Van's blessing

Mark and Tara spent the weekend with us. It was Van's first visit to Grandpa and Grandma's house and we loved every minute with him being here. They brought his blessing outfit with them and we finally took the pictures that we should have last month. He has really grown because it almost didn't fit him anymore.

I have tried to get this picture to turn but you can still see his handsome little face. He is such a joy to each of us. He loves to talk and will make a lot of noise especially when his Dad is talking to him. How we love him.

This may interest a few of you

I don't know why I didn't add this picture with our wedding picture but I thought that it would be fun to add it now. I hope that it will bring back memories of a few of us when we were a lot younger. Personally I can't remember of ever being that young.

We made it

When we first began I knew that we would be married for eternity but when I thought about thirty-five years, well I didn't think that I would be this old. Paul and I celebrated our anniversary on Sunday the 27th. When I think back to that day so long ago, but yet it seems as if it was yesterday, I remember two very scared kids who really didn't know what they were getting themselves into. Being in the temple didn't help matters. But it was a glorious and a wonderful feeling knowing that we could be together forever. The temple ceremony was a lot longer back in the day and by the time we were married and sealed my mind was spinning. I'm so grateful that I had Paul by my side and my parents right behind me. Paul and I have had our ups and downs over the years but then I don't know a couple who hasn't. Without the bad we wouldn't really be grateful for the good or even notice it? Through our trials we grow and can become stronger if we allow ourselves to do this. Since our anniversary was on a Sunday and we celebrated it with a couple of our children in Salt Lake, Mark and Tara blessed Donivan, we really couldn't do much. We tried to attend the Manti Temple on Saturday but we arrived to late and was told the temple was closed. I didn't like that feeling at all. It almost felt like we were told that we couldn't enter heaven and I guess in a way it was. So on Monday morning we attended the Provo Temple. Just to remember the covenants that we made so long ago gave both of us added strength. Also as we were on the session, it was the same time that an accident took our precious David from this earth life. I was thinking a lot about him, as I always do, and the thought entered my mind, I wonder where my life would be if he hadn't left us for this moment? At the time both Paul and I were inactive and not living up to the covenants we had made just a few short years earlier. Because of David's death I changed my life. I want to finish raising him. I pray that changing my life also helped my children's life by helping them draw closer to their Heavenly Father. Again trials help us to grow IF we allow them to. Paul and I went through this together and I know that it has strengthened us and helped us to grow closer together. I love Paul with all my heart and I'm so grateful for that day so long ago that sealed us together for eternity.

Sunday was a full day in and of it's self. Witnessing Mark giving his son his name and blessing was a witness to the power of repentance. Mark has come a long ways and I'm so proud of him. The blessing that he gave to Van was beautiful and very touching. How I love my family. Of course this silly grandma didn't get any pictures because of the huge dinner they had afterwards and all the people that was in attendance. I'm praying that Mark and Tara took pictures and they will share with us. Van is growing and is now smiling. Each of our Grandchildren are such a joy and great blessing. We just can't get enough of being around them. I guess that is way we try to do everything possible to spend as much time with them as we can, even though we greatly miss seeing two of them that are so far away. Our lives are full, what more could we ask for.

Kyler's First Day of Kindergarten

Although all the other kids have begun school, Kyler had his first day of Kindergarten at Pinacle where his mother teaches sixth grade. He has been so excited for this day all summer. A few weeks after his fifth birthday he told his mom that being five was hard work. He was able to pick out his shirt, green his favorite color. They wear uniforms at Pinacle but at least they are able to chose the color they want to wear. He is in school a full day and he was so full of energy this afternoon that he had a difficult time eating his dinner. I think he needs to run a race every day after school. He did say they had seven recesses. It is hard to believe that my oldest grandson is this old but I had better get used to it because there are several coming up after him.

Josh is having a great time in pre-school. He started last week. He gets to ride the bus to school and back every day. He can even spell his name out loud now. I'm beginning to wonder why they have to grow up.

Pictures of Donivan

Here are the promised pictures of Van. We were able to visit with them this past weekend. It was Paul's first time of meeting his newest grandson. We were also able to attend the Bountiful Temple with Mark and Tara on Saturday. It was a special day and I can't believe that Tara could do this so close after giving birth especially after tearing a muscle in her leg while pushing. She is remarkable.

This picture is one of the many faces that he pulls when he is sleeping.

He is such a good little boy except when he is hungry. He doesn't like to wait, even for a minute. That reminds me so much of his Dad.

We will be spending the weekend with them again because they are moving into their new home in Layton-Kaysville. It is right on the boarder of the two cities. We haven't seen it yet but I'm excited for the kids. There is one problem though, it puts them further away from us. But I guess now they will be the place to meet with all the kids with Les being in Ogden.

Enjoy the pictures.

Happy Birthday Ashton

Today it is Ashton's second birthday. Because his family is going to Salt Lake today we celebrated his special day on Wednesday. Ashton is a very special little boy. He is one of those that is very easy to love and his smile will melt anyone's heart. He is a typical two year old but follows the example of his brother Kyler. He is always trying to do what Kyler does and it sometimes gets him into trouble. Ashton isn't talking much, but every day he adds a new word. The way he says Yes is very cute. He loves trucks and that was his first word. When he sees a truck he loves to tap you on the arm and makes sure that you see the truck also. Ashton really has his Grandpa wrapped around his finger. Whenever Grandpa is around and Ashton gets hurt, he will only take loves from him to make it all better. He is his Grandpa's little buddy. He isn't afraid to do anything. One day we found him climbing the fence to see the horses better. He loves animals and will do anything to get closer to them. With horses though it is a little bit scarier. We are so grateful that we have Ashton in our family. He adds so much more love and happiness. We love him very much.

This is one of his presents and probably the only one that he will care about. It is a Spiderman four wheeler that only goes 2 MPH. So he can't get into much trouble. He will leave it though when Grandpa starts up the big ones. Of course Kyler and Lexie love helping him.
Because of his love for trucks, that is what his cake was centered around. He loves the truck that his Grandpa found for him. After a couple of tries he was able to blow out the candles by himself. That is after we told Kyler and Lexie to let him try.
This is a glimpse of one of his smiles. Again they can melt your heart.

Happy Birthday Ashton.

Welcome to the world Donavan Mark Oveson

I know that I will never learn!!! You will see what I mean later on, or maybe you have figured it out, no picture!!!!

Tara was scheduled to be started on Monday the 4th. They moved up her appointment and since I had just come home from Riverton on Sunday, I had to hurry to travel back to Ogden. But I guess that I really didn't need to hurry. I arrived at McKayDee hospital in plenty of time. Cyrena wanted to be there when the baby arrived so she and Emmett went with me to keep me entertained, also Les. The rest of the kids came so we could eat a Mexican dinner together. Les chose the place and since Paul couldn't get off work, he really didn't miss out on this dinner. He doesn't like Mexican food. But I really missed having him with me. As the night became later and nothing much was happening with the baby coming the kids all left for their homes. I was left alone with Mark and Tara and was able to witness the great love that they have for each other. At times I almost felt like I was intruding.

After two and a half long hours of pushing and even surprising us all with how big he is, Donavan (Van) Mark Oveson entered this world at 5:22 a.m. We kept joking that he had his hands holding on tight to the inside of his mother. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 4 oz and was 20" tall. He has short blond hair and very fair colored skin. He looks just like his daddy did when he was born.

He is doing so well as is Tara. They are getting acquainted and Mark has already changed most of the diapers. Thank goodness he has this week off to help both of them.

Now just so I'm not a complete slacker, I did have my cell phone with me and I do have pictures on it but my printer is messed up again and I can't get them transfered to the computer. I left the good camera in Cyrena's diaper bag because my purse is to small for it. Needless to say I'm looking for a new purse.

I will post pictures as soon as I can get them. He is the cutest and we are very grateful to have our ninth grandchild here with us!!!