MERRY CHRISTMAS 2017

Started the month off by watching Molly play basketball in a PG tournament.  they played very well.  She is improving every game and we love watching her.  She even plays in the JV and varsity games.  We just love being with the family.  They won the second game 60-17. 

                    

 Bayles power

Tiff and Cameron came late that night for the wedding of Dave's niece.  

Got up and went to Molly's tournament game at 9.  Tiff came for the first half and then left for the sealing at the Provo City Temple. 

photo bomb  Kolton, Lily, Molly, Cameron

When the game was over ((We lost by 1) we took Cameron to the temple to see grandparents and the bride and groom.  He loves them. 

He loved doing the Hakka with the groom and boys.

They came home, ate,changed clothes, and headed home.  It was a very fast trip,

Sunday was a special stake conference with Elder Davies of the Presiding Bishopric presiding. He gave a talk on the Savior and keeping a strong testimony.  Sister Livingstone, our temple matron, told of a couple who lost their baby and found answers and comfort by coming to Utah and just going to the Celestial room.  Our temple President spoke on the importance of reading the Book of Mormon every day.  We love them and I was able to teach one of their sons at Canyon Crest.  It was a wonderful meeting even though we had just had our regular stake conference two weeks before.  We loved the great Spirit that was there and were blessed for attending. 

We  have been trying to decorate for Christmas but it is harder than in prior years.  Scott had to get the tree down from the shelf for us.  We had Rowan and Nixon which is always fun. 

Dec. 5th we made gifts for our neighbors.  Tiffani gave us the idea of "LET HIM IN" with a real key on the card.  We love her ideas.  We finally got the tree up.

Dec. 7th we decorated and then went to Molly's game.  She's a 9th grader but plays on the sophomore team.  They won and then she played in the JV game.  They won 60-20.  We love being together with family.

 Molly, Cameron, Kolton

 photo bomb by Lily

Kristin made our Christmas card on her computer.  She does such a good job.

  We finally finished decorating.

Dec. 11th we went to Riley and Parker's Christmas choir concert.  It was amazing. 

                               

  They are so much fun.

There were probably more than 800 students in the choirs.  How wonderful to have that many students be in the spotlight singing such beautiful music.          

  They may never get to do something like that again in their lives.  The whole time put us in such a good feeling for Christmas.  The choirs got on and off the stage in record time.  After the concert we had dinner at Erik's and had a yummy Brazilian main dish.  We took a salad.  It was just fun to be with family.  All 3 families were there. 

middle, oldest, shortest, youngest

The best part was that all 3 boys were there to give Dad a blessing before his surgery.

before the blessing 

After serving in the temple the next day, we went to Molly's game.  I have no idea if the games are in the right order but I did take some pictures, which is a shocker.

The 13^th we went to see the movie, “Murder on the Orient Express.”  Which we enjoyed and were so confused on the who did it? part.   After the movie I took Dad for his Nov. 11^th birthday dinner;  a little late but so good.  Of course we went to Out Back, even had the dessert, Thunder Down Under.

The next day, knowing Dad was going to be in the hospital the next day we saw Wonder; took plenty of Kleenex which we so needed.  What an incredible movie.  We think every school student should see it.  It was very well done.  It is great for adults and a powerful way to show feelings.

December the 15^th was surgery day.  We got to the hospital at 7:30 AM.  A nurse had to come into the waiting room to give me Dad’s wedding ring that he had forgotten to leave home.  I was so surprised that he came out of recovery so well.  He never does that.  He was chipper and was glad to get in his room.  Everyone was so helpful and kind.  He had really good care.  He had a total left knee replacement.  He had the right knee done more than 15 years ago and it is doing so well.

While he was there my sister called to say her little fetus grandson had surgery for spinal biffida while in the womb.  He weighed 18 oz. and 5 in. long.  He is due in April.  Miracles are amazing.  He is doing as well as can be expected.

What a small world.  

The nurse who came in Dad's room was Cliff and Carma Bush’s granddaughter. 

She was so excited that we knew her family.  She was a very attentive nurse and we enjoyed her care.  Cliff is Dad’s fishin’ buddy.

Dec.16^th was a sad day in that Dick Hill had died.  He was a good man and a good friend.  I went to the viewing and when I got back to the hospital Dad asked where his wedding ring was.  I reached in my coat pocket and it wasn’t there.  I had zipped it up so I wouldn’t lose it but then forgot all about it and put other things in my pocket.  I searched everywhere but did not find it.  It had been gone now for 2 days.  It had great meaning to me because I had won a car at a church bazaar when I was 12 and had saved the money in the bank for my husband’s wedding ring.  ((Back in the 50’s we had bake sales and bazaars to help with the ward building fund. The car I won was a 1937 Studebaker, stick shift, and had 100,000 miles on it. (It belonged to our bishop who was a mechanic and so was in mint condition) Ten years later I had a jeweler in Dayton, Ohio make it for me.  I was so upset as you can imagine.  It was late at night and I had to leave so I asked at the information desk if it had been turned in.  They said that everything turned in was given to the police at their desk.  I went to the desk and the officer looked on his computer where everything was recorded and no luck.  I walked slowly down the long hall to get my car and the officer came to me and asked if I could identify the ring.  It was the right one. I just started bawling and hugged the officer.  He was a bit uncomfortable but I didn’t care.  I went right back up to the
4^th floor and gave it to Dad.  What a great tender mercy of our Father.  How grateful I am to the honest person who turned it in.  It has 3 diamonds in it and is so special to me.  I love the blessings we are constantly given even those we don’t recognize.  The Lord is so mindful of each one of us.  We pray that we can live worthily to have our family for all eternity.  We love each member so very deeply.

Dec.17^th Sunday, I went to church and then to the hospital.  The meeting was the ward choir and a wonderful speaker.  The choir had many numbers that the ward joined in.  Yes, I cried it was so touching.  I didn’t even sing, I was so touched by the Spirit.  I spent 12 hours every day in Dad’s room at the hospital. The physical therapist came and another miracle, she was Denice Mosley’s daughter. 

Denice was a great student at San Juan High when Dad was a teacher and principal there.  Our kids absolutely loved her and she became a family favorite.  What a joy to find her daughter. Denice was a great athlete and honor math student.

Monday we finally checked out.  Dr. Jackson released Dad at 7 AM but things didn’t get done until 4.  It was so good to get him home.
Our next door neighbor, Vicky Anaya brought us a cute ladder with elves all over it and a blanket Dad has taken over.

 The Clint Washburns came to visit before they left for the big Island, Hawaii.  Taylor wasn't able to come.

          

The girls gave Dad money for several Swigs.  So happy.

Saturday, we  had a brunch that was so much fun and we were so pleased with everyone being there.  We had 3 dozen cinnamon rolls with chocolate milk, orange juice, Mango juice, and cider.  We also had plates of grapes, raspberries, blackberries, kiwi, blackberries, fresh pineapple and strawberries. 

 There were 22 people so this little house was full but so happy.

Sorry if some are left out but I tried. 

Notice the doll Will is hanging on to.

We love our children, grands and great so much.  Our children are such wonderful adults and are doing such good things,especially as parents.  Of course Hailey, our favorite missionary, was missing but she is right in the right place at the right time.  We did miss her, but so proud of the service and truth she is bringing to others.  We think we have 32 in our family now and our Savior has made it so we can be together forever.  We love that.  (I have no idea how to fix the margins)

Christmas Eve I went to church.  What a wonderful day to celebrate in Sacrament Meeting with friends we love so much, celebrating the birth of our Savior.  It was so powerful and heart- warming. The meeting was so filled with the Spirit of that most wonderful birth.  Yes, I teared up a lot.  I had a really hard time when the Primary children sang, “When Joseph went to Bethlehem”.  They sang other songs too.  We had the best speakers and the choir sang.  Sister Flinders sang a beautiful song with her daughter, Natalie, on the flute.  It stirred the soul.  Clint gave a talk in that he just got home from his mission.  Bishop Hoopes read the entire story of the birth from Luke.  Wow!  It was so reverent and peaceful.  I was teary again.  He invited President Gagan to bear his testimony.  What a way to begin the celebration of our Redeemer’s birth.  It could not have been better.

I fixed our Christmas dinner so I wouldn’t have to do anything on Christmas.  It was ham and potatoes with all the trimming. (no yams with marshmallows)

After dinner we walked clear around the circle with only a cane. Dad is really working hard to do well.

Christmas morning was so peaceful.  It had snowed through the night which we love.

I enjoyed shoveling our walks and driveway in such beauty.

Dad insisted on going to the homes to see the families.  He made it in and out of the car and up and down stairs without even a walker.  He just used one of his canes.  At each home someone helped him by just being there, really no help.  We love the excitement in the homes and the thrill of the day.  Everyone was so grateful for the time together.  We had breakfast at Scott’s and I took pictures when the mothers got out their cameras.  I don't remember to get mine if they don't do this.

Scott's

Dad photo bombing  

We went right up the road to Clark's home.  They were having a great day.  Will calls Clark, Gronky.

Clark's

Dad was very tired by the time we got to Erik’s and I forgot to take a picture.  They were all so happy.  They went to our land on the mountain and cut down their basement tree.  We never saw it so Erik sent us a picture.  It was too dark to see the family so I made it brighter but it lost its gentility.  Sorry

We had just been with Tiff and will be with Kristin next month so we felt very blessed.  We love all the hugs we received.

We got home and Dad rested and slept for the rest of the day  Later that night we realized we hadn’t opened any presents.  There was not much but we loved what people had done for us.  It was a great Christmas.

Wednesday Erik’s family came and gave us a beautiful picture of their family.  We love it.  It is perfect of everyone of them.  They also brought up 5 of our tubbys to put thing away in.  That is such a big help.  We love those boys.

 December 28th, Rowan Noelle turned 1 year old.  The time has flown by and yet it seems we have had her forever.  She is always smiling and reminds us so much of Tiffani when she was that age.  She goes with the flow and loves everything, even her dad's beard.  She is such a joy to her family and loves all the attention she gets.  She is trying to walk and has taken a few steps.
Sad news for us Dennis Stoutsenberger has moved to Elk Ridge.  He is the best neighbor ever.  He has kept our home and furnishings running for 26 years.  The entire neighborhood will definitely miss this good man.  He and his parents have bought a home there so he and Valarie can take care of them.

The next day was Shanelle's birthday. 

She looks so young and is so beautiful but the best thing about her is her love for our son and those wonderful boys.  She is a great wife and mother.  We are so glad Erik found her.  They do a great job of making sure the Spirit is in their home.
New Year's Eve was so inspiring in that it was the Sabbath and  the Spirit was so evident in our meeting.  We are so blessed to have a prophet on earth in our day, and know the things we must do to return to our loving Father and His Son.  Tanner Rife gave his farewell talk and did such a good job.  They had to open the cultural hall to fit everyone in.
We are so blessed to have the family we have and love each one of them so very much.  We pry constantly for each one of them and pray we will be together forever.