July 22, 2014

      Cliff and LaDawn Jensen soaked up three weeks of teenage granddaughters staying at their home. Rebecca and Melissa Mackelprang, children of Mercedes and Darren Mackelprang, live in Statesboro, GA. The two southern ladies enjoyed visiting with cousins, seeing relatives in Cokeville, WY, and took a tour of the Utah State University giving Rebecca a taste of her college following her graduation from high school next spring.

       Four children of Bob and Claudia Erickson made trips home to Mink Creek over the last few weeks. First was the arrival of Drew and Hilary Erickson and their three children from Tempe, AZ. Next was Carla Nielsen and her two sons, of American Fork, UT. Claudine and LaMar McKague and five children drove down from Vancouver, WA. Their son, Jarin McKague, entered the MTC in Provo in mid July, preparatory to serving a mission in the Texas, Houston South, Spanish-speaking area. Kristin and Jay Collins and Claire are from Lakeview, OR and their daughter, Bailey, came up from Provo to join this extended family gathering. There was lots of fun and noise, with many hours spent cooling at the Erickson Pond.

       The family of Jennifer and Jeff Seamons has been on high alert for the last month. First their son Jacob had surgery at the Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. Just as Jacob was sufficiently recovered to come home, two other sons, Ben and David, were involved in an accident. Ben's injuries were taken care of at the Franklin County Medical Center, but David was Life Flighted to Primary Children's. Following David's surgery there were possibilities that he would be limited to a wheelchair for the next two months. His recovery has been amazing: two weeks with the wheelchair and is now being fitted with crutches. Jeff and Jennifer express their gratitude to all who have had concerns and prayers for their family. 

       Children of Karl and Marion Haws have been in and out of the Mink Creek family home.

California is the home for daughters and  most sons and their families , but they have a special place in their hearts for this little spot in Idaho.  All their growing up years have spent time on the shores of the creek.

       We are grateful to have water for irrigation purposes. The irrigation pipes are on the move and the big guns are sending out huge arcs of water, covering large areas as they creep across a field. Otherwise it has been dry with only a short burst of rain while the town was sleeping.

       The fields of grain are turning to harvest colors. Gone is the green and we now match the famous description of “amber waves of grain.” Harvest is still in the future, but in the meantime those who raise hay are bringing their second crop of the summer season in to the barns.