FALL IS IN THE AIR

Beauty during a ballgame

Just something that happened the other day.  Dad was driving his truck on a road from Lehi to American Fork when I got this firm impression that a car was coming up in the right lane.  I saw dad barely miss it when he decided to go to the right lane.  Nothing happened so I just forgot it.  The next block suddenly a red car was passing us in their right lane when dad decided to go into that lane.  I screamed and the car honked so that dad barely missed him.  That really shook me up because I had seen the same thing just a minute before.  No vision or anything just a tender mercy.  We are so grateful for avoiding that accident.

How wonderful to have the first day of the month be a Fast Sunday.  Jim and Nancy Campbell, a long time member of our ward, stood in the congregation and both bore their testimony.  They are moving to Jamestown Care Center because it is too difficult to take care of their home and their health is failing.  When it came time for Brother Campbell to talk  he said a few things and then just started bawling and sat down.  I believe the entire congregation was in tears.  They are such wonderful and blessed people.  We will miss them so much but are grateful they will be close.

We went to Clark's for his 50th birthday dinner. 

It was all Chinese and so good.  Of course the dessert was rich chocolate cake with heavy chocolate topping.  He was in heaven.  I had the yummy, fresh peach cheese cake.  William and Simon entertained us for the evening.  Their energy level makes us tired but we love every minute of it.

Sept 2^nd we worked in the yard.  At 10:00 we went to Costco to buy a new mattress but they were closed for Labor Day. We called and the recording said they were open.  We didn't keep listening. Had we gone Saturday it would have saved us $160.00.  We went to Clark's and got some eggs and left some scraps for the chickens.  They love watermelon.  Dad an I then drove to Eureka to hunt for cedar sticks.  He got some good ones.  By the time we got home we were so tired Dad decided to pop old fashioned corn in our popper.  All of a sudden I looked and he was trying to catch the kernels with his hands because they were flying out of the popper.  We couldn't stop laughing until I said  "Did you put the lid on?  "He had forgotten there was a lid.  We laughed even harder. 

The next day we worked in the yard and then went to Costco and bought the mattress.  

 We think our old mattress was more than 20 years old.  I washed the dust ruffle that had never been washed.  I hung it up so it would get the sun and ironed it just as Scott came to help move the old one out and the new one in. 

What a great night’s sleep.  When we sit down our feet do not touch the floor.  We feel like little kids.

Sept 4th we had just taken our showers when the doorbell rang and there stood the Seamons read to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. 

                                                    
We had completely forgotten and hurried and got ready; only took 30 minutes.  It was a beautiful, simple temple and we loved the session.  Of course we went to eat.  We chose Cubbys.  We got home just in time to change and go to Camden’s game.  They won 34-13.  The team left the field and went in the locker room so we didn’t get a picture.

The next morning I got my stitches out.  Hallelujah!  It looks good and didn’t even hurt.

  After that we went to Susie Cherry for haircuts.

 At 4:30 we went to Outback for Dad’s Father’s Day dinner; just a little late.  It was sooo good.

Sept. 6^th  Our Prophet is 95 years old and his daily schedule is so full and requires much action and he is amazing.  He just finished a tour of South America.  We love and honor him so much.  If we follow his council we cannot stray.  What a great man of God.

That evening we went to Viewmont for Kolton’s game.  Shanelle’s parents had come from Washington to be here for Parker’s farewell.  They come to all of the important events.  PG won 34-14.  Kolton played very well.

 The 3  Parker, Kolton and Erik

 Kolton and the Grandparents

brothers

Saturday, Parker and Camden came to mow.  It will be the last time for Parker for 2 years. That fact is starting to hit hard.  They did a great job.  We love that we see the boys every week.

Dad drove me to Milton’s youngest (Becca) baby shower.  So many of the siblings were there and we had such a good time.  They made me sit at their table and just fussed over me. 

That evening we watched the BYU vs Tennessee football game on TV.  Tiff and her family flew and Kristin and her family drove up.  It was a wild game and so fun to see all the pictures the girls sent.  BYU won in a double over time. 26-29  It was wild.  We think Tiff and Kristin were the last ones to leave.  They loved every second.

Sunday was Parker’s farewell meeting.  Dad put up the mission flags in Parker's honor.  We are getting quite a few now. 

So many were there to support him that it was filled to the very back of the cultural hall. All three of our son’s families were there. There were so many and the time went by so fast that he only had 10 minutes to speak.  He covered his subject so well in that short time.  It was amazing.  He gave a powerful, wonderful talk and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.  After the meeting I think everyone went to the Bayles home for lunch.  They just kept coming and coming.  Shanelle had everything under control and the best thing was Shanelle’s potato salad.  We were so thrilled that so many of the Mark Bayles family were there.

  They are just so special to us and we definitely feel their love for us.  Clark and his family were there to support Parker also.  Our family and Mark’s family are very close and love to be together.  We didn’t leave until 3:00 and people were still coming.  I kinda cried all day, the Spirit was so strong.  It was a great day.

Monday, the 9^th we cleaned and hung some pictures.  Dad and I made a terrific peach crisp.  Clark and his family came to pick the garden which is so helpful. 

 Dianne cans everything she can get her hands on.  Jonny spent the time throwing a lasso while riding on a saddle that was on a frame.  Clark also roped and did an amazing job.  When they were finished we served the peach cobbler and to our surprise it was really good.  We added ice cream or whipped cream.  Dianne shared her feelings about going to midwifery school.  With following the Spirit, she has decided to not go that direction but to be with her family, which is most important to her.  We support her fully in that decision.  She is a Doula in SLC and loves every minute.  She is so good with the mothers in helping them relax and deliver those precious babies.  She is perfect in that position.

The weather caused snow on Mt. Timpanogos

Tues. Sept 10^th we went to the Bountiful Temple with the Seamons. 

It rained all the way there and back.  We had lunch at the temple which is so fun and yummy.  When we got home Dad went to Camden’s game and I worked on this blog.  It must have still been raining and I’m a fair weather cheer person.  That evening we went to Alan and Julie Ashton's daughter’s reception in Spanish Fork.  Alan was one of Dad’s Vice Principals at Timpview.  We love this family.

Wednesday I went to the church to see Bishop Hunter for my temple recommend.  He is such a good man and we love his family.  It was a very good visit.
Parker entered the MTC this day.  He was well prepared but it is still a nervous time.  His best friend, George, met him and we're sure put him at ease.  He will be a valiant soldier in teaching the restored gospel to the people of Kobe Japan.  Our prayers are with him and his cousin, Riley Bayles, along with all missionaries.

It rained all day the next day.  We went to Deseret Book Store to look for Nixon a CTR ring.  We  found a fun one but didn’t know his size so we’ll get it later.  That evening we went to Timpanogos Park for Dennis and Valerie Stoutsenberger’s granddaughter’s reception. They have been our neighbors for 30 years.  It was such a beautiful setting.

Friday the 13^th, Clark and Di stopped by on their way to their 24^th, we think, wedding anniversary.  They left us with a yummy loaf of pear fruit bread.  It was Heavenly. Dad said it was good enough to "knock your hat in the creek".  At 3:30, we sat on the top row of the bleachers to watch Camden’s game behind the bleachers                               #54

and Kolton’s JV game on the field.  At 7 we watched Kolton’s varsity game on the field.

He is always surrounded by girls

I think the one on his left is his Home Coming date.

What a great day to see these boys.  Tiff and her family came at midnight so they could see the BYU-USC.  How fun our family is and how we love to be with them.

Saturday was the big game.  We started by meeting Scott’s family at Magelby’s for breakfast.  Of course Rowan entertained us.  By the time we left it was time to get ready for the game.  We went to PG to pick up Jonny.  When we got home Erik's boys were just finishing mowing,  They got in a little football.

Lauryn and Erik  guess you're never too old

Tiff and Dave went to the BYU Bookstore.  They said they would meet us at the game.  Tiff has 5 tickets and we have 6 so we have plenty of room.

We all happened to meet at our parking place at the same time.  The game was so good and the crowd so loud.  It was electrifying.

The game was at 1:30 and was so hot but we played so well that we didn’t even care.

Cosmo

The best part was when the final whistle blew, we were ahead 30-27 in double overtime.  The crowd filled the field including our kids.  We had never seen this happen in such gustso.  We finally got home, Tiff ordered pizza, and the 3 kids played football.  How can 3 people play?  We must say those twins gave Jonny a hard go.  Cameron was too excited to do anything.

sleepover at Scott's

Tiff took some veggies from our garden and the Vegas group left at 8:00 PM for home. (a five and a half hour drive)  We then took Jonny home and he said it was the best day ever.  What a day!!!  We had people from 4 of our families.  It was just a great day. (Sort of out of order)
Sunday morning, the 15th, at 2:00 AM, I needed to go to the bathroom.  I thought I was doing as usual but the next thing I knew I was falling from the toilet to the shower and holding on to the curtain.  I was so embarrassed but grateful that the curtain rod made such a loud noise that Dad heard and came and lifted me out.  I was very sore but happy to lie back down in bed.  I was worried about taking a shower the next morning but grateful that Scott had put a long rod in the wall of the tub so I could hold on tightly.  I did go to church but Dad took me home after Sacrament meeting.  I was very nervous and a bit mixed up.  I rested for a few minutes and Dad took me to the Stake Center for a temple recommend interview.  I was with President Moore and the Spirit was so strong and present.  I was so tired after that we had Bethany's peach pie for dessert.  So yummy.

Monday the road crew started removing the blacktop on our road and preparing to repave.

  It was so interesting that every now and then I just sat on the porch and took pictures.  The process was so amazing.  We now have a beautiful new road in front of our home.

The next morning we picked up the Seamons and headed to Manti and another temple experience.  Ruth grew up in Birdseye and explained all the details of the fires and floods that had occurred in the last 40 years. Some of the damage was still visible. We will never go to Manti and feel the same way about the area.  The homes, churches, people, and history was so interesting.  We loved our time in the temple.  It was so fun seeing the characters live.  I had forgotten how beautiful that temple is.  Kristin and David, Scott and Bethany were married there.  Kristin and David's children were sealed there.  Many memories flowed through our minds.  We were 5 minutes late and they held the session for us.  They were just so kind.  We ate a homemade lunch in the temple cafeteria. On the way home we stopped at Ruth's home where she grew up to see her grandmother who is 90 years old and partially blind.  She can see large things only.  We expected this little old lady but she was a whipper-snapper. She was so delightful.  The burn at Birdseye while we were on our mission missed her home be a few yards.  They had her evacuate.  The burned cedar trees were right there.  She is a fighter and a very strong sister in the church.  We loved her immediately.

Wednesday the 18th, George had a doctor's appoint with the C-Pap doctor and he does not stop breathing as much as before, which is very good.  I made 16 pints of very hot salsa.  At 4:30 till 7:30 we relieved Kaman and watched the kids for Scott and Beth while they were PLAYING at Disneyland.  George took Nixon to get his finger sized so we could get him a CTR ring for his baptism.  They also took chicken feed to Clark's.
Thursday we went to Kolton's JV game and Friday to his Varsity Game.

The clouds were beautiful.

 Kolton & Molly

Tifani and the kids came around midnight.  They came mainly because Mo Elewonibi was being honored at the BYU game.  He surprised us by coming to our home late that evening.

He left his daughter and son at the hotel.  They are 16 and 17 and very tired from the flight.  Mo lives in Canada.

Saturday was David Batchelor's birthday.  We think he is 39.  He teaches choir in a high school in South Carolina and loves it.  He is a great musician but loves being with his family.  He is a good man and a fun father.  He wears us out just watching him play with Baylie and Jalen.  We love it when he sings.  We are so glad Kristin married him.
I have no idea if these events are in order or whatever.  I just put them in where I want.

After making Mickey Mouse pancakes, we went to Cougar Canyon, which is across from the stadium, to find Mo.  He was in a booth giving autographs to the fans.  He is a large and very handsome man.

His kids were with him and I think shocked at how famous he is with the Cougar fans.  We just couldn't stop hugging and loving being with him.  There were times we thought he lived in our home.  We met Scott and he left Ava and Nixon so they could go to the game with us.  He had a bad cold and was miserable, so he didn't stay.  The kids were so fun even though we didn't win.  Cameron not so much. Mo came up to our seats during the game.

After the game we met Scott, Beth and Rowan, at Blaze Pizza.  After a fun meal, the twins went with Scott and family for another sleep-over.

Sunday, the 22nd, Tiff picked up the girls and brought them home to get ready for church.  I love that when they come they wear one of my dresses.  They choose whatever they want.  They certainly look better on them than me.  Clara even wore my shoes.  It was the Primary Program and always one of my favorites.  Of course I cried a ton.  It was very well done.  After the meeting we had dinner and the Jennings went home with a trunk full of our garden produce.  Cameron drove.  HELP!

Monday we cleaned and did laundry.  On our way home from shopping, we drove into the driveway and the garage door would not open.  We found that the company repaving our street had a huge truck take out 10 electric poles 2 blocks down our street.

Clark and family came to pick in the garden.  We love their help.

Ashley's family came too.

Clark and William playing hide-and-seek

the MAN CAVE

We thought that our power would soon come on but decided to follow Clark's advice and go to Pleasant Grove and eat at  Costs Vita because 20% of our bill would go to Molly's PG basketball team.  We learned it could be out for maybe 24 hours.  We were grateful for our storage and would be fine with a little help of dry ice for the freezer and fridge.  When we headed home and got close to our home it was so dark on our street.  We learned that 240 homes were out of power.

Repair work a block from home.

What we could see when looking across the street.

The power came on at 5:00 AM.  We went to Krispy Kream, bought 2 dozen donuts and took them to be sent to the MTC for Parker to share.

The next day we went to the Ogden Temple with the Seamons to do a session and got home in time for Dad to go to Camden's game.

Sept. 26th  We went to the Provo Temple and got all the initiatory we have done.  We are are at a standstill until we can get the baptisms we have done.  We will do them this week.  Went to Kolton's game at Sky ridge.  Wrote to Elders Bayles and Bayles.

Sept. 27^th we worked in the garden picking the tasty food.  We went to Kolton’s varsity game at 7.   It was so hard because they lost 27-28.  Tiff and kids came around 10:30 for Nixon’s baptism tomorrow.  We love it when they come.

The next day was the baptism.  It was such a spiritual time.

Bethany’s family was there and some of the Cook’s.  They are so like family.  Erik, Clark and Tiffani’s families were there.  It was so good to be together.  The opening song was “I am a child of God” which I love and brought tears.  Nixon looked so handsome in his new suit.  I said the opening prayer.  Cameron played the prelude music. Bethany’s sister Skyler gave a very good talk on baptism while Nixon put up the parts of the rainbow which had such good meanings.  Scott did such a  beautiful ordinance with the actual baptizing.  Rowan went right up and said “ Hi Daddy! “  It was such a special time.  Both Granddads were the witnesses.  Cameron played music while Scott and Nixon were dressing and a lady passed out cards for the visitors to write to Nixon.  Ava, Nixon and Rowan sang “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam”  including the jumps.  Tiffani then gave a talk on Super Heros, because Nixon loves them.  She held up a picture of Moroni dressed in his armor, and talked about how he was a super hero and why.  Nixon ate it up.  It was done so well and then she gave him the framed picture.  The confirmation was next and all the Melchizedek Priesthood brothers and dads helped with the blessing.  Scott again did a wonderful blessing.  The bishop said a few words and we sang “When I am Baptized” for the closing hymn and Gentry’s husband said the closing prayer.  It was a wonderful baptism.  Dad and I gave Nixon a CTR ring that spins.  He loved it.

The families who could went to Scott’s for refreshments and a good visit.  We watched the BYU game where BYU got beat by Toledo. Ugh! Dad and Cameron went home to watch football.   Scott invited and Tiffy’s and me to go to Gardner’s Village with them.  We ate at Zuppa’s first.  The village was so much fun. We love that place.

 It was a bit cold and a little rainy but we had so much fun.  Rowan was so entertaining with loving all the witches and decorations.  The girls slept over at Ava’s and Tiff and I came home to watch football.  Go figure.

The next day Tiffani packed up her car loaded with veggies and we went to Scott’s ward for their Primary Program.  It was so good and of course I cried through the whole thing.  It was Ava’s last program.  She and a group of children sang, “Gethsemane” before the meeting started.  It was powerful.

We had dinner at Clark’s at 4:00.  Dianne made tomato basil soup from our tomatoes, which I don’t usually like, but they were so good I had 2 helpings.  She also had a yummy salad and Lily made many bread twists that were gone in no time.  It was all so good.  It is always so good to be in their home.

The last day of the month Dad did peaches for the freezer while I did laundry and hung it out.  We did grape juice from our grapes and made pear bread from the recipe Di uses.  It was just as good as hers.  Amazing!  We then went together and gave peaches to all of our ministering families.  When we got home we packed to go to St. George and Cedar City for 2 days to do temple sessions.

How we love our time in the temples and the peace we feel there.  It also helps us to keep the covenants we have made.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to true happiness. Sister Craven gave a talk in April's conference called "Careful Versus Casual"  She was our mission president's wife when we served in North Carolina.  We listen to it when we can.  It states things quite easily.  We love our children and the great parents they are.  We have absolutely practically perfect grandchildren in every way.  (the greats too)  We are blessed beyond measure and love this time on earth and pray we can be together forever.  It's true!!