Post Script Photos

Here are some more photos of the half marathon.

Ah, ha, ha, I just wanna be a race star!

In honor of Joshua's birthday, I'm finally posting some of the photos and videos from the Star Valley Half-Marathon.

So you all know how Joshua and Briana got here Friday and Joshua decided that day to run the next morning.  We later learned from another race star, Nicolina, that Joshua's lack of actual training was supplemented by his tree climbing job, and not just the Erickson mental and physical toughness that all y'all so frequently demonstrate.

Joshua and Briana got up earlier than we did to be there for the start of the race.  It was also in the middle of hay season.  But we did enjoy taking time to support Joshua and cheer for him.  James rode his bicycle along side from Grandma's house to the end.

After the race and the cool down, we all hurried home to quickly change to go to a funeral where all the Berezays were.  Lorraine Berezay, Bishop Berezay's stepmother, had passed away.  Lorraine's daughter, Diana Heiner, lives in our ward and had taken care of her mother for the last three months of Lorraine's life.  We gave all the Berezays quick hugs as the viewing time was ending, then slipped out to work in the hay.  Well, actually Briana and I made strawberry jam while the guys did the hay.

After the guys were finally done, we went to Crow Creek to fish.  Joshua wanted Briana to try out some fresh caught trout.  Because of the very wet spring and summer, the grass was over 6 feet tall by the creek. Those of us with hay fever allergies, Briana, James and myself, were completely miserable, finally resorting to waiting in a little more protective environment of the car.  But Dad, Joshua and Grandpa managed to overcome the grass and catch a couple of fish.  Which we did prepare the next day.  When Joshua asked her how she liked it, she said it was a little difficult to separate the fried taste from the fish taste to fully determine the fish taste.  I realized, that yes, so often I'm just tasting the fry taste.  We'll have to try more grilling - so thanks for the awareness, Briana!

So Saturday was a very full day.  Joshua was a trooper with whatever recovery pains he must have been feeling.  He moved stiffly on Sunday, but still with a smile on his face. 

We enjoyed Sunday with Briana and Joshua.  They came with us to our marriage class during Sunday School.  We proud to show them off!  After dinner, we enjoyed watching Pele', which was James' favorite summer movie that we shared with almost anyone who came to visit.

We were so grateful that Joshua and Briana took time to see us before they moved.  I know that their same determination and enthusiasm is blessing them in their new location.

Someone asked who he was as he ran by - I had to proudly say, "That's my son."

Hooray!  

Share the Learning

I know all of you know this but here's something from my Psych class this week:

In 1996, the National Court Appointed Advocate Association (CASA) launched a study on factors related to adolescent substance use (CASA, 2007). Findings indicated that parent engagement was the most effective tool for preventing substance abuse in young people. In addition, risk for substance abuse was especially low in families that frequently ate meals together. Follow-up studies show that although the average family meal lasts only about 18 to 20 minutes, it is an important context for child and adolescent development. Fiese and Schwartz (2008) identify the following positive outcomes associated with frequent family mealtimes:

1.    For families with children under the age of 12, time spent eating together predicts fewer behavior problems.

2.    Children who share frequent family meals sleep better than those who never or rarely participate in family mealtimes.

3.    Frequency of family meals is related to a reduced risk of obesity and a greater consumption of fruits and vegetables.

4.    Family mealtimes are a protective factor against eating disorders.

5.    Children who share frequent family meals are more emotionally content, have better peer relationships, work harder in school, and have better communication with their parents than children who rarely experience family meals.

6.    Frequency of family meals predicts vocabulary growth and academic achievement. Family mealtimes provide valuable opportunities for conversation and storytelling and help children acquire social skills, such as turn taking and table manners.

7.    As children move into adolescence, family mealtimes predict lower rates of drug taking, depression, and delinquency.

What factors contribute to the positive outcomes associated with family meals? Fiese and Schwartz (2008) point out that there is no specific cutoff point for meal frequency and healthy outcomes. However, research suggests that five meals a week seems to be optimal, whereas three meals are not. In addition, the family climate plays an important role, as the most favorable outcomes tend to occur when mealtimes are well-organized and well-regulated. Television viewing during mealtimes is associated with less socialization, conversation, and monitoring of children's behavior and a greater likelihood of overeating. Thus, the television should remain off during family meals. Although the contemporary family is becoming increasingly busy and overscheduled, a very simple routine-family mealtimes-can have significant and enduring benefits for children and adolescents.

Elk, Tillerys and More Elk

Hey Everyone!
Hope all of you are doing well.  This last weekend and the week preceding have been so busy.  Sometimes I'm so busy living the life that I don't record the life.  I need to do better with photos, but what photos I have to give, I give freely.

Last Monday, Dad and James went hunting up on the hill above us, Robinson's hill, Esther and Amori's wipe out hill - that hill.

Dad was just walking out the door for work when Bart showed up on a motorcycle or four wheeler. Bart had been out scoping and there were about 40 head of elk on the hill.  Dad grabbed James, who was off school that day.  They both grabbed their guns and headed out.  I think they need to fill you in on all the juicy details, but they did both shoot and Dad did get a cow elk.  He came back home about noon, left for work and Bart skinned out the elk.  Like I said, I need to improve with the photos.  But here is what is visible now.

Esther was disappointed there was no What's App post, so I told her I would get what I could.  Here it is.

Not a ghost - just the remaining uncut portion of the elk that's still hanging in the garage.

We were still involved in cutting up James' deer from the week or so before, so we had to finish that up before undertaking more. 

 After we had wrapped some steaks and a few roasts, we only had about 35 lbs. of deer meat left.  Which we were thinking of doing part hamburger, part jerky.  It takes 40 lbs of game meat to do one batch of jerky.  Dad added another 5 lbs. of elk meat to complete the batch.  That way we know the quality of the entire batch of jerky.  We finished up the deer by Thursday.

Friday evening the Tillerys arrived, minus Luke.  Chrystal, Cody and Ruby, went up to Grandma's to take a belated card from us for Grandpa's 83rd birthday and to say hi to Aaron and Brent and their families, who were leaving the next morning.  [As a side note, Dad and I had taken Grandma and Grandpa to an amazing concert the night before at the high school in part to celebrate Grandpa's birthday, but that's another story.]

The rest of us got a hot dog roast ready. I had spent most of the day preparing for and taking a math exam.  My brain was worn out.  But I did manage to get clean sheets on our bed for Chrystal and any of her children that might want to sleep there.  Dad spent quite a bit of time preparing liver and onions.  Elk liver.  Chrystal came back. We fed everyone, hot dogs, pork and beans, and brave souls tried liver and onions, even a couple of extra neighbor boys, cousins really, Daryl, Lane and Johnny.  

The next morning, Dad, James and Cody met up with Bart to hunt more elk. They left about 7:30. Cody has a Wyoming license since Luke gives Cody a dual-state thing. I thought they would only be gone 3 or 4 hours and did not send a lunch or anything.  I had potato/egg casserole muffins and pumpkin muffins ready for breakfast the night before, but I slept in some.  Chrystal fed everyone scrambled eggs and pumpkin muffins.  When I got up I warmed up some potato muffins and we sent the hunters on their way.

Chrystal and I enjoyed a walk up the hill and over to our property.

During the day, Chrystal hung a wall grouping for me above the piano that Linda Lee had started in the summer, but I never got finished.  This is the finished hanging.

The mirror that was above the piano is now on the opposite wall.  I love it!  The mirror position now better reflects light from the window which is good for my well-being, to have more light in my space.

I was trying to finish up some school assignments so Chrystal just worked mostly without me.  She cut up a quarter and a half of elk.  Some in bowls for hamburger and some roasts and steaks wrapped and in the freezer.

One of my assignments was to interview a child between the ages of  2 and 6. Ruby is conveniently 6 and I enjoyed interviewing her.  I finished up my school and then helped Chrystal with the remaining cutting.  (Which wasn't much.)  McKay had helped quite a bit too, but he and Zayne would take breaks playing football or jumping on the trampoline outside with all the extra boys that were here.  We had intervals of snow, sunshine, wind and cold, so sometimes they would come inside to warm up.  Movies watched were Lion King and Sorcerer's Apprentice.

After we fed everyone again, Navajo tacos, including a couple extra boys, Caleb and Levi, Chrystal and I cleaned up and left for Kyle and Melissa Heiner's Open House in Freedom.  The hunters still weren't home.

Kyle and Melissa look very happy.  They went to Cancun for their honeymoon.  Melissa served a mission in Argentina so her Spanish ability helped them in Mexico.  Kyle said that people would look at him as if he should be the one who knew Spanish and he would just point to Melissa.  :)  Kyle also asked about Esther, Jared and John, so we gave a bit of an update. Hal and Jann looked very happy too.  Melissa's mother was there, and she, and the already mentioned Heiners, made up the entire receiving line.  Grandma and Grandpa were there socializing when we came and so was Vera Lyn and all the kids except Kaylie and Cameron.  Kaylie's at BYU, liking being a college girl.  Cameron stayed home to be with his dad.  Dallin had to be sure to tell me that he wanted to get together with James.  He remembered playing bananagrams and eating about two loaves of homemade bread and jam the last time he visited us.  

When we got home from the Open House Dad, James and Cody were back.  Bart had gotten a cow about 11 a.m.  After cleaning it out they determined to use pole-like sticks to pack it out.  After hiking out for about three hours, they startled more elk.  Cody shot a cow.  I know for sure he would love to give all y'all the play by play, much better than I could.  He was so excited.  When Chrystal and I pulled in we could see Cody on the phone, talking to his dad.  The first one with whom he shared the great news.

It was about 4:00 p.m. when Cody shot.  By the time it was cleaned out and all it was too dark to do any more hiking.  So they just came home.  It was about 8:30.  The four of them had shared Bart's two sandwiches, that and some Gardettos that Chrystal sent comprised their total nourishment for the day.  Leftover Navajo tacos looked great to them.

Cody's tag and the hat he left behind

Loading Cody's elk

Didn't get a photo of the animal sooner - but I think Cody did.  They decided to take it to the local meat processing place, now called, "The Block" no longer run by Dana's.

Sunday was the Primary program.  Dad sat up on the stand with his class.  I especially loved the closing song - 

After church, Dad, Chrystal, James, Cody and McKay all went up to bring down the two elk.  It was a cold afternoon.  I prepared a birthday dinner for Dad.  Elk roast, mashed potatoes, salad, broccoli, rolls and oatmeal cake with homemade caramel walnut ice cream.  The elk was a little dry after sitting so long in the crock pot, but it has a good flavor.  A friend told me her favorite way to prepare elk is french dip sandwiches.  I think I will try that soon. Chrystal brought some goodies and gifts too.

Homemade salsa Chrystal made

To go with chips

Best tasting milk - Dad's favorite!

New shirt for birthday

By the time dinner was over, there was still some skinning to do, I think.  Cody and Dad went up to Bart's where the animals were.  In the meantime, Grandma, Grandpa and Vera Lyn and kids all came for cake and ice cream. (Esther - Kenyan asked about you)  Dad came back since he was a guest of honor for dessert.  After singing "Happy Birthday" to both Dad and Grandpa, I had to slip out for a stake meeting.  When I came home everything was completely quiet, the house empty, (Dad and James were still up skinning, I think) and Chrystal had left the kitchen spotlessly clean.

My sink hasn't looked this clean in months - thanks Chrystal!

It would have been better to take photos of Chrystal by the clean sink, or the gang of us eating the salsa, or all of us singing "Happy Birthday", as I said, I'll have to get better at recording it all.

Here's the video of my interview with Ruby.

Here's the closing song from the Primary Program - which we've decided is our theme for our trek. "Choose Him Again".

We love you all!  

Mom and Dad

Spring in Canon City

It's now Fall in Wyoming, and I'm trying to remember all about my trip to Canon City in the Spring.  (Are seasons supposed to be capitalized?)  

My purpose for going was to support Mary, but I definitely felt rejuvenated and blessed by my time there.  Even though it had been only a couple of weeks, since we had been for Rhett's baptism, which at the time had some hint of green during the cool cloudiness, now the green hills, blossoming trees, blooming bulbs and blessed warmth were all in full spring mode.  There's something very healing about new life in spring.

Since I'm slow in putting this down for history, the day to day details are not as fresh.  But I will record a few highlights with photos to help tell the story as well.

I arrived on Monday.  The kids had that day off school, so Mary took them all swimming.  She was still gone when I arrived and told me where to find the key to their house and the guest house where I would be staying.  I walked into their home and it was perfectly clean and in order.  A huge flower arrangement beautifully positioned on the table adding a polished feel to the tidy home.  Before swimming all the children helped with chores to get the housework done.  The calm cleanliness caused me to wonder if I was really needed.  But more than that, it symbolized to me that Mary and all her family were being sustained and that they would be okay.  I knew then, in that first moment, that Mary would be okay.

Mary had Kira on a regular schedule with her home schooling.  Kira had a table set up in her room.  Mary makes the spaces in her house work for what needs to be done.  Her attitude is, "how can I make this happen?"

Her art looked just like it was supposed to in my opinion.

Liam is such a happy boy.  Such a tender heart with pure innocence and love.

This is actually the deck of the guest house.  Maybe it was ice cream cones?

Loved the Lilac bushes blooming, this was by Rhett's soccer practice.

The kids and I played in the park by the field where Rhett has his soccer practice until he was done.  Mary had a cub scout activity to prepare for and teach that night, so we tagged team.  I took the kids one way, while she prepared and set up at the church.  I brought Rhett to the church after practice.  Glen came to be Mary's second leader and I took the girls and Liam home.  It was a great afternoon for playing in the park.

Peek-a-boo!

Guess who?

Happy Sienna!

Brave Liam!

Careful balancing

Kira's can-do view

Rhett has some good speed.  It was fun to watch.

Kira likes to cook.  I may have made a mistake introducing her to Tip-hero cooking clips.  This was one of the videos we saw that we decided to make.  The dog bun is slice opened at the mouth and the hot dog goes there like the dog is eating it, or that it's his bone.  I don't think we got a photo with the hot dog in the bun.  But everyone had fun eating them, and Kira and I had fun making them.

Sometimes I was just busy making memories that I didn't always take photos of them.  The farm is a great place for those kids.  They each are responsible with chores.  There are wide open spaces to explore, exercise, play and learn.  We enjoyed some lovely sunshine with beautiful spring foliage.  A couple of days were cooler and rainy.

Mary was able to get an extra project done of painting all the baseboards and moulding around the windows and door frames.  I don't think she took any naps while I was there.  I was hoping to give her extra rest.  But I did take kids to school and pick up to give a bit of a break that way.

Mary and I went on a few walks.  Took the stroller for Liam, Kira came and the dog, Kippy.  Once again I soaked in all the beautiful sunshine and greenery.  Taylors are blessed to live in a beautiful location.

 One mild evening with clear blue skies turning towards sunset, we walked, just Mary and I, through beautiful red rock caves and cliffs on a trail high above a river.  I don't know what the place was called. But no one else was around.  A reverent, almost temple-like setting settled upon us as we shared our separate experiences of babies loved and lost.  A golden memory for me, with a bit of heaven meeting earth.

The week flew by quickly!  I left Friday morning.  It was slightly snowing that morning and when I reached Cheyenne and Laramie it looked like the middle of February.  Welcome back to Wyoming! 

Thanks for the great time, Mary!