A fun weekend!

We had a wonderful weekend. It was good to see the Brigham City Mechams and the Jorgensens. It was fun talking about the cruise and hearing all about the Hawaii trip. Have fun Jorgensens and enjoy and create the memories.

We love all of you!



Grandpa and Macy having some time alone.



The Newlyweds and their parents.



Macy on Grandpa's shoulders!




Macy with her Aunt Brielle




Chelsea and Macy

Hello Mechams!

So it's been awhile since we have found anytime to even sneak a peak on here. About a month or so. Thanks Bryan for the Mother's Day message! It gives me confidence to feel like our family feels like I am doing a good job as a mother!

Chase had an Endocrine appt about a week ago and he was doing MUCH better this time:) His A1C was 7.2, which is a huge improvement from a 9. His doctor did a really good job of motivating him to test his blood more. He told him that if he would test 4 times a day he would easily be at a 6. He rarely tested before this visit, I'm talking only when he felt high or low, which was about 4 times a week. So now he is almost consistently taking his blood 4 times a day!!! I can't tell you all how much stress that relieves me of. He has also been ecouraged the last few visits to exercise more. So recently he has found a huge love of the outdoors. This has been great and a little scary at the same time for me. I am so happy he wants to do REAL camping (outside of a hotel room, in nature) but he has gone a little past my comfort zone. He wants to go camping in areas that are not camp sites. He just picks a trail and says, "this would be fun. " No buildings or roads for miles!!!! He also has taken up hiking, not by himself, but the whole fam. He reads these books on Utah hiking and we go try it with the boys. So far, it has been amazing! They have been challenging enough for us but not too much for the boys. The views are amazing and it is so nice to escape the everyday stress of life.

This was our payoff once we reached the top of Buffalo Peak. This is south Utah County we were looking over. It was amazing to say the least! It was about 3 miles round trip which is pretty good for us newbies!A couple sundays ago, Chase and I are enjoying sleeping in and I heard the boys laughing. I was expecting them to come in and cuddle as usual, but got this instead!

Shawn called Max a "super hero." We like to call him "Desitin Man." This took about an hour in the shower, all the hot water and a half bottle of baby wash to get it all off. He still smelled like Desitin the next day. Needless to say I was furious to have to deal with this "mess" first thing in the morning, and got plenty of lessons on Patience and dealing with stress and anger all day Sunday!

Laree, we are so glad that we are not the only ones doing the whole puppy thing again. I swear it is like having another baby. I am up about 3 times a night letting him go potty. We named him "The Golden Super Duper Cooper" We like him a lot:)

We are glad to hear that everyone is doing well. Bryan hopefully the YM Presidency will keep you just as busy and happy as the scouting did.

Tegan we are sorry we missed your big Bday, but hope you had a great day and we love you:)

We love you all!

Chase, Steph and boys

Great Fishing

We just got home from our Memorial weekend at the Packard's cabin. Emmalynn went fishing with her dad and grandpa Packard and caught 6 fish over the weekend. She held the fishing title this weekend. She out fished her dad and grandpa. She is becoming quite the little fisherwomen. We had a great time going into Yell0wstone and we were able to see lots of buffalo and their babies, elk, 2 black bears, antelope, and a coyote. We had a lot of fun. We hope that all of you had a fun weekend also.

It has been very quiet from some neck of the woods. We hope you are all doing great.

Love The Packard's

It's been a while

Hello Family!!

It has been a while since I have written anything on here, although it's been pretty slow for everyone lately. You would think the warm weather has finally come :) Well my semester ended pretty well. I won't lie, they were the worst grades I have gotten in my educational career yet, but no C's or even a B-. It was quite a wake up call, now I am fully prepared for fall semester. I stopped coaching the cheerleaders, it just wasn't working out, which makes me sad, because I really liked it! I am now just doing the whole teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding. I am cutting lots of hair out of the apartment and hopefully someday I can get into a salon that is perfect for me! I only have 3 weekends off the entire summer and so I am carefully planning each one out. The highlight of the summer will be when you are all on your cruise and I will be watching Kaitlyn, Brielle, Emmalynn and Daniel in Boise. Be ready for an eventful week of fun! Well I have to run, but there is a little update on me! I love you all!

~Josalyn

Kaitlyn's events of the week

Kaitlyn had a band concert on Tuesday night. Unfortunately I cannot get the video to load. She did a good job. The music was very nice.

Kaitlyn also played in a softball tournament this weekend. Her team went 5-2 but lost a heartbreaker in the 2nd Championship game. They won both pool play games and then won their first game of the tournament. They lost the second and won the third to make it to the championship game. They won the first championship game forcing another one. They jumped out 12-0 in the first two innings. Then everything fell apart and the other team went on a 16-1 run to win 16 to 13. Our pictures just ran out of gas. It was sad to see. Both teams are pretty evenly matched and I think it will be fun to watch them play several times this year.

Here are some pictures from her ball game.

This swing resulted in a great hit out into right field that scored the girl on third base.


Kaitlyn played third base and catcher. She did well at all positions.

My Tenure as Scoutmaster has come to an End

My last campout (#115) as scoutmaster. I will miss this group of boys. 2 life scouts, 2 star scouts, 1 First Class and a non member that came with us on this campout.



Yes, I can still rappel after all these years.



Okay, maybe I should have been roped in but I had to prove that I could still do it. :-) It wasn't that steep.

It is a very empty feeling right now to know that a very involved period of my life is ending. However, as you know in the church it doesn't take long to get busy again. I have been asked to serve as the 1st counselor in the Young Men's presidency so for all these boys they will be back with me in less than a year. I guess I return to where I started in this ward almost 12 years ago and that is back with the teachers but this time I will be their priesthood advisor and assistant varsity scout coach rather than their varsity scout coach. I will look forward to some fun times ahead working with this group of young men. I know that 14 and 15 year olds face many challenges and the transition period from Deacon to Priest is one that is critical. I look forward to helping this age group realize their full potential. I am ready for the challenge.

I love all of you and wish to thank my dear sweet wife for 9 very supportive years and I know that her heart will also feel an empty spot for these many wonderful experiences that we have enjoyed. I could never have done the things I have done in scouting without her and only ask for her continued support as we move it up an age group.

Bryan

Happy Birthday

TEGAN,


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! WE HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT BIRTHDAY.

LOVE
DANIEL, EMMALYNN, UNCLE GARY, AND AUNT LAREE

Happy Birthday Tegan

Tegan,

I hope you had a wonderful birthday. You are such a cute little girl. I am glad to be your uncle. I always like to see you when I come to your house. You always have a smile and give me the shy look. It is fun to watch you grow up. I am sure it is not easy being the youngest in your family but enjoy it because not everyone gets to be the youngest. You are so talented and I love how you love your mom and dad and brothers and sister. I hope they take good care of you!

I can't wait to see you again. We will be passing through the last weekend of May as we are coming home from a wedding in Salt Lake.

I love you!

Uncle Bryan

Zoo & new dog

Family,

I thought I would post some pictures from the Zoo, Easter and some of our new dog Tuc (Emmalynn named him). He is a cute golden lab. We are starting all over with the chewing but Lexi has already chewed up everything so we are a little immune to it all. Hope this finds all of you happy, and healthy.

Cruise

Ketchikan 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM - Totem Pole and Lumberjack Activity
Juneau 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Mendenhall Glacier and City Tour $40 and Tram $27
Skagway 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM - Train Ride
Victoria 5:00 PM to Midnight - Maybe just stroll the city but this is the last night on the boat so the entertainment could be more appealing. It will be our last night on the boat to have dinner, etc. However, I am not opposed to going on a little self guided tour just to say that I did it.

These are my initial thoughts. They are also suggestions I have received from my hometeaching family who went on this cruise. We might be able to do Juneau cheaper by checking into it when we get there. Maybe the same for the Totem Pole and Lumberjack activity in Ketchikan. But I think the train ride we need to schedule because we have to ride back in a motor coach to catch the ship. At least that is what is sounds like.

I am really open to the various activities.

Once we hear from everyone, maybe we can decide what makes the most sense. Another idea is to assign one city to each sibling to do some homework and give us a recap of what we can do.

I actually don't like being off the ship at night because there are so many fun things to do on the ship at night. So Juneau and Victoria are the two cities that would allow us to be off the ship at night. Juneau, we could probably do the tram and see the glacier park in 4 to 5 hours and get back to the ship for the nightly entertainment if we wanted to.

Look forward to other ideas.

Bryan

Cruise

I was looking at some of the excursions available.

IN Ketchikan the Rainforest wildlife sanctuary looked fun. $85 per person
IN Juneau the Deluxe Mendenhall Glacier & Juneau Highlights looked fun $89 per person
IN Skagwan the White pas scienic railway looked fun. $125 per person

What are the rest of you thinking looks fun or have you not had a chance to look.

Have a great week
Laree

My Mother's Day gift to Michele

This is our new strawberry patch. Hopefully, the strawberries will not go into too much shock. I am hoping that they will even produce strawberries this year. This sits west of our dining room window at the corner of the house. It should be a lot of fun to see this fill in with strawberries.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to My Mom, Wife, Sisters, Sister-in-law and daughter and nephew's wife!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I want to wish Mom a wonderful and Happy Mother's Day. I love you so much! Thanks for all you do, have done, and will yet do to help keep me on the straight and narrow path. You have been a great mother. Thank you for all you have done, I love you, and you are okay! These are the 3 things we learned that we should express to our mother. So I am following the counsel of our youth speaker today.

Mom can you believe you have been a mother for almost 52 years. That is a long time. You have done an incredible job. I know that 49 years of your mothering has had to deal with a stubborn son at times okay maybe more often than I should have been. Yes, I remember well the groundings, the spankings, and the stern rebukes that helped change my behavior for the better but I mostly remember the times we sat and talked while we shelled pees, or your presence at my ball games, helping me get my Eagle and other awards, always encouraging me to do my best. I remember you always being there for my kids births, baptisms, priesthood ordinations, mission farewells, graduations, marriages, (And I hope you will be to two more in the next couple of years.) :-)

Mom, I hope you enjoy a wonderful day. Your example is one to seek to follow. I know in doing so, I will find myself in good places and doing good things.

I love you!

To Chelsea and Stepahnie may you also have a wonderful day and may you know that I admire all your early mothering skills. You are just starting out and you are establishing your own mothering skills and rely a little on your mother's or mother-in-laws and that is okay. You will find what works for you and you will soon realize that each child takes different techniques but there is always a few common threads that you will always rely on such as love, prayer, the gospel and patience.

To Karen, Laree and Robyn, you are great mothers. You have done very well. It is a pleasure to see your children want to follow your example and stay close to you and your teachings. May they always cherish you and continue to strive to follow your examples because in so doing they will find the true joy and happiness in this life.

Last but not least, I want Michele to know how much I appreciate your example and your love for our children and grandchild and me. I am so happy to have the opportunity to be your eternal companion. I look forward to our days we have together in this life as well as the life to come. You are certainly the better half in our marriage and I am glad our children have chosen to emulate your great qualities in their lives.

I love all of you so much and appreciate my association with all of you!

Nieces and Nephews, Cherish your mothers. Follow them in exactness and with obedience and you will receive the blessings of our Father in Heaven.

Macy, Shawn and Max,

Love your mothers and give them big hugs and kisses because they love you and sacrifice much so that they can be your mommies.

Happy Mother's Day!

Bryan

I have to say I have a very cute grand daughter!

Chelsea, thanks for posting the picture. Macy is smiling and is very cute. She is starting a lot younger than you!

I just played a good game of racquetball and decided since I am not tired to write a few words.

Laurie is not doing real well in several areas but is doing well in others. The radiation seems to help but the chemo has not. She is starting a different Chemo tomorrow. It is an IV dosage that is suppose to last for about one month. 30% of the patients have responded to this type of Chemo so we are all praying that Laurie will respond. The cancer has continued to spread to other areas of her body which really has Gary down. I think it would be terrible to have a wife dying of cancer but to be able to understand the XRAYS and all the medical stuff would even make it harder, which it has for Gary. We are all still praying for a miracle but realize that our trust is in God's hands. It certainly makes you stop and realize how important it is to live every minute with your family and not to have any regrets. I think too many times we lose focus on what matters most. Well at least I think I do. So I better get my act together and start spending more time with family and less time at work.

Kaitlyn is now playing ASA and will play 28+ games between now and July 12th. We were putting our calendar together and it is amazing that we only have two open Saturdays between now and the Cruise. Time is going to fly.

We love all of you so much. You are a great family to belong to. I am also proud to be a Mecham and Maughan. What a great legacy that has been passed down to us. Mom and Dad, we love you and appreciate your example. To my siblings, you are all an inspiration to me. I appreciate all you do and for the example you set for me. To my brothers and sister-in-law, I enjoy having you as part of our family and the way you make us better. To my nieces and nephews, you are all awesome. Keep up the good work and stay close to the Lord as He is the true way to happiness. Even if sometimes it is not convenient, you will always be happy. To my children and grandchildren and wife, you are the joy of my life. I couldn't have handpicked any better. Wait a minute, I did handpick my wife and I have to say that I did a pretty good job! :-)

As they say in French, Sois Sage, Que puis-je dire de plus! Interpretation - Oh be wise, what more can I say!

Love, Bryan

Room Finished

Hey Family!

Just wanted to tell you we got the carpet in the bedroom downstairs!!! YEAH!!! Gary and I are finishing up our classes this week and our autobiographies. This has been hard to write about yourself with the questions that they give us to answer. Hopefully next week or the week after we can have our homestudy done.

Chelsea, I can't believe how big and cute Macy is getting. It will be fun to see you guys when you come to Boise. When is that by the way?

Derek, How is your internship going? Are you liking it?

Josalyn, How is your summer going? I hope great! Are you still working 3 jobs???

Bryan & Family, it sounds like Kaitlyn had a good softball year. Hope all of you are doing well! Michele, we were sorry to hear about the cancer with Laurie. We pray that she will be able to see all the fun things ahead for her this summer with her children and pray that the chemo/radiation will help her. She is in our thoughts and prayers.

Karen & Family, I hope you are still alive!!! Hopefully by the end of this week you will like mother's again HAHA! Thanks for taking time out of candle making for the zoo. Emmalynn keeps talking about it.

Keith & Family, are you surving the baseball??? Brant it sounds like you had some good games this week. Tegan, we hope you have a great Birthday! We know it isn't tell the 14th but just in case your aunt forgets we hope you have a great one!

Chase & Stephanie, Emmalynn was very excited to see little Shawn at the zoo. It was fun seeing how big your boys are getting. Stephanie, how is your mom doing? Have the doctors been able to figure out what is going on yet? We keep her in our prayers.

Grandma & Grandpa, thanks for all your help with the basement. Your the greatest parents a girl could have. Your also the greatest grandparents a mom could wish for her children. Thanks for all your do for us.

We love all of you and hope this e-mail finds you all happy, healthy and ready for some fun in the sun (if we ever get to see it for more than a day)!

Love the Packard's

Watch Out Macy's got a boyfriend... With Wheels

This is Macy with her friend Gunnar. Macy adores Gunnar. We are going to save this picture for their wedding video montage. This car is awesome I've ridden on it and I want it.

Exciting NEWS from the Hansen's :)

Woah Guess what we just committed to? We are going to participate in a sprint triathlon. For those of you who are like me and have no idea what that is, it is a race with three legs. The first leg is a 500 meter swim (10 laps), second, 15 mile bike ride, and third, 5k run (or in my case crawl because I am sure I will be dead by then). So most of you know I am a "big" Biggest Loser fan and tonight their challenge was to run a marathon. All 4 contestants finished the race. I guess you could say I was inspired. Also Charlie's great timing kicked in too because he has asked me to do this with him for months but I have turned him down cold. So Yay for good television inspiration and an awesome husband who gives me the most inspiration in the world. Oh and by the way I am in the 150's now and that hasn't happened probably since high school.

Kaitlyn's season is done.

Kaitlyn ended up finishing tied for third place in the J.V. tournament. She caught and played well in game one of the tournament. She hit a double and had some other good hits. They played in the rain the entire game. She didn't play in the second game of the tournament and they ended up losing in extra innings. I think she should have been put back in at catcher as the other catcher let 4 passed balls go by that all resulted in runs. The margin of defeat was 3.

Now we start ASA. She has a scrimmage on Wednesday night.

Derek and Josalyn are down in Arizona for a wedding of Derek's roommate. They are staying with Charlie and Chelseaa and Macy.

We are looking forward to a relaxing sabbath day.

We love you, the Mecham's in Meridian