hey all--its
Emily here! Mom's given me the reins to update the Lewis life for the past 3 months. Mom's been on a major hiatus...wedding, Reliv, grandkids, all definitely worthy excuses for his absences. So pardon me as we go on a blogging blitz here....
October Re-cap:
Mom and Dad have been having a lot of sucess in the Mt. Hood Ward and were blessed to welcome 4 new converts into their YSA Ward. Carrie Johnson, Megan Bass, Gary Grant, and Rihanna Russell. They've also been able to go to YSA dances and firesides and of course staying busy with their Ward Family activities...FHE, institute, you name it.
In November Mom & Dad were also able to have a Reliv event with Don Gibbons (I wish I knew exactly high up he is...but lets just say pretty high!) Mom and Dad were awarded another Dr. Ted award. Way to go mom & dad!
November Highlights:
Grandma had great fun tending the Vance kids for 3 days while Ondalynn and Gary took a get-a-way trip to Seattle for a friends wedding.
Instant babysitter=ipad. Thanks to Reliv Mom and Dad each got their own ipad...and the grandkids LOVE it!
Grandma took Julia to a Girls Scout activity where they learned CPR, and calling 911, and other fun stuff.
Baby Isaac! (1 years old) We just sure love having the Vance family move to the NW. I am pretty sure they are NW advocates and enthuthaists now! :)
On Tuesday, Bryan, Meredith and their two kids Evelyn and Christian came to Gresham! Bryan had a 2-week break from Medical School so it was loads of fun to have them around. There was a cousin "birthday celebration" (if you can even call it that...). Mom enjoyed some one-on-one time with Eveyln while Meredith and Bryan went on a short get away.
Sunday dinner at the Vance's with the Caudle's, Williams and our family.
Cute granddaughters, Sydney, Julia and Kenna.
Good buddies Bryson, Clark and Spencer.
Babies Isaac and Christian and mommies Ondalynn and Meredith! I don't think mom and dad can get enough of all this baby grandkid love! They are living the dream.
Later that week mom was able to fly to SLC to attend Danielle Swain's (new daughter-in-law) Senior Violin Recital at BYU. She is a violin performance major, and she did absolutely marvelous! It was outstanding. We were sad Crismon had to miss it, as he was in China, but she worked so hard we were so proud of her.
After the Recital with Danielle. She is a sweet gem in our family.
We attended Danielle's bridal shower in Orem after her Senior Recital. Her sister and best friend, Rebecca, was fun to get acquainted with. We shopped for bridesmaid's dresses with her Mom, Laurie (on the right.) On behalf of the Lewis family we are so lucky to be apart of the Swain family too.
Mom was able to spend Saturday going to all these events with Emily (as she attends BYU) and Julia (who came down from BYU-Idaho for the weekend), and Alice-Anne, who is always so nice to host all the family that comes into SLC. Mom and Alice-Anne returned to SLC that night and flew to Portland on Sunday, while Gary Johns and Spencer and Kenna drove to Oregon all day Saturday.
Grandma enjoying the John's kids in SLC. Here is baby Elliot, only 7 months but moving everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts walking by 8 months! That kid is a mover and a shaker.
Thanksgiving Week!
Emily got a ride form the rideboard and came in Monday evening from Provo. On Tuesday the family hung out and played games..and celebrated baby Isaac Vance's 1st Birthday!
We introduced the family to a game called BANG! and it was favorite for the rest of the week! Julia arrived from Idaho late that night. Wednesday the Caudles, Johns, Vances, and Williams and Aunt Julia spent a rainy and long day at the Zoo. But they had a blast! The kids loved it, the animals were out and they got a steal of a deal from Groupon. The kids were fascinated with riding the MAX to Portland!
Mom and Emily spent all day making 6 homemade Apple Pies!
Delicious! Emily was also able to go visit some high school friends, and then we all had some scrumptious dinner and played games.
Thursday:
THE DAY OF ALL DAYS. Thanksgiving!
The adults were in the kitchen all morning making final preparations for the Thanksgiving feast. Gary Vance and Bryan played in a Turkey Bowl that morning. (Side note: I, Emily, did a daring task. I actually made some dishes for this years thanksgiving feast. can i just say I had NO idea what I was thinking or doing. Turns out I loved the dishes the Mashed Potatoes and the Sweet Potato Pie...pretty sure I could have lived off those two items for the rest of my life.) Gary Johns tended to the turkey, well make that two turkey's and provided us with "the" most moist and delicious turkey ever!
What fun we had having all 6 girls here, 4 bro-in-laws, and 12 grandchildren. The house was rockin. We feasted and gave thanks, and had a short program where the grandkids re-enacted the Pilgrim Story. Sydney Jane made the costumes and put together the award winning skit. I believe she has a bright future. Each of the grandkids had their own part and they loved every minute of it.
The SIX lewis sisters on Thanksgiving
It was a glorious day to be with so much family! We've had the best blessing of welcoming so many babies into this world in the past year!!! (Ruby & Norah, Isaac, Christian, Elliot, and baby Kaeley). We love our family and we feel so blessed to be near so many!
It was a special treat to have the Johns with us that week. Meredith & Bryan for a week, too, and then they spent time with the Vance's. We love having family here to bless our lives.
