Twin Lakes 2009 - Family Vacation

This is a few of the pictures from our family vacation. We spent the first day in Fallon celebrating my parents 67th wedding anniversary. We had a great breakfast at the farm. The melons were fantastic as usual. We then went up to Twin Lakes. I will post more later. Mike has a ton of pictures and hopefully we can get his video of playing in the water. Mike did not get pictures of the bear that visited us in the middle of the night, but at least we got all the kids in the cabin.

Antelope Slot

Rich and I went down to Page and went through this baby slot. No Gutzman adventure but beautiful just the same.

Happy Mothers Day to My Mom

I am sure there are many things that I could get for my mother, but I just didn't know what to get her, so I am publicly telling her how much I love her. Happy Mother's Day. The list of things I love about my mother would be a little too long for this blog post, so here a few of my favorite things.
I love the way she taught me to love nature. She still gets sad when the asparagus is gone in the spring. We used to walk along the ditch banks and pick asparagus. I miss that.

She taught me to love beautiful flowers and appreciate their aroma.

She allowed me freedom to question and learn.

She taught me to love animals and the happiness they can bring to life.


She taught me to enjoy the small things in life -- like bubbles blowing in the wind.



She taught me to never loose my sense of humor, even when things seem really bad.

For all this and many more wonderful memories. Thanks mom. I love you.

Happy Mothers Day to Me

I received beautiful flowers and a wonderful windmill for my yard, but in addition to the "normal" mother's day gifts I received some new valve boxes for my sprinkler system. While that may not seem very exciting.... for me it was the best. As you can see Louis is holding my old mess. It is 15 valves that were stacked right on top of each other. I could never fix them very effectively and this year I had three that I needed to replace therefore:
I received some new and improved boxes: Instead of one box I now have four. I can get to them and can fix them if necessary. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Rich for wonderful Mother's Day gifts.

Ice Breaker Triathlon

I don't have pictures(this is a good thing for everyone viewing this blog). Today Rich and I and 11 Valcom employees participated in the Icebreaker Triathlon in American Fork. 300 yard pool swim, 11.3 mile bike and 2.95 mile run. Suffice it to say not many people our age compete in these sorts of activities. Therefore we did VERY well in our age categories. Josh actually did very well and there were lots of folks in his age division (7th). I often wonder what possessed me to take up this type of competiton. Probably because I can beat Rich in the swim and I like the varied training that a Tri affords. I had the biggest cheering section since all the employees had finished by the time I came in.

Happy Birthday DAD!!!!

Today March 15, 2009 (ides of March) is my father’s (Bill Lattin) 89^th birthday. I have never known what to give my father for his birthday so today I will give him a tribute. I have posted a small slideshow of the things that represent his varied life.

My dad is a genius. I grew up with an inventor father. We had a can crusher years before they became popular and actually made money for the inventor. He not only raced cars, but he was the mechanic that made them so fast. He was an educated farmer whose passion for work and the land was passed on to his progenitors. He grew up during the depression and knows how to use and reuse anything. He served under General Patton in WWII. He was an educator and then became the Associate Warden of the Nevada State Prison. He had the ability to see problems and solve them. He was a master negotiator. The words I remember most from him are “You have to learn to follow the rules until you are in a position to change the rules.” He was not excited about my baptism into the LDS church, but supported all my activities once I made that commitment. Thanks Dad for many years of insight and support.

I would hope that my contribution to society will honor the Lattin name.

I LOVE YOU, Happy Birthday!!!!

Mexico 2009

Mexico January 2009

Rich and I spent 6 days in Mexico on the Mayan Riviera in a all inclusive hotel called the Barcelo. This first picture is where we practiced swimming our 300 yards in preparation for the Ice Breaker Tri.

Yes it is true. I went parasailing with Rich. It did not help that he said things like: "That's not a double locking carabeener, or that rope isn't big enough, where is one of Dave Gutzman's good ropes?" But we made it safely and we even had smiles on our faces when we were done.

We spent most of our time snorkeling. Thanks to my swim lessons that I am currently taking I am now not afraid to put my face in the water and actually enjoyed the beauties that lie beneath the ocean. I found a whole new garden world. There were equisite plants just lying at the bottom of the ocean, waving with the pulse of the water. There were rock formations that made you think you were a deep sea explorer. There were several sting rays in the area in front of our motel and we had great fun watching them try to hide from us. I didn't realize that was what killed Steve Irwin until after I had spent quite a bit of time following these guys. It was fun to watch several people come up to see what we were looking at, realize it was a sting ray and immediately turn around and go somewhere else.

The splash you see in the ocean is a pelican going in for some fish. We had to laugh because they would just dive bomb right next to you. They were big, clumsy and akward, but it was fun watching them. I did an ocean swim and it was great fun.

We went to Xel-Ha and snorkeled, but we also went for a bike ride. I'm not sure a one speed would count for the tri training, but it was beautiful. Someone tried to tell us that it would be better to ride the shuttle to the other end of the bike ride and ride back because there was a big hill. Rich and I kept looking for a big hill, but we never found one. Those people must have been from the flatlands, because there wasn't even a gentle slope on the bike ride.

Southern Utah October 2008

Page, Arizona

I still don't know how to make a picture album of all the pictures, so here are a few from our trip to Page, Arizona on Halloween. We were checking on our little condo that we own in Page and happened to find out there was a huge Balloon Festival. As you know, I am extremely fascinated by balloons and we got up and watched as they were set up, inflated and then flew into the crisp morning air.

Here is the pumpkin to remind us that it was indeed Halloween.

I'm not sure what this guy was, but fun to watch.


There were hundreds of balloons and only some of them were launched from our location.


No trip to Southern Utah would be complete without a hike. So we hiked ( walked) to a spot called horseshoe point or close to that name. I am beginning to appreciate the beauty of the Red Rock. Rich has long been in love with this land and I haven't shown the proper appreciation for it, but it is slowly growing on me. I was able to take some pictures that remind me of how amazing the land really is.

I had to post a picture of Rich and I to prove that I indeed did go to this spot and Rich didn't drag me kicking and screaming.

GPS -November 2008 Annapolis

Everyone needs a GPS. For those of you who know how directionally challenged I am you know that an accurate GPS is a must. I have learned to listen to the GPS even when the GPS says we're on St. Margarets street and I see the road sign that says Ritche street, but I do what the GPS says and sure enough in a little while the next sign I see says St. Margarets street. Always believe your GPS. Yes my GPS is Trevor Linton and he knows where everything is and how to get there. WOW!!! Thanks Trevor for being such a good GPS.

Baby Heaton

Daija gave birth to a 7# 5oz baby boy today October 10,2008 at 1:30 P.M. Mike and I took a red eye from Las Vegas to Boston and were able to keep Daija a little company during her labor. Mother and Baby are doing well.



YES -- I even held him and I do think he is adorable.


I can't believe how good Daija looks after so many hours of labor. She went into the hospital around 2:00 a.m. and they started pitocin at 4:30 a.m. and then she had the epidural around 10:30 a.m. and gave birth at 1:30 p.m. If all that sounds fast. Her water broke on Wednesday and had been in labor since her water broke.



A pretty proud papa


His first clothes


Birth is truly a miracle. I am so amazed at the circle of life.

General Conference

When Rich was in the National Guard his guard weekends were usually the first weekend of each month. During fall conference, I remember(we actually probably only did it once or twice-- but I like to think we did it every year) that I would take the kids up Little Cottonwood Canyon between sessions and we would watch the rock climbers or enjoy the falls colors. This year Rich and I drove up Little Cottonwood canyon to observe the fall colors. He still hasn't learned the art of slowing down, but he is getting a bit better. We had just had a snowstorm in the mountains and it was a beautiful sight.




Rich really loved the contrast of the yellows and the dark greens.


I was a bit more reflective and wonder if sometimes we are focusing on just part of the picture. There is a time and season for everything. If the front is in focus then the back is not and visa versa. The conference talks this time were very meaningful to me about trying to get the right perspective into my life. Be prepared and don't fear. Be kind and gentle. Study and pray. I am so grateful for the wonderful prophet and apostles that teach me there is hope and that life is wonderful in spite of all the turmoil that surrounds us. The leaves taught me that as the brilliant reds still stand out in spite of the snow that had fallen around them.

Twin Lakes July 2008 (Peeler Hike)

An evening view from the "fishing hole"



Our Lattin family has a cabin located at Twin Lakes California 13 miles from Bridgeport. My great uncle was a stone mason and constructed the dam on the lower lake. Our family spent alot of time up at the "Cove Cabin" I worked at Mono Village, located on the upper lake -- a vacation resort for two summers during college. I love Twin Lakes. It is beautiful, the weather is never too hot and the stars at night seem close enough to touch.

Rich fishing at "the fishing hole"
The Hike
When we were young we would hike up to Barney Lake -- a 4 miles hike that was just right for us. There was Peeler lake that everyone talked about that was 4 miles above Barney. My father tells of the summer that he took pack horses into Peeler Lake. In the "old" days the trail to Peeler wasn't that well marked and we never made it there. I have always wanted to make the hike to Peeler lake. I talked Rich into going to Twin Lakes and trying to make the hike into Peeler in a day. We got to the cabin on Wednesday. We fished all day Thursday in our famous fishing hole and finally caught 7 fish on Thursday evening. We slept on the sundeck and I was amazed at the beauty and the majesty of the stars.

Friday morning we got up and made our lunch and set out for the Mono Village where the trail head is. We filled our camel backs with bottled water. ( Sorry dad we just couldn't drink the water straight from the stream like we used to) WE set off to Peeler Lake. To make a 9 hour day a short story -- I made it. Thanks to Rich who walked my pace -- poor boy he could have jogged up this mountain. We saw a few back packers coming down the mountain and each one said that it was well worth the trip up. We also were passed up by a group on horses. At that point I was ready to pay for a horse and more so when the guide said we were a longgggggggg way from the lake.


The reward of this beautiful mountain was worth the time and effort. It sits on the top of the sawtooth mountain ridge and the west side of Peeler is in Yosemite National Park. This was one of the first views we had of the lake.


Rich is looking pretty spry. He kept commenting how nice it was to be on an actual trail. Gutzman adventures don't always use conventional trails.


Peeler Lake is about 9400 feet. We started at about 7200 feet. There were these wonderful snow banks where we constructed our own snow cones. I felt rejuvenated after having an original snow cone.


I wouldn't actually put a picture of me on this post but this is to prove that I actually made it to Peeler Lake. A 16 mile round trip. 9 hours hiking.
These pictures do not really capture the feel of this beautiful lake.

July 4th Strawberry

This is a picture of the eagle's nest seen from Goldy's trailer. Thanks to Don for putting the trailer on our RV spot. People have now quit asking us if we want to sell that piece of property.



I was watering some trees and this lizard came and got a drink while I was squirting the hose. By the time I had grabbed my camera he was just hanging out on the railroad tie.

Our next door neighbor sponsored a holiday concert and had a fiddler and guitar player come play for us. It was a great evening in spite of all the bugs. The sunset was beautiful and I never did get a good picture of it.



We had a wonderful 4th of July. Our fireworks were burning logs in our firepit that is now actually a fire pit and not a large well casing. (It was filled with water most of the spring until the runoff slowed and the water table receded)


Reflections: I am grateful to live in a free country where I have so many opportunities. But most of all I am thankful for my great family.

Local Wildlife

Rich noticed this little guy on our way home from church. He didn't seem to frightened although I did have my zoom on. Sometimes we still can get that "country" feel here in Draper.

Mt Auburn Cemetery

Mt Auburn Cemetery, June 2008



The Boston Skyline as seen from the cemetery tower.


I love cemeteries. As a kid we used to visit the old mining town cemeteries. I probably complained about going as a kid, but I have since gained a great appreciation of the epitaphs and the loving memories.

I love the beauty that nature provides. As a kid I spent time finding shapes in clouds and at Twin Lakes I collected ( you could collect back then) wildflowers and learned to identify them.

So to have a cemetery and an arboretum together is a double pleasure. The Mt Auburn Cemetery just down the road from Daija's apartment is an established arboretum with acres of headstones. One could spend hours exploring the many paths, ponds and structures. There was a tower that must be set on a hill high enough that when you are at the top you can see the whole Boston skyline. There are so many trees that we had to follow a map to find the tower. I was in awe at the beauty of this cemetery.

There are many things to do in Boston, but I am looking forward to going back to this cemetery. I can only imagine the fall color display that will coincide with the birth of the baby.

Reflections of Boston: While the cemetery was a great experience the best was being with Daija and Jonathan. It is a pleasure to see a young couple still in love. It is comforting to know that my daughter has a wonderful young man to take care of her. They take an older man to church every Sunday. He is just getting back into full activity and has many questions and I can tell they are just right for him. I am convinced that although being "active" in the church is time consuming and sometimes difficult, being active in the "gospel" brings blessings and comfort that far outweigh any of the "busyness" that we sometimes feel. Thanks Daija and Jonathan for being such good hosts and the wonderful time together.

Boston "Sox"

A trip to Boston would be incomplete without the "Sox" Here we are with the World Series trophies. Daija and I are having a great time. It has been raining and the weather has been tolerable for me. We had a beautiful walk this morning along the St. Charles River. We bought material for a baby blanket and tied a cute little blanket for the newcomer.

Strawberry June 2008

The above picture is the mountain as we see it from our RV lot up at Strawberry. We have been working hard on getting it cleaned up. We walked into the Homeowners Association Meeting and someone was complaining about our lot having a "fire hazard" on it. It really wasn't a fire hazard -- Rich and I had tried to burn it and there was too much dirt -- We had 8 loads of gravel hauled in, planted some trees and now it looks wonderful. The neighbors all want to know if we are selling the lot. After shoveling gravel last Friday, the thought crossed my mind. Then as I was standing on my shovel the two eagles that have a nest in that mountain flew overhead. There is something inspiring about watching a soaring eagle. This is the view from our cabin. Well you have to move a little to get this picture, but you get the point. From our cabin we get to watch the mountain goats, deer, birds, and some sort of critter that I haven't yet figured out what it is. I have enjoyed spending so much time at the cabin. Maybe it reminds me of all the good times up at Twin Lakes when I was a kid. The advantage at this cabin, is you get to have fires and the fire bug in me is very happy.
We had a ton of trees that were dead. Thanks to the Fruitland Wildland Community Fire Council, of which I am part the Forest Service crew came in and cut down our dead trees and chipped the dead wood. I moved a bunch of chips into this tree area in front of our cabin.
These two baby dear hung out with me all day Thursday, June 5. This picture is taken as I am packing up to leave out the car window. I don't know where their mom is, but they never left our property all day. They would look at me and if I moved too close, bound off for a while and then come back.

I have also been working with some of the "locals" getting phone service and well permits. There is a sense of slowness that is somehow calming for me. You just can't hurry them. But they are friendly and willing to do whatever it takes(other than hurry) to get your problem taken care of. I went to the Vernal Temple and even there the pace was much slower. So for those of you that I put your names on the prayer roll -- be patient -- the answer will come -- in "time".

Reflections on Strawberry: I have enjoyed being at the cabin. I can work, take a rest, work, read, work. From the sound of the river to soaring eagles there is a feeling of reverence that you don't get in the city. I can see God's love for us in the beauty and serenity He has created. Thanks - I needed that.