High Aventure

This last week was the ward/troop annual High Adventure. This year we went to "Camp Owens". There is no such place is you do an internet search but this is what the young men call it. One of the leaders owns property near Sacramento that allows us to camp. It's rural and on the Sacramento river. It providers different activities for the young men. Such as:

Paint ball wars. They were up before 7am (which is quite unusual for this age group) to play a few hours of paint ball wars.


After a breakfast, (eggs, bacon, pancakes and hashbrowns the first day; breakfast burritos; and All-In-One [a dutch oven meal]), they did other activities such as tubing on the river. After a few laps they would eventually be thrown off from the centrifugal force.


Dinners were a feast as well. We had In-N-Out style hamburgers (veggie burgers for Clark); a dutch oven feast consisting of BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, Hungry Jack casserole and potatoes; then ribs, Rib Eye steak with baked potatoes. The photo below was the Neanderthal (Cave man) dinner consisting of Spaghetti with meat balls, Ranch dressing salad and bread. This was eaten without utensils off the table. It's obvious the mom's weren't here!!!



The uneaten food didn't go to waste. It became art work. I believe this was a VanGough attempt at their girl friend.

It was also a "J" for Jarrod and "A" for Adam (though not shown)

On the river was a rope swing.

Jarrod is showing off his new hair do. Actually, this was bending over with his head in the water and flipping is up.

The kids went to bed at 10pm each night (on their own). The leaders stayed up and sang "Oldies but Goodies" from the '70s around the campfire.

Other activities included swimming in the river, fishing by boat in a catch and release pond, and canoeing. They also shot .22 rifle, .22 pistol, archery and 12 gauge skeet shooting.

The young men a great time. The leaders all returned 5-10 pounds heavier.

Channing ..... Wilbur - (maybe)

We visited Josh and Hayley's baby today. We saw Josh and Hayley when we were there too. They aren't solid on a name yet but they like Channing as the first name. It's Josh and Rick's middle name. It comes from Rick's side. It was the first name of his grandfather. His grandfather was 11 of 12. They were having problems thinking of a name. The doctor that delivered was Dr. Channing. So they used it. That's the family story anyway.

They had a difficult time last night. The baby was up most the night. Welcome to the world of parenthood. The hospital was resisting to give anything other than nursing. At 3am they finally insisted. He ate and slept. What goes around comes around. We had the same experience with Joshua. He came out hungry. These photos were taken at 7:30pm on Sunday - 1.5 days old. He was considerably more alert with his eyes open. The full collection is on the Picasa site.



Hayley's parents drove from Utah yesterday to be here with her. Her sister and husband live in the area. So there will be lots of support. The hospital was nice. Josh has stayed with her the entire time. He is sitting on the chair that folds out to a bed.The swelling on his face is going down.


His bullet head isn't as large either.

Baby Josh/Hayley is HERE!!

Josh announced last night (July 12th) about 11 pm that Hayley was starting labor. They went to the hospital about 1:30. She delivered at 5:29am a beautiful 7 pound 6 ounce, 19 inch boy. Both mom and baby are doing fine. His Apgar was 9.9 (out of a possible 10). However, there was a complication; he has a bullet head. Nathan had a similar cone head and turned out great. The timing was perfect. Alyssa and Ben leave early tomorrow morning to return to Utah and Jarrod and I will be gone all next week camping. When they went to the hospital, we went back to bed. Sue woke up at 5:38 and called to see the progress. Hayley had just delivered. Sue is connected! We were able to visit them just after 8 am when these photos were taken. See the complete group at our Picasa site.




It might be the swelling fom birth or the Hawaiian Islands air and water but he looks Asian.

Mom and Grandma. If Hayley wasn't in the bed wearing a gown, you won't know she was the recent mother. She looks great!


Ben and Alyssa came by the hospital while Ron watched Bella.





Josh and Hayley have no idea what they are in for but with all the trails and hard work there are tremendous blessings - such as this!!!

Josh & Hayley here

Josh and Hayley moved from Hawaii to our home on the first of the month. Just after here, lady's from the ward hosted a baby shower for Hayley. It was very nice and much appreciated.Her sister lives an hour away and was able to be here for the shower. This is the review of the gifts.

One month to go!

Trip to UT

Sue's Dad was in Provo for the month of June. They've been in Florida taking care of Nancy's mother since August. Sue and Jarrod drove up for a few days to see them. While there, they drove to Logan to see Nathan's family. They took the camera but only took a few photos - mostly of a hike they took above Logan.


This was the best of Sue and Tyler

May Wrap Up

May came and went. This is an attempt at wrapping up the month. We just didn't take time to post on the blog. Dan, Jen's brother, was married, so Nathan and his family were down from school. Nathan could only stay a week. Jen and kids were in OC until the end of the month. I was great to have them here. We look forward to them moving here in August.

While here, we took an afternoon at Irvine park. We had a picnic lunch, played on the swings and road a train. Nathan's blog has some shots from the train. This is Kate on the slides.



Two cute girls on a picnic.
Sue received the traditional breakfast in bed. It's awkward to eat in bed and we need to hurry for church at 9am, but it's tradition.
The church put on a talent/variety show. Sue and some friends did a 50's lip-synch. The song was "Kissing and a huggin' with Fred". Fred (in black) is the Bishop. It's ok since his wife in second from the right.


Tyler likes Cinnamon graham crackers.

Katelynn showing her ballerina outfit.
Grandpa with Tyler.



Josh and Hayley arrived in California on the 30th. They will be living with us while Josh goes to Cal State Fullerton for an MBA. We spent Sunday afternoon with my brother Steve.

Jarrod's Alternative Prom

The Church puts on a Formal Prom night for the youth as a clean alternative to the High School Dances. Prior to the dance, the dinner for Jarrod's group was at our house.

This is a photo of the group (minus 1 couple).


The parents served the dinner. They had salad, their choice of Filet Minion or Chicken with broccoli, potatoes, and watermelon. Sesame seed lemon cake for desert. We didn't hear any complaints.
The master chef!!

After the dance, it is traditional to do something fun. They decided to have a food fight. While at the dance, the parents bought and prepared the food. It was ketchup, maple syrup, whipping cream, flour, oatmeal, Coco puffs, tapioca pudding, marshmallows, Capri Sun drinks, Mentos and Soda.

This is what they looked like before.
This is the after. Yes, lots of plastic on the car seats.




Our latest project included installing new cabinets in the laundry room.