June 2014

Dean and Sybil Bateman Family Letter-2014

(Dean) and Sybil:

Well, here it is 2014 and I am still "kicking". Why, remains a mystery.  I am now 91 years old, with ups and downs, depending on the day.  For the shape I'm in, I'm in good shape.  I still live in the old family home, and I am most grateful for it--the house I mean.  It's a good old home at 125 years old.  It is "creaky" as I am, but we both manage, thanks to each other.  I live alone, but have some of my children or grandchildren--even great-grandchildren--who drop in every day.  I also have signed with hospice.  So five of the 7 days a week, someone from hospice serves my needs.  I have a nurse twice a week, someone to help me shower three times a week, a massage therapist once a week, and a chaplain which I don't need, and he knows I don't need him, but he comes because he wants to sometime every other week.  Plus there are neighbors and friends nearly every day and sometimes more than one in a day.  So you see I am busy, and don't get lonely.  Recently, Kyle (Brian and Cheryl's son), his wife Lauren, and their son Michael stayed with me for three days while the home they share with another couple was being used as a personal and private birthing home.  It's a strange and long story which I don't believe I should try to repeat here.  Suffice it to know that it was a different and interesting experience.  My testimony is still strong, and my family is most important to me.

Kent and Sharon's Family: 

Kent and Sharon:

We are well and settled back into full time work, (Kent) YUCK!, and I (Sharon) seem to be busier than ever.  How can that be?  We loved our mission at the Heber Valley Camp for the last year and a half.  We saw and did things we didn't think we could and experienced a little bit of heaven here on earth.  It is a very special place and the 72 missionary couples we served with have become our best friends. For that time we actually felt 20 years younger physically and 50 years younger mentally.  You can't imagine how fun old people can really be if given a chance.  When we got home we enjoyed a 17 day cruise (our first) through the Panama Canal, visiting the Everglades, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica (jungle zip line), Guatemala, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas with several of our missionary companions. Its great to be back with our family and their many activities.  We love you all!

Alison and Curtis Sandall

Dear Fam,
  Well 3 more babies this year.  YAY!!!  If you are on facebook at all and we aren't friends WE SHOULD BE :(  If we are then you have probably seen more baby than you really want to from my family. What a blessing though. I am so grateful. Megan my youngest had her baby  on March 31st at 11:59PM. Katie had her baby at........ well.... I really can't remember it was so early in the morning it's all a blur. No, just joking she had her on 5/22 at 3:28 am. I can't remember if my eyes were open or closed though. hmmm..... Ben's wife Kaylee she is due the first of August but she always comes early. So we are expecting another little girl soon. 3 this year like I said. 10 grandbabies. Yeah, 10 grandbabies under the age of 4. argh! That's why we are planting grass. (Time to send them outside to play)
Seriously though we are so thankful for the great blessings in our family.

We don't really  have to much else to report that anyone would really care about (that I can think of anyway)
Everyone has the same jobs. Our church jobs are different Curtis is in the Elders quorum and I'm in the Primary. Nice change. I was in YW for 15 years. The primary presidency is a refreshing change.

I love you all

One more question..... I truthfully would like to know this... Growing up on the farm like we did we all had the opportunity.  Did anyone ever "Tip a Cow"?
Really ( and not with money)
 

 

Brent and Terri Bateman

The Book of Bateman:

Chapter 1

1. I, Brentphi, having been born of dandy parents and goodly aunties, do proceed herein to give an accounting of all my days.

2. And it came to pass that I sought out the Governor of the land, that I might question him concerning the great iniquities that beset our people, such as the health care plan of King Obamanti, and the secret combinations of the Teapartyanton Robbers.

3. And the Governor of the land did answer my inquiries. But behold, the answers cause me to glare in anger.

4. But behold, as I was about to present the Governor of the land with a portion of my mind, the angel Endononti did show mercy and wisdom unto me. And he did stop up my mouth. And it was great wisdom that this was done, for it did prevent me from being cast into the fiery pit of unemployment.

5. And it came to pass that I, Brentphi, did build a temple, yeah, even a vast temple of many steps. And in my folly I did build it to impress my wife.

6. But wo, wo, wo unto him that buildeth such a giant temple. For once the wife ascendeth, fear doth cause her never to descend. And lo, she is lost forever.

Chapter 2

1. And it came to pass that I Brentphi did join with my wife Terriah, and seeing the great iniquity of the people, did lament a great lamentation.

2. And we did say unto our children, go thou forth and preach the gospel to the corners of the earth, that we may cease our lamentifications.

3. And behold, my children did obey my command, and went out, and did seek those who had caused our days of lamentarianism.

4. And it came to pass that while Zoe was sojourning into the wilderness, she was led unto the land eastward, even the land called Pennsylvania, and there the people did wax so prideful in their iniquity that they did advertise it.

5. And it came to pass that she did labor all her days, and with all her might among the people of the Amish. But behold, the Amish hearts did wax hard and prideful, and they did refuse to take upon themselves a life devoted to modern conveniences, motorcars, and prefabricated barns, but instead held fast to their evil breads made from stone ground wheat and hand-churned butter.

Chapter 3

1. And it came to pass that Sam also did travel into the wilderness to preach repentance unto the people. And did travel to the land of Puerto Rico, for there was a land that truly was in America, but not OF America.

2. And it came to pass that Sam did preach with vigor, and did daily exhaust his companions.

3. And it came to pass that his vigor in preaching caused Sam was banished from the land of Puerto Rico. And Sam was sent to the tiny far-off island of Dominica. And he did name that place the Isle of Gilligan. And Sam never returneth forth from his abandonment.

4. But behold, so great was the devotion of Sam that he did continue to preach, and did bring both the Professor and Mary Ann to a knowledge of the truth, but did find them much changed and smaller than reports has previously indicated.

Chapter 4

1. And it came to pass that Daisy did constantly feud with her brother Jeff. Insomuch that they did adopt different languages and different ways of dressing.

2. And they did seek many followers. But behold found none, except one who is obviously crazy.

3. And it came to pass that because of this the Dazites and the Jeffites decided not to carry on their meaningless fueds of endless pride-cycles. And thus did not dwindle in unbelief. Whew.

Kirt and Jerry Bateman-Rapier

Kirt, Jerry, and Oscar – along with Stanley the dog and Shirley the cat – are all healthy and well.  That is the most important thing we can ask for and we are grateful for it!  Oscar turns 2 in November.  Kirt turns 39 this September and Jerry turns 43 this August. 

Oscar George Bateman-Rapier is one of the happiest kids we’ve ever met.   He says many, many words and his fathers are pretty sure he understands every single thing they say…his comprehension is incredible.  He’s a smart boy.  He loves to sleep with his panda bear and stuffed kitty and he loves Mingo the Flamingo that he got at Discovery Gateway during the Equality Utah family night.  His favorite toys are his toy cleaning supplies (brooms, spray bottles, mops, buckets, etc.).  Really!  We do wonder if he is planning on being a janitor when he grows up.  It’s all good with us as long as he’s happy.  He is also an animal lover, very much like his birth mother, Emily.  He especially loves birds and dogs.  Too bad his own dog, Stanley is somewhat of a party pooper and won’t play with him unless he’s holding food.  But he loves to pet any dog he comes across.  He loves to go to the Aviary and the Zoo.  Oscar also loves spending time at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.  He got to spend a whole weekend there playing with Grandma and Grandpa, while Daddy (Kirt) and Papa  (Jerry) took a short (but necessary) theatre trip to New York.  Our next family vacation will be to Las Vegas to spend some time with the Rapier family and then to Fish Lake over the 4^th of July week (thus, they will once again miss seeing everyone at the Parker’s Home for the reunion).  Daddy and Papa love Oscar kisses more than anything and have learned now (as most everyone else already has learned) that being parents is the hardest, most wonderfully difficult and brilliant thing to ever happen to us.

Kirt and Jerry were married in Utah on December 24, 2013, in Davis County.  While already married in New York City on July 24, 2011, this was one of the most incredible and unbelievable moments in our lives—together or separately.  Kirt and Jerry have been sharing their lives together for 19 years this coming December.  We are so fortunate as a family to live where we live.  Jerry is still the head-honcho at Plan-B Theatre Company (in Salt Lake City) and Kirt is still the head-honcho at Davis Arts Council (in Layton).  Kirt was fortunate enough to have two diverse and thrilling roles this year in two world premiere productions at Plan-B Theatre, as Kenneth in “Nothing Personal” and Mr. Bowles in “Clearing Bombs.”  Both intense dramas that really stretched his acting muscles—both plays sold very well and Kirt received some of the best reviews (anecdotally from friends and colleagues as well as official “reviews”) of his career.  Jerry has been directing, non-stop, it seems, (even taking two Plan-B shows to New York over the past year) but has elected to turn down some freelance directing work so that he can be home as much as possible with Oscar.  We are so fortunate on that front as well as Jerry works from home and is raising our son at the same time—so that we don’t have to have any outside childcare for Oscar.  How he does it?  Well, first off, he doesn’t sleep.  Secondly, you’ll find him working at 6am and at 11pm trying to catch up on all the work that falls behind while he takes his boy on outings during the day; and thirdly, he’s one of the smartest, most hard-working people ever, so…Oscar and Kirt are very, very lucky.

 

 

Andrea and Jarom  Echols Family

This year has been crazy, as it usually is with 6 kids.  Emma turned 13 and is, a typical teenager and she knows it.  It makes her mad that she is emotional, happy one minute and crying the next.  I'm lucky she is such an amazing girl!  She just finished 7th grade and loved it, ending up with a 4.0.  Decided she was done playing soccer, and decided to concentrate on her real loves, softball and volleyball. Rachel turned 10 this year. She is turning into such a beautiful young woman.  She worries endlessly about the safety of her siblings, watching over them constantly. She was in 4th grade this year and participated in the 4th grade Utah history bee at her school.  She ended up winning 3rd place and as a prize, a jar of Juab honey.  Hannah turned 8!  Yay!  She was baptized May 31st.  Hannah finished 2nd grade, and both her and her teacher survived!  Lily started Kindergarten this year.  The first week was great!!  And it all went downhill from there.  She decided she hated the bus, school, and anything that would take her away from home.  She missed the bus too many times to count and is as stubborn as, well, her father.  Every week when I went to help in her classroom, she would hang on me and cry when I would try to leave.  Her awesome teacher had to pry her off me and deal with the aftermath.  Every. Single. Week.  The last day of school she came home and said to me. Mom, I decided that school isn't that bad after all.  Sigh.  Levi is 3 and is awesome! He is all boy and is so fun to be around.  Though he thinks he's the boss, he usually is, cause we all let him be.  He LOVES to play with his friends, and LOVES superheros, especially Superman.  Ellie is the best little baby ever.  Though she is screaming as I write this, she really is chill most of the time.  She will turn 2 in October and I think is starting the terrible twos a little early.  She is super independent and will not allow me to help her eat or drink and usually wont even hold my hand when we are going somewhere.  Jarom is still working from home.  He recently went to South Carolina for work. He was recently called to team teach Gospel Doctrine.  Though he doesn't think so, he really does a good job!  I am still involved in the PTO, not only at the elementary, but now on at the Jr. High as well.  This year I served on the  SCC (school community council) for the trust lands funds at the JR High.  If you don't know where your trust land money is going, get involved!   I was also the chair person for the school t-shirts at the elementary.  I still teach Relief Society once a month and am in charge of the Achievement Day girls.  Two of the best callings!  There is always the craziness of running back and forth to Nephi, taking the kids to softball practice, (4 girls, 4 different teams, 4 different practices, 4 different games), piano lessons, dance, etc. I'm just a typical stay at home mom, and I love it.  We still love our small town life here in Levan.

'And as always Rock Crushes Scissors.'(Sheldon Cooper)

 

Wayne and (RaNae)'s Family:  

Wayne and (RaNae) 

We as a family went to Fish lake this June to celebrate RaNae's birthday and had a blast reconnecting. I've added a new great room to the house (which Julie and Jeff put together). I have learned and am enjoying my new found freedom of my motorized cart. I love to use this freedom to go to the stores and doctor's appointment, which is nice for the family, however it stresses Julie out. Julie is not worried about me so much she worries about all the other drivers on the road.



Julie and Jeff Robinson: 

Jeff and Julie are going to school together by changing both of their majors to work in construction management, this is something they both enjoy doing and we can do it together. We enjoyed a family vacation at Lake Powell, with some neighbors, then we went from there straight to Fish Lake for the family reunion. It was nice to see everyone there. In school Jeff and I built a house out in Herriman, which is a a huge feeling of accomplishment, to know that we had a hand in someone's home. We love taking pride in this. This home we helped build will be in the parade of homes in August.

Brittney decided this year she wanted to move out. However, this became difficult realizing that she had to work 2 jobs to accomplish this task. After about 2 months of working both jobs that living with mom, dad and grandpa wasn't so bad. We are very proud to say that she will be going back to school this fall to finish her associates degree. So for now she is working part time at Joe's Crab Shack with her mom.

Sydney, did awesome this year. She was on the honor roll at her middle school. She finished the year out with a 3.6 GPA and we are very proud of her. She will be going to a charter school AISU next year where she will have great opportunities to excell in school. She just got home from girls camp, which she enjoyed a lot.

Thomas is full in boy, way too efficient and dependent on electronics. We fight getting him out of the house. However after much fight we got him outside and he learned how to do a back flip on the trampoline (which I was always to scared to do). He did very well in school this year. He is also getting very excited for his birthday on the 15th of July. He, as we speak, is hand writing his invitation for it.

Camille and Dustin Haight

Well what can I say about the Haight’s this year? Mostly we are just plugging along and getting through our busy days as best as we can. Dustin has had a shift in his schedule which is a relief since he generally works such long days. The new schedule offers him more time at home, or at least it feels that way. We both finally finished our Bachelor’s degrees this summer.  I can honestly confess we will both be happy to never see another text book for a very long time.  We may have been late to get going, but it feels so satisfying to actually accomplish it.

I started a new job this summer with BZI Construction, and I really love it. I am still afforded the chance to work from home, while being valued for my skills and time. My degree has paid off in this case and I also have been taking on a few side jobs build websites for a few companies. It is something I enjoy. However, all this has kept me from finishing my third book. Now that school is finished I hope to remedy that. Thanks to all of you who have supported me in my adventure, and I am glad you were all kind about the editing issues in the first book. It was a learning experience I gained a lot from.

Our five girls keep us very busy. Kalie now 14, still love music. She is very excited to have a summer job working with Sunrise Ag Development part time handling their research needs between her other events like girls camp and family vacations. She is still babysitting, and often squeezes her mother on the waiting list of people who need her wonderful childcare skills.  Cassidy now 11, continues to excel in soccer, and track. Though she still struggles with putting too much pressure on herself. She is very dedicated and even guest played in the Wasatch Tournament for the top St George team in her age group. They won gold, but more importantly, (in Cassidy’s opinion) was that she went to her first REAL game. This is an event she intends to repeat.  Emily now nearly 8, is thrilled to be baptized this year. She is a very content little girl and hardly ever wants anything, but this summer she really begged to try cheerleading. So we are giving it a try and so far so good. She loves to read and sometimes so quiet I panic thinking she may not be in the car with me or some such thing. She is trying to write stories and even won a contest at school for a story titled, Diamond the Magic Horse. She really is my sweet little pixie. Quiet, creative, and kind but her face actually turns red when she is mad just like Tinkerbell. Aspen now 4, is the complete opposite of Emily. She is loud and enthusiastic, wild and fun to be with. She sings every minute and will likely happily sing you a song or 10 when you see her next. I am hoping she will eventually be an engineer since she loves to take everything apart. I figure there has to be a reason for it. She is very smart, but can barely sit still for more than 60 seconds. She loves adventure and excitement, and makes us laugh often and want to pull our hair out just as often. Kendra is now one. She is healthy and curious like any one year old and loves to play with her sisters. Cassidy though has decided to start her early and bought her a size one soccer ball and regularly tries to teach her to kick it back while Kendra just wants to keep it and carry it around.

All in all we are very blessed and loving the adventure we are on. We love and miss everyone and wish we could see you all more, but are also very happy here in La Verkin. 

Melissa and Robert Christensen: 

Melissa, Robert, Grayson, Alyia, and Melaina

I (Melissa) am still hard at work doing everything a mommy does in a day. I just relinquish command of the PTA at Grayson's school so my life looks like it might be a tiny bit less chaotic, after 7 years of being in charge I feel like a break is in order. Between extra activities and schools I think I have enough to do every day of the week. I wouldn't trade my job for anything I am so blessed to have he chance to watch my kids grow up.

Nathan and Malisa Bateman:

Its been a good year for Nathan and Malisa. After last years party we became husband and wife on August 20th 2013, We had a beautiful wedding, and are very grateful for those of you who were able to make it. Fallowing our wedding we took an awesome trip to Yellowstone, and had a great time.

Coming back to reality, things kept going well. Malisa's hard work paid off and she got promoted and is now a supervisor at ROSS, which was great for us. Working just as hard, Nathan has also received promotions of his own.Not just one, but two promotions were hard earned for Nate. He is now a Home Specialist at home depot, and still working hard to move up. Nate has been working at Home Depot 4 years now, but would definitely like to find a more family friendly job. Better pay, steady hours, great benefits, etc. Any advise or help in that department would be awesome!

The most exciting news of all is WE ARE EXPECTING!! 

Baby Bateman is due January 7th, and we couldn't be more excited!! Malisa is 12 weeks now, and so far feeling great. Our fingers are crossed for a baby girl, but a healthy mom and baby is what really matters to us. Although Malisa is grateful to have a steady job, she is really hoping to find a job working from home once the baby comes, unless Nate is able to find a better job first.

The only down fall to our year was Nathan breaking his collar bone AND a bone in his wrist being the awesome uncle that he his,  playing with Camille's daughters, but he hasn't let that get in his way of working hard, and still being an awesome uncle. Malisa however, has managed to be an awesome aunt WITHOUT breaking any bones!

 

Natalie and Brett Loveland

This has been a crazy year for us, as most of you know just a couple short weeks after last years party I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I've had a total of 5 surgeries, lots of medications, and even more doctor visits, but as of right now we are happy to be able to say I am in REMISSION. We want to thank everyone who kept our family in their thoughts and prayers, The love and support everyone showed us truly made a difference during these hard times. Although we've faced a lot of hard times this year, we've continued to keep our spirits high and enjoy our 4 beautiful daughters and each other of course.

I am still a stay at home mom, but this year I added a work from home job to the mix. Things are always crazy around here, and sometimes I'm so busy I could easily forget to breath, but I love every second of it. I'm very blessed to have such an awesome job working from home, while raising our girls. in the very little spare time that I do get, I've started a new project called Survivor to Fighter baskets. I make baskets full of things to comfort, or just help cancer fighter in any way possible. So many people have helped me make these baskets possible, and they have turned out so amazing.

Brett still works at Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper, and hes doing great there. He has been the best person I could ever ask to have by my side while i fought cancer, and has spent most the year putting me first, and himself last. somethings never change though, and in his spare time Brett likes to take the girls and I fishing, hunting, and shooting. 

Brynlee turned 4 in November, and learned a few new things this year. She was able to start horse back riding, which is very important to her since she is our little cowgirl. another cowgirl trait Brynlee picked up this year was shooting guns, and not just BB guns, big rifles too (with mommy and daddy's help) 

Quinn turned 3 in January, and although so also learned to shoot guns, and ride horses, she isn't as into it as her big sister. Quinn is spunky, sassy, and sensitive. She loves to spend any time that she can with her Grandpa's, and just playing with her sisters. 

Cambree turned 2 in March, and she is a little ball of fire, energy, and trouble. She likes to spend her time bugging her sisters, or getting herself into trouble. we never have a dull moment with Cambree around.

Kennedy is 1 this month, and I'm still in denial about it. Her first year has been a roller coaster with my health, and I still cant believe its been a whole year. Shes not even old enough to know shes the youngest, but she does. shes spoiled, but sweet, and calm.

our year has been hard, but with a lot of amazing along the way. we are grateful to have great families who have loved and supported us through the good an the bad times that we go through.

Brenda and Gary's Family:

Gary and Brenda Jeppson, year to date, 2014

Our nothing-happening mode of the last five years really took a turn during the last 12 months. None of it is so exceptional except our Mission Call, but interesting in terms of our kids and their changes. I hope each of my kids will write enough detail of their lives to answer some of your questions.

First, Gary retired just a year ago this summer.  He has been called back for a few weeks’ work, as a consultant, but Bodell does that with several of the guys who have retired.  I did quite a lot of subbing during this last school year.  Easy. The extra money was nice, but it didn’t put much of a kick in either his or my days.  We started thinking about when to go on a mission, and for fun reading, we regularly checked the Senior Couples’ Missionary Opportunities.  But with Mom still needing close attention, we were still waiting.

Our first big change was Chris applying for the Foreign Service.  I know–what’s that?? He said he’s felt for a long time that with his skill with language and his other leadership and management skills accrued since his mission, he was allowing himself to be sort of wasted, and could do much more away from Cache Valley and the wood /cabinet construction company he was managing.  He was told it takes a year or two to get on, if one passes all the hurdles.  But he was chosen and off to training in DC within a much shorter time.  He and family are in Moscow, Russia, where he is Facilities Manager for the US Embassy there. Thirteen-year-old Dalton was suddenly, and maybe seriously, sick in May and after lots of this-and-that, including a blessing, he and Allyson returned to Philadelphia  to a pediactric specialist who confirmed it was not what a Russian doctor had said it was, and D began to get better at about the time he was being tested in Philly.  Read about it on Chris’s Facebook page.  All is well.

Jennifer and family are finishing up their last “extension” and will be home the first week in August.  She, of course, has eight years’ worth of friends, converts, various Japanese and American ward and branch members, teachers, etc., to say goodbye to; it is really hard, as many of our kids’ generation knows.  Madison graduated with honors from Kadena High School, and will be attending BYU-Provo this fall.  Randall returns to Hill for continuing his work with the Air Force; they have purchased a home in Cache Valley.

Last August, Brad became Junior Farmer of America!  He bought a little farm in Kuna (say it with a Q), Idaho, outside of Boise.  Some awesome outbuildings to house two goats, two dozen chickens, two head of cattle, 151 cats, one really good, rattle-snake -bitten dog.  There is a big, two-story shop; the place originally was a horse farm, so the buildings that go with horses are there.  House is 30 or 35 years old, but a terrific, big house.  Their four boys have chores, love the two pastures, feed the calf, (no eggs to gather yet, but the chicks have to be fed).  Brad really has disliked the Phoenix heat these last ten years, and it’s so hot there in summer, you really can’t send the kids out to play.  Wisely, I think, Brad saw the dangers in so much screen time, and he just made up his mind he would do it, after several years of asking for the transfer.  Corollo, the engineering firm he works for, finally said okay (they really wanted him to stay in Phoenix), but they wouldn’t pay for the move.  He still did it.  You might remember that Brad is the willful child, and is really good to hold on when he knows something should be so-and-so.  We are really proud of his foresight.  With the weather freakiness, we predict Phoenix will burn up this coming summer.

So now, the two “ordinary” kids: Holly and Lee in Richfield, and Neal and Lori in San Angelo, Texas.  Thankfully, their families are happy and there doesn’t seem to be a need for upheaval.  Neal with his CES work and Lee in Range Management have given the two men jobs they love and they feel secure.  Their combined seven kids (more when they have an exchange student!) are all progressing with high performances, grades, awards, sports.  Nathan will be a senior this coming year.  Even though Holly’s family is close enough for us to see them occasionally, 2.5 hour drive is not so much fun and gasoline is so darn expensive now, and her kids are involved in so many things that she very nearly cannot do a full-family visit anymore.  She also has taken on a very neat part-time job.  I hope these two kids give the family some detail, because they are doing splendidly, and are important contributors in their two communities and ward groups.

So, the mission call: We are leaving August 20 for Laie, Hawaii, for our work at BYUHawaii.  Gary will be the project manager for a quite extensive campus expansion—dormitories, new road alignments, etc.  Yeah, and we have to pay only $4000 per month to get to do this!  The mission’s construction department quite accidentally found Gary before we even began our papers or preparations.  We had only ourselves decided that we wanted to leave in Fall, 2014, but they asked us for June.  By the time we had papers in, and the call arrived, we were well into May!  We contacted the guy in Laie, asking for an extension; within eight or ten hours, our new departure date was approved in Salt Lake and sent via email to us.

 We are going to rent our house to a family who used to live in the ward, we know and like them, and we were very good friends when they were here.  All their stuff is in storage; Jack has to stay with his job with Marriott for another year (Washington State, I think) before he can be transferred back to Utah.  They have four young adults/teens; one or two in college, two registered already at Taylorsville High.  Devon has been here since October renting a tiny little house in S.J., and she drove kids to early-morning seminary and school for the entire last year.  She really is thankful to have this chance and is fully committed to two years.  She’s a mature parent with home ownership experience, yet lacks the boat load of stuff that we need her to NOT have.

.

Young people in the ward have worked for us for many consecutive summers in the yard and gardens, and there are three who are committed to two more summers’ work. We hope that will prevent our gardens from becoming masses of weeds.  We have faith in them.  Jennifer will be home in Cache Valley this fall, and she has promised to oversee it a little, just to prevent what Mom and Dad had.

Gary and I are really busy, and I mostly feel brain muddled—I just can’t think of what to do first and there are still lots of interruptions from our used-to-be ordinary lives.  However, at the end of each busy, hot day, I know everything will turn out okay.

Our love goes out to you, and we thank Diana and Ralph for the continuation of this most important Bateman Lives’ Summaries and the Gathering.  Hope to see you in July.

Jennifer and Randall Cheney:

The Cheneys are headed home this summer!  After being in Okinawa, Japan for seven-and-a-half years, we're moving back to Utah where Randall will work at Hill Air Base.  We're torn with different emotions as our moving date approaches... we're sad and happy, excited and scared, grateful for what's behind and in front of us, looking forward to things and already missing things we haven't even left yet.   We've loved our time in Japan; we've made many amazing friends, learned and seen so many new things, traveled to new places, tried to learn a new language, and had our testimonies strengthened.  There's no way to just sum up our experiences here, so I don't know what to say in only a few short sentences.  

In June, Madison is graduating from high school with honors, and heading to BYU Provo with plans to serve a mission after 1 or 2 semesters.  She and Jacob are working as lifeguards until we leave.  Jacob is finishing his sophomore year, and is a part of his school's swim team.  Jonathan is finishing 7th grade, plays the trombone in his school's band, plays soccer, and is swimming on the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team.  Levi is finishing 3rd grade, is part of a Japanese taiko drum group, and is a swimmer at a Japanese swim school and on the Dolphins Team as well.  Randall works hard for the Air Force and serves as a Cub Scout den leader.  I (Jen) teach English at my house and sub a little bit at Levi's school, which is 3-5th grade.  I was just released from serving in the Relief Society, and now am a temple prep Sunday School teacher.  We're going to cry our eyes out on the plane this summer, full of gratitude and love for the opportunity we've had and the people we love here!!  We're also coming home excited to start a new chapter of adventure in our lives at our new house in Petersboro.  What are our next goals?  To do some awesome landscaping and remodeling, find ways for our boys to earn some $ for missions, and to learn to snowboard!  :)


Christopher and Allyson Jeppson

It is likely that due to facebook, you mostly know about our lives but, we will send the basics.  We give you permission to skip or take a quick snooze if you have heard this all before.  

Since last our last 4th of July letter, we have sold our beautiful house that we made with our own sweat, blood, tears, and swear words.  Packed up and moved to DC.  It was super hard but, we knew that there was something more for us to do. We spend 6 months there while Chris trained for his new job.  We fell in love with Virginia and the DC area.  By the time our departure date come around, we were ready to move out of our tiny apartment and be done with this transition period.

The end of January, we flew out to Moscow, Russia.  This is where we will spend the next 2 years.  

Chris got hired with the Foreign Service (A branch of the Department of State)as a Facility Manager.  His job consists of managing the people who manage the upkeep of the buildings the embassy owns/uses.  He loves his job.  We worried because it is a desk job but, it turns out, he loves it.  Each day brings something new and keeps him working.

Allyson has been substituting at the kid's school a little bit and tutors 4 kids after school once a week.  

The boys go to a school that can be accessed from our housing community.  It is an international school.  The school was created with the help of the American embassy, Canadian embassy, and United Kingdom embassy.  This means that if you are here with any of those embassies, your kids are automatically accepted.  Otherwise, you have to apply and pay a junk load of money.  The school is huge and has k-12 in the same building.  

Ethan turned 15 this year and is a freshman.  We found a lacrosse team for him.  It is a Moscow team and all the players are men (in their twenties) but they love having Ethan to play with them since he has been playing longer than any of them.  Since Ethan is 6'2" he fits right in. He is quite the star.

Dalton is 13 and is enjoying school.  He has discovered 3D printing.  He has also gone bananas with his Russian.  His Russian teacher asked if she could recommend him for the advanced Russian class for next year.  He also participated in the band this year (required class, band or choir).  He does the percussion.  They had him performing with the advanced/high school band!  He literally is a Rock Star!  (hahaha)

Seth is finishing his last year in elementary school!  The 5th grade does a huge project that they spend the entire year preparing and then they present their project to the school and parents.  Seth did his project on space.  He was able to go and visit Mission Control here in Moscow.  We watch the Space Station move across the map on satellite.  It was amazing!  He did a phenomenal job!

Well, that seems to be it.  We love you all and will miss coming to the party this year!

Brad and Marissa Jeppson: 

What a year! We moved to Boise Idaho and bought a farm last August. I must have been kicked in the head one too many times milking because apparently I did not get the message that farming is hard, grueling, sweaty, dirty work. But actually we like it. We have a few cows, goats, chickens, bee hives and a horde of barn cats (because my kids are softies and keep feeding them!). I am hoping to teach my boys to work hard in preparation for missions.

Thanks to my parents, Grandpa, and my uncles for teaching me the value of hard work! Here are a few pictures of us during this crazy year.

Neal and Lori Jeppson: 

Lori and Neal Jeppson and our happy little girls are happily living in Texas....still. 

We are spending lots of time playing soccer, learning how to run and ride bikes and perfecting our ballet dance moves. We have a very happy life and plan on continuing to pursue that happiness for as long as it is provided. When it leaves us during moments of crisis or illness, we try to patiently wait for it to return. 

We love the life of ups and downs that had been provided us by Heaven and are sure of the reality of Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the help we often receive from the Holy Ghost. 

We love you all and miss our family lots! 

Love Lori, Neal and the little girls!

Diana and Ralph's Family

Diana and Ralph Parker

This has been a good year but nothing different than usual.  We are now up to 17 grandchildren and one more on the way.  All the quilts for each of the babies is done (David's didn't get done until a month ago, the child is almost 2!) so what more can you ask? Since you were here last year, we have redone the stairs on the south side of the house and put in a new downstairs door.  So it is now safe to walk down the stairs there! :)  Ralph still works for the LDS church and Diana is still teaching at Brockbank Jr. High in Magna.  Both of us are content.   We have taken to doing drive-abouts.  We take three days or so and decide a direction, sometimes even having an actual destination in mind and we go.  It is just the two of us and we stop at every roadside marker, and eat out of a lunch box I have prepared and stop and find a motel where ever we end up that night.  We have just returned from a magnificent drive-about to Nauvoo and surrounding areas. We did know we were going to hit Welliston, North Dakota and Nauvoo but that was about it.  We went up through North Dakota on the way out and took Cindy Wilson with us, spent some time in the oil boom towns and went to the Bismark temple with them and then left Cindy who flew home and headed on toward Nauvoo.  In addition to the church sites we saw the location of Jesse Jame's last bank robbery, Mark Twain's home town, Abe Lincoln's home, and a lock and dam system on the Mississippi.  Many other smaller things.  It was great.  Put about 3300 miles on the Avalon!  The best part is that we can spend all that time together and get along so very well and be so happy with each other.  In our church service Ralph is in the High Priest's group leadership and I am teaching primary.  Our testimonies are strong and we feel so very blessed with health and family and happiness.  We are thankful to be a piece of this wonderful family! 

Anne and Michael Sampson

Hi Everyone!  This past year we finally did something exciting!...Sort of, I guess.  We picked up and moved back to Taylorsville and now live in the stake I grew up in.  Our purpose was to make space for a mother-in-law, but if you ask our former ward, they would claim we left to keep Mike out of the bishopric or high council.  A great plus to this move was that we were able to leave our flailing HOA (in our estimation, just another layer of government in which a few good-hearted people serve and the rest complain that they aren't providing more services with less money.) behind. 

That said, we are delighted to be in Taylorsville.  We are enjoying our new callings (Primary teacher, Cub Committee Chairman/Elders Quorum teacher), our neighbors, having a garage, and being close enough to ride bikes to Grandma's and Grandpa's house (where the trail mix is abundant, right Mike?). The kids would say that there aren't enough kids in our neighborhood to play with (they have to wait until our neighbors' grand-kids come over), but now that it's summer, they're be plenty of time to haul them and their friends around to each others' houses.

This past fall, we got to take a fantastic trip to Port Townsend, WA and had many experiences that we'll never forget (driving there is one of them!).  Mike is still working for Fidelity and doing very well.  He looks forward to his Thursday soccer games during lunch.  I still get to stay home, and that allows me to do a little bit of everything, including going to the gym with Sara, "helping the teachers" at school on Thursdays (It's really just spying.), and having lunch with Grandma Bateman on Fridays.

Okay, the kids:  Daniel (11) just had his first camp out with the scouts and can you guess who is his leader (at least for a few more weeks)?  That's right, Uncle Gary Jeppson.  What a fun way for him to start out!  Unfortunately, he's going to have to be one of those nerdy kids that insist on carefully brushing and flossing their teeth on those camp outs because he's just had to get a palatal expander, Herbst appliance (check that one out!) and braces!  Poor kid.  We thought all the metal in his mouth might hinder his ability to debate.  It didn't...got another speaker award at the district meet this year.   Jonathan (9) is still rocking the dance floor with his hip hop moves and was excited when his team secured a 2nd place win at competition.  He almost decided to switch to choir this year, but when he thought it over, he realized he liked the competition too much to quit.  When it comes to competition, though, we think he should take up competitive heart-breaking.  He's got his third grade teacher wrapped around his little finger.  She lets him sign his name "Mr. Hi" or "Dude of Awesomeness" on his papers, tells us she loves the mischievous "sparkle" in his eyes and then actually made her cry at parent-teacher conferences when she thought he might not like school.  Who gets away with that!?!  Ella (7) is still our mover and shaker.  Pretty much everything she does is a game or is for pure fun.  Now that the weather is nice, she can mostly be found outside on her scooter or bike, or with sidewalk chalk, rose petals, rusty coins, or years-old duck eggs.  The other day she was telling me about worms or bugs or some other such thing and when I dared say, "Ewww...gross!" she reprimanded me with, "It's not gross, Mom, it's nature."  On the other hand, she can be just as girly as the girls.  In fact, she was able to make it past her grade level talent show and go on to dance for the entire school.  When I asked the boys what they thought about Ella's performance, all Jonathan would say was that his friends said she "was cute."  That, she is.

We feel so blessed and fortunate to have our family, extended family, strong heritage, testimonies of the gospel, and this amazing world to call our own.  We have enjoyed the interactions we've had with many of you over the last little while, whether it's been on the phone, in person, or even on facebook.  Families are FOR EVER!  

Mark and Jessica Parker

One might think that with the number of people to report on that we have, there would be a significant amount of news. In fact, there is, and therefore, I've decided to break this past year down into a handy set of statistics for easy consumption:

            Lagoon season passes purchased: 10

            Nights spent in state parks: 19

            Cherries picked: (uncountable)

            Cherris bottled: (75% of what was picked)

            Physical therapy appointments kept: (uncountable)

            Childred started walking: 1 (yay!)

            Soccer games played: 40 (approximately)

            Nintendo DS Lites acquired: 3

            Bedrooms remodeled: 2

            Bathrooms remodeled: 1.3

            Sprinkler heads replaced: 6

            Decks deconstructed: 0.8

            Fence sections reconstructed: 2

            Times Mark crawled across the vaulted ceiling in the attic: 8

            Caribbean nations visited: 4

            Vehicles registered: 4

            Elk eaten: 1 (approximately)

I think that just about covers it. Details are available upon request. Honestly, the really big news is, of course, that Charlotte is finally walking. We credit the wonderful therapists we've been working with, both at Shriners and DDI. Jessica has been driving up to Shriners several times every other week, and while exhausting, we think that it's been very helpful.

Michael & Robyn Parker 

The other day our family was hanging out playing on Grandma's back (front) lawn, and I had a melancholy moment as I looked down between Grandpa's "Toy Box" and the backside of his garage. It was mostly overgrown with weeds, the toy box is rotting where it stands, nothing has moved in 10 years, and the view ends abruptly at a white vinyl fence. I certainly don't want to compare any feelings of mine to those of others who were closer to and spent more time on the farm, but I do want to add mine to theirs. I had such wonderful years playing on the farm with Grandpa and my cousins. I say "playing," because even though much of the time I spent on he farm was working for Grandpa, if I'm honest, even that time was more play than anything else. The farm environment itself, along with the people there afforded me priceless opportunities that I cannot duplicate for my children, or even come close. And that's really where the melancholy stemmed from. More than anything, I'd love to see my kids playing in cottonseed, jumping into silage, and riding in the backs of dump trucks. I can take them to Lagoon, or Disneyland, or Chuck E. Cheese, but so much of the fun I had growing up is not for sale.

Depressing rambling aside, I do think we've had a fun year. We finally took the kids to stay at the hotel just off of I-215 by the E-center that has the waterslide coming out of it. Ethan and Matt informed us that all future vacations should be planned at that location.

We refinished our family bathroom this year. This was a great lesson in the monetary value of time. We did a great job (we think), and we did it exceptionally cheap compared to prices for hiring it all out, however, it took us almost the whole year. Let's just say we don't criticize people for spending what we once thought was exorbitant amounts of money on bathrooms.

Other interesting developments this year: Ethan finished kindergarten, and he'll be starting a dual-immersion Spanish/English program next year. He just lost his first tooth. Matt will start kindergarten, and Bridget just took her first steps in the past week.

We've had fun playing dress-up with Bridget. There was a lot of penned-up glitter and nail polish around here just waiting for a girl before it burst. Along these lines, we're questioning whether it's appropriate to spoil one girl with so much beauty product, and so we're hoping to add another to spread things a little thinner. (No, we're not expecting, we just expect to be expecting this year - a girl, of course).

Really we've been on cruise control since last year. Time flies, and sports change with the seasons, but we mostly work and play try not to complain too much, since we certainly have things better than we deserve.

Sara and Dustin Marcrum:

This past year the Marcrum boys have continued to grow. Parker (7) finished up his first year in the Chinese Dual immersion Program at school. So far we're not worried, but if any of our younger children enter the program Dustin says he will have to call Rosetta Stone so he can keep our home safe from the plots they will be able to hatch together right under our noses. Austin (4) has been enjoying his last year of blissful freedom before entering preschool, and David (2) has been receiving some speech therapy to counteract being the third boy and only ever hanging out with his brothers who don't exactly require him to do anything for himself.  Frank the cat (105 in cat years) passed away this year of complications of being 105 in cat years. 

The Marcrum house has not undergone much change. That's a pretty big accomplishment, a year without major home remodeling projects is fairly novel to us. 

The Marcrum parents have been planning their big 10 yr anniversary bash. A big trip they have been saving for for several years. Alas, they will be having a baby this winter instead. A fourth child also means that the rest of this year will be occupied with shopping for a vehicle that will accommodate, building a new bedroom in the basement and trying to come up with names. Seriously, we seem to be running out. 

Lynn and Gail's Family


Lynn and Gail Bateman

Another year has come and gone.  Things change, but not much.  We get older and more like the older generation that we are becoming.  Lynn is serving in the Stake Sunday School as the 1^st counselor and Gail is teaching the Youth in Sunday School.  We have been able to go on a couple of vacations with some of our children, one to the sand dunes and one to Kanab to see the Grand Canyon and also spent a day at Glen Canyon Dam.  We love these trips when we can enjoy our grandchildren and unwind.  Lynn is still the Fire Chief in Levan, and also an adjunct instructor and tester for Utah Fire and Rescue Academy.  He likes the teaching and testing part, but not so much going out on fires.  He feels like it should be younger men who could actually climb a hill or pack in to put out a burning tree.  He does really well at pointing and organizing.  Gail still works at Juab Title, still as the only outsider (everyone there is part of the Sperry Family- Mom, Dad and their kids).  It works out well, and thankfully it is close to home.  We love each of you and hope you are all well.  We are excited as we hear news about missions, etc. from each of you, especially for Brenda and Gary’s new adventure.  We hope that someday it will be our turn.  We are thankful for all that we have been blessed with, and are grateful that the economy has turned a little to allow us to continue farming and scrape by paying our way.  The Lord is blessing us continually and we love Him for it. 

Jason and Amanda Mecham:

Life is good here in the fiery pit of Provo.  Jason and I celebrate 5 years of marriage the last week of June. Jason has been taking odd jobs with a local contractor, and also traveling out of town installing carpet in hotels, and looks to start building gun ranges across the U.S.  I have now worked for Home Depot for a year and a half.  Work is good. I enjoy working at the contractor desk and helping people with their projects.

Greg (18) just graduated from Timpview High.  It was close, but we found out four days before graduation that not only would he graduate, but he would do so with a letter in technology!  Within the week, he came home and informed us he had a job working at Auntie Ann's Pretzels in Springville. Words cannot tell how proud we are of him! He plans to start college in the fall at either UVU or Snow, and also looking into the National Guard.

Monica (16) is blooming into a beautiful young woman! She has great grades in school and plans to take four AP classes this fall. She also continues to be part of the Timpview cross country team. Based on a household with four drivers and only two cars, she rides her bike across town to practice every day and then rides home. She is president in the ward YW program, and draws people in everywhere she goes.  She has discovered boys, but doesn't know what to do with them...heaven help us when she does!

Jeff (15) is coming into his own. He has found a love for woods.  He has taken several classes In high school and planned to take more next year, but they cancelled the classes. He is a tinkerer.  Always thinking, inventing, or building. He also is quite the brain with computer apps and computers.  He is a bright boy who breezes through his classes with great grades.

Ruthanne (8) is so cute! Don't tell her that though, she not only knows it, but will use it to get what she wants. She was baptized this year and is on a crusade to be the family missionary.  She is smart and energetic and keeps us on our toes.

Kay and Ryan Pettit

Not much changes here in Levan, and that is the way we like it!  This year has been a good learning experience for all of us.  We've gotten bigger, smaller, and hopefully grown smarter!

Ryan is still working with Handy Truckline as a "freight relocation specialist" (his words!), and has really enjoyed being out of the political garbage that surrounds almost any office job.  He pretty much manages himself, and very seldom has to deal with anyone.  His company has just installed cameras and electronic log books in all of their trucks, which has been a challenge to get used to!  He is now the assistant scout master in our troop.  It's been fun for our boys to get to spend that much extra time doing fun things with dad.  Ryan has lost about 60 lbs this past year!  We are very proud of him, and love him so much.  He works so hard to provide for our family, and we couldn't ask for a better husband/father!

I have had a few crazy changes lately!  First off, I learned that the punctuation rule for periods has changed!  My kids always asked me why I put two spaces after each period.  My reply was "Because that is the rule!  One space after a comma, tow spaces after a sentence."  Apparently, this rule has changed.  It is now protocol to put only one space after a sentence.  It's just not right, and I can't follow that rule.  Sorry "sentence rule makers" I guess I'm a rebel.  I just can't/won't do it!  Rant over.

In other news, I have been called as the Relief Society pianist.  I hate it.  I've never been good at playing any instrument where I can be heard.  Now, to have people sing with me, is killing me!  They usually end up with a broken version of the top hand!  Sorry ladies, not my fault.  I have also started working at the Victorian House, the assisted living home in Levan, as a night time aide.  It's been really hard for me.  I am not typically comfortable being that intimate with people outside of my immediate family (my kids, really).  So assisting with bathroom trips and showers is really difficult for me.  Not to mention the all night work schedule.  It's like having a newborn again.  I'm up at least every two hours helping someone with something.  It is at the right location (close to home) and the right time (while my kids are sleeping), so it is the best option for me right now.  I'm not sure how I'll work it out after school starts back up, but we will deal with that when it gets here!  I've lost about 60 lbs this year too!  I still have 30-40 to go, but I'll get there!

Branden is almost 14!!  I feel so old!  He is a spectacular young man, and we are so proud of him.  He got almost all "A's" on his report card this year (one B and one B+), and is working on getting his Eagle Scout award before he is 14 in September.  We have a fantastic Scout Master who works so well with these boys, and keeps them motivated.  He is currently serving as the Deacon's quarem president, and does his best to make sure everything runs smoothly during the sacrament.  He is also a great help with the little ones.  They all just love him :)  He is excited to go to 8th grade next year.  He will be playing football again this year, and we are excited to watch him play.

Jace turned 12 in April, and is going to start Jr High in the fall.  He is playing Baseball, and is doing so great!  We love watching him grow and improve at something he loves.  He loves being a Deacon, and is the scout troop historian.  He is also working towards getting his Eagle before he turns 14!  He has such a funny personality, and is always making us laugh.

Ashton is 10, and is a handful!  He has way too much energy for mom to keep up!  He loves playing soccer, and is excited for it to start back up next month.  He is working on getting his Arrow of Light, and his all 20 award in Webelos.  

Gabriel would have turned 8 this year.  It has been especially hard for us to watch all of the kids that age getting baptized.  I can't help but think of all of the milestones that we aren't reaching with him.  We are all anxiously awaiting the Second Coming so that he can be back with us.  Tomorrow would be fine with us.

Keira is almost 6, and just finished Kindergarten.  She is pretty sure that she's a super model.  If you don't believe me, just tell her you want to take a picture of her, then watch her pose.  Funny little girl!  I've never met a girlier tom-boy in my life!  She is going to be playing soccer again this year, and we are excited to watch her learn to play her favorite game better.  She is counting down the days till her birthday and the start of first grade.  I wish she wasn't so anxious to grow up!

Tyson.  What a smart little fire cracker he is!  He makes us laugh every day.  He says the most random and thought provoking things.  It's like we all sit around waiting for the next funny thing from him.  He is so much fun, and we all love him so much!  He is 3 now, going on 60.  Someone told me he had an old soul.  I believe it!

Overall, we are doing really well.  We love you all and are so glad that we continue this tradition of a family letter and July 4th party!


Paul and Elisa Bateman

Paul and Elisa didn’t give an update last year, so here’s a quick sum up of the last two.  They bought the house they were trying for in South Jordan, worked their tails off getting it and the yard rehabbed, and have now settled in.  Paul still works for a small software company doing implementations and support, while Elisa has continued to fill the priceless roll of stay-at-home mom to the kids.  The kids stayed at their old school for a year after the move, but they have now completed their first year in their new school.  They will be going year-round next school year (thanks Jordan School District).  Paul is teaching 17-year-old Sunday School and just got called to be the Elders’ Quorum secretary, and Elisa is the Primary chorister and an Activity Days leader.  We certainly don’t get bored. J

Rebecca and McKell Dalton: 

  

McKell is still with Wheeler Machinery and is still doing machining and welding but not going out of town as often which has been a blessing in disguise.  Rebecca is still working at Diamond Rental in the party and events division with Lori and loving it but keeps me really busy in the summer time!  Caleb is going to be 10 in July and going into 5th grade.  He is an amazing child and very responsible and helps watch his mischievous little brother.  We just found out that he is an amazing snowboarder this winter.  He went with Lori and the first time ever being on a snowboard he was going down blues with Brandon which is unheard of!  He also has turned into a dune rat like his mom and dad and has bought his own blaster to ride around at the sand dunes.  He has picked up mowing lawns to pay for the blaster and to help with the upkeep of it.  Conner is going to be in first grade this next year which means no more day care...YEAH!!  Conner is definitely our trial child and constantly tests our limits in everything he does. He is now 6 and is absolutely fearless!  He also is a dune rat like his brother but gets frustrated that he isn't big enough to ride the "big 4 wheeler" but does amazing on his little 50 motorcycle. 

       Our family recently moved from Kearns to West Jordan and we are loving it there.  We are tucked away in a circle with a park next door where the boys can play all the baseball and golf they want.  We just got the whole roof replaced thanks to the massive wind storm we had this spring and are putting in a front yard which is not easy at all! So I guess you can say we are "Living the dream"...........whatever that means.

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