A Week Off - A Trip to Moab

It has been almost 18 months that we have served at the St George FamilySearch Center - we will end this mission in December.  After being called to be assistant directors, Theron set out to make our schedule make sense and give us a little breather now and then.  We work a week of nights, a week of days that include Saturday, and a week off.  On this week off, Oct. 22 - 27, we were able to spend some great time with friends in Moab - dry camping in the trailer and riding the RZR.

Look at this view.  Zions is over the ridge someplace.

 The climb and then sitting on top of the world.

Yea, it was a little chilly but what fun.

This is a hidden arch that can't be seen from any other vantage point.

Rich and Wendy Poll, Monfredi's, Simonsens, and three other couples (those friends of Steve's that we commandeered from the Heber Valley mission) all gathered in Moab.

The rides were fantastic - one to the country outside of Moab ending at Tusher Tunnel, the ride called Poison Spider and the ride over the Lion's Back trail.  It's hard to describe the joy of seeing the gorgeous scenery and at the same time be scarred to death looking down the side of a razor back ridge.  These were some challenging rides and Theron loved every minute of it.  I am so glad he understands the dynamics of driving this machine; things could have gone south in a hurry on some of the climbs.  Guess that's why he had the sign put on the back window -- Hang on I want to try something!

I've got to load this page with pictures, because I just can't describe the rocks, cliffs, and vistas.

Another Harry Potter Fan in the Family

Mason made this terrific Harry Potter book display.  Great reading Mason!

Love his efforts at school and his charm.

Halloween at the M&B Schaefermeyers.  These kids always have great costumes, love the pig head that Kacy is wearing.

Every year Marc carves a creative pumpkin.  I especially like this year's carving.  Looks spooky without the light; looks marvelous in the light.

Taylor and the Mountain Bike Race - 101 out of 300

Taylor and "precious 2" (that's the name of his bike) came to St. George the weekend of October 17 - 20 to participate in the State High School Mountain Bike Race.

We are impressed with Taylor and this new sport he has embraced.  In the freshman division, he came in 101 out of 300 plus cyclists.  That's the top 1/3, it's a great start to a lifelong pursuit, it's his first year, wow - You are awesome Taylor.

Taylor is in all black, right in the middle of the photo.

Glad his brother was there to cheer him on.

Brrokelyn, Lauren and Jesse turn 3

Pony for Birthday

October 13 was a busy day.  the pony arrived early and the eyes were wide!!!

A pony for the celebration of Brookelyn, Lauren and Jesse's birthday.  What a fun surprise for them.  Brooky stayed by the pony the whole day.  She walked beside it, rode it as many times as she could and just smiled the whole time - Spirit horse she said!

Jesse was a little scared when the pony moved from side to side.  One ride was all he could take. Lauren wanted more rides, but wasn't as aggressive as Brooky.

We were able to have them open our presents before all the guest came.  We wanted Jesse to get his big dump truck.  Grandma and Jesse played dump truck for a long time.  I had to leave once to see what else was happening and asked Jesse if that was okay.  He told me I could leave.  When I got back he asked, "Grandma did you go see the pony."  Grandma, "Yes." Jesse, "Good job Grandma." as he patted me on the back.  It was a special moment.

Curt cooked his famous pulled pork and Lauren was in heaven.  She grabbed a fork and stood for a looooong time by the pork platter and ate to her heart's content.

Happy Birthday you guys!  Wow, three already.

Sassy Kacy Marie Turns 3

What a delightful little girl Kacy is, she has a ready smile and is quite quiet unless she wants something.  We celebrated Kacy's third birthday at our house because Marc and Brittney, etc. were down.  One night we were eating and I put something on Kacy's plate and it wasn't right, I was told.  She is a girl with a mind of her own.

We had a scare, also.  We were all eating lunch by the pool and Ali finished and went back into the pool.  Kacy was eating by Ali and none of us noticed her get up and walk into the pool.  It would have been great if she had stayed on the shallow shelf, but she wanted something in the deeper part and without her water floaties she sunk.  Brittney got her out quickly but it was a scare.

Happy Birthday Sassy Kacy!  Love you.

Josh Butcher Gets Married

This picture has been around a long time and I'm glad Linda found it.  Josh is on the left and has grown into a fine young man.  Matthew is next and is the same as as Cameron who is in the red suit.  Heather is the only girl in the picture and Thomas is on the far right.  Two grandchildren and three great grandchildren of my mom and dad.

On August 1, 2018, Josh married Mandy Edwards.  These are Mandy's sisters and their husbands.  We had a wonderful time at the Bountiful Temple.  It such a rich experience to have my mother attend these weddings.  For years she missed so many.  The wedding reception was held at a farm in Marriott-Slaterville and they had a soda drink area and a donut truck.  Jessie and Brookelyn soon learned how to take the red and white checkered paper that the donuts were on over to the truck and say 'more'.

Lisa was down with her family and we had a great visit.  We had not taken a 4-generation picture of Curt and his children, so we all gathered for this memorable photo op.  It's hard to get three 2-year olds to all look at the camera at the same time.  You also don't take their picture without mom and grandpa Theron.

This is the first of many marriages to come and we are so proud of Josh and Mandy for selecting the perfect place.  Congratulations.

September Family Visits and Updates

It is true - if you build it they will come; and we enjoy spending more than an hour or two with our family.

Curt, Mel and the threesome came down over Labor Day.  The kids loved the pool and before we knew it Jessie was up on top of the waterfall and jumped off.  He came up and said 'again' and jumped and jumped.  They also guilted me into going down the slide - twice.  If an almost three year old can do it, I guess a 60+ grandmother can.

Cleadus and his family stopped in and swam.  Bervins came over to visit.  Dillinghams and Goodrichs came to visit.  We are certainly glad to have a come to place and see old friends and enjoy new ones.

The end of the month, Marc, Brittney and their foursome came to stay.  We were enjoying lunch their first day here and Kacy decides to go into the pool without a life jacket.  Scary moment when you see a little head bob to the surface of the four foot side.  Brittney ran in and retrieved her and after all of our hearts went back into beating steady we declared she was okay.  This has always been my biggest fear of having a pool and just glad we were all poolside when this happened.  The rest of the weekend was uneventful. 

While Marc and Brittney attended Tuachan, the kids and grandma and grandpa celebrated Kacy's 3rd birthday.  She loved her Minnie Mouse.

Even though the house may not be big enough to hold everyone for the few days you visit, we love spreading out, pumping up air beds, and sleeping around.  Keep coming; there is always room for one more.