This was a fun month in that we were able to do some larger family activities with lots of the kids/grandkids together.
We neglected to mention that on May 31, Erik was called to serve in the Stake Presidency of the Young Single Adult Stake where he had been serving as a bishop. He is so good at working with young people and now he will be able to bless even more of them. We are proud of the good man he is and the wonderful family he and Shanelle have raised.
On June 1 Dave bought new couches for their rental home and we helped moved them in. It was Max and Ruth's 60th wedding anniversary. They have us beat by a month and a half!
On the second, Kristin was looking up some information about George's dad serving in Brazil as one of the first missionaries there and she found this picture. What a treasure! When missionaries first went to Brazil in the 1930's, they taught the gospel in German to people who had emigrated there. George's dad, Reed Bayles, Is in the middle back.
That day we also had the opportunity to go to the open house for the new Lindon temple. It is beautiful. What a blessing it is to have so many temples on the earth with several of them in our area.
The Seamons brought Grandad a new medallion for his walking staff. It's from Patriot's Point in South Carolina, resting place of the USS Yorktown. Kristin also brought him one from Castillo San Cristobál in Puerto Rico.
I got out the baby blankets I have crocheted around. Which one should be for Hallie??
On the 5th we found a new home for my Mother's Day gift from Scott and Beth. The flowers are so pretty.
After our temple trip on the 11th, Grandad made his famous granola. He has perfected the art of turning boring old oats into a breakfast of champions.
On Saturday the 13th, we back to the Seamons to paint the dragonflies. We learned that Erik and Shanelle had made a quick trip up to Washington to see their first grandchild. They just couldn't wait! Hallie is so precious.
Kristin's family flew in on the 14th to spend a week with us. They made all their flights without getting bumped and arrived just before 11:00 p.m. For some reason, the 215 on-ramp was closed and I-15 was down to one lane so it took us as long to drive from Salt Lake to Provo and it did for them to fly from Chicago to Utah. At least it felt that way.
We were happy to see Camden when he and his mom came to pick up Asher. Not so happy that we remembered to take a picture though. Sigh.
After the temple, they took Baylie's dorm stuff to Tiffani's rental home to store it until fall and they got the twin's stuff from the house so they can move into the dorm. Girls have lots of stuff!
Afterwards the girls and Asher went to BYU to find where all the girls' classes will be. And of course made a trip to the Creamery.
On the 4th Grandad gave Camden a blessing because he had a rock climbing accident during a class he was taking. We were grateful that he wasn't more seriously harmed and was able to continue with his regular activities.
That day we also drove Cameron to the airport so he could fly to Vegas and meet up with his family for their Portugal/Morocco/Spain adventure.
On Friday the 5th Dad came out to his car after working in the temple and found these little flowers tucked in the door handle of the truck. There was a note that said "Jesus loves you." He has no idea who had done that, but was so touched by it. What a kind act of anonymous service for someone to do.
Sunday was a good fast and testimony meeting. We love our ward.
On Monday the 8th Clark and Di accompanied us for our weekly Seamons visit. Clark joined the old men for their welding class. It is fitting because he is also an old man. However they still didn't think he was old enough to handle the welder. Next time! Grandad made a dragonfly for Ruth only to discover that it is Riley's spirit animal. So it looks like another dragonfly will need to be made.
June 10th was Lily's birthday. How wonderful for her to celebrate with family. We are so happy to have her back home from Alabama.
Tiffani's family went on a trip to Portugal, Morocco and Spain. We wish we were with them!
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| Portugal - Cameron, Lauryn, Clara, Dave, Tiffani - Cameron, Clara, Lauryn |
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| Dave and Tiff in Morocco |
Clark's family took a few days for an excursion to Moab. It looked like they had a great, adventurous time.
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| Top: Riley, Bailey, Bea, Hailey, Simon, Lily, Dianne, Clark, Will, Jayden, Molly, Ashley, Tyler, Rosie Bottom: Lily, Ashley, Molly, Hailey, Bailey, Dianne - Lily, Ashley, Hailey, Molly |
On Monday the 15th, we went to Pioneer Book, Trader Joe's and Costco. Kristin's family introduced us to some of their Trader Joe's treats. I found the place overwhelming. We ran into Shanelle at Costco! What a fun surprise.
Later that afternoon Erik, Shanelle and Asher came over to mow the lawn. They do such a good job and the smell of freshly cut grass is always welcome.
Afterwards we spent some time just visiting. What a lovely way to pass the afternoon.
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| Erik, Asher, Jalen, Grandad, Me, Shanelle |
Jalen helped Grandad paint our BYU rocking chairs and they worked together in the garden.
Baylie helped me with some weeding in the flower beds.
Kristin did absolutely nothing. And felt zero guilt about it.
The next day, the 16th, Kristin and kids went to BYU so they could see where Baylie's classes would be. They also visited the bookstore, the music school (where Baylie will have most of her classes), the creamery (where she will work), and Heritage Halls (where she will live). Jalen decided it was too much walking and now he wants to do college online.
Kristin helped Grandad make his own medicine and learned it's harder to buy vodka in Utah than in South Carolina - where she can pick it up at Costco.
They also made sourdough bread.
That night Grandad picked up Cameron from the airport and Kristin picked up Asher at his house. We all watched Argentina beat Algeria at the World Cup. I was super excited that Messi got a hat trick because he is my favorite soccer player.0
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| Cameron |
Kristin had bought empanadas and alfajores from an Argentinian restaurant so we could celebrate in authentic fashion.
Wednesday the 17th we had a nice surprise visit from Terri Jensen, now Kuykendahl, who used to be in our ward. She lives in Arizona now.
Jalen finished the rocking chairs.
That night we introduced the Batchelors to the awesomeness that is JDawgs.
The twins and Dave arrived sometime in the middle of the night. Riley came by on Thursday to deliver Dianne's famous fleece jackets to the three graduates.
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| Baylie, Clara, Lauryn |
Tiffani flew in that day and that night we all met at the Strawberry Days Rodeo. It's such a great little rodeo and we love going as a family. Almost everyone was there this year.
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| Me and Grandad enjoying the strawberries and cream |
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| Dave, Tiffani, and Rowan |
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| Cousin Love |
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| Camden's boss, Leah, Kolton, Cameron |
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| Dave, Tiffani, Lauryn, Baylie, Asher Me, Grandad, Jalen |
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| All in red gingham check - Kristin, Dianne, Hailey |
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| Rosie and Simon |
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| Front: Leah, Kolton, Cameron, friend, Molly, Rosie, Jayden, Dianne, Bailey, Riley, Hailey Middle: Kristin, me, Grandad, Clara, Jalen, Ashley, Will, Tyler Back: Baylie, Asher, friend, Camden, friend, Lily |
Friday morning the 19th several of the grands were able to go to the Orem temple for baptisms. Grandad was working so he arranged to be assigned to the baptistry It was so special to see Asher and Jalen baptize Baylie, Lauren, and Clara. Tiffani and I were able to help as witnesses. Grandad confirmed all the grands. What a beautiful morning.
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| Asher, Jalen, Baylie, Lauryn, Clara |
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| Clara!! |
Jalen and Kristin came back to the house to watch the USA play Australia in the World Cup. The U.S. won! They will for sure advance to the next round. Now we just have to see if they will go in first or second place. I'm biting my nails in anticipation.0
Saturday morning was the Strawberry Days parade. It's always a fun event and one of the few parades where they still throw lots of candy. Erik and Shanelle hosted the annual pancake breakfast on their front yard.
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| Erik with a baby, friend, Jalen, Tiff |
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| Erik & Camden |
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| Shanelle & Kolton |
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| Lauryn, Clara, Baylie, Jalen, Asher |
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| Me, Grandad and breakfast |
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| Cameron enjoying some pancakes |
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| Jalen gathered all the parade giveaways possible |
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| Clara's Crumbl Cookie fashion |
Baylie sat down and started playing Clair de Lune. I got a little emotional (shocker) because my sister Karen used to always play that song. She was such an accomplished pianist and now she has five pianos in her home! She was such a good sister to me and I loved having this memory pop up.
We went back to Erik and Shanelle's for a hamburger dinner before heading up to Heber Canyon for a special family activity.
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| Cameron, Grammy, Camden, Lauryn, Clara, Baylie, Grandad Jalen |
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| Shanelle, Asher, Tiffani |
Shanelle had planned for the family to go to The Walk With Christ in honor of our 60th anniversary, which will be on July 20. Most of the family was able to go. It was an incredibly powerful experience. We all wore headphones so it was a very personal experience even though we were together.
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| Grandad and I went first in an ATV because the walk lasted about 2 hours. |
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| Tiffani, Cameron, Clara, Baylie, Jalen, Asher, Camden, Kolton, Lauryn Me, Dianne, Clark Lily |
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| Waiting in line |
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| Beautiful mountains |
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| Camden, Kolton, Erik, Baylie, Cameron, Jaylen, Tiffani, Clara, Clark, Asher, Dianne Shanelle, Lauryn, Lily, Grammy, Grandad, Me |
It was a truly memorable experience and the perfect way to honor the 60 years we have spent building this beautiful family. We're so grateful for the gospel that allows us to be together forever.
We went back to Provo and Kristin and Tiff watched Grandad open his Father's Day presents because Kristin's family needed to head to the airport. They got a couple of hours of sleep and then Dave and Tiff drove them to the airport for a 5:10 a.m. flight. Jalen and Baylie got to fly first class from Chicago to Columbia and they made it home in time to celebrate Father's Day with David.
Sunday was Father's Day. We have been blessed with the best dad/Grandad/great grandad. Our sons have become wonderful fathers and our daughters have married men who are also great fathers. Our family is full of great dads and uncles.
On the 22nd we picked the peas and Grandad made an owl. Isn't he so cute?! (Actually, they're both pretty cute...)
We had some gardening and templeing throughout the week.
On Thursday Tiffani and Lauryn went to Phoenix and back to get Lauryn's visa for Mexico. Lauryn is super excited. Tiffani is trying to be. Creo que va a estrañar a su hija demasiado.
Friday, my trusty sidekick Titan kept me safe and sound! (It's exhausting being so responsible.)
On Saturday, June 27, Hailey took first place in the Burn Boot Camp Level Up Games. She and Molly work out there. Hailey is so tough!
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| Middle: Riley, Bailey, Hailey, Dianne, Molly, Jayden |
That same day Clark and Di came by and gave Grandad his Father's Day present - one of her special fleece jackets. Yay!
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| Check out the cowboy theme! |
That night Tiff and Dave headed home to Vegas. They hadn't spent a Sunday at home in four weeks and decided they should probably check in with their responsibilities. We think that empty house is going to motivate them to come right back.
Cameron, Lauryn and Clara all came for dinner on Sunday. We are looking forward to having more grands join in on this tradition.
On Monday the 29th, Hallie got all dressed up to cheer on Japan against England. (Sadly, Japan lost.) Erik's friend, Haruki, gave them this special outfit especially for Parker's little girl.
Watching the World Cup is sure fun with family members who have served missions, lived, or traveled to so many of the countries. It makes it fun to cheer for so many countries.
And that wraps up June. With Grandad's latest creation, we are ready to celebration the 250th anniversary of the U.S.A!
Missionary Moment
