APRIL YOUTH TEMPLE TRIP

Trevor, Christina and Amber at the Bountiful temple.  Afterwards we all went out to dinner at Applebees.

Museum of Art at BYU

At ten o’clock on Saturday morning James, Ali, Allan and I arrived at the Museum of Art at BYU. We planned to see the “Sacred Gifts” art exhibit. I knew it was an exhibit of the religious art of Carl Bloch, Heinrich Hofman and Frans Schwartz. All twenty plus paintings were of Christ. I didn’t understand that it was the actual paintings from the great cathedrals and museums in Europe that were on display at BYU. As much as I have been inspired by the prints of these paintings in books and on the walls in the church foyer, to see these actual paintings was extremely moving. The paintings were huge and amazing. We experienced the crowded exhibit in a very quiet, personal way. We each of us had an I-pad and headphones. We could study each painting as long as we wanted. Very quickly I learned how to find the music to each painting and then with the inspiring music playing I listened to the summary of each painting. The summary was the history, the motivation and artist of the painting. I figured how to use the “Perspectives” on the I-pad to see the painting (Some paintings were altar pieces from great Cathedrals in Europe) in its home in a famous Cathedral. It was like standing in front of the painting in its home place and turning slowly around and seeing the whole Cathedral all the way around, top to bottom. I will never get the chance to see those great Cathedrals, but now I feel like I have. Also under “Perspectives” were testimonies and comments from the church leaders and patrons of those Cathedrals. They told how the paintings touched their lives and why they were willing to share the paintings with us. I was so overcome with emotion looking at those great paintings of Christ that at times I just had to stop and gather myself before I wept all over the I-pad. It was a profound spiritual experience. One of my favorite paintings was painted by Heinrich Hofmann’s. It was a painting of the Resurrection with Christ standing in front of the tomb between two angels. Another favorite was an altar piece of five paintings called “The Mocking of Christ” by Frans Schwartz. I spent the most time studying this painting because the emotion in those five paintings…it was unbelievable. The painting by Carl Bloch , “Peter’s Denial”,personally touched me with a greater understanding about myself. I can’t convey the sacred insights I had standing in front of that painting, even though I have seen prints of that familiar painting many times in books. We spent over 2 hours studying the paintings and it wasn't enough time for me. I would love to go back.

Valentines Fun at Grandma's House

After dinner with the grandchildren, we did some valentine crafts. We made valentine cookies and decorated them. We finished the evening with a movie.

Moving Day for James and Ali K

This past Friday, Allan and I took off after work, driving an hour away to go to Draper temple. When we got there it was closed for cleaning. Thank goodness there are many temples south of SLC so we just drove to the Oquirrh temple. We spent a nice morning in the temple. We had dinner at Olive Garden together before continuing our drive south. We checked in to a hotel, we put on work clothes and we met our son at his apartment when he got home from school. My son and his wife had to move to a new home because the landlord sold their duplex. In the middle of a semester it was hard for them to find another apartment. James and Alicia are both going to school and working so moving now is not convenient. They decided to rent a home with the other couple in the duplex. James and Alicia had most everything packed. Allan and I helped do the last of the packing. We took a load over to their new home. It is a big home and in a nice neighborhood about 2 miles from BYU. After unloading the pickup, we had dinner at the BrickOven Pizza and called it a night. The next day we met Chantelle and Jeremy with their sweet girls. Jeremy brought his big enclosed trailer. At ten oclock we had the trailer and both pickups loaded, when Alicia's family came with a trailer and two trucks. There were eleven adults helping, so the work was done in a timely manner. I spent lots of the time playing with my very sweet granddaughters. By the afternoon, both couples were moved into their new home. It is great when families can work together and get it done! It was a good weekend.

Shaking the hand of an Apostle

On Sunday, January 26, we went to a large auditorium for Stake Conference. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was speaking. We went in a big car, all nine of us. We went early and parked in one of the last parking places in a nearby parking lot. We found a long row of seats and I sat on the end with Ruby. I was obliviously playing with Ruby and when a hand was offered with a greeting, "Welcome to Conference." I was so surprised to grasp the hand of Elder Oaks. All nine of us got to shake his hand. It was a tender mercy and I was so touched with the spirit even before the meeting started. Elder Oaks talked about how the Adversary tried to undermine the Kingdom of God. One way is to confuse us about who God is and what his mission is. He talked about the First Vision and the many things that we learn about God in just those few minutes. Elder Oaks talked about ways the Adversary tries to tear down the family and ways to overcome adversity. It was a powerful, spiritual feast. Even though I watched Ruby the whole three hours we were there, I didn't miss a word. She was such a good baby.

My Brother's Wedding

My brother, Rodney, was married in the Salt Lake Temple. I got to sit next to him in the temple. I had the honor because my mother was not well enough to be there. Aunt Jackie sat in the Grandmother's chair next to me. The ceremony was beautiful. Afterwards we got to meet Susan and her family. She had tons of friends that helped her with a beautiful reception. The reception was so much fun. I enjoyed seeing my nephews again. I haven't seen them since Alexander's wedding.

Thank you Katie

I sure thought your blog was very complimentary and over the top. I do love children and doing things with children. Thank you for the nice blog. I read your blog every week. I wish I could figure out how to comment on everybody's blogs.

Amber, did Branden plant his garden. I have more ideas if he is interested. Just give me a call or text. I got my new phone so I am back to texting!

Rick and Abby, you are expert bloggers. I am tempted to try making those Chinese Dumplings. Thanks for the recipe. I am impressed by your computer nerdiness-backing up your own files and saving over $50. You are exploring and enjoying the wildlife-how lucky you are. Have a great time with Ben. We will be watching your blog for the report and pictures of your visit.

Thanks for the Updates on Your Blogs

Just read all those new posts on your blogs. Glad to see the update on Stacy's blog. Sometimes it has been a long time between my updates.

Thank you for the pictures of the children, Bekkie. I can not believe how big Trevor has grown. He is definitely taller than Christina. Look how tall Gavin is in that picture. He looks close to five feet tall. Amazing children.

I was happy to hear the update on Thor. Glad he is doing better and that he will stay well for a while with John taking care of him. I found those test results interesting. It is amazing how the doctors have a test for everything. I got so many guesses when I took sick kids to the doctors. Now they can know what is wrong at least part of the time.

Amazing Hawaii pictures!!! Are you sure those are not postcards!! What fun you are having!!! When I moved to a new state I loved exploring that state every weekend. We saw some wonderful places. I am determined to spend some time in Hawaii next winter. What great exploring! Even the trip to get the car fixed involves an adventure in beauty. Wow.

I enjoyed Amber's blog. I hope she updates it with pictures when Branden plants his garden on their deck. It is already warm enough in St. Louis for planting gardens.

Katie, I am glad you had a spring break. You do work so hard. I enjoy hearing about the adventures of Josh. He is a great superhero in my book.

There isn't anything interesting in my life. I love to hear about all of yours. Thank you for the updates. Chantelle hasn't done a blog so I must tell you that Olivia got her two bottom teeth. She is crawling all over and pulling herself up on everthing. We must be vigilent to keep her safe. Elder James Price Ronnow is on his last couple months. He will finish his mission in the city where he was hoping to go, LaPlata. He is still district leader. He is working hard and having a wonderful time. He has been accepted into BYU/Provo and plans to go in the fall. Christina got a note of congratulations for the improvement on her grades this semester. She has been working hard. The school year is almost ended. Time flys.

You Are Incredible!

I just got done looking at the blogs of my sweet children. How I love seeing what you are doing in your lives!!

Rick and Abby are having some awesome experiences. Looking at the pictures and reading your blog made me want to move there myself. I love snorkeling and I have been snorkeling at Hananma Bay. (Can't remember how to spell it.) It is like swimming in an aquarium full of brightly colored fish. How do you feel trading snowboards and snowboots for Barefeet and snorkles!!

I love to see all the pictures of Thor. Thor has learned so much just since you were here a few weeks ago. We are so worried about him right now. He has just been sick for so long. I am sorry about Zoey. February is not a good month for you. God bless you all.

We are so in love with Josh. Thank you for the pictures and the updates. You are very busy right now so we appreciate the effort that it takes when you are so busy in school. Hang in there. Those stressful times do not last forever it just seems like it. Be kind to yourself. You can only do so much and we all will survive, even Josh.

Bekkie, pictures of spiders do not exactly thrill me as much as pictures of those sweet grandsons. That Gavin is a so sweet. I remember at one of your schools they did a gift store at school. I loved the idea because people could donate to it and you children got some nice things for each other for pennies.

I talk to Amber on the phone often so even though her blog is not updated I feel like I know what is going on. Lots of love and support goes to Branden!!! Keep up the good work.

Chantelle and I got to be with Kysa, Wyatt and Paxton while Stacy and Allan celebrated their 10th anniversary. They are amazing children. They are so good to each other. Chantelle taught us how to play BS. Paxton is very good at it.

Jeremy and Chantelle put up with us every day. We love having Olivia here. Such a happy baby! She is really growing up. Happy Birthday today!

Great Blogs

It is true that I am having trouble writing more in my blog. I worry about posting any more because then Thor's and Olivia's births will go to older posts. It takes me hours to put new pictures on the blog. I am also working forty hours and watching grandchildren. Like the rest of you, my life gets in the way.

I love reading your blogs, but I can not comment on them. I wish I could because I would tell Carrie that Thor is looking so much older in the last pictures. He is growing up and I haven't seen him. I will be so glad to see him in December. He does have the most beautiful smile. I hope all the sickness is gone for good. That MS Charity walk sounds wonderful. I used to walk every day at 5:00am when we lived in Phoenix and there is nothing prettier than a sunrise in the desert.

Amber, I love to read about the fun trips you have taken around St. Louis. You and Branden sure know how to have fun on a shoe string budget. We used to do family day trips in California. There were so many things to see. St. Louis sounds like another great place to visit and I truly hope to do that some day soon.

Richard and Abby, loved looking at your pictures of Pelican Beach Vacation, again. Wow! Absolutely beautiful!!! I sure enjoy the pictures in your blog. They are incredible. I guess when you are an artist such things come naturally.

Katie, love those pictures of Josh with his underwear on backwards and his cape. Wow. You and Tyler make some scary Zombies. I know why Josh was scared. I know how busy you are with life so high fives to you for taking the time to keep us informed.

God bless you all. Your mother loves you, each and every one of you including your whole family.

No Christmas List will be Posted, Sorry

I am not taking the space away from pictures of my grandchildren. You will just have to call me if you wonder who you give to this Christmas. I don't want a boring list when I can post cute pictures of the best children in the world. Funny thing is when Wyatt wanted to know if his dad ever got in trouble at the table I couldn't remember it happening when he was 6 years old. You children are all getting more perfect each year and my memory is better. Looking at my beautiful grandchildren, reminds me why I had so many children and how great they are. This blog is my brag book and it doesn't need anything more than pictures of the grandchildren---aren't they beautiful!!!

Other Wonderful Events Going on in the Family

Grandma watches Wyatt play soccer. He is a hard player.


Paxton is taking a picture with his soccer team. He is middle on the bottom.


Chantelle and I watched Jeremy coach his baseball team of 9 year-olds.


Grandma takes the grandchildren to the zoo. It is Zoorassic Park, and there are moving dinosaurs and such all along the way. Such a fun day.


Kysa swims in Grandma's wading pool. Such a bathing beauty!

Christina earns her Young Womanhood Award

She worked hard on all her projects for 2 years so that she could be done before she got into High School. One of her favorite projects was painting her room. She did it all by herself and did a very nice job. She also volunteered for Freedom Riders as another project. She sewed herself a Sunday skirt and blouse. She also read the whole Book of Mormon and wrote down her testimony. CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD WORK!!!

Olivia is Blessed on the Same Day!

Olivia was blessed by her father, Jeremy on the same day right after Thor was blessed by his father, Gary. Bekkie and her boys drove all the way from Oklahoma for the occasion. It was so nice to have so many children and all the grandchildren there at one time.



After the blessings we met for a luncheon at Canyon Pines Hotel. Grandpa made some pulled pork and we all brought side dishes. It was such a happy celebration!

Thor is blessed in Meadows Ward

The family gathered again on July 24. Gary, Carrie, Sabre and Thor drove all the way to Ogden, UT so that Thor could be blessed with lots of family present. Thor's father, Gary blessed him. It was a time of getting to know this beautiful, sweet little boy.

Olivia Kate Anderson is born!

Less than a month later, on June 25, our ninth grandchild was born. Olivia Kate was also 6 pounds and 15 ounces, but a little shorter at 19inches long. She looks just like Chantelle. Grandpa got to be there, too.

Thor James Williams is born!

May 29, 2011 at 1:50 our eight grandchild was born. He was 6 pounds and 15 ounces and 20.5 inches. He is such a pleasant,happy baby from the first and grandma was in Phoenix to see for herself if he isn't the most wonderful baby. After a week of holding that sweet baby and playing scrabble every night after dinner she hated to come home.

Paxton's Baptism

In May the family gathers for another big event-Paxton's baptism.

Abby Graduates