First cross country run of the year.

School starts September 4th, but Josh had his first meet today.

He did so good. We are so proud of him.

He ran so hard, that he was shaky and nauseous. I got a few pictures of him towards the end of the race.

He is in blue.

Working hard.

Finishing strong.

Family Hike

Craig decided to show us one of his favorite memories.

We were all excited.

The day before, Craig packed back packs and fanny packs -- the back packs for the boys and the fanny packs for the girls. We each had a bottle of water, trail food, a package of Kleenex and various other items (lip balm, pocket knife, first aid kit, etc.)

We woke up and were on the road by 6:30 a.m. (This is an early time for both Thea and I.)

We stopped in Driggs, ID for breakfast. We found a cute little restaurant and ordered a good breakfast. I had an omelet, Josh had pancakes, Boaz had French toast, Thea had biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs, and Craig had a breakfast skillet. We were all very happy with how things were going. The manager was concerned about our plan. He remembered his trip up to Table Rock and knew it was hard. We were blissfully confident that we would be fine. The weather report called for clear weather, we had our packs and water and we were anxious to be off.

We crossed over into Wyoming, and found the trail head. The sign said Table Rock 7 miles. Thinking about it now, I'm not sure if that is round trip or one way. Craig said it would be an 8 hour hike. We started off just before 10 a.m.

I took a few pictures of our early optimism.

Boaz found a walking stick and was happy. Thea was happy to be having family time together.

Craig with his walking stick.

Josh waited until he found a perfect walking stick. He eventually found one that fit his needs.

I was behind the camera, of course, so no picture of me. But I found a walking stick and huffed and puffed up the mountain.

We stopped for breathers, and I wondered about our 8 hour timeline. But I knew I needed the little rest stops.

Here is a picture of Josh sitting on a cool rock.

He gets annoyed with me and my camera habit. His backpack became a pillow and he laid down for a little nap. I didn't get that picture.

Still looking up the mountain.

After two hours, Thea began to loose her sense of adventure. Craig kept up the jokes and banter, and we kept on walking.

Our goal was to be at the top by 2 p.m. We thought we were going up the face, but we went up the Huckleberry Trail instead.

Looking up to where we had to go.

Looking down where we already hiked.

The Teton peaking out behind the ridge.

She wasn't sure if she should be modest or not that day. I wondered about the weather report.

A pretty valley.

The patchwork of farm lands

Boaz still smiling almost at the top of the world.

Craig watched the sky, watched Boaz and decided that we would not have enough time to all make it to the top. So Thea, Boaz and I watched Josh and Craig hike up the last little bit. I was sad, not to go too. About 10 - 20 minutes after they made the last push, it started to hail. Thea was disgusted. She had long passed the point where it was fun. I laughed. What else could you do on the top of a mountain?

I sent the camera with Josh and Craig. This is a picture from Table Rock.

I love this mountain.

It started to rain before they got back. I watched the rain move in and knew we would not be able to avoid it. I hoped they would be okay at the top. The only mishap - Josh's hat blew off and landed on a ledge about 20 feet down. Craig wouldn't let him try and get it. I was glad Craig went with him.

A different view from the top.

Josh in front of the Tetons, before his hat blew off.

This picture is just a bit different: more confident, where the other is more relaxed. I liked both.

You can see the dark clouds in this picture.

Can you see the rain coming up the canyon toward the top of the mountain?

Yes, it rained on us. There was thunder and lightening. Thea was not amused.

The camera got put away and never came back out. No pictures of the rest of the hike.

We thought about going down the shorter way. Two miles shorted, but full in the face of the wind and rain. We went back the way we came. We had a short reprieve from the rain, and then it started up again.

About half way down the mountain, Boaz's feet were hurting so bad he started to cry. He tried to hide it, but they hurt really bad.

My knee started acting up, and then it was both knees.

Before we got off the mountain, I ended up walking backward to take the pressure off my aching knees.

Craig's back was hurting. I was slowing him down, and I felt really bad about it, but he stayed with my tortoise pace. I was afraid to stop just in case I couldn't get started again.

The plan was to go back to the same restaurant and report to the manager that we made it. But we were soaked, our shoes were wet and squishing, and after I sat in the car, I couldn't get out again. We drove to Rexburg and found a drive-thru. Driggs didn't have one.

The boys took off their wet clothes and snuggled under a blanket. All our shoes were in the trunk. We were in no shape to go into a restaurant.

When we got home, I almost didn't make it out of the car. I walked bent over into the house.

Showers were a welcome relief.

During the night, my knees would get stuck in a position, and it hurt to move them.

The next day my legs hurt and stairs were hard, but I was mobile again.

I have never had my body give out in such a dramatic way before. I didn't like it.

But I was happy for family time spent together.

Is it done yet?

Why did we buy a puzzle with 2000 pieces?

Hair day for Thea

Thea got her hair done today. She was pleasantly surprised that she could get it done here in small town Idaho. :) 

I tell her there are all kinds of people in every population - even those who love to play with their hair.

She loves it. She's not partying anymore, but she can still have a party on her head.

A new toe

It was Boaz's turn to visit Dr. Robinson.

Poor kid. We are back to foot soaks every morning and night.

This appears to be genetic. Thea has them too.

Golfing with dad

Craig took Thea and Boaz golfing Wednesday.

He got an eagle on the first hole. Amazing!

A few pictures.

The funeral

The funeral was sweet.

The music was great. The family should what they could do. Mattie played the piano while a friend played the violin - Be Still My Soul. I love that song. Bridger sang a solo - "I Heard Him Come". I love that song too. Bridger is about six, months younger than Josh. I was so impressed with him and his confidence to be able to do that. All the grand kids  and great grand kids sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me." I led the song. I couldn't look at the them. I was holding it together until I looked at Cortney. I had to just look at her son, Abe. He is about three, and he was just happy to be singing with his brothers. Craig and his quartet sang the closing song, "Jesus Love." It was the best that I had ever them sing. Craig sang the lead, and his voice was so clear. I was so amazed that he kept it together so well.

Sandy, LuRose and Ronda each gave part of the life sketch. The memories were sweet and funny. Just like Ron.

Mark, Craig and Brad each shared some memories. What I remember the most is Mark's story of when he was in grade school, walking down the alley and trying to walk in his dad's footsteps. I guess that was important to me, because I tried to do the same thing.

It was so nice to see the family from out of town. Uncle George brought Grandma Elsie. Ron's brother, Ken, came up from Las Vegas. I got to meet and get reaquainted with a lot of his family.  Their  youngest brother, Alan was there too. 

It was good to se all the people that came, and watch Craig reconnect. This is a good place, with good people.

Dawn asked the oldest grandson from each family to bee pall bearers. So there was Tyler, Skyler, Josh, Jake (he took Joe's place because of health issues), Tyson, and Brandon. Josh was the youngest, but he did a good job. Craig told him to follow Tyler and do what he did. The funeral director  did a good job of explaining what to do.

There was military rights at the cemetery. That means Taps was played. I love that song. It was played for my dad too. The bugler had such a clear and piercing tone. It was beautiful. They also had the twenty one gun salute. Seven riflemen shooting three times. The casket was draped in the flag and a handsome marine guarded the grave and helped fold the flag and gave it to Dawn. He was in his full dress uniform.

My sister, Deb, came up for the funeral. She was reminded of Dad too. 

I like to think that Ron has looked up my Dad there and they have become friends and maybe companions. You know there are missionaries up there.

I know that Ron is getting to know Jeffery. His parents are there and his best friend Rone is there. I know they put him to work and he is happy.

I will miss his smile. :)  

A few pictures:

Laying flowers - Josh. 

Laying flowers - Boaz.

Laying flowers - Thea.

Some good looking men.

I think Mya looks like Thea. Cute girls.

Tyler being double fisted with the cameras.

This family loves to laugh.  :) 

Some good looking boys.

Dawn and her mom, Elsie, Mark, Craig and Brad.

Baptismal program by deacons.

I just got back from an amazing baptismal program today.

A deacon aged boy was being baptized. Almost the entire program was filled by his quorum members.

Josh played the opening song, Brightly Beams,while another deacon lead. A different deacon played the rest hymn and the closing hymn. Deacons said the prayers and gave the first talk. Their quorum adviser gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and the Bishop welcomed him to the ward. He was baptized by his grandpa.

I looked at those young boys and thought how wonderful that they were getting ready for their missions in such concrete ways.

I am grateful for our Young Men's leaders who encourage the boys to reach and fulfill meaningful positions.

Another step in mission prep happened today for my son.

Remembering Dad

Wendy and I were traveling to Idaho Falls after receiving notification that Dad had passed away.  I asked Wendy, "Do you know what I want to do?"  She responded, "Go Fishing!"  

So the day after, for a therapy day, I did it the way I happily remember.  I got up early (4 am) prepared the equipment then, made a fried egg sandwich. I put on Dad's hat, got into his pick-up and headed to the Big Lost River.  Before leaving town I had to stop and get a chocolate milk or it would not be right.

In traveling to the river, the drive took me through the desert and past the site where dad worked for so many years.  I arrived just before sun up and caught the first fish around 7:15 am (luck from dad's hat).

I spent the day on the Big Lost. Brad came and met me there. We enjoyed the day fishing on the river I believe dad loved the most; doing what I know he loved to do the most. We kept a few fish, but caught a good number and at least were not "skunked," a term dad would use if we did not catch any fish.

I love my father very much, so often he would sacrifice doing this very thing so that I and my siblings could have or do what we wanted. This was a day that I wanted to honor him the best way I could.

Thank you Dad for sacrificing so much for me, thank you for being my father and thank you for loving me.

Dad's hat.

Dad's Truck

Fish from the Big Lost River.

Guest poser -- Craig Oswald

Ronald Eugene Oswald

Ron "graduated" today. One of the best men I have ever known.

He spent his work life riding the bus to work. Today he took his last bus ride. He was headed back from the hospital to have his foot x-rayed. Dawn and LuRose were at the hospital with Ron. They put him in the van back to the rehab facility. He was gone by the time he got there. It was less than a ten minute drive.

I have a few pictures of his last few weeks.

Craig and his dad.

Two wonderful men.

The sweetest couple I know.