Pioneer Trek - Day 2

Day 2 started out with sunshine and blue skies! It was a perfect morning! The Ma's and Pa's got up and started making breakfast for their families which consisted of made from scratch biscuits and sausage gravy. They did a wonderful job. It was so much fun cooking and teaching those who hadn't done it before. Some had a little trouble with the biscuits, but there were enough to go around.
Everyone ate well....we needed a hearty breakfast.....it was going to be a long day!
Everyone was so willing and able to just jump in and help out. Many hands really do make light work.
The kids had lots of fun playing on the tire swing, playing tetherball(not pictured) or Ninja Destruction! I'm pretty sure every time we had some free time, there was a round of that going on....and not just the kids!
We had some mountain men come and visit with us this morning. They told us a little bit about the history of the country and meeting Brigham Young on his journey to the Great Salt Lake Valley.
They then took everyone out to show them how to throw knives, axes and shoot black powder guns. Everyone who wanted got to try it. It was very entertaining!
Watch out for Ma Cook! She'll get ya if you're outta line!
We then headed up the road from camp and through the grass and sage brush. We walked for about 30 minutes and stopped for a little rest. We didn't want the kids getting going quite as fast as they had the day before! We needed to pace them a little better today. Naturally, when we stopped, there was a game of Ninja Destruction going again.
Of course there were those who preferred to spend their time resting!
Off we go again!
We head up and down through the swells of the land and down to the canyon rim. There we met up with Sister Stephanie Parker who told us of the story of Sarah and her fiance` George.
After that it was lunch time again. We had a nice little rest....some tried to get out of the sun by napping under the handcarts, there was another big game of Ninja Destruction going on....most just sat around and visited, enjoying the beautiful day.
We worked our way around the canyon rim, not being able to go any other way. Everyone moved pretty well on the sloped hillside. We stopped for a bit and had a good break and got up and got going, the leaders knowing what was coming up ahead of us.....the Women's Pull. When we got near the hill that the women would be pulling up, we detoured down to the point out above the canyon. There we had some men from the Mormon Battalion come and tell all the men and boys that their services were needed and they were to leave immediately with them. Our Bishop talked to us for a few minutes about the importance of the priesthood in our lives.
We then heard a few words from our Relief Society President about how we as women can help the men in our lives, whether they are our husbands, fathers, brothers or friends, to sustain their priesthood.
My cute husband with the horse and mule.
After those inspiring talks we all headed back up to the bottom of the hill. The men headed off, leaving the women below to take care of the handcarts and continue on in our journey to Zion. The men lined up along the hill and could not say anything. All they could do was stand and watch us pull the carts up the hill alone. It was SO HARD! Physically, emotionally, spiritually! I can't even look at these pictures with the tears welling up in my eyes remembering the experience.
My legs were burning as we were getting to the top of the hill. One of the girls down below was not feeling good....she was a little dehydrated and had a bit of heat stroke. And some of the families only had one girl and the ma. Us up front knew that they would need help, so we hurried as quickly as we could so we could go back and help them.
As soon as we got to the top and parked our carts and grabbed a drink of water we turned around and headed straight back down the hill. Some of the girls were literally running back to go help their sisters in need.
Most of them had helped the other carts up the first time, so we headed back to get the last 2 carts up the hill....we already pulled up 4 of them. It was not easy.....at all! My legs burned....my lungs burned. I couldn't even look at the guys because I knew that I would loose it. All I could do was focus on the ground in front of me and shout my encouragement to the ladies.
The second time up should have been harder....but it wasn't. There were more of us to each cart, but I know that it was more than that! I know that we had more "help" than we could see. I could feel my dad there helping us....I could feel the spirits of our ancestors pulling and pushing with us. It was all I could do to keep up and not be run over by the handcart.

I can't begin to describe my joy as we all made it to the top with everyone and everything. The Spirit was so strong that you could almost reach out and grab it. And I did, with every hug I had with some of my sisters there. It is definitely an experience that I will never forget. It's something that I really wish everyone has the privelege to experience in their lifetime.
The rest of the way back to camp was fairly simple....mostly level or downhill. It was nice to have a peaceful, almost restful walk after that experience.....I need some quiet time to compose myself again. When we got back we had some time to rest and relax. The kids found a shady spot to relax in. Pa Jemmett offered to wash some of our feet for us....I gladly accepted! My legs were really dirty! I had put on some lotion that morning and all the dust stuck to it really well.
A little before dinner was ready, the Pony Express rode into camp with letters for all of the kids from their parents. It was a humbling experience to watch some of the kids read their letters and really get emotional.
Our Trek dog, Lily!
After dinner we did some square dancing!
We really got the dust a flyin'! Everyone had a great time!
Here we go some more.....it's a great workout! It is not slow at all! It's go or get run over!
Afterward, everyone got settled in the shelter so we could have our Testimony meeting.
It was another amazing experience! Most of the kids got up and bore their testimonies. Most of them talked about how they really didn't want to come on the Trek, but they were all so glad that they did. I'm so glad that they did also. Gary stood up and bore his short, but sincere testimony.....it was amazing. I stood and talked about my dad, the priesthood, the farm and my love of the Gospel and my Ward. I'm so lucky to be here.
We were there from about 8:30 to Midnight, giving everyone a chance to express their feelings and share their testimonies of the gospel. It was such a humbling and full-filling experience. I hope that I can always keep that feeling alive and burning inside of me. Through this journey I've been learning the true meaning of having the fire of the covenant inside of me. It burns bright and deep now! I am so grateful!

Pioneer Trek - Day 3 & 4

Day 3 started out pretty easy....we didn't have to pull the handcarts today! After breakfast, which was a Mountain Man Breakfast with hashbrowns, eggs and sausage all cooked and mixed together and served in tortillas and the optional fruit, we headed straight out of camp with only the water we could carry with us. It was a beautiful day, as you can see. We followed the little draw that is right off of the camp and followed it down to the canyon to the creek.
About 1/3 of the way down, all of the leaders, who weren't Ma's and Pa's, "scouted" ahead to the Arched Rock.
Up there we had a cooler full of water balloons hidden and waiting!
We all stuffed our pockets and grabbed as many as we could. We told everyone to gather together below so that we could take a picture of the group from the hole in the arch. When they were all together, we let the balloons fly! They were all so surprised! It was great. It was so warm that some of the kids and Ma's and Pa's were upset that they didn't get hit and get a little water refresher.
We then gathered everyone, one "family" at a time and took pictures around the Arched Rock. This is all of the extra adults that were there that day. Don't I look cute in my pink shirt and cowboy hat?! This really is an amazing group of people to be put with. You just can't ask for any better!
This is Ma and Pa Cook's family.
Here is Ma and Pa Jensen and their kids.
Here we have Ma and Pa Larsen with their gang.
This is Ma and Pa Lounsbury with their crew.
And the last family is Ma and Pa Jemmett and their kids.
When we got down to the creek, we found a shady spot and all played a game about my grandma crossin' the plains. It was a lot of fun.
We then had a visit from Ephraim Hanks who told his amazing story of when he was told to go help the saints in the Willie and Martin handcart companies. If you want to know more of the story, you can go here. He brought with him all of the fixin's for our lunch.
After we ate lunch and cleaned up, we headed back up out of the canyon. We walked out up another trail. Those who got back first had some fun with Gary and playing in the skid steer for a little bit.
Some of them also convinced "Ephraim", who was really my father-in-law, to give them a ride on the horse and mules.
Sierra went and took a little ride with her Grandpa. I know she enjoyed that!
While we were cleaning up camp and waiting for the time that we needed to leave, the families had a little contest to see who could get a fire going the quickest to burn a string that was tied across the cooking area. It was really close! They started building and leaning sticks right up to the string, but in the end, only one family could win in the end.....and it was the Larsen Family!
Soon after that we got all of the handcarts loaded, all of the kids and leaders loaded and headed to the Labelle church on the backroads. We dropped off at the end of the road by the church and walked in pushing the handcarts to meet our families. It was a great end to the day. We had a little ward party there with hot dogs, chips, salads and desserts. It was wonderful to see my kids and others in the ward there to support our journey. But it wasn't quite over.
The next day, Sunday, we had a special Sacrament meeting. The bishop made it all about the Trek. He asked a few of the kids and the leaders to tell about their experience and to bear their testimonies. He asked Gary to speak......and he said "Yes"! I was in shock! That meeting is one that I will never forget! I bawled the entire time....the Spirit was so strong in that meeting. Gary spoke about how all of those kids touched his heart in a way he never expected. He also met some of the leaders and has made some great friends, which he also was not expecting. I've seen the light shining in him that he's tried to keep covered up for years. He bore his simple testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel. I have never heard it before. It was simply an amazing experience for all of those that know and love him. The experience may be over, but the journey continues. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to participate in this Pioneer Trek. I've learned so many things about myself and those around me. I've learned so much more about my relationship with my Heavenly Father and his beloved son Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I can't imagine my life with the knowledge of the gospel. I want to thank everyone who had a hand in helping with the Trek and making it such a success for all of us. I can't wait to do it again! On with the journey.......

July randomness and getting ready for Trek

We had a 1st birthday to celebrate in July....here is my cuter than cute nephew Bridger. Don't you just want to squeeze those cheeks and belly! He is such a happy boy....so easy to smile and love everyone around him.

He LOVED his birthday cupcake! We were all afraid that he was going to suffocate himself with it because he kept just inhaling it! He had it completely pressed into his mouth and nose. His mom and dad kept trying to move it down more towards his mouth, but he would always shove it right back up his nose! I'm sure he liked whatever cake and icing he actually got into his mouth, although I'm sure it wasn't much.
The birthday party was at Heise. Grace was kinda bummed because of her wrist, she was at the point that we were waiting to see the Orthopedic Surgeon, so she had to be careful, no horseplay or swimming or basically anything fun. As you can tell she was SO excited to be there without much she could actually do.
Score on the cheap toys! He loved the ball we got him....and so did the other kids. He didn't get to play with it for too long before it ran off with some of the big kids so they could play soccer.
Brotherly love! Gaylen had to push his weight around with his baby brother. I think Gavin was being kinda nice to Gaylen too and didn't want to hurt him! ;)
Some of the "Moms" for the Pioneer Trek came over and helped me do some food prep the week before the trek. It was lots of fun....even though I wasn't actually there helping very much. That was the day I had to take Grace in to the Orthopedic Surgeon. But thanks to these lovely ladies, there was so much less work for me!
Some of them brought their kids over and they all played outside together.
A train of kids on the slide! They all had so much fun together!
Here's Gary working on another project in the shelter. We really want to honor my dad....not just him, but both of my parents. (Sometimes I think Gary just comes up with things to make my mom cry and hug him again!) The fire still burns strong in us to make the farm a wonderful place where the family wants to be. We really want to feel my dad's spirit there always.
Finished product up top. I love looking at it. We still have lots of ideas that will probably happen next summer. The other sign down by the benches was Grace's sign that Gary helped her do.
Here we are hiking down a draw. Gary and his dad are up ahead cleaning out a path for the horses and mules to get down there during the trek. It was so hot that day! I only had on capri's....I wasn't exactly planning on trekking through the brush with a 4 year old that day. I scratched the crap out of my legs....oh well....just conditioning for the next week, right?!
We drove around the canyon rim on the family property and at the old cabin we saw this cute rock chuck pokin' out.
This is why we came out around, at the corner of the property is a pile of rocks and it kinda looked like what the pioneers would have done when they buried someone. It was actually a property line marker, but we moved the rocks around a little more to make it look more like a grave. This was going to be one of our stops on our trek. I found some sticks and Gary lashed together this cross for our grave marker.
So much more to tell you about the trek, but that will be a long post....so I will do it soon! I promise.

4th of July Weekend - 2010

We started out our weekend with a project.....surprise, I know! If you look in the background you'll see our new/used trampoline we bought for $50 from some friends of ours, reconstructed it and kinda buried into the hillside. It has been a big hit with everyone! My kiddos there on the skid steer think they are just cool beans, which I think so too! Seriously....how cute are they?!
My nephew Noah just chillaxin' in the chair. Emma thinks that he is just the greatest....they both love each other so much. They are always making each other laugh, even if one or the other is tired and grouchy, they can always get each other to smile!
Naturally the kids just "had" to sleep out on the new trampoline! They were all sorts of snuggled and cozied up to one another and they slept really well too.....we had to wake them up in the morning!
I love this picture of Emma, just sitting out in the grass finding all of the little wonders that there are to find in dirt and grass. You can't help by just be awed by the simpleness of it all. It's so easy to forget to "smell the flowers", as they say, or feel the dirt and grass between your fingers and remember that we have a Heavenly Father who created all of this wonderful goodness for us to cherish and enjoy!
Out kickin' and throwin' the old pig skin around.
On Saturday night we headed up to our hill to watch the fireworks around the area. I love going up here....there is always a spectacular light show as the sun goes down across the valley.
This is a great picture, but I really wish all of you could experience this in person.....we have the best sunsets around here....I could take pictures of them every evening and never get tired of them!
All set up and ready to spy the fireworks across the valley. We watched them from Rexburg to Idaho Falls. We heated up some water and made hot chocolate while we were up there to help stay warm....it's been a cool summer! I'm not complaining about that at all! I, personally, have enjoyed the coolness of it all immensely!!
Kristi and Rob and their girls, Megan and Mariah, came up to play with us and enjoy the day.
Grace.....well for one thing, she is NOT shy! She's pretty silly!
Hanging out around the fire as the day comes to an end. There's nothing like a good fire on a summer evening.

This is my Patriotic Brownie that I made in the dutch oven. I actually did one in a 14" oven first, but it made it too thin and I ended up burning it while I was eating my dinner. So I started over, luckily I had enough of the ingredients to do that! I did this one in a 12" oven and it worked out perfectly! I topped it with a cream cheese topping and then put fresh strawberries, raspberries and blackberries on top. It was so yummy!
This is the first time my mom has been on a 4-wheeler in literally decades! And the fact that she took her first ride with Joe of all people was pretty amazing! He was so good with her though, he was careful and didn't go too fast. Way to go Grandma!
We made a few more signs to go around the campsite this weekend. This one Joe really wanted. It's sort of become our slogan of the summer around here. You'll hear Joe say it all the time....You have to work hard so that you can play hard. That is one of the many reasons we love it up here. It gets our family really working with each other and then we get to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor. It really has helped us teach our kids the necessities and joys of hard work. That is so important to us! It's been a great weekend once again!