Pioneer Day Fun and more...

In summary of our week I am mostly posting pictures. The kids continued swimming lessons and I was so pleased with their improvement. One morning before lessons, Corban and Elise just had to run through the irrigation out in the orchard.

On Friday night Cari and Sadie volunteered their services at Hurricane's first Pickleball tournament (helping with registration, refreshments, etc.).

It was fun watching some of the tournament - and we thought Grandma Ferrin would have especially liked it as she plays Pickleball.
On Saturday, we celebrated Pioneer Day by going to the parade and then the kids ran the foot races and enjoyed the food and game booths that were at the park. The remainder of the day was spent doing chores and work at home. Mike and Trevon spent the whole week in Alaska, fishing. Pictures and a summary of their trip will be posted next. We are all looking forward to having them home soon!

Happy Anniversary

Today marks 21 years of marriage for me and Mike. WOW! Time flies when you're happily married.
He asked me what I wanted to do for our anniversary. He took a few vacation days from work and suggested we do some shopping, go out to eat, maybe take a little trip, etc. with a certain amount of money he had set aside.  As fun as that might be, I thought I had a better idea...to paint the stairwell, insert a hand-rail and decorate a wall. What could be more fun than working together?  Mike was quick to warm up to the idea and so that's what we did.

The stairwell is one of those places that gets a lot of traffic at our house, and it was showing it. I really wanted to clean it up with some fresh paint. We often have family come to visit us and I wanted the stairs to be safer to descend as well. So, we shopped for paint, wood, stain and decore. I was so excited about our "project" that it was a really fun anniversary celebration for me. We worked well together and the end result is beautiful to me!

We still went out to dinner, but the best part was just being able to spend time together. This morning, the kids woke early to make us breakfast in bed. They served waffles, eggs, toasted bagel, fresh peaches and orange juice. MMMmmmm!

We exchanged letters to each other expressing our love for one another too. It's nice to take a moment and think about all the things you LOVE about your spouse. I think just doing that causes one to grow in their love for the other. I thought my "note" sounded really mushy, but it was all true and Mike seemed to really enjoy it. I enjoyed the words he wrote to me and I'm sure I'll read them again from time to time. It was a very Happy Anniversary for us!

Swimming Lessons

Summertime means swimming lessons! This year, Cameron, Elise and Corban are taking swimming lessons.

Elise is very comfortable in the water. On the first day of her lesson, she went down the slide. The rest of the week she avoided it and the diving board as she didn't like going under the water. She keeps talking about jumping off the board, but is nervous about it. I am hoping this next week she conquers her fear and goes for it! Either way, she is improving her swimming skills and having a good time too.

Corban pleaded with me to NOT take him to swimming lessons. He is not comfortable in the water. However, this past week I have seen more courage in this kid than I think I have seen in anyone.

He hesitantly sat at the edge of the pool for his lesson. On the first day, he fussed and didn't blow bubbles in the water or "talk" to the fish. When his instructor put him in a floating position, Corban would anxiously tell her to put him back on the step. He would say, "Are we done now? Okay, put me back now." Then he would ask, "Are we doing it again? Okay, then put me right back." He was terrified as he was held in the water. Still, he would look at me (with pleading in his eyes that I would take him home), and then go and do what he was told. I was amazed at how courageous he was. It was a noticeably hard thing for him to do, but he did it! The second day was hard for him too. He cried some, but I refused to sit near the pool when he cried, so he quickly stopped and then I sat near him. He grew in his trust for his instructors and even attempted to "talk" to the fish.

The whole experience seemed painful to him - still, he pressed on! That is the amazing part to me. Even though he really dreaded the whole thing, he knew it was something he had to do...so he did.

By the third day, Corban wasn't begging to be put back on the step anymore, though he still found great comfort in it. He was overcoming his fear. I could hardly believe it when I saw him being dropped off of the diving board. WOW. He blew bubbles, he swam like a rocket (as he was held by his teachers) and kicked his feet. He didn't cry anymore. By day four, he was blowing ping-pong balls in the water as he "swam." It was like watching a miracle happen right in front of me. Just watching what he was able to do in a few days made me want to conquer the things I fear or have a hard time doing (like playing the piano in public)! 

Last year, Cameron was equally afraid of the water. This year he has been much more confident. I know the more you do something (PRACTICE), the easier it gets! He is enjoying his lessons very much. Especially the "free time" at the end of the lesson when he can do whatever trick he wants to.

I'm looking forward to seeing the improvement that I know will take place this week during their swimming lessons.  WAY TO GO KIDS!!!

Fourth of July

We celebrated the Fourth of July by going to a parade down town. Corban held his ears most of the time because of the noise. Still, it was fun for everyone.



The kids brought bags for candy, but hardly any candy was given out and I was glad for that! It's not about the candy! It was a nice overcast day - perfect for viewing a parade.





After the parade, Mike, Cari, Sadie, Kristi and I worked as volunteers manning the games that were stationed next to the Community Arts Center. We worked until the afternoon, while Trevon escorted the little kids around the food and fun.



This year the city had wristbands for sale for $5. The bands provided the kids entrance to the bouncehouse, slide and games. At the games, the kids earned tickets, instead of candy, that they redeemed for toy prizes.

The girls were in charge of the ring toss game.



Cameron worked up a sweat while he played...



Mike monitored the big slide (for over three hours)!






The kids ended up with some fun toys.



We headed home just afternoon. After eating lunch, we planned a BBQ dinner and made a quick trip to the grocery store so that we could make some Cherry Pie Crunch later. With vanilla ice cream, it's a family favorite!

Trevon took up a collection toward the purchase of fireworks. Then, he went to the store and bought us some fun things for the evening.

We had BBQ chicken, garden squash, green beans and sliced, grilled potatoes for our dinner. Soon after we enjoyed the Cherry Pie Crunch. Then, just before dark, we headed to the park.

At the park we played Ultimate Frisbee. Our teams ended up being the girls against the boys. We had a fun time playing this game. When it was too hard to see anymore, we lit our fireworks. Corban opted to watch from the car!









I was able to convince Corban to sit on my lap when the city's firework show began. We watched them and when they ended, noticed a fire had started on the hill...of course, we had to get a closer look...before we headed home.

I think my favorite part of the day was playing Ultimate Frisbee. I love playing outside games with my family.

Now, in case you're wondering how to make Cherry Pie Crunch.....

Cherry Pie Crunch
2 cans prepared cherry pie filling
2 TBsp. fresh lemon juice
3/4 c. melted butter
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 pkg. white cake mix
1/2 c. sliced almonds

Combine prepared cherry pie filling, cinnamon, almond extract, and fresh lemon juice. Spread in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle white cake mix over fruit. Pour melted butter and sliced almonds on top. Bake for 40 minutes at 375 degrees. SERVE WARM with vanilla ICE CREAM!

TSAI Orchestra 2011

Sadie participated in the Tuacahn Summer Arts Institute last week. This music camp included auditions, technique classes, music history, sectional rehearsals, chamber rehersals and coaching, private lessons, and orchestra rehersals. Each day would begin at 9am and last until 7:30pm (with lunch and dinner in between).



The instructors Sadie had for technique class and sectionals included: Linda Deluca (New Century Chamber Orchestra), Winona Fifield (Tulsa Symphony Orchestra), and Dr. Elizabeth Wallace (UVU).



Sadie played a quartet by Haydn (no. 20 (?) minuetto allegretto) and on Friday evening participated in a student chamber concert using this music.



A guest conductor, Taras Krysa, from Russia, led the orchestra rehersals. Sadie kept notes of some of the things he said that she liked (imagine the Russian accent as you read these):

Have you ever had sandpaper in your ears? Use the tip! The tip of the bow! * Smile Big * It has been printed for 100 years * Stop! It is like a memory of a bad dream * We need much more meat and much much more hamburgers * Musically, you are very depressed * This is what dress rehearsal is for but you have to be ready for it * It's just not happening * Push button DELETE * Don't write down - it's printed in your part * Don't let it die down * You can't say: I got it! It's easy! * I hear a bathtub of unnecessary sounds * Make it exactly - exactly a quarter note * Now, you sound like a guitar which is nice, but not what I need * It sounds very jittery and insignificant * It's great except for the first note * The second time is usually better, but not in this case * Okay, now let's sleep on it * Give the music some nice, fatty meal - a hamburger * I'm in 2! * You must match articulations * One more time, please * I have two requests * No tapping foot - it is a bad habit * Phenomenal * I left you back in 1976 * Intelligence is good * You sound like a chainsaw * My ears are starting bleeding - save my ears * Use your musical intelligence * I whole heartedly agree * Good, but use much less bow *

Saturday afternoon, our family attended a final concert where the orchestra played - complete with flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, tuba, violin, viola, cello, and bass. It was a WONDERFUL concert. They played Finlandia, Op. 26 (Jean Sibelius) and then a 40 minute symphony, Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88 (Antonin Dvorak). It was a wonderful finale to the week.

Camp Helaman

The priests in our stake were given a wonderful opportunity to experience missionary life at Camp Helaman (June 28 - July 2). Sixty young men from the Mesquite Nevada Stake and sixty young men from the Hurricane Utah Stake were paired up in companionships for this experience. APs, Zone Leaders and District Leaders were called before hand. (There were four zones: Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni.) Trevon had the opportunity to be a District Leader in the Omner Zone. He went to Camp Helaman on Tuesday where he met his companion, enjoyed canoeing and learning about teamwork, help set up his Zone's camp and learn his responsibilities as a leader. Leadership was Tuesday's focus.

On Wednesday morning, parents dropped of their sons at a church building (Curbside Drop Off) where they began their experience by listening to President Bramall speak. At the same time, the parents went to another building where they were given details about Camp Helaman, and written letters to their "missionary" were collected. Each parent was encouraged to meet at the camp on Friday afternoon as part of an Iron Rod experience the young men would have.

The young men were driven up to Camp Helaman by their Young Men leaders, able to listen only to church music on the way. At the camp, they were given their Zone and Companionship assignments, set up camp, learned of Camp Helaman goals, and worked on memorizing and explaining scriptures. They had two guest speakers after lunch. Wednesday's focus or theme was Cope and Duty to God.



They learned about Unity and Team Building. They met for district meetings, and had companionship and personal study time.





Trevon's companion was Lane. They both have testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ and became fast friends, finding they had much in common. They prayed for the young men in their district and had some wonderful spiritual experiences together.

Thursday, they woke by 6am. The focus this day was on MTC and Culture. They had a morningside and then the zones rotated between showers, breakfast, companionship study and prayers, and personal study. They each had a packet with specific scriptures and passages listed in them to memorize, explain, learn, act, ponder and share throughout their study times. They had several guests come and share uplifting and spiritual experiences about missionary work (throughout each day). They had an MTC experience and a Culture Night. They rotated between four speakers that shared culture, food and experience from where they served missions (Polynesian; Australian; Mexican and Chinese cultures). They had a zone meeting at the end of the day, and companionship and personal study time before going to bed (10:30pm).



Friday was the day I had been waiting for, to see both Mike and Trevon. Mike was at camp Helaman too. He helped wherever he was needed, but mostly enjoyed the experience of watching these young men grow and being in the outdoors. The focus for Friday was the Iron Rod and Teaching. The young men had a morning side and fasted this day. They did much the same of the previous morning. This day they taught each other in their districts. They heard from different speakers. They got Camp Helaman T-Shirts!



While the young men listened to a couple of speakers, parents gathered in the forest near a thick long rope that was intertwined with other rope, trees and such to be used as "the iron rod." The iron rod refers to the word of God, which if we hold on to, will lead us home to our Father in Heaven. It is what helps us to avoid the temptations of the world. (The vision of the Iron Rod can be found in the Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi 8; 12:17; 15:23-25.)



Blindfolded, the boys were led to the "Iron Rod." Parents and family who came for this activity were silent and the boys were unaware of their presence. Each young man was placed on the rod, one at a time, a zone at a time.



Trevon was careful to hold on tight to "the rod," but in some places it was hard to tell which rope was the rod. People were stationed along the rod to "tempt" the boys to let go, or use another rope. Also near, were Bishops and YM leaders to help as needed. In the case of a young man letting go, he would be set down nearby and his Bishop would tell him that through repentance he could get back on the rod - and then, would place him back on the rod.



It was a very emotional experience for everyone involved. As Trevon neared the end of the "Iron Rod," Mike and I took our place at the end to meet him. He was still blindfolded, but when he heard my voice he knew he had made it to the end.



I told Trevon, "You made it!" I gave him a BIG hug and we cried - and cried. The spirit was strong.



Cameron and Kristi were also with us. When Trevon realized this, more tears fell from behind his blindfold. Mostly because of the thought that reaching the end (of the rod) was like reaching heaven - where your family is waiting.




When all of the young men in his zone had gotten to the end of the rod, they were able to remove their blindfolds. Hanging from the trees were letters from their parents. They found their letter and removed and read it. Then, the zone went to another area (with their families with them) where they had a testimony meeting. It was a wonderful meeting and so special to see the tender sides of these young men! I know my testimony of repentance, families, missionary work and Christ was stregthened just by being in attendance.

After the testimony meeting, the young men took turns teaching us a lesson. Trevon and Lane taught us about the restoration of the gospel and gaining a testimony.



I got to tour the camp and eat a good Dutch Oven dinner before I headed home.
After organizing a search party for a cook's missing child, the young men would end the evening with a Mission Conference. Some sang with the mission choir!
I think they sang, "Help Me Teach With Inspiration."



Saturday morning's focus was: Endure. The young men cleaned the camp, passed off their final requirements, ate breakfast and had a couple more speakers. Then, they said their good-byes before heading home.

Trevon said that this week at camp Helaman was one of the most spiritual experiences he has had. He said more than ever, he is looking forward to the two years he will spend as a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.