St. George, Who Knew

It was spring Break and we were throwing ideas around with Stephanie and the kids.  Our kids were pushing for Disneyland. Then Stephanie had an idea that we would have never thought of.  She had a friend with condos that needed to be used in St. George.  Of course we have driven by St. George and that is where all of our Snowbirds go when it gets too cold here, but we had no idea what we would experience there. 

The boys decided to do a hike on the back side of Zions for the first day, so Stephanie and I and the girls were looking for an easy activity.  We heard Pioneer Park, which is right in town had a crack.  So we hiked around looking for it.  The first thing I noticed was the hyper green grass.  Maybe it was because of the contrasting red, but I'm not so sure.  We found the crack and received some advice on walking up it and not panicking and filling your lungs so you don't get stuck.  I thought I'd be fine.  We finally found the lower side and started up the crack.  What I didn't realize is that walking up sideways was tricky if you had a bad or weak knee.  I was pretty much stuck and couldn't go back.  It was a little panicky for the adults and a few of the kids, but we kept it together and finished. Quite the accomplishment.  Advice for adults, if you are claustrophobic it may not be for you.

 Zions National Park is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  We stopped at the Narrows first.  The water was so high.  People in waders were trying to walk up it.  We just stayed near the edge.

 Weeping Rock hike was beautiful and Emerald Pools trail as well.  Zion's has many 1.5 mile hikes which was perfect for our group. The Youngs, Stephanie's neighbor and friends came with their two boys as well.  We were a jolly group.

 Gunlock has not had this much water in 7 years. It was pretty incredible to see how powerful the falls were.  Jeff and I ran up to see since we may not see it again for a long time.

Snow Canyon was one of our favorites.  The Hermansen's recommended it and kind of gave us directions, because things weren't really marked or descriptive on the pamphlet.  The Lava Tubes were a hit.  They were super cool and not necessarily for kids.  You needed help getting down.  One of our teenagers climbed up to a cool spot, but could not get down.  With much help, he finally made it down.

 

The outside of the Lava Tubes was so pretty with the green and the rust.

Snow Canyon has this bumpy hill that  I think is called a sandstone domb.  It is covered with small, rounded, red rocks, called Moqui Marbles. I've never seen anything like it.  It was quite the sight. 

 

Jeff really wanted to go to a slot canyon and we had so much fun here climbing and playing with the orange dust.  it was the coolest place.

Our last official activity was going to Tuachan, which is an outdoor theater with the red rock in the background.  It kind of backs up to Snow Canyon.  We watched the comedian Ryan Hamilton.  He was very clean and I don't know if I've laughed that hard for that long, ever.  I just kept looking at our group and everyone was busting up the whole time.  Kate and Mitchell joined our group that night and the next day.

Since the last day was short we decided to just hang out by the pool and be with Katelyn and Mitchell.  We got famous frozen custard and  ate at the Cracker Barrel on the way home before we parted ways.  What a wonderful adventure we had in St. George.  I get it now why so many people want to be there or visit there.

Robert W. Miller, My Dad

I finally have time to think about what I want to say about my sweet dad who passed away last week. Those of you who knew him knew how faithful, stalwart and true he was when it came to his testimony of Christ and the gospel. He gave me the gift of faith through his example and all the little things he did every day. He spent time with me, he taught me, he took one of his children on a date every week, we had family home evening and he woke us every morning to read scriptures by playing "Old Susannah," on the Harmonica. Although he fought many illnesses throughout his life, you would never have known. He was a well, sick person. He lived life like he was doing great. We thought he would only live until he was 40, so 83 was pretty good. He and my mom had a romance for the books. They were smitten until the end. I personally felt like that is why he stayed around so long. I always admired my dad and quoted him for years. I still do. He was wise and intelligent, but he always trusted God over his own wisdom. Since he was little he wanted to be a farmer and have animals. He hitchhiked to BYU and ended up being a dentist with a hobby farm instead. He especially loved chickens and growing watermelons. One family reunion he had about 20 melons ready to be opened. We could have one all to ourselves. He was always learning and coming up with some exciting creation, whether it was painting pictures of my mom, building a greenhouse, designing a donkey rocking horse or making a treasure chest for a child with original carvings. In the rest home, he was growing tomatoes and still looking for people to serve. As the greeter for church, people just loved to talk to him. I love and adore my dad with all of his strengths and weaknesses. He lived life to it's fullest. I am proud to be his daughter and so thankful that God gave me such an incredible dad. Mary Miller Jones

My wonderful grandpa passed away this morning after a few years of failing health. I looked up to him in every way. He was talented, sharp, humble, very cool and strong. He was a great dancer and an excellent artist. It was such a treat when he would sketch us our portrait. When he visited, he would take us on individual grandkid dates, and he’d let me show him all of my tricks. He loved God, he loved my grandma, and he loved his family. He was the very best of men.

A couple weeks ago we were able to visit him and my grandma. I was grateful for that visit then, but I’m so grateful now. LaMar even gave some of the best smiles he has ever given during that visit. I’ll treasure this happy photo always.

Til we meet again, Grandpa Miller. I love you so so much. ❤️

Megan’s wonderful father, Robert Miller passed away this week being 83 years old and married to Janet Miller for 60 years. He was a tremendous father, valiant in his faith and his service to others. Rob was a great example to me of a man that was solid in his convictions, always creating something cool and deeply loved Megan’s mother. 

When Megan and I were first married and living in California, we would drive to Dos Palos on the weekends often and visit her parents. His farm was full of fruit, art projects (life-sized, carved out of a tree Pete’s Dragon), homemade forts, zip lines, chickens and his free-roaming peacock, Warren Beatty. 

I enjoyed being with and helping him on the farm w various projects during these weekends. Conversations were enjoyable and I appreciated his candor, opinions, and perspective. He had many opinions and enjoyed a good debate. 🙂

Of the many things that he and I spoke about, the single thing that he shared with me that has made a lasting impact on me was this...”My life has been great amidst all of my many trials because I have followed the smartest being in the universe. Heavenly Father made more out of my life than I could have ever made for myself”. He loved God and showed it in his actions! 

Thank you, Dad, for sharing your talents, being a true friend to me and loving those around you. You are deeply loved and missed! Travis Liston

• One of my greatest art inspirations passed away last week—my Grandpa. He was so talented and creative! 

  
  

  When he’d come visit, he’d have me and my siblings sit for individual portraits. These are treasures! 

  One of my favorite things to do when he visited was to have an art lesson. It was so special to spend time with him and learn from the master (pretty much Da Vinci in my eyes.) He let me use his nice pastels and watercolors. 

  The second picture is when he taught me how to paint a sunset at age 8. He taught me how to fade the warm colors into the blue sky and how the shapes in front of the sunset were black silhouettes. I was so proud to sign my name to it! But looking back now, I can see his swatches of color in the top corner and his pencil drawing underneath the black sharpie that I traced. 

  Such a special Grandpa. Kathryn Christensen Mitchell

 

My Grandpa Miller passed away January 12, 2019. He was an incredible artist and was consistently learning and creating! He loved the Lord and always sought to serve Him. He and my grandma had (in their words) “the greatest love affair of all time” and their love set a great example for me! He was the smartest and kindest and I’ll forever treasure all my memories with him. It was bittersweet to be able to gather with family to celebrate his life. I love this part from the life history he wrote.. “I'm just a simple farm boy at heart. I enjoy the same things that caught my interest when I was a kid on the farm. My greatest joy in life has been being a husband to my honey, Janet, and father to my children. Katelyn Jones Sheanshang

  Dad passed peacefully this morning. I'm so blessed to have such loving parents.  I love my eternal family.  Laurie

 Rob Miller, the town dentist, hobby farmer, aspiring artist and awesome father of 10.

The Gang's all Here!

In July 2014 after one year of college Katelyn left on her mission to the New York, Rochester Mission. She was gone for two Christmases.  Anna and Kate saw each other for a few hours before Annalisa went on her mission February 2016 to California, Carlsbad Mission.   That fall in September Kyle left for his mission to Tampico, Mexico.  Two more Christmases passed.  When Kyle came home he saw Anna for a few hours and then she left for a study abroad to Jereuselum for a semester.

on December 20th Kate and Mitchell picked her up at the airport and brought her home.  Now the gang is all here!!  This is the first time in four years that we have had all of our kids home for Christmas.   

I took this first picture right when Anna got home.  They are so happy to see each other!  

Christmas Eve with all of our children including Mitchell, Kate's husband

Christmas pajama picture

 

You know we had to throw in a freezing family picture!