SUNDAY WITH THE KAMAS KLAN

We can't have a Sunday with Clark's family until we talk about Jonny.  I always seem to lose his birthday in the 24th celebration.  He is such a special child of our Heavenly Father.  There's always laughing when he is around.  He is a very creative young boy and loves to make things out of anything, especially cardboard boxes. He is excited to be in first grade this year.  We love you, Jonny.

robot Jonny

We love the Sabbath Day.  We taught YW and High Priest and then headed immediately for Kamas to go to church with Clark's family.  We wanted to hear Ashley, Hailey and Riley sing in a trio for the special number.  We got to Kamas only to find that they had been realigned and now go to the chapel in Francis.  When we could not see them in the congregation someone saw us and said they were at a different chapel.  We had to turn around and go back to Francis getting there after the sacrament but in time to hear the kids sing.  They were so good.  Riley didn't even act scared.  After meeting we had dinner in their home.  As usual it was yummy.  We took them a huge bag of nectarines.  The tree is loaded.

chow chow made by Brother Frady's mother

ice cream

 We visited for awhile and then had home evening. The agenda was father's blessings.  Granddad gave Clark a blessing and then Clark gave each of the children a blessing.  They did this because Ashley goes to UVU Friday.  When Clark was through with the children he gave a beautiful blessing to Dianne.  The Spirit was extremely strong and it was a very inspiring evening.

I know Molly's in there

Yes, it was very spiritual

 We got home at 9:30 very tired but filled with wonderful thoughts and memories of the evening and of other evenings we remembered when our little family was starting each new year of school.
The berm is finally finished.  Now for the strip between our home and the Aniah's.  It will be easier and the strip by the Richards' will be even easier that that.
The boys came to mow the lawn.  I love having them here.  Camden and Asher earn money by picking the fallen fruit from the ground.  Asher even put the one I had picked and put on the table in his bag.  What a trip.  He's pretty smart.  He didn't even have to bend over.
Our tomatoes are starting and the squash and cukes are in abundance.  Thanks for planting the garden.  It makes all the difference.  Dad has done all the work this year.  I'm still on the flowers.
Tuesday was a tough day.  Our dear friend Leland Gamette died unexpectedly.  He had been in an accident Thursday but no one knew how badly he was hurt.  They knew he had a broken wrist but didn't know his large intestines had died.  They did surgery Monday but he just didn't make it.  We are so concerned for his wife, Hilda.  Robyn, his youngest daughter, was in the car on the hit side and broke her pelvis in two places.  She is seven and a half months pregnant but the baby is fine.  Jana, the older daughter, flew in 2 hours after he died.  Life is just so precious and we never know what tomorrow brings.  That's why we must make every day count and do our very best to follow our Savior and keep the commandments.   Leland was a great example of this.  He was loved by so many and did so much for people and for the city of Provo.  He had worked for the city for over 30 years and had a lot to do with positive changes.  He was a loving bishop, father, husband and friend to many.  We love him and the family.

Here is an article Kristin wrote:

I was so sad to hear this news yesterday. Leland has been a neighbor and friend to my parents for almost 30 years. I know it's common to say at a glowing things about someone after they've passed, even if it's exaggerated. In Leland's case, I can't imagine anyone having anything else to say. He was such a good man in every possible way. I'm heartbroken for his family.

Scott and the kids came by for a little while.  It was good to play with them and think about other things for a little while.
Today we learned our neighbor across the street's father is in the hospital after an accident and no brain activity.  They are at the hospital around the clock and we are all praying.  We also learned a man in our ward died, Brother Ralph Walters.  He has lived a very long and productive life serving in every way he could.  What a blessing the knowledge of where we will go when we die is.  What a wonderful plan our Father has for us.
The alarm guy didn't come again.  That makes 4 weeks of no show.  Granddad worked at the cannery for 3 hours this afternoon and nearly cooked.  They did tomato juice and he was in the wet, canning area.  It was very hot and he was soaking wet when he got through.  Clark came over for the tiller while Dad was gone and shocker, it didn't fit in the Mini so we drove to Lindon and got the keys to the truck and traded vehicles so he could till their garden so it would make it look nicer in that their home is for sale.  He took food from the garden and a bag of nectarines home with him.  The nectarines are so good this year.  Yummy garden BLT's for dinner.
Nixon turned 2 today.  That has really gone fast.  He is such a pleasant little boy and so easy to please.  He loves everything especially cars and trucks.  He loves helping daddy build things and even tearing them down.  He thinks Ava is the best thing ever and Ava just loves him to pieces.  We're so glad he's part of our family.  We love you Nixon.

Granddad has been working on a scythe that Jeff Frady gave him and he finally finished it.  He had wanted one ever since we got in North Carolina.  "The field is white already to harvest."

Friday was a good day in that Granddad helped me in the front and the place betweeen us and Anayas is finished.  The front looks so good.  We went to Am. Fork to trade vehicles with Clark and to our surprise, Dianne and Ashley were there to take Clark to lunch before Di and Ashley went to the temple for baptisms.  Ashley will then check into her new home in an apt next to UVU.  I'm just not ready for this.
We got home in time to go to Leland's viewing.  It was as good as could be expected.  I'm so impressed with Hilda and the comfort she is receiving.  How wonderful to have the restored gospel in ones life.  Kim Blackburn Santiago asked about you, Clark.  We went right from there to Nixon's birthday party.  He was so excited and had so much fun opening presents.  After every opening he was through.  He just wanted to play with whatever he opened.

Hilda's brother is with us until Tuesday.  He is so nice and it's so fun to hear that beautiful Australian accent.  No, I cannot do it.
Saturday we got up early and went to Parker's game.  He played very well and they won.

I went from the game to Sarah Law's shower.  She is so beautiful.  She is marrying Willie Isom.
We then went to Leland's funeral.  It was so good.  The girls were the speakers and did such a remarkable job.  Robin had to be helped up and down due to her broken pelvis but she gave her dad a great tribute.  The chapel and cultural hall were filled.  He is such a great man and will be working hard for those on the other side.  Jana and her husband sang "Oh my Father" at the grave site.  It was beautiful.  Hilda's brother is very impressed with the spirit that has been with Hilda.  I told him it was the Holy Ghost and explained how she was able to have that help.  He's a good man.
At 6:00 we were at the High Priest Stake dinner.  What a day.  Tom Holmoe was the speaker and talked about how filled with goodness the players are.  He told some stories that made a BYU fan proud.  It was a very good day but a hard day.  I love your dad.

Wed. Oct. 17th  We all met at Lovin's this morning and stayed there until after dinner.  We then left, the other two went to Reidsville and myself and Elder Parker started for Danville.  After walking about 14 miles we commenced seeking entertainment & were refused once.  We then were told by a storekeeper where a friend by the name of R.H. Shelton lived.  We went there & stayed the night.

WEEDS, WEEDS, AND MORE WEEDS

continuous weeding project

Erik's boys come every Monday and mow our lawn.  It is such a great help for us.  For past mowings we owed Parker and Kolton each $100.00  It's so worth it.  The little boys pick up fruit from under the trees and get  2 pennies for each one they pick up.  It gives them a little money too and we don't have to bend over.  A win-win situation.
Tuesday we went to the temple and saw the new movie for the first time.  It is very well done.
We were surprised to find Chase Stock was in the same session.  He was with his sister who was going through for the first time.  She can now go to his wedding Friday.  We went to the reception and it was so nice.  They have turned Los Hermonas into a reception center.
I have been working on the berm every day for several hours,  It is full of weeds and it's hard to do with a soft cast on.  Every day it look a little better.
Granddad broke his temporary crown and thank goodness Dr. McKell's office was still open.
We got up early Saturday and went to Saratoga Springs to watch Erik and Scott in their triathalon.  They did very well and it was so fun to be there.  It's been a long time since we have gone to one.  It's fun to be with the little bits.

waiting for the race

what a scabbard

cheer squad

swim 1/2 mile

bike 14 miles

run 3 1/2 miles   Erik

Scott

Erik's family

Scott's family

 Clark was entered at Jordanelle but he said too many chili dogs at the camp out with his boys slowed him down but camping with his boys was worth it.
Troy and his family picked us up at 5:00 to go to the Bees baseball game.  They're the farm team for the LA Angels.  We lad a great time and I went for the hot dog.  It was worth it.

It rained for the first time since July 13th and we thought the game would be canceled but the rain stopped right before the game and all was dry.  We have had one day of rain since July 13th.  We need rain so badly.  It's nothing like North Carolina.

 Mon. Oct 15th  About 9 A.M.we walked a mile to Bro. Benj Hall's.  We took a bath in the creek & washed our clothes.  After waiting until 5 o'clock P.M. for them to dry we went back to Draper & at night we held another meeting at Lovin's & had quite a nice crowd out.

SETTLED IN, finally

Aug. 4^th

one of my favorite pictures

Fast Sunday is always a great day.  We love it.  After the meeting I was set apart a a Young Woman’s advisor and Bro. Bayles was set apart as a High Priest instructor.  He loves teaching so he will be great in this calling.

Tuesday we had dinner with the old gang.  The administration at Timpview.  It was so much fun.  We ate at the Good Wood.  Great steaks.

The week was great.  We got a lot done.  I finally have time and my hand is sorta better so I could work in the flowers.  Bro. Bayles helped me and worked in the garden also.  We’re so blessed that the kids planted it for us.  The squash and cukes are so tasty. 

 Troy Hulse came by and we are going to a Bees game with them

Saturday.  Should be fun.

We went to Lauryn Piggott’s reception.  She is such a pretty girl and such a nice doings.  We saw many people from Canyon Crest and Timpview.  We also saw people from the 1^st ward.

Thursday and Friday we had Ava and Nixon.

Ava made this heart out of golf balls.

  I was a little nervous to have them all day but they were so easy.  We had a great time.

We called Rylynn.  She turned 9 Saturday.  We hope she is still going to church and doing well.  We called her and she seemed good.  Scott took us to breakfast.  Good ole IHOP.  I went grocery shopping for the first time by myself and dad helped Scott with his wood area.  It took forever for me to shop.  It was very hard.  I did run into Val Tiatia.  He said to say “Hi” to everyone.  I was so worn out that we had In-N-Out for dinner.

Hope this isn’t too boring but now that we’re home not a lot happens.  It’s what it is.  We love being home and love our family but we do miss the great people in North Carolina.  They will always be in our prayers and hearts.

Mon Oct 15  About 9 A.M. we walked a mile to Bro. Benj. Hall's.  We took a bath in the creek & washed our clothes.  After waiting until 5 0'clock P.M. for them to dry we went back to Draper & at night we held another meeting at Lovin's & had quite a nice crowd out.

THE GRAND CANYON AND BACK HOME

July 28^th Sunday

As soon as we said our good-byes we headed for the Grand Canyon.  We didn’t leave until 2:00 so it was much later than we had planned.  We decided to stop at Four Corners.  This is where Utah, Arizona. New Mexico and Colorado all come together and you can be in all four states at the same time. 

It is owned by the Navajo Tribe.  There are many stalls where you can buy Navajo things.  We did our share.

The drive was very desert but at the same time beautiful in its own way.  It is a beauty you must respect.   We love it; nothing like traveling in North Carolina.  We did miss the many trees and beautiful green.  Monument Valley is one of our favorite scenes.

El Capitan

Sleeping Ute

Some of the scenery is quite bleak.

By the time we made it to Kanab we were just too tired to go further.  We had reservations in the Park but had another hour and a half and these two old ones just couldn’t go any farther.  We got a motel instead.

Tiffani had reserved us a place right at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  The campsite was beautiful.  Kristin had trouble in that there was a trail right down the canyon just a short walk from our site.  It was breathtaking.  

The pine odor filled our lungs.  Snowball loved the cooler air.  We set up camp and headed to the lodge. 

Lauryn hauling wood

 We took several trails that freaked Kristin out and just relaxed at the lodge. 

 Kristin and Cameron played a National Parks game of Monopoly.  He’s a pro at it.  The girls played with their souvenirs and dad and I took a nap.  It was a beautiful, relaxing day, much needed.

After dinner we roasted marshmallows and made s’mores.  We sat forever and just watched the flames and visited.  It was a very good night’s sleep.

While we were packing up the kids made homes for the squirrels and just had so much time in the trees and beauty of this area.

We stopped at Marble Junction for lunch and Tiffani headed for Zion’s National Park and we headed for Bryce National Park.  Bryce is absolutely indescribable.  We soaked it in.  The beauty and color cannot be matched. 

the Batchelor's

 I slipped and fell coming around the truck and landed on hard rocks.  It hurt!

We got home at 10:30 so darn tired but very happy.  It was a great few days.  I love our driver.

The next day we washed clothes and then had a bar-b-q at Erik’s.  He did teriyaki hamburgers that were so good and Shanelle made her famous potato salad. 

some of Shanell's relatives too

 It’s always good to be with family, especially at their homes. We got a lot of cleaning and organizing done.  We tended Ava and Nixon while Scott and Beth went to the temple with Jaxon. (Beth’s brother)  We love doing that now that we’re available.

Dad took Kristin and David to the airport at 4 the next morning.  They made their flight but had difficulty from there but actually made it home that same day.  I went to Dr. Taylor to see about my hip and wrist and hand.  All is well.  I’m in a soft cast for a few weeks and my hip is severely bruised but that’s all.  I’m so thrilled.  We got a lot of cleaning and organizing done. 

Saturday was my brother Milt’s birthday.  He called and we talked for the first time in three ears.  I have tried everything to get ahold of him and was so thrilled to hear his voice.  I kept calling the Mayor’s office to make sure he was alive.

Life is good and we certainly do love each other.

Sun. Sept 23rd  At 11:00 A.M.we went to meet at the Moravian Church and at 3 0'clock P.M. we went to Sanctified Meeting and at 4:30 0'clock P.M. we held a meeting at Lovin's & had a large crowd out.  We had a nice time & they all seemed to be very much interested & at 7:30 P.M. we held another meeting and had a large crowd out & had a nice time.