Rogers Family News

Carpe Diem.. Or Not

2012-01-20T14:07:00.007-07:00

Kelli sent me this link to a blog with some very wise advice for young mothers with their hands full and older mothers with short memories! It explains how parenting is like climbing Mount Everest...incredibly hard and breath-takingly beautiful at the same time. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/glennon-melton/dont-carpe-diem_b_1206346.html

January Colorado and Utah Trip

2012-01-17T00:14:00.009-07:00

Beautiful sunrise from the airport window in Phoenix before flying to Denver

Kim's Uncle Don and Aunt Colleen took us to their favorite place for lunch in Denver

Broccoli with ketchup must be delicious!

Beginning our trip to Salt Lake through the Colorado mountains with a nearly full moon setting in the west

The kids were great, but the day was long and this provided a much needed break somewhere in eastern Utah

Hang on, Jack!

Check out the static!

Sunset over frozen Jordonelle Lake- almost to Salt Lake!

Carly, Anna, Stephanie and Becka at Anna's baby shower

Such a cute tummy!

After Saturday night's game- Lindsay and Stephen haven't seen each other since the wedding

Aaaahhhh.....

Ben and Paul have birthdays a day apart

Mathew playing catch with Jack

Kelly and Brent with that darn brace- 2 more weeks

Daniel reading to Eliza and Jack

Last Wednesday morning I flew to Denver to visit Lindsay, Eliza and Jack (Morgan was in Dallas for residency interviews) and help drive them to Salt Lake on Friday. It was fun to see where the Kizzars are living and see Uncle Don and Aunt Colleen again. The drive over wasn't bad, just long. We should have stuck to the freeway! The kids did great, though, and we finally arrived at the Ehlert's home around 6:30. The next day was Anna's baby shower. She's due in about 3 weeks! Kim flew up that afternoon and picked us up to go to Provo for the game. Stephen's knee is still bothering him some. Then on Sunday we celebrated Paul and Ben's birthdays. Brent's family was there along with Bob and Cindy and some of Ben's friends so it was a fun crowd. Eliza and Jack have sure had fun with their cousins once removed and we've completely enjoyed another visit to the Ehlert's home!

Who Says Old People Don't Like Change? New stuff for the New Year!

2012-01-02T01:44:00.010-07:00

Change #1

I recently got a new cell phone and I'm slowly learning how to use all it's great features. The camera on my new phone is a lot better than the one on my old phone, but I still wanted to save the old photos so with JJ's help, here they are.
Eliza at the library

Morgan and Liza- self photography

Mom with Kelly and Brent at the care center recovering from her broken pelvis

Here's part of the group that helped Steve and Kelli move last time. They were wonderful! There were nine trucks with trailers and we were done by noon!

Brand new baby Jack

I love our road trips!

Happy Kim

Sweet sister, Cathy

A beautiful quilt panel I saw in Utah

JJ at work

Megan, Jordan and Harrison

Driving into Austin on our summer trip 2010

Stephen, another self photo

Flying somewhere at sundown

Shoe shopping sisters! Those are quite the heels, Kelli!

Change #2

After many years of very happily driving SUVs, beginning with a blue station wagon in 1975, I decided it would be fun to drive something different. It took about 2 weeks of swinging between a 2003 BMW and a Dodge Charger before I found this car online in Las Vegas! Kim and I flew over this afternoon and drove it home- very fun! It's kind of a mini suv, but drives more like a sports car. Vroom, vroom!

I like change! Yahoo!! Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve Day

2012-01-01T07:26:00.002-07:00

Wyatt getting ready for some fun. Notice Kristin's twins, Dallas and Rylee. So cute!

Paintball wars coming up!

Sam, ready for battle

Wyatt, Jake and Sam with friends and cousins, ready to rumble!

Livy- happy as usual!

Nikki and Bobby, soon to be a family of three!

We've been blessed with not only wonderful children-in-laws, but wonderful parents-in-laws! Claudia is Steve's mom and a very good friend.

Livy and Sam~ buddies already

This New Years tradition of spending a lovely afternoon in the desert is really great. The kids have so many fun things to do, thanks to Steve, and the rest of us enjoy watching them, eating, visiting and just being in the beautiful outdoors, Arizona style. I love Mother Nature!!

Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

2011-12-30T07:47:00.005-07:00

Wednesday evening we met at Firehouse Subs for JJ's birthday and to wish Jordan and Megan well on their journey home. They left this morning for Denver for the weekend, then home. Sorry to see you go! Happy Bday to JJ! He's starting a new chapter this year as he leaves the security job he's had at the Motorola site. He's taking the classes to become a mortgage loan officer. He'll do great!

Megan is now 10 weeks along and feeling good, but tired. She looks great!

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-26T08:15:00.008-07:00

This year we had a Christmas forest instead of a Christmas tree. With a bit of nostalgia, I sold our big tree that we bought for Morgan and Lindsay's wedding 7 years ago. The little forest was fun, though.

This is our neighbor, Jerry Nielson and his reindeer boxer, Blaze. Great costume!!

Twin knee surgeries. Stephen's is 6 days ahead of Kim's...not to mention 38 years younger :)

It was great to have Megan, Stephen, Ginny, Kim, Sam, JJ and Jordan with us, the two couples from out of town.

Soon Aaron, Kelli and Jenni's families arrived. Here's Kim trying on Caisa's very cool snow leopard hat.

Dinner! We had ham, sr cream potatoes, salad, veggies and rolls~ Yum!!

Wyatt's getting closer!!

Aaron gives it a try

Aaron said we're not old enough to be holding a little dog. I'm so glad he feels that way! Notice my hand crocheted earrings from Lindsay and the cute apron Mayzie made for me years ago.

Cute Zayda in the snow leopard hat.

Uncle Steve and Livy

Max was determined to get all the wrappings smashed into one bag

Great job!!

No, this isn't our house, but it's amazing!!

Another Christmas is past already. The years fly! This was different in a couple ways. It was the first Christmas morning we've awakened without anyone else in the house since Aaron was born- weird. We had church at 8:30 so that made it feel like a regular Sunday morning instead. The other thing was it was the first time we were without one of the kids, not counting missions. We missed Morgan, Lindsay, Eliza and Jake who had a white Christmas in Denver. We did get to spend some Face Time with them and see how excited they were with what Santa brought. We were so glad Jordan, Megan and Cadburry arrived safely from Tulsa after spending 5 hours on their second day of travel waiting for the freeway to open east of Albequerque! What a pain!! They'll be here until Wednesday! Stephen and Ginny flew in Saturday night, spent Christmas eve and morning with the Zaccardi's and joined us for Christmas day until we took them to the airport at about six. That's the shortest visit ever! Better than nothing. So we had the best of Christmas- our children and grandchildren together in one way or another. We're so grateful for our family, extended family and friends!!

Family Night

2011-12-20T11:49:00.002-07:00

Jake with a marshmellow mustache

The boys and their graham cracker creations!

Very nice!!

Sam with an interesting hat

Wade and Jake and the traditional Christmas wrestling match :)

Adorable Livy

Another Christmas tradition? Lots of fun whether a tradition or not!

2011-12-15T23:14:00.006-07:00

BYU's Stephen Rogers Hurt at Practice

Published: Thursday, Dec. 15 2011 5:30 p.m. MST

Stephen Rogers of BYU dunks the basketball against Weber State during men's NCAA basketball played in Provo, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011.

Ravell Call, Deseret News

PROVO — BYU junior Stephen Rogers was taken to the hospital due to a knee injury during Thursday's practice, just a couple of days before the Cougars' big showdown against No. 6 Baylor.

"Stephen hurt his knee. He's had a problem with it the last two weeks," said coach Dave Rose. "He had to come out of the Utah game because he bumped knees. Today, it seems pretty serious. He was in a lot of pain and they took him to the hospital to have an MRI. We'll know more tonight."

Rose said he is very concerned about Rogers, who averages 9.9 points per game.

"It's a big blow if he can't play," Rose said.

Dang it! He had surgery last night on a torn meniscus and the doctor said it went very well so hopefully his recovery will also. Ironically, that's exactly the same surgery Kim will be having next week! Our prayers are with Brent today as he has shoulder surgery because of the car accident in Salt Lake a month ago. He won't be able to use his arm for 6 weeks! DANG IT!!!

I Love the Variety!

2011-12-13T02:09:00.009-07:00

Recently, Kim, JJ and I went to another amazing concert put on by the East Valley Mormon Choir Organization. Wade, Brock and Max have been in the last 3 concerts and they have been wonderful!!

Last night we went to Jake's band concert. He's been in the band 2 years now and they sounded great!

Livy is getting out a lot these days to games and concerts

Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks!

After the band concert we went to Jake and Wyatt's piano recital. They played some beautiful Christmas music. This is their cute teacher.

Brock did well in his first season of tackle football. What a hussler!! He is #33 Wade played bball, this fall, but I didn't get any photos- next time!

Back to BYU

One of the Ashworth triplets with the sign he made himself!

BYU beat Utah! They are 10 wins and 2 losses now.

Go Cougars!!

2011-12-09T09:28:00.003-07:00

The team is really starting to show their stuff! Five players were in double digits including Stephen (15) and they beat Weber by about 30 pts!

Family Night at the Basketball Game

2011-12-01T07:31:00.007-07:00

Last night we drove to Prescott along with aunts, uncles and friends for a BYU game. It was so fun to be together- like high school days! Here are Max, Brock, Jake and Wade making some fabulous posters.

GREAT JOB!!

Showing them to Stephen

Uncle Jeff checking them out

Sam and Sarah Woods

Steve, Jenni, Max, Kelli, Steve and Wyatt

Livy in her game day outfit

Photos from the last couple games

Signing an autograph for Sam

Meeting Livy for the first time. She slept through most of the game so cozy and comfy in her dad's arms

Nephews!!

Max said, "Don't forget JJ!"

A couple of cuties!

Wonderful News!!

2011-11-29T11:58:00.002-07:00

Jordan and Megan announced that grandchild #14 is on the way!! She's due in July and feeling great! We have even more to be thankful for than we thought.

Caisa loves holding little Livy

and Livy is loving it, too

Some of the men going after seconds. Everything was so good!

Kane is always smiling.

Lots of fun on the trampoline

Chad and Korinne with grandchildren, Regan, Paije and Easton

After 9 years, the trailer departed last night. It was great to have for lots of reasons, but now maybe we'll use that spot for a garden!

Kim's new office with a window! We'll have to do some decorating.

Happy Birthday, Darlin'

2011-11-24T01:19:00.000-07:00

I married the man of my dreams... and even better!

Life got tough here and there, but you never gave up

A few years later you had a bunch of great kids!

Now it's just the two of us again and I love being with you... no matter what stage of life we're in.

Happy birthday to the best husband a girl could have and the best father a child could have!!

November Utah Trip

2011-11-21T00:47:00.011-07:00

This is the student section at the Utah State game- they were amazing fans!

Yaaa-HOOO!!

After another very enjoyable visit with our favorite Salt Lake people and fun bball games, we drove home today through the beautiful southwest landscape and some amazing clouds.

Approaching the San Francisco peaks - almost to Flagstaff

Up the hill to Flagstaff

Season Openers- Games and Snow

2011-11-19T22:13:00.003-07:00

Some friends of Josh and Nate with some reeealy big face posters!

Sam and Courtney

Ginny and Ginger

Josh, his sister on the right and her friend- major fans!

Some other major fans :)

Some good advice from Coach Sam

Driving home after the game was very pretty and a little scary

We made it home safely last night, but this morning our car got creamed by a driver going too fast around a slippery curve. What a mess!

Brent is being checked out by the paramedics before Kelly drove him and Kim to the hospital to get X-rayed. Nothing broken, but very sore necks, shoulders and knees!

Thank goodness for air bags!

I don't think it will make it back to Arizona, but we'll find out in a week or so if they think they can repair it. We're so grateful Kim and Brent weren't hurt any more than they were.

Valgardson Cousin Reunion!

2011-11-14T18:40:00.004-07:00

Sunday night at Ben and Clark's house in Provo, there was a wonderful gathering of cousins, second cousins, first cousins once removed, etc., all descended from grandpa William and grandma Mae Valgardson. They had 8 children and there were offspring there from 5 of them! The kids are all either at the Y or living in the area so now when they cross paths, they'll know they're family. Cathy made this family tree years ago for a reunion and it came in very handy for them to see how they all connect. William and Mae are very proud of their posterity, I'm sure!

Ben, Stephen, Ginny and Stephen

First cousins~ Uncle Bill's daughters, JoAnn and Sheila and his little sister, Ethel's daughters, Cathy and Sharon

Blessing Baby Livy Christine

2011-11-06T17:46:00.004-07:00

The Lowell Family

Grandpa and Livy

Cousin Kane checking out her great hair

Kelli made her cute head band

Yea!! Girl cousins!!!

Oldest cousin, Mayzie and youngest cousin, Livy

Gorgeous dress!

Lunch time- Wyatt, Jenni, Josh and Steve

Claudia, Colleen, Kristin, Steve, Joylyn

Two cute nieces, Jake, Nikki and her husband, Bob

Zayda and Wade

Jackie and those cute nieces again!

Caisa and Livy

Max

Auntie Jenni and Livy

No Such Thing as Too Much Basketball :)

2011-11-06T17:04:00.004-07:00

Yesterday we were driving out to watch some basketball games and enjoyed seeing the beautiful Superstition Mountains on a perfect November day.

First game- Wyatt

Second game- Sam. This is his first year and he's so excited to be playing and not just watching. Good job guarding!

Listening intently to coach

Guarding his man... or maybe waltzing?

Third game- Jake with Wyatt playing also

Quinten or Q as we call him, Jake's friend and Jake

Take it to the basket!!

Great players and coach!

Happy Halloween!!

2011-11-01T08:58:00.005-07:00

So cute!!! She's got plenty of adorable pudginess covering her skeleton!

Nerdy Jake- cute big brother

I can't resist- One more of Livy!

Wade with the wig his dad wore when he and Jenni were dating.

Max, Brock and Sam

Scary RED eyes!!

Kute Kane

Ready to deliver the mail

Zayda the go-go girl and nerdy Caisa...Gorgeous!

We were passing out candy at our front door and look who showed up! Mustache Mayzie and friends.

Go Cougars!

2011-10-30T23:08:00.005-07:00

We left St. George Wednesday morning and drove right into a blizzard in Cedar City. This is north of there near Beaver.

The old Provo tabernacle and the new Provo Temple!

Cougar country!

Gorgeous fall colors against the mountains

Introductions at the Blue and White game Wednesday night

The whole team

Nice shot! He got 20 points!!

The girls team was introduced at half time and here's our own cousin, Stephanie!

Signing posters after the game

Brandon, Brock, Stephen and Josh ~ This was at the Saturday game

The fans :) Great to have so many family and friends there!

The season is off and running and the first two games were a lot of fun. Especially since we had so many family members and friends there. Stephen got to be a starter for the first time and did really well. As usual, we had a great time staying at the Ehlerts and partying with them and the Stephensons ~ Thanks so much for everything!!

Utah, Here We Come!

2011-10-23T19:42:00.004-07:00

Livy's starting that adorable cooing, smiley age ~ two months already

Going through the reservation then past Lake Powell

Zoey giving grandma a hug

and me!

Happy birthday, Joe! Good helper, Logan!

Knox and great uncle, Kim

and Liam... surprise!! Beautiful eyes

the traffic jam we got caught in on the way to Bob and Cindy's

It's always great to head to Utah to see family, but hard to leave family in Mesa. Especially when one of them is changing so fast! Livy is just getting more fun by the minute and I hate to miss too many minutes. The drive is always beautiful, however, and this time is was sunset at Lake Powell that was especially lovely. Tonight we went out to wish Joe a happy birthday and catch up with the Stephenson clan. They're growing so fast as well. It took us an hour to get there because a semi had over-turned and spilled hundreds of boxes containing bee hives! That will be an exciting clean up!

Book Club Today

2011-10-18T23:31:00.001-07:00

Eve Anderson, Dixie Tawzer, Gwenn Davis, Julia Ryan and Lynn White ~ good friends for many years. That weird thing on the table is a watermelon cut to look like a brain! I saw the idea online and thought it was hysterical!!

Some of my very favorite ladies came this morning for a literary discussion, lunch and lots of visiting. Three were out of town, unfortunately. I've been a member since 1996 and have enjoyed it so much! It's like taking a class at the community college only more fun. The group started in 1980 and still has most of the original members. The goodies above are what we had for dessert :)

Who's Old?

2011-10-16T06:54:00.005-07:00

The other day, Eliza was sitting at the island and in a very pensive tone asked, "Grandma, why are you old?" I'm not sure what my answer was, but then she asked, "What are those bumps on your neck?" OUCH! Oh well, wrinkles happen. I've decided I like being old..er. Lately, I've been spending hours at the Mesa Regional Family History Center and loving it! I can't wait to go back and follow some leads to find Samuel (Kim's ggg grandfather) and Elizabeth Roby's three younger children so the whole family can be sealed together! There are so many internet resources now, like "Find A Grave" where you can see a photo of the actual headstone. This one is for Jacob, one of Samuel's children, his wife and son. Now if I can just find Jacob's siblings, Aaron, Betsy and Stephen, we'll have them all... maybe.

This is a photo of Kim's gr-grandfather, John C. Rogers, that someone had posted on Ancestry.com! So fun!!

Good-bye Until Spring

2011-10-13T11:04:00.003-07:00

Packing for the last leg- quite a challenge to fit whatever you'll need for 6 months in and on one car.

Ya- hoo!! Some flipping fun the night before their trip. There goes Liza!

Jack's an old pro!

Paijes's turn- long legs!

Jack getting stocked up for the trip

Off they go to St. George, then Grand Junction, then Denver until next May

After a fun visit with the Kizzar family, they're off to Denver for the next 6 months and some fun in the snow. Morgan will finish his rotations there, then they'll come back for graduation before starting his 3 year residency who knows where! We'll miss y'all!!

Congratulations!!

2011-10-12T11:23:00.001-07:00

Way to go, Stephen!!

Jordan Came to Visit!

2011-10-05T11:38:00.007-07:00

I'm not sure what Kim and Max are doing, but it was funny :)

JJ finishing his lasagna while Aaron takes care of Livy

Uncle Aaron has a way with little ones. She's 5 weeks old already!

Dinner!! I wish I had a table that seats 28!

Mayzie and Wyatt comparing hand size... we won't mention overall size :)

Our little engineers, Sam, Max, Brock and Jake, work on a domino creation

while Aaron, Mayzie and Wyatt play Triominos

Next morning ~ Eliza and Jack having breakfast with Grandpa

We had such a nice visit with Jordan last weekend! He flew in Saturday morning early (Thanks, Megan, for getting up so early to take him to the airport!), we went to a yummy Thai restaurant for lunch, enjoyed Conference, the brethren went out to dinner after their session while the girls took their kidlets to a movie and I finished up bottling peaches. Sunday was Conference, then everyone but Stephen and Ginny were here for dinner and visiting and games and more visiting. Monday morning we had time for breakfast at Crackers before taking Jordan to the airport to return home. We sure miss them dropping in often when they lived here, but thank goodness for airplanes!

Ah, the Imagination of Children...

2011-10-03T17:14:00.002-07:00

This would be Arizona's version of snow angels- dead bermuda grass clippings on the tramp! Max and Caisa are going to need showers before bed for sure!!

First Concert of the Year

2011-09-29T19:22:00.005-07:00

Combined 7th and 8th Grade Choirs- can you pick out Wyatt?

They really sounded great!!

Liza and Livy- two cuties!

Is that an adorable face or what? We checked out her brothers' baby pictures and she's a Jake clone! Hair and all!

Baptism Day!

2011-09-24T16:54:00.004-07:00

Sweet Zayda Jean was baptized this morning! She was so excited and so were all her family members. There was quite a crowd of Rogers and Germaines there to support her and show her how much she is loved. Congratulations!!

Livy slept through the whole thing ~ good baby!!

Then this afternoon we had another wonderful baptism to go to ~ The Randall Family was introduced to the church when Stacey started talking to Kim and Anthony (on the right) at work about some family concerns she had and they, of course, told her where she could find all the answers!

Their names are Andrew, Austin, Sean and Stacey. Andrew, their 18 yr old wasn't baptized, but he's very supportive and I'm sure felt the wonderful Spirit there today.
Both baptisms were so special and I'm so grateful we were able to be there. It's such a blessing to see friends who have found happiness and the relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus that they were looking for and to see our beautiful granddaughter take the next step in her life.

And then a fun ending to a fabulous day ~ Lindsay, Eliza and Jack flew in from Pittsburg!! That was a fast summer and we're glad they're back. Morgan will be driving out to join them in a couple weeks and then they will start their trip to Denver by way of Utah, so we've got some fun visiting planned with everyone!

It's Still Sum- Sum- Summa Time!

2011-09-20T09:13:00.007-07:00

Wade, the hose man with Brock and Max

Kane's turn

Good job!

While the lows are now in the heavenly 70's, the highs are still 105-ish so the hose on the trampoline will be a definite favorite for a little while longer!

Temple Youth Center

2011-09-15T04:57:00.006-07:00

Last Saturday was my first day working in the youth center at the Mesa Temple! It's a wonderful area for the children while they wait to be sealed as an eternal family. We had three families while I was there and I was able to go with one of them to their sealing. They were older children- 11, 13 and 14 so they understood what was happening and they were so excited! It was such a beautiful sight to see them with their parents and watch their faces. I wish they could have seen themselves all together in white in that beautiful sealing room- the first moment in their new eternity.

Monday Night Football

2011-09-14T21:29:00.009-07:00

Football season has begun and here's what I found in the living room the other night. While Kim watches a game, Lyla and Grady watch out the window for anything interesting. (Kind of my attitude about football) One of them is usually on watch, but this was the first time I've seen them both up there.

I think they're enjoying hanging out together. Lyla's staying with us while the Lowells adjust to their new baby. I'm wondering if we should change her name~ it was confusing enough with Liza's name, but now with Livy's name, too... How about Sasha? She reminds me of one of those furry Russian hats!

They're awfully cute when they've been recently groomed. It was weird when I realized the other day that we've become one of the many "older" couples with a little dog! How did that happen? Well, I love big dogs, but years of hair everywhere had me searching for non-shedding canine company and then I think they help retired parents ease into the next phase. It's a great time of life- lots of couple time with my sweetie, flying hither and yon (thank you, Jordan), working on geneology projects, etc. It's just still really nice to have "someone" at the door when we come home, wiggling and wagging because they're SOOOO excited to see us!

One of Those Unforgetable Weekends

2011-09-07T22:48:00.021-07:00

A week ago, Kim and I drove up to St. George, picked up dad and mom and drove north to begin a wonderful weekend. We stopped first in Spanish Fork to visit mom's cousin and see a box that her grandfather, Peter Valgardson, had brought over from Iceland that was full of history. This is his home in Spanish Fork where they raised their family.

Peter Valgardson

Peter's family with his third wife, Johanna. His first wife, Kristin, died young and his second wife, Gudrun (my great grandmother) was the mother of all the children except the youngest boy. She died at age 30.

A carved wooden box he brought from Iceland filled with letters, documents and a map.

Ledger books

A copy of the original map he brought with him from Iceland. They spell it Island and pronounce it "E-sland".

Peter's son, William, on the left. My mom's dad.

Peter's second wife and William's mother, Gudrun Sofia Jonsdottir. We're wondering where that lovely necklace ended up!

Peter's pocket watch

Part of the monument next door to Norma's home

Cousins, Ethel Valgardson Stephenson and Norma Valgardson Beirson

Our next stop was in Provo to have a visit with Stephen and Ginny. We went to an amazing place where they bring you all manner of meat and pineapple on a skewer and have the biggest salad bar I've ever seen! They had just finished some hot wings and have the fingers to prove it.

Relaxing after that yummy dinner

Mt. Timpanogos at sunset

Getting off the freeway in Salt Lake City that evening

Saturday afternoon we went to a park in Bountiful to have a long overdue Stephenson reunion. We thought it would go from 4 until 6, but we were there until after 8! It was great to see cousins we hadn't seen in probably a decade or two and meet some of their children and grandchildren. Out of the five siblings, four were represented. Brothers, Robert and Kenneth Stephenson have survived their three sisters, Maurine, Norma and Carol. It was really great to reconnect!

Karlene's daughters, Jaylene, Jody and Vicki and their families

Cindy, Clark, Anna, Dave, Lucy and Lauren

Rob and Knox

Roger, his wife, Brenda, their daughter, Tanya and her family

Kenneth, Mary and Linda

Karlene (sitting), Vicki, Bob and Cathy

Brent, Spencer, Kim, Paul and Terry

Laurie, Linda, Paul holding Laurie's baby, Catherine, and Terry

Paula, David's wife, in the middle with daughter, Jennifer, on the left and Linda, Cathy and Pam on the right

Gayle and Bill's daughter, Christine and family

Baby Catherine was making the rounds

Anna and Knox. She found out she's having a son of her own!!

Kelly, Cindy and Anna lounging in the beautiful weather

Brent, Jace, Lauren and Kelly

Lauren doing a head stand!

Paula and David's son, Nathan and his family

Kim and Brent

Bob, Sharon, Robert and Clark

The next day Dan was ordained a Priest after church at the Ehlerts' home and it was wonderful to be there for that. I can't believe he's 16!

Cathy, an wonderful hostess and an amazing spread for dinner!

A bunch of hungry cute cousins

At 6 pm Sunday night, Dad's 90th birthday party began. He had lots of friends come from all stages of his life. Louise and Jake Lambourne- he was dad's mission companion then business partner for years and they were like our second parents.

Craig Richards and Richard Anderson from their first Cumorah mission

Laurie and her mom, Sue Weeks, first cousin on the Valgardson side

Sisters Lybbert, Bringhurst, Bodily, Magrath and Tweed from the old Valley View 1st ward

Sisters Poulton and Vanderlinden

Brother and Sister Hill from their second Cumorah mission

Neighbors, the Enghs and Doulmeyers

Old BYU roomies, Mary Lou and Sharon

With our hubbies, Kim and Wayne, who were missionary companions!

Family photo- we missed you, Mark!

Oh, there you are!

It was a wonderful evening in every way. Happy birthday dad and mom. We sure love you both!

Monday night we celebrated Stephanie's birthday. Happy birthday to a beautiful, sweet, funny niece!! Just look at all our beautiful nieces and that's not even all of them!

Tuesday late morning, we loaded up the car and headed south. First stop was Nephi to visit the cemetery. Here is where dad's grandfather, Robert Cobb Stephenson and his wife Mary Ann Warner are buried.

Dad's parents are buried here. William Warner Stephenson and Lua Alice Linton

Robert Cobb Stephenson's home in Nephi, Utah

St. George rarely doesn't wow me with a sunset and last night was no exception! Is that a double negative? Triple?

View of the new shopping center going in directly below dad and mom's home

Sunrise this morning as we left St. George for home.

Back in the dynamic Arizona landscape

One Week Old!

2011-09-02T08:11:00.002-07:00

I caught Livy having some pleasant dreams and grinning in her half-sleep. What a doll! The last photo is our adventure on our way to St. George on Wednesday. It took us 7 hours to get to Flagstaff where we spent the night and then arrived in St. G the next morning. Great to be here!

Livy Christine Lowell

2011-08-27T07:36:00.006-07:00

I've been calling her Mader, like "Ta-Mader, without the Ta" because she gets sooo tomato red!! (From the movie, "Cars")

Cousin Mayzie Brynn

Livy and Kelli got to go home yesterday and had a fun visit from Aaron and Aimee's family that evening

Caisa Lilly

Zayda Jean

Kane was quite taken with his new cousin

Uncle Aaron

Sam, five years ago!

After a very busy day and not too bad a night, the doctors agreed that they could go home yesterday afternoon which meant that her name needed to be decided on. And the winner is Livy! So cute!! She sure looked adorable in her girlie clothes and blanket! We were looking at photos of her brothers when they were brand new and she definitely resembles them, but has much more hair. So nice for all those adorable headbands!

Baby Girl Lowell!!

2011-08-25T18:19:00.006-07:00

Kelli and Steve got the call to go to the hospital at about 1 pm yesterday and when I arrived at 3, they were still waiting, but with very good attitudes :)

So... a mere 16 hours later, sweet baby girl arrived safe and sound and a pound bigger than we were expecting! She weighed 10 lbs 8 oz and was 22 1/4 in long!

Her big brothers arrived and were a bit mesmerized, I think

The new Lowell family

Can't believe her hair!! And biceps!

Grandma with lucky #13!

Sam, Steve, Jake and Wyatt

Jenni came to visit around 9 pm and decided she didn't want to miss baby's arrival so she stayed all night and kept Kelli and Steve company

Steve's mom, Claudia

Grandpa Rogers

Sam's turn

Warming up a bit before her bath

She LOVED her shampoo, but it wore her out

Proud papa

We had another precious grandbaby born today and I'm so grateful for her safe arrival and her momma's good health. Life is amazing and full of miracles!!!

More from Greece

2011-08-24T00:12:00.002-07:00

Click HERE for the Greek game story

Lounging on the beach in Crete

Last night, the team held a fireside before the game and about 100 members, missionaries and investigators were there. Stephen said it turned out really well. Then the Greek national team smoked them! Well, maybe not that bad. They were out-sized for sure! They had won their first 3 games and now their last will be against the Italian national team so that should be another challenging game. Then they head for home and back to school on Monday. What an amazing experience!

Happy 39th Anniversary!

2011-08-23T23:47:00.005-07:00

Tonight we celebrated 39 married years together. I'm so blessed to have Kim, Kimball, D Kim, DKR, formerly D Kimberly (can you tell I was trying to register for our new insurance today and didn't know which variation to use?) as my very own hubby and the father of our children! Life is great!! Love you, sweetie. Oh, and the waitress brought the cute little bag to the table with a beautiful silver bracelet in it from my sweetheart! Thank you, thank you. I love it!! I'm looking forward to many many more years together. XOXO

Celebrating our Summer Birthdays!

2011-08-21T01:30:00.007-07:00

I think Kane is having fun... Caisa is a good big sister for sure

Jake going for the big splash!

Good one!!

Korinne and Aimee on lifeguard duty

Sam and Max

Most of our summer birthdays: Sam, Mayzie, Max, Caisa, Wade, Aaron and Kane. We couldn't get Kelli in the pool (It's absolutely too hot to be outside when you're 40 weeks and one day pregnant!) and Morgan in is Pennsylvania. Happy Birthday, we love you all!

Mayzie Brynn- 14 and in high school this year- gets prettier and prettier

Guess who!!

Oh, and did I mention, Stephen is in Greece?!!!!

BYU Basketball Team in Greece!!

2011-08-17T07:51:00.002-07:00

What a thrill to be in Greece!! Click HERE to read all about it!

Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula

2011-08-16T06:02:00.013-07:00

Traveling north from Waterloo and going through some lovely Mennonite country

A little dam that served a grist mill for 90 years

The water goes over looking like a little stream and becomes...

Inglis Falls!

Very interesting topography in the area- from Niagara Falls to the tip of the peninsula

Here's a combination of the old and new technologies. I wish they could bury all the wires!

Waterloo is one hour west and a little south of Toronto and Tobermory is at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula (in red)

One of the harbors at Tobermory where we had yummy fish and chips at Craigie's on the left

This is the fun boat we took to Flower Pot Island. The sign said to be ready for "considerable motion and spray" Sounds fun!!

I was curious about the roll bars, however...

First we went into a peaceful little bay surrounded by homes and inhabited by 2 sunken ships from the 1800's

This one is made of white oak which is very dense and has stayed preserved since 1857 by the cold water!

This one caught on fire and they hauled it into the harbor hoping to put it out, but weren't able to.

Here we go past the light house to open sea

After 15 minutes of riding the waves and enjoying fabulously cool wind, we arrive at Flower Pot Island and can see what it is named for

These were carved out by glaciers

Another light house on the north side. We were supposed to go around the island, but the waves were kicking up so we went back the way we came. Worth another look, for sure!!

The harbor where hikers are dropped off

Melanie and Pam decided they wanted a little more spray on the way back

And they got it!!

Just a little damp :)

I had a front seat for the trip back to Tobermory

A little river otter hanging out on the rocks

We survived and it was a blast!

Taken from the top of the 65 ft. observation tower. Lake Huron to the west and Georgia Bay to the east.

Melanie and I went in search of the Grotto through another beautiful forest.

Melanie has camped here before with a school group and just knows the grotto is somewhere nearby...

Not here, but getting closer

White oak that grows through these huge boulders

There it is!!

So down she goes

She made it!!

And back up again with my big foot in the way

On our way home by the light of a full moon

Last Wednesday morning Spencer, Pam, Melanie and I drove 3 1/2 hours north to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula and the little town of Tobermory. Beautiful farms and quaint towns all along the way. We had time for some famous fish and chips before heading out on the tour boat and the next hour was especially fun! It was so interesting to see the ship wrecks and the island. Then we found a visitor center and learned all about the geography, flora and fauna in the area before climbing up to the observation platform. There was nothing but water and trees as far as you could see. Then Melanie and I hiked about a half hour to the east coast of the peninsula to see the grotto and a pretty beach on the way. It was well worth it! On the way home we stopped for dinner and I tried my first plate of POUTINE. For all you non-Canadians, that's fries covered in gravy and cheese (Click for recipe)! Wow, that's good!! I'm so glad I got to visit Pam and Spencer and family and see what a gorgeous place they live in. Thanks for a great time!!

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

2011-08-16T05:11:00.003-07:00

New York state countryside from the bus window

Buffalo, NY

Crossing the Niagra River to Grande Island

Niagra Falls at night

Pam and Spencer's neighborhood!

The Hills' beautiful backyard!

Melanie sorting her room before she goes off to Logan for school this week. I remember doing that a few times...Whew!

A preserve about 15 minutes from the Hills'. Gorgeous!!

It had rained the night before so these little guys were all over the place

Yes, I know this is blurry, but we were running from mosquitoes!

And here's Mosquito Heaven for sure

Another run for it! Amazingly I think we only had one bite each~ we must not taste good because there were millions swarming us!

As soon as we got on dry ground they were gone

It was so beautiful on my bus trip north to Buffalo and was nice to be able to see out farther into the beautiful country side dotted with tidy farms and quaint towns. Spencer, Pam and Melanie were so sweet to drive 2 hours to the Niagra airport to pick me up and take me home for a delightful week in Waterloo. The first morning, we took a walk through their neighborhood which was as pretty as any park I've ever seen! Over the next few days, Pam and I had fun looking for tile and checking out thrift stores for treasures. It was great to visit with their boys, Stephen and Ryan whom I haven't seen in many moons! Another walk we took was through a nature preserve that had such variety! We decided to venture into the woods and found that the rains the night before had livened up the mosquitoes so we ran through the lower part of the trail. In all the excitement, I dropped my sunglasses! There was no way we were going back in without bug spray so we went home, enlisted Melanie and Ryan's help, grabbed the bug spray and went back. I guess the bugs were napping because there were hardly any around and we were able to find my glasses! Yea!!! Then it sprinkled on us as we trotted back to the car. Just a beautiful, amazing place!

Rogers Named a Breakout Player for 2011-12

2011-08-13T11:01:00.003-07:00

Way to go, Stephen! Can't wait for the season to start!! (Click link below)

Rogers Named a Breakout Player for 2011-12

On the Road Again... by Greyhound!

2011-08-10T04:10:00.006-07:00

This cute bus was at an outlets shopping center and Jack and Eliza loved it!

Eliza found a moth

This is a bus like the one I rode on from Scanton to Niagra Falls

It rained most of the afternoon, but was still beautiful

Binghamton, NY! One of the areas Kim served in on his mission so I had to call and tell him where I was

He served in Ithaca, too. The college is where he first smelled marajuana!

It was so fun to see signs of familiar places and streets as we went through New York state

And all the green!

Green is Definitely My Favorite Color These Days!

2011-08-04T16:43:00.003-07:00

Tuesday morning we were on our way to Hickory Run State Park

and the beach!!

I forgot my visor so it was a good thing Lindsay brought an extra diaper for Jack

On the way home we had to stop and take more photos!

Wednesday morning we took a walk through the woods to a waterfall

over the bridge

Pretty soon we were walking next to the river

With all kinds of ferns and flowers growing along the banks

and there's the waterfall!

Finding our way back to the car...

Let's Hear it For Pennsylvania!!

2011-07-31T17:16:00.006-07:00

Good-bye, New York

Through New Jersey

And into the forests of Pennsylvania!

the Kizzars' new back yard in Lake Harmony

Afternoon sun shining through the forest

Eliza and the fern covered forest floor- on the foilage setting which did great things to her pretty blue eyes

The front of their townhouse

An evening visitor

Goofin' off on the deck

the deer came back!

Feeding them bread

It was so fun being across the river from New York and getting to see a tiny bit the crazy amazing place it is. It was nice to head into the open Saturday, however, and drive through the beautiful countryside. Lake Harmony is in the Pocano "mountains" which are covered with tall trees and speckled with lakes. So gorgeous! So far we've had afternoon showers and delightful evening breezes. Morgan is on call this week so we probably won't see him until Friday afternoon.

Sister Act on Broadway!

2011-07-29T11:32:00.004-07:00

The Monastery in the daytime

Wednesday we walked to the ice cream... garage in Union City

YUM!!

Another favorite on the corner

Thurday afternoon, we drove to Times Square to buy some discount show tickets along with hundreds of fellow bargain shoppers!

I was standing in line and held the camera up over my head for this shot

Did you know Harry Potter is on Broadway in "How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying?" Seems ironic...

Where's Waldo... I mean Lindsay?

That evening Morgan, Lindsay and I returned to go to "Sister Act"

It was FABULOUS!!

Happy Birthday, Dad and Mom!!

2011-07-27T18:07:00.012-07:00

Here they are at the Marriott Center last spring with Ben and Cathy

and with Stephen

Mom, you're beautiful all the way through!

Summer birthdays seem to get celebrated together at our house so a very happy birthday to you two!! It's been so fun to be with dad and mom since they moved to St. George and not surprisingly see how much they are loved in their ward and neighborhood. Friends drop by with goodies or just to visit all the time! When someone is as loving and committed to their family and the gospel as they are, it naturally spills over to everyone around them and they feel loved, too. I sure love you both and pray you'll know how much you have given to your family and everyone around you and how grateful we all are!

Manhattan for a Day

2011-07-27T12:44:00.025-07:00

Spooky old monastery right around the corner from where Lindsay and Morgan live in Union City. It's the oldest one in New Jersey. It burned in 1934 and was restored, but looks like it's not being used anymore.

Wednesday morning on our way to the CITY!

First, through the Lincoln Tunnel

Interesting signs

Taxis EVERYWHERE!

Beautiful architecture
Walking to Central Park
We found a playground just inside the park

Jack and Eliza sharing their PBJ's with...
this cute little guy
You can rent remote control sailboats here

Alice in Wonderland

One of many bridges with a bass player. Another one had a trumpet player. They sound great in there, like singing in the shower.

A Polish hero who brought freedom to his country in 1410

The turtle pond

The view from the first balcony of the Belvedere Castle

Walking back to the car after a lovely time in the park

Approaching Times Square

A poster in Times Square

Driving back to the tunnel

The view from New Jersey

Well, I never realized how cozy Manhattan was until today! Traffic moves at a snail's pace and cars, trucks and buses go wherever they darn well please! Lindsay did great at her first time driving in the city finding our way while dodging vehicles and people. Along the way we saw many beautiful buildings and some very interesting residents. The kids did great even though it took us an hour and a half to get home from the park by way of Times Square. Beautiful weather and amazing scenery, both man made and Mother Nature's doing made it a day to remember.

Live from New York!! (Newark, Actually)

2011-07-25T20:19:00.004-07:00

I flew out of Phoenix at 6 am this morning, arrived in Dallas and after an hour delay because of weather on the east coast, which turned out to be about 20 seconds of good bumpy jostling, landed in rainy Newark and was greeted by the Kizzars! After lots of hugs, dinner and bedtime stories, Lindsay and I drove a few minutes to Hoboken to admire the New York skyline. Very impressive!

Fun in the Sun

2011-07-16T23:28:00.017-07:00

Tubing on Roosevelt Lake

Four Peaks from the eastern side

More of our group

We did a slow poke ride after the girls got tired so I decided to join them

Not a stunningly beautiful landscape, but I like the rows of saguaro cacti running along the ridges and the contrasting colors

We had a fun over-nighter for our girls' camp youth leaders last night and spent this morning at Roosevelt Lake on tubes. Very fun and relaxing. Great girls who will be great leaders!

The Trouble with St. George...

2011-07-10T10:34:00.007-07:00

The only problem with being in St. George is that there always seems to be a beautiful sunset and I end up taking way too many photos! The view from dad and mom's balcony is really something! I rode down with Kelli and Steve's family on Tuesday and Wednesday's sky looked like this~

Then the next night was even more amazing!
Looking south toward Bloomington

Southward Bound

2011-07-07T13:14:00.010-07:00

Tuesday afternoon Cathy helped me run with all my stuff to catch the bus that goes from Salt Lake to Provo. Whew! Thanks, Cathy! I only paid $2.25 and had amazingly large windows from which to enjoy the view! I was definitely the only passenger with more than a backpack or skateboard

This is the Mulestein house where I lived when Kim and I were dating and engaged! It's become a waffle house!

We tried their raspberry lemonade
The view from Ginny and Stephen's balcony

After a wonderful visit with the Ehlerts and Stephensons in Salt Lake, I decided I'd better head south and rejoin my sweet hubby who has had enough pizza and waffles by now. However, I stopped in Provo first and Stephen and Ginny made me feel right at home for a couple days. It was so fun being with them. They are really sweet with each other. I don't think I have been able to just sit and visit with him in over a year so it was good to get caught up. Next stop: St. George! Many thanks to our sweet relatives for a great time while enjoying the beauties and great weather of a Salt Lake summer!

Summer Time Fun

2011-07-03T10:58:00.007-07:00

Cathy with Ben and his friend, Bryce, as they leave civilization for an adventure in Africa!

My sweet friend, world traveler and famous Suzuki violin master teacher, Ramona.

Saturday morning at beautiful Jordanelle Reservoir

Thanks, Paul, for a great time!

Volleyball in the Stephenson's driveway later that evening

Jake, Max and Matt
Paul and Brent
Ali and Mikele
Comfy family gathering at Brent and Kelly's home
We had such a fun day yesterday, beginning with boating at Jordanelle with Paul and Cathy's boat. It was a perfect day and everyone had tons of fun and sun. Then we recongregated at Brent and Kelly's for a yummy barbecue and lots of visiting. Thanks, family for a great day!

Heber House, Barbecue at the Ashworth's

2011-06-25T23:39:00.016-07:00

The east side of Mt. Timpanogos on our way to Heber

Ahhh... this is the life!

Back of the house Jenni and Steve rented

The stream that runs next to the yard

Next door neighbors

The view from the driveway

Midway ~ Let's go fishing!

Sam hitching a ride on Jake

Grandpa caught a fish!

But Sam caught the biggest!

Jake waiting patiently

Wade getting tackled by Sam and Max

The Ashworth's beautiful backyard in Highland

I think this is a first ~ Swimming with snow in the background

Barbecuing on the deck

I counted 14 boys of all ages in the pool!

Sam takes flight

Shooting baskets from the far end of the pool

Jake
He made it!

Sam takes another flight

Stephen gives it a try

Then Wyatt

Brock and Max

Stephen twirls Tanner, one of the Ashworth's triplet boys

Stephen and Wyatt started wrestling and would stop after awhile, then one would tackle the other and they were off again! I think they wore each other out!

Jake goes for another three pointer

Max

And off they go again!

Two very tall, very strong boys

Smores for dessert!

YUM!

To the right is their indoor basketball court

Wade
We had a wonderful time Friday in Heber and Midway with the Andersons, Lowells and Kelli's friend, Colleen's family. The setting for the house they're renting is so gorgeous and then they took us up to Midway to a fishing pond where the fish were biting and there was plenty of grass to play on. Then on Saturday we were invited to a barbecue at Danny and Denise Ashworth's home. They live in Highland, another beautiful setting! The fun included swimming, eating, basketball, ping pong, arcade games, more basketball and a demo of the big screen theater room in the basement. It was really fun to get to know them and their 5 boys better. They are Stephen's sponsors, but have been much more than that to him and Ginny. Wonderful family.

Utah Valley Sky

2011-06-23T20:20:00.006-07:00

First, Mt. Timanogas without all the clouds
Driving home from Provo tonight, the sunset was really pretty

Utah Trip in June

2011-06-23T06:33:00.009-07:00

Grandpa turned 90 on June 8 and their sweet neighbor across the street build and installed this sign in their front yard! Happy Birthday, Dad!! We love you!
A photo project getting all the married grandchildren caught up with some of the last two generations to fill up the spaces. Warner and Lua, William and May and Robert and Ethel are the bonus photos

The Lowells arrived in St. George Sunday night on their way to Provo and Heber
Jake, Wyatt and Sam sleeping on the basement floor like MANY before! My pretty momma
Mt Nebo

Mt. Timpanogas covered with whipped cream :) and the eternal road construction in Utah valley
Amazingly green mountains!
The Lowells arrive at the BYU basketball camp and happen to run into Coach Rose
Orientation with hundreds of boys and their parents
We caught up with Wade and Stephen in the Fieldhouse annex
Good defense, Wade!
We drove up to St. George last Wednesday and enjoyed our visit with dad and mom very much. Kelli and Steve were on their way to Provo and stopped for the night on Sunday and then we all left early Monday morning. What a beautiful drive! Spring has been so long and wet that the hills and mountains are absolutely gorgeously green! We've been staying with the Ehlerts (Thanks so much!) and got to visit with Brent and Kelly's family a little and then went down to Provo yesterday to watch the boys play. It was fun to see so many boys having so much fun! I looked up the 10 day forcast for weather in Salt Lake and Mesa and Salt Lake is the definitely the place to be in the summer! No big surprise.

Trek Photos, Part Two

2011-06-14T10:14:00.024-07:00

We had a wonderful fireside Sunday night to wrap up our trek experience. One of the girls who spoke wasn't even a member! She did great. Strengthened testimonies and love for the gospel and families was most often related. They also showed a video/slide show that was really great and then yesterday they let us know that they had posted 1500 photos on facebook! So, here are some more memories of those three days. They also told us at the fireside that we had walked 14 miles the first day and 24 total. How did they do it day after day for months?!

Finding out who our children would be
Pa and Ma Rogers, pre-dirt
Twelve kids later and we're ready to roll!

No big surprise that we have a Stephen in our family :) Also a Jordan and Jenni!

A few hours later, we had a rest stop and aired out our feet. So dirty already!
We left the handcarts to gather a little way off for a pioneer story

Some photo shop magic! (Not by me)

Off we go again through the afternoon

and were attacked by Indians!

Getting later still, but hours to go before we sleep
Some of us had more energy than others!
Corn meal mush for breakfast ~ not great, but they gave us lots of brown sugar and also a pear :)

On the trail once more ~ one of the many lonnnggg hills. Notice President Wright up front leading us to Zion!

The army arrives to muster the Mormon Battalion

We all listened...

and then the men marched away

After prayer together, the girls and I followed the other handcarts up a HILL!

Notice the "angel" on the left coming to help

Big brothers dressed as angels and sisters who had already made it to the top came back to help.

After a challenging morning and a yummy lunch, we had really great workshops. I wondered why they didn't let them have nap time, but this was so much more fun! In this one we made our own butter, melted it and poured it over popcorn we popped over an open flame. For old folks like me, that wasn't so different than cooking it in a frying pan on the stove, but the kids had never used anything but a microwave so they thought it was really fun.

One area was for pioneer games. Who would have thought after the morning we had, we'd be able to have sack races!

Brantun and Stephen from our family really got into it!

There was also black powder shooting, hatchet throwing, knot tying, hair shampooing and more games. After dinner, we had a wonderful program. It began with these very talented ladies ~ so talented that they can bow someone else's violin while fingering their own!!

They had stick pull for the boys and braiding races for the girls. The winners received "cow pies" to take back to their families. They turned out to be big, thick oatmeal, chocolate chip and coconut cookies that kind of looked like the real thing!

The highlight of the evening was a special dance number by the graceful brethern of the equipment crew! They were playing "Swan Lake" and must have practiced because they did pretty darn well! It's a good thing we were all sitting on the ground or we would have fallen off our chairs laughing!!

And then out of a porta potty came a dozen more dancers throwing toilet paper back and forth like streamers! Lovely!!
The next morning after a wonderful biscuits and gravy breakfast, we gathered for a group photo. Everyone was in high spirits- see the hats in the air? Today we arrive in Salt Lake City!

Then the reality of more hours and miles set in, but our boys refused to let the girls take the hard part for the rest of the journey.

Some sore feet, for sure!

Lots of duct tape was put to good use

Oh, that's a bad one!!

Just a little pooped...

and wondering if we'll ever really get there, like the real pioneers felt, I'm sure.

But we did get there!!!

Greeted by all the leaders. This is the couple who were in charge of the whole thing. Whew! Way to go Paul and Cathy- you've been there!

Thanks to all who made it possible!

Jane Eyre

2011-06-10T08:15:00.012-07:00

"I had not intended to love him; the reader knows I had wrought hard to extirpate from my soul the germs of love there detected; and now, at the first renewed view of him, they spontaneously arrived, green and strong! He made me love him without looking at me." Jane, Ch. 17

"I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you--especially when you are near me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame. And if that boisterous channel, and two hundred miles or so of land come broad between us, I am afraid that cord of communion will be snapt; and then I've a nervous notion I should take to bleeding inwardly." Mr. Rochester, Chapter 23

I just finished a favorite book that is worthy of reading every decade or so. What a great story of character, principles and love written so beautifully!

Pioneer Trek 2011

2011-06-06T07:07:00.023-07:00

The newly formed Rogers family ~ Our yell: "We can do hard things! Roger that!!" Elena, Jenni (big sister), Katie, Valorie, Kylee, Brooke, Brad, John, Stephen, Branton, Jordan and Mike (big brother)

Off we go!

Through the beautiful Ponderosa pine forest

Our Stake Presidency

A much appreciated rest

A friend, Renny Rogers was one of the trail bosses

The sun is going down. We hiked miles and miles of hills that seemed to go on forever the first day until well after dark
We were 26th out of 30 handcarts ~ 275 youth participated!
The call to the Mormon Battalion the next morning
Just after the women's pull. These girls were amazing! It was such a long steep hill
Going downhill wasn't a breeze, either! Our Bishop is in the blue shirt and Kim is on the right with Jordan who has Cerebral Palsy, but did so great and walked a lot more than we thought he would be able to.Rocky Ridge ~ Pretty typical of the terrain on that mountain!

Beautiful high mountain meadow where we rested
Nothing like a shampoo after all that dust!
Our lovely daughters ready for the evening's program and square dancing. They ended up covered with dust, but had a great time.
Our campsite and a dozen wiped out youngins
Jordan getting some help from Brad
We changed clothes for the last day so we don't look too dirty, but don't be deceived! This was just after solo time. It was great to sit there and think about the blessings we have because of our brave and faithful relatives. I'm looking forward to hugging them and telling them thank you!
Still smiling and ready for the last leg.

Our family flag
Jordan was determined to walk the whole distance on the last day and only had to be caught up in the car a couple times!

We made it to "Salt Lake City" and met up with Ma and Pa Skousen, friends from our ward
Pa Rogers with "Brigham Young" (President Wright, our stake president)
Just before John Linford died, his wife asked if he was sorry they had undertaken the journey. He said, "No, Maria. I am glad we came. I shall not live to reach Salt Lake, but you and the boys will, and I do not regret all we have gone through if our boys can grow up and raise their families in Zion" This was the family from the Willie Handcart Company that our family was given to learn about and remember as we walked and walked and walked! (He was the Gadd family's tent captain!) We had a taste ~ a tiny fraction of a taste of what they went through and I'll never forget. Our "sons and daughters" were wonderful! Such hard workers and compassionate young men and women, ready to accept each other and help each other. One of the miracles of the gospel is the love that unites us. One of the stake workers asked Kim if he thought it was worth the months of planning and many thousands of dollars and I can honestly say absolutely! The testimonies we heard the last morning and yesterday at church were evident of the life changing experience it is for all involved. Blessed, honored pioneer!!