Last trip with Zack

Joyce and Joe let us come up to their cabin near Strawberry Res. and Joe
took us 4-wheeling. Michael was on a camp out. The Rhino was the 4-wheeler of choice for Jake, John and Spencer.




























Here's Dave trying to throw Jake in the water. I don't think Jake wanted to go!

The wild flowers were the most beautiful I have every seen. These are just the yellow ones, but there were lots of different colors up and down the trail. It was an awesome trip! Thanks Joyce and Joe!!! We had a blast!

Jack's funeral

Jack Holladay died on July 10th. He was a great inspiration and example to all of us.































From right to left, Jake, Spencer, Mike, John, cousin Rob, and Zack.

















Jack had full military honors and these guys added such a special touch to the funeral.

Trip to Jerusalem

Just one week left before Zack leaves! I am feeling a little braver and I think I will not just drop him off at the MTC, but go in and do the whole program with him (MTC torture farewell). Zack and I went to the temple last week and did baptisms. I got to be there for his first baptism and it was me! It was way cool! (Sorry, no pics) There was a cute lady in the dressing room whom I talked to about not wanting to take part in the "bawl fest" at the MTC. She said that I had to go with him and wouldn't let me leave until I promised to do so. I think I can handle it now ;) .


This is cute, I mean handsome John chillin at Uncle Jack's cabin. We rented some 4-wheelers for our last family outing with Zack and he wanted to go down and see Uncle Jack. The boys had a blast! I was watering Jeanene's garden for her and bonked my head on the tin roof when I turned around to turn on the water. I had a nice gash on my head; and you know how those head wounds bleed. I was pretty proud of myself for not saying any "farm words"! We tried to find some super glue to patch me back together, but after I washed the blood out of my hair, Uncle Jack said it probably wouldn't need to be glued. The mosquitoes got me while I was helping him move sprinklers and I got a bloody nose while I was riding the 4-wheeler back out of the field (have you ever tried to drive a 4-wheeler, swat mosquitoes and hold your nose at the same time?)

Ross Bailey came over with his dad put shoes on Jack's horse so he could ride her up the mountain on Monday. They had me take her for a test drive when they were finished so I took Spencer for a ride around the pond. Jake took some pics, but they didn't turn out good enough to share (cause I looked awful in them). Aint gunna happen!




Here's a pic of Jake. He and Kyle decided it was best to ride close behind Zack's 4-wheeler up Maple Canyon (maybe they were afraid they would get lost). They both came back filthy and sweaty.

It was a great weekend for the trip because it wasn't too hot (hardly any flies to bug us). I went with Uncle Jack to feed the few cows he has left and he took me past these Alpacas that had been shorn to look like very large poodles. We had a good laugh! I wish I would have had my camera with me.

We tried to mow the grass but we couldn't keep the lawn mower running long enough. Spencer and Zack got a few stripes cut in the front, then it wouldn't run anymore.

I think this is when the boys got back from Maple Canyon and they were unloading the 4 wheelers, again.







This is "dirty Kyle" and his side-kick Spencer.


Last, but not least, this is the only pic I got of Michael. He talked Uncle Jack into playing Kings on the Corner. We could not get him out of the cabin and he did not get on a 4 wheeler once. He is still afraid of them from the time I took him for a wild ride up the mountain, bounced him off the back end, he did a flip, landed on his feet, then fell backwards on his bottom. Let's say the ride was a little bumpy!

Except for the blood, we made some great memories!

Zack's Missionary Farewell

We will be having a Missionary Farewell for Zack on July 12th at 6:30 p.m. at our house. I'm trying to get invitations out, but if I don't make it, use this one. Pot luck salad or dessert. We are hoping to get some of Mom's famous éclairs, so if nothing else, come for those!

We are hoping to celebrate Grandpa Jack's 93rd birthday earlier in the day. Lots of parties in one day, but we do the best we can. (Grandpa Jack is feeling much better these days. He went to church for the first time since he was hospitalized the first time).

Zack's "Last opportunity to speak" is at 11:00 a.m. at our church (1020 E. 1900 N., Lehi), July 13th (he will be the last speaker if you need to come late you won't miss him). He reports to the MTC on July 16th at noon. You are all welcome to come on the 13th, but we will not be having a get-together on that day, per the request of the First Presidency. If you can't come to both, we understand. If you can only come to one event, please come to the Farewell on the 12th so you have time to visit, wish him well and share some memories that you have had with Zack. If you can't make either one, please leave your well wishes or words of advice in the comment section of this blog and I will make sure he gets them.

We are trying to squeeze in a few more fun trips together before he leaves. He is still working part time at Modus and a little for Aunt Joyce.

Yard work

So here is an update of my garden and side yard. The tomatoes are finally coming on pretty good. As you can see the grass is in and trying to take root and merge in with the other grass.



This is a picture of my beans that are coming up. I planted yellow squash and a few mini pumpkins in the barrels and on the other side of the window well, but I didn't mark them so I guess I will just have to be surprised we the veggies come on the vines.

The roses are finally coming on. A little late in the season, but they really smell great!

New Project

OK, this isn't a new project, it's an old project that we are finally getting to. The liner in our shower had a big rip in it and it has been dripping for years. We had a plumber out to look at it and he said we would have to rip out the whole floor of the shower to fix it. Well, it wasn't just the tile we (Dave and Zack) had to remove; there was also about 3 inches of concrete they had to get out. We had to take the cultured marble off the walls because the glue they used to glue them to the walls was not working. We are thinking of replacing it with tile. The floor is deteriorated a little under the shower wall, so we may need to take that out to replace the flooring underneath.


As you can see. The floor had deteriorated so much, I easily punched a hole it it when I tried to remove the wood used for the threshold. I told Dave I would like to take out the bathtub and put in some drawers and shelves on one side and a cushioned seat on the other. I want to tile the bathroom area. Dave would like to get a deeper jet tub.



This is a picture of most of our shower pieces sitting in the bathtub. It's not a pretty sight!

Here is my nice new surprise for Spencer's Birthday! Our table was falling apart and the chair had long last bit the dust, so Spencer and I went shopping and we decided get this set. You can see I replaced my bar stools with these fun stools that you can adjust the height on. You can also use them at the table if you have more than 6 guests. It has a butterfly leaf in the middle to make it bigger and seats up to 8 people. You can see part of Spencer in the upper right corner of this picture getting a piece of his b-day cake.

Summer Update

Is it really summer? We have been jumping from jackets to shorts all month long. Here is Spencer at the free fishing day at Cabelas. They stocked this huge tub with 300 fish. We left around 11:00 and only about 10 fish had been caught by that time. They were all just sitting there at the bottom of the tub. Not a successful fishing event, but we got a free hat!

Michael gave himself his yearly shaving. He was brave enough to let Spencer do the back for him. I had him use a bigger comb on the shaver so it wouldn't be so short, but he changed it out when I had by back turned. I guess I won't have to cut it again for the rest of the summer.

The boys (twins) didn't get jobs yet, so they are going to camp this week. They are already getting bored. I tried to talk them into summer school, but they didn't want to commit. Jake was running a fever this morning and Dave stayed home from work to go to the dentist (he got an abscessed tooth over the weekend).

I got my garden in last weekend and planted grass in all the bald spots. I threw some peas in the ground, just in case it wasn't too late. I planted some green beans and a few pumpkins for fall. I have cucumbers, squash and tomatoes planted. I haven't done a garden for a few years, so I hope it works out. I took out most of the weedy soil and put in garden soil from Home Depot. Funny story about that strip of grass. I was headed for Home Depot to pick up some stuff and someone had dropped these pieces off their truck and a policeman was picking them and getting them out of the middle of the road. I asked him if I could have them and he said yes. I wish I could find 6 more pieces to finish off this spot. Mike took out the stones that lead to the faucet, but we can figure out the pattern to put them back yet (Oops).This corner doesn't get watered by the sprinkler head so I planted this lilac bush and a couple pretty flowers. I love this calla lily! It was little droopy when I first put it in, but it has perked right up. Dave is going to put a drip system in from the other side of the fence to keep it watered.

Jack update II and Zack

Jack is home now. I think it was a little premature to take him home but they are handling it so far. Mark surprised them with a visit over Memorial Day and he stayed at their house and helped out. Jack has a hard time getting up from low seats so Kelly found him a lift chair that he can watch t.v. in and got him a high toilet seat. Dave and Mark put grab bars in the bathrooms and he has a therapist come in to help him build up his strength. Kelly came down and helped him take a shower. We had a BBQ on Monday at their house. Jack and Gennie loved seeing everyone. Kelly brought her family, and Brandon, Jodie, us, Bob and Diane. I called this morning to see how they were doing since Mark left. Jack said that Gennie was learning how to help him up when he needed it and they were getting by ok. His mind is slipping a little...He thought someone was at the door when the phone rang. Sometimes he tries to stay in goos spirits and other times he is quite grumpy and stubborn. I think he is tired of living with the effects of old age. He told me he loved me when he hung up the phone. It's a nice way to end a conversation.

Zack has exactly 7 weeks left before he leaves on his mission. We bought him two suits and four shirts, 4 pair of socks and a tie. He has one pair of shoes that he will take with him. Joyce gave us a long coat and said she has some lined gloves and she thinks she can hook us up with some luggage. Someone gave him a pocket-size hymn book and Cindy S. gave him some handkerchiefs. I told him it was a good idea to keep one in is pocket so he could wipe his sweaty hands before he shakes hands with people. I don't know where he got that from. Neither Dave or I get sweaty hands like that. Dave bought him a nice quad. We are planning on his "Last opportunity to speak" on July 13th, 11:00 a.m. 1900 N. 1000 E., Lehi. We will probably have a family/friends get-together the day before, because I have a class to teach and the Church asks us not to skip out for missionary dinners.

I am very excited for Zack to have this opportunity to serve a mission and have this experience in his life. Yet, my heart aches every time I think of being separated from him for such a long time. Zack and I try to go to the temple every week and we have enjoyed working together. I know he will be just fine, but I will miss him so much. I can selfishly say that this will be a hard transition for me. It makes me cry every time I think about it. I never thought it would be so hard to let someone grow up. I had better stop now and think about the weeds I need to pull so I can get these tears under control.

Jack Update

Jack was in a care center for a few days, but they didn't take very good care of him and he had to go back into the hospital at Utah Valley Med. Center. He's on the 7th floor if anyone wants to go visit. Yesterday he was still on mask oxygen because his saturations were too low. They found blood clots in his lungs. He said he is too tired to fight it and wants to join his parents in heaven.

Jack in the Hospital

Here is a post for all of you who know my father-in-law, Jack Holladay. They took him by ambulance to the hospital yesterday with severe back pain. He was so weak he couldn't get himself off the bed or couch, even to go to the bathroom. They found a fracture in his T12 spine and they think since that is where the pain is, that he made things worse when he was bending over picking the heads off the dandelions in his yard. He is feeling better today than he did yesterday. Dave and I got to the hospital at 7:00 p.m. last night and I found him all alone in the ER. I thought it was so sad. I sat and held his hand while he went in and out of consciousness (he was a little doped up on morphine and couldn't stay awake unless I talked to him the whole time). I sent Dave to check on his mom and I went with Jack to get a CT scan. Dave came back and we stayed with him until he was comfortably in his room and ready to go to sleep for the night. So far the doctors haven't found anything bad wrong with him that will cause long term disability. Other family members were with him throughout the day so he wasn't alone the whole time, just for a few hours....still, that must have felt very lonely. It was so sad to see him lying there with that O2 mask on his face, not really cognitive of what all was going on. We think we will be in the hospital a few more days. His O2 saturations are too low for them to release him right now. He was back to his old self when we visited him this evening. We hope that is very promising.