The Christmas Times 2011

THE CHRISTMAS TIMES   

      VOL. II        COLORADO SPRINGS, CO   DECEMBER 25, 2011       NO. XXXVI

Seth, the Groom, is being supported on his wedding day by all his siblings: (lf to rt) Shannon, Elisha, Erin, Emron, Kamee, Shyloh and Kelli Jo

Christmas Editorial

Christ, a God himself, perfect in wisdom, intellect and power, could have walked His own path and it would have been amazing. Yet, he chose to humbly follow His Father’s will in all things. “Oh my Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt”. (Matt. 20:39) By choosing as Christ did to trust in Heavenly Father, we put our lives in the Lord’s hands. We trust in His promise that “all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good.” (D&C 98:3) “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5)

                                                                                                                                                                      Eisley with new sister, Lynden

The Godwin Four

By Kamee

Eisley celebrated her first birthday in February. She is growing so fast. She loves to be outside, help mommy bake, clean, brush hair and she loves nursery. In April, Tim and I bought our first house. We had been living with family for over a year and were happy to be on our own again. In August, Tim started a new job as a teller at ENT Federal Credit Union. He enjoys it and it is a good step towards his future career in accounting. On October 31, we welcomed our second daughter, Lynden Lilly, to our family. She weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz. and was 21”  long. She is a sweet baby and we are so blessed to have her in our family.

                                                                                                                                              

Miguel & Regina Hilu’s twin boys born   Oct. 14 in Curitiba, Brazil

Meguel was our foreign exchange student when we lived in Draper

Bride and Groom

The Jeske Family: (lf to rt) Kendra, Brenden, Kiera, Shannon & Steve, Reece, Drew and Pierce (not pictured-Spencer)

Then There Were Nine

By Shannon

Move over Brady Bunch, the Jeske Crew is here. This year has been all about FAMILY! Home is…really where  the  heart   is.   Steve   and  I, shocked  as we  are  ourselves, have added to the statistic, “We met on the internet”. We were married Oct. 8, 2011 in Gig Harbor, Washington; and now there are nine (Two best friends who fell in love, six kids, and a missionary in Texas)! Shannon is an account manager for NC Senior Care Council. She submits VA benefit claims. Steve is an “Assistive Technology Professional”(ATP) for American Seating and Mobility. He works with therapists and doctors to customize wheelchairs for injured and diseased clients. Brenden (11) is a math whiz and especially loves Science, plays football and the trumpet. Kiera (9) loves to be pretty, is a social bug, took modern dance and plays piano. Kendra (6) took ballet and tap dance, loves arts & crafts. Pierce (12) shot his first deer and plays all sports. Drew (11) takes karate, was Little Jake in Annie Get Your Gun. Reece (8) plays flag football, runs fast, likes photography.

                      The Grover family gathered for Seth & Kari’s wedding!

                                                                    Bride and Groom

                                                   

Eat, Sleep, Love

By Seth

This year has been quite the life changer. Seth got engaged and then married to the most beautiful woman in the world, Kari Sparling, on the 17 of June. They are both attending BYU. Seth studies Exercise Science and Kari, Geology. They moved into their first apartment together, not too far from BYU campus, and love married life thus far. Over the summer they had fun playing at Disneyland and going to the beach! Seth is working for his dad as a salesman for PSS Utah and has been doing well. As for ballroom dancing, Seth and Kari now compete together in the Smooth and Latin categories. They won their first trophy dancing smooth together at the BYU Dancesport Championships in November.

                                        
                                                 Elisha and Kelli Jo hanging out at Thanksgiving in NC

Team Anybody???

By Elisha

Single white female. Stressed Wake Tech student, loves to work like a maniac; is still in pursuit of RN degree; enjoys hot days at the beach, retail therapy, listening to music and cleaning. This peanut butter junkie, movie-aholic stays fit thanks to Outerbanks Half Marathon and gym membership; frequents Mellow Mushroom Pizzeria, Langely’s Gymnastics and my bed; looking for the yin to my yang. Serious applicants only. Available for imprinting… Free to a good home.

                                        

                                                                                Kelli Jo soaking up the Florida sunshine!

Old School
By Kelli Jo

Softball burnout victim turns pro score keeper! This over conditioned, over home-worked, under played, movie obsessed Sophomore chic thrives on icy-hot, Tide (which doesn’t get the stains out), trips to  the beach, Disney World and ice baths.  After her FSCJ Stars team took the Conference Championships, this jobless, couch potato sat home for the summer, then hit the books again this fall after returning to Jacksonville, FL for another softball beating. Good thing she loves it!

                                   

Kelly on the trail in Estes Park, Co

PSS, Inc.

By Kelly

Last October, Kelly started a new business called Sealwize of Northern Colorado, LLC. Within six months his company was the highest producing distributor in the nation. Due to personality conflicts and corrupt practices of the corporate company, Kelly began broadening his product lines and changed the name to Permanent Sealant Solutions, Inc. ultimately eliminating all Sealwize products. He is prepping  to offer dealerships, licenses and installers   in CO,UT and across the nation. He has teamed up with a marketing company that will promote his website, www.permanentsealantsolutions.com, direct mail and TV commercial presence in the marketplace  nationwide. He is hoping his second year will quadruple his first.

 

Shyloh, left, celebrates 4A Metro League win with teammates Taryn & Kacee

A Year of Success

By Shyloh

I recently transferred to Discovery Canyon High School to finish my Junion and Senior years. Sofball was a plus in my adjusting. My Thunder team finished with a 16-5 record. We were League and Regional Champions and went to State. It was a big success for my team, our program and me. This school and the people in it have been positive in every aspect. I hope it continues that way. I also had the exciting opportunity of  attending Pioneer Trek over the summer in Wyoming. We did the woman’s pull up and over Rocky Ridge! I got my driver’s license in April, and the week before that, I got my braces off. My Dad bought me my first car, a hot old ’84 convertible…it died Oct. 26.  Mom and I didn’t get a timely oil change, BUT on the bright side, we got a Honda with amazing gas mileage. It’s in wonderful condition, though I have to learn the stick part of it which isn’t easy when you first start. I’ve heard more honking this  week than I have in my life. So to make myself feel better I  think, hey they probably just want to wish me a Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year everyone!

Erin, the first Grover to defect to the red, stands beside her new Alma Mater   
                                                                                                                                      Hores pack trip Estes Park

Metamorphosis

By Erin

The first three-fourths of this year were very robotic. If my phone rang, I was prepared for any physical or emotional emergency at work. Then August arrived and my seven year period of wilderness therapy closed. I headed to Colorado with best friend, Lori, for a horse pack trip with parents to Estes Park in commemoration of a new chapter in my life. The trip was amazing and memorable, including our arduous trail clearing of 15+ trees, to enjoy the prize – a pristine alpine lake. In September, I moved to SLC and began grad school in Social Work at the University of Utah. I am growing and stretching in uncomfortable ways: full time school, part time internship at a local methadone clinic, and  part time job as a rec. therapist. Being a student was a difficult adjustment from “wilder-girl”. To those who have supported me financially, I am grateful and indebted to you. I pray I may be as giving to others as they have been to me.

                                                                                            

Emron and Mom having a little fun at the Cars 2 Premier in Oakland, CA

Emron and Diana standing in St. Wenceslaus Square in Prague  

                                                                                        Grandma holding newborn Lynden on Halloween

Travelmania

          By Diana

I still work to clean my corner of the world. Kamee, Kelli Jo, Eva Olsen and Elaine Ustick were my top employees this year at Diana’s Personal Touch! They made it possible for me to gallivant around! We took softball trips to Kansas City and Orlando, FL where we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel while Shyloh’s club team competed at Nationals with a side trip to Cocoa Beach. For Mother’s Day I got an invitation from Emron to accompany him to the Cars 2 Wrap Party at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, CA. I dressed up all fancy and got the red carpet treatment and my first manicure and pedicure! August, was our exhilarating horseback trip in the CO Rockies. October was a month to remember with a trip to WA to celebrate Shannon’s marriage to Steve Jeske (four boys added to our family, Spencer, Pierce, Drew & Reece) and a trip to the hospital to welcome Lynden Lilly Godwin into our family. These two events upped the grandchild count to nine; eleven with Miguel’s twins! Thanks to the generosity of Emron and Brian, I was able to go with them to Europe. I spent a week in Budapest, Hungary and Prague, Czech Republic, where Emron served his mission, and a train ride through Slovakia. Special memories are birthday gifts and letters I read on the trip, a new camera thanks to Ladell and Randy,  church in the Prague Branch,  Hungarian National Gallery, Karstejn Castle, cathedrals, Terezin Jewish prison, Sedlec Monastery at Kutna Hora (the bone church), Hungarian Goulash, my first subway , losing my debit card in the ATM, and Kate’s Guesthouse. I set a goal to visit my parents in Utah once a month (made it nine times) One of those special trips  was in June for Seth’s marriage to Kari Sparling . It was a fabulous year of memory making! I served as  teacher & compassionate service  leader  in  Pine Creek Ward.

 

Emron enjoys the trek to Karstejn Castle in the Czech Republic    

Cyborg

By Emron

This year can be clearly split into two. The first half included snowboarding, soccer, a getaway to the Bahamas, attending the Cars 2 premiere with Mom, Seth’s beautiful June wedding, and a trip to the operating room. The second included waking up from anesthesia with a brand new knee ligament, crutches, a visit from Glade and Sherry, endless trips to the gym and physical therapy, two awesome weeks with Brian and Mom in Central Europe, including a mission visit to Czech Republic, and a wonderful Seattle wedding for Shannon. Despite the change of pace- without  normal physical ability, the two constants this year were continuous work on Pixar’s “Brave” and ongoing growth in personal happiness. I can’t wait to run again, and share this film with the world.

May Peace Be Your Gift This Christmas!

The Christmas Times

1185 Montezuma Rd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

dgrover24@gmail.com

Editor…….………………………....Diana

  Reporters…………………………..Shyloh

     Correspondents..…Shannon, Erin, Emron

                                                                                  Elisha, Kamee, Seth, Kelli Jo, Kelly

    Type Up-setters..……. Eisley and Lynden

Subscription Price ………….Friendship 

                                                           

Spry Canyon Trip --Zion's

      

For those of you who have never repelled a canyon in Zion's you need to know there is more effort than just showing up and going where you want when you want. The park is very particular how many individuals are allowed to do a canyon each day. For Spry the offer 10 permits per day. There are two locations you can go to get permits. At Zion's main lodge on the south west enterance and in Cedar City. This is no simple go and get what you want. It requires you to stand in line and hope all the people that decided to get up earlier than you aren't wanting permits for the same canyon. The main office opens at 8am. I decided to leave my Kanab at 3am which would cause me to arrive at 4 in Zion's to sit and wait. my intention was to get permits for Pine Creek, a canyon I had done twice. My friend Evan had only been down one canyon and that was key hole a few weeks prior with me. Shanna and Danny this would be their first time. Pine Creek was a good starter and I knew the canyon therefore I could pay more attention to them than where I was going and each repel. Unfortunately there was a gal who showed up at midnight to be in line to acquire all 12 permits for that canyon. i didn't want Evan to have to do the same canyon again so i decided to go for Spry. I was freaked out! 1- I didn't know the approach. 2- never been down the canyon so didn't know what to expect. 3- I was taking beginners...what I quickly learned in canyoneering terms are called 'Newbs'- short of new-bees. after purchasing the permits I was given a canyoneering book from the ranger to study the approach and rout. a guy who was behind me in line...we had been talking throughout the morning...asked what I got. I told him Spry. Luke gave me a website to look up when i got home that he thought would be of great help. http://www.bluugnome.com I looked it up and quickly recognized the name and face of the webmaster for the website. Luke. it was amazing!!!! there were GPS coordinates and pictures for the entire approach, each repel and written explanations also. I was no longer nervous; in fact I felt very prepared after studying everything he offered about the canyon. Then the adventure began!

 This is a map of the entire canyon

 

Time Required - 5 to 7 hours
Distance - 2.9 miles Total, 1.3 miles Technical
Rappels - 11 Rappels, Longest Rappel 190 feet.

 Evan, Danny and Shanna standing at the mouth of Spry Canyon after the steep 1.5 mile assent.

September 26, 2010

Evan being bold...first person down the 1st Repel (190 ft.)

Shanna going second. You can see the spec of Evan 

below. Shanna decided to go right ending up pengeleming

back across...she was thankful for the helmet!

2nd Repel (40 ft.)

 -No pics of 3rd Repel

4th Repel (50 ft.)

free hanging

 5th Repel (90 ft.)

 

 Video of my repel

-no pics of 6th Repel (100 ft.)

7th Repel (20 ft.)

Shanna really really wanted to be the first one down this repel...for good reasons it was the last time she was allowed to do so!

Evan showing off is Muscles


and his self cut fro-hawk

Video of Evans repel

                                                                  8th Repel (50ft)

                                 

9th & 10th Repel (over 350 ft had to tie 2 ropes together to do both)


Looking up at the beginning of the 9th repel from the
second platform you repel from the 10th.

Evan

Shanna

Danny

The night ended with one more repel 200 ft. The a huge boulder field to be conquered in the dark! when it was all said and done we had started at 9 and finished at nine; a 12 hour ordeal! five hours longer than expected...but I did have three 'newbs'. The trip was awesome! I would do it again with these three. I was grateful to the Lord we made it through the canyon with no injuries.

Thanks a million to Luke @

for making my canyoneering trip safe, comfortable and a success!

Response email from Luke:
Hey there Erin:
Thank you.  That gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.  :)  When I hear that
someone gets use out of what I am doing it just plain feels good and keeps
me motivated.

Glad your trip went well.  Sounds like you had a blast after you got going!
Also that was pretty cool of you to wait for the guys behind you to see if
they were ok.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.  It really does make me feel
maintaining the website is a worthwhile endeavor.  :)
Luke