Temples and Sports and Graduations, Oh My!

April opened up with Tiffani reaching 52 years old. She is an amazing girl. She can find good in everything. She loves reading and doing things with her family. She is such a positive person. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is her happy place.

Tiff with her family at the Spokane temple

We did something different and went to a different temple from our usuals and then ate with the Seamons at Chubby’s for lunch. Way too good and we just threw the calories out the window. 

The next day was so wonderful because Tiff’s family came for the girls’ volleyball tournament in Salt Lake City for three days. During this time we switched between watching volleyball and General Conference. It was very busy. 

Tiff had tickets for one of the sessions of conference and we were all able to attend. As long as we have lived here, we have never attended a live session of conference in the conference center. It was amazing and so filled with the spirit of our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. We had to park several blocks away so we took my walker, which was a blessing.

We then went home and the Jennings went to their hotel because they had more volleyball. The next day they stopped at our home for the girls to shower while Tiff and I went for pizzas. They had a friend, Brooke Adair, over and headed home, leaving us with an empty house.

On the 9th,  Grandad went to see Dr. Healey because he was having trouble breathing. He said Dad has Asthma. Weird. 

The next day Clark came to check out our sprinklers. He dug around and hopefully they are fixed. He also checked on the bees. Looking good.

Saturday we went to JDOGS again for dinner. We love how yummy it is.

April 14th Kolton Bayles had a birthday - I can’t remember how old he is. They just keep growing. He’s a great young man and we love that he is such a wonderful grandson. He’s filled with goodness. Soon he will be doing an internship in Washington D.C.

We were in a fog and forgot to hand in papers for our taxes. Our financial helper told us and we hurried and found what we needed and he gave us an extension so we won’t be fined. He is a great person to take care of such things.

For the next week, we listened and watched the online lessons that the Church provided to study Holy Week - the last week of our Savior’s life on this Earth. Tears were often shed. We hope it is done again every Easter week. Powerful! 

We had a beautiful dinner on Easter Sunday at Clark and Dianne’s home. It was filled with our families and we enjoyed not only a fantastic dinner, but just being with family. We are blessed to have so much family close by. 

Jonny, Bailey, Riley, Dianne, Hailey, Me, Will, Grandad, Ashley, Bea, Tyler, Rosie, Simon, Molly, Jayden

Hailey, Clark, Grandad, Me, Will, Ashley

Grandad bought me a new dress and I wore it for Easter

On the 16th we attended the sealing for Lyman’s (George’s brother) grandson Conner and his wife in the Manti Temple. There were so many people and it was just perfect. It is wonderful to be in the temple with so much family.

Connor and Tabitha

On April 21st, we left for a quick trip to visit the Denver and Fort Collins temples. It was a short one, but we got so much accomplished. We drove through such beautiful snowy mountains where so many skiers love to go. It was breathtaking. 

We spent the first night in Fort Collins because it was a long drive. 

Fort Collins temple at night

That next morning we did a session and then left for Denver and another session. 

The Seamons at the Fort Collins temple

Denver temple

We went back to Fort Collins to spend the second night. On our way, we stopped at a Buc-ee's. The Seamans had never seen such a crazy place. It is impossible to describe. It was a little different but we had a good time. It was on our way back to Fort Collins. We also hit some antique stores. Dad can never pass up an antique store. We had so much fun and just enjoyed ourselves. 

We also saw the Grand Junction temple

The next day we were at the Payson temple to do a session and sealings. It was amazing. We had 10 children sealed to their parents. That was such a beautiful moment. The best part was when the gentleman who was serving as proxy for the brothers said his name was “Brother Durham.” (Durham is a family name for us.) Dad and I just looked at each other. After all was finished, Dad and this brother got together and found they had the same grandfather. Temple work is amazing.

We now have two beehives because Clark bought another one. We are in the business and love it. Dianne keeps us in delicious soups and they are always different and yummy.

The Jennings spent some days in Texas watching volleyball. It is a never-ending sport and we love watching when we can. We have also been able to watch Baylie and her lacrosse. Jalen has been improving with his tennis. Erik is coaching Asher and Jonny in lacrosse. These kids are so busy. They make us tired. We’re glad when we can just watch.

Clara #4, Lauryn #5

Baylie loves lacrosse (not really)

Jalen

Asher, Riley, Jonny

The scariest news this month was that on the 16th, Jalen Batchelor got his driver's permit! He is very excited. His mother is not!

On the 27th, Kristin turned 57. We can't believe we have a child that old and she doesn't want to talk about it.

At the end of the month, Riley, Parker, and Jessa all graduated from UVU. Riley has already been hired as a middle school teacher for students with special needs. Parker is headed to Oregon for Ophthalmology school. Jessa was already licensed as an RN and has now added a bachelor's degree to that title. Riley's wife Bailey is also an RN. We are so proud of all of them and these lives they are building.

Riley and Bailey

Parker and Jessa

Our missionaries continue to serve with honor and we are grateful for them.

Camden in Poland

Lily in Alabama

Cameron at the Spokane temple (serving in Las Vegas)

We love this crazy family and all the things they do. And speaking of crazy, I just had to throw in this video of my Mother Goose. I just love her!

New York, New York

We started this month with a beautiful snow fall and a dental apt. The good and the bad.

Monday, Dad made some yummy bread. He is amazing and loves to try different things. I love eating it. He also shares with people in our ward. Tuesday the 4th, Dad got news that he was clear on his MRI. Little blessings.

Ashley had a birthday on the 5th. No telling which one. She is an amazing mother and wife. She does so many things for her family and others.

When we woke up in the dark, we looked out the window and there was a beautiful lantern all lit up from Tiffani. It is so beautiful. It was dark outside, but the lantern was so bright and beautiful.

The 8th, our three boys came to do some banking with our account. It is so when we check out, they will be able to share what little we will have left. It’s a good plan.

Sunday the 9th we changed our clocks to daylight savings. What a pain, but I guess it’s for our good.

Tuesday the 11th was Molly’s birthday. She is a wonderful addition to this great family. She loves her family and visits often. She loves being married to Jayden and they are so happy.

Wednesday we got so excited for our trip to NYC to see Baylie sing in Carnegie Hall. Kristin arranged flights for our trip with no stops. They were straight there with no stops and the same thing back. Very long flights, but so wonderful. Despite our TSA Pre-check, Dad still had some issues getting through security.

Our flight landed very close to the same time as Kristin's. We were blessed to meet up with Baylie’s choir and were able to get ourselves and our luggage on the choir bus, saving a lot of time and money. We all stayed at the Park Central Hotel.

View from our room.

If you want to read full details of our trip, you can read Kristin’s blog.

Day 1 - Travel Day and Walk Through Central Park

Day 2 - Metropolitan Museum of Art and Dinner at Bubba Gump

Jewelry from Turkey

This gives you an idea of how huge the picture is.

Day 3 - Meeting up with Morgan Nebeker for bagels and Museum of Natural History

Dad's knee was bothering him so we both ended up using wheelchairs! (Dad got the electric scooter.)

Day 4 - Church, Sweet Treats and Carnegie Hall!

Day 5 - St. Patrick's Day Parade and Home Again

One of the highlights of the trip was tracking down Dad's mission office and the church where they held meetings when he was a missionary here over 60 years ago.

Of course the highlight of the trip was seeing Baylie sing in Carnegie Hall. What an experience!

We had an interesting adventure with the elevator on our last day. We were on the 18th floor with a large accessible room. Kristin’s family was on the 7th floor with the rest of the choir group. One of the days there was a sign that said Wet Floor. We left for a while and when we came back the sign was still there. Kristin moved it and we got in. Two women and two men who didn’t speak English - only Spanish - also got in. Suddenly the elevator started moving up. It jerked and headed down between floors and stopped. Not good. We were very nervous. Kristin noticed a phone in the elevator and she called for help. After what seemed like a very long time some male voices called down to us. They worked on it and got it running. WHEW!! Kristin told the men it was her fault, but they were wonderful and told us that it was not a problem. We may have been sleeping in the street that night!

We packed up and Kristin’s family came up to our room so we could gather together. Again we were able to get on the same bus as the choir which saved much time and money. Our flights left very close together so we stayed together until we boarded our flight. Then Kristin’s family went to catch their flight.

I was so sad because I had misplaced my diamond ring. My memory is not up to par. But later I discovered I hadn’t taken it on the trip at all!

Baylie Anne’s birthday was the 19th. She is an amazing young lady who enjoys everything. She loves to pick on her grandad and he loves it. She excels in everything she does - well, maybe not lacrosse.

Simon Johns’ birthday was on the 20th. He is such a special boy. He belongs to Ashley and Tyler. He loves life and anything he can imagine.

Monday the 24th Tiffani and the girls came for a visit. While they were here, we went to the Orem Temple to do baptisms. Tiffani and I did confirmations. It was a great time. Cameron turned 22 the same day and went on a fun trip with his dad to see the NCAA tournament.

The 26th Clark came and pruned our fruit trees. He came another day, but I can’t remember when. These days are getting harder.

That's also the day Dad and Brother Seamons used Mater to bring in some soil and start getting the garden ready for planting.

We fasted on the 30th because of General Conference being the first weekend in April.

our beautiful tulip tree

March was an amazing month with so many things happening and being with families.

We love our missionaries!

Camden (on the left)

Lily

Cameron (with sisters, Lauryn and Clara)