BOO! BOO! BOO!

OUR NEW MISSIONARY  - SISTER HAILEY BAYLES

What a great way to start a new month –General Conference.  How blessed we are to be able to watch it at home on our big TV.  It’s like being right there.  Not really, but close.  We are so grateful for modern technology that permits us to watch our General Authorities and Sisters give us thoughts to pattern our daily walk for the next 6 months until we get renewed again.  What a blessing. The good thing is, if we record it we can watch it again and again.

Kristin always gives a review of each speaker; we just assume all have listened.  Saturday’s session was so good.  I think that’s the one where Elder Uchtdorf spoke.  It really touched our hearts, as did they all.
President Thomas S. Monson spoke in his powerful way even at his age.  We love just hearing his voice.  He always has something that if we do, will make us better.  What a prophet of God.  Elder Holland was also powerful.  I guess they’re all our favorites.

We had to tivo part of the second session so we could watch Kolton’s football game.  Another reason to love technology.  They lost but near the end they let Kolton quarterback.  First time since his break.  He did well.  Erik took the brace off and taped it so he could feel his passes better.  We played the session when we got home so we could see our missionary grandaughter, Hailey, sing in the choir.

After the game the priesthood holders went to the Priesthood Session and I bottled 26 quarts of concentrated grape juice which will make around 13 gallons of juice.

I think we need to start drinking more grape juice!

 I love that Granddad gets to go with them.  He loves any time he can be with his boys.

We love the Sunday sessions because the kids in Utah Valley come between sessions for waffles with fresh berries and whipped cream.  This year they also got fresh apple cider.  Sausage is always a favorite.

  They have such a good time together. Some were not paying attention

 The kids take time out during the break.

Asher, (won't name the girl in the Ute shirt), Nixon

Sunday sessions were also filled with the Spirit.  Our prophet spoke again for a short time.  It doesn’t take him long to give a powerful message of love and comfort; just what we need.  We are so blessed to know for a surety that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is upon the earth today and that we have a prophet of God to lead us just as the good people of long ago. It’s true, it’s true.  It seems every conference answers questions we have and assures us of the truth.

Monday instead of freezing cider, we bottled it.  It is still so good.

  We like the frozen better but there is absolutely no more room in our freezer for anything.

After the temple we hurried home, changed our clothes, picked up some sandwiches and headed to SLC for the Jones #%!#* Hurst.  Aunt Gwen’s children get together once a month to tell stories and chat.  What a riot.  There’s never a time when someone is not talking.  They bring treasures they have found from the past and files they have discovered.  Gordon even had old birthday invitations that he didn’t even remember who they were from.  It was just an enjoyable time, especially for Dad.

 Norma Dee, Gordon, Kumen's wife, Paul, Gordon's wife, Dad, Marilyn

When we got home we went to Asher and Camden’s cold football games.

Wednesday afternoon we pulled vines, weeds and bean plants out of the garden.  It is sad yet good when the garden is ending.

Today, Oct. 6^th is Bethany’s birthday.  What a gift she is to our family.  She makes Scott so happy and is such a great mother to those two grands.  We are especially thrilled that number 18 will be here in just a few months.  Bethany is a very tender, yet tuff gal.

That afternoon we went to Riverside, Utah, to watch Parker play football only to find that Erik had given us the wrong place so we had to go back to Pleasant Grove for the game.  We at least got half of it.

Scott joined us at the game.

Thursday we went to Kamas for dinner and to watch Riley play ball.  It was a bit chilly but worth it because Riley had a pick 6 which was so exciting.  They won 61-7.  Great game.  Because the doctor's cut his jersey off Dianne had to sew the back and the front.  By the end of the game the jersey was almost back in two pieces.

We missed Erik's game because we try to see the boy's games first.  We didn't know that Parker would get to play varsity and even snap the ball for a series.  We are so proud of both boys.  We went to Riley's game.

Scott and family came over Saturday morning to put another coat of finish on our beautiful front door.  It is so much smoother now and I can dust it easily. 

When they left we watched the BYU football game.  They won. Yeah!

That evening we watched the kids while Scott took Bethany for her birthday dinner.  We watched Winnie the Pooh, one of my favorites.

Sunday was the best ever because we were able to take Lucille to church.  She hasn’t been for such a long time because she is 95 years old and just hurts too much.  Her brain is incredible but she suffers so.  We take her to a doctor every week.  She is so grateful and easy to help.  She appreciates every little thing we do for her.  She stayed for all 3 meetings.  The children lined up to give her hugs, they love her so much.  We are so grateful to be able to go to church each Sunday and worship as we please.  We are grateful for the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the path we know to follow to be with Him again.  We love that we can all be together forever as families.

Monday was our usual get everything done day.  I was able to deliver 2 dinners to sisters in the ward,  one with surgery and one with a new baby.

We had Nixon who helped Granddad press gallons of cider. 

He loves to do anything with Granddad.

That evening the boys came to mow the lawns.  They did it in the dark but did such a good job.  We love that they come and that we get to see them every Monday.  We had the whole family.  What a bonus.
Tuesday was more apple cider and Asher and Camden's flag football.

 Have no idea about Erik.

After the games

Wednesday we went to PGHS for Parker's Halloween choir concert.  It was amazing.  To begin with the decorations were like something from Disney's haunted mansion.  The director was amazing in that we never had to wait between choirs.  They entered and left in such a unique manner.  The program was on the side walls by the ceiling, all lit up for each performance in Halloween fashion.  The music was so well done and each choir was perfection.  Parker had a part in one song where he spoke in a mike that sounded haunted.  He was great.  The whole program amazed us.  It lasted exactly 1 hour and numerous numbers were performed.  I have never seen a high school with that many performers do so much and so well.

After we went for our traditional cones at Maceys.

Asher missing

Asher there

We spent Thursday getting ready for our flight to Seattle.  We are getting so excited.  At 3:00 we went to West Lake for Parker's game.  He played very well and they won. 16-14.

At 8:15 that evening we werre at the BYU-Mississippi State game.

 Kolton, Shanelle and Erik

 Scott, Nixon, Bethany and Ava

us

Oct. 15^th we left for the airport at 5:30AM. We flew to Vegas and then on to Seattle.  The NW was having a terrible storm but was not as bad as expected, but the ride was still bumpy.  We met Kristin’s family at the Residence Inn in Lynwood.  We had a beautiful family suite.  It was perfect.  We ate at a pizza place where all was the same price and you just went in a line and had them put whatever you wanted on your pizza and they put it in a stone oven.  It was so good.  The drink was Marion berry, which was a new thing for us and also very good.

 The next day we went to church with the Steve Bennett family.  His wife Chari, is one of Kristin’s very best friends.  It was a wonderful ward and Ward Conference where the Stake President taught our SS lesson.  We enjoyed all the meetings.  The funniest thing was that when we parked and got to the door there was a sign that said something like,”Warning! Please do not leave valuables in your car.  High theft area.”  The church is in a beautifuol spot.  

 

 

It is about 30 minutes north of Seattle.  After church we went to the Bennet’s for a delicious dinner and then off to Everett for a ferry ride with the Bennets and their youngest Sarah. 

We ferried to Whidbey Island to visit a military fort they used in the 1890’s. There were huge guns and battlements.  They built it to protect the Puget Sound in case of war time danger.

 

Steve and Dad

stairs to under the ground

deer along the battlements

Jalen on the path

There was a beautiful light house there but we were too late to get in, Admiralty Head.  

We were so taken by all we saw and the fun time we were having that we almost missed the ferry back to Everett.  It was almost dark.  David paid for both cars on the first ferry so we figured he paid again.  Not so.  We drove on by because the lady had her head turned and over this very loud speaker we heard “Will the car that just drove by please come back and pay the fee.  How embarrassing.  We had another fun trip back to the mainland. 

A light house just as we got off the ferry.  It was very dark.

We were very tired and stopped at our motel with the kids while David and Kristin took the Bennet’s to their home.  We put the kids to bed with ice cream and popcorn.  Isn’t that what grandparents are for?

Monday Chari and Sarah gave us a most wonderful tour of Seattle.  We started at 10:00 with the Troll under the Aurora Bridge.  This was a huge cement figure. 

 It is an amazing structure. (The troll is the one in back)

We then went to the Theo Chocolate Factory.  They use their own cocoa beans to make the chocolate.  We needed some sugar.

Next was the Gas Works Park built in 1906 to provide power for Seattle.  They have kept it as good as possible and it is used for weddings at a place close to the water. 

 The geese were plentiful.

The view of the Seattle sky line is amazing.  We could see the Space Needle. The remains are of the sole remaining coal plant in the US.  The sad part is that the new part is where many homeless live in plastic tarps for protection from the weather.  It scared us when a rat ran right by. 

Lunch was at a place called Ivar’s Salmon.  I hate fish, but either I was very hungry or this cod was incredible.  I finished my whole plate and was so full. 

We sat right on the water and watched a huge barge go under the draw bridge.  It was fascinating. 

Everything was so fun and interesting.  We could see where Tom Hanks lived in Sleepless in Seattle.  It is on the left below the dark space.

We ate right on the water and the kids enjoyed it even though it was cold and raining.

 Chari on the right.

Sarah on the right.

Chari and Sarah left us then to get ready for the concert and we went to Pikes Place Fish Market.  We got to see the fishermen throw the fish and just enjoy our short time there. 

fish thrower

There were huge bouquets of flowers for $10.00 everywhere.  It was like a huge flea market only very expensive.

We left to go to our Fairfield at the airport to get ready for the concert.  We passed the Seahaawks field.

 We had adjoining rooms which was fun.  David left at 6 for Benaroya Hall where he would perform that evening.  The hall is so beautiful.  Way beyond what we expected. 

It was filled with structures like these by the artist Chihuly

 balcony

The orchestra was outstanding and the choir, which Chari was a member, sang beautifully.  We were so nervous for David.  Jalen and Baylie were so quiet and not nervous at all. 

before the concert

When it was David’s turn he walked on stage in his tuxedo looking so calm and relaxed.  The orchestra started playing his composition, I Nephi, and all was right.  The orchestra was powerful and it was David’s music.  He is an incredible composer.  When it came to the part he was to sing, he just belted out the most beautiful music of our Savior and his death.  He hit his high note with such feeling and power and then at the death he was so low and still.  I was in chills.  The lady next to me said "I got goose bumps and tears" so I whispered, “That’s my son-in-law.  I was also with tears.  (We were supposed to be in one of the boxes but someone goofed and we were about 8 rows back in the middle and could see the faces so easily.) That sacred ending was so filled with the Spirit and left such a sad and empty feeling.  The audience was in awe.  At the end of the performance they got such a standing applause and the choir sang another number.  We waited and waited for David but he was signing programs in the foyer.  When we finally got back to the motel it was midnight and David and Granddad had to return the cars to the airport.  Kristin and I got the kids to bed and packed because we had to get up so early for the  shuttle to the airport.  We were exhausted.

The next morning we had to be at the hotel shuttle at 3:50.  At 3:30 Kristin realized she didn't have her little purse with her driver's license or credit cards.  We searched their room thoroughly and didn't find them.  Suddenly David called the rental car place and the lady looked in their car and found it.  Well by then we had missed the shuttle and barely made it to the next one.  Kristin had to get another shuttle to the rental place, which was not close, get her purse and then a shuttle back to the airport.  We knew she couldn't make it so David checked their baggage and got their boarding passes.  He would take the kids and Kristin would go later.  They go stand by so this was the best solution.  
Little Jalen came up to me and said, "Don't worry Grammy, I said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to get Mommy here on time."  I didn't want him to not believe in prayer so I explained that Heavenly Father always answers our prayers but sometimes he says "No".  Just as I said that Kristin appeared.  What a lesson for me.  His faith and our Father's tender mercies were so evident.  We are never alone.  How I love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  It's true.

We made sure they were headed for their gate and we headed to ours.  We got home just in time to go to Parker’s game against American Fork.  PG won with 49 seconds left in the game and making a field goal.

The next day we pressed cider and that evening went to Erik’s game against American Fork.  They also won with a field goal in the last seconds of the game.

The next day, the 20^th, we headed for Lewiston, Idaho and the funeral of George’s niece, Christiana’s baby girl.  Christiana was due in 2 weeks when the baby died.  What a sad event and how grateful we are for the plan of salvation.  Mother and Father were grieving but they were so strong in their testimony of our Savior and his love for them.  They are strong but it is so hard.  There was a great peace felt by all.

We came home and watched the BYU-Boise State game.  We lost by 1 point.
Wednesday we pressed more cider.  Gosh but we love that stuff.

 One of our favorite holidays with the family is Halloween.  I do not like to dress up but the rest of the family is crazy about it.  We go to Scott and Bethany’s and just eat, have fun, eat, visit and then eat some more. 

 pumpkin bread bowls

We should have taken pictures of the bread bowls that looked like pumpkins, the homemade soups, the many appetizers, desserts, and pressed cider. The children have so much fun just playing together.  They play downstairs while the adults visit upstairs.  Usually we play outside games but it was raining this year so that didn’t happen but the visiting was great.  We love being with our children and enjoying the whole atmosphere of families together.  We sorely missed Kristin and Tiffani’s families, and of course our missionary, Sister Hailey Bayles.  She is doing great in Battle Creek Michigan.   

 Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox

 jungle animals

 different ones  Erik and Shanelle are from UP

 Scott,s

The Grim Reaper and Mrs. Santa

 You will have to search for the Grim Reaper.  He's between Shanelle and me.

We are so shy.

Tuesday while Dad worked in the garden, I canned plum jelly and applesauce.

Thursday Dad went to the optometrist while I went to Nixon’s pre-school party.  They sang 30 minutes of songs of which he knew every action and words and Beth and I just  laughed and smiled the whole time.

Oct. 28^th found us at Riley’s play-off game. 

Riley is the team captain on the right

He scored a touchdown which is always fun. 

They were so far ahead at half that we headed to Plain City, (NW of Ogden) to watch PG play in a final.  Erik’s team lost but played well.  Erik’s family took us to Cracker Barrel in Ogden after.  I don’t know if I have mentioned but we go to 10 ball games a week.  Sometimes we hit the first half of one and the second half of another.  We love watching these grandchildren participate in sports.  It keeps us hopping.

Kolton’s Super Bowl for 8^th grade was Saturday.  We loved it when Clark’s and Scott’s families showed up to support Kolton.  It was so much fun to be together again.  What a fun family we have. 

After the game we took some pictures.

Two of the Reynolds brothers (Lance-played for Seattle Seahawks and Dallas-played for Eagles and the Giants.)  I can still take them both together or one on one!

the crew

They lost but we survived by going to Erik’s after for lots of pizza and more fun.  The kids never get tired of playing and we never get tired of visiting.

Our Stake Conference was Sunday which is always so good,  They emphasized scripture study, going to the temple, church attendance, especially taking of the sacrament and doing service for others.  It helped us  think of things we can do better.

That evening Ava came selling cookies she had made for the Shriner’s Hospital.  The cookies were very good.

Last Day of the month already here.  I went to Ava’s school parade and Dad went to the boys’.  They were at the same time.  When Ava was finished I called Dad to see where the boys’ parade was.  They hadn’t even started so I got to hurry over and see both.  How fun!

 Camden  Froto

Teacher's aide

Asher

The evening started with Scott and family coming over.  As they were leaving, Jake Jarman and Lisa’s families came. 

It was fun to see Scott and Jake together again.  We didn’t have many kids and it ended at 8.  We had witches fingers and a big candy bar for Scott’s.   Erik’s kids are getting busy with their friends but we had them the day before so no problem.  It was all just so fun.  We gave them their treats later.

We are grateful for a month with few problems and lots of joy and happiness.  Life is good.