June 2011

Family Letter- June, 2011

The Fourth of July party will commence at around 6:00 on July 2nd (a Saturday).  If there are children who would like to come play in the water (this assumes that it actually gets warm enough to get the water out) you may come at 5:30.

Food Assignments are:

Brenda’s  and Wayne’s families:  Dessert
Kent’s and Lynn’s families: Salads
Diana’s family: potatoes and beans

Heads of families:  I want to have enough food, without spending our money foolishly.  Will you please call me with a count of how many people who will actually eat  a serving (so like, I’m going to count all 5 of my four year olds as 2 people).  I need this count by June 30th.

Third Generation:  Decide if the party is on your agenda and call your parents, please, so they can report to me how many people.   Make it easy for them.  They love you, but just because you all got married doesn’t mean they are not still very busy!


Sybil and Dean Bateman: I turned 88 years old this year and I am still muddling along.  I struggle with my balance and arthritis but other than that I am pretty healthy.  I am still attending church and I am serving as a visiting teaching supervisor. Dean has been dead for 8 years last January.  I sold both of my cars this year and Brenda has become my transportation expert.  She takes me places and helps me shop.  I really appreciate all she does for me.  Paul and Elisa are doing my gardens this summer and Brenda helped them plant flowers.  Wayne helps me on Mondays.  I think it is good for both of us.  I like to attend as many of the great-grandchildren’s activities as I can.  Alison and Curtis’s family has made me a great-great-grandmother.  My family is everything to me and I love you so very much.  I love when you come to visit me.  I added up my posterity, and counting all the in-laws there are 166 of us of whom we have lost 4.

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Kent and Sharon Bateman: We are both still working in West Jordan and Sandy.  Our health is holding out so far.  We will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary this year with a reunion at our home in Levan.  The last of our overlapping missionaries (Joshua Dean-Brian & Cheryl's youngest son) will be home and we hope to be able to get a current family picture.  It will never be complete without Brian but we are hoping for everyone who possibly can to be there to be there for the picture.  We are excited!
We are teaching a marriage class in Sunday school together, learning a lot about how to be married for 50 years.  Perhaps it is a little late.   We work one evening a month at the Manti temple and it’s an enjoyable experience.  We are old and tired of trying to keep the weeds out of the yard, an impossible task since we live in the middle of a field.  The deer eat everything except the weeds. Living in Levan is enjoyable except for the deer, woodpeckers (who have nearly destroyed our stucco pecking holes into it), squirrels (who live under our driveway and watch us through our patio doors) and the mice (who make complicated freeways in our grass underneath the snow in the winter). All is well!
Alison and Curtis Sandall: It's been a VERY crazy 2 years at our house as I am sure most all of you are already aware.... dating, Wedding, "oh how cute.. dating, waiting for missionary.... OH by the way your going to be a grandma... "WHAT"? babies, dating... Wedding.. WHAT? (oh my gosh will somebody come get us out of jail when THIS wedding is over they are going to get us for check fraud." dating, Oh Mommy! whats wrong, get up off the floor, it's okay I'm only getting married.... "WHAT???" (fainting). Dad and mom your going to be grandparents again.....  HOLY COW!!!! WAIT! THATS NOT ALL, MOM! WE ARE GETTING MARRIED TOO, Did you save the chair covers??? Hey mom and dad your going to be a grandma and grandpa again......  Needless to say In less than 2 years we have had 5 people added to our family and two on the way.. "INCREDIBLE" I can look back and say what a blessing now, but, I wondered sometimes if I would ever make it through it all.

     So, Jared and Zarah Sandall have a little girl on the way, They are trying to find a new place right now Jared is getting certified in mold restoration (nobody does that I guess).  Zarah is a very talented photographer, you can see some of her stuff on facebook.  Ben, Kaylee and Tenley Sandall.... They just bought their first home and have been fixing it up. Rredoing floors and bathrooms. Kaleb, one of our sons-in-law is a plumber and he did all of Ben's plumbing. Trevor and Ben know how to do all the flooring and Ben’s father-in-law helped him frame and drywall, he didn't even have to hire out. Trevor and Katie Valenzuela have a little girl on the way..they are trying to sell one their vehicles right now and they just moved into a nice two bedroom apt that Kaleb and Megan found for them in their ward. It's a pretty nice place and they live right next door, too. Katie is due August 9th.  Kaleb and Megan Hatch  are in the process of redecorating their place; painting and such. It looks really nice. Megan just got a raise and Kaleb is trying to get his plumbers license so he can go out on his own. Everything happened so fast! But the best thing in the world is family and I think most of you will agree. There is nothing better than your children. You can't deny it.

 Curtis and I are living here in the little po-dunk town of Cornville, Arizona. I like it, though it's off the beaten path and Paul can tell you that I'm not lying. He's been to see me. I changed my job this year (kinda).  I was working for the Cottonwood Oak Creek School District as an Attendance Secretary, and the district is so messed up and losing money ( I think the Superintendant is.....) anyway, I was offered a job for $3.00 more an hour at another school as an Administrative Assistant. I really like it. Curtis is doing well. Kids all moved to Flagstaff so we are empty nesters  (oh yay).  It's a good thing I like my husband. I do think he is awfully cute ;)

Loves and Kisses to all...... Curtis, Alison Sandall and the GANG


(Brian Bateman) Cheryl and Richard Church: Greetings from Panguitch!  This has been a great year for our family.  Breanne played on the State Championship Volleyball Team. They set a new state win record 69-1, she was named to the All-State Volley-ball Team, Basketball Team and Golf Team and took 1st place in Region & State Golf.  She graduated on May 25 and will be attending SUU this fall.  Josh returned from his mission yesterday, June 2, he absolutely loved being a missionary and serving in Ohio, he will return to SUU this fall.  Kyle has been attending SUU on an academic scholarship and has been maintaining straight A's.  He has also been working as a mentor for troubled youth.  Justin graduated this spring from SUU with a degree in Parks, Recreation & Tourism and plans to return to SUU in the fall to get his Master's Degree in Public Administration. He works part-time at the golf course in Cedar City.  Richard continues to stay busy as the coach of the men's and women's golf team at SUU and Cheryl continues to stay busy as Director of Panguitch Main Street and as Drama Coach at Panguitch High School.  She was recently appointed to the Garfield County Travel Council and is the 1st counselor in the Young Women's.  All of us work at the family business - Blue Pine Motel, which is a great way to spend time together and stay close to each other.  I am so happy after 5 years to have all my children together again!



Brent and Terri Bateman. Brent is delighted to report that he is still married to Terri, who surprises and intrigues him every day. Brent is also delighted to report that he is still father to four kids, who confuse and enrage him every day. Brent is still employed by the State of Utah, but don’t bother to ask what he does -- it is boring and hard to pronounce.
Terri is mighty good-lookin’ and utterly devoted to the following hobbies: reading, book club attending, card making, cooking, exercising, stamping, jewelry making, puzzle assembling, chauffeuring, cub scout leadering, teaching at BYU, and making googly-eyes at Brent.  Terri had the cable/satellite disconnected from the house a couple of years ago, but Brent outsmarted her and got Netflix so no one noticed.
Zoe has just finished making several major decisions: (1) to not drop out of high school (that was a tough one); (2) to attend BYU next fall (not as tough); (3) to major in Chemical Engineering (huh??); (4) to never never never go camping again (saw that comin’ for a while now).
Sam made just one decision, and thereby learned much about the law of consequences. He decided to play rugby. This resulted in a broken collarbone. This resulted in no baseball, marching band, wrestling, exercising, trampoline, writing, piano, or sleep for two months. Sam is now 16. He also learned that 16 is not all it is cracked up to be once he discovered that it takes money to drive a car and to date girls.
Daisy just turned 11, which if you know Daisy you know that is actually 17 in “Daisy years.” She spends hours on the phone with her friends, has several admirers/stalkers, never finishes her dinner, kisses her daddy about 362 times a day, and just will not stop talking.
Jeffrey on the other hand doesn’t say much at all (how could he?). If he has a message to send, he prefers to let Karate do his talking for him. He has written and illustrated several comic books starring himself and Sam as superheroes named “Stud and Bud.” We are so proud.



Heath and Kathy Bateman
The Book Of Heath
 
Taken from the large head of Heath. An account of Heath and his wife Kathy and his daughter Lindsey.
 
1. I Heath, having been born of farmerly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my Father and the discipline of my Grandfather; which included violently swinging a large piece of wood called a  willow across my nether regions; and also knowing that a willow was really flimsy and weak wood but not the sticks he swung at me, and having seen the difficulty in farming and seeing that Steve was in charge of the cows and knowing that only Doug has the ability to be a 5 day a week farmer, therefore I knowing farming included working more than twenty hours a week and knowing that farming was not for me because of working over twenty hours a week, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my last year.
 
2. And it came to pass that my family, which consists of my wife Kathy and my daughter Lindsey, departed from the annual 4th of July Party with my bowels filled with food, a greater appreciation for family members‘ freedom of expression’& long stringy flying and screaming balloons. I traveled in a southerly direction finally arriving at my home, finding all well there.
 
3. Summer continued and great were the experiences thereof. Thus we see that those that like fishing and outdoors are greatly blessed by the mountains, lakes and streams in the nearby mountains and valleys and those that choose to run marathons and work out are likened unto the foolish man who needs to be punched in the back of the head.
 
4. Soon it was time for Lindsey, she being the oldest daughter, to return back to school for her 6th grade school year. Recognizing the opportunity to be the oldest grade in elementary school and to rule the school as well as the pending changes of Jr. High School the year after, she was determined in body and spirit to make this year the best year yet.
 
5. Alas, her excitement lasted about as long as it takes to make cup of soup. School is difficult for young women. Yea, it is difficult for all those that attend. Including young men, middle aged men and women, old people, trolls, butterflies, and ferrets. But behold, she did hold fast on the faith that she soon would be out of school completely and would never have to stand in line for runny mashed potatoes, a Jell-O brick, roll, and cardboard container of warm milk with a strange picture of a lost child on it again. Never the less, she did forbear.
 
6. It came to pass that in the 4th month after the 4th of July Party, my family being great with boredom and having a desire to gather in a far off land, and to justify the purchase of expensive, rusting and unused trailers, decided to travel a great distance and camp by the shores of the Flaming Gorge. Finding the parking lot full of other family members and knowing much room was required for the coming members staying location, I decided to inhabit the upper parking lot called in the English tongue, upper parking lot.

7. Great was the time spent during that week. Never the less, the rulers of this land try our patience and our faith. For it came to pass that the rulers came to the camp and spoke with others first party stating that camping there was forbidden by law and great would be the punishment thereof. This brought about a great desire to go to war with the rulers of this land over providing this people with adequate camping locations during the autumn months. It came to pass that our leader spoke with others and stated that it was his desire to contact the leaders of this land to get a pardon to stay there. However, his statement was in vain because there was someone in the group that denied the ability of our leader and cast dispersions on him in an attempt to weaken his faith and increase his rage. Nevertheless we did believe in him and knew he would accomplish his task.
 
8. And it came to pass that the times of holiday celebration were soon upon us and many family comings and goings were held and great was the attendance thereof. A great Christmas Party was held in the, “CHILDREN DO NOT CROSS THE CAUTION TAPE & TOUCH ANYTHING THAT IS RED AND LOOKS FUN” building. Great was the soreness of Paul’s voice yelling for Zachary to, “GET BACK HERE”.  Nevertheless, it made a great and lasting impression on all who attended, especially those that decided not to hold it anymore.
 
9. Kathy, she being the keeper of the money, was able to provide a nice Christmas for us with many gifts given and received. There was much Joy in the season. The day of Lindsey’s age change was soon upon us and her time spent on this earth was lengthened by one year. In her 12th year she was able to join the Young Women’s organization and in her words, “Finally stop singing those stupid songs in Mother’s and Father’s Day worship service meetings.” She being a full 2 feet taller than the sunbeams singing with her. Upon Joining the Young Women’s, Lindsey’s joy was full.
 
10. And Heath slept
 
11. And it came to pass that in the7th month, after the 4th of July Party, I grew in age, wisdom, and girth and shrunk in height. Kathy and I enjoyed our 42 year birthdays and great was the anguish thereof. Yea, great was the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth at the thought that I am my father’s age when I got back from my mission. Yea, great disappointment and anger came on account that the millennium hasn’t come to release the captive old people from bondage and renew their souls with vigor and low cholesterol and blood pressure. Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. For verily, verily I say unto you, have you not heard the great blessings of those that turn 43? Yea, great is their patience and their faith. For verily, verily, that brings them one step closer to Medicare and Medicade as well as retirement job opportunities. Yea, as I labor to support my family, in my failing years I will hear the constant cry from the children as I clean carts and ask the immortal question, “Welcome to Walmart, would you like a sticker?”
 
12. And again it came to pass that early in the spring I was wondering about whethersoever I would for the safety from being called to more church callings when I was called into the Stake President’s office. Therefore, through an interview with the Stake Presidency I was called to be on the High Council of my Stake. Once again, the Lord tryeth our patience and our faith. Nevertheless and not withstanding my weaknesses, I will stand idly by and not say anything in meetings thereby not adding to my confusion and workload. Yea, I will stand in the shadows and wait until beckoned by the Stake President to go and do a task. Then I will return from the task and report, only to hide in the shadows thereafter. Yea, preparations will be made to stay hidden and quiet.
 
13. And it came to pass that in the 11the month from the 4th of July party, I was instructed from above to apply for a new job in the City of Lindon. And it came to pass, I was able to disguise my weaknesses and convince them that I would be a good member of their team. Therefore, I now work in happy valley. Where people don’t seem that much happier but drive much crazier. Perhaps that is because those in Salt Lake County are so unhappy. It must be relative to our position.



Andrea and Jarom Echols. Last August we welcomed # 5, our first boy, Levi Jarom.  He is a wonderful baby and as you can imagine, spoiled rotten by his 4 older sisters.  He is starting to crawl and has been known to pull himself up to things.  Lily turned 3 and has finally started talking this last year.  Not always understandably, but at least she is putting words together.  Hannah just turned 5 and can’t wait to go to school.  She is Levi’s second mother.  Rachel just finished the 1st grade and received the “Eagle Award” this year for being a good student and friend to others.  Emma is done with the 4th grade and will be riding a different bus than her sisters next year, same school, just different bus.  It’s weird.  This year she took 2nd place, beating out a sixth grader, in the school spelling bee.  I love being at home with the kids trying to make them do their chores and not hurt each other… too badly.  I love having the time to help out at school.  This last year I was in charge of the school book fair and next year I’ll get to be over box tops.  It’s good to be involved while my kids still like me!  At the beginning of the year Jarom got a second job to expedite the payoff of the loan for the Money Pit (aka our house).  In May he was one of hundreds who lost their job working for Novell.  The Lord was mindful of us and 4 days later he was learning the ropes at his new job.  After 5 years he was released from YM/Scouts and put in as the Elders Quorum Secretary.  It’ll be nice having him home more. We still love our new home and still love Levan.  Life doesn’t get much better.

Kirt Bateman and Jerry Rapier celebrated 15 years together this year. Kirt has been spending his fourth year as Executive Director of the Davis Arts Council in Layton and Jerry his 11th season as Producing Director of Plan-B Theatre Company. They live downtown in Salt Lake with two cats (Laverne and Shirley) and two dogs (Stanley and Stella). This year, Kirt won the Salt Lake City Weekly Arty Award for "Best Theatre Performance" for his performance in Plan-B Theatre Company's production of Amerigo (a debate between Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci on who actually discovered America -- Kirt played the moderator of the proceedings, Nicolo Machiavelli). Jerry's company (Plan-B Theatre) was awarded the "Organization of the Year" award from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) as well as the "Best Theatre Company" award for the 7th year in a row by Q Salt Lake.  Both Kirt and Jerry spent a great deal of time creating a fundraising performance event--organizing over 100 artists and 40 partnering companies and non-profits--all coming together to build awareness and raise money for anti-bullying efforts in schools.  This was done in reaction to the many stories of teenage kids being literally bullied to death. The evening was called "Different=Amazing" and it was an emotional and powerful evening that both Kirt and Jerry are extremely proud of.  The website www.differentisamazing.com tells a bit more about the event. Kirt randomly saw Mark Parker on a flight home from New York City this year and was reminded that it's not so much a small world as it is a BIG Bateman family…which he loves.
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Wayne (and RaNae)Bateman:  Wayne is happy. Everything in his life just keeps on much the same as it has in years past. He is surrounded by his children, and their children. There is rarely a moment that there is not at least one child in his home.  If he thinks about it, he realizes it is much the same as it was when his kids were young. Chaos rules here, and he would not have it any other way. He still thinks of Ranae regularly, and misses her terribly. However, having the kids close makes it easy to be patient for the day they will be together again. He does wish sometimes that he could stop time and keep all the kids from getting any older. It seems they are growing faster than he can even blink. He enjoys teasing the kids and telling them he is going to put rocks on their heads to keep them from getting any taller. We know it won’t work though just by looking at Cody who is now a 17 year old young man.  As far as his health is concerned, things are much the same, but when he has a bad day his children always remind him it could be worse. For the most part, he is very blessed, and lucky to have so many people that love him. Whether he is the on the phone with them, running errands with them, or just sitting down to talk, it seems everyone who loves him is never far away, and he would not change a thing.



Amy and Frank Rasmussen  are now in Salt Lake, and their family is doing okay. The boys are getting too big too fast. Cody is now 17 and is going through all the trials that accompany being a teenager. He is having a hard go but the whole family has faith that he will come out ahead. Zachery is 12 now and was just ordained a deacon. He loves scouts, and is doing great. He will now be moving up into the seventh grade, and does pretty good in school. Wyatt is now two, and loves to eat. He isn’t picky and that is great. He is playful and fun. Most of all he is curious about everything. His world revolves around cars, drawing, and Sesame Street. Amy has had problems with seizures, but her medicine is now starting to stabilize her condition.  Both Amy and Frank have been struggling to conquer their health problems, but they are strong and determined. On the good side of things they are getting the chance to have a lot of family time. They try to remain positive about life.


Julie and Jeff Robinson: Julie and Jeff are doing good and are pleased to say life has not thrown them off too much this year. Really there are no complaints for us, and we are excited to see everybody again.   They still remain at Wayne’s to assist him as needed. Julie still works for Joe’s Crab Shack, and Olive Garden in Sandy. This leaves Jeff to play chauffer for Wayne, in between his classes at the University of Utah (lucky him). Really though, it seems to work well for them both. Jeff also has become quite the cook, he loves to try new recipes, and some are even successful (lol).  Both Julie and Jeff have decided to take the summer off from school to have some quality family time, and then start again in the fall.
The kids are progressing right along as well. Brittney has just finished her sophomore year in high school, and all the fun that went with it. For the summer she has decided to work two jobs to save some money. She works at Vanity, and at Custom Events, and is a very busy girl. Sydney is moving along too, she is now 10 and finished 4th grade. In the beginning she had to really struggle hard, but by the end of the year she received an award for most improved reading. We are so proud that she has put in so much effort; she is such a hard worker. We have all learned a lesson from her determination. Tommy is as spunky as ever, snakes and snails and puppy dog tails really apply here. He is our rough and tumble boy, he finished his first season in t-ball, and loved every minute of it. He has just finished kindergarten and loves school, although his world really revolves around Transformers, and video games.  


Josh Bateman: We still don’t know much about Josh. Unfortunately he is still not in contact with any of us. We love him and miss him and understand he is somewhere in Northern Utah. We all pray that he will overcome this negativity so that we can be a whole family again.  Tough love can be the hardest love to give. We did find some pictures of his girls online at his sister-in-laws website, and it seems they are growing into beautiful young ladies.


Melissa and Robert Christensen: We are doing better than ever!
    Robert is just one class away from his associates degree and about a year away from his bachelors. He has been able to keep his grades up and has been on the Dean’s list. We are all so proud of him. He is working at SanSeagal Sportswear now and is happy with his job. He works so hard to make sure I get to stay at home and take care of the kids. He goes out fishing every chance he can get and is working on teaching Grayson how to fish with him. He is the best Dad and Husband, and we are so lucky to have him.    I (Melissa) am still totally wrapped up in my cute kiddos. I am still the PTA president for Grayson's school which will be my 4th year. I love it, it is a great way for me to be able to be really involved in the school and take an active role in Grayson's education. I feel like with all the school has done for Grayson and our family it is the least I can do. I am also the Parent partner at the kids’ pediatrician office (Aunt Sharon's work as well). This gives me the opportunity to help families that are just getting the Autism diagnosis. I like that I can be there to help them navigate through the Autism world. I also just started a business selling all of the cute girly things Alyia has inspired me to learn to make. So if anyone needs anything girly you know where to find it.
   Grayson just turned 8 and is a cub scout now. I am not sure where all the time went. He is so excited to go to his first day camp next weekend. We do have to hire a respite care worker to go with him just to make sure he has the help he needs. Scouts, so far, has been great for him and they are always understanding when he can't really stay on track. He is going into the 3rd grade and will be going to the
Pingree Center once again. He has been doing so well and keeps making huge strides every day. We are always so proud of him! He has been such a great big brother and is always doting on his baby sister. His goal now seems to be finding as many ways as possible to make Alyia laugh.
   Alyia is our little princess and she just turned 1. She is a ball of energy and very high maintenance and always so fun. She is walking, and talking, and gets into everything. She is such a cute petite little girl. We are so glad she decided to be in our family. We are all head over heels in love with her.  
   You can keep up with our family on my blog http://mbc715.blogspot.com/ or find me on facebook Melissa Christensen

Camille and Dustin Haight: We are doing great. We are still happily enjoying the Southern Utah weather, and have met some really great people. Dustin still works for Wal-mart in Cedar City, and is fairly happy. He is still in the process of obtaining his associates degree with University of Phoenix, and will be complete in January. Camille will finish this August then move on to earn a BA in communications. Camille no longer watches children from home, but does photography on the side as a hobby, and a little extra money. Dustin still is the ward financial clerk while Camille has moved to be the primary secretary.
The Kids are great too. Kalie just finished the fifth grade and is moving on to the intermediate school, where she can’t wait to try the violin. She is moving right along with the piano, and says she loves music. Cassidy is now eight and was baptized in March. She is all about sports these days, and was recruited for the Southern Utah girls soccer tournament league.  She loves to watch the Jazz and was very sad at the latest loss of Darrin Williams.  Emily is five and will start kindergarten this fall. She is very excited and can’t wait to meet new friends. She lives to make new friends. She spends her days outside, and has to be coerced to come inside. Aspen is 18 months and learning to talk finally after getting tubes in her ears. She is fun and spunky and climbs on everything. She loves to follow her sisters anywhere, and is winding down from her violent stage where she would hit everybody, for no real reason, ha,ha.  All in all we are happy.
 



Chad Bateman has had his shares of ups and downs, but it looks like he is landing on his feet again. Unfortunately, this last year Chad and Venus have decided to get divorced. Chad currently has custody of the boys. He is doing a good job as a single parent. He now lives in Sandy, across the street from Wayne, and relies on Wayne and the family to help him with the kids. He lives with his new girlfriend who is wonderful and supportive. Angie is also a single parent who understands the trials that come with it. She is a tremendous help to him in many ways. She is fun and energetic and is able to keep up with the three boys and her daughter and keep them all in line.
 Chad works for Clayco in Salt Lake. They build and expand movie theaters all over so he travels quite a bit in the westerns States. His boys are growing fast. Corbin will be in 3rd grade next year, he loves to read and write, and has very neat writing. He is an awesome kid who takes good care of his brothers. Carson will be going into Kindergarten this fall, he is smart and mischievous, and loves candy as all boys do, which makes it a good thing that Grandpa keeps a stash around. Then there is Connor who is almost 3, he is 100% bona-fide boy. Rough and ragged, and always climbing something. He keeps everyone on their toes, but is so much fun to have around.
 Corbin, Carson, And Connor




Nathan  Bateman and his girlfriend Malisa are still engaged, they live Riverton, and love to spend their time riding and caring for her horses. They are gooey in love, and can’t wait to get married. They actually hope to have a wedding this year in August or September. Nate works at Home Depot, and Malisa is working at Kohls.  Nate is working to move up at Home Depot, and hopes to do so soon.


Natalie and Brett Loveland and their family have had a bit of a roller coaster this year. We had the new addition of baby Quinn to our family in January, which was wonderful. Though, she has given us a few scares. After a few ER trips and several doctor visits we found out she has kidney reflux, which is under control now with the help of antibiotics. Thank heaven for modern medicine. Then just after we get all this figured out, poor little Byrnlee started having seizures. Hopefully both girls will grow out of these ailments. For the most part though we are lucky, we just remind ourselves things could always be much worse.
We live in a cute little apartment in West Jordan. Quinn is starting to sit up and is five months old, and Brynlee is moving on with ease into being a toddler. She talks like crazy, and loves her sister, well most of the time anyway.  Brett got on with Waste Management in the recycling center this year, which is wonderful because we no longer have to put up with construction layoffs.  Natalie stays home with the girls and loves taking care of them. Natalie and Brett are excited with their little life and have even started going back to church with a goal in mind to go to the temple when we are ready.




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Brenda and Gary Jeppson: Our lives are just like our ward:  older, quieter, pretty much eventless.  No births, marriages, missions or other things to announce. The first half of the first year of retirement for me (B) was not so good.  A knee replacement with a glitch or two, healing, physical therapy, alone-ness (I did not say lonliness). Two kittens helped ease the stretch of days.  I started subbing in December and that was really good; only at my own school, knew the kids, two or fewer days a week, easy to do, a little bit of money. Gary and I are both on Medicare, if you can wrap your brains around that!

Gary is still working hard, sometimes long days on projects that need site overseeing.  He finished his beautiful wood shop last fall, and we had just enough time to put lots of tools and wood stuff in it before snowfall.  Stuff still isn't arranged in the right drawers, or cabinets, but it surely is the coolest personal shop ever.

We are remodeling our yard, garden beds, amount of grass, etc., with an overall landscape plan to reduce the labor intensive nature we've dealt with in past years.  This is not easy, since part of the plan is to rebuild our deck and railing in a synthetic product to ensure that we will not be staining and painting again. Some of the wood is quite weak and rotty, being as it's 27 years old!  This is a two-summer project schedule (if we are lucky), and we are thinking a mission in about a year-and-a-half.

Just yesterday Gary was called as scoutmaster.  He has been the 11-year-old scout leader for almost 15 years!   We team-teach the marriage and family relations Sunday School class.  We've tried to do some different and fun things (film, love languages, Love and Logic, role playing and skits, etc.), rather than strictly the manual, and the first cycle of sixteen lessons was good.  I helped quite a bit with our Stake's Youth Conference--nothing to come close to Diana's hours--and I'm very glad to be through with that.  Next, our stake has to do a float for the Children's Parade in July.  That's why our yard won't ever be finished in two years.  We continue to say yes and give our Saturdays to someone else (not necessarily the Lord--mostly people who are in a pinch; there's a difference.)

The two kittens are almost one year old.  That's how exciting our lives are!  We're so happy and proud to be part of this family.  Our Christmas gathering, 2010, was really wonderful, and we hope everyone will be able to attend the Fourth of July at Diana's.  Enjoy every day; it surely goes fast!



Jennifer and Randall Cheney are still living in Okinawa, Japan (4 1/2 years now), where Randall works for the Air Force.  They love being there, but really miss family and the mountains!  Besides Randall's job, they're busy with their 4 kids and church callings (district clerk, Relief Society pres. & missionary work).  Jennifer teaches English in a Japanese hospital and volunteers in her kids' classes.   They love the adventure of traveling to new places in Japan.  Madison (15) is involved in track and cross-country at school and plays the violin; Jacob (13) is running, swimming & playing the piano; Jonathan (10) plays the piano and basketball; and Levi (6) just finished kindergarten and loved every day of it!   They're all smart, great kids!  Their family is trying to schedule a trip home this summer!  Check out their blog at
http://cheney6.blogspot.com.  

Holly and Lee Woolsey and family are doing great and enjoying life in Richfield.  Lee still works for the Natural Resource Conservation Service and gets to do a wide variety of work.  I still work at home and am grateful for that.  Together, we like to work in the yard and garden, go on four-wheeler rides, go camping, and watch our kids wrestle in the backyard.

Lee is a ward missionary and the handy man of the neighborhood (I volunteer him for lots of little fix-it jobs).  He just finished enclosing our deck, turning it into more dining room space.  It looks beautiful!  I am the Young Women's President and stay busy with kids and house work.  I like to bike ride and do digital scrapbooking.

Nathan is 14 and loves basketball, football, archery, hunting and scouting.  He will start high school in the fall.  He is almost done with his Eagle project which is a public archery range in the foothills of Richfield.  He has a reputation as a hard worker and neighbors will hire him to do odd jobs.  Besides that he owns his own lawn-mowing business and he is moving hand lines and wheel lines for a farmer this summer.  So the money is rollin' in and he handles it so well!  He is part of the staff for Timberline Scout camp this summer, too.  Nathan is focused on his goals and very reliable.

Abbie is 11 and gets to join me in Young Womens in September.  She loves to swim competitively, play volleyball and basketball, play the piano, paint, and read.  She'll attend the Middle School (6th grade) in the fall.  She is an excellent student and thrives on learning new things.  She is very entertaining to live with!

Nicholas is 9 and loves soccer, legos, playing with his friends at a tree hut down the road, and teaching Luke about the world of Hot Wheels Battle Force 5.  He is a wonderful older brother and he and Luke have many fun times together, especially if they have permission to turn the hose on full blast in the sand box!   At night, Nicholas entertains the neighborhood with his powerful green laser that can shine...probably too far.  Oh well....it is cool!

Luke just turned 4 and his birthday party was the pinnacle of his life so far!  How could it not be with 12 other 4 year-olds, water balloons, ice-cream cones, swimming pools and water guns, presents and finally a balloon magician?  Ahh...life is so-o-o good when you are 4!   He also got to drive a John Deere tractor and cut hay with our neighbor last week.  Actually, that was probably the pinnacle of his life so far.   He is dead-set on growing up to be a farmer and driving tractors and playing with baby animals all day.  I hope I can retire there.

Some exciting news for us: no, we are not having a baby, but we are getting another kid.   We are going to host a foreign exchange student from Germany this upcoming school year.  His name is Dennis Padrog and he seems like such a great kid!  He will be a Sophomore.  The organization called CETUSA has helped us coordinate the exchange.  We feel really good about it and we are looking forward to showing him lots of beautiful places in Utah, as well as learning about places and people far away from here.  We have a family blog where we will post pictures and adventures with him once he gets here (which is Aug. 16).  Here is our blog address:    http://woolsey-family.blogspot.com/  

Chris and Allyson Jeppson: This year has brought a lot of “what the ‘H’ were we thinking” moments our way.  With both parents in school full time and 3 boys in 3 different schools, all active in sports and scouts, we sometimes can’t remember our names, let alone what has happened in the past year.  So, bear with us, we will retell it to the best of our knowledge, but, we do not in any way guarantee that it is all exactly true.  We are so excited to share it all with you that we can barely stand it.  So, let us not waste any time and just jump right in!
Chris started the year off in the Elder’s Quorum presidency.  This took up a lot of his time with visiting families and doing lots of service projects.  These two things are right up his alley so, even though it took up a lot of his time, he did not mind it at all.  In fact, he was a bit sad when they switched him over to work with the young men.  However, it did not take long before he was running around and joining in all of the reindeer games.  Chris has also gone back to college.  He has had 15 credits or more for the last two semesters as well as summer (bummer).  He will finish up his degree in December.  Chris has continued on his path of adrenaline rushes.  Over New Year’s Eve, he drug his entire family on a 5 hour hike up a mountain in sub zero weather, where they slept in a yurt (google it if you don’t know what that is) and went sledding, fun was had by all.
As for Allyson, after the wailing and gnashing of teeth, she enjoyed the yurt trip.  Allyson is also in the process of finishing her degree at the university and will graduate in December as well, with a degree in Special Education.  There will be a party like no other graduation party that you have ever seen!  Going to school has been pretty hard on all of us but, Allyson has gotten out of having to mop the floors and clean the toilets for months (nobody has done them so, if you come over, make sure to use the bathroom before you come)!  Allyson is working with the cub scouts and fits right in with all of the chaos.  Let’s all give her a watermelon cheer!
Ethan has started middle school this year and turned 12.  This means we’re all looking forward to stinky feet, zits, and braces (Ethan actually already has braces).  Ethan received the Aaronic priesthood and has had a great time in boy scouts and passing the sacrament.   Ethan has just finished up his second season of lacrosse.  He is madly in love with it and is rarely seen without his stick.
Dalton turned 10 this year and got to run in the Wellsville Mile (this is a mile run that all of the 4th and 5th graders from the South end of the valley run).  He finished in 7:46!  Well done little man!  This year Dalton tried his hand at the cello.  He did fantastic but has decided his heart really is with the piano.  He is starting back to piano lessons.
Seth turned 8 this year.  He got baptized and started going to cub scouts.   These were both very exciting events for him.   Seth loves to read and wrestle (not officially but mostly with his brothers and dad).
Blitz, the dog, is getting up there in age.  It is hard for him to get up and down the stairs as quickly as he used to, curiously he is able to jump up on our bed, which leads me to the fact that he refuses to sleep on anything that is not soft and fluffy.  He has also started experience that oh so lovely loss of sphincter control and has some gas that peels the wallpaper.
  Emmie, the cat, is as snobby as ever.  She does not bite or scratch us but, will only let us pet her if it is her idea, which is almost never.
Stella, the snake (Ball Python), is a welcome addition to our family this year.  Allyson got her for her birthday and it has been nothing but fun and excitement since.  I believe there is a picture posted of her eating a mouse on Chris’s Facebook.
  Rosie, Genève, Ruthie, Martha, Betsy, Luanne, Darcie, Sarah, Colette, Chelsea, Julie, Marcie, and Nancy, the chickens, are also a welcome addition to our family.  They love to taunt the dog and bock all the day long.
Beehive #1 and beehive #2 are alive and doing well.  Beehive #1 actually has a little bit of a mite but, nary you worry, they should be just fine.
We hope the next year will be just as delightful but perhaps not quite so busy.  It would be nice for all of us to see each other once in a while.


Brad and Myrissa Jeppson: This has been a year of milestones and mile markers for our family.
Brad has managed to stay employed (yeah) and work has begun to pick-up again. He’s been putting in a lot of miles traveling, not just around the state but also around the country picking up projects in both Georgia and Florida. Brad has also logged a lot of miles training for his first Olympic Triathlon. He and Chris met up at Lake Powell and through the wind and the rain managed no just to finish but to rank respectably in their age groups.
Myrissa, not to be too outshone in the mile department, ran her second half marathon, though not quite as respectably. She flew up to Salt Lake and ran with her family. More accurately, she bullied her family into running with her, but the result was the same. Her big marathon starts this fall when she heads back to school full time at Arizona State University. Wish her luck!
Logan hit a major milestone this year turning twelve and receiving the priesthood. For his birthday all he wanted was a suit he could wear while he passed the Sacrament. He’s a great kid. He’s getting so tall and so teenagery and we already have girls calling. I think we’re going to be in trouble with this one. He is headed to middle school this year, which is weird because I’m pretty sure that we’re not old enough to have a middle schooler yet. They just grow up too quickly.
Gabriel continues to be too smart for his and my own good. He switched schools this year, which was tough. It took him a while to settle in but once he did boy did he thrive. He moved up three math books and will be in pre-algebra next year, and he was the top student in English and Grammar. Gabriel also began playing the guitar this fall and has taken to it like a duck to water. He’s not crazy about chords but he can pick out and memorize a song faster than anyone I know. He and Brad enjoy playing together and it’s fun to hear them play duets.
Addison turned eight this year and was baptized this March. Three down one to go. For his birthday we signed him up for a soccer skills camp that he absolutely loved. Soccer is apparently now “his thing.” He is also very into Lego’s and amazes us daily with his creative new creations and creatures. He is so very eight right now which means he vacillates between being the most obnoxious and the most infectiously cute creature on earth. If he can just stay on the right side of his two older brothers for the next six months he may even make it to age nine.
Tanner also hit a huge milestone this year and not just for him but for our whole family. Tanner started kindergarten this year which means all our babies are now in school. YEAH! I know all my boys went through a “talky” phase but Tanner might just take the cake in loquaciousness. Our mule is hind-leggless and I’m afraid his front legs are next. But what are ya gonna do? He’s about as bright as new shiny penny with an enthusiasm for everything that is down right infectious. He is still our curly blonde angel. Just make sure you stay on his good side.

Well that is us in a very large nutshell. We hope all of you are well. We are sad we will miss you at the party this year. Eat extra ice cream and pie for us.

Neal and Lori Jeppson: Howdy from Texas! We have been here in San Angelo for a year and we are loving it! Neal loves his new job; coordinating seminaries and institutes in West Texas. Lori is happy to be where the weather is warmer and in a beautiful home! Our sweet Avery Jane was born in September and she is the happiest little baby! It's wonderful to have three little angels. Meg just graduated from Kindergarten and Kate will be starting preschool in the fall at Glen Meadows Baptist Church.
We are tremendously blessed. We miss family but the Lord is helping us with great people here.  We hope to see you soon.



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Diana and Ralph Parker: Well, we don’t have a Facebook account, we have no family blog, we share one cell phone and our TV is a modest 36”.  What more can we say?  You have all moved into the modern world and Ralph and I continue to live in the old one.   This has been a good year for us as we have watched our kids and grandkids grow and develop and be strengthened in the gospel.  Having Mark buy Grandma Parker’s house so that we have them in the ward has been fun.  But we see all our kids a lot and so we consider ourselves very blessed.  We just came back from a little trip following the Mormon Trail across Wyoming and had so much fun we want to take the kids and grandkids back next summer.
Diana is still teaching school at Brockbank Jr.  in Magna, Utah.  Ralph is working at the church.  This spring Ralph was put on a jury trial that lasted 7 weeks.  It was a big land deal out of Park City that involved the Canyons Ski Resort (previously Wolf Mountain and before that Park West).  Ralph’s work was great about him being gone so long and they missed him and their appreciation level soared to new highs.  Ralph is serving on the high council and Diana is teaching primary.  One more foot surgery for Diana to have the hardware taken out of her foot and then she swears she will never operate on a foot again.  She’d die first!

Anne and Mike Sampson:  Hmmm.   In most respects, the Sampsons continue to be exceptionally boring people.  We are happy to report however, that we did finally finish the downstairs bathroom and now wonder what we were thinking and why we wanted one more bathroom to keep clean.

Mike and Anne celebrated their 10th anniversary this past year and, coincidentally ran the Dirty Dash the same month.  The Dirty Dash, if you are unfamiliar with the race, is a strenuous 10K up and down a mountain, complete with hay bales to vault over, walls to climb, snow machines to brave, and swamps up to your thigh to wade through.  (Anne literally wouldn't have made it out of the swamp without the help of Mike and another total stranger.  She was that stuck.)

Mike would like to insert here, just to make Anne jealous, that he had surgery on his eyes this year and can see perfectly now.  He wakes up in the morning and can read the alarm clock, he doesn't have to take out and wash his contacts at night, and they don't get foggy after he falls asleep on Sunday afternoons.

All three of the kids are doing tremendously well.  Daniel just turned eight and will be baptized in June.  He still prefers reading to most other things--so much that we've actually had to set up rules such as: no reading while walking to the car and no starting to read the book someone else is reading until they're done.  Jonathan is six and he's our heart breaker.  He's exceptionally girl crazy.  He loves the older girls (just ask Abby Woolsey), and they love him back.  He's so thoughtful and giving that we've actually had to set up rules such as:  you have to eat at least 1/3 of your treat before you give the rest to Daniel and you have to keep at least some of your money to spend before you give the rest to tithing.  Ella is four and is looking forward to school being out so that she doesn't have to go shopping with mom anymore.  Her imagination wears us all out.  So much so, in fact, that we have had to set up rules such as:  no praying in cat meow language, mommy only has to buy "Hunya" from the "pet store" once per day, and Jabba (yes, as in the Hutt) is not the boss.


Mark and Jessica Parker: Things in the Mark and Jessica Parker family have been somewhat quiet this last year. We would love to list off all the exciting things that go on daily here, but it's actually relatively boring. Right.  As if. In reality, herding seven "bedlamites" is an extremely colossal task. I'm not sure we knew exactly what we were getting ourselves into, but we're enjoying it, and we're all very happy together. Kaitlyn and Braxton were baptized in May and Braxton is now a cub scout and Kaitlyn is attending activity days. Logan is extremely excited to be baptized in December, he had a great first grade year. Hunter completed a very successful kindergarten year, and is jealous of his older siblings and how well they read. Erick and Colin are excited to return to preschool this fall, even though they're not entirely sure what that means. They're hoping it will involve lots of snacks and play time, and they're probably right. Zach is just over 18 months and beginning to talk. He is also no longer this little bundle that just sits in your lap.  He MOVES!  Boy does he move! As for Jessica and I, we just finished renovating one house (unfortunately, not the one we're living in), and are preparing to begin major reconstruction on another. We're doing very well, and if anyone wants to volunteer to paint bedrooms, we've got a sign-up sheet going around!

Michael and Robyn Parker: This year we welcomed an old forgotten friend back into our fold: peepeechair. This little piece of poorly-shaped and cheaply-manufactured plastic had been banished to the very back corner of the very top shelf in our basement, completely out of sight, but is once again seeing the light of day. Well, come to think of it, it's mostly moonlight. Anyhow, he goes where we go, the kitchen, the back yard, on day trips, and to Grandma's house. The wonder, however, is the frequency with which he is put to good use. Matt is now potty-trained, and any parent reading this can appreciate what this victory means to us and our olfaction.
Anything following potty training seems hardly newsworthy, but we do have a few more items that may help fill in the details of how we are doing. Any of you who read Michael's 5th facebook post (not sure how many he has left in him), already know that we have 17 half-finished home improvement projects, and more are cropping up just like weeds: for every one you finish, two more return to take its place. In the good news department: we have both managed to maintain our weight (I believe last year's letter talked about our marshmallow moratorium) and so, hungry for food, but deciding on something with fewer calories, we decided to tackle fiscal responsibility this year. I am happy to report that, our credit scores are really on the mend, just in time for us to have no use for them at all. We went through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, or FPU, as us alumni like to call it, and learned a lot. Our personal failing had been too infrequent (non-existent, perhaps) family financial planning meetings. We found that with a 30 minute meeting on a weekly basis we could make night-and-day changes in our spending habits and really make financial headway without any increase in income.

Our kids (Ethan and Matt) are doing great. Ethan spontaneously did tumbling for several weeks while I coached his 3-year-old indoor soccer team, so now we went ahead and put him in tumbling. He does a mean donkey kick. He also left nursery at church and now goes to Sunbeams. Except for a few weeks of tantrums at first, he loves it and his teachers are great. He made us hang his little paper cutout that he made one week on the wall in his bedroom. Matt, in addition to using the potty, is talking in sentences, and is right on track, developmentally, except that he is convinced his brother's name is Matt. When he wakes up in the morning, he asks where Matt is, and can he go wake up Matt. When Ethan is playing hide and seek, Matt asks us, "Where did Matt go?" My favorite, however, is helping him say the prayer. It usually goes something like this:

Me: "Matt, say Heavenly Father."
Matt: "Heavenly Father."
Me: "Please Bless Mommy,"
Matt: "Bless Mommy,"
Me: "Daddy,"
Matt: "Daddy,"
Me: "Ethan,"
Matt: "Matt!"
Me: "No, Matt, YOU are Matt, say: bless Ethan."
Matt: "Matt!"
Me: "No, say Eeee"
Matt: "Eee"
Me: "than"
Matt: "Matt!"

Even Ethan is trying to help us reinforce the correct name. We'll often hear them playing together and then hear Ethan say, "No Matt! I'm ETHAN!"

For anyone interested in the short version, here you go:

Michael: Still working at DRG, still working with scouts, hairline receding, has not provided daughter
daughter
Ethan: Turns 4 in August, survived general anesthesia for a cavity-filling marathon, seatbelts himself in the car, still takes naps, has no sister
Matt: Turned 2 in March, easiest sleeper ever, loves Lightning McQueen, must do everything by himself, also has no sister



Sara and DustinMarcrum: Dustin and Sara still find themselves with a house for sale in Magna this year, we are loving this market! But even trying to sell a house for two solid years could not dampen our spirits that took flight when Dustin graduated this spring from the University of Utah! He is now a card carrying college graduate with a bachelors degree in Math.  Well they don't really give you a card... and the degree still hasn't come in the mail… But, along with the degree came a promotion and a raise at work and more opportunity for growth, so no complaints here. He still serves on the High Counsel and is getting quite prolific at putting people to sleep on the third Sunday, meanwhile he gets NO sleep because of early morning meetings. Austin is almost eighteen months and starting to say a few words here and there, but all of them are variations of "ball".  Parker is four and we can't get him to stop talking long enough for us to get a word in edgewise. He played soccer and took tumbling with Ethan Parker this year and can’t get enough of going to Aunt Robyn’s house to play with Ethan and Matt, yet he still insists on inviting Kaitlyn Parker to his sleepovers with grandma. Sara is training for the spudman tri this summer which will be her first Olympic distance and only her second open water swim. She is feeling fairly inadequate. She is also still doing massage, but clientele in the luxury market is hard to come by these days, so more often than not she finds herself at home answering questions like "Why is that car yellow?" or "Why is that too many questions?" Meanwhile Sara and Dustin have a couple of questions of their own, like: "Why is Sara making me do this triathlon with her?" and "Why does Dustin shed 10 pounds after 3 weeks of running 5Ks when it takes me a 3 years of running 10ks to lose 5 pounds?" Answer that math major!!

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Lynn and Gail Bateman: We are in our second year in the Young Single Adult Branch in Nephi and loving every minute of it.  Odd things seem to happen to those we serve and those we serve with.  We laugh a lot.  Ask us about our hysterical history.  Lynn is still the Fire Chief (getting tired of that) and Gail is still working at Juab Title.  Our 17th grandchild was born this year, and it looks like he is probably the caboose.  We really have no life.  We go to work, come home, leave again, come home, go to bed and then start over again the next day.  We are doing well and feel that we are blessed every day.  We are grateful for our family and the wonderful life we have been blessed with.  Sometimes no news is good news.  Lynn's artificial hip has been recalled and we are trying to decide how to box it up and send it back.  No more of that surgery stuff.  We love you all.

Amanda & Jason Mecham: Things are good for us right now. We are still living in Provo. Jason isn't working, so he has become the stay at home parent while I work at Lowe's. Jason has been called to facilities maintenance for our ward, and I am in YW as the personal progress advisor. The children are growing so fast! Greg is 15 and attending Timp View High. He managed to pass all his classes, but really enjoyed Drama...and while he won't admit it, seminary too. He is the teacher's quorum president. Monica is 13, attending Centennial Middle and just got her first 4.0! We are so proud of her! She is a social butterfly and turning into a beautiful young woman. She is the president of the beehives as well. Jeff just turned 12 in April and was made a Deacon. He received high marks in school and starts middle school in the fall. Ruthanne managed to gain enough weight to break the 30 lb mark finally! She is 5 years old. She and Jason practice letters and numbers every day and she is VERY excited to start kindergarten in the fall.

Lori Bird: Lori and her family are doing well! I am currently working at Market Street Grill in cottonwood as a server until the winter comes back.  At that time I will resume working at Park City Mountain Resort. Paige just graduated preschool, and is very excited for kindergarten. She started wearing glasses this year, and they are so cute!  Sierra just finished the fifth grade, she was in choir this year, and helped with a school play "The Wizard of Oz".  She is now in a drill team, and learning to dance!  Adam has had some bumpy roads this year, but might have found a paved highway.... hopefully. He will be starting in Job Corps this month, and is very excited for this important step!

Kay and Ryan Pettit:  We have done pretty well this year.  Ryan is still with the Sherriff's department in Juab county as well as driving truck part time.  Kay is still trying to keep it together at home, and not doing as well as she would like.  Branden is now almost 11, and looks 14.  He is starting 5th grade in the fall, and ended 4th grade with great test scores.  He has earned his Webelo's badge and is now working on getting his Arrow ofLight.  Jace is 9 and will be starting the 4th grade, and also got amazing test scores this last month.  He has earned his Wolf badge and is now working hard on his Bear.  Both boys love scouting, and Ashton is excited to start in December when he turns 8.  This means that he will also be baptized.  He did super on all of his end of year tests as well.  We don't know for sure how these boys got so smart, but we sure are lucky!  Gabriel has been gone now for 4 years, and we miss him terribly.  We take the kids to the cemetery often to visit, and decorate for all of the holidays.  Keira is such a beautiful little thing, and has such a great personality!  She will be 3 in August, and has been potty trained since December! (I really lucked out on that one!)  She is just as smart as her brothers, and makes sure that we know it!  She is the poster child for "spoiled rotten"!  But mostly just makes us smile.  This March, we added #6.  Tyson Spencer was born on March 9th, 3 weeks early and with all sorts of trouble!  Despite the really rough start, he and I are both doing really well.  He is growing (lengthwise) like a weed (not so much width wise!).  He is definitely a momma's boy which isn't too bad since he is the end of the babies for us.  I love to hold and cuddle him, and so does everyone else in the family!  We love all of you and are really looking forward to seeing some of you at the party!

Paul and Elisa Bateman: The past year has been a very eventful one for Paul’s family.  Paul switched jobs in February and is now working for a local company that does software for banks and credit unions.  He’s traveling a lot less, spending less time and gas commuting, and making a much better wage.  It’s a great change and a direct answer to prayer.  Elisa is busy as ever being involved in the kids’ school activities.  She headed up Red Ribbon Week as well as spearheading many other activities for the children in Emily’s and Zach’s classes.  All in all, she’s having a lot of fun, and that fun increases by 50% frequently due to (Lori’s) Paige spending some time with us while her mom is at work nearby.  We love having her there.  Emily just completed 2nd grade and is excited to move on to 3rd.  She’s had a crazy year dealing with two teachers and being involved in the school choir, which she loves doing.  She is finding artistic talent not only in drawing, but in music as well.  Most importantly, she got baptized in April!  She is really excited to be a member of the church and have the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  Zachary completed Kindergarten and will be in school full time next year (Elisa doesn’t know what she’s going to do with herself).  He continues to amaze us with his ability to figure things out.  Just ask him about the planets and be prepared for a 30-minute dissertation.  We’ve all grown and been greatly blessed in the last year, and we’re excited for the year to come. This summer we took on the responsibility of Grandma’s yard and are caring for lawns, gardens, and sprinkling systems.


Rebecca and McKell Dalton: Things have been crazy this year!!  My family is doing great.  McKell has joined an elite team at wheeler welding and is now traveling a lot to mines in Nevada, Wyoming and here at Rio Tinto.  He is loving it, in fact he was so excited because recently he was able to go into Kennecott mine and went almost to the bottom of the mine.  It was his highlight for weeks after! I am doing great. My business is still going really well and is keeping me EXTREMELY busy.  I also transferred to the JL Sorenson gym in Harriman working in the daycare now.  Caleb will be going into 2nd grade and is doing well.  This year he was in a split class of 1st and 2nd graders which was very tough for him at first but he is doing extremely well and doing pretty much 2nd grade level work already.  Both Caleb and Conner have taken on the love of baseball and that is keeping me running to tonz of practices and games.  Conner is 3 and we are finally potty training and then I will forever be done with diapers! I am so excited!!  He is a very busy little guy and keeps me on my toes and makes me nuts most days but then he looks at you and smiles or winks at you it makes it all worth it.
I hope that the 4 of us will make it to the party on the 2nd.  If not 4 of us at least 3 because a lot of times  McKell gets called out to the mines with not a lot of notice.  I hope that he gets that weekend off.

June 2010

June 5, 2010

Dearest Family,

Well, as you know since you got bugged by either me or your moms another year has rolled around and it is time to update our family on the doings, comings, and goings of us!  For some of you this is an important letter and the party is an important party.  When I considered cancelling because of my foot, my kids felt that would be a mistake and were willing to help Ralph pull it off.  Also, I’m sure some of you will be a bit sad to know it is going to be held on the 3^rd of July, which is Saturday.  I figured that would be a day when many of you wanted to go and celebrate in other ways, because the 4^th is on Sunday.  But a wedding in our family precluded us from holding it on Friday.  We hope that many of you will come and enjoy the family and allow your little ones to play.  We will have water out if it is warm enough (this reminds me of the year we spent on the Coleman Ranch over the 24^th, when all we did was sit under the tarps and drink hot chocolate and make brownies, and the people at the parade wore winter coats!), so bring towels and swim suits if you would like your kids to be able to do that. The menu will be a little different this year due to my being down, but it will still be scrumptious.  Any of the in-law parents are soooo invited, bring them if you and they desire.  Food assignments as follows:  

 Brenda’s  and Wayne’s families:  Dessert

Kent’s and Lynn’s families: Salads

Diana’s family: potatoes and beans

Heads of families:  I want to have enough food, without spending our money foolishly.  Will you please call me with a count of how many people who will actually eat (I’m going to count all 4 of my three year olds as one person) a serving.  I need this count by June 25^th. 

Third Generation:  Decide if the party is on your agenda and call your parents, please, so they can report to me how many people.   Make it easy for them. 

Sybil and Dean Bateman

Dad has been gone for 7 years last January 21^st.  He loved his family, dealt especially lovingly with the little ones and I am thankful for all the good memories and experiences we had.  As I age, I think more on family and how much they mean to me and how I appreciate all of your visits and sharing of your lives with me.  I love the Christmas and July 4^th parties and it is important to me that we still gather.  I am so thankful to still be able to be living in this Bateman heritage house.  I miss the farm being around me, but I understand progress, too.  I know things must change.  I thought you might like a family count:  31 grandchildren and their mates (Nathan and Mark are not married, but Mark will be fixing that soon).  Eighty-two great grandchildren with 3 on the way.  Ben will be the father of the first great-great-grandchild who will be born late this year.   I am pretty healthy, though I use a cane or a walker all the time now.  I’ve had two pretty serious falls, which I’m sure most of you know about, and I’ve weathered them pretty well.  Still healing from this last one.  I still serve in the church as a visiting teaching supervisor and I am thankful to be able to continue to show my commitment to the Savior and the church.  I look forward to seeing many, if not all, of you at the party.

Sharon and Kent Bateman Family

Sharon and Kent are doing well.  Kent is still working hard and Sharon is not working quite as hard.  Now only working two 12 hr days instead of three.  More time at home to do yard work, house work and
baby sitting.  This year we will become great-grandparents and grandparents again.  We soon will be empty nesters ...again.  Sadness and happiness all in one.

Curtis and Alison Sandall have had many challenges.  Since Curtis is in the building industry, work has been very difficult to come by.  Arizona's housing market has been dead for about 2 years and we are all hoping that it will pick up soon.  Alison is still working at Oakcreek School in Cornville.  There are changes in her work as well and we are hoping for the best for her job.  Katie's boyfriend returns from his mission in June.  She is very excited about that and what the future may bring. She works at an assisted living center in Cottonwood as a CNA. Megan is in school in Flagstaff and has a steady boyfriend. She is always cheerful and happy.  Jared is also working in Flagstaff, he recently was in a roll-over accident that totaled his truck.  Thank goodness he walked away from it because he was wearing his seatbelt. He was very blessed.  Ben was married last August to a lovely girl named Kaylee.  They are about to make Curtis and Alison grandparents for the very first time at the end of this year!

Cheryl and Richard Church are still in Panguitch and running the motel. Cheryl teaches drama at the high school and they are just finishing 'The Sound of Music".  It is time for the balloon festival and she just finished creating the decorations for the Jr. Prom.   Richard teaches golf at SUU and travels a lot with the teams.  Justin is in school at SUU and recently joined the golf team and leads the on campus Jazz club.  Kyle is also at SUU and trying to make that hard decision on what to major in school.  He loves talking in church and teaching Priesthood.  Josh is in Mt Vernon, OHIO almost half way through his mission.  He is really tearing things up, teaching 30 lessons last week.    Breanne just finished playing Maria in the school play and will finish her junior year in high school.

Brent and Terri Bateman are busy with work and school.  Brent works for the state of Utah and Terri teaches at BYU.  They are still in American Fork and are very busy with all the kids’ activities.  Zoe keeps a 4.0 grade point and plays in the American Fork Marching Band which keeps her very busy.  Sam is busy with the freshman high school baseball team and also plays in the AFMB.  Daisy stays very busy with school and in color guard competition. Jeffrey was baptized this year and gets all his exercise playing Nintendo.

Heath and Kathy Bateman Heath is working for Salt Lake County as the director of the Taylorsville Senior Center.  He loves working with people he can help, and play with.  In his spare time he loves to fish.  Kathy is still working for Intermountain Healthcare.  She is in the human resource dept.  She works part time so she can still be there to juggle Lindsey's schedule.  Lindsey is turning 12 this year and will go into Young Women.  She also plays soccer and loves to go fishing with her dad.

Kirt Bateman is director of the Davis Arts Council and has turned a failing program into a success.  His summers are very busy with all the concerts, plays and activities that are scheduled.  He also just finished being in a play at the Rose Wagner Theater called Amerigo. He has participated in and directed several others this year.  Jerry is producing director of Plan-B Theatre Company and is much sought after for is producing and directing abilities.  Stella, their little dog, was paralyzed in her hind quarters this year and now gets around with a doggie wheelchair.  Really cute if you haven't seen one.

Jarom and Andrea Echols  Jarom still works at Novell in Provo.  Andrea is still a home mom and helps at the kids’ school. They did buy a house in Levan that they have been renovating and fixing up for the last two months.  They are hoping to be moved by the time the kids are out of school.  They are excited to have their own house.  Emma is in the third grade and plays softball.  She also has been in gymnastics class.  Rachel is in kindergarten and loves school.  She plays coach-pitch ball and also been in gymnastics.  Hannah will turn 4 and is hoping to go to kindergarten this fall, won't she be surprised!  She has to wait another year.  She has learned many tricks and things in her gymnastics class.  Lily is turning two and has taken up her own sign language and is very good at it.  They are all excited about their little brother that will come in August.

Wayne and RaNae Bateman Family

Wayne  is doing well. He has had a few problems with his feet and has had to have a few surgeries but things are healing now. This last year he added three more grandchildren to his family, Aspen Grace Haight,  Brynlee Loveland,  and Alyia Hope Christensen. Each addition makes him happy. Though he still misses Ranae terribly, life continues to go on and he is surrounded by his family.

Amy and Frank Rasmussen are doing well.  Wyatt, their youngest,  just turned one year old and he is full of energy keeping mom and Dad on their toes. Amy still works for Foothill Family Clinic, and Frank takes care of the home making sure to keep things running smoothly. They are still in Salt Lake and Cody, Amy’s  oldest just finished his sophomore year of high school and she is very proud of him. Zack is very smart and moving right along to sixth grade with ease.  All of the boys are keeping Amy and Frank busy, but they wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Julie and Jeff Robinson are doing great.  They still live with Wayne to help him out, and Julie now works at Joe’s Crab shack and Olive Garden as well as attending class at SLCC. Jeffery attends school at University of Utah to get his teaching degree (go Utes!) and doing great. Their kids are growing fast with Brittney now starting high school in the fall and Sydney moving up to the fifth grade. Tommy will be going to kindergarten this fall as well, where does the time go? Julie and Jeff have undertaken several projects to update Wayne’s home and the kitchen was the latest. Though the construction was a pain the results are very satisfying and everyone will enjoy great Bar-B-Qs at Wayne’s this summer.

Joshua and Shalece Bateman Sadly Wayne is not in contact with Josh right now, but Joshua is back to work on a natural gas drilling rig and he suspects his family still remains in Utah. He misses the girls and prays this conflict will resolve itself soon.

Chad and Venus Bateman have had a rough year, but managed to overcome adversity despite it all. Chad has recovered from his accident pretty well though he still has pain. Chad now works for Huish distributing as an accounts manager. Venus is a stay at home mom for their three boys.  Chad’s seizures are currently manageable and he is spending all of his free time appreciating his family. Corbin just finished first grade while Carson is getting ready for kindergarten, and little Conner will get mom to himself for at least half a day. They still live out in West Jordan for now and are really focusing a being a family.

Camille and Dustin Haight are very happy.   Dustin and Camille moved back to Utah, are finally settled in last July. They love living down in Laverkin. Dustin is the Co-manager for the Cedar City Wal-Mart and finally has a manageable schedule. They have four girls, (lucky Dustin).  Kalie is 10, Cassidy is 7, Emily is 3, and little Aspen Grace who came in December is five months. Camille is Compassionate Service Leader in her ward as well as Relief Society chorister, and Dustin, despite protesting that he hates math was called as the ward financial clerk. They both have started taking classes at the University of Phoenix to further their education. Their girls are very happy, they love their new school and love living closer to Grandpa even more.

Melissa and Bob Christensen were blessed with an addition to their family this year as well. Little Alyia Hope was born just six weeks ago,  putting the number of grandkids for Wayne up to 19. Grayson is very happy to be a big brother and can’t get enough of the baby. Grayson is still attending Pingree School and is learning by leaps and bounds. He is fun to talk to and is a joy to have around.  Unfortunately news can’t always be good, Bob has been affected by the turn in the economy and is still looking for solid work, but he is using his extra time wisely to go to school and spend time with his kids. He hopes to find a great job soon and keeps his spirits up.

Nathan Bateman is doing okay, he also has had a hard time finding work, but picks up side jobs whenever he can to make up the difference. He is still dating Melissa and they are very happy together. For now though he is content to play with all of his nieces and nephews and is a great uncle.

Natalie and Brett Loveland just recently celebrated their first anniversary and the honeymoon continues. They are still sappy in love and very cute together. They also added to the family total with Little Bynlee Loveland last November. She is a very good baby, and loves to smile. Don’t let it fool you though at six months old she keeps her new parents hopping. Natalie would also like to announce she and Brett will be bringing another addition to the family In January. This makes her babies 14 months apart, just like Wayne and Brenda and she will be a very busy mama.  She is up for the challenge though, and Brett is very excited.  He loves being a daddy. They are living at Wayne’s now but are making moves toward buying a home. Brett is working for Harper Construction and is happy to have a good job considering all those who don’t.

All in all the Wayne Bateman family is doing pretty well. They just take everything day by day and do their very best. Wayne is proud of all of them.

Brenda and Gary Jeppson Family

Brenda and Gary are coming right along with the aging process!  Gary just turned 66 and Brenda 64.  Gary is still working for Bodell Construction at a Waste Water Treatment Plant in Slatersville (north of Ogden).  He will be there at least through the end of this year.  Brenda is finishing up her final year of school teaching.  Yep! Retirement on June 16 (it is a good year to end her career since her school year was successful with many good things completed and retirement benefits keep getting slashed) .  Brenda was honored at a recent Jazz Game as one of two outstanding teachers throughout Utah providing quality education and providing quality programs in teaching.  Brenda and Gary also spent 2 weeks in Okinawa, Japan where they had a fun visit with Jennifer, Randall and family (saw the sites also).  There's no retirement in the church, though.  Brenda is a member of the ward activities committee--that's busy enough.  Gary remains Scoutmaster for the 11-year-old Scouts.  We also completed a Woodworking Shop in our backyard, a place where Gary can be sent when he is being bad.  That's the news from Hidden Place.

Randall and Jennifer Cheney are still living in Okinawa, Japan, where Randall works for the Air Force in avionics.  They love the culture, people and adventure of the island.  They have plans to climb Mt. Fuji and to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki this summer.  They're busy in the Church, working together as Den Leaders in Cub Scouts, as well as a few other things.  Jennifer and Levi (5 year-old son) love teaching English classes at a Japanese preschool once a week.  Their four kids, Madison 14, Jacob 12, Jonathan 9, and Levi 5 are great kids and are involved in the usual - music, swimming, basketball, scouts etc, and are great students.  The family especially loves to snorkel, beach comb and hike together.  Jennifer, Jacob and Madison are taking Japanese classes.  And though we are having a wonderful experience we miss the family gatherings.

Lee and Holly Woolsey and family are still in Richfield and love it here.  Life is spent keeping up with work, hobbies, church and education.  Lee is still a soil conservationist for the Natural Resource Conservation Service.  He has helped farmers from St. George to Nephi improve their farms and ranches and he really enjoys it.  He is still scout master in our ward and is taking the boys to the High Uintahs Scout Camp this summer.  Last weekend he built a beautiful stream with waterfalls in our backyard! 
I spend my time supervising kids' chores, refereeing arguments between them, cooking, cleaning, gardening, planning ward parties, changing diapers, and riding my bike once in a while.  Nothing  too adventurous.  Nathan is 13 and is running his own lawn mowing business again this year.  He is is working on his Eagle Scout project. He loves hunting, football, basketball, math and helping Lee with projects.  He's very serious...all business...so we try to help him on his ability to joke around a little more!   Abbie is 10 and loves swimming, softball, basketball, reading, and the study of animals.   She loves to climb our willow tree and sit up in the high branches and talk about her future life in the Galapagos Islands as a wildlife biologist.  She says she needs to get her feet calloused and practice jumping out of trees so she can do her job there without any inhibitions.  Nicholas is our in-house geologist; he loves rocks and crystals and minerals more than anyone else I know.  The highlight of his life (so far) was the 2nd grade field trip to the local rock shop!  He also loves swimming, baseball, cub scouts, water balloons, and swinging on our willow tree.  He is currently working on earning money for a wood burning kit so he can draw designs on his walking stick...and maybe even make some to sell!  Luke is our 3 year old and brings a lot of humor to our family.  He has his own little language we have to decode.  He loves to play with his trucks in our sandbox and be in control of a running hose. 

Chris and Allyson Jeppson are still raising their three boys in Wellsville and loving it.  It's been a tough year for Chris's work, but his company is surviving and making hard, but correct, decisions about weathering the slow economic building environment.  Allyson has finished yet another semester of full-time classes at Utah State in her pursuit to finish her Special Ed degree.   Her 3.97 GPA (straight As with only one A-) is pretty impressive when considering all other tasks that demand her time.  Ethan, their oldest, has decided that lacrosse is his new favorite sport and is excelling at it.  Dalton has decided to stick with soccer and piano.  Seth is playing baseball and so excited about his little uniform.  Chris and Allyson are grateful to have such good boys and are feeling many blessings from Heavenly Father.  They want to thank everyone who helped with their efforts to raise money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in order to help their friend suffering from Leukemia.  The fundraiser was a huge success- thanks to all for your support.

Brad and Myrissa Jeppson: We are all doing very well. Logan (11) just returned from Astro-Camp, is a great artist and wants to be an architect. Gabriel (9) is excelling in school, is a voracious reader and has an impressive collection of Pokemon cards (just ask him--he'll tell you all about it!). Addison (7) loves to play soccer, can do flips on the trampoline and is extremely bright in math. Tanner (5) loves video games, is his Dad's right-hand-man on projects in the yard and now has to be escorted to primary after kicking the First Counselor in the Primary Presidency. Myrissa is doing well in her Elementary Education Program (through Northern Arizona University), wrote and directed short plays for an Arizona Women's Playwrite Festival this spring, and is Girls Camp Director. Brad is working hard to support the family as a water engineer, can't wait for the Arizona summer to be over, and is gearing up for his third triathlon race this fall. We look forward to the day when we live closer so we can see cousins and family more often!

Neal and Lori Jeppson  have had a busy year.  They have lived in their current home in Eagle Mountain for six years and will be moving away in June.  The Church Educational System has asked Neal to run a little institute and assist the volunteer seminary teachers in San Angelo Texas.  It is a mid-size town with 100,000 people.  This is an opportunity that Neal has been waiting for professionally, and the whole family is excited for this new adventure and hopes that they will continue their happy little life in Texas.  Our children are: Meg  5, Kate 3 and the new one on the way is a girl...due in September, and wonder if that might complete the family.  Lori and Neal are hopeful, as it has been a tough pregnancy that has felt much longer than nine months.  Neal also completed a post graduate degree in Public Administration in June and hopes never to go back to school.  Amid the busyness, challenges and changes, they are so happy together and wish everyone else the same. 

Ralph and Diana Parker Family

Ralph and Diana are still working, voting, going to church and holding hands when they walk around.  What more can we say?  The alarm goes off at 5:00 AM but we don’t drag out of bed until 5:25. Ralph is still working for the church, Diana still teaching Junior High and by the looks of the economy we will retire when we die.  A surgery that didn’t take on Diana’s foot, and then the repeat surgery gave us and the grandkids a chance to learn how to ride a scooter (officially known as a knee walker).  Everywhere you go people stare because most people have never seen one.  It beats crutches all hollow!  The kids and Ralph did remodel the back upstairs bedroom that is now a sewing room.  It was the next to last room with obscene floor squeaking, so Ralph said the floor was coming up so it could be redone without the squeaks.  So he did!  When they got the subfloor down it still squeaked on one side.  He and the boys had to take out part of the wall, but they fixed the squeak.  So now we can’t tell who is sneaking around in the sewing room.   We are thankful for all our blessings and experiences, but we’d like our real bodies (i.e. 30 year old) back! 

Anne and Michael Sampson have had about as exciting a year as the previous one.  They have, however, made a couple of additions to their little family–Jasper and Powder–two very friendly and playful cats.  It seems Anne wasn’t busy enough cleaning the crumbs, bums, and messes the kids made, she needed cats to clean up after as well!  Then, as if that weren’t enough, Anne has also become the neighborhood graffiti czar and cleans that up too.  We should mention, that Mike did pass his Certified Financial Planner exam, which we celebrated by going out for shakes.  We’ve recently discussed, however, the possibility that it we didn’t give his hard work the recognition it deserved and have decided we might need to go out for shakes again.  Daniel, Jonathan, and Ella are happy, healthy, loving kids.  Daniel will start the second grade in the fall and his biggest problem right now is trying to decide whether he wants to buy “Settlers of Catan” or “Settlers of Zarahemla.”  Jonathan will be starting kindergarten and his parents are pretty sure he’ll especially excel in the arts and crafts as he already goes through a ream of paper every few weeks.  Ella’s growing up to be a sweet, fun-loving girl, and, if she actually had a birthday for every time she announced it in Family Home Evening, she’d be 46!  The Sampsons are looking forward to the coming year, in which they just might finish the tile in the downstairs bathroom!

Mark Parker: Braxton and Kaitlyn are nearly finished with first grade, and are doing quite well at it. Kaitlyn is apparently one of the "popular" girls at school already. She's reading very well, and just completed a project on Ayer's rock in Australia. I don't think she was very impressed by a big red rock. If it were pink, or maybe purple…Braxton continues his exploration into the exact nature and practical limits of hyperbole, and is actively pursuing a career as the smallest 7-year-old soccer player in the world.  He says if soccer doesn’t work out he’ll go for football. Hunter just finished preschool, participating in the most highly-produced preschool graduation ever seen west of the Mississippi. It was held in a tightly-packed college auditorium, and tickets sold out in minutes. Colin continues to pick up things from who-knows-where, and his new favorite phrases are, "what the heck", and "are you kidding me?", which he manages to use at all the appropriate times.  In January I took a job with Goldman Sachs, and I lived for two months in lower Manhattan. Shortly after returning to Utah I left the company, because they hired a senior-level guy (with senior level pay) to do junior-level work. I couldn’t take a giant step backwards in my career (I retire in only 35 years, tick-tock, tick-tock), so I took a promotion and a pay raise to return to my previous employer.  I am also pleased to announce that I am engaged to be married at the end of June. We're currently waiting for a sealing clearance, which should show up at any moment (cross your fingers). Jessica does have three children, so we will soon be in the market for any used buses or otherwise large commercial vehicles that are for sale. Keep your eyes open.

Michael and Robyn Parker’s family's life is pretty boring. Let me elaborate. We are busy, over-worked, exhausted, occasionally exhilarated or excited, and blessed and cursed in almost equal measure (we’re noticing a slight overall net gain). We are at times stumped, enlightened, duped, sometimes do some stumping ourselves (but never duping) and are figuratively running around in circles that are almost concentric, but just barely moving in a direction that for the purposes of this letter I will call “ahead”. Boring you ask? I guess I say that because I figure it must describe your life pretty well too.

Because of the boring nature of the topic “What’s going on over there at the Parkers”, I will limit this to an executive summary:

-          As a family we weigh 100 lbs less than we did last year. This sounds impressive enough, but it is even more so when you take into account that Matt, our youngest at 16 months, now weighs as much as his older brother and doesn’t show signs of slowing down.

-          Robyn ran a few triathlons and 5ks and a 10k.

-          Michael ran…did…ok nothing to say here.

-          Matt walks, Ethan talks, they both poop, A lot.

-          Michael still pretends to work at Discovery, while Robyn really does work: as a crossing guard, a cosmetologist, and…let’s see there was one other thing…Oh yes, a mother.

-          We’ve aged. Michael will hit the 30 year mark this year, so that may or may not be worth pointing out. But any discomfort that may cause for him will be worth it since he is younger than 90% of you. Hah!

Dustin and Sara Marcrum have a lot of good news to share.  Last Summer Dustin was called to the Stake High Council.  Sara is serving as a counselor in the Young Women.  In the winter Sara delivered a healthy baby boy which they named Austin. Early in the new-year Dustin’s company went out of business and although it was a very scary time, within three weeks he had landed a job with better pay, better benefits and more opportunity for advancement!  We finally got our back yard in this spring.  Sara ran her first 10K, her second triathlon and is registered for a ½ marathon this summer. Our family has been so blessed. Especially in the employment area, where we feel that Heavenly Father truly had a hand in helping things work out for the best. However, as a mother, as I’m sure so many of you will agree, all of these exciting, happy events, pale in comparison to the fact that we actually succeeded in Potty-Training Parker! It even happened before he was three (days before, but still…).  Our cup runneth over.   

Lynn and Gail Bateman Family

Lynn & Gail:  We are busy as ever trying to keep up with kids, work, church, etc.  Our family still manages to get together once in a while to let the grandkids play and get to know each other.  This last year we managed to go camping at Strawberry in our trailers.  It was reminiscent of the deer hunt at Flaming Gorge.  We also manage to have a yearly Pumpkin carving contest for the October Birthdays, of which we have many including Lynn's.  It seems like time flies by too fast.  Lynn has been called as the Branch President over the Young Singles Branch for the two Nephi Stakes.  We were told that this is to be treated as a 3 year mission with both of us serving there.  We attend all of our meetings in the Seminary Building in Nephi.  It is really time consuming...each week includes the 3 hour block, branch prayer every Sunday evening, and Family Home Evening every Monday.  Not to mention Institute class on Wednesday, Temple Night, and more meetings than I can even think of.  We are having a great time, however, it seems like every time we have an activity one of the adult leaders goes home injured.  We still think we are young but we are much more fragile than we were in our younger years. The Lord is blessing us beyond belief.  We love each of you and look forward to seeing you. 

Jason and Amanda Mecham:  We still live in Provo.  Amanda is still working at the Contractor's Desk at Lowe's in Orem.  Jason is still a carpet installer.  We are going to have our 1 year anniversary the end of June.  Greg is 14 and just squeeked by and passed 8th grade.  He starts highschool this fall.  He is the president of the teacher's quarem.  Monica is turning into a beautiful smart young women at 12.  She is the president of the Beehives at church and will be in 7th Grade (middle school) this fall.  She and the group she hangs out with are at the top of their class.   Jeff is a very creative, artistic and active 11 year old.  He finished 5th grade with high marks and is looking forward to 5th grade camp this month.  Ruthanne is 4, but thinks that she is 8.  Her spanish is now taken on an Argentinian accent, and she will occationally play teacher and tell us how to say things in spanish.  She still has another year until Kindergarten because she doesn't turn 5 until December.  The house is still in remodel mode, but is making progress...slow, but progress all the same.

Lori and Cory Bird family has had a very busy this year!  Paige is now four years old.  She loves to ride her bike and play outside on the trampoline.  She is a very good girl.  She will be starting pre-school in the fall. She is getting so big, and her hair is all the way to her waist!           Sierra just finished fourth grade.  She is now ten years old!  In school this year she got almost all perfect report cards.  Sierra stays very busy, there are so many people who want to take her for the weekend!  She spends lots of time with her aunts and uncles on her dad’s side, and they spoil her to pieces!  She just recently took a trip to Disneyland with her grandma and grandpa Winget.  She wants to take acting camp this summer.  Adam is now 16! He is growing up faster than we’d like.  He isn’t driving yet, as we are holding out for more productive times.  We love him very much.  He has a great sense of humor, and is very kind.  He’s getting very good at playing guitar. He now has an electric guitar with a petal and amp. Lori has been working at Park City Mountain Resort in the winter as a Mountain Host Supervisor.  It’s the best job ever, but only seasonal.  This summer I will be working my default job, bartending.  Cory is working at Handy Truck Lines still, and is currently satisfied, but would be happy to find something better.  He stays busy with work, but when he finds free time he goes fishing or plays Frisbee golf. We have a fun family trip planned for the end of June, to Island Park.

Ryan and Kay Pettit have had a crazy year!  Ryan is working 3 jobs (Juab Sheriff, Handy Truckline, and CR Doors and Moulding), plus volunteering for all of the extra things he can find!  Branden is almost 10 and has almost caught up to me in size!  He is a great reader (takes after his mom!) and did awesome in 3rd grade.  He is very outgoing, and with the exception of relentlessly picking on his brothers, is a really good kid.  Jace just turned 8 and was baptized.  It was really exciting for him!  He is FINALLY in scouts, and loves it.  He is a great student, and got the "Awesome Acidemic" award in his 2nd grade class.  He has a huge stubborn streak (What?  I wonder where that came from?  Certainly not from me!  It must be a Pettit thing!) but is also a really funny kid.  He is really good at math, and can usually beat Branden in math related things. Ashton (or as Keira says is Achies) is 6 and just finished Kindergarten.  Despite all of his extra energy, his teacher had nothing negative to say about him at parent teacher conferences.  He learns really fast, and is the most loving boy ever.  He was, however, the first child to get a visit from Law Enforcement!  He helped the neighbor boy break out the window on an old car belonging to another neighbor.  His excuse?  "But, it was dented!"  So, obviously, it needed breaking, right?  Lucky for him, we were able to talk the deputy out of taking him to jail for years! (wink, wink) Gabriel would be 4 this year.  It has been 3 long years since the accident, yet it also feels like last week.  We miss him so much, and wonder what his personality would add to our crazy home! Keira will be 2 in August and is the funniest baby ever.  She has learned to throw a tantrum with the best of them, but it is just so funny, that I just can't get too mad at her!  She is so loving, and adds so much personality to our family.  There has never been a baby that is more loved (and knows it!) as much as she is. I am lucky enough to be able to stay at home and try to keep our household running, smoothly or not!  I have been so blessed to have these wonderful spirits trusted to me!

Paul and Elisa Bateman family have passed another year in the clan with several new developments.  Paul finished his degree at the U in Business Administration (aka “somebody please give me a job”) and is currently doing what most recent college grads do – dreading the repayment of his student loans.  Elisa continues to keep up the zoo we refer to as home, while finding time to make aprons and skirts for half of the inhabitants of the Salt Lake valley.  Emily, who just finished 1^st grade, is now reading short books such as “Purplelicious”, “Pinkilicious”, “Goldilicious”, and the unabridged works of William Shakespeare.  We’ve told her we expect a full report (I hear that “Pinkilicious” is riveting).  Zachary, having just finished Pre-school, hasn’t quite cracked cold fusion yet, but has mastered the art of writing his name small enough to fit on a single sheet of paper.  We have high hopes!  All in all, things are well and we continue to work toward a better future for our family.

Rebecca and Mckell Dalton: McKell is still  working for Wheeler Machinery and has started welding along with machining so he keeps extremely busy.  He also is working at Pep Boys in sugarhouse part time. When he's not working he enjoys playing softball with his new team in Sandy.  I stay at home with the boys but work at Marv Jensen in the mornings in the child care and I'm able to take my boys with me.  I have also started a custom vinyl business which has taken off fast!  I have been extremely busy with this and am currently working on designing the front of a salon in Taylorsville. I recently had my 14th surgery but I'm doing fabulous and am hoping that now they have taken just about everything they can take out of me so I shouldn't be needing more surgery(knock on wood). Caleb is going into 1st grade this coming year and is really excited oh, wait it’s me that's really excited that he will be going to school all day.  He is currently learning karate and just recently got his yellow belt.  He had a competition recently and out of 5 divisions he got 1st in 3 and 3rd in one.  He really enjoys it and is planning on working for his black belt.  He also started T-ball this spring and is loving it!  Conner is 2 now and keeps my hands full but is anxiously wanting to be like big brother and follow in his footsteps with the karate and T-ball. It’s everything I can do to keep him on the side lines.

June 2009

June 7, 2009

I’m starting out in 10 point font, because this letter is getting long and my goal is keeping it to 3 pages front and back, while still keeping you up on family business.  First of all, how can July 4th be three weeks away?  Honestly, July 4th ought to come closer to the end of July.  Then you could prepare for it.  But June???  June is just the month that you get to relax and have fun and mess around, but then bam, slam, thank you ma’am, and it is July and then there is no time to prepare! This may apply to life and death, too.  So as my duty this first day out of school, I am informing the family, that, “Yes, we are having a 4th of July Party, it is in our back yard, we would love you all to come, and it will be on the 4th of July!”  I hope that is not a problem for anyone, but it is easier for people living away from Salt Lake to come in on a Saturday.  However, I know that you may have more important and more fun stuff to do on that day.  I think we will begin at 5:30 for people who would like to bring their little ones and play in the pools. This is assuming that the weather is good and warm. So don’t forget swimming suit and towel if desired. We won’t eat until 6:30.  If you bring your kids early, be sure to plan to stay with them.  There might be a few legal fireworks since we are on the real 4th this year.  Bring yours along if you so desire.

The Rest of the Story:
• Brenda’s family:  Salads, fruit, vegetable trays
• Lynn’s family: Salads, fruit, vegetable trays
• Kent’s family: Breads (I honestly don’t mean rolls, maybe some good breads from places like Great Harvest, but you call it. If a bunch of you are coming, you may want to change a couple of you to desserts. We won’t starve.)
• Wayne’s family: Desserts (you all do such a great job of this that you may be stuck with it)
• Diana’s family: baked beans and Dutch oven potatoes.
Don’t forget to bring your own drinks.

Brenda, Sharon, Wayne, and Gail:  Would you please take a count of how many of your family are coming that eat meat and call me very soon.  That way we know how much to buy!  Also, if you think not enough of your family is coming to cover your assignment on the food, let me know that too.

A Plea: 5 years ago when it was my turn for the Christmas Party, we sat around and had a memory session and people talked about Grandma and Grandpa and the farm and each other.  We recorded that, I think.  Does anyone know where the tapes are??  We desperately want them to transcribe and then to give to everyone.  If anyone remembers please call me.  Also, if any of you would like a copy of the last 3 years family emailed to you, email me and I will send it back.  randdparker@gmail.com

Now for a year of family history.  If only it were all happy and joyful, but along with the joy there is pain.  But as Kent’s family likes to say, “The harder it is, the better we like it.”  Just for the record, that is not my personal sentiment.  I like Cinderella stories.  I don’t want any downs, I just want ups and ups and ups!  Nevertheless, it is important that each of us remember that the journey will not be without its aches, discouragement, and difficulties.  So whether they are mentioned here or not, along with the good there’s got to be a little bad sometimes.  Never believe that you are the only one with challenges.  You are not.

Sybil, Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma:  She is 86 years old and Dad has been gone 6 and a half years. Her words, “I’m getting old and creaky and need all the help I can get.”  But, she is out weeding the gardens, though Adam is mowing the lawns for her.  She hired Dan what’s his name to close in the basement stairs and turn it into a pantry.  I personally am so relieved that she is no longer negotiating those stairs I can barely speak.  She took a 4 day trip to California, for the last time probably, to see Aunt Lois (her sister) who is now living with Bindy in an assisted care facility.  Lois has some problems remembering and caring for herself.  Mom had a conversation with Lois in which Lois commented on how lucky Mom was to have all her kids and grandkids around her and loving her and caring for her.  Mom reminded her that she had just what she had preached all her life: small families and not bothering other peoples’ lives.  I was amazed at the somewhat callous attitudes of her family toward her.  Mom isn’t lucky, she is blessed, because of her commitment to and love for family and the Lord.  Also, just for the record, the old summer kitchen is falling off the house.

Kent and Sharon: We recently returned from a trip to Europe.  It was great fun.  Learned more about WWII than we had ever known before or cared until now.  Went to Amsterdam, Brussels, France (I love Paris in the Springtime) Germany, Austria, Switzerland and two other little countries that I can't spell.  Luxemburg and Liechtenstein.  Yes they are countries.  It was awesome.  Our favorite places were the coast of Normandy (D-Day Invasion) and the American Cemetery.  Kent is still Ward Mission Leader and also teaches Priesthood.  He is an awesome home teacher, this is the responsibility very most important to him.  Sharon teaches fourth Sunday RS.  Finally got moved to that lesson cause she had an in with the new RS President.  They are both still working in SL each week, and wonder when will it ever end.  Sharon is old, Kent is even older but we love the Savior and especially our family.
• Cheryl: Richard and Cheryl are still busy with the Motel and are grateful to have Justin, Josh & Breanne helping this summer.  Richard is still the Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach at SUU.  Cheryl is still busy with the High School Drama team (they won Region and State this year) running the Main Street Progarm, and the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, helping with the local Community Theater and singing at the Cowboy Smokehouse (when she has time).  Justin finished his Sophmore year at SUU and will return in the fall.  Kyle will return from his mission in Atlanta on July 23 and will return to SUU this fall.  Josh leaves for the Columbus, Ohio Mission on July 1.  He finished his first year at SUU and was a member of the Basketball Team.  Breanne won 1st attendent in the Homecoming Pageant, is on the Varsity Volleyball and Basketball teams and will be the Junior Class Vice President this coming school year.  We are all staying busy and doing well!! :)
• Andrea: Jarom is still working for Novell in Provo.  He is the 1st councilor in the ward YM presidency and enjoys working with the youth. Andrea has her hands full with the 4 little girls, but loves it.  She is going on her 2nd year as the ward Primary President.  Emma just finished the 2nd grade.  Andrea was the room mother in her class this last year which at this age is still ok with Emma. She is currently playing coach pitch softball, and she, with Rachel, will begin swimming lessons and soccer soon. Rachel will be starting Kindergarten this next year. She is currently playing T-ball. Hannah just turned 3 in May and has survived another year.  Only one emergency visit to the Dr. with a head injury, and only one call to poison control.  We’re feelin’ good! Lily turned 1 in April. She started walking a couple of weeks after her birthday. We love having her be a part of our family. Feel free to check out our family blog  http://heckfish.blogspot.com
• Heath: Heath works as the Director of the Taylorsville Senior Center for Salt Lake County. He loves his work and the opportunity to help people with their problems. He also reports that he is down 2 inches in height, up several lbs in weight, and has lost more hair than he has grown. It was a great birthday this year, as he is no longer the same age, weight and hair style as Homer Simpson.  Kathy has gone back to work a little bit more this year for Intermountain Health Care as a Human Resource Specialist. Her work is very flexible and allows her to adjust her schedule to go home when Lindsey is finished with school, the atmospheric pressure gets below 40 or when Heath needs a sandwich. Kathy loves Church and especially Sunday School. Heath thinks she would spend 8 hours there on Sunday if they would let her. Often, Kathy has to drag Heath to Church because he claims that Church in Heaven is at 11:00 AM. Not 9:00 AM or 1:00 PM. He insists that he is going to church on Heaven’s schedule not the 11th ward’s schedule. Lindsey has some great friends that live near her and her favorite thing to do is spend Heath’s money. The second favorite thing she loves to do is meet her girl friends and tear up Kathy’s basement, especially after Kathy has just cleaned it. That is when she can find all her toys and put them all back where they are stored; strewn about the basement. Lindsey is doing great in school. She loves art and math and is especially talented in the license plate shop. We are looking forward to her parole in 2019. We have nice visits with her now and again when she exhibits good behavior and the warden allows it. The nights she does spend at home are always fun.  Heath and his family welcomes visitors but are forced to carry on the conversation with visitors either through an open window or though the door since they don’t have a door knob on the front of the house. This makes for great home and visiting teaching visits however. If it is snowing, the home teachers are really motivated to get out of there because reading the Ensign article through the window or door just does not seem that important when it is 25 degrees outside. The visiting teachers still stay for at least an hour! Heath, Kathy and Lindsey report that they are blessed to live in a Free Nation, have plenty of food to eat and clean water to drink, and have a roof over their heads to keep them safe and warm. They love each other and love all family members. They all report how wonderful it is to have a Heavenly Father and Savior who loves them and they love Him too. Stay happy.
• Kirt: Kirt is 33.  Jerry is 38.  That’s a little too close to 40.  They live in an uber-cool downtown loft, very near about four homeless shelters.  Stella (Kirt’s amazing Chihuahua) is breathtakingly beautiful.  Stanley (Jerry’s annoying Min Pin) has allergies and is covered in sores.  Laverne and Shirley (the cats, not Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall) are hairy.  Kirt works as the Executive Director of Davis Arts Council in Layton and Jerry is Producing Director of Plan-B Theatre (yes, we’re still doing the draaama).  Jerry lost his mother this year to cancer, which was very difficult.  But we were able to spend many great trips with her in Arizona before she left.  Kirt spent 6 weeks performing in Gutenberg! The Musical! in Florida in September.  T’was awesome.  Trouble with big family:  when Kirt decided to give his first nephew Jared $50 for graduation, he foolishly did not think through just how many nieces and nephews he had.  How many you ask?  About a thousand dollars worth.
• Brent: Brent still works as the Utah State Property Rights Ombudsman, and Terri still teaches engineering part-time at BYU. Zoe is a marching band nut (trumpet). Sam is a sports nut (baseball). Daisy is nuts (certifiably). And Jeffrey hates nuts (almonds). The family recently returned from their first-ever trip to Disneyland, and their consensus reaction was a resounding "meh." At a recent visit to the Bay Area in California, the family attended an Oakland A's game and Daisy was shown dancing her little heart out                            on the big stadium scoreboard screen no less than five times.
• Alison:  Curtis still manages an insulation company, and due to the downturn in the economy, esp. construction, things have not been so great for a while.  But they are turning around a little.  Alison is still the secretary at the Cornville Elementary and is also the media specialist (we used to call those guys librarians).  Jared is working in Sedona.  He lived here in Utah for a bit but has moved back to warm and cozy Arizona.  Ben lives in Flagstaff and is working several jobs, some of which are independent consulting.  Katie is a CAN at a nursing home in Cottonwood.  She loves her work.  Her missionary is on the downhill slope.  That’s in time, not behavior!  Megan just graduated from high school, also with a CAN.  She has a missionary out but she still maintains a very busy social life.  


Wayne and RaNae: Not too much has changed for me over the year, but a few very significant events should be revealed. First of all I’m a new Grandfather again. His name is Wyatt Dean. Notice that he is named for a famous gunfighter and a father who is and was dear to us all. Second, is that two of my children are expecting babies, too (I’m having a good year!!).  Third, I have two of my children living with and taking care of my house and myself. (I told them all that I’d take all of them in if it was needed; they believed me.) Fourth, I have, like so many others, begun hoarding bullet launchers again. I have acquired some rare enough breeds to make even Heath a little crazy. I had to sell the first collection to feed all the crumb grabbers that lived here several years ago.(sob) I will, I hope begin reloading this year. Jeff and Josh are going to help me, but I believe I shall put up a Tuff Shed as a powder room first. I am sure Sandy City will have plenty to say (if they find out), but this is still in the planning stage. Lemme see, lemme see, what else? Oh, yeah. I married off Amy and Natalie since our last party so I have two new sons-in-law. Very important. Frank (new) and Brett (also, new) have added to my ranks. Frank is in school. So are Natalie and Nathan and Jeff and Julie (she works waaaaaaaaay too hard). If I ever run for world emperor I shall have several “sure thing” votes. I had my heart checked out last week. I have the heart of an 18-year-old. Sort of. I, like each member of the family, have good and bad days, but having my kids and grandchildren around me helps A LOT!! Not much left to say.  I’m going to have my foot welded this fall and spend the Turkey Day holiday with Camille and Dustin.
• Amy:  Amy and Frank welcomed a new addition to their family just three weeks ago.  The little tiger weighted in right at 7 lbs. and is called Wyatt Dean Rasmussen.  Zachary is the proud big brother and takes special care with his little brother.  Cody loves biology and is really a science nerd.  They are living in Sugarhouse.
• Camille:  Dustin is a Co-manager for Walmart and has been transferred to the brand new Hurricane store, which brings us back to Utah, finally. We sold our house in Casper despite the current market, and we are currently waiting to close on our new home in La Verkin. I continue to be Mom and I get a break from daycare because we are in limbo for a time. Kalie is nine now going on twenty. She continues to be a great help and a good big sister. She loves school especially science and history. Cassidy is six. She is reading and loves it, and is our up and coming artist, she always has a picture to draw and a story to tell about it. If there is an empty space on the fridge she will fill it. She also learned to ride a two-wheeler bike this spring, a feat she is extremely proud of. Emily will be three on July 25th. She is full of a million questions, and her favorite thing to do is sing with Grandpa Bateman on the phone. He sings the songs wrong and she tells Him "Papa that's not right." Also we excited to announce we are expecting a new addition to our family. I am twelve weeks along and recently found out I am due on December 24th. Merry Christmas to us. Dustin and I are so excited, Emily insists it is a boy and Kalie continues to hope for a girl. Cassidy says it doesn't matter. Either way we will be happy.
• Melissa: Robert is still working at EWS as quality control supervisor. He is also attending school full time working towards his bachelors degree in criminal justice. He is getting great grades and we are all very proud of him. He is the best father and husband and works hard for us everyday.
I am still PTA president for Grayson's school and love the time I get to spend at the school with him. I have also been asked to be the Utah Autism Parent Partner which is a great opportunity to do something I am passionate about. I have the chance to help other families that are new to the autism world. I stay very busy between the school, work and therapy for Grayson but I truly love every minute of it. Grayson is still attending the Pingree School for Autism and making huge strides everyday. He is reading, writing, and talking like crazy. He is so smart and we are so proud of him and how far he has come. He is our little fish as well, swimming is his favorite thing to do.
• Natalie: Brett and Natalie were married March, 14th 2009. Expecting November, 27 2009. Brett is working on the road crew at Geneva Rock and loves it. I will start work for Chad and Venus in July and I can’t wait! We spent the month of May in Monroe on the turkey hunt and we are proud to say lucky Brett filled his turkey tag. Next, will be the deer hunt in Aug. and Brett and I and his family couldn't be more excited! As for me, I have yet to take hunters safety so…no hunting for me yet, but give me time and I will catch up with my new family.  We are doing great and love the married life, and can’t wait to be parents!
• Julie: Jeff and I are going to SLCC right now, Jeff for teaching and Julie for the medical field. Brittney is just starting up in swimming again, Sydney is being a great sister to Thomas, who is a typical boy. One bad thing that has happened. Jeff was opening a new chain saw and trying to cut away the zip tie with a knife. The knife slipped and severed the medial nerve that controls his thumb and first two fingers. Wayne gave him a priesthood blessing, but it is very serious and the doctors give him less than 30% chance of being able to use or feel with it.  Won’t know for 9-10 months.  But it is healing.
• Joshua: They are living with Wayne at his house also and doing well. Shellece is working at Joe's Crab Shack with me and the girls are loving the summer. Josh has been hit with the tough economic times, but is hoping to get back to work soon.  He loved the job of being a roughneck and hopes things will pick. Alexis is 10 and loves being the center of attention and school.  Serenity is six and will be going into the first grade this fall.
• Chad: Chad had a very tough year health-wise, but is now back to work at Wells Fargo Bank. Venus was a trooper through everything and kept home and hearth together.  Her love and management are very admirable. Venus has moved jobs from Comcast to Ebay where she gets free sodas while on the job! The boys are doing great. Corbin will be going into 1st grade this year. Carson is 4 and is getting good at computer games.  Conner is 8 months and his job is to mess his pants and cry, both of which he is excelling at.  He is a very good boby.
• Nathan: Nathan has a girlfriend (really I swear) named Melissa and they are both attending SLCC. Nathan is trying very hard to get a landscape company going. He owns a horse.

Brenda and Gary: Our lives have settled into such a routine we are thinking of taking off on a journey to South America with no itinerary or purpose--perhaps we could find a stone to romance--just to have new things to think about!  Gary turned sixty-five a few months ago, but retirement is not being considered.  He is currently working north of Ogden (Slatersville!) on a two-year waste-water treatment plant; we do feel blessed to have the promise of a job for two years, since there have been some lay-offs in the construction industry, including at Bodell.  No matter the economy, people still produce waste-water, it seems. The one drawback, though, is the hour's drive both ways. Gary drives it in a Bodell truck with another guy, which helps--and, it's not Cheyenne or Vernal!  Gary is also still working with the eleven-year-old scouts, now combined with two other wards (our whole stake is aging!).  The boys like and respect him, and he is still able to do the activities, including the sleepovers here in the yard or at camp.  He is stationary in this position, maybe, because they can't find another man who will accept the job; an eleven-year-old boy is a species all its own. I am still teaching at Elk Ridge Middle School, but I'm pretty confident 2009-10 will be my last year.  (I've said this before.)  My school year was quite satisfactory; two projects I did with my students earned us a little notoriety on KSL-TV and in the Deseret News.  I'm a little worried I will fall into the doldrums if I don't have to get up and go to work everyday--and don't suggest volunteering, please!  If I'm going to volunteer somewhere just to keep myself busy, I may as well be getting paid for "volunteering" at Elk Ridge.  My nieces and nephews might not understand exactly what I'm talking about, but I know my siblings do.  If we're bored, there's always the fridge or the pantry to stand in front of, thinking. . .   I'm enrolled in the ranks of YW advisors, my second year.  I've been switched from Beehives to combined Mia-Maids and Laurels (thank goodness).  I don't love it, don't feel the same passion for it I did twenty years ago when I was president, but I still try to look happy in front of the girls!  No new babies on the horizon, no weddings, no graduations, etc.  Just a steady line-up of baptisms, and that's good!  We are blessed and we know it and express it often, how sweet it is to have our five children close to us in relationships, and to have all seventeen grandchildren being raised with earnest effort and spirituality in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  That one thing overshadows all the detail of our otherwise absolutely normal, unexciting, day-to-day existence!  We are looking forward to seeing all of you soon.  
• Brad: Brad has finally succeeded in growing a summer garden in Phoenix: watermelon, beans, carrots, corn (the cobs have matured at about 4-inches long...they're not supposed to get any bigger, right??). He has also done a couple of triathlons and won...(90th place...they said the ribbon is in the mail...but I'm beginning to wonder). Myrissa has decided to take swimming lessons as she says she's drowning in laundry and kids. She ran a marathon this spring, but forgot that her secret plan was to keep running and never return. She directed a play in a theatre festival and has written a few plays that she hopes to enter in a contest. She's a very talented writer.  Logan, Gabriel, Addison and Tanner are excelling in school, swimming, karate, talking way too loud and hand-to-hand brotherly combat. Anyone coming to Phoenix is welcome to visit!
• Christopher: We are all doing great and loving the freedom of summer.  We have high hopes for getting lots of playing done in the next few months.  Chris has re-found his love of running and is currently training for the Top of Utah Marathon.  Ethan and Dalton are really enjoying scouts and can't wait for camp this year.  Seth has finished his kindergarten year and misses his teacher soooo bad!  Allyson is just trying to keep it all together.  As the boys get older we understand more and
more how fast time goes and we are trying to not miss a minute of it.
• Holly: (Editor’s note:  I’m absolutely sure Holly and Lee are still alive and living in Richfield and being a stay at home mom and something important in the BLM, respectively, but Holly forgot to mention that.) Nathan, 12 years old, has hit the pre-teen stage, and along with all the charming qualities of a young scout and deacon, also posses some "know-it-all" attitude!  He has a lawn mowing business this summer and is saving up to buy an electric scooter...a car..a 4-wheeler...it changes frequently!  He also attended a week-long leadership scout camp called "Timberline"  (we kind of enjoyed the break as well!).Abbie, 9 years old, has a passion for animals.  She has a goal of being a wildlife biologist in the Galapagos Islands. She rescued abandoned robin eggs this spring and tried to incubate them in her room but they never hatched.  She has also watched her hamster pass out on the vet's examination table.  Even though she has witnessed harsh realities of animal life, she is determined to do all she dreams of for the animal kingdom! Nicholas, 7 years old, teaches Luke, 2 years old, how to make funny sounds in the tub and tunnels in the sand and many other things, not all approved of!  Luke mimics Nicholas right down to the facial expressions and the sound effects as they play trucks and throw baseballs!  Nicholas loves to experiment in the kitchen with frozen recipes where food coloring is a key ingredient!  The taste testers always seem to have stained lips!  Luke loves to "help" around the house and throws a tantrum if he can't scoot a chair up to the sink to wash dishes with me or have a turn to vacuum.  He loves to wipe up the floor after he has spilled something.  Why does the fascination with house work wear off by the time they are old enough to really help?
• Neal: We are still in Eagle Mountain and are loving it. Neal only has one year left of his Masters (Wahoo!) and he just changed seminaries and is now teaching at Alta. I am loving staying home with the kids and am currently obsessed with coupons! Meg will start her third and final year of preschool in the fall and Kate just loves being herself. She is a crack up. We love playing, working, and hanging out together outside. We feel so blessed! Yep. That will do. Nothing all that eventful but good enough for us!
• Jennifer:  Jennifer and Randall are still living in Okinawa, Japan, where Randall works for the Air Force in F-16 avionics.  They're planning to be there for another year, and then return to their home in Cache Valley.  They're learning new things, making new friends and exploring lots of beautiful places.  They spend lots of time hiking and snorkeling together; they love the ocean and the culture and the people, and are having an all-around great time!  Randall is serving as the district clerk, Jennifer as a counselor in the district Relief Society presidency and a Cub Scout den leader.  Their kids (Madison 13, Jacob 11, Jonathan 8, and Levi 4) are all doing well in school, scouts, church, swimming, basketball, music, etc. and are great kids!  Jonathan was recently baptized in The East China Sea; Jennifer and Levi are teaching English together once a week at a Japanese preschool; their family is serving as a host family for Japanese students who are studying English, and Jennifer recently took at a trip to Tokyo with her friend.  For some fun pictures, see their family blog at http://cheney6.blogspot.com.

Diana and Ralph: Ralph is still working for the church and Diana is still teaching school and putting on two plays a year with Ralph’s support. Ralph is teaching Sunday School and Diana is RS president.  Took Grandma/Mom to California to see Lois.  Three weeks later went to California to Sea World with Sara and Dustin and Parker.  Flew there and back and spent the day at Sea World and did it in 48 hours.  One of those “three day, two nite” free vacations that cost you $95.  But we got our money’s worth and had a wonderful time and Parker loved it. Ask for the “How they try to talk you out of it if you won’t upgrade” story.  Diana has to have surgery on her foot.  6 weeks totally off the foot. She wore out her ligament.  That is not happening until late fall, she refuses to miss another summer.  Ten grandkids, only two girls!  Help!  There will be a new playhouse in the back yard this year if it ever stops raining!  We love each other, our children and grandchildren and the Lord.  We are blessed.
• Anne: Mike—Doing very well in his CFP (certified financial planner) classes, hard to resist when work pays for it.  Anne—Pretty much every spare moment is taken doing laundry, wiping the crumbs from under the kitchen stools, running the home owners association, journaling, photographizing (wow, that might be a real word, it’s not underlined in red!), (editor’s note: it is in the real word processing program; Word. What can you expect from Wordperfect, Wayne and Anne?) and everything else a stay-at-home mother could possibly cram in her day.  The parents in this family are going to a Monday Night Miami Dolphins Game IN Miami in October!  Daniel—finished kindergarten, reading voraciously, wavers between wanting to start a business making life better for worms, becoming a geographer, and whatever else he’s reading about.  Jonathan (4)—beginning to read.  Wants to live in or visit Kansas so that he can see a real tornado.   Ella—loves her cousin Hunter and has him, as well as every other person who knows her, wrapped around her little finger.  She’s speaking very well.  Both boys played soccer this year and had a ton of fun!
• Mark:  As most of you know, Mark was divorced this year.  It has been very difficult, but one of the great blessings we’ve seen is the love and dedication of his brothers and sisters.  He has joint custody of his kids and has them all Sundays and they are attending their neighborhood school.  They are adjusting as well as might be hoped.  That is due in large part to the fact that Anne is doing the daycare for Hunter, Sara for Colin and Robyn helping where she can with the twins.  Braxton and Kaitlyn have finished kindergarten.  They are both good little swimmers and played soccer this year.  Hunter has learned to spell and write his name. He can also snap his fingers and whistle and he played soccer. Colin is due to be potty trained and is stringing three words together to express himself.  Mark is doing very well in his employment and has really learned the importance of fatherhood.
• Michael: All things considered, Michael and Robyn are doing very well. The universe works in funny ways, good balancing bad and all. While their savings account for a commercial trip to space has seen no progress this year (danged economy!), they have managed to add to their ranks a wonderful little sleeper named Matthew Joseph Parker. We’ll call that a net gain for first quarter. The yard is finally in, which is great, and thanks to Paul for helping out on that front, however, to offset that triumph, the rear passenger power window motor on their car is broken and the window won’t stay up. This, you might think, is a small price to pay for a new yard, but as it happens, this is the THIRD window on the car to fail. Let me remind you that it only has FOUR windows! All we can do now is hope for something positive in June to keep second quarter in the black (those investors are rabid)!  Robyn is really working hard on her cosmetologist services and does a great job (Diana added this) on hair, pedicures, waxing, etc. She is also gearing up for a triathlon in the middle of June!
• Sara: The biggest news that we have is that I am pregnant with our second baby. Dustin is generous about not mentioning the bald spots on my head where I pull my hair out when Parker says "Ma-Ma" the 832nd time within the hour. This past year I ran a triathlon. They called it a sprint distance. Two hours isn't a sprint for me (as evidenced by the fact that I came in dead last!) Dustin continues to work, go to school, study and help around the house, but he only feels truly picked on when he has to teach Elders Quorum and Gospel Doctrine on the same week. Last winter we got an exciting phone call. It wasn't quite the Publishers Clearing House, but it WAS an old mission companion of Dustin's that was about to be married to an English girl and move over there for a year. He invited us to stay with them and so we ordered passports, got a couple sitters for Parker and spent spring break learning to drive on the wrong side of roads that were only slightly less narrow than what we would consider a walking path. Frank, the cat, continues to live out his life on his half of our bed, and ignore the advice of doctors, that obesity kills.

Lynn and Gail: Life in Levan is great.  Deer eat our trees, squirrels live in our basement entry, a herd of cows seem to think Kent’s yard is great place to have a sleep over, the mosquitoes are plentiful and think we are dinner, and the hay in the field is now turning to slime from all the rain.  We love milking cows and taking a loss every month thanks to the government and their great price setting skills. Life goes on and we don't seem to be getting any younger.  We love the time we spend with our family.  We now have 16 grandchildren. What a joy they are!  We have taken several camping trips this past year with our children and have been reminded of the great times our children had camping with their cousins at Flaming Gorge.  We are trying to recreate some of the same memories with our grandchildren.  Lynn is still the fire chief for Levan and is becoming better trained each year. He set 2 goals when he became the Fire Chief.  The first was to get a new Fire Station build, that was completed last fall.  The second is to obtain a new truck to put in the Fire Station.  That may turn out to be pipe dream and never happen, but he is still trying. He has completed a lot of schooling, and is a certified instructor.  He is also the High Priest Group Leader in the ward.  My church calling is in the Family History Center as a consultant.  Manti Temple District was chosen to be one of the first in Utah to have access to the New Family Search.  What a difference, it makes family history so much easier.  I am working at Juab Title and is studying to take the test to be an escrow officer.  It is a struggle to learn and retain at this age.  It would have been much easier to accomplish a few years ago.  All in all we are well and happy.  We are surrounded by family and friends and feel the blessings of our Father in Heaven constantly.
• Amanda: Greg managed to pass the 7th grade!  He is a true teenager- at 13 he is smart, but never turns in his homework...and no one can convince me that he isn't keeping a goat in his room due to the smell and the mess.  Despite that, he walked away with acceptable grades and an award in science.  Monica did exceptional in school. She is now 11 and a beautiful young lady.  She makes friends with everyone!  Jeff is 10.  He is incredibly creative.  I struggle to keep tape and glue in the house.  He is always building, creating, and moving.   Ruthanne is 3 and talking up a storm in 2 languages!  She has her own opinions and isn't afraid to give them to you. Thankfully, all my children love each other and you can find them playing together often.  With the blessing of my children, on June 26 I will be Amanda Bateman Mecham.  Jason and I have decided to get married.  All are invited to attend the open house.  We would love to have you celebrate with us as we assimilate Jason into our collective.  Jason is a carpet installer and despite the economy has managed to do ok.  I am still working at Lowe's in the Commercial Sales Department.
• Paul: Although it didn’t seem possible last year at this time, Zachary and Emily have survived another year.  Emily completed kindergarten, Magna Cum Yipee, and Zach completed his first season of Soccer (“I DON’T WANNA PLAY!”…”But you said you DID want to play!”).  Elisa spent the year teaching young women, taking Zach to soccer, and being the only parent involved in Emily’s kindergarten class, all while holding down the home and making sure the kids’ noses are clean and Paul’s socks match.  She really is the glue that holds our family together.  Paul, on the other hand, has continued his globe-trotting exercises and academic exploits (Paul Who?).  There is a bright light, however, since he participated in commencement this spring and is currently completing his last three courses (YAY!).  All in all, things are well in the Bateman household.  The Lord is blessing us and helping us weather the storms of life, and for that, we are grateful.  (For a more complete update and some funny moments, you can check out Elisa's blog at http://batepeople.blogspot.com.)
• Kay: We are still in Levan and loving it!  We will never leave!  Ryan is working as a corrections officer at the Juab County Sheriff's office, as well as driving trucks 1-2 times per week to Henderson, Nevada.  Kay is working with kids as a personal slave, and mostly enjoying it.  She also makes cakes on the side.  Branden just finished 2nd grade and was one of the smartest ones in his class, and he has a hard time letting us forget that he is so smart!  Jace is growing into himself, and is a teriffic reader.  He was also at the top of his 1st grade class.  Ashton is 5 going on 15, and is eager to start Kindergarten next year.  He has already finished over half of his summer homework book and we are only 2 weeks into summer!  Keira is almost 1 and is the perfect picture of a spoiled baby.  Her brothers wait on her hand and foot, and she loves it.  She recently won the Cinderella Baby title in a Central Utah Pageant, and "Best Personality" at the State Pageant.  We are pretty sure that the judges were either blind or paid off!  She won as far as we're concerned!
• Lori: Lori and Cory are staying busy with work and kids.  Cory is driving truck for Handy Truck Lines, and has had plenty of work lately.  He drives only as far as Lemington, Ut. so he is at home every night still. Cory recently got a motor for his small fishing boat, its name is "Owens", ha, ha. It doesn't move very fast, but we are looking forward to a whole summer of fishing and camping.  Lori is working at Ruby Tuesday in Park City, only part time. The commute is long enough for reflection on whether or not the commute is worth it. Most of the time it is.  Lori just finished another winter of working at Park City Mountain Resort as a Mountain Host, Cory and the two older kids all got season passes.  We had a wonderful winter!  Adam just finished his freshman year at Paradigm High School.  He took a guitar class, and has really picked it up.  He loves to play his guitar and spend time with friends, just the usual 15 year old stuff.  Sierra got all A's in school this year.  She also was awarded a certificate for the "Monster Math" competition. She received "wizard level", She is also looking forward to girl scout camp next month where she will be able to ride horses. She just finished the third grade.  Paige is growing up fast, she has a complete vocabulary, and isn't afraid to tell us what she thinks!  She is in a phase of doing everything by herself.  It's cute sometimes, but mostly just frustrating!
• Rebecca: McKell and I will be going on a vacation this next week to Cancun and it will be our first real big vacation (without kids of course)! We are really excited about this! McKell is still working at Wheeler Machinery. He has actually been welding along with the machining and is enjoying this.  I am working at Marv Jensen Rec. Center in the daycare, part time which I absolutely love!! I am able to take my kids and get paid to watch my kids along with a few others, doesn't get much better than that! Caleb is starting Kindergarten this year and is excited to go to "The Big School".  He talks a lot. Hard to get him stopped! Here is a funny story:  Caleb and I say prayers every night and ask to have good dreams and not bad dreams and to keep us safe etc. Well one night he said that he wanted to pray to Heavenly Father and ask him for a wrist watch. I tried to explain to him that Heavenly father doesn't work that way and he only gives us things that we really need.  Caleb's reply was "Well I really need a watch, Mom!" He prayed for the watch. The next morning he was totally devastated that he didn't get his watch from Heavenly Father. I had to call my dad to help console him and help explain why he didn't receive his watch.  Conner is almost 16 months and is talking like crazy already and is totally opposite of Caleb.  He is a really big boy and is already wearing 24 month clothes! He tries his hardest to keep up with all the big kids and I'm already having problems with him beating up on the older kids! He is going to be a challenge! That is our life right now and we just keep plugging away trying to make it in this crazy world.

Well, I cut a bit on many of you, added a bit to some of you, and sincerely hope you enjoy the letter.  With 10 point font, we made it in just over 9 pages.  But with the internet that is not so bad.  I am so grateful to belong to this family.  Love, Aunt Diana

Christmas Letter 2014

December 2014

Dear ,

Well here it is another Christmas, and time for me to send my self-imposed letter to you. 

As I have pondered what I might say to you, without being too repetitious, I had the thought that maybe you would like to know a little more about your ancestral home—this old house.  So I decided to tell you what I know.  This home was completed in 1889, at which time William Lehi Bateman moved his family into it. William Lehi Bateman is your paternal three-great grandfather.  One of his sons, Thomas Philip Bateman, 14-years-old at the time they moved into the house, is your Great-Great-Grandfather and the second owner and occupant of the home. 

William Lehi and his wife, Sophronia, build, lived in, and raised 12 children, plus four foster children in the home.  Phil (commonly known) and Josie (commonly known) raised 10 children, one of which was your great-grandfather, Dean Wilson Bateman, in this home.  Dean fell heir to the home soon after I became his wife and he and I, Dean Wilson and Sybil Greer Bateman, raised five children in this home.  We shared it with Phil and Josie until their deaths.  They lived on one side of the house and we lived on the other.  Early on Josie still had use of the upstairs, but as our children grew, the upstairs became part of our side of the house.  There have been, on occasion, others of the family living here, but none have owned it save William Lehi and his posterity, until Dean’s death, when I fell heir to it through marriage.

When the house was built, it was considered a large and fancy home.  It consisted of two floors: kitchen, dining room, parlor, master bedroom on the ground floor.  Upstairs, three bedrooms.  You will notice the absence of bathrooms.  There were no closets, storage rooms, bathrooms, extras of any kind.  The walls were and are thick, made of adobe brick in order to help with heat in the winter and cool in the summer.  Later the summer kitchen was added and eventually divided to make a porch and accommodate a bathroom and small bedroom on Dean and my side of the home. Finally, the two wings (bedrooms) on the north and the south. 

I’ll tell you a rather funny, but true, story.  There used to be an apple orchard across the hollow.  “Across the hollow” was a space designation used then and now.  It is the other side of the deep ravine that ran through the farm and had at its west end a warm water spring that was eventually turned into a pond, which you can see today if you drive through the subdivision.  One year there was a bumper harvest of apples.  Since there was no place to store them and since the apples could be used to help feed the myriad people who, at any time could actually be living in the home, the apples were dumped loose in one of the bedrooms upstairs.  I’ve been told that the apples just about filled the—top to bottom and side to side!  “Necessity is the mother of invention!” It became a storeroom and not a bedroom for at least that year. And I’ve been told that the family ate apple everything until they were so tired of apples that they could hardly look at them! 

On that note it is time to end this Christmas letter and remind you once again that you must always remember how very much you are loved by me and by our HEAVENLY FATHER and HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. 

Great Grandma, Sybil

Brian Bateman

Brian Kent Bateman

West Jorday-Brian Kent Bateman, age 27, returned to his Father in Heaven June 19, 1992 from complications of an aoritic aneurysm.
     He was born September 7, 1964 in Murray, Utah to Kent Greer and Sharon Naylor Bateman.  Married Cheryl Grondahl in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 7 1985.  Their marriage was solemnized in the Jordan River LDS Temple July 7,1987.  Brian was an active member of the LDS Church.  He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting with his brothers and all outdoor sports.  He was successful in anything he attempted and in doing so, he touched many lives.
     Brian was a wonderful husband, father, son and brother.  He leaves a host of friends who loved him dearly and he will be greatly missed by all.
     Survivors: wife, Cheryl; children, Justin, Kyle, Joshua and a fourth on the way, all of West Jordan; parents, West Jordan; brothers and sisters, Alison and husband, Curtis Sandall, Heath Bateman and wife, Kathy, Kirt Bateman, Andrea Bateman, all West Jordan; Brent and wife, Terri, Walnut Creek, California; grandparents, Dean and Sybil Bateman; Helen Naylor, all West Jordan; father-in-law, Melvin Grondahl, West Valley City; also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Calvin and Christine Grondahl, Layton; Mrs. Craig (Connie) Shields, Daniel Grondahl, both Salt Lake; Mrs. Michael (Carol) Hofhine, Evanston, Wyoming; Charlene Grondahl, California; Christopher and Janeen Grondahl, New York.
     Funeral services Tuesday, June 23, 1992 at 11:00 a.m. in the West Jordan River LDS Stake Center, 1380 West 6785 South.  Friends may call at Goff Mortuary 8090 So. State, Monday 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday at the stake center from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Place of burial to be announced.  (He was buried in the West Jordan Cemetery at 7800 S. 1300 W.)