Special Day!!

With 25 grandchildren, we have many special days. Today, Ken & Loreal's, Kalan, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His father performed the ordinances. He did an excellent job, and I am very proud of him. Of course, we are proud of Kalan for his decision to become a member of the church. He is a really good, young man. At the end of each school year, Kalan's elementary school gives one award for the best all around student, grades, behavior, etc., in each grade. Kalan received the award in Kindergarten, & he surprised us this year & received another award. It is a gold medal with a bear paw print on it, hanging on a ribbon. He, as well as the other 24 grandchildren, is special! After Kalan's baptism was completed, Mike & Heather had the blessing of our "miracle baby, Cohen." Mike blessed him, got a little emotion, but gave Cohen a wonderful blessing. He was so handsome, dressed in his little white outfit. He is such a beautiful baby & smiles all of the time. He likes to watch t.v., lights, people & anything that moves. He has found his little fingers and hands. I marvel when I am holding him and watching him. He is our "Miracle Baby!" The cousins love him & he loves them. Everyone is always wanting to hold him.

Heavenly Father has really blessed our families. Bret & Mica's Alix will be eight in October. Mike & Heather's Brooklyn will be eight in December. I cannot imagine life without our children & grandchildren.

After all of this activity, Lori & Heather had everyone for a nice luncheon at Ken & Lori's new home. Lori's family attended, of course, & Heather's family attended, so we had quite a crowd. JaLynn & family came out for the occasion. Emily & friend drove up from Snow College. Shalayne was the only one missing.

I have some cute pictures of the reunion & the events of today. I need to have Jen or Mica help me add them to my blog! And sometime, I will!!

Griffis Family Reunion 2008

The 2008 Griffis Family reunion was a success! A few people arrived on Thursday, but most came Friday afternoon, with some arriving on Saturday morning. Friday night, we all played bingo which is always a big hit. The prizes were candy bars and candy on rings. Of course, the children loved those.

After a huge breakfast on Saturday, Bret's wife, Mica, had charge of the crafts which were guns made out of pvc pipe. They shot miniature marshmellows. She had made 50 kits which sold immediately, for $5.00. You can just imagine, everyone was shooting marshmellows at everyone else! After lunch, Ken's wife, Loreal, had about five or six games going at the same time, with lots of help. They had nine groups of people, while one group was at one game, others were at the other games, a rotation system. The little children had a fish pond, a large wooden bear (of Mike's) that they threw hula hoops over. Loreal's dad had made a pig to throw bean bags through (called pork & beans). There were a few others that I don't remember, but Lori really did a neat job with everything she did. Later, they had a country store where toys could be purchased. After that, a talent show & elections for next year were held. Wendy (Dahl) & her husband, Dave, are in charge next year, with Alison Dahl, Chelsi (Despain) & her husband, Sabrina & Tammy Tatum assisting them.

Last of all, Ken had rented a snowcone machine, and made snowcones for all, which were a huge hit! Everyone was so concerned last year that no one would come because we could not stay over on Sunday, because it is church property. We had 134 people attend, & a few families did not attend. It was a huge success & a great time was had by all!! Plan on attending next year.

Our thoughts & prayers are with Harry, Gigi & family, during this time. Love to all.

Up-date on Utah Gma & Gpa

Today is Saturday, August 17, 2008. My surgeries were last Monday, August 11th. I thought they were minor surgeries, but I have changed my mind! Anytime, they make incisions, it is major surgery! I am feeling better. I have done nothing but rest, other than being sick and sore. But I have had the best nurse my money could buy. His name is Jay, and anytime that I am not feeling well, I want him near. He takes the best care of me. He is having to make sure I get fed, whether he cooks or picks up fast food. He washes clothes, gets me anything I want, and makes sure that I do not bend or lift. I am not supposed to do anything for a few weeks. It is hard to see something lying on the floor and have to stop and think, "no, you cannot pick that up." My aunt Eva tells me that they broke the mold when Jay was made! I know some of you have great husbands, too.

We tended JaLynn's kids for about two weeks while she went on a cruise to Alaska. She really had a good time, but had to come home to rest. Isn't that the way it is, when you go on vacation? JaLynn and family came out Monday night, went school shopping on Tuesday & Wednesday. Jay found a 2002 Ford Escort for Emily to drive to college. She seems thrilled with it. JaLynn & Shalayne went to Snow College in Ephraim, UT, with Emily today. Shalayne is going to Utah State University in Logan, UT, probably on Monday. Shalayne left us about 1 1/2 weeks ago. It is quiet without her. JaLynn will only have four children home, now. Time moves on and Life goes on, no matter what.

It's almost time for the Griffis Family reunion, which starts on August 28-30th. We cannot use the Stake Property on Sundays, anymore. We are looking around for a place that we can stay on Sundays for next years. You are all invited. I have talked to Farrel & Pat about coming to the reunion, but I don't think they will. It's fun to read your blogs. I need Jen to help me add some gadgets to my blog. **BETSY'S BIRTHDAY WAS AUGUST 13, 2008. HOW OLD WAS SHE!!

Where does time go??

July 24th is a BIG day in Utah!! It is always a lot of fun. We do not attend the parade anymore, we watch it on T.V. All of our kids (except JaLynn's) came over this afternoon. We had a barbarque dinner, the kids had a water balloon fight. That was fun to watch. Jen had a birthday cake for Kaylee. She was 14 years old on July 22nd. To end the evening, Gpa did fireworks. It's always fun to watch the kids during fireworks. We love family outings!!

JaLynn leaves for her Alaska cruise, tomorrow. She sounds so stressed out. There is so much going on with her kids while she is gone. They work with sheep & steers to show at the county fair. Jay & I have to get up about 3 a.m. to go to the temple. We go on the 10 a.m. session, which means we will not get through at the temple until about 12:30 p.m. Then, we will come home, gather clothes & ect. we need & drive out to JaLynn's & tend her kids. She will return on August 4th. The next few weeks are full. I have an umbilical hernia which I am going to have repaired on August 11th. I have had so many little health problems the last few months, I feel like my body is falling apart or trying to tell me something!

Tara, your book is on its way. You may receive it, tomorrow. As I told Tara, the name of the book is "My Dear SISTERS" by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley. It has beautiful thoughts & pictures for women. Till I check my blog, again. Have fun!

BRYCE'S CANYON/FAMILY-JULY 2008

JaLynn & her family, Mike & Heather's two children, Brooklyn & Braden, & Jay & I were the only ones who ended up going to Bryce's Canyon. Bret & Ken had things going on at work they felt they couldn't leave. But we sure had a good time! Cassie, JaLynn's youngest, rode with us. When we were on our way to pick-up Brooklyn & Braden, Cassie said, "Braden never talks to me." Well, those were her famous last words! When Braden got in the car, he started talking & laughing, & did not stop until we took him home!! He & Brooklyn were so cute. JaLynn's kids were cute with them. Duane was cute with Braden. We drove thru the canyon & saw many beautiful rock formations. The formations are different shades of orange. Beautiful! We had a picnic lunch under the big trees in the canyon. The weather was so nice all the time we were gone! Salt Lake was hot!! We visited shops in "Old Town." I wish I knew how to include pictures with my blog. They had these cut-outs of a cowboy & a saloon girl, the kind you put your heads in. Everybody had to have at least one photo of themselves. It was so funny to watch. Everyone enjoy laughing at the others! Oh, yes, we saw a chipmunk (or something like that). He was so friendly, he's run right up to you. I think that was Brooklyn's favorite moment. I took pictures of him. We were only gone three days, but they were worth it!

JaLynn & friends leave on July 25th for an Alaskan Cruise. They will return on Aug. 4th. Jay & I, along with Shalayne will make sure someone is with them at all times. I don't want JaLynn to worry about anything. I want her to relax & enjoy!! She deserves it. The death of a young loved one has to be the hardest, especially when you are so close to them. I know what Pat & Farrel are going thru. Jay & I still get emotional about Tracy & Laura. Hope you are having a great summer!

CONGRATULATIONS to TARA!

Tara is the winner of the drawing for the free book. My granddaughter, Shalayne, drew the winning name. Thanks to all who participated in the drawing. I wish I could give a book to all of you, but you know how it goes. You can tell by the time of my blog, that I have a hard time sleeping.

I saw Angie when I was home in June. Their is a sister who works in the temple with me who served a mission in Birmingham, AL. It is a small world, when I asked her if she knew Angie, she said that she did. She went on to compliment Angie & her family. I did not know that Angie's oldest son sings. She told me how reverent Angie & Tony's boys were when they were passing the sacrament. You never know when someone is watching you. I also met Angie's oldest son's girlfriend. Angie has high hopes for them!

When Jay & I go to GA in October, we will stay a little longer, so hope to get to see everyone.
I have not talked to Betsy for awhile, but she called me. I have to call her back. She doesn't blog, but she reads everyone else's blog. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Gigi. Sorry, it has taken so long. I went to Georgia for a week. (Not long enough) June 29th was a year since Tracy was killed in the Neola North Wildfire. We spent that weekend with JaLynn & family. She's doing pretty well, but it is still hard. JaLynn's brothers went out early on Saturday morning, along with Jay & JaLynn, they cleaned her yard most of the day! They cut down a couple of trees, mowed, edged, etc. There is still more to do, but it really looks good. Jay & I, JaLynn & family, Bret & family, Ken & family, maybe Mike & family, are going to Bryce's Canyon on July 11, 12, & 13th. It should be lots of fun.

Okay, here goes, list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3 joys-my family, my membership in the L.D.S. church, my country.
3 fears-SNAKES!!, poor health, loss of a loved one.
3 goals-clean my house, learn Spanish, take a photography class.
3 current obsessions/collections-beanie bear babies, trying to do for all my grandkids what I do for one, photographs of my grandchildren.
3 random surprising facts about yourself-I was engaged to a non-member years ago, I served a six month church mission when I was 19 years old, I always wanted 12 children, until Jay & I had a serious car accident in 1963.

Echo, Courtney, Amanda, Sandy & Phil, you are tagged! Enjoy!!