GIRLS NIGHT OUT AND THE BOYS STAY IN

This picture was taken the Sunday of our homecoming.  Dianne sent it to me and I like it even though everyone was not there.

Sunday is always good.  Dad was the speaker at the Stake High Priest 7:00 A.M. meeting.  He worried over it and studies so hard.  As soon as he got home Brad Wilcox called to tell him it was the best ever.  He wished he had taped what dad said so he could play it and study what he said.  Brother Jarman said he wished he had it taped so he could play it for the missionaries at the MTC.  He based his talk on Jacob 5 and how now is the time for the gathering of Israel. Brad said he learned things he had never thought of before. When we got to church so many men were talking about it.  Made a great day for dad.  Both Sunday School and Sacrament meeting talked about it.  Am I ever lucky to be matched with such a man.  We went to Brother Ralph Walters viewing that evening.  On the way home we happened to go by the Carter's home.  He and Bro. Cherry are our home teachers now.  We stopped and sat on Chad's porch and asked him to teach us.  We had such a fun time visiting with that wonderful family.  What a way to do home teaching.  We still have Hilda's brother with us.  He is such a good man.  I just wish he would see the truth of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is so true.
Brother Walter's funeral was so good.  The music was unbelievable and set such a great spirit for the service.  Ralph gave the family instructions that the funeral could not last more than one hour and they did just that.  The Gospel was preached and many fun stories were told.  We had no idea he was such an avid fisherman, especially fly fishing.  One of his favorite thoughts  was put as an inset in the program.  We love it and want to share it with you:

"I pray that I may live to fish until my dying day. 
 And when it comes to my last cast, I then most humbly pray:
When in the Lord's great landing net, and peacefully asleep
That in his mercy, I be judged big enough to keep"

The 28th was Erik's birthday.  He is such a good man, son, father, husband, brother and friend.  He has such a positive attitude about everything but BYU football.  He has such a supportive wife and sons.  We are thrilled with the life he is living and love how he lives what he believes.  He has always been an easy child and now such a man.  I remember when he wouldn't  leave the house without a kiss.  He was so loving.  Camden reminds me of him with his affectionate mannerisms and Parker reminds me of him in his football knowledge and facts.  What a great family. We love you Erik.

Tiffani asked if Bethany and I wanted to go to Mary Poppins.  What a question. Bethany came at noon and we left for St. George to meet Tiffani and the twins.  

Clara    Ava     Lauryn

The girls immediately wanted to go swimming so they got a short dip.  We then went to dinner at Pizza Factory and on to Mary Poppins. 

 It didn't start until 8:45 and ended at 12:45.  The girls didn't budge.  They loved every second. 

Their Grammy did too.  It was incredible.  I was in rapture.  I thought the girls wold be so tired after the performance and would fall asleep before we left the parking lot.  No way.  Finally at 1:30 I crawled in bed with them and it still took some time before they settled.  What fun we had.
While we were playing in St. George the guys were at the Hogle Zoo, shopping and eating.    Cameron and David were in Virginia.  You'll have to go to Tiff's blog to see about that.
The girls slept until 9:15 and the breakfast closed at 9:30 so without combing hair or dressing they followed us to breakfast. 

Lauryn  Ava   Clara

 It was yummy and the girls ate more than I thought they would.  They changed into suits and went swimming.  After dressing and Bethany fixing their hair we went shopping by way of the St. George Temple where Grandad and I were married.  The little girls told each other just what took place as if they had been there. (Maybe they were) I don't remember it at all like that.

 What an experience shopping was.  Tiff and Bethany let them try on 100 outfits at least.  It was so darn much fun.  The girls wanted an ice cream.  Couldn't they have chosen vanilla?

Clara  Ava   Lauryn

Tiffani   Me   Bethany

 We went to the Paradise Cafe for lunch and then headed home at 4:30.  We got there at 8:15 with one very tired girl.  The guys were at a football game.  Soph  TV vs PG  Erik's team won.
Saturday we went to Parker's football game.  They won and Parker did a great job.  We left there with Scott and Beth to meet Clark and Dianne and family to go cut wood for the winter.  It was so good to be in the mountains with family. 

Beth and Nixon

Jonny  Ava Lily

Nixon and Molly helping Grammy

Scott, Clark and Granddad

They look pretty tiny under that tree.

What loggers

We got our truck and trailer and Scott's truck and a small part of his trailer filled when Nixon fell out of our truck.  It wasn't moving but he opened the door and it was on a slope so he tumbled out.  

one tough Bayles

He cut his head badly and they took his to Heber's emergency room.  Suddenly Di remembered if they went to an insta-care they would probably save $1,000.  Ava didn't want to go with them so she played with Clark's kids while we filled their trailer.  We left when it was full and took our trailer to Clark's so they could have the wood.  They need more than we do.  We put Ava in our truck and headed to Orem to see about Nixon.  We picked up Ashley at the dam and took her to her apt.  She had been working at the sheep dog championships.  She loves college life.  Scott and Beth had ended up going to their doctor at 7:00.  We got In-n-Out and took Ava to our house.  She was starving.  A short time later Scott and Bethany came.  Nixon did as well as a barely 2 year old would.   He got 5 stitches.   He's a trooper.  Can't we get wood without someone getting hurt?  (remember Granddad)

Thurs. Oct. 18th We left Mr. Shelton's in good time and walked 10 miles thru mud & rain to Danville arriving at Bro. W.C. Fulk's at 11:30 P.M.  In the afternoon we went down in town & got our mail and work from the pres. telling us to go back into Rockinghamn Co. as conference had been postponed one month.

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.