July 2018

July 1st found us en route to Utah for our first official Betteridge Reunion at the Ridge.  Driving 31 hours one way with all our things for 2 weeks plus a camping trip sure makes for a squashed car.  We mainly drive straight through, stopping only for gas and potty breaks. We stretch our legs whenever we stop but we eat meals in the car and drive through the night. Otherwise, it takes FOREVER. 

Dad had a bunch of trees cut into wood chips so we spent the first day getting campsites leveled and woodchips spread out. We also blazed trails between sites and common areas and spread bark over those places as well. Our first day we set up our tent in the middle, near the game tent, but it got so much sun during the day and was super hot for napping Max that Chris and I decided to clear and level out another tent spot near the RV pad. It was fun to see Chris on the tractor. Besides setting up camp, Our reunion included games in game tent, swinging on the rope swings and on the zip line, a trip to Jordanelle Reservoir, TONS of tournament games: 2 versions of washer toss, Kubb, and tetherball, picking wildflowers, singing around the campfire, s'mores, visiting nearby Camas grave sites of our ancestors, (John Pack and Ruth), admiring moose close to camp, swam in Camas' Rec Center pool, and took family pictures.  Another favorite memory was Chris and I teaching everyone a square dance (heel toe polka) and dancing around the firepit together. 

While we were going to be in Utah surrounded by family we decided to have Gwen baptized here. In MS there are no Stake Baptisms or anything so that is one fun thing about living in a small branch. My mom tracked down the dress she made for my sisters and I to get baptized in and Gwen wore it too. We were going to have Todd (currently a bishop) organize for the ordinance to be done at their building but with baptisms here being so carefully scheduled, we found ourselves last minute trying to find a ward/font who was able to host. Turns out, Chris' parents ward could make it work.  We all really appreciated the sacrifice of  the local authority to take some time out of a Tuesday morning to fill the font and preside at our little service and when we realized it would be in the same font and building that Chris was baptized in. The presiding priesthood holder (Brother Gardener, maybe?) surprised Chris and I by inviting us to share our testimonies at one point. Chris bore a sweet testimony about being grateful to have his life spared a few years ago battling cancer so he could be around for special moments like these. It was a very touching and wonderful baptism service. Gwen said she loved how warm the water felt and wished she could do it again.  

We also celebrated her birthday with breakfast in bed and a family lunch after the baptism.  When we got back to MS we invited a friend to go to the movies with her to celebrate in another way.  Can't believe our Gwendolyn is 8!

The weekend after we got home we had a primary activity in the gym to celebrate pioneer day. Everyone dressed as pioneers and we shared stories about our ancestors and played games and ate food. 

The rest of July was pretty much working on our Guesthouse remodel. My birthday was on the day that Rebecca and her mom came to stay.