Traces of Time . . .
(To see last week's blog post--scroll down to the end of this week, then the
Week of July 6-July 12, 2020 will be there. If it's not, hit "Older Posts." at the bottom right.)
Wedding photos taken by Sam--Heidi's'
brother--added Wed., July 22. See
July 17th evening. Sam, your photos are
marvelous!
THIS WEEK-
JULY 13-19, 2020
MONDAY, JULY 13, 2020
Family is Everything…
Wayne Griffiths, the Chaplain for Hospice,
dropped in this morning. He brought
some zuchiini and summer squash
from his 1-acre garden.
has some PVC's today.
His blood pressure is 152/80.
She said the /80 is probably because
he had just walked from his chair in our
living room to the bedroom.
His temp is 97.3. It stays right
in the 97's.
He got mixed up this morning and told me
he was sure there is an immunization
for the Corona Virus now and we
needed to get it. He wouldn't
believe me that there
wasn't an immunization yet.
So I had Karen confirm to him
that there is not an immunization
yet. He believed her, I think.
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020
Family is Everything…
Marci came to help Walt.
He was too weak in his legs
to walk. He went right back
to bed after his shower.
Low temp of 93 today compared
to the normal high 90s.
Looking toward East Mountains
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2020
Family is Everything…
Ladies Lunch is at Culver's today at noon.
Sue and Sharon...
gather for lunch at Culver's today.
Eileen, Tammy, Linda, Sharon,
Judy, Sue, and Kathie.
The photo always shows up better outside.
We went to the Culver's in Lehi that's near Costco.
Which reminds me, our new Saratoga Springs
Costco is opening August 13--the sign says.
food was delicious!
Pioneer Crossing wasn't too busy
coming back at 1:30.
Thanks for the ride, Linda.
drove me up to the house.
They are repairing the streets with
hot tar. Hope they're finished
for the WEPR.
It's 3:27 p.m. as I type this...
so their plane should be ready
to take off...
Brian and Jen and family leave
Nashville, Tennessee at 4:30 today.
They land in Salt Lake City at 9:30.
They are renting a house by
Pioneer Crossing.
Brian and Jen, Taylor, Avery,
Lizzie, Kayden, Jordan.
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020
Family is Everything…
How the WEP of WEPR began:
Fairy tales do come true...
Once upon a time...
...there was a boy--Walt Petersen-- who graduated
from the University of Idaho in pre-med.
His family was there in Moscow, Idaho,
to celebrate with him
that June of 1959.
younger than Walt was, from his
hometown of Wendell, Idaho, who
graduated from Wendell High School
in 1957--the year
he got home from his mission
in Uruguay/Paraguay.
to business college in
Salt Lake City in June 1957.
In 1959 when Walt began Washington University
School of Medicine, Eileen began BYU, majoring
in business, after she'd graduated from
Stevens Henager's School of Business
and worked a year in the Executive Suite
of First Security Bank at First South
and Main Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Walt "decided"* to come home that summer
after his first year of medical school to
work with his carpenter Dad.
Eileen "decided"* to go home for the
summer after her first year at BYU
since she hadn't been home--except
for holidays--for three years.
I was lucky to get a job as the
secretary for the Administrator
for the State Tuberculosis Hospital
in Gooding, Idaho.
{*We now know we were guided by
the Holy Ghost to be there at
the same time.}
My college roommate had me come
with her to
a Church softball game in Jerome
because "Walt Petersen" was on
the Wendell Ward team.
He called me the next
morning for a date.
Below is our photo five weeks
later when we got pinned.
At the end of the summer,
Walt went back to medical school in
St. Louis, Missouri.
I went back to BYU in Provo, Utah.
Walt called me in October and said:
"Eileen, I want to marry you!"
I replied: "When?"
"How about Christmas time," he said.
"I think it takes longer than that to
plan a wedding," I stupidly said.
We got officially engaged at Christmastime...
on December 20, the day he got to
Wendell from St. Louis.
Photos of us from then...
We were married June 14, 1961
in the Salt Lake Temple.
We were blessed to have my Mom's parents,
my Grampa 'n Grama Huffaker, age 70,
Dave and Ella,
along with Walt's mother's Mom there,
his Grama Maria Prescott who at age 78
had been a widow for almost 18 years.
My Dad and Mom,
Arnold and Verna Albertson received
their endowments that same day I did.
And they were also sealed, the same
day we were. Elder Henry D. Moyle,
whom Walt had translated for in Uruguay
and Paraguay when this Apostle had
toured Walt's mission, said the Lord
does everything in order. He sealed my
Dad and Mom first, then he sealed
me and then my sister to our
father and mother.
Then he sealed Walt and me.
When he told us we could kiss
over the alter as we knelt there,
Walt leaned over and gave me a
tiny little peck on the lips.
"Now, Walter, you stand up,
take your beautiful bride in your arms,
and kiss her like you meant it!"
Elder Moyle said.
Walt complied.
were with us. Jane was my escort and
my Mom had her Mom as her escort.
Eileen ready to leave home...
Walt ready to leave home...
"Therefore shall a man leave his father
and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife..."
--Genesis 2:24
"...multiply and replenish the earth"
Two of us in St. Louis...in 1962
Three of us in Minneapolis in 1963,
when Mary Jane "Janie" joined us.
Four of us in Talihina,
Oklahoma in 1965
when Gary joined us.
Five of us in Burley, Idaho in 1966
when Steven joined us.
Six of us in Burley, Idaho in 1969
when David joined our family.
Seven of us in Burley, Idaho in 1971
when Julie joined our family.
David and Julie are our
closest in age.
Brian is born in March 1973...
...making Eight of us in
Burley, Idaho in 1973
Nine of us in Burley 1974
...when our last baby
--Jennifer--was born.
We said "Seven is heaven!"
...and with ups and downs like in all families...
...They are living happily ever after.
...but this is not The End
because Families are Forever!
WEPR = WALT AND EILEEN PETERSEN
(FAMILY) REUNION
Steven, who is in charge this year, has chosen
"TOP GUN" as the theme.
TOP GUN - WEPR 2020
IS BEGINNING
Saratoga Springs, Utah - Schedule
Steve is in charge this year.
Thank you for all the
planning and preparation.
WEPR 2020 has begun!
Top Gun - The best of the best!
Coming...45
(It turned out 5 more came
so we had 50 of the 61
total in our family,
of the possible:
7 children,
6 spouses,
39 g-c,
5 g-c spouses,
and of 5 gg-c
2 are in our family.)
Walt and Eileen
Janie and Shawn, Aimee and Michael M.,
Daniel and Kelly,
Katie, Taitum, Diesel, Heidi, Pono,
Sam, Ashley, Michael. Sara.
Gary, McKell, Isaac.
Steve and Natalie, Cortney.
David and Julie, Josh, Anna, Sam, Will.
Julie and John, Jacee, Jackson, Maddie, Rigdon.
Flying in Wednesday night from Nashville, Tennessee.
Brian and Jennifer, Taylor, Avery, Lizzy, Kayden, Jordan.
Flying in this morning from
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Jen and Jerry, Seth, Sarah, Ben,
Josh, Lizzy, Adam, Anna will
be driving to Vernal where Jerry
will dedicate the grave of his
Grandfather Richard Offut,
Sue's father.
Jen is planning to be back with the kids
for dinner at 7:00 with us, Gary, and Isaac.
(Brewers didn't get back from Vernal till 8:00 and
the second carload about 9:30 or so.)
Thursday, July 16:
Optional Activities - Lagoon / Hike / Zoo
Brian and Jen, Taylor, Avery,
Lizzy, Kayden, and Jordan
came by before they headed
to Lagoon.
Everyone wore masks by us.
L A G O O N D A Y
"A place where cousins have fun
and become closer friends,"
Julie said on facebook.
Riggy rated this ride only a "2" out
of "5." He didn't like getting wet.
...Will, Sam, Jackson.
Masks in line...
Now some spinning around...
Father and son...
...bonding time.
John's favorite ride is the
ride home.
Gary and Isaac went to
the Hogle Zoo.
He loved it!
Dinner on own
Gary and Isaac are bringing
supper in for us.
For dessert Gary and Isaac
had ordered our three favorite
See's chocolates.
Hmm, hmm delicioso!
Walt had taco salad.
The rest of us had Chinese.
I had butter cream, chocolate cream,
and key lime truffle.
We were happy when Jen and Jerry,
Seth, Sarah, Ben, Josh,
Lizzy, Adam, and Anna got
back from their long drive
to Vernal and back,
their drive from Rochester
and flight from Minneapolis
all in the same day.
but special that Jerry was
able to dedicate his
Grandfather Offut's grave.
Isaac is almost taller than his Dad.
Janie and Shawn stopped over to say "Hi"
before heading over to Steve and Nataie's
home for the night.
Sam has his friend Sara with him.
So ends Day 1 of the WEPR.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Night Games possible:
9 Square / Celebrity / Blanket game /
Water game / Ninja Numbers /
Possible: Egyptian Writing/Black Magic/Snaps/Johnny Whoops
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020
Family is Everything…
WEPR - DAY 2
Friday, July 17:
Breakfast on own
10:00 a.m. Induction Ceremony to Top Gun WEPR
Official uniform...
Select your call sign
Walt = Cohan Top Dawg
Eileen = Snickelfritz
Janie = X (Executor)
Shawn = Papa Bear
Katie = Bug
Taitum =
Diesel =
Heidi = Mahina (Moon Goddess in Hawaiian)
Pono = Beyonce
Sam = Shadow
Sara = Siracha
Ashley = Sparks
Michael = Nightmare
Gary = GumbySan
McKell = Gorby
Isaac = Orpheus
Steve = Steven Ray of Sunshine
Natalie = Blondie
David = DP
Julie = Mama J
Josh = JoshJosh
Anna = Sisar P
Sam = Hot Sauce
Will = Hot Shot
John = Keto Man
Jacee = Alfredo Sauce
Jackson = Groceries
Maddie = Moomoo
Rigdon = Crasher
Brian = Bone Crusher
Jennifer = S Assassin
Taylor = Laxer
Avery = Night Hawk
Lizzy = Galaxy Fox
Kayden = Panda Girl
Jordan = Storm Chaser
Jen = Panther
Jerry = Tugboat Toot
Seth = Frio
Sarah = Fuego
Ben = Hollywood
Josh = Blue Jay
Lizzy = Delta
Adam = Green Falcon
Anna = Pink Princess
Games with Prizes
Top Gun Challenge Obstacle Course
{Winners were:
1st
2nd
3rd
Rock/Paper/Scissors Tourney
(Winner was _____)
Lego Pinewood Derby
(Winner was _____)
Jacee and Michael have
their Lego Derbies ready.
...we gathered inside
for run down of schedule
Thank you to Julie and John.
...for letting everyone gather...
...at your home...
...so Grampa and I could be
a part of it since Grampa
gets disoriented away
from home.
Thank you to Jacee,
Jackson, and Maddie for
helping your Mom and Dad
with getting your home and
yard all ready.
Walt by Gary and Jen
Steve welcomed all and thanked all for coming.
He shared what Uncle Tom Prescott had said
in a prayer at a Prescott Reunion that Steve
has remembered for thirty years:
"We thank Thee for family that
gives meaning to life."
Lunch: Fishers -- Noon
Chicken 'n sides
Fishers, thank you for a delicious lunch!
Not easy to feed this many.
Janie, we always love your making
Aunt Phyllis's baked beans.
Now on to the afternoon activity...
Floating the Provo River
(Any more photos?)
Dinner: Steve/Julie Beth -- 5:00
Bar-b-que Ribs/rolls/fruit/salad/dessert
Thank you Steve, Natalie, Julie and John
for a yummy supper.
A great serendipity was to see Daniel and Kelly
here from San Antonio medical rotation.
They just flew in from Texas.
A Wonderful Addition
to the schedule…
The wedding of
Heidi Fisher
and
Kupono "Pono" Kaneao
Kūpono “Pono” & Heidi Fisher Kaneao
7:30 p.m. at the
beautiful yard of
Mark and Tammy Ballard
by Utah Lake.
When Janie posted the photos from this wedding on Facebook, a friend asked: “Are you in Hawaii??!!”
Janie answered: “This was supposed to be in
Hawaii [in May, then July] but the Governor
extended travel restrictions through August.
So, on Tuesday they decided to get married
on Friday during our family reunion! It was a
quick scramble, but turned out so beautiful.
The wedding was at a ward member’s of my
sister whose yard is a perfect setting on
Utah Lake. A very lovely substitute for Hawaii!!
Steve and Pono watching for the
bride to come.
Heidi and Pono being married.
Heidi saying vows to Pono.
Pono reciting vows to Heidi.
Taitum taking rings to Heidi and Pono.
Heidi's niece, Taitum, was the
darling ring bearer.
Heidi and Pono being greeted...
The cake...
Heidi and Pono cutting the cake.
Taitum admiring the cake...
Taitum sharing some cake with Diesel...
How many great serendipities can we take
in one day!? Aimee and Michael Mecham
drove in from Oklahoma City!
Such a special feeling,
no one wanted to leave.
Heidi and Pono with her Dad and Mom,
Shawn and Janie Fisher
Aimee, Katie and Ashley,
and sister-in-law--Kelley, who is
like a sister.
Daniel, Sam, Michael (tallest),
and brother-in-law, Michael Mecham,
who is like a brother.
Pono and Heidi with her family
(Parker--Katie's husband--was working in Nashville.)
Pono and Heidi with her Petersen aunts and uncles.
L-R: Gary; David and Julie;
Julie and John; Steve and Natalie;
Brian and Jennifer; Jen and Jerry.
Heidi with Taitum and Diesel...
Most of Heidi's extended Petersen family was there.
Anna, our darling missionary granddaughter,
daughter of David and Julie,
who is doing her MTC online for the
Finland Helsinki Mission, was able to come.
As of now, she flies to Helsinki
on August 24. However, she will probably
be reassigned to the states somewhere first.
[The next night her Bishop called to tell
her she is reassigned to the
California Sacramento Mission
until Finland opens up.
Flies to California Aug 25.]
A beautiful setting
for a beautiful wedding
for a beautiful bride...
...and handsome groom.
This is the beautiful home of
the Ballards where the wedding was.
I think Tammy did this
stained glass design for
the floor of the elevator in their home.
She is a very talented artist!
Beautiful sunset drawing a beautiful
day to its close.
served at Julie 'n John's home.
David helped Steve dish
up the ice cream.
David, Anna, Sam, Josh, Will, Julie.
daughter, Sisar Petersen, home
to be in bed by 10:30.
now on their team.
Everyone gets a turn.
They tried to trick Jacee on the last turn,
and had five people.
She got all five names in 2 seconds!
*** *** *** *** *** ***
End of Day 2
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2020
Family is Everything…
WEPR - Day 3
Saturday, July 18:
Breakfast on own
Go to Utah Lake to set up early
Boating / Jet Ski / Nine Square - Start at 8:00 a.m.
John drove the boat for 12 hours!
John, you are a WEPR hero!!~
Katie and Cortney on boat.
Cort said she hadn't been with
Katie for six years.
Katie, Taitum 4, Diesel almost 2.
...and surfing behind it.
The jet skis were a big hit!
David, Brian, and Jerry,
thank you for renting these
jet skis. I was flabbergasted
when someone told me the cost.
...and the littles had fun in the
natural warm springs water.
Michael is the youngest Fisher,
but now the tallest!
Lunch at Lake - David / Brian
Hamburgers - Hot Dogs - Fixins'
Fruit - Grama's Potato Salad
Janie's Baked Beans
Chips - Desserts.
David and Julie,
Brian and Jenn, and families
thank you for this wonderful
lunch at the lake!
Brian and Avery grilling some
hamburgers 'n hot dogs.
We were so happy to have
McKell and Abby come.
Julie with McKell and Abby
Boating until 2:00 or 3:00 was scheduled.
It actually went until 8:00 that night!
(Does anyone have more photos to add
from this fun day at the lake?)
Dinner: Brewers--Jen and Jerry / Gary
brought in Pizza Hut Pizza
to the Lake.
Thank you Jen and Jerry, and Gary
for this pizza dinner that is always
great for kids, teens, and adults!
(Did anyone get photos?
We weren't at lake then.)
Isaac made churros for dessert.
Gary is so proud of Isaac
making these churros,
and so are we!
Everyone was having so much
fun the boating went until 8:00!
Rest time was very short!
Evening -
Talent Show
showed highlights
of the reunion
and paid tribute to Grampa and Grama with
each person saying what they loved about us.
It was very touching!
Thank you everyone.
Another view of Brian's tender hug
for his Dad.
We loved everything about the reunion!
Thanks to each family for providing
and preparing delicious meals!
Thank you Steve and Natalie for
being in charge this year!!
It has been an outstanding reunion!!
Grama Petersen wanted some more photos
of the 'WELCOME WEPR 2020" sign
before the "Gypsy Sign" people
came to take it down.
Grampa Petersen was too weak
to come back outside to be in these photos.
David and Julie,
Josh, Anna, Sam, and William
got a photo with me at the
WEPR sign just before the
gal came to take it down.
Then Jackson, Maddie, and Riggy
got their photos, too.
(The gal is taking the letters down in this photo.)
Then Jackson, Maddie, and Riggy
got their photos, too.
We loved the yard sign.
Thanks, "Sign Gypsies" for adding
sparkle to our event.
End of Day 3
Thank you again
everyone for
a great WEPR!
These have been
days together
never to be
forgotten.
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2020
Family is Everything…
WEPR - Day 4
Sunday, July 19
Brunch for those still here.
Church at John / Julie's for
whomever is still in town
Spiritual Message: Elder Petersen / Elder Arnold
Serving in the origin of the WEPR = Burley, Idaho
John cooked steak for Sunday dinner
come to be with us tonight!
They don't have to go back to Oklahoma City
for a few days.
*** *** ***
We are so thankful for The Plan of Salvation
and the Atonement of Jesus Christ
that makes this Great Plan operational.
At the end of this July 19th,
we pray you have had a
restful , peaceful, and spiritual
Sabbath Day...
We share these truths as our testimony to you...
Heavenly Father lives and knows us each by name. He loves us and wants us to return to Him and Heavenly Mother when we leave this mortal existence. He loves us just as we are at this very moment.
*** *** ***
Jesus Christ came to earth as The Only Begotten of the Father and fulfilled the Atonement. He is the Redeemer of all.
*** *** ***
Joseph Smith was foreordained to be the Prophet of the Restoration. He is the Restorer of all things.
*** *** ***
Because of the Priesthood Keys of Sealing,
families can be together for eternity.
*** *** ***
President Russell M. Nelson is the Living Prophet today for all the world.
*** *** ***
The Bible is "the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly" and is a Testament of the Divinity of Jesus Christ.
*** *** ***
The Book of Mormon is the Word of God and is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is the most correct book of any book on earth.
*** *** ***
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the True Church on the earth today.
*** *** ***
Of these truths we testify in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Walt and Eileen Petersen
Saratoga Springs, Utah, U.S.A.
July 19, 2019
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*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
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