Curious...

So this post is just to let you all know that this blog would not even exist if it weren't for our lovely daughter Kristi.  She is just about the greatest person ever...except for all her flaws!  But she likes to hack into her mother's blog and write all sorts of outrageous things, and then sit back and wait to see how long it takes for anyone even to notice...since this blog goes unattended for months on end.  The thing is, it obviously takes a computer genius, (or Kristi) to figure out just how to upload pictures to the computer, then on to the blog.  Ha ha!  (Donna has done it over and over and done just a great job, but all of a sudden she thinks it is too complicated!)  So...we will just sit back and keep all those pictures on our camera, and refuse to share them or any aspects of our lives with you, until Kristi can get to it.  Sorry for the inconvenience, but please remember how much we love our delightful, but mischevious daughter!!

A little update...by Kristi

Well...I will just start by saying...this post is done entirely by our AMAZING daughter, Kristi, so...keep that in mind as you read!

In March, we celebrated Dad's 80th Birthday!!  It was fun to go to the church and have lots of friends and family come to celebrate with us.  Ray was the hit of the party...and he doesn't look a day over 79!!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

In April we took a little trip down to Arizona, with Linda, Gary, and Karyl Lee...to visit our sister, Marie and her family.  It was a great get-together and a nice reunion of sisters.  

Karyl Lee, Donna, Karel, Marie and Linda

Then we were supposed to go to the airport the first part of April to pick Kristi up from her visit to Jaron's house, but what we thought was just a little jaunt turned into a WINTERY journey!!  It was snowing SO HARD!  This is what we ended up with by the next morning!

Yes, that's a yardstick...buried half way!!

Then the end of April...we left on a cruise with once again, our AMAZING daughter, Kristi and her husband, Brent 

for the Southern Carribean.

We visited lots of islands...

It was great to be back in Barbados and get to see the old sites again!

We had the best time with Kristi and Brent...seeing the country.

Kristi didn't know she was in the wrong bathroom!!

We were also able to stop in Orlando on our way home, to see Tanessa and Jake and the little girls.  Addi posing in her new little Carribean Outfit!!

While we were gone...Clint and Katie had their baby, and we were able to run up to Pocatello to see the new little guy!  Linkoln Paul Simonson.

And of course, Corgin...in his new little suit...so cute!

Besides all of the family things...we have gone on a few little side trips...to St. George to a Mission Reunion and down to Provo for Deaun's 80th Birthday Bash...we keep pretty busy between working at the Bountiful Temple, getting our yard back in shape, and doing family things! 

 This picture was taken with Deaun's family after she went to the Temple in December.

We attended the baby blessing of Clint's new little son, Linkoln just this last Sunday and were able to go down and spend some time with them, Kristi and Brent, and Kristin.  

Then had to rush back home for other responsibilities!

Kristin was able to drive down from Rexburg to see the new baby.

So, this is just a few of the things we have been up to. 

 (And the only ones our AMAZING daughter, Kristi had some pictures for!)

(So...here you go Mom...it only took me 10 minutes or so...and if you don't like it, you can erase it and start over!!  haha....I love you!)

Homecoming Surprises

When we arrived home from our mission in New York we discovered the surprises that our daughter & son-in-law, Kristi & Brent had been planning and working on during the summer. We knew they had been doing some remodeling work on our home, but since it was suppose to be a surprise we had no idea just what all they had been doing.

WHAT A SURPRISE!!

The dining room area.

The Kitchen
(new cupboards and wood floor)

In the kitchen
(new countertop - Brent & Clint made this)

Living room w/fireplace
(Grandpa is enjoying)

Living room
(looking into hallway & entrance)

Beautiful new entry door

And new tiled entryway
(Clint did this area - thanks, Clint!)

Guest bedroom

Master bedroom area
(Amish hand quilted bedspread,
an Anniversary gift from Grandpa)

This gives you a little glimpse of some of the new things in our home.
They really did a GREAT job and it is beautiful
(AND MUCH APPRECIATED!!)
There is new carpet throughout, new doors and closet doors, new woodwork and crown molding, new dishwasher & microwave, new living room furniture. Then to have everything newly painted and nice and clean, it is wonderful!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

HOme AGaiN in UtaH

We left our loved Palmyra, NY mission on Nov. 13th -- finishing our fourth mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was one of those bitter-sweet times -- anxious to go home and see our family and friends there, but sad to leave those sacred Church History Sites and all our wonderful friends and missionaries there in Palmyra and the Rochester, NY Mission.

We went to Catawissa, PA and spent a couple of days with our grandson's cute little family, Jaron & Heather, Emmy, Carter, Ashton & Lilly. Oh, how we love these dear grandchildren and great grandchildren -- and ALL of our other children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We arrived home the 18th of Nov. and were met by our daughter, Kristi and our son, Glenn and grandson, Jacob. Also, my sister & her husband (Elder & Sister Bennett) came to welcome us home. What a fun WELCOME HOME!!

As many of you know, Kristi and Brent were doing a remodeling job on our home during this past summer, so it was such a pleasant treat to come home to a practically new home -- new kitchen & cupboards, new wood floor in the kitchen, freshly painted rooms and all new carpet, and a beautiful new front door ensemble. It is beautiful and we LOVE it! The kids have done a wonderful job, we thank them abundantly and will be in their debt for a long, long time. Our grandchildren, Clint & Katie also helped with the remodel job, thanks to you too. We are so grateful for the talents of all of these and their love and willingness to help with this project. It certainly was a "labor of love" and we appreciate it so very much. (I'll try to attach some pictures and stuff later.)

On Sunday (the 22nd of Nov.) we were asked to report our mission in Sacrament mtg. -- it seemed so sudden, but we were happy to have the opportunity and get it done so soon. All of our children were here -- Glenn & Susan, Brooke, Jacob came up from Highland, UT and our son, Kevin & Edith Ann and family (Kristin, Justin, Kyle, & Kelley) came from Calif. on Sat. and were here to spend the whole Thanksgiving week with us. We went to Inkom, ID to Kristi & Brent's house for Thanksgiving dinner and a wonderful day -- their children, Trisha & Danny and kids, Ali & Grant came from Clarkston, WA and Clint & Katie and Corgin were there too. What a wonderful THANKSGIVING we had -- and so very much to be thankful for.

We have felt the joy and blessings from our Heavenly Father so greatly in the past 18 months and we feel to offer our gratitude and thanks to Him for the wonderful experience of serving at the "Birthplace of the Restoration." It certainly has been a privilege and an honor to serve at these sacred Sites where the Prophet Joseph Smith lived, where that glorious vision took place, where the Book of Mormon plates were found and translated and published, and where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized and brought forth the truths and authority needed for this last dispensation of time. We pray that we and all of our family will ALWAYS serve our Heavenly Father and follow the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate the Savior's birth this Christmas season -- we wish all of our wonderful family and friends a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BeaUtiFul WEsTeRn NY

These are the beautiful mini mums at the Welcome Center
at the Joseph Smith Sr. farm -- touched with overnight frost!

Looking across the Smith farm to beautiful autumn trees.

In Palmyra, NY some of the last of the beautiful yellow leaves in the yard of this lovely old house.





Welcome to the Peter Whitmer Farm, Fayette, NY.

A first view of the Whitmer farm: sign & flowers, flag, colorful trees, and the beautiful Chapel. This Chapel (one of a kind) was built in 1980 for the 150th Anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.




At the Whitmer Farm, the lovely flowers and trees beginning to change colors and make for a BEAUTIFUL autumn.




Finally, the same trees at the Whitmer Farm on Oct 22nd. By the next week the leaves were all gone.

FAREWELL TO ELDER & SISTER BENNETT

I know you're "trunky," but this is ridiculous!!
"She can't ride in the trunk, Gary!"
Preparations, preparations -- of course it will all fit.



"We've got all the stuff from our house, but what about the stuff at Hamblins? "
Let's go see!

"We're rearranging, AGAIN?"
"These suction bags are growing!!"






"Did you make enough room for the TV?"
"Do you think it will fit?"

"Hurry, shut the doors before the load shifts!!"
The last "Farewell" and "Good-byes."






Last Sister hug!! "We won't be far behind you."

OUR FONDEST FAREWELL!!

To the Bennetts (aka; Linda and Gary):
You have fought a good fight, you have finished the work you were sent here to do. What an asset you have been to this mission -- the GREAT tour givers, the Office guru and "car-czar", the all around computer genius, the other half of the crazy party gals, and all around good friends to everyone who serves here in the Rochester NY Mission. What else could we expect from two WONDERFUL people like you two.

It's been our blessing and our privilege to serve here with you. The togetherness has been great as we're shared work and family together. Being able to share adventures here at these Sacred Church History Sites, where the roots of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints first had their beginning will long be remembered. We've made some wonderful memories here that will be cherished forever!!

The FIRST is LAST -- Kevin's Family Visits

The Kevin Hamblin Family
Kelley, Kristin, Edith Ann, Kevin, Justin, Kyle

They arrived in NY on July 15, 2009 - this is at our apartment.

Visiting the Peter Whitmer Farm in Fayette, NY
Kyle, Kristin & Justin enjoying the grass, flowers, & sign!

The Hamblin Family inside the Whitmer Log Home where the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
was organized on 6 April 1830

The Angel Moroni Monument
atop the Hill Cumorah.






We went on a boat ride
on the Erie Canal aboard the
"Colonial Bell."
It was a beautiful day &
a wonderful trip.





We had our "rained out"
picnic inside the garage.
It was fun any way!

It's Pageant time:

Hill Cumorah Pageant, the
largest outdoor theater in
the Nation. Seating for
9,000 people -- cast of
hundreds! Excitement!

The cast members mingle with the guests. Great opportunities for picture taking and gathering referral cards -- and making friends.




We visited Niagara Falls and went on the "Maid of the Mist" boat ride up into the Horseshoe Falls. It was a wet ride, but it was fun!

Here we are up on the scenic deck that overlooks the river and both the Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls. The American Falls can be seen directly behind us.

It was soooooo FUN having our children and grandchildren
here with us. THANKS FOR COMING!!!!
It was LOTS of FUN