Firestorm 2007

Last week the fires started in San Diego, and we were glued to the computer with a live stream of coverage. Trying to not use the cell phones as we were asked not to, that was the only way to track what was going on. Our hearts and prayers were going out to those we love and I must admit that I couldn't stand it at a couple of points and cheated and called a daughter or two, OK maybe more. This picture was taken on Sunday, Oct 28th, the winds having blown smoke all the way to Utah. Usually you can see Antelope Island out the front, can you find it? We love you all, and had many inquiries at church as to how our kids were.

Texas Deer Hunt

Doug went to Texas this year to hunt in October. He had a great time and hopes to be able to do this hunt again in another couple of years. This a white tail deer and the antlers are not as big as the mule.
It is a fairly large hunt compared to where he has gone before. It covers an area of 43,000 acres and some guys traveled 45 minutes to get to a spot. His friend Bruce is the guy in the white shirt in the middle bottom and his wife his the white shirt to his right. Doug is the back center.

Guatemala

In June, Jaren took a trip to Guatemala with two of his seminary teachers as guides. It was such a great trip and these are just a few of the pictures (over three thousand) that were gathered and loaded onto a CD for everyone. They are totally out of order and to be honest I'm not to sure which some of the ruins were. They started out by going to the Guatemala City Temple and doing baptisms and a service project to deliver clothes for missionaries at the MTC there. They then went to the National Museum and the Kaminaljuyu Ruins in Guatemala City.
This is actually the end of the trip, swimming in the Caribbean.
Swimming Misol Ha waterfall, I think!
Tikal Ruins, there are over 3000 buildings buried in the jungle.

Brother Adams and his wife. This was the first time she had gotten to go. Parents of 14 children.
Brother Scott Pearce, I have never seen anybody so enthusiastic. He must be a great seminary teacher, and I know the kids love him.
On the way to the Chicanna ruins.
One of the many meals, unfortunately one meal made everyone sick, except for one guy that had already been sick and wasn't eating.

Jaren heading out for a swim.
Jaren of course took a book and fell asleep.

Took a boat ride up the Usumacinta River to Yaxchilan, covered today in vines and jungle. Where they stayed in a hotel that you could hear the jungle around you.

Jaren wanted his hair cut short, so he wouldn't have to worry about it on the trip. Here he is hiking up the volcano.

These are the orange shirts for the trip, they handed them out at the SLC airport before departure. Really helped to find the group as they were all assembling. Jaren is standing next to BJ, he is Debbie Comstock's nephew.

This was great experience, even though he never says much, I could tell he had a great time. His roommate Danny turned out to live just a few blocks away and is now at BYU Idaho going to school. They had a a super time.

Monticello Hunting

Jonas' first deer, the smile says it all. Mine is that he called at 6:50am to tell me all about it. I was so thrilled for him and that he called to tell me. What a cutie!

This is a Kurt map, he is the outfitter telling them and showing them where the deer have been seen. He serves in the stake presidency in Monticello and Doug helps him with the farming if he bags his deer early enough.
Jaren went to be moral support and took lots of books with him. On Thursday Doug was worried that he had run out of books, and I told him don't worry he will just reread the ones he has.

Doug and the boys went to Monticello on the annual archery deer hunt. Jaren got to hunt last year so it was Jonas' turn this year. They had a great time and the rusults are off to the taxidermists of course. Pretty soon there will not be room for me in the office! Although Jonas says he is hanging his in his room.

Flaming Gorge

Most of the group.
Learning to clean a fish!
Hanging out at the campfire.

Setting up camp.
Some of the great food, they were fed like growing boys alright.
Jonas without his rash guard and needing a little sun.

Isn't the point to fall off!

In July the Teacher's and Priests went to Flaming Gorge for their high adventure trip for the summer. It is a beautiful lake and the boys had a wonderful time. I sent a camera with both of them but they were so busy having fun that they forgot to take pictures. So...I found a leader that had been thoughtful enough to and he made a copy for me. Thank you, Brother Cline!

After hearing all that they did, wakeboarding, tubing, skiing, cliff jumping, crawdading, fishing, and eating of course, I did understand. Thanks to their great leaders for keeping them so busy!