Grandma is the best!

I remember one time my parents were out and Lauren and I were being babysat by Grandma and Grandpa. It was getting late and they let us fall asleep in their bed until my parents came. I couldn't fall asleep, and I felt very scared. I went out into the Family Room to find Grandma and Grandpa watching the news. Grandma told me to come over to her and sit on her lap. She wrapped me up in the orange blanket she had given me and rocked me back and forth. I felt so much love and comfort and I immediately fell asleep in Grandma's arms. This is an experience I will never forget. I love you Grandma!

--Mikell

Perfect Example

Mom has taught by example all of her life. She has been an example of a good wife and mother. She taught me how to cook and clean to prepare me for my future life as a wife and mother. She has shown me by example how to put the needs of her children before her own. We always had new clothes, she rarely did. She always took time out of her schedule to come on field trips with us at school and to help with parties at the school. I was always excited when it was my turn to have her be the room mother in my classroom. She was usually home when we got home from school so that she could ask how our day was. She would always lovingly remind us when we left the house: "remember who you are and act accordingly."

Christmas with Grandma

I remember Grandma and Grandpa would always come over to our house on Christmas morning to eat breakfast. They would always bring oranges to eat with powdered sugar. They would watch us open presents. Then we would go over to their house to eat lunch and open presents. I love to share Christmas with them.

--Brandon

Wolf Creek

I remember when we went to Wolf Creek. We had a great time in the condos. We went to Pineview for the day. I had to help carry Grandpa down to the beach with 3 other strong men, so he could enjoy jet skiing with the family. At one point in the day, Grandpa took Grandma on the Jet Ski. We were all nervous that they would fall in the water and not be able to get back on the Jet Ski. Grandpa got her back safely! Whew!

--Trevor

Grand Canyon

One year we went to the Grand Canyon for Labor Day. My dad opened the the screen door of the hotel office and he accidentally caught my foot on bottom corner of the door. It cut my foot. It was bleeding. I was very sad. I got a Band-aid, and then you let me eat Coco Puffs that morning in your room. I still have a scar on my foot to remind me of that trip!

--Mallory

Liberty Park

I remember going to Liberty Park. We got lunch at Wendy's, and took it to the park. We hurried to eat, so we could float things down the ditches. I brought a Barbie to float. It was a lot of fun to be with you and all my cousins.

--Reagan

Cherry Hill

I remember going to Cherry Hill with you. I don't have a memory of you getting in the water much, but it was fun to go with you.

--Mallory

Sleepovers

I remember having sleepovers at your house. We were so noisy that I'm sure you didn't get much, if any, sleep. We sure had a great time with you. Reagan puked once at a sleepover at your house. She said she woke up, sat up, puked, and then laid back down and went back to sleep. You cleaned up the mess in the morning. Sorry. I'm sure that wasn't a very fun job.

--Mallory

Yard Work

A time to get together, play with cousins and eat pizza--pepperoni and black olives.
Each summer Grandpa would arrange a time for us to come over and work in his yard. The kids mostly played and skipped the yard work. But if we worked or not, Grandma would always make us pizza for dinner.
One time while I was actually doing yard work in the back yard, I pulled out some leaves from the rocks. TWICE in the same night, when I pulled my hand out with leaves, I also caught a SNAKE! Yuck! I hate snakes.

--Reagan

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has been very special for the last several years. We have been able to have Grandma and Grandpa at our house for dinner, stories, and reading out of the Bible of the birth of Jesus. Some dinners have turned out better than others, but the company has been very good every year.

--Reagan

Jumping on the Bed

I remember jumping on the beds at Grandma's. We had fun jumping, but when we were done, Grandma made us re-make the beds. A fair deal when having so much fun.

--Reagan

Memorial Day picnic

I remember going to Logan for Memorial Day picnics. When I was in 1st grade, I had shingles when we went. I remember I was pretty miserable.

--Reagan

New Year's Day

We always go to your house on New Year's Day. We eat cheese soup and clam chowder and play games. There are always a lot of treats, too. Fun times with Grandma and Grandpa and the cousins.

--Reagan

Don't Eat Pete

I remember going to your house for Family Night. We always played "Don't Eat Pete." We were so excited to eat the M&M's that we had to have a system, so we all got the same amount of M&Ms. Good times.

--Reagan

Minister to Others

Mom has always been about the work of the Lord. She is renowned in her ability to minister to others. She is happiest when she can serve and encourage those within her stewardship.
For example, when I was young, the church’s program for the children 4 – 12 years-old followed a different schedule than it does now. Now, the Primary meets on Sundays when the adults are in their various meetings. But back then, Primary met one day a week after school. Mom was called to Primary and was assigned to teach the 11-year-old boys. Just like today, as the children got older, they found themselves involved in more and more activities away from church. Back then, sports and just plain after school fun competed with Primary for the boys’ attention. The 11-year-old boys would sometimes find themselves conflicted as to where they ought to be and some chose to do activities other than Primary.
Mom was dedicated to teaching those boys. She knew that they needed to be spiritually fed. She knew that when a boy’s time for Primary Graduation arrived, that boy would need to be able to recite all 13 of the Articles of Faith. And it was in Mom’s 11-year-old class that the kids were learning and memorizing the Articles of Faith. Mom knew that Bishop Clifton Johnson was going to call those boys up to the stand at the Sacrament Meeting when they would be graduating from Primary and would ask them to recite an Article of Faith. She wanted them to be able stand tall as they recited their favorite one.
So when the boys would start missing Primary, she knew what to do. After the regular Primary lesson was over, she would check out the pictures she had used during that lesson and take them home with her. Later that day or on a different day, she packed up her lesson manual and the relevant pictures and walked over to the boy’s house to teach him the lesson that he had missed.
I don’t know if mom saved all of those boys. But she tried. And I know that many of those young men went on to be the Priests that I looked up to when I was 11 turning 12. As a mom, she could probably see that the work she was doing was benefiting not only the boys but her own family as well.
Mom is great minister. She serves her family and her husband with utmost dedication. She loves the Lord and all his children. I know that that is why she and Claude served their mission to Florida, so that she could continue her ministry and set the example of service to those in her family that would follow her.

--Michael

Pistachios

We had pistachio nuts at Christmas that were dyed red. Mom and Dad would hide them in their closet so we kids would not eat them all. Of course we would find them. But since they were red, it would come off on our hands and mouth. They could tell who had snuck in to get some because of the evidence left on our bodies.

--David

No shoes..no problem

I remember going to church when we went on vacation. Even if we had forgotten our Sunday shoes or pants or any other piece of church clothing, it didn’t matter. We all still went! Mom would always say that what we had on didn’t matter, but it was important to be at church.

--David

Time Saver

Driving to California with the family in the old truck and pulling a trailer. Dad would have mom ride in the trailer when it was lunch time so she could fix lunch so that we would not lose time stopping and fixing the lunch.

--David

Worry

I remember when we were sitting in the car at a trail head in Yellowstone It was raining hard. We were waiting for Dad and Mike to come back from fishing Mom was so nervous about them making it back to the car. With 8 kids mom had a lot of worrying going on.

--David

You're #1

Mom always made me feel like I was her number one. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that she made all of us feel like we were the number one child.

--David

Scriptures

Mom was a great example for me. She would have scriptures taped above the sink so she could read and memorize them as she did the dishes.

--David

Biggest Champion

I remember mom was always my biggest champion. One time when I was in elementary school I got my report card from school and I thought that I wasn’t going to pass the grade. Mom took me over to the school to straighten it out. After talking with my teacher we found out that it was just some missing information and that I had passed and that made me feel better.

--David

How do I love thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... --Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I love that you had a goal of being married in the temple. You have always lived the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was inactive when we met and not eligible for a temple wedding. It was disappointing that I didn't fulfill your dream when we were first married. You were my missionary. You taught me about Jesus Christ. So that we could be sealed in the temple one year later. Our temple marriage has been one of my treasured blessings.

I love your beauty. I remember the first time we met. We went on a blind date. I remember being at your home on Odgen Ave. I can remember standing by the fireplace and thinking how beautiful you were with your olive skin, big blue eyes and black hair. After 62 years together, I still think you are beautiful. You were my first and only girlfriend. It was the first time I was eager to be with someone other than boys. I felt like you were a step above me. I felt like I was marrying up. Better than I deserved.

I love to spend time with you. I truly enjoy being with you. You are my best friend. I love your companionship and company. Even today, I am so grateful for the love that you show me each day as you care for me. I wouldn't be able to live alone in my handicapped condition, but because of your care and love we can still be in our home together. I have always loved to spend time with you and feel the joy of eternal marriage.

I love that you are a mother. You have been a wonderful mother to our eight children. Your skill as a mother is your greatest achievement in life. You have amazing listening skills. You pick up on things constantly that I didn't even hear. I give you the credit for the success of our family.

I cherish the life we have had together and look forward to an eternity with you. Our life has been a most exciting journey. We have learned and grown together. It has been the best of times. And I wouldn't have wanted to spend it with anyone but you. I know where we are going and it is exciting to contemplate the eternal joy and happiness we will have in the next stage of our life together. We are on track to be a god and goddess together.

I love YOU!

--Claude

Close to the spirit

 

Mom has always been close to the spirit. She has always tried to do Heavenly Father's will by listening to the  promptings given by the Holy Ghost. After Matt was born Dad said to her that he thought they should be done having children. She told him that they weren't done because she had had a dream that they had two more little girls waiting to come to their family. In her dream she said that one had blonde hair and one had dark hair. I'm glad that mom listened to the spirit and that Lisa and I were able to come to our family, because I can't imagine a better family.

--Michelle

Hospital

I remember when I was 7 years old I got very sick. I was in a lot of pain. The doctors didn't know what was wrong. Mom has told me, although I don't remember, that I would wake up in the middle of the night crying in pain. Mom took me to a doctor and he told her that I had rheumatoid arthritis. She knew that his diagnosis was incorrect. Mom and Dad fasted to know what to do, she was inspired to take me to Dr. Rich. Dr Rich told my mom that he didn't know what was wrong with me, but he did know where to send me. He sent us to Dr. Overall at the University of Utah hospital. Dr. Overall diagnosed me with osteomyelitis, an infection in the bone marrow. I would need to have surgery and I would have to spend 6 weeks in the hospital because I would need treatments. Mom would come up every day to see me. Luckily I was able to go home after 4 weeks.

I remember one particular day at the hospital it was Halloween and I wanted to be a witch. Mom bought me a witch mask, which says a lot because she never bought us Halloween costumes. She wanted me to be happy at a time when I was not at home. I remember that I didn't like the mask and I threw the biggest fit--I'm sorry mom that I didn't appreciate what you were trying to do. She didn't get mad at me even though she had already spent the money. Instead she and one of the nurses painted my face green so that I could be a witch.

My son Spencer had to spend some time in a hospital. After dealing with the stress of having my own child in the hospital, and all of the effort it took to take care of all my other children, I learned to appreciate my mother more. I also realized that I would have been in the hospital the fall before her mother passed away. That meant that she was busy trying to take care of me, her parents, 7 other children (5 at home). I think that only now as a mother myself that I can truly appreciate all of the things that mom did for us, her children.

--Michelle

Cheetos

I like to go to grandma's house because she always lets me have Cheetos in a baggie. She is a very nice grandma. I love her very much. Have a happy birthday grandma!

-- Jane

Lemonade

I like going to grandma's house because she always has lemonade, my favorite drink. Even if there isn't any in the fridge, she lets me make some. Grandma always gives me a hug and a kiss when she sees me. I love you grandma! Happy birthday!

--Spencer

Family

When Michelle and I were dating I became aware that Joyce organized sleepovers with the grandkids at her house. I could tell that it was a lot of work, but I could also tell that Joyce enjoyed it.

After Michelle and I were married I noticed that she loved making food for the grandkids, preparing their beds, situating them for the movie, laying by them at bedtime, and making sure that they all had a great time. He attitude and actions in dealing with the grandkids is evident for all the rest of her family members as well.

At family parties Joyce is always making sure that things are prepared and ready so that everyone will have a great experience. Family parties and sleepovers are but two examples of Joyce's desire to put her family first!

--Matt

Movies

You often told me of stories when you were young. How you loved to go to the movie on Saturday afternoon with your Grandma, Jane Syme. You said that if the movie was good she would let you stay and watch it again. you have always loved movies, when the technology became available you started collecting movies first for your VCR and then DVD movies. My children always wanted to watch a movie at your house or they wanted to borrow a movie. I remember loving to watch movies with you when I didn't have any other plans on the weekends. You introduced me to some of your favorite movie: Gone with the Wind, plus anything with Cary Grant or Fred Astaire. I loved spending time with you. I really enjoyed taking the class in college "Survey of the Cinema." Every week we had to watch an old movie. Every week you would watch it with me.

--Michelle

Hugs and Kisses

I love that every time I see grandma she give me a hug and a kiss. It helps me feel loved.I'm glad she is my grandma. She is very nice to me. I love her very much. I'm glad she loves me and that she is my grandma.. She is a wonderful grandma.I'm also glad that she comes to all of my events and supports me.                                                                                                                             

I LOVE YOU GRANDMA!
Happy Birthday!

-- Bekah

              

Pineview

I remember going Pineview. We rented jetskis. I got to drive and I made Aunt Kathy fall off. I remember that Grandma and Grandpa sat in the shade and watched us all play. I'm glad we have fun family traditions!

--Lauren

I love Grandma!

I love Grandma because when I would go there with Rebekah, she would let us watch The Wizard of Oz and fast forward the scary parts. Happy Birthday, Grandma!

--Chalise

Dance, Dance, Dance!

The whole family knows what I am talking about. Mom would spend many hours sewing us kids two dance costumes each year. That could be as many as 8 costumes over a 2 month period, which is at least 100 costumes over the years. After spending 1/6th of the year sewing, you can imagine how important it was that we perform. One year Brian, Matt, Michelle, and I came down with the chicken pox. I don't know how many prayers were said that we would somehow scab over before the performance, but Mom must must have offered many. Mom most likely would have put us on stage if were still contagious anyhow. We all made it on stage that year.

Each year, we kids hoped that our dance costumes were cute because they usually doubled as our Halloween costumes in the fall. Yes, Mom was a great seamstress and made Dance and Halloween fun.

--Lisa

Always a Mother

I have loved looking through all of the photographs of Mom. One thing that has stood out: She has always loved children. In a number of pictures, she is holding or hugging the children around her. Even in just snapshots of her life, it is obvious that she is a mother! She has always had a special place in her heart for babies. She loves to hold them and care for them. She is a superb mother and grandmother and we are richly blessed by her.

--Lisa

Grandma's Crossword Puzzles

On the kitchen table everyday was Grandma's calling card: The daily crossword and a pencil.

--Adam

Baths at Grandma's

I remember taking baths with Josh. We would hate it when Grandma would come scrub our hair, because she was very thorough on our scalps!

--Adam

Maple Syrup

We would have pancakes. I remember grandma would make the most amazing homemade maple syrup. She would put it in that old red glass bottle. When I would spend summers there and she would put out that red bottle I knew it would be a delicious breakfast.

--Adam