Anxious August

 I started out the first of the month by getting in my yearly physical. I found out that I'm in pretty good shape, so I'm good with that. To keep me young I served in the Logan Temples Youth Center. It was a 15 yr. old boy that was to be sealed to his parent. They chose this day because it was the day that the day that they were sealed to each other, with him being sealed to them after. It was a pretty special day for all.

                                                               

Sealing room - Philadelphia Temple & Endowment Room - Payson, UT Temple

Dale and I were also able to do proxy sealings. I got in an endowment session early in the month and then did an endowment session with Dale at the end of the month. . It' was a great week. 

Where I usher at the Eccles Theater, I was able to cash in on some credit points and get tickets for Dale and I to go see "A tribute to Neil Diamond". It was a nice show and had me singing along on a lot of the songs. 

I also ushered at the Eccles for a NPR (National Public Radio) Show star: Garrison Keillor. He talked and told stories the whole time. I guess he has his own show on the Radio. I had never heard of him, but there was a pretty good turn-out for the show.

Diana called us and asked us if we'd want to come to Washington and then drive to Canada to help her crew Nate in the "Fat Dog 120" trail run in Manning National Park. His friend, Brody Hatch was going to run it with him, but he bailed due to not having enough time to get into shape. Diana had knee surgery 3 weeks earlier and needed help with driving and crewing. We talked it over and after a few phone calls we were able to work it out to go help out. 

Day 1:  After we got done serving at the CVHC we headed to the Salt Lake Airport where we flew into Seattle and saw a beautiful sunset the evening of the 6th. Nate picked us up at the airport and we stayed at their place for the night. 

Day 2: We woke up, had breakfast, packed up their car, and headed for British Columbia. After around a 3 1/2 hour drive we entered  the Manning Park National Park in Canada. What a beautiful area it is. We passed a lot of logging companies and saw a lot of green. We stayed at the Manning Park Lodge. Nate got checked in for his race and we got settled in our room. Then we went to one of the restaurants in the area to celebrate Nate's 43rd birthday. It was a tasty meal and in a beautiful area. Happy Birthday Nate!!

Nate put his pack together, and Dale and Diana put their packs together for when they tag up with Nate on his run to pace him. We planned out our assignments for when Nate would get to an aide station and got packs together for that. Then we hit the sack so we could be at the gate in time for the start of the race. 

Day 3: We drove to the kick-off area and cheered him off at the starting line.

Lili was a hit with all of the runners and those on the sideline. 

We didn't see Nate again until he had a stop, Bonnevier Am Station, that we could go to, at mile 39. It was dark, and he had thrown up a couple of times, but he looked good coming in. 

Day 4:  We got to see Nate again at Hope Pass after he'd been going through the night and into the day at mile 76. He came in jogging and with a smile on his face. This stop had a breakfast type meal for the runners so he got some real food. Lili was wearing her sign and we all cheered him as he headed out. 

The next area we met up with Nate was at Blackwall. He had some steeper climbs for this section and had been going for another 27 miles. It was cold and dark and he had thrown up 2-3 times on the trail. He was struggling, and with knowing he'd be ending the race mid morning on Sunday. Being a doctor, he decided to put his patients first. He had two surgeries scheduled for Monday mid-morning. He wanted to be rested up and ready to be able to preform those surgeries in good shape. He hadn't slept since Thurs. night and was quite fatigued. He decided to call it at 103 miles, knowing he could probably finish but it wasn't in the time frame he had hoped in be in. I admire him for using his wisdom and taking his patient's well being first over his own accomplishment.

 

Day 5: We all got back to the resort and got in at least 8 hours or more of sleep. We had a late breakfast, checked out of the resort and then checked out Manning Lake. Dale and I walked around some of it. It's big and beautiful. 

Dale drove us back to Nate & Diana's place, stopping for lunch and to stretch out our legs. It was a beautiful drive and we got back before dark, had a nice dinner, visited and watched documentary about a young trail runner and his journey.

Day 6: We visited some with Nate and Diana before they had to get going with work. Then we packed up our bags and hopped on the Rail System that's about a 1 1/2 block walk from Nate & Diana's to head to the airport to catch our flight home. All went well and we found all well at home. We're glad we were able to have some one on one time with Nate & Diana. They are great hosts and even greater kids. We are blessed. 

We got home from our Seattle/Canada trip and two days later we were staying in our trailer at Sun Outdoors in Garden City/Bear Lake. Andrew's family pulled their trailer over and stayed at Sun Outdoors by us for three days. We had Matt & Amie's kids, Kennlyn and Mazin join us for the first two days because Matt, Amie & Langston had to go to Blackfoot, ID for a soccer tournament. On their way back from Idaho,  Kennlyn traded with Langston and he joined us for the last three days because Kennlyn had work to go to. 

We played pickleball, visited the beach, did some kayaking, played card games, the guys did some fishing, we went to the Tony Grove campground and lake area and Dale, Andrew, Arwyn, Titan, Langston & Mazin hiked up to Polygamy Cave to check it out. This was a cave that Andrew, Lindsay, and some other friends got caught in while they were dating, due to their climbing rope breaking, so they couldn't climb out. He relived this experience with the kids but they didn't go too far into the cave. I'm not a fan of caves, so I walked around Tony Grove's lake a couple of times.  

Dale and Andrew got up one morning and rode their bikes around Bear Lake. Some in the group went looking for crawdad's and they cooked them up and had them for a late night snack. We rode bikes and ate and played more. We had a nice time together. 

Four days after we got home we went to Cornish, UT for the Petersen Family Reunion at Grandpa's Hide-a-way. We went here last year and had fun, so Danny & Terry got it again for this year's reunion. It was a good time for all once again. 

          

    

    

    

    

     

        

                                                       

          

           

This time we had all of our kids together, except Nate & Diana. I wasn't able to get a full picture of all in our group though because of the different activities you could go to.

We had our annual neighborhood backyard party at our house and cooked up some Dutch Oven chicken tenders and pork spareribs, provided rolls, a tossed salad w/dressing, the drink and the eating utensils, plates, cups & napkins. Those that came brought either a side-dish, salad, or dessert. We had around 68 people come, so we had plenty of food!! We live in a great neighborhood, so it was fun to visit with them. I didn't get any pictures though. My bad. 

Three days after our party we headed over the mountain again with the trailer and spent a couple of days with Garrett & Zandra and their kids. We had some time with just us to play some pickleball and Dale fished while I walked around the Garden City pond a few times. We also just chilled some before they came. After they joined us we spent some time on the beach, where we threw a frisbee and football around while in the water, and Garrett & Jorie made a sea turtle sand sculpture. It was great weather to be out on the beach. We also got in some pickleball with Garrett and the kids. We had a nice time this round as well. 

Nate and Diana closed the deal on their office management. Hansen Foot & Ankle will now be called Integrative Foot & Ankle. They're adjusting to the new system and the way they do things. We hope and pray that it all works for the best for them.

Nate was good to water and do what he can around the house, while Diana was recovering well from her knee surgery. She was thrilled to be back in the helicopter for work. They've been good to work with her and are glad to have her back as well. They also took a trip to Norway and did some touring and hiking some. The van they rented to drive around in was a hit and came in handy when they got in the mountains and did some hiking. They make the most of their away time don't they. 

The Mallory's got in some away time between work starting for Matt, school starting for the kids, and soccer games. 

Kennlyn celebrated her 17th birthday this month! I took her to get a pedicure and then Dale met up with us at HuHot for dinner for her birthday date. Happy Birthday Kennlyn!! We love you!!

Andrews been clearing trees from the power lines in some back wood areas back east. It's a good thing he's got a steady hand when he lands in some places.

They got in a quick trip to St. George to check on things with their house that's being built there before school started for the kids. Lindsay's homeschooling Nora this year. The others are going to the public schools.

Garrett & Zandra got in a trip before school started as well. They went to Escalante and did some slot canyon hikes and saw the area with their friends, Josh & Nicole Nuckles.

               

Danica took the kids to Lagoon, the family celebrated South Weber Days by having June run in a kids race and going to the rodeo and they all spent some time outdoors biking.

June started pre-school and her Aunt Heidi is her teacher. She also started fall soccer and is catching on a bit more on how to kick and follow the ball.

Danica started making signs for people for celebrations, baby showers, birthdays and even pre-school. She made the sign for Loubee's Pre-school that Heidi teaches as well. A great way to have fun creating while your work, right?

    

  

Locally we've had a dry summer and it's starting to hit home. There was a fire that started from a bird flying into a transmitter line up Green Canyon. It got contained and no too much damage was done. 

We did get some rain one afternoon though! The first decent rainfall in a LONG time too! It was music to my ears.

The Monroe fire that I talked about last month is getting closer to being 100% contained, but it's still not. It's grown to around 70,000 acres that have been burned. Sad deal.

The progress on the Smithfield Temple is coming along. It has the landscaping getting put in. The exterior of the temple is close to done, but the interior and the grounds are still needing to be completed, which could take some time still.

Something else that's pretty exciting is that Utah was listed #6 as the Happiest State in the U.S.  This seems right to me because we have a great unemployment rate and housing market, great schools, and crime is considered low, although it is picking up more.