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!!