Hike to Stewart Falls

We drove through rain going to Aspen Grove but it proved to be a good hiking time as we headed to Stewart Falls. The last time I went was in the fall with Brooke, Dallin and Bryce. There was a stark contrast as water sprayed us standing fairly far from the falls. There were several falls going on in different areas and all meeting down at the river. It was deep and fast moving. There were many wildflowers along the way...forget me nots, bluebells, lilies, delphiniums, and what looked like wisteria. It was a nice way to end the week.

Bees at Home

Steve Tanner came over to help get the bees into the hive. Sydney and I are documenting the event but are rather intrepid. There were bees every where!

Swarm of Bees

 

Kim got a call from the Extension Service and went out to Elk Ridge to get a swarm of bees that had gathered in an apricot tree. John Wollenzien came and assisted in the rescue and now they are in our back yard with the other two hives!

Memorial Day in Spanish Fork

 

The Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

 

Here was a perfect end to a wonderful day. Whit's company was the architect firm that designed the Oquirrh temple. He is now working on the Guatamala temple. We got to go through the temple with one of the head's of Whit's firm. He would point out the interesting features of the temple. The temple is probably one of the most unique I have been in. It was rich in designs, colors and textures. They were all subdued but very present. We learned how the patterns on the walls were all hand painted and how the stencils were created on the high ceilings. No expense was spared. We especially enjoyed the staircase ( when I really wished I could take pictures) that Whit was in charge of. It was fantastic to look from the top down the many flights of stairs and see this beautifully arranged visual treat. Afterwards, we were able to visit and talk about the temple while eating a yummy light buffet that was provided for all the guests that were there because they helped build the temple! We are looking forward to going as often as we can with Brooke. The best part is that we are standing right at Brooke's front door for the picture. This is the view of the temple that she gets to see every day!

Brooke and Whit....again

 
Whit rode his bike up to the reunion and they had a nice time riding around and seeing where Brooke grew up.

Brigham City Cemetery

 
After the temple, lunch in Grandma's back yard, and a wreath making session, most of us gathered at the cemetery to decorate. It was a beautiful day. I tried to get everyone to do a jumping picture like we have of Bryce but it was a no go. Wha.

The Fabulous Five K's

 
This is a most wonderful thing when all of the Darwin and Doris Christensen family originals can gather together. We know Dad was nearby enjoying the view also.

Memorial Weekend May, 23, 2009

 

Saturday morning, the Darwin Christensen family met at the Ogden temple to do sealings for family members that Chris had researched and prepared for us. It was wonderful to begin the day at the temple together. All of Kim's siblings and their spouses with Kristen and Brooke representing the next generation were able to participate. That is a great feeling to all be in the temple together working for those in our family that have passed on. My mom came with us to enjoy the temple and being in Brigham for Memorial Day.

Eachit

Today Eli invented a new word. This happens all the time but today it was noteworthy because he pulled me assigned and made it clear that not only had he invented this new word, but he had a definition ready and I should pay attention because he was going to tell me what it was. So with his intentions very clear I took notes.

Eachit (Pronounced like Egypt). Definition: Sliding down my bus. Or sliding down a sharp tooth (dinosaur). Or sliding down a sharp tooth bus. Eli then went on to explain “They go together like this (claps hands)… that’s how we do it.

So this picture isn't Eli describing his new word but I had to post it anyhow because he is doing a grandpa Christensen pose (eyes closed). Classic.

May 16, 2009 It Began Like Any Other Day

 
Here is what I won at the Out N' Back sale...yup, the sale that McKay won a backpacking tent at several years ago and where they feed you the big muffins and have bottles of juice and other yummy things. Yes, that sale only now it is just granola bars and Capri drinks. So I put the "Elixir" tablet in the Camelbak water bottle and gave it to Kim on Saturday afternoon while he worked hard to get the stakes up for the garden and he really likes it. It is fizzy like soda but has no carbanation and it is sugar free lemon lime taste. We were happy to win something that we think is a great thing to have for our races/ training. The day just got better from there. We put in the garden, got the soaker hoses in place, went around on our bikes to deliver mite powder for the bees, delivered graduation presents and got hugs from all and went to Brian and Chelsie's Open House at the Bowles...two houses down from us. The weather was wonderful and the food was yummy. The strawberries were dipped to look like tuxedos jackets and wedding dress tops. I wish I had thought to bring my camera. Cute. I forgot the very best part. Our home teacher has been dropping off the very best in the world ( not even day old) chocolate with chocolate frosting doughnuts on our doorstep for the past two Saturdays. That made up for the granola bars.

May 2009 Mother's Day Surprise Visit

 

Mother's Day was pretty quiet at our house this year with Kira being in Tucson, McKay in Alaska, Ty and Nat in Indiana and Dallin in Japan. That left Brooke and Whit who stopped and went to church with us on their way back from Tuachan. After a gourmet meal of grilled shrimp and asparagus, we went to the cemetery to visit Bryce's gravesite. When we returned there was a vehicle parked in front of our house and we discovered Austin, Afton, Tommy, Tyler F. McKell, and later Willy, James, and Drew. I don't know why I didn't remember to take their pictures but I did get a photo of the flowers that they all brought along with a Family Illustrated Hymnbook. As we visited, I asked the gang if they could remember and tell me some stories about Bryce since they saw him in an entirely different light from me. Austin remembered telling Bryce to rub McKell's dog's ears because he really liked it but failed to tell him that the dogs ears were infected and released a horrible oder. Austin got a great workout as Bryce chased him outside for a while. Drew remembered a camp out where Bryce got very hyper on sugar and jumped over the fire they had going a couple of times. They also remembered Bryce using his arm in a cotton candy machine instead of the cardboard cones to wrap the candy around. It was very amazing to me that all these guys would think of us and spend their afternoon being grilled by Bryce's mom. It was very touching to me. I am very grateful that Bryce had such great friends. I miss Bryce alot but I am always lifted and happy when I see his friends and remember when they would come and make noise.
The other surprise on Mother's Day was the calling card to Dallin in Japan. It was not very functional and our conversation was brief and stilted. After Bryce's friends left and Brooke and Whit headed home, we started to walk outside and then turn around and get in the car and head to Provo. Kim called the Mission Home and told them what had happened and they contacted Dallin, happily for us in his apartment eating lunch and we had a great 1/2 hour visit. Here is to all the wonderful mothers now and to be in the world.

Bryce Songs

I was going through Bryce's computer a while back and found some more songs that Bryce had been working on.

I created a site to host all of his music. You can find it here.

May 9, 2009 Mom's 87th Birthday Bash

It was supposed to be a nice sunny day and so the family met at Thanksgiving Point Gardens to see the tulips and have a picnic. It turned cold and our picnic reminded me of a very typical Fife picnic where the wind blew, it rained or was too cold. So all things considered, it was a perfect celebration of Mom's birthday with Brad, Rachelle, Chelsea, JoLyn, Rey, Shay, RJ, Grandma, Evan, Alisha, Carson, Ila, Libby, Allie, Kim and Moi (Wynette). The tulips were still beautiful in spite of the cold...they like cold.

May 3, 2009 Women's Conference and the Temple

On Thursday, my mom and I went to Women's Conference. We were grateful for no rain this year and had a special opportunity to hear one of Kira's best friends. I took a picture of Elizabeth Tanner ( she went to school with Kira in Tucson) but forgot to save it on my phone. She talked about "hope chests" and what she has in hers and then about our spiritual hope chests and what we need to keep in them to prepare to meet the Bridegroom. It was wonderful to see her and all her family that came to support her. She did such a great job of speaking to a full Wilkenson Center ballroom audience. The next day Brooke went with us to Women's Conference. We enjoyed being together and took turns picking out the classes. We learned about parenting from the Book of Mormon, managing your finances and living the Word of Wisdom. I always love hearing Sister Beck!
The next morning Kim, Wynette, Brooke and McKay got to the temple and did 37 women and 57 men baptisms. My mom did the work and we reaped the benefits. It was a wonderful experience. McKay found a new place to get breakfast as we ate in the temple cafeteria afterwards. I got something I don't get often...quiche! Yum. Then it was home for McKay to pack and fly to Alaska. We are going to miss him!!! In the afternoon, we got a nice surprise as we walked in the cemetary and saw Bryce's headstone. A picture of it is on his tributetobryce.blogspot.com