SEPTEMBER AND FOOTBALL

 We have had to prop up our fruit trees because the limbs are breaking.  Plenty of fruit.

September is always nice with the temperature cooler, football and family gatherings.  We love it all.  It all started with a win for Parker’s team.

We have been worried because we are losing branches from our fruit trees.  Dad pruned but we have so much fruit on the branches they are breaking, even the big ones.  We have picked some of the apples and pressed them into 2 gallons of cider.  The good peaches and nectarines are now frozen and ready for smoothies.  The fruit has been so plentiful.

The next day was dinner at Clark’s and a win for Riley’s team.  The game ended in a downpour but was still fun.  We were so wet.

Sept. 4^th was such a special day  for 3 reasons: Clark, Lauryn and Clara.

Clark turned 47. 

He is such a good man who does everything possible to keep his family focused on our Savior.  He and Dianne are a great team.  He loves his family and enjoys every minute he can be with them.  He enjoys doing things to keep his body in top condition.  Doing tris is his fun thing, especially when he’s with his brothers.  We are so proud to be his parents.

Lauryn is a special gift from our Heavenly Father. 

                                            We are so grateful she was a tough little babe in NICU.  She has always been busy and into everything.  She is a wonderful pianist and loves to make up recipes to cook many fun and delicious foods for her family.  She even cleans up her messes.  She loves her family and is happy to be a twin.  She is also a good pianist. 

Clara is the other side of twin. 

 She is very competitive and hates to lose on anything.  She is a good little gymnast.  She loves to find someone who is alone and sad, and make them happy by being kind to them.  She is loved by her family and loves them and her Heavenly Father.  We love these two little girls.

Shopping is one of their favorites.  They must get it from their mother.

After church Sunday, invited our Utah Valley families over for dinner but Scott’s was the only ones who could come.  We had such a good time. 

 picture taken by Nixon

After our dinner we went outside to just visit in the cool evening.  The kids got out the jump rope and we jumped for several hours.  The kids really did well after many tries.  They are now good little jumpers.  The rest of us even got in on the fun.

Monday we went to Soldier Hollow for the sheepdog competition.  Wow!  It was amazing.  Those dogs are incredible.  We just had a fun time being together.

The next day Dad picked tomatoes and I canned 21 quarts of soup starter.

We also watched Camden play soccer.  We love watching the kids play anything.  The next day we went to Constance Lundberg’s to share some genealogy.
Thursday was a very busy day for us.  Dad started with a dental appointment and I started with RS Humanitarian time, making quilts for abused children.  We came home at the same time and went to SLC to visit Uncle Platte Bayles who was in the VA Hospital.  He was not doing well but he did know who we were.  We stayed awhile and then left for Southern Utah at 5:00, and George’s great niece’s funeral.  We decided to stay overnight in Moab because it was late and we were tired.  Every hotel was filled up but we finally found one with one room left.

We headed out early for Blanding and the viewing.   Many of George’s family were there.  Andrea was only 28 years old and had a 7 year old boy and a 2 year old girl but had suffered from severe depression since a little child.  She fought it all her life but it finally got the best of her.  We were grateful to be at the funeral because it gave us such a different feeling and much peace.  The chapel and space behind was full.  She was a beautiful girl and extremely smart.  We know where she is and that she is with loved ones and a loving Father.  While there we got a call from Uncle Platte’s family to let us know they had turned off the medication and he would not live long.  He is 90 and was not well.  We love him.  He is the only aunt or uncle George has left.  After the luncheon we headed home.  It was 3:00 and we wanted to be in SLC for Brian Oakley’s reception.  It’s a 7 hour trip but we wanted to try.  We had been in our Sunday clothes all day but we know we wouldn’t have time to change.   We felt we were doing pretty well when we headed down the canyon to Spanish Fork when a lighted sign said “A severe crash at mile post 382.  Expect delays.”  We got delays and were sometimes at a stop.  When we finally got to the accident we couldn’t believe it.  A suburban type car was a complete convertible.  The entire top clear below the window was gone.  A huge motor home was tipped over and a car on a wrecker.  There may have been another long flat bed.  It was a horrifying sight.  We were so blessed to have left a little late.  We have not heard anything on the news or in the paper about it.  Because we lost so much time we just headed to PG and Erik’s game.  We got the second half.  It was a very long and hard day but we feel so blessed to travel in safety.

Saturday we spent going to Erik’s kids’ soccer games and doing peaches. 

 first of 28 quarts

 We have 2 more gallons in the freezer. (10 gals. altogether) We spent the evening watching the BYU game.  No comment.

picked raspberries for conference Sunday waffles

 peach pit jelly

crock pot apple sauce

So nice to have dad around to help with all this canning.  

Sunday while we were sitting in sacrament meeting, Dad just wasn’t feeling well.  By the end he asked me to take him home.  I stayed with him in that he was asleep.  I left for RS and hurried home after.  He was still asleep.  I texted the boys to give him a blessing.  Scott was able to come right away so he anointed him and gave such a powerful blessing.  It really calmed me and helped dad.  He waited for Erik but Erik had Stake interviews to organize so he didn’t get here before Scott had to leave.  A few hours later Erik came and gave a powerful priesthood blessing.  We finally talked Dad into going to the hospital.  I wasn’t as worried because of those blessings.  Dad was already prepped and headed for a EKG by the time I parked the car.  They didn’t make him wait a minute and the waiting room had many people.  This made me a bit nervous.  They finally took a CATscan of his heart to see his aneurysm.  We were excited when the results came back and the cardiologist said it was a 4.5.  That was the same as when we left for our mission.  It just can’t get to a 5.  He sent us home at 11:00 and said if anything changes to come right back.  What a relief.  I know for a fact that the power of the priesthood is what made everything right.  What a blessing it is to have sons who are worthy to use that power. (and sons in law)

He isn’t 100% yet but he is doing better.  He went to Dr. Taylor the next morning for what he thought was a hernia.  Dr. Taylor didn’t think it was but ordered another CATscan to make sure.  That came back negative but showed something on his back so now he goes for a MRI.  This getting old is not always fun.
Nixon came on Monday so we made cider.

 Milt came by while we were taking Lucille to the doctor but I had Romas, onions, peppers, raspberries, squash and cucumbers for them.  Jo loves to can, especially salsa.  Milt is having open heart surgery soon.

Thursday the 15th Dad had another CAT scan to better see what was going on.  We went to Parker's game and then at half time (they were so winning) we went to the temple.

Friday we went to Riley’s game.  He played well and had some good runs.  We had dinner with the family before we headed to the game.  It’s always a treat to eat Dianne’s cooking.

                                               

Boy are they going to miss each other.

Saturday found us at Kolton’s soccer game, cast and all.  We came home and made raspberry-peach jam.  It is so good. 

I love canning with Dad.  It’s a new for us. 

 Tiffani and family got here just in time for the BYU- UCLA game.  We had tickets for Stephen and Sheri, Amie and Spencer, and Adam so it was again family fun.  Scott’s family brought pizzas for everyone and took the girls for a sleepover.  They have so much fun together.  The game didn’t start until 8:30 so it would have been so late for the girls.  No comment on the game. 

We got up and prepared for Hailey’s farewell. 

She shared it with her cousin, Logan because so many of Dianne’s family would be there for Hailey and Logan’s family just moved to Georgia so he wouldn’t be able to have a farewell with family.  What a treasure to share such an important day.  Logan’s mother is Dianne’s sister Emily.  They had families from all over the place.  The only ones in our family who could not go were Kristin’s family.  They were so missed.  It just didn’t seem right to have them absent.   The meeting was so filled with the Spirit.  Hailey did a super job on her talk and let us all know how strong her testimony is.  She will be a great boost to the Michigan, Lansing mission.  Look out investigators.  Logan was well prepared and taught us things to do to improve in striving to live the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  He doesn’t leave until December.  He is going to Mexico.  The older cousins sang a song and I did just fine until Hailey had a solo.  Her voice wad so perfect and brought such a feeling to the song.  I lost it.  It was a testimony builder just being there.

After the meeting, Dianne had everyone over for dinner.  I should have taken a picture but the home was bursting with relatives.  It was wonderful.  I don’t know how Dianne always does it but everything was delicious and wonderful.  I don’t know how many homemade cookies were constantly carried out but I do know 6 gallons of homemade ice cream was served.  There was plenty of food for everyone and even seconds.  Before the meal they took family pictures. 

 Clark's famiy

our family

As soon as we could get away Tiff’s family and Dad and I had to leave.  They went to Vegas and we headed to Uncle Platte’s funeral in Blanding.  He was a military man who loved his country.  Last year, on his 89th birthday he parachuted out of a plane.  It was nice to be with George's family again.

The playing of taps was so tender and strongly felt.

September 20^th  we made peach-pit  jam after going to the temple. 

At 5:00 we traveled to Hailey’s setting apart as a missionary and dinner.  There is always such a Spirit in their home and this occasion made it even more so.  The Stake President found we were Durhams and went on with Dad about our families.  It was so fun.  We found out some settled in Barbados, Spain.  He started the meeting and asked Haileys grandparents to bear their testimonies, then us, the Clark and Di and finally Hailey.  What strength and power was in that home.  Clark and Dianne have tried so hard to make a home heavenly.  The testimonies  centered on the Doctrine of Christ and the truth of the restoration.  Of course they all told of their love for Hailey and her choice to go on a mission.  What a humbling experience.  It was so wonderful and the love of families and our Savior was so present.  Afterwards there were more goodies.  We floated home.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is such a beautiful plan of peace and knowing who we are and what is expected of us to return to our Father in Heaven and live as families forever.  It doesn't get better than that.  We must share this message with everyone.  We love our family so much and strive daily to live so we can be worthy of this great blessing.
The 21st is David Batchelor's birthday.  He is a great addition to our family.  He is trying so hard to take care of his family and live as our Father would have him live.  He loves Kristin and those two precious children.  He loves having his doctorate and teaching at a university.  He is working hard to find a permanent professorship.  He keeps their home alive and active. We love him.
This was also the day Hailey entered the MTC.

 We are so proud of her decision to serve the Lord.  She will help people change their lives.  Only Clark and Dianne went with her.  What a special time for them and how it should be.  Just the three.

Exciting and yet hard to look at.

We made 2 gallons of apple cider today.  It takes a lot of apples to make just one gallon but we love doing it together. 

Milt and Jo came and visited.  We filled them with fruit and veggies.  She loves to can so she will be busy.  Milt is waiting for open heart surgery.  The VA is so slow in getting things done.

Dad continues to not feel real well.  He has the flu today and worries me.  He did help me make crock pot apple sauce.  What an easy way to make it.

Friday we were going to go to Riley’s game but Dad just didn’t feel well enough to go and it was raining  so we stayed home.  We felt he would just get worse if he went.  Kristin told us how to get every game Riley plays on the computer and then change it to the TV so we had a great view of Riley. 

 We screamed when he scored his touchdown.  The sad thing is we also watched him go down and have to be put in an ambulance and taken to Park City.  His limbs were very numb and he had little feeling.  It was a neck injury.  We felt so at a loss not being there.  There’s nothing we could have done but it still felt empty.  The entire team kneeled in prayer as they took him away.

What great young men.  The good news is he is doing better.  He reinjured a previous neck injury.

He is cleared to play but we hope they wait a few weeks.  We are so blessed to have tender mercies from our Father in Heaven.  It could have been so much worse.  We hope Dianne doesn't mind us using her pictures.  This is an only family blog.

 At 1:30 Saturday we watched the BYU-UCLA game.  We were even ahead but lost by 3 points.  I was glad it was on TV.

At 9:00 Sunday we were at Ava and Nixon’s primary program.  These are some of our favorite meetings.  The children do so well and sing their hearts out. 

This was no exception.  Both knew their parts by heart and we were very proud.  After our meetings we went home teaching and then our home teachers visited us.  We are so blessed to have faithful home teachers.

Monday had a dentist apt. to get a crown replaced.  Nixon came and Kolton came to mow.  Dad did the front because Camden was sick.  He did good and felt good.  Yeah!  Nixon wanted to watch the men working on Columbia Lane.

Sept. 27^th was Uncle Mark’s birthday.  He is 79 years old.  We love him.  We go to the temple every Tuesday and after our session Dad had a Doctor’s apt. with Dr. Taylor.  He didn’t like what he saw on the last CAT scan.  He said the good part was that he is not in pain.  The bad part is that he has spinal stenosis which is degeneration of the spine.  We will check out what to do to help.  Dr. Taylor said he must walk 6 days a week.  Because so many vertebrae are involved surgery is not recommended.  The results are not positive.  He is doing much better with all else and does not hurt.  We are blessed.
Wednesday Dad saw Hailey in the temple.  He serves there every Wednesday and it is her district's day to go.  They were each a bit teary but it was so good to hug each other.  What a great missionary she will be.

At the MTC

The next day we walked for an hour.  We took Lucille to the doctor and afterwards went to watch Parker play football.  They didn't win but he played well.

 We decided to go out for dinner so we went to the new Joe Vera's.  The food was so good.  It's just fun to be together and healthy.

Last day of the month already.  We shopped for conference dinner and went to SLC to watch Riley play football.  They only let him play offense once and he scored a TD.

 I guess they're nervous about his neck.  They lost.  We left at half time to go to the BYU-Toledo game.  It started at 8:15 and we got there during the 2nd quarter.  Tiffani had a great family, the Drews use their tickets.  They were so fun and enjoyed the game.  We gave three of our tickets to the Gregory family.  The boys were so excited.  We finally won but we were so hungry that we didn't get home and to bed until 2:30.  We had In-N-Out.  A BYU win is a great way to end a month.
We love our family and the good friends we are able to be with.  Provo is a great place to live and our ward is so friendly and helpful.  We are excited to watch conference for the next two days.  The Women's session was so good Friday.  Conference always makes us want to live better and do more for others.  It is such a necessary uplift to our journey here on earth.  We love the great people who enhance our lives with their messages.