Grant and Terri return from Cambodia-9/27/2009

We forgot the camera but want to record the momentous occasion of the missionaries' return from Cambodia. Their plane was delayed and they missed their connecting flight to arrive home on Saturday evening and had to stay overnight in LA. They couldn't get a flight out to return home until 6 a.m. Sunday morning. Not only was that frustrating to them and their kids and grandkids, but they were speaking in their ward Sacrament meeting that began at 10:50 a.m. that morning. So after a 13 hour time difference, an enormously long flight, and an unexpected delay overnight in LA, they finally landed in Salt Lake to a joyous reunion with their children at the airport, ten minutes at home to drop off their luggage, and then off to the church to speak! I can only imagine how tired they must have been, but both looked chipper, excited and happy to be home.

Their messages at Sacrament meeting were filled with touching, funny and testimony-building experiences of their 18 months in Cambodia and the love they developed for the Asian people and the missionary friends they met there. They obviously had a wonderful, successful mission and made us more excited to go (though Grant said to me privately that 18 months is a LONG time!). We celebrated their return with a big gathering for family and close friends at their house after the meeting that was organized by Terri's sister Shellee. Delicious food and one bonus for their tight schedule returning: Terri didn't have to worry about organizing that event! Grant and Terri had five grandchildren born while they were gone and three children lived together for most of their mission in their house. Jenni and Elias are now in their new home near Jeff in West Layton (gradually those East Laytoners are discovering the joys of being a West Laytoner!), Stacie and Ben have a home in Roy, and Scott and Ashley still live in Grant and Terri's apartment. We are happy to have them back home and cross paths briefly before we leave for Scotland in less than 6 weeks.

Antelope Island and Garr Ranch

We picked a perfect day to go to Antelope Island -- warm and sunny, no bugs and few people. It was our last hurrah with Dan and Autumn and Audrey before they leave to go back home and we leave on our mission in November. Our week together also included a fun fishing trip for Ned and Dan on the Strawberry River with plenty of fish caught and the traditional stop at Granny's for shakes, hamburgers and fries on their way home.


Audrey was ALMOST strong enough to suppress the dynamite detonator!

She needs to start practicing her cowgirl skills since she's living in the Tucson area . . . land of the best rodeo we've ever attended (an outdoor rodeo in Tucson in late February is grand fun).

Practicing calf roping. Audrey tolerated their play.

Dan and Autumn are sitting on Dan's Eagle project bench built on the trail out to Buffalo Point. After 15 years, we are happy to report that the bench Troop 150 helped to construct is still standing and the setting was gorgeous on this warm fall day with the lake in the background and the sunflowers in bloom.

Our Tucson family bring Audrey for her first Utah visit

Audrey May - age 2 1/2 months

Isn't she cute! She's a good combination of both Dan and Autumn.

Audrey's baby blessing at our house - September 6, 2009

Both families and a few of Dan and Autumn's local friends helped us enjoy the night. Pres. Plaizier of our stake presidency was good enough to pinch hit for our bishop at the last minute and we all stuffed up on yummy desserts and fresh fruit after the blessing.

Proud new parents and a handsome family!

Preparing to hike Adams Canyon on Labor Day 2009. Grandpa took the picture and half of Davis County was hiking the same trail on the same beautiful, warm day. Grandma gave out at the lower falls, but both babies and everyone else but Grandpa went to the top (Grandpa could have made it to the top but was kind enough to rest with Grandma at the lower falls). A fun time after a late crepe breakfast in the morning and a BLT lunch after the hike!

You get extra points if you can find Zach and Daxen in the picture!

Dan's homemade "golf" game makes for fun in the backyard. All ages can play the game and Grandma W. won her round.

Happy, smiley baby Audrey . . . even strapped in her car seat!

Harvest Season - The BEST!

The new drip irrigation system that Ned installed last fall and our old wonderful soil did wonders for our garden this year! No more middle of the night watering turns, no weeds where plants weren't growing, and the garden didn't die when we were gone!!! Note our little "soldier" arborvitae trees along the fenceline that are growing so nicely and will one day give us privacy along the back. Only problem . . . we should have planted them 30 years ago!




We're drowning in the most wonderful produce and this picture doesn't include the peaches, pears, blackberries and raspberries we gorged ourselves on this summer and fall. Wish all of those we love could be here to share. The neighbors are loving us!


Not only has our garden been yummy to eat, but delicious to look at! And this is only a smattering of the beautiful flowers we have enjoyed since July.

Fall is my favorite time to cook and bake and this batch of bread was worth sharing with you. Enjoy!

Roommate Reunion - Aug. 28-29, 2009

Left to right: Donlu (Doni), Kerry, Karen, Ann Marie, Linda

It was 43 years ago this week that the five of us plus Kris (who couldn't make the reunion) trooped off to BYU's campus as young freshman. We have never all been together since, but thanks to Kerry's persistent efforts early last spring, we finally found a time to have a "grandmother sleepover" at our house and reunite. Our five empty bedrooms upstairs with ample beds made it easy to come to our house and sleep after dinner at Applebees. Since our time together was short, we made the most of it by staying up until 4 a.m. to talk and catch up! We were all good girls striving hard when we were in high school and college and have gone on to do amazing things as women who are now grandmothers of many. Among the six of us, we live in four different states, have 35 children among us and nearly 100 grandchildren! Not every dream we had as young freshman has come true and life has brought challenges for each of us, but we are all still happy, contributing, righteous women engaged in life and continuing to do good. These dear friends helped shape my life as a young girl until I was married and continue to be great examples and people I will love forever.

Momentous Events

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

Those of us living in Utah had our block meetings cancelled on August 23, 2009 and we attended the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication in our own stake centers. How often does the general Church cancel the Sunday block meetings? General Conference and emergencies is all we could remember. It sent a huge message to all of us in the Valley about the significance and importance of this temple dedication. It was a wonderful meeting with beautiful music and especially wonderful talks, but the simple message that has stayed with me since came from Sister Liffereth, 1st Counselor in the General Primary. She reminded us that no one loves us more than our Heavenly Father and that she goes to the temple to "listen to those who love me the most." We attend the temple for spiritual guidance in our lives and I will remember in the future that the temple is the place to go to hear that guidance from "those who love me the most."

Neighborhood Changes

Our neighborhood area is changing and we are hoping these changes are all for the good as it has looked pretty rundown for too long. The old church/clinic came down in July and the Braithwaite/Sandall home will be next. The property developer has plans for a medical complex in those locations and we have attended many city meetings about the changes. The poor economy has slowed the development down but we are hopeful it will be as nicely done as their schematics and completed by the time we return from our mission. Missing any more construction nuisances will be a bonus for us!

Chevy Astro Van is a Thing of the Past!

Our trusty van of 16 years was donated last week to charity. We missed the Cash for Clunker program rush while we were in Virginia and when we got home, there was no new vehicle available in the dealerships we wanted to buy and no one we knew wanted to buy a new vehicle. Besides that, we're leaving on a mission for 18 months in November so who wants to buy a new vehicle and sit it in the garage for 1 1/2 years while the warranty runs down? Our van looks so spiffy and new inside and out that it nearly killed Ned to donate it. The engine doesn't leak a drop of oil and runs great, BUT the transmission was nearly gone, and it had some rather nasty electrical problem, along with other nuisance issues from good use, wear, and time. Ned was mourning its demise and feeling so cheated to "give" away a vehicle with so much remaining value (even though he couldn't justify putting a new transmission into it). When Dan called that day and Ned informed him the van was gone, he replied, "Well Dad, it really served you well and doesn't owe you anything." That's the difference between Ned and everyone else in the world. He doesn't think anything is EVER too old to wear out or throw away!