Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Labor Day at the wash


We have made our annual trek to the Park Wash for the Reidhead reunion. This year was a minimal wash experience. No tents, no s'mores, no sitting around the fire at night, no stars. But, we got to visit with Craig, Janessa and the girls and we were able to help Grandad get to Sacrament Meeting so it was successful. I don't know if there were any wild grapes this year. We didn't even look.







We arrived at the cabin late Friday night. Craig and his family were already there. Saturday am, after Grandad's wonderful sourdough biscuits for breakfast, we loaded up the water cans and headed to the wash. We set up a tarp and unloaded the chairs and ice chest. Dad was ramrodding a branding activity so he took off. Nothing too crazy. He has a small branding iron with John Reidhead's brand that he would heat up and then anyone who wanted to could brand a slice of juniper for their very own. Grace was very interested in just what Grandad was doing.

There were several games for the kids this year. A balloon toss, a three-legged race (which we did NOT get involved with) and others. The best was the Easter egg hunt. It was divided by age groups and there were LOTS of eggs. The girls made quite a haul.


The Craig Gibson's headed to Albuquerque about noon and we just vegged in camp until it was time to cook Dutch oven potatoes for dinner. We had enough coals and time left over, so Dana sweet-talked her dad into cooking a batch of biscuits. It was great.

The weather was cool all day Saturday with lots of clouds. We went back to the cabin that night. Sunday morning, it rained . . . and rained . . . and rained. It was wonderful! Dad and Grandad went to church while Dana and I stayed with Grandma. Lunch was hamburgers with tomatoes from the garden and sweet corn.
We always enjoy the wash and all the people and friends and food. This year was different, but still fun.

He's Home!




It's not a dream. It's for real, as was so quietly murmured today about noon. Matt has returned home from Arcadia, California. He looks and sounds great. The baptism on Sunday that he and his companion participated in was a wonderful way to end his mission. We're excited to have him home and now it's full steam ahead, after a couple of days adjusting to heat, no 24-hour shadow, being able to take off your shoes, and listening to music other than Tab choir.



Check out the luggage that came home. The front part is Matt's name. Across the back of both is a sticker that give the "no other success" quote in Mandarin symbols.


Dana took Matt off to Institute tonight. We'll see how that goes. And yes, to silence all the speculation, Matt has a bedroom with a bed, made up and ready to sleep in, a closet with hangers, and an empty chest-of-drawers to fill.





Matt is scheduled to speak in Sacrament Meeting on the 14th and all are invited. Our meeting begins at 11 pm. We're looking forward to it. He promises to speak longer than 4 minutes.