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!