Our First Granddaughter Whitney Barben Weds

   Whitney married Conrad Petrich on June 1, 2012 in the St. George Temple. Conrad had a big family that attended the wedding along with many Barben relatives.  A lovely reception was held in St. George, Utah with many family and friends in attendance. The bride's mother's family held a party in their honor a week or so later as they were able to come then since school was out and the drive was quite a distance to come only for 2 days. We had a barbeque, swimming, singing and dancing and  got to know Conrad better.  He will be a fun addition to our family.
    The 3 older cousins attended an Especially for Youth activity that was scheduled the week they came.  They had such a great time with speakers, dances, etc. they hope to make it a tradition.
     The younger were envolved with a cousin's camp held at the Timeshare in St. George and  enjoyed non stop fun- swimming, ping pong, games, a few drama games and practicing for the care center program which they never got to do. ( but perhaps another time or back home in Carson some can do it).  Some took a tour of Brigham Young's winter home and a great art gallery that portrayed the special event that took place in the St. George Temple with their 4th great grandfather Wilford Woodruff.. Grandparents told ghosts stories but decided to tell the good ones where spirits had returned to give family members comfort and peace or even ask a favor as happened to Wilford Woodruff. Some went boating and others went to Zions National Park.  Some went on a hike to Red Cliff's.  Two mishaps happened but it all turned out fine.  Bret fell in the water while trying to do a risky climb but only his and Micheline's cell phones were damaged and one dried out.  Kirsten was going on her long run for 8 or 10 miles and fell and hurt herself.  She was in such pain but after a nights rest she was going to live. After a few days she was hiking again.  It was the only thing that could slow her down. She is the type that wants to try every adventure she can find. We had about 23 cousins there all together.
   A few days before the reunion we heard on TV the news of a boy from Nevada who was climbing without his gear at some waterfall area around Provo.  He had fallen to his death.We knew his wonderful grandparents who worked with us at Reno temple. We soon found out that Victor had been with him with other youth from their Church group at BYU and had tried to keep him alive while the ambulance got there 45 minutes later.  He was the type that was ready to meet his maker so it was not such a great tragedy.  He will have much good work to do now in Heaven.
   The next night we just happened to turn on the TV to America's got talent and saw the performance of Little Ozzie who is also a Doak descendant from Alexander Arthur Doak's grandfather.  The kids couldn't believe that I knew him and corresponded with him a few times via email.  He is a very nice person and his name is Linn Doak.    
     Before the reunion I had a very vivid dream of my father George Meacham.  It was so real.  I realized later that he must have been with me in spirit helping with all those cousins.  He was a strict discipinarian and a middle school teacher and didn't put up with much nonsence.  I am grateful that he could be my dad and taught me quite a few things also.

Ben's Art

We got to go by Ben's work. His art work was so fun. It reminded me of all the surprises he gave us as a youth. It was always a surprise and quite unanounced. You go into his bedroom and find a painted carving of a bear or a fish or maybe a dummy sitting int the room. His art never ceased to amaze me. Here is a new kind of art he's produced with the Cameo machine he markets now. A gum ball macine, caribou head, a quilt design made from paper, and a duck all from paper. Enjoy! You'll have to look at them sideways. Sorry!

Lydia learning to cook pancakes

Surprise Dinner

We wanted to have our monthly dinner at the Faveros to celebrate grandpa's birthday since they don't exactly have enough seats for them all with the 2 new foster babies. When we got there we discovered a beautiful meal that Juliet had cooked. It was entirely gourmet and so delicious. We ended up taking much of our dinner home which we can eat for his birthday. It is amazing what a child can do when they have the desire to learn. Sorry I didn't get any photos.
Thanks Lindsey for asking what the prizes are. Winner picks.

Eliza and Sophia are great helpers.

Elise Started Training this Week!

Ben helped her get a desk and get set up for the job with jet blue. It is so nice for her to have a brother around. She is so quick and does well with people. She says she loves the job all ready. It really good for her to get better acquainted with her wonderful cousin Laurie Meacham who took an immediate liking to her and helped steer her towards the job.

Love to see that girl Lindsey working so hard.

Kids can learn to do so much. Joey is making a snack of cinnamon toast. Lindsey is scrubbing the floors. Who will get the winning picture? Remember it is quite a hard job and you need to be a certain height to reach and do the job. Who will guess and do the complete job for themselves. Brookie used to do this job for the whole family when she was 8. Her mom would pay her a bit but it was a lot of work. I was amazed. It really is possible for a child to learn to do this job.

Here's some choices to help cook.

Please share your own ideas with the family. We all like food!



Cottage cheese on club crackers with peppers or seasonings sprinkled on top
Hot chocolate
Cinnamon toast
Quesadillas
Pancakes
Eggs
Spaghetti
Tacos
Toasted cheese sandwiches and tomato soup
Chicken alfredo
Taco soup
Stuffed celery with peanut butter or cheese
Popcorn from a popper or paper bag
Brownies or cake from a mix
Cookies in bars
White Chicken chili
Taco salad
Hawaiian Haystacks

The winner is Jaxon, caught praying!

Lily has been keeping her room real nice and her mom just had her camera as she was working on it. Good job Lily. We are proud of you!







9. Laundry - Wash your own clothes, dry them, and then fold them, and put them away.
10. Cook – Have a favorite meal that you help cook each week. Also, you can make snacks for yourself and others. (Some ideas below)
11. Clean car – remove all the trash, and items from the car and put them away. Vacuum the car. Wash the windows. When you are big enough, you can wash the car.
12. Vacuum – Pick up and put away items left on the carpet, and then vacuum all the carpets in the house.
13. Sweep & mop – Sweep all the floors in the house that aren't carpeted. And, then mop the kitchen and entry floors.

Here are the new jobs! Keep the pictures coming!

3. Clean your room - Put away your clothes each day, and on Saturday put away all objects in your room and vacuum or sweep your floor. Remember dirty clothes go to the laundry, and clean clothes need to be put away.
4. Prayers - Say your personal prayers each morning and ask for protection from harm and evil. Also, ask for the spirit to guide you and thank God for various blessings. Also, gladly join in family prayers.
5. Bathroom manners – Flush the toilet, put the lid down, wash your hands, and hang up the towel.
6. Brush your teeth – Brush your teeth each morning and before you go to bed. If you eat or drink anything, other than water, after brushing your teeth at night, brush again.
8. Clean up after yourself – When you get things out to use, or to play with, put them away immediately when you are through, without being asked. If you make a mess, clean it up.

Joey worked hard and he is the winner.

Joey did everything till he got the prize. Thanks Joey. So fun to see you try so hard. That is often what it takes in life, persistence.

Jensens Doing their Jobs

Joey is helping with Family Home Evening. They had the story of the Tree of Life and then drew pictures. Thanks for sharing. That is an idea for each family for home evening. Joey was also a good helper yesterday and emptied the dishwasher. Davy set the table. Just love that cute smile Davy. You are certainly a sweet kid and we love you too. THey did most ofthe jobs in the drawing but didn't quite get the job drawn. Keep trying. Someones got to get it. Joey deserves it just for effort but I'll wait and see if anyone can get the chosen job.

Whitney is engaged!

Whitney has met her intended and we are excited for her. It happened when she didn't expect it. One never knows what a new day will bring. Conrad Petrich and Whitney have set June 1, 2012 as the date for their marriage. We are hoping that many family members can make it. Some are saying that Fresno reception will be easier for them and school isn't out yet for many on June 1st. It will be a special day for the happy couple. You could send her a message with your address so she can send you an invitation.

Joey is Making French Toast

With the help of his mom Joey is learning to cook. Way to go Joey.

Here's some cute pictures

New Rule

After we go through the list, drawing from five jobs at a time which we've done pretty much now, I will draw from all the jobs and give a prize for the first one to send in a picture doing that job. So keep working on all the jobs and sending those pictures. I just drew making the bed. Davy was the first one to get a picture doing that job. Lydia and Alice both sent a picture doing that job but since Davy was the first one he will get the $5.00 prize. Keep working at your jobs and get someone to send the picture. You must do a good job and not just pose for a picture. It is on the honor system. Someone is always watching what you do. It is unseen angels. Go for the goal. Now you can work on the next five jobs I listed.

The New Jobs List

Here are the new job list!


Clear the table - Bring in plates, silverware, glasses and put them in the

dishwasher or wash them by hand. Wipe off the table. Sweep the kitchen floor

Make Bed – Make your bed before breakfast, without even being reminded.

Work outside when asked to do a task by your parents.

Cook a snack or part of a meal.

Help your family do Home Evening.

I didn't get Eliza Janes cute pictures of scrubbing pots and pans and turning out lights. Thanks! It is difficult to get the pictures on the blog sometimes.

Sophia practices piano 1/2 hour and wins the prize

Elise made it through

Elise made it through babysitting those cute Lindsey kids. I will admit they were not too cute throwing up. One got the bug and as I told Elise, it will go through the whole family. Luckily Elise didn't get sick but didn't get too much sleep the whole time the parents were in Hawaii. Jeanne got a much needed and deserved break.
Cooper had his ball games and practices and even though they were not feeling well they got to watch movies in the car as he was in the gym. Miles threw up in the car. Elise got some really good movies at the thrift stores so they at leasat had good entertainment while they were sick. Cleaning up after the sickness isn't too much fun but I guess it comes with the job. Now because of the storm in Seattle she is staying a whole week longer. She has missed church 2 weeks and they were all unhappy about that. Live will soon be back to normal. Don't know anyone who could have handled the situation any better and it was one time Jeanne didn't have to deal with it and could go out and have a nice time. Not easy to take the place of both parents with 6 kids. Glad Jeanne isn't a worrier or her time could have been ruined.

The winning job is cleaning the bathrooms.

Here are a few very cute pictures so keep them coming! Hyrum's picture was cleaning the bathroom and he gets $5.00. (I will admit an unfair hint but noone was sending pictures) No child gets hints more than one time. Very cute of Lydia also. Jaxon nearly won as he was the only other with a picture in the catagoy chosen. We have drawn a new winning job from the listings 20-24.Turn out light, hand scrub pots and pans, etc., Reverent in Church,(take a picture of your child after church and send if he was reverent the whole time. Happy working together with no arguing, practice talents 1/2 hour a day. This can include anything that is a talent and not just music. Thanks for your efforts.

St. George Cousins caught doing their Jobs

Lindsey Barben was caught emptying the dishwasher and it is Jaxon barely visable in this picture vaccuming the family room. Way to go Jaxon. Keep sending pictures when you catch your child doing a job and sending via phone is fine. 208-739-6038

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Juliet wins prize by brushing her teeth.

I couldn't get the picture on but as soon as she heard of an intended prize she went into the bathroom and took a picture of herself brushing her teeth. That was the exact job I had drawn for the 2nd drawing. She won a cute little makeup bag she wanted to win as a gift for her cousin. The next drawing will include job items 11-16 which include dusting, vacuuming, sweeping and mopping, cleaning bathrooms, and cleaning the car.

I already got a photo of lily dusting the TV. When talking to Aunt Micheline she commented on Brigham vacuuming the family room in the back ground. Can't wait to see a picture of that fine boy. The list of requirements for cleaning is on the first blog. Preschool children are not expected to do as much as the older children.

Cooking snacks, dusting, emptying dishwasher, cleaning up messes, are some of the jobs the cousins are practicing.

Danny Wins at Jobs Game

Our visit with the Jensen's produced our first winner to the contest. Thisis just so fun seeing the kids do jobs and work. We hope all the grandchildren learn to work fast and hard and enjoy doing their jobs. It was a little unfair cause grandma took the pictures but oh well we had to start somewhere. The job we drew was cleaning your room. I caught Danny cleaning his room so found this cool Sequence for Kids Game that he can play with his brothers. I will send it soon. Liz suggested that we just choose 5 to work on at a time so the next drawing will be 6-10 on the chart.

Love those boys making their beds and saying prayers. Joey didn't think the top bunk was any hinderance and hopped right up there. Davy managed a 3 blanket bed. These kids are super.