Ready for the Best Two Years

Kevin was finally all packed and ready for the best two years.

He said good-bye to Krysta at home since she had to go to work. (When she got to work, she found that her patients had cancelled a few minutes before. She could have come to the MTC with us.)

We parked across the street at the Provo Temple and took a few last pictures. Driving into the parking lot, we were immediately confronted with crying families. A younger sister and grandparents were wiping away tears. Families were hugging and taking pictures. Hard to hold it together, but we remembered that we were HAPPY that Kevin was getting this wonderful opportunity to serve, and he reminded us that even though he'd miss us, this is what he really wanted to do .

 A father dropping off his daughter kindly took a picture of all of us.

Then we followed the long line of cars into the MTC and the drop off points at the curb. I could see parents in the other cars, and I wondered if my face reflected the emotions I could see on their faces. A mixture of happy and sad.

Missionaries were lined up to escort the new missionaries. This cute elder, who was Kevin's host, nicely told us how many missionaries were coming into the MTC that day--over 800! "So you want us to hurry," I joked.

 I still tear up when I see the following pictures. One last hug for everyone.

 And then good-bye. Into the Lord's hands for two years.

Such a wonderful/reflective/happy/emotional/contemplative good-bye. Words really can't describe it. We were a solemn bunch on the way home. We went to Kneader's to let cookies and cinnamon rolls help us feel better. I didn't want to go home immediately and deal with an empty room. A few good friends brought treats and kind words that night.

However, the overriding emotion is gratitude. We are so grateful that Kevin is on a mission and that he is enjoying his experience. We love him and have already felt blessings from his service.

You can read his letters on his missionary blog (listed on the right).

Soldier Hollow Snow Tubing

The day after Kevin spoke in church, we headed up to Soldier Hollow for one of our last activities with the entire family for a few years.  This was another Christmas present. The sky was beautiful, the runs were uncrowded, and the air was crisp. The rules were that only five tubes could be connected at once, so we usually went down in groups of three or four.  However, our last run, we all stayed together. Kevin pushed us and then had to quickly jump on his tube. The best run of the night.  

Missionary Farewell

Kevin's missionary farewell was Sunday, January 27th.  The night before we had a family dinner. Kevin loved hanging out with the cousins one last time. 

The same night we had friends over for treats. Many of this group traveled from Logan. He made such good friends there and loved Utah State. Good thing we had a late church as many of his roommates stayed until almost 1:00.

On Sunday, we had a full church house with a double missionary farewell. We were proud of the great job Kevin did on his talk.

Kevin's good friend, Brandon. drove all the way from Arizona. (A certain BYU girl may also have given him some incentive to drive all that distance.) But we appreciated him being here.

Kevin and Christian were able to go to the temple right before he left. What a great experience for both of them. We are grateful for our wonderful extended family.

Christmas 2012

Yes, we did have Christmas at our house and here are a few pictures to prove it. Look at the sincere faces calling for Pixie.  Hey, no calling, no presents.

See, Pixie present.

Our traditional (not so) early morning feast. The sun is shining and we haven't opened presents yet. Christmas anticipation should last as long as possible.

Rachel got this bean bag chair and she's all cuddled up waiting for her siblings.

Kevin got missionary things. Shirts and shoes...

...and more shirts.

We all got a trampoline. We're going to rewrap it and regift it from the Easter Bunny! By then it will be warm enough to actually set up in the yard.

We also got a lot of fun gift certificates for family activities.

The best was from Curt to me and included an overnight stay and surprise tickets to the Donny and Marie Christmas show which was fantastic. Easy to see why they've been in show business for all of this time.

This was the snow covered evening of the show and the view from inside Abravanel Hall.

Verl and family came over for Christmas dinner.

One of our gifts was a family pass to Clark Planetarium...IMAX and Dome theatre for a year.

We also got skating passes to the Galivan Center. The kids did great. When they figured out that the parents, who have never been skating, would fit in their skates, they took us each out for a spin/drag around the ice. It turns out that Curt has never even been rollerskating before! Watching him was hilarious. I'm sure my turn was equally funny, but I don't have to post pictures of that! Kevin kept saying "just pick up your feet, Mom." Nope, just pull me along, I'm fine. Now pull me to the side so I can cling for dear life until the exit. Good times.

We also had a fun visit to the Grand America with the cousins at the end of the holiday. We tried to make the Christmas events last for the entire school break.

We also saw the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert, Alfie Boe and the Candy Bomber. Best concert ever!

January 1913 to January 2013

As Krysta said on Facebook, "Grandma gets to spend her 100th birthday in Heaven!"

During our last visit with her in October, we were talking about how Kevin would be speaking Spanish on his mission in Ohio. She burst into song in Spanish! We were amazed since we didn't know Grandma knew Spanish. She said she remembered learning the song from her teacher in second grade.

In 2002, while planning our family trip to Nauvoo to see the temple, I called and tried to convince her to come along.  I told her that I knew riding for that distance in a car would be hard, so she could take the train and we would pick her up.  At the time she was 89.  Her comment to me, "Oh, I'd do it if I were younger. If I were only 80, I'd go."

We love you Grandma!

Ruth Jones Payne Nelson (January 31, 1913 - January 14, 2013) Ruth Jones Payne Nelson, 99, of Idaho Falls, died Monday, January 14, 2013, 17 days before her 100th birthday. She was born January 31, 1913, in Lewisville to Joseph Wilford Jones and Harriet Alice Robinson Jones, the youngest living child of 14. She was raised and attended schools in Rigby, graduating from Rigby High School and continued her education at ISU and Ricks College. On May 11, 1935 she married Walter John Payne in Ogden, Utah; their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on July 21, 1954. She was widowed at age 39; during this time she raise their 5 children, worked 2 jobs, continued her education to earn her teaching certificate and kept the family farm running. She taught 2nd grade in Rigby and Menan for 24 years. In 1961, she moved to Rexburg, and on April 16, 1966, she married Harold Nelson. She enjoyed spending her summers working with Harold in Yellowstone Park. In 1977 they settled in Idaho Falls, after the Teton Dam Flood. After retiring, she and Harold spent winters with her daughter Reta and son-in-law, Spencer in St. George, Utah. Although in her 80’s, she took courses at Dixie College, and kept active, hiking Zion’s and Snow Canyon. Ruth was the last living granddaughter of Mary Taylor, who crossed the plains with the Martin Handcart Company. She was proud of her early pioneer heritage, and loved teaching her posterity of their legacy. She served in the Idaho Falls LDS temple, volunteered at Deseret Industries, supported her grandsons during their LDS missions and was a DUP member. Ruth loved reading, gardening, canning, drying fruit and vegetables and planning family gatherings. In her 90’s, she was cared for by her daughters, Reta and Joyce, over the last several years she lived with Joyce and Boyd Grover; Boyd also passed away January 14, 2013. The last 5 months of her life she was lovingly cared for by her grandson Matt Dyorich and his wife Becky. She is survived by her daughters, Reta (Spencer) Adams, of St. George, Utah, Joyce (Boyd) Grover, of Shelley, step-daughters Carol (Earl) Miller, of Idaho Falls, Valene (Jerry) Hoggan, of Idaho Falls, sons, Walter Craig (Joy) Payne, of Sandy, Utah, Joseph Brent (Eloise) Payne, of Idaho Falls, John C. (Judy) Payne, of Idaho Falls, step-sons, Marlyn (Tess) Nelson, of Shelley, Ronald (Diana) Nelson, of Idaho Falls, 19 grandchildren 36 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands, 13 siblings and her parents.