Pioneer Trek 2008

"Maybe it was for us to come here and remember the faith of our fathers?
Maybe it's not a story of suffering but one of rescue?"
- Michael Spainhower

I just read an article that Tyler's non member boss gave to him from the Salt Lake Tribune about Pioneer Treks. The author, Jessica Ravitz went along and documented her experience and found out "What the heck is up with trek?!" She hit it dead on. After reading the article I really felt like I needed to update this post. I still haven't gotten pictures yet, and that is okay. I will add them when I do. But that quote above from the article hit home for me. Why did all the suffering and tragedy have to happen? I don't think there was one answer. But after what I experienced on my Trek Experience, I couldn't be more grateful for their legacy, their faith and how they endured to the end. Period. I don't think it was a story of suffering but a story of rescue. They found God in their experiences. And in mine I did too. I don't have the words to even express what I felt. But I am so glad I got to go, and if you ever get the chance, do it! It isn't that bad, and even if it is, you won't remember the bad parts. I had countless experiences that kept me going that I will keep forever in my heart. I learned about what sacrifice really is, what love really is, and what it means to know your Savior. The stories and places I visited have touched me for the rest of my life. I hope I can be as faithful, and show love and sacrifice for others as the pioneers did and how our Savior does for us. I have been still devouring pioneer stories since I have been home, they mean so much more to me now. I just cry as I read them. Amazing faith. The Pioneer Trek I experienced for me was definitely one of rescue. My rescue.
Did you know that the Rescue party from Salt Lake came upon the Willie Company first? They were ahead of the Martin Company. But not in any better condition. They were starving, they were cold, they were dying. The kids were licking the inside of the flour sacks for anything. The fact that the rescuers even found them in the winter storm was a miracle in and of itself. And when they did, they killed all their cattle and ate and found hope that it was almost over, the rescue party was just ahead. And then they told the rescue party to go on and help the Martin Company. As awful and hard and as miserable as they were, I cannot even comprehend, they showed love and sacrifice and said, no go on, we'll be fine, help the Martin Company, they are worse off then us. In so many ways that touches my heart. Being on the banks of the Sweetwater river where that occurred was so sacred for me. What an experience and one that I hope I never will forget. Pioneer Trek 2008. I don't have any other words to describe but...amazing. 8/28/08

Day 4 - Home again

Sunday morning we went to church and watched Matilda be blessed. It was so good. Emma played with Leah next to us and it was one of the more enjoyable Sacrament Meetings I have had in a long time.
I neglected to get a picture of the cute Matilda (Shelley and Cory's little one). Shame on me! Or I would post it here.
Our last night there, we put in a movie for Emma to watch and she was out in no time at all. She slept pretty good on our drive home Sunday. But boy were we all happy to be in our own beds that night.

Day 3 - Lake Tahoe

On Saturday July 5th, we went up to Lake Tahoe. I was really looking forward to seeing it, because I had heard so much, and I wasn't disappointed. So beautiful! The surrounding towns on the North side were also so romantic and cute. I enjoyed it and wouldn't mind going back with Tyler and enjoying it someday.

Isn't it beautiful? Not the same blue as Bear Lake, but still beautiful!

The water was amazingly clear! I couldn't believe it. It could have been the Carribean if it hadn't been so cold! :) The beach was just little rocks, that were a little uncomfortable on the bear foot. I told Tyler we could get a great pedicure exfoliation just by rubbing our feet in the rocks. I really wanted to get in the water and play, but like I said it was cold water, and the temperature wasn't that warm outside either (High70s') and I knew I would regret it. Next time, I will have a tube and water shoes and then I will be ready to play!

Michelle and Derek met us up there with Leah and Charlie (their cute kids) and we just hung around for about an hour and then hiked back up to our car. Did I mention that? It was a hike down to the beach and then a harder one back up. I told Tyler I wanted to go on a little hike, and I got my wish. I saw Tahoe, played in the water and got a hike. Mission accomplished.

This is the greatest picture. Emma hadn't had a real nap or gone to bed at a resonable hour for a 2 year old for almost 5 days and boy was she tired. Tyler and I looked back at her to see why she was being so quiet and this is what we saw. We laughed so hard.

Reunion - Day 2

The actually family reunion was on July 4th and at this park called Bower's Mansion. I should have taken a picture of the mansion, but I didn't. It was old and basic and I hear really extravagant inside. It cost $5 for a tour, and I just wasn't willing to pay for it. Apparently the Bower's were one of the first silver mine people in Nevada and made a lot of money off of it. But had a tragic life also. The state now owns the land and have turned it into this beautiful park.

Day 2- The reunion

This is Leah, Emma's cousin. They got into a little scuffle over Leah's bag of Doritos. Leah didn't want to have anything to do with Emma, until I got Emma her own bag. Then they were best of friends. They are only a few months apart. Aren't they cute?

Emma getting a ride from Uncle Chad. She thought this was fantastic!

Leah wanted on too! Fun fun!

Riding with Annabelle too!

Water fight! For all the "kids"! Lucas is getting Emma and she is getting him right back.
Emma squirting. Her dad was so proud of her squirt gun skills. :)
Leah running away from Emma again. For good reason, she's got a squirt gun!
The squirt guns got old, so why not just get all the way wet in a bucket of water?
My cousin Quintin (in the middle) just had twins! His wife is on the right - Rhiann. His brother Johnathan is on the left. (There you go Cadence and he is holding a baby!) They sure have their hands full. But what cute babies! Quintin is a great father and person. When I was at my wits end with "no nap Emma" he was right there with a smile. I know inside he was saying. Try having 2 babies and a 4 year old! :) Thanks for your love Quintin!

Michelle was proud of the picture she got of Cadance (the one holding the camera) well, I am proud of my shot too, becuase she is even smiling!!! Cadance was the camera guru and she took a ton of pictures I didn't. Be grateful or you would be looking at them all right now too. Hey, Cadance do you have a link for them yet? Eh, Eh, more picture posts! :) I really want some of Emma pulling the boys in the wagon. Rhiann got some good ones but I can't steal them off her blog. Shoot!
I dunno if you can see her expression well on her face, but I wonder what she was telling Uncle John L ? Humm...

And finally!! She fell asleep! When Emma was little this is how I used to get her to sleep. A ride in the stroller. And it only took a few swipes in this one and she was out! Isn't she cute when she sleeps? It was a fun reunion!

Family 4th of July before the 4th

Since we were leaving for the 4th of July, we all got together at my mom's for FHE on June 30th and lite fireworks and ate donuts! It doesn't get much better than that for me. :)

Cute Emma watching the fireworks.

James showing off his sparkler talents.

Ooooh!


Emma with Aunt Stephanie!

Young Family Reunion - Day 1

We took the 8 hour drive to Reno, Nevada for the Young Family reunion (my side) at the beginning of July. It was quiet the ride! Emma did pretty good considering she didn't have a nap that day and only slept about 2 hours the whole time! We ran around at every gas station stop to get her wiggles out. So by the time we when rolled in at 1:30am and we were super tired.
My wonderful cousins Shelley and Cory put us up in there house for 4 days. I hope they don't regret it. :) They have a beautiful place and we enjoyed staying there.
Here is a picture journal of our events.
Day 1 - "The River" in downtown Reno. The river that is named a cool name Waggogie or something like that runs through downtown Reno and it is a quite the place to play and hang out. Emma loved the water and Tyler and a few of my cousins went body tubing (no tube just your body) down the river's current. They had a great time.

Tyler, Danny and Susan waiting for the rocks...

Shelley and Susan my cousins

See Tyler coming down into the rocks and white water?? He said it was fun, and I just took his word for it. The scraps and bruises and torn swimsuits weren't enough to convince me! :)
I am glad I stayed in the shade with the baby and took pictures. ;)

Fireworks!

We went to the South Ogden Days Fireworks show. We were out of town for the 4th so this was our fireworks show of the year.

We brought games and snacks and snuggled down for the fireworks.

Emma got tired of us taking all the pictures so we let her have a shot at taking pictures of us.
It was a good time. She would hold the camera and say "3, cheese!" And then somtimes she would just take the picture. It was a challenge to move with the camera to try and get in the shot. She loved it and laughed and laughed. We got some crazy shots. It was so fun. Here are a few of her better ones. ;)





This one says it all! She took one of herself!

She was a little unsure of the fireworks and only watched them for a few seconds then wanted to hide under the blanket by me. She's never been bothered by them in the past.
Emma hiding from the fireworks.