For Ari & Lyric:

This last weekend was the Vipperman Reunion. This family reunion is unique as we all come together on a Sunday afternoon and listen to some talented family play music. Others float the group, visiting and catching up. And, of course, there is always plenty of food. Some of you may not enjoy this blog but I know that Ariane and Lyric will love it.

Uncle Rod, Aunt Barbara, Aunt Carolyn & Uncle Don

(That's Sid Vipperman in the back between Aunt Carolyn

and Uncle Don. His son is to the right with Dale)

Becky & Audrey enjoying some dessert.

Tejay and Addey enjoying some quiet time. (Ashley didn't come)

Drage is enjoying his mom and dad's attention.

(That is Alexis White's head)

Justin & Chandra catching up.

Your Aunts enjoying one another.

We missed you girls. Maybe next year.

Handcart Trek

This last weekend, Rick and I was invited to be a Ma and Pa for our Stake handcart Trek. It has been a concern for me every since I found out that we were going. A few years ago, I was over a 4th year hike and made a real fool of myself. It was very embarassing and I certainly didn't want to have it happen again. so, I tried to prepare for the trek. I asked lots of questions, and proceede to do some walking around the neighborhood. Here are some things I learned while on the trek.

• Knee-high hose works!!! I wore a pair of knee-highs and then a sock and shoes. NO BLISTERS!!!! (which is more than Rick can say. H said he should have worn them)



• This picture if of a friend of ours in our ward. He went barefoot the first and last day of the trek. Pretty amazing.




• When I hear any stories about Rocky Ridge, I know what they are talking about. Although ours was not as long it was tough.



• Ice cubes thrown into a stream doesn't come close tot he actual Sweetwater Crossing. However, Young men carrying their young women peers across a stream brought tears to my eyes, imagining the sight from the past.




• I can't imagine taking small children across the U.S. in handcarts. I thought many times about my grandchildren and how hard it would have been having them along.



• Four ounces of flour makes a very boring, small biscuit. When the gave the kids their 4 oz the leaders made them believe that was dinner. We were all glad to see the BBQ pork later.



• Tears streamed down my face as they called the 'men' to be a part of the Mormon Battalion. Not for fear of what was ahead for me but what the men were doing for a country that had betrayed them. When the the prophet had asked them to do this, the men stepped forward to serve their country, their prophet, and their God.





• When the leaders tell you the 2nd day should only be 6 miles, don't believe them. We walked 10 miles the second day.



• Justin Elmer, a young man from our ward who is soon headed to St. Petersburg, Russia for a mission , is unbeatable in the stick pull.



• Yes, the latrine truck can get stuck in the mud. (clear above its axles!)







• One of my 'daughters' said, " I think if we had been in a handcart company that left early in the year, I probably could have been a part of a handcart company." I agree. Although we hear a lot about the trials of the Willie and Martin handcart companies, there were many who walked the trail and made it safely. They must have become very close as a group and were thrilled to arrive in the valley.



• As we walked and walked and walked--and walked-- I thought how the saints must have felt knowing that each step led them to Zion and to a prophet of God. How exciting it must have been for them.





• The youth of this dispensation are awesome!! Their testimonies are so strong. I personally had my own Sweetwater Hero in our family. He pulled the cart 90% of the time and bore a strong testimony at our devotional. The Lord's church is going to be in good hands.

The trek was trulya wonderful experience.