Hello Beaches, Good-bye Florida

On our last beach trip I finally got brave enough to let Tessa loose in the sand. It was fun to watch her discovering. (binkie in -of course)


Jordan is our fearful one. (dogs, darkness, stuff in the water, etc.) But he decided to love the beach all of a sudden and begged us daily to take him back till we left for Utah. --I think it was the wave jumping with Grandma that made it so fun for him. He is proud that he is getting more brave in the water.


Every time we go to the beach is a different experience. It is a living place and the animal life and weather are always changing.


p.s. We retired Jordan's yellow swim trunks. They were hand-me-downs and went through more than three heavy swim seasons. They were getting worn and small but I wouldn't chuck them till they came out of the dryer in shreds. That's the toll of chlorine and energetic boys.

I love my heritage

My Grandma Hatch just finished her 5-year long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
She led a rich and purposeful life. I am so grateful that she can be with her husband and mother and siblings again. She truly knew of the power of sealing ordinances.
She had a wonderful funeral service overflowing with family and friends.

It may be strange to include the obituary here, but there are bits and pieces in it that show the bits and pieces of her that are me.
I learned to play (I mean win) chinese checkers from my Grandma Hatch. I learned to find the plumpest raspberries and pods of peas in the garden. And I learned from her as a child to hold a place of worship in great reverence.

"In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future." Alex Haley

I am grateful for all my people.



Faris Hatch 1923 ~ 2010
"Her step is music, her voice is song."
Gepkie Faris White Hatch died April 25, 2010 in Tremonton, Utah.
Born May 10, 1923 to Henry White and Emily Jakeman in Lyman, Utah, the eighth of nine children. She grew up in Bicknell, Utah and on a nearby ranch. Married Keith Hatch, July 10, 1943 in Salt Lake City, solemnized in Manti Temple July 30, 1948.
Survived by seven children: LaDean Rupp (Larry), Tremonton; Douglas Hatch (Patti), Glendora, California; Nola Harston (Dennis), Cottonwood Heights; Paul Hatch (Lynette), West Jordan; Marvin Hatch (Elizabeth), South Jordan; Jeffery Hatch, South Jordan; Ronda Aramaki (Craig), Alpine; one brother Deward White; 39 grandchildren and 64 great-grand-children. Preceded in death by her husband Keith in 1999; parents; one brother and six sisters: Eva, Henry, LaVell, Marjorie, Hannah, Colleen, and Barbara; daughter-in-law: Wendy Hatch; and two great-grandchildren. The teachings and praise from her father Henry White had a lasting influence on Faris although he died when Faris was 13 years old. Her parents taught her to live the gospel. She learned to work hard which was a way of life in Wayne County. Faris' children learned from her to work even if they sometimes didn't feel like it. She taught her kids to be clean and tidy. She canned and preserved food and always had a big garden. Faris loved music and as a child she learned to dance from her father as she would stand on his feet. She has been dancing ever since. Faris and Keith lived in Loa for a few years then moved to the Salt Lake area in 1953 where they raised their family. She served in many church callings and gave selfless service to many including foster children. In 1985 she went with her husband on a mission to the Johannesburg, South Africa Temple. Following their mission, they continued doing temple work in the Jordan River Temple. She was never idle but always on the go accomplishing something good, for example: sewing dresses for her granddaughters, painting and keeping up her house, cooking meals, giving food to all who visited her home, quilting, and going out and having fun with her sisters and family.

Utah here we come!

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance.

They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies.

~Rudolph Giuliani

a wonderful day

Grandma loved playing in the waves.


She and Grandpa were the best shell collectors!







Then we had a great double date with a few photos at the pier.

and in Naples!

Tessa and Grandpa got some quality time in.


Tessa met Grandpa for the first time and
she got reaquainted with Grandma after their first visit seven months ago.



Thanks Dad for making the trip happen! and thanks for making some great memories!

Grandma and Grandpa in Orlando!!

Grandma and Grandpa Harston were in Florida for nearly a week!
At the beginning of the year, my dad signed up for a medical continuing education conference in Orlando. He finds opportunities through his work that will get him close enough to visit family.
Mom came with him this time also!
We sure looked forward to their visit and enjoyed every minute.
The parting wasn't even too bad since we know now that we'll be in Utah soon for the summer.

I took the kids to Orlando to be with Grandma while dad finished his two days of meetings.
Grandma was the magnet as usual!
I loved to hear Jordan say "I'm so happy..." -about the fun times. He sure loves his family.


We played at the pool of Grandma's fancy resort, and took the boat/ferry ride, and walked around Disney's boardwalk, and tried the paddleboat....


and Grandpa visited on his breaks and brought treats,
"because I'm the Grandpa."


Michael tried the water slide and went back about 15 times. The grin on his face every time he came out the bottom says it all!


Here we are waiting in the lobby for Grandpa to finish the last meetings. Then they drove back to Naples with us to stay for the rest of the weekend.
It was fun to see new things and let the kids catch up with grandparents. and I was really grateful too that Mom juggled the kids while I went to the temple! What a great trip!


p.s. Now Michael says, "Mom, we have to go back to the Dolphin and to Disney World next time. -not the Swan, the Dolphin." hmmm.. we'll see. Anyway who needs Disney when you have such a fun resort!

I love Tye!

Tye, standing next to me, is a law school friend from last year in Michigan. I love so many things about her -but maybe generally just her perspective on life. She is so down to earth and she fits everyone into her heart.
Tye brought her family and came to stay a few weekends ago. Some other law school friends (and our J. Reuben Clark Law Society closing social) met for dinner at the park. I am so grateful to meet amazing ladies during our three year stint at school.


We really enjoyed a day at the beach with Tye's family!




and the Hepworths too!!




I met Savannah, Tye's 9 month old baby. (We prepared for child-birth together before we parted ways last summer.)


The kids had Florida version playtime.


The John Tillotson's family was at the beach too and we had to get the blond beauties together for a picture.


Tessa even had a friend to sunbath with (under the umbrella).


She had her first experience with the ocean water and couldn't keep her eyes off it....