Week Ended April 24th 2013

Beyond celebrating the life of an incredible Mom, there were many other things going on as usual. Last Sunday Cameron received the Aaronic Priesthood and passed the Sacrament for the first time today. We had a great time visiting with many family members who came to Centerville for the occasion.





Dallyn participated in his first Pinewood Derby. Mr. creative went for originality and design over function and speed, doing a lawn mower. It was definitely the most creative at the race. It even won a few races. It came in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th and 4th in its heats. Great time.

Multiple soccer games for Dallyn and Kyler. Dallyn scored several goals, including one from nearly half field, he has a very strong leg. Kyler scored his first goal of the season, and was very excited to get a donut afterward for his reward.

 

 

 

 

 Dallyn was spot-lighted in his school class and Dad got to come in and talk about him for several minutes. Kyler was star student, also having some spotlight moments and getting to have lunch at school with Dad. 

Dad and the kids went for a short in the hills behind our house, even had a picnic up on some rocks. It had been well over a year since we did such a hike, as the last time we went Cameron nearly got bit by a rattlesnake. Well it seems lighting strikes twice. As Cam was walking he came again with in a few feet of another rattlesnake, see the final pic below. I think we need to find a new area to go hiking around.

 

 

A whole year since the end of her jounrey

It has been exactly one year today, April 24, since Heidi's journey here on earth came to an end. Yes, it is so hard to believe that a whole year has passed. In same ways it feels like she was still with us just yesterday, and yet I look back and so much has happened in the past year that it seems like forever since she has been a part of the family. We of course are doing well, the kids are especially continue to handle the situation and the added strain it puts on our family really really well. We miss her dearly and so wish she could still be a part of our lives, but we trust that this is what is best for all of us. We are so grateful for the continued influence we feel from her in our lives and are so grateful for the example and legacy she left behind. We pray that all who miss her as we do, will find some comfort this day as we have, mostly in the cherished memories of a great and loving woman.

To celebrate we repeated a number of things we did one year ago today. We had Ihop for breakfast and then headed to Temple Square. It was great to roam around such hallowed grounds, feel the peaceful spirit, reflect on the day and its meanings, and be reminded of the great plan of our Father in Heaven. I also made some photo books for each of the kids. They have many pictures of Heidi, from all stages of her life and include individual photos of her with each child. They were very excited to get the books. My hope is that they will look to these books in times of need and will find comfort in seeing the incredible women they had as a Mother and will find joy in remembering the great times we enjoyed with her.

   

 

 

 

Hawaii (Kauai)

For Spring Break we joined my Dad and Pam in Hawaii on the Island of Kauai for a week in paradise. And let me tell you, it was. 70's all day long, beautiful sun rises and sun sets. Warm, crystal clear waters. Morning swims with sea turtles and fish, jogs along the sand and surf ... (Why did we come back???)
 

 

We went to a family tradition (Black family) site of Keoki's Paradise for dinner. It happened to be Cam's B-Day that day so he got a massive piece of Hula Pie. (Dad had to help him finish it, of course.)

 

 

 It was fun to be in Hawaii for conference weekend. We got to go to a very old, Hawaii style LDS church to listen to some of conference. It is also where Cam got to attend his first General Priesthood meeting, just 3 days after turning 12.

Hawaii (Cont. 1) Pool and Beach

One of the favorite parts of the trip was the beach and pool. The facility had a very nice pool that was right across the sidewalk from a beautiful, fairly calm beach. Within 2 walking minutes we were from our room to the sand. Perfect. The kids played/dug in the sand there. Body surfed, boogie boarded, real surfing, got clobbered by waves at times, snorkeled and saw fish and sea turtles, we just had a blast. Then, when the beach was tiring, we'd cross the sidewalk, rinse of the salt and sand and relax in the pool/hot tub. What a rough life ...
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course the one downside, after all that fun in the sun, our Utah (never see the sun backs) were quite red and toasty.

 

Hawaii (Cont. 2) Kayak Adventure

We did an awesome (totally recommended) guided Kayak tour and hike. We kayaked about 2 miles up a calm river then hiked a mile to a "secrect" waterfall. Such a fun, exciting, and interactive adventure, The kids had a blast with all three parts, kayaking, hiking and swimming under the waterfall. Well worth the money.

Kaylie and Cam manned one Kayak, Kyler and Dad another (Kyler chilled and just enjoyed the ride) and Dallyn helped the guide in his kayak.

Part of the Kayaking went right by a place shown in Raiders of the Lost Ark where Indiana Jones swings on a rope into the river to get to a sea plane and escape angry natives shooting poisonous darts at him. Kaylie and Cam are just passing it below.

 

One the hike we passed a vine that looked like a giant snake curled up around a tree. 

 

 

Everyone took a turn swimming out and under the falls. Due to some sun burns, the water hurt a little but was still fun.

 

 

 

Grandpa and Grandma did not join us on the kayaks, but they did go up the same river, passing us on their luxury liner as we toiled away. They saw the famed "Ferned Grotto" which was close to where our hike began.