Mt. Graham - a piece of heaven on earth

Subtitle:  Jade at Mt. Graham

Labor Day was spent with the Weech Family on beautiful Mt. Graham at Columbine.  In years past, it has been rainy and cold.  I guess we were in for a treat this year.  It was beautiful, the stars were amazing each night, and we didn't have any rain.  Now, for those in "Tent City", that is always a good thing.  But I think, as we were driving down, we missed the rain...even for a little while.

This is our very own "Tent City" - in back of the cabin where the very brave fight the wild-life, the lack of restrooms and chilly weather to "enjoy" their time on Mt. Graham.  I am always so impressed by the great attitudes of the Karges Family, the DeSpain Family, the young marrieds,  and Mark and Yvette's young family.  They are truly mountain troopers!!

 

Our time spent at Mt. Graham is always a fun, memorable family treat.  This year, we were missing our Aly - who was absent for the first time since she was born.  Also missing was Elder DeSpain, serving in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission.  We welcomed home Kade, who just returned from the England Mission.  No matter who is there, we have fun.  This year marked the first time we went as grandparents.  What a treat that was!  Both Grandpa and myself enjoyed every minute we spent with Jade.  And our amazing picture taker, Jacque, captured some of the best moments we had.  So if there are a "few" pictures of Jade....don't mind them....just scroll on by...if you can!!

Even tho we do the same things each time we are up at Columbine, we enjoy spending time together.  Some things just never change and some traditions live on...and on...and on. Some of my favorite traditions include:

Brad - cooking bacon for breakfast - he is the only one that can do the job right!

Watching new parents show their sweet children all the beautiful things around the cabin

Watching Grandparents enjoy every moment they had with their beautiful, inquisitive grand-daughter

Cousins playing, laughing, talking all night, laughing, spending time together...did I say laughing??

This was a first - napping for our very own energizer bunny!

Motorcycle rides, cousins who WANT rides and cousins who become the drivers at a certain age.  It's a rite of passage and one that all cousins look forward to.  Learning how to ride, driving by themselves, and finally - taking the younger cousins on ride after ride after ride!

While up on Mt. Graham, there are many things to do to relax.  Since there is very little phone access, computer access and deadlines to meet, life slows down a little and memories are created.

This guy is Cindy's 8th kid.  He can last longer than most of the adults and some are younger than Dan!  He pitches the ball for hours and plays "Dead or Alive" until the younger ones can't play any longer.

Yes, that is Jenny wacking one outfield!

Did Jacque catch that one??

Card games are a staple, and every group - young and old - play.  No fights, no bad sportsmanship, just fun, laughs, and good times for all.

Grandma trying to relax a little!

How did another picture of Jade get in this blog??

Our Sunday meetings were quite large this holiday.  Maybe because the weather was just about perfect, or the last holiday before fall - whatever the reason, there were about 300 in attendance.  From the moment the sacrament was prepared, you could feel a special spirit that touched each of us thru-out the meeting.  I always have my testimony strengthened by those who share their thoughts and feelings, and this meeting was no different.  I can't imagine a better place to be on a beautiful Sabbath morning.

This year, while I was teaching the YW's, Aunt Roxanne enlisted the help of the "older" group for the Primary. Here, we have Tyler helping the younger ones sing "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam". Only Tyler could make everyone laugh and sing. He probably had as much fun as the kids!

And then there is Kade pretending to be King Darius, and commanding the children that they couldn't pray.

Uh...Kade....you sure you got the story right??

We even had a real life Daniel who taught the children to have courage and pray!

      What a fun Primary!!

And what is Labor Day without the yearly "hike down the mountains that won't take very long".  Each year, Daryl promises that THIS hike will be better, shorter...something!  The brave souls, once again, believed Uncle Daryl when he said it would be a "short hike of 3-4 miles" off the west end of the mountain.  8 miles later.....8 miles later, they were all very tired...but happy to be home and headed for a nice shower!

Until next time - see ya!!  LOVE TO ALL!!

Tyler's Birthday

Today is Tyler's birthday - 25 years old - a 1/4 of a century - and our youngest son.  I wanted to let him know (and those who read my little blog) how much I love this son of mine.  I realize that he isn't the cute little guy that use to cause a little lot havoc and then smile that gorgeous smile with the twinkle in his eye. 

He isn't a teenager playing games with friends and again...having WAY too much fun.  He still has a smile that makes everyone laugh, the twinkle in his eye, and a love for all the good in life. 

But in this past year, Tyler has become a proud and doting father.  He is already a loving husband, a hard worker, a wonderful provider, and a strength to his family. He is always able to make us laugh, share his love, and make those around him feel good. 

As your kids are growing up, struggling to find their place, and becoming the person our Father intended them to become, we can only pray they reach their divine potential.  We are so blessed to have this young man as our son. I count him as one of my best blessings.  I hope he knows how much I love him and his darling family!!

Happy Birthday Tyler!!!

Jade

Jacque was able to capture a few pictures of Jade a few days ago as she nibbled on a cracker.  We love the "faces of Jade".  She is so expressionable and full of personality.  She even has a few tongue tricks that keep us laughing.

Few things make us more happy than having Jade over to "entertain" us.  Tyler and Jenny stopped over Sunday evening to visit Grandpa who had to miss Sunday dinner to prepare for an upcoming trial.  Jade had just taken an impromptu bath due to.....well, let's just say.....she had an accident.  The following video shows how much fun we can have with this darling grand-daughter of ours.

Aly-ism's

I had no idea that my daughter was a stand-up comedian.  We have been able to chat with her a few times, and her e-mails are full of her witty remarks, comparisons, and over-all good humor....even when things aren't so good.  So....  I've decided to share her one-line zingers when they come along so that I will have them recorded and when I need a happy thought....I will have these to laugh about.

Aly-ism #1 - In one of her first e-mails, she was telling us all about the sites and everything she was experiencing on her "vacation" before school started.  My favorite line? 
"I've been taking pictures like a Chinese man at Disneyland"

Aly-isms #2 - Today, I was able to chat with her for a bit.  She is a little under the weather as her body adjusts to the food.  The food......  not what she expected.  Her comparison??
"I was expecting Gecko heaven and instead, got Seranos gone bad."

Hopefully she can adjust.  They are close to meeting their families...what an experience!!

Saying Good-bye is Hard

The time has finally come.  We have known about this for over a year.  Aly has planned her school and social life around this event.  But the time to say good-bye came a bit fast for this mom.  For the last two weeks, Aly and I have been thru every to-do list, cleaned out her closet, cleaned out the school supplies area, bought a laptop (with the help of her brother, Aaron), bought a pocketknife and practiced flipping it out and closing it without any mishaps, and finally...said good-bye to all her friends and family.  Aly is going to Tehuacan, Mexico (pronounced tay-WA-cahn) to teach English and have the experience of a lifetime.  For the first week, she is touring such places as the Palenque Ruins, boating down the Usumacinta River to some more ruins and frolicking in some massive waterfalls.  She will see both the Villahermosa Mexico Temple and the Tuxtla Guttierrez Mexico Temple, and I'm sure many other wonderful things.

Our family went to dinner for her last FHE.  (See previous post).  We had a wonderful time at Outback Steakhouse.  Brad, myself, Aaron, Savannah, Tyler, Jenny, Jade, Jacque, and our photographer for the evening - Amber - all enjoyed ourselves.

Wednesday evening we had a Mexican Farewell Party.  Aly had invited everyone thru FaceBook....where else could you get the word out so quickly.  We also let our family know about it.  She told me "maybe 10 people will show".  I planned for a few more and was very glad I did.  From 7:30 p.m. to midnight, we had family and friends come over and express their love for Aly.  We had a blast.  She had a blast....but saying good-bye was STILL hard! Sorry we didn't get pictures of everyone who came and expressed their support and love to Aly.

with cousin Leah, friends Coe, Britney, and Dani

Cousins Chantz and 1/2 of Clay...and another un-named friend!

Sisters Jenny and Savannah and almost sister Nicki

laptop guru - Aaron

Grammy giving a good hug!

Even in her PJ's - Jade is the cutest thing around!

This party NEVER ended!

With her YW's leader - Kelly Schaub - and friend Tara

Close friend Britney

Thursday morning, bright and early, we - Jacque, myself, Britney, and Justin - headed to the airport with Aly and her luggage, which was basically her life for the next 4 1/2 months.  Aly had condensed her famous, stylish wardrobe into one large suitcase.....and limited herself to 1 pair of heels...for the whole trip!!!  The below picture showed how many shoes she WANTED to take...we ended up taking 3 of those pairs!  For those who know Aly...THAT was a sacrifice.  I was impressed that we got all her clothes into one bag.  What was in the other bag?  The 2nd large suitcase was filled with school supplies the teachers were asked to bring.  The carry-on held her belongings that she would need while "touring" the first week she arrived.  One measly little carry-on...for a whole week.  We are talking basics.  We did it and had a few pounds to spare!  Of course, she had a back-pack with her lap-top and a few more necessary items of importance!

It was a VERY quiet ride back home after leaving her at the security gates.  No one wanted to say much....tears quite close to the surface. 

 I wish I would have taken a picture of all the love notes everyone sent.  She was touched and couldn't wait to open "just one".  She has the best family and friends!!

A Lesson in Obedience

A while back, our Stake President asked if each family would go out to the future temple site in Gilbert and take a family picture wearing white shirts.  As Aly's trip to Mexico loomed closer and closer, I realized that we were running out of time.  So, the Monday before she left, August 9th, we asked our family to gather at the temple site for a picture.

Yes, it was hot.

Yes, we had to look into that great glorious sun.

And Yes...it was a quick "family shoot". 

The funny thing is, when the letter was read in church - Brad, Aaron, and Savannah were not there to hear this request from our leaders.  So they wondered "why"....we all did.  I'm sure it is for posterity and such...but my simple answer was "obedience"...."We were asked to".  And I also realized that no matter what age your kids are....they still ask.... "WHY??"