July - December 1997

July 1997

2 - Landon Ortho

3,4 Mom and dad back from trip

5 - Haircut for Gwen

5 - Landon birthday

8-10 Vacation at Bear Lake with the Dickson's.  Landon and Gwen went and had a great time.

8 - Landon -  swimming lessons at Gwen Francis's pool for 2 weeks

14 - Gwen and Roger's 20th anniversary

17 - Centennial Commission meeting

17 - Pioneer wagon train reenactment comes into Salt Lake.

18 - Linda's overnight party at her house for all the Rich's.  (really fun)

19 - Demo Derby  
(sometime in this month, Bryan Bettinson was blessed)

21 - Kids to Dentist.  Landon had 3 cavities.

22 – Aunt Ethelene Mortensen died

25 - Dickson party

26 – Aunt Lene’s funeral

28 - Football signup (little league)

28 - Kamp Kiesel

August 1997

2nd crop on Orson's  150 bales

Manda started working at Taggart's restaurant in August.  She is still working there as a cook, as of this date (January 6, 1998)

1 – Annette’s Grandma Smith died

1,2 Manda to Green River Wyoming again. (Therese Happala her friend, lives there)

4 - Football practice starts, 4-5 night a week  Bill Ross is Landon's coach, and he's fantastic!  Landon is one of the best players on his team.  Bill says he has never seen a kid with so much natural talent.

5 - Tend Erika's kids over night (what a night?!??!)

6 - Landon to dentist at 12:50 p.m.  We must have missed this appointment, and never rescheduled.  This is where he was supposed to get the three cavities fixed that were discovered on July 21st.  So when we went back for another 6 month      checkup in January 1998, they were abscessed.  What a joke.

7 - Take steers up to the fair

8 - No work -   Fair - judge steers -  Rodeo

9 - Livestock sale at fair -  Fair parade

9 - Manda goes to Coalville Demo Derby

11 - Register kids for school

12 - Marlene quits working at the Assessor's office 

13 - Landon to ortho

15 - Zipper is fixed (spayed)

19 - School starts

21 - Pack meeting

23 - 4-wheeling (To Uintah’s with Prescott’s and Richins)

25 - Manda to dentist (she never made it)

26 - Water meeting

26 - Scouts

27 - Richville neighbor's party

28 - Back to School night

August 12, 1997

Well, allot has happened this year.  The kids finished out their school in May.  Zac graduated from being a Freshman, Mandy graduated from being a Junior, and Landon graduated from 3rd Grade.  He has Mrs. Holman.  She turned out to be a great teacher.  She's pretty laid back, just like me!  

Zac and Landon shows steers this year.  The fair just got over last weekend.  They both sold their steers.  Zac's sold for $1300. to First National Bank Of Morgan.  Landon's sold for $1600. to Clark's Quality Roofing.  

We got our back yard planted the first week of July this year.  Most of it has come in really good.  We have mowed it four times.  

We also did a bunch of switching around of vehicles.  Our little blue Chevy Nova that mom and dad gave us about three years ago, finally died.  My gray Mercury Marquis (1985) we gave to Erika and Aaron.  We sold our brown and white crew cab Ford (1987?) to a guy that Roger works with.  We bought us a new (to us) 1996 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel Crew Cab (loaded with roll along package) on July 3, 1997.  We paid just over $28,000 for it.  It is white, and is absolutely beautiful.  We also went in with the Prescott's and bought a stock trailer in January or February.  Mom and dad bought them a new car (Chrysler Imperial 1992)  and we bought their little white Geo Metro for $1500.00  Mandy has a 1986 Ford Mustang that Bruce Frost fixed up for her.  It is really a piece!!  Zac has his truck (Ford 1972?)  He will be getting his license in about a month and a half.  

We are planning on going to Las Vegas in the middle of October, and taking Zac with us for his birthday.  We are going to Bull Riders Only, that is at the MGM Grand Hotel.  We are also going to Disneyland for a couple of days before that.  We will be driving our little car (The truck takes too much diesel, and we don't want to put too many miles on it).  We will be meeting Linda and Bruce there, and then go on to Vegas.  

Mandy has worked for the I.R.S. this past winter, and then up to East Canyon Resort (cleaning condos) this summer.  She quit last week, and is looking for another job in Ogden.  She is going to go back to school, and if she puts her mind to it, she can get all of her graduation requirements passed off in the first Trimester.  She says she's going to do it!   We hope so!!  

Zac has been practicing football the past two weeks, but tonight he says he wants to quit.  Me and Rog feel bad about this, and don't know what to do.  It seems our kids never stick with anything!!  Sometimes I think it was a mistake letting Zac get his truck, because all he thinks about is it, and working to pay it off, and get it painted, etc.  I hope he can stay smart!!   
Landon has started with braces on his two front teeth.  He also went to the dentist, who had to pull a baby tooth (a big one) because it was so rotted and decayed.  He has teeth like his dad.  Manda and Zac have wonderful teeth, with hardly a cavity.  

I am still as FAT as ever.  I don't think I'll ever get thin again.  I get so depressed sometimes. 

It has been really hard at work lately.  I cut one of my employee's hours, and she quit. You see, the appraisal work in our office has increased so much the last few years.  The number of new homes being built, the on-going reappraisal, and the rising land values are hard to keep up with.  Amy Clark, who I hired 2 1/2 years ago, and who was promoted to appraiser  has done a wonderful job.  She recently became registered with the State, and I was looking to get her a substantial increase in wage (from about $7.25 to $9.25)  I was asked by Mike McMillan if making her full-time would help in getting the land values up where they need to be.  I couldn't believe that the commission would actually even entertain thoughts about this, and the benefit package for full-time employees is so expensive.  Mike said he was willing to go with Amy full-time, if we could cut some other part-time wages in our office.   We finally got the new phone system in place at work.  I have been pretty much in charge of it.  We are working on the Milton reappraisal also, and are approximately 1/3 through with he physical part of it.

August 16, 1997

Me and Rog and Zac and Landon drove up to the Uinta's today, and spent the day camping with Roger and Annette Prescott and Bart and Lori Richins and their families.  It was fun.  We left about 8 this morning, and got back at about 6 tonight.  Zac, Jared, Wes Judd, and Trev are sleeping down at the creek tonight.  Landon is sleeping over to my mom's.  Manda isn't home yet.  I'm tired, but can't go to sleep on the couch.  It is so hot.  Maybe I will try again now.

August 17, 1997

Today is Ben's 71st birthday.  We went up the Rich's and had a barbeque will all of them.  It was really fun.  Amanda's car got broken into last night when it was parked at the park.  They broke her window on the driver's side.  Bruce is going to see if he can get her a new one.  Landon and Zac wrote their 4-H story tonight.  They did a good job.  They sit and talk to me and tell me the story, while I type it on the computer.  School starts day after tomorrow!!

August 25, 1997

Boy it was sure hard getting up off the couch this morning.  Yes the couch!  Did I tell you that I don't sleep in our bed anymore.  I sleep on the couch, and have for over a year now.  Rog has to work tomorrow, instead of getting his usual day off.  He will then get Saturday and Sunday off for Labor Day.  We are having a surprise birthday party for Bruce Frost this Friday night.  He will turn 50!  We went up to the Cathedral of the Pines last Saturday night, 4-wheeling.  We went with Roger and Annette Prescott, Jill and Bryan Judd, Chris and Steve Tyrell, Kevin and Cindy Bangerter, Gaylene and Bret Kimbal, Mark and Janene Walker, and Rodney and Vicki Rose.  It was really fun.  We left about 5 p.m., and didn't get home until 11:30 p.m.  We ate hot dogs and tin foil dinners.

August 27, 1997

Today is Wednesday.  Rog just called from work to tell me that he was going to be very late tonight.  I'm home from lunch right now.  It's almost time to go back.  Just Karen and I are there today.  I have been working on phone things again at work.  Zac got his 4-H record book handed in yesterday.  Landon still has quite a bit of work to do on his.  Landon won his football game Saturday, 47 to 0 against Kaysville.  Landon is one of the very best players on the team.  He took Lucky and Charm (cats?) to school yesterday for show and tell.  He is in the same room that Mandy was in when she was in 4th grade.  Mandy is still working up to Taggarts.  She is not up in the morning when we all get up and go to work or school, and she is gone when we get home, and sometimes doesn't come home until after we are in bed.  What a waste.  She is headed NOWHERE fast.  I wish I could help her to see this.

September 1997

2 - Scouts to News Office for tour

3 - Commission meeting

6 - Football game at Plain City

8 – Blackhawk at State Fair

9 - Linda Smith Historical tour for the scouts

9 - Stay open late at Assessor's office

10 - Meeting with Mark Sanderson (phone system)

10 – Billy Dean concert?

10-12 Mom and Dad to meetings in SLC

13 - Football game at South Ogden

16 - Board of Equalization at work

16 - Landon Ortho

17 - Stay open late at Assessor's office

18 - Pack meeting pizza party

20 - Football at Morgan

23 - Scouts Sheriff's office tour

24 - Board of Equalization

24 - Zac meeting with Bishop (he didn't make it)

25 - Shannon Wardell's bridal shower

25 - Manda dentist ( didn't make it this time either)

27 - Roy football game

30 - Scouts

October 1997

3rd crop on Orson's  76 bales

1 - FAA meeting in SLC, I didn't go.

2 - Landon sings for Senior Citizens

4 - Football at Morgan

6-13 Gone on vacation to Disneyland and Vegas, Gwen, Roger, Zac and the Rich's

17 - Phone meeting

20 - No school for Zac

21 -Landon goes on a field trip to see the Utah Symphony

22 - Legislative meeting

24 - No school for Landon

25 - Shannon and Danny Stout's wedding

27 - Kill beef

27 - Parent teacher conference for Landon

27 - Sign up for basketball for Landon

29 - Halloween carnival

October 28, 1997

Today our Bear Scout Den went to the bank to pass of an achievement.  Tomorrow night is the Elementary Halloween Carnival.  I will be manning a booth from 5:30 to 6 p.m..  Friday night is Halloween  Landon will be going with Paige Peterson.  

Vicki Rose is in the hospital with pneumonia.  They had to put a chest tube in.  She is really really sick.  

Rog and Annette's garage is almost done.  Rog went down tonight and helped some more on it.  

Bob Walker died a couple of days ago on his mission in the Philippines.  

We have been going to the Morgan High School football games.  They are 7 and 0.  They are first in our Region, even with moving up to 3A this year. 

I have got a lot of plants to plant from Michigan Bulb Co.  I hope this Saturday is still nice so I can plant them.  

Mom and Dad are on a trip down south to Las Vegas, Primm, and St. George.  They should be home tomorrow.  

Shannon Wardell married Danny Stout last week. They have a baby, Chez Ryker who is 8-9 months old now.  

Mandy is moving to Ogden with Carrie Sorenson for a one week trial period.  Funny, I'm not too upset about it.  She is really independent, and has been taking care of her money situation and needs the past 2-3 months.  The cooking job a Taggart's Restaurant has really worked out well for her.  She is very responsible.  Carrie is due to have a baby at the end of  November.  I hope Mandy realizes that it is better to live at home.  I think it will be too far for her to drive to Taggart's, and will cost too much gas.  She really hates Morgan though.  Always has!  

Work is work.  Gloria Andersen resigned as Treasurer.  ______________ still isn't doing her job.  Harold Laughter replaced Debbie Weaver as Recorder. It's pretty messed up.  Amy and Jenny and Karen and I seem to be getting along really well.   Our whole office atmosphere has improved.  I never would have believed it!!  It's great.   

November 1997

4 - Scouts

7 - Meet with Rick Sutherland up by Jeremy Ranch for work

8 – Heath Hartman’s wedding

10- 4-H achievement night

10 - Meet with Aaron Hoffman up by Jeremy Ranch for work

10 - Meet with Grayson Wright up by Jeremy Ranch for work

11 - No work (Veteran's day)

12-14 UAC  meetings in St. George, but I didn't go because I was so busy at work, and     didn't have enough money in my budget.

14 - Meet with Clayton McFarlane up by Jeremy Ranch for work.

23 - Home teachers

24 - Manda goes to Pantera concert at Saltair.

24 - Meeting with Mt. Fuel rep.

25 - Visit Summit Co. Recorder's office

26 - Visit Weber and Davis County's Recorder's offices

November 2, 1997

Today was Sunday.  We skipped out on church again!    Zac worked on his truck.  He got the weather stripping around both doors.  Landon spent last night at Tom Rich's house, and didn't get home today until about noon.  Manda has been staying down at Carri Sorenson's place in Ogden this past week, came home on Friday, and went to Green River to see Therese for the weekend.  She is home, but working up at Taggart's right now.  I think she has decided that she doesn't want to live in Ogden with Carrie.  They get on each other's nerves too much.  We went down to Prescott's tonight and shot clay pigeons and ate tin foil dinners with them and the Kimbal's.  They sure are fun to be around.  We had a great time.  We bought a flat-bed 18 ft. trailer last night.  We paid $1400.00 for it.  It will haul our snowmobiles, cars, tractors, etc.  We will really get some good use out of it.  We are excited.  I AM NOT excited to go to work tomorrow though.  I wish I could afford to stay home!!!

November 26, 1997

Today is the day before Thanksgiving.  We are going to my mom and dad's to eat dinner this year.  We alternate between them and the Rich's.  As usual, mom is doing ALL of the cooking.  We ask to help, but she says no, and it's just too easy to accept that.  It scares me to death to think of having a big Thanksgiving dinner at our house.  We have a few Christmas light up outside on the trees and bushes.  I don't know when we will put our Christmas tree up.  I'm not in the spirit too much yet I guess.  Landon is down sleeping at Tom's again.  He just loves being down there with their big family.  He gets pretty lonely here I guess, with all grown-ups.  Manda went to a Pantera concert the other night, and had a great time.  Pantera is a heavy metal band.  It was held at Saltair.  Her latest announcement is that as soon as she turns 18 next April, she is getting her tongue pierced, and a tattoo.  I can hardly wait, HA HA HA.  Mandy's friend, Therese is moving in with us in a few days.  She is going to get a job, and then she and Mandy will save up enough money and get an apartment of their own.  I imagine Manda will be moving out within the next six months.

December 1997

1 - Basketball practice for Landon (Rob Christensen is the coach )

2 - Scouts

3-5  Assessor's school in SLC

3  Budget hearing

8 - First big snowstorm of the season, and Zac wrecks his truck

9 - Pack meeting - caroling, gifts, etc.

11 - Kerry Huntington installs new computer at Assessor's Office.

12 - Carl Clark's wedding, we went with Melinda and Mark McMillan

13 - The "gang's" Christmas party at Jill Judd's

15 - Gwen haircut and colored

16 - Commission meeting

16 - Roger eye appt.  (he got new glasses!)

17 - Dentist for Gwen (he fixed 2 broken teeth)

19 - Linda's adult RICH Christmas party

20 - Basketball game

20 - Rich Christmas party at Porterville church

20 - Zac took Teisha Carter to the Christmas Dance (His first date!)

21 - Dickson Christmas party (sleepover at mom's)

22 - Zac gets new tires for his truck at Dee's

23 - Luncheon at Gwen's work, she receives a gold watch from the county for being the "phone lady"

23 - Kids out of school for Christmas vacation.

26 - No work  -  the day after Xmas

29 - Went to Wendover with the Prescotts

31 - Jill Judd's New Years Eve party at the Lions Lodge.

December 21, 1997

Well last night, Zac had his first "date".  He took Teisha Carter, Devan and Sharlene Carter's daughter, to the Christmas Dance at the school.  He was looking so forward to this, and when he got home, all he wanted to do was talk talk talk about it.  He had a great time.  I'm so glad his first date went so well.  He was dressed in his beige cords, and a black Levi shirt, with a black belt, and a tie that "tied" it all together.  He didn't want to wear the tie, and when we bought all of this, I had to tell him that I didn't care if he didn't want to wear the tie, but I just wanted  him to get it just in case they wouldn't let him into the dance without it.  He looked SO nice.  Teisha was dressed in a black dress too, and he had gotten her a white corsage.  She had gotten him a boutonniere.  I bet they were the best looking couple there.  Teisha is only a Freshman, and won't be 16 until next October.  Zac is pretty whipped on her I would say.  I hope he will date other girls, and not get hooked up seriously with just one at this early stage.  It is so neat to see your kids grow up.  Zac, it appears, will be doing it the traditional way, as opposed to Manda who is missing out on so much, and not even realizing it, or caring about it.  Zac was so excited when he came home last night, and he recounted conversations, dancing, picture taking, talking with her parents (who really really like him), etc.  Every parent should be able to experience what I did last night, listening to my boy, tell me ALL about his first dating experience.  I am so proud.