Fun times with the Vance Family

I haven't kept up with all of the activities this year, so this is going to be a post with some random pictures with the Vance Family from birthday parties, to track meets, to flag football games. 

We celebrated Julia's 9th birthday along with Kaeley's 3rd birthday in Sept.

I was with Meredith's family for Halloween, so Dad made the rounds of going to the Vance's for dinner and Trick-or-Treating with their kids, and then on to Portland to see our cute Caudle grandchildren while they were still in their costumes.

After our family reunion in August, Seth & Tiffany's boys were with us for about a week. We enjoyed fun times with the Vance's and the Caudle's at OMSI, swimming, and a day at Blue Lake Park.

The end of March we celebrated Bryson's 6th birthday, Gary's birthday (April 3rd) and my birthday (April 4th). Sydney & Julia are becoming great cooks! I loved, loved, loved the apple spice cake they made especially for my birthday. Oh...yum!

We celebrated Easter at the Vance home and with the Caudle's. The children had a fun Easter egg hunt in the backyard. 

I tended the Vance children in May while Gary & Ondalynn spent the day in Seattle. They took the Amtrak train up and back and saw a Shakespearean play, too.

We enjoyed some excellent orchestra concerts that Sydney participated in. Then in June we celebrated her 11th birthday. I was glad I could attend her graduation from Elementary School where Sydney was the presenter of the names of the graduates from her class. Of course, she was the best of all, speaking loudly and clearly into the mike so everyone could hear the names. She is mature for her age and a big help to her mother. Sydney participated in Cross Country at her middle school this fall and we had fun watching her race, along with being on the swim team this summer, she is in excellent shape and stamina. She qualified for Districts in Cross Country and did very well!

Going back to school is always exciting. These cute kids warm my heart.

Sydney and Julia were able to fly with their Mom to Arizona this spring to visit Grandma Lewis and Meredith's family. They had a special trip together. Gary took Bryson this fall to Utah to spend time on the campus and most of all to see a BYU game. He was a lucky boy to meet Taysom Hill right before the game! They had a fun family gathering with Emily & Bronson, and with the Johns family.

On November 8th, Ondalynn's birthday, I met their family at Bryson's flag football game, the final game of the season. Gary was his coach again this year. You could tell that the boys and the parents really like Gary. Many were asking at the end if he would be coaching again next year as they wanted their son to be on his team. We're so happy we can live close to this cute family and see these darling children grow and develop and be such great kids. We wish we had this opportunity with all of our children and grandchildren.

"Sisters, Sisters"...Smith Sister's Retreat

Heavenly father has blessed me to be born into a wonderful family. I have the best sisters! We had a very special weekend being together, from Friday evening, Oct. 17-Oct. 20th. Meredith flew in from Utah, and Kathi drove down from Puyallup, Washington, despite a terrible rain storm and bumper-to-bumper traffic. 

We had nonstop visiting, laughing, and shedding a few tears, as we shared fun times and choice spiritual experiences. It was so fun getting caught up on each family member, and renewing those bonds that tie us together.

We went to Truffle Hunter Restaurant across from West Gresham Elementary School for lunch, and enjoyed just sitting by the window and relishing a lazy autumn afternoon where it seemed time just stood still.  We were blessed with gorgeous sunshine, blue skies, and crisp fall leaves. It was terrific!

Vivi brought her three little children to visit on Saturday evening. It was so fun for me to show off my cute daughter and grandchildren. They bring us so much joy. Her children warmed up to my sisters right away, Kathi got them started on a game on the computer, and Kaeley snuggled with Kathi.

Kathi is so good with family search and ancestry.com. She gave us some one-on-one instruction on how to search our ancestors, and verify the work that has been done, finding documents, etc. It was fascinating!

Of course, what's a sisters retreat, without dressing up in new pajamas that were the same style, and eating some chocolate! We had so much fun!

It was a treat to have Ondalynn and Gary's family come by after church on Sunday. Again, it was a joy for me to share them with my sisters. Being with family is the best!

Kathi needed to head home that evening, as she taught early morning seminary on Monday. Then Meredith flew out the next morning. It all came and went so quickly, but just the right amount of time to be together and enjoy our friendship with each other. I'm grateful for such special sisters who inspire me to be better and who remind me of the blessings of growing up in such a good family.

General Conference October Weekend

We love going to General Conference twice a year now that we have access to tickets each time. But the biggest drive, is a chance to see our darling grandchildren, the John's family, and our college kids. This time there was an added bonus to have the William's family there, too. We loved this opportunity to be with them. 

The weather couldn't have been more beautiful! It was just perfect! Another treat was meeting Bronson Gardner, Emily's boyfriend. He is a fine young man, from Astoria, Oregon. We also had the fun of seeing Wick and his sons, Ben, and Lorenzo outside the Family History Center. Then we ran into cousin Becca, who recently returned from her mission, and Pres. and Sis. Morby, who had just been released as our Mission Presidents in this area. We had become particularly close to them, and it was a delight to reconnect on Temple Square. Alice-Anne had packed us a great lunch with enough food to share with Becca and the Morby's, too. This was a sweet tender mercy to be with them.

We were so glad to have Julia and Austin there, too. They had come down from Rexburg for the weekend to be with us. We know they were coming down a few weeks later for the Doutre's gathering, and so we especially appreciated their sacrifice.

The conference messages were so inspiring. I loved sitting in the conference center and seeing the prophet come in. What an amazing experience to be there to feel the spirit of that great meeting, and hear the Tabernacle choir, as it they were a heavenly host, singing and praising God. As always, the talks were inspiring, and filled with important counsel and messages for our day. We are truly lead by a prophet of God. May we never forget that. We loved have Kenna join us on Saturday morning. She was patience as we stayed for the afternoon session and watched it at the Visitor's Center.

I have enjoyed listening to the messages again on the Mormon Channel. Such good counsel and reminders to stay in the boat given by Elder M Russell Ballard. We can have questions, but we need to stay with the church, and their leaders. That is the source of our strength and protection, in a world that's whirling with untruths.

I enjoyed the opportunity of taking Alice-Anne and Meredith out to lunch on Friday. This is a rare treat to be with my sweet daughters without children. Nice to have some quiet time together. We really appreciate the wonderful meals that the Johns' provided while we're there, and for their great hospitality. They take such good care of us.

Grandpa had fun playing basketball with the little children, I went on walks with the Johns' children while the girls were gone shopping. Emily and Bronson came for dinner on Sunday afternoon, and it was nice to get better acquainted with him.

Friday we were able to play at the park with the Johns and the William's family,  On Monday we went to Gardner Village, a fun area for the children to see lots of Halloween decorations and quaint shops.