Odd feeling

I've never been the sole occupant of a subway car before - - - especially during rush hour - - - felt a bit like I was breaking a rule or something to be all alone in this city!

Pioneer Day

I just looked at the calendar on my desk and realized that today is July 24th - - - and I was surprised to see "Pioneer Day" written in the little box! Benefit of having a LDS Temple's calendar I guess - it highlights the one Mormon holiday not celebrated by other Christians :)

My favorite part of this day is that we are able to remember and celebrate our ancestors (and predecessors in the gospel), both their sacrifices and accomplishments. I know for me, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on their faith, the courage it gave them to press forward when it seemed that all the powers of evil were against them . . . knowing that the way would be hard, they still persevered. I take strength from their faith.

How grateful I am for all pioneers.

Survivor Staircase

On our way home from seeing The Dark Knight on Friday evening, we witnessed workers at the WTC site moving the Survivor Staircase. I wasn't in NYC during that saddest of days, but I believe that this staircase represents hope and I am grateful that efforts are being made for its preservation and display.

NY Philharmonic in Central Park

During the summer, the New York Philharmonic holds free concerts in parks around NYC. I joined Heidi, Joe and Brittany Tuesday night for the concert in Central Park. It was a fabulous "NYC experience", one of those things that you can't really do anywhere else.

Even though it was overwhelmingly crowded, we managed to get a fairly good view of the stage. Directly after the concert, fireworks erupted near the southern end of the park. It was beautiful! I love fireworks!

Thanks for the invite Heidi!

We Won!

I participated in a group scavenger hunt for a work social and my team WON!!!

Our "Crazy Team Photo":

Family Pictures

It has been about 17 years since our last formal family picture. After extensive planning these past few months everything was arranged . . . and it actually happened! Below are a few of the photo's. Everyone was there!


Dad and Mom surrounded by all their children
EVERYONE! Dad and Mom, all children w/spouses, and all grandchildren (yes, I can name each one!)

Dad and Mom
Dad with his daughters
Mom with her sons
Dad and Mom with all their granchildren Brothers
SistersAll the kids, in order - Jay, Alena, Matt, Sheryl, Jill, Denise, Eric, Brenda, Kevin, Natalie, Deanne, Greg and Kristi
Ready to work!

It was amazing to finally get real family pictures after all this time and I am happy with the way they have turned out. The photographer did an awesome job!

I love my family!

At Home in Oregon

This past week I was in Oregon, celebrating the 4th of July with my family. It was wonderful because all of us (42 including everyone) were there. Here are a few photos of home.

I stepped into the street and took this photo facing east on Main Street in Vale. Sometimes I forget just how small of a town I grew up in.


I love the 4th of July! It is so important to remember that the freedom we have in this country was fought for and that it is necessary to continue to defend that freedom today.

It is my favorite holiday and also represents a time for the family to get together. We have a tradition that each July 4th the kids over 12 yrs of age (those who can drag themselves out of bed by 6:30am - actually Mom wakes us up or we would never make it!) climb the silo and raise the flag at the top. Quite a few of us made it this year, but you can tell we didn't get enough sleep :)

Clockwise from center front: Alena, Jill, Monica, Eric, Denise, Sheryl, Matt
Monica, Alena, Sheryl, Jill, Brenda, Denise A corn field Potatoes in Mom's garden
One of my favorite things was seeing the grand kid's have so much fun together - - - it is awesome to see the families of my siblings mix when we get together. And I am amazed that they remember one another even though they are unable to see each other very often. I love it when they talk about their "cousins".

Harold and Conner
John and Gage
Savannah and Coby
Karadyn and Caleb

Getting a tractor ride! When there are too many to fit with Grandpa (Dad) on the tractor seat, the loader certainly comes in handy.
At our house we love to play a game of baseball. All ages are welcome and strikes generally aren't counted - some of us are not known for our batting skills and others are barely old enough to give it a good swing. As children, we would play in the barnyard with my Grandpa Saunders, so I am happy to see the tradition carried forward. Plus, it is tons of fun and laughter to play with this group!

Conner up to bat getting some instruction from dad (Kevin)
Kali got a hit, hopefully she can outrun Uncle Kevin!
Waiting for a turn to bat
Anna at bat

Savannah getting a little help from dad (Richard)
Yes, I took my turn. And amazed Cory when I hit it past the tree!
Playing in the front yard
Our favorite place to congregate is the kitchen. Meals are one of the best parts of our get-together's and trust me, the food coming out of Mom's kitchen is pretty amazing!

After meals also happens to be the best time for conversation

Mom's kitchen is the best - - - 5 cooks and still room for more!

More talking
I love spending time with my nieces and nephews - holding Adelaide, talking to Caleb
I found it amusing that when one of the boys mentioned going and shooting clay pigeons, not a single girl moved but every male in the house was headed out the door before another word could be said!

The four-wheelers made great seats for those waiting for a turn

Matt, Greg and Kevin
The silo's at night

An annual tradition for the Vale Wards is to have a breakfast on July 4th with both wards. It is always a high-light of the holiday and this year's exceeded expectations - pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and potatoes - a true breakfast!
My Mother's family had a reunion on the 5th and there were probably around 200 people in attendance. It was great to see my cousins and uncles and aunts!

In January, my Grandpa, John L. Wagstaff, passed away at the age of 96. As the weather was very bad, all family members that were not close to home were encouraged not to come for the funeral, and it was decided that there would be a memorial during the reunion. It was nice to remember Grandpa and the things that were most important to him: the gospel, family, and hard work.

During his lifetime, Grandpa served 4 missions, served in various church callings, married in the temple (Ruth), had 7 children with his first wife (Ruth passed away when he was in his forties), remarried in the temple (Ileen, who we all know as Grandma), farmed in Utah and Idaho, had 62 grandchildren, and the number of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren has surpassed the number of grandchildren and continues to grow. He is missed by those here, but I am grateful to know that we will be together again when our work is done because we are part of an eternal family.

Me and Grandma Wagstaff

It is always wonderful to go home. Just looking out the windows or standing in the yard is so comforting.

Looking east, towards the farm
And sunsets in Vale are always gorgeous!
I love home. I love my family.

Hidden Messages

I have been thinking about whether or not to see the new Disney movie, Wall-E, but am hesitant because of the underlying message --- that humans destroyed the planet and left a robot to clean up after them.

This morning I was on a 6:15 flight and it was full of children. I couldn't help but overhear two young boys (I'd estimate around 7 years old) discussing Wall-E. After hearing the following, I think that anyone who assumes that subtle messages aren't picked up by their kids should reconsider.

As I eaves-dropped, I heard the boy who had been to the movie say to the other boy, who was eagerly anticipating his own viewing, that "there is garbage everywhere and Wall-E just cleans it up" and that "there are only three living things on the whole earth: a tiny tree planted in an old shoe, a cricket, and . . . Wall-E! Everything else is trash from the humans."