June 2022 Welcome Summer!

 

Preslee, Will & Nora Cherry Picking

We spent most of the month getting ready for Parties and family visiting.  It is always good to have a reason to get projects done with a deadline.  We pushed ourselves and worked harder than we ever thought we would when we moved to Utah but it was so worth it.  We were asked to host our Relief Society Summer Salad Activity at our home in June.  (Relief Society is the women’s organization in our Church). That meant we would need to finish the landscaping of our back yard and finish the Spring clean up.  Last month I showed what we did with the new walk way to our home entrance.  

The Gazebo was our next project.  We stained the lattice panels and repaired the roof.  We can now sit and enjoy the view in the shade and at night there is a skylight to see the stars.  We like to sit there after our morning walk or ride.  I inherited the rocking chairs that sat on my parents front porch of their home.  They have been out in the elements for the past 3 years and needed some work.  The chair pads were the original ones my mother put on them 10 years ago.  Some memories just have to go -- so I thought I would just give them a quick spray paint job and be done.  Instead, we spent the day sanding both chairs and painting them with latex outdoor furniture paint that will last for several years.  I have so many memories of those chairs when we visited Idaho and I knew my Dad would be happy I was taking good care of them.

They are authentic Cracker Barrel rocking chairs.  I hope new memories can be made with those who come and visit and enjoy the beauty of the mountain.

We worked so hard removing oak starts, weeds and any other growth that did not belong in the back yard.  We cleared the walkways, planted flowers, laid mulch, watered our new sod and prayed everything would grow and look nice.  

Our next project was to paint the fence black and add white rock.  We thought we would rent a paint sprayer and get it done quickly.  We went to rent the sprayer and the worker said you could not use stain in the sprayer, even though their website said you could.  He said the best thing was to purchase a $20 bug sprayer and use it for the stain.  

Emily wanted to paint our fence and the neighbors higher fence and we convinced her to only do our lower fence.  It turned out beautiful!  It took us several panels to get the sprayer right and with the three of us we got it done in about 4 hours.  Of course we had to return to Home Depot and get more Stain - it would not be a good project if we didn't visit the store a few times!  We finished it off with white marble chips and Limelight Hydrangea in the planters.  

The contrast with the black and white is stunning.  Emily had a vision of what she wanted and it turned out better than we had even imagined.  None of our neighbors had ever been in the yard and there was a lot of curiosity of what it looked like.  We had three ladies from Church come ever to check it out to make sure it was "nice enough" for the Activity.  I think they were pleasantly surprised.  NO PRESSURE - right?!?  

The activity was Wonderful.  We had 40 ladies who shared their favorite salad or dessert.  Great food and lots of visiting and getting to know more people.  We have been in a drought and any rain makes a difference.  I had been watching the weather forecast all week and it was supposed to be a nice day in the 80's.  Out back yard is mostly in the shade and always after 7:00 pm.  The night before the forecast changed and they said we could have showers around 4:00 and by 6:00 it would be gone and be a beautiful evening.  I thought that would be perfect to have a quick shower and make everything look fresh.  

No RAIN at 4:00 or 5:00.  I was a little worried as the sky was getting darker.  I did not want them to cancel the activity after all of our hard work for the past 6 weeks.  The women started arriving at 6:15.  at 6:30 the wind picked up and in the front yard the tarp we put over the trailer blew off and the flags were being whipped and blowing straight out.  The sky was filled with dark clouds that were moving quickly.  I quietly went downstairs into my home and went to a private place and said a prayer.  I said, "for weeks we have worked tirelessly to have our home ready for this gathering.  We need the rain.  I need the rain to stay up on the mountain and blow past us. "  I felt at peace and returned to the Activity.  Leslie Doxey, the Relief Society President, Karen DeVincent, Chairman of the event and I stood back and were in awe as we watched the flags being whipped to and fro just 10 feet from where we were gathered and there was not even a breeze.  It was calm, peaceful and dry.  Not one drop of rain as we watched the sky and the clouds move over the mountain and pass us by.  I knew a tender mercy had just happened and felt so blessed.  When the activity was over some men came to help take down and load chairs on the trailer and said they were worried about how the evening went with the storm.  Just two streets over there were 2 inch think limbs that had fallen in their yard.  My sister called to see how we survived the storm.  She was at the BYU stadium at a track meet and it was a huge wind storm with a downpour of rain.  She was so worried that it ruined the party.  I know that we were blessed and protected that night.  Our back yard was a little bit of heaven for those two hours.  

Texas Flag added

One of the final projects was to install the 20 foot flagpole.  It was not complete until we added our beloved Texas flag - son-in-law Ian is not so sure he wants to claim us - he is die hard Utah.  There is something about flying the flag that makes it home.  The backdrop against the mountains is breathtaking.  

Pleasant Grove/Lindon had their annual Strawberry Days Parade.  Preslee is a cheerleader with the Pleasant Grove Youth league and marched in the parade.  Always a fun day at the parade.

Preslee marching in Parade

So just when we thought we had all of the projects done and could just enjoy the week before the party and all of our company arriving, Emily asked if we would help with their project to move the slope on the side of our house to make it level for the swimming pool.  We had no idea what we were agreeing to.  We wanted the pool to be in for the summer and wanted it ready for our company so we jumped in to the project and did not stop until it was done.  It took us about two weeks and we finished just in time.  

3 feet of dirt moved

Oak root web

Oak tree root

We contacted three companies to get bids to have the dirt moved and leveled.  We had a bid for $400, $800 and $1500.  They all said they would have to haul off the extra dirt and that would cost a lot.  They also said they would need to remove about 3 oak tree stumps and that it would take a lot of time and added to the cost.  The $400 bid guy would never return our calls or come back- he probably realized he could not do it for that.  So, we rented the dirt hauler and spent 6 hours moving the mountain - literally.  Russ was not feeling good that day - he did not want to shovel more dirt - so Ian, Emily and I worked together.  What an experience!  It took Ian about an hour to get the hang of driving the machine and getting it to actually move the dirt.  The hill was so steep we had to be careful that it did not tip over when he put the shovel down to pick up the dirt.  I knew the front of the property was below the grade we needed and so we moved all of the dirt to the front to fill it in.  We thought the hard work was cutting the Oak trees down a few weeks before.  We had no idea the tangled mess the Oak root would be. The dirt hauler would not even budge the stump.  We had to just work around them and the more dirt we removed the more old stumps we found.  We got it as level as we could in the 6 hours we had the use of the machine.  On Monday Russ started digging out the stumps.  We would dig and saw, dig and saw the tangled mess of roots.  One by one we removed about 5 stumps.  The picture above shows the biggest one we removed.  It took a week to get them all out.  Now we were ready to build the retaining wall.  We found a person selling cinder blocks for $1.00 each.  That was a huge savings so we went and got about 50 blocks. loaded the truck and 6 sacks of concrete mix.  Ian dug the 15 foot trench and then we poured the cement into to trench and put the cinder block in the cement.  We built it 3 blocks high and then went back and filled the blocks with rebar, more cement, rocks and sand.  We then brought in two loads of sand and leveled the ground some more.  

We ended up not having to haul any dirt away.  We needed it all to level the front.  We even had to bring in an additional load of dirt to fill behind the retaining wall.  We have a neighbor who is putting in an in ground swimming pool and was having lots of dirt removed.  We went and asked if we could have a load of their dirt.  The guy was very nice - it would save him money - and he brought a load and dumped it where we needed it.  Front lawn will need some repair after so many trucks have driven over it.  So, we hauled more dirt.  It was coming together and the ground was looking pretty level.  

Time to put up the pool.  Russ, Emily and I worked together and figured out - thanks to YouTube- how to put together the new 26 ft by 12 ft by 5 ft. Pool.  The real test was putting in the water to see how level the ground really was.  We have one low corner but not too bad so it will be OK for this summer.  We will make adjustments next year before we add the deck.  This year we are just glad to have the mountain leveled and the pool up and running.  The kids have been in it every day this past week and it was worth all of the effort.  It is actually therapy for Logan and it is nice to have them outside for a few hours a day.  

Amazing how the used cinder blocks actually match the pattern on the pool.  

We brought in another load of sand and made it like a beach all around the pool.  One more area of the yard that has received a facelift.

As we were doing all of this work we were also conditioning and preparing for a 47 year desire to climb "Y" Mountain.  We knew we needed to get our lungs conditioned for the altitude and our leg muscles.  We started walking the trail behind our house that is a 12% grade and about the same distance as the "Y" Mountain climb.

Bottom of trail

Top of Trail

The first day we had to stop four times to catch our breath and decided we needed to use our trekking sticks.  Every day got better and we increased our speed.  It is just a mile but the steep grade made it a challenge.

I told my grandchildren who would be visiting to plan for this hike.  We had other family visiting and they bailed on the opportunity - waterfalls were calling to them.  This climb was not so much for beauty but to accomplish a bucket list.  My friend Wendy Collmar climbed the "Y" a few years ago and that was all the encouragement I needed to make it a goal.  I should have done it when I was a student at BYU - what was I thinking.  In 1974 when I was a student at BYU they did a bucket brigade where the students formed a line and carried the paint up the mountain to paint it.  It used to be lighted by gas lamps.  Today it is painted by a helicopter drop and electric lights were installed.  

Parking lot 

checking out the map of the climb

#7 out of 12 markers 

started to see a glimpse of the "Y"

Russ made it to the TOP

Preslee, Russ, Nora and Linda

With a little encouragement the kids made it to the top.  The kids loved standing on the "Y" for the Win.  

When we got to the top there was a women who made it up and she said I will be 70 this week and the oldest one on the mountain.  Russ looked at her and said, "I am 72".  She was amazed because he did not look as old as her.  We talked to one young man who was on his 5th hike up the mountain that morning.

Going down was not easy.  It is so steep it is hard on the knees and the rocks made it easy to slide.  It was fun encouraging those coming up that they could do it.  We bribed the kids that we would go to the BYU Creamery for lunch if they made it to the top.  We are so grateful for the month of hiking the trail behind our house.  We did not have any sore muscles and were able to enjoy the rest of the day with family.  Melaleuca ACCESS BARS and PEAK PERFORMANCE really do make a difference for us - wouldn't be without them.

Y Mountain

Largest pulpit Bible

We spent the afternoon a MOON'S RARE BOOKS in Orem, UT

Mr. Moon's father had a bookstore in Dallas TX for many years.  He moved to Utah about 10 years ago and opened his Bookstore in the Shops at Riverwoods.  He is a collector of rare books and movie props.  When you take the tour you get to see inside the two vaults that keep some of the most rare and valuable items.  It is so worth the time to take the tour and hear his stories.

smallest printed Bible in the World. Comes with magnifying glass to read it.

Book case in Mr. Moon's office

Children’s Room of rare/original books

He is a large collector of Bibles and Book of Mormons and other Religious writings.  He has the personal copy of King James - from the King James Bible.  His stories of how he acquires many of his artifacts is very fascinating.  The have lots of Harry Potter, Star Wars and Indiana Jones items.  For my Book lover friends, this is a must see Bookstore.  Thanks to my sister, Brooke Bledsoe for the tour.

We decided that if we had the yard all finished and looking beautiful with flowers we should have a Family Reunion.  With just two weeks notice we pulled it together with family from Utah and Idaho and had about 42 family members attend.  We wanted to get together for fun and not just at a funeral.  The last time we were all together was 4 years ago at my Dad's 97th Birthday Party.  I wish more of my children could have been there but they live so far away.  

Haney Siblings

2nd generation cousins

Cousins catching up

The Bounce Slide was a huge hit along with the swimming pool.  It was so nice that the cousins are growing up and their parents got to enjoy visiting with each other instead of chasing kids.  The Bounce house kept the kids busy for a long time.  Gavin mastered walking down the slide instead of sliding.  

Gavin walking down the slide

It would not be a party without the FOOD!  Everyone brought salad, beans, chips and desserts.  Ian got a new smoker and so we tried it out.  I have not cooked a Texas Brisket in about 5 years.  He smoked it and then I finished the prep.  Oh my goodness!  It was perfection.  The secret is cooking it a day ahead, wrapping in foil and refrigerating.  When cold, slice thin and layer in a pan with Bar-b-que sauce.  Reheat 1 hr. before serving.  So tender and the smoking gave it a true smokehouse flavor.  Ian also smoked two pork roasts for pulled pork sandwiches.  Hot Dogs for the kids and everyone was happy.  

slab of smoked meat

sliced and layered brisket

heated to perfection

Pulled Pork

The kids ended the evening with SMORES.  I think that is always the best part for the kids.  Who doesn't like to play in the flames with marshmallows ?

I hope we can get together more often with family now that we are closer.  This was the start of great gatherings to come.  We loved having family at our home.

FAMILY

June was a wonderful month filled with lots of family.  Julie (Josh's family) and the boys, Kelly, Shannon, and Jamie came for a few days on their way to Texas.  They left and my Sister and her daughter and family arrived.  We then welcomed Brian's children, William and Nora for the week.  Julie and kids then returned for a few days on their way back from Texas on their way back home to Portland Oregon.  We are already looking forward to next Summer and having the grandkids again.  They do not see each other very often and we have a big range in ages but we had a great time.  Below is just a photo bomb of all of the activities we did with them.  Memories!

HILL AIR FORCE BASE MUSEUM

Notice "The Grim Reapers"

This is the plane my father flew in WWII

B-25 

Lunch at THE DINER in downtown Ogden, UT

"The Sexy Burger" 

Asparagus/zucchini soup

OGDEN'S UNION STATION MUSEUMS

There are 5 museums to see.  The Trains, Remington Arms, Chinese labor art, Antique Cars, and a Cowboy museum.  

History of Union Station

Chinese Art Museum Picture

History of Chinese Labor

Transcontinental Railroad History

ANTIQUE CAR MUSEUM

Lincoln

VINTAGE CAR DEALERSHIP IN PLEASANT GROVE, UT

Boys Dream

1951 Hudson

BEANE MUSEUM AT BYU

Preslee with the WOLVES

Black Bears

Nora with the giraffe's

snake staircase

Gummy Bear - Favorite of the kids

MONDAY AT THE LINDON WATER PARK

Russ enjoying the Lazy River

William coming down the tube slide

Nora, Emily and Ian

The Lazy River

TEMPLE LOT PROGRESS

The Lindon Temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints broke ground in April 2022.  It is interesting watching the progress as they have moved so much dirt to do all of the foundation work.  The basement is 20 feet below ground and the seismic work they have to do is 30 feet deep and 2 feet wider than the footprint of the foundation.  It had to be a continuous pour of cement and 32 cement. trucks arrived on sight to get the job done - no one else got cement that day!  

from the Murdock Trail

View from Temple Lot

CHERRY HILL FARM PAYSON UT

Preslee in the cherry tree

Nora enjoying the cherries

William

Bright Red Cherries

Preslee, Will and Nora

What an adventure!  The grandkids had never picked cherries and were not real excited until they got there and got to climb ladders and fill their buckets.  We had so much fun picking and oh the memories of when I was their age.  Another win away from the electronics!  We were then off to the Big Red Barn for Carmel Apple Slushes.  Always a treat along the way!

Time to take William and Nora to their Grammy and Papa Walker in St. George.  We arranged to meet them in Cedar City for the pass off.  

The Barney's

Our dear friends, Loren and Mary Barney who we had as companions in the MTC on our mission, live in Cedar City.  We have wanted to visit them and this was the perfect opportunity to stop in and have lunch and a wonderful visit.  It was so nice to see their home and enjoy their hospitality and friendship.  They have an amazing garden and Mary creates beautiful quilts.  They will always be special friends.  Wishing Mary a speedy recovery from her surgery.  

We were told about the Beaver Creamery at our Family Reunion.  It did not disappoint .  We did not need the ice cream but who can pass up Raspberry Chocolate - Amazing.  The cheese curds were some of the best I have every had.  We enjoy finding these new discoveries and fun places to get treats!

Preslee turned 11 on June 30.  She is growing up so fast and really a cute girl.  We took her and a friend to I-Hop for dinner and had fun in the rain!

That's a wrap for the month of JUNE.  I think we are finally in maintenance mode and not too many home projects in the near future.  We are enjoying the fruits of our labors as we enjoy the back yard.  We found out we have a cherry tree - no cherries last year but this year loaded - we didn't know we had it so we did not spray and they are full of worms - next year's project.

We celebrated our 47th Anniversary on June 20th.  We went to the Provo City Temple for the first time - a beautiful historic building that was a very special experience.  Our greatest celebration was being with so much family this month and being grateful for our posterity.  

The Summer Adventures are just beginning.  We look forward to the coming weeks and wish each of you a summer of family, friends and memorable adventures.  We would love to hear about your experiences and our home is always OPEN for Visitors.  

The Grimmett's