The Adventures of Grammy and Grandad: Welcome to 2025

What a beautiful way to start a new year and month. How blessed we are to have such a wonderful family. We are filled with joy knowing the Plan of Salvation and what we need to do to follow our Savior. We brought in the new year by going to bed. The families did fun things.

Dad was taking down the outside lights when our neighbor Brother Piggott hurried across the street and joined right in. He is an incredible neighbor.

On the 17th, we had our carpets cleaned by the company EcoCarpets. He does a great job and does it every few years. We also took veggies to our ministering families, potatoes and carrots from our garden. We cover them in the winter and dig as needed.

January is a big month for birthdays in our family. First was Jayden Spencer, the newest member of our family and the perfect addition. Next, on the 15th, was Beatrice’s 6th birthday. She is an amazing little girl and loves to do projects with paint, crayons, or anything she can find. She is very smart and loves books. It’s very hard to keep up with her.

Jayden and Bea

The 19th Jalen turned 15. That’s crazy. He can drive. Look out for anyone on the road. He’s a great young man and fills our hearts with joy. He is so much fun to have around when they visit. We love him. He and Granddad have so much fun teasing one another. We wish they lived closer, but they love their home and friends. It’s a perfect place for the family.

The next day was Dianne’s Birthday. She is amazing with all her talents and abilities. It seems every time we go to their home there are family members enjoying their home. What a great thing to cherish. She loves everyone, especially her family.

Dianne and me at Molly's wedding.

The 21st was my birthday. My sister, Karen sent me a huge bouquet of beautiful flowers. She never forgets me. I love her so much, but we don’t see each other very often

That morning Erik, Shanelle, and the family invited us to go to Magleby’s with them for breakfast. It was a holiday so everyone was there. When I sat down to rest and wait for our table, Erik surprised me with our grandson, Elder Bayles, wishing me a Happy Birthday from Poland. It was like he was right there in front of me. Yes, I cried. It was so wonderful to be so close with him. He is a dedicated missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is serving so diligently. We all love him.

I’m not afraid to say I am 81 and hang out my own laundry.

I am so blessed to have the family we have and especially such a wonderful husband. I am so blessed for everything he constantly does for me. Our favorite places are with the family and the temples. It doesn’t get any better than that. I love the family I was born in. They taught me the Gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to live and share with others. The next day, January 21st, was my birthday, and Granddad took me to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It was amazing! Way too much food and especially the dessert. We had to take it home along with half of our dinners because there was so much food. The kids had given us a gift certificate years ago, but we never went because it was in SLC, but now there's one here. They didn’t say a thing about how old it was. What a deal.

Kristin and Tiffani sent me a huge vase of beautiful flowers.

Wednesday Dianne brought me what I wanted, a bib because I spill often. Instead of making one, she made me two. They are very well made and I love them. She is so special.

The last birthday of the month was Will. He is such a good big brother and a hard worker. He is our first great-grandson and we love him very much.

Thursday Cameron was supposed to fly in for the weekend so he could go to a BYU basketball game. He was supposed to arrive at 2:30, but the plane was delayed. Shocker! He finally arrived at 7:30. We enjoyed his visit. The twins are at home and their parents flew to Australia. WOW! A paid working trip. We are certain they had fun. BYU won the basketball game by a bunch Saturday night and Cameron was crazy to be able to be there.

Sunday was a great meeting. We got ready to take Cameron to the airport at 3:30, but again it was delayed. He finally boarded at 8:00 p.m. It was a fun time for us. We love when he comes.

Tuesday we went to the Orem Temple and did initiatories and an endowment. What a wonderful morning. We love being able to do this for our families.

Wednesday the 29th we both got haircuts, which were very much needed. The next morning Ruth called to let us know that Max had a bad fall and couldn’t go to the temple, so we stayed home and enjoyed an easy day.

The last day of the month Tiffani called from the cruise ship to let us know they were headed to New Zealand. What a rough time. She called home because she was watching the girls play volleyball and let them know she missed Titan, the dog. What a rough time!!!