MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas wreath mailed to us from Burt Hathaway, who was a good member who helped the "Sistas" when Tiffani was on her mission in New England.Maine  (door finished by Scott)

The wonderful thing about December is that it started on a Fast Sunday.  We love Fast Sundays.  The Jennings family was with us so that made it even better.  Dave and Tiff had brought up all our upstairs tubbys before they went to bed which made a mess but now we can start decorating.  They also brought up our tree sometime during their visit.    We just can’t do that anymore.

After the Sacrament meeting, we came home so the Jennings could pack up and head home.  That leaves a very empty spot in our hearts but that afternoon we were excited to get Rowan for a short time.  She was so fun. .

Tuesday was a dear friend’s funeral.  He was our bishop and George was a counselor when we lived across the street.  He was and is a great man who we loved.  When we told the kids, Tiffani sent us this note

 “Oh. I love him. How did he die?  Did you know he was the first person (besides my parents) to challenge me to read the Book of Mormon and then fast and pray to know if it was true? I had an incredible interview with him that led to that challenge. Then a few months later I had an experience on pioneer trek that greatly influenced my testimony and continues to be a source of strength for me today.  We both cried (he always cried) when I told him about it. I always knew he loved me. He was an incredible bishop for youth.”  

We continue to watch Molly and Lily play ball which is fun and we get to be with family which is what we love.  We spent the next few days dong this and putting up our Christmas decorations.  I did the upstairs

 Kristin brought this from Jerusalem

 Precious Moments  Every family has this same set

and Dad did the basement, including his amazing village and the other décor.

 The little tree with the tatted snowflakes

Dad put this puzzle together years ago and keeps it wrapped carefully.

Dad's village

December 7^th at 2:00, we went to the Covey Center for a Christmas concert featuring Dallyn Bayles, who is a cousin.  He is an accomplished vocalist and performs all over the country.  We loved every minute listening to his great talent.

At 5:30, we went to reception center where Kate Hunter was having her wedding pictures done.  I wanted to see her in her dress, which was so beautiful, because we could not make the reception.  At 6:30, Ava was dancing at the half time of a basketball game at Orem High School.  We really had to hurry.  Just as we were getting to the school, I realized I didn’t have my trifocal glassed and probably lost them at the concert.  This wonderful husband of mine just turned around and headed back.  The Christmas traffic was very thick and I was so worried I wouldn’t find them when I realized I had left my purse at the reception center.  How can I be so forgetful?  Dad drove to the Covey Center and a man let me in.  I told him my situation and he took me to the theater.  I knew the exact spot where our tickets were and right under the chair in front of my seat, were my glasses.  Well, we got to the reception and Bishop Hunter had found my purse and put it where I could pick it up.  We then made the trip back to Orem High just in time to get to our seats and see Ava dance.  My mind was a mess with all the things that had happened but Ava and her dance club got on the floor and performed beautifully. That really helped. 

We left immediately after that and I felt so blessed I was able to do the many things that day, even with all the errors.  Our Father in Heaven blesses us in so many ways and loves us to much.  I am so grateful for the many tender mercies He gives us.

Sunday, the 8^th, we went to Highland for Ruth’s grandson’s mission farewell.  We really got close when he visited in Palmyra while we were on our mission.  He really wanted us to be there.  We also went to the temple with him when he received his endowments.  We left right after the meeting, went home, packed the car and left for Vegas.  Outside of Cedar there was a beautiful sky.

 It took us a very long time to get to Vegas because of two bad accidents about a mile apart.  Each accident had a semi roll off the road.  Bethany's sister, Alexis, with her little girl, was driving right as the rollover happened. It made us realize how blessed we are  in this life, and that life is so fragile and we must live every day to its fullest, and rely on the Spirit.

The next morning Tiffani took us to watch the Knights Hockey Team practice.  They were so much fun to watch and really put on a show for the people. 

We hated to leave but it was really chilly.  We then went to Costco to get some things Tiff needed for Cameron’s court, and lunch including a hot dog.  We next went to pick up Cameron at his magnet school with 1500 students.  He is in the engineering section and doing very well.  That night, Tiff took us to the NFR National Finals Rodeo in Vegas. 

It was so different than the Strawberry Days Rodeo in Pleasant Grove. There was never a time when nothing was happening.  It just went so fast and so exciting.  These participants were riding for thousands of dollars.  We loved every minute and even had pretzels.

   

                                          

Dec. 10th we prepared for Cameron's Eagle Court of Honor.

He has worked so hard to get this and everyone knows that the mother also works hard.  Tiffani had planned on a wonderful court to honor Cameron.  She had music, talks, comments and refreshments.  She worried that not many would come but it was well attended.  Even Cameron's elementary principal was there.

The principal is the one with the tie.

The girls had worked on a slide show which was very well done and had pictures of Scouting activities.  A good friend of Cameron's waited to have his court so they could do it together.  It was so well done.  There was just a great feeling of support and achievement that evening.  We were excited because my brother Del's son, Randy showed up who we all love.  It was just a great time.

The next afternoon we headed home and got there at 9:00.  About an hour from home we had turned the temperature at home to 72 so it would be warm.  We do that on our phone.  When we opened the door it was 52 F.  Our furnace was broken.  We called for a repairman to come but he couldn't come until the next day, Thursday, when I was to be in surgery.  It was a very cold night.  Our good neighbor Dennis Stoutsenberger came Thursday, before the repairman could get there and fixed it by putting in a new circuit board.  He is always saving us money  We love where we live.  I stayed overnight  but came home Friday to a warm home.  The surgery was successful and I had no pain.  There was a tumor in my left parathyroid and he removed the parathyroid.  Later tests showed no cancer so it was a good idea to have it done.  The only pain was the first nurse trying to get my IV in.

It took forever to get checked out of the hospital and we got home in time to rest a little and then go to Ava's Christmas Dance Program.  She had a solo performance and did such an incredible job. We just had to go see it.  Scott saved us seats and we got there just a few minutes before it started and she was #4 on the program so as soon as she was through we headed back to our warm home.

Saturday I slept most of the day and Dad took good care of me. Dan and Michelle brought us milk shakes which felt very good on my throat.  Dad gave me a crazy pair of Stance socks for some of my 12 days.  I love them.

Sunday I didn't go to church and Carma Bush brought us an amazing roast beef dinner.  It was so good.  We have such wonderful friends and neighbors.
Monday we addressed Christmas cards and Dianne and Jonny brought us a yummy dinner.  It was chicken enchiladas with all the doings.  Again, we are so blessed to have not only good neighbors but also good family so close.  That evening we went to Kolton's Christmas Choir Concert.  PG High School always does such an amazing program.  This was no exception.  The principal read the story of why William Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the words to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"  It was their last number and the music was so emotional I cried through the whole thing.  The spirit was tangible.

The 18th we went to Jonny's Ballroom Dance Program.  They did a fun job of showing us the dances they had learned at the Jr. High School.  It was very good.

Grandma Goates, Jonny, Grammy and Granddad

The next few days were doctor appointments and just getting ready for Christmas.  Tiffani's family sent  me a beautiful bouquet of roses.  There were so many flowers I had to put them in 2 vases. 

 On the 20th we took our good friend and like family, Clint and his son, Spencer to Outback for dinner.  It was a great time.
After Sacrament meeting Sunday, the 22nd, Scott and his family came for a visit.  We were so surprised.  They invited us for dinner on Christmas Eve.  They stayed for quite a while and Bethany just asked question after question about how Granddad grew up and where.  It was so good to hear him talk about his youth and the experiences he had in such a wonderful family.  He said things I had never heard and he loved every minute of remembering his past.  He grew up in such a loving home.

That evening we went to Clark and Dianne's for an evening in Jerusalem.  We ate food similar to what happened in the time of Jesus.  We dressed sort of like they did at that time.  It was very interesting and some shared their feelings about life and families..  Dad bore a beautiful testimony.  We are so blessed to be part of this wonderful eternal family.

After the food we all went to Erik and Shanelle's to do a service project which was putting school supplies together for we think somewhere in Africa.

 Kolton and Molly

 some of the family

The men went to administer to someone while the women and kids did Karaoke.  We laughed until the men returned and then did some more.

 cousins

 Ashley, Shanelle, Hailey

watching the fun (the film was too large to put in)

We had such a fun time being with family.  We went home knowing we are here on earth to be with family for eternity.  Everything we do is so we can live forever with those we love.  Christmas reminds us of many things but most of all the beautiful and loving Plan of Salvation and the joy the restored gospel brings with love from our Father in Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I love the sisters I get to minister.  This mother and daughter live together and are so wonderful and do all they can to make others happy.  They are very limited in their activities but this one is a puppeteer and professional balloon blower animal maker.

The 24th, Christmas Eve, we were so excited to hear from George's sister Julie, saying they were in the valley moving their daughter, Jessica and her husband, Josh to Lehi.  They all came over and we had a wonderful few hours talking about everything and just having a good time.  It was so good to be with them.

That evening we were invited to Scott and Bethany's for dinner.  Beth had set a beautiful table with place cards Ava had made with candy canes.  So cute.  Her penmanship was perfect.  The dinner was a yummy ham with all the trimmings. " Funeral potatoes" are one of our favorites and we ate plenty.  When we were ready to go Scott said they could open one present---Jammies.  All five of them had the same print.  They even did a dance.  What fun!

Christmas morning we woke up to snow on the ground and in the streets.  That's always a plus for the kids.  It was beautiful.

We always visit the Utah kids on Christmas so we started with Erik's.  The boys were busy building Lego sets.  The pieces are so small and we can't figure how they can follow such directions.  They love to do this and we love to see what they are working on.

Next we went to Clark's where they were all gathered having a good time.  The great-grands were so excited about everything.  Everyone had a pile of clothing which is great for the teenagers.  There was a huge pile of wrapped presents on the piano and bench which Dianne could hardly wait to have them opened.  She had written each one and Kristin a story about what was inside.  It was tear jerking.  She, with Ashley's help, had made everyone a coat out of fleece.  No one had the same design and they were so much prettier that what you buy in the store.

Ashley had made some for her family.  These fleece coats are coveted in the Goates and Bayles families.  Kristin even has one.

us included

We had a little Monkey Bread and went to the last stop, Scott and Bethany.  They were excited about their Christmas.  Their main gift was a week in Disneyland which they loved.  Bethany served very good cinnamon rolls and juice.  It's just so fun to go to these homes and know that there is so much love.  What a beautiful Christmas.  We went home and worked on a 1000 piece puzzle.  What were we thinking?
Thursday we went to American Fork to visit with Dennis and Cathy Cosby.  He is doing so much better but has a long road ahead.  It's amazing to know that he should have died 3 or 4 years ago but is still fighting that cancer.  He has only one fourth of his liver left and his doctors are positive about his recovery.  It was so good to be with them for a few hours.

They have the master bedroom at their daughter's, Chrisina's home.
Friday, Dec. 27th, Dad bought me a new temple dress for Christmas.  I love it.  Yesterday he bought a new pair of cowboy boots from me.  They are really nice.

Saturday, Rowan Noell Bayles turned 3.

What a fun, cute and active little girl she is.  She is a bundle of energy and loves everything princess and her family, including the dogs.  I seems like she has been in that family forever.  We love her.
Made reservations for  6 grandchildren to go to Disneyland this summer.
The next day Elder Tanner Rife reported on his mission to the Netherlands.  He did a very good job and must have been a good missionary.  Sister Christine Isom taught a good lesson on President Russell M. Nelson's talk. "Do Better and Be Better".  She always teaches with such a good spirit and includes everyone.
 At 6:30, we went to Rowan's birthday party.  She was all dressed up in her Snow White dress and so happy to see people come to her home.

Some of Bethany's sisters were there;  Allie Gary and daughter;  Skylar, Ryan and their son.  It was a very relaxing time and we enjoyed one another.  Bethany has some sweet sisters.
Monday and Tuesday we spent putting Christmas away after we walked our 2 miles.  We did a great deal of football watching. 
We are happy to cheer in a new year and hope we can do better this year.  We are thrilled to have the good health and strong bodies that we do even though we ask for much help from our children.  They are so good to pitch in on all things.  We couldn't do it without them.  We love our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, so much and know that to have all things forever we must serve them and try to follow the gospel of our Savior, in all things, especially in striving to be a help to our children and grandchildren and great grandsons.  We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family for eternity and pray that we may do what is needed to earn this blessing.  Next year will be the best!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS 2019

We are so grateful for the sacred things that happened in this peaceful grove and for the Prophet Joseph Smith and all the trials he went through to bring the true gospel of Jesus Christ to this earth.

What a wonderful month to recount all our blessings.  It would take the entire month to do that but here is what happened in this wonderful month:
With Halloween gone and Thanksgiving ahead, we can remember the many blessings from our missionaries who are writing such inspirational messages  They are so filled with the Spirit of our Savior and remind us of how blessed we are to have the restored gospel in our lives. We treasure these letters which help us grow spiritually.  We are especially grateful for the covenants we have made in the holy temples that allow us to be together forever.  It doesn't get better than that.  We are so grateful for the heritage we have and hope to follow.  They were great people to be able to come to this earth when they did and they set a very hard and blessed example for us to follow.  We love every member of our family and pray daily for each one of you individually.  We love and honor the people you are.  The first day of the month we went to Kolton's state game.  They lost but we love the young man Kolton is and the way he is a leader to others.  It was on TV but we weathered the cold and shivered in the stands.
We love to go to Great Harvest and use Tiffani's coupons.  One time we got there and President Stephen Owen, President of the General Young Men noticed us and came right over and hugged us.  He owns the store but was wrapping many loaves of bread to put on the shelves.  Dad and I both had his children at our schools.  With all he does. he remembered us.  We loved his children.  We were so impressed that he would be there filling bread sacks.  What a great man and example he is to show others how important work and service are.  We love that whole family.  His wife is just like him only tiny but filled with energy.
Saturday we took 3 boxes of apples to Clark's to press into cider on our press.  It was at Clark's house because they have  pressed over 30 gallons of cider from apples they picked.  Along with the apples, they extracted over 20 quarts of honey from Clark's hives.  It is amazing to see how this is done.  They worked the entire day and into the evening.  We helped a little but did help in the cleanup.

Lily, Jonny, Grammy, Seth(a friend from Vegas

 Using the crusher

Clark, Lily, Jonny's friend, Dianne, Seth

Clark has the crushed apples and getting ready to juice them.

Granddad helping

churning is hard work

   What a busy but fun day.

Cleanup done

That evening we watched BYU crush Utah State.  It just doesn't get better than that (unless it's Utah).

After church, Testimony Sunday, we did our tithing settlement and when we got home my brother, Del and his new wife were there.  We really like her and how happy she makes Del.  It was a great time and not hurried.  We visited forever but I forgot to take a picture.

Monday the 4th was my sister, Karen's birthday.  She has always been my favorite sister in that she is my only sister.  She has been there for me always and treated me so kindly when we were growing up.

Nov. 5th George had an appointment with his leg doctor and is doing so well that the doctor doesn't want to see him for a year.  Yeah!

Our evening was great in that we had a dinner at the church for adults and then listened to Brother Rick Macy give a presentation on the new Book of Mormon films that are for our study next year.  They are professionally done and he plays the part of Lehi.  We are waiting for January to study.  He made it so exciting.  It has been over 2 years in the making. 

Wednesday, Nov. 6th, the Seamons picked us up to go to the Logan, Utah Temple.  We love going to a different temple every week.  We especially love when they have a cafeteria.  The food is the best. We had a tender mercy.  When leaving the temple I decided to go back and go to the rest room.  Well when I came out there was a couple we loved and had served with in Palmyra, the Pickups.  They now serve in the Logan Temple.  We were so happy to give hugs and reminisce about our time together.  They were so wonderful to serve with.

Pickups,Seamons and us.

Thursday I had an appointment with my endocrinologist because my calcium and thyroid are too high.  Dr. Nizam, from Syria, drew some fluid out for a biopsy.  No cancer, so glad.

  I had to go to 2 other offices to get some tests done.  So fun.  I was there for 2 and a half hours.  I am always so tired.

Friday, my good friend Kathleen Holbrook Stewart dropped by.  We had a wonderful time catching up.  She is a great lady.  When she left, Hilda Gammett came by.  Another neighbor we love.  Tiffani and kids came late for the BYU-Liberty football game.

Sat. Nov 9th, Dad helped Clara learn to skate on skates we bought at an antique shop when we were in Hurricane.  We loved skating on those old skates when we were in elementary school.  We love them.  She tried and loved trying and can't wait to come next week and try some more.

Reminded us of how often they came off and we fell down.  We are still looking for a skate key.

At 1:30 Dad, Tiff and Cameron went to the BYU-San Diego St. basketball game.  They lost in the last minutes.  At 5:00, the twins, Jonny, Clark and I met them at the BYU- Liberty U. football game.

At both games, Cameron sat with the ROC, (student seats) and enjoyed himself.  If only those girls he sat with knew he was still in high school.  We won the football game.  We had such a fun time and yelled heartily.  By the time the game was over we were very chilly.
The next morning, the Jennings went to Sacrament meeting at an early ward so they could take the sacrament and hurry home for the girls to receive their Young Womens' Medallion award they had earned.
November 11th Granddad turned 75.

Clark ad Dianne planned a dinner for him and every one in Utah came, except Tyler, who had to work.  We had such a fun time.  Everyone had plenty of good food and good visits.

 Clark and Erik

 cousins,  Molly, Kolton, Lily
The girls are wearing outfits Dianne made when she was in high school.

Ava, Bethany and Scott  Nixon is downstairs playing with the boys

 William and Rowan had great fun.

Will loved the whipped cream 

getting ready 

dishing up

 eating

Seeing our boys together is our favorite.

It was just a great birthday.  It was also Dad's brother, Eric's birthday.

November 13th, the Seamons picked us up at 11:00 AM so we could go to Vernal and attend the temple there.  It is a 4 hour drive but we just love to be together.  We checked into the Spring Hill Marriott, ate and did the 4:00 session.  It was wonderful and just what we needed.  Our rooms were so nice and we were so tired.

The next day we did the 10:45 AM session.  Again, it was such a good session and we felt the Spirit with such a peaceful feeling.  We ate, did the 4 hour drive home and just had a good 2 days.

Elder Riley Bayles is now 19 and serving the Lord in Washington DC South Spanish speaking.  He loves every minute and teaching the people he loves so much.

The 16th, Tiffani and all her family got in at midnight.  When everyone got up we met Scott's family at Corner Bakery for breakfast.  When we got there Jamal Williams was in the parking lot changing his daughter's diaper.  He played for BYU.  He is such a good man who now plays for the Green Bay Packers.  He was in Provo to be honored at the BYU game. He was and is an amazing football player                                                   
 Everyone came to our home and just played and visited.  Nixon, wearing his dad's Letterman's jacket tried to rope a plastic cow head.  The girls wore Dad's and Scott's jackets.

Having fun with Rowan

 The game was at 1;00 but we were having so much fun we were almost late.  Clark and Jonny met us there.  It was just a fun time.  The second half was very cold but BYU won so it was just fine. 

Waiting for the BYU players to high 5  The girls are in the white hats.

The Jennings left for Vegas as soon as the game was over.

Sunday was a wonderful sacrament meeting.  The talks were about following the Spirit.  When it was over Dad and I went to Jamestown Square to visit with Jim and Nancy Campbell.  They are the sweetest couple and cannot stay at home any more.  They are such cherished people.  Their room is like a wide hall with not even room for a couch but they are happy.  Good people to use for a example of Christ like living.  We love them so much. We loved being with them.
Tuesday the 19th, we started our quest of walking 2 miles every day.  It was a little hard in that we haven't done that in a long time.

Wednesday, Nov. 20th we continue to walk 2 miles in the mornings and it is getting easier.  Nancy visited with Dr. Mohamed Nizam.  She is on a heavy daily dose of vitamin D.  He is having me visit a surgeon for hyperthyroidism.  We are impressed with Dr. Nizam.
Thursday morning Dad had an appointment with his cardiologist, Dr. Hwang.  He is doing great and needs nothing more than what he is doing.  What a great report.  May even put in for another mission.
I saw my dermatology surgeon, Dr.Tristoni. She did not use laser on my eyebrow but tried an injection again.  She felt I was doing just fine but she did find a cancer on my left arm and surgically removed it. She feels she got all of the cancer but sent in a biopsy. We are both so blessed.

The 21st. I surprised Dad with bread out of the oven when he got home.  For an extra surprise, I made Navajo tacos for dinner.  They were so good.

Yummm!

I could not eat all of mine so Granddad sacrificed and ate some of it.

He always helps with the clean-up.

The 23rd, Dad started getting our Christmas lights in order to put up.  Clark and Dianne came and helped so much.  We had a grand time.

They are very festive.  Wait 'till we do the rest.

Here we are to Sunday again.  We love Sunday's.  Wyatt Price gave his homecoming talk and did such a good talk on gratitude and gave such praise to his mother. It was so heart felt.  After meetings we went to Merrill and Peggy Madsen's home.  She is an amazing family history person.  She has files and files in her home to be turned over to the church.  She was dying before we left for our mission but when I went to visit her she said that she couldn't die until her work was finished.  My goodness she has been doing this all her life and it is so dedicated.  What a wonderful example for all of us.

Monday. November 25th, Ava June Bayles turned 11.  She is such a sweet girl who loves to dance and be with her family.  She is very responsible and excited to be in Young Women.  We love her so much.                                                 

I went to see Dr. Pence and he informed me  my parathyroid has to be removed.  It is a very simple procedure.  When we got home from the doctor we found that our garage door was broken and we could not get in the house.  It's good thing we have an extra key.  Both of our cars were in the garage so we had no transportation.  A door man will be here tomorrow.
Because Ava is so busy with dance we were not able to see her for her birthday so they came over to our home so we could celebrate together.  It was a fun time.  Scott opened the garage door by hand so we could get our cars out and use them tomorrow.
The next day we bought some books for the families.  The garage man came and fixed our door just in time for us to go to Molly's game.  I have no idea what game these pictures show.  She had a game  at 5.  We love to watch her.

The next day she had games at 11 and 2.  We did the final shopping for Thanksgiving.  Tiff and family came at 11:30 PM.  The girls checked out the sales for Black Friday and went to bed.

THANKSGIVING WAS PERFECT.  Tiff and Beth would not let me do anything but make the banana cream pie.  Easy!  Clark and Erik's families ate at Clark's.  For our dinner, Tiff brought 2 turkeys and one dad smoked and one was in the cooker.  The smoked one was the best.  Bethany laid a most elegant table 

 and cooked carrots, made desserts and salads.  Tiff brought more pies and made potatoes and gravy.  We ate at the table

and the kids ate in the living room.

We were so full.  The kids played outside in the snow.  It was so fun to watch them.

Oops!  It looks like I stayed in the warm home.  This is Clara.  They did have many snow fights and built a beautiful snowman,  Cameron even built a huge one.

To our perfect surprise, all the other families came for dessert.  This had been planned beforehand.

Yes, of course I cried a lot.  It just made the day more perfect.  I love it, especially when the cousins get together.  They love each other so much.  We just sat around and visited while the young ones played in the snow.  Tiff skyped Kristin and her family so it seemed like we were all together.  It was so wonderful.  The adult children gave us a handful of envelopes.  There were 3 gift cards for a night at Little America in SLC, dinner at Cheesecake Factory and a card for Kneaders.  The best of all was a letter from each of our children.  We waited until the next day to open them because we were so filled with happiness.  When we found a quiet time, Dad read them to me.  We couldn't control our crying they were so thoughtful and mentioned the ways we had helped them in their childhood and beyond.  We will treasure those thoughts for ever.

When everyone left, we headed for the movie, Frozen 2.

When we got home it was dark.

Rowan loves to stand where our lights hit her.

What a powerful day, filled with the Spirit.

Friday, the 29th our insurance man came to go over our policies.  He's a good man who helps us know what to do with Medicare.  Everyone else went sledding while Dad and I tried to recover from all the food we had eaten. This is when we read those precious letters.  They were so heart felt with their tender feelings.  They were type written and an entire page each.  We were so grateful because we had been in a hard place and this really perked us up.  We love them so much.  We have been so blessed with our own children and they have chosen such perfect mates.  We love them also, every one.  We are filled with gratitude for our children and the choices they have made.  We are so blessed to be a part of this family.  They have such a good man for their father who loves our Father in Heaven and His Son, our Savior and Redeemer so much.  He is my strength.

The last day of the month I went to Kate Hunter's Bridal Shower.  She is a special girl who I had in Young Women.  Her dad is our bishop and we love that family.  I took some pictures on my way home because I walked, it was so beautiful.

 front yard

 Dad fell putting the chairs away and bruised his right arm. 

It was a hard fall and hurt his rotator cuff on the left shoulder.   The girls slept at Ava's again.  They hate to be parted.  We're not sure if it's Ava or the dogs.  That night was Ava's birthday party and all slept over.  What a fun age.
This has truly been a month of gratitude.  We are so blessed to be a part of the families we grew up with and the family we have now.  We love the knowledge that we are a forever family as we live the restored gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Everything we have is because of Him.  We love our 2 grandson's who are serving as missionaries because they know the truth of our Savior.  We love the boy Joseph Smith, who because of his testimony, transcribed the knowledge of the Book of Mormon so we could read and read it.  It gives us answers to so many questions and we know it to be true.  We must pray and ask for the Spirit for answers and guidance.