THE LOVELY MONTH OF MAY

Parker graduated from Pleasant Grove High School

The first 4 days of May we worked in the yard trying to get things weeded and planted.  The mission was way easier but we love to go to all the events our grandchildren have provided for us.  We love every minute with them. Their parents are fun too.
May 4th we  we went to Nixon's baseball and soccer games.  It was again good to be with family.  that evening we went to Stake Conference.  These meetings are always so good.  Elder Evan A. Schmutz, of the 70, was so good.  President Gagon asked us to speak the next day.  Rather go back on the mission.  We feel we did a good job; at least people complimented us on it.  It was actually fun to hopefully encourage others to serve.  At 6:00 we went to Clark and Di's for a yummy diner.  She is an amazing cook.

Tuesday we weeded until time for Ava's dance recital that evening.  I got the places mixed up so we went to Timpanogos High and it was at the Covey Center.  We made it just in time because Dad didn't hit a single red light.  Tender Mercy

 Wednesday we bought another trailer.  It is shorter than Alpie and we think we will like it better.  We just walked in a lot and there was Coach Drury, (basketball coach at PHS)  He gave us a very good deal.  We traded in our trailer.

Wednesday we got up at 5:15 so we could take Scott, Bethany and the bike to the airport for Scott's full IRON MAN in Santa Rosa California.  He has trained very hard for this.  When we got home, we worked all day on the berm.  That evening we went to Jonny's Mexican Fiesta program.  His school has an incredible Spanish speaking school.

 Every grade, even kindergarten, did a song and a dance from Latin America.  The costumes were out of this world and the dances and songs were done with such gusto and perfect behavior.  We went to R&R Bar B Q with Clark's family after, which was very tasty.

Saturday, May 11th, was the IRON MAN.  Scott wanted to do one before he turned 40, which is next week.

                                    
 He was very driven and dedicated.  Bethany supported him to the max.  She kept us informed the entire time and the family was so excited that he was doing so well.

It is a 3 mile swim followed by a 114 mile bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile run.  He did it is just over 13 hours.  Bethany was right at the places she could be to cheer him on the entire time.  She is amazing.

The next day, Sunday, we went to Mapleton for the Seamon's home-coming.  They did such a good job but the surprise was two couples from our mission were there. We love the Barretts and the Lindsays, who served with us.  It  was just fun to be together again.  We went to the Seamons for dinner.
That evening we went to Erik and Shanelle's for dessert because it was Mothers' Day. It was so good to be with that family.  Kristin and Tiffani sent me 4 dozen roses, which I have never before received, for the occasion.  They have filled our home with beauty, cheer and fragrance.

May 13th, Monday, George caught a bug and was ill all week and had his first shot with his tooth implant.  Not fun!  He will continue appointments for 3 or 4 months.  He is on a liquid diet for 3 or 4 days to let the stitches heal.  We are certainly tired of doctors.  At 9:30 PM we picked up Scott and Beth.  They were so tired but we enjoyed hearing about not only the IRON MAN, but also everything else they did.  What an experience they enjoyed together.  This was on the garage and inside the house was full of posters made by the kids.

The next day we went to our trailer storage and emptied out our old trailer.  It was very hot and we got so tired.  It was more than we had thought.  We put everything in our truck, packed high, headed for home and put it in the garage.  It was very hard work, especially with Dad so sick.  The next morning, George went to Dr. Huber to make sure the cancer that had been cut off his arm was OK.  It was perfect.
May 16th, we took the old trailer to the place where we bought it and exchanged it for the new one.  It was much prettier than we had thought.  It is 4 feet shorter.  At 3:00, we went to Brad Monks retirement bash at Timpview High School.  He is a great man who was Dad's asst. principal for a long time and we love him.

Friday, we transferred the trailer garage stuff to the new trailer.

We got a very good deal.  Our old one was a 2004 and this one is a 2015.  We had Scott's kids from 3:00-9:00. 

They were so good for us but the best thing was Clark, Di, Lily and Jonny came by.  That made the time go by faster and the kids happier.  We had so much fun.

Saturday we finished the trailer and returned it to the storage place.  Dad spent the next day preparing for his colonoscopy, such fun.
The next day he had the work done and it showed all was good.  That evening, we went to Clark and Di's for dinner of scones and chili.  They called it chili but I've never tasted chili that good and different.  The tall pile of scones was gone in no time.  Ashley and family were also there.  Those boys are a riot.  We so enjoy them.
We then left them and went to PG HS for Parker and Kolton's choir concert.  There is no way to describe how wonderful and fun those concerts are.  The music was performed with many times. no director and with such discipline.  Some of the students  accompanied numbers.  There were over 800 in the choirs.

Parker is the first white shirt  Kolton is way back behind the boy in red.

TUESDAY I SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY ON APRIL'S BLOG.  FINISHED AND SENT !

Wednesday was a great day because the Seamons came at 9 and we went to the Salt Lake City Temple.  We hadn't been there for a long time and forgot how beautiful it is.  The people were so helpful and friendly.  It is always good to get some names done.  We love doing family names.  We couldn't decide where to go for lunch so we went downstairs and ate in the cafeteria.  That food is the best.  Dad had fish and I had cheese and broccoli soup with a baked potato.  The tapioca pudding was just like my mamas.
Wednesday was Camden's (Erik's boy) and Lily's Clark's girl) choir recital.  I don't know how this leader gets what he gets out of these young students,  It is truly amazing.

 Camden is 2nd from the left. 

 Camden

 Lily

the 4

families and friends

Families, Grandma Goats included.  What a supporter.  Camden and Lily are together.

Thursday, the 23, we got ready ready for Pine Valley and camping.  It is bitter cold there and we hope we survive.

Scott is 40 today.

How can our baby be that old. He is such a good man and loves his wife and children.  They are a great family and love to be together.  Scott is working on being self-employed and running his own painting company.

  We wish him all the luck and hope all goes well.  He painted our Latin/cowboy room last week and did a masterful job.

The next day was Camden John's birthday.  He is an amazing young man.  He remembers EVERYTHING and enjoys learning.  He is always happy and tries to make others happy.  That is a great gift. We are so proud of the young man his is.

We left that day for Pine Valley and our yearly camping there. (except when we are on missions)  We were late in preparing and so didn't get there until 7:30.

No one in Pine Valley gets mail at home.  They come to this post office for their mail

Clara immediately began dinner.  The twins planed the entire meals and prepared them.  They did an incredible job. 

 2 things Lauren loves, books and dogs

friends camping

Everything was perfect.  We sat around a warm fire and enjoyed the visiting.  When is was time for bed Granddad turned on the heat in the trailer and found that we had none.  It was 32 degrees.  We were freezing. After looking everything over, he found that the tube from the gas tanks had been sliced with a knife.  We had plenty of bedding so we were okay.  I did worry about Flappy, the bird, but figured Cameron was just fine.  They did just fine.  The next day we spent going to St. George to find a replacement tube.  Found one.  That night we slept very warm.

We hiked while Dave and Dad fished.

We love Sunday in Pine Valley.  It is a branch and was finished in the 1800".  It is so small that we sit on the lawn outside.  They have a TV to pipe it in for us.  It is a very sacred place.  They only have 4 deacons, so visitors, who are many, help.
Because of a huge rain storm, we decided to pack up, ready to head home.

Our muscle man packing 2 generators.

While we were deciding what t do the girls met some friends,

right in our campsite

We then found it was supposed to start snowing at 3 and continue on through the night.  The decision was made to pack and then have our delicious tri tips, made by the Nebekers and Dutch oven spuds, made by Lauren.  We feasted.

Brother Nebeker is at the end of the table.

We stayed as long as we dared and got home at 11:30.  It was very dark and we were very tired.  We didn't even take anything in the house.  What a wonderful and fun weekend.  We love this outing.

The next day we unpacked and returned our trailer to it's spot.  The boys came and mowed the lawn.  We don't know what we would do without this fine service,  The lawn is beautiful and they do a great job.  That night the hail came and George had to go out in it to get our plants we had for the garden.

Tuesday we gardened all day.  It was nice to be in the dirt and get things ready.  We again got a little bounteous in the tomatoes we bought and planted.
I have to put this in because Tiffani and Cameron went to Portland Oregon, and scenes close by for his 16th birthday.  This is where I went from 1st-8th grade.  They asked me my address and I gave it right off.  I don't know how I remembered it.  I love this area and they went to all my favorite places as a child.  I still love these places.

This picture holds so many memories

a favorite place, Multnomah Falls  what muscles!

Our children never got this treatment on their birthdays!

Thursday the 30th was Parker Durham Bayles's graduation from PG held at BYU.  He graduated with high honors and was on the Student Council.

We don't think we have ever been to a better one.  Instead of the one student speaker, they had 4 or 5 students give 5 minute speeches, and they were so good.  They had over 700 graduates and they were so well behaved.  It was just delightful.  Parker got to sit on the stand with his dad because he was in the student council.  We thought that was great.  Erik was in charge of the honor students. Parker also got to sing with the Chamber Choir.  It was just a wonderful hour.

We sat with Shanelle and the Hammers, her parents.
Friday 7 Trees came and cut down 3 of our huge trees.  The big one in the front was dying and the other two were 50 feet tall and crowding out the lilacs.

They had all 3 trees down and all the mess cleared out and even stacked the logs in the back for fire wood in an hour. 

They were amazing.

stump they will grind out

At 10:30 we went to Erik's for a brunch.  Shanelle had prepared a wonderful meal in honor of Parker.  Clark's family, Shanelle's parents and Tammy, her sister were there, and a few friends.

the men

Tammy, Shanelle,  John Hammer and Christy

Their backyard was so pretty and it was just a fun time.  We love being where family is. Her mother had decorated the front yard.

I skipped a few but these pictures led right up to the door.  It was a perfect idea.

We went home and planted part of our garden.  It has been to rainy to do it sooner.

That evening Scott came to help Dad get posts and things needed to take part of our wood fence down and a new one put up.  He stayed and helped take the broken part down. 

We are at the point of our lives where we can't do what we always did.  Thank goodness for family near by to help with all these things.  We just can't manage without help.  We are so grateful for families who are so willing.  They all do so much for us and we are so blessed.  Even the little ones pitch in and do so much.  The restored gospel gives us the opportunity to be a full family for ever, even eternity.  We can't think of a better reason to follow our Savior and do the things he asks of us.  He asks so little for so much.  We love our family.