MAY BRINGS THE IRON MAN and MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

The month couldn’t have started out better.  Spencer asked if Dad would ordain him a Teacher.  Since we missed the Deacon, this was really a wonderful thing.  The bishop’s office was so crowded with so many friends.  What a great young man.

We are so blessed to have the restored gospel at our finger tips.  I am so grateful for 3 sons, 2 in-laws and especially a husband who honor this priesthood that is directly from God. 

A VIVINT man came Tuesday and checked all our security features and put in a new monitor on the one that kept falling off the window.  That afternoon Dad made cookies with Ava and Nixon.  We still don’t have that recipe perfect.  We will.  We take Lucille to her doctor appointments every week and absolutely love doing it.  She sees 4 doctors at different times but they are all close.  She can do nothing on her own and will be 95 next month.

May 4^th Camden was in Hope of America at the Marriott Center.  It is a big thing and you leave so proud of our country. 

It is going through a rough time but it’s where our hearts are.  The program was very inspirational.  Camden  did a great job.

4th one from the right on the first yellow row

 The audience

After

Thursday we prepared for our trip to St. George and the IRONMAN.  At 1:30 we headed to Central Elementary, And Camden as The Genie in the 5^th grade production of Aladdin.  He was terrific.  He nailed it. It was a great production and the Genie was the best.

At 6:00 we headed to our genealogy class.  You have to sign up for it and can’t miss a class.  They do a new group every other month and the classes are always full.  We are really excited to get our ancestor’s work done.  There is always something to do even if others have done much.  We left at 9:15 and headed to ST. George.  It was a long ride that late at night.  I kept Dad awake by doing crossword puzzles on the iPad.  We got to our motel at 1:30, very tired.  Erik and Shanelle had signed us in so we just picked up our key and fell in bed.  We didn’t even wake up Parker or Kolton who were our roommates.

After breakfast, Erik, Clark, Parker, Kolton, Riley and Molly did baptisms at the temple.  Dad gave Clark a blessing in that he wasn’t feeling well.  Again, how blessed we are to have this special ordinance.  We bummed around and met Erik’s crew at Subway and took our sandwiches to the city park where all the IRON MAN things were set up.  We took pictures. (shocker) 

 Lily

Camden, riley, Kolton, Jonny, Parker

 The gang

After the kids played, we went to Clark’s rented condo and swam.  The club house had an indoor and outdoor pool.  It was not a warm day.

We did a lot with Erik’s family in that we were in the same motel just next to each other.  We went to Brick Oven for dinner. 

When we got back to the hotel, Tiffani and her crew came for a visit.  It’s always good to have family around.

SATURDAY, THE BIG DAY OF THE IRON MAN.  1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and end with 13.1 run.  70.3 miles altogether.  Brutal.  Clark’s family and Scott’s family and Shanelle left at 4:30 AM to be there at the very beginning.  It was horrible weather, especially for St. George and any kind of race.  The temperature was 47 when they entered the lake for the swim. 

They go right from the water to the transition area where close to 3,000 participants had their bikes.  In the cold weather they started off only to find it starting to rain and the wind was horrible.  The bikers were so cold.  They couldn’t even get their energy packs out, their hands were so numb.  They could only get their water.  The families, with Tiffani and her family waited  along the course until they had passed them and then came to the park.  We had a place set up where we could see the bikers come in and the runners go out and come in.  We were so darn cold and had on jackets, coats and even blankets.  The wind and rain was constant and the temperature didn’t ever get warm.  It was just terrible conditions for a race of that duration. 

Ashley was even there with little William, only 3 and a half months old. 

They're troopers.  He is such a good baby and she is already a seasoned mother.  When the athletes got to the running part, they were so cold their muscles and joints froze up and they had trouble moving.  An officer tried to get Erik to get in the car so he could get a little warm, he was shaking so much.  Erik came upon Clark, who was going so slowly and was so cold they just ran in together.  It was exciting to hear their names over the PA system together. We loved it.

Times: Scott  6hrs 3 min

            Erik  6 hrs 15 min                We think these are right.

            Clark 6 hrs 25 min

They are such true athletes.

They never complained, just tried to get warm and said they would do another one as soon as they find one and can afford C  They were not tired or drained.  They were just so cold.  They felt great.

Scott with Tiff's kids. 

Lauryn couldn't find one in her size.

We stayed around for a while in the park when I realized I had lost one of the shirts we had bought for the sons and wives.  I was so upset.  You know me and finances.  I decided to go and look where we had been watching.  I was cold and just know I had to look.  When I got there some people said they had seen a shirt but now it was gone.  I looked up a street a little and a lady said, “Are you looking for a shirt?”  I was so surprised.  She opened her sack and pulled out the shirt.  What an honest lady.  It renewed my faith in mankind.

We all went to our places and got dressed in dry and warm clothes.  Erik took a hot bath.  At 5:00 we met at Pizza Factory out by Ivins for dinner.  It was Dad’s Mother’s Day present for all.  We have such a good time when we are together.  The kids had a blast. 

 The 2 C's

 Kids' table

 some

teen table

happy

It was different than other Pizza Factories in that you ordered at the counter and found a seat.  We got our own salads and then 5 huge pizzas came.  You know the bread sticks are fabulous.  The kids used the sticks that the bread was on for swords. We stayed for quite a while and then Clark’s family had to head back to Kamas.  Everyone else came to our hotel to swim. 

Our hotel had an indoor and outdoor too.  Dad and Erik made it to the hot tub.  The kids have so much fun together and they get along so well.  Never a problem.

 finally warm

 triplets

 secret society

great cousins

Tiffani and Scott’s families had to leave.  Sad moment.  What a great day to have so much happening the entire day.  We were all very tired and turned up our rooms to very warm. 

We had a good night’s rest.
If you want some excellent coverage of pictures of the event go to Kristin's blog The Batchelor Pad

We woke up, had breakfast and headed home with Erik right behind us.  We got there at 12;00, just in time to get dressed and go to church.  Tyson Quilter gave a great talk on mothers and Brad Wilcox was as usual right on with his talk.  It was a great meeting.  Relief Society and Sunday School were also wonderful.  After the sacrament meeting the women were given 4 pieces of Mrs. Cavanaugh’s chocolates.
We are so grateful for our wonderful mothers who unceasingly taught us the principles of the restored gospel and to love our Savior, Jesus Christ.  As Abraham Lincoln said, "Everything I am I owe to my angle mother."

We love our family so very much.  Each family is so different and so special.  We are so grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation that gives us the opportunity to be sealed in the temple of our God and be together for eternity.  We love the covenants we are able to make and keep with our Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.  We love our family more every day.
May 10th Ava had a dance recital at the Covey Center.  It was amazing.  She performed 3 times with her group and each one was so different.  My little camera did not do a good job but she was stupendous. We love how modest the Dance Club costumes are.  Bethany choreographed some of the dances.  She's amazing.

fuzzy but she;s in the middle

 Nixon brought her flowers

                                                       

the family

On the 12th Camden was Walt Disney at his school's wax museum.  His poster was so good and he was so Walt Disney.

Saturday we left at 9:00 for Asher's soccer game at 9;30 in Highland.

11:00 found us in Lindon for Ava's soccer

game and then Nixon's at 12:00.

We bought this umbrella tent for ball games.

 We left after his game to go hurry to PG and get Parker to help us get a portable car port for camping at Harbor Tools, and then home to load the tiller to take to Erik's and then off to Camden's soccer game at 2:30 in Alpine.  Our last game was at 4:30 at Timpview with Kolton.  It was a very hard day but at the same time a very fun one.  The score was all games won.  Can't beat that.  Kolton's game got over at 6 and we were so hungry because we hadn't eaten all day that we went to Cafe Rio for dinner.  It was just a good day being with family.
Monday was cold and wet but Kolton and Camden still came to mow and edge the lawns.  They are such good help

Camden

such hard work

Wednesday was Parker's choir concert.  It was amazing.  How this one director gets so much out of so many and with such discipline.  It was so enjoyable.

 Parker second row first one

whole jr high choir

What a talented young man.

Parker and Mom

Saturday we started the day by going to Salem for Scott's tri.  It was freezing cold and windy.  It even snowed on the mountains.

 What is up with these cold tris?  Scott did very well and we enjoyed being with him family for a short time.

 check out who's on the medal.

These kids love their dad and go everywhere he does.

 We left there to go to Spanish Fork and get another load of screened soil to put under our lilac hedge.  It looks so nice now.  Erik had gone in with us so we took his half to his house for his garden.  It was nice because he unloaded it.  We were so tired we didn't even fix a dinner.  That evening we went to Stake Conference.  It was so good.  Susie Cherry gave a talk on the temple that was enlightening.  We can't wait to go Tuesday.  Our Provo Mission President gave a talk about his conversion.  He was reared a Catholic, his parents being from the East.  His father's job took them to Ogden where his grew up and just could not agree with the three in one concept of the Godhead.  He just knew they were separate individuals.  Being in Ogden many of his friends were Mormon so he know a little about the church.  At a mutual dance when he was 14, he asked a girl to dance and told her he was not a Mormon.  She said that was fine but that she would only be married in the temple.  He was so impressed with the youth he hung out with that when she asked if he wanted to learn more, he agreed.  He knew the gospel was true but his parents would not let him be baptized until he was 18.  He went to BYU and loved everything about it.  When he was 17, he decided to be baptized.  He was shocked when his parents showed up.  After the baptism his mother leaned over and whispered to him,  "Don't be a Mormon".  He said "Mom, did you see what I just did?"  She replied,"Don't be a Mormon, be a Latter-Day Saint."   That really impacted his life.  His mother had seen how kind their neighbors lived and what good values they had and wanted her son to live the same way.  We can all take a lesson from that. 

Scott turned 37 on May 23rd.  How can our baby be that old.

 painting Tiff's house

couldn't find a picture without thefamily

found one

He brought so much joy and laughter into our home.  He was always busy and thought he was as big a his siblings.  They fought over who got to hold him.  Night was my favorite time because I didn't have to share him with anyone.  We are so blessed to have him in our eternal family.  He is such a loving father and husband now.  He is always busy doing new things or helping someone or just plain working.  He loves being with his precious family.  We love it when all three boys do the same tri whatever.

 Disney Camden

He loves soccer

The next day was Camden John's birthday.  What a bundle of knowledge.  Ask him a question and he'll go on forever tell you the answer.  If you don't ask, he'll start telling you about something anyway.  He's full of wisdom.  He loves everything and enjoys being involved.  He is such a good friend to others and helps out whenever he can.  He loves his family and they do such fun things together.  We love this treasure.

While George was at the temple I went to PG to watch Camden and Asher in their end of the year dance festival.  It is always so good and this year different dances were done.  I loved it.

 Asher

 Camden

 When George got home we went to Costco to shop for our camping trip with Tiffani's family and ward at PIne Valley.  Dad went to check out and I headed to my often place, the bathroom.  On the way I tripped on some spilled water and went down.  I was so embarrassed. People came to see what had happened. (I am not really "lounging" on the floor!)

 The next day I went to see Dr. Taylor because I hurt so much.  He had x-rays done and found I had sprained my right ankle and left knee.  The best thing was that he said I would never need a knee replacement because my bones were in such good shape.  My hip now hurts so I'll go back in a few weeks and see what's up with that.  All is well.

That evening we went to Eureka for Milt's wedding.  It was a fast happening but they seem so happy.  Jolene is a nice gal and loves my brother so what else can I ask.  She has 13 children who all are grown.  We wish them such happiness.

 engaged

2 of Jo's boys

Somewhere in that time, Brother Hill took us for a ride in his new motor cycle.  Amazing.  We made a few wishes in that one.

May 27th we left for Pine Valley.  It is a 6 hour trip but we just love going.  We camp with Tiffani's ward each year.  It is one of highlights of the summer.  The weather was perfect and we sat and visited with anyone who dropped into our camp.  It was so refreshing. WE ate and ate Dutch oven potatoes two times and fished and ate and hiked and ate 4 different kinds of Dutch oven desserts.   The kids played and rode their long boards all day except for the hours they fished.  They caught plenty.  It was just a fun weekend with family.  We treasure the Memorial Day weekend and time with the Jennings. 
Saturday Tiff and I went to Las Vegas to witness the sealing of one of her best friend's daughter.  It was so good to be in the temple with Tiff.
 The favorite part of camping is going to church at the Pine Valley chapel.  This year I counted 200 people sitting outside in chairs the members had set up for us.  They send the broad cast out to us because the chapel is so small.  It was built in the 1800's and has such a Spirit about it.  The kids just wrap up in their jammies and quietly listen or do something quietly.

 quietly listening

Their favorite part is riding in the back of the truck.

Another, new thing we did this year was getting clean ourselves in the river.  Dave found a perfect place.

Monday morning we ate a good pancake breakfast.  The girls caught a caterpillar and the tinniest lizard I have ever seen.  They named him Tiny Tim.

This girl knows how to brush her teeth.

The Jennings stayed and fished some more and we headed home.  We got there at 8:00 and after unpacking and cleaning the trailer, we fell into bed.
Got up the next morning and went to the temple.  What a great way to end the month.  How we love the house of our Lord and the covenants we try so hard to keep.