White Mountain Peak

 Garrett, Talmage, and Peter took a hike to White Mountain Peak in preparation for their Young Men's camp hike. It is in the White Mountains near bishop California and it is 14,246 feet. We drove up on Friday with our group and made it to our intended campsite at 8500 feet. Because we had the afternoon to Kill. Larry Griffiths and Peter drove up further to see if camping was allowed while the rest of the group stayed and explored. The exploration revealed an old mine, a hobbit house, and a geocache. The search for another camp lead us over a dirt road to the gate that blocks any vehicle traffic up the White Mountain Road. So we all ended up there to sleep. We ate one of the meals we would have for our camp. It was pretty good food. We all then bunked up for the night. Talmage and Peter shared a tent and an air mattress. Garret "slept" under the stars.

In the morning we ate some oatmeal and got our daypacks ready for the hike. About two miles up there is a research station run by Cal Berkley. It reminded us a lot of the Dharma Initiative from Lost. As we passed we saw a pen with sheep in it.
The long 7.5 miles were tiring, but we all reached the top in around 4 hours. There was resting and photo opportunities at the top. On the way back, it took about three hours. The altitude was quite difficult to hike in as we got higher and higher.
We got in our cars and headed back on the dirt road. Carl Reed, the truck we were in, got a flat tire, so we radioed the others and we all worked to replace the spare. A mile further on the dirt road we came across a family from Belgium and they had a flat tire too. It was a Chevy just like our truck, so we got out and replaced the thing super quick. The family was happy. We had burgers at a little diner in Big Pine and headed home, arriving around 11:00 at night. All in all it was a great adventure.

The Killers Concert

Thursday, May 2, 2013
Today, Garrett, Talmage, and Peter went to a rock and roll concert presented by The Killers. We left in the afternoon, stopped off at Chipotle at the base of the grapevine, and arrived at the LA Sports Arena without incident. However, we would find out that we arrived way too early. We got there at 7:45, the ticket had 8:45 printed as the start time, but The Killers didn't really start playing until 10:00. It was a great concert and we had a good time together. 

2-5-2013

Somewhere around 2pm I got upset today. Other than that things went well. Garrett made a great shot in his basketball game. I had some good guitar lessons. My mom came to help in my class. I did come up with a good math lesson. We had a good UA time. Some people were very helpful in getting dinners for the missionaries. I listened to a conference talk in spanish. I listened to a CD in the car about agency. President Monson spoke at BYU--Desicions Determine Destiny. I worked on the pool. I played a hymn from the hymbook. I worked out in the morning. So other than 2pm, it was a good day. So what happens at 2 PM? WINN class.

Clean: pool, dishes
Lean: Cardio X
Discovery:

Phone Call to Tanner

We talked to Tanner on the telephone. He was in the MTC for Christmas so his President let him call. We were going to Skype the week before but it didn't work. So we talked to him on the telephone. It was very cool. We set the phone on the dinner table and it was like we were all sitting around after dinner talking. Tanner told us a lot about his mission. He has already had some good adventures. Crazy transportation, finding places without speaking much spanish, and slaughtering a pig. We talked a bit about Les Miserables. Peter tried to convince him he's not missing much because it was so terrible, and when Elaine says "some people didn't think Russell Crowe wasn't that good, she's talking about Peter. We kind of wish we could talk to Porter or Tanner every week but this one phone call wouldn't be cherished as much as it is.

MTC Drop: Tanner

On November 7, 2012, we took Tanner to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah to receive training for three weeks for his mission to Peru, the Lima, Peru West mission. Garrett and Talmage were left at home for scholastic reasons. It was a quick three day trip to Provo, but it was a nice time to spend with Tanner before he left.
On the morning of the 7th we left Grandma's in SLC where we stayed the night and drove for Provo. We had the traditional lunch at JDawgs and friends and family were there(Brian Gardiner, Cami Larsen, the Ivins, and Jordan and Logan.) Then the three of us drove to the MTC. We were directed to parking space #1 and got out. A couple pictures were snapped and Tanner scampered off. We thought we were experienced parents and this experience would bridle our emotions, but as we drove off, the waterworks began. We are going to miss him, but are also so happy for the experience he will enjoy, and the people he will serve.
Learn more about the MTC here:  Provo MTC

TANNER MTC - picture slideshow

Hygiene in Twenty13

This year we have been contemplating our theme. There are so many important goals to help us in our journey to excellence so we have chosen one of the most important, yet neglected by many, aspects of success and that is personal hygiene. Our theme is "Personal Hygiene in Twenty13." We've listed the 13 most important personal hygiene practices to focus on this year. So here's the list:

1. Wash hands three times a day. (always do what your mom and dad say)
2. Brush your teeth whenever they are dirty.
3. Floss
4. Take your flatulence outside
5. Toilet seat down
6. Kleenex(or any generic facial tissue ); not the sleeve
7. Facial hair checks
8. Clean ear wax
9. Fingers stay outside the nose (include ears and nose)
10. Bathe as needed
11. Flush
12. Keep faces off kitchen counter and computer keyboards
13. Cover mouth when speaking if: eating broccoli or peanuts, talking quickly and you are a spitter, or you haven't done #2 on this list.

Happy Clean Twenty13!!!!!!

We Talk of Christ

Recently a gentleman claimed to the media that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are not Christians. This doesn't really bother me too much. He has set up his parameters that qualify one to meet his definition of Christian. I hope my friends, acquaintances, and those in my circle of influence know that I worship Jesus Christ and I'm trying to live according to his teachings as far as I understand them. The gentleman's definition of Christianity disqualifies Mormons because of their belief in, among other things, The Book of Mormon in addition to the Bible. I'm Okay with this, also. However, the ironic thing is, all The Book of Mormon tries to do is persuade people to learn about, accept, and follow Jesus Christ. I did a little experiment and found a sample verse from each book in The Book of Mormon that invites the reader to learn about, accept, or follow Jesus Christ. There are 15 books in the Book of Mormon. Below are the examples I found. One from each book:

We talk of christ

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The Road to the MTC II

At 1:45, on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, Mountain time, Peter started a countdown, "24 hours!", on the hour every hour. 

 On Wednesday, July 20, 2011, Talmage awoke early to be Elder Urmston's companion. He watched him wake up, then brush his teeth, and start his scripture study at 6:00am. At 6:10, Tamage fell asleep. We went for the traditional photo shoot with Aunt Leslie in Benjamin, Utah at 8:00. We had fun with the poses and no tears were shed.

We returned to the Provo and got the last minute packing done. Luggage was weighed, and the contents were prioritized into "items ditched first if the luggage is overweight". No tears were shed.

At 12:00 we had a family meeting. All family members were asked if they had any last words. A Father's blessing was received. A few tears were shed.

At 12:30 we went to JDawgs at 880 North 700 East Street Provo, UT 84606 with Aunt Emily and boys, and Grandma and Grandpa B. We met up with sarcastic cousins Candice, Cooper, and Kait at the previously mentioned JDawgs with the special sauce. No tears were shed. Several other missionaries were there with their families. "Hey, you're going to the MTC? What time? Where you going?" No shedding of the tears. 

At 1:35 we ended up at the temple parking lot for pictures and drop-off strategy. We determined to put the Elder in the very back of the car to be the last one out, the photographer would be the first out, while the rest readied themselves for hugs. Garrett would only go for the luggage, in the trunk, when given the sign that everyone had given their farewells.

At 1:45 we arrived to a host of smiling missionaries welcoming us to the MTC. We were directed to drop-off #20 and everything went as planned. No tears were shed. We watched the boy/young man excitedly walk off with his host companion, striking up a conversation, "What's your name? Where are you from? Where are you going?"

As we drove out of the parking lot at 1:50 and turned the corner onto the main street, tears were shed. The cousins were instructed to say something sarcastic.

 

The Road to the MTC

We had a good drive to the Utah on Monday, July 18, 2011. The trip went surprisingly fast considering we only listened to General Conference talks, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and classical music. We were in Barstow close to lunch so we asked Porter what he would like to eat for lunch. Peter mentioned In&Out. Porter said yes. Elaine claimed that Peter was picking the place and not Porter. Porter said if they had a Chipotle, he would like to eat there. We ate at Chipotle. The trip to Las Vegas was uneventful and we stopped at St. George for gasoline. There is a San Jorge in Guatemala in Porter's mission. We may have veered from the mission rules and listened to "Throw Away Your TV and Get A Life!" by John Bytheway. From Cedar City to Fillmore we dodged orange cones like the Astroids video game. Excuse the language--rumproids video game(doesn't sound much better). The travels were interspersed with memories of Porter but mostly the stresses of having everything packed and getting everything on a plane in three weeks. We talked about the MTC and the great ladies in the travel office, meals and meetings, branches, districts, zones, and companions. We asked Porter if he believed people when they said he was going to be a great missionary. He modestly mumbled some things. As parents we assured him that people just didn't say such things. Over the past year, and when he determined for himself to serve a mission, we have seen his faith , his humility/dependence on the Lord, and his joy in obeying the commandments/doing the right thing all increase. For these reasons we know he will be successful--Faith, Humility, Obedience. We arrived at Provo and before we reached our destination, we had one last stop, a last supper, at In&Out. Everyone ate their favorite burger and got a shake for a Family Home Evening treat. It was Monday after all.

Happy Birthday Talmage

Talmage is 12 years old.

Camp Keep

Talmage and Elaine's Camp Keep experience was amazing. On the opening day they saw a bobcat. At first, Talmage couldn't believe it because it was in the bushes. He borrowed a friends pair of binoculaurs and saw his first bobcat. It looked like a large house cat with a short tail and pointy ears. They stopped and snapped some photos of the majestic beast. After a while a car came by and scared it away.

That same day they went to the tide pools. They said they were less exciting than the ones at Leo Carrillo but there was a giant slug called a Gombo Kitan. It was cool. The next day Talmage and Elaine went up Valencia Peak Jr. It is named Junior because it is only a stroll in the park compared to it's neighbor, Valencia Peak. Talmge and Elaine thought the hike was really easy and the view from the top was amazing. You could even see a golf course. On the way up they were allowed to stick rocks on themselves by licking them. " It was awesome," said Talmage.

At the end of each day the Keep counselors would have a big campfire and Talmage's cabin got the back row every time. "Most of the songs were funny but if you heard the 'other' lyrics to some of the songs, they weren't so funny," said Talmage. There was one song that touched Talmage's heart. It went like this:

            We will love the Earth wherever we roam
            For this big blue marble is our home
           And we know that everything in it
           And we know that everything in it
          Will always be a part of who we are

It was so beautiful, so Talmage and his close friends started to sway. Suddenly his whole cabin was swaying. Then the whole camp was swaying. It was a great experience.

submitted by Talmage Urmston

Called To Serve

On March 10, 2011, Porter received his mission call to Guatamala City South, Guatemala mission. He will serve the people of Guatemala for 2 years beginning in July. We are all very proud that Porter has made this decision to serve a mission, to excersize his faith and serve others.

Phantom of the Opera

Well, after months of rehearsals,and media attention, opening night of Frontier High school's production of The Phantom of the Opera arrived. We were all nervous except, maybe, the Phantom himself. We got there early to get the best seats in the house. We had to save seats for the VIP's--Grandma and Grandpa U, and the cousins, Cassidy and Kali all the way from Utah (those girls either really, really, really, love high school theater, or are really, really, supportive cousins.) We had the whole third row reserved for "family of the Phantom" and the show began. Everything about the production was top-notch. The performance was fantastic and entertaining. Of course, the Phantom was great. We were all so anxious for Tanner to first appear on stage, then nervous as his first solo approached--

  Music of the Night. Somewhere in the middle of the song, the nerves subsided, we forgot Tanner was up there, and the Phantom took over our thoughts--that's great storytelling through music and acting. The remainder of the musical was great. It helped that the majority of the main cast were church friends: Josh Miller, Chloe Kesler, Brian Gardner, Zach Walker. Kristine and the Phantom are also co-rally commisioner, so they are used to working together. Well we are all pretty biased here, but reviews from others have been very positive also, some(pre-teen girls) have been more enthusiastic than this, so we are proud of Tanner.This is a great, great, personal accomplishment and an amazing culmination to a school career.

Pray Always

If I prayed as much as I eat I could be spiritually obese. For months, this thought kept returning as I listened to this  pop song about prayer, called "On the Floor" , that talks about spending time on your knees "facing the things I've done" and "where the rats all come away clean".

I wanted to spend more time praying. "What if I spent a half hour praying," I thought, " instead of watching a half hour of TV." But what would I say or do for that long? I came across a quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley he had given to a group of missionaries about ten gifts of serving a mission. He said, "Get on your knees and speak to the Lord as one man speaks to another. There is no substitute under the heavens for earnest prayer."  I then determined that I would just have a conversation. "Here's what I did today," and "here's how I feel about it."
I've spent this month studying prayer and came across a talk by President James E. Faust called The Lifeline of Prayer. One thing he said really inspired me to feel comfortable with the frequency of my prayers,

No earthly authority can separate us from direct access to our Creator. There can never be a mechanical or electronic failure when we pray. There is no limit on the number of times or how long we can pray each day. There is no quota of how many needs we wish to pray for in each prayer. We do not need to go through secretaries or make an appointment to reach the throne of grace. He is reachable at any time and any place.

I also studied two talks by Elder David A. Bednar, given in succession, about prayer--Ask In Faith and Pray Always. His purpose for giving the talks was to help have more meaningful prayers.



In the two talks, Elder Bednar teaches several principles for meaningful prayer.

• Ask in faith
• Be willing to act
• Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings
• Prayer becomes more meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude.
• Prayer becomes more meaningful as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.

I don't know that my diet of prayer this month has helped my grow in "spiritual fatness"(2 Nephi 9:51), but as I've tried to act on my prayers, expressed gratitude, counseled and prayed for others, I have felt greater peace and happiness.

My bible dictionary says that we must work to obtain blessings from God, and prayer is a form of work. I'll keep on doing my work "on the floor, that's where I'll be."



Feel free to leave links, quotes, or thoughts as comments.
Posted by Peter of the Peter & Elaine & Crew

New Year's Eve

We had a fun New Year's Eve at the Matthew Urmston's home. The Coontz' were there. We ate a lot of food. We watched a few people play video games, which turned out to be more entertaining than it sounds. We played mafia, which was as entertaining as it sounds. We brought in the new year with Dick Clark and Ryan Secrest and then played an old favorite, "search for keys." All in all it was a great way to start off the new year 2011. We hope we can enjoy more fun nights like this throughout the year.



Mafia Cheaters



cousins and cousins









Bronson and Ryan



Christmas Eve Program 2010

Our Christmas Eve program was really fun and inspiring this year. Melanie sang a song about what we can give for Christmas. Grandma then told a story about "A Stocking for Jesus". We each wrote down, and shared, something we would give to Jesus this year. We (Purmstons) sang a song together called "How Many Kings" by Downhere. It was a dream come true to sing and play guitars together. Peter and Porter played guitars, Garrett and Tanner sang, and Talmage played keyboards. The Coontz all played Jingle Bells on their jingle bells. The young cousins performed "The Night Before Christmas"--some more enthusiastically than others. The older cousins performed an impromptu version of Jingle Bells on the jingle bells. It's hard to believe a few of them won't be home for Christmas next year(tear).

Parlez Vous France Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, the family gathered and a rousing game of Parlez Vous France ensued.

Adults and young children were quickly eliminated due to the slow mental reaction time and the slow hand eye coordination respectively.

After the large boots, and little flip-flops(who wears flip-flops on Christmas eve?) were removed, the teenagers and young adults heatedly passed the stinky shoes.

The final four were Mason Urmstom(18), Garrett Urmstron(14), Chad Coontz(13), and Mia Urmstrom(12). The final four round brought some controversy when Garrett accused Chad of a throw. "He was throwin' em all over the place!" Armstron said. Coontz remained and Urstom was out.

The final came down to M. Urmston(male) and M. Urmston(female). However through some unknown technicality, an elf official stepped in and did some strange southern ritual which resulted in M. Urmston(female) being declared the weiner. Congratulations Mia, or as they say in France, "le fromage est bon".

Graduations

We've celebrated several milestones and graduations this week. Garrett graduated from middle school. He received a couple awards and they are letting him go on to high school. Who would have thought that the impossible workload of a sixth grader--"there is just too much work to do in sixth grade!!!!"-- would become possible? Garrett learned to thrive through middle school and was very successful. Garrett, WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!!

Talmage has come to the end of his elementary school experience. He will be moving on to middle school. We're sure that Norris elementary will never be the same without an (peter) Urmston there. We've warned the teachers and coaches at Norris Middle that one more is on his way. Talmage, WE ARE PROUD OF  YOU!!!!

Porter, after years and years of school, has graduated from high school. (cue "good riddance" by green day. He has been a reluctant but super successful high school student. The end has finally come. It has been the time of his life. He is the future. He'll look back on these days as the best in his life. It's the first day of the rest of his life. To think just four short years ago he was a naive little freshman. As he enters the threshold of his life this is not the end but the beginning. So spread your wings and fly, the world is your oyster. Porter, WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!!!

A final note, Tanner will be graduating from driving school in August. Tanner, WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!!! (if you make it)

18th Birthday: A Family Tradition

We celebrated the birth of this boy(see picture above) on Tuesday. It was a quiet celebration at home. It was our traditional birthday celebration started almost two decades past.  A month before, the birthday boy says that he doesn't want a party with his friends-- he'd rather just stay home. A couple weeks before, he says he doesn't really care what gifts he gets for his birthday. A week before, his mom asks him what he would like for his birthday dinner. The menu: steak & shrimp(coconut with a pineapple sauce), baked potato, green salad, and rolls. Included is a cup of candy with assorted candies, at least one M& M brand. On the morning of the birthday one present is opened, the package always contains a new "outfit". That afternoon the front room is decorated with balloons and a Happy Birthday sign. We get the dinner ready and eat. At dinner everyone will say a memory they have, or something they like about the birthday boy. After dinner, gifts are opened, then come cake and ice cream after singing happy birthday (we've sung "and many more", and cha-cha-cha versions, but lately everybody sings the last happy birthday in a high operatic falsetto). We finish the evening off with a family prayer with sincere gratitude for the special member of our family. This tradition is so typical and simple, but we're glad we established it early-- its power to unite us as a family is indescribable.On this 18th birthday the power of family traditions have become much more evident to us. The early commitment and investment to this tradition, and others, has paid off and compounded in the form of blessings and family unity. Family Tradition--Just Do It.

These young teenage Americans spent an evening at a formal dance known in some circles as the "Mormal"