Jake's Visit following deployment & Andrea's homecoming

Jake arrived late on Oct. 3rd and left on Oct. 5th just afternoon,

but his post-deployment visit was a treasured event and memory.

We drove to Strawberry Reservoir to try out Dad's boat together.

Jake picked it out while deployed and needed the experience.

It was super cold that day, and due to series of unfortunate

events Jake ended up in the lake before any fishing took place.

Dad had another jacket and Jake dried as much as

possible with a hand dryer in the bathroom...

But it wasn't enough with the frigid temperatures.

The fishing didn't last long before Jake couldn't feel his feet

and we headed back to the truck to warm him up.

The trip up and back provided the long awaited

visiting, so it turned out fine for me. :) 

THAT EVENING WE HAD A BARBECUE AT MELLORS

Jake is sharing his version of the unfortunate events that morning.

Wilkins and Ben joined us.

Uncle Kieth and Annette came, too.

The meal was fantastic.

Leia is headed for the trampoline.

Luke, SJ, Dallin and Kaleb

Haylie, Kaleb, SJ, Luke and Dallin

Baby Wil and Bethany

The morning of Oct. 5th we did a session 

at the Payson Temple and met up with Grandpa M.

Jake, Grandpa and Me

Jake, Grandpa and Darrel

Grandma Anna was at the Parkway Care Center

so we stopped by to say, "Hi".

Ron and MaryLynn soon showed up with

one of our Samoan Cousins.

Later on in the month, we met Scott at the care center

to see Grandma Anna,  Then we had dinner together.

Bethany bought a new car about this time.

It was a day celebrated by many.

 AT THE AIRPORT! WATCHING AND WAITING

Long awaited HUGS!!!

 

This is her trainer....Sister Brown!

She was recently married so now she is

Sister Hubband.

Gabe was born while Andrea was in the MTC.

The group that gathered at the airport.

 PICNIC IN THE PARKING GARAGE

On the way home, Darrel, Sister K and I did a session at the

Provo Center City Temple at Andrea's request.

This temple was under construction when she left.

HOME NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD!

Andrea with Baby Wil

These are four of the five babies born while Andrea served her mission.

Ephraim was the other one but he was in Texas.

We felt blessed that Karrie and Josh came.  Nathan did, too.

This is us rolling meat and slicing cheese

for Andrea's homecoming luncheon.

We had plenty of good because this load is headed home afterwards.

Andrea and some friends who came.

Sister Carnahan in sitting to her right.

Andrea and her good friend Jono.

Oak Ridge Boys Concert

 Darrel and I got to go to the Oak Ridge Boys 

concert at Young Living Farms on Oct. 1st.

They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

   Joe was the lead singer.                          Joe, William and Richard...the bass!

Joe from Pennsylvania, Duane from Texas, 

William from Alabama, and Richard from New Jersey.

We might be on camera.  This little drone circled a few times.

We took our own chairs.  We had very good seats!.

BEE SHED TO WOOD WORKING SHOP

This will be a progressive post.

Darrel decided to turn the old bee shed into his

dream wood shop.  The photos tell the story.

We insulated and sheet rocked the walls and ceiling.

Then Dad and Andrea painted it while I was in Texas.

 The work bench is made out of a solid wood door.

 Darrel bricked up this wall.

This is a tent stove with pellet stove piping.

September Super Days

The Onion Days Parade has been a life-long favorite for us.

2016 was a great year for peaches!

Ben is called to serve in Sendai, Japan.

Ben's family in Washington had to join us electronically.

I felt a bit sad for them, but Katie and I did all we could to make it special.

Ben is showing his family in Washington, a map of his mission.

Ben with three of his roommates.

                  Of course the mission call opening
                  party included yummy food

                                                                                          Kaleb and Dallin

Grandpa served the dessert.

  Fun in the Wilkins backyard.  They sponsored the mission call party.

Gabe loves Uncle Neldie.

 Brenda and Katie                                    Leia

JASON AND LAURA TOOK A TRIP TO HAWAII IN  SEPTEMBER.

This is Laura in front of the Hawaii Temple.

We celebrated Tyler's birthday in Levan.

Katie always makes yummy birthday cake.    Ty and the kids watching a movie.

LEVAN HOMESTEAD NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2016  EDITION

As I was thinking over our month, it felt like there was more work than pleasure, but that could be debated.  One thing is for certain, we have enjoyed the climax of autumn, and had our first two snow storms in the foothills.  That means we have also had several frosts, three in a row were 20 degrees! Gratefully, it has started to get warm during the day again. Actually we had a wonderful storm the first day of Fall that lasted for a couple of days. If you could see Yuba, you would know how grateful we were for the rain. Yuba looks more like a river than a reservoir.  You can’t launch a boat from either side.  Some of my autumn experiences were activity runs.  My favorites were to Logan, Cedar City and Price. 

WORK PROJECTS: Dad and I picked up supplies to get started on his new wood shop.  We managed to get the sub-floor in and all the insulation and sheet rock done before the corn silage season began.  That project has taken precedence for the time being, but we have windows, flooring and lights ready to go in as soon as the harvest is over.  Dad also made a flying trip to Idaho for his brothers to pick up parts.  They know he isn’t interested in full-time work, but they know they can count on him to help out when they are in a bind.   Beth and I bottled 160 quarts of peaches and when Dad and I finally got the estate sale dresser refinished and inside, it started a cleaning marathon that lasted a couple of days.  It was a chain reaction of sorts. I also ended up washing all the coats in the closet because they smelled like the onions we dried and the smell lingered and lingered.  I also washed ALL of Andrea’s clothes so they would be ready when she gets home.  Guess how many batches that was? (five)

Temple Experiences:  Dad and I got to help clean the Payson Temple this month.  I have found that you can be taught in the temple anytime, even when you are pushing a vacuum. I vacuumed for two hours straight in the baptismal font area and it was a great experience.  I also got to the Logan temple in my school bus.  They have better parking there than the last time. J

HIGHLIGHTS IN BRIEF:  The highlights of the month for me were our Samoan Cousin Party,  just knowing Jake was home and on dry ground, being a part of Ben’s mission call opening, visiting with President Rindlisbacher during my temple interview,  speaking at the Victorian House with Dad, attending Nicky’s wedding,  being a part of the  Stake High Priest group social, attending the Ward Fall social, going to “See How They Run” at the Hale Theater with Dad and Katie, a call from Bishop Law from the State Prison asking me to speak at one of their worship services in October, and passing my CDL physical with a two year endorsement! 

Excerpt from a letter to Sister K regrading Bethany’s mediation day, Sept. 27:  “Bethany went prepared for a fight and with the clear expectation that she wouldn’t get everything she wanted. After five hours of rather pleasant deliberation in our room, it was over and Bethany essentially walked away with everything she and many others have prayed for.  It truly was a miracle, because there is no way to completely explain it.  Although, I have been provided some insights as I have pondered on the whole experience.  All I can say is…”NOTHING is too hard for the Lord!”   Bethany was almost giddy and we both have felt a lightness and liberation that we have not felt for a very long time.  In reality, it had been nearly as long as you have been gone for me and much, much longer for her.  Elder Renlund’s talk in the Sunday afternoon conference was so insightful in understanding the barriers that made resolution impossible.  We came home and celebrated!”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Andrew, Laura, and Tyler!  We can’t wait to see those who are coming when Andrea returns next week.  We wish everyone could come, but we will take whomever we can get.  Love you all!  

Sister Kenison: See andreaapril.blogspot.com