HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Kays Ward 160th Anniversary

Dad asked if we could go to to Kaysville for the Kays Ward 160th Anniversary. We met several people who said that Dad and Mom, and Grandpa and Grandma Giles were some of the best people around.

 Bishop Ned Rousch with Amber, Lindsay and Natalie. He wanted Dad and Mom to know how much they are loved.

Gwen Hutchings with the girls - she was sad to hear that Uncle Gene passed away. She said that her older sister, who Dad knew, also passed away. She mentioned Grandpa and how sad his passing was and said many nice things about Grandma. She told us that there might be pictures of Dad when he was in Primary at the Layton Park Museum.

 This is Kathy Larkins. She did Grandma's hair for many, many years. We joked that she knows all of the family secrets but she said she would never share them with anyone. She was very sweet and said many nice things about Grandma. She also remembered Grandpa and said that he was such a wonderful man. I agreed and realized that Amber and my sweet daughters never got to meet him. It brought back many memories I have of him until I was seven years old when he died. -Kim

 This is the Kaysville Tabernacle where the celebration was held.

This piece of wood came from the Kays Ward Scout Cabin. It is now on the piano waiting for Dad and Mom to come home.

 This is what Grandma's house looks like now. It's the home of an American Family Insurance office.

 Here are Lindsay, Amber, and Natalie with Grandma's tree.

This is Andy, Lindsay, and Brent with the same tree about 18 years ago.

 Lindsay and Amber just love that tree.

 This is Grandma's front yard where we spent so much time, especially on the 4th of July for many, many years.

 These are the railroad ties that were there when we were still going to visit Grandma.

This used to be the orchard. The ditches are all covered now and the house in the background is now a business too.

Ballet with a surprise at the end.

Amber and Natalie chorographed this dance on Thursday night and Natalie performed it at the Stake Primary Talent Show on Friday night. Everyone loved the performance. I hope you will love it too. -Kim

Disneyland, RSL, and the Cabin...

Amber, Marianne, Allison, and I (Kristie) went to Disneyland in August.  We went to the RSL game verses Chivas USA (We won!).  Here are some photos from our trip:

 When we got off the plane, this plane was there to greet us...a good sign?...We thought so!

We got to the beach at sunset...

We played in the waves until it was dark.

Here is my self portrait.

We wore our jerseys to Disneyland...

Here we are pointing to the castle...

DUMBO!!!

We got stuck on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on the big hill at the first of the ride.  We had to sit in the dark, cave tunnel until a worker came and released the lap belts and then had to walk back to the station.

Marianne on the stuck train.

Amber and Allison were sitting behind us.

Kristie on the stuck train.

We left Disneyland and went to the RSL game.  We sat behind the RSL bench.

It was a fun trip!

On Sunday, September 4, we went up to the cabin.  Lindsay drove her new car there.

Lindsay driving to the Cabin for the first time!

Lindsay made it!

 On Labor Day, Becky, John, Emily, and Linkin came up.

Linkin at the cabin.

Uncle Doug and Aunt Marlene came up as well.  We enjoyed being up there!


Back in July, Marianne and I found the brick in the pavement that Tracie gave me and Robyn for Christmas.  Here I am sitting next to it...

Stake Conference

We went to a wonderful Stake Conference in the Benoni Stake on Saturday and Sunday, 27 and 28 August..  They have a brand new stake center.  Here are some pictures of it and of our group.

Here is mom in front of our new van and the stake center.

On the left are Elder and Sister Callahan.  They serve with Elder and Sister Smith on the right in the Kwa Thema Branch, which is just north of our Tsakane Branch.  Elder Callahan is the Area Doctor and Elder and Sister Smith came out about a month before we did.  They are from England.

Sisters Gherke and Warnick (left to right) are to the left of mom.  They are actually sisters and we serve with them in the Taskane Branch.  They have a car and drive us out there each Sunday.

The Kwa Thema Branch has a building and that is where all the baptisms are held for our branch.

On Sunday, the choir sang "I Know the My Savior Loves Me" as a prelude for the Sunday session of conference.  Dad got the wonderful witness that He does indeed love all of us.  That was the kick off of a spiritual feast - a continuation from the adult meeting on Saturday.  We were spiritually uplifted by each person who spoke.

God and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Chirst do indeed live.  Christ is the head of the Church and President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, through whom He speaks to and guides us.  We are so thrilled to be here in South Africa to serve in His temple.

Linkin Falling Asleep on the Swing

 

Linkin didn't want to stop swinging, even when he fell asleep.

Katie's Blessing

Lindsay is holding Brielle

Marlene, Marianne, and Allison got to see Katie for a few minutes before they had to head out for their Wards.

Kristie played with Owen in the playroom.

Emily is feeding Brielle.

These are Brook's, Ashley's and Katie's blessings that Grandma Giles made.