The greatest Christmas present ever!!!!

I know this is a little bit late but at least it was just last Saturday that it happened. This past Christmas the kids all decided to stay home for Christmas. The grandkids are getting old enough that they need to spend this special morning in their homes. So this was the first Christmas Eve that Paul and I have spent alone since that very first Christmas so many years ago. It was a different feeling but we filled it with dinner at Nicholas and Danielle's and putting out the candles in the cemeteries. We did drive into Dad's back yard and I should have gone into the house to check on things but I couldn't bring myself to enter into the empty house. I have  really missed my parents this year and it was a little difficult without them. Christmas day we traveled through the snow storm to be with the kids. Isn't this what Grandparents do? Les met us at Mike and Kassy's to spend the day with us. It was great even though he had a difficult time going back to Ogden in the snow and ice.

Saturday the kids came here, except Les, Cyrena, and Chris. We had fun playing with the four grandkids and they opened up the presents that Santa had brought to Grandpa and Grandma. They even opened up the presents from Mark and Tara. The first one was a gift that was really for them, a V-Tech. This will help them have something to play while their parents are busy on the Wii. As Kyler was opening up the present to Paul and I he was a little disappointed to find a bag from Wal-Mart. Tara was acting a little strange as if something was going to break. Out fell a card. I guess I was supposed to read the card first but all I seen was the ultra-sound picture on the back of the card. YES they are expecting!!! It still doesn't seem real. They found out a day after Thanksgiving. When they were here for Thanksgiving I thought that something was going on between them. At first I thought that they were uphappy with each other, the thought did go through my mind that they were pregnant but I knew that it hadn't been five years yet and that we would still have to wait. 

Heavenly Father has decided that they have waited long enough. We don't know when to expect this little bundle of joy because she was still on the pill. They need to go to a doctor still but I'm sure that it will happen sometime this summer. Needless to say we are very excited and to think that we will have three new members to this family is the greatest feeling ever.

Family Traditions are back

For several years we would take the kids to Salt Lake before Christmas to see the lights, go shopping and eat a good meal. We each have great memories of these times together; losing Mark at the Festival of Trees, getting pulled over in our new mini-van when we didn't have tail lights, standing on the platform waiting for the train to come and Cyrena doing a little dance to keep warm. These are just a few. The last couple of years we have let life get in our way and have let the tradition die. This year I decided that no matter what we were going to Salt Lake. I did worry about the big storm that was scheduled for Saturday but with faith and prayer we loaded up the Jeep and headed north. We were very grateful to have Danielle and the kids join us this year. Nicholas had to work. We met the other kids for dinner and to see the lights at Thanksgiving Point. We were able to drive through this beautiful display and the kids were excited. To see Christmas through the eyes of a child is a great gift. They loved being able to also see the reindeer. Josh was the first one to reach out to the animals and didn't want them to move away from him. Ashton wanted to get in the pen with them and kept trying to climb over the fence. It took Kyler a little while to warm up to them. In fact we had to leave the reindeer and then come back to them. But after that Kyler didn't want to leave. Lexie liked them but she was more interested in the gift shop. She seen a beautiful baby's dress and immediately went to that just to touch it.

Paul tried to get a picture with the reindeer and the kids but it was a little bit to dark. We did have a great time.



On Saturday coming home was a little bit interesting. I was glad that we had waited the storm out a little bit. Kassy kept me entertained by treating me to a movie "Twilight". Paul, Michael and Josh had great fun shopping. The way home was slow but we didn't have to many problems other than my Jeep being covered with salt and ice.

I hope and pray this tradition will continue on in the years to come. It is one of my favorites, other than our Christmas candles that I hope I will be able to post about in a couple of weeks.

A Great Weekend!!!

I just had to publish the fact that even though both Paul and I were only able to eat a small amount of Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, we had a great weekend. One filled with family and being together. We had the four boys and their families home on Thursday, plus my sister, Tami, Calvin and Mandy came to share the holiday with us. We had a house full but that only makes it better. I want to tell my beautiful daughters how much I appreciated them for all the help they gave me because without them dinner would have been impossible. We did miss having Dad there. I guess we have our first holiday behind us now. We have so many blessings in our lives. I have become more aware of them as each day in my journal I record one blessing. My family is one of those great blessings.

Early Friday morning we headed to Cottonwood canyon to get our traiditional Christmas tree. Josh was the only one of our grandsons to go with us but he really had fun. Grandpa took our new four-wheeler with us and he was able to go for a long ride. It was a beautiful day with very little snow. If the wind hadn't been blowing it would have almost been warm. Every year I keep thinking that I'm going to give in to the ways of the world and buy a fake tree and save us the hassle of looking all over for a tree and having the kids help us get it, but as I get the live tree in and decorated, which I did myself this year, it reminds me of being together with my family. I know the time is coming when I will have to bend but I hope it holds off for a few more years.

The kids all left shortly after our adventure which left Paul and I alone but that was alright. We need to spend time together with just each other. Plus it gave us time to recover and get over the stomach flu that has lasted forever. I'm looking for to this month of December being able to spend more time with family.

Grandma, come to my house

Last Saturday as I was talking to Michael for his birthday he told me that Josh wanted to talk to me. So after a few seconds of us trying to coax Josh into talking I hear, "Grandma, come to my house". It melted my heart. The last time we have seen Josh was at my Dad's funeral. I knew that we would be seeing them on Thanksgiving but I just couldn't get that sweet little request out of my mind. Plus during the week Kassy called and in the background I could hear his little voice again requesting us to come. So we put everything on hold, because nothing is more important to us than our children and grandchildren and headed to Riverton on Friday. Mark and Tara also joined us at Mike and Kassy's for dinner and a movie, "Kung Fu Panda". It is a great movie but I loved watching Josh run in circles and play with me on the floor more.

Saturday we decided to do things that Josh would love. I had intentions of taking him to a playground but it was a little cold outside. We instead to him to the mall. I know some of you are thinking that it was for me and maybe in a way it was but I knew that the South Towne mall had a merry-go-round and a few little car rides. This time I didn't make the same mistake as I did with Bauer last month and took Josh for two rides. Both times he chose to ride a horse. He loved the ride and I didn't get sick, well maybe a little bit. He had fun with Grandpa going up and down the elevator and just running. As we were going back to their home Josh was so afraid that we were leaving him. We should have left sooner so I could have gone to a party but again nothing is more important. So Josh and I played outside for an hour. He really doesn't like to slide but he does like to throw things and run and play. Even though his cheeks turned red and cold he still didn't want to go inside.

How grateful I am that we were able to visit with this little boy and spend the whole time with just him. He still didn't want us to leave when we did and I'm sure we are going to hear, "come to my house" more often now but I want Josh to know that he means the world to us. We love him and I loved playing with him.

One other great plus, we filled up my Jeep for $30.00. We found a Maverik that had gas at $1.85. I'm with Paul and would really like to know how come the price can change so much. Just last month we were paying almost double. As Paul has said, "Who has pocketed all the money". I'm just grateful that we know longer have to worry about going to Salt Lake and planning it more into our budget. It has been a great weekend. Two and a half more weeks at school until Thanksgiving break. I did find out that I may be subbing for Dean Nelson a little longer than I had planned. At least I'm learning a few French words, even though I don't say them right. But I always have Mark around to help me out.

The day has finally arrived!!!!!!!!

We have been waiting all summer for our driveway to be paved. We had talked to Nielsen's during the spring about having this project done for us. At first we thought about cleaning out the driveway ourselves and saving some money but as we began to remove the dirt it became clear that unless we had the equipment, it would become next to impossible. To make a long story shorter Paul called them and asked them to just do everything. It has taken them months to get to us. They finished cleaning it out last week and put a basecoat of dirt down that was very fine and tracked into the house. We didn't want to drive on it so we have been parking our Jeeps in the back yard thinking that it would be only a couple of days. It has been a week and a miracle finally happened today. I came home from work to find it all finished. We both love it and to think that when we do receive the snow, it will be a lot easier to clean off, especially with the snow plow that we will get with Dad's four-wheeler. I still can't believe that it is finished!!!!!!


The mess we had to deal with



The base coat they put down last week

Our finished driveway

Also I thought I would post a few pictures of Kyler, Lexie, and Ashton on Halloween. I still feel bad about not making the kids costumes this year but with everything that has happened, it was for the best. I know that Cyrena has posted pictures of Bauer/Tigger and I hope you will be able to check out Kassy's blog to see Josh as Curious George.Kyler was a dinosaur, Lexie was Tinkerbell and Ashton a brave knight.

Our San Diego Vacation

For longer than I can remember I have wanted to visit the great state of California. I have been in every western state other than California and just could never understand why I haven't gone other than the traffic and hearing the terrible stories about the freeways from my Dad. When Cyrena told us about the wedding they were going to I jumped at the chance. Not only to visit California but the most important, to spend time with her family. When Mike, Kassy, and Josh decided to come also, it really made for a great time. We knew a hotel wouldn't work out because we would want to be together. Mike found us a great condo on the beach in Mission Bay.

It is so close to Sea World, the zoo and other sites that we wanted to visit. We were very lucky to book it when we did because the owner sold the condo and signed the papers the next Monday after we left. I was shocked by the amount he received from the sell but it is on the beach. Mike, Kassy, and Josh flew while the rest of us drove it with of course Chris driving on the nasty freeways.

Our first night there we didn't do much. We arrived almost to late for site seeing. We did find our way into "old town" for dinner. We found an old Mexican restaurant. I can't say it was the best food in the world but we enjoyed the atmosphere.

The next morning we decided to go to the San Diego temple. I had hoped to allow the kids the chance of doing a session while Paul and I spoiled the boys but they decided to have us go with them to walk around the outside. Each of us loved this beautiful temple. I always pictured it to be bigger. The grounds were something to behold. The boys enjoyed running and chasing each other. It became difficult to catch them. It is always a marvel to me that no matter where you are, the minute you step on temple grounds you are removed from the world.







We next went to Coronado Beach. It was an awesome experience just getting there. You have to cross a huge expansion bridge. Cyrena and Chris love to eat Sushi now and so we found a place and they even got me to try it. It wasn't that bad but I can't say that I will try it again. Mike decided that he liked it. While the Grimms left us for a barbecue, they did go to California for a wedding, the rest of us played on the beach. It was so clean and I marveled being able to look on the horizon and see nothing but ocean. Josh was very brave going down to the water with Grandma. We hadn't quite arrived at the water when all the sudden I seen all these gulls coming in off the ocean. Then I heard a loud scream "MICHAEL", I turned to see Kassy running back towards Mike. She had had a piece of pizza in her hand for Josh to eat. Of course the birds thought she was feeding them. She threw the pizza and ran. It was like a scene from the movie "The Birds". Kassy hasn't seen this great classic but I will do everything in my power to make sure she does. I just wish we would have had a camera on her. She was greatly scared but it was a great experience for the rest of us.

Josh loved the ocean as much as I did. My only regret was not being dressed for it. My plans were to just roll up my pants a little bit but there is a pull towards the ocean and before we knew it our pants were wet. Josh loved to stand on the sand and then as the waves would come in he would scream out of delight. Mike would have to lift him up or the waves would have covered him. He didn't want to leave. None of us did. Why didn't some one tell me how cool it is to have the sand leave under your feet as the waves go back out. I could have spent hours at the beach. I thought the beach at the condo was cool but it was nothing compared to this.


Shamu was our next experience. We were able to sit in the splash zone and not even get wet which I'm not complaining about mind you. It was a great show. Josh loved it and clapped his hands. Of course his puppy couldn't miss out on the show. He also loved going through the Sesame Street play land and all the other fish we were able to see. At times watching Josh was the best site for me.


Our next day was full just at the San Diego Zoo. I thought the Hogel Zoo has big, I hadn't seen anything yet. Just when we thought we had seen everything we would find a different level. The boys loved running, playing, and chasing each other. It would have been better if Bauer would have had a leash on him. Josh really gave me a work out. Bauer kept people around us entertained by singing. Most of the time it was the alphabet song. These two little boys became the best of friends. Again they were my favorite animals in the zoo. To get out of the zoo we took the sky ride. It was something that I didn't think I could do but with the thoughts of walking two miles to get out of the zoo or taking the easy way out, I told myself if it got to bad I would just close my eyes. The ride over the zoo was great. I need to stop being so afraid.

We couldn't stay to long in the zoo. Chris and Cyrena had their wedding and the rest of us went back to the condo to pack and clean up. Because of my Dad who had become worse we decided to leave at 10:30 Saturday night. Mike, Kassy, and Josh were leaving a few hours after we did. They had a very early check in of their rental car and flight.

Chris was able to show us the house that he lived in as a senior in high school on our trip home. It is for sell in case his family wants to move back.It was a long hard drive but with each of us taking our turns at least some got some sleep. I was to worried about Dad. It was difficult leaving warm San Diego especially when we got closer to Cedar City and found snow on the ground. We had a great trip and I was able to do things I have wanted and also conquered over a few fears. Thank you Chris and Cyrena for allowing us to tag along. Thank you Mike and Kassy for coming with us. Thanks to Josh and Bauer for bringing such great joy to your grandparents. Paul and I have decided that we need to take more trips like these and try to get the rest of the family with us. This is a very beautiful world we live in and we need to enjoy more of it.

To the Best Father in the World

I thought about waiting to do this post until I was at home so I could add pictures of my father but I realized that I have sent all my pictures to Salt lake with my brother. I don't want to wait to have them returned so here goes.

As most of you know my father passed from this life and began his new life on October 16. He has been putting up a strong fight for the past six months but as the days and weeks went by, his heart became weaker. In September he told me that he felt like he was living on borrowed time, that he was ready to begin his new life. I told him that we would all miss him but we also understand the plan that has been given to us and would be looking forward to the day that we would be able to be with both he and Mom again. Over the past couple of years we have become closer. Being of service to someone else has a tendency of doing that. He told me so many stories of his childhood and I really need to sit down to a computer and began writing about them before I forget them. Thank goodness Amanda (Tami's daughter-in-law) did sit down with Dad and get a little bit of his history while he could still talk.

My Dad lived a full life with no regrets. I don't think there was anything that he didn't accomplish that he thought about doing. He always worried about spending to much time at work and not with the family. I reassured him several times that what he did was necessary for us to live and that when he did play with us, we had his full attention. When I think about all the places that he has been, 49 states excluding Hawaii because he couldn't drive there, the lower parts of Canada and even into Mexico. He put over three million miles into driving for the church alone. He hauled at least one item for most of the older temples in the United States, as he told me one day as we were preparing for our vacation in San Diego. He hauled the parts for the Baptism font in the San Diego temple to Los Angles. Upon arriving at the temple we were informed that the font was being replaced because of leaks. Such is the way of the world. Even with all the sites that he has seen, his favorite was right here in Emery county. I don't think there are to many around here that knows more about the desert than he did. With Mom on the back of their four-wheeler, they explored. He loved taking others with them explaining all the different things and making sure they appreciated the beautiful as much as he did. We will have the many wood items that he carved, his three trucks, replicas of the trucks he once drove, have become even more valuable. Each of his grandchildren have a cup that he turned on his lathe. The other night as I was in my living room I was reminded of his work as my eye was drawn to the Cedar Chest that he made for Cyrena one year for Christmas. These pieces of art are his legacy. But it doesn't end there. Each of us children received treasures from his hands for Christmas presents. As a child growing up he was taught the value of a piece of wood. He worked hard in the family sawmill located by Blue Lake as others know it, but to us it is Jewkes Lake. Gathering wood each fall to burn throughout the winter is a great family tradition that is going the way of the world. His love though was cutting down the biggest tree and seeing if he could get it rolled onto the truck he modified just for the purpose of hauling wood. He would have the tree milled into lumber that he would use in his projects. Buying lumber was just something he hated to do. None of us will be able to forget the great breakfasts that he would cook for us as we went camping and especially Christmas morning. As my sons served missions or couldn't make it home for Christmas morning, the thing they missed the most was being at Grandpa's and Grandma's for breakfast. We had it all. The past couple of years he had to stop because it became to difficult for him but oh how we all missed it, he being the most. It was a time to see all of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved his family and loved having them around him, running, playing, and laughing. A child is to have fun around him, not just sit and be quiet. He received this from his mother.

His life is a testimony to his beliefs. He was always giving service to others and never told anyone no. He never yelled at anyone, if asked for his opinion he would give it but always as counsel, never forcing anyone to believe the way he did even if he could see the errors of our ways. He made friends very quickly and these friends remained that way for the rest of his life as was evident from the viewings. He was an example to all those who know him and to those great grandchildren that are still learning, growing, and coming into this world as they will be able to reflect upon his great life as they read from his history. It is only through these histories that others in the future will know about us and the lives that we have led. I guess that is why I love blogging. At least we are doing a little bit especially for the children that we love to tell others about.

As I was preparing my tribute to him for his funeral I could remember so many stories and my sister and I could have talked hours about him. But since then I have remembered more stories that I wanted to share. An example why he hated chicken so bad, he ate a raw chicken one night while being impatient waiting for it to cook. He ate frog legs, just to see how they tasted, like chicken. He wrecked two family vehicles in a month plus blow the motor in the tractor. I don't know how he lived past those experiences alone. As Paul and I picked up something from Arby's last night I will never forget his favorite #2 with fries and a Coke. It was difficult getting the fries down. Before that it was McDonalds. He knew where every McDonalds was located in the western states while he was driving for the church.

He is a great father and I know that he is with Mom now. They have been apart for to many years. How I'm going to miss him but I know this is how it should be. It is a strange feeling being an orphan, but only on this side of the veil. I know they live and I will be able to be with them again one day. Oh, to see the great reunion that is going on. He felt so bad about not being able to be to his brother's funeral a couple of months ago, now he is with him again. Only in the temple do we get a small glimpse of what it must be like. He has left a great legacy and it is up to each of us to live up to his example. I love you Dad!