Enjoying paradise with the Williams family

We were so happy to be able to see our wonderful Williams family in Honolulu HA from Oct. 20-25. Meredith picked us up at the airport with all four children. She's amazing how she has adapted to a new life on the island. We couldn't get enough hugs and kisses from those cute kids.

We really enjoyed getting better acquainted with cute Jocelyn. We haven't seen her much and we soon recognized her sweet, patient spirit and happy nature. She is a delight and such a good baby for Meredith to have right now.

The day after arriving Dad wanted to do a project to help them. Their yard was fun of weeds. He spent the day pulling them and then cutting the grass they did have. It was quite a project, but he was so happy to give some small service after all the service Bryan has done for us in our home. Christian and Hudson were good helpers.

 Evelyn is quite grownup for her age. She has been doing her hair on her own since before she was 5 years-old. She wanted me to help her sew something, but unfortunately, the sewing machine was missing a part and so we couldn't.

Evelyn has been working on reading the Book of Mormon each day to reach her goal to finish the Book of Mormon by her baptism. She is a determined young lady. They have a small park very close to their home, so it was fun to take the children several times. They live in very nice military housing, Aliamanu Military Reservation and Bryan works at Tripler Army Hospital. The army base they live next to is called Ft. Shafter.

Thursday, Oct. 22nd, we spent a fun day at Lanikai Beach. Hawaii is truly paradise. The surroundings, the ocean, the beaches are just spectacular! 

We sent Meredith & Bryan off on a date Friday morning while we watched the children. We enjoyed playing games with them and making puzzles. Hudson is quite the character. He loves dressing up in Evelyn's clothes, especially Princess dresses.

 That afternoon we visited the incredible lookout at Pali Lookout. Just a short drive up Pali Highway through tall trees and dense forests to the lookout, the city disappears and the beauty of Hawaii's landscape emerges. Amazing how quickly you can escape to this natural beauty. We continued our drive along Oahu's eastern, or Windward Coast to Makapuu Lookout, the eastern most point of the island. Again, the view was breathtaking. Just spectacular! The Makapuu Point Lighthouse was built in 1909 on a 600-foot sea cliff overlooking Makapuu Beach--a stretch of sand known as one of Oahu's best bodysurfing beaches. 

We drove to Sandy Beach, another popular beach and then on in to Honolulu. We went to one of their favorite parks to let the children play after a long car ride that afternoon. Then home for the children to put on their Halloween costumes for the ward party. The children were so very excited. Although we were all tired, I'm so glad we could take them. It gave us a chance to visit their ward building that is located on a hill with an amazing view of the city. Also, the opportunity to meet some of their friends and get a feel of their ward. They are surrounded by such good people. We're so grateful they are doing well and becoming familiar with life in Hawaii. We had such a memorable fun trip. Their home is lovely and we enjoyed a comfortable guest room. They took such good care of us. Our trip ended way to soon, flying out by 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning to Kauai to join our Lewis Siblings for a reunion together.

October Conference Weekend

The Conference was a historic one as three new Apostles were called to fill the vacancy of the passing of Elder L. Tom Perry, Pres. Boyd K. Packer, and the most recent passing of Elder Richard G. Scott, less than two weeks before Conference. His funeral was on Monday, Sept. 28th. It was a wonderful prelude to Conference as he lived such a Christlike life, and was such a great example of devotion and love to his dear wife Jeanine who had died 21 years before. I was inspired to strive to live my life better by the beautiful messages of the funeral.

One of my favorite times of the year is General Conference. I have always love conference since I was a little girl. I was always pleased that my birthday landed around conference time. Then October General Conference is special, too, with the fall colors bursting forth from the trees, the mountains and all around you. Adding in BYU football, too, is a fun treat as well. But enjoying the conference with family is the best. We greatly appreciate Alice-Anne and Gary for opening their home to us for the weekend. It's always a blessing to be with their sweet family and be spoiled by them. 

This year it was so fun to have Seth, Jackson & Addison fly from Minnesota to be there, and Ondalynn and Sydney flew from Portland to join us, too. Crismon & Danielle were able to get $15 tickets from Denver on Frontier Airlines, and then Emily & Bronson were at BYU. We had a wonderful mini-reunion.

We arrived Thursday evening, Oct. 1st. Dad had a meeting with some new Reliv customers in Ogden that night. I enjoyed reading to the children before bed.

Friday morning we picked up Crismon & Danielle at the airport and headed to Provo. Crismon & I enjoyed visiting with my sister, Kathi, and seeing Christy, briefly. Emily works for BYU Press. She introduced us to her boss and gave us a tour of the production. Dad was surprised to see the hot type letter press typesetter, using metal type. When her was on the newspaper staff at BYU they used this type of typesetter. How times have changed! We visited with her at their cute apartment. They are fortunate to be in Government Housing that is brand new, with nice features, granite counter tops and other perks. 

We met another new customer in Sandy on our way back to West Jordan. It's always good to see them face-to-face, as many customers come off our ad in the Deseret News. We arrived back in time to watch Spencer in his soccer game. He did so well as the goalie and saved the other team from scoring. Elliot is non-stop energy. He keeps us entertained with his thousand expressions, and cute sayings. Gary, Kenna and Grandpa all took turns running with him around the field to use up some of his energy.

Emily hosted her siblings and niece & nephews before the game at their apt feeding them dinner. It's fun to see her taking on that new role in her life. They all had a great time at the game. She was good to get tickets for them from friends that were attending their mission reunions instead that night. Seth & the boys and Ondalynn & Sydney left at half time to head back and return the rental car before midnight. Seth & the boys stayed at the Radisson Hotel just 2 blocks from Temple Square.

Saturday, I was grateful to go to Conference with everyone. Kenna and I watched the morning session in the Visitors Center as we didn't have enough tickets. We met in Seth's hotel room for a picnic lunch that the Johns put together for us. (Again...thank you Johns!). We were all able to be together for the afternoon session. Unfortunately, all the walking was so much for me. I'll have to figure out some other options for me to attend conference.

Emily & Bronson came up after the pm session and the girls headed back to the Johns for visiting while the men attended the Priesthood session. Jackson & Addison wanted to get together with their cousins, so they all came over to the Johns late that evening for a quick dinner, visiting and watching their favorite "Studio C," BYU comedy act. It was so fun to all be together.

Sunday morning Jessica, Bronson's sister, joined with the family for conference. I stayed at the Johns and then everyone came for lunch. Alice-Anne & Gary prepared such great meals for everyone. They worked so hard. Conference weekend is not relaxing for them. But they are so good to serve us so well. We appreciate them greatly.

Before the afternoon session ended we took Seth & boys to the airport, and then Ondalynn & Sydney a few hours later. Everything came and went so quickly. We had planned and prepared for this trip, trying to coordinate everyone's schedule to make the most of the weekend together, and it ended all too quickly. What a glorious blessing to be with family that we cherish so much.

Emily & Bronson's Open House

There was an Open House for Emily & Bronson on Friday, Aug. 21st at the Gardner's in Astoria. They have such a cute home and their yard and garden are all so well manicured and cared for. Michelle had worked so hard to have everything decorated so nicely and she had baked and baked along with friends to have a wide variety of delicious desserts. Michelle's friend, Jennifer Galloway Goldthrope, was in charge of the kitchen that evening along with her young daughter. She was one of Vivi's roommate at BYU-I. Vivi and Jennifer were sorry they didn't get to see each other. Rain was predicted for that evening, but gratefully, we were blessed again and had no rain. 

We enjoyed getting acquainted with the Gardner's many friends from their ward and stake. Jim Gardner serves as a counselor in the Stake Presidency. Michelle is a favorite elementary school teacher in the area. They are especially loved by their non-member neighbors and friends. Many came and talked about the wonderful Gardner family and they couldn't say enough about the many times Michelle would show up at their house with goodies. You could tell how well loved they are and what giving, serving neighbors they are to those around them. Especially by the generous gifts their neighbors gave Emily & Bronson.

Jessica, Bronson's sister helped do Emily's hair and made the halo's. Logan, the younger brother was a good sport as I know it was kind of boring for him. We were sorry the Vance's were out of town, and Vivi was the main cook for the Helaman Camp for the cub scouts so neither family could attend. We loved being so close that we could drive over to Astoria on a lovely afternoon and return home that night after opening gifts and visiting with the Gardner's. 

We're so thankful Emily married in to such a wonderful family. They are such good people and it was our joy to get better acquainted with them and meet their friends.