My Family

This is a photo of my family, including my parents and my five brothers and sisters with their spouses and children. There are 16 grandchildren and one on the way (go Anna!). It was taken during our family reunion at Bear Lake in June, which was fabulous! I loved being able to be together with all my sibs and their kids and my kids loved being with their cousins. It had been a long time since we'd seen some of them!

This trip was a luxury and I thank Alisa and Ed for unselfishly donating time from two condos so we could all sleep comfortably. I also have to thank Elaine and Brian for hauling their boat all the way from California (even with today's gas prices!) so we could all go wakeboarding or go in the tube. Thanks to for Brandon and Anna for bringing the MegaStation; it was awesome, too. And thanks to everyone for days of cooking and cleaning for an army, not to mention all the planning and preparation that went into it beforehand.

My family and I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend time with family and enjoy a vacation.

Breaking News

Boy, age 6, Eats Zucchini and Asks for More

It was reported yesterday that the boy, Simon, liked the way the green vegetable was cooked. His parents, Trevor and Julie, put some on his dinner plate as they always do, expecting it to be rejected outright. But, they say, he actually tried it then asked for a second serving of "the round things."

"It's a miracle!, his mother exclaimed. "He especially liked it dipped in ranch dressing," she added, citing an Ellie Krieger recipe for Zucchini Parmesan Crisps as the beloved preparation. The recipe, found on the food network website, is said to be easy and tasty. The rice and black bean pilaf recipe shown on the same episode of "Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger," and served with the zucchini, was not as enthusiastically received, although Julie proclaims it "delicious."

I'm a Survivor

I survived the pioneer trek and it was awesome. I walked and ate and laughed and cried. I loved getting to know new people in my stake and being a part of such a big and important event. I learned a lot and my testimony was strengthened. It is something I will always remember.

I didn't realize that there are many missionaries assigned to labor in Martin's Cove and the surrounding areas. We were able to hear from several of them during our trek. They spoke instructional and inspirational words to us in the visitor's center, at the crossing of the Sweetwater River, at Martin's Cove, before the women's pull, and for various other devotionals. (When the the men are "called away" to the Mormom Battalion the women have to pull the handcarts alone. The men walk 3/4 mile away up a hill and wait and are not allowed to help as the women pass.)

I gained so much more of a respect and love for the pioneers. We trekked for 3 days. The pioneers walked for 3 months. It was daily dust, wind, bugs, sun, heat, blistered feet, and weary bodies with seemingly no end in sight. Some handcart pioneers endured worse. But they did it gladly because a prophet of God had called them to gather to Zion and they would obey. Their faith and prayers are what got them through.

Yes, I was there as a leader, but I felt like I was learning and growing along with the youth. One evening we had a company competition playing pioneer games. One of the games was tug-o'-war and we pitted the leaders against the kids. I instinctively headed to the kids side, and it took me a few seconds to realize that I should be on the other side. Funny.

The uncle in our little family was a counselor in the Stake Presidency and I loved getting to know him. What a privilege! I didn't know what a crack-up he is. And there would be times as we were walking and pulling our handcart that I just felt so much love for our little family--and everyone. I had to hold myself back from declaring my love for the world. My heart was bursting.

Here's some pictures.

Pioneer Trek

Tomorrow morning I leave to go on our stake's youth pioneer trek, although you could say I leave tonight because we have to be at the stake center at 3:30 am. My role is a supporting one; I'm an aunt within our little family, and I'm told the uncle is one of the counselors in the stake presidency. We all board buses, as aforementioned, at 3:30 am Wednesday and make a 7-hour trip to Martin's Cove in Wyoming. We'll be trekking Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, then we head home Saturday morning.

Everyone is supposed to represent a real pioneer, ancestor or not, so I chose my third great grandmother Lucy Hoyt Allred, wife of Reddick Newton Allred. He was one of the first rescuers of the Willey and Martin handcart companies and a very faithful man.

I've sewn a pioneer skirt, an apron, and a scripture bag--we're supposed to carry our scriptures with us--and I have a bonnet, bloomers and hiking boots to complete the look. I've packed my meager belongings in a bucket to be placed in a handcart that will be pulled by our family. I have bug repellent (they say ticks are abundant there), sunblock, and chapstick. I have a mess kit, water bottle, rain poncho, and moleskin. Hopefully I'm ready for whatever comes my way...

I've never been on a pioneer trek, so I don't know what to expect. But everything I've heard makes it sound like an experience of a lifetime. I know I'm going as a leader, but I'm sure I'll learn as much as any of the youth. I'll report when I get back and hopefully I'll have some photos to share, too...

a plug

My husband has a blog and he actually updates it and everything! Take a look here!