Kennecott Family Day

My dad retired two years ago and now works full time at the Kennecott Mine. In all my years living here I have never been to the mine, the visitor center or anything. It is really quite fascinating. Kennecott had a family day on September 20th for employee's and their families. We were all very happy to go, especially because it was dad's day off and he was able to go with us. We didn't go to the mine itself but we had a special tour of the concentrator where they crush all the rocks to a fine powder and mix different chemicals to get the different ore out of the powder.

On the bus tour portion of our day



Entering the concentrator with our safety gear on.

At the mine they remove all the rocks and ore and send it to the concentrator (which is to the north of the mine) on a 5 mile conveyor belt.

It was amazing to see the process and the kids had so much fun too. We had to wear protective eye wear and also ear plugs. It was stinky in there because they use sulfur and other chemicals -Emily had to put a pair of nose plugs up her nose so she didn't have to smell it. They provided lunch for us and also a canvas bag of stuff, which included a flashlight, a 20 year commemorative coin since the concentrator has been operating for 20 years now.

It was a fun family day. We were sad that Colby couldn't be with us and the rest of his family. We really think he would have liked to see how everything works too. Science is amazing!

Dad stayed out with Jaxsen the first round, only kids 5 and older could enter the concentrator. My kids loved it so much they wanted to go again, so we went back inside a second time so grandpa could see the action too.

These big drums behind Joe and Hayley are where rocks are placed first. Those are agitators or what they call ball mills, they have big steal balls in them that crush and break up the rocks. There are maybe 8 to 10 of these giant things working at the same time, so it is really loud. After the rocks are through with this process they are dropped out onto a conveyor belt (much smaller) and transfered over to the next piece of equipment that breaks them down even more and so on and so forth, until they are a fine powder.

A video of the ball mills:


This is the molybdenum floatation where they get all the molydebenum out of the rocks. The picture doesn't do it justice. I was really cool. It reminded me of big bubbles of mercury floating over the sides.

I forgot I took a video if you would like to see click play.

LUNCH

I thought this port-a-john was funny. Had to take a picture.



Our bus ride back to the parking lot where our cars were parked.

Family Photo Shoot

We had a family picture session at Sundance. Although I don't like to be in any picture's myself (I am really self conscience of how I look these days) I love how they turned out.

Tiffany with Follow Your Art Photography did a great job and took some beautiful shots.

http://www.artphotographs.blogspot.com/

I love my family!

Independence Day

I love my country! I am so blessed to live in the United States of America! When I lived in Argentina, and have visited Chile, Peru, Mexico, Honduras... I have always wondered why my Father in Heaven sent me to live in the United States, and have the opportunities and privileges that I have when others deserve it just as much??

We had a fun 4th of July and again more fun with family and friends. What a great holiday to celebrate and remember why we are so fortunate. I am truly grateful for those before us who established the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, along with other important issues and freedoms. For those who have fought so bravely now and in the past, so we can be free and live how we choose. I feel so much for those who live under a dictatorship and don't have the freedoms we have. How Sad! I hope they one day can experience life as we have.

We started off our celebration on Thursday, Zach had his 5 year old check up and is just in perfect health. When he was 5 months old he contracted the chicken pocks. He was not immunized at 1 year since he had had the disease. Well in talking with our doctor she said that it would be good to give him a booster because we are not sure how well his body at that young age would have gotten the antibodies. So he started his day with a shot in the arm. He then went to work with me for about 4 hours and we had a good day together.

After work we went to the Riverton Parade, and the Riverton Park. I told the kids they could have $10 each to play and they decided to go on a few of the carnival rides. They had a fun night with their cousins. The next morning my sister's Adrienne and Andrea ran the Riverton 10k. My mom told us the night before that anyone who came to watch the race, she would buy them breakfast at the park. I asked the kids if they wanted to sleep in or get up at 6:00 to go and watch the race and eat breakfast....they opted to get up, and were excited about it. I wish it were that easy every morning, especially after a late night. So we went back to the park to cheer on the runners in the wee morning. Andrea & Ade did a great job! Zach helped himself to the banana's they had for the runners to eat. Have to get that potassium back.

While at the park we watched a portion of the ATV rodeo and walked around looking at the booths a little. The ATV rodeo was pretty funny, they did competitions that my sisters and I all did growing up - except we were on horses of course. Brett is the one that heard the revving engines and gravitated that way so we followed. He was a good sport at the parade in 103 degree heat, so we went to check out the fun in the dirt with him. We got back home at about 10:00 am, just in time to see the Army plane fly right over our house. After that we went to my sister Hilerie's (Kenny) house for a BBQ. Dave and I decided to take the kids to the Riverton park once again for the fireworks. They were amazing, lasting almost 40 minutes and they had what seemed like 3 finales, until the real one came along and it was fantastic. The whole sky was lit up and it was great! We were able to sit by our friends and neighbors Mary & Tyler Fuller & family - who I grew up with in my home neighborhood. Zachary fell asleep before the fireworks were over and we thought it was funny that he could sleep with all that racket and booms. Alicyn fell asleep in the car before we made it home, after all they did wake up at 6:00am to cheer on the aunts.

Schofield Reservoir

On June 27th we were able to get away for a weekend of camping and fishing. The fishing was really slow, but we had a nice time together away. I tried to draw a hopscotch for the kids next to our table on the concrete...haven't done that for awhile, and it was messed up, still they had fun hopping on our down time. When the wind kicks up on the lake we usually get off, since it is hard to fight the boat with the wind.

We were also able to make a trip to Price to see Dave's grandma (Grandma Bliss). We took our camera to get the usual pictures with her, but she isn't doing well and we decided not to capture that on camera. She is 94 and we had a nice little visit. After a bit I asked her if she wanted us to leave so she could take a nap and she told us yes, which made us chuckle. Usually she doesn't want you to leave.

Zach was really worried about all the bugs that were landing on us and in the boat. He was really distraught when Ali rubbed one off her and it took off. He wasn't sure it had enough energy to fly all the way to shore. He held one for about 15 minutes telling Dave to drive closer so it would make it. If it landed in the water it might drown or a fish might eat it. He is very entertaining. One thing I love about owning a boat. It is great quality family time. My kids can't get out and walk away from me, (or Dave) lol!

Another fun weekend!

Our Family Fun Day

We had a blast at Lagoon on Friday June 13th, which was also Dave's birthday.

Alicyn was brave this time and tried all the roller coasters she was tall enough to go on. We also got soaked on Rattle Snake Rapids, played with our cousins, and had dinner with the Sugarhouse Stake where my Aunt Vicki and Grandma live.

We also ran into Tricia Nelson and her family which was a surprise and a highlight....Ali keeps telling me she has a crush on Camden, but has sworn me to secrecy (so you don't know about that). Maybe he will find out if he keeps using mint toothpaste. "LOL" "wink wink" I am kidding, I hope they are too young for smooches still. Camden just cracks me up! You would have to read Tricia's blog to get it if you haven't already.

Anyway, we had a very fun family day. Zach took me on the Rock O Planes and had me upside down, after turning and turning he yelled at me...oh mom, stop us I am sick. I was letting him be the pilot and wasn't so fond of the spinning and upside down myself. My kids loved the new ride Odyssey so much! We were able to snap a few photos.