Monday night when we were headed to bed, we noticed a small lake spilling out under the dishwasher. Uugg. Dave pulled it out and we inspected the water damage. We got to bed slightly before 1:00 AM with a new problem on our plate.
Luckily it was still under warranty. Sadly it can't be repaired. Hopefully we'll get a new replacement soon.
On the bright side, Dave already replaced the floor that was damaged in the flood.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
July 24 Pioneer Day at the Park
Leadelle's family had a nice get-together on Pioneer day at the Discovery park in Pleasant Grove. We ate a nice lunch. Lestelle said that Anna's cookbook is like the scriptures: you have to keep going through it to find new inspiration. She made us sub sandwiches which just hit the spot
It was HOT and Elise and Aleah were quickly overheated. We had to douse them with water and work to keep them hydrated. No one complained when we insited on getting slurpies at 7-eleven on the way home.
It was HOT and Elise and Aleah were quickly overheated. We had to douse them with water and work to keep them hydrated. No one complained when we insited on getting slurpies at 7-eleven on the way home.
July 24-26 Ward Family Campout
The campground our ward had reserved for the annual campout at Wallsburg was free the day before day as well. We took advantage of the opportunity to stay Thursday night as well since I hate to camp just one night and spend all the time setting up and taking down. 
We decided that since we have outgrown the camper and are considering selling it soon (anyone interested?), we would invest in a big tent. We also brought up a neighbor boy Paker's age, Richie, who recently moved in with his grandparents.
The kids played on the tire and rope swings, waded in the stream, caught butterflies, and tooted on box elder whistles Dave whittled for them. I had grabbed a book Cambry recommended on the way out the door: Jerry Spinelli's Eggs. I read it aloud to the kids on Friday which was quite relaxing. It was interesting that I had grabbed that book as Richie lost his mother to cancer and the book was about a boy healing from the sudden death of his mother. I felt it was a tender
mercy of the Lord.
mercy of the Lord.When the rest of the group arrived we had a very nice meal and Dave again performed his Arnold Goose skit around the campfire. There were some who were surprised he was funny; thinking he was always serious. I have to wonder how his humor could go unoticed: I'm in stitches all the time.
We finished the book after taking down camp Saturday morning. We enjoyed our little break.
July 17-19 King Reunion
This was a big party! Dave's maternal grandpa, Kenny King from California, came and met with the majority of his posterity.
Three of his four children and their children and grandchildren converged at the Zions Ponderosa Resort in south-eastern Utah.
We had reserved two houses for the group and the house we stayed in was quite large. Still when all 50 or so of us spread out to sleep, there was hardly a free spot of carpet! The cousins had their biggest sleepover to date.
Three of his four children and their children and grandchildren converged at the Zions Ponderosa Resort in south-eastern Utah.
We had reserved two houses for the group and the house we stayed in was quite large. Still when all 50 or so of us spread out to sleep, there was hardly a free spot of carpet! The cousins had their biggest sleepover to date.
Several events highlight the trip for us:
1. The pie-eating contest where Debbie maintained her seat, though the competition seemed a bit closer this year, pregnancy always slows us down.
2. The wilderness. We had the perfect combination of wilderness and civilization. The kids were out in the brush building forts, catching creatures (check out Parker and John-Marshall's horny toad pic below), foraging in cactus. It was delightful to watch the cousin-ties increase.
3. Pool time. I left my camera at the house for this, so I don't have any pictures to share, but this pool was cool. We went early in the day and had the place to ourselves mostly. Everyone had a blast riding "rock" waterslides and jumping from pools to hot-tub.
1. The pie-eating contest where Debbie maintained her seat, though the competition seemed a bit closer this year, pregnancy always slows us down.
2. The wilderness. We had the perfect combination of wilderness and civilization. The kids were out in the brush building forts, catching creatures (check out Parker and John-Marshall's horny toad pic below), foraging in cactus. It was delightful to watch the cousin-ties increase.
3. Pool time. I left my camera at the house for this, so I don't have any pictures to share, but this pool was cool. We went early in the day and had the place to ourselves mostly. Everyone had a blast riding "rock" waterslides and jumping from pools to hot-tub.
4. Earplug gun wars. The Monday evening before we left we had a pre-party party assembling Dave-designed guns out of PVC that make a satifying pop when shooting earplugs. The house was a continual battle scene except when we had to call a cease-fire to look for Jeff's contact popped out by an earplug. Pop. Laugh. Pop. Ohh. Pop! Some of the cousins doubled their entertainment by taking guns apart and experimenting with variations in assembly.
4. The campfire gave us a chance to share talents and humor with each other. Dave reprised his Arnold Goose skit "and blew-up" several of Mother Goose's best nursery rhymes. I hope to be able to post a link to it or the video soon. Grandpa King treated us by sharing some of his experiences in WWII and the feelings he carries still today of being protected by God.
Many thanks to those who planned and worked to make the reunion a wonderful success.
4. The campfire gave us a chance to share talents and humor with each other. Dave reprised his Arnold Goose skit "and blew-up" several of Mother Goose's best nursery rhymes. I hope to be able to post a link to it or the video soon. Grandpa King treated us by sharing some of his experiences in WWII and the feelings he carries still today of being protected by God.
Many thanks to those who planned and worked to make the reunion a wonderful success.July 12 - First Harvest
I picked the first of the garden. I was so excited I took a picture of the harvest. We've had a good couple helpings of cucumbers so far this year. Squash seems to come in waves, less than I would like. I ate one of the first full tomatoes this week. MMMmmm. I'm willing to wait all year for those.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Kjar wedding
While Dave was off conquering Box Elder Peak, I took the kids to Manti for my cousin Shaun Kjar's wedding. It was such a lovely day. I wasn't quite my perky self after the exertion on the Fourth so I lugged my camera around, but didn't shoot much. Parker took the picture of me.
When we got home from the wedding luncheon, I made a quick run to fill up the tank and replenish our egg supply for Sunday. The kids and I then went up to Whitmer's to await our fearless mountain men. I haven't been able to catch up with Erika for way too long and it was so nice to be with her and Udo's new bride, especially after Udo returned to her safe and sound.
Hiking Box Elder Peak
After getting home from the 4th fireworks, Dave immediately began packing for his hike with Ray Whitmer, Ray's brother-in-law Udo from Germany, and Udo's stepson Nikko.
Dave was able to get only a short nap before meeting 
them at 5:00 AM and heading off for the long adventure.
them at 5:00 AM and heading off for the long adventure.Dave was able to summit with Udo and Nikko around 1:00 in the afternoon. Dave said it was more challenging than he remembered (
but he wasn't sore on Sunday.)
but he wasn't sore on Sunday.)Udo decided to go and make the trip more memorable by going into heat exhaustion on the way down. Dave recognized what was happening and helped Udo cool off, rehydrate, and get to the car just fine.
Ray became seperated from the group (who'd gone ahead to attend to Udo) when he took the wrong fork on the trail. 
Dave had changed his shoes at the fork, thus depriving Ray of his trail of breadcrumbs! This too contributed to the memory pot.
Dave had changed his shoes at the fork, thus depriving Ray of his trail of breadcrumbs! This too contributed to the memory pot. It was such a comfort to me to know through the commotion of the seperation that whatever came up, Dave was prepared and could handle it. And he was and he did. He's MY man!