Family Reunions

July has been quite a month, no time to even catch my breath. But at the same time theres nothing I love more than being with family, and extended family. We have a chance to catch up on each others lives and spend some time reminising old times. Life speeds by at a pace I can hardly keep up with and its nice to see people we love that we haven't connected with since the last year. In July we did the relay for life walk, where we walked for 25 hours. The next weekend we camped up Blacksmith Fork Canyon with the Larsens. What a great weekend we had. Tubing in the Blacksmith Fork River, watching movies out side like the old drive in movies, cooking, visiting, and generally playing and laughing together. A great time was had by all. Our neice Meaghan had a new little baby girl (Mya Belle) she missed it because she spent her weekend in the hospital. I guess that was a pretty good excuse, but we missed her a ton.

This past weekend we camped at Cinnamon Creek, with the Page side of the family. More water fights and saving ourselves from Uncle David (my brother in law). He always keeps us on our toes. This was a year that he learned a little respect back. He's finally getting a little older and all the nieces and nephews are getting alot older and stronger. We totally love you David!! But now is the time to back down. Remember we're the old generation now.

Emily's birthday /Our Anniversary

July 7th is a great day for our family, 32 years ago on 7.7.77 we were married. What a wonderful 32 years it has been. We have been best friends and we have had amazing times laughing and crying together.
Nine years ago on our anniversary our little Emily was born. Our oldest grandchild, that was my favorite anniversary of all. Now instead of anniversary party's we celebrate birthdays on that day. I can't think of anything I would rather celebrate.
Em and I spent a little time together on the 7th, but she had a primary party, so we did a little birthday shopping after that. She knew right where to go and exactly what she wanted so it didn't take to long.
Emily is a wonderful and a talented little girl, we are blessed to have her as a part of our family. She's my favorite anniversary gift ever!

4th of July

Wow am I slow!! I love the 4th of July, its one of my favorite times of year. Family get togethers, fireworks, parades, cookouts. What's better than celebrating our country's birthday with family and friends, to make us remember all we have to be thankful for. What an amazing country we live in, with all the freedoms we enjoy. This past year a friend of ours was killed in Irac, fighting for the freedom I take for granted. I've always known freedom isn't free, but he and his little family made me realize what a huge price some have paid. Thanks to the many servicemen who fight to keep each of us safe, and give us freedom to live and believe as we choose. Thanks to the Alleman family! Thanks to Brett Stott! Thanks to my Dad and Grandpa Yeates and all those who have fought in defense of this country!! You are our Hero's!!!

Fathers Day

Just thinking about Fathers Day today, it's nice to have a day to honor fathers. Steve and I both had awsome dads. They were both huge influences on our lives. We consider ourselves lucky because we both have two dads that we love and honor. Even though their both gone, we were taught what is truly important in life because of them. We love them and are thankful for eternal families, and look forward to being with them again.
Steve has always been the calming influence and stable voice in our home. He loves us all and shows it in his everyday life. He's not so worried about what people think but more worried about what is the right thing to do. Always looking for the good in everyone. He has a positive outlook on life and see's life lessons in common things. Everyday of my life he makes me laugh. He is my best friend and I'm glad we've traveled this life together. I can't think of anyone I enjoy being with more. What a great influence he has been on our family, and a wonderful example for us to follow.
Our son in laws are both amazing dads. We have been truly blessed with the good men in our family. Tony and Jared are both loving and involved dads. Their children have great examples to look up to. We love watching them parent those little kids we love so much, its a wonderful thing to see. We couldn't have hoped for better son in laws. They really are like sons to us.
Our sons are not fathers yet but they totally love their neices and nephews, even though they tease them mercilessly. Thanks for your examples too guys. I love all the men in my life!!

Family Reunions

Yesterday I went with my mother to the Beutler reunion. It was the Felix and Margaritha Beutler reunion, Felix and Margaritha are my great grandparents. I got aquainted with some of my more distant relatives. It was a wonderful day, we renewed freindships, made new ones, and learned more history of my family. We met in North Logan at the old homestead of the Beutler's, the man who lives there now was very generous to let us hold our reunion there. He let us walk thru the home, and the ones who remembered it told stories of visiting there as children.
Some of the people who lived in N. Logan at the time came and told memories of our great grandparents and their family. It was a wonderful day and I came away so thankful for the people in our lives that prepared the way for us. We are so blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. It was a motivating force for them, as it is for us today. I'm so proud of my heritage, we have great examples to live up to. They came from Switzerland and told of how my grandfather Walter Beutler could not speak English when he started school.
When my grandfather and his siblings were alive they would alway yodel for us at the reunions. I have always loved yodeling, one of the cousins yodeled for us, the first song was one that his grandpa had taught him, then a cowboy song and a german song. It was so fun to hear him and then he taught us and we all got to try it together, when we could do it on our own, he harmonized with us, it was totally a blast.
I love family!! It's what this life is about, its what the gospel is about and its what makes our lives meaningful. I was a great experience, I'm glad I was able to particiate in yesterday.

Tony's Run

This morning Tony started the team relay race from Logan to Park City. He and his sister Sly were both on teams. I met up with Melissa and the kids in Hyrum (where I was working for the day) and we went out to Paradise to cheer him on. The kids were totally excited when they saw him coming and ran to meet him. It was so exciting to cheer for him, I have alot of respect for Tony in many ways. This is one of the many things that I'm impressed by, he's so dedicated, it really choked me up to see the runners. He ran a marathon a couple of years ago and I was surprised by the feelings I had as we cheered for him then too. It takes alot of endurance and dedication and I see those things in every part of his life. Good job Tony!!!
His sister Sly was hurt really bad, the first part of the week, in fact thought she might have broken her back and maybe some ribs. She was in alot of pain thurs. night at Kimball's party but she wouldn't let her team down so she's running anyway. Thats incredible to me!! We're proud of both of them, and our prayers are with Sly that she can do it without any problems.
We were going to surprise Tony and be in Morgan when he ran that leg of the race, but as we were on our way he called and said they were ahead of schedule, and we realized we couldn't make it in time. It was so disappointing that we missed it. So we had a change of plans and went for a picnic up Blacksmith Fork Canyon. It was fun for all, and we thought about Tony and hoped he could feel our support. We love you Tony and Sly!!!

Happy Birthday Kimball

Tuesday I had the day off so we did a one on one time with Kimball since its his birthday this week. What a great day it was, he called me early on and so I picked him up that morning. At lunch we picked Grandpa up from work and stopped by McDonalds, then we headed up to First Dam. It was a beautiful day (no rain while we were there). We fed the ducks, went on a small hike, and talked to the city workers who were working there. One of the guys was an old friend of Tylers who used to hang at our house quite often, its been a long time since I'd seen him, so it was a fun visit. Then Kimball and I dropped Grandpa back at work and headed to Smiths Market Place for some birthday shopping. We had a great time, I told Kimball I would wrap his present and bring it to his party, but he warned me that he doesn't forget very fast. He's such a sweet kid, I totally enjoyed the entire day.

ice cream at Caspers

Last night after an excellent Stake Conference Sat. night meeting about the temple. We came home to a message on the answering machine from Porter saying Grandpa, Grandma, Justin & Tyler I love you! Bye. Steph and Jared had stopped by too. We called everyone and said lets meet at Caspers, Justin was working, Jared has been working hard on his yard and was having some back pain, so Melis and Tony and Tyler came and we had a nice visit. My niece Erin happened to come at the same time with her huband Tyler and their little boy Cooper. It was a fun little family reunion right there at Caspers.

Just some thoughts

I think alot. I've been thinking lately about how really blessed I am, sometimes I can hardly believe how wonderful my life is. I think there are miracles around us everywhere we look but sometimes its easy to miss them because we see them so often we take them for granted. Like the birth of a baby for example. When babies come with everything so perfect we forget what an amazing miracle that is. Our little baby Kambri is one of those perfect little people with a small reminder to us of what miracles really are. And believe me she is a beautiful miracle. If we're looking for perfection in life, we will be sorely disappointed, but if we''re looking for beauty we can find it all around us.
A house does not have to be perfect to be a home of joy,
A child does not have to behave perfectly to love and be loved;
Every minute of life does not have to be perfect to be one of value.

There are a few really amazing days that come in a lifetime. This past week I experienced one of those. I was able to be with Jared and Stephanie during their labor and delivery with Kambri. It was one incredible day. Two years ago I was with Tony and Melissa at the birth of Porter. What a miracle it is to see a tiny child come into the world. Both times I was struck with a feeling of awe. I don't think I have words to describe my feelings, but I do know I have felt overwhelming love for those new little people, and also a great love and respect for their parents.
Stephanie was tough, she worked so hard and then when Kambri was born with a couple of problems, I watched the toughness turn to tenderness and total love and concern for that little girl. Jared was right by Stephanie's side with that same deep love. It's neat to see a parents love for a child, especially when the child has some needs. As I watched the nurse checking Kambri out, there stood Jared teary eyed, stroking her tiny head.
Like Kaden, Kambri will be a well loved little girl, Jared and Stephanie are awsome parents, I saw a bit of our Father in Heaven's love for us thru those tender parents example. Thanks guys! Dad and I sure love you.