Family History Letter 2016

Bateman Family Letter/History-2016

Sybil Greer Bateman (Dean)

Mom/Grandma/Great Grandma/GreatGreat Grandma has managed again this year.  She weakens, and there have been a few scares where we thought she might not stay with us, but each time she recovers and continues.  She is slower, and some little things she forgets, but she still knows and loves every member of this family.  She is still in her home and manages her own life with just a little help from the family.  With Brenda and Gary home from mission it is a little easier for all. 

Kent (Dean, Kent) and Sharon

We are hanging in there.  We are very busy going to doctors and having a great deal of problems as all senior citizens do.  Old age is not for the weak and faithless that's for sure.  Kent has had some blood clots in his legs and his toenails removed (poor timing) and had some difficulty trying to be up and trying to stay down at the same time.  Those are the most recent problems and the rest is just too boring.  Sharon spends her time baby-sitting, and playing nurse.  She also volunteers at the elementary schools as a RADkids instructor.  RAD stands for Resisting Aggression Defensively.  Yes, I do kid defensive skills and help out with teaching.  Yes, I am probably too old but it's great working with the kids.   It's a great program, check it out. 

 At this time I am YW Laural adviser and Kent and I spend Monday nights at the Juab County Jail teaching family home evening to about 30 (give or take a few depending on the week and if they're in lock down) prisoners. It’s quite an adventure.  We send our love!

Kyle (Dean, Kent, Brian, Kyle) and Lauren Bateman 

Kyle and Laren live in St Louis.  Kyle is going to Occupational Therapy School. Laren is doing taxes and something else besides being a mom.  They have two children, Micheal (3) and Nydelia (1) and are very busy.

Brent (Dean, Kent, Brent), Terri, Zoe, Sam, Caroline, Daisy, and Jeffrey Bateman would like you all to know that they love you. Here are some highlights, some of which is true:

This year Brent was invited to provide legal training to the Planning Commission of the city of Short Creek, Utah. If you don't know where Short Creek is, you should know that it is the joint name for Colorado City, Arizona and Hilldale, Utah. He had a wonderful time. They were very friendly and welcoming, and did attempt to entice him to stay and live there forever. He declined, in spite of their wily promises. Two days after he was there, the person who invited him was indicted for food stamp fraud. Thus, he is now on close terms with several people in jail named Barlow and Jeffs.

Terri's travel agent is not very bright. We suspect that when she tried to book a trip to Europe this year, the agent spelled the destination backwards, so she ended up in Peru instead. We also think that when Terri asked to go to a place where she could get clean and hygienic bathing and bathroom services, he booked her to stay on Lake Titicaca. She also wanted to go somewhere that she could eat a lot of fruit, so the sent her to Muchoo Peachoo. The whole thing was quite an embarrassment.

Zoe has learned through her Psychology Major at Utah State that each of us, including herself, suffer from various psychoses and mental disorders. She enjoys informing us of her diagnoses. However, she has also learned that if no one cares, what's the problem?

Sam and Caroline have decided that the USAF is not intense enough, so they have started their own branch of the military. They call it the USBKS. It stands for the U.S. Butt Kick Squad. USBKS cadets take a sacred vow that if they are ever in a war, they will personally kick the backsides of all enemies to freedom that they happen to stumble across.

Daisy's stalker has decided to take a 6 month sabbatical. Thus, we are not sure where she is most of the time.

Jeff has starred in several local theater productions during the past year, including as Willy Wonka, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, and Hello Kitty.

Andrea and Jarom Echols

Ellie turned 3 last October.  She's afraid of almost everything except people.  Unless you're creepy... she'll let you know.  But most of the time she just walks up to people and asks their name.  She and Levi spent the last year playing together since the other 4 kids have been in school full time.  They get along so well, I forgot how quiet life could be.  They really are best friends.

Levi turns 6 a week after he starts Kindergarten in August.  He spent this last year doing the online preschool, Waterford Upstart, and complained EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  But, thankfully we're done June 30^th.  I also learned this year that he doesn't care for t-ball, loves soccer, and has anger management issues when it comes to playing video games. 

Lily turned 8 in April!  She managed to make it through the 2^nd grade with only a few minor tantrums.  She decided this year that she wanted to do her own hair, which I thought was a fantastic idea! It was difficult at first to let her go out in public with her hair parted funny or crazy hair bows.  But you've got to learn somehow!  Lily played basketball, softball and soccer... loves them all.

Hannah is 10 now.  She loves sports.  I'm not sure she has a favorite, but plays basketball, volleyball, soccer and softball, and now wants to try out track and field.  She spent last week in British Soccer Camp, earning MVP 2 out of the 5 days.  She's still intense and can be explosive in certain situations.  In the end, however, she's done a fantastic job perfecting the art of “looking” busy, like she's working, but never really lifts a finger to help... well, not without some “gentle” persuasion. 

Now that I've talked about my 4 youngest, let’s talk about “the flour incident” of 2016.  Whilst Jarom and I did our civic duty and attended our party's caucus meeting, my 4 “little” kids, (remember Hannah and Lily are 10 and 8) EMPTIED a 25 lb. Bag of flour in our basement.  Have you ever tried to vacuum dust?  Since it was 10:00 at night and I was insistent they clean it themselves, we decided to wait until they got home from school the next day to clean up.    As I went down the next day barefoot, so as to minimize spreading the flour to other parts of the house,   I found myself perplexed as to why the carpet was crunching below my feet.  After further inspection and interrogation, I found out that throwing the flour wasn't good enough for them, they had to have a water fight too.  Have you ever mixed water and flour?  And have you ever mixed it then let dry?  Somehow, in the end, my kids have lived to see another day. 

(Wayne) (Dean, Wayne) and (Ranae)

Wayne has been gone for a year.  It is difficult for all who love him, but he is with his love, Ranae.

Amy Bateman Rasmussen (Dean, Wayne, Amy)  The Rasmussen/Reynolds family

Our family has certainly had its highs and some extreme lows during the past year. First, my father Wayne died in July, 2015. We were hoping for a great 2016, but that did not happen. Our wonderful and loving father and husband Frank died from complications to his COPD and the paramedics’ failure to take him to the hospital. Wyatt is missing his father very much and is having major problems with nightmares. It has been difficult for him. Cody has been drinking a lot in order to cope with the loss and his anxiety. For his 22^nd birthday I bought him a puppy, which seems to be helping quite a bit with the anxiety. Cody lives with an amazing group of friends who would do anything for him. He is working at Papa John’s as a manager now.

 Zachary has been keeping me on my toes this year! As of June 13^th, he finally resolved and finished all of his obligations to the courts. He has a great job with Home Goods and likes it a lot. Several of his friends have been staying at our house off and on since Frank passed away. They all call me Mom and treat me with the utmost respect. However, sometimes it’s a little hard to keep the house clean!

As for  myself. I try to take one day at a time.  It has been very hard for me these last few months, and I miss Frank in our home.  I know he is watching over us and helping in so many ways.  I have been seizure-free for four-and-a-half months because of the medications I take. I have been cleared to get my license, so I worked hard to get a beautiful Dodge Caravan. Now our family can drive ourselves and be mobile, and we don’t have to ask for rides any longer..  The teens have been working hard to keep me busy so I don’t sink into depression.  My sisters are helping me so much, too. If I could wish for any one thing this year to make things better, it would be to heal the rift in my large family circle.  It is so difficult and sad that everyone is not getting along very well since Dad passed away.  It is so very sad for me.  I also want to thank everyone who helped me so much last March.  It means so much to know that I have this family behind me in such a time of need.  THANK YOU!!

Josh and Shellece Bateman (Dean, Wayne, Josh)

Josh and Shellece still have little contact with our family, but it was thrilling to see Shellece when she came to be there when Dad was in the hospital. Josh could not come because he is still working on oil rigs all over the United States, and he spends about only three days a month at home.  He has moved up and is even one of the bosses now. He asked Shellece to hold the phone to Dad’s ear so he could say his goodbyes too.  It meant much to all of us that Shellece (and Josh by phone) were there. Shortly after Dad passed, Josh returned home for a few days.  Natalie was able to get together with them, and she reports that they look great and are doing very well, and that they are happy again.  Alexis is in high school and gets good grades.  She also got her driver’s license last year.  She is on the high school varsity cheer team and loves it. Serenity is a competition dancer and travels with her dance team a few times a year. She lives, eats, and breathes dance. Both girls are beautiful young ladies. Things are going great for Josh’s family, and although we miss them dearly, we are so glad we were able to see them and wish them every happiness.  They check in with us once in a while, and we catch them up on all the news of the family.

Camille and Dustin Haight (Dean, Wayne, Camille)

Where do I begin? We are once again faced the task of writing a family update letter and I struggle with a place to start. There have been so very many lesson for me to learn this year. Most of them serious lessons that I feel important to share.

It seems an eternity has passed since last year and at the same time I feel like if I step back just a single step it would be back to those difficult days after dad passed. It felt like after the flowers died and the business of dealing with his estate started, that everything would be normal again.  In the end, after 12 months of ups and downs everything has changed. I think when you lose a parent it simply can’t stay the same. Because there is this piece gone. It is torn from the center of puzzle and the picture looks incomplete. For us there are two missing pieces and the puzzle feels fragile now.  It is truly surreal sometimes to move forward after this.

Losing Dad and Mom so early in life has been a difficult trial and I will not sugar coat the basic fact that it is an ongoing one that will take much more time. Maybe it will take the rest of my mortal life. I do know in my heart though, that they are okay. That they have peace and will not struggle anymore. There is so much comfort in that single truth. Cheryl, told me about a dream she had and I hope she understands my need to share. She told me she saw dad, “he was walking in a field on a path toward an opening in a two rail, white fence, his clothes were tattered and warn. When I awoke I thought about what a beautiful picture that was of a man who had given everything he had to this life and was walking toward the next.”

What a sweet story this thought is for all of us. That our lost loved ones gave everything they could. That they did their very best in this game we call life. That they move forward with more to share, more love to give, and more wisdom to teach.  Then As I started to acclimate to the missing piece of my father Amy lost Frank, and I was once more reminded how fragile this life is. I often  wonder now, more than I ever have before,  if I told people how much I love them each day,  if I stood up for someone who needed it, or if did enough service each week?

As I ponder these things, I understand that I am learning to appreciate life and want to make the memory of mine a good one. It will not be the house I own, the car I drive, or the job I held that will make my children remember me fondly. Instead it will be the things I stood for, the love I gave them, the kind words I spoke, and the example I set. If I have learned anything important in my life I pray it will be these simple truths and that I will embrace them until it is my turn to return home and greet my parents. Because in the end I see the truth is not in the loss of the pieces now, but in the faith I have knowing they will always be a part of the puzzle. It is freeing to understand that the pieces were never lost, just simply moved over by the puzzle master to the permanent frame that is being rebuilt on the other table close by.

I have also learned this year the value of supportive family. I am not sure I could have survived without all of you. Especially, my Aunts and Uncles. You have been there for all of my siblings more times than I think we even realized. More times than I know I expressed my gratitude for. I am so blessed to have cousins and aunts and uncles, and a grandma that would so quickly jump to our aide. It is an amazing thing to make a call to Aunt Diana and within 24 hoursshe has mobilized the entire Bateman clan to help meet any needs that can possibly be fulfilled. I love you all dearly and thank you once more for your prayers, kindness, and service. 

Now on to my kids and such which is what you likely really what to read about. What can I say, we still plod along trying to keep up in a crazy busy world. We love living in Salem now and are finding new camping spots for fun all the time. We got a new puppy that I am certain is mixed with a raptor since she tears into any helpless stuffed animals on site. Poor Emily, who collects them will never be able to forget the loss of some of her favorites.  And I think she has a special place for all the veterans of battle that have lost an eye, nose, or ear to the carnivorous puppy. Since we already had a dog named Lady, it only seemed logical to name the new puppy Sif. So we officially now have Lady Sif. (If you don’t understand watch Thor) With Aunt Melissa having a dog named Thor it seems we just need someone to buy a male Yorkie and name it Loki. Any takers?

Seriously though, here is the quick rundown. The kids are all great. Kalie is 16 now and driving. The newness of running errands for me has not worn off yet, so I hope that will last till at least the end of the summer. She wants to direct films or be in film production and is working on her own youtube channel that includes funny skits for geeks. Cassidy 13, is still a budding soccer star. However, as strong Utah fans it is hard for us to openly admit she is making plans for drafting or art at BYU. She loves them and even decorated her room with posters. We have considered an intervention until we realized BYU soccer shorts are more modest. Emily 10 this July is still bouncy and energetic. She loves the piano, and has started Irish step dancing. It gives her a reason to jump around the house now. When the other girls get annoyed with her jumping everywhere these days she simply smiles and says, “What? I’m practicing.” My girly, tough, bright, brawling Aspen has also started the piano, and wants to do karate. To which my older children replied, “Why? Are you trying to make her effective? At least now we have a fighting chance, even if it is a small one.” While Aspen’s only concern is if her outfit will be cute. Kendra is spunky and full of personality. She is 3 now, and is simply happy she can do things all by herself, and will remind you of which any time you try to assist her with almost any task. Unless she needs a drink then she is happy to “demand” a drink from her sisters.

Dustin and I are good too, except Dustin is not loving the idea of dating since Kalie is old enough to do so. He tries to avoid any conversations that involve dance plans or group dates. Dustin still manages the Payson Walmart and really likes it. I am still working for BZI Construction, and still trying to write. My first book is newly edited, and now on Audio, while my second undergoes editing to follow suit into the audio world. I am sorry those of you who have supported me had to wait so long, but I am happy to tell you I have a goal for the end of this year for the third and final book in the series. Thanks for being patient there’s been a lot going on to keep me away from it. So all and all we are doing good. We are pursuing goals, spending time together, and making memories. I hope you are all doing the same!

To be Continued in 2017.

Melissa, Robert, and kids Christensen (Dean, Wayne, Melissa)

 Wow where do I even begin? This past year has been so full of heartbreak, blessings and new adventures. Loosing our Dad has been so hard on our family, some of us have been able to come together and make new and even stronger bonds which has been wonderful. While we have had struggles with other relationships.  Despite all the heartache I still love each of my siblings and would do almost anything for them. Thank you so much for all the support all of you have given to our family this year, we truly couldn't have made it through some of the challenges without our extended family. We love and appreciate everything everyone has done for each of us. 

 My little family has had such a big year, it all started with the chance to buy my parents home after my dad passed away. Buying the house has been such a whirlwind of projects, hard work and so many blessings. My kids are loving all the space and being together as a family. We have had so much fun making the house ours. The girls and I have planted some gardens and can't wait to see what we get out of them. We have work so hard to fix the house up and make it feel like our home. I am so blessed and grateful that I get the chance to make my childhood home a great place to raise my own kids. My kids love to hear about things I remember growing up here. I know in my heart my parents would be so proud and happy with the way the house has come together.

   After we bought the house and a long crazy winter of snow removal Robert was offered a job that he decided to take. His new job is great and he is so happy with it and is so glad he found something he loves. His new job does have one downfall though he spends a lot of time out of town away from us.  While he is out of town it is a big adjustment for us all but thanks to things like FaceTime we are all making it work. The upside of this job is the weather doesn't predict his work and it is consistent. 

    We also got a big surprise and found out we are expecting another baby! We thought we were done and even made an appointment to make sure but, this little blessing decided she really wanted to be a part of this crazy family. This little girl is set to arrive in October and we can't be anymore nervous and excited to meet her. Now naming this baby is so far proving to be impossible so if you have ideas we are open to them. 

   Grayson is now officially a teenager and makes sure everyone is well aware of this. He is all boy and loves that he is finally getting his Mario mustache, he says he has been waiting to grow it since he was Melainas' age. He is getting ready for 8th grade and can't wait. He still loves Special Olympics and loves learning about new sports. Although he would much rather talk about the sports then actually play. He comes so far every year and never stops surprising us. 

   Alyia just finish kindergarten and loved it so much. She has turned into this beautiful little soul that would do anything to make someone happy. She is always wanting to help and always looking for ways to make everyone happy. She started the year off so quiet and reserved and has ended it with so many friends. Her teacher tells me she always made a point to play with the kids that seemed to be feeling left out. I am so proud of the sweet compassion that she seems to naturally have. She is the same way at home, always looking for ways to put a smile on anyone's face. This leads to a bunch of notes and picture in any given room at all times. We are so lucky to have such a sweet soul around.

   Miss Melaina just hit 3, although she is absolutely sure she is a big kid. She is so full of sass but wears her heart on her sleeve. She will tease her brother all the time but if he gets annoyed her heart will break. She is so fun to have around and has a personality that is contagious. You just can't seem to be anything but happy when she is around. 

   Hadley is 15 months and still loves to be babied, she is lucky to have her siblings because they love to baby her. She loves to play and chase them around the house. Alyia has this ability to get her to do almost anything they can think of including dress up and playing house. Hadley fits in with the girls so well and has proven to be my easiest baby. She is such a perfect little addition to our family. 

   While Robert is out of town or at work I stay pretty busy. With summer brings my awesome nephews (Chad's boys) during the weekdays. They are so fun to have around and help me a lot. I also can't seem to help myself and keep finding projects around the house or in the yard. I am sure this pregnancy will slow me down at some point so I keep thinking I better get it done now. I did find out this year, after some health struggles, I have rheumatoid arthritis and it has been a hard diagnosis to take. I now realize I have my Bateman genes to thank for it, so now I know I am not the only one and I have support when I need it. When I have a flare up I am always reminded of how much my dad struggled with pain and how blessed he is to be with my mom pain free and happy. I miss them everyday but know in my heart they are happy and I will get to see them again. 

For the people that keep asking here are a few pictures of the house and our family. 

 

Natalie and Brett Loveland  (Dean, Wayne, Natalie)

Another year has come and gone, and the Loveland family is still going strong! Of course it's been a hard year for all of us since dad died, but we try our best to keep moving forward..even when it seems impossible. We miss him so much and still shed lots of tears, but we try to remember all the great times we had with him, and all the amazing things that made him such a great man. We are blessed that all 4 of our girls have personality traits that remind us of him everyday, and they love hearing and bragging about how they are like their grandpa Bateman... With sad times came good time, though and we've had a lot of both this year. 

Our youngest daughter Kennedy turned 3 in June, and wow was she a perfect way to complete our family! She is such a spunky little lady. Kenna loves to make people laugh, She is basically your average 3 year old, except she's a bit more sarcastic which we can only assume she got from my dad. Kennedy is a little Natalie, she looks just like me as a kid, and it can be scary how much her personality is like mine! With turning 3 she also got to start an activity, and it was a hard choice between gymnastics and karate for her, but chose to start karate with her big sisters, and lives being in the same class as Canbree. We sure love having her in our family, and being able to call her ours. 

Cambree turned 4 in March, and she keeps us on our toes. She is a very tough, emotional, girly, tom boy, energetic, fun, sassy, and strong little lady. Like her little sister, Cam has some of her grandpas traits too... She got his temper!! We recently found a picture of my mom as a toddler and realized Cambree look like a little Ranae clone! Cambree asked to start karate this year, and has excelled in it. She loves going to karate twice a week, and it's a lot of fun to watch how easy it all comes to her! We love the respect, responsibility, discipline, and work ethic it teaches them! Cam is taking her belt test this week to earn a higher colored karate belt. We love her so much and we are grateful God gave her to us! 

Quinn turned 5 in January, and she's anxious to start kindergarten this fall (I'm not so anxious because this means she's growing up) she's a very smart girl, she loves to tell silly jokes, something she must of learned from my dad. She has a contagious smile that lights up a room, so it's definitely hard to see her struggle and cry for grandpa the most. Quinn likes to be called Dr. Quinn, we got her name from the old T.V. Show Dr. Quinn the medicine women and grandpa Bateman called her Dr. Quinn from day one! She wears her heart on her sleeve, and she was alway a grandpas girl, so she has really had a hard time with his death and holds on tight to anything and everything that reminds her of him. She loves to hear story's about him, and see pictures of him as much as she can! She strives everyday to make grandpa proud. Quinn started karate shortly after Cambree did, and although it doesn't come as easy to her, she really loves it! Quinn has worked hard and is about to take her belt test to earn her next color belt. Quinn is such an amazing kid and we love seeing the little girls she's growing into, she's an important part of our family.

Brynlee turned 6 in November, and passed kindergarten with flying colors. That's the trait Brynlee got from grandpa Bateman, his love to learn and his amazing ability to remember so much so fast.  Brynlee is always eager to learn and she learns FAST, infact she was ahead all year in kindergarten and although they wanted to put her in 1st grade in September we have tried our best to keep her in the same grade as kids her age, and of course with all her friends. Next year, Brynlee has been put into the daul immersion program. She will spend half the school day learning in French, and the other half learning in English. Our hope is this will challenge Brynlee a bit more and be what we need to keep her from needing to skip a grade. Bryn has been a busy girl, she has stated horse back riding, gymnastics, and karate this year. She is our little cowgirl, she wants to do barrel racing in rodeos one day, but she also practices her roping skills. Her biggest dream is to become a rodeo queen. She is also quite the little gymnast, but she does have to work harder then most because of her pigeon toes, but we are hoping gymnastics and karate will help correct that. Her favorite thing to do in gymnastics is the beam and she's amazing at it and makes it look so easy! She also started karate a couple months after her sisters and we were amazed at how much she had perfected just from watching her sister. She loves karate and in just a couple weeks has earned all her tips to move on to do her belt test! She's had a great and accomplished year, but because of multiple cases of strep throat and too many school days missed, we are planning to have Brynlee's tonsils removed this summer. Brynlee never ceases to amaze us with her love to learn and amazing memory, she is becoming such a beautiful kid inside and out. We love her so much!
Brett is still working at rio Tinto kennecott Utah copper, he's been there for 4+ years now. He still loves his job, but has been applying for other positions at other mines owned by Rio Tinto in hopes to find somewhere he can move up more, without as much of a worry of lay offs that kennecott has had on their higher positions since the slide. He works very hard, usually working 2 or 3 overtime days on top of the 4 14 hour mandatory shifts he always works. Brett is very excited that after 7 years of trying, he finally drew a limited entry archery elk tag for this fall!! To my delight (not really) all four of our girls have been practicing their elk calls since he found out he got the tag in May. They have also been practicing their own archery and rifle skills with us everytime we shoot. Brett is really excited to have this amazing experience with his daughters, and his daughters are counting down the days till the hunt begins. Bretts is an amazing dad and husband, and we are lucky that he takes so much pride in teaching all us girls everything we need to know about hunting and loves to make these fun memories as a family as much if not more than hunting alone. 

Last, but not least... Me. I've certainly been busy, between Brynlees first year of school, all 4 girls in activities, all my doctor appointments, all this kids doctor appointments, a little work, keeping up with things at home, and babysitting at least one more kid a day I can easily forget to breath sometimes. I don't work with the same company as Camille anymore, but I do some side jobs helping some guys that use to or still do work for that company. They are such great people, and I'm really grateful for them and always willing to do anything I can to help them out. It's been almost 4 years since my original cancer diagnoses, and it never gets old saying I'm NED (no evidence of disease) there is still constant doctor appointments and CT scans and things I have too keep up with to maintain the remission, but it's a small price to pay to be alive and able to raise my daughters and watch them grow. I'm not as lucky as Brett, but I did draw my own general rifle deer tag this year. I'm most excited about all the meat that will be in our freezer after the hunting season with Brett's elk and my deer. My tag is for the wasatch mountains, which is never an easy hike, so the girls won't be able to join us for my hunt, but fortunately the wasatch mountains are close enough that we can let the girls go play at their grandma Loveland for a day while we hunt and get back the same night to put them to bed. I'm planning on using my dads old rifle to bag my deer, it will mean a lot more to me that way. My dads death brought a very hard battle with depression for me, but I have so much to be grateful for, and so many reasons to be happy, so no matter how low I get I always remind myself of that, and that dad would want me to be happy. I miss him more than I can even express, even after almost a year since he passed, but I'm comforted by knowing he's pain free for the first time in a long time, and he is enjoying being back with two of the most important people to him, my mom, and his dad. 

We have had a busy, fantastic, hard, long, fun, and blessed year. We can't wait to see what this next year holds for us, and I know that with the husband and children I have as long as we have each other we can get through any trial, and together we will enjoy all our triumphs to the fullest. We have definitely learned never to take anything for granted and that tomorrow is never promised. Life is never perfect, and it gets hard sometimes, but I'm so glad I have Brett to share my life with, and our 4 beautiful healthy and happy daughters we get to raise together. Happy 4th of July!! 

Brenda and Gary Jeppson (Dean, Brenda)

Chris and Allyson Jeppson (Dean, Brenda, Christopher)

The Chris and Allyson Jeppson family has had a very eventful year.  We transitioned from almost three years in Moscow Russia and moved the family home to Wellsville for the next year.  Chris is serving an unaccompanied assignment in Baghdad Iraq while Allyson and the three boys are living in our newly constructed house in Wellsville.  Shortly after Chris left to Iraq, a plumbing leak flooded the finished basement of the new house.  Insurance denied coverage for ridiculous reasons.  After a bitter fight, a tantrum and threats of legal action, Chris convinced the insurance to reconsider and they covered the damage. 

Allyson is working at the local high school and the three boys are loving an American experience back in their hometown.   After a wild cultural experience in Russia, it feels good to get back to our normal, yet the family will never be the same.  We find ourselves full of gratitude for the simplest of life’s comforts.  We love that our kids understand and appreciate how blessed we are as Americans and the how rare and precious the life of ease and excess is. 

Chris has returned to his art in an interesting way that has helped him stay connected to friends and family far away by sending old fashioned postal mail to them with pieces of art on the envelope.  Below is a picture of the one he recently sent to Grandma Bateman. 

    

We are grateful to Heavenly Father for all the blessings we feel so lucky to live a life filled with all of the most important things – family and the gospel. 

Next summer, we move to Lisbon Portugal where we will live for the next three years.  Plan a visit to come visit us! 

Love, Chris, Allyson, Ethan, Dalton and Seth. 

Brad and Myrissa Jeppson (Dean, Brenda, Brad)

2016 History of the Brad and Myrissa Jeppson Family

This year has been a lot of work for us. By day, we are an Engineer, a Teacher, and 4 students. Myrissa is a brilliant high school theater teacher and the boys are all brilliant in their own ways. By night and weekends, we are farmers. We are raising boys, cows, chickens, goats, berries, hay, and weeds. And everything seems to sell well except the boys and the weeds (maybe if I just advertised “weed” I would get a better response…hmmm, I’ll try that).

Actually, we are in the process of selling the farm and moving into Boise because that’s where we commute everyday to work and school, and I’ve decided I don’t want to be a slave to the farm anymore. It was an amazing experience for our family which I wouldn’t trade for anything, but perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned in the last three years is that life should be a healthy mix of work and play, and the play part is what I was missing. My family will be glad to have Dad back in place of “Slave-Driver” monster.

We are glad to have such great extended family with such an amazing legacy of faith and hard work! Thank you all!

Diana and Ralph Parker (Dean, Diana)

What can we say.  We took care of Grandma, tried to write the family updates every once in a while, threatened my brothers that is Grandma got worse and I called them and said, “Come!”  They dang well better come.  When Brenda and Gary got home I was able to relax a little and told them they wouldn’t have to show up for 2 hours instead of 1.5 hours.  Ralph still works at the church, but received an advancement: he is now a supervisor of some kind, we just don’t know what he is supervising.  Job really didn’t change, except he has to go to more meetings and he got a bit of a raise!  Diana now teaches at Cyprus High School, though she didn’t change buildings or even rooms (Brockbank Jr. is no more, it was absorbed, building and all into Cyprus).  Ralph is still in High Priest’s group leadership and I am still in primary.  Cushy jobs!  The most exciting thing we did this year is forgo all traditional birthday presents and took each of our kid’s families on a 3 day trip of their choice (but reasonable).  Much fun.  We loved having them all to ourselves.  We are thankful, more and more, for our great heritage and the blessings of the gospel.  We belong to a really amazing family. 

Anne and Mike Sampson (Dean, Diana, Anne)

 Like most years, the Sampsons had a little bit of everything in the last 12 months.  We will, however, now attempt to omit anything that will make us look like the ordinary human beings we are 99.5% of the time.  That leaves us with exactly six things to mention from the 2015-2016 year.

First, we felt very adventurous (0.5% of the time) this year and took our three kids on a three night backpacking trip in the Uintas, where we proceeded to spend most of our time filtering water and losing all of our fishing lures in the lake.  Seriously, though, very refreshing and very fun!  Also, trying our hands at adventure, we decided to use a gift card Mike won in a charity auction (and take the kids back later) and put our hearts, sanity, and everything else at risk while we held on for dear life to a trapeze.  Oh, wait.  Except for that moment when you let go and try to grab onto the guy on the other trapeze!  Ahhh!  Deep breath....  Okay, last of all, because "our temple" is closed for renovation, Mike and I have been making our monthly temple trips to different temples all over Utah.  That's only been four so far, but we've LOVED the extra time we get to be together and prepare ourselves to serve inside!

Oh yes, the kids.  So, Daniel is 13 and having a much easier time in Jr. High than he ought to.  Feeling awkward and irritable is supposed to be part of the gig and he's just not going along with it!  He just placed 8th out of the seventh graders in the State Math Competition at BYU.  Jonathan is 11 and is driven by fame, fortune, and winning.  At the beginning of year he won honorable mention in the Valley Science Fair and now he's just performed a clever Rubik's Cube act in his school talent show and emceed the whole thing too!  Ella is 9 and still the darling of the neighborhood, ward, and grocery store.  She can occasionally be convinced to stop playing, imagining, singing, drawing, creating, or writing to eat, sleep, and go to school.  She also just qualified for the district's advanced learner program.  Even with all the kids' cute personalities, quirks, and qualities, though, what we love the most about our family is when we're all together talking, laughing, and loving each other because that's what we want 100% of the time in eternity!

Lynn and Gail Bateman (Dean, Lynn)

Kay and Ryan Pettit (Dean, Lynn, Kay)

This year has been pretty uneventful for the Pettit family.

Ryan is still driving truck for Handy Truckline, but is always looking for a better option!  He was made the scout master this year.  He's been pretty busy, between work, scouts, fire department stuff, and search and rescue.

Kay is still substituting for the school district, and is now the Sunday School teacher for 14-15 year old class.  The cakes have slowed down, but I still get one in occasionally.  

Branden is almost 16, will be a  sophomore this fall, and has just started football again.  He received his Eagle Scout Award in November.  He was asked if he wanted to play tennis one day at school, and ended up on the school tennis team.  He really enjoyed learning a new sport, and plans to do it again this next year.  Branden also plays the trombone in the school Jazz Band.  His section was recognized as the most outstanding trombone section at the region festival.

Jace just turned 14, and will be starting his first year in High School (9th grade).  He Just finished up his baseball season, and we are trying to find something new for him to try. He is working on completing his swimming merit badge, then on to his Eagle project!  He has a funny sense of humor, and is fun to have around.

Ashton is 12, and will be starting Jr High this fall as a 7th grader.  He decided to take an after school math test to try to get in to the accelerated math class next year.  After weeks of anxiety, we received a letter in the mail letting him know that he will be able to join the class.  This means that he will finish 7th grade math, and 3/4 of 8th grade math next year, and then continue to learn at that rate so that he will be done with his high school math requirements by the end of 10th grade. He will then be able to take more accelerated math classes, and even earn some college credit during the last two years of high school.  He is so smart, and we are so proud that he is excited to challenge himself!  He will also be playing percussion in band next year.  He is more than half done with his Eagle Scout requirements. 

Keira is going to be 8 in August, and is really excited to get baptized! She has it in her head that she is going to be able to get her ears pierced then too.  Mom, however, isn't too sure about that.  She just found out that she'll be able to go to Activity  Days  day camp this week, and is so excited.  I am not sure I'm ready for my daughter to get older...  She just finished her softball season, and has really improved this year.  Soccer starts in a few weeks!  I'm ok if my daughter wants to be in sports instead of dance. 

Tyson, our little man, is now 5, and is counting down the days till he's able to start kindergarten.  He participated in Upstart (on line preschool) this year, and has done remarkable!  He has perfect participation, and is reading pretty well.  He is a smart little guy, and we are always laughing at the random things he says.  Tyson also just finished baseball, and will be starting soccer soon. He always begs to play, but then complains the whole season about playing!  5 year olds are fun!

Editor’s note:  We did not have very many turn in their yearly summary this year.  This is an important way to keep a history of yourself and your family.  We will try it again next year.  I hope there will be more that feel inclined to participate.  It helps us stay close as a family.  It builds concern and unity. 

July 2015

(Dean) and Sybil:  A note from Mom, the matriarch of this gang. (Sybil)

You all know pretty much where my past year has taken me, and therefore, to some extent much the same—good days and bad, health-wise.  As I write this day is a pattern for all my days.  When I got up this morning, I was definitely not well, but following my shower, I reclined in my chair and had a long nap.  When I woke the second time, I was 100% better.  No explanation except a long nap and a rest. 

You must all know by this time that I am using hospice.  They supply everything I need, including personnel.  I have shower help, nurses, massage therapist, social workers, podiatrist, ophthalmologist, and anyone else I express a need for.  When you get as old as I am (92) and have aliments, your time is limited.  I know some of you have been seriously ill, and I truly hope everyone is better, and that 2016 will be a wonderful year. 

Kent and Sharon:  (Kent.Dean)

 Don't know what to say about Kent and me.  We continue to plug along.  We still have no new callings nor new Sunday school class since our mission.  We feel rather useless and old and out to pasture.  We are hoping for some more action but have been waylaid in our plans because of some injuries and illnesses.  Hopefully we will conquer and be able to move on in our service to the Lord.  We enjoy visits from our kids and grandkids and a few others.  

We love our family and feel very blessed. No matter the challenges, we stick together and love and care for each other.  We love you all and are grateful to belong to this great family.*

Alison and Curtis Sandall (Alison.Kent.Dean)--
So......What? Already?   Finding something that might be interesting. That is what I am having a hard time doing. So I will just type and see what comes about.

Curtis and I are the same I think. except weight gain.  I gain he loses. He really wants another job that can still make our mortgage payment and I love what I am doing still.  We have been having fun with a little app called dubsmash.  You may have seen some of our facebook posts. If you see anymore you know we have been home alone and getting pretty bored. Other than that busy with work, church and family. I do miss living by everyone. I often think about the old farm and wish we could get together as easily as it seemed it was back then. I love you all and am greatful for Diana for keeping this going.
Write your articles. It's not that bad.  Makes you stop and think about your family.

Love you all

 Jared (Jared.Alison.Kent.Dean)  my oldest, he quit his job this year and ventured out with his doppleganger name self (Jared) and started his own business.  Kind of he is VERY good at what he does but he has NO money yet. So he is essentially working VERY HARD for NO money.  (restoration and mold) It's starting to pick up but if you asked him and his mother it is sooooooooooooo hard to be patient. Zarah is still taking pictures really good. Her latest picture was the picture she sent when she went over to my house and saw that my toilet had just overflowed ...... okay you probably don't want to hear about that. but, it was a very helpful picture.  If you want to see her web page  Photography by Zarah on facebook. Claire and Sawyer belong to them and the are 4 and 3 this year.

o   Ben and Kaylee (Ben. Alison.Kent.Dean)  both have seperate adventures as far as work goes but their biggest lately is flipping houses. They are VERY good at it and are fortunate enough to have a team to back them. They are on their 3rd house now and are doing a great job with it. Kaylee still cuts/colors and now venturing out with nails. Ben still works at WL Gore.  Kaylee teaches Relief Society  they are doing well. Tenley is 5 in Oct. Stetson is A LOT like is dad and will turn 3 and Brylee turn 1 this month.

o   Trevor and Katie (Katie.Alsion.Kent.Dean)  Trevor got a new job back down here at the Phoenix Cement Plant, he works in the lab and they are finally feeling better about things. They bought a new house over in Rimrock so I have 2 kids living in Flagstaff, Ben and Megan and 2 kids living in  Rimrock, Katie and Jared. Rimrock is by Montezuma's Well and Castle if you have ever driven down I17 to Phoenix. In between Sedona and Camp Verde. Anyway they're house is really cute and they love it. Katie went in and painted first off. Did some shabby sheek coloring and walla its dawling. Both Trevor and Katie and Jared and Zarah had a miscarriage this year so that was a little sad but they have healed up well and we expect  new babies soon. I'm sure from someone.

o   Kaleb and Megan (Megan.Alsion.Kent.Dean) had a Great year too.
Kaleb passed he plumbers test so now he is a full-fledged Arizona plumber. His goal is to get out on his own. They also had a photo-booth built and they are a licensed business "PRINTZ CHARMING PHOTOBOOTHS something like that. Also Megan is a realtor. They have been very busy. VERY BUSY.  Peyton is 4 and Holland is 1.

Brent, Terrie, Zoe, Sam, Daisy and Jeffery Bateman (Brent. Kent. Dean)  Well, we discovered this year that having missionaries come home ain't all that great. Yeah. That's right. I said it. 

For the past nearly two years, we have had two missionaries serving from our family. We love our missionaries so much, and we felt very blessed daily because of their service. But recently, both missionaries finished and came home. 

Now to you mothers who have missionaries out now, no disrespect intended. We missed our missionaries horribly. We counted the days until they returned. When the day came, we rejoiced to the heavens. Their returns are two of the greatest days in our lives, no foolin’. 

But you know what? It took very little time to appreciate that while they were out there, they were someone else's problem. Their excellent mission presidents took great care of them, and their companions dealt with the daily struggle. All we really had to do was pray a lot and write a letter every week. For that, we just sat back and watched the blessings roll in, baby! Oh yeah! For two years we were up to our neck in the bounty of the Lord, I'll tell you what. Every day was like drowning in a pool of celestial gravy.

But they came home, as all missionaries must, and just like that the gravy train left the station. Now both kids are my problem again. Zoe returned in November, after 18 months of faithful and diligent service in Pittsburgh. She smiled, hugged us, and promptly and for no reason ruptured two disks in her back, cutting off her spinal cord and requiring major surgery. So that was nice. The ol' hospital is way fun, as I am sure many of you know. She has recovered nicely since the surgery but there have also been dates, cars, jobs, tuition, blah blah blah. I'll tell you what. It was way WAY cheaper having her in Pennsylvania.

And Sam. . . . Oh Sam. Great work and much faith in Puerto Rico. And then . . .  he came home. Immediately we were brought back to memory that this boy eats everything that is not tied down. We simply cannot store enough food in our house. Free tip: It’s a good time to buy stock in Costco. And yes, he arrived in May. Here we are, IN JUNE! And he is engaged to be married! One of his mission buddies, upon hearing the news, commented that "Siempre me sorprende lo mucho Elder Bateman puede lograr en una transferencia." Oh to return to the glorious and inexpensive days of the trouble-free missionary stipend! Fortunately, we have one thing to look forward to. In six weeks or so he will be someone else's problem again.

Fortunately, although we feel as though we are standing in the desolate wasteland watching Eden zoom away in the distance, seeing the light of our Savior in their eyes keeps us going. Hope you are all well.

Heath, Kathy, Lindsey, and Lauren Bateman (Heath.Kent.Dean)

 Tribute to Kent G. Bateman and the Farm

 The Non Cowboy Cowboy

As memory recalls, there was a heard of red beef cows across the Jordan River to the east  on the south side of the trailer court most summers pasturing in the tall weeds and grass. I can remember a situation one time that turned out to be a challenge with regards to those cows. We had our heifers down there in the lower east pastures under the high-tension power lines and word came to us that there was an adolescent red bull that had jumped in the river and crossed over to join the Holsteins on our side of the fence. Dad, Lynn, Steve, Scott and I (and perhaps others I can’t remember) went down there to check it out.

All of the cows were nearest to the river so we had to walk all the way through the field to get to the herd. When we arrived, there was this crazy and libidinous red Angus bull down there making an attempt to play leap frog on any cow nearby. It was a constant whirlpool of cows. The bull would chase and the cows would swarm away and then run back and turn to see what was going on. Well, because Dad didn’t want any “redheaded stepchildren,” he knew we would have to get that bull away from the heifers (which would be like taking a box of wine away from Hedonism Harry). Our efforts however proved to be futile as every attempt to get him out of the herd failed.

Someone smart decided that the best thing to do was to move the whole herd up to the top of the sandy hill into the heifers’ corral so we could trap them and use the gates to cut the cows away from the little bull.  So up we went through the pasture, through the gates and across the cow splashier (narrow bridge. My personal favorite) and eventually making it up to the top of the sand hill and into the corral.

 I could see that wild little bull was getting somewhat annoyed. He was snorting a little bit and protecting his new harem with snorts and his ears pinned ears. We got the herd into the enclosure and started to cut the milk cows out of the herd until only about 5 or 6 cows were with bull. Then it turned interesting. . . . . .

The bull started to get more and more aggressive with each passing moment. He would pretend to charge us and would put his body between himself and the other heifers.

Really good farmers can speak “Cow Talk” which consist of far too much whistling and yelling the words, “HA. . . HA. . . . HEY. . . . . WOO!” while feverishly waiving out arms out to the sides. Just like in English, after a person speaks “Cow Talk” there must be an action word or words. In cow talk, every sentence must end in the statement, “STUPID COW”. Everyone was trying to speak Cow Talk but alas,  we found that it was impossible to cut those last Holsteins away from that red little bull.

Someone got a great idea to Lasso . . . . . . . yes, you heard me right, a lasso. . . . .  Let’s Lasso that little bull.

 Now,  I was not a very smart kid, but I can tell you this. It just didn’t seem right to me. Throughout my life, I have seen many rodeo pictures and I even went to a rodeo once as a young man and I had looked many times in magazines and also every old  ‘Cowboy on the Cattle Drive’ television show and noticed lassoing, but in my opinion, we were missing 5 crucial LASSO elements.

One, A COWBOY!

Two, a rope.

Three, a Horse.

Four, roping skills.

Five, a Brain if we were going to try to rope that mean little bull.

It just didn’t sound like a great plan to me. What would happen if they did lasso the cow?? I could see that little bull running through the pasture with Steve hanging on for dear life. It seemed like there was many ways this could go wrong.

While Steve went to get a rope, Scott, Dad, Lynn and I were to squish the cows into a corner of the corral so Steve could do his best Roy Rogers imitation. When Steve came back with a rope in his hands, that bull started to get downright mad. He was snorting and digging his hooves into the dirt as if he knew what was coming next. I think Steve threw the rope two or three times without success before he just quietly walked up to the side of the manger and when the bull walked by, he put the large noose around the bull’s head. (I’m glad he didn’t rope it while throwing it because I distinctly remember the last time I saw anyone rope a bull, the person was attached to something bigger than the cow. NAMELY A HORSE!) Anyway, he put the noose around the neck of the little bull and then quickly tied the rope to the manger pipe.

“There we go” said someone.

“Just let the other cows move out of there” said another.

“We got him now!” Said a third voice

The other cows were chased away and were running for the gate and the little bull started to run away with them until, “GULP-YANK - CHOAK!”

The bull quickly found out why the others were being let go. Now he was alone and trapped. Then started a 5-minute FREAKAZOID by this little angry and lustful bull. He wrinkled, bucked, jumped, lashed and spun around so much that I would have thought it would have choked him into unconsciousness.

We just backed up and watched him and tried to calm him down. Finally, he got tired and settled down and stood there.

We made at least 2 VITAL mistakes. First, the slack on the rope that was around his neck was about 30 feet because Steve tied the other end to the cow manger. This would allow the little bull could to move around and away from the fence a great distance before it reached the end of the rope. The second mistake was every time it did reach the end of the rope, the noose around its neck would tighten.

It would get tighter and tighter until we were worried it might be dangerous for the bull .

Remember the Dandelion game?  “Momma had a baby and it’s Head . . . . . . . . .” Never mind. 

I can remember the men getting together to decide what to do. The plan was to drive him back down to the river and force him across the river back to his herd. How could that be accomplished. Let alone accomplished with a 30’ rope around its neck. How were we going to get that rope off of the bull now? Especially since he was good and angry now!  The men were contemplating what to do next. Staring at the little red bull with their hands on their hips or one arm under the chin in the ‘Thinker’ pose with not a word was said for about 5 minutes. I am sure everyone knew the truth. Someone was going to have to take that rope off. Perhaps they were all waiting for a volunteer.  There were no other options. Someone had to go up there and loose the rope around its neck and let him go. I’m sure the thought processes were something like this:

Dad: “Who should I send up there to unloose that beast. I am the oldest you know.”

Lynn:  “Ill send Scott up there to take the rope off of that cow’s neck. He is big! Perhaps the mauling and goring won’t hurt him so much as the rest of us.

Steve: Where is Brent. If he was here, I’d send him up there.

Scott: DUUUHHHH

Well, I am not sure how the decision was made but Dad volunteered to try and started walking up to that little tinderbox.

I was standing by the gate (as I had always been. First assigned there by Steve to help cut cows. Later as the day went on, to be closest to the exit incase the bull went Charles Manson on us) and Dad was standing exactly 90 degrees from me and the cow. It gave me a great view as he approached the cow.

Now, I want you to picture in your mind Dad in his clodhopper, Gogo’s Shoe Store leather, work boots and Levi’s sneaking up on this mad little red bull. Every step Dad took toward him, the little bull would back up a step. Dad would take a step forward, the bull would take a step backward. I was thinking to myself, “Good, he will back up against the fence and wont’ be able to run away. He will be trapped. Stupid Cow!”

It never dawned on me that the Cow might have a different plan. 

Dad - One step closer. . . . . Bull - one step back. . . . one step closer. . . . one step back. . . . . closer. . . . . back. . . . . closer. . . . . back. . . . . . Finally the bull backed up all the way against the fence and had nowhere to retreat.

Dad took a few steps closer because he wasn’t in reaching distance yet. The bull just looked at him with what I would describe as a partial grin. The Bull did not move a muscle.  A few more steps and Dad was almost within reaching range of the noose of the rope.

One more step should do it. . . . . . . .

Onnne Moooorrre Sssstttteeeeppp and KA-POW!

(You know, cows aren’t that stupid as we think they are. I have determined that cow knew exactly what it was going to do and when exactly to do it. I also think it knew how long that rope was and how fast Dad was on foot. It had just lured Dad in like a fly to the web.

Just as fast as a loose false tooth leaves the mouth during a sneeze, that cow exploded forward in pursuit of Dad. In my mind’s eye, I think that little bull put both hind legs on the manger to push off (like the swimmers do in the Olympics) go accelerate as fast as it could.

Dad, for what seemed like an eternity, stood there. I think the bull had 2 leaps at least before Dad moved a muscle. His eyes were as big as Cue balls, his nostrils were flared so wide that snot ran freely down past his lips and splattered into the air. His mouth was wide open with the long tongue flapping from side to side as he moved forward. Some kind of bellar came out of his mouth which sounded like a dishwasher losing a bearing.  The bull looked scary too. Dads expression on his face changed immediately. It was, “STRETCH A LITTLE FURTHER. . . . . . TO . . . . . . DEATH! DEATH IS COMING!

Finally, his head started to turn, followed by his shoulders and hips and at long last, his feet made the transition from standing to flight. In the famous words of Brent as his snowmobile went off a cliff at Strawberry at 50 miles an hour, “YIKES!”

 I think Dad might have been given a little push from that cow’s nose but one thing was for sure. The race was on.  All I could think was that Dad was going to be run over and trampled. Or worse, catapulted down the sand hill like the Pachycephalosaurs did to that inGen guy on Isla Sorna  as he was standing by the truck on Jurassic Park Lost World. (look it up)

Every step Dad took seemed like an eternity. The bull however, seemed to be gaining speed. By the time Dad got a good rhythm going , I thought that bull was going to run him over or pass him. In order to not get hit, dad arched his back pushing his shoulders closer to his hips.  For 10 full steps, all I could see was his white garments on his stomach sticking out because his shirt had untucked he was trusting out his stomach so far to help keep the arch in his back. The bull’s head fit perfectly in the arch so that its head was even with Dads Shoulders and Bum. I thought to myself, “Run Dad, for the love of Pete Killman! RUN!”

Just then . . . . . . . end of the rope!  GHEEEETH!

When the rope tightened, everything in front of the rope (head, ears)  stopped immediately, everything behind the rope(ribs, rump, hips, tale, hooves, tri-tip) went flying forward with a whipping motion. The bull went airborne as the rope instantly stopped the forward momentum. The rump of that beast almost whipped all the way around and would have hit Dad like Tiger woods wife swinging a golf club at his car.

When all of this had happened, from my vantage point, I could not see where Dad ended and the bull began. I am not sure but I think when that rope went tight, the cow’s tongue shot out and he licked Dads belt from tug of that rope. 

While the Bull was down, someone stupider, ran over and grabbed the noose and loosened it before the Bull could remember his favorite heifer. Dad’s face was completely white with a half ‘I’m still alive’ chuckle and then said those famous COW SPEAK words, “Stupid Cow. “

I personally can’t remember how they got it back, (perhaps they put him into a trailer and drove him across the river) but I will never forget my Dad, the Bull Fighter, on the job that day.

Kirt, Jerry, Oscar Bateman-Rapier (Kirt. Kent. Dean)    Kirt, Jerry, and Oscar Bateman-Rapier have experiences so many firsts and more than a few lasts. The first and most important first is that no matter where we go in this wonderful and blessed country of ours, the government recognizes our family under the law.  If we happen to be driving to visit Oscar’s birth-mother in South Carolina and (heaven forbid) get in an accident, there will be no question as to who will be allowed to see whom or what person should or shouldn’t make decisions for what person.  We feel lucky.  We feel humbled.  We feel blessed.  When Oscar's Grandma and Grandpa Bateman sent the Bateman-Rapier family a beautiful and unbelievably loving bouquet of flowers on the monumental day of June 26, 2015, while speaking about the flowers with Oscar, daddy said, “do you know who gave us these flowers?” And without hesitation, Oscar said, “Uncle Brian." It was pretty special.

Oscar is 2.5 going on 15.  He is a most inquisitive boy and asks “why” approximately 300 times per day.  While it seems as though his Daddy (Kirt) is annoyed while writing this, we LOVE his curiosity and passion for discovery.  Oscar cannot get enough of big macheems (machines) and tools.  He therefore loves Grandpa and Grandma Bateman’s house. Tools, tools, tools. I wish my Grandpa Bateman were still here and could show Oscar the wall of antique tools in the old porch.  

Another first was Oscar’s first Summer Camp at the Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City where he learned about gardening, painting, and building sand castles.

A “last” we have yet to experience is our last diaper. Papa (Jerry) and Daddy have yet to learn the tricks that will coax him to use the big-boy potty, but we're not complaining since we’re lucky that our terrible twos just haven’t been that terrible. One reason is that Oscar speaks so well now that he can always be understood so there is little reason for him to tantrum out of frustration of not being able to communicate what he wants/needs. 

Another first was a full-on night of vomiting. Oscar coming into Daddy and Papa’s room in the middle of the night and asking to lay with them. Then Papa thought it was a leaky diaper situation and went to change it and hoped to take Oscar back to his bed. But then we learned the difficult few minutes that he had just had - his whole bed was soaked in the night's dinner (T.M.I.? Sorry. We are most of us parents...so I'm sure you can relate). It broke our hearts because he hadn’t experienced that before so he thought he had done something wrong. When he started puking again, he got sad and apologized. Daddy and Papa really experienced for the first time that pang of unbelievable anguish that every parent out there will understand – although luckily in a very small dose – of watching helpless when your child is in pain. Blessings of health and happiness to us all.

Oscar loves his cousin Ellie. They are two peas in a pod and remind his daddy of a very young Kirt and Amanda. It’s a delicious circle of life. 

Oscar’s god-Brother Gavin starred in a real-life Hollywood Independent film this year.  A month-long shoot in L.A. with his own star-treatment trailer and everything. Looks like he’ll be a movie star (you’ve maybe already seen his progressive commercial).  So Oscar’s Daddy is getting all sorts of green with jealousy and envy. But it’s fun to see him on the small screen (and the big screen when the movie comes out).

The Bateman-Rapiers continue their yearly vacation to Fish Lake and Kirt found and showed Oscar the camp spaces and rock in Little Bowery campground where his Daddy and Chris and Brad and Neil and Amanda and Lori and Kay and Paul and Becca and Anne and Mark and Michael and Sara spent days and days playing a game (he can’t remember the name of it) but you would have to hide so or like Hide and Seek but once you were caught you had to follow the “leader” until someone hiding could wave you away and if you did it stealthily enough, you were free to keep hidden. Wait, wait, wait, was it called "Wave Off"?  This is also the rock where Chris found his attraction to Kirt’s friend-at-the-time Jennifer Turpin and formed a young teenage romance while Kirt sobbed that he wasn’t the center of attention. Oh…good times.

Kirt continues his work as Executive Director of the Davis Arts Council. Under his tenure the organization has doubled in size and scope and is approaching the $1 million budget level. Although he is not saving the world nor raking in the bucks, Kirt is humbled and honored to be able to make a living in the arts that allows him the flexibility to spend time with his boy and still do one or two plays every year. This past year, Kirt starred in “CHRISTMAS WITH MISFITS” at Plan-B Theatre Company.

Jerry continues his work as Producing Director of Plan-B Theatre Company. This year, Plan-B was, because of Jerry’s hard work and dedication, awarded BOTH the Governor’s Leadership in the Arts Award from Governor Herbert as well as the Salt Lake City's Mayor's Artist Award for Service to the Arts by an Organization presented by Mayor Becker. Jerry continues to be one of the most respected and influential community leaders in Utah's arts community.

And of course, the last last: the end of Bateman Dairy Farms. Oscar never got to really experience what it was like to have a grandpa who owned a dairy farm. He was still too young to ride the tractors and play with the baby cows and obviously won't have our memories of hay forts, cottonseed piles, four-wheel chases, and canal swimming (how did we all not die of suffocation, broken heads, or Giardia? Maybe because our parents were a little less paranoid (or a whole lot crazier) than we are as parents.  And even though, for the first time in well over a century, there is no such thing as Bateman Dairy Farm, “the farm” will hopefully get passed on through all of us. 

Love, peace, understanding, laughter, joy, play, discovery, silliness, stillness, presence, sharing, harmony, and love, and I mean unconditional love, bless you all through this next trip around the sun.

Love, JOK (Jerry, Oscar, and Kirt)

Jarom and Andrea Echols Family (Emma, Rachel, Hannah, Lily, Levi, and Ellie) (Andrea.Kent.Dean)

We are still in Levan, living the good life.

Ellie is 2, and, for a 2 year old, is pretty mellow.  Thank goodness.  This last year with the 4 older kids in school full time has been heaven.  The house has been so quiet and Ellie just follows her big brother around doing whatever he wants to do.  So far, it works for them.  She learned early on, after the big kids went to school, how to fend for herself.  She will pull the stool anywhere in the house, and climb anything.  She is the perfect caboose to our crazy train!

Levi is turning 5 in August, but will not be starting kindergarten until next year.  Academically I think he's ready.  He's known his ABC's for a couple of years now and has been writing his own name for the last year, but I kept him out cause the poor kid can't say 'L'.  If you ask him what letter his name starts with he will say “ELLOW”.  Ok, that's not really why I'm holding him back, but I've got my reasons, and they're dang good ones.  This is his first year in T-ball and will tell you he loves it... well, loves the treats anyway.  He is definitely spoiled, and unfortunately knows it.  Loves to rough house and doesn't know when enough is enough.  Typical little boy!

Lily is 7 now and is moving on to 2^nd grade.  With the help of Lily's amazing teacher, she went from not being able to read a single word when she started 1^st grade to surpassing what is considered average, and ending at the top of her class.  I do give all the credit to Lily who worked hard and her teacher who worked harder.  Lily spends most of her days calling friends for play dates.  She's playing softball and is doing great in coach pitch!

Hannah is 9 years old and is a lover of life.  All she wants to do is play with friends, and is constantly on the phone making phone call after phone call to see who can play.  Accomplishments from 3^rd grade... cursive, 2 digit multiplication, and division.  Best part was she got to see her teacher 6 days a week instead of 5 since her teacher is in our ward.  This is Hannah's first year of kid pitch softball and is really getting in to the game.  If we can get her away from her friends long enough to play a game!

Rachel is playing softball right now and told me she will try volleyball, (which she has refused to try) if I NEVER make her play softball again.  I agreed.  She has decided that she loves basketball and this being her first year playing, is surprisingly good at it!  She just finished the 5^th grade, and I just found out, thanks to an end of the year program they had, is an amazing dancer!  Too bad she has no desire to dance. 

Emma just finished the 8^th grade with a 4.0.  She will be going into High School next year, and is very excited.  This last year she decided to enter the spelling bee the day of and won $20 by getting 4^th place.  She was also nominated and served on the HOPE Squad.  She is also on the 4H Teen Council and that is keeping her VERY busy and is helping her overcome her fear of public speaking!  She's played Volleyball, Basketball and is about to start her Softball tournament in Gunnison.  She's been playing the flute in band the past couple of years and this summer will be marching in various parades playing the piccolo.  She also got the rare and special opportunity to sing and dance in the Payson Temple Cultural Celebration.  Check out this link for highlights!

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzVbe24x2zY&app=desktop

Jarom is lucky enough to be working from home.  And by working from home I mean working from Kent and Sharon's.  Home is way too noisy for work.  Until a couple of weeks ago he has had 2 callings, Elders Quorum councilor, and  Gospel Doctrine Teacher.  He is grateful to give someone else the opportunity to teach Gospel Doctrine for a while.

This last year I have kept myself busy volunteering at both the elementary and Jr. High school.  I ran the book fairs at both schools this year, and helped out where ever else I was needed.  Last November I became a radKIDS instructor.  (along with my mom, Go mom!)  Since then I have been in the different schools in our district several days a week teaching 2^nd and 4^th graders how to be safe and defend themselves.  If you don't have radKIDS in your school, find a program (radkids.org) and get your kids trained.  You won't regret it!  Although I thought summer would bring a much needed break, I have found myself stepping in last minute as PTO president for the elementary school next year.  So here's to a summer filled with planning and begging for volunteers!  I still teach Relief Society once a month and am the Activity Days leader, and also, for the last month or two have been filling in for a pianist in Relief Society who hasn't been called yet!  We, (Jarom and I) also had the opportunity to work as ushers in the new Payson Temple during the open house.  What an awesome opportunity that was!

(Wayne) and (RaNae)  (Wayne.Dean)

Editor’s note:  In the midst of preparing this letter and the accompanying reunion, Wayne fell at home, hit his head and began to bleed into his brain cavity.  It was 48 hours before anything serious became apparent and even then the family believed it was dealing with some sort of illness caused by bacteria.  First to instacare, then Altaview Hospital, and then life-flighted to IHC.  Wayne was unconscious and breathing on with a respirator.  Finally a feeding tube and pic line were inserted.  It was not possible to wake him.  They tried.  Despite surgery to drain the pressure on the brain, it continued to build.  The family was valiant! They pulled together and considered their own feelings and Wayne’s strongly expressed desires. They were there with him through everything, including their own concern, exhaustion, hospital protocol.  After meeting with doctors and staff, after much prayer, discussion, and soul searching, they allowed Wayne to be removed from the tubes on Wednesday evening and he passed away, returning to his Heavenly Father and beloved wife, Ranae, on Thursday morning about 3:00 AM.  There were many tender and sacred moments that have allowed the children peace and healing.

·         Camille’s and Natalie’s entries were written before Wayne’s death. 

Camille and Dustin Haight (Camille.Wayne.Dean)

 Wow, how did we already reach another year gone? Well let’s see, where to begin? I think I will tell you a story.

There once was a nice family who had five beautiful girls and lived in a quiet little town in Laverkin, Utah. This family was happy and settled in their home and life, but change was coming for them. It was time for this family to share in an Adventure.  Father Haight having been given a new job assignment as King of the Payson Walmart approached Mother Haight and said, “Honey, I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging.”

Mother Haight, said “Oh no! I don’t suppose anyone here would like to share in an adventure. We are plain quit folk here and have no use for Adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!”

The five girls readily agreed with Mother Haight. Nevertheless Father Haight was very persuasive. Plus Mother Haight’s employer, The Red wizards BZI Construction, was agreeable to the idea. Father Haight then convinced the five girls that the best place to go would Payson, Utah, the land of sucky sushi restaurants, and a new temple. Now Mother Haight never liked sushi and loved temples so in the end it was fine with her.

So,  “Off to see the Temple, the wonderful Temple of God.” and after traveling far Daughter Emily looked at Lady dog and cried, “Oh Lady, were not in Laverkin any more!”

Their adventure began with movers, who came to Laverkin to pack for them. The force was strong with these men. They gathered up and packed it all very quickly. It wasn’t until we opened the first box that the children discovered they really must be part of the Sith Empire. For they were devious of mind and heart in packing the garbage can full of garbage and wrapped like a delicate flower. Box after box they opened only to discover they all were the same as Daughter Kalie describes, “Much paper in this box there is.”  

After a short time the Haight family decided the land of Payson, while beautiful did not fit them just right. Then looking Spanish Fork to the decided that it was too big, then looking at Santaquin, they felt that was too small. Finally, looking at Salem Mother Haight exclaimed, “This one is Just right.”

So they bulit a home upon a rock, well actually a lot of rocks. While building the home the girls all attended schools in Payson for witchcraft and wizardry. They learned all kinds of magic also known as algebra, history, music, and more. The sorting hat helped Daughter Cassidy (12) even be placed on to the Witch's soccer team in the house of Shooters. She even had a chance to do training with the U/K Elite coach and Professor Angelo really did talk like Professor Lockheart and the moms did swoon. Luckily he had more skill than Lockheart and taught her a great many things helping us know the adventure had benefits like more opportunities. Cassidy was also welcomed in to the club of Young Women's this year a feat she was sure would never come. 

Daughter Kalie (15), joined the Guild of teenage music adventurers, “Huzzah, string instruments, chess club, and never trust band.”  It was not long though before here curiosity got the better of her though, and in secret she began to play the flute. Still her curiosity grew and she wanted to learn venture to new lands.  When she turned 15 she begged to take the drivers permit. Having rolled a d20 for charm Mother Haight agreed and took her. Then bad fate came to play when  Kalie rolled two critical fails and didn’t pass. She then chickened out and wanted to study before taking the third test. She has bought new dice since. (In case you are lost it is a D&D reference, Kalie's favorite game. #watchstudioC)

Daughter Emily (8), being the new fairy of Salem Hollow flittered around making new friends and spreading joy to all the neighbors. the fairies of Payson even wept when she went to Salem Hollow. Deciding dance was no longer her talent Emily discovered her skill was in talent of playing music. She began piano and loves every second of it. When the new house was finished Emily went about filling it with music, and she filled her room with butterflies her next favorite thing.

We have not forgot about daughter Aspen (5) who it is rumored came from the same land  of Themeyscira that Wonder Woman came from. Deciding she needed a secret identity to go with her new adventure her parents enrolled her in the local preschool. Where she took charge right away, and her parents had to often remind her to be careful with her strength so as not to give herself away. So that meant no more pushing to be in the front of the line. She quickly learned how best to apply her powers and adjusted well to strange environment. Though she still often says, “Boys are very odd.”

Finally, Daughter Kendra (2) took the adventure in stride. She often smiled and would sing, “let it go, let it go. Turn away and slam the door.”  She grew during this time in a size and skill learning to talk and use her words. Which also included, “Puppy!” and, “One, two, three," and... "Ass" (Which is her way of saying Cass. We are working on it.)” To this day Puppy is still her favorite. Her happy personality gave us all great joy and made the chaos  of change feel unimportant. 

 So here we are at the end of our story. Having learned and changed along the way. It has been a grand adventure and the Haight family has lived well during these times with great blessings all around them. so to you all we wish you the same. "Live long and prosper."

P.S. I hope you smiled at least once because smiling is so much more fun!

Natalie. Wayne.Dean--      Natalie and Brett Loveland family

Another year has passed, and I just can’t believe it. Since last year our lives have been just as chaotic as ever, but that is to be expected with a 5, 4, 3 and 2 year old. So, what have we been up to this last year?! Well, Brett still works for Rio Tinto driving haul trucks, He works 4 days on 4 days off, Although his schedule is still a little crazy... Two weeks days (6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.) then two weeks nights (6:a.m._6:30 p.m.), We are also very grateful that he is allowed to work a lot of overtime, its actually required to work at least 1 overtime shift a week which helps financially! Brett still spends a lot of time doing archery, and he loves working with our girls, and teaching them all about it. Hunting is still a big part of our family, and seeing him teach our girls to be ethical huntresses is fantastic.  I am still working from home, but just part time, right now the low hours are more than ok with me, It allows me to cherish the time I have with our girls, and I'm lucky to be able to babysit nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends almost daily, and I LOVE it.. I've also been able to spend more time on my photography and building my portfolio, In the hopes that I can become a volunteer photographer for "Now you lay me down to sleep" which is an organization that  goes to the hospital and do amazing pictures for a family that has still born or beautiful babies that pass away shortly after being delivered. Doing all of these Newborn, and birth pictures that I have done has also helped me decide on the choice to become a pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum Doula. This is something I am very excited for and Brett has been awesome supporting and encouraging me!!

Our girls are getting big, and growing up to fast for my liking. Brynlee is 5, Quinn is 4, Cambree is 3, And Kennedy just turned 2. Turns out the old saying is true, "the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree." Our oldest 3 girls do gymnastics now and they love it just as much as their mom did. I love to watch their joy, and excitement as they learn and reach their goal during every class. not to mention, they will all spend hours shooting their bow and arrows with Brett, and even though they cant hunt till their 12, they are practicing their elk calls, and counting down the years until dad will take them out to fill a tag! Brynlee starts school this fall, and she couldn't be more excited, thiat little girl is in such a hurry to grow up, and she is so incredibly smart. In a lot of ways, she is just like her grandpa Bateman, she is a talker!! Quinn on the other hand reminds us more of her late Grandma Bateman, She is loving and kind, but she is more shy, and reserved. Quinn has a smile that lights up her entire face, and it can brighten anyone’s day. Cambree is....well, Cam is sassy!! She keeps us on our toes, and she loves trouble. Cambree can eat all day long, but even her little sister out-weighs  her, so when you ask Cambree her name she will most likely respond "peewee" simply because she is our peewee and that’s what we call her, Of course Cambree was our first to split her head open, which sent us to the E.R. and gave her 4 staples in the back of her head, but on the bright side, she didn’t cry one bit! Kennedy, Kenna is my baby, and she knows it. The only thing that can cause more trouble than Cambree, is Cambree with her side kick Kennedy! those girls are best friends and worst enemies or what we like to call it 'SISTERS'. There is no doubt about it, though If your need a good laugh, Kennedy will give it to you! Kenna makes sure to push her limits with mom and dad, though, and I am certain that is the parents curse at its finest, you know the one when a parent says "when you have kids, I hope you have one just like you!"......Thanks for that Dad.

This year marks two years cancer free for me, or NED (no evidence of disease) how awesome is that?!? We are so blessed, and to celebrate that, I continue to make baskets full of all sorts of things to support others fighting cancer or other sicknesses. I call these Survivors for Fighters, and to make these baskets thrive, I search for companies, or people that donate, or help me make certain things to add to the baskets. I’ve been amazed at the responds from so many giving people and businesses!! so, I'd like to add, that if anyone has baskets laying around they could donate, I'd love to put them to good use, or if you could help by donating, PLEASE  let me know!! Also, if you know of someone that deserves one of these baskets, I'm more than willing to make one for them. If you have Facebook feel free to Like Survivors for Fighters to see some of the baskets I've made and updates on some donation I am in need of, but ANYTHING helps!

Brenda and Gary: Gary and Brenda Jeppson Report on Serving their Two-year Vacation

We left for a mission to the Honolulu Hawaii Mission on August 20, 2014.  A two-year assignment, time seems both agonizingly slow at times and Silver Streak fast when we realize that we have almost finished the first year.  Gary is a Project Manager for the huge campus expansion, and Brenda is doing clerical and secretarial work in the Assessment and Accreditation office.  Her specific requests (written into the application papers in five different places) to do anything but secretarial were ignored.  She has mitigated the disappointment and difficulty by doing some archival research, editing and proofreading for a variety of offices, working with international students, mostly on writing, which necessarily involves grammar lessons, and offering to write for the school magazine (that last one yet to come to fruition).

It’s hot in Hawaii, and high humidity makes it sticky.  If the trade winds are blowing (November through April), it’s great; if the air is still, it’s miserable.  No heating or AC systems or insulation in Hawaii.  As Elder Thomas Karren wrote in his memoirs for January 22, 1854, “It was not going to heaven in golden slippers to labor as a missionary in Hawaii.”  Everyone thinks that this is Paradise, and it is, if you just go on being a tourist and ignoring the Hawaiians’ loss of their sovereignty and lands, their final bottom-of-the-heap poverty, the common struggle to restore so many lost cultural aspects, including language, etc. etc.  My favorite soapbox.  Next July 4^th, I will tell you about God’s hand on the islands of Hawaii, BYUH, the Pacific Rim, growth of the church throughout, and the mission of both BYUH and PCC, and prophecy fulfilled.  You will learn how thousands of proselytizing and service missionaries in the last fifty years have helped to bring President McKay’s 1955 prophecy to pass.  Some of them may even have been grumpy while they were working, thinking Hawaii wasn’t a paradise.

We will certainly miss your grand reunion, Diana and Ralph.  Do you have some rocket balloons at the ready?  We send our deepest love for all, G&B

Jennifer and Randall Cheney    (Jennifer.Brenda.Dean)  Jennifer and Randall Cheney's family moved back to the States after eight years in Japan.  They had mixed feelings about coming home, knowing they would so much miss some things and that they were looking forward to others.  The transition was busy and a little bit stressful, but after 3 1/2 months in an apartment in Logan, they moved into a house in Petersboro that they purchased while in Japan.  They worked on remodeling everyday, trying to get things done as much as possible before their household shipment from Japan arrived.  They painted some walls and tore others out; installed new carpet and wood floors; restained and painted bathroom and kitchen cabinets;  installed new light fixtures, etc. etc.  Within the first 6 months of being home, besides the work they were doing on thier hosue, they also managed to start a new job at Hill Air Base; get Madison settled at BYU Provo and three boys settled in three new schools; help Gary and Brenda get their house ready for renters (mission to Hawaii); get braces for Jonathan; move twice; celebrate two birthdays and Christmas; can peaches, tomatoes, salsa, etc.; bring Madison home from BYU and help her get ready for a mission back to Japan; unload household goods from storage; fix the furnace, the sprinkling system, the basement wiring, the smoke alarms and some plumbing; unpack everything moved from Japan; install new kitchen and laundryroom appliances; have a farewell party for Madison; take Madison to the MTC; help Jacob get started with his high school swim team, a driver's license, robotics and a lifeguarding job; help Levi get started with orchestra; help Jonathan get started with guitar lessons and robotics; adopt a cat; visit Gary and Brenda in Hawaii; plant a bunch of new Spruce trees, and empty their barn that they sold while they were in Japan.  Ahhhhhh!!!  It was a fun (kind-of) but extrememly busy time, and they were glad when things started slowing down!!  Since spring, they've moved to their remodeling attention outside to landscaping and a garden.  Chickens, a puppy and another kitten have joined their family.  Jacob got a 32 on the ACT test :),  got an internship with an engineering / robotics company, and is taking a summer college class.  Jonathan and Levi got jobs at a nearby nursery watering and moving plants, and Jen is working there a few hours a week when the boys do, in exchange for trees.  Randall has been looking forward to backpacking with his kids in the Tetons and Gros Ventre Wilderness, so has a couple summer trips planned.  Randall and Jen are serving as ward missionaries and love their calling!  In their family, they also had a true and wonderful miracle, and are so thankful for Heavenly Father's hand and guidance in their lives!  Next year, hopefully their synopsis will be shorter because there won't be as much going on!  :)

Chris and Allyson Jeppson   (Christopher.Brenda.Dean)

Greetings from a land far far away!  We miss you all so much but, we love to hear of family gatherings and to know that we are a part of such a wonderful family.

Life in a foreign country is never boring!  That's for sure.  Some adventures are amazing and others make you want to cry.  Last night in FHE Chris asked the boys what they feel like they have learned by being here.  Their responses were, "patience, there is more than one way to do something, and even though people don't believe the same as you, they can be a good person."  These three responses make the hard times worth it.  We are grateful that we have been able to have this experience.  The downside to this is that Chris and I can no longer can talk in code because the boys are all learning Russian.  

Chris is enjoying his job, Ethan has gotten a summer job at the embassy and is loving it!!  Dalton and Seth are dog sitting all summer and it is keeping them busy.  

With the gospel in our lives, we know that there is nothing we cannot do!  Most of all, we are grateful for that knowledge!  

Brad and Marissa Jeppson and family  (Brad.Brenda.Dean) Diana and all, we are sorry we couldn't make it this year to the party. We are very busy living double lives of normal people and farmers. I have excluded farmers from normalcy for a very specific reason... I am now thoroughly convinced that all farmers are nuts. Mostly in a good way. I suppose I come by it honestly.

As Nephi said of Lehi to summarize the passing of time, "and my father dwelt in a tent", so may it be said of our family: And the Jeppson's picked cheatgrass out of their socks. 

That about sums it up. We send our love and hope that this little blurb will serve as our piece of history this year.  God bless. 

Brad Jeppson family, Kuna Idaho

Neal and Lori Jeppson and daughters Meg, kate, and Avery.  (Neal.Brenda. Dean)    Neal and Lori Jeppson and kids (Meg, Kate, Avery)   are doing well. We just made a move from out home for 5 years in San Angelo Texas 3 hours southeast to the huge city of San Antonio. Life is good and we are adjusting. It was not easy to leave our happy home in west Texas, but we have tried to commit to follow what we feel is the Lord's plan for our family. Each step we have taken in the last 10 years has been a step that has brought huge personal growth and stretching and we feel that this will be no different. We are optimistically excited for whatever lays in store. 

In December we will add our last (and likely final Jeppson grandchild) to our family. Lori has done so well as she has struggled with being so sick while we have been so busy and stressed with change and moving.  We are glad that we will have another one and we are glad that it will be our last. 

Texas has been so good to us and we love our little life here. We are sure of the things that matter most and are trying to center our lives around them. We trust and love Jesus Christ and are trying to align our wills and lives around His teachings. We love and miss you all. 

Neal, Lori, the three girls and the mystery person who is coming soon....

Diana and Ralph (Diana.Dean)

I feel confident that something happened to us this year, and yet, as I look back I have no idea what it was.  Ralph is still working for the church and hopes to do about 3-4 more years before he retires.  Diana is still teaching reading and theater at Brockbank Jr. High (which is about to be absorbed-the building-into Cyprus High School, so who knows what will be happening to her) and we both enjoy our jobs just enjoy home more. 

Ralph is serving as first assistant in the High Priest’s group, and Diana is still teaching Primary.  This is a cushy job for her by the way.  Right now she has two co-teachers so only has to teach every third week and can even sometimes sneak in to her Sara teach Relief Society. 

We love going on short weekend jaunts so if we show up at your house for dinner, please feed us.  Ralph has become addicted to novels on tape (He doesn’t think he’d ever read one in his whole life) though sometimes the kids get us to listen to something that is good for us or other words: non-fiction. 

We finally bought a pickup truck this year.  It is a Toyota.  We own two Toyotas, who would have guessed.  The two vehicles are very originally colored.  One is white, one is black.  We are fighting a losing battle with the bugs in our lawn.  But, undoubtedly the most exciting thing that has happened to us is that we purchased a fridge with an ICE MAKER!  This is as good as indoor plumbing.  We just walk around all day saying variations of, “I love this ice maker!” 

We are melancholy about Wayne’s death.  But we are very, very proud of his children and how they have handled the entire situation.  Having been close in proximity, we were privileged to watch them work through everything. 

We love all of you and are so very grateful to be part of this amazing eternal family. 

Anne, Michael, Daniel, Jonathan, and Ella Sampson  (Anne.Diana.Dean)  It has been almost one year since King Jasper the Hermit Crab, Hermes the I passed away.  We're learning to cope with his loss and we think we've finally found our new normal.  We'll always look back on our two days (one of which he spent molting) with him with the utmost fondness.  (Seriously, though, if anyone would like to adopt three hermit crabs, I'll pay you and then bribe my kids to agree to let you have them!)

The Sampsons are pretty much, as Grandma would say, "muddling along".  We do the best we can with what we've got and find the joy in the journey.  Mike just received a calling to the bishopric in our ward (Little pointer for anyone who's ever been tempted to congratulate someone on a calling: the best thing you can say is simply, "I support you in your new calling," or "I know you will do a good job as [fill in the blank].") and I am still operating under the title of stay-at-home-mom.  We are continually amazed at how quickly our days fill up with activities, meetings, sports, lessons, and visits, but feel immensely blessed that every evening we are able to gather our children for dinner, study the scriptures, pray together and snuggle down in a safe, warm home surrounded by the love we have for each other.  Who can ask for anything more?!

As for the kids, Daniel (12) is heading into the 7th grade having completed a 6th grade year that was a dream (State National History Fair, Math Matters Champ, Romeo in the Shakespeare play, etc.).  Jonathan (10) is proving to be a fine athlete, but interestingly enough, also our hands-on technical kid (origami, balloon twisting, practicing a world record stacking coins, etc.).  And our sweet Ella (8) is just as good as they come!  She's a problem solver, especially in relationships, she can get along with and will play with absolutely anything with anyone and have a fantastic time.  All three of them are kind, generous, and loving kids that have a smile for young and old alike.  They make our family complete!

 

Michael, Robyn, Ethan, Matt, Bridget, Tyson Parker   (Michael. Diana. Dean)   Another year in the life?   If you've been reading these family updates, I know you're prepared for a rerun, because let's be honest, it's been a broken record around here. You know what I mean: another year, another baby, someone started school and someone stopped pooping (in their pants). Mike is a computer something-or-other and Robyn makes people pretty. Read the scriptures, go to church, pray.... But, no! This year ... this year is different!

A sampling of this year's differences:

·  Our usual summer vacation to Southern Utah was replaced by a different one to Southern Nevada!

·  Except for the very, very beginning of this year, we have not had another child (named Tyson)!

·  We went to church as we have always done, yes, but after 9 years, Robyn and I finally spend more than one hour of the block together (we're both in Primary).

·  This year, and this is a big one for us: we completed more home-improvement projects than we began.

·  Robyn is now doing cosmetology for 8 hours on 1 day instead of 1 hour on 8 days (I swear it was 8).

·  Instead of complaining that their (upstairs) bedroom is too hot, our boys now complain that their wonderfully cool downstairs bedroom is too hot.

·  This year, we had a mere two hospitalizations! (We're not counting that one at the very, very beginning of the year)

·  For just a bit longer than the past 12 months, as compared with previous years when Robyn and I talked only to each other about moving, we've added a 3rd party to the conversation: A realtor who we talk with a lot and has become a good friend, but from whom we do not really buy houses.

·  In stark contrast with last year, when we sent one child to one school, we now send two children to three different schools in two languages.

·  Related to above: we burn through a lot more gas than we used to.

In light of this, who knows what fate may hold, right? I mean, at this rate, by next year, Mike might end up a computer something-or-other that is way better than that stuff he says he does now, and how cool would that be?!

Sara and Dustin Marcrum with Parker, Austin, David, and Elizabeth   (Sara.Diana.Dean)  Our family had quite a few adventures this year. In December Sara had a tiny human extracted from her abdomen and instructed the surgeon to make it impossible for any further humans to grow there. We were very happy to welcome our only girl and all the boys are especially pleased with her. Her birth made it necessary to purchase a vehicle with a third row, so in February we officially became your typical middle class suburban family. Yep, that's right we are soccer momm'n it up in the KIA minivan. In other news, Dustin had been looking for better employment for over a year. Well, at the end of March his employers decided to give him some extra motivation by making him part of a company- wide "Work Force Reduction". Dustin was out of work for seven weeks, the end of which found him working again at a company called CH2M, and for a better wage. We are truly blessed. And, thanks Murata Machinery for that little push. As far as the rest of the family goes, Parker continues in school, Austin will begin school, and David makes it two years before Sara can go shopping with only one child in the cart. Overall, in the last year we have all grown a little taller or a little wider, hopefully a little wiser, and definitely a little older. Not too old though; Austin assures us that we are still young, because we don't "have as many cracks in our skin as Grandma and A LOT less cracks than Great Grandma Bateman". Mostly we are enjoying the ride and trying to make the best of the bumps in the road.

Lynn and Gail Bateman  (Lynn.Dean

The year 2014 was extremely eventful for us, and not necessarily in a good way.  It began in June with hand surgery for Lynn. Only a few days had passed since the surgery when he tripped on the front sidewalk of our home, messing up his shoulder, which resulted in another surgery to repair all the damage.  Things were just starting to get back to normal, when he somehow contracted Staff Infection in his upper spine.  Most of you have heard the story, and we are glad to say that it is behind us now.  Miracles were wrought in his behalf.  We are so grateful for all of the faith and prayers offered in his behalf.  While his was still recovering the farm sold, changing our lives forever.  We are still adjusting to that change, trying to figure out where we stand and what to do.  He is also overwhelmed by the other nonpaying positions that he somehow collects.  He is now Fire Chief, President of Levan Irrigation, Ward Mission Leader, and the resident “I can fix that” person.  He also is an adjunct instructor and certification tester for Utah Fire and Rescue Academy.  At least that comes with a little compensation.  So as you can see, Lynn has nothing to do.  Gail is still working at Juab Title and teaching the youth in Sunday School.  We were able to go on a couple of vacations with some of our children, and that is most gratifying when we can spend time with them.  It is hard to believe that the years keep flying by, and now we are the “OLD PEOPLE” at the reunions and family gatherings.  We see history repeating itself as our grandchildren come knocking on our trailer door to get a cookie or a hug.  We love all of you and look forward to seeing you soon.  We pray for the Lord’s Blessings to be with each of you.  We Love You All.

Amanda and Jason Mecham family   (Amanda.Lynn.Dean)

Jason is working with a group that travels all over. They install carpet in hotels, and also have an independent team who build gun ranges for Action Target.  Depending on the job, there are specialists within the group to lead or be grunt labor. It seems to work well for them, and Jason gets to see some pretty cool places when he travels, like Roosevelt,  UT... or Gellette,  WY. On a plus side, it reminds us that we are a family, and we miss him and he misses us when he is gone.

I am still working at the Pro Desk for Home Depot. I help the contractors and homeowners look at their projects, and get what they need when they need it.  I love what I do, and I'm good at it.  I also have my pyro license and get to set off the large fireworks part time for a company called Vortex Productions. (There was a blurb on fox 13 on the 4th about my boss and the fireworks at Sugarhouse.)

Greg joined the National Guard and has his basic training and AIT (specialized training) done. He had planned to go to Jump school and be part of an Airborne Unit, but that didn't work quite like he had hoped, and now he needs to wait at least 6 months before he can re apply.  He is currently working at the Subway in the Springville Wal-Mart.

Monica will be a senior this fall. She is taking classes online this summer or get ahead. She will be in the applied technology training program this fall. She will have college credit and be a dental assistant when she graduates. She just completed her second Spartin race, and signed up for her 3rd. She is planning to go to Arizona for this next one so she gets her Spartin Trifecta. She turns 18 in October and is already bugging the bishop about mission papers so she can plan ahead. She also works part time at the Subway with Greg. 

Jeff is now 16. He plans to take drivers ed this summer. He continues to be my best helper when it comes to projects, and is always willing to help a neighbor in need. He is currently looking for a job, but wants it to be close to home so he doesn't have to worry about transportation. 

Ruthanne is a very independant 9...sometimes too independent.  She will be in 4th grade this fall. She always makes friends wherever she goes ad never seems to have bad words about anyone.

Kay and Ryan, Jace, Ashton, (Gabriel), Keira, and Tyson Pettit  ( Kay. Lynn. Dean)  The Pettit family is still going strong in Levan.  It's been a busy and eventful year for us.  Ryan is still driving trucks, but is looking at going back to law enforcement.  He was promoted from Assistant Scout Master to Scout Master.  Work, kids and scouting are keeping him busy!  I started substitute teaching this year.  It's been fun for me to be more involved in my kids lives and friends.  I love that all of the kids at all 4 schools think that I should remember their names!  I'm working on it, but I forget more often than not.  

Branden is almost 15, and is going into high school this fall.  He is really busy with football,basketball, trying to finish his Eagle project, and working for an elderly man in our area. He is a great young man, and got really good grades this last year.

Jace is 13, and is a teenage boy. Most of us don't need any further explanation.  He is super smart, but has chosen to avoid handing in his school work.  He loves cooking, and playing baseball.  His goals are to play in the MLB, and to be a famous chef!

Ashton is 11, and is a straight A student.  He is very active, and loves to play soccer.  He got fantastic scores on his end of year exams, and we are very proud of his hard work.

Gabriel would be 9 this year. We constantly talk about, and miss him.

Keira is 6, and is going into 2nd grade.  She is such a change from all of the boys!  We love having her beautiful smile and personality in our family.  She loves dance, soccer, and softball.

Tyson is our 4 year old spit fire!  That kid never stops!  He is so smart and inquisitive, and always has a funny comment or question for everything.  He is finally old enough to play sports, and just finished T-ball, and is so excited to start soccer in a few weeks.

We've been pretty blessed to have this energetic and brilliant family, and are so happy to be a part of this extended family group!

Paul, Elisa, Emily, and Zachary Bateman    (Paul, Lynn, Dean)  This last year has been a bit of a whirlwind for Paul and Elisa.  Emily finished elementary school and is headed to middle school in the fall (can’t believe it!).  She has also started in Young Women’s and will be going to Girls’ camp for the first time this summer.  Zachary is growing like a weed and will be in 5^th grade this August.  He’s doing well in cub scouts and will be starting with the Webelos next month.  Elisa, after almost 3 years in our new house, has tamed the yard to the point that it is the envy of the neighborhood.  She is currently serving as a Primary teacher in the ward.  On top of all that, Paul has been playing “musical callings” at church, going from Sunday School teacher, to Elders Quorum Secretary, to Elders Quorum First Councilor, to Elders Quorum President, all in less than a year.  We’ve decided, though, that this isn’t enough excitement for our family and so have torn up the bathroom for a 6-month re-model (see Elisa’s Instagram for details - @bateperson1) and entered Paul into contention for South Jordan City Council (bateman4sjc.com).  Needless to say, we’re keeping busy and loving life.

 (Dean) and Sybil:  A note from Mom, the matriarch of this gang. (Sybil)

You all know pretty much where my past year has taken me, and therefore, to some extent much the same—good days and bad, health-wise.  As I write this day is a pattern for all my days.  When I got up this morning, I was definitely not well, but following my shower, I reclined in my chair and had a long nap.  When I woke the second time, I was 100% better.  No explanation except a long nap and a rest. 

You must all know by this time that I am using hospice.  They supply everything I need, including personnel.  I have shower help, nurses, massage therapist, social workers, podiatrist, ophthalmologist, and anyone else I express a need for.  When you get as old as I am (92) and have aliments, your time is limited.  I know some of you have been seriously ill, and I truly hope everyone is better, and that 2016 will be a wonderful year. 

Kent and Sharon:  (Kent.Dean)

 Don't know what to say about Kent and me.  We continue to plug along.  We still have no new callings nor new Sunday school class since our mission.  We feel rather useless and old and out to pasture.  We are hoping for some more action but have been waylaid in our plans because of some injuries and illnesses.  Hopefully we will conquer and be able to move on in our service to the Lord.  We enjoy visits from our kids and grandkids and a few others.  

We love our family and feel very blessed. No matter the challenges, we stick together and love and care for each other.  We love you all and are grateful to belong to this great family.*

Alison and Curtis Sandall (Alison.Kent.Dean)--
So......What? Already?   Finding something that might be interesting. That is what I am having a hard time doing. So I will just type and see what comes about.

Curtis and I are the same I think. except weight gain.  I gain he loses. He really wants another job that can still make our mortgage payment and I love what I am doing still.  We have been having fun with a little app called dubsmash.  You may have seen some of our facebook posts. If you see anymore you know we have been home alone and getting pretty bored. Other than that busy with work, church and family. I do miss living by everyone. I often think about the old farm and wish we could get together as easily as it seemed it was back then. I love you all and am greatful for Diana for keeping this going.
Write your articles. It's not that bad.  Makes you stop and think about your family.

Love you all

o   Jared (Jared.Alison.Kent.Dean)  my oldest, he quit his job this year and ventured out with his doppleganger name self (Jared) and started his own business.  Kind of he is VERY good at what he does but he has NO money yet. So he is essentially working VERY HARD for NO money.  (restoration and mold) It's starting to pick up but if you asked him and his mother it is sooooooooooooo hard to be patient. Zarah is still taking pictures really good. Her latest picture was the picture she sent when she went over to my house and saw that my toilet had just overflowed ...... okay you probably don't want to hear about that. but, it was a very helpful picture.  If you want to see her web page  Photography by Zarah on facebook. Claire and Sawyer belong to them and the are 4 and 3 this year.

o   Ben and Kaylee (Ben. Alison.Kent.Dean)  both have seperate adventures as far as work goes but their biggest lately is flipping houses. They are VERY good at it and are fortunate enough to have a team to back them. They are on their 3rd house now and are doing a great job with it. Kaylee still cuts/colors and now venturing out with nails. Ben still works at WL Gore.  Kaylee teaches Relief Society  they are doing well. Tenley is 5 in Oct. Stetson is A LOT like is dad and will turn 3 and Brylee turn 1 this month.

o   Trevor and Katie (Katie.Alsion.Kent.Dean)  Trevor got a new job back down here at the Phoenix Cement Plant, he works in the lab and they are finally feeling better about things. They bought a new house over in Rimrock so I have 2 kids living in Flagstaff, Ben and Megan and 2 kids living in  Rimrock, Katie and Jared. Rimrock is by Montezuma's Well and Castle if you have ever driven down I17 to Phoenix. In between Sedona and Camp Verde. Anyway they're house is really cute and they love it. Katie went in and painted first off. Did some shabby sheek coloring and walla its dawling. Both Trevor and Katie and Jared and Zarah had a miscarriage this year so that was a little sad but they have healed up well and we expect  new babies soon. I'm sure from someone.

o   Kaleb and Megan (Megan.Alsion.Kent.Dean) had a Great year too.
Kaleb passed he plumbers test so now he is a full-fledged Arizona plumber. His goal is to get out on his own. They also had a photo-booth built and they are a licensed business "PRINTZ CHARMING PHOTOBOOTHS something like that. Also Megan is a realtor. They have been very busy. VERY BUSY.  Peyton is 4 and Holland is 1.

Brent, Terrie, Zoe, Sam, Daisy and Jeffery Bateman (Brent. Kent. Dean)  Well, we discovered this year that having missionaries come home ain't all that great. Yeah. That's right. I said it. 

For the past nearly two years, we have had two missionaries serving from our family. We love our missionaries so much, and we felt very blessed daily because of their service. But recently, both missionaries finished and came home. 

Now to you mothers who have missionaries out now, no disrespect intended. We missed our missionaries horribly. We counted the days until they returned. When the day came, we rejoiced to the heavens. Their returns are two of the greatest days in our lives, no foolin’. 

But you know what? It took very little time to appreciate that while they were out there, they were someone else's problem. Their excellent mission presidents took great care of them, and their companions dealt with the daily struggle. All we really had to do was pray a lot and write a letter every week. For that, we just sat back and watched the blessings roll in, baby! Oh yeah! For two years we were up to our neck in the bounty of the Lord, I'll tell you what. Every day was like drowning in a pool of celestial gravy.

But they came home, as all missionaries must, and just like that the gravy train left the station. Now both kids are my problem again. Zoe returned in November, after 18 months of faithful and diligent service in Pittsburgh. She smiled, hugged us, and promptly and for no reason ruptured two disks in her back, cutting off her spinal cord and requiring major surgery. So that was nice. The ol' hospital is way fun, as I am sure many of you know. She has recovered nicely since the surgery but there have also been dates, cars, jobs, tuition, blah blah blah. I'll tell you what. It was way WAY cheaper having her in Pennsylvania.

And Sam. . . . Oh Sam. Great work and much faith in Puerto Rico. And then . . .  he came home. Immediately we were brought back to memory that this boy eats everything that is not tied down. We simply cannot store enough food in our house. Free tip: It’s a good time to buy stock in Costco. And yes, he arrived in May. Here we are, IN JUNE! And he is engaged to be married! One of his mission buddies, upon hearing the news, commented that "Siempre me sorprende lo mucho Elder Bateman puede lograr en una transferencia." Oh to return to the glorious and inexpensive days of the trouble-free missionary stipend! Fortunately, we have one thing to look forward to. In six weeks or so he will be someone else's problem again.

Fortunately, although we feel as though we are standing in the desolate wasteland watching Eden zoom away in the distance, seeing the light of our Savior in their eyes keeps us going. Hope you are all well.

Heath, Kathy, Lindsey, and Lauren Bateman (Heath.Kent.Dean)

 Tribute to Kent G. Bateman and the Farm

 The Non Cowboy Cowboy

As memory recalls, there was a heard of red beef cows across the Jordan River to the east  on the south side of the trailer court most summers pasturing in the tall weeds and grass. I can remember a situation one time that turned out to be a challenge with regards to those cows. We had our heifers down there in the lower east pastures under the high-tension power lines and word came to us that there was an adolescent red bull that had jumped in the river and crossed over to join the Holsteins on our side of the fence. Dad, Lynn, Steve, Scott and I (and perhaps others I can’t remember) went down there to check it out.

All of the cows were nearest to the river so we had to walk all the way through the field to get to the herd. When we arrived, there was this crazy and libidinous red Angus bull down there making an attempt to play leap frog on any cow nearby. It was a constant whirlpool of cows. The bull would chase and the cows would swarm away and then run back and turn to see what was going on. Well, because Dad didn’t want any “redheaded stepchildren,” he knew we would have to get that bull away from the heifers (which would be like taking a box of wine away from Hedonism Harry). Our efforts however proved to be futile as every attempt to get him out of the herd failed.

Someone smart decided that the best thing to do was to move the whole herd up to the top of the sandy hill into the heifers’ corral so we could trap them and use the gates to cut the cows away from the little bull.  So up we went through the pasture, through the gates and across the cow splashier (narrow bridge. My personal favorite) and eventually making it up to the top of the sand hill and into the corral.

 I could see that wild little bull was getting somewhat annoyed. He was snorting a little bit and protecting his new harem with snorts and his ears pinned ears. We got the herd into the enclosure and started to cut the milk cows out of the herd until only about 5 or 6 cows were with bull. Then it turned interesting. . . . . .

The bull started to get more and more aggressive with each passing moment. He would pretend to charge us and would put his body between himself and the other heifers.

Really good farmers can speak “Cow Talk” which consist of far too much whistling and yelling the words, “HA. . . HA. . . . HEY. . . . . WOO!” while feverishly waiving out arms out to the sides. Just like in English, after a person speaks “Cow Talk” there must be an action word or words. In cow talk, every sentence must end in the statement, “STUPID COW”. Everyone was trying to speak Cow Talk but alas,  we found that it was impossible to cut those last Holsteins away from that red little bull.

Someone got a great idea to Lasso . . . . . . . yes, you heard me right, a lasso. . . . .  Let’s Lasso that little bull.

 Now,  I was not a very smart kid, but I can tell you this. It just didn’t seem right to me. Throughout my life, I have seen many rodeo pictures and I even went to a rodeo once as a young man and I had looked many times in magazines and also every old  ‘Cowboy on the Cattle Drive’ television show and noticed lassoing, but in my opinion, we were missing 5 crucial LASSO elements.

One, A COWBOY!

Two, a rope.

Three, a Horse.

Four, roping skills.

Five, a Brain if we were going to try to rope that mean little bull.

It just didn’t sound like a great plan to me. What would happen if they did lasso the cow?? I could see that little bull running through the pasture with Steve hanging on for dear life. It seemed like there was many ways this could go wrong.

While Steve went to get a rope, Scott, Dad, Lynn and I were to squish the cows into a corner of the corral so Steve could do his best Roy Rogers imitation. When Steve came back with a rope in his hands, that bull started to get downright mad. He was snorting and digging his hooves into the dirt as if he knew what was coming next. I think Steve threw the rope two or three times without success before he just quietly walked up to the side of the manger and when the bull walked by, he put the large noose around the bull’s head. (I’m glad he didn’t rope it while throwing it because I distinctly remember the last time I saw anyone rope a bull, the person was attached to something bigger than the cow. NAMELY A HORSE!) Anyway, he put the noose around the neck of the little bull and then quickly tied the rope to the manger pipe.

“There we go” said someone.

“Just let the other cows move out of there” said another.

“We got him now!” Said a third voice

The other cows were chased away and were running for the gate and the little bull started to run away with them until, “GULP-YANK - CHOAK!”

The bull quickly found out why the others were being let go. Now he was alone and trapped. Then started a 5-minute FREAKAZOID by this little angry and lustful bull. He wrinkled, bucked, jumped, lashed and spun around so much that I would have thought it would have choked him into unconsciousness.

We just backed up and watched him and tried to calm him down. Finally, he got tired and settled down and stood there.

We made at least 2 VITAL mistakes. First, the slack on the rope that was around his neck was about 30 feet because Steve tied the other end to the cow manger. This would allow the little bull could to move around and away from the fence a great distance before it reached the end of the rope. The second mistake was every time it did reach the end of the rope, the noose around its neck would tighten.

It would get tighter and tighter until we were worried it might be dangerous for the bull .

Remember the Dandelion game?  “Momma had a baby and it’s Head . . . . . . . . .” Never mind. 

I can remember the men getting together to decide what to do. The plan was to drive him back down to the river and force him across the river back to his herd. How could that be accomplished. Let alone accomplished with a 30’ rope around its neck. How were we going to get that rope off of the bull now? Especially since he was good and angry now!  The men were contemplating what to do next. Staring at the little red bull with their hands on their hips or one arm under the chin in the ‘Thinker’ pose with not a word was said for about 5 minutes. I am sure everyone knew the truth. Someone was going to have to take that rope off. Perhaps they were all waiting for a volunteer.  There were no other options. Someone had to go up there and loose the rope around its neck and let him go. I’m sure the thought processes were something like this:

Dad: “Who should I send up there to unloose that beast. I am the oldest you know.”

Lynn:  “Ill send Scott up there to take the rope off of that cow’s neck. He is big! Perhaps the mauling and goring won’t hurt him so much as the rest of us.

Steve: Where is Brent. If he was here, I’d send him up there.

Scott: DUUUHHHH

Well, I am not sure how the decision was made but Dad volunteered to try and started walking up to that little tinderbox.

I was standing by the gate (as I had always been. First assigned there by Steve to help cut cows. Later as the day went on, to be closest to the exit incase the bull went Charles Manson on us) and Dad was standing exactly 90 degrees from me and the cow. It gave me a great view as he approached the cow.

Now, I want you to picture in your mind Dad in his clodhopper, Gogo’s Shoe Store leather, work boots and Levi’s sneaking up on this mad little red bull. Every step Dad took toward him, the little bull would back up a step. Dad would take a step forward, the bull would take a step backward. I was thinking to myself, “Good, he will back up against the fence and wont’ be able to run away. He will be trapped. Stupid Cow!”

It never dawned on me that the Cow might have a different plan. 

Dad - One step closer. . . . . Bull - one step back. . . . one step closer. . . . one step back. . . . . closer. . . . . back. . . . . closer. . . . . back. . . . . . Finally the bull backed up all the way against the fence and had nowhere to retreat.

Dad took a few steps closer because he wasn’t in reaching distance yet. The bull just looked at him with what I would describe as a partial grin. The Bull did not move a muscle.  A few more steps and Dad was almost within reaching range of the noose of the rope.

One more step should do it. . . . . . . .

Onnne Moooorrre Sssstttteeeeppp and KA-POW!

(You know, cows aren’t that stupid as we think they are. I have determined that cow knew exactly what it was going to do and when exactly to do it. I also think it knew how long that rope was and how fast Dad was on foot. It had just lured Dad in like a fly to the web.

Just as fast as a loose false tooth leaves the mouth during a sneeze, that cow exploded forward in pursuit of Dad. In my mind’s eye, I think that little bull put both hind legs on the manger to push off (like the swimmers do in the Olympics) go accelerate as fast as it could.

Dad, for what seemed like an eternity, stood there. I think the bull had 2 leaps at least before Dad moved a muscle. His eyes were as big as Cue balls, his nostrils were flared so wide that snot ran freely down past his lips and splattered into the air. His mouth was wide open with the long tongue flapping from side to side as he moved forward. Some kind of bellar came out of his mouth which sounded like a dishwasher losing a bearing.  The bull looked scary too. Dads expression on his face changed immediately. It was, “STRETCH A LITTLE FURTHER. . . . . . TO . . . . . . DEATH! DEATH IS COMING!

Finally, his head started to turn, followed by his shoulders and hips and at long last, his feet made the transition from standing to flight. In the famous words of Brent as his snowmobile went off a cliff at Strawberry at 50 miles an hour, “YIKES!”

 I think Dad might have been given a little push from that cow’s nose but one thing was for sure. The race was on.  All I could think was that Dad was going to be run over and trampled. Or worse, catapulted down the sand hill like the Pachycephalosaurs did to that inGen guy on Isla Sorna  as he was standing by the truck on Jurassic Park Lost World. (look it up)

Every step Dad took seemed like an eternity. The bull however, seemed to be gaining speed. By the time Dad got a good rhythm going , I thought that bull was going to run him over or pass him. In order to not get hit, dad arched his back pushing his shoulders closer to his hips.  For 10 full steps, all I could see was his white garments on his stomach sticking out because his shirt had untucked he was trusting out his stomach so far to help keep the arch in his back. The bull’s head fit perfectly in the arch so that its head was even with Dads Shoulders and Bum. I thought to myself, “Run Dad, for the love of Pete Killman! RUN!”

Just then . . . . . . . end of the rope!  GHEEEETH!

When the rope tightened, everything in front of the rope (head, ears)  stopped immediately, everything behind the rope(ribs, rump, hips, tale, hooves, tri-tip) went flying forward with a whipping motion. The bull went airborne as the rope instantly stopped the forward momentum. The rump of that beast almost whipped all the way around and would have hit Dad like Tiger woods wife swinging a golf club at his car.

When all of this had happened, from my vantage point, I could not see where Dad ended and the bull began. I am not sure but I think when that rope went tight, the cow’s tongue shot out and he licked Dads belt from tug of that rope. 

While the Bull was down, someone stupider, ran over and grabbed the noose and loosened it before the Bull could remember his favorite heifer. Dad’s face was completely white with a half ‘I’m still alive’ chuckle and then said those famous COW SPEAK words, “Stupid Cow. “

I personally can’t remember how they got it back, (perhaps they put him into a trailer and drove him across the river) but I will never forget my Dad, the Bull Fighter, on the job that day.

Kirt, Jerry, Oscar Bateman-Rapier (Kirt. Kent. Dean)    Kirt, Jerry, and Oscar Bateman-Rapier have experiences so many firsts and more than a few lasts. The first and most important first is that no matter where we go in this wonderful and blessed country of ours, the government recognizes our family under the law.  If we happen to be driving to visit Oscar’s birth-mother in South Carolina and (heaven forbid) get in an accident, there will be no question as to who will be allowed to see whom or what person should or shouldn’t make decisions for what person.  We feel lucky.  We feel humbled.  We feel blessed.  When Oscar's Grandma and Grandpa Bateman sent the Bateman-Rapier family a beautiful and unbelievably loving bouquet of flowers on the monumental day of June 26, 2015, while speaking about the flowers with Oscar, daddy said, “do you know who gave us these flowers?” And without hesitation, Oscar said, “Uncle Brian." It was pretty special.

Oscar is 2.5 going on 15.  He is a most inquisitive boy and asks “why” approximately 300 times per day.  While it seems as though his Daddy (Kirt) is annoyed while writing this, we LOVE his curiosity and passion for discovery.  Oscar cannot get enough of big macheems (machines) and tools.  He therefore loves Grandpa and Grandma Bateman’s house. Tools, tools, tools. I wish my Grandpa Bateman were still here and could show Oscar the wall of antique tools in the old porch.  

Another first was Oscar’s first Summer Camp at the Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City where he learned about gardening, painting, and building sand castles.

A “last” we have yet to experience is our last diaper. Papa (Jerry) and Daddy have yet to learn the tricks that will coax him to use the big-boy potty, but we're not complaining since we’re lucky that our terrible twos just haven’t been that terrible. One reason is that Oscar speaks so well now that he can always be understood so there is little reason for him to tantrum out of frustration of not being able to communicate what he wants/needs. 

Another first was a full-on night of vomiting. Oscar coming into Daddy and Papa’s room in the middle of the night and asking to lay with them. Then Papa thought it was a leaky diaper situation and went to change it and hoped to take Oscar back to his bed. But then we learned the difficult few minutes that he had just had - his whole bed was soaked in the night's dinner (T.M.I.? Sorry. We are most of us parents...so I'm sure you can relate). It broke our hearts because he hadn’t experienced that before so he thought he had done something wrong. When he started puking again, he got sad and apologized. Daddy and Papa really experienced for the first time that pang of unbelievable anguish that every parent out there will understand – although luckily in a very small dose – of watching helpless when your child is in pain. Blessings of health and happiness to us all.

Oscar loves his cousin Ellie. They are two peas in a pod and remind his daddy of a very young Kirt and Amanda. It’s a delicious circle of life. 

Oscar’s god-Brother Gavin starred in a real-life Hollywood Independent film this year.  A month-long shoot in L.A. with his own star-treatment trailer and everything. Looks like he’ll be a movie star (you’ve maybe already seen his progressive commercial).  So Oscar’s Daddy is getting all sorts of green with jealousy and envy. But it’s fun to see him on the small screen (and the big screen when the movie comes out).

The Bateman-Rapiers continue their yearly vacation to Fish Lake and Kirt found and showed Oscar the camp spaces and rock in Little Bowery campground where his Daddy and Chris and Brad and Neil and Amanda and Lori and Kay and Paul and Becca and Anne and Mark and Michael and Sara spent days and days playing a game (he can’t remember the name of it) but you would have to hide so or like Hide and Seek but once you were caught you had to follow the “leader” until someone hiding could wave you away and if you did it stealthily enough, you were free to keep hidden. Wait, wait, wait, was it called "Wave Off"?  This is also the rock where Chris found his attraction to Kirt’s friend-at-the-time Jennifer Turpin and formed a young teenage romance while Kirt sobbed that he wasn’t the center of attention. Oh…good times.

Kirt continues his work as Executive Director of the Davis Arts Council. Under his tenure the organization has doubled in size and scope and is approaching the $1 million budget level. Although he is not saving the world nor raking in the bucks, Kirt is humbled and honored to be able to make a living in the arts that allows him the flexibility to spend time with his boy and still do one or two plays every year. This past year, Kirt starred in “CHRISTMAS WITH MISFITS” at Plan-B Theatre Company.

Jerry continues his work as Producing Director of Plan-B Theatre Company. This year, Plan-B was, because of Jerry’s hard work and dedication, awarded BOTH the Governor’s Leadership in the Arts Award from Governor Herbert as well as the Salt Lake City's Mayor's Artist Award for Service to the Arts by an Organization presented by Mayor Becker. Jerry continues to be one of the most respected and influential community leaders in Utah's arts community.

And of course, the last last: the end of Bateman Dairy Farms. Oscar never got to really experience what it was like to have a grandpa who owned a dairy farm. He was still too young to ride the tractors and play with the baby cows and obviously won't have our memories of hay forts, cottonseed piles, four-wheel chases, and canal swimming (how did we all not die of suffocation, broken heads, or Giardia? Maybe because our parents were a little less paranoid (or a whole lot crazier) than we are as parents.  And even though, for the first time in well over a century, there is no such thing as Bateman Dairy Farm, “the farm” will hopefully get passed on through all of us. 

Love, peace, understanding, laughter, joy, play, discovery, silliness, stillness, presence, sharing, harmony, and love, and I mean unconditional love, bless you all through this next trip around the sun.

Love, JOK (Jerry, Oscar, and Kirt)

Jarom and Andrea Echols Family (Emma, Rachel, Hannah, Lily, Levi, and Ellie) (Andrea.Kent.Dean)

We are still in Levan, living the good life.

Ellie is 2, and, for a 2 year old, is pretty mellow.  Thank goodness.  This last year with the 4 older kids in school full time has been heaven.  The house has been so quiet and Ellie just follows her big brother around doing whatever he wants to do.  So far, it works for them.  She learned early on, after the big kids went to school, how to fend for herself.  She will pull the stool anywhere in the house, and climb anything.  She is the perfect caboose to our crazy train!

Levi is turning 5 in August, but will not be starting kindergarten until next year.  Academically I think he's ready.  He's known his ABC's for a couple of years now and has been writing his own name for the last year, but I kept him out cause the poor kid can't say 'L'.  If you ask him what letter his name starts with he will say “ELLOW”.  Ok, that's not really why I'm holding him back, but I've got my reasons, and they're dang good ones.  This is his first year in T-ball and will tell you he loves it... well, loves the treats anyway.  He is definitely spoiled, and unfortunately knows it.  Loves to rough house and doesn't know when enough is enough.  Typical little boy!

Lily is 7 now and is moving on to 2^nd grade.  With the help of Lily's amazing teacher, she went from not being able to read a single word when she started 1^st grade to surpassing what is considered average, and ending at the top of her class.  I do give all the credit to Lily who worked hard and her teacher who worked harder.  Lily spends most of her days calling friends for play dates.  She's playing softball and is doing great in coach pitch!

Hannah is 9 years old and is a lover of life.  All she wants to do is play with friends, and is constantly on the phone making phone call after phone call to see who can play.  Accomplishments from 3^rd grade... cursive, 2 digit multiplication, and division.  Best part was she got to see her teacher 6 days a week instead of 5 since her teacher is in our ward.  This is Hannah's first year of kid pitch softball and is really getting in to the game.  If we can get her away from her friends long enough to play a game!

Rachel is playing softball right now and told me she will try volleyball, (which she has refused to try) if I NEVER make her play softball again.  I agreed.  She has decided that she loves basketball and this being her first year playing, is surprisingly good at it!  She just finished the 5^th grade, and I just found out, thanks to an end of the year program they had, is an amazing dancer!  Too bad she has no desire to dance. 

Emma just finished the 8^th grade with a 4.0.  She will be going into High School next year, and is very excited.  This last year she decided to enter the spelling bee the day of and won $20 by getting 4^th place.  She was also nominated and served on the HOPE Squad.  She is also on the 4H Teen Council and that is keeping her VERY busy and is helping her overcome her fear of public speaking!  She's played Volleyball, Basketball and is about to start her Softball tournament in Gunnison.  She's been playing the flute in band the past couple of years and this summer will be marching in various parades playing the piccolo.  She also got the rare and special opportunity to sing and dance in the Payson Temple Cultural Celebration.  Check out this link for highlights!

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzVbe24x2zY&app=desktop

Jarom is lucky enough to be working from home.  And by working from home I mean working from Kent and Sharon's.  Home is way too noisy for work.  Until a couple of weeks ago he has had 2 callings, Elders Quorum councilor, and  Gospel Doctrine Teacher.  He is grateful to give someone else the opportunity to teach Gospel Doctrine for a while.

This last year I have kept myself busy volunteering at both the elementary and Jr. High school.  I ran the book fairs at both schools this year, and helped out where ever else I was needed.  Last November I became a radKIDS instructor.  (along with my mom, Go mom!)  Since then I have been in the different schools in our district several days a week teaching 2^nd and 4^th graders how to be safe and defend themselves.  If you don't have radKIDS in your school, find a program (radkids.org) and get your kids trained.  You won't regret it!  Although I thought summer would bring a much needed break, I have found myself stepping in last minute as PTO president for the elementary school next year.  So here's to a summer filled with planning and begging for volunteers!  I still teach Relief Society once a month and am the Activity Days leader, and also, for the last month or two have been filling in for a pianist in Relief Society who hasn't been called yet!  We, (Jarom and I) also had the opportunity to work as ushers in the new Payson Temple during the open house.  What an awesome opportunity that was!

(Wayne) and (RaNae)  (Wayne.Dean)

Editor’s note:  In the midst of preparing this letter and the accompanying reunion, Wayne fell at home, hit his head and began to bleed into his brain cavity.  It was 48 hours before anything serious became apparent and even then the family believed it was dealing with some sort of illness caused by bacteria.  First to instacare, then Altaview Hospital, and then life-flighted to IHC.  Wayne was unconscious and breathing on with a respirator.  Finally a feeding tube and pic line were inserted.  It was not possible to wake him.  They tried.  Despite surgery to drain the pressure on the brain, it continued to build.  The family was valiant! They pulled together and considered their own feelings and Wayne’s strongly expressed desires. They were there with him through everything, including their own concern, exhaustion, hospital protocol.  After meeting with doctors and staff, after much prayer, discussion, and soul searching, they allowed Wayne to be removed from the tubes on Wednesday evening and he passed away, returning to his Heavenly Father and beloved wife, Ranae, on Thursday morning about 3:00 AM.  There were many tender and sacred moments that have allowed the children peace and healing.

·         Camille’s and Natalie’s entries were written before Wayne’s death. 

Camille and Dustin Haight (Camille.Wayne.Dean)

 Wow, how did we already reach another year gone? Well let’s see, where to begin? I think I will tell you a story.

There once was a nice family who had five beautiful girls and lived in a quiet little town in Laverkin, Utah. This family was happy and settled in their home and life, but change was coming for them. It was time for this family to share in an Adventure.  Father Haight having been given a new job assignment as King of the Payson Walmart approached Mother Haight and said, “Honey, I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging.”

Mother Haight, said “Oh no! I don’t suppose anyone here would like to share in an adventure. We are plain quit folk here and have no use for Adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!”

The five girls readily agreed with Mother Haight. Nevertheless Father Haight was very persuasive. Plus Mother Haight’s employer, The Red wizards BZI Construction, was agreeable to the idea. Father Haight then convinced the five girls that the best place to go would Payson, Utah, the land of sucky sushi restaurants, and a new temple. Now Mother Haight never liked sushi and loved temples so in the end it was fine with her.

So,  “Off to see the Temple, the wonderful Temple of God.” and after traveling far Daughter Emily looked at Lady dog and cried, “Oh Lady, were not in Laverkin any more!”

Their adventure began with movers, who came to Laverkin to pack for them. The force was strong with these men. They gathered up and packed it all very quickly. It wasn’t until we opened the first box that the children discovered they really must be part of the Sith Empire. For they were devious of mind and heart in packing the garbage can full of garbage and wrapped like a delicate flower. Box after box they opened only to discover they all were the same as Daughter Kalie describes, “Much paper in this box there is.”  

After a short time the Haight family decided the land of Payson, while beautiful did not fit them just right. Then looking Spanish Fork to the decided that it was too big, then looking at Santaquin, they felt that was too small. Finally, looking at Salem Mother Haight exclaimed, “This one is Just right.”

So they bulit a home upon a rock, well actually a lot of rocks. While building the home the girls all attended schools in Payson for witchcraft and wizardry. They learned all kinds of magic also known as algebra, history, music, and more. The sorting hat helped Daughter Cassidy (12) even be placed on to the Witch's soccer team in the house of Shooters. She even had a chance to do training with the U/K Elite coach and Professor Angelo really did talk like Professor Lockheart and the moms did swoon. Luckily he had more skill than Lockheart and taught her a great many things helping us know the adventure had benefits like more opportunities. Cassidy was also welcomed in to the club of Young Women's this year a feat she was sure would never come. 

Daughter Kalie (15), joined the Guild of teenage music adventurers, “Huzzah, string instruments, chess club, and never trust band.”  It was not long though before here curiosity got the better of her though, and in secret she began to play the flute. Still her curiosity grew and she wanted to learn venture to new lands.  When she turned 15 she begged to take the drivers permit. Having rolled a d20 for charm Mother Haight agreed and took her. Then bad fate came to play when  Kalie rolled two critical fails and didn’t pass. She then chickened out and wanted to study before taking the third test. She has bought new dice since. (In case you are lost it is a D&D reference, Kalie's favorite game. #watchstudioC)

Daughter Emily (8), being the new fairy of Salem Hollow flittered around making new friends and spreading joy to all the neighbors. the fairies of Payson even wept when she went to Salem Hollow. Deciding dance was no longer her talent Emily discovered her skill was in talent of playing music. She began piano and loves every second of it. When the new house was finished Emily went about filling it with music, and she filled her room with butterflies her next favorite thing.

We have not forgot about daughter Aspen (5) who it is rumored came from the same land  of Themeyscira that Wonder Woman came from. Deciding she needed a secret identity to go with her new adventure her parents enrolled her in the local preschool. Where she took charge right away, and her parents had to often remind her to be careful with her strength so as not to give herself away. So that meant no more pushing to be in the front of the line. She quickly learned how best to apply her powers and adjusted well to strange environment. Though she still often says, “Boys are very odd.”

Finally, Daughter Kendra (2) took the adventure in stride. She often smiled and would sing, “let it go, let it go. Turn away and slam the door.”  She grew during this time in a size and skill learning to talk and use her words. Which also included, “Puppy!” and, “One, two, three," and... "Ass" (Which is her way of saying Cass. We are working on it.)” To this day Puppy is still her favorite. Her happy personality gave us all great joy and made the chaos  of change feel unimportant. 

 So here we are at the end of our story. Having learned and changed along the way. It has been a grand adventure and the Haight family has lived well during these times with great blessings all around them. so to you all we wish you the same. "Live long and prosper."

P.S. I hope you smiled at least once because smiling is so much more fun!

Natalie. Wayne.Dean--      Natalie and Brett Loveland family

Another year has passed, and I just can’t believe it. Since last year our lives have been just as chaotic as ever, but that is to be expected with a 5, 4, 3 and 2 year old. So, what have we been up to this last year?! Well, Brett still works for Rio Tinto driving haul trucks, He works 4 days on 4 days off, Although his schedule is still a little crazy... Two weeks days (6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.) then two weeks nights (6:a.m._6:30 p.m.), We are also very grateful that he is allowed to work a lot of overtime, its actually required to work at least 1 overtime shift a week which helps financially! Brett still spends a lot of time doing archery, and he loves working with our girls, and teaching them all about it. Hunting is still a big part of our family, and seeing him teach our girls to be ethical huntresses is fantastic.  I am still working from home, but just part time, right now the low hours are more than ok with me, It allows me to cherish the time I have with our girls, and I'm lucky to be able to babysit nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends almost daily, and I LOVE it.. I've also been able to spend more time on my photography and building my portfolio, In the hopes that I can become a volunteer photographer for "Now you lay me down to sleep" which is an organization that  goes to the hospital and do amazing pictures for a family that has still born or beautiful babies that pass away shortly after being delivered. Doing all of these Newborn, and birth pictures that I have done has also helped me decide on the choice to become a pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum Doula. This is something I am very excited for and Brett has been awesome supporting and encouraging me!!

Our girls are getting big, and growing up to fast for my liking. Brynlee is 5, Quinn is 4, Cambree is 3, And Kennedy just turned 2. Turns out the old saying is true, "the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree." Our oldest 3 girls do gymnastics now and they love it just as much as their mom did. I love to watch their joy, and excitement as they learn and reach their goal during every class. not to mention, they will all spend hours shooting their bow and arrows with Brett, and even though they cant hunt till their 12, they are practicing their elk calls, and counting down the years until dad will take them out to fill a tag! Brynlee starts school this fall, and she couldn't be more excited, thiat little girl is in such a hurry to grow up, and she is so incredibly smart. In a lot of ways, she is just like her grandpa Bateman, she is a talker!! Quinn on the other hand reminds us more of her late Grandma Bateman, She is loving and kind, but she is more shy, and reserved. Quinn has a smile that lights up her entire face, and it can brighten anyone’s day. Cambree is....well, Cam is sassy!! She keeps us on our toes, and she loves trouble. Cambree can eat all day long, but even her little sister out-weighs  her, so when you ask Cambree her name she will most likely respond "peewee" simply because she is our peewee and that’s what we call her, Of course Cambree was our first to split her head open, which sent us to the E.R. and gave her 4 staples in the back of her head, but on the bright side, she didn’t cry one bit! Kennedy, Kenna is my baby, and she knows it. The only thing that can cause more trouble than Cambree, is Cambree with her side kick Kennedy! those girls are best friends and worst enemies or what we like to call it 'SISTERS'. There is no doubt about it, though If your need a good laugh, Kennedy will give it to you! Kenna makes sure to push her limits with mom and dad, though, and I am certain that is the parents curse at its finest, you know the one when a parent says "when you have kids, I hope you have one just like you!"......Thanks for that Dad.

This year marks two years cancer free for me, or NED (no evidence of disease) how awesome is that?!? We are so blessed, and to celebrate that, I continue to make baskets full of all sorts of things to support others fighting cancer or other sicknesses. I call these Survivors for Fighters, and to make these baskets thrive, I search for companies, or people that donate, or help me make certain things to add to the baskets. I’ve been amazed at the responds from so many giving people and businesses!! so, I'd like to add, that if anyone has baskets laying around they could donate, I'd love to put them to good use, or if you could help by donating, PLEASE  let me know!! Also, if you know of someone that deserves one of these baskets, I'm more than willing to make one for them. If you have Facebook feel free to Like Survivors for Fighters to see some of the baskets I've made and updates on some donation I am in need of, but ANYTHING helps!

Brenda and Gary: Gary and Brenda Jeppson Report on Serving their Two-year Vacation

We left for a mission to the Honolulu Hawaii Mission on August 20, 2014.  A two-year assignment, time seems both agonizingly slow at times and Silver Streak fast when we realize that we have almost finished the first year.  Gary is a Project Manager for the huge campus expansion, and Brenda is doing clerical and secretarial work in the Assessment and Accreditation office.  Her specific requests (written into the application papers in five different places) to do anything but secretarial were ignored.  She has mitigated the disappointment and difficulty by doing some archival research, editing and proofreading for a variety of offices, working with international students, mostly on writing, which necessarily involves grammar lessons, and offering to write for the school magazine (that last one yet to come to fruition).

It’s hot in Hawaii, and high humidity makes it sticky.  If the trade winds are blowing (November through April), it’s great; if the air is still, it’s miserable.  No heating or AC systems or insulation in Hawaii.  As Elder Thomas Karren wrote in his memoirs for January 22, 1854, “It was not going to heaven in golden slippers to labor as a missionary in Hawaii.”  Everyone thinks that this is Paradise, and it is, if you just go on being a tourist and ignoring the Hawaiians’ loss of their sovereignty and lands, their final bottom-of-the-heap poverty, the common struggle to restore so many lost cultural aspects, including language, etc. etc.  My favorite soapbox.  Next July 4^th, I will tell you about God’s hand on the islands of Hawaii, BYUH, the Pacific Rim, growth of the church throughout, and the mission of both BYUH and PCC, and prophecy fulfilled.  You will learn how thousands of proselytizing and service missionaries in the last fifty years have helped to bring President McKay’s 1955 prophecy to pass.  Some of them may even have been grumpy while they were working, thinking Hawaii wasn’t a paradise.

We will certainly miss your grand reunion, Diana and Ralph.  Do you have some rocket balloons at the ready?  We send our deepest love for all, G&B

Jennifer and Randall Cheney    (Jennifer.Brenda.Dean)  Jennifer and Randall Cheney's family moved back to the States after eight years in Japan.  They had mixed feelings about coming home, knowing they would so much miss some things and that they were looking forward to others.  The transition was busy and a little bit stressful, but after 3 1/2 months in an apartment in Logan, they moved into a house in Petersboro that they purchased while in Japan.  They worked on remodeling everyday, trying to get things done as much as possible before their household shipment from Japan arrived.  They painted some walls and tore others out; installed new carpet and wood floors; restained and painted bathroom and kitchen cabinets;  installed new light fixtures, etc. etc.  Within the first 6 months of being home, besides the work they were doing on thier hosue, they also managed to start a new job at Hill Air Base; get Madison settled at BYU Provo and three boys settled in three new schools; help Gary and Brenda get their house ready for renters (mission to Hawaii); get braces for Jonathan; move twice; celebrate two birthdays and Christmas; can peaches, tomatoes, salsa, etc.; bring Madison home from BYU and help her get ready for a mission back to Japan; unload household goods from storage; fix the furnace, the sprinkling system, the basement wiring, the smoke alarms and some plumbing; unpack everything moved from Japan; install new kitchen and laundryroom appliances; have a farewell party for Madison; take Madison to the MTC; help Jacob get started with his high school swim team, a driver's license, robotics and a lifeguarding job; help Levi get started with orchestra; help Jonathan get started with guitar lessons and robotics; adopt a cat; visit Gary and Brenda in Hawaii; plant a bunch of new Spruce trees, and empty their barn that they sold while they were in Japan.  Ahhhhhh!!!  It was a fun (kind-of) but extrememly busy time, and they were glad when things started slowing down!!  Since spring, they've moved to their remodeling attention outside to landscaping and a garden.  Chickens, a puppy and another kitten have joined their family.  Jacob got a 32 on the ACT test :),  got an internship with an engineering / robotics company, and is taking a summer college class.  Jonathan and Levi got jobs at a nearby nursery watering and moving plants, and Jen is working there a few hours a week when the boys do, in exchange for trees.  Randall has been looking forward to backpacking with his kids in the Tetons and Gros Ventre Wilderness, so has a couple summer trips planned.  Randall and Jen are serving as ward missionaries and love their calling!  In their family, they also had a true and wonderful miracle, and are so thankful for Heavenly Father's hand and guidance in their lives!  Next year, hopefully their synopsis will be shorter because there won't be as much going on!  :)

Chris and Allyson Jeppson   (Christopher.Brenda.Dean)

Greetings from a land far far away!  We miss you all so much but, we love to hear of family gatherings and to know that we are a part of such a wonderful family.

Life in a foreign country is never boring!  That's for sure.  Some adventures are amazing and others make you want to cry.  Last night in FHE Chris asked the boys what they feel like they have learned by being here.  Their responses were, "patience, there is more than one way to do something, and even though people don't believe the same as you, they can be a good person."  These three responses make the hard times worth it.  We are grateful that we have been able to have this experience.  The downside to this is that Chris and I can no longer can talk in code because the boys are all learning Russian.  

Chris is enjoying his job, Ethan has gotten a summer job at the embassy and is loving it!!  Dalton and Seth are dog sitting all summer and it is keeping them busy.  

With the gospel in our lives, we know that there is nothing we cannot do!  Most of all, we are grateful for that knowledge!  

Brad and Marissa Jeppson and family  (Brad.Brenda.Dean) Diana and all, we are sorry we couldn't make it this year to the party. We are very busy living double lives of normal people and farmers. I have excluded farmers from normalcy for a very specific reason... I am now thoroughly convinced that all farmers are nuts. Mostly in a good way. I suppose I come by it honestly.

As Nephi said of Lehi to summarize the passing of time, "and my father dwelt in a tent", so may it be said of our family: And the Jeppson's picked cheatgrass out of their socks. 

That about sums it up. We send our love and hope that this little blurb will serve as our piece of history this year.  God bless. 

Brad Jeppson family, Kuna Idaho

Neal and Lori Jeppson and daughters Meg, kate, and Avery.  (Neal.Brenda. Dean)    Neal and Lori Jeppson and kids (Meg, Kate, Avery)   are doing well. We just made a move from out home for 5 years in San Angelo Texas 3 hours southeast to the huge city of San Antonio. Life is good and we are adjusting. It was not easy to leave our happy home in west Texas, but we have tried to commit to follow what we feel is the Lord's plan for our family. Each step we have taken in the last 10 years has been a step that has brought huge personal growth and stretching and we feel that this will be no different. We are optimistically excited for whatever lays in store. 

In December we will add our last (and likely final Jeppson grandchild) to our family. Lori has done so well as she has struggled with being so sick while we have been so busy and stressed with change and moving.  We are glad that we will have another one and we are glad that it will be our last. 

Texas has been so good to us and we love our little life here. We are sure of the things that matter most and are trying to center our lives around them. We trust and love Jesus Christ and are trying to align our wills and lives around His teachings. We love and miss you all. 

Neal, Lori, the three girls and the mystery person who is coming soon....

Diana and Ralph (Diana.Dean)

I feel confident that something happened to us this year, and yet, as I look back I have no idea what it was.  Ralph is still working for the church and hopes to do about 3-4 more years before he retires.  Diana is still teaching reading and theater at Brockbank Jr. High (which is about to be absorbed-the building-into Cyprus High School, so who knows what will be happening to her) and we both enjoy our jobs just enjoy home more. 

Ralph is serving as first assistant in the High Priest’s group, and Diana is still teaching Primary.  This is a cushy job for her by the way.  Right now she has two co-teachers so only has to teach every third week and can even sometimes sneak in to her Sara teach Relief Society. 

We love going on short weekend jaunts so if we show up at your house for dinner, please feed us.  Ralph has become addicted to novels on tape (He doesn’t think he’d ever read one in his whole life) though sometimes the kids get us to listen to something that is good for us or other words: non-fiction. 

We finally bought a pickup truck this year.  It is a Toyota.  We own two Toyotas, who would have guessed.  The two vehicles are very originally colored.  One is white, one is black.  We are fighting a losing battle with the bugs in our lawn.  But, undoubtedly the most exciting thing that has happened to us is that we purchased a fridge with an ICE MAKER!  This is as good as indoor plumbing.  We just walk around all day saying variations of, “I love this ice maker!” 

We are melancholy about Wayne’s death.  But we are very, very proud of his children and how they have handled the entire situation.  Having been close in proximity, we were privileged to watch them work through everything. 

We love all of you and are so very grateful to be part of this amazing eternal family. 

Anne, Michael, Daniel, Jonathan, and Ella Sampson  (Anne.Diana.Dean)  It has been almost one year since King Jasper the Hermit Crab, Hermes the I passed away.  We're learning to cope with his loss and we think we've finally found our new normal.  We'll always look back on our two days (one of which he spent molting) with him with the utmost fondness.  (Seriously, though, if anyone would like to adopt three hermit crabs, I'll pay you and then bribe my kids to agree to let you have them!)

The Sampsons are pretty much, as Grandma would say, "muddling along".  We do the best we can with what we've got and find the joy in the journey.  Mike just received a calling to the bishopric in our ward (Little pointer for anyone who's ever been tempted to congratulate someone on a calling: the best thing you can say is simply, "I support you in your new calling," or "I know you will do a good job as [fill in the blank].") and I am still operating under the title of stay-at-home-mom.  We are continually amazed at how quickly our days fill up with activities, meetings, sports, lessons, and visits, but feel immensely blessed that every evening we are able to gather our children for dinner, study the scriptures, pray together and snuggle down in a safe, warm home surrounded by the love we have for each other.  Who can ask for anything more?!

As for the kids, Daniel (12) is heading into the 7th grade having completed a 6th grade year that was a dream (State National History Fair, Math Matters Champ, Romeo in the Shakespeare play, etc.).  Jonathan (10) is proving to be a fine athlete, but interestingly enough, also our hands-on technical kid (origami, balloon twisting, practicing a world record stacking coins, etc.).  And our sweet Ella (8) is just as good as they come!  She's a problem solver, especially in relationships, she can get along with and will play with absolutely anything with anyone and have a fantastic time.  All three of them are kind, generous, and loving kids that have a smile for young and old alike.  They make our family complete!

 

Michael, Robyn, Ethan, Matt, Bridget, Tyson Parker   (Michael. Diana. Dean)   Another year in the life?   If you've been reading these family updates, I know you're prepared for a rerun, because let's be honest, it's been a broken record around here. You know what I mean: another year, another baby, someone started school and someone stopped pooping (in their pants). Mike is a computer something-or-other and Robyn makes people pretty. Read the scriptures, go to church, pray.... But, no! This year ... this year is different!

A sampling of this year's differences:

·  Our usual summer vacation to Southern Utah was replaced by a different one to Southern Nevada!

·  Except for the very, very beginning of this year, we have not had another child (named Tyson)!

·  We went to church as we have always done, yes, but after 9 years, Robyn and I finally spend more than one hour of the block together (we're both in Primary).

·  This year, and this is a big one for us: we completed more home-improvement projects than we began.

·  Robyn is now doing cosmetology for 8 hours on 1 day instead of 1 hour on 8 days (I swear it was 8).

·  Instead of complaining that their (upstairs) bedroom is too hot, our boys now complain that their wonderfully cool downstairs bedroom is too hot.

·  This year, we had a mere two hospitalizations! (We're not counting that one at the very, very beginning of the year)

·  For just a bit longer than the past 12 months, as compared with previous years when Robyn and I talked only to each other about moving, we've added a 3rd party to the conversation: A realtor who we talk with a lot and has become a good friend, but from whom we do not really buy houses.

·  In stark contrast with last year, when we sent one child to one school, we now send two children to three different schools in two languages.

·  Related to above: we burn through a lot more gas than we used to.

In light of this, who knows what fate may hold, right? I mean, at this rate, by next year, Mike might end up a computer something-or-other that is way better than that stuff he says he does now, and how cool would that be?!

Sara and Dustin Marcrum with Parker, Austin, David, and Elizabeth   (Sara.Diana.Dean)  Our family had quite a few adventures this year. In December Sara had a tiny human extracted from her abdomen and instructed the surgeon to make it impossible for any further humans to grow there. We were very happy to welcome our only girl and all the boys are especially pleased with her. Her birth made it necessary to purchase a vehicle with a third row, so in February we officially became your typical middle class suburban family. Yep, that's right we are soccer momm'n it up in the KIA minivan. In other news, Dustin had been looking for better employment for over a year. Well, at the end of March his employers decided to give him some extra motivation by making him part of a company- wide "Work Force Reduction". Dustin was out of work for seven weeks, the end of which found him working again at a company called CH2M, and for a better wage. We are truly blessed. And, thanks Murata Machinery for that little push. As far as the rest of the family goes, Parker continues in school, Austin will begin school, and David makes it two years before Sara can go shopping with only one child in the cart. Overall, in the last year we have all grown a little taller or a little wider, hopefully a little wiser, and definitely a little older. Not too old though; Austin assures us that we are still young, because we don't "have as many cracks in our skin as Grandma and A LOT less cracks than Great Grandma Bateman". Mostly we are enjoying the ride and trying to make the best of the bumps in the road.

Lynn and Gail Bateman  (Lynn.Dean

The year 2014 was extremely eventful for us, and not necessarily in a good way.  It began in June with hand surgery for Lynn. Only a few days had passed since the surgery when he tripped on the front sidewalk of our home, messing up his shoulder, which resulted in another surgery to repair all the damage.  Things were just starting to get back to normal, when he somehow contracted Staff Infection in his upper spine.  Most of you have heard the story, and we are glad to say that it is behind us now.  Miracles were wrought in his behalf.  We are so grateful for all of the faith and prayers offered in his behalf.  While his was still recovering the farm sold, changing our lives forever.  We are still adjusting to that change, trying to figure out where we stand and what to do.  He is also overwhelmed by the other nonpaying positions that he somehow collects.  He is now Fire Chief, President of Levan Irrigation, Ward Mission Leader, and the resident “I can fix that” person.  He also is an adjunct instructor and certification tester for Utah Fire and Rescue Academy.  At least that comes with a little compensation.  So as you can see, Lynn has nothing to do.  Gail is still working at Juab Title and teaching the youth in Sunday School.  We were able to go on a couple of vacations with some of our children, and that is most gratifying when we can spend time with them.  It is hard to believe that the years keep flying by, and now we are the “OLD PEOPLE” at the reunions and family gatherings.  We see history repeating itself as our grandchildren come knocking on our trailer door to get a cookie or a hug.  We love all of you and look forward to seeing you soon.  We pray for the Lord’s Blessings to be with each of you.  We Love You All.

Amanda and Jason Mecham family   (Amanda.Lynn.Dean)

Jason is working with a group that travels all over. They install carpet in hotels, and also have an independent team who build gun ranges for Action Target.  Depending on the job, there are specialists within the group to lead or be grunt labor. It seems to work well for them, and Jason gets to see some pretty cool places when he travels, like Roosevelt,  UT... or Gellette,  WY. On a plus side, it reminds us that we are a family, and we miss him and he misses us when he is gone.

I am still working at the Pro Desk for Home Depot. I help the contractors and homeowners look at their projects, and get what they need when they need it.  I love what I do, and I'm good at it.  I also have my pyro license and get to set off the large fireworks part time for a company called Vortex Productions. (There was a blurb on fox 13 on the 4th about my boss and the fireworks at Sugarhouse.)

Greg joined the National Guard and has his basic training and AIT (specialized training) done. He had planned to go to Jump school and be part of an Airborne Unit, but that didn't work quite like he had hoped, and now he needs to wait at least 6 months before he can re apply.  He is currently working at the Subway in the Springville Wal-Mart.

Monica will be a senior this fall. She is taking classes online this summer or get ahead. She will be in the applied technology training program this fall. She will have college credit and be a dental assistant when she graduates. She just completed her second Spartin race, and signed up for her 3rd. She is planning to go to Arizona for this next one so she gets her Spartin Trifecta. She turns 18 in October and is already bugging the bishop about mission papers so she can plan ahead. She also works part time at the Subway with Greg. 

Jeff is now 16. He plans to take drivers ed this summer. He continues to be my best helper when it comes to projects, and is always willing to help a neighbor in need. He is currently looking for a job, but wants it to be close to home so he doesn't have to worry about transportation. 

Ruthanne is a very independant 9...sometimes too independent.  She will be in 4th grade this fall. She always makes friends wherever she goes ad never seems to have bad words about anyone.

Kay and Ryan, Jace, Ashton, (Gabriel), Keira, and Tyson Pettit  ( Kay. Lynn. Dean)  The Pettit family is still going strong in Levan.  It's been a busy and eventful year for us.  Ryan is still driving trucks, but is looking at going back to law enforcement.  He was promoted from Assistant Scout Master to Scout Master.  Work, kids and scouting are keeping him busy!  I started substitute teaching this year.  It's been fun for me to be more involved in my kids lives and friends.  I love that all of the kids at all 4 schools think that I should remember their names!  I'm working on it, but I forget more often than not.  

Branden is almost 15, and is going into high school this fall.  He is really busy with football,basketball, trying to finish his Eagle project, and working for an elderly man in our area. He is a great young man, and got really good grades this last year.

Jace is 13, and is a teenage boy. Most of us don't need any further explanation.  He is super smart, but has chosen to avoid handing in his school work.  He loves cooking, and playing baseball.  His goals are to play in the MLB, and to be a famous chef!

Ashton is 11, and is a straight A student.  He is very active, and loves to play soccer.  He got fantastic scores on his end of year exams, and we are very proud of his hard work.

Gabriel would be 9 this year. We constantly talk about, and miss him.

Keira is 6, and is going into 2nd grade.  She is such a change from all of the boys!  We love having her beautiful smile and personality in our family.  She loves dance, soccer, and softball.

Tyson is our 4 year old spit fire!  That kid never stops!  He is so smart and inquisitive, and always has a funny comment or question for everything.  He is finally old enough to play sports, and just finished T-ball, and is so excited to start soccer in a few weeks.

We've been pretty blessed to have this energetic and brilliant family, and are so happy to be a part of this extended family group!

Paul, Elisa, Emily, and Zachary Bateman    (Paul, Lynn, Dean)  This last year has been a bit of a whirlwind for Paul and Elisa.  Emily finished elementary school and is headed to middle school in the fall (can’t believe it!).  She has also started in Young Women’s and will be going to Girls’ camp for the first time this summer.  Zachary is growing like a weed and will be in 5^th grade this August.  He’s doing well in cub scouts and will be starting with the Webelos next month.  Elisa, after almost 3 years in our new house, has tamed the yard to the point that it is the envy of the neighborhood.  She is currently serving as a Primary teacher in the ward.  On top of all that, Paul has been playing “musical callings” at church, going from Sunday School teacher, to Elders Quorum Secretary, to Elders Quorum First Councilor, to Elders Quorum President, all in less than a year.  We’ve decided, though, that this isn’t enough excitement for our family and so have torn up the bathroom for a 6-month re-model (see Elisa’s Instagram for details - @bateperson1) and entered Paul into contention for South Jordan City Council (bateman4sjc.com).  Needless to say, we’re keeping busy and loving life.