Book club/ Books in general---book sorting

I've been in a 'book club' for awhile now--its enjoyable--it keeps me reading books--and that is something I love to do anyhow--our book for the upcoming bookclub is the theif Lord--others we've read include--my sisters keeper --the boy in the striped pajamas--these is my words--
some of my other favorite books--not part of book club--but other books that I love to read and that I treasure are--
Book of Mormon
A Lantern in her hand(bess Aldrich)
The Far Pavillions (M. M Kay)
Call of the wild
Where the Red Fern Grows
Emma (a love story) Lundgreen
Birds Christmas Carol
A white Bird Flying (Aldrich)
Pres Hinkley's book (compiled by sherry Dew)
A marvelous work and a wonder (Legrand Richards)
Not without my daughter-
Charlie
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Dad and I have been sorting --sorting --sorting through a number of books stored out in the garage--I know most of the books we have I could give a way and check out from the library or re-buy a Desert industries--but it is ohhhhhh so hard for me to part with any books--I love them--really I do --in the olden days--(Lincoln's day) Lincoln walked 10 miles _+plus to borrow books and to think we have so many at our finger tips--well--we are blessed --very blessed.
I hope all my grandkids come to have a love for reading and for books--I have the best job in the world trying to help kids at school have a love for books and reading--

pioneer day--pioneers -my 'heros"

the 24th Celebration was fun this year--we watched part of the days of 47 parade on tv and went to the spanish fork parade--after we got back to nancy's house the girls and I put on pioneer skirts--aprons and such and played like we were walking--for lunch we all had bar-b qued 'buffalo" (as we called it) it was really chicken--dad said "this buffulo tastes just like chicken" we all laughed--cause of that saying that 'all weird meats such as rabbit and pheasant tastes like 'chicken" it was a good day for remembering--instead of us telling the kirks the pioneer stories--they told them to us as they have been learning all about them from nancy--we were surprised and happy to hear the stories in their own words and when they get to Heaven they will know these --people through their legacy and journals and stories handed --down--down --down--(:

not pioneers as you would think of but I think of grandpa harold as a "one who paved the way" as he is pictured here with some people--he was a very determined and ambitious law student and provider

is evelyn (and some of the grandkids of george pay_) by Pioneer cabin--there were 12 kids including grandpa pay lived in this small cabin

more pic of the pioneer cabin

I enjoyed thinking of the pioneers--as re telling their stories--especially those from our own family tree-mary goble pay and anson call and even telling stories about those first immagrants who came after the trains were in place--(technically we don't refer to those who came after the trains as pioneers) webster dictionary terms a :[pioneer) =as one who paves the way for others

so in that sense--Conrad Gertsch sr. --Ingrid and Lars Johnson--and even grandpa Conrad and Elise were some of our pioneer ancestors--if you want to look to heros-for leaving their beautiful homelands to immigrate to america for the intent to build up zion in the rocky mts.- I suggest them

their stories--make them heros to me--

happy 2nd birthday Kaci

kaci with us last may in DC



in a beautiful garden in DC

last summer 0f 08 when they were in Ut

when our family was together at brad's grad. (pic at the beach after)

all snuggly

hi guys -- just being cute

big yawns-cute cute

giggling

0f all the babies that left the hospital the day

bet she was the only one styling in a swimming suit--what a cute idea--of her mommy and dad

Dear Kaci--so very happy you joined your mom and dad to share mortality when them (*& us)

* we love your contagious giggle

*love that you draw on your piece of canvas and on the paper and make so many pretty things

*love that you warmed up to us--when we came back east to visit you

*love that you enjoy eating your food and so independant from way way back when you were small doing that

*love that you love animals and flowers and books, and swimming

* love that you are so fun to go places with in the car and so patient till we get to where we're headed

*so happy that you love to runwe -love that you say--mark-set -"go" and race your mom and dad-down the sidewalk

_love that you are playful and cute and tha you play hide and seek, and that you're such a smartie and say your colors and stuff to us on the phone-

*that you are just a little sweetie--have a wonderful -birthday---and know that you are loved by us--all year long--grandma Lynda and papa Call

happy 2nd birthday Hunter

some pics of hunter on his 2nd birthday---we had fun--cake and gifts and he was just excited and happy and in to loving life--as he should --birthdays are FUN!

pushing in new birthday toy (mow lawn) as he calls it--

with his two grandpas (two of his best friends and fans)

gotta love the new cowboy boots (these boots are made for walkin') (:

Flashbacks to hunters birth--

what a happy day it was when you arrived--we were so happy that you were sent to your mom and dad and you have brought so much joy to the extended family as well--we love and adore ya

to us there is

nothing is quite as sweet as the mother holding her sweet baby--the day he was born

she has gone through so much to bring this little spirit here from heaven and they have so many bonds already--and so many ahead of them

so sleepy--but so handsome already

cousins and grandparents came right away to the hospital to welcome you and to hold the sweet first grandson and cousin and friend...you were welcomed with loving and open arms---and still are today--when ever you are around us--hope you never get to big or too tough to like our hugs

This cute little boy had a birthday --this one sitting here--father in Heaven bless him throughout the coming year--

Hunter we love ya --much--you smile this contagious smile--you always run to us -when we get to your house-and give us a scruch (hug) then you are off back to playing with your truck--you love to push heavy things--you love other little kids and try to share your candy with them--you are good at building blocks and then knocking them over with great delight--you are independant and climb that ladder to the trampoline--by yourself (which scared grandma lots) you jump high on the trampoline with vigor and ride in the little red car--(sorry you hurt your foot last time) you are cute --cute --I mean handsome --handsome--*and smart and funny!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY--

swimming in the great salt lake /my pioneer trek preparation

I got thinking about pioneers before I left on trek and how when
they got to this valley they used to LOVE to go out to swimm in
the great Salt Lake for recreation--so one fine day last week
I went swimming out their to reflect on pioneer stories I knew
while I swam

this is the rock I parked by--there were no people there but me and it
was very quiet and peaceful

beautiful day--warm weather--warm water--good place to ponder

I remembered last year we were out here swimming with
the Hebner family--and I was remember our secronized swimming
and canoe last year on the 24th of July--it is really a fun relaxing
area

I love the pioneers and love walking the pioneer trails

me and the kathy and lela richardson

the Demanns always bring fun to the adventure

bryan and John p lead the way

great having antoher shared experience with Pres and sister
hunter--(don't know why I'm leaning over--tired to the bone I guess)

Murray Parkway stake pioneer trek

dad and I at our 3rd pioneer trek--two of the times dad went as the chairman/trail boss and this time as the Stake Pres member overseeing the trek--we hiked 10 miles the first day--and 20 before the entire walk was over--it was a lot of fun

beautiful sunsets and sun rises

Lori steadman and myself--one night --just like the youth
enjoy their friends being at I trek I was glad she was there

a shot of some of the handcarts from a distance
settling in the first night after a long walk

happy day in the life of a missionary and of the convert

happy day in the life of a missionary--Hayley with her convert baptism of Joseane
she was taught by irma call and irma evans and baptised by her husband--
hayley --gave a short talk as part of the services and she said that once the baptism started the spirit was very strong and it was such a wonderful day. this companion shown is going to be transfered soon--(her name is sister evans)

mesa verde

stones used to grind the corn

the city of the people built into the hillside (this is in colorado) near cortez the holes you see that people are around were covered with thatched roofing in the winter and two -4 families would live down there to stay out of the cold. --there is access to water--back behind those walls with windows in them--(lots of water)

a beautiful hike from up above on the ridge over to where the actual ruins were group of people are huddle together listening to the guide telling stories of the people and how they did things-- the man joined the wives villiage --so the family he was leaving would throw mud balls at his new family--at the wedding--is that where the tradition of rice throwing started? Ha--

there were air vents for fresh air to come in and the little round spot is of course the fire place--we stoped at the places pictures plus hiked to some others not shown--that were a little different style--but still typical of each other

then the 'great spirit" as our tour guide explained--directed the people to leave this home land and this area after generations of living there and move out to the plains--in arizona and new mexico--and they left basically cause they were directed to--do so--by a higher power--it was time.

On the way down to New Mexico a few weeks back we stopped by a place I had never been called mesa verde--where the ancestors of the pueblo Indians had made their homes--I found it so interesting and wanted to share a few more pics of it even though I already sent you grandkids a post card of it--I will never complain about my living conditions again--if I do--well

slap me or something--It was a lot of work for this culture to even survive and yet they were very creative and they made it oh so pretty--as they knew how--we climbed down and up ladders

my cup runneth over

everyone got in on the raspberry picking at some point --here is anna with her treasures

balloon toss--dad and bryan-pass over to abbie and anna--they got tossing them pretty high and made some good catches too

anna and anna demo the slip and slide

the could run and slide on their bellies on the tubes too--the other kids got in the action too

lots of water--lots of kids lots of jumping--not shown is bryan holding the hose to make a rainbow for them to run under--they really liked this about the best of anything I think

lets settle down around the fire after we put up tents for sleeping

matching flipflos for the girlies--at the lake

everyone got a turn on the wave runner-from young to old

what's your favorite song ? (we got if your happy and you know it--twinkle little star, wheels on the bus, bingo--)

AS THEY SAY IN MIDWAY--A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL----------

dad and I always enjoy any time you kids are able to take time off work or come on a weekend

we enjoyed --this past weekend it reminded dad and I again how lucky we are to have you as family and even better as friends what stands out in your mind is the good times and a grandpa who is ever ready to help roast a marshmellow or make smores--or play with the kids--and wrestle with them and watch tv with them or toss water balloons in a towel well its just bound to have some fun in there somewhere------for someone--we missed you brad and kerri and kaci and hayley we prayed for you in the FHE around the fireplace and you were all noticibly missed (lots) you all make our lives happy--