Fishing with Grandpa

Jeron had been emailing Grandpa Bob and asking when they could go fishing. It's hard to find a time slot with all of the baseball games, etc... They found a couple of hours, & headed to Wellsville Dam for an adventure. Unfortunately they didn't have a lot of luck. Jeron had one bite his line, but it didn't make it home. Darn it! Mom wasn't too disappointed, however.

They haven't given up! This story will be continued....

Thanks Grandpa Bob for teaching us to love the "Great Outdoors."

- Oh what did we do in the Summer Time? - Lagoon

- Back to School Blessings -

I haven't blogged for awhile, and I hope to get caught up soon with all of the fun last minute Summer activities that have kept us busy for the last couple of weeks, but I had to enter a quick post tonight while this was fresh on my mind. This is kind of a personal family experience, but since this is my family journal, I have to document it somewhere.

Deron and I have been planning to have a special family home evening and have him give Jeron & Kyler "Back to School" Father's blessings, but our nights kept getting eaten up by practices, end of summer play, etc... so this didn't happen before school started, but it was close enough.

Deron invited Jason, my little brother, over tonight to help him with his lesson. We first had a quick inspired message about prayer, because Kyler has been feeling too tired to pray at night lately. Then we talked about the importance of school and how we can make a difference in the lives of others at school. Jason is such a wonderful example to our boys of everything that is good. He was voted Student body President last year at MC and was awarded an Ambassador's scholarship at USU. I told the boys a story or two that I remembered about Jason reaching out to lonely friends way back when he was attending Providence Elementary. He continued this through high school. I loved to visit a school function and silently observe how everyone thought Jason was their great friend, and how he made the time to talk to everyone -- not just those in the "in crowd." I really want the boys to grasp some piece of his example. He explained to them that it's so important to work hard and do your best in school. He related school to sports to spark their attention. We talked about how even though it's great to dream, most kids don't go pro, so an education is very important. Thank you Jason, for sharing some time with us.

When the lesson was over, Deron proceeded to give Jeron and Kyler their blessings. He did such a great job. I could tell that he had put a great deal of thought and prayer into what he wanted to bless them with. The boys seemed touched, and it was a very positive, spiritual experience for our family. Just when we thought the night was over, our little two year old, Hayden ran and jumped up on the chair and folded his arms and closed his eyes. The spirit in the room suddenly got 10 times stronger and eyes filled with tears as Deron gave Hayden a very special impromptu Father's blessing. This experience is just a glimpse of the calm, peaceful spirit that Hayden has added to our home for the last almost three years. It also shows what an influence the big brothers have on his little mind. He didn't want to miss out on a chance to get a blessing like his brothers. He loves his "Bruddas." It's so cute to hear him pray for them and ask for them when they are away. They have really bonded this summer.

Thank you Deron, for being a worthy Priesthood holder and for presiding over our home in love and righteousness. The boys will never forget this Family Home Evening tonight.

- Rockie's Season Ends -

Three Handsome Rockies. Kyler (The best bat boy a team could ever ask for -- dressed in uniform just waiting to be called up to the Bigs.) Deron (A great coach who spent 6 out of 7 nights at the ballpark this summer fulfilling all of this favorite dad/coaching duties.) Jeron (A great 2nd baseman, pitcher, batter, & team player for the Rockies this season.)

The Providence Rockies Minor League Team 2008 (9-10 yr. olds)!

Back Row: Spencer Tripplet, Braxton Elwood, Brennan May, Cade Feinauer, Brady Peck, Tanner Johnson, Jeron Hansen

Front Row: Cody Feinauer, Landon Jenson, Josh Baugh, Jack Crandall

Coaches: Rod Elwood (Great neighbor friend) & Deron Hansen

Jeron getting his medal!

The Rockies took second after a tough loss to the Orials in the championship game of the tournament. We had a great season, but it was hard to lose to the Orials, because we had beat them 2 out of the three times that we'd played them before.

Jeron got to be #9.

This has been his favorite number since he was 2!

The #9 shirt was a Men's size M, which left plenty for him to tuck in!

Here's a shot of Jeron playing 2nd base!

Jeron on the mound!

Jeron with his "Super Fans," Grandma Debbie & Grandpa Bob!

Tiffany, Melanie, Margaret, Michelle, Brock, Mom, Hayden, Ky, Jeron!
We met his travelling fans at FireHouse before the big Championship game. Deron missed the dinner and barely made it to the game. He had spent the day with his boss in Ogden & SLC & hit rush hour for a frantic drive home!

Back Row: AnnaLee, Anna Richelle & Josh (all the way from Alabama), Tyler, Mom, Hayden, Dad, Grandma Margaret. Front Row: Amanda, Jeron, Ky, Derrick
These great fans drove up to the last regular season game & got to see Jeron pitch for the 17 -0 win over the A's.

Congratulations, Jeron for a great season with the Rockies! We had so much fun watching you. We'll always be your "biggest fans." You are a real STAR!

- A Fun Visit with the Moes's -

We felt honored to get a visit from our old neighbors and dear friends, the Moes's. They lived across the street from us until a job change took them to Houston last year. We miss them so much. Thanks to them, we both have blogs now that keep us in touch. Deron had big plans for a Welcome Home sign for his "Buddy, Moes," as he calls him, but they pulled up as we were making it. It gave us all a good laugh, because they know that we do everything last minute, unlike them!

Deron & Casey! What would the world have been like if these two had known each other in their childhood and teenage days? What a special friendship they share. It wasn't uncommon for them to play catch from across our yards, share tools and help each other with projects, lift the other up when he was down, take a trip to Vegas or Wendover... They were lucky to serve in Young Men's together for about a year before Casey moved. Several Priests and their parents have commented that things haven't been the same since they were released. One of the most selfless and lasting acts of friendship was when Casey offered to ride with Deron through the night as he drove my grandparents up to Idaho to be with my aunt and cousins after my uncle Brad was killed in a car accident. My grandma has often mentioned how much she learned to love Casey on that trip. (Deron wanted me to mention that when Casey left a year ago he used to tease him for wearing plaid shorts. You'll notice in this photo that Casey is now wearing plaid shorts. When we first started our blog, Casey welcomed Deron into the 21st Century. Casey, Deron now officially welcomes you into the 21st Century as well.)

These are our spectators enjoying the amazing firework show Deron put on!

This picture is kind of blurry, but it's the best one I have with the kids and the fireworks! (Kaylee, Jake, Ky, Jeron). Kaylee was so fun to have around. She is very outnumbered when our families are together. She and Kyler used to be pretty good buddies, but they've started to figure out the boy vs. girl thing that happens at about that age. She was a cute little mother to Hayden & Drew. We even got to share her birthday with her. We celebrated at FireHouse Pizzeria.

This is Krysta and I enjoying one of our late night computer sessions together. We pulled some pretty late nights while she was here. We often commented how nice it was to have two moms in the house. Dinner was prepared and cleaned up in no time. One of us could stay with the kids while the other ran to to the store. Our time together was too short, because we were both busy being moms to our three children. This is why we had to stay up so late every night. She has been determined to make me a scrapbooker ever since we've been friends. She used to invite me to her scrapbooking parties, even though I usually just came to visit. I'm starting to catch on to the digital scrapbooking idea. Computers are much more up my ally than crafty papers and glue. We'll see what happens from here. Krysta is such a special friend. My house will never be as clean as hers or as nicely decorated.; I probably won't ever be a super scrapbooker like her.; and, I'm pretty sure I'll never be as organized as she is.; but, Because of her, I'm inspired everyday to work on these things. Everything she touches turns to gold! She introduced me to Hobby Lobby and helped me rearrange a few things around the house. Thank you, Krysta for such a fun week. I really appreciate all of your help.

Kyler & Jake took tennis lessons together from my cousin Elisabeth while they were here. Hayden liked to watch with his racket & had to jump in the photo. Ky & Jake were just starting to become good buddies when they had to move. They both look (& act) so much like their dads. It's kind of like dejavu to see them together.

Hayden & Drew eating their Macaroni & Chesse together. These two are only two months apart. It would have been fun for them to grow up as buddies. They still can -- they'll just be long distance buddies. Hayden was only 1 1/2 when they moved, but he used to point to their house and say, "Dew, Dew," even months after they moved.

Thanks, Casey, Krysta, Kaylee, Jake, & Drew for spending so much of your precious time here in Utah with us. We love you guys! You're always welcome here!

- Boating -

We went on a fun boating adventure to Hyrum Dam on July 4th with Grandpa Bob, Grandma Debbie, & Uncle Jason. We all took our turn in the water. Hayden loved riding in the boat, but he wasn't so sure about the tube. In this last picture he is asleep in Grandpa's arms. Boating seems to always put the youngest passengers to sleep. Thanks Dad for a fun family day full of memories.

- Family & Fireworks -

Ky, Camden, Jeron, Luke, Chance
Addy & Hayden riding their favorite bikes & eating popsicles; Ky w/ sparkler!
Deron & Nik opening popsicles & lighting sparklers for the kids! Hayden
Grandpa Harold & Grandma Ruth -- The gracious hosts!

Jenny, Grandma Evelyn, Jonny, Jackie, & Grandpa watching the action!

We let Jeron takes some pictures of the crew at the stadium.

Jason & Stephanie (photo by Jeron)

Every year we gather at Grandma & Grandpa's on the night of the Logan Fireworks (usually the 3rd of July). Grandma orders Fredrico's pizza, salad, & garlic bread, and has a freezer full of popsicles. She never wants anyone to have to bother with furnishing anything. We enjoy dinner and visiting and then some of us head over to the stadium for the fireworks, and others stay back and watch them on the porch. This year Ky decided to stay at Grandma's and play with cousins, but the rest of us went into the stadium. Grandpa Bob taxied 12 of us over to the stadium and then we walked back to Gma & Gpa's afterwards. We could never get a park closer then their house anyway. Once we get back we always have popcorn, lemonade, and popsicles and do a few fireworks while we watch the stadium traffic slowly move by for an hour or so. Once the traffic clears, we head for home. This is such a fun tradition that I remember doing for my whole life. I'm so glad we live here so that Deron and the boys get to have these fun memories too! Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for keeping this tradition alive!