Father's Day

I am very blessed to have and have had many great men influence my life! I'm sure I'll forget a few but, I should start with my dad since he came first. Then grandpa's: Stone, Melling, Loock. Uncles: too many to name! My brother. Then came those I gained when I got married, Ron of course! His grandpa Lovell, dad and brothers. Next, my brother-in-laws. Lastly my boys, I know they are just learning to be men, but they teach me so many things every day. These are men of patience, determination, faith, and love. I hope they all know how much they mean to me. There was a cartoon in the comics today that show 2 boys setting up the couch with a book, remote, foot long sub sandwich, pitcher of ice cold lemonade, pillow and blanket. They then said okay dad we got everything that you wanted are you really going to take a 24 hour nap? The dad replied "yes, that is all I ever wanted for fathers day!" I hope that all the men I love get to spend their day doing what they want to do the most!!

My dad post for today is of his unconditional love. I know he has not always been happy with the choices I have made, but I also know that he has always and will always love me! I'm finding as a parent that is one of the most important things that I can teach our kids, that no matter what I love them!

Work

So today my dad post is about work. My dad is probably the most hard working man I know. He has been able to do a little more playing the last 8 years or so, but he earned it! He grew up learning how to work on the farm. When he decided that he was going to be a brick mason he worked hard to learn to be one of the best. About 25 years ago he started his own business, Melling Masonry. It took lots of time, and sweat but his company became renowned throughout the state for quality work. He has built many of the buildings at Southern Utah University as well as in Cedar and all around southern Utah. There was a time when the Walmart corporation wanted him to travel nation wide to build their stores and warehouses ( he declined ). As the business progressed he spent more time in the office and less time "on the wall". Which I know sometimes he missed. He was not only successful at the laborious part of the business, but also the business part. He taught us to be persistent and do our best no matter what we were doing. I have found that in my life as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, nurse and friend (and what ever may come up that day...) work is key, and I am grateful to parents who taught me that early on in my life.

I love my dad day 2

I am so blessed to have a dad who taught me to love nature, outside, getting dirty, hunting, fishing ?? (would have liked it more if we ever caught anything :), really just being outside. Growing up on a farm meant spending lots of time outside weather working, playing, or just relaxing. We fed the animals, and hauled the hay okay, so I mostly climed the stack as the men hauled, or drove the truck once I was old enough to see over the steering wheel.

We went camping a lot. My dad loves to hunt so whether it was hunting season or not we were watching for animals of all sorts and their tracks. We shot guns and bows at targets mostly, but as soon as we were old enough we took hunters safety and got hunting licenses. The first thing I remember shooting is a pheasant... We were up at my uncle John Esplin's cabin hunting and visiting. My dad and I ventured out and came upon a pheasant, I don't remeber how far away it was or if there were more than one but I shot one. I pretty much took its head off. The thing I remember most about that is how proud of me my dad was. We headed back to the cabin and he told everyone what a great shot I was. The other adventure that sicks out is my Elk hunt.

disclaimer: this story is long and more for my journaling purposes than anyting else. Feel free to skip reading it. In short I shot an elk, a big one!!

This one is more recent Sept. 2005 I drew a Ponsagont Elk tag I think my dad was more excited than I was. I had the 4 boys at the time. Ron stayed home with the older 3 and I took Logan with me. Our neighbor Bob, Logan (who was one and a half) ventured south. There was no cabin then so we went to the trailor on my dad's property. My dad had been up there scouting and found that the elk were no where to be found. It was late by the time we got there so we just settled in to bed for the night. Dark and early the next morning we set off to see what we could see. We were headed northeast from the trailor looking and listening when we heard bugling (such an amazing sound!!) from the south west. We locked Logan in the truck, which I know probably would be reason for DCFS to investigate but... My dad took off on a dead run over and throught the woods while I tried to keep up. We followed the sound and ended up right back by the trailor when we saw them. 6 or 8 cows (female elk) headed up the ravine. We stopped to watch after a few minutes we heard a cracking noise to the right and turned to find a HUGE bull (male elk) standing off about 30 yards. I remember pulling up the gun and getting him in the sights and pausing to take a breath as my dad is hissing through his teeth SHOOT HIM, SHOOT HIM!! I pulled the trigger and we watched as he stumbled a few feet and fell. Anyone who hunts elk might know that this is not the norm, any of it. You usually spent days or weeks trying to find the elk then if you get close enough to shoot and do the animal takes off running and if you were a good shot you fing a blood trail and spend hours or days following the trail in hopes the you will find the animal. So my dream hunt (more like my dads dream) had just come true. My dad waited with me till he was almost sure that the elk was not going to get up. Then left me there with his 270 (my weapon of choice) and said shoot him again if he gets up, while he headed back to rescue Logan from the truck. A few minutes later Bob came following the sound of the shot. We were all a bit in shock I suppose for a bit. After we had checked out the amazing 6-7 elk we walked the 30 yards back to the trailer where we had breakfast and my dad called his brother Marvin to come up to help load the elk. After breakfast my dad and Bob "cleaned the elk" when Marvin came they were able to pull the truck down hill and using a couple of scaffolding planks and alot of muscle they drug the elk in the bed of my dad's truck. Just to give an idea of how big he was... They had to push and squeeze and finalge to get all of him into the truck. What an experience!! I'll never forget it. I think my dad still has copies of the pictures in his truck to show off.

Thanks dad for teaching me to love, respect and apprciate being outside no matter where I am! But especially at the farm and the cabin :)

Banana pancakes

what could be better???

eating them with Sydni!

I love breakfast, and always have. I think I get that from my dad. I think he has eaten 2 eggs for breakfast every day of my life, and probably his too. His eggs might be accompanied by pancakes, waffles, toast, or one of his favorites biscuits and gravy or steak (preferably elk:), but there are always 2 eggs. I love my dad and all the many things he has taught me. Maybe I'll try this week to post one or more things I love about him every day.

Today during our delicious breakfast, Sydni asked for a drink, I instinctively started to get the milk out. She said "no mom I want water" I replied "Oh I like to have milk for breakfast". To which she said "I like my milk with cookies".

Derby

Last month was our ward's pinewood derby. Once again we followed in the tradition of having a way cool car that was not so fast. Tyson is our only "cub" scout right now so only one car to build this year. This was truly Tyson's own design! What a fun night, a gym full of cheering boys (and their dad's) and popcorn (which was easier to clean up than I thought it would be :)

Split

Our ward boundaries were realigned on Sunday. This brings an array of emotions: Sad for those ward members who are leaving, happy to meet the new ones, and anxiety for possible new callings. Our bishop mentioned that of the leaving numbers there were 60 callings that would have to be replaced. Those include the Young men's Pres, Young Women's councilors, most of the primary presidency, relief society councilors, of course many teachers primary and otherwise, scout leaders and so on and so forth. I am currently a bear den leader and the Young Women's music coordinator. Ron is currently a sub in Primary. We will see what the next few weeks brings.

Summer so far

So I'm not really sure where the camera is (haven't really looked though) so I don't have any pics to go with this post. We are now into our 2nd week of summer and contrary to other mom's that I've heard I'm not ready for school to start. I love having my kids home! Last week we had sports camps for Sydni, Logan and Kobe, Tyson's is this week. Friday, Carsen and Ron went on a scout over-nighter to Camp Bartlett in Idaho where it rained and was very cold and muddy. Carsen and the other scouts had a great time, the dad's... not so much. It has been a rainy spring here so we are still playing "rain out" baseball and t-ball games. The kids have chores to do each morning. They really don't complain for the most part (it takes them forever to get them done sometimes). They have to finish before they get to play with friends, or read or really anything else.
We have only had one good day at the neighbor's pool so far. We hope that changes soon! We have a camping trip to the cabin and Echo reservoir planned with the Loock's and a trip to Cedar planned for the 4th of July.

We made it!

Through kindergarten that is. Logan's program was yesterday, they sang many cute songs and received a medal that they will add pins to each year at Heritage Elementary. Logan has learned a lot at school this year including how to follow the school rules , and be a good friend. He has also learned a lot at home this year including all the letters and numbers, how to tie his shoes, and how to read!! He is loving the Junie B. Jones books and reads all the time. The other day his friends were being mean so he just came in the house and read. He really loves it and is getting better all the time. We have loved Mrs. Piper she is very patient and kind! I asked him today what he is going to do now and he said, "well I guess just wait for first grade". We love you Logan :) below is a video clip from the program