Morgan Family Week in Review - 31 July - 6 August 2011

Sunday morning we were blessed with going to church at 9 am. Sacrament was just as fun at the Dallas Ward with three restless boys as it normally is back at home. Grandma Clift did not make it today as a stomach bug seems to be going through the house. The 3rd hour of church was a 5th Sunday combined Priesthood and Relief Society lesson on Canning....was a great lesson, but it took all that I had not want to teach the class myself. We had a relaxing afternoon and then all had Sunday Dinner together.

On Monday morning I got up for one last call at work and then I went for a quick 5 mile run and then we prepared the rest of the day for the family reunion. We left the house about 5 pm with Grandpa, myself, and the boys in the Caravan, and Tara and Grandma in the Yukon. We went strait out to Uncle Sid's house and Tara and Grandma went shopping for the food for the family reunion. We arrived about six and we all had Pizza and Salad for dinner. When we arrived Uncle Sid and Aunt Karen, Sid Jr. and Cari along with Michael, Lexi, and Lance, Shauna, Jack, and Kimber, Aunt Cari and Uncle Mark, Cari and Tyler, Hope and KK, and Uncle Doug, Matthew and Andrea Zinn, Uncle Rollie and Aunt Sharon, Cole and his girlfriend, Lisa and Bridget, and lastly Matthew Linfesty. Aunt Karen so graciously opened up her home to us so that the five of us slept in downstairs level of her home on Monday night.

On Tuesday morning I went for a short 3 mile run that ended up taking about and hour and half because when I ran down to the the Molalla river I ended up talking to Uncle Sid's neighbor Gordon (I actually took a wrong turn and ran down to the river on Gordon's land). Then I came back up to towards Uncle Sid's land and finished up my run. More people arrived on Tuesday morning. Shelly and John Linfesty with Malea and Marin. Dong and Angie Gunter also came with their three children. Then we all had a pancake and egg breakfast and the reunion was in full swing. Aunt Karen then proceed to give us a great overview of the activities which were planned over the next three days. We had lunch at 1 pm and then we had dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs at about 7. We ended the evening sitting around and talking with everyone after we put the boys to bed in the tent with Aunt Lisa. At some point and time between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, some bug came started to get to folks.

Wednesday morning after breakfast Aunt Karen gathered everyone together and passed out Reunion Books (see below) that she put together that detail the Gunter Family History. The books contain pedigree charts, picture charts, stories, recipes, and a CD containing 453 pictures and documents. Afterward a group went down to the river to shoot shotguns and then the kids all played games and did crafts. Uncle Doug and Aunt Elaine showed up with along with Angie Gunter. Doug Jr. came with only one of the girls because the In the afternoon on all of the days, the boys were able to go swimming in the pool that was set up on the lawn. I spent some time attempting to show Phoenix how to shoot a bow and arrow that was set up lawn with a large target in front of three bales of hay. In the afternoon, I took Matt Zinn lunch at work and then he gave me a tour of Suncoast Circuits. Aunt Cari prepared about five large pans of lasagna for everyone for dinner. Then Scott Gunter and I collect wood from the wood pile to make a fire and then all the kids made Sm ores for dessert.

Thursday morning I started off with a 3 mile run down Union Mills which was probably not the smartest thing (cars were racing by me). This was just a fun day of doing whatever. We had a lite lunch and then had pulled pork sandwiches for dinner. We ended the reunion with Aunt Sharon setting her karaoke machine and singing until the wee hours of the night. I was even able to give my rendition of "Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel without even using the karaoke machine.

Friday morning almost everyone had departed except for Aunt Karen, Cari and her family and the Clift Clan so we worked from about 8 am to noon cleaning up the campsite and ensure that all the trash and equipment was put away. We said our goodbyes and then Tara and I headed towards Oregon City to get the boys some lunch. We left there and made our way to the Portland Temple so that we could go to Deseret Book and purchase some garments and books for the boys. I was also able to reach out to one of my Scrabble Friends, Emily Roth, a recent law school graduate, whom I had never met and she met us at the temple grounds. We spent about fifteen minutes talking to her and then we headed back to Dallas, OR. Once we got home and unloaded the bags, I went for my long run of week. It took about two hours to run 8 miles, but it felt so good to relax after a long day.

Running Journal - Non Runner's Marathon Trainer - Week 6

On Monday I started my 4 mile run in Dallas and ended the run in Salem at Williamette University. On Tuesday I ran my last run in Dallas of 5 miles. I took Wednesday off and then ran 5 miles on Thursday morning in my neighborhood. On Saturday morning I started my long run by the Duck Pond by myself, and then met up with Tiffany Barber at the 3 mile point and then she ran six miles with me and then I ran the last three miles by myself. I was beat after I was done mostly due to the heat and humidity.

Running Journal - Non-Runners Marathon Trainer - Week 4

The runs this week were lots-o-fun. The weather was perfect and I really felt like I could run forever. I started the week off with a 5 miler in Dallas, and then ran two 3 milers in Molalla at the family reunion. I capped off the week with an 8 mile run on Friday evening in Dallas, Oregon.

Running Journal - Non-Runners Marathon Trainer - Week 3

Started Week 3 with a 3 mile run on Tuesday afternoon in Dallas, Oregon. The next day that I ran 4 miles to visit my children's great grandmother, Dorthy Anderson. I thought I had to only run four miles for my medium run, but really it was suppose to be five, but I made that I up on the 1.5 mile walk home. I ended the week with a seven mile long run on the hills of Sea-Tac, Washington.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 25-30 July 2011

Sunday Tara stayed home with the Exodus who started throwing up on Saturday evening. I recevied a call from Ryan Morrow, the Executive Secretary, on Sunday morning and he asked if I would say the opening prayer at Sacrament Meeting. I went to Sacrament to say the opening prayer and then when back home to pick up the boys so that they could attend Primary while I taught my Sunday School lesson. After chruch I spent the afteroon canning Corn Relish, while Tara prepared dinner.

Monday morning we finished our last minute packing and then Tara went to Dr. Murphy to get an adjustment and then to get her nails done. Once she returned to the house then I left to meet my mom for lunch and then I picked up a few things for our trip to Oregon. Josh came to pick us up at 5:30 and then we loaded the boys and headed for the airport. Only had to come back to the house once to pick up some cash for the trip. We arrvied on time to the airport and had just enough time to pick up a sandwich and then load the plane. The first flight to Vegas was totally full and Tara and I had to pass the baby back and forth. When we arrived in Vegas we had about and hour layover in which I was able to test the one-armed bandits close to our gate. On the flight from Vegas to Portland the baby had a huge blow out in his diaper which necessitated a total clothes change. Luckily we did have more room and we were able to spread out a bit. We arrived in Portland on time but after a day which started at 600am Tara and I were both a bit testy. Her parents picked us up and we loaded our bags and started to head to Dallas. When Tara put Exodus in his car seat he would not stop crying so we had to pull over once during the 1 1/2 hour trip home so that we could give him a bottle to settle down. We finally made it home about 2:30 in the morning and finally to bed about 4 am.


On Tuesday morning after about three hours of sleep Tara awoke to dress the boys and realize that I had picked up the wrong bag at the airport. After a few calls, Lisa, Tara's sister, and I jumped in her Jeep and headed back to the airport to return the bag that I mistakeningly took from the airport. I also called ther person whose bag I took and apologized profusely. On our way back from the Airport we stopped by the FruitStand to purchase cherries (2.99), blueberries (1.99), and raspberries (1.99)Tuesday afteroon, I got a little bit of work done and then I went for a quick 3 mile run to the high school and back. When I came home all of the kids were swimming in the back yard pool that Grandma and Grandpa Clift had purchased for the kids.

On Wednesday morning I got up and did a bit of work and then I went for a run around town for four miles so that I ended up at Brother Dye's home so that I could check in on the boys Great Grandmother Dorthy Anderson. It was fun visitin and talking with Brother Dye afterwards. On Wednesday afternoon we headed in to Salem to the Carousel for all of the boys and Liberty to ride. On our way home we hit the FruitStand again and then came home to a wonderful roast dinner that Tara's mom prepared.


Thursday morning, I went to drop off the minivan at WalMart and then I went for a 3 miles run. After my run Tara and I and the boys all went to visit Grandmother Dorthy and took some pictures. The boys went swimming in the afternoon in the back yard pool.


Friday morning Tara and I headed started our journey up to Seattle. We stopped at the Lucky Eagle Casino for lunch and then I made a donation to reservation. We arrvied at the hotel at 4 pm and then changed clothes and linked up the Seoul American High School (SAHS) group. As we were waiting for the bus to take us to downtown Seattle, one of my classmates from the class of 1982 walked by me and then turned around to rush over and give me a great big hug. It was Irene Gilbertson Johnson who was my prom date back in 1981.....wow a 30 year blast from the past. On Friday night the SAHS group was partying at The Last Supper Club in Downtown Seattle. Once we arrvied there, Tara and I broke away from the group and caught a pedi-cab and when down to Pier 54 and had dinner at Ivar's. Everything that we ordered was so delicious. Later that evening we caught a taxi back to the hotel.

On Saturday morning I went for a seven mile run (really is was a walk/run/walk/run) around the Sea-Tac Airport. Afterwards I met up with Tara and some of the SAHS group for a contenintal breakfast. After I showered Tara and I met up with Irene to take a quick picture before Tara and I left. At noon my friend Susan came to pick Tara and I up and went all went downtown to have lunch. We had lunch on the pier again and then went for a walk at Pike Street Market. We were able to see the fish handlers throwing large tuna back and forth to each other. I was also amazed by all of the fresh flowers that smelled so good. We also ran into a small Turkish restaurant that had some of the freshest and best tasting baklava (and I lived in Turkey as a child). Afterwards Susan took us back to our hotel and get headed south on the I-5 back to Oregon. On the way we stopped for gas near the the Emerald Queen where I tempted my luck with a one-armed bandit and made a quick $7 dollars. Then later for dinner we ended up in La Center, WA to have dinner and on or way out we hit the Spanish 21 Table for $160.

Running Journal - Non Runner's Marathon Trainer - Week 2

Week two was a pretty good week even with all that happened. 3 miles run on Monday somehow got deleted before it was uploaded to Garmin Connect. Then I had a great 4 miler on Tuesday morning before I had a root canal. Planned on running again on Thursday but my group moved my long run from Saturday to Sunday so I did my last short run of 3 miles on Friday which felt pretty good. Then we closed up the week with a 6 miler this morning in which I felt great. My energy level is increasing and my speed is picking up all around not just at the beginning of the runs.

Morgan Family Week In Review - 17-23 July 2011

Sunday started off really well. We made it to Church on time and this week, I assisted the Aaronic priests deliver the Sacrament. Then for Sunday School we worked on Lesson 29, David O. McKay, Worldwide Ambassador of God. Then for the 3rd hour, I assisted (sat in) Phoenix's Primary class as Tara was filling in for Sister Layton. I ran into Trish Copenhaver in the hallway and invited her and her two daughters, Brooklyn and Ashlynn over for Sunday dinner. I fired up the grill and cooked fajitas. The ladies prepared all of the fixin's and we all have a good time.

Tuesday was movie date with the boys for Tara, and on my lunch on that day, I decided to have a root canal which only took 2 1/2 hours.

Thursday I had to go out to Taylor for a quick appointment and then Tara and I had lunch together at PF Changs with a coupon for free lettuce wraps. Then that night I taught class at Texas State.

Friday was loads of fun. Tara woke up throwing up and then by 8 am, Phoenix was throwing up and then by 9 so was Zion. I was not much help as I had several marathon calls that morning and then I had several appointments on Friday afternoon. On Friday I was able to get five pound of jerky into the dehydrator and baked a pound cake for the Mast family.

Saturday morning we spent the majority of time washing and folding clothes in preparation for our trip to Oregon. I left the house for a little while and when to sign up Phoenix for soccer this fall. I also had a coupon for a free car wash so I had the Altima washed and then I swung by Josh and Chrissta's to pick up some additional luggage. We lazed around the house the rest of the day and then on Saturday evening, I went to Sam's to pick up a 16GB SD card for the Dell Streak. In the 30 minutes I was gone to Sam's, Exodus had come down with the everyone else had the day before and we as losing his cookies!

Morgan Family Week in Review - 10-16 July 2011

This past Sunday we all made it to Church. We sat in the front pews again this week and the boys behavior was a little better, but again we are bumping up against nap time. It did seem as thought they were a little better than they were two weeks ago. Sitting up front, it seems as though you can hear the speakers a bit better and make a connection with them. The lesson this week in Sunday School was Peace in Troubled Times. The kids really liked that the lesson was done in the form of a Concentration Game. In EQ this week we all introduced ourselves which was really night because we have quite a few new members in the quorum. Sunday afternoon we had the Wagner's over for dinner (we also invited the Van Englenhoven's but they had a sick baby). Tara made pulled pork and eschebiche (sp?) and chicken rice (yummy). We had a very good time getting to know the Wagner's better.

Monday it was back to work. After work I took to trimming the plum, apple, and one of the fig trees. I have probably been watering to close to the trunk of the trees and now we have all kinds of little branchs come up close to the bottom of the trunks. Later in the evening we all went for free Slurpees at 7-11.

Tuesday morning, Tara and Sarita took the boys see Barnyard at the Discount Cinema. Tuesday afternoon we deliverd some Hello Dolly's to the Peeks and a birthday bundt cake to Bishop Romero. Tuesday night we all went up to Double Daves for .75 cent pizza rolls. We met up with a new family in the ward, the Dewey's. They literally just moved from Utah a few days before, and we had a great time getting to know them.

Wednesday after work, I was the priesthood pressece at Activity Days and then went for an evening run (not fun).

Thursday afternoon Phoenix had a playdate with William Hammond at his house and then at our house. I taught my evening class at Texas State as the summmer semester draws to a close.

On Friday Tara went for a massage and I watched Exodus and then after work, I went to see Transformers, then later that evening Tara and Deb Pope went to see a movie.

On Saturday morning, I went to a garage sale acorss the street and purchased a box of XMOD RC Cars for $50 bucks. After sorting through the box, Tara and I figured out that we have a least 8 cars and 7 controllers. We figured we would give the boys each a car now to play with and then give the rest of the for Christmas. Later Saturday morning we loaded up the boys and went down to San Marcos to purchase a Coach daiper bag for Jensine. It was a fun trip and a bonus was the fact that the Under Armour Store was next to Coach. We had a lazy afternoon. I was able to get one of our bags packed for our vacation when starts a week from Monday.

Running Journal - Non Runner's Marathon Trainer - Week 1

Was reviewing my training schedule this week and figured out that I set up the spreadsheet incorrectly. What I thought was going to be week 2 was really week 1, so I had another week of 3, 4, 3, and 5.

This week was tougher than the last. Did not want to get up on a few mornings and I ended up walking/sprinting on the five miler. I have also run what I called a compressed scheduled by doing all four run in five days for the past two weeks. I plan on Mon, Tue, Thur, Sat next week and hopefully I will see some improvement. To top that off on Wednesday I did not get up at all, so I had to run in the evening which was not fun in 90 degree heat, but on the flip side, during that run I recorded my fast mile to date. On Friday I ran with Chris, Stacy, and Sarah on the Brushy Creek Trail, but this week we started from the Twin Lakes YMCA trailhead.

Running Journal - Non Runner's Marathon Trainer - Week 0.1

This was a really good week. I got up for runs of 3, 4, 3, and 5 miles. I don't have the Monday 3 miler or the Tuesday 4 miler recorded on the Garmin becuase it locked up and I was not able to return it to REI until Tuesday afternoon. The fiver this week was great because I was able to run with the group of people that I was running with last summer (Chris and Stacy Webber, and Sarah Knowles). I put a bow on the week with a short 14 miles bike ride on Saturday morning with some people from the Elder's Quorum.