Chain saw masacre

Out getting wood! One of our favorite activities in the fall! We even enlisted the help of the Liles.

Julie taking a smile break on a hike while in the outddors of Oregon.

Julie showing off how well the fall colors are in the Blue mountains above Blanding when we went out to gather wood for the winter. We found a special place full of Aspen trees and the fall colors were, well in full bloom, if it is Ok to say it that way.

Mark & Julie in front of the Portland Oregon Temple reflection pool on Saturday, September 13, 2008. It was a wonderful trip with Jordon and Kendra to see all of the stopming grounds and to meet some special people that Jordon knew while serving. it brought back memories when Julie and I went back to parts of Kentucky and Indiana that I had served in while out on my mission. The weather and tempatures were great for this visit, Just if my head cold would of waited to explode on me until we had come home. (It happens)

Mark was born in Monticello Utah, into a home ending up with three brothers and three sisters. That makes seven total for those of you whom thought three and three equaled six. He grew up in Monticello, Price, East Carbon, Provo, and Blanding, Utah. Graduated from San Juan High School, as the State of Utah 2-mile state champion and a three year vetrian of state championship Cross-Country Team from San Juan High School. He obtained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America organization in 1969, had earned his Duty to God Award in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had served on the Seminary Council his senior year and was the President of his Junior class. He attended Snow College for the Fall Semester, then served a 2 year mission for his church in the states of Ohio,West-Virgina, Indiana, and Kentucky. He then entered BYU for a semester and returned home to work.Mark fell in love with JULIE Donn Ruward and they were married on July 14, 1977. They made their home in Blanding for a few years while he worked in the uranium Mines, at the White Mesa Uranium Mill, in the construction industry and also doing a Propane delivery business with his parents. Mark, Julie and the kids moved to Carbon County and lived in Spring-Glenn, Carbondale, Wellinton, and Price while he worked in the coal mines, did construction work and remodeling. Due to several mines shutting down at the same time and having massive layoffs in a short amount of time, they moved back to Blanding, where he went to school and got an associates degree from CEU-San Juan Campus, a bachelors degree from Weber State University, a masters degree from Grand Canyon University in Education and an ESL endorsement from Utah State University. ALl while working full time for the San Juan School District. He has been working on some coursework towards his docorate degree until his education funds ran out. Julie had traded places with Mark during the educational years of theri lives and recieved her LPN and RN licence and started an medical career at the Four Corners Care Center, San Juan Hospital, and the Blanding Birthing Center. She has gained the experience, wisdom and confidence to be an assiatant director of nursing at the nursing Home and a charge nurse at the San Juan Hospital. Mark and Julie had five children. Three daughters, Jennifer(Daniel Francom & Four children Taylor, Lydia, Amy, & Brooklyn), Kayla Donn (Brad Liles & three children, Brittany, Londyn, and Brexen), and Angela (Brian Eschtruth). Two sons, Jordon Mckay (Kendra Lyman)and Mark "Blaine". The top four are married and Blaine is in the military "National Guard" serving his country. Mark (Pops) works for Utah State University as the Director of educational programs in the San Juan Service Region, which includes the four Corners Area of Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New-Mexico and has developed a prison education program at the Monticello prison. He has remodeled space in the communities of Monticello, Montuzuma Creek, and Monument Valley for Educational Family Learning Centers. This allows students to stay closer to home while attending either CEU-San Juan Campus for an Associates degree or Utah State University towards a bachelors, Masters, or Docorate degree in a select field of education. He serves on the San Juan Foundation board, which helps educational opportunities in San Juan County for both institutions of Higher Educaion and Community projects. MArk has served in the boy Scouting organization for over thirty years. He was awarded the Silver Beaver service award several years ago and has helped staff summer camps for twelve years for scouts and varsity aged boys. He loves to spend time welding, building construction or remodeling projects, getting wood to split and burn in the wintertime, cook dutch oven meals and spend time at the Temple in Monticello. He loves his children and loves to have family time on a regular basis. Now that they are spread out trips to Maui-Hawaii, Portland Orgegon, Queen Creek-Arizona, San Deago CAlifornia and Da Cabin on the Blue Mountains has helped to occupy his time spending time with family members in the past few years.

Getting the Cabin Ready

Jen was the master mind behind the painting.
The nose was redone several times. I believe we ended up with No nose.








Here is the new face for the Cabin. Angela helped with the painting and it all came together great.









The horse swings were a great hit. The little kids loved them and I believe I saw some of the adults trying to ride the horses.