welcome to Elaine

We want to welcome the newest member to the family for joining us here in this earthly estate! Elaine Garcia we are happy to have you.

Summer activities 2010

It has been neat to see the family this summer.

Here are some pictures of Kent's family when they visited.

We visited the 'Skinny Caves'. The kids really enjoyed the play

entitled 'Tarzan' at Tuchacan. Thanks Grandma for the tickets.

Father's Day Reflections

At church today, there were three speakers whose topic was Father's day.  It was a really uplifting meeting that helped me remember my own father.  My father and I didn't always see eye to eye.  For many years, I was quick to find fault with him, but I have some very strongest memories of him and his teaching.  

I was about ten when he told me to fix a flat tire on my mother's car.  I had never changed a tire and didn't know what I needed to do.  Dad pointed to the floor jack on the cement floor of the service station and then he pointed to the pointed to the star wrench that hung on the wall.  I took them and did the best I knew how. Putting the jack under the back of the car, I raised the car with ease.  Unknowingly, however, I had put the jack under the gas tank which was not designed to sustain the weight of the car.  That caused some damage to the car that Dad had to repair.  I felt his frustration in my lack of knowledge.  I worked with him in his service station when I was 17-19.  During those years, my feelings about him began to change.  Although there were times that he expected me to know things that I had never been taught, I learned a great deal from him during those years.

When I was a young man and about to marry, Dad felt some reservations about the  wisdom of my choice.  I have a letter from him in which Dad told me in a loving way about his concerns then tenderly he allowed me to make my own decision.  

Years later, on the day of the wedding, he slugged me on the shoulder and said, "Well, son, if you don't know now, it's too late."  

He was a loving Grandfather.  I remember one morning what Rob was just a little guy, he was out watching Dad burn trash in the trash barrel.  Dad came in, then we had a fire in the back yard that brought the fire department.  When I was ready to give Rob a spanking for causing the fire, Dad interceded and told me not that it was his fault. 

Many years later, when my wife and I were going though a troubled time, I saw Dad as I will always remember him.  He spent a short time with us, but taught us a lot.  He shared regrets with us about the things he had done wrong as he gained his years of experience as a husband an father.  He expressed his love and confidence in each us.  That was the last time I ever saw him alive.  I sometimes have a hard time remembering the details of Dad's face, but I will never forget that tender lesson.

Arlo Vance Rendezous

REMINDER: On the side of Hansen Mountain we are gathering for the Vance Rendezous on Saturday, August 7th. the big events will take place. We will start the gathering on Friday 6th. We will be sending out more information later, so please check with your family so we can get an idea on how many we can plan on. Thanks.

Mom's histories

I have thoroughly enjoyed my mother's posts on her parents' BLOG.

• Part 29 Sewing I have done
• Part 28 Life Goes On
• Part 27 My Life Changed 
• Part 26 Angels in my Life 
• Part 25 Great Grandchildren 
• Part 24 Tender Mercies from the Lord
• Part 23 The House on Third Street
• Part 22 A mission to Arizona
  
• Part 21 Camping
  
• Part 20 Wedding Bells
  
• Part 19 Wandering Sisters and other things
  
• Part 18 Our House by Maggie Weston
  
• Part 17 After Arlo Died
  
• Part 16 Grandchildren are our treasure
  
• Part 15 Arlo and Gatha Called on a Mission
  
• Part 14 The First Grandchildren
  
• Part 13 The older boys go on a missions, marry
  
• Part 12 Everyone Had Their Friends
• Part 11 Things Come in Threes
• Part 10 Trips with the Children
• Part 8 The Move to 3rd Street
• Part 7 The Christensen House
• Part 6 The Lucille Jackson House
• Part 5 The Move to Manassa
• Part 4The Guymond Home
• Part 3 Two Lists of Eighty
• Part 1 The First Epistle

A picture is worth a thousand words

I have been gathering information about my family for years. I have known dates and places, but my ancestors are in a big part unknown to me. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes, however, it just opens more questions.

This is a picture of my great grandfather, William Thomas Beals. I never knew him personally. I can look at this picture and see hints of the faces of other family members.

The picture to the right is of my paternal grandfather, Charlie Bertie Vance, his brother, Luther Monroe Vance and some of their cousins. We get hints from their pictures about their lives and their interests. Stories to go with those faces would be so very valuable. Once in a while, I hear one their names mentioned, but I am hungry to know more about them.

I've occasionally heard my mother speak of Dad's grandmother, Julia Emeline McClurd, but to me, she was no more than a name and a few facts about her life. This picture to the left makes her more "alive" to me. Although the image is not really clear the photograph sends my imagination racing. What kind of life did she lead? What was she known for.

When some think of pioneers, they think of the Mormons that came across the plains in covered wagons and handcarts and eventually to the valley where our family grew up. This couple came from North Carolina with other families who left the southern states in search of religious freedom. They came in trains. Some of their families stayed in the San Luis Valley, and some moved on to settle in Arizona.

My wife has inherited some of her mother's many photo albums. It is fun to go through the pages of the old albums in an attempt to get to know her better. My favorite is one of her climbing a clothesline pole wearing a dress. It gives us a glimpse of her tom-girl need to compete with her brothers.

I love listening to the stories that always are shared when we get together as a family. They help to engrave in my mind and on my heart memories of the tender relationships that exist in our family.

BLOG Book Published

I have captured the pages of the Dunn, Bingham, Kent Vance, and Arlo and Gatha Vance BLOGs in a hardbound book that can be purchased at Lulu.com


http://www.lulu.com/content/hardcover-book/family-blogs-%28combined%29-2009/8185321

a new beginning!

We ended the year with those we love and missing those we could see. But with our running shoes on we were able to start a new year! 2010 IS HERE!

MAY YOU ALL RECEIVE THOSE BLESSINGS YOU SO RIGHTEOUSLY DESERVE AND DESIRE! LOVE YA ALLL....