Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Trip to Nauvoo

So I am finally getting around to posting about our trip to St Louis and Nauvoo. We had such a great time. Of course when you travel with Dan and Angie it is always fun. Just so you know, I always get these pictures on in the wrong order, but oh well!! We spent Dad's birthday at Rachel and Derid's and they made the day fun for us all. We had the weekend to be with them, and we went to the famous Arch. Dan and Angie, Tayson and Derid went to the top. It is a very exciting thing to do.
We also went to "The City Museum" with the Ure's. IT is an amazing place. It is sort of a playground for adults. IT is very random with slides and interesting things to climb and crawl through. This is Dan and Angie crawling through a wire tube that is about 100 feet of the ground. I was happy to be taking the pictures.

We also went to the historic Cahokia Mounds which are very close to St. Louis. It is the remains of the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico. This area had hundreds and thousands of people living there hundreds of years ago. Very Very cool!!!!


So on our way home we visited many different sites. We went to Liberty Jail, Far West, and Adam-ondi-Ahman. I loved walking around Adam-ondi-Ahman. I had not really wanted to take the time to go there. But am sooo glad we did. What a peaceful and, I thought, beautiful place. I did some more reading about it when I got home. Loved it!!
We continued into Colorado, and spent some time in Rocky Mountain National Park. It had snowed the day before, so we could not go all the way through it, but what we saw was very beautiful. We stayed the night in Craig Colorado, then on to Utah. We went to Vernal and climbed to the "Native American Rock Art" that is so amazing. There is so much to see and you can get right to them. Many of these are 2000yrs. old. I appreciate the sacred history that they portray.


We went at the "off" season, so we were the only people at most of the church history sites we visited, which is my favorite way to see them. It is so peaceful and you can really get a feel for the history and events that took place there. We are at Carthage Jail here in this picture. There is a very special feeling here.




We drove about 20 miles north east from Nauvoo to a little town called Webster. It is here that Thomas Callister lived and owned property. According to the records this peace of land was the very place he owned. The little town probably did not look much different then it does right now. Pretty cool. We were also able to locate the property of both Amasa Lyman and Edward Partridge in Nauvoo.





Out side of Nauvoo there is a really cool cemetery and it is here that many of the Mormons were buried. Edward Partridge is buried here in an unmarked grave. This is the monument there that the Church dedicated to his honor.






We had the opportunity to attend a session in the beautiful Nauvoo Temple. It was made to look as much like it might have then. It had wooden floors with carpets on them for example. Of course they had to make it modern and functional in most ways. I loved it!!!







This is the Temple as the pioneers would have seen it. Nauvoo is a little peaceful place. There are several homes and businesses that were built and owned by the pioneers that have been repaired by the church and it truly gives you an idea of what it all might have looked like then. A really neat place.
We are so grateful that we were able to take this trip. We could have spent much more time in each of these places. Thanks to Dan and Angie for going with us and sharing the experience. And thanks to Rachel and Derid for taking such good care of us.








Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Thank Heaven for Little Girls




Some reflections from dad:

Yes, thank Heaven for little girls that are beautiful, thougtful and fun. That defines all three of my little girls, but one in particular is on my mind today. Years ago Deborah and I got to sing and dance in a Broadway Review production. We joined some other lucky fathers and their daughters in a dance to "Thank Heaven for Little Girls". The practices were fun and the group was fun. I don't remember being particularly nervous, probably because I was dancing with a dancer who made it easy. At Deborah's wedding celebration I had the same experience, but now I was dancing with the bride, gliding through the steps with ease with a smiling, happy, grown-up and beautiful woman. Deborah and Stephen were so happy and their happiness seemed to spread to everyone there. I was so happy to be identified as the father of the bride.
I suppose it is a prideful thing, but I am so proud of Deb and each of our daughters for developing the qualities that attract the fine husbands each of them have.
The fun celebration went by quickly. People were laughing and participating throughout the night. Like the father of the bride, they didn't want this party to end.
Deb and Stephen have a bright future ahead of them. I wish the best for the newly weds.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

family pics











These are the pictures of our family. I already croped them, so if you want the uncroped ones so you can do things with them let me know. I also had some others out side the Temple but thought these were the best. Whatever :)




ure family











Monday, September 14, 2009

Aunt Margaret

This is to let you all know that Aunt Margaret fell yesterday and broke her ankle pretty badly. She is in the VA hospital right now waiting for her swelling and blood sugar to go down so that they can operate to set her ankle. She is doing OK and is in good spirits. Dad and uncle Jerry went in to give her a blessing. Don't know how long she will be in the hospital, but will surely go to a rehab ... to help her get back and going again. Please stay safe and well. Am praying for all of you!!!!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Awesome Hike

Dad and I did a great 24th of July hike. It is now one of my favorites. It is the Millcreek to Lambs canyon. Once at the top, you can see both Parleys Canyon and the Salt lake Valley. It has been a wet year, and the growth and wildflowers were unbelievable. What can I say but "Awesome".





It was pretty steep, but Dad slowed down so that I could keep up with him. Going back down was hard on the knees, but it was so worth it. I love that we can drive 20 min. to a trail that will totally take your breath away. It was just the two of us on the tops of the mountains....the world was ours and we loved it!!!
Later, we went to the Cottonwood Heights park and watched the Fire works with Deb and Stephen. It was a great day :)



Saturday, July 18, 2009

Ma and Pa are back from Trek

Well, Dad and I just got back from our Stake Pioneer Trek. We were Ma and Pa to 10 great kids. The ages ranged from 17 to 12 years. We had a handcart to pull as a family with all our gear. Just like the pioneers. We even went on our trek in the same area that they would of traveled the last stretch before coming to the SL valley. We spent 4 days on this trek and covered about 20 miles. 10 of which was on the first day. Lots of hills and dry dusty HOT trails. It was very hard! We did not see a tree pretty much the whole time. Our family faired pretty well, but many had blisters, sprained ankles, and heat problems. But as you can see from the picture, we ate pretty darn well. That was our third day breakfast. Sausage, eggs, potatos and cheese....YUM
We camped and made our own shelter with a big tarp and the handcart. Some nights were better than others. our kids loved to sleep under the stars mostly. It was so hot during the day that we thought we would die, and then it was freezing at night. The dew caused us to have wet sleeping bags every morning. One morning, Gabby (one of our kids)'s sleeping bag had frost on it. We also slept among the dried cow pies (:
My family were good trekers.... the handcart was very heavy and some of the hills were a bit steep. Really good kids!!! We had a couple of strong boys and some strong girls. They were real troopers. IT WAS HARD!!!



We also had a girl that had damaged her knee and could not walk. So we put her on top. We only went about an hour that way before leaders in charge of the land ( a couple missionary cause it is church owned land) said we could not do that. She had to be pulled in a seperate handcart. 2 or 3 of us then helped with that. I have to say that I felt my 56 years on this trek and realized just how out of shape I am. It was a very good experience. We did a lot of family things together and had a good time. We had some super kids to work with.
This is our family on the last day ready to do the last few miles and go home. I must say, that I am glad to be home now and on to the other exciting things coming up in our lives.




Friday, June 19, 2009

Fun Times





























I was inspired by Becky to post some pictures about what has been going on in our life. We had a fun trip with Deb, Dan and Angie to Lava Hot Springs Idaho. It was cold, but we had fun just getting together. I did a little Temple trip with Darylee. It was great!! We did the Logan Temple on Tuesday,( with Angie and Stephanie Griffin) then did the Manti and St.George on Wednesday. It was a long day, but was really nice. We are planning to do all the Temples in Utah.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Parked in the Back

It is very strange to have the Snoasis parked in the back for the summer. I have mixed feelings, mostly because of family. I won't get to have much family around and I will sure miss that. The extra money was always great.. for us all. I will admit that I still struggle with the other business getting our spot and our costumers. Grrrrr! But it also feels good to not have to worry about all the day to day, hour to hour stuff. Dad has been chopping the trees and digging and moving plants, and getting into the daily yard things. I have been planting flowers (my sad attempt every year). We are hoping to get out and travel around a bit more this year...who knows? We are serious about doing the Zion Narrows end of June. Maybe the Thursday before the reunion....or that Friday????? Get down there Wed. or Thurs. night and get into the canyon by 6 or 7 in the morning.... out by 3 or 4 if pretty good hikers. We heard about the way to do it as a day trip and we want to go. Best time is the end of June. Would love any and all to come with us. Think about it :)

Monday, May 4, 2009

We had such a great weekend. First of all Rachel and kids came on Thursday and we have been enjoying them so much. But we have also had some wonderful things happen this weekend. Caleb turned 8 years old and we all gathered at his house to wish him a Happy Birthday. He got many great gifts, but his favorite is his very own guitar. It is a really nice one too. He played while we all sang to him. Happy birthday Caleb!!

Saturday, Daniel graduated from Utah State University. It was a very big day, and we are so pleased that we could celebrate this great day with him and Angie.

The actual graduation was short and very nice. His degree is in Geography from the college of Natural Resources. CONGRADULATONS DANIEL!!!!!! They had a wonderful luncheon for all of us as well. It was a great day. We love you Dan.


Caleb went with Grandpa and the great uncles on the yearly Flaming Gorge fishing trip. I think he had fun......I know that grandpa sure had fun having him there with him. Grandpa's dream is to take his grandchildren with him on his adventures.



We took a little trip to the Mayan Resturant. Something none of us had done for a while. Tayson and Mia loved the divers, and we all got pretty wet. It seemed that they did more diving and more often then I remembered. IF you come this summer to visit and we go there, maybe you will see someone you know diving. Ask Deb and Stephen about that :)




We just had a great weekend with such great things happening. But just spending time with family is the best. We love you all!!!!!





Saturday, April 25, 2009

Zions

Dad and I did the St. George via Delta and Venice trip this weekend. We had a great visit with Grandma and Neil and Julie. Got some good plans for the reunion this July, and are excited to get that all going. Grandma was doing good, and we played card games with her.....golf, fish, ya know, the fun ones. Next morning we drove to Cedar and St. George so Von could do some work. We were able to go to the Temple while we were there. The St. George Temple is so beautiful and the grounds were so peaceful. Then off to Zions.
Zions is one of our favorite spots. The park was open full scale with shuttles and all. We did not have a lot of time, so just parked the car and walked a ways up the road to see some of the amazing sites.

You don't have to be a hiker to enjoy the beauty!!!! However we love the hiking too. Next time we will allow ourselves more time. From Zions, we drove to Venice and spent the night there with grandpa. It is always good to spend time with him. He is rather lonely, but doing good. We noticed some major repairs that need to take place with his house there, and will be planning a trip just to get some things done. Could use help from anyone wanting to take some time to do that with us. Inside and outside stuff. I know, sounds like fun :). We love our parents, and are glad when we get the chance to spend time with them. Life is pretty good to us.


Friday, April 3, 2009

What a fabulous time we had in Italy!!! This is a picture of our stop in Pisa. Note the leaning tower in the back ground. It was so beautiful and much bigger than I expected. We spent the day traveling to Pisa, and then to Florence. We saw the statue of David (could not take pictures), and walked around in Florence. Would love to be able to go back there and see more.
Becky was able to go to Venice with Dad, Alex, Stephen and Deb. I stayed home and played with the Moss boys. We all had a good time that day. What an interesting and fun place to see.

A group picture in Becky's kitchen. We spent a lot of time there. Becky took such good care of us and feed us lots of yummy food. We had a lot of different pasta dishes... Italians eat pasta everyday. Thanks again to Becky and David!!!!!


We spent two days in Rome/Vatican. What an awesome place. There is truly so much to see and so much history to learn about. I loved it!!! We walked and walked till Alex said that her legs were like rubber.



This picture was taken in the fields behind Becky and David's home. It was beautiful there with the green fields and the fruit trees in blossom. We had such a great time and saw so much. It would fill up many pages to tell it all. We visited Venice, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Revenna, The Republic of San Marino, the most amazing Cave, and some of the cool things in Cesena (home of the Moss family). The most important thing that we did was attend Adam's baptism. Thanks for letting us be a part of that. We have lots of pictures we would gladly show anyone who wants to see them. What a wonderful experience the Moss family has given the Callister Clan by opening their home and giving of their time to us. Thank You! Thank You!