Join us at the Ballpark

Hillary and Roger invited me to a Giant's game with their little family. I am always up for a good time, so Hillary got the kids in the car and provided her excellent chauffeur service to Roger and myself and then we were off.

I know most people don't have to bundle up for baseball games, especially in August but here in the city we are special. It was COLD. It made the game that much more eventful and fun. Sarah liked the jumbo tron and was very happy to cheer along with the crowd even if she did not know what had happened. That is pretty much how I watch baseball as well.

It was a fun night. I think we lost the game, but I was not all that interested. Apparently the first inning was exciting, but Hillary and I were helping the two year old get a hot dog. It is all a matter of perspective.

A Great Aunt Again!

Welcome Kaitlyn Elenore! She is so excited to meet her Great Aunt Cyndi.

A Party for Mary's Baby Boy

My friends, Mary and Brandon are expecting their first baby - a boy. The name is currently under wraps, but Hillary and I decided we could throw a great party even without a name.



We had a great turn out, and wonderful weather. I think it was the first time I have actually used my backyard.

It was fun to have so many of the people who love Mary come and support her in her new adventure.

Mary and Brandon will be moving soon, and I am so sad to be losing yet another great neighbour. I am not at all happy about it.

That is the cutest diaper cake I have ever seen - our friend Marcie made it. Isn't she cleaver?
We had lots of yummy food - which really makes a party doesn't it?

Congratulations Mary and Brandon. We can't wait to meet the little guy and learn his name.

The Trek

My Mom and Dad were called at the first of the year to work on the Stake steering committee for the Youth Trek. Their job was to research and put together a history for each of the kids on the trek from the Martin and Willie Handcart companies. They spent the next seven months reading, researching, and pouring themselves into this project. They can tell you just about anything you want to know about the handcart companies, the missionaries, the rescuers, and the Saints in the Valley during the ordeal.

Dad started growing out his beard and hair just as soon as he heard about the trek. It was rather painful to endure, but it turned out very authentic! My sister Laurie helped them put their costumes together and mom made Dad new pioneer shirts. Don't they look good? They were so authentic that on night a little boy on the trek ran over to his grandma and said - "Hey, did you know that there is a REAL pioneer here?" She was confused and asked where this 200 year old pioneer was - and the little boy pointed to Dad.



They ended up with 180 youth. The number kept changing, so Mom would write up a new history with every call informing her of one more person coming. They made up little journals to go with the histories so the kids had a great little book with the handcart logo, the history, and journal paper. They treked on some logging company property in the mountains above Chico. There is a place where you can rent handcarts. I guess that means you can rent just about everything!

The entire thing went off without a hitch. They had about 30 adults working behind the scenes to make it all go so smoothly. Mom and Dad helped with the food, and on Friday Mom treked with the kids all day. They separated the kids into families and had a Ma and Pa for each group. They pulled the handcarts and then stoped and did re-enactments. They also stopped for devotionals and musical presentations. The entire things was very well planned and gave the kids a wonderful experience. There was a couple in the stake who had been on a mission at Martin's Cove and worked youth treks for two years. They were invaluable in the planning. Mom and Dad were in awe of all of the work and coordination - and the food. Wonderful wonderful food.

They had the trek end up at the Stake Pioneer picnic and that is where I met up with Mom and Dad. Dad was in full Brigham Young costume and gave his speech to the Stake - welcoming the companies to the valley. He gave a great speech. It is here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3EIMgi_yB8

The next day Mom and Dad spoke in church and shared their experiences and everything they learned. Mom started with the missionaries who went to Europe and got the the saints to come west. She explained how they got on the ships, traveled to Iowa city, outfitted and then the journey over the plains. Dad talked mostly about the rescuers. They both were able to talk so clearly and with authority on everything they had learned. Mom said that these are sad stories but they are important to learn so that we can learn courage and strength. Dad spoke a lot about how much he admires the rescuers. He said that these stories about the rescuers reminds us that we must step forward and do what we are asked.

The trek was a great experience for Mom and Dad, and they worked so hard as always! It was fun to help them out a little.

Have you missed me?

I have been very negligent in posting to the blog, and I still have a back log to catch up. I do have a story, but frankly it is not really a good excuse just something dumb that I did.

I have been going going going at top speed for months now. I had finally got most of camp packed away, and I had cleaned up from the family reunion trip. I still had several projects that needed completing, so I was heading up to Auburn to meet Mom and Dad at the end of their trek and work on camp quilts. I arranged to stay and work in Auburn on Monday with the idea that I could get up at the crack of dawn and water ski before I needed to be working. I have not really water skied this summer yet. One very brief trip during girls camp to get the boat back to the beach.

Saturday I got up and drove to the Sacramento temple and did a session. Then I drove up to Mom and Dad's stake pioneer picnic to find the great trekker's. The trek was great. They were a huge success, and Dad made a great Brigham. It was fun to meet them at the Stake pioneer picnic for their grand entrance/return. Mom and Dad spoke on Sunday and gave very inspiring talks. Dad said he thought that the lesson we needed to learn from the handcart companies and their rescuers was to get up and do what we are asked. Actually he said it more gracefully than that, but it is written in a note in my wallet all the way across the room.

Monday morning bright and early we went to the lake and it was perfect. I skied, mom skied, I skied, mom skied. We drove a little and then Mom wanted to ski again. Three times around the lake in a very short period! It was a testament to her stamina. I knew I was to tired to ski again. But of course the water was so beautiful that I jumped right in. I was really way too tired and I ended up pulling a hamstring. Oh what a bother.

I have been at home in Auburn ever since laying in bed on ice. Luckily I can work from anywhere, so I just prop up my laptop and answer email. I am going to head back to the city today and try to hop up and down the hills. Actually my wonderful friend Hillary has agreed to be my driver. I am sure that I will get too spoiled with that kind of service.

I am just dying to get better and get back to exercising. I am afraid no more water skiing for me this year. I am now focusing on getting full strength back in time to snow ski. Maybe the weather will stay warm late into September....and I can give this another try. What crummy timing.