Wilcox Tribe Holds Reunion At Abajo Haven

Thanks to Andrew and Amy and their good planning, we had an awesome time hiking, playing, eating, swimming, laughing, and visiting for a week with our children and grandchildren.   There are 40 of us now, so we can make quite a commotion.  I loved all the yellow T-shirts--everyone looks like a bright ray of light!  Amy and Andrew designed it (with a little help from Bev) and then she had to silk screen every one of those bright shirts!  What an effort.  Thanks so much.

 Quent and Bev's family came the weekend before and stayed with us.  We had a family cookout with their family, and then they headed north to Travis's wedding in Salt Lake, but made an extra effort to make it back for the family reunion.  It was fun being around Jens, and seeing him taking on his own personality.  Brig kept us all entertained as well.

Chasing water rockets and getting wet was lots of fun, especially for Ava, Sage, Quincy and Ethan!  We always enjoy having EveLyn and Richard join us in these joint-family cookouts.  They are great people.

Autumn and Theron's family came Tuesday evening, so we got to go swimming with them,  Dad even went.   The kids really liked the new pool and all the fun bells and whistles.

 Most of the gang game by Thursday evening when we had our first activities at Abajo Haven.  Every family was assigned a meal for the days were were there, and then we did the meals back at the house Sunday.  It is so nice not having to worry about fixing food every meal.  Thanks everyone for being so well prepared with such good food, and to those who pitched in and helped with set up and clean up. 

The kids really liked the new swimming pool and the dual slides!

Abajo Haven was a beautiful small camping area, with comfy cabins.  Electricity is by solor, but there were still hot showers and water. Nathan had a brand new tent they got to enjoy. It looked pretty slick to set up. Autum and Theron also tented, and the rest of us had a cabin, except for Chris's family, who stayed at our house.

Mr. Haven took us on a canyon hike Friday morning which we all enjoyed.  He showed us how prevalent pottery shards are, and encourage people to not take them...In fact, quite a few are placed on a large rock close to one of the pit houses on his property.  He also showed us Boulder House ruin, and the route of the original Blanding ditch, and shared its story.  The men working on the ditch camped just a little ways north of the Haven property.   These photos show part of the ditch route.

The Blues are in the background

Cutest little Rock Climbers Around!

Amy brought lots of fun crafts to do: decorating buckets, making hats, and designing pet rocks.

Some of the other things we did:



Who can I throw this dirty diaper at?

Mmmmm, love dat fry bread!



  

Even simple things like sand hills are super fun with your cousins around.

Playing in the Sand!  Wayyyyy fun!

WE LOVE A PARADE -- BEST SEATS ON THE ROUTE AT THE MAIN INTERSECTION!

The parade in Monticello on Saturday provided time to visit with friends from the past, play with cousins, run for candy and even get a cool down shower.

  



King Gannon supervises the craziness!

   

         Can't have a reunion without a Water Fight



Logan loves the mud!

The Cousins had lots of time to play with each other, and get better acquainted.  Travis was often the center of attraction, and got to show off his cute personality.

After the parade it was a yummy cookout at Rob and Kathryn's

 Some of the Summer Birthday celebrants

July Birthday Kiddos

Our Favorite Smurfs

  

Time to Swim:

Some of us went over to Recapture and played in the water on the west side, and then on Saturday after the baptism, went swimming again in the new Blanding pool. I had a good visit with Will McFarland while at Recapture, and we invited him and his family over Monday while Anthony and Ashley were still here for a cookout and games.

Sat. Cookout by Chris and Pam

Celebrating birthdays again!

 



We love those grandkids

 

 

But how do you keep them all happy at the same time?

July 4th Quilt Show and 5 K

After Daniel's baptism July 2, we drove back to Blanding.  We hauled back 25 of the State quilt frames in our car. I was home just an hour before going to the Wellness Center to prepare ahead of time, so that the setup would go smoothly that night.  I shouldn't have worried so much, as we had about 10 people come to help.  Kathy Hurst was there to help with the decisions and questions we had, as I'd never set the whole thing up before. Picture #1 shows the Quilt of Valor which our guild made for the National Guard and presented at the awards program.

We hung about 100 quilts between 8 PM and 10:00 -- that included hauling down the frames for the 2nd floor and setting them up.  I was so pleased that it went so fast.  Sunday afternoon some of us came back and changed a few things, fixed the labels, and decorated the entrance.  It looked lots better by the time we left.  Steve brought up our wagon which he had repainted for Toni Lacy who did a patriotic display of a children's parade.  He also hauled up flowers on Monday, as well as helped put bring in frames and set them up.  We were there 2 hrs.  He, along with other husbands and sons, was a huge help.  Sun. afternoon Steve helped me put up sandwich boards and signs outside on two corners.

This is what it was looking like by the time we left Sat. night.  We had lots of help, and made lots of progress.

Monday, July 4th, I got up at 5 PM, to get ready for the 5 K walk, and get the last things loaded up for the show.  Danelle and I started our walk at 6:09, and finished up at 7:03...so I was way happy with how we did.

Went home long enough to water, change, and clean the kitchen then I spent the rest of the day until about 5:30 at the show.  Steve saw the parade, and then brought me something to eat.  The show turned out great and we had good traffic; it was cool, so who could complain.  This is what the entrance looked like:

The quilt I made for CJ was actually the top vote getter, but some of the votes went in Patriotic, and others in traditional, so it affected the final count.  But it still took 2nd place in Traditional.



Hailey's Happy Quilt

We had 170 people fill out the Voters choice ballots.  It took us forever to count them.  Gave cash prizes to 1st place and ribbons for 2nd and 3rd.    Hailey's quilt is for her birthday this month.  I made it from T-shirts she had collected, and used fusible pellon to stabalize the shirt, and do iron-on prep work.




Navajo Stairs



Purple Posies Griddle Cake

Here some of the other quilts I completed this year that were in the show

Aztec Sr. Citizen

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C J does First baptism -- Daniel is Divinely Dunked

Daniel was baptized July 2 by his big brother C J.  Both of them did an amazing job!  We were so glad we could be there to see our oldest grandson setting such a good example for all his cousins who will hold the priesthood in the future.

Think of all the good these future leaders can do if they follow the good example of their father and grandfather.

A happy day for all of Chris and Pam's family.

Nathan and Tammy and their children also attended the baptism and social afterwards.

Grandma Tripp, Jessica, and Great Grandma Prevost were also at the baptism.  Afterwards we had a celebration pizza lunch at the pavillion by the Stake Center.  Then Grandpa and I headed on the long road home..and a busy night getting the quilt show set up...but that's another story.

How thankful we are for the good children we have and the good families they are raising.

What the Home Team Does While The Trekkers Are Away

After a couple of weeks down time, and garden catch up, I caught a ride up to SLC with Linda Halliday.  We left Friday June 24.  We had a fun visit, and stopped in Price and had lunch with Rosalie Payne, who donated 2 cases of quilting magazines to our guild.  Linda was kind enough to carry them back home for me and we resold them at the Quilt Show on July 4th.

It was nice to have a couple of days with Autumn's family to learn the routine, prior to them leaving on for Wyoming to help their Stake with a youth trek. We even went to the West Valley Days Parade.  

 The basic routine for the four days was: Up, get dressed, clean room at 7-7:30, eat at 8, walk to school at 8:30.  Two of the days, Hinckley and Peyton went with me to do a little shopping.  We got seeds and plants to put a garden in, as well as some 4th of July decorations, and reward goodies.  Autumn put together a good chart which we used each day, with smiley faces.  That helped things go smoothly.  It was actually a lot of fun.

Tammy and Laurie and Brendan came over on Tuesday and we had a nice visit while the kids played, and then we had supper together before they left.  Peyton picked out a shirt that matched for her and Laurie.   The boys got similar shits too, but they weren't so enamoured by them!

Steve drove up on Wed. so he was there to help part of the time, and a Kirby guy came by and cleaned one of the rooms...so that was a great bonus surprise!   On Thursday, I did some fabric shopping, and picked up 25 State frames to use in our quilt show.  It took me 3 times scheduling before we got together, but it was a straight shot from Autumn's on 3rd W. and 45th.  While I was meandering, Steve fixed a delicious meal of B-B-Que Ribs, potatoes, and salads.  We also ate a lot of mangos while they were gone, as Autumn had gotten 2 boxes from Bountiful Baskets.

On Friday we drove up to Kaysville to celebrate Gannon's 2nd birthday.  Denny and Connie were there as well, and Autumn's gang stopped in on the way up to Bear Lake for the Jeppson Reunion.

Had gourmet hot dogs, fruit, and chips.  They kids did water slides, jumped in a castle, and hunted in straw for treasures. 

Even grandpa and Leah got in on the hunt.

Of course the main event was blowing out candles multiple times, and opening presents.

Afterwards we headed to Provo for a 2nd set of wonderful Celebrations!

Steve's 2011 Garden

Every year I say I am going to plant a smaller garden. Each year I fill up the whole plot. This spring Janet decided she would like to have some strawberries and raspberries. Andrew and Amy brought me a few raspberry plants the first part of April. Unfortunately, some of them froze so I ordered 75 strawberry plants and 12 raspberry plants from Burgess. It took over a month and one half before they finally arrived. I also ordered 25 raspberry plants from Daisy farms. They were here within a week. Not all of the strawberry plant lived so I sent for the free replacements. We eventually hope to have a good strawberry and raspberry patch.
Even though my garden seems to be later this year the garden it is doing very well. I planted five rows of potatoes on April 07 with the good help of our granddaughter, Madison Wilcox. It took them a month to come up, but they look real good. I have also planted carrots, beets, spinach, radishes, lettuce, cabbage, Swiss chard, okra, onions, and 70 pepper plants of different varieties. I have cucumbers, zucchini, yellow and butternut squash.
    I have planted my first two plantings of corn and will plant the third planting in a week. Two of our grandsons, Sam and Ethan,  helped me plant the 2nd planting. The first planting is about 10 inches tall. I planted two rows of pole beans and on Monday I will put in the poles for the beans to climb. I put in 50 tomato plants and the tomatoes are setting on, plus I have honey dew, watermelon and cantaloupe that are doing well. The ground where I planted my tomatoes and melons is covered with black plastic and is irrigated by drip system. It takes very little water to water them and there will be no weeds. I appreciate my dad teaching me how to garden and because of his good example, I try to keep my garden weed free.

I receive great satisfaction from my garden and I really enjoy eating the fresh produce.  We ate our first radishes this weekend.

Bi-State Excurions

 After a very busy Quilt Camp, and 5 days with four of the grandkids, we headed to Tooele on Friday the  June 3to take Lauie and Brendan home.   We stoped in Provo to deliver Danny's birthday quilt.  Most of the other kids were on Herpes alert....so we didn't stay long.  Danny will be baptized July 2 by CJ.

We stayed with Tammy and Nathan that night, and went to Brendan's Soccer game the next morning.  Nathan finished up a big research paper for his class the weekend they brought the kids down, so he's down to his last semester of school for his Masters.  Tammy and I had a lot to talk about--mainly about healthy food recipes, their new drink blender, and family matters.  I'm so busy with projects and service at home, I don't squeeze in many phone calls each week, I'm sorry to say, but I love visiting in person.

Since Steve was headed home Sunday, we left for Autumn's in the afternoon so he would have a little time to play with the Munchkins there...and as you see we did munch. 

    Amy and her crew of three joined us for a sunny day lunch.  Andrew and Amy had just gotten back from seeing Little Mermaid at Tuachan that weekend.

Hinckley has really grown up a lot and is walking all over; Jaxon has turned into quite a jabber box, and, of course, Mattea is still the organizer of fun and games, along with Hunter and Peyton.

Autumn and I and the kids went to the big West Valley Days parade, and shopped a bit--though didn't have much money to squander!  We walked Hunter to school each morning, and I learned some of the regime I'll need to follow when I got back to tend the kids the end of June, while Theron and Autumn are trek leaders.  Hunter and Peyton have learned to clean up their bedrooms really quite good, which is a big help to their mom

Monday evening we went to see 17 Miracles, which was about the Martin and Willie Handcart companies.  It was wonderfully done, with striking cinamatography.  Well worth a trip to SLC to see it.  I've recommended it to everyone I've seen.  Hope it comes to Blanding.

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Wed. morning Autumn dropped me off at the airport, and I flew to Phoenix, where Ashley picked me up.  I got the ticket for $115 on Delta.   It was a quick and easy flight--no nap time.  We went bargain hunting at American Discount..and I froze most of my things, 'til we drove home Mon. the 13th.  It was fun seeing all the new things the kids were doing.  Sam has turned into a terrific reader, and seems to remember everything explained to him. 

I went with the kids to their last swimming lesson with cousin Mark as chauffeur, while Ashley went to a Dr. appt.  Logan still has a hard time listening to the teacher, but she is fearless when she dashes into the water..

Sammy learned the back stroke, and is getting lots of confidence.   By Sat. he was doing flips and dives into Karen's pool!

Anthony is firmly entrenched into his summer schedule which includes a class, and working 150 hrs. for the County attornies, and writing a research paper.  I don't think he'll get bored.

   After swim lessons Ashley took me over to Quent and Bev's and I got to see the new beautiful baby, Jens Quentin.  He was born May 9, just after Mother's Day...so that was a great present.  The kids are all really wonderful with him, and are a big help to Bev.  Jens looks really healthy and filled out, but we're not sure if he likes chocolate yet as Bev thinks that's why he gets fussy.

  We had several joint meals together, the big hit being fresh produce and Mexicano grilled chicken from the hood. 

Karen also hosted an early birthday party for Logan Sat. afternoon at their place, and Quent and the kids came over for that.  All the kids swam there, chased bubbles, and played with Fudge--the dog, who can catch a toy in mid-air.

 

 

Everybody helped blow candles out.

 

 

Friday evening, the dad's catered to Grandma's wish, and we went to Yogurt Kingdom to try the multiple choice flavors and toppings.  One of my classmate's husband plays there on Fridays.  Last time I was down, Sharon took us hiking up to Elephant Butte. 

 

Sunday I was back in Logan's bed, and then late church on Sunday.  The air conditioner had gone out, so the last 2 meetings were cancelled...More time for naps! 

 

Ashley had lots of prep and packing getting ready to leave on Monday, as she'll be gone 2 weeks.  We ended up taking the Tahoe, and I bought as much fresh fruit as I could fit in, from a little market on our way out of town.  Great prices: 2 lbs strawberries for $1; catalope 2/$1; honeydew 3/$1. Colored bell peppers 5/$1.

We had a nice trip back to Blanding; got there about 4 PM and Steve was ready to plant corn with Sam and Ethan. He also took the boys fishing.  Rob's family came down and we had ribs and birthday cake for the birthday girls.  Steve did a good job of getting everything prepared for the meal, and activities.  He even decorated the kitchen and ordered a birthday cake.
 
I made about 7 batches of strawberry jam that night before I went to bed, so we're stocked back up again.  The next morning Dad headed to the temple and we took a long hike up to see the tepee, tower, and pioneer houses out at the Nations of the Four Corners.  The kids really had a fun time, and Travis was a good traveler in the stroller.   They actually wanted to stay and sleep in the tepee.

After the hike, we drug home...had lunch, and the kids packed up to head to Altamont. 

 

Buff Stuff Goin' On

Theron participated in a Jeppson team relay on June 3-4.   Out of 44 teams Theron's team took second place. They got beat by about nine minutes. I guess that's not bad after riding 527 miles. Autumn reported Theron had heat exhaustion during the heat of the day and got really cold riding during the night. He had to stop and put on warmer clothes. This stress made him sick and he was throwing up. Because Theron took first place in the Lotoja the $150. per team member was waved for his whole team. Theron got a fancy tee shirt for being team leader and each of Theron's team members including Theron received a nice watch, so they came out ahead

Theron said the organizer of the race had a word of prayer before the start of the race in Moab. The presentations of the awards will be later this evening, but Theron couldn't stay. When the fellow in charge of the race asked him why he had to get back, Theron told him he had bishop things to do. The fellow said I know what you mean, I'm also a bishop.

A few weeks earlier Autumn ran in the Ogden Marathon and finished ahead of her last marathon time.  She reported it was perfect weather, and beautiful, but lots of uphill running.

As of June Autumn has logged in 500 miles of running, and Grandma Janet has over 300 miles walking.  

June updates

Here's a few pix of our fun new swimming pool...at least the part for the bigger kids.

Travis learned how to flirt with girls at the pool yesterday! Ethan, Laurie, and Brendan learned to defend themselves on the log jam/monkey ropes. It was the only beautiful day so far this week. So glad we went then. Steve was at the temple from 8-2:30, enjoying the peace and quiet...!

Today Steve tended the boys, while I did quilt camp with Laurie. He had to do some multi-tasking to survive, but only burned 1 pizza.

Rob and Kathryn got home today. The next hearing on the adoption is on the 21 of June. Their lawyers are forcing the judge to require that previous decisions be complied with, i.e. DNA proof, home evaluation, etc. To \night Laurie and Brendan went to Nizhoni's softball game, and played for a while. Both the girls got a lot done at camp. We had 22 kids, and about 12 leaders. Tomorrow...more of the same, but it will be easier, as they now know how to thread a machine, and the needle, and sew semi-straight! We hope to have the top done before we leave on Friday for Tooele.
 
More on the court proceedings:
Here is a more detail on what happened at court from Rob: I guess the judge came in with an attitude and wasn't going to hear the case. He had reviewed the past judgements and still had the opinion that LDS family services used fraud to do this adoption. The judge kept telling our attorney to move on. I guess it got real heated and he said he wasn't going to move on until he got the information out.
      Luckily the other attorney had the birth father on the stand and he testified that he went to SLC and met with LDS family services before Travis was born. That kind of self-incriminated himself. He never told anyone that before. If we would have knpwn that at the first, I think it would have been settled by now. The judge did admit that the courts made a mistake and there was no fraud involved.


Mom was right on what the courts ordered. They appointed a G.A.L for Travis. He will do the home study on all 3 families involved. They only problem with that, the next hearing is in 3 weeks, and they won't have time to do the study before then. They said if that's is the case, we will have to have another hearing after this one in 3 weeks. We have to have a DNA test on Travis. They are telling us that we have to go to Colorado Springs before the next court date to do this. Hopefully they can send us the kit and we can do it here.

They next court date is the 21st and 23rd of June. They have it scheduled for 2 days because of all the testimonies that will be presented. So we might have to be back in Denver for a week. We didn't get to go to court on Tuesday. Only our attorneys knew we were there. We were the secret weapon. Hopefully next time we will be able to testify.

Another thing in our favor, because the Birth Father filed the wrong paper work. He filed a allocation of parental responsibility, instead of petition of paternity, we now have rights. The state of Colorado, after having the child in the home for more than 6 months, we can intervene and we now have rights. If this drags on for more that 1 year, the burden now goes to the other side, and they have to show that we are unfit to have Travis. That's why they are trying to rush this case. The judge still wants to do everything required by law, but doesn't want to be the reason this drags on for more than the year.

So as it looks, worse case scenario, They won't terminate the father's rights and they will give him visitation rights. He would have to start paying child support to us, but we will still have custody of him. We wouldn't be able to finalize until his rights are terminated. Our attorney said in past cases like this, the father looses interest after a few months and quits paying. At that point, we could have his rights terminated. So we shall see.
     All and all the hearing went good for us. At least the judge said he needs to start going by state statue instead of skipping around. So our side felt real good about it. They said the birth father's attorney was pretty upset when she left the court house, so the tides are turning. Any questions, give us a call.
    Thanks. Rob and Kathryn.