DERRICK - HEADED FOR THE MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER

Derrick won't have to come home to a younger brother who is taller than him.  He left that way!

Derrick's four month wait has finally ended.  Today, November 28, 2012, we took him to the Missionary Training Center.  He didn't have to be there until 1:00 in the afternoon so we just got up this morning and left around 8:00 a.m.  We went the Evanston, Wyoming way.  We took this same route when we took Devin here eight years ago.  When we arrived in Provo, we went to the Olive Garden Restaurant to eat.  The waiter there knew exactly where we were headed and told us he had just returned from his mission about 6 months ago.  He asked Derrick where he was going.  When Derrick answered Tijuana, Mexico; he looked at me and asked how I felt about that.  Four months ago, I would have answered with a "very apprehensive and nervous" but since then, I have been blessed to know that this is truly the place where our Heavenly Father wants Derrick to serve and that all will be well.  After we finished eating our "last dinner" together, we headed back toward the MTC.  We still had a little time left to visit, so we went to a big grassy area across the street where we took a few pictures.  What a beautiful setting with the Provo Temple in the background.
Finally the allotted time arrived.  We all got back in the car and drove across the street where we were then directed to parking spot #15.  We got Derrick's suitcases out and all gave him a hug and said our last goodbyes.  Chelsea and I had done alright up until this time and then we both broke down and shed a few tears - happy/sad tears.  Derrick's missionary helper assured us he was in good hands and then grabbed his bags and lead him down the sidewalk toward the doors of the MTC.  Derrick has talked about and planned for his mission all of his life and today he gets to start this new adventure - HE WAS ALL SMILES!!

Chelsea loves her big brother!!

On our way home, poor Chelsea couldn't stop sobbing.  I was having a hard time controlling my emotions also, so I wasn't much help to her.  When Devin left on his mission, she was only 2 years old, so this was really the first time she had had to go through such an experience.  Ryan was sitting in the back seat with her and kept trying his best to console her.  Derrick had worked for the forest service all summer and fall fighting fires.  He had actually been away from home more than he had been home so Ryan, with his 15 year old wisdom, told Chelsea to just pretend that Derrick was gone on a very long fire; one that he wouldn't be able to put out for 2 years.  This advice didn't seem to help Chelsea much but it got Jerry and I talking about how Derrick wouldn't be putting fires out but rather starting them in the hearts of those people to whom he would teach the gospel.  WHAT A COMPARISON!! 

THE BERN WARD ROADSHOW

We got to do Stake RoadShows again this year.  Chelsea and Ryan had parts and I had to help with costumes.  We had to practice once and sometimes twice a week throughout October and the first part of November so it kept us pretty busy along with everything else.

 Tawyna Johnston wrote a cute rap for "The Little Red Hen" actors to do.  Chelsea had a fun time being the cat and it worked out nice because she used her costume for Halloween also. I don't think we'll ever be able to get the tune "Go Red, Little Red Hen" - "Go Red, Little Red Hen" out of our heads.

 Ryan and Joe Beck were the mighty grasshoppers in "The Grasshoppers & the Ants" part of the play.  I don't think either one of them really wanted to do this but they were good sports and did it anyway.

 Our cute little ants - Kendra Higley, Celeste Harper, and Tristan Bruce

Our "MEXICAN HAT" dancers!

The "SMITH" Family

The Entire Cast

WHAT A GREAT TIME WE ALL HAD!!

BRIGHAM CITY TEMPLE DEDICATION



What a beautiful temple!!



Our "half-size" family

Janelle and Grady


 We attended the Open House for the Brigham City Temple on September 15, 2012.  We had heard that all the tickets were sold out so we decided we would probably not be able to go.
Lynn and Earlene Perkes had been through it just the week before and told me that they really didn't even ask for tickets so we decided to go anyway and see if we could get in.  Sure enough, we were able to go through it and what a beautiful temple it is. Chelsea was in awe of everything she saw.  Janelle and Grady were the only other family members that were able to come with us.  We had a great time and were hoping to enjoy a dinner, at the famous Maddox Restaurant, with homemade rolls and raspberry butter before we came home. We found out however, that they were so busy with all the people attending the Open House that if you didn't have reservations you couldn't eat there.  So instead we headed back to Logan to eat.  What a fun family outing we had!! 







Grady loved the water fountain that was in front of the temple.  We had a hard time keeping him out of it; he thought it was the perfect swimming pool.

 



Janelle took this photo and I just had to include it.  Brigham City is full of fruit stands.  Our family has always looked forward to coming here in the  late summer and early fall to buy fresh cherries, peaches, pumpkins, squash, apples and all sorts of other home-grown produce.  I don't think many temples are surrounded by fruit trees, but the Brigham City one just had to be.  



 





DERRICK'S MISSION CALL

Derrick received his mission call on July 27, 2012.  We had been anxiously awaiting its arrival in the mail for almost 3 weeks.  It came on the day of our Bern Ward Canyon Party so we actually went up to the RC&D Campground for dinner first and then headed back home to open it.  All the kids were here plus Janna & Caleb Phillips and Caleb's girlfriend Brynne Heslington.  We all made a few guesses as to where he might go but none of us ended up being even close.  He will be going to the Mexico, Tijuana Mission and doesn't leave until November 28th - a wait of four months.  When Derrick announced that it was Tijuana, Mexico, I didn't think much about it and then everyone started talking about the drug wars and such so then I began to get a little nervous.  That evening I got online and started reading more about the topic and after a few articles I decided that I didn't want to read any more.  I know that this is the place where our Heavenly Father needs Derrick to go and that there are people waiting for him to share the gospel with them so we'll just have to pray for the strength not to worry too much.

4TH OF JULY

 Our Bern Ward Young Men & Young Women were in charge of the 4th of July float for the parade in Paris.  We decided to use a truck this year instead of a trailer - we borrowed Zach & Janelle's.  For our Tuesday night activity two weeks before the 4th, we tie-dyed white t-shirts -  red, white and blue. We then decorated the truck the night before. I really don't enjoy doing floats but thought this one turned out fairly well.  I worried about how many of our youth would actually come and ride on it but as you can see we filled it up.

Jerry and I are usually big time "party poopers" when it comes to 4th of July celebrations so we hadn't been to the parade for several years and were surprised at how many people were there to watch.  Anyway, a big "THANKS" to all the youth who came and supported this activity and I'm glad I can mark this assignment off my summer "to do" list.    

SWIMMING PARTY

Not sure what Halle is doing to Grady

Eating a few bites of lunch

Cute Halle May!!

Grady Boy!!

Little Denim!!

Chelsea wanted to have a swimming party for all the little grandkids.  She spent hours making the invitations, sending them out, and planning every minute of the event.  I didn't get any pictures of the swimming part but they did actually play in the water for about 15 minutes.  The wind was really blowing and made it a little chilly.  After they went swimming, we took them in to town and bought kid's meals at Arctic Circle.  We then took them over to the A. J. Winters playground to eat their lunch.  This was not a very good idea for the kid meals kinda got cast off to the side while they hurried over to play.  Chelsea brought her friend, Emily, along and even with the three of us, it ended up being quite a job keeping all three kids happy and safe.  What a fun party though; THANKS CHELSEA!!

2012 GUNDERSEN REUNION



Chelsea on the rope swing




Chelsea and Halle with Grandma Gundersen




Beautiful rock formations





Traditional races for grown-ups and kids of all ages -  Grandpa and Grandma love watching these.

 Our first major event of the summer was the Gundersen Reunion held at Strawberry Reservoir in Utah. What a beautiful place!  In conjuction with this reunion, we also celebrated Grandma Gundersen's 90th birthday. We didn't leave Bern until late afternoon, so we didn't get there until around 9:00 p.m. - just in time to see the beautiful video tribute of "GRANDMA" that Heath's wife Sara had put together.  After watching this, we were able to visit a little with some of the relatives.  The next morning Kim's family and ours awoke bright and early to make our traditional reunion breakfast consisting of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns.  We have been in charge of the breakfast for quite a few years now and have a lot of fun working on it together.  After more visiting, family fun and games and more good food; we headed for home.  All in all we had a great time and enjoyed being with family.  We are in charge of this event next year.  Hope we can make it as fun as this one was!  

DERRICK'S GRADUATION



Derrick - all decked out and ready to graduate!

 


Derrick with Grandpa and Grandma Gundersen

 


Derrick and Grandpa Rowsell




Ryan and Chelsea are going to miss their big brother

 Our Derrick graduated on May 31, 2012.  What a fun year we have had watching him in football, basketball, and track and as always excelling academically.  On top of all this, he is just one good kid.  I may be biased but I guess I have every right to be as his MOM.  He turns 19 this October and hopes to go straight out on his mission.  We are excited to see where he'll get to go.  We are going to miss having him around but are excited to watch his future unfold.  WE LOVE YOU DERRICK!!

BEAR LAKE HIGH SCHOOL TRACK

Derrick and all his teammates that went to State

District Long Jump Event

District Long Jump Event

Both Derrick and Ryan did track this year.  Ryan did the high jump and ran the 800 meter race.  Ryan was able to letter as a freshman again since he placed 5th in District in the high jump with a jump of 5'2".  WAY TO GO RYAN!!  As far as the 800 race, he just stuck it out till the bitter end - he's grown so much this past year he just doesn't have enough fat, muscle or whatever it takes to endure this wicked race.  He said his main goal was to not let Derrick lap him -which he accomplished. Derrick participated in several relays, the 800 meter race, and the long jump.  Half way through the season Derrick sprained his ankle quite badly playing basketball with the "forest service" group and couldn't practice for over 3 weeks but he still was able to go to State in his 800 race and the long jump.  This picture is of all the kids that went with him.  State Track is a way fun event to go to.  In years past it has always been held at Boise State University but this year because they are redoing the football field, it was held at Eagle High School.  Derrick scratched on his long jump so did not place in this event.  He took seventh in the 800 with a personal best record of 2 minutes 1 second - sprained ankle and all.  We were proud of him.

CHELSEA'S ALL-STAR BASKETBALL TEAM

Our little Chelsea played basketball this winter also.  She played on a regular season team and then got to play on the all-star team.  Her coach for both was Michelle Mattson; whom she really has liked.  She had her last year also.  Chelsea was usually one of the taller girls out on the court and if she just held her hands up high no one could really block her shot.  Her games were mainly on Saturday mornings so they didn't interfere with her brother's games too much.  We had alot of fun watching her!!!

SPRING BREAK - CALIFORNIA

We decided to spend our Spring Break this year in beautiful, sunny Southern California. We flew out of Idaho Falls and the day we left was a blizzard. We rented a car and drove down the Pacific Coast Highway all the way to Imperial Beach just this side of the Mexico Border. We saw people surfing, but not swimming, at most of the beach areas we stopped at. They were all wearing wet suits so we decided that the temperature of the water must be a little chilly this time of year even in California. Derrick really wanted to swim in the ocean though and we're tough, well-winterized Bear Lakers used to cold conditions of any kind, RIGHT?  Anyway, we went to the nearest lifeguard station and asked if swimming was legal this time of year.  She replied with a smile on her face; "Yes, but usually the only people that dare swim right now are tourists from Idaho." Well, little did she know, we fit the description - tourists from Idaho. Derrick couldn't talk Ryan or Chelsea into going with him so he went all by himself. He spent about an hour riding the waves on a small boogie board he had bought. After he got out, he spent the next hour or two shaking and shivering

BASKETBALL FUN!!!

This is what makes BEAR LAKE WINTERS bearable - No pun intended.  We had so much fun watching Derrick and Ryan play basketball this winter.  At the beginning of the season, Ryan was on the Freshman Team so we would watch it, then the JV, then Derrick on the Varsity.  After a few weeks, they moved Ryan up to the JV so then we only had to sit through 2 hours of games instead of three.  Jer and I had a rough time getting our old bodies to move very well even after the shortened time sitting on those hard old bleachers.  The Varsity Team ended up losing the District Championship game to Snake River but were still able to go to the State Tournament by winning a play-in game against Teton High - Ryan actually got to letter as a Freshman by getting to play in this game for a few minutes.  At State, after three intense games, we ended up taking 4th place.  WAY TO GO BEARS!!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

We usually celebrate Ryan and Chelsea's birthday on the Sunday in between January 27th (Ryan's Birthday) and February 2nd (Chelsea's Birthday).  Chelsea always has a heart-shaped cake and Ryan's usually is a basketball but this year we decided to do something different for him- a Smiley Face.

Ryan turned 15 years old and is 6' 5" tall.  He is currently taking Driver's Ed.  He will finish up the class part around the end of February and then will have to drive with us, his parents, for 50 hours before he can get his actual license.  This will be the sixth time I've had this experience and  I still don't enjoy driving with beginners - it's just too nerve-wracking.  Looking on the bright side though, I only have to do it one more time after this.  Ryan enjoys "hunting" so his main birthday gift was a pair of binoculars so he won't have to borrow his dad's anymore.

OUR NEWEST ARRIVAL

Our new little granddaughter is finally here - February 1, 2012. Embree Sage Wells weighed in at 7 lbs. 14 ozs. and was 20 1/2 inches long.  Andrea went to her doctor's appointment yesterday and Dr. Degnan felt like she was ready and told her to be at the hospital this morning at 7:00.  They had a bit of a scare - each time Andrea had a contraction the baby's heartbeat would get really low and then they couldn't find it at all.
The nurse called the doctor in and he decided that the baby was in trouble so even though Andrea was only dilated to 8 cm. he wanted the baby out immediately.  He had to use forceps and literally pull little Embree out.  Apparently the cord was wrapped around her neck causing her to stop breathing as the contractions tried to push her out.  The nurse told Andrea that she was very blessed to have Dr. Degnan, who by the way is 80 years old, as her doctor because he is very skilled in using forceps.  The only other option would have been a c-section which would have taken too long and the baby may have died.  We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for this special blessing and so glad to have our little Embree safely here.  When we took big sister Halle in to see little Embree she really didn't say much but the continuous smile on her face was worth a thousand words.

MY MOM

This is a picture of my mom who we lost to liver disease just over a year ago on December 20, 2010.  She was just a young 76 years old.  I love this picture of her.  I'm not sure how old she was in it but would imagine in her mid 20's. I have missed her alot over this past year and think of her often. This summer we went through her belongings and it was fun to find things that reminded me of past experiences with her.  I will be ever grateful for the opportunity I had to call her my mother and friend.
                                                              LOVE YOU MOM!!