Hail, Hell, The Gang’s All Here, Almost

That’s right, Jenn with her 3 sons and Alicia with her 2 little ones are both here for several weeks from opposite ends of the country. Aaron is out of town until July, so Mauri wanted to get into the action as well, by cutting out a few 90 mile round trip commutes. They are all staying at the house until Alicia gets fed up and moves to her in-laws for peace and quiet. Mauri may need to head home to feed the animals, but in the mean time everyone has been assigned a spot, kids and all. Plenty of food, fun & family events on the horizon without any scraps, squabbles or scarcities expected. So please get along all ten of you. Dad & I will be @Marriott.

This is really the first mega overnighter we have had at the house. Jory & Breann may or may not want to round it out. We have spots on the main floor or a tent you can use. We have planned a few activities at Wheeler Farm, Thanksgiving Point, PJ butterfly storytime at the library and even working on a weiner roast & swim in the back yard. Send your ideas of a great fun when you have 4 mothers, 7 kids & 1 dad.

2 Years Really Goes Fast

Yep, it was two years ago today that Jory returned home from his mission to Chile. I vividly remember sitting in the Dallas airport getting the news that the flight would be delayed for a few hours, visiting with ten other missionaries returning to Salt Lake. Jory was filled with anticipation of returning to his friends, family and goals of what to do for the rest of his life.

I saved for nearly two years doing baby sitting and such to be able to fly to South America to pick him up. I wanted to see the places he had grown to maturity, learned Spanish, new converts now great friends, acquired leadership skills, learn humility and to trust in the Lord, gain a strong testimony, plus so many more. All those interesting pictures he sent us came to life. It made passing up lasix, a new car, couch, or some other treasure that would have lasted longer than two weeks in Chile, but a memory that we will never forget & well worth it.

On the flight from Chile I pulled out a notebook and wrote down everything I could remember that we did, knowing if I didn't do it then, I wouldn’t get to it for years later and all would be forgotten. I ran across that record this week.

Goals are great things to set and see come to pass. Even better is to keep a history for future enjoyment. Write down all the fun things that happen today. You won’t remember 5, 10 or 25 years from now, when your kids ask who did what, broke what, was like who and so forth when you are 55 or so.

Good, Great & Grand Dads

In honor of Father’s Day let’s hear it for the dad’s in our lives.
I appreciate my great, great grandfather: Wilford Woodruff for being such a dedicated journal keeper and missionary. Much of the history of the Church comes from his journals. May we glean this valuable habit in keeping a record of our own lives.
I remember my great grandfather: Frederick Clarkson who joined the Church in England , the only member of his family to do so. He was baptized in 1903, saved all of the money he made in the shop he ran, sold it, said good bye to his parents and siblings, traveled to America with a wife and four children arriving in Utah in 1911, was an English gentleman to the end.
We sing about Dad's grandfather: John Jacob Frederick Schmidt who with his fiancé came to this land, settled in SLC, married and was the best cement contractor, when he did the flat work on B street that lasted 100 years before it was replaced.
I had fun at my grandfathers: Milton Park & Heber Crane’s farms by chasing pigs, riding horses, feeding chickens, using the out houses and milking the cows.
My own dad worked hard his entire life: Gale Crane enjoyed life, when he wasn’t working, by teasing, laughing, tickling and going to every family reunion in Idaho that he could. Although he died young, the memories of him are still vivid and special.
Dad’s dad was more than just a quiet man: Frank Bull Schmidt set a fine example of generosity and living the gospel to the end. He took a lot of flak from grandma; but was loyal to family, the priesthood and all who knew him. He would be 100 yrs old now.
Your Dad, is a wonderful, kind and dedicated man: Allan Schmidt has great love of his children and drops everything to help in time of need or want. He is thoughtful, kind, fun, talented & brilliant in his field of work. He is a blessing to all of us. We love you, Papa, Dad & Al.
Your husbands and dads to your children: Mike, Aaron, Dave, Jed & Jory treasure the opportunity now or when it comes to be the best father ever. You only get one chance to be their hero. Take time to listen, teach, love, play with and guide them.
I can’t leave out: Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ, who gives us our every breath. They provided a way for us to return home through repentance, forgiveness, the gospel, prayer, scriptures, prophets and more. Thank you for life, too.

WE love all of you. Thanks for being good, great and grand, Dads.

de-junking

Mom and I have been doing a little bit of de-junking at her house. She's thinking maybe a garage sale and then carting all of the leftovers off to the DI. It was a bit difficult to part with all of our old dresses, but they have been boxed up and put in the to go pile. It turns out I'm pretty good at getting rid of all of your old stuff but perhaps not so good at getting rid of my old stuff. I will say that some old wedding gifts of mine (never used, mind you) will be going the way of the rest of the junk. If you've got something special saved here at mom's house, you might want to claim it and take it next time you're here or you might not find it here the next time you're around. We're de-junking lest mom turn into grandma sooner rather than later.

Dad's WOODCARVINGS

Here are a few of my latest carvings.
I entered some in the Salt Lake County carving show a couple of months ago. I placed 1st on the Whimsical house 2nd on my bark lighthouse. 2nd on Joseph Smith. 2nd on my Tree

Taxidermy time

So far these are the animals Aaron has completed. He is also working on an elk, moose and another caribou. Next week he leaves for the full body course where he will start on a bear and a raccoon rug. When he gets back we are going to do the Grantsville 4th of July parade and build a float to put the animals on. Hopefully that gets him alot of business. We will keep you posted on how it goes. If any of you want to hang a dead animal in your house I will see what kind of deal we can work out for you!

green is beautiful

Okay so these are the first pictures we have done, mabey they are a little large buy hey it only took us 15 tries. Isn't grass wonderful? Alicia I bet you wish you had a little of your own. Breann is hoping to have some more soon. We finally got all but one little corner done, after 2 rain delays and a shortage of about 1700 feet, WE GOT LAWN! Now we can't wait to mow it. That of course will last all of maybe one mowing but it sounds fun for now. Now we have to work on the pasture, the side of the garage, and pull all of the weeds in the swell. Oh well it can wait another few weeks. For now we are just going to sit on the patio and watch the sprinklers water the lawn and drink lemonade/Dr. Pepper. When everyone comes back to visit maybe we will let you come and enjoy it too, or mow it if you miss mowing like we did.