JULY WE LOVE THE UNITED STATED OF AMERICA , DISNEYLAND AND FAMILIES.
This morning I weeded the garden while George served in the temple. I like to do this when it is cool. Later that day Clark, Di, Lily and Jonny came to check on the bees and pick peas. They worked hard. We love our garden and the family.
Saturday dad irrigated the garden and worked on canes for the reunion. At 2:00 we went to Nixon’s game. Can’t remember if it was basketball or soccer.
Sunday at church I was asked to say the opening prayer. I was so nervous because I cry so easily and I didn’t want to take time to get to the podium. I went up before the meeting and didn’t even cry. Whew! It. was a beautiful meeting on our freedoms and country. The music was all Patriotic.
July 4th was a wonderful day. We had lunch with Clark’s family. It is so good to be so close to family. Dad finished the Amish barn mailbox. It is so beautiful. We get many comments.
We are so grateful for this country and the many men and women who serve to keep us free and safe. There is no other place we would rather live.
Ashley’s Tyler had a birthday on the 5th. He is so good with the children and loves Ashley so much. They are so blessed.
We did 2 sessions in the City Center Temple. We are so thankful for the sacred covenants we are able to make that help us stay on the Covenant Path.
The next few days were filled with ball games and yard work. Somewhere in here Kristin and the kids flew in for Baylie’s Disney trip with the cousins.
Dad getting Kristin's off 2 different flights
Saturday night Bishop Hunter called to see if Dad could talk in church Sunday. He was so good and gave a powerful message that was right on. He was only supposed to talk for 6 minutes but the first speaker was extremely short and Dad filled in the space perfectly. Everyone complimented him after. It was amazing.
Selecting the pills for our trip
Some of the grandchildren met at our home that evening to go to the Provo airport for our flight to Disneyland. They have waited for 3 years for this trip. Covid and my stroke caused the delay. Jonny, Baylie, Ava, Asher, Lauryn and Clara were the birthdays and Dad, Me, and Erik were the adults. Erik paid for Shanelle to be there and I asked Tiffani to come to take care of me because I knew it would be too hard to be there all day every day. (Not a chance) Scott took some of us to the airport.
I am not going to give a ride by ride report but will just put in pictures. Erik was an amazing leader of this group of cousins. We were in the park for 4 days and went when it opened and left when it closed. (all but the 4th day which we had to leave for the airport)
First day, ready to leave the motel.
Entrance to Disneyland Adventure California
We did California Adventure first day only
The next 3 days we stayed in Disneyland
Small World
log roll waiting for a ride train ride
They did wear me out a bit.
eating
lunch
There were many rides, food, treats and so much fun but we did not begin to get everything. Hopefully the kids got fun pictures as well as Tiffani and Shanelle.
SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMOROIES ARE IN THESE FEW DAYS AND WE WORE THEM OUT.
But all in all it was a great time filled with happiness The flight was delayed so we didn’t get to Provo until midnight. The parents met us with open arms. Everyone was tired but so happy and never quit talking about their adventures. (Some never to be told) The next day, the 15th, we crashed. We were so tired and happy and filled with joy.
Baylie went to a tennis camp at BYU and the twins went to 2 volleyball camps when they got home from Disney. They learned a lot and had a great time.
I’m not sure but I think this day we all went to Scott and Beth’s for dinner and fun. They never run out of energy. Scott had a huge slip and slide and the kids had so much fun. They never run out of ideas. It was just a wonderful evening.
Rowan on playground slide
It takes 3 just enjoying each other
and the shortest one is ......... the oldest
WHAT A GREAT GROUP OF RELATIONS
The kids went water sliding and provided great entertainment but neither Kristin nor I can figure out how to do movies. The directions said it was right. The slide was the most fun.
Monday, the 18th, Kristin and Rebeka had invited all the Hanks family to a picnic. Many came and my brother Del was even there from Kingman Arizona. He was so excited and happy. I don't even know who they all were. Of course Kristin took pictures.
Sometime the Utah cousins invited the SC cousins to do baptisms in the Provo City Center Temple
Some of the family wet to Mobettas for lunch in that Cameron works there.
Sunday, the 17th, we took an entire row in the chapel. We loved that we could fill a row with just some of our family.
Monday Kristin and Rachel planned a Hanks reunion. It has been years since we have been together and not all were there but enough to have a good time. We met at a park at 6:00 and left around 8. It was raining but it didn't bother us. Del came from Kingman, Arizona to be with us. He is the patriarch for this group. It was just so much fun to see this side of our family.
Del talked to his family about the Book of Mormon and the gospel
Jon & Kristin Maybe Becca, Baylie & Kristin
Del, Becca, Me, Rachel
The Hanks Family
Del spent the night on our couch. Kristin had given him her bedroom but he stayed on the couch with his dog. He left the next morning.
I don’t know if this was the right day but I’m putting it here. Governor Cox was on his mission in Cabos when Kristin lived there. She fed the missionaries every week and Governor Cox even baptized a friend of hers. He found out she was going to be in Utah and invited her and the family to tour the Governor’s Mansion. We were so excited and he was so generous, unhurried and kind. He spent 2 hours with us and answered every question we poured on him.
His office
huge dining room but I liked the painting above the dishes
stairs and balconies
second floor where the family lives
A gift from Teddy Roosevelt years ago.
early elevator
He is just a country boy from Fairview who loves Utah, his family and the Lord. We were so completely impressed with his knowledge and love of the mansion and all of Utah. He is a very down to earth man who wants to do right for the people of Utah and the USA. I will show a few of the pictures. He let us take as many as we wanted. He even let me and the kids ride in the old, old elevator. It was a very enjoyable few hours and we will support him and his ideas.
I don't know when but Clark came to check the bees and Jalen decided he wanted to give it a try. Decided it wasn't for him with all those noisy bees flying around his head.
Well, July 20th came and we both forgot it was our 56th wedding anniversary. George hustled to the flower shop and bought a most beautiful bouquet. I guess when you have lived and loved for this long everything is beautiful.
The next day, after watering the garden, we left for Colorado and the Bayles Reunion. It is a beautiful drive in some places.
It was late when we got there so we just went to Cortez and got a motel. It was not a good choice, enough said. The next morning, Kristin got us a much nicer one which was very nice with all the frills. We headed right to the ranch and helped in fixing breakfast. It was so good to be there with so many of the family. We love every one of them and it is just so good to have time to visit. Again, I will put in some of Kristin’s pictures. At this time we also had the Bayles Trading Post, which is a favorite of everyone.
View of the Mesa Verde from the ranch. Where the Anasazi lived.
Shane, Alexa, Kristin etc. Aunt Julie & Aunt Mikki (notice Mikki's pants) .
Kristin & Aunt Jean
Some of the cousins
with Hal
with Corby
Sheri and Gary
Juatin & Granddad
Alisha & Kristin
We mention that today Jonny was not here but it is his 15th birthday.
He is such a good young man and loves his family. He is so good with the Greats and loves to do things with them and they love him. He honors his Priesthood and lives an honest life. We love him.
Dad headed for the largest antique store we had ever seen. He was in Heaven.
It even had a little cafe.
It was just wonderful to be back at the Ranch with all
these crazy Bayles kin.
One of the best things is that Justine’s parents surprised us by bringing stuff to cook Navajo Tacos. No one makes them like her family. They are Navajo and know how to do it right. I could only handle one but wanted more. I hate it when they are so good and large. Some of Clark’s honey made them really good. We love it because it is so informal and we just sit around and visit.
That evening we sat around and the children of Granny and granddad told their memories of growing up on the ranch. We love hearing these stories over and over. They are an important reminder of the blessings we have knowing the faith and courage our ancestors had and are still having. We relay on these stories to build on our testimonies. We then went back to our hotel having had a marvelous day.
After breakfast the next morning we had our testimony meeting. It is our favorite time. It rained but no one seemed to mind. We love hearing family share their feelings about the restored Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ. The ride home was filled with memories of such a great time. We decided to go to Blanding before heading home and were not disappointed.
We went out to Uncle Eric’s but no one answered the door, so we went to Lyman and Jean’s to see their new home they just built. It is amazing. They have everything just the way they wanted it and it is perfect. Alisha did most of the planning and it has a space for everything. Lyman told us you have to knock hard at Eric’s. We stole some horseshoes and loved Eric's sign.
Before we left Corby and his son stopped in. That was another bonus. Family is everything. We went back and they were there. We had a great visit and just enjoyed them so much.
Uncle Eric gave George and the kids some hand braided "piggin strings" and Kristin his old broken cowboy hat. She was dumbfounded. That hat has so much history and she will hang it in a special place in her home.
We visited for some time and then got a call from Rick and Jonna Meyers. We were just leaving but they asked us to stay long enough for a hug. They are very special friends and we were so excited to see them.
It was fun to pass by our old Blanding home. We loved that home and have many fond memories of getting wood for the fire place, fun home evenings and football games. At last we headed home with many more memories and good visits.
Tuesday Kristin and the kids caught their plane and made it home. Everyone was so tired but we all had a very fun July with many family friends.
We finally sold our boat. Took a loss but it's gone and we are happy.
Saturday, the 30th Scott and Bethany have been married 18 years. My how time flies. They are so happy and have 3 beautiful children and have so much love in their home. We are so thrilled to have them so close. We love enjoying their activities.
Sunday the 31st Erik and Shanelle have been married 25 years. How did that happen? We cannot possibly be that old. We are so thrilled that they are part of our eternal family. Shanelle is a perfect companion for our Erik and we love that family.
This month has been loaded with so many wonder things and people. We are so blessed to have the family the Lord has given us. We love this and all the additions that we feel like they have always been ours. Life is good.
No comments:
Post a Comment