May Milestones

Andrew took some time away from his busy routine and came and helped Dale get the front window well in. It got a bit tricky because it was a tight area they were working in, but they did it, and it looks great! It sure is nice having family around that's willing to help their old dad out when it's needed. Thanks, Andrew!

Then Dale got busy and got the majority of the bricks put back in so we have our front area looking nice again. 

Dale also got the garden all tilled up with his new tiller and we got the garden planted. This is probably the earliest that we've ever had the garden in. 

I got all the outdoor pots planted earlier than I've ever done as well. With more things we've been putting off getting done around here and some things done earlier, it's pretty nice. Maybe we can thank the coronavirus for this?

Amie and Danica planned my Mother's Day weekend for me again this year. We met at Amie's and got massages from Matt (who gives them to Amie and the kids all the time), and then we got take-out at Noodles and Co. and ate it at our house. We watched a show and did facials and pedicures (with the Foot Spa that Danica had given me for my birthday), talked, laughed, and around 2:00am we all climbed into our bed and talked a bit more until we all decided it was time to close our eyes. We woke up and went to Kneaders for breakfast and more visiting and then we all headed home. I felt pretty special and loved much.

We hosted dinner and "Home Church" here for Mother's Day. Dale headed the gospel discussion on Abinadi, repentance, and how we can stand for truth, even when we stand alone. After "church", the guys did up some Dutch Oven potatoes and we had Smoked Brisket and salads, rolls, and Rhubarb crunch with ice cream for dessert in honor of my mom. The Mallory's ate with us and the kids sang a Mother's Day song for Amie and I at the close of church. Andrew's family joined us for dessert and lawn games.

Garrett posted a song he'd written for me on Facebook on Mother's Day that was pretty special. He's pretty talented in that area.

The rest of what he wrote said..."So these lyrics were inspired by that. Love YOU more Mom! Happy Mother's Day!! A great way to top off a great day. Thanks Garrett, love you more.

The Maple Springs Retirement Center where Dale's mom is living hosted a family parade for those living there. Our family all jumped into the back of our truck and we held up signs that said "We love you" and sang "You are my Sunshine" as we looped around the Center a couple of times and waved and blew kisses to Mom Hansen. She looks good, and it was great to actually get to see her. Due to the pandemic, they haven't allowed any visitors in the center, so it's been two months since we've seen her. I think we put a few smiles on the residents faces. 

Another milestone, our family was in a parade together and we had 13 people in the truck!!

With the state opening up most of the state to the yellow phase, we are able to get together in groups less than 50, but still use caution as necessary. 

Dale and I invited our friends, Mike and Kathy Bullen, over for pizza, to visit, and play games. We got talking and ended up not playing any games because it was so good to get together and catch up and just visit. I'm sure we'll do this again.

We went to Luke's Birthday parade in South Weber and used the truck again for family to get in. We held up "Happy Birthday" and "We love you" signs and sang "Happy Birthday" and gave our gift  to Luke for his birthday.  They handed out cotton candy to those that drove by. Luke turned 3 years old.

After spending time with Garrett and Zandra and the kids for a little while, we met up with the Mallory's and Andrew's family and went on a hike up Ogden Canyon on the Adams trail to go to a waterfall. It was a pretty hike and you could see the Weber county area all around. It was longer than we though it would be so, Andrew w/Nora, Matt, Titan, Eloise, Langston, and Dale w/Arwyn, and Jaxson all made it to the falls. The rest of us trickled out as it got steeper. It was a good time tough and great to be outdoors. A lot of people were on the trail with us too. I think we're all just glad we have some good weather so that we can get out and enjoy it after being cooped up because of the pandemic. 

For Memorial Day we had the Mallory's and Andrew's family over for grilled hamburgers with all the fixings, chips, salads, and fruit, with ice cream "creamies" for dessert. Then we held "Home Church" and Andrew headed up our gospel discussion about gaining a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After that the kids painted rocks to be put by the graves of their great grand-parents, and great-great grandparents.

Then we loaded up and visited the graves and put our flowers, decorations, and rocks at the graves to honor those we miss and love.

The Hyde Park Lion's Club didn't hold their annual Memorial Day Pancake breakfast this year because of the pandemic, so we weren't jolted awake by the cannons that they set off to honor those who lost their lives for our country. I think this is the first time the breakfast has been canceled  since they started doing one. They did say they'd be doing one around Veterans Day instead.

With the breakfast canceled, we met up with the Mallory's and had breakfast at Black Bear Diner in Providence. This is the first restaurant we've eaten in since the pandemic started. It was different, the staff wears masks over their nose and mouth, and the patrons are sat at tables at least 6ft. apart. It was good to get out and feel somewhat back to normal though.

After we ate, we went to the marshes along the valley view highway and went kayaking with them. It was a beautiful day and felt good to be out in the sunshine. We soaked in the beauty of the Wellsville mountains and the good company. 

We got another project started that we've been meaning to do. Our driveway has acquired some pretty good cracks in the cement due to water getting under it and then freezing and the weight of the vehicles driving on it. We decided to pay a company to tear up the driveway and put in a new one. It will look nice when it gets done.

We got a few real cold mornings, but we also got some nice sunny days. The garden wasn't hurt from the cold, but the grass took a hit when it got Killz-All on it instead of Weed Killer, but not lawn killer. The lawn got pretty yellowish, brown looking. It has COVID-19!!

After reading up on lawns we decided we'd try using a power thatcher to get all of the dead grass out and then put seed on the lawn. Then Dale swept it up with the sweeper attached to the 4-wheeler and dumped the dead grass out in our field to the side of our house.

We're hoping this works to bring it back to less weeds and green lawn again. Time will tell, but a little TLC and water can't hurt. Live and learn.

Nate's been creating his own projects and making a few milestones himself. He's always trying to see new territory or challenge himself with a new climb or run. He and some buddies hiked up to the top of a mountain in the Henry N. Jackson Wilderness area in his state of Washington and got there in time to see the incredible sunset. The climb took a lot of work, but they found an amazing bivy (A shelter that is usually of a temporary nature, used by persons engaged in backpacking, scouting or mountain climbing),  to stay and attack another day. Beautiful!!

He also put together a You Tube movie (the link is--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVFUKPFRUss) about his outdoor adventures with his three buddies that call themselves the Big Mountain Boys. It covers their 2018-19 trips and has music and shows the thrills and defeats they've been through. Nate may have another hobby to keep him busy by making these. Great way to keep those memories and accomplishment alive. 

Amie and Matt have been keeping busy by getting more projects done around their house. They decided to pull up their carpet and put in new flooring in their kitchen area, dining area, living room area, stairs and hallway.

This was another big project and a milestone because they've never laid wood flooring by themselves. They did get some help from Andrew and Dale with some of it, but for the most part it was their deal. Pretty nice deal too. They got a new kitchen table, as well as the carpet in. I'm sure they'll be enjoying this for quite awhile. Looks nice. What project next? 

With our area now in the yellow phase for the pandemic, we are allowed to start sports with social distance guidelines in force, so Jaxson and Kennlyn started soccer practice with their competitive teams to get ready for the fall season. 

Kennlyn has also done some biking up Providence Canyon with Amie and a friend to stay in shape, and Matt's been walking Lucky. Matt and Amie went on a kayaking date on the marshes by the valley view highway,  and while they were there they saw a bald eagle up close.

Having good weather helps with our spirits that's for sure. Nothing better than good fresh air in your lungs.

School officially ended and summer break started. I'm sure the parents were just as happy as the kids to see this happen since they've been doing home school for the last 2 1/2 months. Well done, you all did it!

Jaxson again got Acedemic awards, and the Intra-murals trophey from school, but this time, due to COVID-19, they were hand delivered to his house. Way to go Jaxon!! You're making the most of it.

Shortly after Andrew got back from his work tour back east he and Lindsay packed up the Suburban and headed south to warmer temps for a brief stay in St. George to get in some new scenery. The had a blast swimming in the pool, going on little hikes, and going on a Razor ride. They came home happy and slightly darker, but not fried from all the sun! 

After all the fun they buckled down and got their yard fixed up by putting rocks in the flower beds and around the fire pit. Lindsay also got more flowers planted as well as her pots. 

Andrew also got  a covered gazebo put up on their back porch and put the finishing touches on their back mudroom area done up so they can hang their coats and backpacks there. It looks real nice. Things are shaping up for them quite nicely.

      

They invited the Mallory's, Dale and I to their house for Sunday "Home Church" and dinner. Andrew cooked up some Dutch Oven potatoes, and grilled some BBQ ribs on the grill. They also had baked beans, corn on the cob, and rolls. We added salads and dessert (the easy stuff). 

Amie and Matt headed up the gospel lesson on helping ease others burdens(Dale was the burden that they tried to lift) for Sacrament Mtg. and after Andrew got a fire going in the fire pit and we made s'mores and had ice cream "Creamies" and visited around the fires It made for a nice Sunday. Thanks guys for being such great hosts. Living close to family does have it's perks.

Dale and I met up with Garrett and Zandra and we hopped in their truck and went to Jordanelle Dam to meet a guy that was selling his boat. Garrett wanted dad to be with him when he took it on a test ride and said I could tag along. 

It was good to see these guys again, and fun to be part of this exciting day for them. 

They came home with the boat. Now Dale and I are wondering if we should sell ours and get a fishing boat since we now have three boats in the family, but the kids talked us out of it. Fun times ahead for all.

Garrett decided to sell his Toyota Corella so that his boat would have a better place for storage. He has a motorcycle, two cars and a truck, so I think he made a wise choice. It didn't take him long to get it sold either. Their neighbor next door bought it for their son that had recently come home from his mission to use. At least that way he can keep an eye on the first car he owned. Not a bad deal.

He also got outdoors and in the mountains with a couple of friends and did some moutain biking up Ogden Canyon. The view at the top, made it worth the ride.

Zandra was suppose to celebrate her birthday in Washington with her close friends there and family, but with the pandemic and travel bans she celebrated her birthday by spending it with friends via zoom, eating ice cream and visiting, and with Garrett and the kids. She said it was a perfect day. 

Garrett had a little surprise up his sleeve for her though--the next week they loaded up their Tacoma and headed to Moab where they met up with their friends the McKnights for a few days for family fun in the great outdoors among the red rock. Luke had gotten a bike for his birthday, so they all went on bike rides and climbed on the rocks, swam in the pool, and just had a good time. 

She said that this topped off her birthday making it perfect. Happy Birthday Zandra!! We're glad you could enjoy your day to the fullest!

The kids are still keeping her busy, and she's still cooking with them and helping them learn how to help around the house. Garrett's motorcycle benefited from their services as well. Can't teach them too young.

They've been able to get their boat out a few times. Zandra has learned how to back the trailer into the water and drive the boat. They've tubed, Garrett's skied, and Jorie is learning how to ski by using a ski tube that helps give her balance control. She's doing quite well with it too. The boat has been a good investment for them. We have yet to get our out on the water. We tried once so we could set the timing on the engine and it wouldn't start, the battery was dead, and when we can get out the weather turns bad. It will happen though.

Danica and Jason also took advantage of the great Spring weather we've been having and got outside. They each bought a bike and decided to try the new sport of mountain biking out. Living close to Ogden Canyon gives them  many reasons to get out. They camped out at Causey Reservoir to make biking even more exciting. It was a bit tricky for Danica to get used to it, so she has a few "war wounds", but she's one tough cookie and has gotten the hang of it. 

She's been doing her drawings and painting on the side and is getting more people wanting to use her. She's happy about that because that's what helped her buy her bike. 

Jason and Danica headed south to St. George again, however, this time to spend time with friends playing in the sun and water, and catching up on everyone's happenings. It's nice they can have a place to stay so they can work and play while they are away if needed.

The state has made a few milestones this month by moving into the yellow phase, having more places open up but still with caution. Most of the big city celebrations have been canceled however.

The unemployment cases started out real high, but have since started to decline. Suicides and domestic violence reports are up however. Some people have really struggled with the situation we're in.

  

It was posted by KUTV News on May 30th that for the sixth week, Utah's new unemployment claims have dropped amid record volumes. Last week 6,275 people filed for jobless claims. The Utah department of Workforce Services reports a total of $26,858,365 was paid out in traditional unemployment benefits and $48,367,041 of the $600 weekly stimulus was issued, totaling $75,525,406. 

A total of 2,604 new Pandemic Unemployment Assistant claims were submitted and 101,389 weekly jobless claims were filed.

March started out with 19,690 claims being filed the week of the 16th-20th, with the highest point being March 30th-April 3rd with 33,040 claims being filed. The week of May 11th-15th there were 6,275 claims filed. 

More than 6,500 people ended their unemployment insurance claims on Saturday May 9th according to the Division of Workforce Services. This is very encouraging for Utah's workforce.

Another milestone happened this month with the renovation of the Salt Lake City Temple removing the angel Moroni from the top spire of the temple. It has been there since the temple was first completed. With the 5.7 earthquake that hit the Magna, UT area, that caused the trumpet of the statue fall off they decided to remove it, repair it, and clean it up since the temple is under construction. It makes you wonder how those early saints were able to get this big statue on the top of the spire in the first place 127 years ago!! Pretty impressive feat.

Well, I think that we've all had our highs and our lows this month, but one thing that is constant is the never changing love that we can feel from our Lord and Savior. Jesus is essential and gives us hope that better days are ahead. His hand is always reaching out if we are willing to grasp it.

Each day as we come home we hang our keys on the key holder that says, "Home at Last". It is a good feeling to come home to the safe haven of our home knowing that all's well, and that among all of the craziness going on in the world, we can find peace if we put our trust in God and His Son, Jesus Christ.