August Activities and Special Events

Paxton’s baptism was held in the Vance’s stake building with a limit of 10 because of restrictions due to the pandemic. All seven of the Vance’s, Grandpa and I, and his fun cousin, Kaeley, attended. There were about 40 others watching over Zoom. It was a sweet baptism, and it can still be a spiritual meeting this way.

On August 6th Crismon, Jr. had surgery in New York that will hopefully improve the chances for them to have children. The following week they moved from Manhattan to Las Vegas as Columbia was going to have virtual classes for the fall semester.

The Vance boys, and Clark spent 5 days with Seth and Tiffany's family. There were 8 boys for Tiffany to feed, but they all had a super time, and Paxton was heartbroken that it ended too soon. Although the youngest, he didn't even get homesick. Vivi drove down on Thursday to pick up Clark so he could go to his Dad's that weekend.

Vivi and the children drove up to Kenmore, WA to visit the Doutre's. They had so much fun with them for a couple of days. They captured 2-year-old Dallin’s surprised face on video when they showed up at their door.

Because we can't go to the church for meetings, we are blessed to get our Sacrament meetings virtually now. It was so wonderful to hear Sydney's talk. She did so well and looked so beautiful. Typically, we wouldn't be able to hear her as often our meetings were the same time, and Crismon was always busy in meetings, so it was especially nice he could hear it, too.

This summer for our family Bookclub, we read "Pride and Prejudice." It was great fun to gather virtually, and have Dallin enlighten us with his vast knowledge of British literature. Even Elise enjoyed it!

Clark, Daisy, and Kaeley loved the white homemade bread I made so much, I couldn't resist making them some more. They call it "Grandma's Bread." I made Dad and I yummy whole wheat bread, though.

The Williams Wonderful Summer visit

We are so thankful that Meredith and Bryan's family could come visit us the later part of July into the first part of August for a fun mini-reunion. They were in Utah the week before, and they were able to see the Johns family and the Doutre family who were there, too. Some of our activities included swimming, rafting, and kayaking at Horseshoe Lake in Woodland, WA on Thursday, July 30.

Tiffany’s parents just purchased a home in Camas, WA, and we all went over to check it out on Friday, July 31. The Gees were still in Dallas, but their property is huge with fun swings, and a zipline that kept all the grandchildren taking turns whizzing down the line. Crismon and I even went on it! Later in the day the children had so much fun celebrating Harry Potter's birthday.

We loved our day at Rockaway Beach with all the family. Home church with everyone was especially sweet as many bore testimonies. We concluded with a talent show, and celebrated Preston's 15th birthday. On Monday, all the daughters and myself went to Eugene for Meredith and her family to see Seth and Tiffany’s home, and for the men to go golfing. Grandpa tended the younger girls here and took them blueberry picking. 

Tues. Bryan and Christian got on the roof (which Christian was so thrilled about doing) and washed my skylight and then Bryan did all my windows. He worked hard trimming bushes, too, in the heat. We then took Meredith and Bryan out to lunch, but before we could pull out our credit card, Bryan paid so quickly by using his apple watch, with apple pay. This younger generation is too swift with these things. 

We were sad to say goodbye to this fun family, but we loved the full week of time together.

July with the Johns and more!

We loved having a mini-reunion with five of our children and their families the first week in July. Alice-Anne and her family came from West Jordan. Seth & Tiffany, fresh from moving home from Oxford, were staying with the Vances until they could move into their home. Julia and family from Kenmore, WA, and daughter Vivienne and children are here in our home. Ondalynn’s beautiful, spacious home was our gathering spot. Some of our activities included: games and walking in the nearby park, blueberry picking, a hike and picnic at Lewis River County Park, watching Hamilton on Disney-Plus, a day at Rockaway Beach, joining in on a Zoom call for the blessing of Emily & Bronson’s baby Elise, a special home-church meeting with nearly everyone bearing testimonies, a family service project working a miracle on our yard, board games, more park fun, and lots of visiting. A glorious week indeed!

We appreciated the kindness of our friends who allowed Vivi and her children to stay in their beach home, in Garibaldi, for 3 days, and then we followed, staying 3 days in their home for the rest of the week. It was so relaxing, and the weather was so nice.

Crismon has enjoyed a Zoom scripture study with the teenage grandchildren on Sunday afternoons, and I loved doing “Special Time with Grandma” discussing how to prepare for baptism with two grandsons who turn 8 soon.