This Will Hurt Me More Than You!

Yesterday (July 30), we had a crisis in the Gambles' household. Recently, Lilli has been playing in the toilet. We have repeatedly punished her for it. However, Angie has also started getting into the toilet even though she has seen Lilli punished for it. To make a long story short, Angie got caught playing in the toilet just a few minutes after Lilli had been punished for the same thing. We decided drastic measures were needed to get Angie, who knew what she was doing was wrong, to stop doing it. We had told her earlier that we were going to the Downey City Park for an Elders' Quorum party. She was excited since she knew she could play on the swings and slides. So, we decided that Deb and the girls were going to stay home from the party. However, as we thought about it, it wouldn't be fair to Deb and Lilli to be forced to stay home. So, as punishment, Angie could go to the party but could not play in the playground. Before and after supper (superbly cooked, I might add), Angie would sit or stand on the edge of the playground. I could tell she really wanted to go play. It broke my heart, but I knew she needed to learn her lesson. There were several times I just about said, "Go ahead and play." I understood, though, that she would then learn that breaking the rules would have no consequences. I bit my tongue and watched her suffer.


Later, I reflected on how sometimes our Father in Heaven must feel when we break his rules, and then he has to punish his children. I never dreamed that fatherhood would be so challenging...yet so rewarding!

Pioneer Children

On Pioneer Day, the Downey 2nd Ward Primary held an activity. The children (and leaders) were encouraged to dress up as pioneers. Angie Taylor, president of the Downey 2nd Ward Primary, had a dress that she lent to Angie so she could dress up like a pioneer. So Deb and Angie went to the activity at the church. One of the activities they did was walk down to the city park and look at the cabin there. You will notice the boots Deb had on. They are actually too small for her and by the time she was done with the activity, her feet were killing her. You may also notice that Angie's shoes are actually flip-flops--authentic pioneer footwear!

That evening, we went to Clifton to watch the fireworks. We took Grandma Bet with us. It was the first time in years that Clifton put on a fireworks show. It was pretty good considering the small town and no one was charged any admittance.


Lilli waving to the camera:















On July 26, Angie was in the Lava Hot Springs Founders' Day parade. She was with her dance academy. She loves being in parades and is proud to see her family. Before the parade, she told us she would throw candy to us when she went by. Unfortunately, however, there was no candy for her to throw! She still enjoyed it, though. We took Grandma Don with us to see the parade.

When we got home, we went to Swan Lake to celebrate Pioneer Day with them. We had a fabulous supper of chicken with potluck salads and desserts. After dinner, the Swan Lake tradition of a water fight broke out. We, fortunately, stayed dry.

After clean-up, Deb and I went to Brad's house where we played Killer Bunnies with Katie (Henderson) and her new husband Tom Reck. It was a complicated game that was very confusing. In the end, Tom won (since he knew all the rules!). Angie and Lilli went with Grandma Bet and stayed with her. Lilli crashed and Angie kept Grandma Bet active until we got there at about 1 a.m.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

The Idaho Falls Chukars (a minor-league rookie team) had an Idaho State University night. Since tickets were free for ISU employees, I picked up 6 tickets. Since our mothers were not willing to go, Deb and I took the girls to the game. The girls enjoyed the game--for the first five minutes! After that, Lilli made her presence known to everyone around her. She made sure she touched or grabbed all of our neighbors or screamed. Thank goodness, all of our neighbors were understanding! When asked if she liked the game, Angie said no. Next time, it will be a date--we will let one of the grandmothers tend the kids!

The game was actually a good pitchers' duel with the Helena Brewers coming out on top 3-1. All in all, though, I enjoyed the time with my family.

The Gambles and Bear Lake

On July 10th, Deb, the girls, and I drove over to Liberty to begin our vacation and to kick off the George Gambles Family Reunion. Since we knew that Lynn, Leisha, and their family were camping up North Canyon just outside of Libery, we drove over and had supper with them at their campsite.

After supper, Angie went with Grandma Don into Lynn's trailer to go potty. Grandma Don quickly found out that anything you say to Angie will be repeated. Grandma Don had gone to the bathroom and told Angie that she needed to light a match (for obvious reasons). When Grandma Don and Angie emerged from the trailer, Angie announced, "Grandma needs to light a match!" Of course, Grandma Don went 20 shades of red!

That night, we slept at Lynn and Leisha's and got ready to go to Garden City for the George Gambles Family Reunion.

We arrived at the Garden City Park just as the reunion lunch was beginning. Many cousins, aunts, and uncles were there. We enjoyed visiting with those that were in attendance and missed those that did not come.

Here are a few pics from the reunion:

Uncle Milton, Aunt Virgene, Mom, Aunt Camille, Aunt Lois, Uncle Bob, Aunt Marilyn, and Uncle Ross:

Lilli at the reunion:

Angie playing in the sand at Garden City Park:

After the reunion, we went to the cabin we rented at Harbor Village. It was a spectacular place. Here is the view from inside the cabin:

That evening, the hot tub was used and many conversations were done. Some headed to Bear Lake for a short while. That night, Mom won Gambles Reunion Survivor, beating out Nathan.

On Saturday, Shauna, Scott, Mom, Deb, and I drove to Swan Lake to attend the funeral of Fay Merrill. It was a wonderful service. While we were gone, everyone else went to Bear Lake and played. That evening, we played games until the wee hours of the morning.

Sunday morning we checked out of our cabin and then visited with the Kent's/Hess' family. We then returned home to end the fabulous time.

As Sid's family was leaving, Angie got emotional and did not want to leave. She began to cry because she was sad. As a kid, I got emotional and did not want to leave our family reunions. She is like her dad.

Here is a link for the web album on Picasa of all the pictures that I took while at the reunion. Be warned, the pictures are big--especially the panaromic pics.

2008 George Gambles Reunion

Death and Life

The older I get in the life, the more meanful death becomes. The passing of Uncle Keith and Fay Merrill brought death back into my life as these loved ones passed through the veil. As always, it is a very mournful time of life when those that we love leave us. However, as a think about their experience of going through the veil, I wonder what that is like and what Dad is doing.

I am sure that Dad was standing in the background as Uncle Keith hugged his mother and father after passing through the veil. The hugs were given to Clair and Ralph. Then Dad shook Keith's hand and welcomed him to life without pain but also without a body. Dad may have even done some missionary work--explaining that the Plan of Salvation is true and that Dad would be glad to share its message with Keith if you would like to hear it.

When Fay passed through the veil, I am sure Dad was anxiously waiting in the background as Fay hugged her family members. Dad was probably wishing it was Mom coming through the veil as I am sure he misses her dearly. Then, when Dad and Fay greeted, it was with a warm hug. Dad then peppered Fay with a million questions about Mom, all of us kids, and his grandkids. He then asked about his fellow Swan Lakers--and I am sure he beamed from ear to ear as Fay reported on his son as bishop of the Swan Lake Ward (although I am sure he already knew about it). They probably talked more than they should have.

Over the years (it hardly seems possible to be 16 years!), the sting of Dad's death has faded. But my love for him and missing him has not. I believe he has news of all the goings on with his family--though like letters. As a missionary, I loved getting letters from home. There were times, though, letters were not enough. I wanted to be home experiencing what my family was experiencing. I feel that is the way Dad feels. Love you Dad. Here's to seeing you soon someday--but not that soon! I have kids to raise!

Highliner

Another Kim Komando video to highlight. This one is about a "highliner." They are essentially tight-rope walkers. Watch the video and ask the question, "How long will this guy live?"

Independence Day

Our family had a very eventful and fun-filled Independence Day.

We started the day out at the Arimo City Park for the Arimo Firefighters' Breakfast. We met up with Grandma Don and the Jons family. It was a delicious breakfast of eggs, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, juice, and milk.

We decided to attend the Arimo breakfast because Angie had to be in Inkom at 9:15 am. She was in the parade with the Showtime Dance Academy. The parade was very long. It started up near the cemetery and ended at the old school house. Lucky for Angie, she got to ride in the pickup with some of the other girls in her class. However, the rest of the girls had to walk and do dances all the way. Deb was very anxious and worried about her. In fact, she ran and got her out of the pickup before she was even near where we were parked so Grandma Don, Lilli, and me did not get to see her in the parade. Deb had to catch up with the rest of the group to get Angie back into the parade. Here are a couple of pictures of the parade:
After the parade, we drove back to Arimo for the pot luck lunch in the park. Again, we joined with the Jons for lunch.

After lunch, we took a nap at Grandma Don's--well at least Deb and I took a nap. The girls kept Grandma Don busy doing other things than napping!

We then drove into Pocatello and met at Jyl and Landen's house in Pocatello. We met with other Browers and went to the Bannock County Fairgrounds to see The Biggest Show in Idaho. Before the fireworks, Deb and I took Angie on some slides and rides that were available.

The first slide that Angie went on, she was a little scared so Deb went with her. It proved a little difficult for her:

Angie went next:

Angie then rode on the swing:

Angie's last slide:

We then waited for the fireworks display by visiting with each other, playing games, and eating snacks. Angie and Lilli enjoyed playing with their cousin Benjamin:

Lilli enjoying a moment with Grandpa Lynn:

The fireworks were spectacular. Thanks to Landen (who works for the sponsor Courtesy Ford), we had a great view of the fireworks on the Bannock County Fairgrounds.

After the fireworks, we went to Logan and Mallie's place where Logan gave us a glow-stick show. It was very good. The kids then did a few sparklers and we came home--exhausted.

Of Adoptions and Sealings

Sometime ago, I read an article by Dr. James Dobson about adopting children and how there are times when the child feels that he or she is not really a part of the family since they were not born into the family. Dr. Dobson suggested that the family not only celebrate the child's birthday, but also they should celebrate on the anniversary of the adoption. Deb and I decided to incorporate that into our family.


On June 29, 2005 Angie was declared by the judge to be ours legally and later that day, a temple sealer declared Angie to be ours for eternity. So, on Sunday we made a big point to have Angie understand what a special day it was. We asked her what she wanted to do, and she said she wanted to go swimming. So we told her we would do that on Monday. The video is of us right after the judge made Angie officially ours.

On Monday, we had both grandmothers for dinner. However, thundering and lightening scared us off from swimming. So we gave Angie her presents (a doll stroller and a doll play pen). She loves them both.