My Dad's Cat Fish

My dad caught some catfish up in Weiser, Idaho this weekend after he delivered a hoof trimming chute. Here he is with his very ugly fish. He is quite the fisherman!

Melissa's talk today about the YCC

My talk today is on the experiences I had at the recent Youth Cultural Celebration. It was held about a week ago on August 23 and 24 at the Filer Fairgrounds, in honor of the Twin Falls Temple that was dedicated the following day.

On Friday at 4:00 in the afternoon the 7th ward girls all met at the church for some last minute "touch-ups" that took about 30 minutes. When we finally got out the door, with every single ringlet in place, makeup on, and costumes ready, the excitement radiating from each girl was amazing. Everyone was bouncing off the walls with anticipation of what we were about to participate in. we were actually the last ward to arrive, so we had to hustle to get our costumes on. All of the 14 stakes were out on the stage that was amazingly put together, and we then practiced some of our beginning songs. With amazement we saw that a fairly large number of people had show up just to watch us rehearse.

The run through of the program that night went very smoothly, and our stake preformed our 50's dance close to perfection. We were all very tired by the time it was through, but the upcoming performances that we had to do the following day still filled us with excitement.

On Saturday morning we left without any problems and promptly arrived to the fairgrounds right on time.

With our costumes on, we once again ran through the performance at 11:00 for an audience. It went really well, and it was amazing the good attitudes that everyone had. We all played games, like Uno, or Apples to Apples in between performances, it was a really fun time.

The 3:00 show was probably the most challenging one. The sun was high in the sky, right in everyone's eyes, and it was HOT. Especially with a poodle skirt on that had enough fabric to fully clothe three other people. When the show was over, everyone drank extreme amounts of water to prevent dehydration, and tried to get the "prime" spot right in front of the huge fan that was by our stake.

As the 7:00 performance rolled around, there was a very excited atmosphere created among the entire fairground. Costumes were absolutely perfected, as was makeup and hair. Smiles were plastered onto everyone who was in it, even the leaders had grins on.

As we sat on the stage, all the stakes were unusually quiet, and everyone was straining to see where the "special speaker" would come. There were huge projector type screens by the raised platform, and when they suddenly flashed on to a golf cart being filmed coming around the stage, excited whispers broke out. It seemed like a really slow golf cart, and when it finally got to the stage there was a buzz going on throughout the participants and the audience that was almost immediately silenced as the cart rolled to a stop as Henry B. Irying stepped out. As other "important" church officials stepped out and walked onto the stage, my heart caught in my thought, as I thought "he's not coming". It's not that President Irying was a disappointment, I had just heard and had anticipated the prophet. As they were all up on the stage, I noticed that they were not sitting down, and the huge projection screen once again flicked to a golf cart driving around to the stage. It was President Thomas S. Monson, here after all to watch our performance finally put together. Everyone stood up as he stepped out of his golf cart, and a hush fell over the crowd. Our stake had the privilege of being extremely close to the place where he got up onto the raised platform, and our own Amber Bingham and Jessica Wayment were but a foot from him as he "wiggled' his ears at them. He then made some remarks about the production, some of them very funny to our stake. Now we can say that we all have a kind of say we have an "inside" joke with the prophet.

He got up on stage, sat down, was introduced, then got up to speak to us. He was looking straight into the sun the whole time, and the people behind him were too. He told us that as printer, yellow was his absolute favorite color, that it gave life to all of the other colors. He said a few remarks on the Twin Falls area, how much he loved it and the people.

He then told us a story of when he made several life-altering decisions when he was a young man. He first chose to serve in the navy, instead of the army. He said that two officers were really talking up the regular navy, saying how great and wonderful it was, and how many opportunities that were given to those who served in it. Everyone else in his group had chosen the regular instead of the reserve, save for one who was physically unable to do so. Unsure of his choice, he turned to the Lord for help and guidance, and was then prompted the next day to ask the officers what they had chosen. The grudgingly told him that they had both chosen the reserve, and, influenced President Monson to do likewise. He said that that decision has made all the difference in his life. He then gave us a little something to remember, and they are called the three D's: Decisions Determine Destiny.

He then gave us an absolutely wonderful blessing, telling us to live our lives to the fullest, and be obedient children of God. He wanted us to honor our parents, and basically live out the prophesy of the chosen generation. To be the best we can be, and to do well in school, to get married in the temple, and to, above all obey the Lord, our God, which he told us, was the best help we could ever receive. With a final wish for us to do well in our performance, he and all of the other people of his company drove back to the stadium in his little golf cart, and sat down to watch the show.

The production that night was the best of the best. Every single person went out there and danced, or sang their heart out, for the Prophet, and for our Heavenly Father. When our stake's turn came up the realization came that this would be that last time we would do Rockin' Robin, and with that mindset we marched out there and gave it the best that we had.

The rest of the show went great, and before we knew it the production was over, and we were on our way home.

My experience with this Youth cultural celebration will be one that I will never forget. I felt the spirit so strong during all the performances, and still do recollecting back. I am so glad that I was able to participate in this amazing event. Every single Wednesday practice for four months was worth it when we were able to hear the prophet speak. I testify that he is a man of God, that he speaks the truth, and that if we follow him, we will be following our Heavenly Father.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Youth Cultural Celebration

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Wow, the YCC is finally come and gone. It has been an amazing ride that you are kind of sad to get off of but excited too. It has been a LONG 4 months of practicing but I can honestly say that it was all worth it Sat. night when the prophet arrived. He didn't speak terribly long to the youth but they were very honored as we all were to have him there. I couldn't get through the song "We thank thee O God for a Prophet" without tears. It was so worth it!!! The youth were great and I wish we could have recorded the program for you all to see how wonderful they were. We are headed to the temple dedication in the temple in a 1/2 hour. We are very excited. Have a wonderful day!

Leavitt Family Reunion 2008

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At the end of our Yellowstone trip we stopped in Lava Hot Springs for an afternoon with Alan's family. The swimming pools were refreshing and quite nice. Zach got brave and jumped off the high dive. Our wagon ride was fun. The cousins loved being together.

More Yellowstone Pictures

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Our Family Yellowstone Vacation #1

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We decided to take a family trip to Yellowstone the last week of July. Bryan meet up with us there. We missed the Jerome county fair much to Alan's disappointment. (Not!)We left Monday afternoon and made the slow up hill climb with our trailer loaded with 4-wheelers to Don & Laura's. They treated us to a really nice dinner and we had fun visiting with them as the kids ran around screaming. Laura and I ran to Walmart that evening for a few forgotten items and Don & Alan stayed with the kids.
The next morning after a great breakfast we headed to our camp site in Island Park. We pulled into Red Rock RV and hooked up and unloaded. The RV park guy was constantly driving around on his four-wheeler. I think that he was secretly spying on us. I attempted to make a dutch oven dinner but I either didn't have the coals hot enough or the wrong kind because after 1 1/2 hours of cooking I gave up and put it on the camp stove where I ended up burning the bottom. Everyone said that it was great but I think that they were trying to be nice. Bryan joined us and we tried to put up the tent we brought for him but there was enough wind to make it a real challenge. After dinner and a game of UNO spin we settled in for the evening.
The next day we left for Yellowstone park and our Suburban just cruised right along without the weight of the trailer. We were a bit surprised that there was lines and lines of cars to get into the park but we paid our fee and was off to explore. It was so funny how the cars creeped along looking for any animal sightings and if someone pulled over you just knew something was out there. Bryan told Zach that he wanted to pull over and start pointing just to get others to follow.
We spotted some elk not far into the park grazing in a meadow. We continued on to our first stop at Fountain paint pots. There was a little boardwalk that took you on a little tour. There were all kinds of mini geysers and the ground looked as if it had been painted with all different kinds of colors.
Our next stop was at the famous Old Faithful. We pulled up just as it finished erupting. We had an hour to kill so we decided take a trail and hike around. We were not prepared and brought little water but we made it. Rachel was always the leader of the pack and was told frequently to slow down. We spotted some elk right off the trail which was exciting. We arrived at Old Faithful 15 minutes before it was scheduled to erupt (they post a sign that tells you when it is going to erupt give or take 10 minutes). We were hot and thirsty but we held our ground. We arrived after all the seats were taken so we sat in the hot sun waiting forever. Every so often you thought it was going to erupt and then it would go back down. It was funny to see everyone poised for the perfect shot only to be disappointed by a teaser. Of course it didn't erupt until 10 mins. after the scheduled time so we were standing there for about 1/2 hour. It lasted a few minutes and then we were on our way. To be truthful it was a bit disappointing. It is pretty amazing that it is so consistent but I think some other spots were more beautiful. We then traveled down near Yellowstone Lake and ate a sand filled sandwich. The wind seemed to be picking up and it filled our sandwich with dirt.
We wanted to complete the lower loop on our first day but our grand scheme fell short when we arrived at the Fishing bridge and were told to turn around and go back the way we came because there was a fire started by a power line that fell down. We were a bit disappointing but really had no other options. We returned to camp where the tent had completely took a beating from the wind. We took off the rain fly and threw it away. I attempted another dutch oven creation which was even more yucky than the night before. (I really need some lessons!) Bryan and Zach arrived after dinner (they ate at Arby's - lucky them!) to find us trying to figure out why our batteries in our camper were not charging. We gave up trying to figure it out and played Trains by flashlight in the trailer since outside was so windy. Bryan made it through the night without the rain fly and was gone before we stumbled out of the trailer. He decided to get after his two six mile hikes that he had planned for that day.
We left again after breakfast for Yellowstone park to drive around the upper loop. Our first stop was at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It was beautiful. It is one of the most picturesque parts of Yellowstone. We were not disappointed. Melissa saw a sign with a hiker with a line through it and she thought that it stood for no walking sticks. We had a good chuckle over it. We were headed for a trail head to the lower falls when Bryan drove up. What are are chances of meeting up somewhere with him and all the other thousand people on the roads. He went on the hike with us and as we were heading down the trail Allison wanted me to carry her baby doll. I said, "I don't know why we brought this dumb baby anyway." Well as I said that a man and his son's were walking past us and I was told that he looked at me with shock. I think he thought I was referring to Allison. Whoops!!! After the hike we parted ways with Bryan. We wanted to go through Mud Lake for the famous animals walking the road experience but we couldn't because of the fire. We headed up a winding road towards Tower Falls. We stopped on the side of the road and a nice lady helped up find a bear through the binoculars. Most all of us spotted the bear but it took awhile. At Tower Falls we saw some Bison far up on a hill and took another trail that lead us down to the water's edge. It was too tempting for the kids to not get in the water so they took off their shoes and skipped rocks and built water pools. It was refreshing but the hike back up was not. We were starving by that time and had planned to eat on the road. I looked at the map and told everyone that up ahead a few miles was a lodge. (It was a long few miles.) We got there at the lodge at 3:30 and they stopped serving lunch. So we loaded back up much to Zach's chagrin and proceeded up to Mammoth Hot Springs. We ate there and continued on our way. We didn't stop at Mammoth for the sights because we were tired and were ready to get back to our campground. On the way back we spotted a moose and more elk. At camp we finally had an evening with little wind so we bought some firewood and roasted hot dogs and had smores. Alan fixed the trailer, and then we went to bed with no games.
The next morning Alan, Zach and Bryan went on a short ride on the four-wheelers and then we loaded up to head out for the Leavitt family reunion in Lava. We had some red-neck experiences trying to unhook our waste hose. We learned that it is important to be a in spot where your waste flows downhill and not up. Alan was a bit embarrassed after some waste came out of the hose (the people next to us were probably having a good laugh) and of course there was the smell! That experience prompted Alan to order a few RV supplies upon our return!
We had a great time in Yellowstone and we were grateful to have Bryan join us. The kids really love him. He is so funny and is willing to just go with the flow. We arrived home after the reunion late Friday night and the kids were up and at the temple the next morning putting on and taking off booties. I am grateful that we are able to take trips with our kids. I know that we are creating memories that will last a lifetime.