Trip to Idaho May 2010

   The last two weeks have been a whirlwind...ending with that crazy UK espisode yesterday...I feel I've been in a race, only to fall off a cliff at the end  ...and now am trying to get enough energy to crawl back out and get organized again.  I'm hoping I can just change my gmail account, but can't seem to find a phone # for tech help on Google.  Do any of you have a suggestion on a # with a real person? (My e-mail address was hacked into and I'm having to recreate over 500 addresses in a new account.)

We had a wonderful trip to Idaho, starting up on May 19.  We stopped long enough in Provo to visit and set up a little treasure hunt for Danny's birthday.  We made it to Doug's place about 6:30 that night, and had a good visit with them.  Doug has really made progress, and is so much better than last summer.  I'm so thankful for that.

The next morning we went to see Jessica and new baby Audrey, and Matthew.  They have really been busy fixing up their home.  Jessica has turned into quite a gardner  We also checked out Dixie's Diner where the class reunion would be held, and found where JR Hayes lived, as we would be staying with him Sat.

Nancy, Bruce and Steve by Rexburg temple

  That afternoon we drove up to Teton Valley, and stayed with Nancy and Bruce 2 nights.  Friday morning all four of us went did a temple session in the Rexburg temple, which was wonderful.  Lots of wheat motifs in the decorations and a wonderful spirit there.  Grandma and Grandpa Keeler would have loved that.

 Nancy even found one of my lost classmates. Farrell Bush was a veil worker there...what a surprise.  Friday was Lexie's birthday, and Ryan coming home was the birthday surprise, as she didn't know he was in Idaho.  It was  lot of fun.  Had pizza and enjoyed their new home.  It was rainy and overcast most of the two days, so we didn't get any walking in.

   Sat. morning we kidnapped David Keeler in Rexburg, for lunch prior to his track meet.  He looked good and seemed to be doing well at school.  We then stopped by the Annis graveyard to put flowers on the Keeler graves, then swung by Barbara's for a quick visit, as I knew I wouldn't have time to visit with everyone at the reunion.

 We had about 40 people come to our 50th reunion, and we all had a great time I think.  We sat by Jim Ritter, so got to visit with him quite a bit.  He and Brian Kremer asked about Doug and other siblings.  Linda Summer's husband died in 08, which I hadn't know. Everyone seemed to appreciate and enjoy the Jeopardy game I put together, and also the DVD of the class.  Some were even a little bit teary eyed...remembering the "good old days.  I had made a copy for everyone, so we sent them home happy.

We stayed at JR's that night, and stayed up even longer talking about how they run their addiction recovery classes in IF.  They have a beautiful home and stay very busy, as they teach 3-4 groups each week!

   We went to Sac. meeting with them Sun. morning and then headed down the road.  We stopped for about an hour to visit Sharon and Daryl in Pocatello.  Their place is really close to the freeway and easy to find.  I hope they'll let their siblings know about the Welsh festival in Malad.  Marilyn has gone to quite a bit of work to get it organized.  I told her our family would bring cookies, so if any of you come, that's your assignment to help with that.

We stopped for a few hours to visit with Andrew and Amy, then stayed at Autumn's overnight, and then headed home in a blizzard between SLC and Provo Mon. morning.  Fortunately, it ended quickly, and the rest of the trip was nice. 

We had expected that Anthony and Ash would be there that afternoon, but they got bogged down in packing and cleaning, and didn't leave until 3:30 AM from Mesa.  They arrived about 10:30 Tues. and we kept pretty busy all week with the kids.  We went to the dinosaur museum, to Shrek 3, Sand Island, Bluff Fort, cookouted with Rob's family, visited with Shumways, planted garden, and moved rocks.

   Then of course the antithesis of two great weeks, happened with the hacking into my e-mail account, and all the drama associated with that.  Good thing Anthony interjected his humor, or I'd still be depressed.  I still haven't recreated my addresses...it's too overwhelming.  We must have had 20-30 phone calls, plus several who came to the house to make sure I wasn't in the UK.

      This week we go on trek to hole in the Rock, and I have quite a bit of prep to still get organized for that.  Hopefully, I can get my mind back on that and off the address mess

50th Class Reunion in Idaho

    Janet's 50th class reunion turned out extra special with many classmates reconnected again (one of them at the Rexburg temple) and new memories made.  We traveled up to Idaho on Wed. staying with Doug and Della in Pinegre, and the next day going over to visit niece Jessica Ziel and two of her cute kiddos.  

     We stayed with Nancy and Bruce the next two nights.  It was windy and chilly the days we were there, so on Friday we went with them to do a session in the Rexburg temple.  It was our first time there and it was beautiful, with many wheat motifs in the ironwork and stained class.  My classmate Farrell Bush was the one to take my sister through.  Since I had been trying to communicate with him for over a month, that was quite a surprise to find him there.  We had a good visit with him and his wife June, who was in Doug's class--but still were unsuccessful in getting him to come to the reunion.

    I created a class web site, a jeopardy game and a movie about our class which I had worked on for  about  3 months.  Everyone seemed to appreciate it,  so it was worth the effort.  It was very fun, remembering the good old days together.  There were only 27 in our class who graduated in 1960 so rounding up photos wasn't as hard as it could have been in a large high school.  We alsoinvited our classmates from earlier years and several came.  Three in our class have died since our high school years.  About 40 attended.

   After the reunion we stayed with classmate JR Hayes and his wife Karen.  They also teach Addiction Recovery classes in IF and we had a good visit with them about their successes and efforts.  We visited all the Wasatch front kids, either going or coming and had a busy but fun time.  I'm so glad Steve is such a good driver, because I'm always worn out and sleep a lot on the trips.

Stranded in the UK--arghrrrr!

Not only did the computer eat Grandma, but her e-mail addresses.  This is Anthony's version of what happened when my account was hacked on May 29:

I'm sure by now you are all worrying about Janet being stuck in the UK. What happened was, Janet was up all night playing Dungeons and Dragons with her new online friends and in order to make it to a 12th level wizard she had to reveal her password to her e-mail account. Well, Janet is now a 12th level wizard and evidently the sacred dragon's oath she took with her friend was not so sacred because he is now running a scam telling all of Janet's true friends that she is stuck in the UK.


Anyway, Janet is safe and sound in Blanding and does not need money unless you are feeling really generous and would like to make a donation on her behalf to the Bluff Fort Historical project. The first part of this e-mail is not true but I always wanted to show my mother her creative writting skills she taught me in high school really did pay off. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day.

The Computer who ate Grandma

This came from one of my friends and classmates of 50 years ago.  After working almost daily since January on various computer projects, I sometimes felt I'd been swallowed up by technology.

THE COMPUTER SWALLOWED GRANDMA

The computer swallowed grandma.
Yes, honestly its true!
She pressed 'control' and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.

It devoured her completely,
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus
Or been eaten by a worm.

I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the Internet,
But nothing did I find.

In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found 'online.'

So, if inside your 'In box,'
My Grandma you should see,

Please 'Copy,''Scan' and 'Paste' her
And send her back to me.

We do not stop playing because we grow old;
We grow old because we stop playing.
NEVER Be The First To Get Old!

Ganado Granny's life in West Valley City

Here's some of the cute people I saw while in SLC: 

Autumn had her gall bladder surgery on Monday April 14, out patient, and she was pretty sore when she came home.  Hinckley was a very cooperative baby and took the bottle, and drank up every bit of milk his mom had pre-pumped for him.
I had lots of fun and lots of work while at Autumn and Theron's so it was a good mix for me.  We appreciate having fun, if we've done hard work first.   Hunter and Peyton were very good little helpers both for me and mommy.  I took my steam cleaner and we attacked anything that wasn't moving.  I can't believe what a good helper Hunter was especially. 

   Peyton helped me make cinnamon rolls and bread--we even ground our own!  Got to walk Hunter to school a couple of times, and before Autumn had Gall bladder surgery we all went out to eat, then to a movie (How to Train a Dragon in 3-D).  Did a little gardening, though it was snowy and cold the first week.

Meanwhile back at the ranch on the mesa...Steve and Corey batched it.  Steve had the house spic and span when I got home, especially our bedroom, where he had even dusted and put all the things away in his closet and dresser top.  Wow!  Shined up the bathroom and tub to boot.  He also cooked a scrumptious roast dinner for Sunday, plus he entertained and fed Paul and Kenni's family for 6 days.  They got along pretty well.  It was nice to have all the snow melted when I got home, plus tulips and daffodils blooming all around the house.

April Conference in SLC

We had the great pleasure of taking three of the Young Singles we mentor, to April Conference, and go to the Sunday Session.  For Corey, Kayla and Kim it was a first time experience.

On Friday afternoon we took of tour of temple square taking lots of photos.  Here we are in the Tabernacle.  We had two sister missionaries talk to us and also take us into the Visitors Center.   Corey developed an immediate crush on the sister from Korea!

It was a wonderful experience being able to share these special places with these young people.  After we finished exploring, we drove out to Tooele and stayed with Nathan and Tammy.  Kim and Kayla stayed with the Blacks in Grantsville.  Nathan got in that night from Wash. DC and we had a good visit and also played games with the kids a bit.

Brendan and Laurie are always fun to be around and had lots to tell us.  Tammy fixed us several delicious meals.  We are so happy they are finally in such a lovely home of their own.

   On Sat. we listened to conference, and then got groceries to take into Autumn's so we'd have food to feed the kids Sunday, before Steve started home with them. Also got to see Hinckley for the first time.  Hunter and Peyton are being doting little "big" sister and brother.  Andrew and Amy and their kiddos met us there, with their vegetable basket and the strawberries I had ordered.   (I made jam a couple of times while at Autumn's).

Sunday morning Kim and Kayla met us back in Toeele and we flew into conference.  We were in our seats by 9:30.  The girls were blessed to find us 5 seats together.  It was a great thrill hearing the choir, and wonderful speakers. 

We drove out to Autumn's, ate, and then Steve and the kids headed back to Blanding.  Corey stayed awake the whole time to keep Steve company.  Good for him!

It was a wonderful Conference weekend!

New Grandchildren arrive

We are so happy to welcome two new grandchildren into the family.  Emily Hope was born March 3, 2010.  Emily Hope arrived  at 12:32 PM March 3.  She is 19 1/2" long and 6 lb 11 oz . Her parents are Chris and Pam Wilcox.  She is blessed to have six wonderful brothers and sisters, four adoring grandparents, and 30+ first cousins (I'm not sure how many on the Tripp side) but she is #21 in our family.  We are very blessed to have her in our family

Hinckley William Jeppson was born about 3 weeks early, on March 26 at 9 PM.  He weighed 6 ' 10 oz. and 19 3/4 " long.  His mom was especially grateful for his arrival, as she had been having gall bladder attacks for two weeks.  Grandma Jeppson came and helped out prior to his delivery, and for the first week.  Then Grandma Wilcox got to come help.  He was battling jaundice for about a week, but had a good report today.

From Snowbank to Snowflake

We had a wonderful reunion trip last weekend as we were able to go with Virgena and Richard Clarke and their beautiful daughter Amber, as they were sealed together as an eternal family.  Dad and I were able to be their escorts, and Richard's sister Lula and her husband Bro. Billy were the witness couple, so that made it even more special for all of us.   

   The Clarkes stayed overnight Friday at the same motel we were at, so we were able to help them with clothing, as well as go to dinner together, play a few games and visit.  It ws so fun to be with them again.  


The next day we hit all the thrift shops, visited the Bishop's storehouse, and were back and ready to go to the temple at 12:30.  It was so wonderful seeing them together looking into the double mirrors of eternity.  Afterwards we went to dinner at Trappers in Tayor, together with Sister Ludlam, the Billys, Moniks, Clarkes and us.  If you like lots of meat--that's the place to eat!

     We dropped Corey off in Ganado at the church house on the way down.  The roads were so muddy, we didn't dare try any dirt roads.  We stayed Sat. at Snowflake and got up early, making it to Ganado in time for church.  Many of the people we had hoped to see again were "stuck in the mud", but we did see many, and enjoyed short visits with them.  We stayed for all three meetings, then headed back home to Blanding.  We drove through some rain, but the only real snow we saw was just above Cow Canyon in Bluff.  It was a great weekend. 


(Thanks to the Moniks who are missionaries in Ganado for taking the photos--I forgot my camera.)

Youngest Fishermen on the News

Madison was excited that her picture made it to the Roughin it Outdoors snapshot of the week.  Jaxon was non-communicative about the notoriety and their 15 seconds of fame.
http://connect2utah.com/content/roughin_it/snapshot

Baptism Highlights

Another bright spot for the family was Ethan Jess Wilcox's baptism on January 2, 2009.  What a great way to start the day.  He was baptised along with three of his friends.  Tessa wrote a special note for each of the other children.  What a nice thing to do! 

We all met together at the Monticello Stake Center, for opening services together.  Kathryn was one of the speakers and she did a great job.  There were three Stake Presidents present, so it must have been a pretty important event!!

Afterwards we went over to the Redd's for a yummy dinner, belated birthday presents, and visiting with Kathryn's family. 

It was a special day for Ethan.  He is a "Great" grandson, and we know he'll be a wonderful member of God's kingdom here on earth.

A New Kind of Blog

So what do you do, when you can't leave your snow cave.  Well, you do what any intelligent bear would do, hunker down for the duration, snack on any loose berries and bugs you unearth, and then sleep.  Did I say sleep?!   Actually, everything was true, except for sleeping and the bugs--though I did scarf up a lot of popcorn and cookies!
 Ever since January 4, I've been working non stop on a blog site featuring the Hole-in-the-Rock pioneers.

I was called to be the history specialist for our Stake Youth Trek in June 2-4.  It is interesting how the Lord taps you on the shoulder giving you something to do, that you are prepared to reject, and then once you say, "Yes, I'll do it."  Everything just falls into place. 

When we went to meet with the Stake President, I told Steve, whatever they asked us to do, he would have to do it, because I already felt too busy with my other callings.  We are Young Single Adult Reps for our ward and the college, and doing a monthly bulletin, getting it delivered, and then fellowshipping the dorm kids, is pretty much a weekly job.  Add to that visiting teaching, and doing other fellowshipping in the ward and helping with Addiction Recovery Classes, we both keep busy.  

   But when Pres. Redd explained the need, I couldn't refuse.  I love San Juan County History and feel passionately that our youth needs to learn from the past, and honor the legacy of these early pioneers, so of course I said "Yes".  Rather than just prepare a sheet of paper with pioneer information on it, I wanted to create a site where future trekers could also glean information.  There is also a great need to find additional information about these people, and I am praying that the leaders and youth will help discover these untold stories. 

  I've had a lot of fun being detective the past 3 weeks and have been able to find significant information on several families, primarily because family genealogists are putting their ancestral stories on the Web.  I've found some amazing stories and photos.  We even have family connections with the Hole-in-the-Rock. Lynn's wife, Roseanne Reeves Keeler is related to the Lymans.  Her dad is a direct descendant of Platte DeAlton Lyman.  Then Rob married Kathryn Redd who is a descendant of Lemuel Haridson Redd, one of the scouts for the trek.

One of my best detective episodes concerned Samuel Cox, his wife and little daughter.  Basically all we knew was that he was a fiddle player for the pioneers.  First, I was able to find birth and death dates and full names for them on Family Search. Then believe it or not, I put the daughter's name into a google search, and it found this wonderful family genealogy site, that had the Cox family story, plus a photo of the Sarah as an adult!  I am so thankful for all the family historians out there who are using technology to share their records, histories, and photos.  The Kumen Jones family from Blanding is another one who has taken their records to the Web, and have much useful information for others to use.  The great thing about Kumen is that he wrote so many wonderful things about other people!  Maybe some of your ancestors will be listed there!

Over 100 of the 250 pioneers who came through Hole-in-the-Rock were children.  So I am also creating a companion site just for them called Children of the Rock. I'm even thinking of doing one with poetry about the Hole in the Rock, called Hard Rock Poetry...is that pushing it too far!?  Well, it's too late now, it's already done.

Fasting and Prayers are answered with SNOW and more SNOW

When you live in the desert, it's just like being an Idaho dry farmer, you are always praying for moisture, and this winter our prayers were answered.  We have had a record setting winter this year.  


The LDS Stakes in Blanding fasted for moisture on Dec. 4, and we've had snow on the ground ever since.  The first two pictures were taken Dec. 8.  Steve has done a lot more shoveling since then (as in driveways, walks, and chicken coop roof .  We have had a few wonderful sky blue days between storms when it truly looked like a winter wonderland.

    We slipped up to SLC for a few days between storms for a family party the "northern" kids had organized.  It was lots of fun, with crafts, good food, and a pinata.  There were 27 of us there.  It was wonderful to have so many of us together again.

This was taken the night of our 42nd Anniversary, so we didn't go anywhere to celebrate!  The weather was very cold for 3 weeks, seldom getting above freezing, so the snow just piled up higher and higher.

Anthony and Ashley came for visits both before and after Christmas, and the kids had fun sleigh riding, and playing in the snow, as did the "big" kids.  Grandma just took photos. It was a beautiful day, right after a storm, and lots of Blanding people were up at the 4th Reservoir the day after Christmas.  Rob, Kathryn, and Ethan joined us for a wild rollicking day with tubes and sleighs.

President's Day weekend (Jan. 15-17), Amy and Andrew's family came down and Steve, Andrew, Rob and kids went ice fishing several times.  They caught enough to eat for one of the meals while they were here.  It was wonderful having them come (and very entertaining). We celebrated Mattea's birthday while they were here.  She is five now.

Finally in January it started to warm up a bit.  I've lost track of the number of storms, but they've been big ones, with lots of white fluffy stuff--at least until last week's when it was white heavy, wet snow. It was a huge storm and very wet.  It started the 17th and snowed until the 19th. 

I think we got about 40" during the two days it stormed.  I feel like I've been in a snow cave, especially now that the roof is sending down avalanches and partially covering the windows in the kitchen. 

It is forecast to storm again tonight with up to 8 more inches.  Stay tuned for more "weather" from Blanding, one of the few "dry" towns in Utah! (What do forcasters know--it hardly snowed at all last night, but did rain.)