COLD JANUARY----NOT

Best grandchildren ever.

This month has come and half way here way too fast We so enjoyed December and family.  Life is great.
Tiff and Dave left on Saturday but some time before that we went to a place called Hang Time.  It's the largest jump place in the US.  The kids were absolutely amazing and the adults were crazy wild.  Erik and Scott jumped and touched this punching bag that was so high up.  No one else while we were there could do it.  There is a TV screen in the back of the pits where you can watch what you did when finished.  We lasted 2 hours which was all we paid for but everyone was exhausted by then.

 Erik flip

 Clara on hanging ropes

 Jalen in flight

 Scott flip

 Scott's family

 oops

trying to knock kids down

Thanks for the pictures Tiff.

Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 was a great Sabbath.  The kids were so good in church.  Kristin’s mission companion, Beth Roberts, came for the day.  She was a great companion and they had a good time visiting and catching up.  That evening Erik’s crew came to watch a football game and the cousins played their hearts out.  The family loves  to be with cousins.

They had fun the next day because Scott’s kids came for the afternoon.  That evening Erik’s family came again and playing continued.  Boy, do we love family.

Kristin didn’t fly out the next day because of bad weather in Chicago so we kept her an extra day.  Our pleasure. Before she left I had her try on her wedding dress in that she has lost so much. It bagged on her.  What a woman.  She has lost 80 pounds.

 We took her the next morning and that afternoon caught a flight to Vegas to tend Tiff’s kids while they went to California to celebrate Dave’s mother’s 80^th birthday.  One of the family has a beach house so they had a blast.  We had so much fun with the kids.  They were practically perfect in every way.  They just couldn’t have been better.  We got them up each day, took them to school, picked them up, they immediately did homework and then played.  It was so easy and enjoyable.  Tiffani had left yummy dinners so everything was fun.  Sat. Granddad and Cameron went golfing. (Cameron won with some creative scoring) and the girls and I just played.

Sunday the girls made a poster to welcome their parents home.   They were to get in that evening but surprised us by driving in just when we got home from church.  The kids were so excited.  It was fun to watch.  They have such a warm and special Spirit in their home.  There is much love.  We flew home the next morning.  Tiff got us tickets because she was worried about the road conditions in winter.  It was so nice.

 We got home at 4:30 and Erik and his family came for dinner at 6.  It was a planned thing so we also invited Tyler and Ashley.  They studied while we watched the National Championship football game.  Of course the Buckeyes won.  I was the only one who wanted them.  Go Buckeyes!
Wednesday was a treat in that a man and his wife visited us.  Ken Wamsley was a great friend of mine in high school.  He joined the church as a teen and went to our Dayton ward for awhile.  He was the only young man my age in the church so it was fun to just do things together.  His wife is wonderful.  Her father was in our Provo ward.  Small world.  We have plans to go visit Milt soon.  They were good friends also.  My dad helped Ken while new in the gospel.  We hadn't seen each other since 1967.

 Ken in Ohio

Ken and Sandy

He was in the Marines and can track his line every generation down to the Civil War.  His dad and every grandfather was in the marines.  What a legacy. 
We visited Milt on Friday.  He greeted us at the door on his walker.  It was so good to see him up and standing.  He is doing so well.

The 19^th Jalen turned 5.  I think he felt he was the only one in the world to be 5.  He had a great time.  He has brought such joy to our family.  We were so nervous when he was born because the adoption took so long to finalize but David and Kristin knew he was theirs before he was ever born.  He is definitely a member of our family.  He idolizes his Granddad.  If they are near each other he is attached.  He loves music.  (wonder why)  He has great pitch and rhythm.  He’s always making moves and singing.  He loves his cousins and especially likes to play in the snow.  He loves his family and is a fun guy.  We love him so much.

The 20th was Dianne's more that 5th birthday.  She's an answer to a mother's prayer.  She is such an incredible mother and good wife to our Clark.  There is much love in that family.  She is very talented and shares her talents with many.  She always has time for others.  She makes our son happy and parents always want that.  Not only is she talented but she is beautiful inside and out.  (no pictures of the inside)
The 21st was my birthday.  I am finally 59+.  What a great day I had.  Every child called or saw me to wish me a happy day.

Tiff and family sent flowers

 The first thing we did when we got up was go to the gym.  Not my idea of a wake-up call.  Granddad surprised me by buying a dress I absolutely love. 

 I have been looking for a new dress ever since we got home from NC.  He just goes into a store and picks up the perfect dress.  Unbelievable. I was amazed.  Friends even came by to wish me happiness.
At 7:00 Erik and Scott's families and Tyler and Ashley met us at Golden Coral for dinner. 

 I love watching what those kids put on their plates.  We ate and ate. 

You call this dessert?

 It was great.  Later that night Jeff and Cori Frady called to give wishes.  They're our NC mountain kin.
They really do feel like family.   It was a perfectly great day.
Sunday at YW the girls had me sit on a chair in front of the board and they wrote things they thought about me.  It was very humbling.

Monday Ava and Nixon played outside it was so warm.  It makes us nervous because January should be cold and wet.  Our summer water depends on the snowfall in the winter.

I had given Ava a birthday shopping trip way back in November.  I had completely forgotten about it  I felt so badly when she reminded me.  We had a great time.  We went to lunch and then to the Disney store because Ava wanted to check all her choices.  She spent most of her time looking for something for Nixon.  When I finally said it was time to look for something for her she went right next door to Build a Bear.  She knew exactly what she wanted--Princess Celestia.  We had a great day.

We had some sad news this week in that the boy Kimberly Wilcox was going to marry died.  He was only 38 and very good to her.  She was the speaker at his funeral yesterday.  She is going to Spain to be with Brad and Debbie Wilcox for their semester of teaching there.  It will be good for her.  We love the entire Wilcox family so much.  

Dianne's brother Jake and wife Heidi just delivered their daughter at 27 weeks.  The last daughter died before birth.  We are praying every prayer for her health.  She is already off the ventilator and is a little fighter.  Her pictures are so heart-warming.

The 28th was Aunt Mikki's birthday.  How we do love her.  She is such a strong example of faith in every footstep.  She is definitely an anchor for the Bayles family.

 

At our wedding in 1966.

 

The most beautiful quilt she made for us in 2013  

She is next to George.

Wednesday night at 9:00 we had an interview with Bishop Hoopes.  We went through so many scenarios  wondering what he was going to call us to do.  The first thing he asked was what were our plans about going on another mission.  I have been taught my entire life to never say "no".  The last time he talked to us he asked us to think about a 3 year mission that was for 6 months each year in our trailer at the girl's camp above Heber.  Dad and me in that trailer for 6 months?  We hesitated and before we could say anything he called me to be the Relief Society President.  I wondered if maybe we should hurry and say "A mission."  I remembered Angela Outzs from NC and how she had been called but hadn't given her answer but knew it was from the Lord and followed His call.  Friends give one such strength.  I am scared, so scared, but I know the Lord will help me.  He gave me one day to choose my presidency.  I prayed and prayed but just didn't know what to do.  I finally made a list of sisters from the ward list that felt right.  When I finished I had 20 names.  How do you go from that number to 3?  I called the Bishop and read him the names.  He really didn't say much but it gave me confidence to narrow it down to 5.  I was so surprised when I looked at my new list and there were only 6 names.  (One I had known would be right from the call.  I don't know her well and didn't even know her first name but I knew.)  That really made it 5.  I prayed and prayed but still didn't know.  When I got up Friday morning I prayed some more.  When I looked at the 5 names 3 of them were bright and stood out.  What a strong answer to prayer.  I know I have chosen the ones the Lord wants.  I didn't know the first name of one of those and another one I just didn't want because she is such a good Gospel Doctrine  Sunday School teacher and I love her lessons.  The Bishop was so sure of the names I had chosen.  The Lord is so in charge of His church.  I hope it is alright to put this sacred experience in our blog. 

We will be set apart tomorrow.  I am having a very difficult time leaving my wonderful Young Women.  Not sure how I'll handle YW tomorrow.  It's before church.  

Saturday Dad was still ill so I went to Milt's alone.  I stopped at places I have always wanted to and took some pictures. 

 This is on a monument to those buried who were not moved to the cemetery in town.  The farmer who owned this land plowed it up and planted crops.  You can see nothing is there now.

 old school in Santaquin

home on Main St in Santaquin

Another home on main street still lived in with a huge hole in the roof.

 I will take more the next time I go. You can see why I love going to Eureka.   Milt's results are even better than the doctors expected.
I got home just in time for Dad's take out from In-n-Out.  We ate and headed to PG for Amy Cochran's ball game.  They won.  Most all of the Cochrans were there.  It was so fun to see everyone.  Even Erin and Jerry and kids from Oregon were there.  It was just great to be with extended family.  That's what the gospel is all about.  It's true.
Saturday we worked around the house and I prayed a lot.  At 4:30 we left for my birthday dinner at Erik's home.  It was yummy as usual but the best part was Shanell's homemade sugar cookies, loaded with icing.  We visited for awhile and then left to see Parker in the musical "Bye, Bye, Birdie"  It was a professionally done production.  All the way through we had to keep reminding ourselves it was the middle school.  It was filled with wonderful singing, amazing dancing, (yes Parker can cut a rug) and everyone stayed in their roll with zest.  What a great evening.  Parker was so fun to watch.

 waiting

 after with family

Grammy, Parker and Granddad

January was a wonderful month in that we saw so much family.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is so true and we are so blessed with the wonder family the Lord has given us. We still love each other.

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS AND 2015

When Mama and Daddy lived in South America they didn't have a Christmas tree so this is what they used.

The first week of December was spent preparing for Christmas.  We love this time of year and the wonderful reminder of the gift of a tiny babe in a manger and His atonement, so that we can return to Him and our Father in Heaven.

Milt has returned to the hospital so we visited him.  He is doing a well as can be expected

We had our ward Christmas dinner on the 5th.  They had to set up more tables there were so many who came.  Dad and I were one of the couples to do the Newly Wed kind of game.  The questions were all about Christmas and the game was enjoyed by all.

On the 6th we went to a wedding reception of one of Dad's Timpview boys.  When we got to his most beautiful home his family greeted us with such warmth.  When we got to the bride and groom, the groom threw his arms around Dad and said, "You above anyone else was the person I wanted to come."  This is what makes 40 years in education rewarding.  We love the students we have worked with.

On Wed the 10th we got up and went to Deer Creek to fish.  It was in the 30's when we got there but warmed up to the 40's before we left.  Didn't catch a thing but had a very peaceful and fun morning.  We got home in time for Dad to meet Brad and go golfing.  I made bread and cinnamon rings.  It was a great day.  Of course I didn't take pictures.

Thursday we got a load of manure for our garden.  When we got home and looked at the bed of the truck we wondered why.  

We unloaded it by ourselves and were darn proud of how fast and well we did it.  Our bodies thought otherwise.  At 6 we went to Orem high to watch Ava dance.  She was the half time of a high school game.  It turned out to be Timpview and Richland, Wash.  Timpview won.  

Ava danced to "It's a Hard Luck Life"  The costuming was incredible but her dancing was the best.

opening pose

She amazes us on how she knows exactly what to do and when.  I guess that's the Scott in her.  Hummmm!  Maybe Beth!

We felt bad because after her performance, we left.  We were exhausted from all the shoveling.  We usually stay to see her after the dancing.  We'll do better next time.

Friday we ran errands and started a 1500 piece puzzle Margaret Tabor, gave us.  What were we thinking.  Scott called to let us know Nixon pulled his stocking off Carey's mantel, the holder hit his head and he now has 2 staples in his head. 

The green tape is holding the pain killer on.

 We're sure the Elf on the Shelf had something to do with it.
We love that Tiffani's member, Burt, in Maine sends us a fresh wreath from Maine every Christmas.  

You have to move your computer back to see it really wwell.

We love him and his thoughtfulness.  We send him Utah fresh honey.  This year it was with a honey pot.
Erik and Shanelle and boys came to Ava's Christmas recital.  We love it when family comes.  

She knows how to strut her stuff.  We didn't know Erik's family was there and was such a fun surprise to see them after.
The 14th Blake Piggott spoke in Sacrament meeting Sunday.  She was amazing.   She has been home from her mission for a month now.  She was in Corb's mission, Spanish speaking.  I remember when she was tiny and would leave the house in a tutu one day and soccer cleats the next.
I made Grerman pancakes but forgot the flour.  It ended up scrambled eggs and not very filling.  I had added pepperoni and olives but forgot the essential.
I have now lost another pair of trifocals.  Two pair in two weeks.  That's got to be a record.  Both were lost at church, I think.
We went to Nixon's last soccer game Monday.  We laughed from beginning to end.  They got a trophy when it was over.

During this week we went to see Meet the Mormons.  What a great movie to show real life stories about members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was absolutely amazing.  We suggest all see it.

Milt finally got his prosthesis.  It will take some time for him to really be a pro at using it but he says everything is so different from 6 feet up.  
He is so enjoying it and being able to be more mobile.  He would still have his leg if it weren’t for the V.A.

We went to the boys’ school Christmas sing.  All 3 did such a wonderful job.  We love going to these programs.

Dec. 17^th Erik’s family came over again to watch the BYU Womens’ volleyball team win the NCAA semi finals.  Great game.

Friday was the reception for Dan and Shanna Wheeler’s son’s wedding reception in Saratoga Springs.  It was so good to see those good people.  They were so surprised and happy to see us.  He was Dad’s counselor in Blanding and then became bishop when we moved.

Saturday the 20^th we went to the boy’s piano recital.  They played fun Christmas music and did very well.  After the recital they took us to Texas Reds for dinner.  Wow! but those boys can eat.  It was so fun. 

After, we went home to watch the BYU final volleyball game.  They lost but played well.

 That evening, Santa came in person, to our home.  What a wonderful surprise.

Sunday I read my favorite books for my YW lesson.  The girls loved it.  Our choir sang in church.  We both sing in the choir and it was still good.  That evening the home teachers came and many ward members to give us gifts.  We live In such a remarkable ward.  We love these good people.

Monday we learned that David did not get the job in Cedar.  We were all so sad but we know the Lord is mindful of them and will watch over them.  We just wanted them closer.  Time will tell.
A good Christmas present was that Milt got his prosthesis and is doing well with it.

Milt with Benji's kids

Erik’s family came over to watch the BYU/Miami Bowl game, Tuesday.  It’s always fun to have family.  

Wrong pictures but who cares?  This was a game after the girls got here

After they left I put a can of root beer in the freezer as there was no ice in the freezer.  I meant to leave it for just a few minutes but forgot.  When I opened it the can went crazy and I spent the next long while mopping up the ceiling, cupboards and floors in the kitchen and dining room.  When will I ever learn?

Christmas Eve we spent getting ready to go to Erik’s for our family dinner.  They worked so hard and served up a feast.  Erik’s turkey and pecan pie was the best ever.  His yams were done very differently and so good too.  Everything was just so yummy.  They had string beans in a great sauce and tasty potatoes from our garden.  Everyone provided salads and desserts or whatever they wanted.  The kids ate at one table and the adults another.  Clint and Deb and family also came.  It wouldn’t be Christmas dinner without them.  After dinner, Shanelle had some hilarious game for all to play.  We laughed until we couldn’t. 

Clark winner of candy cane game

 Erik

 Molly

 Parker

 Rollin' the dice game

Hailey took a bit of a nap

We love being with our family.  It’s our Father’s plan.  We missed Scott’s, Kristin’s and Tiff’s families but will get with them over New Years.  Our grandchildren are best friends which is so rewarding.  They love each other and love being together.  When we got home we finished that forever puzzle.

Christmas we woke up to several inches of snow on the ground,  We love snow for Christmas.  The mountains are so beautiful. 

 Christmas balls on front tree

back yard

 We started the day with prayer and then opened our presents.  We don’t do much in that we don’t need much.  We then headed to Scott’s to see their morning.  The kids were so excited over their Christmas and so fun. 

 Dad does the 12 days of Christmas every year and I bought him a boat this fall so I only got him 3 church books as gifts.  Scott had an auger sled for ice fishing hidden at his house so he was really surprised when he saw it. After eating cinnamon rolls and drinking caramel hot chocolate, we headed for Erik’s.

I didn’t take pictures at Erik’s because I plum forgot and had taken so many the day before.  They had such a good Christmas too.  They are always fun to be around.  Our children are such better parents that we were.  We love watching them teach our grandchildren the restored gospel and good behavior.  After watching them play and show us their treasures we ate caramel monkey bread and a delicious egg , cheese and sausage dish, along with egg nog.

We were worried about going to Clark’s because of the snow but Clark called and said their roads were bare.  They live in the mountains above Park City so we were very happy it was that way.  We spent another few hours in their home.  They had 4 missionaries there, which was great.  They had a breakfast of shredded potatoes, sausage, eggs, peppers, and whatever Di wanted.  It was so good.  We love the Spirit we feel in every home.  Nothing could make parents happier.  We are so blessed. We headed home around 3 o’clock so full and so grateful for the day.  We love our Savior, Jesus Christ and the great gift of the atonement that he freely gave each one of us.

On our way home Scott called to invite us to dinner.  Of course we accepted.  We hadn’t been fed all day.  Our day could not have been better.  Both girls called and so we had good contact with all of the family.  How we love them all.  We love how our Savior is the main figure in their homes.

Erik and his family came over the next day to return some things but there was a football game on so they stayed and we ate a lot of junk food.  It was great.

Christmas shoes

December 29th was Shanelle's  birthday.  What a wonderful addition to our  family.  She has brought a beautiful testimony of our Savior and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ which she continuously examples to her sons and us.   When she decides to do something, she gives it her all and doesn't quit.  She workouts early in the morning and loves to run and ride on her bike.  She goes far.  She loves our son and those 4 boys so much and finds such happiness in their doings.  We love her and are so glad Erik found her.
Erik took her for the day and we tended the boys.  What a fun day for us.  They were so good and we thoroughly enjoyed them. They spent most of the day watching football and playing in the snow, which we had plenty of.  

snow angel Asher

We made bread and each one made his own creation.  

Camden, Santa: Kolton, cinnamon bread: Asher, snowman: Parker, bread

more butter than bread

We used the leftover dough to make cinnamon rolls and a loaf of bread.  The house surely did smell good.  The tasting was the best part.  We took them to dinner at In-N-Out and then home where Parker took over.  It was just a great day.
Tiff was supposed to come with her family  today but the snow is so bad they are going to come in the morning.  They feel better driving in daylight even though it will be snowing the whole way, rather than at night.  We will be glad when they get here.
Dec. 31st Kristin and  Tiff both arrived with their families.  David could not come because he stayed home to study.  They arrived a few hours apart, Tiff driving and Kristin by air.  It was so fun to be together.

At 5:30 we all left for Scott's and the party.  Boy did we ever celebrate.  Scott gave everyone  as many rides as they wanted behind his 4 wheeler. 

New Years came in at 10:00, just as we had planned, loud and boisterous with lots to eat.

  We even had a chocolate fountain.  

Royalty

It was great to be together with family.

I am all mixed up on when we did what so I'll just throw some things in.

 buddies

 cousins

 Kolton and Nixon

ipad

watching

The sleep-over

Loved riding behind Uncle Scott's 4 wheeler

 Who's next

 Bethany's turn to drive.  Wild rides, dumped many.

The  Utah Valley kids went sledding around the corner from our home on the first.

Nixon would only go down with Parker

Asher and Jalen

Baylie getting air

 the train

Ava waiting

 Return to the top

the line

We topped it off with all children and spouses going to Porter's Place for dinner.  It is a place we loved going when the kids were young. 

Porter's

 It was just fun to be together and talk about old times.  The grands all stayed with babysitters.  After dinner we went to Smart Cookies for treats and then back home for us and Kamas for Clark and Di.
These holidays have been a great reminder of just how blessed we are to have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  We are so blessed to be sealed by the priesthood as families and to have this blessing for eternity.  We love our families so very much and pray for them individually daily.  How wonderful this knowledge is to know we have a Heavenly Father who hears our prayers and loves us.  The gospel is so true.