Back Troubles, Motorcycles, and Rodeos

I arrived home from Arkansas and the very next morning I find out my sweet little Heidi is in excruciating back pain. For the next several days I spent some time helping her out by watching the kids and such. I felt so bad for her, because nothing seemed to help relieve the pain. Almost two weeks later, several chiropractic appointments, and even and emergency room visit, she is finally beginning to feel a little better.

Heidi and Deegan

Deegan and Sy at Nonna's house. Deegan was quite concerned about his mom and kept asking when she would be feeling better. He really was worried about her!

For more details and pictures about this adventure, visit Heidi's page.

Way last spring I registered to attend a Children's Literature Conference for two days in Salt Lake. Mike decided it would be fun to ride the motorcycles out. He planned for us to go by way of Wolf Creek Pass, through Heber, then over the Alpine Loop, and on to Salt Lake. I was nervous about driving the bike in the city. Up to this point I had only driven on less traveled roads, but Mike seemed to think it would be OK--and it was, mostly.

We didn't get many pictures, but here are a few.

A stop on Wolf Creek Pass.

The meadows were filled with these pretty little purple flowers. Mike was supposed to get a picture of the beautiful meadows, but seemed to misunderstand my request!

One of the meadows on Wolf Creek Pass.

Alpine Loop with Mount Timpanogas in the background.

This is the type of road nearly all of the Alpine Loop was. Slow, easy driving with lots of turns and grades. It was beautiful, and not as difficult as I thought it would be.

Alpine Loop again (I really think I need to keep the camera next time).

On the way home from the conference, we stopped in Kamas to watch Mikie ride the rough stock in the rodeo. He and a couple of his friends enter the event at different rodeos and have a lot of fun. I am a nervous wreck and don't know if I want to watch the event or not--would I rather see the wipe-out or get a telephone call from the hospital?

Getting Ready

Mikie's ride at Kamas Rodeo

Reunion in Arkansas

Last September, Mom and Dad celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Since our family is so spread out-from China to North Carolina to Arkansas to Utah-and we couldn't get together at that time, we planned a reunion and anniversary celebration for this summer. For almost a year David, Keith, Coree and I, along with our spouses, have been organizing this event. We met in Arkansas and had a few wonderful days together as a family. Of course, not everyone could be there because of new babies, missions, and work schedules. We missed them, but understand that life takes its own turns and we have to accept and deal with it.

Dick and Gayle Bramwell

September 12, 1958

Fifty years later and looking great!

It can't be a real Bramwell reunion without a lake trip--so we had several different trips to Beaver Lake!

Vi and Roux on the boat.

Ranell and Mom

We talked Mom into going on the tube behind the boat. She and I were on one tube and Coree and Susan (David's wife) are on the other. Coree shows her true colors by trying to knock Mom off of the tube. It worked--eventually! I couldn't believe we actually got Mom to agree to this. I guess that riding on a tube was more do-able than skiing like she used to do!

Plenty of wakeboarding, wake-skating (or something like that), tubing, and of course--WIPEOUTS!!!!

Dad always has to have something to do--and keeping the yard beautiful was one of the things he did to stay busy. We tried to get Roux to ride the lawnmower with his "Opa" but Roux didn't really like the idea.

Keith took a group to see his "naked chickens" and to pick up food for the next stop--a reptile place!

Snakes, lizards, alligators, frogs, spiders, and other creepy-crawlies are no match for this girl!

Shoulder jewelry

No reunion is complete without family pictures. These are just off of the digital cameras floating around. In this picture--Mom, Bonnie(dog), Dad, Coree, David, Keith, and Ranell.

Mom and Dad, the grandkids, and one of the three great-grandchildren.

Vi and Roux were the only ones from my family that could make the trip.

Roux playing with the party decorations.

The last official night of the reunion we had dinner at a park, cake, activities, and a program honoring Mom and Dad. Keith made this wonderful family tree with everyone's picture and information then printed it up poster size and framed it. Over six hundred pictures were downloaded to my computer over the three days. Heidi (my daughter) pre-made scrapbook pages that I brought with me for us to add pictures to. Each day, with the help of my sister and sisters-in-law, we chose pictures, ordered prints of them, then put them in the scrapbook. By the night of the program we had a nearly complete scrapbook of the reunion. (Finishing touches were made before I flew home a few days later.)

What a wonderful heritage my parents have given their children. Each of us love and appreciate their example, their teachings, their support and their love for us and for each other. THANKS MOM AND DAD!

Neola Kids' Rodeo

Mike volunteered us to help with the Neola Kids' Rodeo. If we helped take tickets and sign kids up we could enter our family into any of the events. Josh and Heidi brought Deegan to the rodeo and we entered him (and a million or so other kids) in the chicken chase and the rabbit chase.

While waiting for the events to begin, Deegan did what any other four year old boy would do--found a sand pile to play in. At first he just played in the sand, digging, piling, etc. Then he decided it would be fun to fill his hat with sand and dump it out. I don't really know the purpose of the activity other than to annoy the grown-ups and get sand in his hair when he put the hat on. Oh well! He had fun, and that's what counts!

They're off and chasing!

One disappointed little boy! Deegan tried so hard and came close to catching one of the little critters, but the buggers just slipped right out of his grip. Softy Nonna was ready to buy Deegan a rabbit--but was voted down. Do you think I can rig the event for next year?

Coree, Rachel, Nicole, and Vika came to visit us for a day. They have been living in China for the past nine months and it was great to finally spend time with them. No big plans for the day--just visiting, playing on the trampoline, eating ice cream and relaxing.

Of course everyone "ooo-ed" and "awww-ed" over little Syeira.

Beautiful Heidi (Syeira's mom and our next to youngest) enjoying a few minutes without kids hanging on her.

Rachel, the perfect babysitter. I think Heidi would hire Rachel in a minute to come and "nanny."

Nicole, Vika, and Deegan playing on the trampoline. It was a hot day (for here, anyway) so Deegan had to have to hose on. Naturally, he got control of the hose and everyone else was on guard for errant water spouts.

The day wouldn't be complete without ice cream cones.

Thanks you guys, for spending a quiet day with us!

Top of Indian Canyon
Mike and I rode the motorcycles to Salina. Mikie let me drive his 900cc bright red Vulcan. Stayed overnight and rode home today. Great fun! It was better today because I was a little more relaxed. Beautiful scenery, great company, and a sense of accomplishment for driving a cycle by myself the whole way. (Can't stand wearing a helmet, though!)! Can't wait for our next outing!

Monday morning Heidi called and asked if I wanted to go with them to the Upper Stillwater Dam.  At this time of the year, the runoff spills over the dam in a huge manmade waterfall.  It really is an awesome sight.  

I wonder how much water comes down every second?

Josh is a pretty good photographer, but rarely gets acknowledged for it.  Josh in action!

Deegan and I had fun hiking all over.  He didn't want to get close to the dam, and he really didn't like having his picture taken

One of Josh's friends told him about this little store, restaurant, and campground.  We stopped by to check it out and ended up eating there.  It was really good!  I think Mike and I may ride the motorcycles up next week for our own little afternoon get-away!

First Motorcycle Ride

Well!  I did it--sort of.  Mike put me on Mikie's motorcycle today, a 900 (or something) Vulcan and had me start learning.  The bike is a little (a lot) bigger than I envisioned learning on, but Mike thought I could do it.  He had more faith than I did!  I didn't go very fast, but I did go.  It actually was quite fun--and as I get used to it, it will be a  BLAST!

Do I look like a biker?  I know--no helmet.  Mike thought the claustrophobic element of a helmet might add to my stress level.  He was probably right about that!