Russon Family

4th Of July 2011

2011-07-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

It has been over a year since I have entered anything on the blog. Not that there has not been a lot happening. Since my last post, Michael & Kathryn and their family have moved to Mesa, three new grand-daughters have been added to the family, Matt & Erin are getting married this month and we are all a year older. There have been a lot of other great things that happen each day and each time the family is together. I am glad that families are forever as I would not want to miss out on the fun we are having now.

You can't hold a new baby in your arms and not see the Eternal Plan that is there and the trust that Father has in letting us raise His children.

This past weekend of the 4th, we held out annual Back-Yard Sleep-Out. This has been a tradition for the last 5-6 years now. It is always fun to get together, eat, watch a late night movie and sleep over. This year, we re-started a very long tradition. The Annual 4th Water fight. This started, originally, some 30 years ago by my older sister DeAnn. It always starts with a lot of water balloons and progresses from there. Soon, we would have all of the kids and grand kids running all over their back yard with buckets of water looking for someone to throw it one. In one house their lived at, there was a stream that came right out of American Fork Canyon. If you got hit with a bucket of water from that stream, you could not breathe for at least 5 minutes.

This tradition stopped a few years ago when they went on a mission and sold their house. It has been really missed by my kids.

This 4th, it was started again in my family. Thanks to Matt, Kevin & Greg for really getting it going. It was not long until everyone was wet and having a great time. I am sure, just as I was positive at DeAnn's, that the neighbors thought we were nuts. Everyone said later that this was something they missed and wanted it to continue so their kids could enjoy the fun just as they had done growing up. I am still enough of a kid that I had a lot of fun also.

I know that next year, there will be a little more planning, like having a change of clothes and we'll have to start earlier. We are already thinking how to get two swimming pools and hoses.

I an sure that the Family Camp-out will be a great time this year. NO TENTS!! We are going to Fairview Canyon and staying in cabins.

Family Camp-Out 2010

2010-08-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

Well, another Summer Camp-Out has come and gone. This last weekend, we had our annual family camp out at Redman Campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon. This year Jill and Carrie were in charge of the camp out and as always, did an excellent job. They took care of getting the campground reserved and planning and buying all the meals. The campground this year was a group site and we had all kinds of room without many neighbors. Kids could run and play and have a great time together. The weather was very cool and we had out share of rain. It rained just as we arrived and rained that night as we slept. Saturday, after breakfast, there were two activities planned. Riding the chair lift to the top of the ski resort and a hike to Dough Nut Falls. An of course, as soon as they got on the lift, it started to rain and hail. At the top, they would not let them come back down until the lightening had quit. It was a nice ride down. Those that went on the hike had a great time, even though they almost lost Holly!

Saturday afternoon, we had planned a Dutch Oven Dessert Competition. Each of the four teams had to prepare a desert in a Dutch oven. Each was judged on four 25 point areas: Creativity, Presentation, Taste and Team Involvement. There was a 10 point bonus for having it ready on time. Mom and I were to judge the winner. This proved much harder than we thought. I learned a lot about Dutch ovens. Like, you can use them as a refrigerator!

We had a Bumbleberry-Nut Fruit Crumb Cake, a New England Cheesecake, an Oreo Cookie Cheese Cake and a Chocolate Butterscotch Surprise.

Each was very well done and a winner in at least one area. It was very hard to judge a winner. In the end, Matt's team won the overall contest. Next time we will have to have a prize for each category as each one did an excellent jog and all were very tasty!

We came home on Sunday morning to get a shower and kids cleaned up. It was so great to have every one of the family there. This was a weekend that builds memories. It seems they get better every year.

I am already looking forward to next year!!

Loss of another great friend

2010-07-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

As I get older, it seems to get scary when people start passing away who are younger than you. I was informed yesterday that an old friend of mine that I spent 20 years in the Guard with, Robert Peterson, passed away on Sunday after a brief bout with cancer. He was the First Cook when I first joined the section and later became Mess Sargent. We spent a lot of weekends together and annual summer camps every year. I learned a lot of things from Robbie. We went to Germany and Korea together and many other places with the Guard. I took over as Mess Sargent from him when he retired after 22 years in the guard. He really knew how to 'push my buttons' to get me to react to some of the stupid things that the officers would ask the section to do. Sometimes, he was joking and he would let me rant for an hour before he would smile and I would know he had done it again.

He had a very sly humor and you never really knew whether he was joking or not. He let Ed and me get away with a lot, like never really doing the PT test and doing silly stuff at summer camp that would have gotten us all in a lot of trouble. He could make gravy like no other. We could never make any a good as his.

I have spent the last few days thinking of all the good times we had with Rob and how much he will be missed. He was an excellent teacher, soldier and friend.

Breaking Traditions

2010-07-25T14:19:00.001-07:00

There are some things that are just not done. Family traditions are one of those things. Years past, if you father was a farmer, you were expected to take over the farm after he quit farming. Most boys took over the same profession as their father's. If your family were BYU fans, it was unheard of for you to yell for Utah. If you father drove Fords, you would more than likely drive a Ford. My dad, for the most part of his life, drove Ford products. I in turn bought Fords. Until now.

Yesterday, I broke that tradition. A few years ago I had a Ford Ranger that I really loved. We sold it after about a year. I was devastated because I loved that truck. This week, Mom and I decided that we really could use a truck and the car I was driving was getting a long in age, like me. So I started to look for another Ford Ranger. There are none around that didn't have 150,000 miles on them. I did find a truck that had everything I wanted and was within a price I could afford. Would you believe a Dodge Dakota. I know Dad is gritting his teeth, but I did buy it from a Ford Dealer!!!

Mother's Birthday

2010-06-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

Last week, my dear mother turned 94. It totally amazes me that she is a spry as she is. We had a birthday party for her on the north lawn; friends and relatives came from all over to wish her a happy birthday. There was people I have not seen for a long time. 80-90 people stopped by to say hello and give her a hug. I can only hope that I will be half as healthy as she is at 80. That's only 14 more years. My sister DeAnn has challenged her to be here for her 95th birthday. I think that's in the bag. I would not surprise me to celebrate her 100th.

Still lives alone, works in the flowers about every morning and keeps her house clean. She is an inspiration to all who know her.
She is a hard person to keep up with as she does not want anyone to do anything for her. So independent. I really love her a lot.

Happy birthday, Mom

Correction

2009-10-04T07:21:00.001-07:00

I was reminded that by 1980 we had four children. Sorry, the date should have been 1970 and has been corrected.

New Fence

2009-09-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

In 1970, two years after Mom and I were married, we bought our first NEW car. It was a 1970, fire engine red, Chevy Nova. We ordered the car because we wanted it just so. It had to have what we wanted. The cost was a little over $2800. It was a classy car with a V-8 engine and was a lot of fun to drive.

This last week, after 22 years of staring at the ugly back fence, we tore it down. It was falling apart and was held up by sheer determination along with some steel post on the other side. So we put in a beautiful vinyl fence, 6 feet tall and 94 feet wide. It cost more than my 1980 Chevy Nova!!
Now all I have to do is keep Kevin from shooting it with an arrow.

Goodbye to an old friend

2009-08-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

Over the last 10 or so years, I have had a very close friend. We have spent many hours together watching football games, movies, the Science Channel, family pictures and a lot of other fun activities. This past week my friend was killed by a freak storm that came through the neighborhood. Lynette was spending some time with my friend when the accident happened. We tried to revive him a number of times but it was of no use. His lights had gone out for the last time.
The next day I called a Doctor to see if there was any way that he could be made whole again. Doc worked on him for two solid hours and finally said that he thought he had him back to life. We tried again, but it was not use. Even the Doctor was saddened by the loss.
Now I have to decide what to do with my old friend. He is too big to bury and unless we cut him up in little pieces, we can't hide him in the garbage can. He is even too heavy to carry out in one piece. I called the Doctor today to see if he might have a place to put my friend. He said he might be interested so we'll have to see.
There was such a hole in the room where he used to set, it looked funny. I looked on the Internet to see if I could buy a replacement friend but friends are so expensive. Finally, Matthew said that he had a friend I could have to replace my dead old friend. He is younger and in better shape; not quite as big, but sharper when you look at him. So we moved Matthew's friend in place of my old friend and the room seems brighter again. So when you come to visit, you will have to get to know my new friend. I say goodbye again to an old friend.

Summer Camp Out & 4th of July

2009-07-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

Well, we survived another camp out and 4th of July. They seem to be almost one activity because they are only one week apart. It is two great weekends together.

Our yearly Camp Out this was held at Camp Timpanookie, at the top of American Fork Canyon. We all arrived in the early afternoon to set up camp. It is a beautiful spot and thanks to Laura and Lyle, we had really good camp spots. The afternoon and evening was spent talking and having fun together. The grandkids really have a lot of fun when they get together, exploring, finding bugs, mice and all sorts of things. Lindsay and Holly brought their pet snails which I would not hold. We had a great supper that night, all the hamburgers and hot dogs you could eat. We spent some time listening to Great Grampa Hansen telling, in a recording, how he, his father and brother discovered two of the three caves of Timpanogos Cave. Also, that evening a new activity was created; roasting red licorice over the fire. The kids really had fun. This went on until it started to rain. Finally, about 9:00 we were all wet and decided that it was time for bed.

The next morning we got up and had breakfast and then about 11:30 loaded up to go to Timpanogos Cave where we had reservations to climb to the cave. For most, it was their first time going to the cave. It had been a really long time since I had been up and the memory dulls with age. I forgot just how steep that trail was. The said it was only a mile and a half but the didn’t say it was all straight up. We started out with 23 hikers and after 2 hours of hiking, we got all 23 to the cave entrance. I was really proud of all of them as it took each one to help with the smaller kids and the old people.

They limit the tours to 20 people but I asked the ranger, since we were all decedents of Martin Hansen, is we could go as a family. They bent the rules and let us all go together. So the tour was just or family and the ranger. It was really special. The grand kids even remembered what they had heard the night before.

I am not sure what was the hardest, going up or coming down. My knees felt like that roasted licorice, all soft a wobbly when we got down. We made it without any blisters, that I know of, or accidents of any sort. There were a lot of stiffness for a few days but great memories of participating together and learning some family history.

That afternoon, we had a special edition of Family Fued, complete with a guest host. We all had a great laugh at each other and ourselves. After a super meal of corn, pulled pork sandwiches and baked beans, we hand froze ice cream and had it over Greg and Annette’s famous apple, peach and pumpkin cobblers. Man they were good.

Jill and Michael then took the older kids on a snipe hunt when we set up for the slide show that Lyle had prepared. Again we all laughed at some of the old pictures of each of us. After roasting a few more licorice, we all hobbled to bed.

Sunday morning we just had some breakfast, cleaned up and came home. Some, like Roxie, didn’t want to leave because they had so much fun. There’s always next year and we have already started to plan for that one.

The 4th of July sleep over in the back yard was a lot of fun this year. It was the first time we have had Carrie, Matt and their family and it was great to have them with us this year. The kids got to make a lot of noise with the snappers, all 2500 of them. We had a great supper and plenty of time to talk play and enjoy each other. Of course, there was the annual movie on the back yard and then bed. The night was spoiled some time around 1:30 A.M. by the thunderstorm that drove everyone into the house to sleep where ever they could find a spot.

Breakfast was omelets in a bag, bacon and pancakes. I don’t think anyone went away hungry. It is always fun to spend the day together and to have a great holiday. I makes you thankful that we live in a place where we can do that without fear and to be free.

History Repeated

2009-05-29T10:50:00.000-07:00

In the “Olden Days”, when a person was called on a Mission, you reported to the Mission Home in Salt Lake for a week of training and then they shipped you out to the field. In February of 1963, when I was called to serve in the West Mexican Mission, I dutifully reported to the Mission Home which was located where the Conference Center is now. At the end of the week, rather than sending me to Mexico, I was sent to Provo to the newly organized Language Training Center housed at Allen Hall. This was an experiment by the Church to see if they could speed up the language learning time in the field. There was one group ahead of ours that had been there two weeks. I spent 5 months there learning Spanish and waiting for Visas into Mexico. During that time, the LTC grew from 45 missionaries to over 300. Portuguese and German were added and it became the Language Training Mission. This was the beginnings of the MTC.

Now, 46 years later, Lynette and I find ourselves in much the same situation; in an experimental program for the Church. We attended our first training meeting last night for our mission. It was a really eye-opener. We found that what we are doing is only being done in that ward in the entire Church, only in the Grandview 20^th. Yes, there are other Church Service Missionaries but none that are doing what we will be doing. Some of our duties will be working directly with the full time missionaries, teaching and converting non-members. We are the only Service Missionaries that are actually authorized by the Area President, under the direction of the full time missionaries, to teach from Preach My Gospel to investigators. We may be asked to split with the missionaries or if need be go on or own and teach missionary lessons when the full time missionaries are not available. No where else in the Church is this being done. If it works out, as it seem to so far, it will be expanded in other parts of the world.

It as close to real missionary work as you can get. Even full time missionary couples do not teach investigators, they refer them to the missionaries to teach. This is a real special opportunity that neither one of us thought we would ever have. We really feel like pioneers.

Richard Holdaway 1943-2009

2009-05-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

The neighborhood is saddened this morning with the passing of Rich Holdaway, long time neighbor and friend. He passed away yesterday afternoon of heart failure. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Maureen and their 5 children. He was 66 and had been fighting a number of illnesses of the last number of years. The funeral will be next Saturday, May 23.
As I stood on the sidewalk yesterday, with concerned neighbors as they performed CPR trying to revive him, I was once again struck by the thought of just how fragile life really is and how quickly it can be taken.
Please keep their family in your thoughts as each of my children grew up with his children and were friends with all of them.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

2009-04-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

Well, here is a shock for you!!

Lynette and I have been extended a Mission Call for a 24 month Church Service Mission. We met with the Stake Presidency last night and received the call. We will be serving in the Provo South 20^th Ward (Spanish Speaking). Yea, that’s right! Mom is a little taken back because she does not speak a word of Spanish and mine has not been used for 44 years. She has not figured out how this will work with her working on Sunday but we’ll have to work around that.

We may be asked to work with the full time missionaries and do splits with them. This ward is the fast baptizing ward in Utah, so we may get to assist in seeing new conversions. Whatever activities that ward has we would attend. We would be visiting ward members during the week and a lot of other things.

We will be released from all callings in our home ward but our memberships will remain there, we will just attend church in the new ward. They meet just below the hill. We are not sure what we will be doing but will be assigned to the Bishop of that ward and do whatever he asks us to do. We both are still a little numb. They gave us a few days to think about it so we have a lot to talk about.

This was a complete surprise as we had not applied. I got a call Sunday night that they wanted to meet with us and last night they told us why.

Please let us know of your thoughts and concerns.

Spring Has Sprung

2009-04-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

Well, it is hard to believe it, judging from last week’s 8 inches of snow, but today I think that it’s finally here; almost 80 degree outside and no rain in the forecast until Saturday. Enjoy Spring while it’s here.

Last Saturday, we laid sod in Erik’s back yard. We put down a little over 3500 square feet of sod in two hours. With a little help from neighbor’s and family, it went really fast. He now has a back yard!!! We really had fun getting the sprinklers adjusted; we were all wet by the time we got them working correctly. Thanks to Matt, Kevin, and Mark for helping. BBQ at Erik’s!!

We have replaced all the dirt in the grow beds, much to the enjoyment of Abby, and have peas planted, and planted, and planted. The dog thinks its fun to dig holes in the pea patch. I hope peas grow well on the surface too. I even bought a half of a wine barrel to Mom could place some herbs. I know it was a real wine barrel because when I was drilling the holes in the bottom, you could really smell the wine. I chewed some of the sawdust for a while just to make sure.

The next time you visit, you will notice that the fence at the end of the driveway is now complete. They finished it today. It makes the house look more finished. Also, keep the dog from harassing the neighborhood.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt was a real success. It looks like the Easter bunny threw up all over the back yard. I think the kids all got sugared up really well. I even found one more when I mowed the lawns the next weekend. The kids are getting better as I only found that one. Usually, I get about 5.

Happy Aniversary To Me

2009-02-20T09:20:00.000-08:00

Well sports fans. Today is the big day. Exactly one year ago today, I was being wheeled into the operating room for open heart surgery. I still can remember the hopeless feeling I felt when they were preparing me for the operating room. It was the scariest feeling I have ever experienced. I knew that I was in good hands and that God was watching over me because of the blessing I had received, but you can’t help thinking about it. As I laid there while they shaved my chest and my leg, I kept wondering, “What happens if I don’t wake up?” “Am I ready to die?” I had the best feeling in my life, when I woke up that night after 6+ hours of surgery, and found that I was still alive. Over the next week in the hospital and the next few weeks at home, I kept asking myself why I had been so lucky and what did I have yet to do. I healed very quickly and without a lot of pain as I had heard horror stories about open heart surgery.

I finally came to the conclusion that my testimony was not strong enough and that I had things to change before I would be read; that I had been given then chance to complete some things. After this last year, with all the things that have happened in our family and all around me, I have become more aware of the infinite power that directs our lives. He knows us personally, directs our lives from the beginning to the end, and places things in our paths that strengthen our testimonies and give us the experiences we need to grow.

I once said that God had extended my contract and that I needed to find what it was I had yet to do. I now know that I needed to be here for my family; to be a better husband, father and grandfather. In the time I do have left, I will try to do that. The family is really the most important thing and ours is really special. I love each of you for what and who you are,

Dad

Temple Sealing of Ester

2009-02-08T09:58:00.000-08:00

What a great day we had yesterday in the temple with Kathryn and Michael as we witnessed the sealing of their daughter Ester to them for time and all eternity. She was a so cute as she held hands with her parents in the sealing room. She was a little lady and never made a sound. It was a touching and proud moment for all who attended. We are all very happy to have her in our family.

Meet Abby

2009-01-17T14:32:00.000-08:00

We have a new resident in our home. This is Abby. She is an albino Boxer who is about 1 year
old. Kevin found her on the internet and bought her from a family in Salt Lake. She is a very gentle dog who is starving for affection. Right now she is living in Kevin's bedroom. She has a great quality, well two, she does not bark. She has been here about a week and I have not heard one sound from her except her tail banging on the wall. She does not whine or bark, no matter what. The other thing, she is completely house broken.

So when you come to visit you may not see her running around but you can ask and we can get her for you as she will be in his room. She is very good around kids and loves you to scratch her ears.

However, is she is out, if you want to see the cat, you will have to look somewhere very high. They have not made friends yet.

2008: The Year in Review

2008-12-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

Well, the year is almost over so I thought like the President, I would give a report of the State of the Family. With only 5 days left I don’t think or at least I hope that nothing too great or disastrous is going to happen,

This past year has really been, by far, the year with the greatest series of events that this family has ever seen. Things started out so well with New Years and all the fun birthdays in January, Carrie and Roxie’s visit in February, and then I had to start it all with open heart surgery, with the panic that caused on the day Carrie was going back to California and all the anxiety of the following week or so.

We then started all the moving around. It reminded me of when the kids were all home and we had 9 cars in the driveway. Everyone had to move to let one out. Matt & Melanie, Jill & Mike, Kevin, and Eric and his family all moved during the summer. Thanks to those who DIDN'T move.

We had a great camp out at Cherry Hill in June when Carrie & Matt announced they were expecting. Really a surprise! We were just calming down from what when Carrie called and announced they were moving back to Utah. We were all excited to have them back in the State with the rest of the family.
Then in August, we were really shocked and surprised when Michael and Kathryn announced they were adopting a sweet little girl. That took days to calm down after that. In November, we go together to celebrate the birthdays and Esther was wearing a new bib that said, “I’m the big sister.” Yep, that’s right, Kathryn was expecting. A real shocker to everyone, even Michael and Kathryn. It’s a good thing they did a really good job on my heart.

Later in the month, Jill had her ear operation and in the first of December, Annette had an eye operation. Not simple ones either. We are glad that each was a success and they are healing well.

The last thing that happened was I lost my best and longest friend, Ellis. He died very suddenly and I will really miss his jokes and all the good times we had together. I had to speak at his funeral and it was a very hard thing to do.

So, we come the Christmas. We ended the year a lot like we started it; with a party. We had a great evening and enjoyed lots of good food and fun with the grand kids. They all got new PJ’s.

I really think that through all that happened this year, we are a very blessed family. I'm glad that I am still here and in good health because I could have missed all of it. Remember these things when you are saying your prayers at night because most of this, if not all, only happened through the divine guidance and intervention of an All Knowing Father. I hope you all have a very Happy New Year and a little calmer one this year.

Once there were three, now there is one

2008-12-09T11:53:00.001-08:00

Today is a very sad and emotional day. I have lost my only real friend. Ellis Austill suddenly passed away yesterday afternoon. We have been ‘best friends’ since second grade. I have known him longer than any other person outside my family.

In High School, there were three of us, Ellis, Don Worlton and myself that were very close. We dated the same girls, did most things together, played Rummy many nights at my house, went on missions the same time and came home about the same time. Don was killed in an accident about 10 years after graduation so that left Ellis and me. Now, there is just me and I today I feel really lonely. We had such great times together. The Austill kids were like my own; they even called me Uncle when they were small. Ellis and I solved many world problems over a soft drink. We had about the same likes and dislikes. I dated his wife first and they introduced me to my wife. He was more like a brother than a friend. We knew all the same jokes and stories. He once said that we had to be friends because we knew too much about each other.

Good bye to a great friend. I will miss you a lot.

Summer's End

2008-11-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

I have always thought that summer's over when the first snow flies. Here in Utah we can have really warm weather until late October or even into November. After today, I guess summer is over. With today's snow and bad driving, Spring has sprung, Fall has fell and Winter is here and it's colder than normal.

This really has been a great Spring, Summer and Fall. It really begins with Easter and the traditional Easter Egg Hunt. Then we have the annual Family Campout. This year it was at Cherry Hill Campground. It was really fun to have the whole family here this year. Carrie shocked us all when she announced they were having a new baby. (#12 grandchild) Almost the next week is the Fourth of July and the sleep over and movie. It was too bad that Matt, Carrie and Roxie could not stay for the 4th. It was great fun.

Then with all the days of grandkid visits, jumping on the tramp with the sprinkler underneath, birthday celebrations (and yes we still sing terrible) and just the good times of summer.

About the end of Summer, Carrie called and said that they were moving home so Matt could work here and finish his schooling. What a great thing to happen. We were all so excited to have them closer!

Then Kathryn and Michael drops the bomb they they are having a new baby in their life. Just a 24 hour pregnancy! And into the family comes Esther Hope. She is a sweet, precious little girl we all love and can't get enough of her. She aced out Carries baby for the 12th spot. Nothing at all wrong with #13, Carrie.

Then, of course, the Halloween Party. This year Kevin won the trophy. His costume was the golf ball in the head. Really original.

I guess the greatest this for me this summer was to be here to enjoy it with the family. I have thought a lot about that over the last 9 months; all the things I would have missed.

Below, is a slide show of some of the things that went on. Can't wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas to have a lot more fun with all of them

Esther Hope McNeilis

2008-07-31T15:28:00.000-07:00

This has been an extremely wonderful, emotional week. Kathryn & Mike announced to the world yesterday that they are adopting a sweet newborn. She is only three days old and we love her already. The entire family is so happy for them and wish them the best. They have been waiting a long time for this blessing. Her name is Esther Hope. Take a minute and view her web site. The link is on the right.

Best Phone Call Ever

2008-07-28T10:38:00.000-07:00

Last night I got the best phone call. Carrie called to say they are moving back to Utah. They will be moving about the last of August. Matt has accepted a job in Sandy so we will have all our family in the State once again. I am so excited to have them back where we can see them more often. California is nice but closer is better.

My Grand Kids

2008-05-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest things about being a grandfather is seeing my grandchildren growing up. You have all seen the bumper sticker that say My grand child is cuter than yours. I won't put it that way, even though it is true, but I have some very special grand kids.

Rather than try to cover all 11 in this post, I will start with the three oldest; Megan, Bridger and Lindsey, all 8 years old and in second grade.

Megan is the oldest, daughter of Lyle and Lauralyn Larsen on American Fork. About three years ago, she started taking violin lessons. At first it did sound a little like screeches and squeaks. As the time went by she got better and better. She now can play a solo for birthdays and she sounds really great.
Last year she auditioned and was accepted to play with a local symphony ensemble the Lyceum Junior Strings that is hosted by The Music School. (www.themusicschool.us) She really has excelled and with the group has played in the concerts, one being held in Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake. We are very proud of her and her achievements.
I have attached an short clip of her last concert. She is the cute blond in the middle.

Bridger is our first grand son and the son of Erick and Annemarie of Lehi. He was born with a very rare heart condition and has to fight bad days and pain from the time he was born. When he was about two, I knew there was something very special about this boy. He could carry on an adult conversation from the time he started to talk. At the end of first grade he could read and pronounce words by sight. We tried to find one he could not pronounce but it was almost impossible. Now in the second grade, he is reading on a fourth grade level. He has read the first five Harry Potter books. We wondered if he was understanding what he reads but when you watch one of the movies with him, he will tell you how it differs from the book. He retains about 90% of what he reads.
Also, if you want a real challenge, play chess or a video game with him. He will beat you most of the time! We expect great things on this young scholar.

Lindsey is our second grand daughter and is the daughter of Ryan and Elyse Schmidt of Lehi. She also has great talents. She is the actor and dancer of the family. She has been in a number of plays, dances and musicals. At Christmas time she danced, along with her little sister Hollyann, in the Nutcracker.

Last month, she played Sandy the dog in the musical Annie Jr. Though she only has a couple of singing lines, she played an extremely good dog. I wish that I could have taken a movie or picture of her in that one but they would not allow cameras. Maybe next time.

She is also taking piano lessons and we are looking forward to hearing her play. She has many other talents that will develop as she grows older.

She just had her first piano recital last Saturday and other than the air conditioner blowing the misuc down, she played very well. She played O Mio Babbino Caro by Puccini. Here is the movie:

Next time, I can start on the other kids. Every one is very special and has fun things they are doing.

Health Update

2008-04-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been almost two months since they split my chest and played with my heart. I recently went to a doctor's appointment and met with the person who administrated the stress test. She said she was very scared that I would not make it out of the room. She said I was very lucky.

As for now, I am doing super. I have returned to work and resumed sort of a normal life, at least normal for a post surgery person. I have almost no pain except when I cough or sneeze. I am starting to gain a little weight back as I lost 25 pounds. I don't want it all back! Exercise more. I feel great; better than I have in years.

We just found out today that the insurance will cover all but about $900 of the $58,000+ hospital bill. Now that was great news. What a great way to start a weekend. (Even if the Jazz lost last night)

Open Heart Surgery

2008-03-06T11:39:00.000-08:00

Those three words are terrifying in them selves. But, when they are said to you, it is very different.
I went in on the 19th of Feb for a stress test which I failed terribly. They said you are not leaving the hospital. They immediately did an angiogram and told me that I needed to have 6-7 bypasses on my heart. The doc said he had a slot the next day and suggested I not wait. What a decision to make in five minutes! Needless to say, I did not sleep much that night.
They operated the next afternoon and did only 6. I spent a week in the hospital and am now home. I am doing super and have had almost no pain at all.
Thanks to my family and friends for their love and support.

Christmas at our house

2007-12-26T15:14:00.001-08:00

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas!!

2007-12-09T13:35:00.000-08:00

I don't think Kansas gets snow like we had this weekend. It started with rain most of the day Saturday and then about 2:00 PM it started to snow. You know, those flakes that are the size of golf balls. Within three hours there was 6" of the white stuff. You don't think I was going out to shovel! This is Utah. Wait until Sunday and the sun will come out and melt it all anyway. That is what is happening. By Monday, it will all be gone. This is about three weeks too early for a White Christmas

About Our Family

2007-11-18T09:11:00.000-08:00

The Whole Family

Lynette and I were married in 1968 and have 10 children. We live in Provo where we have lived all our lives. I work for Doba, in Orem and Lynette works for Intermountain Healthcare. Our family goes camping every June. Last year we were at Payson Lakes. What a lot of fun. Our family is very close and get together often for birthdays, holidays and any other excuse to have fun. When the rest of the kids add their blogs, you will see more pictures and get to know us better.

The Girls

Our oldest child Laura, graduated from BYU in Nursing. She married Lyle Larsen and they have three children; Megan, James and Andrew. Megan and James are both taking violin lessons. Megan, 8, has been asked to place with a group. She is the one in the back. They both are doing very well and learning to play the violin. Lyle is in the National Guard and just returned from 15 months in Iraq. We are very glad to have him home.

Here is a short clip from Megan's recital.

Elyse is married to Ryan Schmidt. They also live in Lehi and have four children. Three girls, Lindsey, Hollyann and Cassie. Their newest is a son, Benjamin Ryan. Pictures on him will follow. Ryan works for Richmond America, currently working Heber.

Kathryn is married to Michael McNeilis and lives in Orem. Both of them are nurses and work at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. They bought an older home in Orem and completely remodeled it themselves. Kathryn loves to help him and can tear out a wall as fast as anyone.

Carrie married Matt Hellewell and are the only ones living out of state. They live in Palo Alto, California where Matt works in the medical instrument research field. They have one daughter, Roxie. Their blog link is posted here.

Jill just married Mike Austad about three weeks ago. She is a registered dietitian and Mike is attending Weber State. We welcome Mike to the family. They live in Syracuse.

The Boys

Mark Graduated from BYU in Electronic Technology and is currently working at IM Flash Technologies. He loves to mountain bike and ski.

Eric and Annemarie live in Lehi. Eric is working with a surveyor company. Annemarie graduated in Culinary Arts. They have three boys, Bridger, Cedar and Dylan. Dylan was born recently and is doing great.

Greg and Annette live in Spanish Fork. They recently added a dog named Molly to their family. Greg works for Nebo School District and oversees all the computers for the district. Annette works for Intermountain Healthcare.

Matthew and Melanie live in Provo. Matthew is an apprentice electrician and Melanie is a receptionist. They have been married a few months. They went to the Carribean on the honeymoon.

Kevin lives in Provo and is studying massage therapy. He will finish his training next spring.