July 17, 2012

Two beautiful babies were recently named and blessed in the Mink Creek LDS Ward.

The family of Kerry and Lacey Christensen presented their third little girl, all frilly in white ruffles, naming her Kassidy Kate Christensen.  Aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents were here for this occasion.

Jacob and Renette Free of Rexburg brought their firstborn, a son, to be named Denim General Free.  Jacob’s roots are in Mink Creek, the son of Richard Free.  Grandparents and relatives of both sides of this new family were in attendance.  Richard and Vicki Free are busy planning the wedding of their daughter Heidi.  She is getting married in August to Brenden Brown, a young man from Missoula, MT.

George and Judy Rasmussen had a house full to overflowing. Their daughter, Sarah Thomas and five of her children came from Las Vegas.  Their son, Neil Rasmussen of Highland, UT, , brought his six children to join the cousins.  The cousin magnet was so strong that Laelle Pack and family of American Fork, UT, added to the mix.   There is nothing quite like a bunch of grandchildren on the scene to liven up a household. Sleeping arrangements were scattered throughout the home.  A good time was had by all, we hope.

The Same Bundy Family Reunion, Claudia Erickson’s parents and descendants, held every other year, commenced at the Erickson Pond.  The family that began with four members in the 1940’s now numbers over one hundred.  Half of the families involved live in Alpine, UT, and the wildfires in that location had them evacuated from their homes and there was some question as to whether this reunion would dissolve.  The rains came, those families pulled into the park a day late and fun began.  Cousins, siblings, grandparents were from Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Oregon, Wyoming and Florida.

The family of Richard Free has had multiple visitors---Brandon   and Heather Hodge and children up from Utah, Colleen Jensen and her family of Preston,  Bonnie Baldwin, with a daughter, of Logan,  two long time friend of Jacob Free: Justin Krogue and Gary Hansen,  Jacob’s mother, Susan and Wayne Iversen and  brother, Joshua Free from the St. George area.

Kasey and Julie Haws  and two sons have been up from California.  We think it is hot in Idaho, but CA is warmer, all in one’s perspective.

            We have had a family relocate.  Erin and Chevy Gilbert ant their two small sons have left us and headed back north to the area around Ammon, ID.  They had lived in Driggs earlier and found that part of the country a good spot for the needs of their youngsters.  We do miss those smiling faces and exuberant giggles.        

            We have had some of those quick fast winds tear through our little village.  Microburst is a good title.  The burst carries lots of power.  There have been trampolines upended and tossed, clothes zipped off the lines, kiddie pools carried off.  These  winds come with little warning and are choosy about their victims---anything with the ability to create something similar to a sail gets caught up and moved along.