Keeping in Touch

Labor Day Weekend 1990

2010-09-04T14:48:00.000-07:00

I have always enjoyed Payson's Onion Days over Labor Day weekend, but continuing in my commemoration of 20 years ago I wanted to record some memories from that year's celebration because it was probably my favorite. (I hope people don't get tired of just reading all of my memories and play-by-plays, but it seems like I am the lone person still using this blog so I am probably fine to just do what I need to with it.)

To start out I remember after school on Friday, August 31, 1990 that me and Kyle went down to somebody's house on the west side of Payson to skateboard because they had built a quarter pipe in their yard. We skateboarded for a while that afternoon, and then closer to evening I remember some of us making our way up to the carnival at the park to go on some rides. I recall Dennis and Kyle being there, but I am not quite sure who else was there at that point. I think that was the first year I remember them having the Gravitron there, or whatever it is called. That is the one that looks like a giant top, and when it starts spinning you get plastered back against the wall. I remember us riding on it that night and starting to get dizzy and a little sick. After it got dark we went up by the high school to watch the fireworks, and I think we met up with everybody else there. After the fireworks it seems that we may have went back down to the carnival and rode on a couple more rides.

We then decided to venture out to Red Bridge that night. I believe that is the first night that a lot of our group of old friends walked out there together. I don't exactly remember everybody that went, but I do recall possibly Dennis, Kyle, Kate, Synthia, Julie, and myself going out there. It was a fun memory of us taking people out there, some of them for their first time. After that I remember us making our customary loop around to drop everybody off which eventually went out to Santaquin.

The next day I remember Kyle and myself going skateboarding again out at the same house as the day before, and then we had to head up to the park because the band was running a food booth that year as a fundraiser. It was my scheduled time to go put in some hours there. Shortly after we got there they mentioned that they needed some guys to volunteer to spend the night there to keep an eye on the booth. If we volunteered to do it then we wouldn't have to put any time in there that afternoon, so it sounded better to me. My and Kyle then drove out to the trout farm and asked Rob if he was interested in camping out that night at the park too, and he agreed to do it.

Later that night we went back down to the park and met up with people at the band's food stand. I recall that Kate and Julie were there, and I think that Kyle rode on the Merry-go-round with them because it was right by the band's booth. I just remember us all just talking and having a good time, and it is an incredible memory where I can recall even some of the littlest details because it was such a great night. After the carnival shut down we watched some videos in the band's food booth because we had brought a video player. The one's that had planned to sleep over that night were myself, Kyle, Rob, and Steve Lindsey. I think Dennis had gone camping with his family up at there property in Fairview Canyon that night or I am sure he would have been there too. Kate and Julie, and possibly Jenn, stuck around and watched Highlander with us. It seems like it was Julie's recording from TV. I remember it being a lousy recording and a lot of the important parts had been cut out, but we still enjoyed watching it. All of us doing that that night made for truly a classic memory.

In The Orchard

2010-08-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

Twenty years ago on August 24 I had a night that was very significant and memorable for me. School had just started two days earlier for my Senior year. The 24th was on a Friday that year, and to back up a little earlier that day I recall that after school I had gone home and my dad was there. He cooked us some food and we ate it as we listened to Paul Harvey. I remember that we talked and it was just a time that was relaxing and we connected well. There was a little bit of a feeling of anticipation for that night and the weekend. I then remember going to my room and listening to some music before I went skateboarding up around the Payson park. While I was skateboarding that afternoon it was hot and the sweat was just dripping off of me, but I just enjoyed pushing myself and feeling alive from it.
The band had to play at the football game that night, but we just played as a pep band and didn't have to march during half-time. We also got to just wear regular clothes that night and not our band uniforms. After the game, which I am sure Payson lost that year, I remember that myself, Kyle, Kate, and Julie all went to hang out by taking a ride in our old Bronco II. It seems that I got to drive it on that particular night instead of my old green Chevette for some reason. We took the back-roads out towards Julie's Mom's house, and I remember listening to the Boingo Alive tape while driving with the windows down that night. I believe that Julie then had us drive into the orchard a little south of her mom's house while we were out that way.
We drove in a bit and then parked, so that we could get out and walk around a little. One reason that night was so memorable was that I remember it being such a perfect late summer night. It was still warm, but it felt refreshingly cool in the orchard under the trees. You could hear the hum of vehicles traveling on the freeway in the distance. The stars were out and it was a clear peaceful night. Kyle and Kate decided to sit down under the canopy of trees and talk. I felt so alive that night that I more felt like walking around. Me and Julie then walked a little to the north down a dirt road there, and we came to one of the tall white fans standing in the orchard that they use to circulate the air on cold nights. I decided to climb it because it had ladder rungs along the side of it. I recall that Julie was a bit nervous while I was doing it, but I climbed clear to the top. It put me clear up above the trees where I could look around and even see the freeway and other things off in the distance. It seemed like it even swayed a little while I was up there. I didn't stay up there too long, but long enough to look around a bit. It probably was a little crazy to do it, but at that time in my life I felt fearless and truly alive. When I climbed back down Julie was more relieved, and then we just walked around the orchard a bit and talked.
When we got back to where Kyle and Kate were we all got back into our Bronco II and headed out. It seems possible that we may have stopped my Julie's place so that she could get some stuff because she could have been staying and Kate's house that night. We then took the back-roads again back towards the Anderson's house. I believe it was on this same night that as we were still out west of the freeway, but heading east on Utah Avenue toward Payson, we passed by an old barn that was on fire. This obviously caught our attention so I remember stopping to see if everybody was alright, and they were just going to let it burn. We then headed out again toward Kate's house, of course driving with the windows down at least a little so that we could enjoy the late summer air. Around this time I remember we were talking about the movie Highlander, and I was impressed that Julie was a big fan of it. We then made it to Kate's, and I think that we just dropped Kate and Julie off at this point.
That night has always really stood out to me since then because it was just such a great night. With the setting of it I have often looked back in my mind picturing how truly alive I felt that night, and the memory of it has served at various times to remind me of what it means to really be that way. Strangely enough there were a couple songs that came out years later that really seem to sum up that night. The first one was actually called "In The Orchard" by the band Tiger Army. It is almost amazingly descriptive of that night in some ways. The other one was by The Cure from their 2004 album. For me both songs really seem to be descriptive of that night and the way I felt, even though they are not exactly from the standpoint I have for my memories of that night.

Four Of A Kind

2010-03-15T16:28:00.000-07:00

My last post received a couple of comments, so that tells me that this blog hasn't been completely forsaken by everybody. I would challenge more of you to continue to post here as well so it doesn't just become Rhett's reminiscing corner. I think it's fun to be able to read your memories, thoughts, and regrets also regarding the old times and the new.

In continuing with my 20 years since posts I wanted to write about the trumpet quartet "Four Of A Kind" that I, Dennis, Steve Lee, and Chris Walker have been playing together since 1990. We first performed it on 3/15/90 at the annual Huff Music Contest in the high school. The "Huff" was first started by my grandpa, Lewis Huff, in 1970. I even attended it again this year on 3/2/10 to support my mom and because it was a milestone year.

(I will have to continue this post later when I get time, so bear with me until then...)

Red Bridge

2010-03-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

I can see that nobody really uses this blog very much anymore, as evidenced by the fact that there was only one post from me in all of 2009. I looked through some of the posts again today, and I think this whole thing really was a good idea. I decided I will continue to post here even if anybody else hardly ever uses it. For me particularly I like being able to remember and write down old memories on here that I never really recorded anywhere else. I find it to be really fun doing that, and I also like knowing that I have recorded significant and favorite memories before too many years have passed since they first occurred. I would hope that others from our old group of friends would start doing this as well, but if not than that is alright. I've got to admit that I miss getting together with our old friends, but lately it seems like whenever we have tried for something it usually falls through. Hopefully we will be able to align things with everybody to be able to have a successful get-together or two during 2010.

The fact that this year is twenty years since 1990 is one reason that my thoughts have been returning to memories from that year, and many of those included a lot of my old friends. This January it had been 20 years since I first ventured out to Red Bridge, so I walked out there again during that month to kind of commemorate it. I spent quite a bit of time that afternoon just checking it all out again and climbing around a little on the bridge supports underneath. I was trying to find where some of our names should have been carved on it, but I couldn't find this. I did find where Danielle Christensen and Monica Platt had carved their names during December of '89 if anybody remembers them, so that was kind of cool. I just found it to be really peaceful out there, and it brought back a lot of memories of many of us out there together on several different occasions. I plan to continue to walk out there often this year, and I even went out there again after work one night this past week.

I remember during the late spring of '90 that there was one afternoon that me, Dennis, Steve Lee, and the rest of that year's trumpet section from the marching band walked out there and took a bunch of pictures. It was shortly before that year's band banquet. I believe Dennis came up with the idea for us to get a plaque to give to Chris Walker because he had been the trumpet section leader that year but was about to graduate. He had done a lot to help and inspire us that year as a true leader, so we wanted to do something to thank him at the band banquet. We decided to take some pictures of all of that year's section members together to give to Chris. I remember that some of the guys, particularly Steve Lee, were climbing all around on the supports beneath the bridge in ways that I never would have. I believe Steve even climbed all the way up the supports to the top of the bridge from the very bottom. Anyway, after being there we even drove up to Trumbolt in Santaquin Canyon to take some more pictures. It was just a fun spring afternoon from that time in my life, and I wish somebody could find some of those pictures from that day.

One other very memorable occasion for me of going out to Red Bridge was on 11/16/92. It was two days before I went into the MTC, and it was a great last experience right before my mission. Me, Kate, and Julie all walked on the tracks from the west out to the bridge that late afternoon. It was a peaceful and pleasant afternoon, and not too cool for that time of year. I believe we hung out and sat on the bridge and talked for a little while. I did take some pictures of that time, and I have enjoyed looking at them over the years since then. One of the pictures was of the tracks heading west from the bridge into the sunset, and I guess it even was symbolic considering that I was leaving home that week and what not. I took a couple of the pictures with me on my mission, and I was thankful to be able to have them to help me remember favorite places and old friends from home during the two years that I was away. When I look at those pictures again I am glad to see that not too much has changed out at Red Bridge in the twenty years that I have been going out there.

07/08/09

2009-07-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody, I just wanted to take a minute and wish congratulations to Dennis and Jill who were married last week in the Draper Temple on 07/08/09. (I believe one of Dennis's kids told them that would be a memorable anniversary date and that is why they picked it.)

Alicia and I went and saw them get married. Steve and Lori also were able to go see that, but they headed out immediately following the ceremony because they were driving back to California and needed to be there by that night. A little later we went to the wedding luncheon, and Derek and Demi also were able to make it to that. We all had a fun time hanging out and talking there. The main thing that stood out to me throughout the day was how genuinely happy and relieved that Dennis and Jill seemed together. We all know what Dennis has been through the last couple of years, and Jill has also had her own personal difficult times. What a blessing it is that they were able to find each other after all of that, and we wish them happiness and success in their new family together.

We will have to try for another get-together with everybody before the summer's end, so if you are interested let me know when potentially would be a good time for that. I know that last year Labor Day weekend worked out pretty well for most people, so that could be a possibility if people are planning to be around the area then. Anyway, stay in touch and I hope you are all doing well.

2008-11-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

It was fun to see who you thought I looked like. I would love to return the favor, but I don't know that many famous people. I had to look up many of the ones on the list.

Christmas

2008-11-24T19:37:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone,
Two things.
1. I would like to have your addresses so I can send you Christmas cards
2. I would like to see you all this Christmas season. Lets plan a get together. What do you say?

Celebrity Equal List

2008-11-09T21:54:00.000-08:00

Here is my completed celebrity equal list of our old friends:

myself - Christopher Lambert (most of you probably know that I am a big Highlander fan)
Alicia - Winona Ryder
Kate - Jodie Foster
Derek - Stephen King
Kyle - Flea (from Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Kyle would totally agree that the two of them are alike in many ways)
Afton - Nicole Kidman
Brenda - Scarlett Johansson
Synthia - Sheryl Crow
Demi - Cate Blanchett
Dennis - John Stockton (this is because both of them were willing to, and frequently did, take one for the team quietly)
Julie - Charlize Theron
Steve - Seth Meyers
Chris Walker - Hugh Jackman
Jenn Anderson - Renée Zellweger
Snipper - Kirsten Dunst
Rob - Daniel Craig

Celebrity looksters...

2008-10-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

Derek - Steve

Rhett - Baker

Dennis - Dennis

What do you say? Look alikes or what??

2008-10-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

Who Is Your Celebrity Equal?

Rhett and Derek and I played this game a couple years ago via email...it was pretty darn fun. I thought I would start it on our little friend blog...There are no rules to this game, except please, be nice (this means no-one can say my celebrity equal is Delta Burke! No one wants to think that they look like the fat Designing Woman!)

All you do is post who you think is one of the gang's celebrity look alike.

I'll start.

Derek: Hugh Grant

Rhett: Sting

Synthia: Melina Karakaklalalalkalas....That girl on Providence

Brenda: Darryl Hannah

Now it's your turn...come on guys. Chime in.

It's fun.

Really, humor me...I have no life. I am tethered to an IV pole and have been for 13 weeks!

Love and light to you all,

Kate

What's his name???

2008-09-29T10:32:00.001-07:00

Just had a thought, what was the name of that guy who came down from BYU to help the drumline out in practices? He was sort of lurpish...I can't remember his name for the life of ME! Remember, he was the one who dropped some heavy object on Robbie's head while in band practice? Rob had to go and get a ton of stitches and, I believe, the guy never even said he was sorry for the incident.

Memory from September 16, 1990

2008-09-16T22:13:00.000-07:00

I figured that I would write about another memory I have. There haven't been as many postings here recently. It seems August was one of the more active months on this blog with a lot of memories, etc. being added to it. I imagine everybody has probably been pretty busy lately with their kids and getting them back in the school routine and what not.

The memory I want to add happened on this very night back in 1990. It was Sunday, September 16th. The night before I had gone to the "Homecoming From Hell" dance. (That is a whole other story that some of you have probably heard me tell over the years.) Anyway, that Sunday evening there was a fireside of sorts over at the Marriott Center. I remember that me and Kyle drove over to it in the old '79 green 'vette I had back then. When we got there we found some of the girls from our group of old friends. We probably had talked to them earlier that day about meeting up with them there. I mainly remember that it was Kate and Jenn, Synthia, Demi, and Julie that were there that night, but maybe there were others also. We all watched the fireside together and then we talked a while there. Afterward we split up to go home. Kyle must have rode home with Kate and Jenn, because I remember that Julie, Synthia, and Demi all rode home with me.

The group in my car all went over to a park that is a bit east of BYU. It was a pleasant and warm late summer/early fall evening, and it felt good to just be out enjoying the night. We hung out at the park for a while and talked and just had a good time. I recall that the girls were playing on the swings and running around the park (probably barefoot) in their Sunday dresses. When we got in my car to leave Julie and Synthia decided to swap dresses for some reason that I don't really know to this day. I must admit that I was a little taken back by the whole thing, but they just took their dresses off and traded right there in the backseat of my car. (If you are wondering, no I didn't watch. I turned my head away while they were changing.)

Anyway, once everybody was alright with what they were wearing we started for home. Like a lot of those nights back then we didn't exactly go right home immediately. I recall that for some reason we even stopped at Smith's in Payson to buy drinks or something. After that I must have started the long loop around of dropping everybody off home by way of West Mountain, Santaquin, and then back to Payson again. It seems that it was fairly late (for a school night anyway) before I finally made it back to my own house. Like many of the nights back then I was probably going to be a bit tired the next day, but it was definitely worth it because I remember it as being a memorable night from a very significant time in my life.

Salamander hunting with Derek...

2008-08-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

Trevor and his friends found a little pond out in the orchard near our home. It has become a favorite place for the kids to hang out, explore, and try their luck at capturing salamanders.

Lauren, Trev and his friend Josh.

Derek, the salamander lover, came with us to try his luck at finding a new pet. Immediately after I took this picture, Derek slipped and fell into the water! SOOOO FUNNY!!!

"Hey...I'm already wet...might as well make the most of it!"

Now...that's something you don't see every day! Nice mud butt you got there! My kids teased him unmercifully for the rest of the evening. Lauren, my fearless 8th grader, was the only one who caught a salamander that night. She gave it to Derek for his trouble.

As always, thanks for the laughs, Derek!

Boingo concert 1990

2008-08-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

Reading Brenda's recount of 1990's 50/20 sparked a memory with me that I thought I would write about. I think this was probably the very next weekend. Oingo Boingo was coming to play an outdoor concert in Park City on May 26, 1990. It was going to be a couple days after school got out for the summer. A few of us guys decided we wanted to go, including Chris Walker. He would have just graduated.
When the evening came Chris drove us all there in their family's van, and I always thought it was cool that he offered to do that. It was me, Chris, Kyle, and our other friends Jim and Brian that went. We drove up to the concert in Park City, and I remember it being a cool and clear early summer night with the fresh mountain air. I had only been to smaller venue concerts until that night. It ended up being a bit of an eye opener. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were one of the opening bands. While they were playing I remember every so often you would see girls fly clear up in the air above the crowd because people would hold a blanket tight and use it as a sort of trampoline to throw somebody and then catch them. (I also remember a couple going at it under a blanket right there on the hill. I guess you see it all at concerts.) That night there was also some dumb-ass standing by us on the hill that was mouthing off, but I knew that with Kyle and Chris there we were well backed up by good friends if he had tried to start anything.
Anyway, Boingo started playing with the sounds of the horns on Dead Man's Party right as it was starting to get dark. They ended up playing for around three hours that night, and it was an incredible concert with the combination of the music and the mountain air setting. That night really added to me becoming such a fan of Oingo Boingo. After the concert we drove down to Salt Lake to get something to eat, and then KJQ played Boingo music on the radio the rest of the drive home.
I know that this whole experience probably don't sound too life changing, but to me it was such a great night that it was a highlight for me in that time of my life. We were young and felt truly alive and free, and we were all at our best back then.

A "Keyan" memory...Labor Day, 1989

2008-08-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

At our most recent gatherings, I have appreciated Dennis, Derek, and Rhett's fond memories of Keyan Riley - "The man whose flatus smells like roses..."

(yes...I said it!)

This memory goes back to 1989. After we marched the Payson Onion Day's parade, apparently, it was Keyan's birthday or close to it. The girls had planned a picnic lunch/hike up to the Grotto with Keyan, to celebrate his bday. I say girls, but I only remember Afton and Marianne - I am sure Synthia was there, Kate? Anyway, back then, the trail was horrible and very steep in some places. We lugged this big ol' heavy cooler up the trail. My memory is a little fuzzy here, but I think Keyan actually rode on TOP of the cooler as we carried it, with Marianne leading the way, throwing rose petals onto the ground (heheh...sorry - in the spirit of fun, I threw that in for my boys - Rhett, Dennis, and Derek - Cheers!). So yes, a crazy hike to the Grotto. Once there, I believe it was quite flooded, unexpectedly. We ate; it was quaint. I think Marianne got hurt somehow? Somebody did. Anyhow, they have since made the trail leading up to the Grotto an easy one, traversing the stream with log planks and such. To this day, when I hike up to the Grotto, I am reminded of this memory.

A 50/20 memory...1989-90?

2008-08-18T10:10:00.001-07:00

I have many memories, but reading Synth's post sparked a memory of her that I want to share:
In 9th grade, I walked the 50/20 (the only year I ever FINISHED!). I don't remember who I started walking with; they eventually quit and I ended up tagging along with Jill Kent and Cami Burton. By about Goshen, Chris Walker caught up to me and, of course, wouldn't hear of me quitting. Throughout the night, Synth and her brothers drove by, bringing me new shoes, giving us water, etc. Around the point of the mountain that early morning, Julie walked briefly with me past the fields with the new baby lambs. By the time we reached Synth's house, Synth had cooked us a big breakfast of eggs and bacon, probably pancakes. I was so dehydrated, the smell was nauseating. I remember Chris digging into a huge plate of food and I couldn't figure out how he could stomach it? I continued to walk. Synth appeared...I was so sick and in physical pain...she carried me, literally cradled me in her arms. I used that memory in a talk I had in sacrement many years ago...how good friends will lift and carry you through your darkest hours, giving you the strength to keep going. I bawled and bawled as I recalled that moment...the symbolism was incredibly powerful.

2008-08-15T17:08:00.001-07:00

I think I am posting this on the right site. I guess I will see when I post it. I love reading what you all wrote. As for memories, I can't believe you all remember the details so well. I have never been very detail oriented. I am still working on that.

I would say that camping while singing "Cecilia" and finding the"fountain of youth" certainly was one of my favorite memories. I also loved going out to Red Bridge at any time of day. I liked playing broom hockey at the church in Spring Lake. I liked hanging out at each of your houses, singing at Kate's and Jen's or Afton and Brenda's, fishing a Judd's, sitting in the window at Steve, Chris and Ben's house, sitting around trying to decide what to do... I could go on forever. It was definitely a fun time of life. It is crazy that some of our kids are getting there. Weird, huh?

Well, I need to get Celeste to bed. Thanks for letting me post. Oh, really quick. For a talk in church once I used the story of hiking up to the "fountain of youth" at night. It got dark on us and we couldn't see anything so we linked arms so that nobody would fall off of a cliff that they couldn't see. That was a cool memory.

Hike up Timp

2008-08-14T18:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some photo's from our famous hike up the backside of Timp. Whose idea was that anyway? I think we went on this hike about a week or so before Dennis left on his mission. We got up early (like, 5am) and drove up Provo canyon to... (searching my memory) Aspen Grove? I remember being pretty excited about the hike. Probably because I didn't know what we were in for.

All smiles starting out.

Demi, Synthia, Kate, Derek, and Dennis. (Afton taking the picture)

Not too far up the trail was this beautiful waterfall. This was when we were still smiling and laughing - hiking is so much fun!!!

Kate, didn't you slip and fall here and pass out or something? Isn't that why you look so spacey in this photo?

Did anyone know how HUGE of a hike this really would be? I remember looking back down the trail that we had come up - all the switch backs - then looking up to where we still had to go and thinking we'd never make it. And then those two ranger chicks that just clicked on past us like we were standing still. AMAZON WOMEN. I wanted to be like them...

We finally made it up to ... (ugh, my memory sucks!) Emerald Lake?? Crystal Lake?? Anyway, the place where we stopped. Finally. And drank the last of our water and went to the bathroom (yes behind a bush) and contemplated just how much more we wanted to endure.

At the top. Sort of.

So we called it good at this spot. Congratulated ourselves and began our descent. I can't quite recall now when I started hatin it. All I remember is that I was wearing hiking boots that I THOUGHT would be perfect for the trip. But they turned out to be like LEAD weights that had RAZOR BLADES sewn into the heels and toes. Every. Step. Was. AGONIZING. You would think that coming back down would be a cinch. An easy task compared to what we had just put ourselves through. No sirree. This was almost worse. Almost.

-This is the part in the story where I weave in some really good thoughts about perspective and what going on this hike meant symbolically on the road of life... But this post has taken too long already, I'm typing with one hand while I hold my sleeping baby, and I really gotta go to the bathroom so here's all the wisdom I can come up with-

Downhill ain't all it's cracked up to be.

favorite memories for real....

2008-08-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

I guessed I messed that one up...anyhow. My favorite memories, wow so many...for us girls...I remember driving in Afton and Brenda's care we name "peanut brittle" we had so many laughs! We used to drive by the guys we currently had a crush on and laugh and try to hide if anyone saw us...like that care wasn't totally visible and original.

I remember spending the night at the band's fundraising booth at the park and watching a horrible recording of The Highlander...by the way...I watched that a couple of weeks ago and bawled my eyes out...it IS a sad movie but I cried for the youth I was when I first saw it...

I will always remember all of the times we spent at Camelot...what a cool place. And senior ball...how cool was that.

I will always remember my jr. prom when Kyle took me and Rhett took Julie...I remember what gentlemen they both were and how fun it was to dance with Kyle and Rhett..
I have tons of more memories...really I could write a novel, but it will have to wait...

I am hoping to see everyone this weekend for Dennis' welcomehome dinner.

Love and light to you call, dear friends.
Kate

Favorite memories

2008-08-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

Some Favorite Memories

2008-08-04T22:22:00.000-07:00

Since I read Afton's post about her favorite memory from the old days I have been thinking quite a bit about my own. It is a little hard for me to settle in on just one, so I will list a few that came to mind.

Some of my very favorites come from the band days around my Senior year in 1990. Specifically, I highly regard the band parties that we had during band camp that summer at the park and also at the West Mountain church. Shortly after that I remember the Labor Day weekend of that year as one of my all time favorites. I recall that some of us went up to watch the fireworks on that Friday night, and then afterward we walked out to Red Bridge in the dark. The next night me, Kyle, Rob, and Steve Lindsey camped over in the park at the band's food-stand and watched videos until very late. That whole weekend was very memorable. On October 29th of that year a bunch of us went up the canyon and hiked up to the Grotto. I believe we were out of school that day for some reason, but I always remember that as being a memorable time. Of course shortly after that came the California band trip that seemed to cap off everything from that fall. Anybody that went on that trip can remember all the great stuff that took place then.

Well, now I will leave the band centered memories because I know that not everybody from our group was included in them. There were a lot of great memories from us all hanging out in 1991, but I will try to list a couple of the stand-outs for me. I really thought that our Senior Ball was a good time. We kept it simple by just eating at the Spring Lake Church with our parents doing the cooking, but I think that also made it a very personal occasion for our group. A few months later was when many of you went on the trip to see Steve Lee's graduation. I didn't go because of work, but I have regretted that over the years when hearing what a great trip everybody had. I think another good time was when we had the surprise birthday party for Derek that year out at Camelot Forest. That was another very personal occasion for our group when we were all very close and at our best back then. We pulled off the surprise well and made it a great night for Derek and everybody else there. (I seem to recall somebody or two even wetting themselves there, but you tell me.) Another big highpoint for me was that October when quite a few of us went to see Oingo Boingo play at the Delta Center. It was also the first ever concert played by anybody at the Delta Center. That was another occasion when those of us there were very tight as a group of friends and just had a hell of a fun time together.

Rob was the first one to leave on a mission in December of '91, but during 1992 we still tried to make great memories with whoever of us was still here. I remember a bunch of us all piling into Dennis's truck one Sunday afternoon that spring and driving up Payson Canyon. (There are some good memories with that old red truck.) On Friday the 13th of March several of our old friend and acquaintances were camping up at the mouth of Santaquin Canyon. That was when Derek, Dennis, Kyle, and myself all sneaked up to their camp with Derek disguised as a mummy. We hung out for a while around the campfire and that was a memorable night. About a month later a bunch of us went up to Trumbolt in Santaquin Canyon and had another bonfire. I remember that night that we just hung around and talked and really had a great night. Then in July shortly before Kyle left on his mission we all had a get-together at my parents' house. We had a cook-out in the backyard, and then later those left went ice blocking on the Peteetneet hill. What an incredible night that was. Shortly before Dennis left on his mission I remember that a bunch of you went to hike Mt. Timpanogos. Again I didn't go because of work, but I wish I had went from all of the stories I have heard from those that did go. It sounds like it wasn't a time when everything went smoothly, but it was a time when everybody there was very tight and looked out for each other as friends.

Those are just some of my favorite memories with you all. I still really enjoy when we get together these days. In recent times there have still been favorite memories being made of getting together with our old friends. A couple stand-outs were that time in June of 2004 when we had a get-together at the trout farm because Synthia was moving to Boston. That was just a great time for everybody there, and I thought it was cool to see the fireflies in Utah that night. In December of 2005 we had a get-together at a church and then we went over to the Furniss house to visit some more. That night came shortly after a difficult trial in my life, and I really was strengthened by associating with my old friends at that time.

Sorry for the novel I wrote for you all. Hopefully it won't take too long for you to read all this. These are not all of my favorite memories with our group of old friends, but they definitely are some of the highpoints for me. I look forward to reading some of yours. Another interesting idea may be for people to write about some of their biggest regrets or "what ifs" if they feel so inclined. I talked about a couple of mine as being times that I wish I would have been there with everybody when I wasn't. I would be interested to see what other people have thought about our old times together over the years since then.

What's your favorite memory from the Good Old Day's?

2008-07-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

I would like to say that I still read this, but uh, no one EVER posts anything here. So, what can we do to fix that people? So far we've got blogs posts or links to me, Derek, Brenda (finally - you are hooked aren't ya?) and Kate was there for awhile (are you coming back to us?). Where's everyone else?? Don't you know we are all just sitting by our computers WAITING to hear from you?!

What if I gave you an assignment? How about everyone that visits here leaves a favorite memory from the good old days??

I'll start.

Road trip to Cedar City to see Steve Lee's graduation.
I remember cramming into Robbie's bronco, Dennis, you drove too didn't you? Didn't Steve Strong drive his little Toyota truck? I have a memory of following him - his truck tires were screwy or something because it was leaning to one side.
I remember going to eat at Wendy's or something and I sat with Derek and we had an interesting, philosophical discussion. Then there was the dance we all went to. It must have been hot, because I remember being super stinky and sweaty. I didn't pack a change of clothes and that was bad. We crashed at someones sisters house that first night. Was it Kyle Egget's sister?? Not much sleep that night, but it was fun. We were supposed to go home the next day but we didn't. We all called from some pay phone to beg our parents to let us stay another day - the girls did anyway. You boys had no restrictions I guess.
Anyway we hung out at the Lee's - consuming pack after pack of bubblicious bubble gum. Remember double, triple bubbles and bubble kisses? We played spoons and a few other games. Carol Lee made sure that the boys and girls were separated when it was time for bed (dang!). On the ride home Robbie stopped to help a guy who was broken down on the side of the road. We took him all the way to Nephi and then back again to his car. Jeff Kretchmer was with us and I think he figured out what was wrong with the guys car and fixed it.
I know my details are sketchy - sorry! But that was one of the funnest times ever!!

LIKE THE NEW TEMPLATE!!

2008-07-30T14:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Afton! The new template is soooo much better!

Hello to everybody!

Is there anybody reading this blog anymore?

Brenda

2008-04-06T20:08:00.001-07:00

Just dropping by to say hello....hope all is well for all.

I am recovering from pneumonia, again!

But as soon as I am well, I would really like everyone to come down to my house for a bonfire and dinner...

I heard that Kyle is planning to move, I hope we can all get together before he leaves..
Kate

Peace

2008-03-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

I think today is National Speak Out For Women Day....

Let's face it, one of three women will be sexually abused in her lifetime. They are our friends, our sisters, our aunts, our mothers, our neighbors, ourselves...It does not have to be our daughters.

We CAN make a difference. We can heal, we can find peace.

http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/womensday/index.asp

http://facesofsurvivors.com/images/

Love and light to you
Kate

2008-03-06T14:36:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to send along this link to an article about ME in the Deseret News....I guess I am an oddity...leaving the big city for the farm and all....

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695259128,00.html

kate

Future Get-togethers?

2008-03-06T00:15:00.000-08:00

Hey, folks, Doctor Palmer here (it's sort of an honorary title).

Rhett and I got together tonight to have dinner and shoot the . . . talk. It was nice, and you know how it is with Rhett, before long it was midnight and he was going to be really tired tomorrow morning. We talked about life and regrets and the changes that come with years and a lot of good (and bad) memories we've made along the way.

In the end, he suggested we get together when the weather sucks a little less, and go up Payson (or Santaquin) Canyon and build a big bonfire and "dance around it like wild Injuns." Actually, he said, "hang out and look at the stars and talk about old times," but the "wild injuns" line was in a movie and I sometimes can't help myself.

I told him I'd mention it to Brenda and see if she would spread the word, but when I got home, I saw this blog invitation and thought I'd post it here. I really enjoy going up to the canyon the many times we did it over the years, and would dig it if we could do it again. At the very least, I'd probably get another scary story out of it.

What say you?

DLP'08 (sorry about the name; apparently the internet thinks my name is Outfield)

OMGosh - I'm a blogger

2008-03-04T12:47:00.000-08:00

The Lee Family
Tuesday, March 4, 2008

OMGosh - I'm a blogger
Okay folks, here is the big test: Let's see if I can get this blog thing to actually work. I have to admit, I am terrified as I am not so savvy when it comes to this sort of thing.

So my sister, Afton, and my bro-in-law's wife, Kaisa, are huge bloggers. I have been in complete awe of their posts and never thought I could attempt such a feat, so I am just going to jump in head first...Here is a little bit about me: I am 32, very soon to be 33. I am married to Chris and we are celebrating our 12th anniversary at the end of this month! We have 4 children - Lauren is 13, Trevor is 10, Brandon is 7, and our caboose, Madison, is 6. We live in Santaquin, just down the road from where Chris and Steve originally grew up. Chris works at Neways as the production manager and I work at home for IHC. As soon as it is warm enough, we head to the mountains for hiking, mountain biking, BBQ'ing, and Chris' all time favorite - hunting. We recently made the purchase of a very old camper, so I am very excited to break that baby in and get her up in the mountains!

My favorite sport is volleyball. I have been fortunate enough to play with close family and friends on the women's league in Payson for the past 9 or 10 years (I forget now...seems so long though!) Our original team consisted of: Vona Judd, Jennifer VanAusdal, Afton Lovell, Lori Lee, Merilee Judd, and me. Opps, Synthia played too! Anyway - good times and good friends. The wives really bonded and I felt like it was a crucial part of our circle of friends staying close together. I finally took a break from volleyball 2 years ago after having knee surgery, but when Vona called me again this fall to see if I would play, I jumped at the opportunity.

Hey, let's face it: We are all getting older...why not do what truly brings you happiness and live life to the fullest? Let's live our lives as though looking through a child's eyes...viewing the world at a different angle, being adventurous and silly, laughing, learning, no regrets. I want to surround myself with you, my friends, and my family...the people who truly bring me happiness.

Love to you all...Brenda

Posted by The Lee Family at 10:05 AM 0 comments
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OMGosh - I'm a blogger

About Me
The Lee Family View my complete profile

2008-03-03T19:00:00.001-08:00

Here's a recent photo of me and my girls...

2008-03-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends!

I had such a great time at Chris and Brenda's last night...It was really the right thing for me. I have had such sorrow these last days, and feeling EachOther, sharing our grief, well, it makes it easier to bear!

I say EachOther, for a reason, I belong to the church of EachOther...you are all members with me...you know that quote "Call in a clan, call it a tribe, call it a family, whatever you call it, you need one." I definately need you guys....

Here's the run-down on my life:

Eldon and I have been married 14 years, this July. Time flies....We have four daughters: Eliza is 12, Julia is 10, Chloe is 5, and Emmeline (Emmy) is2.

We moved from the Salt Lake Valley last March, and we love our little farmette in Manti...we have hens and love to gather fresh eggs everyday. We also have ALOT of cats now...we have sort of adopted all the strays...my girls are really into horses, and are looking forward to having one of their own soon. When we moved, we made very deliberate steps to simplify our lives...for a whole year we haven't done soccer, music lessons, dance etc...we have just taken time for our family. We bought an old farmhouse on a couple of acres that has a huge shop for Eldon. His hobby of knifemaking has turned into more of a business now, and as much as I love my house, we bought this property because of the shop!

These last two years have been hard for me health wise, but I am getting better, and a little bit stronger everyday...Living with cleaner air, and eating healthy food we can grow ourselves is really helping.

An Invitation

2008-03-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking a lot about how life can change so quickly... We have all been living our lives, having children, changing jobs, moving here or there - and yet not realizing that we've lost touch with some of the dearest people in our lives. I thought that this might be a way we could change that. So I invite each of you to use this blog as a way to share what's going on in your lives so that we can all stay close. If you already have a family blog set up please attach the link to this page, but feel free to contribute to this blog as well. If you have a question about creating a post, uploading photos or anything else - let me know! love, Afton

PS Don't be alarmed if the look of the blog changes over time - I am still working on it!