Christmas Greetings 2016

One of Joe's photos from this summer

I’ve decided that our family has spent this year going about Mach 5. Apparently it went so fast, my brain can’t even fathom what it was we’ve done! I guess the biggest thing I’ve noticed this year is the lack of anyone being home all at the same time. Joe spent last winter and this spring being a ski bum and looking for antlers. The rest of the family was quite jealous. He truly got his money’s worth from that season ski pass. I think he told me he went almost 60 times. That was definitely money well spent. Once April came around Joe was back to work on the engine crew at the Forest Service. He spent a lot of time on the end of a chainsaw thinning trees.

He also spent a lot of time on fires this year. It was a really dry year. Not so good for the forest, but good for the pocket book. We figure he only took 3 or 4 days off the entire summer. All that hard work paid for his first year at Utah State this fall. Wayne and I were so proud of him. I didn’t think I’d cry when he loaded up his truck and headed off to college, but I did. He has become a fine, young man. Wayne and I couldn’t be more proud. He plans to work for the Forest Service again this summer. He has yet to really decide what he wants to study. He’s got a real talent for taking photos. So maybe he could get a job as an extreme ski photographer…I think that would be his dream job. If you’re on Instagram look him up. @whynotexploremore  and @thee.real.jb

Our little Jesse has had a busy year. She finished up her junior year and started up her last year of high school this fall. Where has the time gone?? She spent most of July and August on fires as a member of a camp crew. She was in Colorado for a while and then was on the biggest fire in the nation, the Pioneer Fire, near Idaho City. She sent me a text one evening with a picture of trees torching and the whole hillside on fire. Her comment was “you could say the fire was close”. Not exactly the note a mom wants to get just before bed. She had a lot of fun out on her fires though. She even had a chance to have her artwork displayed on the front of the daily Incident Action Plans. She’s an amazing artist. Her plans are to study graphic design, animation or something art related after high school.

Justin got his first taste of being an only child this summer with both his brother and sister away on fires. I don’t think he minded it much. He was at various basketball camps the first of the summer and then he scored himself a job at the local hardware store, so we didn’t see him much either. He was working 40 hours a week! I played him Merle Haggard’s “Working Man” song after his first week. I’m not entirely sure he appreciated it. He’s saving his money for a car since he got his driver’s license in November. Justin started his sophomore year on the JV team for football this fall, but soon found himself on Varsity as the Right Offensive Tackle. The school did an awesome thing this year for the team. It’s called “Heros on Helmets”. Each player picked a name of a fallen serviceman and put their name with the American Flag on their helmet. Their task was to learn about that fallen hero on their helmet. Justin’s hero was a young man by the name of Senior Airman James A. Hansen from a small town in Missouri. He was in the 46^th OSS of the US Air Force. He was killed in action in September of 2010 at the age of 25. This program is such a neat way to get the boys to think of something bigger than themselves. Their team motto this year was “Champions Play as One”.  And that is exactly what they did. For the first time in the school’s history they won the District Championship and qualified for State. I truly believe it was because these boys had their heroes with them every step of the way to help them play as one. With the help of a Google search or two, I found the parents of Justin’s airman. I thought it would be neat to tell them how well the team had done and that their son had not been forgotten. Justin was able to call them before the quarter-final game. It was an amazing, emotional experience. I hope it is something Justin never forgets. Airman Hansen’s parents were so nice and let Justin know how much it meant to them that his son was with him on this journey. I wish I could put into words the feeling that was in the air when he spoke with them, it was priceless. Justin’s team won that quarter-final game and made it to the Semi-finals. They played an undefeated team from St. Maries, Idaho (up near the Canadian border). It was tough game. Those boys played their hearts out, but couldn’t quite pull it off. They lost 14-20. That team had some big guys and they were fast. Justin told us the guy he was hitting on the line had a full beard! After the game, some parents told us that our team was the first real competition they’ve had this season. That made us feel a little better. We listened to the Championship game the following week. They won 31 – 8.  The guy that Justin was defending made three defensive touchdowns, one of which was a 99 yard return!  He didn’t make one while Justin had him. Justin shut him down. I consider that a win. Justin received an Honorable Mention in the Idaho State 5A District All-Conference Football Team. An impressive feat being just a sophomore!

Our family is chasing around to basketball games now that football season is over. Jesse had her best game EVER last week. She was on FIRE! She got 14 points and 11 rebounds. She couldn’t miss, it was crazy! They even double teamed her and she still got the ball. There are perks to being a six foot girl. Justin is on the JV team this year and has started out strong. He looks pretty ominous down under the hoop being 6’ 5” and weighing 220lbs. The other team knows it when Justin boxes them out. They go flying. We’re looking forward to a great season for both of them.

Jesse and I got to go on a trip together this past June. It was a school trip back east like the one Joe went on when he was a junior. It was an amazing whirlwind week, let me tell ya. We flew into New York, drove to Washington DC and spent a couple days at the National Mall. We saw Arlington, Mount Vernon and Gettysburg. Then we went and toured the Amish country. We went and watched a Phillies game. We also dropped in and saw the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall. After that we drove back to NYC and saw Lion King on Broadway and spent a day touring around the sites of NYC. Times Square is nuts, just so you know. We spent a day at the 9/11 Memorial Museum. That was incredible and emotionally draining, but definitely worth going to. We ended our trip with a visit to the Statue of Liberty. We saw so much in such a short span of time. I’m still trying to sort it out. It was such a fun trip. I was glad I had the opportunity to go with her. Next June, Jesse and I are taking a trip to Europe. We’ve been saving for two years. I can’t wait!!

The kids and I snuck away for a week during Spring Break to Southern Utah with Wayne’s sister and her family. We visited like four or five National Parks that week. A great time was had by all. The boys loved riding mountain bikes around Moab. We hiked all over and did a lot of exploring. Not bad considering Jesse got her foot run over the week before by an SUV. She didn’t break it, amazingly enough. She got out of the rig before it stopped and it ran up the side of her leg almost to her knee. She very calmly told the driver to “Back up. You’re on my foot.” Of course, the driver (her friend’s mom) totally freaked out after she realized she wasn’t kidding. It was pretty swollen, but luckily Jesse is one tough cookie. She recovered beautifully.

All five of us took a trip to Yellowstone for a weekend in May for Jesse’s 17^th birthday. Wayne and I figure that is probably one of the last times we’ll be able to all go somewhere as a family. It was a great weekend. We saw lots of critters and the weather was pretty nice. It’s nice living so close to Yellowstone. I need to get there more often than I do.

Wayne kept busy this year, but when is he not? He had a few fire opportunities this summer too. He even got to be the Acting District Ranger at a fire near our local ski resort. It was fun to listen to Joe and Wayne talk shop this summer when they were both home, even Jesse would chime in. What can I say, we’re a Forest Service family through and through.

In August, my mom and my Uncle Ed from Nebraska came up for the weekend. Jesse and I took them out to Grand Teton National Park since neither of them had ever seen the Tetons. It was a fantastic trip!

I made a couple work trips to Alaska this year. That was fun.  It would have been more fun had Wayne come with me and we went fishing, but it was a work trip. I did get a chance to sneak out and go put some crab pots out with my coworker and her husband. That was a lot of fun! The crab was to die for. I felt guilty not sharing with my family. I sent them a photo to let them know I was thinking of them.

I ran a couple half marathons this summer with my running buddy. I wasn’t sure I was going to be in shape enough to do it with all the travelling I’ve been doing, but I did it. I was really loving running in Ketchikan at sea level. I had some sweet times! Nothing like a little lack of elevation to get the oxygen flowing. I am hoping to get a couple more half marathons in next summer.

I’ve decided that I’m not so sure I’m going to be liking this empty nest stage that will soon be coming our way in the next couple years. There’s nothing I like more than to listen to my kids teasing each other and talking smack. I love the sound of their laughter and the conversations we have. Our house is going to be mighty quiet, but that isn’t all bad either. Wayne and I can sit on the couch and watch old Star Trek Next Generation reruns together. That sounds quite wonderful, actually.

We hope that this season brings you joy, laughter and maybe a little bit of quiet solitude. Enjoy those times with family. It seems that our time is a most sacred gift anymore. Use it wisely. Tell those you love how much they mean to you. Hug your parents, grandparents, kids, dog, cat, hamster…whomever you consider family. That’s what this season is about…Love. May you truly feel the Spirit of Christmas this year.

2015 - Year End Summary

December 2015

Merry Christmas to you and your family! I’m having a hard time believing that it is already the end of 2015. This year seems to have been a blur. I’ve been trying to piece together all that has happened this past year and it has left me in a mental whirlwind. (Of course, that doesn’t take much as of late, it seems).

Well, I guess I’ll start from the beginning, since that is always a good place to start.  January and February we spent skiing at the local ski resort, Beaver Mountain. It is so wonderful to be able to spend time as a family outdoors. It is one of our favorite things to do and I am so thankful for the ability to do so. We tried to get up there as much as we could between Jesse and Justin’s basketball games.  

Over President’s Day weekend our family drove out to Nebraska for my dear, sweet grandma’s service. We were so sad to lose Grama Janak, aka “Great Grama Polka”. She was an incredible lady full of spunk.  While we were out there we met up with aunts, uncles, cousins and more cousins. I met folks I didn’t even realize I was related to! It was a fun gathering despite the circumstances. I was thankful the kids and I were able to travel out there last summer for her 90^th birthday celebration. We all will miss her terribly but it does my heart good to know she’s finally reunited with my Grandpa after 40 years of being apart!

Spring Break brought a new adventure for our family. We were able to go on a Caribbean cruise with all of Wayne’s family!! There were twenty-five of us that went. It was the first time our kids had ever been on a cruise. And I’ll just say they are hooked!  It was such an amazing time!! We went to Honduras, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.  It was incredible!  The snorkeling, zip-lining, cave tubing, Mayan ruins, deep-sea fishing and jungles were breath-taking. It was so wonderful to spend a week with family without cell phones and all the other daily distractions. The memories we made will be cherished forever. Thank you Kay and Marv for such a great experience and thank you, Mom for being willing to hold down the farm while we went adventuring.

We didn’t have much time to relax once we got back to the States.  It wasn’t very long and Joe was graduating from high school. Crazy how twelve years of school can go by so quickly. I am so proud of my Joe. He’s a great young man and I can hardly wait to see what sort of crazy adventure he sets out on next!

Speaking of Joe, after graduation he got a job on an engine crew here at the district in Montpelier. Despite all the fires we had out West his engine was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. He didn’t see much action. He did get to go out to Oregon a couple times on assignment. It was a great experience for him.

He worked until November and now is enjoying being laid off. Right now he is taking full advantage of all the snow we recently received. Let’s face it, Joe knows how to have fun.

He was earned his Eagle Scout award in March (just barely making the deadline). Due to our busy schedule he had his official ceremony this summer. It was hard work, but he pulled it off!

Joe is hoping to go to Utah State in the fall of 2016 and plans to fight fire again this summer. Exciting times are ahead! 

Jesse had her share of excitement this year too. Not only did she turn 16 and get her driver’s license, but she bought herself a car! She is the proud owner of a cute little white VW bug! She loves her little car. It’s her pride and joy. I have to admit, it’s been nice having an extra car around. We now qualify for the fleet rate with our insurance! Haha! Jesse got a job this summer with the Forest Service too. She was on a camp crew. It was a great learning experience for her. I think it really helped her with her self-confidence. We have seen a whole new Jesse since she got back from her fires this summer. Jesse also has been saving money to go on a New York trip with her school this coming June. Proud of that girl and her drive and determination! Jesse made the high school basketball team again. Being six feet has its privileges. Playing center can take its toll, though. The poor girl has broken her nose two times this month.  She’s a toughy. She told us we can deal with it after the season… guess we’ll see how that goes. Despite the nose, this year has been a great year for Jesse.

Justin is fourteen and started his freshman year at high school. He made it to the 6’4” mark and I think he’s still growing! He was on the JV football team as a defensive and offensive tackle. He enjoyed himself. He also found that he enjoys lifting weights. He had Wayne take him over to the high school every morning at 6am this fall so he could lift. It was good to see that dedication. This summer he had the opportunity to attend a basketball camp at Utah State University. He really enjoyed it. It must have helped because he made the freshman basketball team this year. It is impressive to see the improvements that he has made in his game. Needless to say, Wayne and I are proud parents. We have great kids!

This year has been a year of health/lifestyle changes for Wayne and me. Don’t worry, we’re both doing excellent! Last fall my neurologist suggested that maybe I ought to start running if it helps with my functional movement disorder. I didn’t think too much about it until Wayne’s sister asked me back in March if I wanted to try running a 5k this summer. So I started training and found that I really enjoyed it. So I ran my first 5k in June and by September I was running my first half marathon with my running buddy, Maryanne.

Then I ran another half with my niece, TJ in October. I’m hooked! It has helped so much managing my twitches. They aren’t near as bad and most days I don’t even have them! Needless to say, I’m going to keep running!  I am signed up for a half marathon in Jackson Hole, Wyoming the first weekend of June. Can’t wait! 

Wayne is the one that has changed the most, I think. He has dropped 35 pounds since April. He was absolutely miserable most of the time and he was tired of it! He was dealing with migraine-like headaches on a daily basis. His body hurt all the time. He told me on more than one occasion that he wished he was dead. It was not a good scene. After numerous trips to the doctor only to be told nothing was wrong with him, he decided to do his own research. After hours and hours of research looking at different ailments, he decided that he was suffering from an overgrowth of yeast in his body. It is called Candida and if it gets out of whack it can start growing in places where it shouldn’t. Over time it can create this hard layer that won’t allow the body to break it down. And being a yeast, it grows in response to sugar. So the more sugar you eat, the more it grows and makes you miserable.

I’ll admit I wasn’t exactly on board with the whole idea.  Let’s face it, it is a bit crazy what you can find on the internet. But what he found made sense to him, so he decided to take a leap of faith and did a 45 day Candida cleanse. He eliminated sugar from his diet, reduced the amount of carbohydrates he ate in conjunction with some medication he had to take over the 45 days. The hardest part was giving up his Diet Pepsi habit. The difference it made was incredible. I have my old husband back. He smiles again. He laughs again. He doesn’t hurt all the time. He has energy again! Heck, he even went running with me and ran 3 miles cold turkey!  I was impressed! It has been a great thing.

Wayne and I had a chance to go to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the National Society of American Foresters Convention. Wayne had to earn some credits to keep current on his Silviculturist qualifications. We had never been down South. It was neat to see the southern forests. We stayed at a hotel next to the Mississippi River so I would drag Wayne out for daily runs along the river. We walked all over the city and had the chance to check out the campus at Louisiana State. We also experienced the biggest raindrops we had ever seen in our lives. I have never seen so much rain! It was a great trip. We also had the chance to meet up with an old college buddy and some colleagues of mine from the Tongass National Forest while we were there. It’s always nice to finally meet people you work with.

Which reminds me, I got a new job the end of June! I am now an official Tongass National Forest employee. I work out of my house still, but my job is out of Ketchikan. I’m still doing the same stuff I was doing, but now I get paid more. J  I’ll miss my buddies in TEAMS and working on forests all over the country, but it is nice to have a little stability in my life.

I took a backpacking trip with a couple girlfriends of mine in the Uinta Mountains this year. I was a little nervous going without Wayne. I didn’t know if I would find myself miles from nowhere and twitch-out with no way to get home. Wayne was really nervous, but he told me to go have fun. He offered to pack my stuff in for me the night before we left so I didn’t have to. He is such a sweetheart. It was an incredible trip! We hiked up 11 miles to East Red Castle and made base camp. While we were up there two of us did a 16 mile day hike to the highest peak in Utah at 13,500 feet. I called Wayne from the top to let him know I was alright. He told me he was about ready to come and find me just to make sure I was okay since he hadn’t heard from me. It’s nice to be loved! I am such a lucky lady! It was an incredible week to say the least. Gorgeous views and great memories.

My mom and uncle came out in August for a visit. That was a lot of fun. We climbed Paris Peak.  It is a 9,500 ft mountain just up the canyon from our house. I had lived here for over 12 years and never climbed it. So we decided to git ‘er dun.  I was so proud of my mom.  Not everyone can say they’ve taken a summit selfie with their mom.

All in all 2015 has been a great year. The kids are growing up so fast. Wayne and I thought maybe after the kids graduate from high school that our lives would slow down a little bit, but we came to the realization that isn’t going to happen…then our life will be surrounded in weddings and grandkids.  Yikes!!  That is a bit scary to think about. I’m not old enough to be a grandma yet!!!

We hope that 2016 will be a year of joy and love for you and your family. The world is taking a turn for the worst, it seems. Take a moment to find that ray of sunshine amidst the chaos. I think it’s God’s way of telling us He’s watching and is aware of us.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love, Cheryl, Wayne, Joe, Jesse and Justin Beck

At the Ruins in Mexico

Jesse and Justin after an off-road adventure

Jesse shoots for two

Joe with his Mahi-Mahi caught in Cozumel

Justin in the Gulf of Mexico

Justin and me after his last football game

Wayne snuggling with a sloth in Honduras

The Beck boys

Joe and his deer this year

Merry Christmas 2014

It’s December already.  Where has 2014 gone? This year has passed by the fastest yet, I believe. It was gone in about three blinks, I swear!

The beginning of this year we spent travelling to school basketball games and going skiing at the local ski resort. It was a lot of fun and time well spent. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to use my season ski pass with all my “seizures” (or twitches, as I like to call them).  My episodes seemed to taper off so I decided “What the heck?”  I think it was the best thing I could have done. We went 8 or so times before the season ended in March.

At Brighton Ski Resort

For Spring Break this year we took along Joe’s best friend, Ryan, aka “Gundy”. We went skiing at Brighton, rode mountain bikes on Antelope Island and took in a Jazz game. We were lucky enough to get our nose bleed seats moved down near the court AND got to sit next to former Jazz Coach, Jerry Sloan.  That was pretty cool.  Jerry’s wife told Gundy that she would be his agent. (The guy is 6’ 8”…. Perfect basketball material).

After school got out our lives did not seem to slow down.  If they did anything, it seemed like they were going even faster. Joe was able to go on an East coast tour with his school. They went to New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania. They got to see Wicked on Broadway, go to a Yankees game, and tour our Nation’s capital.  It was the trip of a lifetime.

While Joe was travelling the big city, Jesse, Wayne and I went with about 200 other youth to Martin’s Cove, Wyoming. Martin’s Cove is the site where many LDS pioneers were rescued in October and November 1856. They were stranded, starving and ill prepared for the early winter storms as they were headed to Salt Lake City.   We participated in our own hand cart trek across the sagebrush to learn of those pioneers and to also get a taste of what it may have been like. It was an amazing trip. It was a touching, spiritual experience to say the least.

Poor Justin was left home to take care of the dog while everyone else was off adventuring.  I did try to make it up to him later this summer. The kids and I went back to Nebraska for a whirlwind trip. It was Grama’s 90th birthday in August.  It was Justin’s first time out there since he didn’t get to come when we went out there two years ago. We had a great time; even mom flew in from SLC to join in the celebration. Grama ripped it up for her birthday party in true Grama “Polka” fashion, although she did tell me we really should call her Grama “Slow Dance” now.  It was so good to spend time with Grama, mom, my aunts, uncles and cousins. They’re a hoot. The kids had a great time too. They were even lucky enough to see lightening bugs!

The day after we got back from Nebraska, Wayne and I were on a plane for our second trip to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. After our short 2 day trip in May, it was determined I had qualified for a study the NIH was doing. It required me to be out there for one week for testing and other fun stuff.  The basic underlying objective of the studies was to further understand how the mind and brain work to cause the symptoms of functional movement disorders. I don't know what they found out, but it was an interesting experience. You can read about the adventure and the one back in May in their entirety here: http://frogsqueeze.blogspot.com/.  It was an amazing trip.  Wayne and I saw so many cool things while we were back there. We were also able to catch up with an old friend from college. He and his wife were superb hosts and gave us the grand tour. Wayne and I never knew the East coast could be so enjoyable.

Joe spent the summer on camp crew with the Forest Service again. He was able to go on a couple fires out in Oregon and Washington. He is hoping to get on as a “real” seasonal this coming summer since he will be graduating in May. I can’t believe he’s a senior in high school this year. Time really has a way of getting away from you. Joe finished his Eagle Scout project this summer. He built a Dutch oven grill at a Forest Service guard station. He spent lots of time welding at the high school. It turned out really nice…. Now if we can get him to finish his one merit badge he’ll have it made.

Joe also got his braces off FINALLY! Poor kid has had them on for almost as long as Justin.
Joe didn't make the basketball team this year. We all were pretty bummed, but Joe's kept a great attitude. He has already been taking advantage of his ski pass this winter…trying to catch up on all those days he missed because of basketball years before. I'm thinking he'll be fine.

Jesse is 15 and a sophomore. It‘s official; she made it to the six foot mark this year. I get a kick reading the basketball roster for her team.  Everyone ranges between 5’ 2 – 5’ 10” and then there is Jesse 6’ 0”. Makes me smile. She does look like a giant out there on the court compared to the others. It does come in handy getting rebounds. :) She told Wayne and me that she really wanted to be 6’8”.  I’m not entirely sure why, since it’s hard enough to find jeans that are long enough as it is!

Justin is 13 and on his last year at the middle school. He and Jesse were the same height up until the other day. We stood them back to back and Justin had Jesse by a half inch at least. He’s growing so fast. If he keeps it up he’s going to be the size of Andre the Giant. Justin did shot-put for track this Spring. He threw it pretty well.  They didn’t have enough kids for an 8th grade football team this fall, but next year he’ll be at the high school. It will be fun to watch and see what unfolds in the coming years.

Jesse said something to us this summer that still has me giggling every time I think about it. I was having a “twitchy” day and I think Wayne’s eyes were killing him so we both were sitting on the couch feeling sorry for ourselves.  Well, Jesse in her loving bluntness says… "Well, aren’t you two just a bowl full of special?" It made us both laugh. A couple weeks later she brings home a sign that said:

“Everyone adds their own ingredient to our bowl full of special.”

She had made it in 4H.  She was quite proud of her craftiness, and rightfully so. A perfect family slogan if ever I saw one!  It is something I will cherish always.

I hope that this letter finds you and yours doing well this Christmas season.  Our family has been blessed, I have no doubt. It’s been a good year with ups and downs, but all-in-all a good one. I am so thankful for my faith and my family.
Sending our love to you all, Merry Christmas!