March Madness...named just that for good reason!

The first week in March started off with a bang. Kimball was home sick with the flu the first day, Kent was traveling to Washington DC for work, Kimberly had a choir rehearsal and a performance, Kenzly performed during the Pre-Game show at a Phoenix Suns basketball game, Kimball had his first Pinewood Derby competition, Shara and her two kids were staying with us so she could attend a dental convention and Susan came to help with her kids.

The second week was usual busy with Dance, violin, ballet, piano, school meetings, scouts, new beginnings (yea Kenz), SEPS, another evening choir rehearsal and a Sunday Fireside performance.

The third week, Kimball had another follow-up appointment with Dr. Keller for his leg (doing great, no activity restrictions, schedule surgery for taking rods out when we decide) on Monday. Tuesday, after a small hiccup (in the car all ready to leave, when Kent notices there is a water leak and figures the water pump is going out - the dealership was able to get it in and fixed and we were on the road by 11), Kimberly and the kids left for Utah to spend a few weeks visiting family and friends, while the kids were off school.

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That Easter Morn
Ikeda Theater - Mesa, AZ
March 5, 2010

Shannon, Kimberly, Natalie

Kimberly's third concert with EVMCO, what a blessing!
The Easter music was soul enriching. Although difficult to find the time to memorize the words and notes, it was well worth the effort.

Truly it is a blessing to be part of such a great, inspired, professional organization!



Phoenix Suns Pre-Game Show Performance
Kenzly Whitmer


Jeanne's School of Dance
Power Force Dance Company - Sparklers Division
March 6, 2010

This was a great fun experience for Kenzly...not so much for Kimberly.
Several weeks of practice on Saturday mornings in Mesa, a chunk of change for costumes, more Gas in the Yukon, and lots of time on the road made craziness. Since that very same night was Kimball's first Pinewood Derby competition, Kent and Kimberly split up. The evening ended in exhaustion, after trying to keep Karsten out of the street (45 min prior to be letting in to the event center) carrying him everywhere, including up to the nose-bleed section to our seats, where we watched the game.
One of the other dance mom's (Taunya) was sweet to sit by and offer moral support (so thankful for the many kind, generous people in our lives, who are great examples!).

Kenzly - always happier with a friend, brought Stephanie, who had recently moved in next door.

After the first half of the game, the gang headed home to rest from the insanely busy week and get into bed for 8:00 am church the next morning.

Kimball took 2nd place in the Pinewood Derby (way to go!!).

A Fabulous Weekend Away!

As a Christmas Present, Dane and Rachael Whitmer gave us a weekend away,
a gift we truly enjoyed!

Among the craziness of the past year; changing jobs, moving, commuting, car accident, having a new baby, renting, selling and buying a new home, Kimball's Baptism, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sand Dunes - Kimball's broken leg, away from family and help, etc., it was a much needed break.

Rachael was willing to watch our kids even longer (bless her heart), but this was enough for us
to recharge and come home rejuvenated and rested.

After making SEVERAL trips to school, pre-school and school again (class Valentine's, ugh!), we finally made it out of the house by noon. On our way to the hotel, we made a quick stop at a boutique, attended an endowment session at the Mesa temple, and ate dinner at PF Changs in Tempe. We checked into the Arizona Biltmore Resort, in Phoenix where it was an adventure just to maneuver and park the truck (we were wishing for a little sports car, or a 1994 Honda at that point :) Before retiring for the night, we did some nearby window shopping and got some dessert to enjoy back at the hotel while watching a movie. Then, we had the best nights rest we had gotten in months. It was HEAVENLY! While making plans for the day, we ate breakfast at the hotel, then lounged around observing the gorgeous grounds neatly manicured with colorful growing flowers. Making our way home, we did some shopping, got some See's Chocolates and then went home with a smile on our faces to rescue Rachael from our crazy children and send she and Dane off to for their move to Seattle whatever new adventures were awaiting them.

A Fabulous Valentine's Weekend Away!

Sand Dunes
Glamis, CA
December 29-31, 2009

What a trip we had to the dunes...

Kenzly and Kimball went down with Grandpa Ben, Beckie and Nathan a day early.
This was the largest gathering by far. Ben, Beckie and Nathan Whitmer, Dane came from California (just after finishing his Masters Degree and before starting his new job in Seattle) Ned Ellsworth, Larry, Debbie and Cody Davis, Clint, Linda and kids (Ellsworth), Bret, Lisa and kids (Whitmer), and Lars, Kristi, and kids (Anderson) and Dennis Daley with his sister and two kids from Safford.

By Thursday (New Year's Eve) it was a sea of sand, people and machines, literally an obstacle course just to get to our "camp".

By the end of the day it was sure nice to get away from the constant buzz of machines, leave the wind and sand, take a nice hot shower (or bath in the kids' case) and have a peaceful nights' sleep. With young kids it was the only saving grace for Kimberly.

(Not that she doesn't like the dunes) But it was still a bit of a challenge with Karsten, making sure he wasn't walking in the path of an oncoming machine, falling in the blazing fire-pit (Clint showed his capable skills with Dutch Oven Cooking), keeping him out of everyone's soda cans, garbage cans and other items he wasn't supposed to play with and trying to sneak a decent nap for him, so his temperament was manageable, wasn't always an easy task. She gave up on the sand however and let him eat what he pleased (a little roughage and minerals for the diet never hurts :).

Nathan West

Kirsten Anderson, Kenzly Whitmer and Lacie Whitmer
beautiful girls all growing up way too fast, enjoying spending "cousin" time together!

For the most part, Karsten LOVED every bit of playing in the sand. He's not one to usually play with toys. But, he did enjoy the sand shovels, buckets and occasionally sat on a little truck Kimberly bought for him to take on the trek.

Princess Kierra, loving big sister was dutiful in watching over Karsten and when she wasn't riding in the Buggy, played with her ponies, poly-pockets and barbie dolls from Christmas.

She is one of those kids that enjoy and minute to herself.

Grandma Beckie spoiled her with a manicure and Grandpa Ben prepared yummy sandwiches for her and the rest of the kids to eat.

Our last day, last ride, just before the "BIG" ride Kimberly and Kimball got on the way back to Phoenix...


Karsten got a "world class ride" in a "first class buggy" (name still to be determined - cleverness isn't one of our strong-points, but we replace that with skill and ability!).

Either it scared him to death, or the roar of the engine and the force of the ride put him to sleep, because that's what happened every time we put him in the buggy.

No major breakdown's this time. Only had to replace a fuel filter (Murphey's Law is apparent in everything though) by process of elimination, we replaced all the other two filters before Kent found the one that was causing the rough ride (on the last day....always). After that, the buggy ran smooth as a champ.

This was Kimberly's first time in the new buggy (Kent's Christmas present in June to himself. He didn't ask for permission, but did ask for forgiveness before buying :).

The ride was like none other, as smooth as butter and like floating on air over the bumps! The only problem was it went SO fast it made Kimberly sick to her stomach. Next time we will bring Dramamine along!

Gas hogs need gas....Dane filling up

Kimball rode and rode. He loved the buggy, but was just getting comfortable for the first time on the 4-wheeler. He and Kenzly did fight over who got to ride the 250 (and whoever was riding the 90 wasn't as happy....Kimball got the last ride).

This picture was taken JUST before he got hit!

Last day, last hour, just before packing up and going home. Not soon enough....

Kimball was heading North up a hill, another driver and passenger in a Prowler heading West on the ridge collided at the top. Steinar was riding with Kimball and saw it happen.
He said she wasn't even looking.

They collided as Kimball reached the top of the hill and over. It hit his right leg, sending him flying in the air.

We were back at camp when Steinar came running up to Kimberly and said "Kimball just got hit". Those four words nearly stopped my heart. I ran (according to Kristi, the fastest she's ever seen anyone run - to add some humor :). In those few seconds it took it seemed an eternity and a million thoughts go through your mind while you wonder what you will find.

Is he alive? Does he have internal injuries? What is wrong? Will he be okay?

I saw him from the distance laying still on the ground. As I slid next to his face, found him alive and relieved only his leg hurt. He was great, as long as no one touched or moved his leg.

It took a few minutes for the EMT's to arrive and cut off his riding gear, to reveal a grotesque looking leg. The skin was punctured and as we looked it was OBVIOUS his leg was broken. The EMT's tried to straighten his leg before loading him in the truck, but it was too painful for him, so Kimberly held it for a long time in this position....and then Kent took a turn as we waited for the ambulance.




Because Kimball's leg would require surgery, the decision was made to air-lift him directly to the hospital. The helicopter crew assumed we were from California and were going to take him to Loma Linda. Gratefully, we convinced them to fly us the other direction, to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. After a vehicle transfer to an ambulance, and two stops less than a mile apart (the first place wouldn't allow the helicopter to land on their property), the ambulance took him just east of the Glamis store where fenced helicopter pad was located.

But, first...they had to straighten his leg and place it in traction. It was excruciating for him. He was yelling the entire time "I'm going to die....I'm going to die". He was given oxygen and morphine for comfort (little but some).

The helicopter ride lasted 1 hour 10 min. As we flew, Kimberly reflected on all the little things that had happened that made life a little easier, "tender mercies" the Lord offers us in time of need.
Kimball hadn't eaten or had anything to drink since breakfast (which made surgery safe for the aspiration risk), the sandrail ride had made Kimberly sick as well, and she hadn't eaten or had anything to drink (more importantly) since breakfast, which allowed a much more pleasant ride. Her camera was in her pocket so she could take pictures (a rare occasion as it's usually in her purse) and the list could go on.

They are really little things, yes, but nonetheless, recognized and appreciated!

We"rrrrrrrrrrrrrre Twinners!!