March 2021

March was a beautiful month.  We did lots of tumbling, biking and skiings.  We had some fun occasions to eat out.  I loved the dine around we did for Britanys birthday.  appetizers one place, a main course another and then dessert at another.  

Great memories are made with kids at the bus stop.  We have such a big group of kids there.  St Patricks day was great.  I am terrible at holidays so I am grateful for others who remember.  

Darren is always good to help tuck kids in every night.  I am not good at remembering to have my kids pray but my hear was happy when I saw this.  

Tyler got to go to Youth Conference.  I will wait another year for Ella to get to go.  

We enjoyed climbing with the Allens a few times while they had a pass.  

And... A great family dinner with cousins and grandparents.  We haven't had a gathering like this for over a year.  I was so happy to host and have everyone here.  

Ellas 13th Birthday- an official Teenager

Ella is a pretty great kid. She is very helpful.  She works hard at school, trying to get good grades.  She always gets her homework done.  She is a great athlete and pushes herself to do hard things.  

We had a great time for her birthday.  Bowling with friends.  Then enjoying the sunshine with the Harston big blow up balls.  We had crepes and played games.  She felt loved.  

We also celebrated with the Allens since we had a game day planned.  More of her favorite desserts.  Peanut butter Oreo pie and Oreo cheesecake cookies.  

 

Arrowhead Ski Team @ Sundance 2020-21

 

What a great year for the Arrowhead Ski Team.  I ran the Maverick side of the team with Heather Smith.  I could work any business with her.  We had 101 kids this season.  With minimal snow in January we were relieved when February hit with lots of snow!  I had amazing coaches who work with our athletes every day.  I have so much appreciation for them.  I know our Mavericks loved this year and left loving skiing more!

We did get snowed in at Sundance one evening. There were too many accidents in the canyon and so it was closed down.  We watched movies and stayed warm!

We tried racing and most of them loved it!

The end of season party was amazing.  Thanks to Stefani for Hokulia!

Abby ski Team - Coach Kirsten

Abby's baptism

 Abby's baptism Sunday March 21st, 2021

Abbys thoughts after she was baptized. 

Before my baptism I was nervous and excited.  When I went into the water I felt scared and happy.  Tyler did a good job.  The water felt cold.  After I got baptized I felt happy, like really happy.  When I got the Holy Ghost I felt this warm feeling.  In the blessing I got from my dad he told me I would be blessed with great talents. After the blessing I gave my dad a big hug.  

We got to have a small and simple baptism.  Our little family of 5 and both sets of grandparents.  Abby chose an agenda.  Everyone participated. She even wrote her own talk, which she ended up changing the last minute and said it was just her "thots"  It was a beautiful day.  

For Abbys birthday we have a few days of partying.  before her birthday she took donuts to her ski team.  On her birthday she took treats to school.  After school she went swimming with three girl cousins.  Then after her baptism we had Nolans boys over and we had a special made cake by Mila.  Ella decorated.  She felt loved.  

Abby is a unique spirit.  She is organized.  She made a shirt folder and organized her clothes.  She had Tyler practice baptizing her many times.  

Abigail Balls Baptism 

Welcome 

Piano: Tyler Balls

Chorister: Grandpa Dennis Harston

Opening song: Gethsemane by Melanie Hoffman (words below) 

Opening prayer: Grandma Pat Balls

One minute thought or testimony:

Abigail Balls

Tyler Balls

Nola Harston 

Baptism of Abigail Balls by Tyler Balls

Witnesses: Ella Balls and Amy Balls

One minutes thought or testimony:

Darren Balls

Ella Ballsk

Dennis Harston

Confirmation of Abigail Balls by Darren Balls

Final thoughts by Bishopric 

Closing song: I am a Child of God 

Closing Prayer: Grandpa Balls

Gethsemane by Melanie Hoffman

Jesus climbed the hill

To the garden still

His steps were heavy and slow

Love and a prayer

Took Him there

To the place only He could go

Gethsemane

Jesus loves me

So He went willingly

To Gethsemane

He felt all that was sad, wicked or bad

All the pain we would ever know

While His friends were asleep

He fought to keep

His promise made long ago

Gethsemane

Jesus loves me

So He went willingly

To Gethsemane

The hardest thing that ever was done

The greatest pain that ever was known

The biggest battle that ever was won

This was done by Jesus

The fight was won by Jesus

Gethsemane

Jesus loves me

So he gave His gift to me

In Gethsemane

Gethsemane

Jesus loves me

So he gives His gift to me

From Gethsemane

Seth and Darren + new truck + snowstorm= Adventure

 Darren has been researching a new truck for months.  He finally picked the one he wanted and flew to Ohio with Seth to drive it back here. a 26 hour drive.   The first of the trip was no problem.  They made good time.  Once they got close to Cheyene their speed decreased and then I-80 was shut down.  They spent the next three nights stuck in a hotel due to the snowstorm.  They finally dug themselves and many others out of the parking lot and were able to go through Denver (an additional two hours) to get home.  I-80 eventually opened up.