Hysterical and Historical

So first, Hysterical...Dustin comes up to me the other day and is looking at my forehead (which seems to be getting bigger!) and is noticing several lines caused from me raising my eyebrows constantly. With just slits to be able to see through, I have to raise my eyebrows so I don't look like I'm asleep! Anyway, Dustin is kind of rubbing my forehead and says, "Dad, you need to stick your head in the dryer and turn it on to 'wrinkle release'!" Toooo Funnnnny!

Now thanks to Randy playing Tag...Historical:

What I was doing five years ago: (September 2003)
1. Working at Hanford as a Hazardous Material Specialist.
2. Serving as a counselor in the bishopric and working with a newly called financial clerk in the Edison Ward. (It was a challenging call since the new clerk didn't even balance his own checkbook!)
3. I was barely 42, had just celebrated a 20th wedding anniversary, father of five kids, the oldest just starting her senior year of high school, and the youngest was just starting 1st grade.
4. Finished my Bachelors Degree in Energy and Environmental Management.

Pet Peeves:
1. Cell phone users who can't drive real well to start with and try and do both simultaneously.
2. People who assume entitlements.
3. Not having enough hours in a day or the ability to be two or more places at once.

Some things I would do if I were a billionaire
1. Fill my gas tank.
2. Help my kids start their own businesses.
3. Philanthropy
4. Wish that I wasn't a billionaire so that I could relate with ordinary people.

Favorite foods:
1. Burrito Colorado from Casa Chapala Express in Richland.
2. Anything Brooks cooks.
3. Homemade freezer jam and fresh salsa.

I tag anyone who reads this and hasn't done it already! It's not as easy as it looks at my age!

Alexis' Joke

Alexis remembered this joke from years, and I mean years ago. "Dad, see if you can find that joke, you know, the one with a tree, and a smudge, and a dog?" "What?" "You know, the Sven joke" Well, we found it...
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A Norwegian man wants a job, but the foreman doesn't want to hire him and decides to make the Norwegian pass a "math" test. "Here's your first question, the foreman said. "Without using numbers, represent the number 9.""Without numbers?" the Norwegian says, "Dat is easy." and proceeds to draw three trees."What's this?" the boss asks."Ave you got no brain? Tree and tree and tree make nine," says the Norwegian"Fair enough," says the boss. "Here's your second question. Use the same rules, but this time the number is 99."The Norwegian stares into space for awhile, then picks up the picture that he has just drawn and makes a smudge on each tree. "Ere you go."The boss scratches his head and says, "How on earth do you get that to represent 99?""Each of da trees is dirty now. So, it's dirty tree, and dirty tree, and dirty tree. Dat is 99."The boss is getting worried that he's going to actually have to hire this Norwegian, so he says, "all right, last question. Same rules again, but represent the number 100."The Norwegian stares into space some more, then he picks up the picture again and makes a little mark at the base of each of the three trees and says, "Ere you go. One hundred."The boss looks at the attempt. "You must be nuts if you think that represents a hundred!" (Thought you'd like this one)The Norwegian leans forward and points to the marks at the base of each tree and says, "A little dog come along and crap by each tree. So now you got dirty tree and a turd, dirty tree and a turd, and dirty tree and a turd, which makes one hundred... So, when I start?!"

Arriving in "Zion"

As we hit the trail for the last 6 miles, the day and a half of rest and recovery had re-energized the youth. We left a little ahead of schedule and within 45 minutes we had gone 2 miles. We needed to take a long break so that we didn't arrive too soon to our destination where the families of the youth would be to greet them and take them home.

At our second rest stop, we had a vignette that was a portrayal of Ephraim Hanks that was done by Bishop Lybbert, who I interpreted to be an ancestor of Bro Hanks. He did a wonderful job, especially since it was last minute! After a lengthy rest, we were ready for the last mile and half or so. As we came into view of the waiting families, we sang the first verse of Come Come Ye Saints and also the first verse of The Spirit of God, alternating back and forth until the entire group of twenty handcarts had circled. The trail boss then told js that the trek was finished and that we were dismissed to be with our families. It is incredible how close you can get to these youth in just three and a half days. We have another family now that we really do care about and hope that they all continue making the best choices in life. We love you kids!

The Sabbath

Even though it was Thursday, it was treated like the Sabbath, and of course, a change of clothes is in order! No showers, only baby wipes to help clean up with and no make-up either! After breakfast we had a general meeting where Pres Blodgett spoke to the youth about the importance of their patriarchal blessings. Then the men relocated for their priesthood meeting while the women had their relief society meeting. After lunch there was another afternoon of good activities that were appropriate for the "Sabbath". For dinner that night we had a big BBQ with chicken, corn on the cob, pie, and watermelon. That night we had a fireside where there were some musical talents shared along with our Stake President Mickelsen speaking. After his remarks, a testimony meeting began. Within just a few minutes, the youth were lined up awaiting a chance to bear their testimonies with at least a 30 minute wait to get to the mic. There were mostly simple testimonies that were very powerful, a few silly ones that we could have done without, and a couple of testimonies that were quite emotional. A great way to end the last night on the trek.

Sleepy Heads

Zach and Miguel
Curtis....King Tutt
Josh
Layna, Gabby, Courtney, and Ma (Kira left this night for another activity)

The Second Day

Day 2 started quite early for some who couldn't sleep, and it was quite chilly just as the sun was coming up, maybe around 50 degrees? We got up and started breakfast, bacon and eggs, and pancakes. We used charcoal and dutch ovens for cooking which made it a little more authentic. After breakfast, we loaded up our handcart again and hit the trail. There was a reporter in camp from the TC Herald along with a photographer that wrote a nice article http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/258613.html that also has a video (slow to load) and a gallery of pictures. Alexis can be seen in what photo, and our dutch ovens with our brass ID tags (thanks Bro Walker) made it the spread! The days journey was short, only 3 miles, but there were a couple of vignettes along the way. There were also 4 or 5 the first day that I forgot to mention. The vignettes were a nice touch and a break from the trail, even if only for a few minutes. The first one was a mother wanting someone to take her baby so that she could care for her dying husband. The second one was the portrayal of Porter Rockwell, bodyguard of the prophet. The actor gave a great message communicated by the spirit. Next was a young man who was carrying his little brother and they were begging for a drink of water. On the second day, there was another vignette that portrayed a famous mid-wife, Mary Sessions? I think was her name. Sis Goude from our ward did a great job and had a lot of factual information memorized to help tell her story. The last one of the second day was where they took the baby that we had adopted the day before and buried her, something that the pioneers experienced on occasion as well. The rest of the day after the short journey was pioneer activities with games and crafts. During our lunch break, a reporter from National Public Radio interviewed the kids in our family about the experience they were having, so that may be something to listen for. The interviewer was impressed with what she heard and at the end she asked if the kids would get a little crazy for her and lay on the tarp in the shape of the spokes on the wheel of the handcart. This picture is as close as they got!
The night ended with some square dancing and some "talent" along with some modern day music for a dance. It was getting pretty cool and fortunately for those of us who just wanted to go to bed, the speaker system blew out, so cookies and root beer were served and we all went to bed.

Teamwork

This was a nice little test that the groups had to figure out. Although the hill wasn't all that long, it was very steep and the sand/dirt was very loose and deep. The young men from three families teamed up to lower each of their handcarts down to the bridge, then turn it around, and get everyone in place and then they would run up the hill pushing and pulling the handcart. Each time, the young women and adults would loudly cheer them for their success.