Spring

Spring has been slow arriving this year. Flowers are finally blossoming and everything is really green. We haven't seen much sunshine or had many warm days because of an over abundance of rain. Last week the flowers on the temple grounds started to bloom. This is a very busy time for marriages at the temple. There are wedding photographers and wedding parties all over the grounds.

My niece, Staci, married Matt on May 13th. She was a beautiful bride. Everything was really nice. It was great to visit with friends and family. The day was 'picture perfect' but since my camera kept malfunctioning, I had to supplement my pictures with ones I snitched from Holly's facebook posts. The first five are hers:

Mine:

Here are Staci's nieces, Olivia and Marissa, throwing rose petals. They made cute flower girls.

Staci and Matt

The Riverwoods

Flooding over the road

at one entrance to Millville

Maxwell and William Adams

These guys are doing good and one of them is 4 1/2 pounds now. Thankfully their mother, Melissa, has been able to go home following her extremely serious troubles (embryonic embolism and blood clots) and ensuing complications. She still has several health issues the doctors are monitoring but is improving.

We have lots of birthdays in the family during May. Some of them are: Granddaughters Abby (1), Aubrey (2) and Natalie (12), daughter Robin, son-in-law Jory and my sisters Marilyn and Marsha. There's also a niece, nephew, sister-in-law, brother-in-law etc. Natalie began her birthday by attending a very early morning celebration at Spring Creek Middle School, the "Breakfast of Champions," for those achieving a 4.0 GPA.

About Aubrey...she is the 3rd child and 3rd daughter of my 3rd child and 3rd daughter, Robin. I am the 3rd child and 3rd daughter of my parents. My mother was a 3rd child. Natalie is the 3rd child and 3rd daughter of my daughter, Jill. It is weird that my sister Marilyn's 3rd daughter and 3rd child is also named Natalie. We had two former neighbors, Tina and Lynnette, who both named their 3rd child and 3rd daughter Natalie too. The coincidences don't stop there as Natalie and Robin were both born on May 18th, and they share the date with others on both sides of the family.

Does this mental madness of mine give you any clue why I can't sleep at night? Once I wake up my mind goes in high gear and I can't get back to sleep. I wish my thought processes could be flipped on and off with a switch or be channelled into something productive! Reed says I am turning into my mother because I worry about everything. He says his mother was also a worrier. He thinks maybe it is a female trait. But that scares me because both of our mothers suffered from dementia...and some days I think I am suffering from it already. Like on Friday the 13th when I was working at the temple. I passed a mirror and noticed my open neckline appeared to have a lace-edged white dickey in it. I had put my slip on backwards. Embarrassing!

Actually, I do have a lot on my mind right now. I have been having bad headaches...probably stress, but they could be seasonal. We are cleaning out and boxing everything up prior to moving. But what if something goes wrong at the closing next week? We got over the appraisal hurdle and now I worry about the house inspection. Where are we moving? Good question. We haven't found the perfect place yet. We will temporarily live in Jill and Brandon's upstairs family room. (our bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette in their basement aren't finished) We want to downsize from over 3800 s.f. of living space and 2100 s.f. of garage/shop space. We are trying to give away, donate or get rid of lots of things but we don't know where we'll end up or what we will need to keep. Where should we put all our stuff in the meantime? What about our boat and 4-wheelers? And our pickup is having problems, so how do we move? We just might have to buy a new truck. This is one necessary step in order to get out of long, dreary, cold, snowy Cache Valley winters.

On another note, we were able to be back in our home ward last Sunday. It was especially nice that I got to sit with Reed. For so many years, like this past one, depending on what calling Reed has, attending church is a solo activity, not a family one. There was a double 'missionary farewell.' Both seemed well prepared to enter the mission field. They gave excellent talks. With attending a YSA ward, we have been so 'out of the loop' when it comes to happenings in our Nibley ward. We were saddened to learn of yet another ward member with cancer. Many in the ward as well as family members, close and extended, are facing health issues or having other life challenges and difficulties. I take comfort in placing their names on the prayer roll.

A few old pictures

My first family picture. I was one month old.

Marsha (3), Me (4 1/2), Marilyn (6) and Jean (7 1/2)
Pioneer Village at Lagoon - 1988
Front: Jodi, Kathy, Reed
Back: Candace, Jill and Robin
Kim was off with a friend and didn't show up.

LAST THINGS

On Monday, April 25th we had our LAST Home Evening Group from the YSA ward come to our home. After the lesson each one told of plans for summer and beyond. The Home Evening 'Dad' and 'Mother' of that group are getting married to each other. Some are going on missions. We served veggies with dip followed by a yummy chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. "Good Luck" was written on the cake. As soon as the students left we had the Johnsons and Schvaneveldts come for cake and ice cream. They have been recipients of treats during the year whenever we've had FHE left overs.

Sunday, May 1st was our LAST day at church for the school year. I took Courtney and Riley so they could see what they can look forward to in a YSA ward. Following the block there was the LAST Linger-longer of the year. Taco salads were served. There was a fireside at the Spectrum at 6 p.m. and at 8:30 p.m. the LAST ward prayer service was held.

On Monday, May 2nd we had a combined FHE and Closing Social for our LAST get-together as a ward. We had a dutch oven meal. Our ward is completely new each school year so I'm sure this is the LAST time we'll see them.

Reed is busy driving bus routes during this LAST month of school for Cache County and Logan City School Districts. LAST minute field trips and time off for regular drivers keep all the subs busy. Many of the students within the district have already attended their LAST day of the year as there has been a whooping cough outbreak. Those who are ill or haven't been vaccinated have been required to stay home for 21 days.

Mother and Dad's LAST grandchild is graduating from high school. Congratulations to Lauren, the youngest of 28 grandchildren, who will graduate from Sky View. In two more years, Courtney, the oldest of about 67 great-grandchildren will graduate from Mountain Crest. The LAST great-grandchildren of Mother and Dad's to arrive are twin boys, William and Maxwell, born to David and Melissa. LAST I heard, the premature twins are doing well and are finally gaining weight. Melissa is still having serious health issues stemming from suffering an embryonic embolism and later, from blood clots. Please remember her in your prayers.

As Owen (5) is completing his LAST days as a Kindergarten student, he has passed a test to skip a grade. No one in the school had passed the test before. It had to be done with at least 97% and Owen did it in half the time allowed. The teacher of the gifted program wants him to take the 3rd and 4th grade tests also to see how advanced he is. Owen reads on at least a 4th grade level. He spends part of his days in 1st grade and part with the gifted 2nd graders.

Candace told me she had reached an employment anniversary date. Can you believe she has worked at Marriott for the LAST 13 years! Way to go! She is looking forward to free lodging when she reaches 25 years.

LAST week we enjoyed going to eat and visiting with the Coles as they passed through from their winter abode in Yuma, Arizona to their home in Newport Beach, Oregon.

Also LAST week, we were treated to a steak and salmon dinner and magic show in Ogden.

LAST Saturday we went for a ride. While high on the Mendon bench we looked out over the very green valley that was quite covered with water. There was a 'lotta watta.' Millville has a couple of new lakes. There are road closures, sandbags everywhere, turbulent riverflows, muddy waters, trailers up the canyon sitting in water etc. The reqular run-off hasn't even started; most of the flooding is due to heavy precipitation. LAST Sunday (Mother's Day) was another rainy day, as it has been for the LAST few days now. I got to talk to all five daughters and Jill invited us for a nice Mother's Day dinner.

We keep wondering if this is the LAST month we'll spend in our house. We have a contract and earnest money from one family and we think we have a back-up buyer if the first one doesn't work out. But we can't count it sold until closing and we have the money. We've spent the LAST six and a half years here. We got things fixed up how we wanted, we like it, but don't really need a home this big. We did just fine at Heber Valley Camp living in 400 square feet. We say we have endured our LAST Cache Valley winter. We love to travel and want to do more of it while we're still able to enjoy it. We want to spend winters where it is warm. Other than winters here, we love Cache Valley. Over the LAST couple of months we have seen deer, elk, pheasants, geese etc. nearly every day. Obviously, we have mixed emotions and there are pros and cons to everything. We don't know what we want or where we want it. We might be homeless. While meeting with a developer of retirement homes, he asked if we had met before. I told him I went to school with him. He asked what my maiden name was. I said, "Milligan." He said, "Oh, by chance are you related to Kathy Milligan?" ---to which I replied, "I AM Kathy Milligan." I wouldn't have recognized him either...it has been 40 years.


Yesterday I attended my LAST meeting this season of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. We don't meet during the summer and who knows if I will be around here next year. As Secretary/Treasurer I have a bunch of reports and forms to complete and turn in as well as finishing up typing the minutes etc.

And LAST but not least:

Easter

On the Saturday before Easter we had a family dinner and Easter egg hunt. We enjoyed a traditional meal of ham, funeral potatoes, peas, rolls and butter, green salad with dressing, soda pop, and cupcakes decorated to look like easter baskets with eggs. The Hawkins family of Oklahoma obviously didn't attend and Jory, Bryan and Riley were working. The day was fairly nice, just a little cool. Some eggs had numbers in them and the kids could pick a prize with #1 getting the first choice and so forth. Another year we really need a more challenging, exciting and interesting hunt especially for the older grandkids. Due to recent rainstorms, the hunt had to be restricted to the lawn and concrete surfaces. My camera kept going on the fritz so I am deficient in pictures. Kim took lots of pictures but hasn't sent them to me, so I decided to do a post without them. After the festivities the adults visited and the kids ran wild. Then I handed out big black garbage sacks and the girls were free to go through the toy closet and take anything they'd like. No matter where we move I doubt I will have room to keep so many toys. Hands down, the dress-ups have been the top attraction and a favorite activity for both granddaughters and grandsons. The toys that have stood the test of time and have been enjoyed most are from Fisher Price. Andrew, Robin and girls stayed with us and attended church with Jill, Brandon and family the next morning.

Nurse Nancy

I have been going through closets, cupboards, drawers etc. in an effort to de-junk. We've taken a bunch of things to Deseret Industries and have given other things to our daughters or grandkids. There was one book that means absolutely nothing to anyone else, but I felt like I still wanted to keep it. It might be considered an antique or artifact. The title of the book is "Nurse Nancy." When I was 2 1/2 years old I had my tonsils and adenoids removed. I only remember two things about the experience: 1-convalescing on the couch in the living room with a white blanket and 2-Lynn Heninger bringing me a get-well gift. It was a 'little golden book' that had band-aids inside the front cover. I remember opening every band-aid and sticking them (unnecessarily) on any bruise or scratch I could find. Mother tried to encourage me to wait until I really needed a band-aid, but I could not be persuaded to do so. The inside of the book also bears one of my earliest autographs.

Glued inside my baby book, there is a statement for my tonsillectomy. I was in room 101 of the old Logan L.D.S. Hospital. The date was July 22, 1953. My room charge was $4.00, the operating room charge was $12.50 and it cost $1.75 for drugs. The total charges came to $18.25.

Mini Reunion

On Monday, April 18th, a group of Reed's classmates from Preston High School got together for lunch at the Red Robin in Layton.

The saying on the wall was appropriate for the occasion.

Here are the sixteen class members who showed up. Most brought spouses as well. Some have weathered better than others. They spent time getting reacquainted and reminiscing.

Wayne was the one who set up the lunch date and invited others to attend. His wife was a good friend of cousin Marcia back during BYU college days.

After eating we wandered the mall, checked into Town Place Suites, got a bite to eat, went to bed, got up and drove to Ogden, sat down for a quick Denny's breakfast, went to an appointment, then drove home and mowed the lawn before the rainstorms started again. (On the way out of Logan we passed by walls of sandbags, flooded roads, news trucks and emergency crews monitoring the rising floodwaters of the Blacksmith Fork River)

Sunday and Monday

Sunday afternoon was the annual Temple Workers Devotional held at the Logan Tabernacle. I always enjoy attending the meeting. We had to skip out on our church services after the first hour or so in order to get there early enough to find a seat. The choir was really good. It was great to see those we used to work with on Group 9 as well as co-workers on Group 2 and the spouses of those work on my shift who currently don't work at the temple. Cousin Trena's husband, Warren, came and sat next to us. President Rolfe Kerr spoke first. He also introduced those who keep things running at the temple...the recorder, secretary, maintenance director, laundry coordinator, head groundskeeper, lunchroom supervisor etc. We were surprised and pleased to have Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles be the main speaker. Besides bearing his apostolic testimony of the divinity of our Savior, Jesus Christ, he told us that the second coming isn't right around the corner. He said there are lots of things to accomplish first and, yes, the world will get much more wicked and there will be many more calamities and disasters.

On Monday, instead of our regular DUP camp meeting, six of us went to Salt Lake and spent time at the Pioneer Museum. I drove. Although the museum is an excellent one, I didn't spend time looking through displays. I headed to the history department and perused many histories on Reed's family lines. Then I went to the photo department and looked at the photos they had available. Between the copies of histories and ordering a CD with old family pictures on it, I spent $36. After I receive the CD in the mail, I will work to update two of my family history blogs: www.myconlinfamily.blogspot.com and www.myransomfamily.blogspot.com. Gotta love that rich pioneer heritage! I enjoy reading the histories and looking at the pictures but I get really frustrated with all the errors. We ate at the State Capitol Building and then headed home.

Reed is driving a school bus route today so we'll have just a short time to re-charge before tonight's Stake Talent Show at USU. Last Monday night we had our Ward Talent Show. We voted on which one we liked best and would represent our ward at the stake level. Each of the 9 wards will have about 5 minutes on the program. It should be entertaining.

'`'`'Rain'`'`' and **S*N*O*W**

I am so tired of rain and snow! There's standing water in fields and yards and rivers are running high. Our concrete and plants have taken a hit with extreme temperature changes and the freeze and thaw cycles. Between storms Reed got some yardwork done. The lawn is aerated and fertilized, radishes are planted, some of the periennials were trimmed back, the snow blade is off the 4-wheeler and the snowblower is put away. Maybe that is premature as it snowed all day on Thursday and Friday and Saturday. And to think this is Cache County and Logan School District's Spring Break! Kim's family spent a snowy, uncrowded day at Hogle Zoo. Robin's family headed to California. The VanWagenens just got back from a week in sunny St. George with a little color on their arms and faces. They were using their Christmas gift from us. The boys have been off-track. Brandon's birthday was on the 2nd and Katelyn turned 5 on the 7th.

We didn't have a good camera with us so this is really a long shot and doesn't do it justice. Click to enlarge to see if you can find the elk in the center half of the picture about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom.

The temperatures and weather were nice for last Saturday's (4/2) Conference but we woke to a white landscape on Sunday morning. Nevertheless, we went on a ride during the Sunday morning session of General Conference. I've got to admit, Cache Valley is a beautiful place and it is nice to see wildlife and birds whenever we take a drive. We saw a huge elk herd on the northern bench in Providence and a smaller group of elk in Sardine Canyon. On this ride we also saw deer, wild turkeys, hawks, thousands of robins, bluebirds, pheasants, doves, geese, crows, ducks, cranes etc. We have had so much moisture that there is already some flooding, yet the spring run-off really hasn't begun in earnest. Many of the rivers and streams were muddy. Glendale Reservoir still had some ice on it. Hyrum Dam has the dock out but with murky water we don't know if the fish could see the bait or lures. We checked on the progress of the 10th West Bypass. 14 homes have or will be demolished so the road can be widened. We drove from 1st Dam along Canyon Road and tried to figure out which 11 homes will be demolished on as a safety precaution because of their proximity to the canal. Three people lost their lives when the canal gave way and crashed into their home.

The Ogden Temple has closed and will be re-built. Since construction on the Brigham City Temple has barely begun, the Logan Temple has 'inherited' many of the stakes previously assigned to the Ogden Temple District. I understand Bountiful has assummed the rest. With the influx of new temple patrons coupled with several conference talks on doing temple work, Tuesday at the temple was absolutely unreal. I wondered if we surpassed the fire code's building capacity of 999 persons. It is nice, however, to have the temple fully utilized. We'll have to get used to busier shifts for the next two years. There were so many people that we ran out of lockers, some patrons had to wait a long time, the schedule got way behind, workers got hung up on one assignment and couldn't make the hourly rotation etc. What a day to begin my new job as Post Assistant! I often felt like I was a traffic director. Wednesday was a little less hectic. It was fun to see a couple of people we served with at Heber Valley Camp. There are a few spring flowers braving the cold temperatures and poking their heads up around the temple. I think it is a little early yet, but the temple fountain is flowing again.

We recently had a repair to our snowblower and pickup and get updated on a computer. Then our monitor went out and had to be replaced. We need a new paper shredder. I hope these costly expenses will cease. There are other places I'd rather spend money. The cost of gas is ridiculous; it goes up a few cents per gallon 3 or 4 times a week. It has passed the $3.50 mark and will be $4/gallon before we know it.

Congrats to Tami and Dave on the birth of their son, Liam, on April 4th! Ben's girlfriend is in our YSA ward. I was curious how they got together so I emailed Andrea. She said she had a Spanish class at Utah State with Allyson and they became friends. So Andrea lined up her brother, Ben with her friend, Ally! Staci and Matt are getting married on May 13th. The Ransom Reunion is on June 25th. Brandon and Maria are getting married on July 8th. July 9th is the Conlin Reunion. Robin has arranged a camp-out for her siblings and their families at Mutual Dell in American Fork Canyon from August 15th to 19th.

We stayed at the Residence Inn in Sandy on Friday night. We ate at Joe's Crab Shack and had a treat at the Megaplex Theaters. Landon was baptized and confirmed on Saturday, April 9th, in West Valley. We headed for home after visiting and having lunch at the VanWagenen's.

In front - Brooklyn (2 1/2) and Landon (8). Behind them are Candace, Jory, Tanner (10 1/2) and Mason (12).

Family Happenings

We are really proud and excited that Courtney's (15) hard work, smarts and talents have paid off. Within a week she was awarded a $4000 scholarship and was selected as a cheerleader for next year at Mountain Crest High School. She is really going to be busy and involved! Way to go Courtney! So do you like the beard that Riley (15) is sporting? Tee-hee, just kidding.

I think I got a cold from Ty when we were in Texas, but he redeemed himself when he went to the grocery store and came back with a bag of my favorite Easter candy...Hershey chocolate eggs with candy coating.

My brother, Kent, moved into his new home in Cove.

Andrew's sister, Becky, had a scan that showed her cancer had spread. She's on chemo again. Andrew's dad, Fred, recently spent 9 days in the hospital. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

My niece, Emily, had surgery to put a patch on her aorta. She has been through so many surgeries, I hope and pray this one takes care of everything. Her brother Sam's wife, Kacie, has had eye surgery again. I'm wishing for an improvement in her vision.

Niece, Staci, is engaged

My niece, Natalie, is the first one in the family to have 5 kids, and the first one to have 6 kids. Now her brother, David, and his wife, Melissa, are having their 5th and 6th kids together. After 4 daughters, they are having twin boys. And I think Natalie's husband finally got a job! Congrats to them all!

On the other side of the family, niece Tami will be having a baby boy very soon. He will join a sister and two brothers. We're happy that nephew, Brandon, is engaged. (Brandon, Candace and Tami were all born the same month)

Bryan has been nervous that funding cuts at the prison might result in many inmates being let out early and many officers being let go. He thinks things are looking better and that his job will be spared.

It's great to be eight! Landon will be baptized on April 9th in West Jordan

Brynlee's jack o' lantern smile

Sisters Ashley (13) and Brynlee (6) showing off their teeth--

Ashley just got her braces off

Ashley wrote my biography for a school assignment. She got the highest number of points possible...no deductions!

Owen (5) confided in me, "It really isn't much fun being the oldest kid in the family. I have to do most of the work. The others do very little work. Olivia (2) isn't much help at all." Poor Owen.

Six more weeks and our YSA ward will be disbanded for the summer. Yeah! Two of those Sundays will be testimony meetings, one General Conference and one High Council Sunday. There will be a lot of activities packed in as well.

The bad thing about vacations is that you have to come back home. I am having to put in double shifts at the temple to pay people back for subbing for me. I have a new temple assignment. I don't know what the official title is...something like 'Roving Director.' This means going in earlier and staying later. I will be walking around with a clipboard, checking hourly at each post, starting rotations, filling in during bathroom or lunch breaks, etc.

Reed is back to driving school buses. It is sort of funny...Reed, his hometeaching partner and a guy they go hometeaching to are all substitute bus drivers. Also, 5 of Reed's co-workers from Thiokol are driving as well.

On The Road Again...

Olivia - 2 1/2, Miles - 3 1/2, Grandma, Owen - 5 1/2, Grandpa, Abby - 9 1/2 months


We took a road trip for nine days and eight nights. Gas prices were steep so we're glad for a car with fairly good fuel economy. We covered just over 3000 miles. The main purpose of our trip was to see the Hawkins family. This was our 3rd visit in 9 1/2 months to see them. It was Owen's Spring Vacation. We had given them accommodations in New Braunfels, Texas as a Christmas gift. The unit slept 8, so we ended up joining them for part of the time. We had a great time but remind me to never travel to places of interest during March or the first two weeks of April when everyone in the country is on Spring Break! I don't like crowds, long lines, busy restaurants, congested traffic etc.

We stayed four nights in Texas and four nights in New Mexico. We never pushed it too hard or for too many hours. One of us would drive and the other usually read. Reed completed a new Tom Clancey book with 950 pages. I read two Amish books. We enjoyed our car's navigation system. Most of the time we were guided accurately though a few times we were lead astray. We stayed in Marriott properties where available for the bargain rate, compliments of Candace's employment. The nice units have really spoiled us. One night we had to stay at a Super 8 which was a 'fleabag' place. I took pictures that I might send to the corporate headquarters.

The weather was great with temperatures in the mid-70's to upper 80's. Many trees were in blossom, some had completely leafed out and others were just starting to green up. In a couple of weeks the deserts should come alive with color from blooming cacti. The trip was a wonderful diversion from a long, cold Cache Valley winter. We had good traveling conditions and didn't hit storms until we were two hours from arriving back home. We were greeted with snow on the ground our first morning back.

When we left we had anticipated returning home to boxing up and moving during the first week of April. We had received earnest money, the uniform real estate agreement was signed, disclosure statement filled out, the buyers had their financing and a title company was working towards a closing on March 31st. The buyers were also going to purchase most of our big furniture. While in Texas we received a phone call in which they backed out...cold feet due to the uncertainty of the economy. That's twice a sale has failed. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

The posts below tell about our vacation.