JANUARY

SUNDAY, 10 JANUARY 2016

We went to Ryan's Ward to listen to our granddaughter, Brenna, give her first talk during Sacrament Meeting.  She wrote the talk herself, on the Godhead, and did a terrific job.

That evening we had a delightful meal with Ryan and Heather's family's.  We love being surrounded by our grandchildren.

Playing hide and seek?

Love the way these two can sit so comfortably on the floor.

Games for the older children!

A new rug!

Our daughter-in-law is a trooper...she has kidney stones and is really suffering, but enduring.

MONDAY, 11 JANUARY 2016

We had our empty-nester home evening with the Hutto's and Mary Newman in the evening.  Mary made a delicious beef soup...I love beef!  Thank you for the lovely dinner Mary.  We studied President Russell M. Nelson's last two conference talks.

"How can you ensure that your behavior on the Sabbath will lead to joy and rejoicing?"

Grandpa Arthur learned of free mulch that the city has from all the trees lost in the ice storms.  He went and got a pickup load for our son-in-law.  

It was a beautiful day to deliver this.

Do you like his snow shovel?  Ha..waste not, want not.

He created a nice hill for the future fruit trees.

Our daughter-in-law let me pick up her children the last couple of days of school.  She needs to pass these miserable stones.

I produced ice cube wheat grass for my smoothies...

The blender did all the work...so thankful for electricity!

TUESDAY, 12 JANUARY 2016

Another friend passed away this week.  Leo Fish was in the Oklahoma City Temple Presidency with Grandpa Arthur.  They are cousins and both grew up in Arizona.  Leo was diagnosed with a brain tumor 6 years ago.  He was expected to live 6 months.  He will be missed.  His wife Evalee is thankful for the last 6 years.  Our love and prayers are with Evalee and her family at this time.  We will be traveling to Joplin, Missouri for his funeral next Monday.  Thank's for the memories Leo.

Have you had the opportunity to pick Idaho spuds?  I spent many weeks in my youth, past Septembers & Octobers, working on potato farms when I was young.  This is a picture memory I saw on facebook this week.  It brought back many memories of hard work and fun pay checks I received as a youth and teenager.  I thought I had to clean the potatoes before I put them in the gunny sack...I was 8 years old when I picked my first basket.  Everyone passed me by on their rows...while I was spitting on the potatoes to get the dirt off...the farmer came and had to teach me how to harvest spuds!  I got ten cents for a gunny sack.  It took two baskets to fill a gunnysack.  The first day I earned 30 cents.  I improved my labors the next day.  We also helped harvest potatoes for the church farm.  We did that voluntarily.  

Combines, now days, are more productive than we basket carrying laborers.  

Got to love eating the Idaho Russet Spuds!

MONDAY 18 JANUARY 2015
We spent the weekend in Austin, Texas visiting with our two sons, Eric and Todd, and their families.  We rode down with our daughter Heather and her family.  We stayed in Todd and Allyson's new home.  We just relaxed and had a nice, noisy weekend.  Eight of our grandchildren were there and had a good visit with each other.  Families are the best.  Thank's for hostessing us all Allyson.  You are the best!  The children enjoyed a park in Austin until the cold rains began.

Grandpa Arthur even came to the park with us.  Way to push the swings grandpa!

Brandt spent the night with the cousins and his sisters came to visit with us on Saturday.

Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene with eight of our grandchildren.  We were in heaven as we listened to all their noise making...ha.

Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene with three of their own babies...love, love, love them.

I have seen great photo's of family photo's on the stairs.  This is our great attempt.  Thank's Cecily for being so pretty in this photo!  Perhap's next get together we can succeed.

We returned home on Sunday afternoon after listening to our son Todd speak in Sacrament Meeting.  We really enjoyed your talk Todd.  He is the scriptorian of our family.
Monday morning Grandpa Arthur and I drove to Joplin Missouri for Leo Fish's funeral.  His family gave him a great tribute and he will be greatly missed.  President Southward promised Leo that when
the time came he would speak at Leo's funeral.  It was nice to visit with many temple workers and President Southward gave great memories of Leo as well as reminding us all to endure as well as Leo did.

Evalee invited us to stay for the luncheon after.  I was standing by some of Leo's grandchildren as we waited for the blessing on the food.  Leo's grandson did the "loves me, loves me not" with his memory rose.  It ended with He loves me!

He then took the petals and placed them on the table arrangements.  The gym was set up with about 10 white tables and so this rose brought beauty into the setting.  Leo & Evalee love their grandchildren.  Families are forever!

I end this blog waiting for word from my doctors.  I had a colonoscopy last Thursday, 14 January 2016.  A tumor was found and so we are awaiting a biopsy report.  I think I just got a lump of coal for my late Christmas present.  I must try to be nicer in 2016.  More surgery is in store.  Growing old is so poopy!

After I got this great news I pondered this test.  I now must be patient as I become a patient.
Friday we purchased donuts for our Seminary Class and forged ahead.  Life is good.  Grandpa Arthur taught a great lesson on Samuel and his roll in anointing King Saul.  These youth are so smart and such a delight to be with that the future looks good.  We love our Seminary Students!

Grandpa Arthur and I are totally blessed.  May you have the best JANUARY ever.  Keep warm, smile often, and remember that you are loved.  Hug your children and tell them you love them.  Thank's for making Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene's life so full of joy and love.  May each of us, family and friends, continue to enjoy our time on earth and be kind to all we greet as we sojourn here.  Hurrah, until next time.....
Hug's always,
Arthur & Gene
Grandpa Arthur & Grandma Gene