Spokane Fun

Claigh and I took a quick trip to Spokane, Washington Friday to celebrate a very special event. Our son-in-law Todd Bailey ran his first marathon as the culmination of 40th birthday celebrations. Todd and Carey flew from Phoenix arriving in Spokane Thursday night. We left Friday at 10:30 a.m. and arrived just in time for dinner at 6:00 p.m. in The Spaghetti Factory with Carey and Todd, Todd's sister Katie and her husband Chris Brown (from Kent, Washington) and Todd's close friend Derek and his fun wife Jen (also from Gilbert, Arizona.) Todd filled up on carbs and in support the rest of us did too. We all made our way to the hotel for a good night's sleep anticipating an early start the next day.

Earlier in the week, Todd had been rear-ended as he was stopped at a red-light leaving his subdivision. This is not the best way to prepare for a race. However, Todd was determined to see it through. I can't even fathom the mental preparation, moral strength and courage, let alone the physical conditioning that is required to start out on a 26.2 mile race and finish it!

The day dawned cool and clear. Katie and Chris were team racing with Katie running the second seven miles of the race. Chris started and ended the marathon Chris, Todd and Derek lined up near the back of the pack, the countdown began and the runners were off. The run was along the Spokane River beginning in Post Falls, Idaho and ending at Riverfront Park in Spokane, Washington. 4 hours, 11 minutes, 33 seconds later and Todd crossed the finish line. WOW! It was truly an inspiring day for Claigh and me. By noon, Claigh and I were headed back to the hotel to pack up and head home. We made it back to Idaho Falls at 11:00 p.m. It was a whirl-wind trip so very worth every effort to make!




The race started and finished with a kiss.







This next shot was taken as Todd was approaching the finish line. Derek is at his side and crossed just after Todd.

Mothers Day May 9 2010

Due to the 100 year celebration of Scouting in America in Blackfoot, Idaho Friday May 7, we were blessed to have the Stalcup family visit for the weekend. Ashlee, Steve and Spencer spent Friday evening and Saturday in Blackfoot with the Scouts while Claigh and I thoroughly enjoyed having special time with Bryn, Kes, Will and Greg. We love having them in Idaho! Saturday afternoon, Steve headed back to Soda Springs for a full day of work on Sunday. This left us with Ashlee and the kids for Mother's Day. Things were well planned out for a peaceful Sabbath day with a roast beef dinner before church, and strawberry cheesecake after.

An hour before dinner and two before church, I got a call from a young mom who needed a last minute substitute for her primary class. There was no lesson prepared and no lesson to prepare. They had planned on just doing a review of the past three lessons on Joseph of the twelve tribes of Israel. YIKES!!! However I do love the Primary and knew that Bryn and Spencer would be in the class so I said yes.

Everything from there was a blur. I had to really work fast and furious to pull things together. Ashlee and Claigh put the last minute needs together for dinner and I began to pull pictures from my Old Testament file. By the time Claigh and Ashlee left with the children for church, I had only to get dressed, get things loaded into the car and head out. I made it just in time for the sacrament which made me very happy.

Claigh agreed to attend the class with me and thank-goodness for that. We had 15 children in the room. We played a blackboard baseball game with questions from the life and times of Joseph and accomplished a pretty thorough review. Heavenly Father answered my prayers and saw us through. What a joy to spend time with these wonderful young people!

After class, Claigh headed to his priesthood quorum meeting and I started for Relief Society. I found Greg asleep on a chair with a friend watching over him. Will had a little difficulty settling into his class and Ashlee was with him so I headed to the nursery to relieve Ashlee. The next fifty minutes were spent taking little ones to the bathroom, and watching two incredible nursery leaders love and teach the children. It was truly inspirational.

Following church we enjoyed our cheesecake, packed up a good dinner for Steve and Ashlee and the children left for home. It was a wonderful day!

April Pics from Claigh's camera . . .

and the Stacy Dabbs Studio Photos:
Professional Photos of Dana and Dustin's wedding by Stacy Dabbs

Henri tells us that Dustin is very good to Dana. It is hard for a dad to turn a daughter over to another man but it is wonderful when he knows that man will treat her well.



Alexis and Dana are true sister-friends.



Happy Happy Times



Pam and Henri. - The beautiful mom and thoughtful dad.



There are some advantages to being the youngest. Your brothers are a step ahead in the hair loss department as so magnificently demonstrated by Chris. - Wait a minute. - What's up with the thick mop on Henri's head. Has he found the real fountain of youth?(See photo above.)



Cindy and her youngest daughter Erin - two more Jensen beauties.



Claigh always enjoys time with his first niece Shanon Glevy. Shanon had a nasty scratch on her eye and yet somehow is just as beautiful as ever! Her smile is her very own and dear to all of us who love her.



Brothers! Henri, Chris and yes - the short one is Claigh. (You can't believe everything your eyes tell you.) The handsome young man is Chris's grandson Devon.



Claigh was fortunate to visit his mom's twin brother, Uncle Don and his dear wife Belle. Uncle Don holds a very special place in our hearts.

Celebrating Dana and Dustin!

Claigh was fortunate to make a trip to San Bernardino, California for the wedding of Dana and Dustin April 10, 2010. We are so happy for this young couple and their commitment to each other. Marriage is a sacred trust and the foundation of all that is best in human relationships!

We love Henri and Pam and their beautiful daughters and Ben and Bob so much. How wonderful to share this special day with all of them! I was unable to make the trip because it had to be quick and as tight on the money as possible BUT my heart was filled with special longings for them all. (Long car trips really wrench my neck and back. A little something left over from my car accident a year ago.) Sadly our camera got a lot of blurred pictures of the day so we are patiently waiting for others to post their photos to get some good wedding shots.

Todd, Carey and crew made the trip from Arizona to join in the celebration so Claigh enjoyed some wonderful time with them as well. He especially enjoyed the Jennie Sunshine Hugs! He also enjoyed the time with Chris and Cindy and their children Sean, Erin and Shay and their families. It always a special treat to have time with dear ones since we lived far away from our extended family for so many years.

Arizona Fun

We had a wonderful albeit quick trip to Arizona for the boys baptisms. Some highlights:

The baptism of course!
Carey's "Good Ship Zion"
Nummy luncheon - Thanks Carey and Sara!
Henri
Lucy Smiles
Brig's pondering look
Disk Golf on the beautiful new course just before a big storm undid all the new landscaping.
Elijah's disk skill
Sara and Jared's soon to be new home.
Claigh's time with Jared ripping up carpet.
Middle Earth Risk ~ NOT!!!! However, you have to love time spent with Noah and Jacob!
Jennie and Xander Hugs
Fun Play Ground
Maxwell laughs
In-house bird song
Seth think
Todd's Bodd - Marathon count down!
Sara and Carey - Two wonderful hostesses who made us feel welcome.



We were having so much fun we didn't get many pictures but here are some:

Seth and Xander are Eight . . .

And it is GREAT!!



Best Friend Cousins
Alexander Kaden Anderson born in Orem, Utah - December 11, 2001
Seth Anthony Bailey born in Mesa, Arizona - January 10, 2002

Happy New Year!

In our family we celebrate the New Year in the best of ways! Bryn was born on the last day of 1999 in Buffalo, New York. What a way to close off a century and welcome a new year!

B-eautiful inside and out
R-emarkable!
Y-es she can!
N-urturing
J-esus' Lamb
A-ccepting

N-ote Worthy
I-nvaluable
C-entered
O-bedient
L-over of good books
E-xemplary

S-cribe
T-hespian
A-ll Girl
L-oving
C-apable
U-ndaunted
P-leasant





Happy Birthday Brynja Nicole Stalcup!

Christmas in Soda Springs

Claigh and I made our way to Soda Springs for Christmas Eve. Excitement filled the air. We enjoyed the traditional night before Christmas Mexican feast. Bryce and Tammy and their four children came to share in the fun. Tammy brought some delicious stuffed chili peppers and Ashlee made her famous chicken enchiladas. Claigh and I brought our favorite dip and chips and a salad. We had a tasty tasty time.


Santa didn't disappoint! He even took the time to write the kids a note thanking them for their goodness in the past year. The Straws and Connectors that he brought the Stalcup family were a big hit. I hope Ashlee posts some pictures taken with Bryn's new camera of the structures that were created.

Greg was just old enough to catch the wonder of it all. His new drum was his favorite gift. Kes was particularly happy to get the make-up she had hoped for. Santa seemed to know just the right gifts for each one. Spencer spent the day creating his new Lego Star Wars ship with Bryn's support. Will's smile says it all!

We feel so blessed to have Steve, Ashlee and the kids close. I enjoyed playing Topple with Bryn and putting together Hungry Hippos and being soundly beaten by Will. He seemed to get the best of Spence, Kes, Bryn and I. The reading of the story of the birth of Jesus as recorded in the Book of Luke remains my favorite of favorite Christmas time traditions. Time with Ashlee is always a treat and on our way out of town, we got to see Steve's store and some of the improvements he is in the process of making. Thank-you Steve and Ashlee for a wonderful holiday.