'Tis the season

I don't have any family pictures to post because I lost my camera some time ago. I think I've let that keep me from posting. It's funny how a picture really can be worth a thousand words.
We have been very, very busy at Highlander Hall. Brittany, Wynne and Elaina flew in on the 16th. It has been wonderful to see them again. We've been able to spend some time together and I look forward to more. They are staying with Cindy and Ammon Galbraith. Unfortunately, illness has hit and they've needed to stay put for a few days.
Selissa and Phil came in the weekend before Christmas for two days. Rob, Keenan and I got to accompany Sis' family to the Bart's Electric Christmas dinner with them. I really enjoyed it. Bart seems to genuinely care about his employees and their families. We were sad Sis and Phil couldn't stay for Christmas, but glad for the time we had.
Kizzie and Andy arrived for the holidays while Sis was still here, so the whole family came to visit, it seems, for the whole weekend! Loud and fun. Josiah has had time off, so their family has been over most days. I just love all the gatherings. I may sigh in fatigue at the end of the day, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Christmas Eve was our main family gathering. It was great! Everyone looked lovely in their Christmas clothes. We took family pictures. Each year we have a little bit different group. Kevin was sick and couldn't come. Sarah brought a dvd of "Reflections of Christ" which is a slide show of Christ's life set to "Come, Thou Fount." It was beautiful. Then, we sang a few carols and opened gifts. Of course, there was a ton of food! Josiah and Kizzie had their annual gaudy glam gift exchange, which was hysterical! Check out her blog.
On Christmas Day, things were pretty quiet on the home front. We at home read the Christmas story, opened gifts and did whatever we wanted in the morning. At about 2:00 p.m., we went to Far West to sing the Christmas hymns. The Doans and Fishes were there, as usual, along with a couple other families. It was a small group this year. This is the 14th year - wow!
Afterward, the family gathered for Keenan's birthday. I can hardly believe he is 18! Where does it go?
We have been crazily happy and it isn't over. I'm loving it. It will be unbearably quiet in just a few days.

Number 31!

I was privileged to be at the birth of our 31st grandchild today. Here is Grant James Aitchison, barely one minute old. It is an amazing experience to witness the birth of a child, fresh from our Father in Heaven. I feel grateful to have been here today.
Grant is the son of Silas and Robyn Aitchison. Thanks for asking, Lil!

A Temple!

When I heard President Monson announce a temple in the "greater Kansas City area," I hoped against hope that it would be west of Liberty along Highway 152. Lo! and behold! It is on the official Church web site that the location is indeed on property the Church owns and is developing called "Shoal Creek" right along Highway 152! Will miracles never cease?! I am overcome with gratitude. Just had to share.

He has a name: Joshua Abram Aitchison

And he is adorable, chubby and soft!

This is the newest addition to the family - Baby Boy Aitchison, born to Jonah and Laura today at 12:42 p.m. in Quincy, Illinois. He weighed eight pounds, 12 ounces and was 21 inches long. He is adorable, of course. Stay tuned to hear his name.

Speaking of blessings ...

Last night at 10:56, Rachel Jensen was born. Keenan, Sasha and I were all at the hospital. I actually got to witness her birth. The miracle of it never ceases to amaze me. She is a perfect little person, weighing in at 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 21" long. She has lots of dark hair under that cap that looks like it may have some curl to it. The delivery went smoothly, and both parents were looking pretty happy! Congratulations to the Jensen family.

A Bounteous Harvet

I am so amazed at the volume that has come from our garden this year. And, it just keeps producing. We have canned over 60 jars of pickles (great for bartering, I suppose) and lots of elderberry, grape and pear jellies and juices. Today, I am canning the salsa from the vegetables in the picture. What a great blessing!

Zoey

Zoey Ann Hoyle was born on July 24th, but I didn't get to see her until we got home. Then, she was blessed on August 10th in Cameron. We had a group of 55 people at our house afterward for a meal and visiting. It was wild, but fun! And, Zoey is an angel.

Five years old!

We had a family gathering for Claire's fifth birthday, which was the 15th. She wanted a Polly Pocket cake, so I did what I could. We all had a good time, especially Claire!

The Grand Canyon

We decided to travel the southern route from Utah to home, not realizing we would be going very near the Grand
Canyon. Needless to say, we stopped and enjoyed the truly awesome sight. It is incredible! Pictures don't do it justice.

Musings

Well, vacation time is winding down. We will be heading east for Kidder tomorrow. We've decided to take the southern route through Albuquerque because we've never been that way. I'm looking forward to seeing new things.

I've had a wonderful time in Utah. Since Jackson's birth, Andy, Kizzie, Avery and I have spent a lot of time together doing fun things. We went out for dinner, played at the park (more than one, actually), made jam and pickles, had a family reunion and had Jackson's blessing; with lots of other activities as filler! After more than three weeks living with Avery, it was very, very difficult to leave! He has been my little partner. We took walks, played ball and frisbee, and sang songs together.

Now, we've spent a couple of days in Cedar City with Silas' family. It has been equally wonderful. I only wish we could spend more time with them on this trip. We have eaten a lot of good food in two days, visited a museum and enjoyed being together. Silas and Keenan even went paint-balling one morning and plan to do it again tomorrow before we leave! We'll miss them, too.

More fun in Provo

Here are Avery and Jackson on a very important shopping trip with Grandma and Mom. They were very patient boys, and we found some very good deals!



Isn't he intense? He's just like a real baby, only miniature :>)









Today was Pioneer Day. We went to the Pioneer Museum here in Provo. Avery spotted a whole display of elephants (not sure what they're doing in a pioneer museum). Right after I took this picture, he made a very loud, and apparently accurate, elephant sound.

In between all these fun things, we hang out at home enjoying each others' company and playing Cities and Knights online together. Good times!

Happenings

It's been a while since I've done any updating here. Of course, a lot has taken place in a few weeks!

We celebrated the fourth of July by going to the annual Far West Breakfast. They started at 7:30 this year, not my favorite time of day. It was delicious, as usual, and included a nice program and lots of good visiting. We went to Sarah's house in the afternoon for the family gathering of the celebration of both our great nation's birth and Rebekah's. It is always a good time, with more family, food and fireworks than can be absorbed in one evening!

Our Relief Society has been holding canning classes in my kitchen. It's pretty cool. We've spent two Tuesday evenings making elderberry jelly and kiwi jam. There've been ten or eleven women in attendance each night, and each seems to have really enjoyed herself. I am struck at how my stove has been given the chance to 'fulfill the measure of its creation' while we use eight of its ten burners at the same time!








Latest, but definitely not least, on July 15th at 1:33 in the afternoon, our 28th grandchild was born. Jackson Robert Westover made his appearance very quickly, weighing in at four pounds, 15 ounces and just 18 inches long, he sort of slipped out of his mother's body. Even Kizzie will say she didn't have to push. Nice! Jackson and mother are both doing very well. He may be small, but everything about him is healthy. And, undeniably, he is adorable!

Before Jack was born, we went to the Scottish Games in Payson. I always enjoy wandering the Clan booths and watching the competitions. It was a nice day and a very pleasant event.

I'm in Provo, just waiting ...

Here I am in Provo, waiting for Kizzie's new little baby. I'll be adding new stuff soon.

Kaboom!

I stood on my porch with a camera open for a long time trying to get a picture of the lightning the other day. Finally! Too bad about the flag pole in the way, but the strike was awesome, in the truest sense of the word. The storms out here are incredible and exciting!

Baseball Girl

We have tried to be good grandparents and attend as many ballgames as possible. Here is a shot of Emma waiting for the ball. She was very intense! Unfortunately, their team lost this particular game. I wish I'd taken more pictures. She and Isobel both played, and played hard. Go girls!

Gallatin Ward, 29 June 2008

Today was the first day we attended church
as a ward in our newly remodeled chapel.
Isn't it amazing?! The capacity is 367, we
had nearly 290. The facilities manager
told me this is the longest (not widest)
chapel in the Church in the world. It is the
first time a building has gone from a small
phase 1 building directly to a large third
phase building. It is beautiful and we all
felt a very special spirit there together.

Where I've been ... and haven't

I saw this on Kizzie's blog and thought it would be fun. I didn't include the
states where I've only had a layover when flying. I'm ready for a trip!

create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

Brittany, Wynne, Joshua & Elaina

Here is the Joshua Aitchison family all decked out for Easter! They spent the afternoon and evening with us. We had a lovely dinner together.

Jerusalem Dinner

The day before Easter, we gather to eat food like what Jesus would have eaten when he was alive. We sit on the floor, as you can see. Afterward, we have some sort of lesson about Easter. This year, four of the kids opened plastic eggs with items representing events in the Lord's life. We always have a great time, and for most of us, it beats the Easter bunny!

Saint Patrick's Day Fun!