August Antics

 We were able to have our P-Day on a day when Langston and Mazin were playing in a soccer tournament in Park City. Amie was Asst. Coach for Langston's team and Head Coach for Mazin's team. We got to watch them both play in their semi-final games and then watched Langston take 1st place in his age-division and Mazin take 2nd in his age-division. Way to go guys!!  

Our whole mission had a nice dinner at "Moose Lodge" in the Timberlake area, just northeast of our camp. The lodge overlooks the lake that's part of HVC. The Evans family that owns the lake provides the meat and we provide salads, rolls, and dessert. The lodge has a big swimming pool, can sleep 60+ people and is HUGE!! The view is also amazing and with the lake below it gives it the finishing touch. We met some of the members of the Evans family and they made us feel at home in their beautiful lodge. 

Elder Hansen got up at 3:30am to head-out to go fishing at Strawberry Reservoir with Elder Raker, Elder Landeen, Elder Dye and a friend of Elder Dyes who provided the boat that they fished from.  They saw the sunrise while on the water and probably caught around 20 rainbow and cut-throat fish but only kept 10 to divide among them.  This outing made Elder Hansens day.

Our Zone had its last Safety Meeting together. We me at the Pavillion at the Church at the bottom of the mountain and were given our certificates of completion from CLAS Ropes. Dale got a rescue certificate for his extra efforts.  

We also got our District pictures taken while we were together. What a great group of dedicated missionaries we serve with. I feel blessed to be able to serve with all of these missionaries.

For a P-Day we went to the Lindon Temple and did sealings. As we walked in the temple and out of the temple there were couples and families that were getting pictures taken due to sealings happening there. It was a buzz of love and laughter. 

Amie pulled the Hansen Clan together at HVC for the annual Hansen Reunion that she was over this year. We had all but Lindsay, Eloise, and Nora attend. Elder Hansen and I met Nate and Diana at the Welcome Gate and got them to Abish Camp where our group would be staying. They got unloaded and we loaded up in the Jeep they rented and took them on a quick tour of the camp. Then Andrew, Titan and Arwyn showed up. We got them unloaded and then Amie's group arrived and we got them unloaded. We played 9 square and volleyball and then Danica's crew arrived. We ate and as we were about to eat Garretts crew arrived.  Danica taught us a new game, Mahjong, which the gals got into when they could. 

We ate and then loaded up as many as we could in Andrew's Suburban and we showed them the two courses that we work at and where the Theme walk was so they'd know how to get around. After dinner, we all gathered at the beginning of the "Walk with Me" theme walk and went on that. It got done late, so we back to our trailer and they went to Camp Abish.

The HVC Theme Walk is a 1.5 mile night walk through mountain terrain within the HVC grounds.  Participants wear headphones to listen to inspirational audio and music while walking through a lighted trail on the mountain, in the dark. It is designed as a sacred, individual journey centered on the "Walk with Me" theme to help participants feel Jesus Christ walking beside them. 

Day 2: With this day being Sunday, Dale and I went to Choir practice because we were singing with the choir in Sac. Mtg. Those that wanted, went to Sac. Mtg. at the outdoor pavilion by Camp Abish. Jaxson and Langston got to pass the sacrament. It was nice having family among us during this meeting. Sometimes during our meeting, we'll see deer walk by or squirrels scurry around. It's a beautiful setting for our Sacrament Meeting.

Me, Sis. Jerman, and Sis. Frank after choir practice. We didn't all plan to wear blue, but doesn't it look nice?

We changed and went to the lower challenge course for some family/team building activities on CC4. We broke into teams and worked together to climb over walls, to play blind tag, to balance on a log, and to get our team from one point to another on a rope swing. We all had fun and went back to Abish camp for lunch and more games. Nate and Diana had to leave so they could be back to Washington for work on Mon. which is his day for surgeries. It was nice of them to come and be with us even though it was a short visit. 

Low course group activities included climbing over a wall, balancing on a log, Blind tag, and a Shark Island activity. We worked together in teams to accomplish different tasks. It was fun for all. 

At camp we saw quite a few deer in and out of camp. It is such a pretty area. 

Day 3: After breakfast the group gathered at CC6, which is the climbing wall that Elder Hansen and I work at. We had the course to ourselves, and we worked it for them. It was fun seeing all that wanted to try the wall. Some made it to the top and some didn't, but all showed great effort.  All that climbed gave it what they could. There was a sandbox that Danica's two little ones could play in which made it nice for them too.

              

         

   

 

After the wall, we worked with another group on the CC6 wall, while the kids played more outdoor games and then we went and had lunch with the group and walked around the lake. It was neat seeing how the beavers gnaw the wood to fall trees and make their dams. So pretty. The kids loved playing in the sand too.

 

                         

Then the kids met us at CC4, a high adventure rope course that we work at, and Elder Hansen and I worked on the course. Again, we had the course to ourselves, which made it nice. I worked on the Zip line on level 1 and Elder Hansen worked on the level 1 Tower 1 so that we could visit with and help them get around on the course. They all got to do all that they wanted to and had a good time. Again, Danica's two little ones played in the sandbox and were content there while all climbed. 

Me heading over to the Zip-line

Above left: Garrett did a flip on the course, trying to take the rope challenge. All went well though, but it looked a bit scary to me!! 

Again, we worked at CC4 for another group and them we met up with the kids at the Tomahawk Toss and gave that a try. Elder Hansen ended up being the winner of our family tomahawk tournament, but in my eyes, all were winners for giving it a try. 

We then met for dinner and played games after.  Andrew, Titan, and Arwyn left to head back to St. George so the kids could get to Back to School Night before the first day of school, and Danica's crew left because Jason had to give a presentation for work at a conference in Seattle, WA and they were leaving the next day for that.  That left Garrett and Amie's family at the camp, so we taught them our camp game, Marbles, and played our family favorite, Pounce to end the evening. 

Jorie, Arwyn & Luke playing together in some down time at the camp.

Day 4: The Mallory's and Garrett's family went and played on CC2, and CC1. We worked on CC4 for two groups and then met up with them at CC1 and got to see them climb the swinging log, cross over on a cable/wire and go down the zip-line. All had a good time. 

  

They gathered up their things, and we helped them get their cabins cleaned up. We ate left-overs for lunch, and they headed home and we headed back on CC4 for course work. It was nice to have the family here. I think all had a good time. 

The cool thing about this camp is how we tie everything into how Christ walks with you and is always there with you. On the climbing wall, on the low course, on the high adventure courses, and you feel his love as you see the beauty of the area with the lake and the animals wandering around. We truly do walk with Christ daily here. Thanks, Amie, for planning this for our family. I know it got crazy at times with the system failing and not letting us get what we wanted, but you made it work. We feel so blessed that we could have our kids together for a time. We love them all!

Two weeks after the reunion, we were able to visit the Hassell's on our P-Day. We needed to pick up a banner that Danica had made for us to use for our CC4 course Fun Day. We try to get in visits with the kids that are closer to us when we can. 

One night while serving on the walk, Elder Hansen and I were assigned to work at Station 2. It's closer to the beginning of the walk. While we were setting up my nephew, Ryan Petersen came up to us and gave me a big hug! It was nice to see and visit with him. He was going through the walk with the youth in his ward. 

We were also with our District in line to see the new Temple Square Visitor's Center addition on temples and while we were in line, one of my California cousins, Steve Thomson, and his wife, Julia, walked by us. We saw each other and said, "Hey, you're my cousin!" They were in the area visiting their kids that live in Utah and stopped to see the new addition too. We let them join us in line and we got in a good visit. They said they are considering a mission, so we told them how great serving at HVC was and encouraged them to look into it. It was sure great to see them, and I don't think it was a coincidence either.  Time will tell; I guess. Another reason why serving a mission is so great, you run into people you haven't seen in over 15 years!!

      

  

 

We had some thunder, lightning, and rain quit a bit. When we're on the high challenge course or the climbing wall, we need to have everyone get down when there's lightning within 5 miles of camp. We were with a family on CC4, and we'd get up to start having them climb and we'd get notice of lightning 3 different times! They huddled under a tarp when it rained hard and sang and played games when it was lightly raining or while waiting to get the ok to go back up. Ture sports, and fun to work with. We were all cheers when they could go up and stay up!!

Our mission had a Western Night, where we put on our "western wear" and had chili, salads, rolls, and cake before listening to the Charley Jenkins Band. Charley is from Roosevelt, UT and started making a name for himself after appearing on American Idol. He's opened for George Strait, Taylor Swift, and Reba McIntire. He also did a concert at Cherry Peak, in Richmond, UT! That's close to home. We were pleasantly entertained. One of the missionaries serving at the camp knew him and lined him up to come.  It was a fun evening.

After school starts for the youth, things slow down more at camp. We have each Zone do a Fun Day where all the missionaries can try out the courses or Tomahawk Toss, the Lake or what the mountain has to offer. 

We missed CC3's Fun Day due to our reunion, we were the week after. Our theme for CC6 was "A Rocky Mountain Christmas". We put snow and Santa at the top of the climbing wall, put up lights, wreaths, snowmen, and Danica made a sign showing the theme. Christmas music was playing and we'd stop and sing Christmas songs on the hour. We had snow cones, cookies, milk, carrots for reindeer food, and whoppers for reindeer droppings. IT was a fun, festive time on the wall.

Our District in the middle, Sis. Henderson (L) and Sis. Boren (R) with me 

After our Fun Day the Camp Hosts from Reeder put on their camp skit for us at the Reeder Amphitheater. Crazy fun!

Districts 1, 2, and 4 also did Fun Days on CC3, CC5, CC7 and CC2.  The Lake Zone hosted a "Toes in the Sand" fun day too. We also got to go to the Camp Services Fun Day by going to the Tomahawk Toss. We missed CC3's fun day due to a course assignment, but we caught the others. 

CC5's Jump, Jive & Swing Fun Day! 

I touched the tree twice!!

CC7's Starley's Angels 

Camp Services Tomahawk Toss Fun Day - I won the round for the Tomahawk toss tournament!

CC2's Fun Day "Trailer Trash Bash" and the Lake Zones "Toes in the Sand" Fun Day

Skits from Reeder, Sariah, Smith, and Abish Camp Hosts

The High challenge course we work on, CC4 also did our Fun Day, "California Cruisin'. We named it that because it's the only challenge course that has wakeboards that you walk on hanging across the course. We had inflatable beach balls sitting out so that those there could play volleyball under the course, let those attending the course go fishing, and served snow cones and nachos w/cheese for snacking, as those that wanted to, climbed on the course.  It was a fun day for all. 

Our District 

Pres. Pitcher fishing with Elder Hansen & Elder Allen enjoying the sunshine

Sis. Hansen w/ the camps Elder Whoops and the sign that Danica made for us

Sis. Dye & Sis. Clark manning the sno=cones, Elder Taylor surfing and Lifeguarding, Sis. Allen at the Zip Line

After our Fun Day the Camps Host for Snow did their skit for the group. 

We have a missionary couple, the Young's, whose son is the head basketball coach for BYU. Kevin Young came and shared with us his road to become the head coach. His dad, Elder Young, did a question-and-answer type deal and then opened it up to those in the congregation. It was a great way to see what goes on in the life of a university coach. 

Our district also moved the climbing wall on CC6 due to having a new Challenge Course getting built there. The camp will have two new courses in Apr. 2027 for guests to use. 

We had a bit of excitement at Camp; a bear got into three fridges that were outside some of the missionary's trailers. The first time the bear hit two trailers in our camp and then the second time a camp across the street from us got hit. The DWR set up a trap behind our trailer and caught it early in the morning about 5 days later. We are looking for bears more. 

  

We had some rain and cooler temps, but it's been a month that has flown by! I got a cool picture of some low clouds with the mountains. It's sure a beautiful place to call home right now. 

Nate celebrated his 44th birthday this month! Danica threw him a pool party and later he and Diana headed to the mountains and got in a climb to celebrate. Happy Birthday Nate! We love you! We also got to celebrate with him when he was at Camp with us for the family reunion that was at HVC. 

         

At the end of the month they headed to Italy, their goal is to climb the Dolomite mountain range there. I'm adding pictures from Day 1 of their journey. More of this trip will continue next month. It sure looks pretty, doesn't it?

The Mallory's had everyone in their family begin school in one way or another. Matt started up again working full-time as a counselor at Heritage Elementary, Jaxson started school Utah State University, Kennlyn is now a Senior at Ridgeline High School, Langston started 8th grade at Spring Creek middle school, and Mazin is in 5th grade at Providence Elementary! Amie stepped away from being over Cherry Creek Ski Resorts ski school and is learning the ropes at how to be a travel advisor. I'd say they know how to keep learning!

Kennlyn also celebrated her 18th birthday this month. They had an outdoor game party at our house and played sand volleyball, Kube, and Spike Ball. Amie and Matt held the fort down during the party.

Happy Birthday Kennlyn! We love you!!

She also got asked to her schools Homecoming Dance! That was a clever way to ask her to it. He's one lucky guy if she says yes :)

Andrew's crew started school earlier than the other grandkids due to them living in St. George. Titan started 10th grade as a Freshman, Eloise is in 8th grade, Nora and Arwyn are in 4th grade. Titan's also learning how to drive since he started school being 15 already. Crazy, huh?

Garrett's been taking Pilot lessons to become a certified pilot. He's improving each lesson, thanks to his patient instructor. He shared this on his Facebook page ---

His kids started school a few days earlier than the Mallory's. Jorie's in 6th grade and Luke's in 5th grade. Luke also tried out for their school musical and made the lead part. He'll be playing the part of Aladdin in November. Way to go Luke!

Jason, Danica's hubby, got asked to make a presentation at a Guild Conference in Seattle, WA. 

Danica went with Jason and they were able to hang out with Nate and Diana some. Danica got in a hike with Diana in Tiger Mountain, and they were all able to go out to eat and visit some.

June and Brooks started tumbling and pre-school. They both love it and I'm sure mom does too seeing them learn and grow.

   

In our local news we have had a few fires flare up, one in Green Canyon that got put out quickly and one at the mouth of Logan Canyon that spread fast and caused damage to a home and some cars, luckily no one was injured. Here's some info. from news articles about it: 

We also had a black bear show up in Logan Canyon, which got caught in Nibley!! I'm sure the hot temperatures they've had, with the fires, and no rain has pushed them the animals down. 

 In Camp we've gotten some hot days but also have had rain and no big fires around us. There was a big one in Henefer, though. 

This month, the average price for regular gas was $4.06 per gallon, up 3.2% from July. In Heber City, where we are it's been around $4.98 to $4.73 per gallon. Diesel is around $0.69 higher. It's a good thing that we drive our "Buggys" around camp all the time. The mission pays for that gas. We pay for the gas we use when we drive our truck. 

I guess we'll see what next month brings to the mountain. That's the antics that happened this month.