Hunting Pics with Gramps!

One of the greatest blessings I've had in my life is my Dad. He's a constant that has always been there for me in times when I've needed him and in times that were just fun, he's added to my life in so many ways that they are too many to count.

Growing up as a kid, I didn't have the best life to look forward too back then. I had a beautiful single mom that was always preyed upon by various malcreants. We were poor, living in some pretty interesting places back in those days. My mom had come out of an extremely abusive relationship with my biological father where there was severe physical, mental, financial and Heaven only knows what kind of abuse which was mostly mostly inflicted upon her. The worse was when he held a gun to her head and that is when she decided to get out.

When she met my dad Tony (1964), I sensed his goodness and fell right into his calm demeanor. We became best of friends and I was jealous that he wanted to spend time with my mom instead of me. Well, it all worked out in the end and I was sealed to him and my mom years later in the Los Angeles Temple. I had returned from my mission and was know as Elder Ralph Perez. The folks at the Temple had a hard time understanding why I didn't change my name. I told them it was what I was know as and that worked for me. It took them a while to accept that but they eventually did.

My dad took a city boy and taught him how to hunt, fish, and to love the outdoors. He also taught me how to have etiquette, respect for others, especially the elderly and to be accepting of all people and to give more than I ever took.To this day, the legacy of what he taught me, all the good things, all the life lessons, many were taught out in the field or while he and I worked on cars at night while I was kid, lives on and have been taught to my kids. I've done a terrible job of emulating what he taught me but I always had his example to use as a standard. I would do anything to hang around and learn from him. He taught me to be honest and upright. Even though there were challenges in his life, he made sure that we didn't make the same mistakes. This last week my dad had an Elk hunt that he came up for. Despite our best efforts, we just couldn't catch up with them. I watched my 76 year old dad hunt with the same enthusiasm he had when I first met him. He can't seem to go as far or nearly as fast but, he still goes and that to me is important. His words are " I had a great wilderness experience! Chuckle Chuckle Chuckle!" We are still laughing at our funny follies chasing these blasted critters but what is the real plus, is the memories we made and the feelings shared. Tony my son, Gramps and me had another wonderful bonding experience out in the hills. It's barely over and we're already planning the next year! Crazy huh? ha ha ha ha

We love you Dad (aka Gramps)!

Stealth Cam Ride 11-07-09

My dad who is 76 years old was fortunate enough to draw an elk tag for our sacred sacred hunting unit. In preparation for his coming up around Thanksgiving time, we went up and placed 3 stealth cams to capture critters moving around. we had a beautiful day for doing this chore. We placed cams up at Chukar Springs, at UDSB, and at Knee Cap Canyon! These names are made up names that we created for the area that we are in and also are to protect the guilty. he he he... I hope you enjoy them.

Fishing after work!! 11-05-09

Dean and i went fishing today after I left work (early).

I bailed out of there at 3 p.m. and hit the river south of town. It was fun and it was beautiful. especially as the sun went down. I caught a small trout on a spoon ( my favorite lure) and cooked him before band practice tonight. Annette had her 4 hour class and never made it home before I left for practice.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Halloween Time With The Kids

Annette and Critter planned a party for all the cousins to come and hang with each other and basically make a mess at Grandmas place! They had fun as did Critter and Annette! Gramps was out hunting for a furry creature and missed the whole thing. He did manage to go Trunk or Treating with Ellory Friday night. We sure do love these little guys! Happy Halloween!!!

Various Family Shots For The Last Few Weeks!

I'm not sure what we have posted lately but here are a few pics from this summer and up to and including this last weekend. We seem to spend lots of time with little Smelly Ellory! What fun it is to be a gramps.

Do We Ever Not Worry For Them?

This last week has been one where I was reminded that perhaps, I should spend more time at home with those that I love the most. It also got me to thinking of each of our children and how they are doing, surviving, coping, struggling, dealing with life, and how they each are doing emotionally. In fact, the week has been filled with emotions for me that have ranged from panic for some of my children to a state of peace in my mind for the others.

I've wondered how each deals with their very own life challenges. I think the most interesting part is how each of them responds so differently to their own situations and circumstances. For one, there is peace in putting one foot in front of the other. For another, there is loneliness and an unsettling feeling of being family-less for the present. For another it's dealing with a world of less than honest people causing huge personal necessity of going without. For another it's working through huge emotional stress and committments mainly imposed by that very same person on that persons own self. For another it's the perfection and absolute accuracy and attention to detail that consumes that persons time and energy perhaps for a population that may or may not even care if that person is doing his or her best. Interestingly enough, each of you could say to yourself that I'm defining you in each of those observations. Maybe I am.

Well, as a parent, I wish I could take all of your pain and struggles away and carry them for you. I've got broad shoulders that the Lord blessed me with and I'm no stanger to the cruelty of life and it's stress and I would do that for you. Unfortunately, we all know that it doesn't work that way. Each of us must rise to the occasion and just do it ourselves. The only thing we as parents can do is at times, provide a bridge to get you there. But you alone must walk the path and come out on top. Good thing we have a Savior huh?

My hope is that each of these loved ones always and I mean always never forget who you are, where you came from and where you are going. I love all of you so very much and I pray for you daily. I pray harder now than I ever have in the past! So does your mom. This is good. I'm certain my folks prayed for me too. At least I hope they did!

Keep making good choices family. For those of you who are struggling with sin. Move away from it. It never makes you feel good in the long run. Short runs, maybe but the cost of that short gratification carries with it an enormous price to pay for the rest of your life. You can either pay it yourself or let the Savior pay it for you. By the way, he already has. He's just waiting for you to give him permission to pay for it. Don't be fooled into thinking that you're too far gone! It's a LIE! The worth of souls is Great. Don't forget that.

I love you all!

Papa Ralph

Labor day Fun with Tony and Julie's Fam 9-5-6-2009

Tony and Jewels asked if we would come up and play with them and their family on the Labor day weekend. We agreed and we were assigned breakfast for about 22 people on Saturday morning. We brought up the fixings for Annette's delicious french toast ( made with cinnamon bread, YUM), dads greasy bacon and sausages, hash browns plain and hash browns O'Perez ( actually O'brien style with onions and green peppers). The peppers were from our garden which was pretty cool. Orange juice or milk for drink. Alllanyone needed was a shot of ketchup or their own hot sauce, a healthy appetite, and they were off to the races.

We got on the boat and had a blast transporting folks to the dock. The water cops were there and they would only allow the recommended number of folks on the boat that it had capacity for. This required us to shuttle folks. Neil took Annette and me and several kids to the first available dock and we got off with the fishing poles and all the gear to fish and swim and have fun. this allowed all the older kids , surf, and have boating fun while we played with the little ones.

Later that night we came back for dinner and played games until about 10:30 and then Annette and I came home because of our responsibilities in the YSA branch. We felt the need to be there and fulfill our responsibilities, especially because we are newer and we want to set a good exapmle for those whom we are entrusted to lead. Besides, we really enjoy it too. We also came back because my allergis were killing me. I'm severely allergic to earthworms. I used them because that's the only thing the fish were biting from the dock. They wouldn't chase a single lure. By the end of the night I my face was swollen like a balloon, and I needed a dose of allergy medicine which I hate to take because it knocks me out for over 24 hours. I struggled all day in church to stay awake.

We went back the next night and played more games and had fun with the kids and got some beautiful night sky.

E.D's first Dove hunt 9-1-09

So Today was E.D.'s first day for going hunting. This lively little 3 year old never stopped all day long. And he thought that he actually shot some doves.
Today we went with Mike Shirts, Jerry Coon, Dean Arnoldsen, Tony and E.D. out west of Idaho Falls along the Lava's and only got 5 doves total. We had a good time enjoying the nice weather and eachothers friendship and also for me, watching my son and grandson interact and bond just like my dad and I used to do. That was the best part.

The final score was, hunters 5 doves. Doves clearly won after nearly a hundred rounds at them. What a great day!!!!

Stealth Cam Run 08-29-2009

Today for me started out at about 5;45 a.m. I purposely stayed in bed for an additional 15 to 20 minuted so that I could tell myself that I slept in. It is amazing how guilt works on the mind!!!!I got up and cleaned the kitchen so that Annette wouldn't have too. She really doesn't love cleaning the kitchen. and I don't mind because it's small . I also folded the white clothes, and ironed a few pairs of pants for both of us. All this becuase I wanted to make sure that we could get off to the Sacred Hunting grounds and place the stealth cams up in our strategic spots. I did have to slip into the office and meet with a client for his annual review and Annette had Visiting Teaching to get done.

We left by 2 p.m. and took our two oldest grandaughters with us ( Hali and Niki). We got there and we were off to do the chore. It is an all day job and because of that, we were only able to get two cameras up and into place.

The girls hiked up those mountains with not too much problem for sure. They are tough little girls. Annette came home sore and tired. as did I .

I only got the 4 pictures but, they should speak a thousand words.

Annette has her own Blog!!!!! Hooray!!!

Yes, she has her own blog and what a treat it is.

Annette is the most well versed woman in the gospel that I know. She can expalin simple truths and make them very understandable and fun. She can also take complicated and difficult subjects and make them very easy to understand.

I remember listening to her as she explained things to me and I was always most impressed at how close she was to the Lord. I've never met anyone that prays so sincerely and so easily as she does. She does this because she is well practiced. C'mon, living with me has required her to be on her knees a whole bunch! he he he he...

http://thinkaboutit-annette.blogspot.com/

You'll find tons of inspiration and well thought sincere thoughts that will warm your heart and give you hope. (check out some of the responses too. some of them blow me away!!)

David's Graduation from Lineman's College 8-13-14-09

We had the opportunity to attend our little Davey's graduation from the Northwest Linemans College and Linemans Rodeo in Kuna this last Thursday and Friday. It was an opportunity to see David excel in his love of his new career. What a great thing for us as parents to see a son make good choices and have opportunities in multiple ways presented before him. We can see how he and Stephie will be greatly blessed for the sacrifices they have made.
It was also fun giving the girls ( Kenzi and Ry) rides in the bucket. David was busy competing in the rodeo when I had the hair-brained idea to take Kenzi up in the bucket about 50 feet or so (hey, it's windy up there and wobbly). David didn't see us until I was about 20 feet up! He just looked and said "NOOO!" Too late! We were up in the air and what a view. The Lineman that operated the bucket was so very kind and polite. Anyway, we made it back down and a little later Donette took Rylee up and Dave actually took the controls over and took them up.

It was fun watching and I was so proud to see David with his entire graduating class and see the hope in all of their eyes. It was a great weekend.

The girls are doing great and they are beautiful. It was a great trip for Annette and I. I was informed that I hadn't done a thing all summer with Annette and that we didn't go anywhere. So, we squoze one day into the summer. Hey, it's been a tight year so we'll make up for it next year.

We love all of our kids and are especially pleased and glory with all of those who have made great choices in life. We celebrate with you and revel with you in your new found career choices and love you dearly for it. We love all of you and want the best for you all. Keep making good choices and you'll see what happens! Trust me!!!!!! It's Good!!!!

Love,

Papa Ralph