SEPTEMBER AND FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL

We started this month by meeting Tiff’s family in St George for a fun weekend.  We got there before the Jennings,( shocker) and bought dinner at Chick Filet so we would be ready to go to Toucan to see Newsies.  We were certainly not disappointed.  It was a remarkable production and perfect seats and weather. (a bit warm)  We love this venue and this year even invited the he-men.  We never get back before midnight.

The next morning, Dave decided to give the twins an early birthday present.  They were so excited but when they opened the gifts they just stared, not moving. 

It was pierced earrings and when they realized they were for the 10^th birthday and didn’t have to wait for the 12^th they got excited.

After breakfast the men went golfing and the girls went piercing.  Dave gave them many earrings that morning.  They were so fun to watch.

I did not know after all these blogs we've done that if you hit the box at the right hand bottom corner of the movies it will be on the large screen.  Try it.

They had to hold each others' hands for support.

We went to Brick Oven for dinner

Their birthday treat.

and had yummy food and then all got in the Jennings’ room and watched the BYU/LSU game.  No comment.

Sunday morning we found an early church to go to.  It was fast Sunday and the meeting was filled with the Spirit.  A Polynesian family came in a little late and filled one whole row.  Four boys and an older man shared their testimonies. Their words filled the chapel with warmth and truth.  We chose the right building.

We went back to the hotel and packed up to go to the Jennings’ cabin. On the way we stopped at Kolob National Park, a part of Zion's Park.

  

The cabin is amazing.  Dave has created a beautiful place where the family can go to get away.  The problem is they can never get away.  It is not finished but we spent the night and had a great time.  The cozy fireplace had us all sitting around it visiting.  Life just doesn’t get better.  We cooked hot dogs out on a fire pit with a wild animal border Tiff had just ordered. 

While sitting there eating 2 white falcons flew around us and into a tree right next to us.  When Tiff got home she looked it up and the bird is very rare. 

They were big and beautiful as they soared around.  Everything was perfect.

We got up anxiously to see the girls open their presents but it took forever for them to wake up.  It was like Christmas they had so much fun.  The cabin was the perfect place. 

Lauryn Dora is the older of the twins and what a treat.  She opened this pedicure bath kit.

She came into this world with a bang and has been lively ever since.  She takes piano and organ lessons and goes to competitions.  She loves going to school and learning about everything.  She is an amazing cook and loves to try new things.  She even cleans up after.  She is very creative.  Her smile melts your heart.

Clara Camille loves gymnastics.  She opened a ukulele.

She is very good and goes to a Russian owned gym and does well when she competes.  She is a very kind person and finds children who need a friend.  She has a smile for everyone.  She plays the violin very well and has even played in church.  Her pet that lives in their room is a boa constrictor.

Both girls love BUGS and CRITTERS.  They keep them as pets and even name them.  How can such cute girls love bugs?  They do love each other even though they want their own rooms they spend half the night giggling.  They love their family and going to church.

Dave worked on some things and we swept and organized some things while the girls and Cameron put carpet down in their rooms and fixed things up.  It was a fun morning.  It made us wish we had been able to do something with our land.

Around noon we left and had lunch at Charlies in Cedar City. It was under new management and we had a very long wait but it was fun to be together.

Dr. Whang was our last physical and he said no to our going to Ghana for our mission.  We were really saddened but decided to put in our papers anyway.  We are thinking of a temple mission.

George asked our temple president about a temple mission and he pointed us in the right direction.  We are again excited

Sept 8^th Parker and Riley had a game. 

Parker was injured so he couldn’t play.  Riley was amazing until he pulled a groin muscle and missed the rest of the game.

The next day Clark’s family and 4 cousins came to play in our little pool. Someone was in the water for 4 hours.  We had such a good time.  We just sat in our pergola and visited the entire time.  At 8:15 that night we went to the Utah game.  We played much better. The crowsst was great. Adam Cochran came to our seats at half time.  Such a good nephew.  (Just misguided as to his loyalties)

Adam Cochran and Erik

A normal family

Sunday was our area conference and what a Spirit filled meeting.  Elder Gary Stevenson was the main speaker but every speaker was so wonderful.  We learned that the sign on the freeway saying HOV stands for humility, obedience and virtue.  We never knew that.  It’s for all the world to see.  After the meeting we finished our mission papers.

Monday we got to have Nixon and Rowan again.  It’s a fun and busy time.  If Bethany asks Rowan if she has a cough she does the cutest fake cough.  
I have had so much fun getting sets of towels for the families.  Of course they were on sale.

That evening Jess Cornwell came over for a visit.  George coached him when we lived in Blanding.  It was so great to see him.  We love the pumpkins from the garden.

Tuesday is always temple day.  I hope I can remember all the things that a temple worker has to memorize.  I did Elizabeth Harwood’s name.  She was born in the 1680”s

That night was our RS evening meeting.  It was all about quilts and sisters shared some and told the stories about them.

  We had 60 or 70 sisters there.  It was wonderful.  That committee is amazing.  I have the best counselors, secretary and committees possible.
Wednesday the 13th we sent our papers in to the bishop.  He sent the papers on to to Pres Gagon.  Thursday we met with President Gagon for our interviews.  He is a great man.  At 10:00 that evening the bishop called to say our dental papers were missing and a box was not filed in by Dr. Taylor.  Ugh!  George hurried and ran the papers to the president and at 7:00 AM we called the doctor and got that fixed and sent.  The papers are now in SLC.

Saturday the 16^th  Kolton and Camden came to mow our lawns.  This is the only time we get to see them other than at ball games.  We love it.  They do a good job.

Jonny  you can make it bigger

When they finished we went to watch Jonny play football in AM Fork.  He was impressive.

  Great player.  After the game we took Riley, Molly and Jonny to the BYU football game against Wisconsin.  Ugh.  At least we were with family.

 Molly, Jonny, Parker, 

Shanelle, Erik

 Molly, Jonny and Riley

 Jonny, Riley and Parker

Scott's team

Rowan clapping push the button on lower right to make it bigger  any movie you can do that

 After the game we went for pizza and home to watch more football.  It was just fun to have them in our home.

Sunday was such a great meeting.  Elder Morgan Hunter spoke on home teaching and included his experiences while on his mission to Australia or New Zealand.  He has grown so much and gave such a wonderful talk.  He gave his testimony in Samoan.   That afternoon Scott and Susie came for home teaching and visiting teaching.  We had a great visit and just shared memories.  They are a treasure to have in our home.

Monday we did the usual cleaning and then were blessed to have Rowan and Nixon for a few hours.  Nixon wore dad right out with all of his activities. 

We wish we could have all our grands for a few hours each week.

Wednesday we went to Kolton's football game only to find he was injured and couldn't play.  We were bummed so I put this picture in from a game awhile ago.  I love it.
That night we learned that Hans Solo, their beloved dog, had been hit by a car and died.  That is always a tragedy.  Pets become family members.  

Monday we got to tend Nixon and Rowan for a few hours.  They are so fun.

Rowan

The 26th was another wonderful temple day.  We did George's names.  That is such a humble feeling.

The 27th was Uncle Mark's 80th birthday.  He is George's oldest brother.  We love this great man and have enjoyed our times together.  He is so kind.  He is now a Patriarch for his stake.  He is a man of God.

The JV game was fun because Parker played very well and Riley was the ball boy because they wanted to save him for varsity tomorrow. 

Coach Bayles and Riley

Erik is the coach so it was fun to be with family again.  We love these times.  We got to see Lou Wong who is a great man and a good friend.

after the game

Sept 29th Dad picked grapes and I canned some.  We went to West Lake for the PG game.  Kolton did the play by play and Riley played well.  Parker was still out with an injury.
The last day of the month was our favorite in that it was the Saturday session of General Conference.  We were able to finish the canning before and between sessions: 44 quarts of concentrated grape juice.  I wish we could tell you of our favorite speaker but that is impossible.  Each speaker had something to say just to us.  We always say this is the best conference ever and think nothing could be better and then the next conference comes and it's better. We love them all.  We love the messages on faith and repentance so we can live a daily life according to the doctrine of Christ.  It is so beautiful and pray daily that we can be worthy of our family for all eternity.  We love every one of them so very much and know they are wonderful people to be surrounded by.  The restored gospel is so true and we must live to be worthy of the blessings it contains.  It is so worth everything we must do.

FINALLY FISHIN'

We share our garden with the ward and our family.  I keep telling Dad it's too big.  He thinks 22 tomato plants is just right.Maybe someday I'll talk him into less.  

t 

How we love fishing in Alaska.  We are so glad Bill Valora invited us to go with him to Silver King Lodge.  This is our second time there.  We love it.  We left for the airport at 5:00 AM and picked Bill and his cousin-in-law, Stuart, and carried (as they say in NC) them to catch our flight.

We flew Delta to Seattle and then on to Ketchikan.  The Ketchikan airport is very small and we left it to go down a ramp to a dock to meet the pontoon plane that would take us to Grant Island and our lodge.

That is an experience all by itself.  There were 6 of us because we met up with Josh and his son (18), Dalton at the airport.  We all got into the tiny plane with our luggage and were smashed like sardines.  What fun!  I was so excited when we arrived at Silver King Lodge because they gave us a room where our door and window looked out on the deck and ocean.

If you move your screen this will go lighter,  View from our room.

 It was perfect. However we were missing Dad’s bag with his prescription glasses and ipad.  I think he forgot his hearing aids so he couldn’t hear me, on purpose. We immediately got on our gear and headed for our skiff.  It only holds 2 people and we were in heaven.

.  It was late afternoon so we didn’t have much time but we didn’t want to lose one minute of fishing.  We caught 1 salmon, 3 sharks and a king salmon we had to turn loose.  They must be 28 inches to keep.

We had to have the boat back by 7 and have dinner.  They feed the guests very well, three meals a day.  We pack our lunches so we don’t have to miss any fishing.  They have a sandwich bar and we make our own.  They have the biggest, fresh cookies every day all day long.  We each gained 5 pounds on those cookies.  There is something to eat all day long.

We got up at 4:30 on Tuesday so we could go where Bill knew the good fishing was. 

It was so hot every day; in the 70’s.  We had packed for colder weather so we had to adjust.  A wet towel over the head is prime.  We never even put on warm clothing.  The lodge provides the boats, poles, bait, boots and rain gear.  It was not a real good day but we did catch fish.  I don't remember how how many but I did catch a starfish.

 It was very yucky.  We fell into bed that night. 

Wednesday Bill had rented a bigger boat with a top on the front so we could be together. 

  He piloted us over a lot of ocean very fast, to fish. 

George and Bill

He went so fast that we would hit a wave and then drop very hard on the between waves.  It was so painful but this was where the fish were supposed to be.  We caught 16 good ones.  The boat had a down rigger on it so we could fish high tech. 

 If you put the fishing movies on full screen you will see how we felt.

shark

We even caught a rock cod.  

Threw it over for the eagles.

There was an eagle family by our lodge; right by our deck.

We turned in our fish because the ice had melted, had a bite of lunch and headed for a place where there was supposed to be halibut.  We deep fished for the rest of the day and got nothing.  We thought it was very boring fishing but the boat had shade and we were so hot but had to always wear life preservers.  We saw several whales blowing and a sea otter.  The water here is brown but perfectly good to drink and shower in.  It just doesn’t feel like you’re clean when you shower in brown water.

Thursday we did the very same thing only left 30 minutes earlier.  This getting up so early can get to you.  It’s a good thing we were having so much fun. Need I explain that I had 3 men in the boat so I needed to use a 5 gallon bucket to do certain services?  There is always a family of small deer on the lawn in front of the lodge.

 Sometimes they even come into the lobby  to see what’s going on. 

Aug, 3^rd is my brother Milt’s birthday.  I think he’s 71.  I have really enjoyed visiting with him these past few years but RS Pres and visitors has done a job on that.  I still love him and hope to get to Eureka soon. 

Friday I asked Bill to rent the boat for one more day because it was so hot and the big boat put us together which was more fun.  Again we had some luck on the fishing.  The way across the waters was so much harder but we loved being in the waves.

  We tipped and stumbled every day when we got off and tried our land legs.  Not so good.  Every time we went to our room or to the dock we had to go up or down these very steep ramps.  They were killers.

 up

down

We again tried deep fishing for halibut and again all afternoon in the heat and no luck.  At least we were together and got in some good napping.  We got back to the lodge at 6:30, in time for an incredible prime rib dinner.  It was so well cooked I even had it medium rare which had red in it.  Yummy!

We love this statue of the sailor.

The last day was sad because we were having so much fun.  But, a couple from Wyoming asked if we wanted to fish with them.  They already had more than 10 boxes of fish which showed great fishing skills.  It was so much fun to be in a boat with a female.

Jo and Deb Nichol were so much fun because they already had more than enough fish.  Her dad and mother were with them and had rented a larger boat with more fish seeking instruments.  We left at 5 AM and quit 2 hours later with 11 fish.  It was exciting.  We would get one on a pole and 2 more poles would wiggle.  Her dad thought he didn’t want to fish but changed his mind so we went back.

  We spent the rest of the day in our little skiff and thoroughly enjoyed being alone.

 

 We caught 3 fish but the best thing of the day was that we looked toward shore and there was a whale spouting.  My picture isn’t good because I snapped it too late.

  He was so close that I knew it was going to come over and tip our boat.  Dad just laughed and went on fishing.  A few minutes later we saw some sea lions playing close to us.  They were so much fun to watch. 

I never did get a good movie of either one.  We fished on the other side of our island.  They were big fish.  I had to have dad help me bring 2 in because they were too heavy for me.  That evening we ate on the patio with newspaper on the tables and mixed fish, potatoes and corn on the cob, poured over the center of the table. 

Dalton, Josh, his dad, Stuart, Bill, Dad

They had chicken for those who do not like fish.  The young boy, Dalton said I should really try some crab legs.  They were surprisingly so good. 

It was very hard to go to bed that night because we knew we had to have our luggage on the deck by 5:15 AM. 

 Oh by the way the Ketchikan airport found dad’s missing bag.

Saturday morning we just looked around at the beautiful world our Father planned and His son created. 

We are so blessed to be in a place that is so free of much conflict and worry.  We must obey the commandments and our covenants to remain in this wonderful state of happiness.  Our father loves us so much and just wants us to come back to Him.  What a beautiful plan.  We can return to Him and have our families forever.  Alaska is so pristine and peaceful.  It is a great way to get away from the things we worry about and just enjoy His creations.  We are so grateful for the gift of our Savior and repentance.  The plan of salvation is such a beautiful promise and way to live.  We pray that we can be worthy to have each other with our children and grandchildren and on forever.  What a beautiful goal.

We took a big ferry back to the Ketchikan airport at 5:30 AM. 

I took this lighthouse picture for Tiff.  Guard Island

The Delta Air didn’t open until 10 so we had to pay a $50 fee to store our baggage for a few hours. 

The fish were put in a freezer.  We had 3, 50# boxes of fish, thanks to Jo and Deb, her father gave us one of his because he had 13 boxes and we only had 2.

 We took another ferry to Ketchikan and shopped for a few hours and then ferried back to the airport.  We had to pay another 125 to check our 1 bag and the fish.  The computer was broken in Bill’s line so the lady let him go free.  Good for him!  That flight was a very tiny plane.  We had a layover in Seattle and the flight was full so they asked if anyone wanted to gate check their bags.  We just had the 2 carryon bags so we did.  Only our huge suitcase was checked in Ketchikan.

When we got to SLC, no luggage.  Because the plane was so full of fish they checked our bag to Juneau, and then Seattle and on to SLC.  They said it would be brought to our home by noon the next day.  It was 10: PM by the time everything was set and we headed home.  Bill and Stuart got their 4 boxes in Bill’s freezer but we had 3 boxes that were thawing.  Bill’s wife Julie, had bought a lot of dry ice in case their fish didn’t fit so we bought it and hurried home.  We unpacked as much as we could in our freezer and packed the rest in 2 ice chests and put in the dry ice.  By now it was 1:00 AM.  We were so tired.

The next day we took half of one of our boxes and gave it to Bill.  We didn’t realize it until we got home that he only had half in one of his boxes.  Then we took some to Shanelle and Dianne.  We peeked in the new house and it is absolutely beautiful.  It will be full of happy memories soon.  We then took some to Scott.  That afternoon we took some to our neighbors and friends.  It feels so good to share.  When we went to bed we still didn’t have our suitcase. 

Tuesday, we got up and went to the temple to do 19 initiatories for George’ family.  What a peaceful, fulfilling morning.  One of my names was, Cinderella.  How fun is that?  Still no luggage.

Wednesday, at 1:30 our suitcase came.  It stayed on the porch all night.  That afternoon Scott came and brought Tanis for us to tend for 5 days as he would be in New Jersey and New York and Beth would be at Dance Attack.  He was very sick and we were worried but with the prescriptions he took he got a little better each day.

Aug. 11th was Pleasant Groves' scrimmage.  We were busy doing things at home when Scott sent a message from NYC asking if we were going.  We new nothing about it so we hurried and managed to see part of the 2nd quarter and all of the 2nd half.  Parker and Riley played very well.

 Riley 29

 Parker left tackle 55

We were so thrilled we were able to see some of it.  We missed Kolton's entire game.  
The next day Tanis had really improved and we didn't worry anymore.  He will be so much better when Scott get home from his trade show.
The boys came to mow the lawns and Asher and Jonny played in our little pool the entire time.

 They never even rested.  It was so much fun to watch them.  It was great to visit with Erik and Shanelle..
Sunday is always a good day.  Scott came to get his dog and have a salmon dinner with us.  We had a dinner from our garden: beans, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers. Our "never miss" home teachers came.  They are like family and leave our home with such a good Spirit.  We love them.

Tuesday we did Dad’s names in the temple.  I did Mary Fisher who was born in 1535.  What a great feeling I had while doing this.  The Restored gospel is so true and temple work in so vital in these days.  We love it.

The next morning we were able to serve at the MTC open house.  It was an amazing experience.  We started at 8:15 and ended at noon.  It went by way too fast.  We were the last people the visitors saw and were able to ask so many questions about their feelings.  Every comment was so positive and filled with the Spirit.  We were so impressed with the comments from the youth.  They are so anxious about serving when the time comes.  They were dressed in their best and looked so sharp.  We handed our electrical questioners and no one hesitated to fill it out.  We could have stayed all day.  There were small copies of the paintings in the hall like the big ones the missionaries see upstairs.  They brought tears to my eyes.  I hope we get to see them if we are able to serve another mission.  There is a sculpture hanging in the middle of an area that was done by a nonmember Japanese lady.  It is from ceiling to about 10 feet from the floor.  They had so much trouble hanging it that the church had to have her come and supervise.  She lives in London. It is called “The Restoration.”  The world is in the center and all these small white creations like flowers are surrounding it, and the entire sculpture is filled with many fiber optic strands.  One lady said it looked like our missionaries surrounding the world with truth. 

 Our pictures don’t come close to captivating it.  It is hung from a huge mirror so it looks like it goes up forever.

On the 16th we got a call from President Simpson.  He had been given our names by a friend, Elder Dalton, who is serving in the Ghana Accra West mission with his wife, for the 3rd time.  We had been praying about this phone call for a week and had a very calm feeling about going.  Dad has been worried about the health part of the papers.  The Lord knows what will happen.  We started our papers the next day.

Nixon and Rowan came this evening for 4 hours.  Rowan slept most of the time.  Love having them.

That evening we went to the PG football game.

  Our boys played well.  It was fun to see them on the same team.

 An awesome poster for all seniors on the team against the fence.

  29 Riley

Parker

After the game

It was especially good because Coach Erik Bayles was right there on the sideline as he is one of the PG coaches.

Saturday I went to Zach Jarman’s reception on top of  Hobble Creek Canyon.  Dad was serving in the temple so I went with Vernon and Vanita.  Vernon’s driving was better that any Disney ride I have been on.  The reception was at someone’s home and was unbelievable.  There were 5 or 6 large white swans and a canoe on the huge pond where the bride and groom stood on a deck overlooking the scene.  It was a massive estate and everyone was so warm and kind.

Sunday Erik and family came over with a plate of cookies.  Yummm!  It was good to visit with them again.

Aug.21^st was the solar eclipse.  It was so fun to watch the different stages. 

What a beautiful view of the eclipse

It was not complete here but we saw enough to be enthralled.  We hurried to our dentist apt.

The next day I did Ann Fowle for Dad.  She was born in 1586.  Wow, again it was so wonderful to do someone who had waited so long.  That evening we went to Nixon’s birthday party.

He is such faun and full of energy boy.  He is now 6 and going to kindergarten every day.  He was surprised to see the motorcycle he got from his parents. 

It is electric and used in the back yard where there is grass.  He did the sorting hat for everyone as the game.  The adults were mainly sent to Slitheren.  He loves his family and dotes on Rowan.  When we tend for them he lets us know exactly what we need to do for her.
Wednesday was Kolton's freshman game.  #7

 after the game

Don't know what game this is but Kolton is kicking

August 25th we picked up Cameron at the airport so he could spend some time and go to the BYU football game.  We love it when he comes.  After we picked him up we headed to the PG-Freemont game.  It is north of SLC and we got there in the second quarter so that was great.  

 Lily is really into this game.

Parker and Riley were playing and they lost by 1 point near the end of the game.  

 24 Ri  55 Parker

We learned that Ashley is pregnant with #2 great grand.  Yeah!  We didn't get home until after midnight.
The next day was the BYU game.  Cameron was a nervous wreck because BYU didn't play well at all but they won. 20-6.  It was against Portland St.
Erik turned 42 on the 28th.

getting the wet suit off  Check out those muscles

He has always been involved in sports

Couldn't resist this one of his first two sons long ago.

 What a great Dad and husband he is.  He has always been a delight.  He loves his boys so much and has the most perfect wife.  They are just a great family who tries to do much good.  He is a wonderful leader for the family and serves the Lord always.  he is a great coach and the parents and boys love him.  He loves the fact that he gets to coach Parker, Kolton and Riley.  What a treat that is.

On the 31st Kelsey Bryant Gull and Adeline came for a visit.  Kelsey's family lives in Caswell, a great place to serve a mission.  We feel at home there.  We certainly enjoyed her visit and got caught up on all the happenings in the ward.

 After her visit we went to Parker's game.  He played well.

 This is what Erik loves: his family, The restored gospel, teaching and coaching.  Sorry about so many pictures but I was in a picture mood and found so many of him.
This blog has many football pictures in the wrong place.  I just can't keep track.

We have had a very interesting month.  Elder Dalton. whom we worked with tor 5 years 15 years ago, told his mission president, President Simpson that we would make a very good mission office couple.  It was in the Ghana, Accra West mission.  The president called us and we said it would be wonderful and we would hurry our papers because they have been trying very hard to get someone who would go and the couple there is through in October.  We hurried and were so excited.  When we met with Dr Whang, our cardiologist he said everything looked good.  When George mentioned to him that we were going to Ghana he gave a hurried "NO".  We were so disappointed but felt this was not just his answer but the Lord's also.  George then talked to our temple president, President Livingstone and asked about a temple mission.  He was so excited to give us the Salt Lake number to talk to the temple person in charge of that area.  He was so kind and helpful.  As soon as our last physical is over, Monday, we will put in for that kind of mission.  Dr. Whang will have to approve it so that we go where there is a very good cardiac hospital.  We feel the Lord had to shock us with the first assignment so that we would be ready for another one.  We had not planned on going again.  We know the Lord is in charge ad we will do as he directs.   The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is so true and we must serve when possible and able.  We again are very excited to do what our Father has in plan for us.  We have such a great family and are so blessed that this is just a tiny way to give thanks for all our blessings.  We hope this calling goes through.