Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Success!
After years of practice, we are pleased to announce that Venita is pregnant! Please feel free to join in our poll as to what we should expect this December. We will get the official word on the 11th so stay tuned for the result!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Graduation Celebration
Jeph and I decided instead of walking at graduation, we would take the couple hundred dollars it would have cost to see one of us walk across the stage and both go on a little vacation instead. We decided to go to St. George because 1) it was close and we could take a weekend trip with minimal travel time, 2) it is considerably warmer than SLC right now, and 3) it is anywhere but home and work.
We drove down Saturday after Jeph got of work and stayed until Tuesday. We were really glad we made the trip the weekend before Memorial day and on week days because everything was considerably less crowded. We didn't run into people everywhere we went and it was delightful. We spent Sunday relaxing with a picnic at the temple (we sat/laid under a tree that looked like a giraffe), learning more about St. George at the visitors center, and watching a few films they were showing there. It was lovely and relaxing.
(Giraffe Tree)
Monday we went hiking through Snow Canyon. Jeph decided he wanted to hike the volcano which was only 1.5 miles round trip. The brochure said it was difficult, but we didn't believe it, so we started up the volcano. I got about a third of the way and gave up, so Jeph had to go the rest of the way solo. In my defense, the volcano hike was literally straight up and covered in small volcanic rocks which slid out from under your feet with every step you took. It was nearly impossible to make any progress and the thing that did me in was realizing if I kept going up, eventually I'd have to find a way back down. YIKES! Even with the small portion I had already hiked, I ended up sitting on my feet/butt and sliding down because it was better to choose that method than have it chosen for me by gravity. So I when I got to the bottom I climbed the miniture volcano a third of the size of the one that Jeph climbed and felt less like a hiking failure.
(If you look closely you can see a little stick on the top = Jeph)
(The inside of the volcano)
After that we were both exhausted and decided to stick with the easy, short trails in the canyon. I know Jeph has some major rock climbing skills so I convinced him to free-climb a a rock, which he did like a pro. It was still very delightful. After we decided to go for a drive through Tuachan and to see if Jeph's old friends the Smiths/Shurtliffs were home. Jeph spent a few summers working on their ranch, which is what helped him accept and kinda like the simple country part of me. Unfortunately they were not home so we took a picture and enjoyed the scenic drive through Gunlock and headed back to the hotel to spend some time at the pool. FANTASTIC!
That night we went out for our big graduation dinner and took the recommendation of Jeph's parents and ate at Anasazi Steakhouse. We got the famous hot rock steaks and fondue for dessert. So DELICIOUS! Luckily, they are looking at opening a restaurant here in the new City Creek Development, not that we can afford to eat there often or ever again, but it was still so good (just stick with the mashed potatoes and don't get the rice.)
That night we hit up the Fiesta Family Fun Center and played a round of mini golf and went to the batting cages. I've never done that before, but thanks to years of church softball growing up, I wasn't terrible.
Tuesday, we hit up the outlets on our way home. What a good weekend.
Of course we missed our little Co6aka like crazy and were super excited to see him when we got back. I think he missed us too.
We drove down Saturday after Jeph got of work and stayed until Tuesday. We were really glad we made the trip the weekend before Memorial day and on week days because everything was considerably less crowded. We didn't run into people everywhere we went and it was delightful. We spent Sunday relaxing with a picnic at the temple (we sat/laid under a tree that looked like a giraffe), learning more about St. George at the visitors center, and watching a few films they were showing there. It was lovely and relaxing.
(Giraffe Tree)
Monday we went hiking through Snow Canyon. Jeph decided he wanted to hike the volcano which was only 1.5 miles round trip. The brochure said it was difficult, but we didn't believe it, so we started up the volcano. I got about a third of the way and gave up, so Jeph had to go the rest of the way solo. In my defense, the volcano hike was literally straight up and covered in small volcanic rocks which slid out from under your feet with every step you took. It was nearly impossible to make any progress and the thing that did me in was realizing if I kept going up, eventually I'd have to find a way back down. YIKES! Even with the small portion I had already hiked, I ended up sitting on my feet/butt and sliding down because it was better to choose that method than have it chosen for me by gravity. So I when I got to the bottom I climbed the miniture volcano a third of the size of the one that Jeph climbed and felt less like a hiking failure.
After that we were both exhausted and decided to stick with the easy, short trails in the canyon. I know Jeph has some major rock climbing skills so I convinced him to free-climb a a rock, which he did like a pro. It was still very delightful. After we decided to go for a drive through Tuachan and to see if Jeph's old friends the Smiths/Shurtliffs were home. Jeph spent a few summers working on their ranch, which is what helped him accept and kinda like the simple country part of me. Unfortunately they were not home so we took a picture and enjoyed the scenic drive through Gunlock and headed back to the hotel to spend some time at the pool. FANTASTIC!
That night we went out for our big graduation dinner and took the recommendation of Jeph's parents and ate at Anasazi Steakhouse. We got the famous hot rock steaks and fondue for dessert. So DELICIOUS! Luckily, they are looking at opening a restaurant here in the new City Creek Development, not that we can afford to eat there often or ever again, but it was still so good (just stick with the mashed potatoes and don't get the rice.)
That night we hit up the Fiesta Family Fun Center and played a round of mini golf and went to the batting cages. I've never done that before, but thanks to years of church softball growing up, I wasn't terrible.
Tuesday, we hit up the outlets on our way home. What a good weekend.
Of course we missed our little Co6aka like crazy and were super excited to see him when we got back. I think he missed us too.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Let's be honest...
...blogs, facebook, and other social media serve as means for most people to brag. I am going to take a second and join in that.
I am a week behind, but nonetheless I wanted to congratulate our nephew Johnny for being the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Developer Hero of the Week last week!
http://phone.microsoftplatformready.com/HeroesDetail.aspx?heroId=4
He has already been interviewed by Microsoft a couple months ago, and most recently beat out more than 30 grown men to win a Developer Conference Competition up in Seattle.
Here's to you, Johnny - our hero of the week!
I am a week behind, but nonetheless I wanted to congratulate our nephew Johnny for being the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Developer Hero of the Week last week!
http://phone.microsoftplatformready.com/HeroesDetail.aspx?heroId=4
He has already been interviewed by Microsoft a couple months ago, and most recently beat out more than 30 grown men to win a Developer Conference Competition up in Seattle.
Here's to you, Johnny - our hero of the week!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Graduation
As many of you may know, both Jeph and I graduated on Saturday! It was a very exciting day for both of us. Now we can enjoy some time relaxing without the thought of homework hanging over our heads. It is pretty fantastic. Below is a picture of what we would have looked like if we had walked at graduation. Unfortunately, our commencement ceremonies didn't work to our favor and neither of us ended up walking.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Happy Easter!
“He Is Risen,” Ensign, Apr 2009, 40–45
After His Resurrection, the Lord ministered unto many in the Holy Land and in the Americas. Many in ancient times bore testimony of the living Christ as did the Prophet Joseph Smith in modern times: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!” (D&C 76:22).
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| He Is Risen, by Del Parson |
| The chief priests and scribes “shall deliver [Christ] to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again” (Matthew 20:19). |
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| He Is Not Here, by Walter Rane |
| “He is not here: for he is risen” (Matthew 28:6). |
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| As It Began to Dawn, by Elspeth Young |
| “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre” (Matthew 28:1). |
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| Easter Morning, by William F. Whitaker Jr. |
| “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master” (John 20:16). |
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| The Three Marys at the Tomb, by William-Adolphe Bouguereau |
| “They saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted” (Mark 16:5). |
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| © 2000 IRI |
| The Garden Tomb, by Linda Curley Christensen |
| “The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door” (Matthew 28:2). |
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| The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulchre, by Dan Burr |
| “Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple. … |
| “So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre” (John 20:3–4). |
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| The Doubtful Thomas, by Carl Heinrich Bloch |
| Christ said to Thomas, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; … and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27). |
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| The Resurrected Christ in Galilee, by Gary Smith |
| “And Jesus came and spake unto [the eleven disciples], saying, … |
| “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:18–19). |
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| © 1998 IRI |
| Feed My Sheep, by Kamille Corry |
| “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep” (John 21:16). |
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| © 1989 |
| Christ on the Road to Emmaus, by Greg Olsen |
| “But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them” (Luke 24:29). |
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| © IRI |
| The Ascension of Jesus, by Harry Anderson |
| “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:51). |
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| © 1951 IRI |
| Christ Appearing in the Western Hemisphere, by Arnold Friberg |
| “And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw [Christ] descending out of heaven” (3 Nephi 11:8). |
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| © 2003 IRI |
| Christ in the Land Bountiful, by Simon Dewey |
| “The multitude went forth, … and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands … and did bear record, that it was [Christ]” (3 Nephi 11:15). |
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| © 1996 IRI |
| Bring Forth the Record, by Robert T. Barrett |
| “Yea, Lord, Samuel [the Lamanite] did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled. |
| “And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this thing?” (3 Nephi 23:10–11). |
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| © 1995 |
| Christ and the Book of Mormon Children, by Del Parson |
| “[Christ] wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them” (3 Nephi 17:21). |
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| © IRI |
| Christ Praying with the Nephites, by Ted Henninger |
| “And no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard [Christ] pray for us unto the Father” (3 Nephi 17:17). |
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| © IRI |
| Jesus Christ Visits the Americas, by John Scott |
| “And [the Nephites] did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him” (3 Nephi 11:17). |
 Reflections of Christ by Mark Mabry Easter always makes me so grateful for all that our Savior did for us. I am grateful for his perfect life, death, and resurrection that we may all repent and be forgiven for our many sins and become spotless before our Heavenly Father when we finally meet him.  I am also grateful that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and through him, restored The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I cannot imagine how people go through life thinking that we are less important to the Lord than those of old times and that he would not allow us to have a living prophet like he did for those who lived during the time of the Bible and Book of Mormon. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! We are all blessed to have living prophets on the earth again! Such good news! HAPPY EASTER! CHRIST IS RISEN! |
Mission Reunion
Jeph and I both served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Russia Samara Mission. We usually have a mission reunion every six months, the weekend of General Conference. We have never had our mission president at the reunion as he is from Belarus. The last time I saw him was the last day on the mission before our large group flew home. I honestly thought I would never see him again.
However, thanks to some of the missionaries and their home wards, who donated to a fund to bring President and Sister Davydik over for conference and the mission reunion we were able to see them again. I think this was the largest mission reunion we've had (though we missed some of our favorite mission friends, Kim and Trent just to name a few) we were excited to see those who were able to come.
(Don't mind that I'm not wearing my name tag, I had just ridden a bus all night from a city where we were not allowed to wear name tags.)
However, thanks to some of the missionaries and their home wards, who donated to a fund to bring President and Sister Davydik over for conference and the mission reunion we were able to see them again. I think this was the largest mission reunion we've had (though we missed some of our favorite mission friends, Kim and Trent just to name a few) we were excited to see those who were able to come.
( Sister and President Davydik, and us)
(Sister Davydik, President Davydik, Ulia Lufa, her friend Tommy)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Robert LeRoy Lowder
July 23, 1924-March 24, 2011
RUPERT — Robert LeRoy Lowder, age 86, of Rupert, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011, in Pocatello, Idaho, from a heart attack.
Robert was born July 23, 1924, in Hanzel Valley, Box Elder, Utah, to Lewis LeRoy Lowder and Myrtle Kenner Lowder. He lived in Hanzel Valley, Arco, View and north of Rupert (homestead.) He graduated from Burley High School and served in the Navy during World War II. Robert worked in both Rupert and Burley hospitals. He was a farmer, dairyman and custodian. Robert was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many missions including Alabama Birmingham, stake, employment, bishop’s storehouse, Deseret Industries and the Logan Temple. He was also a Scoutmaster and a member of American Legion Veterans. Robert enjoyed making tables for his grandkids, building, working with his children and humanity projects.
Robert is survived by his wife, Nelda Smith Lowder; his children, Robert (Kay) Lowder Jr. of Kimberly, Dennis (Sharon) Lowder of Draper, Utah, Rodney (Marsha) Lowder of Surprise, Ariz., Brent (Janice) Lowder of Ogden, Utah, Judy (George) Allen of Soda Springs, Karla (Brent) Wilson of Rupert, Cindy (Loren) Smith of Downey and Dell (Wendy) Lowder of Rupert; 47 grandchildren; 112 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Eldon (Maxine) Lowder of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Don Lowder of South Jordan, Utah. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis LeRoy and Myrtle Kenner Lowder; his brothers, Richard Lowder and Royal Lowder; his grandson, Jared Lowder; and his granddaughter, Heather Lowder.
The service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 28, at the Acequia LDS 2nd Ward building, with Bishop Richard Poteet officiating. There will be a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at the Hansen Mortuary Rupert Chapel, 710 Sixth St., and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. The burial will follow at Rupert Cemetery.
His family suggests that in lieu of flowers you may donate to Primary Children’s Hospital or Humanitarian Aid.
RUPERT — Robert LeRoy Lowder, age 86, of Rupert, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011, in Pocatello, Idaho, from a heart attack.
Robert was born July 23, 1924, in Hanzel Valley, Box Elder, Utah, to Lewis LeRoy Lowder and Myrtle Kenner Lowder. He lived in Hanzel Valley, Arco, View and north of Rupert (homestead.) He graduated from Burley High School and served in the Navy during World War II. Robert worked in both Rupert and Burley hospitals. He was a farmer, dairyman and custodian. Robert was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many missions including Alabama Birmingham, stake, employment, bishop’s storehouse, Deseret Industries and the Logan Temple. He was also a Scoutmaster and a member of American Legion Veterans. Robert enjoyed making tables for his grandkids, building, working with his children and humanity projects.
Robert is survived by his wife, Nelda Smith Lowder; his children, Robert (Kay) Lowder Jr. of Kimberly, Dennis (Sharon) Lowder of Draper, Utah, Rodney (Marsha) Lowder of Surprise, Ariz., Brent (Janice) Lowder of Ogden, Utah, Judy (George) Allen of Soda Springs, Karla (Brent) Wilson of Rupert, Cindy (Loren) Smith of Downey and Dell (Wendy) Lowder of Rupert; 47 grandchildren; 112 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Eldon (Maxine) Lowder of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Don Lowder of South Jordan, Utah. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis LeRoy and Myrtle Kenner Lowder; his brothers, Richard Lowder and Royal Lowder; his grandson, Jared Lowder; and his granddaughter, Heather Lowder.
The service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 28, at the Acequia LDS 2nd Ward building, with Bishop Richard Poteet officiating. There will be a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at the Hansen Mortuary Rupert Chapel, 710 Sixth St., and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. The burial will follow at Rupert Cemetery.
His family suggests that in lieu of flowers you may donate to Primary Children’s Hospital or Humanitarian Aid.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Dilemma
VS.
Jeph and I both graduate this spring. I, with my master's degree in school counseling from University of Phoenix. Jeph, with his bachelor's degree in business management. We are so excited because we have worked pretty hard to accomplish said goals. We had decided that this was a big deal for both of us so we were both going to walk at our respective commencement ceremonies.
Today I found out:
Both ceremonies are on the same day at the same time in cities 2 hours apart.
Mine is in West Valley at the Maverik Center at 10:00 AM and Jeph's is in Logan at the USU campus at 9:30 AM.
What should we do?
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Kinda Gross
My one complaint about my new job:
I love being a school counselor. I really do. I love everything but one about the whole situation.
You see I have this lovely desk.
And a basket of bribery candy on the corner of my desk.
Well one day I came in to find my crackers that were in this drawer had a few nibbles taken out of them. How a creature got into this drawer to eat my crackers is beyond me (the drawer is usually closed). So I threw them away immediately.
A few weeks later I come to work to find a basket of candies that look like this:
And scratch marks like this:
So I threw all the candy away and sterilized the basket as best as I could. Now I lock my basket away at night in a cabinet that has no secret entry ways and have not had a problem since. But let me tell you, it was pretty traumatic. I sure hope my little office friends have gone away for good. I never knew they were quite the sneaky little beasts and climb desks. I have learned my lesson.
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