SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Cameron getting ready to compete at UNLV

 April came in with Tiffani’s 43^rd birthday.  She has given us many years of joy.  She always has a positive attitude and determination to get things done.  She has finished this semester with all A’s.  She has 3 more semesters and she will graduate, a long time goal of hers.  We are so proud.  We just can’t figure out how she does it with being the bishop’s wife, gospel doctrine teacher and mother of those precious 3. 

She is on the go constantly taking them to lessons, practices and games. 

She loves BYU football
We love the way she and Dave continue to teach their children by example and family prayer.  Granny told me Tiffani never cried as a baby because she was so happy to finally be on earth.

It was also Aunt Bev’s birthday.  She is the only Aunt on my side left.  We sent her flowers and she called to say how happy they made her.

April 3^rd we ordered The Jennings BYU football tickets.  We will order ours on the 6^th.  Dave and Cameron came last night and they took in 18 holes today.  Cameron got this trip for his 12^th birthday.  Dave took us to Pizza Factory for dinner and then to see the movie Home.  It was cute.

That evening Dianne and her girls had the blessing of singing in the women’s session of conference.  What a great opportunity for them.  I recorded that session so I could pause it when they sang and enjoy watching them.

Saturday morning the guys went golfing again (we recorded it so they could watch it later.)  They met up with Erik, Parker, Kolton, Clark and Riley for dinner and then the Men’s session of conference.  It was the first time for Cameron and Kolton to go.  What a gift to have those men worthy to go to such a special priesthood meeting.  I was so filled with thanksgiving. 

 Erik and boys

the men

Scott was in Vegas with his family at Tiffani and the twins.  Hope next conference they can all watch it together at a stake center.  They had a fun vacation in Vegas.

Every year we say it was the best conference ever but it always is.  This one was no exception.  We love that the Erik Bayles’ come to watch the Sunday morning session.  Those boys are so quiet and listen to what is going on. 

Honest, he watched when there were speakers

After the session we always have waffles, whipped cream, sausage and fresh berries.  It is always fun to be with family.

We love the rejuvenation conference gives us.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is so true and these speakers give us such a boost to try to be better and follow the Doctrine of Christ.  We must continue to have faith, live the covenants we made at baptism, live so we can always have the Holy Ghost as a companion and learn and grow to the end, keeping the covenants we made with our Father in the temple.  I love this truth and pattern to follow so our families can continue to grow.  We are so grateful to have our children sealed to us in His holy house.

Monday Erik and his family came to watch the NCAA championship game.  It was a great game.  We were all cheering for Duke and at the end they pulled it out.  Parker had an in grown toe nail repaired, Asher has a bad sinus problem and Kolton bought a new suit for his ordination to the priesthood.  Always something going on in that home.

We have purchased a new front door to be built.  It is beautiful, knotty alder.  I hyperventilated all the way home. 

It snowed all day.  Looking from the front porch

Wednesday I spent the day in Eureka with Milt while Dad spent the day serving in the temple.  He loves that.  We go do a session on Tuesdays, he goes and serves on Wednesdays and Fridays.  It’s a great plan.

Thursday we got up early and headed to LaVerkin for Aunt Marilyn’s funeral.  She is Uncle Platt’s wife and had been ill for several years.  Uncle Platt parachuted out of a plane a few weeks ago for his 89^th birthday.  He said it was the most fun of his life.  The funeral was wonderful.  Uncle Platt’s family filled the entire middle section of the stake center and some of the side. 

What a family.  Hal and his son Hunter brought Uncle Mark.  It is always good to be with him.  Uncle Platt told us a new story about Dad and Uncle Eric.  I don’t know how Granny made it with those two.

April 14^th was Kolton’s birthday.  It was a special one for a special boy.  He turned 12.  He is becoming such a good young man.  He loves his family and loves to do so many things.  We love his ability with art and is a natural athlete.  He can eat everything, rest a few minutes and eat some more.  I don’t think he has a bottom.  He smile brightens the world.  We love him so much.

Friday Nixon spent the afternoon and we made chocolate chip cookies.  He's such a good helper.

April 17^th we got to go to a premier open house for the Payson Temple.  We got to go so early because Shanelle helped in the making of the drapes in the rooms.  They are absolutely breath taking.  I have never been in such a beautiful temple.  It is much larger than it looks.  The temple was built on an apple orchard so they did all the wood furniture and framing with apple wood.  I thought it was mahogany it is so beautiful.  The rooms are very spacious and give such a peaceful feeling.  The stained glass windows have apple blossoms and leaves in them.  The upholstery is so beautiful with a touch of apples.  The staircase is huge and so well done.  The Spirit is so evident and the entire temple is magnificent.  I’m so glad Erik and Shanelle invited us to go with them.  It was not crowed and all the more that a million tickets are gone.

We went out to dinner in Provo to La Dolca Vida.  It was a great time.

We found that Michelle Williams had surgery for breast cancer.  They are going to do all the testing again in a month because they are not certain of the results.  We are praying for her.

Relief Society was so filled with the Spirit.  A young member told of her conversion in China.  Her parents were not happy with her decision and when she told them she was going on a mission instead of continuing her education they were extremely upset.  She knew the gospel was true.  The best part of her story was that  her parents are now baptized members.  The room was silent and so filled.  Many tears were shed.

We stayed for just the sacrament and then headed to PG for Kolton receiving the Aaronic Priesthood and being ordained as a deacon.

 Kolton and Erik

 The men

He was so handsome in his new suit and Erik gave him a beautiful blessing.  Scott, Bethany and kids were there with us.  It was a wonderful time.  He will pass the sacrament this Sunday.  It is nice to know that the 4 grandsons who are of age are deacons.  The gospel is so true.  We left the ordination to have dinner at Erik’s home.  Of course we had Shanelle’s potato salad. 

I love it when the grands get together.  Scott’s had to leave for a baby blessing  and we played dominoes.  They learned Chicken Foot and we learned Mexican Train.  It was really fun and loud. 

We love being with our eternal family.  How beautiful the Plan of Salvation is.  We are so trying to live so we can be worthy to have everyone for eternity.
Monday we took the boat to Spanish Fork so Matt could put the new motor in and then on to Payson to watch Kolton play soccer.
Wednesday we went to Blake Piggott's reception  She was a beautiful bride. We remember when one day she would come out of the house in cleats and shin guards and the next day in a tutu.
Friday we picked up Ashley and went to Draper to watch Riley in a soccer game.  We love that we go to so many activities the grands are involved in.  We took Lily and Jonny back with us to spend the night with Ashley.  They were so excited.  We got home in time to watch BYU baseball and Andy Isom make the winning run.  What a fun day.

April 27th Kristin turned 47.  She is such a wonderful daughter. She has done so many fun things in her short life.  She has shared the world with us in her travels and we have enjoyed every minute.  She loves the Lord with all her heart and lives her life in full faith.  She is always helping others with anything she can and without asking for anything in return.  She loves being a wife and mother and makes sure she makes every day count.  She is gifted with her writing abilities and always excelled in her studies.  We don't like that they live so far away but she loves the friends she has met in Columbia.  We surely do love her.
We did a "Days for Girls" evening RS activity.  We made sanitary kits for girls in Africa who don't have any idea what is going on with their bodies and are considered dirty in that culture.  The sisters said it was their favorite time in that they spent the entire evening helping girls who cannot help themselves.  It was an amazing evening and was so well attended.  They didn't leave until 9:30.

Thursday we went to Thanksgiving Point to see the tulip gardens.  They were beautiful and we thoroughly pleased.  They had beautiful gardens and a place with a huge sculpture of Jesus walking on water.  It was as large as our living room.  There were other sculpts that were much smaller that are going to be made into larger ones.

 Dad at the water fall

 Christ walking on water

 First vision

Woman touching Christ's robe

This has been a great month full of many blessings with Easter Sunday and conference.  We love all that is involved with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  It's so true and we must attend our meetings to increase our faith and keep our families on the right path.  It is imperative that we lead our families to our Savior and eternal exaltation.

MARCH MADNESS

March came and with it the beloved snow.  We had a pretty good storm but still need so much more. 

Thursday Scott and Erik came over to give Dad a blessing before his surgery.  How blessed we are to have all our sons and in-laws honor the priesthood they hold so they can use it to bless others.  We treasure that we have 2 so close so we can call on them often.  Dad’s surgery was successful but a surprise in that he ended up having 2 hernias instead of the one.  He is mending very fast and with no pain.  Erik and Scott’s familes came over to visit him on Saturday.  I never remember to take pictures.  Erik had mad a fresh Dutch apple pie that was so yummy.

Dad felt so good Sunday that we went to Adam Cochran’s homecoming.  I drove because he didn’t’ feel he could.  Adam did a wonderful job on his talk and we all went over to the Cochran’s after. 

Adam and a comp 

There must have been at least 50 relatives there.  Just to mention a few: Deb, Gary, Christiana and husband, Robert Cochran’s family. Hal and fam,

Erik and Fam, Mark and Kay, Shawn’s fam (except Justine due to more reconstruction surgery)

Kelly’s fam, Neldon Cochran,

Bruce’s fam, Cory Cochran’s fam, Kelby and wife

and I’m sure someone I missed.  It was a loud, great time. Wish I had included more families' pictures. The sacrament meeting started at 8:30 so we were very tired when we got home and took a rest  That evening Erik’s family came again and brought us a dinner of those yummy chicken rolls, fresh green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, that yummy salad of spinach and strawberries and ended with German chocolate cookies with that gooey frosting on top.  It was all so good.  It’s always fun when family is here and we just love those boys.

Tuesday I spent the day with Milt.  His house smelled of oil paints when he greeted me at the door walking and standing.  He looked so good standing up.  The smell of paints let me know he was back painting.  He is working on some paintings that will show at the US Christian convention in SLC next month.  He walked for about 2 hours and then went to the wheelchair but he did well.  He will be carved on again next Friday I think.  We are so grateful for Don Miles and the constant friend he is to drive him wherever he needs to go.

Lumber or Liquor

Here are some more pictures of my favorite things while driving to Eureka

Wednesday Molly finally turned 12.  She was so anxious.  She is such a special young woman and always has a smile for everyone.  She is loved by the little ones because she is so good with them.  She loves to do things with her family and is loved by all.  She chose to go to the temple and do baptisms with her parents for her birthday.  What a choice daughter of our Heavenly Father.  

What a great idea.  Clark forgot that we were coming but we were going to see Riley play soccer anyway.  He is playing for the first time and is doing so well.  He scored the first goal in the JV game and played much of the varsity game.  Both teams won.

Newspaper article on Riley's handspring throw-in

After the games we went to Heber and Chicks for a huge yummy dinner.
Lost my car keys at our humanitarian quilting day but after 2 hours of hunting, found them.  Direct answer to prayer.  How were we to know some ladies put chairs on the stage and my keys had fallen on the foot place?  Thank goodness Dad came to help search.
At 5:30 we went to our ward temple night.  Always love going to the temple.

Saturday the Erik Bayles family came to help us prune our trees.  We all worked very hard and got a lot done.

 I started bread while they were here and before they left had fresh scones for them to eat.  I must say they were good.  I'll have to do that again.  After we cleaned I went visiting.  I want to get to all who are over 90.  Altogether I have visited 50 sisters since I have been called but still have some over 98 to visit.  I love my calling.  Ward conference went well .  I was very nervous but I don't know why.  We finished our HT and VT after church.
Wednesday Parker had a track meet  He did the shot put.  He got first in his grade.

 Dad is really paying attention

winding up

The 19th Baylie Anne turned 7. She has been such a blessing to our family.  She absolutely loves her cousins and aunts and uncles.  She does very well in school and is doing work above her level.  She has a very tender heart about everything.  She is anxiously waiting for their July in Utah.  We love this little girl.  We are hoping David gets a job that is closer to Utah.

We spent Friday afternoon and Saturday with the Gary Bayles family watching Jordan work a horse.

  He was chosen one of 4 from 300 contestants to show his skills.  The 4 were each given a 2 year old unbroken colt for 60 days to train and then compete to show what they did.  It was amazing. We had no idea you could do so much in so little time. They also have jobs to go to. 

Friday they didn't have events between the trainers so we didn't know they would on Saturday.  Different farms showed their horses.

Gypsy horses from Ireland

After the final trainer events we went to the stables to tell the relatives good-bye.

 No room for all the names.  The one on the right is a friend and next to him is Christiana's husband and the one on the left is Addy's.

The bunch

Cody and boys walking b ack to the arena

We didn't go to the Sunday showing so we don't know the results.
Tuesday we got up and headed to Logan and Mark and Malissa's temple marriage.  It was wonderful.  The weather was sooo cold. Waiting for the bride and groom to come out was freezing.  What a great day.  There is always such a strong Spirit in the Lord's house.  We love being there.  After the wedding we went to The Blue Bird Cafe for lunch. It is always so much fun to be with family. So many were there.  It's always a good day when the temple is involved.

We love when Mark and Kay are around.

March 27th we drove to Vegas by way of Beaver, of course.  We went for Cameron's ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood. Because Flappy was flying all over the house a lady from the ward came and clipped his wings.  Flappy was not happy.  After dinner Tiff and I went to get Cameron's prescription and upon returning realized Flappy, Cameron's bird was missing.  We hunted for three hours to find him.  Cameron was devastated and really struggling.  We were very worried about him.  We had the whole neighborhood searching for the bird.  Tiffani and I had spent the time crying, her very deeply.  The next morning while we were discussing what to do we heard a soft wolf whistle.  We ran to the sound and there, upstairs was that bird hiding up under the treadle sewing machine.  He ignored our voices when we whistled and called for him. because he was pouting.  Cameroon came alive with joy.  It was great to see the change. That Flappy rules the roost.

Saturday we spent the day watching the girls in a soccer double header.  It was 79 and very warm. 

 We enjoyed the game and the heat.  That afternoon Dave's mother and Larry came.  We had a very enjoyable time with them.

Sunday was beautiful.  Cameron was so excited.  He had a new suit and looked so grown up. 

 When the priesthood removed their hands from his head he said "Your hands sure were heavy, it gave me a headache."  He beamed all day.  It was a great day.  

The entire weekend Tiffani prepared such amazing meals.  It was just a great time in every way.

time together

 It was good to be home but we miss those Vegans so much when we leave.

We love the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and know with all our hearts it is true and the only true church on the earth.  God lives.  He is our Father and loves us unconditionally and individually.  He knows what we need more than we do. His desire is that we can return to him, in families and be together for ever.  What a beautiful plan.  Jesus Christ is our brother and also loves us.  He knowingly suffered for each one of us. He is our Redeemer and our only way to the Father.  The boy Joseph did see them and testified they are personages and have bodies like ours.  The Holy Ghost is a personage also but of Spirit and is the testifier of all truth.  This we know.  Joseph Smith was paramount in bringing the Book of Mormon to us.  That book is so true.  We need to read it every day if only one verse.  We are so grateful that you are sharing this truth verbally with our grandchildren.  They are ours and we don't want to lose even one.  President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and is on this earth at this time to guide us in the trials that are ahead.  We need not fear.  Follow the Prophet.  Watch conference.  (or TIVO it like we do so we can watch it again one speaker at a time) How blessed we are to have this knowledge and to be able to repent and start anew each day.  No words can express how very much we love each one of you.  You are our treasures here and in heaven.  "God bless you, everyone."