Family Time

On March 15th, Thursday, Vivi flew to Hawaii, thanks to a generous gift from Ondalynn and Meredith. That was a special break for Vivi who works so hard at home and the school, working in the lunch room. She had so much fun visiting Meredith's family and enjoying beautiful, Hawaii. She returned early in the morning of the 20th. We took care of Clark, Daisy and Kaeley on Friday the 16th because they were out of school. Brett picked them up early that evening. We hurried on to see "Les Miserables" put on by Gresham High School. Ondalynn, Gary, Sydney and Julia joined us, too. It was absolutely incredible! I couldn't believe the acting and singing of these young people. I didn't need to see it done professionally. 

I love to see the children and their families getting together. March 8th Seth was speaking at the University of Utah, and he arranged a visit with Alice-Anne & Gary and their family. I love seeing those happy faces.

The families are taking advantage of having the Williams' in Hawaii to plan their family vacations there. Meredith & Bryan are great hosts, and they are so good to open their home to everyone. Ondalynn & Gary's family had a terrific week there soaking up the sun. The day before they left, the Vance's hosted the family gathering for Easter in their home. Julia & Austin, Seth & Tiffany and the boys, and Vivi and her children all gathered on for General Conference and the Easter dinner. We were in Utah for Conference, but we're so glad they got together. What fun they have.

Friday, April 13th, Vivi didn't have work as school was out for the day. Dad tended Clark, Daisy, and Kaeley at our home and Vivi and I did a temple Endowment session. It was so lovely to be there with her and have lots of time to visit quietly in the celestial room. Then a quick lunch before hurrying home to rescue Dad. He treated the kids to Taco Bell for lunch.

We love having close by to see occasionally. Seth turned 40 this year. Now that's hard to believe! He had meetings in Portland a few days after his birthday, so we were so happy he came and stayed overnight with us. The next morning we all left for the temple early to meet Seth's boys, Jackson, Addison, and Preston at the baptistery for their youth temple trip. It was so wonderful to see them dressed in white, loving this opportunity to be in the temple. Seth and Dad helped with confirmations and witnesses. I hurried on to an Endowment session.

Tiffany and her Dad, Preston Gee stayed with us on Sunday evening, April 22nd and the 23rd. They went skiing together on Monday and then hiked the Gorge on Tuesday. He treated us to breakfast out on Tuesday morning. Monday night we hosted the sister missionaries and Bro. Larry Norr, who's wife, Donna, died the end of December. We enjoyed a delightful visit with Preston and Tiffany.

Seth participated in a panel discussion at the U of O campus in downtown Portland on Friday, May 18th. It was entitled, Freedom of Expression Series: Response and Responsibility in an Age of Technological and Social Disruption. There was a delicious complimentary lunch for those who registered in advance. One of the men on the panel sat at our table. He is an advisory to Pres. Trump for Asian relations. He has his own PR business and travels frequently across the country speaking to various groups. Seth had sent him some of his work in preparation for this panel discussion. He said to us, "Your son is amazingly brilliant." That was nice to hear. Others who knew Seth made similar comments. It was a treat for us to see him in action and see how recognized as a "rock star" (used by the professor introducing him) in his field, the new journalism with social media. He was eloquent in his delivery. Tiffany praised him for that and he said it probably comes from teaching on a regular basis. It was Gary's last day of work with Mill Creek Developers in Portland where he was instrumental in developing high rises in downtown Portland. He started his new job with an estate developer for the IDM company today, May 23rd!

May Highlights & Sydney's musical

Crismon & Danielle plan is to stay in Boulder for this year with the hope of being accepting into a PhD program next year. He’s been accepted to work on campus with the Admissions office for the coming year. He and Danielle are having a life changing experience in Italy for 10 days with her family. Her mother’s family is from a small village in Italy. There were able to plan a reunion with relatives still there, and 35 relatives came from the US for this gathering.

Seth also has been in Europe for 10 days for a conference that he co-chaired in Munich and Prague. Gary Vance has recently switched to another Real Estate Developer IDM. He’s office is just 5 minutes from home. He’s loving not having 7-8 hours or more a week in commuting.

Emily & Bronson arrived in Madison, WI, the end of May where Bronson begins working for Epic Systems Corporation on June 4th. Emily & Bronson visited the Johns family one last time before moving. We are blessed to be close enough to see Sydney perform in her HS musical, 42nd Street. attend other school and church activities with our grandchildren. It’s a joy to serve in our callings, plant a garden, and enjoy this spectacular time of the year with the trees and bushes in bloom. Oregon is especially beautiful in May!

Mother's Day

I'm so blessed to be a mother of nine beautiful, wonderful children. They are the joy of my life. My joy has been increased many fold as we have welcomed 25 (soon to be 26) precious grandchildren to our family. Our daughters are terrific mothers to their children, and we have been blessed with special daughter-in-laws who are amazing mothers, too. We gathered at the Vance's for our Mother's Day dinner. Earlier that day, we attended the Spanish Branch to hear Paul & Linda Johns speak before leaving their mission and heading home the next day. They have been tremendous missionaries and we will miss them greatly. When Alice-Anne saw this picture of us with the Johns, she said, "That explains why Kenna and Spencer are so tall, and why Elliot and Claire are so short.

Crismon Graduates with his Masters

Crismon's Master's graduation from the University of Colorado at Boulder, on May 10th was a monumental event. He graduated with a Master's in Chinese, with an emphasis in Chinese Literature. We are so very proud of Crismon for his excellent work. We were grateful we could celebrate with them, along with Scott & Laurie Swain and Grandma Taso. It was delightful to get to know her. She's a sweetheart. Crismon chose not to wear a cap and gown, and not to attend the early morning Commencement with all the graduates. However, Crismon and Dad did go the Commencement, afterall, to observe some of it. We all attended the individual college ceremonies.

We enjoyed a delicious Italian meal later that day. The next morning, Crismon & Dad hiked up to the Flatirons, the striking, slanted, reddish-brown sandstone formations that make up a portion of the Boulder's foothills on the west side. Later in the day we attended the Denver temple, and dinner at a very unique Restaurant. The Swain's stayed close to the airport that night, and we went on to the airport for a late night flight home. Crismon & Danielle are so faithful and good. They honor us by their wonderful lives and service to our Heavenly Father.

Julia's Baby Shower

We love having Julia & Austin close so they can come down for fun events, like to Sydney's musical the first part of May. Vivi, Ondalynn and I took advantage of the time that Julia would be here, and planned a fun Baby Shower for her. Although not many were able to come, it worked out so nicely. She was "showered" with so many lovely gifts. Those in attendance who have had a big impact on Julia's life were; Cindy Hansen, Cathy Hansen and her mother Carol Clark, Alice Lyle (her piano teacher), Tracey Carsner (YW leader) and Mary Lindhorst (YW leader). Seth's family came up to, and they helped to do yard work while Tiffany attended the baby shower. Then everyone went to Vancouver to enjoy Sydney's excellent musical, "42nd Street." We are deeply thankful for this miracle baby for Julia and Austin. Many, many prayers and fasting for this special couple to be blessed with a baby.