August 1, 2010

What a great week. Monday was my health care day. Started out and went to see an Allergist in our ward John Jeppeson and found that I am allergic to the cat. Then I went to the eye doctor and felt really stupid because there was nothing wrong with my eyes only that I had switched my contacts. So he put a big black dot so I can't get them mixed up again. The good news was that I didn't need to change my prescription and I got a spare pair of glasses that I have never had before because my insurance would pay for it. So it turned out to be a good thing. Then I had that smashing experience of getting a mammogram and the results were negative.

The next days were spent getting ready. I didn't get a QA from work, I think it is because my calls are long and they don't want to listen to a really long call. So I have something to look forward to next week.

Ben and Holly came down with Jake, Audrey and Toby, (their dog) Wednesday afternoon. While they were at the park visiting with Kenny, Deborah called and said that Buck might not be able to go due to a forest fire up Emmet way and then she told me that Andy wasn't going to be able to go due to someone had quit and he had to put together the project for work. So we were just going to go and muddle on. As it turned out that Buck didn't get any calls and was able to go. So we all headed to Silver Creek Plunge about the same time and we caught up with each other about 10 miles out. The resort is up passed Crouch which we have never been to so it was great to see a new part of Idaho. It is beautiful and the plunge was great place. The pool was beautiful and the cabins were clean. Only Betty has a mouse in hers. We paid for the privilege of having a flushing toilet but I don't know where or not it was a plus because it didn't smell to good. I did spray Listerine around the room and we didn't have any mosquitoes.

We set up camp and all went down to the river to float and wade. It was a hot day and the water felt good. Ben and Buck had a rock skip off contest and Ben won. He had the greatest number of skips. The kids
floated down and had a good time. Hunter got his insulin pump wet and it stopped working. So Betty called Andy and he got a hold of a Dr to get some insulin and came up late that night. We each made our own dinners and then went down to play a game of volley ball. I even made a few points but that darn ball is so hard. It was fun to play together. Then we went back to camp and played "Catch Phrase" and tried to take down Ben. Holly did get the best of him.

Then we all went to the pool to get clean. What a beautiful pool! It was so clean and was very comfortable not too hot and best of all no chlorine or sulfur smell. After that the kids went on a hike but I opted out of that because the last hike I went on with Betty, some one had to come and pick me up. So I just hung out and crocheted. Then we all went down to another part of the river and the boys tried their hand at fishing and the girls all sat and watched them. They never caught a thing until after we all left. Cody was excited about the catch of fish that Hunter, Garren and he got. They got the opportunity to clean the fish and eat it. I heard it was very good fish.

For Breakfast we had to change our plans because I forgot the griddle and frying pans. I just got mixed up. But we were inventive. Deborah scrambled the eggs in her cooking pot and I cooked the sausage in the lid of the tin popcorn can. Instead of pancake we just have the cinnamon rolls that I brought up. So no one starved.

Then we all went to the pool to get clean. What a beautiful pool! It was so clean and was very comfortable not too hot and best of all no chlorine or sulfur smell. After that the kids went on a hike but I opted out of that because the last hike I went on with Betty, some one had to come and pick me up. So I just hung out and crocheted. Then we all went down to another part of the river and the boys tried their hand at fishing and the girls all sat and watched them. They never caught a thing until after we all left. Cody was excited about the catch of fish that Hunter, Garren and he got. They got the opportunity to clean the fish and eat it. I heard it was very good fish.

Betty and Andy fixed Dutch oven dinner for us all. We had Chicken and Rice and Peach Cobbler and Cherry Chocolate Cobbler. It was so good! So a bad thing turned out to be a blessing because it gave Andy a good excuse to come up and we got to enjoy his Dutch oven cooking.

Then we had a family meeting and sang the song "No Empty Chairs" , word by Orrin Hatch and music by Janice Kapp Perry. I love the words because it reminds me of what is really important in the long run. My greatest desire is for me to qualify to be with my family eternally and that my children and grandchildren would have the same desire so there wouldn't be any empty chairs. I made a recording of the group singing the song. It will never make the top Forty but it will always bring me happy memories. Here are the words.

1. Look around our family table, Every person in his place,

Memorize this happy moment, And each familiar face

Look around our family table, Feel the love that we all share

Life is sweet and so complete with Each Loved one gathered here

There are no empty chairs at our table, No empty feeling inside

When all those we love are together, here side by side.

2. Time will fly, and all too quickly, some will leave to try their wings.

Empty places at our table, Will tug at our heartstrings.

But the number at our table, Will increase as children come,

Bringing to our family table, Sweet innocence and fun.

We'll add a few more chairs to our table, a lot more laughter and love

As our joy is multiplied daily to fill our cup.

3. When there comes a time for parting, There will be no tears because

We sill set a grander table, Where all may live in love

There we'll wait for each dear loved one who will come to take his place

At the feast that lasts forever in God;s eternal place

We'll have no empty chairs at our table, No empty feelings inside

When all those we love are together, there side by side

Ending

May the circle not be broken, May each one return to be

Safe within this peaceful haven through all eternity

We'll have no empty chairs at our table, When all are gathered above,

No more empty chairs at our table, In heaven's home of love.

Deborah is going to be in charge of the next family reunion. It will be held at Buck's family cabin which is around by Crouch. It is a very large cabin and has places for tents. Swimming is near by and a lot of fun things to do. Every Saturday in the summertime, Crouch has a sidewalk fair. We saw it when we were coming home. It looked interesting. Deborah will be checking the calendar so as many can be there if we plan that far in advance. We as a group decided that we needed to be less judgmental and more kind thoughtful and loving. Also, we are going to do Christmas the same. I know that Deborah has Sarah and so everyone can figure out their family from that point.

After the family meeting, the kids went down to swim again. I took pictures. After that we all sat around the campfire and sang sons while Ben accompanied us on the guitar. We had to start with Audrey's favorite " Old McDonald but was sad that we stopped because we were all tired of it after the tenth time. Then Hailey had to share with us her song that she made up about her friend, cousin Audrey. Both the girls are so sweet and have so much musical talent.

The next day we all broke camp and headed home. Jacob coming home with us because Ben and family were going up to McCall for more family time. It is good to have Jacob here for a few days. Maybe, be can get our old computer working. He helped me substitute in Hailey's primary class. The lesson was on sharing and she again shared her "Audrey " song.

I am so thankful for such a great family and I hope that more will be able to come in 2 years to the family reunion. It really brings the family together.