Bear Lake Monster Century 2012

As many of you are aware Jared has been working for some time now organizing and promoting  various events.  About a month ago he sponored the Bear Lake Monster half-marathon/10K/5K run held in the foothills above beautiful Bear Lake near Garden City, Utah.  Since then he has been working diligently to promote what I would call his signature event, The Bear Lake Monster Century bike race/ride. He did his home work and made the preparations.  Some time ago we had volunteered to help in any way we could.  Pretty typical of Jared he told us that things were pretty much under control and he thought things would go well.  A couple of days ago he called and asked if we were still willing to help.  The answer, of course, was yes.  We don't want to get in the way, but at the same time we still like being useful, which at our age may not always we possible.  We understand that, and so were grateful for the opportunity to be of assistance.

The event was scheduled to start at the Bear Lake County Fairgrounds.  This was the scene when we pulled into the Fairgrounds at a few minutes before 6:00 AM.  Pretty quiet and a beautiful day.  The beautiful day would hold, but the "pretty quiet" was about to change.  About 350 riders had  signed up for the race from all over the west.  Most came from Utah, but we had riders from many other states as well.  They came in all kinds of vehicles ranging from brand new F350 Ford trucks to sleek new Mercedes, to Smart Cars, to old clunkers. Soon the parking lot was nearly full.  All brought excellent bikes and you could tell by the muscle tone in the legs of most of the riders, this was not a first time ride.

There was an impressive array of items for sale and also prizes to be given away.  I really like the logo they use with their events.  It makes for very nice looking shirts etc.  They also had many businesses that had co-sponsored the Bear Lake Monster Century.

Shana and Iris made a good team helping with the paper work and pushing the products that were for sale.  The thought crossed my mind as I watched them work if they ever had any inkling what they were getting into the first time they came to the Bear Lake Valley.  I, for one, am very glad that they did.  They have always been so supportive and made our lives better.

This was the scene as Jared gave instructions to the departing riders.  Jared has always had a good speaking voice and communicates very well through the spoken word as well as in writing.

It was great to see Jessica and her husband, Krynn, along with pretty little Maggie.  They came all the way from New Mexico, for the ride.  I'm sure they had some other reasons as well, but it really was great to see them and know that they are doing well. Jessica rode the fifty mile version of the ride using the excuse that she is pregnant.  That will work.  We are very happy for them.

Several days ago Stephen called and told us about Mason's baseball tournament.  He gave us the game times and I could tell he would have been happy if we could have been at some of the games.  Believe me, we would really have liked to attend.  There's not much I enjoy more than watching a good baseball game on a nice warm day while sipping an ice cold lemonade, especially if one of my kids or grand kids is playing.  Unfortunately, we had other obligations and couldn't fit it in together with the travel time etc.  Last night Stephen called again and told us that Mason's team had won and were going to be in the championship game tonight.  Dang, I wish I knew how to be in two places at once.  I haven't quite figured it out, but I'm working on it.

Tonight Stephen called again to report that Mason's team won the championship and that Mason was the MVP of the game.  He got a hit, scored a run, and made a diving catch that saved three runs and was the difference as to who won and lost.  If Grandma Iris had been there they'd all have to go in for a hearing checkup in the morning.  She can get loud when she is excited. And so can I.

Stephen was kind enough to email me these two pictures taken with his phone.  Not the same as being there but we are grateful for the technology that allows for such speedy transfer of information and pictures.  We are proud of you, Mason.  You are awesome in our eyes MVP or no MVP.  You'll always be a winner in our book.

Wind Cave HIke with the Daugs Kids

This morning before we went to the Temple for our regular shift, I took Ada, Avery, and Addison up Logan Canyon where we hiked up to the Wind Cave.  It's about four miles round trip, but has between 1000 and 1500 feet elevation gain.  We all made it just fine and we saw some beautiful country.  This little hike would be a great one for the fall season too,  Maybe we'll do it again when the autumn leaves start to turn bright colors.  We had a great time.  I am also very grateful that all of us are healthy enough to make a hike like this and enjoy nature together.

Below are just a few pictures of what we saw along the way.

Maybe we can do it again someday.

Addison Avery, and Ada on the Wind Cave Trail.

Ada and Avery at the Wind Cave in Logan Canyon June 12, 2012

On top looking down into the cave, Avery, Ada, and Addison

The Artist at Work.

KInsey Amanda Eborn

On the same day that JT and Amber were being married in the Bountiful Utah Temple. our eldest granddaughter was graduating from Murray High School.  We were overjoyed to be at the wedding, but we also would have liked to have been there when Kinsey graduated from high school.  She has a birthday this week and will be eighteen years old.  It seems impossible that our grand kids are reaching the age where they are  experiencing these important milestones in their lives.  Kinsey has been a joy to us over the years and we love her very much.  We are happy that she has chosen to attend  Utah State University this fall.  She has promised to visit us often.  We are looking forward to these visits and hope they are frequent.   She was very understanding of us missing her graduation and understands that sometimes we have to make choices and set priorities.   As much as we would have liked to be in two places at once, we just haven't quite figured out how to do it.

Kinsey has been a very active teenager.  Of her own free will, she has chosen to be involved in many good causes.  She is an outstanding example of what a young woman can and should do with her  life thus far.  She has been a great student.  She has traveled the world, well maybe not all of it, but she has been to Europe and served a youth service mission in South America, Brazil to be exact.  She has been active on the Murray High debate team and has won several awards  for her work in this field. She has been active in sports while in high school where she participated on the school track and tennis teams.  She excelled enough to go to state in track (no small achievement in the big 5A schools).  She was in the Miss Murray Pageant a few months ago and though she didn't quite win she did herself proud and was chosen as one of the runners up.  She has been active in the Church and has a very strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She just quietly goes about living her life as the Savior would want her too.  She is kind and loving to others.  She has helped us on a regular basis by doing  proxy temple work two or three times every month.  We have tried to supply her with family names and she has done much of the work herself and has included some of her friends in these special spiritual experiences.

Recently she was nominated by her peers and honored as  an All Around High School Student.  As a part of this she had to pick three areas of interest and write a paragraph about her involvement in these issues.  She could have done just as well on all of the other topics as well.  I have included her responses in this blog.  They were down loaded from the Internet, where I found them.  Kinsey is very modest and does not choose to boast about her success and qualities.  That being said, maybe  as her grandparents we can show our love and pride by this little post.

Kinsey Amanda has a birthday this week,  June 14th to be exact (easily remembered because it is Flag Day).  Happy birthday, Kinsey, and may you have many more to come. We love you very much.

Kinsey Eborn

12th Grade, UT  Murray High School, Murray, Utah

Government

I clamor to influence progress in world affairs. As presidency captain, I lead my schools debate team through encouragement, experience, and merit. I've qualified for and competed at nationals for student forensics, and am ranked top 10 in state. I'm state champion and national representative for advanced public speaking and impromptu through FBLA. I head Murray's Project Citizen, and work to raise cultural awareness. I assist novice debaters each Thursday after school through researching domestic/foreign affairs, fun activities, and mock trial debates. I took AP US History to assimilate the political history of America, receiving a 5 on the 2011 AP test. I intern for US History teachers at Murray High. I'm studying AP Government and AP Human Geography and intend to pass those tests in May.

Community Service

I mentor a young woman with mental and physical disabilities each Thursday evening, teaching self-preservation and confidence skills, serving over 100 hrs yearly. I created the Young Picasso Art clinic for children in my community to teach art basics. I organized a 5k run to raise awareness for the dangers of cyber-bullying and had several hundred participants/runners attend. I organized/hosted a benefit to collect canned food items for the Philippines and donated over 700 pounds of canned food. I represented Murray City and raised over $100 for the Children's Miracle Network. I dressed as a princess for the Make a Wish princess tea party and played with terminally ill children. I'm a member of my schools Interact club. I was blessed to go to Niteroi, Brazil for 3 weeks and rebuild homes.

Faith

"I believe," isn't just a phrase to me, but a guideline. I'm blessed to be a part of a strong Christian church organization, and attend church meetings 2-3 times a week. I lead my church young women's group through presidency and have been doing so for the past five years. I've been YCL (Youth Camp Leader) for the past 2 years, where I educate young women at camp. I have been in seminary leadership for 4 years. I attend annual youth camps, daily scripture study courses, and served a church service mission to Niteroi, Brazil. I also worship and serve twice a month at our temple. Having the light of God is more than going to prayer meeting. It is showing compassion, love, and understanding for those of all denominations. I strive to be an uplifting example of faith in my Savior in all ways.

Below are some pictures of Kinsey and some of her many worthwhile activities.

Kinsey sponsored a run/walk to increase awareness of cyber-bulling. This is something we never even dreamed about  when we were young.  She not only dreams, but she  goes to work and tries to make the world a better place.

Here we see Kinsey helping to build a home for a disadvantaged family in Brazil.  She saw a lot of great things on the trip, but her real reason for going was to make a difference and leave the world/Brazil a better place.

This is Kinsey with her "special friend" at one of the school dances.  Kinsey is all about helping other to be happy and to feel a sense of their  self worth.  She knows who they are ( I mean who they really are) and tries to treat them as such.

Yellowstone Park

A few seeks ago Ryan and Samantha invited us to come along with them on their trip to Yellowstone Park.  We made arrangements and accepted their invitation.  We enjoyed being together with  them and their sweet children.  They are all so fun to be around, even though Annika and Grandma colluded and pulled a trick on Grandpa.  It was worth it to hear them all laughing so hard.  We were fortunate enough to get three nights at Worldmark, which made the trip much more comfortable for all of us, especially Sam who was a trooper and made the trip in spite of a quickly approaching due date. Can't wait to see their new little girl.  Thanks, Sam, for going the extra mile to be with us all.  You are a strong person, to go along with all of your other qualities.

Ryan and Sam's little "Totem Pole".  They are fun kids to be around and always well behaved.

We saw two bears.  It has been a while since I actually saw a bear in Yellowstone Park.  Not like the old days when we first went there and bears practically lined up along the roads waiting for a handout.

Ryan had to try his luck with the fly rod.  Unfortunately the weather was bad when he tried and he didn't get any fish, in spite of a few strikes.  Oh, well, he might have to walk across the street from his home here in Logan and try again.  I'm sure he will.

Yellowstone Park would not be Yellowstone if it weren't for the bison and geysers.

This is my best atempt at a panorama shot during the trip.  Yellowstone Lake is beautiful, especially this time of year with so much snow on the distant mountains.  We had a wonderful trip and made some lasting memories with Ryan and Samantha and their little family.  Thanks, Ryan and Sam for including us.  Sometimes our aches and pains don't allow us to be the very best of company.  Though we've  been to Yellowstone Park many times, I am always awed by the power and the beauty of that special place in the world.  We shall return.

Good Days and Almost Perfect Days

Life seems to bring with it many trials and challenges.  Some times the sun shines and other days are cloudy and bring rain.  Some days are right down stormy and it might be difficult to see any good coming from them.  There is certainly a good variety of good and bad  and then some days are almost perfect. I have come to believe that all of them are pretty much what we decide to make of them.

Attitude certainly helps and no one has more control over our attitude than we do ourselves. It really is pretty much up to us.  Recently we seem to have had a lot of wonderful days.  On Tuesday, my birthday, we went to the Logan Temple with JT, our oldest grandson, and Amber.  She was getting the blessing of her own Endowment that day and we were privileged to be a part of it.  Then on Friday at the Bountiful Utah Temple JT and Amber were married for time and all eternity.  It is wonderful to know that they love one another and that they truly want to face the rest of eternity together.  The sealer in the Temple spoke profound truth and shared great spiritual wisdom with them.  I hope they will go back to the Temple often and reflect upon the sacred covenants they made there and the special promises pronounced upon them by one having authority given him from God.  The day was one of those that could be described as being as near to perfect as they get.  For us it was especially a great blessing.  Not only did we get to experience JT and Amber's wedding, but we were, in the course of the day, able to see nearly all of our family, our children and their wonderful spouses.  They came to show their support to JT and Amber in their new life together as an eternal family of their own.  We appreciate all of you for the role you play in our lives and the joy you bring us.  Thanks to you all.

I did feel bad because we had to miss Kinsey's High School graduation which was held at the same time.  She understood and we were certainly with her in spirit on this special milestone in her life.

One thing I haven't been able to figure out in all these years is how to be in more than one place at a time.  Maybe some day???

Below are just a few pictures of JT and Amer's special day at the Bountiful Utah Temple.  Certainly a day never to be forgotten.

JT, Amber and her parents, the Houghtens

Rene and her girls, Megan and Maddie

JT's siblings, Tanner, Maddie and Megan

Jason and Rerne and their wondeful family

JT and Amber, The first day of eternity together.  What a wonderful thought.

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