ferris wheel,

numerous slides,

and plentiful swings.

From the roof,
slide down 4 stories,
and you end up in caverns with tunnels and trails.

Outside the entrance, there is a mishmash
of stairways and tubes

to climb and travel through.

How's the view from up there?

Inside you can walk through a real bank vault,

pet an old carousel pony,

swing from some more ropes,

or do some rad skateboard moves
(without the skateboard).

There are tubes everywhere.

And you never know where you might pop up!

I found my old boyfriend, Bob.

('Used to work at Bob's Big Boy as a hostess and waitress during summers between college.)

We found an organ grinder and his monkey

and the world's larger pair of underwear.

Back outside again

climbing up to explore the suspended aircraft.

Inside of the wing
(I think that this "museum" must have been designed by someone who
liked to hide in the clothing racks while his/her mother shopped
at department stores).

Now, back to Forest Park
and a stop at the Science Center.

They were exhibiting the "Body Worlds", but
Chels found the regular museum less daunting.

Nathan became a reptile.

'Just kidding!

There's a whole computer section.
(Chels and N8 are checking out binary codes.)

We just scratched the surface of the exhibits...

and then ran off to do baptisms

at the

St. Louis Temple.
(We, from Fallon, were unknowingly placed with a group from O'Fallon
whose bishop has a brother who
lives here,
in Fallon.)

The following day, we made a visit to the Anheuser Busch Factory.

We definitely don't use their product but,

it was interesting (and smelly) to see their factory.

It was built in 1875.
(The factory premises are old and very large.
One building takes up a full, square block.)

We did like their horses, however,

and N8 wouldn't mind giving their little truck a spin.
Enough time there, now we're off to...

St. Louis' Union Station
(built in 1894, once the largest and busiest railway stations in the world.)

In 1980's it was converted to a marketplace.

'Watching a fudgery sing while making fudge

Ooooh, sitting in the throne of love!
(And looking so excited too.)

Visiting Zoltar!
(Please don't wish to be big!)

Riding on a caboose,

or taking the Hogswart Express,
it's an interesting place.

The amazing "Grand Ballroom" was my favorite.

The acoutics were perfect--you could hear so clearly,

and the archectiture was gorgeous.

'Yep, I really liked that room.

And so, we see that our St. Louis AVMA Convention trip was a smiling success.

You got that right!

One last note:
On our flight from St. Louis to SLC, guess who we saw?
It was a neat experience.
'Glanced up and there they were standing right next to us.
We all shook hands.
Sister Bednar remarked, she was glad to see that Chels and N8 had braces.
(Their son is studying to be an orthodontist.)
Elder Bednar gave Chels and Nate some apostalic counsel.
Too wondeful!

That's it!
(Are you still awake?)
Man, that was way too long! ('Promise not to do that again!)

'Make sure you stay tuned next time when we report on
a new-used car (?),
a secondhand account of "I survived BSA Scout Camp,"
and
a trip to Pismo.
See ya!

AnD We'Re OfF...AgAiN!

2011-07-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

So, now it's time for Y.W. Camp.

N8 helped Chels set-up our tent in the backyard
(just to be sure she had it right.)

The day Chels left, Mom had a bday.
But, after a 6 hour round-trip, the YW Camp was rained out for the day,
so they returned. And we were actually able to celebrate together.
(They didn't have to do that, but it was fun!)

My all time favorite bday card.
Double click on the picture,
and you'll see why.

Chocolate from Craig, a cute watch band fron Chels, a "chocolate"
shirt from N8, and just a plain fun day!

And the next morning, 'off to dryer, closer camp where....

Chels and her friends grew mustaches for the camp skit,

hiked the desert roads,

basked in matching tie-dye tees,

became lurkers,

stood for truth and righteousness,

and scared people in the bathrooms!
(They had a great time even though their location changed to Fort Churchill.)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....

We got a new cat.

Meet Pequop!

The weekend came. Craig was on call, but off for the 4th.
so,

up to Tahoe we went for the day.

The beach was super duper crowded.
(No beach crowd pictures here due to the lack of bathing suit material available on most of the surrounding audience.)
But, we relaxed,

played,

made an attempt or two at boogie-boarding
(which would be a feat in itself seeing there were no waves),

and had a great time!

Tuesday came, and it was back to work for a few days,
and then...

off to SLC for the Stake Youth Conference!

This is Ensign Peak.

Sad to say, grafiti, but it was still an amazingly sacred place.

This is where Brigham Young hiked two days after arriving in the SL Valley.
He planned the layout of Salt Lake.

Some temple ordinances were performed here prior to the completion of the temple.

Friday morning, we were off to Temple Square

and the...

Conference Center,

Legacy Theatre,

Church museum, Visitors Center, Brigham Young Heritage Parks, and various roofs!

(This is the roof of the Conference Center,

and here is the roof of the Church Administrations Building.)

What a view!

A quick stop at Deseret Book,
and a chance meeting of Sheri Dew,
(one of my heroines).

The entire group of YW and YM in front of the temple

The evening ended with a dance at the U of U Institute Building.
Here are the boys,

and here are the girls.

Oh good, they got together!

Saturday morning at the U of U dorms,
just about ready to leave for

the "This is the Place" monument

where the YM and YW leaders bore their testimonies just before returning home.

It was an amazing trip.

(I think our Stake Leaders should be allowed to sleep for a week...maybe longer!)

BeFoReS AnD AfTeRs - Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2011-06-27T23:44:00.000-07:00

"But..." you may ask

"what did you do while Chels and N8 were at EFY?????

This blog comes with a warning label:

The following post may cause drowsiness and sleep.

(But we have this weird thing of liking to take before and after shots,

so sit up, stretch, and try to stay with me for a minute.)

Here is a picture of the fix-it-up chappie (right)

and

his very favorite faithful cohort (left).

A weathered deck here

A new-improved stained deck

here!
(This home also now houses my family room couch. 'Thought we just might possibly take better care of a brand, new one than your average BYU student. Of course, that just means, our family room's pretty empty right now. If you come by, there's room for doing cartwheels or hula-hooping at present.)

Okay, who ran into the fence???

Poof! Fixed and wonderful!

An unsightly shed

and wahlah!
(You could rent it as a spare room to your noisy teenager!)

Eaves needing painting

Eaves no longer needing painting

Old bathtub in backyard
It now lives in Fallon.
('Not certain if it's going on craigslist or
perhaps will don a room in our home someday when we remodel a bath.)

Time for a trim here

and here.

Tight and tidy!

So where's the gate?

Back in place, reinforced, and restained

Ooooh, renter trampled couches

replaced by

craigslist couches

Tsk, tsk, look at the fascia!
(But first, maybe you had better tell me how to spell "fascia--facia--???")

Ah, now that looks nice!

Unsightly mailboxes

Hmm, I'm beginning to feel like Martha Stewart.
('Haven't done any prison time, however.)

Worn deck

New, improved

deck

Okay, so this is what happens
when you let your sprinklers
constantly hit your outside wall.
('Forgot to take an after pick,
but the fix-it-up chappie is amazing, isn't he?
And he's all mine!)

No TiMe To SnOrE...We'Re Up To PaRt FoUr!

2011-06-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you leave Cedar City?

Why, head out to Provo for

EFY!

But first, it's always a good idea to pick up a cute cousin
to go with you.

Check in at the Marriott Center.

Grab your packets. Get your lanyard.

Make sure you're living the standards,
and you're ready to go!

N8 stayed in May Hall.

Chels was in Taylor.

And, there they go.

Now, let's take a peak at the

photos they took.

Hmmm.

Ah ha.

Um hmmm.

I see.

Typical.

(I think he's been like that,

since, I took him

to Relief Society as a little, bitty baby.)

And Chels?

Wow!

That's one BIG group!

(10 boys & 22 girls?)

Pretty scary for the girls!

Chels turned sweet 16 while there.

We sure love her!