Saturday, July 31, 2010

FORMER ALPINE STUDENT PASSES AWAY

Obituary
AARON GARRETT




Aaron Dakota Garrett 1981 ~ 2010 Aaron Dakota Garrett, Navajo name Haashk'e Iini Yedilwo'ii,(Warrior Who Runs With Lightning), was born Nov. 1, 1981 in Orem, Ut, died July 24, 2010, in Alpine, Ut. Aaron grew up in Alpine, graduated from Lone Peak High School in 2000, where he excelled academically and in sports, particularly baseball and football. As a youngster he played on the Alpine Little League All-Star team, which went on to win the WBBA Little League World Series. From his freshman through senior years, Aaron played short stop and second base for the Lone Peak High baseball team, highlighted by a successful run to the state championship in 2000. He was named Most Valuable Player of the state All-Star baseball team. A natural and gifted athlete, Aaron also played high-school football with talent enough to win a football scholarship to Virginia University. From 2001-2003, Aaron served honorably in the Ghana Accra Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He developed a deep love and compassion for the African people, learning to speak in the Ghanaian dialect Twi ("chwee"). It was always his dream to return there one day. When it came time to return home, Aaron tried to discreetly bring his pet monkey back with him, but of course, was soon found out. For a time, Aaron's wanderlust took him to the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he was a jet-ski and diving tour guide. He loved to read -- favorite books were The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series. And, although he didn't want to admit it, he also was hooked on the Twilight series and OC. Other interests included writing poetry, playing and writing music (he played both piano and guitar), art, and photography. He also could swing a mean golf club. To Aaron, family was everything, and he loved them truly and unconditionally. His most prized possession was his rambunctious little 4-year-old son, Jaden. They often went camping together, rode horses, played in the park, sat around a campfire and laughed until they had to catch their breaths. Aaron took great pride in his Native American culture and heritage. His Navajo clan was Ta'baaha (Edgewater) and his maternal grandfather's clan was Lo'K'aah Dine (Reed People). He was passionate about learning the culture's stories, skills, ceremonies and arts, and incorporating them into his life. He learned to make knives, jewelry and leather crafts. A favorite pastime was to build a fire outside and listen to stories of the Navajo people. He also was an accomplished Native American dancer and performed locally and internationally with his mother, uncle and siblings. He participated in sweat lodges and sang Sundance songs with his brothers and uncles. Besides his son, Jaden Winter, Aaron is survived by his parents; Ray and Milli Cody Garrett, brothers; Jathan Cody (Marianne) Garrett and Kotah Ray Garrett, sisters; Meagan Garrett (Ty) Welch and Tessie Marie Garrett. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bank of American Fork in the name of Aaron Garrett, for a special fund on behalf of his son, Jaden. Funeral services for Aaron will be held Monday, August 2, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Alpine North LDS Stake Center Chapel, 1125 North Alpine Blvd., Alpine, Utah. Friends may attend a viewing at the church on Sunday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Monday morning from 9:30 -10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Alpine City Cemetery. Funeral Directors - Warenski Funeral Home of American Fork, Utah. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.warenski.com

Saturday, July 24, 2010

OUR PIONEER ANCESTORS



Do you have any Pioneer ancestors? Our poll question showed that 94% have Pioneer ancestors, and 5% do not. One of my Pioneer ancestors is Jane Ann Ollerton McPherson. She was born in England...one of seventeen children. Eight of her brothers and sisters died before the family left for America. Her parents, John Ollerton and Alice Dandy, and all nine surviving children left England in 1856. They ended up crossing the plains, headed to Salt Lake City. John Dandy, Jane Ann's father, died on the Wyoming plains in November of 1856. Her mother, Alice Dandy, died one week later, a few miles away. All of the surviving nine children reached the Salt Lake Valley. Jane Ann was 15 at the time of the journey, and her sibblings finished raising her.
Thank you to all of our Pioneer ancestors. We are forever grateful for the sacrifices that were made in establishing our great state!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

CLEAR CREEK...WITHOUT THE KIDS

On July 19, Miss Wayman, Miss Larsen, Ms. Washburn, and myself went to Clear Creek for a day. The State wants everyone who uses rope courses, to be certified through the State. It was a fun day!

One of our teachers.


Learning to spot properly.


For "Wild Woozey," each person and their partner were on a triangle-shaped cable. Partners pushed each others hand, while walking down the cables.



In "Nitro Crossing," each team had to get each member to swing to the board or platform, without touching the ground.




Can you see Ms. Washburn on the log?


We had to get everyone on the log lined up according to height, without stepping off the log.


Mrs. Stephenson comes down the log.


Can you see Miss Wayman (white shirt) and our new principal, Miss Larsen (purple shirt)?


"Whale Watch"...we had to balance everybody on the board, without it touching the ground.




"Mohawk Walk"...lots of fun with the ropes.



Climbing through the hula hoop, without breaking grips.

WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD!

Every year, the Alpine Community Theater presents a great production. This year, the play was "The Wizard of Oz!" I love "The Wizard of Oz!!!" When I was in 2nd grade, I had the chicken pox the first week back to school after Christmas break. Because my mom taught school, she took me to Nephi to stay with my grandma, grandpa, and great grandpa for a week. We watched the movie on tv. When Dorothy's house landed in Oz, the movie changed from black & white...to COLOR!!! My grandparents had a color tv. This was the first time I had EVER seen a show in COLOR!!! This movie came on tv once a year the entire time I was growing up! It was always on a Sunday night.
Three of my great nieces went with me to Alpine to see the play! Elizabeth from my class was Munchkin and a poppy. Several current and former students of Alpine Elementary were in the production.


Cast of Wizard of Oz...from Facebook page.


Waiting for the play to begin.
Camry, Courtney, Jaycie



Waiting to meet Dorothy and Toto.


Dorothy was the only character Camry would get her picture taken with.


Tinman


Trees


The Wicked Witch of the West


Glinda, the Good Witch


Cowardly Lion


Scarecrow


Jaycie (5), Camry (4 1/2), Courtney (9 1/2)

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

OUR FAVORITE 4TH OF JULY ACTIVITY IS...

. . . FIREWORKS!
It received 36% of the votes!


Receiving 15% of the votes was . . .
STADIUM OF FIRE
Fireworks at the Stadium of Fire at LaVell Edward Stadium in Provo.


Carrie Underwood was the star attraction this year.


With 10% of the votes . . .
CAMPING . . . and


. . . BEING WITH FAMILY
This is my family on my birthday . . .October 2008.


The two newest members of my family . . .
Addison, 2 months


Carter, 6 months


The following activities received 5% of the vote:
BBQ


BOATING/KAYAKING


This is one of my roommates from Dixie...Sara and her granddaughter, Valerie. Sara loves to kayak! She lives in Las Vegas.


GOING TO THE CANYON . . .a view from the trail to Timpanogos Cave.


SWIMMING