Please click on the blue link above that says "View Larger Map" to see better directions. The Park is located in Riverton Utah, (yes that is a change to what we said earlier). It is located on 12400 South and 1000 West. You will turn east on 12400 south into a neighborhood, once you are on 12400 south, just follow it all the way back, and you will dead end into the park's parking lot! I tried to show that you will get off on the 12300 south exit from I-15, the same exit you take to go to Grandma and Grandpa's, only you turn west instead of east off the exit.
And here are the updates!
Our contribution to the June family newsletter will consist of a historical review of Grandpa’s high school years. Gerald Allen Wilkinson lived in Navco, Alabama (a suburb of Mobile) with his parents, sister and brother when he attended Murphy High School from 1943 to 1947. You may recall that the United States’ active involvement in World War 2 was between 1941 and 1945. His high school years were from the middle of to shortly after the end of this war. Some veterans enrolled in high school after 1945. Murphy High was located about ten miles from Navco and there were no public school buses available, so transportation to high school each day was by car-pooling with other Navco students.
Murphy High was the only public high school in Mobile at that time. There was, however, both a Catholic high school as well as a private high school in the city both with a sizable enrollment. All three of these schools were segregated (whites only) and I suppose there was a colored high school but I don’t recall anything concerning it. Segregation was in full swing at this time but wasn’t an issue with either the white or black population. Mobile has a strong Spanish heritage and this is reflected in the architecture of Murphy High buildings. Admiral Pineda, a Spaniard, discovered Mobile Bay in 1519. The Spanish failed in their colonizing efforts of Mobile but the French succeeded in 1711. Mobile became an English colony in 1763 after the French and Indian War. The Spaniards reclaimed the city in 1780 and held it until the United States acquired it in 1813 as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
Gerald enjoyed his time at Murphy even though he was a small fish in a large pond. There were about 700 in the 1947 senior class and over 3000 total students. Interestingly enough, there were only about 6 or 7 LDS students in the entire student body. Mobile had an LDS Branch of less than 150 members with an average attendance at church meetings of 50-60. Gerald graduated, with honors, May 29, 1947 and left with his family the next day headed to Utah.
Grandpa & Grandpa
Ron & Maud Mary Family:
Hello family, this is Anne. Mom is recovering from surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and to shave off some bone spurs. She started writing this email but it was taking her a long time so I took over. She had surgery on Tuesday the 20th of May. Grandma brought us dinner. It was delicious. Then the relief society president brought us cookies. They were fabulous. Mom is feeling much better. The first couple days were a little rough and she took a lot of pain killers. It was kind of entertaining. She has been sleeping in the recliner in the living room and Karen has been sleeping in there also to keep an eye on her. She is doing much better now though. She has been up and back to her old self except for the fact that she can't really use her left arm. She will be in a sling for about 6 weeks and she is doing some physical therapy.
Dad is doing great. He has been trying to keep up with work and church stuff. He loves having Karen home to tease. He is excited to go to Idaho and we are hoping to get the Internet to work up there so he can come and visit us more often. For those who might not know we are getting ready to go spend time at the Westover Ranch this summer. For anyone who hasn't been there in a while you should come up and see us. It is kind of fun.
In Brent and Melissa's family you have already heard the best news. Elf is going to officially become part of our family on July 16th. Then on August 9th, it will become officially forever. He is such a fun little guy. Bear and Bug are doing well. They are busy playing outside with their friends and tending the garden. Bear is excited to be out for summer vacation and Bug is excited to go to Idaho. Bug graduated from preschool and is ready for kindergarten. Bear is taking care of Eric's chickens while their family is on vacation. It has been an adventure. Brent and Melissa are also doing well. They have been going to classes for the adoption and they have passed their background checks. Woo Hoo!
As I said earlier Eric and Shannon and their family went on vacation. They went to Nebraska to visit Shannon's sister. Eric has been working on his garden. It is huge. Shannon has become a bee charmer. She looks very cute in her bee costume. Emma is getting ready to start kindergarten. Dallin is still catching all the chickens. Lizzy is up and walking around. She has become a little tornado and she chases the chickens (the chickens usually out run her).
As for me, I have moved out of the house I was renting with my roommates. I am hoping to buy a house in the fall. Since I spend most of the summer in Idaho I decided it would save me a ton of money if I didn't have to pay rentor utilities. My roommates found another girl to take my spot. Her name is Annie. We thought it was kind of funny. Anyways, most of my stuff is in the garage. Oh yeah, we also fixed up mom's garage for her. We built shelves and painted/sealed the floor. We got the walls and ceiling painted too. Well, I should say half painted. We got half of it done then mom had her surgery. We are hoping to get it finished in the fall. But now that the garage is all nice and pretty I stuffed all my belongings and furniture into that half of the garage. Grandpa saw it before we filled it up. He can tell you how pretty it is. So, anyways, if you know of any cheap houses in Davis County that I could buy, let me know. I can't wait for school to get out. As of tonight (which is May 28th) I only have 2 days of school left. Hopefully I can survive.
Karen is doing great. She finished the semester at Utah State. Now she is at home and is being all crafty. She is glad to be away from weird roommates. She stole my book The Host which I bought when it first came out. She says it is a great book and she is enjoying it. She has been very helpful to mom. The physical therapist showed her how to do some exercises with mom and so she has been making mom do her exercises.
Amy has been working hard on making rugs. She loves this new craft. She is pretty good at it. She has discovered the kits don't always have enough yarn in them so she is often trying to match colors, which can be difficult. Amy is excited to go to Idaho and to mow the lawn. She has been extra nice to her dad since father's day is coming up (wink, wink).
Niki is also busy helping out with the house. Because mom has only one good arm Niki has become the resident chef. She is actually a really good cook. She makes lots of different things. She is going to take the summer off of work and be our cook up in Idaho. She is going to interview for a job working as a teacher's aide tomorrow. Hopefully it will work out for her.She is excited to spend the summer with her favorite sister (I'm not tellingwhich of us is her favorite sister).
Brent Melissa & Boys:
We are doing well and are so excited for summer! Bear just finished 2nd grade and is looking forward to kids club starting. Bug graduated from pre-school and will start a summer kindergarten program next week. Bear and Bug are playing baseball and loving it! Elf is trying to walk, he wants to keep up with his brothers, when he isn’t playing in the dog food or dumping whatever he can onto the floor! In all our spare time we are enjoying the warm weather!
We are looking forward to the family party at the end of the month!
Dan & Verna Family:
The Higbee family is doing well. We just expanded our family to include 12 year old KuRanda. We don't know how long she will be with us, but so far so good. She is a real trooper and we love having her. Lacie is now officially out of foster care but living with us as a renter. We are thrilled with that. She graduated as an honor student from Emery High School and Tanya and Courtney graduated from San Rafael Jr. High.
Sunday, June 1 Davey will be ordained to the Priesthood and become a deacon. We are so proud of him.
John and Liz believe they have sold their video game store and are now ready for bigger and better things.
Brandon, Suzanne & Keaton:
The month of May has left us quickly. Brandon has been busy helping people move and working on the yard. In May, Suzanne had to have a 2nd set of Cortisone shots for her back (it has caused her pain since Keaton's birth). Even with side effects from the shots, Suzanne and Keaton are enjoying spending time with our next door neighbors. We just got back Friday from our yearly stay at Snowbird. Suzanne's parents have had a timeshare there for several years now and Keaton enjoyed the swimming, resort activities and the snow. Suzanne enjoyed getting out of the house and Brandon enjoyed the time off. We hope everyone has a great summer and congratulations to all that need to be congratulated for something.
Gary & Bev Family:
Gary & Bev - May has been a quiet month for us but it seems we keep busy. Gary is really busy with work. The division of Helix Electric he opened here in Phoenix has really done well. They even moved to a bigger office. Way to go Gary! Bev just stays busy at home. Going to lunches with a group of ladies and doing family history with the new family search.
Riley & family - keeping busy with sick kids, school, baseball, softball, PTA, & work. Chesley had closing ceremony for her softball. She has done very well this year. She also made All-Stars HOOOORAY!!!
Britany & Family - busy with plumbing problems, sick kids, swim music & dance lessons, & work. Maya had her first dance recital.
Kellen & Family - they also stay busy with Olivia and work.
We look forward to seeing you at the Wilkinson Reunion the end of June!
Britany:)
Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
We hope this newsletter finds you well and most importantly that you have been practicing your organ skills. Oh do we have an offer for you! We recently attended an Arizona Diamondbacks Major League Baseball game. While there we met a nice fellow by the name of Bobby Freeman. As you can see from the attached pictures, he plays the organ at the baseball games. When Gary started talking to him and mentioned his parents love of the organ, he made him an offer. Please consider his job offer to play as substitutes at the games that he is unable to attend.
If you must decline, know that you will be receiving an autographed copy of his picture (addressed "To Gerald and Donna"). This is a true gem!
Sincerely,
Jeremy, Britany, Maya and Kenyon
(Oh and Gary who did all of the "groundwork" in bringing this phenomenal opportunity to you!)
Dwayne & Patty Family:
Dwayne and Patty: Dwayne has been taking the missionaries to the temple once a week, and has been helping them with a woman and her daughter who have been taking the discussions. The daughter will be baptized June 14. I have finished up with school for the year and will enjoy the summer vacation time.
Ben and Alissa: Ben is closer to getting his business started. Ben and Alissa took Jacob to his first pro baseball game. He had a great time, and decided to take a nap in the 7th inning.
Todd and Jade: Todd is out of school for the summer and enjoying the break. Jade loves her new job.
Steph: Is coming home for a few days this month and we are so... excited to see her and spend time with her.
Heather: Is working hard and getting ready for college life. She loves the ward she is in and is meeting new people.
We are looking forward to the family reunion and visiting with everyone that will be there.
Hal & Diana Family:
Jeremy & Laura Family:
Jeremy and Laura are doing great. Laura got a full tuition scholarship to finish her program this fall. She also sold her wedding dress to a very grateful girl in Tooele. Laura also got another calling to add to her librarian standing. She is on the compassionate service board and is the lady who arranges for meals to be brought to families who need them. Paul got a shiny red tricycle for his birthday. He had a blast playing on Grandma and Grandpa's new swing set. Jeremy finally had success with the grill on Memorial Day and we had some good BBQ chicken and corn on the cob. Jeremy is glad that American Idol is over and he has his wife back on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. We visited Ma and Pa Jensen in Richfield where the men folk went four wheeling in the hills and the women folk and baby folk ran errands and kept house. It was very nice.
-laura, jeremy and paul jensen
Josh & Jessica Family:
This part of the Jensen family is about the same. We are going on a camp out with Jessica's side of the family the last weekend in May. She is very excited and hopefully it will be lot of fun. We are also getting family pictures in a few weeks. We haven't had a really good family picture since before Kelly went on his mission and there have been three sister-in-laws and three babies added to the family. Crazy how time flies. Jessica did take me on a little surprise campout for my birthday. We went to Kolob and we fished the next morning. I caught about 4 fish in an hour and a half so all in all a good morning. That's about it. Jessica starts her marathon training on June 2 and is really looking forward to that. Hope everyone has a great month and Happy Birthday to Kelly on the 13th!!
Love the Josh Jensen's
