The 80th Birthday Party--

Dad Giberson with his tree cake--
we thought about having a cupcake for each family member
but we decided that we didn't need all of those extra cupcakes around just to eat.
The cupcakes were yummy.
Those of you who follow this blog will recognize the tree theme
from Jessica's owl cake.  It just seemed like a great idea to have
a tree since Dad and Mom were the truck of this Giberson tree.

 When Gibersons get together there is going to be game playing and conversation with food thrown in just because people need to eat.  On Saturday we played some games in the afternoon and built our rockets......

Our loading dock

These are Tillie Giberson (the youngest Giberson) and Audrey Neerings (the oldest Giberson great-grandchild).
They hit it right off and I heard Audrey say to Tillie, "I am sure that I have known you before. I love to play with you."
They had a great time although it was the first time they had ever met.

 and then headed to a nearby Stoker Park to have our official dinner--

Audrey, Tillie, Kaylee, Aunt Lea
Owen is sitting with his back to the camera

Some Ipsons in the foreground
 

After dinner (and some before) we engaged in the outdoor games which Gibersons love.  There was a brief game of "Batter-up" with our whiffle ball and bat.  Jena enjoyed that game and her Aunt Dawn pitched to her long after the other cousins had moved on to other games.

There was the rocket launching.  We did this first at our 2009 reunion in Texas and decided it was time to try it again.  The young kids loved shooting the rockets off--

Owen with Gary waiting to push the button

 And the "old" kids loved trying to catch them out in the field.  It was a beautiful day--perfect for rocket launching!

My brother Rick going after a rocket--
He missed it.  It is harder than it looks
to try to catch it.

Uncles and Grandchildren

Dad and my sister, Valerie

I had picked Stoker Park because of the great trees and grassy fields, but also because it had a sand volleyball pit.  We have played volleyball at many of our reunions over the years.

Some of the cousins just wanted to talk and catch up as it had been years since they have been together.  Here is Megan Ipson, Tosha Ipson , Starla Ipson with Evanie, Lisa Neerings with Alison, Jessica, and Elessia.



Kaylee Giberson, Owen and Audrey Neerings, Tillie Giberson
They had a great time figuring out things to do with volleyballs
OFF the volley court.
 

We stayed until dark and then some...and then packed it all up and headed back home.  Most of us traveled in cars and vans, but David and Dawn traveled back to their home in Bountiful on this--

David is Karla's son.
Their three daughters were just coming home
from Youth Conference and missed the day's activities.

Rick headed down and stayed with Dad and Karla, Ipsons went back to my brother-in-law's family also in the Salt Lake area and everyone else headed to our house.  We tried to get to bed earlier as one thing my dad was looking forward to was us joining him at Church on Sunday--Father's Day.  9:00 a.m. in Midvale!.  I think by midnight we were mostly in bed.


The eve of the 80th Birthday Celebration

On the evening of June 14th, my sisters Robin and Lynette got in from Amarillo Texas and my brother Rick flew in from Dallas as we started to gather for my Dad's 80th birthday. Valerie and Lance arrived in Salt Lake on Friday night as well.  They and their children including some of their married children stayed at Ipson side of their family.  Todd, Lea and their three youngest children arrived on Saturday morning after a very long drive from Austin Texas complete with a flat tire and a long wait for a repair.  Mike flew from Lubbock to Phoenix so that he could drive up with his oldest daughter Lisa and her three kids.  Lisa is the oldest grandchild and she really want to visit Dad in Salt Lake but her husband was unable to get off work.  This solution worked great and the kids loved their road trip with Grandpa.  By 2:00 on Saturday we were all gathered, waiting for Dad and Karla to arrive so the party could begin.

Our original plan was for it to be a big secret from my dad.  At first the reason was that I really didn't know how many of my siblings were going to be able to make the trip up to Utah.  We had just had our regular reunion in Mesa last year so it was another even longer trip to Utah for his birthday.  However many of my siblings were making plans to come and also I realized that some of the excitement of things like this is the anticipation of the event as well as some of the planning.  I wanted to make sure that we did some things that Dad would like to do if he was planning it.

So a week before I tried to mail him the following announcement...it didn't make it there for some reason so I ended up buying a balloon and delivering a copy of it to Dad in person.

I haven't learned how to do things like rotate etc with my new computer.
Will fix later.

He was excited and also was able to help me make some final plans.

It turned out great, but too much to put it all on one post so it will be put over the following few posts.  All of my siblings were there except for my youngest brother Scott and his family.  My brother Mike was there but his wife and youngest son stayed home in Lubbock (Andi was recovering from surgery).  We missed all who couldn't make it but I am so grateful for those who were here and helped Dad welcome in his 80th year.

And we are off......

July 10 the first Monday after Jena finished school I ran her up Emigration Canyon east of Salt Lake City for her week long summer camp at Camp K.  This is her third year there and she loves it.  With camping, boating, fishing, basketball, crafts, etc.....you can see why she likes it.

Here are a couple of pictures from there.



Jena tried out the top bunk with some encouragement from
me as they were running short of bottom bunks.  She didn't like it
and fortunately there were enough bottom bunks.

With her counselor, Monster
For some reason all staff have nicknames
instead of using their own names.

Jena and her friend, Kaitlyn

Ready to go home.
 

Jena got home and we got her laundry started just in time for her aunts and uncles to start arriving....to be con't!








Utah Down Syndrome Foundation

It is official now.  I am the new president of the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation (UDSF).  When I was younger, I used to feel like we were "called" to serve in the Church and we got to "choose" our other "volunteer" engagements.  I felt like I could pick and choose what I would do at my kids' school, PTA, and other community commitments.  I might have occasionally prayed about those things, but the emphasis was on the "occasionally".  Community involvement was important to me and I tried to "wrap" it around whatever my Church calling was and what my kids were involved in.  Much of what I did was within the schools or with adoption.

Now I am here to tell you that was false thinking on my part.  I think the Lord is highly involved in the details of our lives and He has many ways and plans for us--things for us to do--and some of those things are outside the walls of the Church.  Despite my incompetence and my stumbling, I think I have been in places to meet people and to interact with them in a variety of ways for my good, for my family, and hopeful for the good of those I was "helping".  (We all know that we are the ones who often benefit most when we are helping others.)

Over the last 6 months, things have been happening which have led me to this responsibility.  I did not want to do it but in asking our Heavenly Father it became clear that it was something I was to do.  Why would it matter if I am in charge of this non-profit organization at this time in the history of the world?  How about this time in the history of ME?  I had plans to go to the temple more, do family history, organize photos, make quilts  and get more prepared.  These are all good things, things I can do, I now want to do. Now I am adding 10-20 hours a week for a "worldly non-profit".  Why?

I don't know why.  As is often the case, my "why" questions don't come with quick replies.  It is the "What should I do" questions that seem to come with quick answers.  The "whys" come years later or maybe in the eternities!

One thing for sure is that I am passionate about Jena and making a world a better place for her and all others who come to life with a specific set of "trials" from the get-go.  We should belong to a world where all can belong, all can flourish and all are treated with dignity and respect.  We are so blessed as Jena brings the best out in those she is around.  Other persons with Down syndrome have different struggles, but all need that chance to be a part of the whole of life.  I can be a part of that cause.  "We all are daughters (and sons) of Heavenly Father who loves us......."

So this is what I am going to be doing this summertime (and for the next 2 years or so)..........what about you?

(And all of you, just be aware, September 14th is the "2013 Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome" which is our major fundraiser.  We have not been involved with this much in the past because it has conflicted with Special Olympics.  Not this year and as President, of course we are going to support the walk with "Team Jena" or whatever we decide to call our team.  You can come and walk with us with a donation to the foundation or you can just donate.  Watch for more information!  Clear the date and join us at West Jordan City Park.)