From 1 to 100!

I love being around my darling grandchildren, no matter the age,  and I love being around my friends, no matter the age. The first week in November, I helped Vivi & Brett with their move to a new apartment. I tended Clark, Daisy and Kaeley several times during the week. So this is what babysitting looks like at our house...they always ask for IPads the minute they walk in the house.

But, we do other things, too.

Grandpa joined in the fun. It's nice he is close by for the grandchildren to enjoy, too.

Clark, Daisy and precious Kaeley waving!

I was working on unpacking Vivi's kitchen. Kaeley was sitting on the table that was on the floor as it hadn't been put together yet, eating her dinner. She loved it! Dad worked with Brett Friday afternoon putting together the bunk bed, dining table and other beds. Ondalynn tended Viv's children on Sat. and then surprised her with cake, balloons, etc. to celebrate Viv's 30th birthday on that day, Nov. 3rd. 

Kaeley Caudle age 1.

Every age is priceless. Kaeley is an adorable one-year old. Three weeks after Kaeley turned one,  Crismon and I were blessed to visit this wonderful 100-year old lovely lady, Ella Holt, on her birthday. She has been in our ward for years. Not only do we love her, but she grew up in Fielding, UT, and she knew my Dad and his siblings as their small farming community only had about 400 people. She has out lived them all. Up until about a month ago, she was still directing the other elderly in the assisted living center that she lives for a morning workout. It was called "Exercising with Ella." She takes care of herself, does her own laundry by pushing the cart down the hall. She is a great example of "enduring to the end," faithful and true, through and through. Her son, James and wife, Suzanne, moved to VA about a year ago. Julia visited Ella often and would write her while she was at college. Ella was like a Grandma to her. They had a cute relationship.

Vivienne with Ella Holt at 100 years.

Nomination for OR Mother of the Year 2013

Returning from my trip to Arizona, the end of September, I was going through the mail and opened a letter from the Oregon Association of American Mothers, Inc. I was stunned to read that I had been nominated as a candidate for "Oregon Mother of the Year." Reading further, I learned I had been nominated by Michele Watts who was Oregon Mother of the Year in 2009. Her husband, Steven, was the Stake Pres. when Crismon served as his 2nd counselor.

Today they honored the nominees of Oregon Mother of the Year and Young Mother of the Year at the Claremont Country Club House in Beaverton.

Michele Watts and myself at American Mothers Luncheon

I was so thrilled to have my beautiful daughters, Ondalynn, along with her cute 3-month-old Paxton, and Vivienne join me for this special event. I look to my daughters and daughter-in-laws as some of the most wonderful mothers that I know.

Daughters Vivienne & Ondalynn, myself and baby Paxton Vance.

We briefly introduced ourselves and shared something we enjoyed doing. My favorite thing is being with my children and grandchildren and interacting with them.

The nominees for Oregon Mother of the Year for 2013.

I enjoyed getting acquainted with some lovely ladies and being inspired by their good lives and their dedication to motherhood. I was especially happy to see Lotte Edgel being honored as a Young Mother. She married later in life and was blessed with two beautiful daughters. Not many years together, her husband died of cancer and she is raising these girls on her own. She was in our ward for a number of years and was a YW's leader for Meredith. We became very good friends with her then.

Myself, Vivienne, Susan Stone and Lotte Edgel.

I feel so very, very blessed to be a mother of nine incredible children, to be the grandmother of 20 adorable grandchildren, and to enjoy my life with my terrific husband. Truly, "Life is Beautiful!"

Why I Loved Stake Conference

We were nourished by the good word of God in our stake conference talks this weekend. In preparation for this weekend, we met as a stake for a Temple Chapel Session last week. Crismon gave an inspiring message in that meeting. Maybe one reason I loved Stake Conference was it was kind of a relief that Crismon got through that first Stake Conference as the new President of the Mt. Hood Oregon Stake. We were grateful that the first conference was a Sunday Broadcast. It was a nice way to get started. There were 36 stakes in Oregon that received the broadcast from SLC with Elder Quentin L. Cook as the presiding authority.

Our Saturday evening meeting was well attended. Chairs were filled half way back into the cultural hall. Carrie Johnson, a YSA was asked to speak and share her conversion story. She shared that she has been a disciple of Christ for 10 years, but it was just over a year ago that she came to know of the truthfulness of the gospel. Her family are very active in their own church and they reacted in a negative way to her baptism. Many in our meeting were in tears as she shared how her parents had told her about 3 months ago that she was no longer a part of their family and they disowned her. 

She is engaged to Sam Caudle, Brett's cousin, and they are to be married next week in the Portland Temple. Vivi is really close to her and I'm glad she was able to come with her mother-in-law, Diane Caudle, to hear Carrie speak. It was the Caudle family that introduced her to the Church 10 years ago. It has been a process for her to grow in her knowledge of the gospel. She is amazing, very strong with a fervent testimony.

Crismon gave a very powerful talk in our Saturday session on the need for parents to create the rich soil of the gospel for their children to plant their seeds of testimony and for them to grow. He spoke with boldness in a way I hadn't heard him before. Certainly, the mantle of his calling was evident. He shared that there is a price that we all need to pay for the gospel in our lives. We must have a change of heart.

To create this soil we must first have a desire, with an eye of faith. We need to help children understand who they are, sons and daughters of God. The Lord is hastening the work and we need thousands of missionaries now.

It was interesting that his message led right into Elder Cook's talk. He spoke on Preparation for Missionary Work. "We are on the threshold of great missionary work." He asked that each family and each ward prayerfully ponder how they can help young people with two important things. 1. They must each have a testimony. 2. They need to overcome fears and feelings of inadequacies. As our youth come to know who they are they will be able to overcome these weaknesses.

Half of the stake met in our stake center on Sunday morning, and the other half in the Sandy Building. Both well attended. We also heard from Sis. Ann Dibb, Elder Ochoa, and Elder Maynes.

Crismon attended the Coordinating Council Meeting with 15 other stake presidents in the area, under the direction of Elder Richard Hansen in Beaverton that afternoon.

Pres. Dennis Baird, Pres. Crismon Lewis, Pres. Charles Allen

Halloween across the states

Not the usual Halloween. The grandchildren were patient before they could head out the door to go "Trick or Treating." First, there was a big celebration with all the family joining in. Thanks to Google Hangout to "watch" Emily open her mission call in her apt. in Provo, UT with the rest of the family. We joined the Vance's in Vancouver, WA, Seth's family in Minneapolis, MN, Alice-Anne's family in West Jordan, UT, Vivi's family in Portland, OR, Dallin's family in South Bend, IN, Meredith's family in Glendale, AZ, Julia at BYU-I in Rexburg, ID, and Danielle & Crismon were with Emily.

Sydney, Gary, Ondalynn, Julia, Bryson, Grandpa and Isaac all watching the Google Hangout.

Right now Meredith is talking so she is full screen. The rest of us are in the boxes below.

All mikes were muted so we could see and hear just Emily.

This was Emily's best treat on Halloween to be called to the Argentina, Neuquen Mission leaving on Jan. 30th, 2013.

Once the Google Hangout was over the grandchildren had fun getting way too much candy. Enjoy their cute costumes!

Scary boys! Preston (Darth Vader), Addison (Storm Trooper ), Fireman Asher, Combat GI Joe, Jackson.

Daisy & Clark. Wish I had the right setting on my camera for this one!

Clark as Thomas the Train, and Daisy as Beautiful "Belle."

Cinderella Evelyn and Christian as  a Lion. So, so cute! 

Isaac was the CUTEST cow.

Julia as "Dorothy," Sydney as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Bryson, a Fireman. Too cute!

Clark with his pretty Mommy (Vivi) after the Trick or Treating was over. 

Kute Kenna as a Ballerina, Spencer as Super Man, and Elliot as Clifford the Dog.  Love these cute kids!  A record warm day in Utah for Halloween.

Dorothy is Laura Ingalls Wilder, Ruby the Bear and Norah the Fox. Adorable!!!

Dorothy is full of life and little Ruby is one tired bear. Janelle made these darling costumes.

Seth, Tiffany, and their boys at their ward Trunk or Treat. Crazy! Tiffany looks like one of the kids!

Notre Dame Campus, Dad & his sons

Dad with Dallin & Seth for the big Notre Dame - BYU game.

Oct. 20th Brigham Young University played Notre Dame in their historic stadium with all the traditions in full force with the 125 years of football. It was a great weekend for Dad to be with Dallin & Seth. It could have only been more complete to have Crismon, Jr. there, too. A disappointing BYU loss to Notre Dame, 17-14. Dallin and Dad visited the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend on Friday.

Seth & Dad.

Dallin & Dad.

A spectacular sight in this stadium!

In the Administration Building where the trumpets play the Notre Dame Fight Song just before the game under the golden dome (see photo below).

Basilica, similar to a cathedral, in the center of campus.

Beautiful campus with the golden dome on the right and the Basilica on the left.

The Grotto.

Dad, Dallin & Seth touring the campus.

 A special treat was being there with Lewis cousins, too.

Scott Blakeslee (friend) Larry, Hans, Verlan, Dallin
Seth, Gens, Isaac, Joseph, Crismon in front of the library with huge mural (Touchdown Jesus.)

Dad Visits Dallin & Janelle's Family

This was a switch. Dad was heading off to see family and I was staying home. Usually I'm the one leaving to help with a new baby, but this time the excitement of BYU playing Notre Dame riveted Dad from his usual spot at home, on his office chair furiously working at his computer, to fly to Chicago and meet up with Dallin for the ride back to their home in South Bend, Indiana. It was a perfect weekend except for the fact that BYU barely lost to Notre Dame. But seeing those 3 beautiful blond haired girls made the disappointment not quite so bad. Dad slipped away from pressures at work and Church responsibilities from Oct. 18-22.

Darling Dorothy

Dorothy with Norah

Grandpa Lewis playing with his cute granddaughters, Dorothy, Norah & Ruby

Dallin showing Dad around campus.

Dad said the twins knew how to say "show."

Adorable girls!

The fall weather was perfect to be outside and enjoy the fall leaves.

Norah and Ruby

Mommy Janelle prepared many delicious meals and kept everything running smoothly. She's amazing! They live in a tiny 495 square foot apt. for the five of them, but they love it. They are surrounded by friends and other graduate students. The families gather often in the Community Center for activities, a large playground area for the children to play and they share lots of morale support with each other.

The twins have their own language between them and they jabber back and forth. Dorothy is a wonderful older sister. She is always singing, and is a great help to her Mommy. She's happy to stand on the step in the back of the stroller for their many walks.

Norah (I think!)

Ruby (I think!)

We love this darling family.

The fall leaves were spectacular!