July 25th

The week in bullets -

• We picked lots of tomatoes
• Underfoot went to a birthday party
• Mama and I went on a date Friday night
• On Saturday we went to the Safford AZ pioneer day festival. (Pioneer day is a celebration of the arrival of the vanguard company of the Mormon Pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24th, 1847.)
• One of our grape vines has reached the top of the pergola
• K2 gets his cast off tomorrow
  

July 19th Later than usual

We got a clean bill of dental health from dentist. No cavities!!! Underfoot got his teeth cleaned too. He opened his mouth when he needed and spit when he needed. After the dentist, we took a family day and went to Mesa to the temple, my friend’s house, multiple home improvement stores, and the Pro Bass Shop. The Pro Bass Shop has a taxidermy zoo of sorts (stuffed bears, deer, sheep, and birds) with live fish and waterfalls. The boys were a little scared at first but enjoyed it by the end.

L4 took the car in this last week. The Scout is in multiple pieces on the floor of our garage. It will be in multiple pieces for a little while yet. L4 is doing some much needed replacement of hoses and seals and general maintenance. It is a very frustrating circumstance because L4 loves the Scout but the Scout is an old car. Someone told him to buy a gun and put a bullet into to put the Scout out of its misery. L4 smiled half-heartedly when it was mentioned.

I’m learning how to use dried beans and a pressure cooker. We had some pretty good chili. (L4 said he could eat the chili at least once a week.) We are also trying to implement morning jobs and evening jobs for Underfoot and a meal planner. So far so good.

12 July

I had last Monday off in observance of the 4th of July. We spent time working in the yard. After a couple hours I went from the yard to working on the Scout. The Scout is getting new motor mounts, a new rear main seal, and new seals for the transmission and transfer case. It is a lot of work. When I’m done there should be fewer oil leaks. (That’s the hope at least!)

Mama had a doctor’s appointment on Friday to learn more about the growth in her jaw and neck. The doctor explained the options for having it removed as well as the risks. We’re glad that it is benign. Mama will likely just let it be for a while, as the procedure to have it removed is quite painful and it poses no health risk.

On Saturday Mama decided to get up early (about 4 a.m.) and follow the Bountiful Basket truck from site to site so that she could meet the women who run the sites. She discovered at the first site that the truck had been improperly loaded at the warehouse and had produce for a site not normally on its route. She was able to work out the problems because she was on the scene to deal with them. I was sorry to see her leave so early in the morning but it certainly was good that she was able to fix the problem.

On Saturday we canned 4 quarts of tomato sauce from our garden (a far cry from the 40 or so quarts we did when in Pennsylvania) as well as about a quart of grape juice from grapes that we grew. I let Mama take a nap while the boys were asleep and I went to work on the tomatoes. In doing so I made a mistake (that’s what you get when you try to do it without the expert.) Mama was able to salvage my mistake and we still got 4 quarts of sauce. We’re excited to see our yard grow up. It has been a lot of work but it is slowly coming together.

K2 is getting another upper tooth. Underfoot loves the color orange.

Catch Up!

Happy Independence Day!!!!

So last week we didn’t send a letter. For the brief version please follow the bullet points below. For a more elaborate version, continue reading for the detailed
events.

• Celebrated Father’s Day with Mama's family.
• Monday & Tuesday were Gramps Camp (a cousins’ retreat with activities and food).
• L4 and K2 fell down the stairs. Result a sad Daddy and an injured boy with a broken leg.
• L4 returned to work in Tucson on Wednesday morning.
• We returned to the urgent care for a splint and an appointment with the orthopedic for a cast because of a broke leg.
• Jilli came with us to Tucson.
• Friday evening Underfoot, Jilli, and I attended Tarzan at Tuachan Theater in St. George. K2 stayed with Aunt R, a dear friend’s mother.
• We returned home late on Saturday night.
• K2 vomited during sacrament meeting all over me.
• Jilli returned with a voucher from Southwest.
• K2 got a cast.
• The Scout broke.
• A ward breakfast was on Saturday.
• We spent the evening at a BBQ.
  

We spent Father’s Day with Grandpa K, Kirky, L4, and my brother. Jilli made a delicious dinner in a Dutch oven. Stake leadership meeting was canceled because we came to be their Dad. The next day started Gramps Camp. Kirky explained the importance of the flag of the United State of America. The children then performed a flag ceremony. We then had a our play shops. We went canoeing in the pond, colored cups and flower pots, and drew murals at the 1st Street Car Museum. After lunch, the men got out lots of the old cars from the museum and took everyone for a ride. The highlight was riding in the 1914 fire engine around town. We waved flags and waved at people. That evening we went to the cabin for a steak fry and shooting guns. Grandpa H came and shot the gun he used for marksmanship in the military. He is still a very good shot. The men then proceeded to shoot skeet until dark and there were no more bullets. They all left with big smiles. Tuesday we went on a treasure hunt and found that the treasure is our family of course with a treat at the end. We had a marshmallow gun fight. Grandpa K found them to be very accurate. A pig party followed with no utensils unless you are 75 years old or older. Baby K2 won at the being the biggest pig.

L4 prepared to go and was carrying baby K4 down the stairs. He slipped on the feather boa that was in the middle of the stairs and tumbled down the stairs. Baby K2 did not stop crying unless he was held. L4 left with Grandpa H to return to home via Salt Lake airport. Later that evening, Jilli and I took baby K2 to the urgent care. An x-ray was taken without any clear results. We were told that a radiologist needed to look at the x-ray to have something more conclusive. Baby K2 didn’t sleep very well. The next day we returned for a splint, and baby K2 was a different person. By immobilizing his leg he could then do all the things he did before. We made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon at home to cast him.

Other highlights for the week were a picnic at Meridell Park, watched a movie at Tia and Tio.’s house, and Underfoot got to play with his cousins, and both boys drove a backhoe tractor with Uncle S..

We ventured to St. George and stopped to watch Tarzan. The theater is amazing because it is outdoor which opens up a lot of possibilities for blocking. They flew the apes, Tarzan, and Jane. Underfoot enjoyed the first act but got tired and wanted to go home in during the second act. One of the songs is a Kala, the mother ape, singing to a young Tarzan about how much she loves her child. Underfoot turned to me and said, “Look Mama. That’s just like us.” He knows that he is loved. We loved the show.

Saturday was the end of the trek. We stopped at IKEA before returning to Tucson. L4 was happy to see us.

On Sunday K2 erupted on me during sacrament meeting. He gagged on my ring he was playing with. I was able to run home and change my clothes to return to teach Primary. On Monday we went to the orthopedic surgeon to get a cast for K2’s leg. K2 and I waited for most the afternoon before we saw the doctor. Because we waited so long, they gave us a gift card to a frozen yogurt store. One positive side effect of K2’s cast is that it will force him to use his left leg more often which should help to strengthen it.

The week was spent on unpacking and returning all things to their places. It took about a week. On Tuesday morning the Scout got sick so L4 had to take the Honda to work the rest of the week. L4 hopes to fix the recent malady for an fully operational vehicle. We had a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning early for church. The night before we cooked up 15 dozen eggs for the event. On Saturday night we bar-ba-cued, swam, and enjoyed delicious food at a friend's home. L4 worked with S. while in New Mexico, nearly two years ago. K2 enjoyed the water. (K2’s cast is waterproof.) Underfoot was a bit more reserved but did get in the water and got his hair wet. On Saturday morning we got a case of blueberries at Bountiful Baskets. The boys have already eaten 4 of the 12 clam shells.

The Reunion

We spent the last week in St. George, UT at the L. Family reunion. Besides the traditional swimming, eating, playing Hearts to all hours of the night, and the unfortunate few who got sick, the following are highlights:

Monday: We went to prearranged tours at the Brigham Young Home, Jacob Hamblin Home and the St. George Tabernacle. Elder and Sister Udy were our missionary guides for the entire day. They told us about the details of each place and gave us all the attention we wanted. That evening for family home evening, we had a song, lesson, and marshmallow guns. The mothers were in charge of starting the marshmallow war which turned into a lot of laughter and a few tears.

Tuesday: Dad’s brother, Uncle Michael, came and visited Grandmother and the rest of the crew. We were glad to see him! In the afternoon, the men and boys went to Fiesta Fun Center for unlimited go-carts, bumper boats, and fun. They bashed and banged each other up along the course.

Wednesday: The runs and puke had hit some of the group so we left them to recover while we went and hiked in Zion’s National Park. We hiked the Pa’Rus trail, rode the canyon tram, hiked to the Emerald Pools, and ate ice cream. It out to be a fun day.

Thursday: The men took children to the pool while the women including J. went shopping, talking, and to lunch.

Friday: Some returned to Zion’s Park to go hiking. Others swam. L4 and I with our boys went to visit Aunt Dona. Aunt Dona is my Grandpa K.'s sister. It was a lot of fun to visit with her and her daughter, Sarah.

Saturday: We packed up the car and headed to the Lehi Bakery. Since today is Father’s Day, we bought my Grandpa K his favorite cinnamon rolls at the bakery of his childhood. Then we were off to see J. A., L4’s friend and roommate from BYU. J. recently changed employment from New Jersey to Utah. We were thrilled to see him and glad that we got caught up. We finished our drive to Idaho by early evening. We unloaded the car and went to the car museum that was put together for Grandpa K’s birthday. Underfoot got to drive a car! He loved it.

In addition, we learned that our Aunt Lois Denne passed away. She was the youngest sister to my great-Grandpa. We have arrived safely for another family filled week. We hope that Father’s Day is a pleasant day for each of you.

Prearations

Greetings from St. George, UT!!! The annual L. family reunion has started, and we look forward to the adventures this week will bring.

This last week was spent in preparations for leaving. K2 still participated in swim lessons, and Underfoot had refresher lessons. One day this week, Underfoot and I were doing his scripture time. One of the pictures was of a family dressed white standing in front of a temple. He pointed at the picture and said, “They’re angels, Mama.” This tender moment gave me hope because we believe we have the opportunity to be a family forever. I hope he recognizes our love for him and K2 and our desire to be together forever.

As I would drive between swimming lessons, I listened to taped lectures and books specially about the American Civil War. I have learned about the people, the politics, the reasons some fought, and the battles. I have learned how this war from not so long ago still affects us today. I am grateful to have learned about the past. Different perspectives have helped me to teach my children about belief in and for a cause. It has also helped me to teach about obedience. In addition, I’ve learned that most people do not succeed in all times of their lives but have a time in which they shine and prove themselves valuable.

L4 worked a lot of extra hours so he won’t have to use all of his paid time off while in on our trip. K2 and Underfoot have been thrilled to greet him when he comes home. He took Underfoot for a bike ride one night and carries both boys often at their request. Arriving home early on Thursday evening, he assisted in the final travel preparations. I’m grateful he came home. I love him!

Thursday was a bustle of activity. We packed, cleaned, ironed, loaded the car, and went to bed after midnight. We woke early the next morning (around 3:30 am to Underfoot crawling in our bed saying he didn’t feel well). After attempting to go back to sleep for an hour, we dressed, prayed, and left for our adventure. We drove and drove with a few stops for earrings (Thanks D.!), potty, and eating. We listened to Louis L’Amour books, talked, and stopped to eat at a buffet in Las Vegas. About 13 hours later on Friday evening we pulled into St. George. We then went swimming.

On Saturday, we checked out and checked in, went shopping, made supper, and welcomed the family with a meal. L4 even surprised everyone with homemade ice cream! Our boys did awesome! K2 would scream when he was done being in his car seat or bored. L4 has dubbed him 100 dB. Underfoot stayed close and did amazing on making it to the bathroom as a newly potty trained boy!

Mount St. Helens

My friend BC says that poop and puke stories are always better when they involve someone else’s child.

On Sunday, (last week) K2 wasn’t feeling well. We didn’t know it until he vomited all over Mama during the last hour of church. It was not a trivial amount of spit up. It was a Mt. St. Helens eruption. Mama was just about to begin the lesson for her class of 4 year olds. They watched in stunned silence. K2 didn’t have a fever. We realized after the fact that he was probably sick because he was getting two new teeth, on top of the two other teeth that came in earlier in the week. Mama discovered the new teeth on Wednesday.

On Monday we worked our guts out during the morning and then we had a BBQ at a friend’s house in the afternoon. I painted the pergola while Mama and Underfoot worked in the Garden. Mama pulled out all the broccoli and transplanted some melon plants into one of the garden boxes. Our tomatoes are coming on. The garlic is almost ready. We planted three basil plants and they are growing like crazy. Our blackberry plants are giving us a few blackberries every couple
days. Most of the grape vines have grapes. The garden is going to start producing in large quantities just as we are heading north for vacation.

The heat is on. We’ve had several days of 100+ temperatures. We turned on the A/C on Monday night. On Tuesday I installed an automatic watering system for our chickens. They now have a clean water supply that is tied to the irrigation system. On Wednesday I re-insulated the refrigerant tubes for our air conditioning system. The old insulation was sun-baked and falling off. I’m hoping that the improved insulation will boost efficiency and save us on our electric bill.

Mama has been preparing for the L. family reunion this week. In addition to some shopping in town, she taught several piano lessons. She continues to drive all over the place. I think she likes the new car.

On Saturday Mama got up early and sprayed for weeds. She also fertilized the garden. She then went to do Bountiful Baskets. We are happy to have a basket again. We took it easy during the heat of the day. After supper we washed and waxed the Pilot. We then went to fill up the car and both boys fell asleep before we got out of our neighborhood.