My dad was in town all week. It was a great week- better shown in pictures than in words. Unfortunately I cannot find the cord for our camera. So, this is just a reminder for all of you to check back later this week for some amazing photos.
Happy Sunday!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
The Great Trek
This week our ward celebrated pioneer day a little early by holding a ward trek and picnic. Now, as we were planning this thing we realized that we were not pioneers, that we were thankful for this fact, and that if we had been, most of us probably would have ended up buried alongside the trail before the oxen even needed to stop for a drink. And so it was with these thoughts in mind that we organized "The Great 50 Yard Trek."
Rachel and I got a late start, so most people had already shown up by the time we got there. When we arrived, the first thing we saw was a bunch of people wearing pioneer clothes talking on their cell phones. It turns out that the dirt road we were planning on driving up was too much for some. We had several people spinning their tires in the dust, and one person who actually managed to high-center her vehicle. In true pioneer spirit we called AAA for a tow truck.
Finally, a rescue company was sent (via dune-buggy) to help the rest of us make our way up and over the treacherous pass in our air-conditioned-4-wheel-drive covered wagons. I tell you what, I don't know how those pioneers did it- we had to keep our windows all the way rolled up to keep the dust out and it got pretty stuffy in there. Just imagine doing this across the whole country- those brave men and women must have been tough!
When we finally arrived at the dirt parking lot we unloaded our handcart from the back of someones pickup and loaded it with all of our hot-dog buns. We then put our strongest men at the front, and with the rest of us following behind we trekked down the steep rock-strewn driveway all the way to the lakeside cabin below. This was the place.
The rest of the activity was actually a lot of fun. We had some outdoor games, and the kids loved exploring the surroundings. The location was beautiful and it really made me appreciate (again) where we live. After we got our fill of food we all sat around while some members of our ward told stories of their ancestors who, unlike us, were real pioneers and had to endure some amazing hardships and challenges. It was amazing to see the faith of the people in the stories, and to see the blessings that they received because of it. It was also kind of neat to me that I had never heard of these people or their stories. It really drove home the fact to me that they were ordinary people- and that they each experienced miracles along the way that helped to strengthen and support them when they were most in need.
It also made me think a little bit about my own life, and the lives of my friends and family. In a way, we are all pioneers. Even though we aren't risking our lives along a trail, we are each doing things that are new and sometimes scary to us. We are each trying our best to do what we think is right, and sometimes things don't always happen the way we want them to. But just like the pioneers, the Lord has always been there for us, and if we look back on our lives it is very easy to see the small miracles and tender mercies that have carried us through difficult or challenging times.
We have also been there for each other- just as the pioneers were. Instead of rescue companies with wagons (or ATVs), it is often a phone call of encouragement or a helping hand in a time of need, but these things mean just as much to us as extra men and rations did to the stranded saints. And just like the pioneers of old- we do not have to do this alone! We each lift each other, and hopefully in the end we all reach the same destination and rejoice in one-another's victories- because really it's a shared victory between all of us.
As I think about these things, the words of a primary song come to mind: "You don’t have to push a handcart, leave your family dear, or walk a thousand miles or more to be a pioneer. You do need to have great courage, faith to conquer fear, and work with might for a cause that’s right to be a pioneer."
It's true. And we are doing it. Pretty neat.
...But I'm still glad I don't have to push a handcart.
The brave group.
The Handcart
I'm pretty sure that only the strongest and bravest men were able to carry sun-shades and wear flip-flops.
The trek- With Jackson and his stick to make sure that nobody gets left behind.
Lunch.
This is Donna- our children have adopted her to be their third grandma.
Addy is so stinkin' cute I just can't get over it...and she knows it!
Rachel and I got a late start, so most people had already shown up by the time we got there. When we arrived, the first thing we saw was a bunch of people wearing pioneer clothes talking on their cell phones. It turns out that the dirt road we were planning on driving up was too much for some. We had several people spinning their tires in the dust, and one person who actually managed to high-center her vehicle. In true pioneer spirit we called AAA for a tow truck.
Finally, a rescue company was sent (via dune-buggy) to help the rest of us make our way up and over the treacherous pass in our air-conditioned-4-wheel-drive covered wagons. I tell you what, I don't know how those pioneers did it- we had to keep our windows all the way rolled up to keep the dust out and it got pretty stuffy in there. Just imagine doing this across the whole country- those brave men and women must have been tough!
When we finally arrived at the dirt parking lot we unloaded our handcart from the back of someones pickup and loaded it with all of our hot-dog buns. We then put our strongest men at the front, and with the rest of us following behind we trekked down the steep rock-strewn driveway all the way to the lakeside cabin below. This was the place.
The rest of the activity was actually a lot of fun. We had some outdoor games, and the kids loved exploring the surroundings. The location was beautiful and it really made me appreciate (again) where we live. After we got our fill of food we all sat around while some members of our ward told stories of their ancestors who, unlike us, were real pioneers and had to endure some amazing hardships and challenges. It was amazing to see the faith of the people in the stories, and to see the blessings that they received because of it. It was also kind of neat to me that I had never heard of these people or their stories. It really drove home the fact to me that they were ordinary people- and that they each experienced miracles along the way that helped to strengthen and support them when they were most in need.
It also made me think a little bit about my own life, and the lives of my friends and family. In a way, we are all pioneers. Even though we aren't risking our lives along a trail, we are each doing things that are new and sometimes scary to us. We are each trying our best to do what we think is right, and sometimes things don't always happen the way we want them to. But just like the pioneers, the Lord has always been there for us, and if we look back on our lives it is very easy to see the small miracles and tender mercies that have carried us through difficult or challenging times.
We have also been there for each other- just as the pioneers were. Instead of rescue companies with wagons (or ATVs), it is often a phone call of encouragement or a helping hand in a time of need, but these things mean just as much to us as extra men and rations did to the stranded saints. And just like the pioneers of old- we do not have to do this alone! We each lift each other, and hopefully in the end we all reach the same destination and rejoice in one-another's victories- because really it's a shared victory between all of us.
As I think about these things, the words of a primary song come to mind: "You don’t have to push a handcart, leave your family dear, or walk a thousand miles or more to be a pioneer. You do need to have great courage, faith to conquer fear, and work with might for a cause that’s right to be a pioneer."
It's true. And we are doing it. Pretty neat.
...But I'm still glad I don't have to push a handcart.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
On Friday, Rachel picked me up from work and from there we continued driving out of town and into the mountains. Just over 6 hours later we pulled into the driveway of my parent's home in Rexburg. Allison had also drivn up from Logan and was already there when we arrived. Since then, we have gotten very little sleep, and we've had plenty of fun.
Saturday started out by loading everyone up in the car and driving to Bear World! For those who are unfamiliar with this place, it opened about 10 years ago (give or take) and advertisies itelf as the "original" Yellowstone experiance, with wild animals (including bears) running around your car as you drive, with no fences or anything to hold them back. To create the illusion they purchased some retired circus bears, got some elk from a farm, and rounded up a few other speces from zoos, refuges, and research facilities. They then turned them all lose in a fenced-in area, put a road going through it, and started charging admission. And they do pretty well for themselves.
I freely admit, I scoffed at the idea when I first heard of it. A lot of people did. A lot of people still do. Every time I drove by it I would shake my head at the poor suckers who were being taken in by such an artificial excuse for reality.
And so it was, with a little reluctance, that I drove through the gates of Bear World yesterday as one of those suckers.
But here's the thing- I actually enjoyed it! Because a bear is a bear, and there is still something thrilling about seeing one of these majestic animals just outside of your car window even if it is totally tame. I see it like a zoo, but better. Zoo animals aren't wild, but we still love to go and see them. And I realized the part that really had been rubbing me the wrong way all these years wasn't the experiance itself at all- rather it was the hyped-up advertising. A more honest anvertisement would read as follows: No, these aren't real wild animals, but hey, you're going to get up close and personal with them and they're still pretty darn cool!
Oh- and the kids loved it. Besides the drive-through animal tour, they also have a petting zoo with goats, deer, chickens, and a really ugly pig, and a small area with carnival rides for the kids to go on. We actually spent more time on these things than the "bear encounter" itself. It was fun. I would consider going back again sometime.
After we got back from Bear World, we packed a picnic lunch and went to Smith Park in Rexurg where they have a caraouel and an amazing splash pad for the kids to play on. We spent a good deal of the afternoon there, then came home and hung out in the back yard while my dad made BBQ.
It was a good day.
Today we have had a pretty laid back morning. We will go to church in a few hours, then have dinner and head home.
One of the nice things about living where we do is that we can go on quick trips like this to see family. That's important to us.
Since I couldn't get pictures up last week, these pictures cover a two week span.
Maren found her voice:
The Park:
Fishing:
This is Addy getting in trouble. Rachel was so frusterated that she strapped her to a chair and put her in the bathroom. As you can see by Addy's face, it didn't really phase her. I can tell already that she is going to be our "dicipline" challenge.
Bear World Petting Zoo:
Jackson and Grandpa have become pretty good friends:
Saturday started out by loading everyone up in the car and driving to Bear World! For those who are unfamiliar with this place, it opened about 10 years ago (give or take) and advertisies itelf as the "original" Yellowstone experiance, with wild animals (including bears) running around your car as you drive, with no fences or anything to hold them back. To create the illusion they purchased some retired circus bears, got some elk from a farm, and rounded up a few other speces from zoos, refuges, and research facilities. They then turned them all lose in a fenced-in area, put a road going through it, and started charging admission. And they do pretty well for themselves.
I freely admit, I scoffed at the idea when I first heard of it. A lot of people did. A lot of people still do. Every time I drove by it I would shake my head at the poor suckers who were being taken in by such an artificial excuse for reality.
And so it was, with a little reluctance, that I drove through the gates of Bear World yesterday as one of those suckers.
But here's the thing- I actually enjoyed it! Because a bear is a bear, and there is still something thrilling about seeing one of these majestic animals just outside of your car window even if it is totally tame. I see it like a zoo, but better. Zoo animals aren't wild, but we still love to go and see them. And I realized the part that really had been rubbing me the wrong way all these years wasn't the experiance itself at all- rather it was the hyped-up advertising. A more honest anvertisement would read as follows: No, these aren't real wild animals, but hey, you're going to get up close and personal with them and they're still pretty darn cool!
Oh- and the kids loved it. Besides the drive-through animal tour, they also have a petting zoo with goats, deer, chickens, and a really ugly pig, and a small area with carnival rides for the kids to go on. We actually spent more time on these things than the "bear encounter" itself. It was fun. I would consider going back again sometime.
After we got back from Bear World, we packed a picnic lunch and went to Smith Park in Rexurg where they have a caraouel and an amazing splash pad for the kids to play on. We spent a good deal of the afternoon there, then came home and hung out in the back yard while my dad made BBQ.
It was a good day.
Today we have had a pretty laid back morning. We will go to church in a few hours, then have dinner and head home.
One of the nice things about living where we do is that we can go on quick trips like this to see family. That's important to us.
Since I couldn't get pictures up last week, these pictures cover a two week span.
Maren found her voice:
The Park:
Fishing:
(Jack is so skinny that his pants often fall down if he is running or something. He learns quickly though, and now holds them up when he runs.)
Mowgli
Hiking and Climbing:
(One of my favorite pictures ever)
Bear World Petting Zoo:
(Evelyn named this deer "Fluffy")
Jackson and Grandpa have become pretty good friends:
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