Summer events

We had a very busy, but great summer. Every day during the summer we had family staying with us, but that kept us enjoying time with our children and grandchildren. We weaved some other events into that busy time.

Crismon and I had been asked to speak to the young women attending Girl's Camp the middle of July. There is a beautiful, reverent feeling at the spot at Camp Alpine. I couldn't help but think about our girls who attended there every year. Dad did a super job, as always. He connects so well with every group.

 Sat. July 21st we, along with Meredith and her two little ones, joined the Vance's for their Stake Pioneer Celebration. I believe it was nearly 100 degrees. I was amazed Ondalynn was there in that heat. She was just two days away from delivery!

These cute pioneer girls, Julia, Evelyn & Sydney walked around the track with the other pioneer children.

The little boys just wanted to explore.

Julia loved the "fishing pond."

Sunday evening we had a pioneer program put on by the children. Notice Evelyn's pioneer "prom" dress.

Evelyn wanted to do whatever the big kids were doing.

Vivi had taken Sydney and Julia to her home for several days so Ondalynn could rest. I brought Isaac and Bryson home with me. They were really good and it was fun for them to have a sleep over at Grandma & Grandpa's.

Bryson was the oldest for those few days and he seemed to grow up quickly and assume his role.

We had 100 degree weather and this was about the only way to stay cool since we didn't have air conditioning.

Dad had a Reliv booth at the Kid's Health Fair and I took the boys to see Grandpa and enjoy the different activities for kids.

Crismon at the Reliv booth with Isaac.

Bryson & Isaac loved sitting in the fire truck.

Bryson imagining he's a fireman.

I took them to feed the ducks. Bryson would yell out, "This is for the Mom, this is for the brother, etc."

Emily was a big help to me. I'm so glad she had about 3 weeks to come home.

Emily took the Vance children on hikes.

Played at the park. Emily with Julia.

Treated them to ice cream! 

Daisy and Clark wanted a chance to sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house, too. They were really well behaved and we took them to our favorite spot...the park and to feed the ducks.

 One Saturday Crismon and I attended the Boring City event where the church had a booth.

Allan Jorgensen, Crismon, the McKnights',  Brent Williams.

Nearly every month there is an article in the paper about our stake. This one was on the Emergency Preparedness Expo that drew 2000+ to our building. Then the day of service we gathered food in our neighborhoods and brought it to the church where it was later picked up by a shelter. They were shocked when they saw all the food. They had to go rent a truck to haul everything. There were 8 tons of food collected. Crismon has belonged to the East Portland Chamber of Commerce and the Gresham Chamber of Commerce for about 3+ years now and he has made many friends in the community that are not LDS. I think it is a real blessing that he has these contacts now with his current assignment as Stake Pres. I hear from these people all the time how much they admire and love Crismon. He is well respected and recognized for his kindness and integrity.

Crismon at the collection site for the Food Drive.

Baby Paxton arrives!

Ondalynn gave birth, all natural, to another beautiful baby on Monday, July 23rd in Vancouver, WA. It was their 5th, and their 3rd boy in a row. She is a very busy Mommy! I'm so grateful we live close so I could be there to help. I didn't have to fly across the country, but instead, a 30 minute drive from Oregon to Washington crossing the Columbia River.

The Vance's had just been in our home the night before, Sunday, for a family dinner. We received a call by 5 a.m. Monday morning asking me to come as they were soon leaving for the hospital. Dad drove me over so they would have access to the car. We arrived to find all the children up, excited about their Mom about to have the baby. Dad helped to get things settled and then headed home for work.

By early that afternoon that precious baby made his appearance in the world. There were many cheers of excitement! My sister Kathi called that morning to visit and when she realized I was there with all the children and much going on, she jumped in her car, along with her granddaughter, Chole, and came down to help me the rest of the day. She brought lots of yummy food and even many, many ladybugs for the children to enjoy. She was so generous to come as it was a 3-hour drive for her each way.

Sweet Sydney was in heaven holding her new brother.

Proud Grandma here!

What a beautiful, growing family!

Bryson was excited to have another brother.

Julia couldn't stop smiling!

The doctors and nurses were impressed how well Ondalynn handled everything.

It was nice to hear how the nurse shared how sweet it was to watch Ondalynn and Gary working together to have this baby. He was a great support and coach to her. It was refreshing for the nursing staff to see and feel the love and affection that Ondalynn & Gary had for each other. They see many single Mom's. They were missionaries while they were there at the hospital as the staff recognized that there was something special about them.

After our visit to the hospital, the children were delighted with 100's of ladybugs to feed and play with.

Aunt Kathi always make it a fun time for kids.

After several days without their Mom at home, the kids were waiting outside for her arrival, waving flags and cheering!

Ondalynn looked radiant when she arrived home. Isaac wasn't sure about this new, little baby in the home.

Lots of smiles when Paxton arrived home.

Gary and his three sons.

Precious Paxton slept through the welcome home celebration.

The children were good to help with the food preparations.

Emily made a darling car seat cover for Paxton.

Paxton brought a special spirit into the home.

Bryson & I made cookies one morning together.

Sept. 2nd we joined the Vance's for Paxton's blessing.

Beautiful baby Paxton the day of his blessing.

Grandpa has another little one to love and kiss.

The children performed the nativity skit for us that evening. They love to be together.

I stayed in the Vance's home for the first five days or so. Emily came from BYU after her Spring Semester and it was wonderful to have her help, too. Then the next week I stayed at home, but I drove over nearly every day to help. It was a joy to be there to help Ondalynn get some much needed rest. The children worked hard in the yard pulling many weeds to surprise their Dad. We went on walks, played games, but they had the most fun when Emily came and could be more active with them.

Meredith's visit this summer

Our summer was filled with grandchildren and we loved it! Dallin & Janelle and family were in Oregon  nearly two weeks the beginning of June. We were with all of our 19 grandchildren at our CS Lewis Family Reunion at Bear (June 21-25), then many were with us for the MWL Reunion, (June 25-28). Meredith, along with Evelyn & Christian drove home with us from Utah to spend about a month while Bryan was in San Antonio for Boot Camp. A few days into their stay Meredith said, "I should probably tell you the reason I'm so tired all the time." She then announced the great news that she was expecting in Feb. Yeah! Grandchild #21 on his way. (Ondalynn 's baby, Paxton, was #20 born on July 23rd) We recently learned she's expecting a boy. We were glad we could be there to help Meredith with the children during the summer without Bryan. It was our treat! Some of the activities included trips to the park to feed the ducks, swinging in our backyard, walks along the Springwater trail, playing with cousins, splashing in the wading pool, reading with Grandma, finding new things to taste or explore, and making us smile with their cute ways. Our house was so quiet when they left!

Meredith, Evelyn, Grandma & Christian

These two made us smile!

Christian was so excited to be riding a scooter!

Christian loved the park and especially the ducks!

Special time with Grandpa at the park and feeding the ducks.

Higher, Grandpa, higher! 

These cute children have their Mommy's beautiful smile.

Their faces light up just like their Mommy's does.

If you're in our house, you'll be smothered by kisses from Grandpa!

Look where we found Christian...in Grandpa's car!

I couldn't resist taking this picture of Christian getting into Grandma's Reliv!

There were many hot days to enjoy fun in the sun along with the hose and a little pool to keep cool. 

Kaeley is the easiest baby to have around. She's always so content. Their family came by to be with cousins.

Clark kept asking me to take pictures of him as he wanted me to catch him in mid-air.

We had a fun Mother-Daughter Night where Meredith gave us foot massages, and we read from the book "Mothers of Faith." Tiffany has one of the entries about her wonderful mother.

Ondalynn had her baby the day before Bryan returned. We had planned for Meredith and Bryan to have about a day and a half together before Bryan would see the children, but since I was needed at the Vance's, Vivi stepped in and took care of Meredith's children. We're glad those two could have some time together after 6 long weeks of being apart.

Meredith visited Ondalynn when she came home from the hospital with baby Paxton.

It was a very happy day when their "Daddy Came Home!" These pictures of Evelyn seeing her Daddy for the first time are priceless!

Evelyn's pure joy in hugging her Daddy again melts my heart.

We are so glad this cute family could spend the summer with us. Not only was it fun to have them, they were always serving, too. Many nights Meredith rubbed my feet while we visited and read from "Mother's of Faith." Bryan didn't rest when he arrived, but instead when right to work washing our windows, climbing on the roof to do the skylight, yard work, and stained our front and back deck. Many, many thanks, Bryan! Our house was so quiet when they left.

Ready to get in the car for the long 2 day drive home. Fortunately, stopping at the Johns' and spending a day broke up their trip.

On a sad note, when they arrived home they found that their apartment had been broken in to and their desk top computer, their laptop, and their DVD player had been stolen, with other things around the apartment messed up. Then some unfortunate events happened the next day when they lost their IPad. Not a good weekend for them. But friends came to their rescue and let them spend the night until things got secure in their apt. They have since moved from that complex. So sad that while Bryan was serving his country, they were robbed. Just a month after arriving in Arizona last year, their car was stolen. They don't have the best of luck! Life is full of challenges. But they go forward with faith and smiles.