Events - Graduation, Bridal Showers, 50th Anniversary, Grand Openings

Katelyn St. John

I had so much fun going with her and Melissa for the photo shoot.

She will be studying nursing at Utah Valley U.

Mason Craig Paxman

 He will be attending the University of Utah.

He was great at baseball and golf.

Austin Steven Parker

He will be attending BYU Salt Lake in hopes of playing lacrosse for the Y. 

I was thrilled when he got his Eagle. So awesome.

We attended showers for Ben and Lyndsey.

Ben's family threw a tool shower that was really fun and we were able to meet his family.

We are all kind of addicted to our electronics.

Lauren, Lyndsey, Melissa, Kim, Emily and Julie

Amazingly beautiful girls - oh how I love them all.

Ben and Lyndsey got so many fabulous gifts.

Our 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Fifty years went by faster than I thought possible.

All of our daughters came, as well as Tom and Kari.

We had a wonderful dinner at the Roof Restaurant in the Joseph Smith Building.

Can you believe! 

I got a beautiful key necklace from TIFFANY's.

Kim tried a little of everything for dessert.

Chantel, Cherie, Claudine (me), Wayne, Kim, Julie

After dinner we went to my favorite place - City Creek Center.

 It was such a nice evening and I was so happy.

The beautiful Caprese Salad at Settebello.

Kim and Michael, an excited owner of a new restaurant in Farmington.

Wayne and I loved the Grand Opening. Free delicious food. Great company.

Mark Brooks is the manager. We wish him well.

Even Mom came.

Katelyn is always adorable and she loved the gelato.

Gratitude

Really something to think about.

Little Historical Treasures

Shawna found these photos at Mom's. They came from Grandma Hazel Turner's trunk.

This is the house where the first child was born in Lyman, Utah. 

This was Grandma Theda Jane Buchanan Oldroyd's home.

This is a picture of Great-grandpa Archie and Great-grandma Theda Jane Oldroyd's home in Lyman.

Grandma Hazel May Oldroyd is on the horse, far right. 

When the Indians came begging, Grandpa Oldroyd would always feed and care for them. 

These are three of Grandma Oldroyd's daughters and Grandma Turner's younger sisters,
Lucille, Janice and LaVell Oldroyd.

Also in the trunk were these two photos of me. The top one was taken when I was one year old. Notice the cross necklace. It had a ruby in the center. Mom always had me wear a little gold ring which she tied on with a pink ribbon around my wrist. 

The bottom one was taken when I was two years old and it was published in the Ogden newspaper showing me as one of the dependents of those serving in the armed forces.  

So Lucky to be their Grandmother

I could be wrong, but I think these photos were taken as a Christmas present for Steven & Kim.

Jacob Adam Parker

Jordan Tate Parker

Lyndsey Michelle Parker

Austin Steven Parker 

Kirstin Hayley Parker

It's Been Forever

Mildred, Clifford, Reta, Mabel Mangum

If you don't write it down it never happened.

Who are these people?
Where were they?
When was this picture taken?
What can I learn from the picture?
Why do I care?

I have often wondered about the experiences of our pioneer ancestors. Did they have a miserable crossing the whole time or were there times of singing and dancing and just plain having fun? Did they suffer in miserable weather or were there times of true appreciation for the breathtaking beauty of nature? Were they hungry all the time or were there times of deep gratitude for the food they had on hand?  I would like to know, but in too many instances it was not written down. 

I think of our ancestors who lived in Nauvoo, who helped build the temple, who knew the Prophet and his children personally.  We get the stories of what happened there from journals written by other people and from a few short histories but not nearly enough from journals of our own ancestors who were there, who suffered much, who were strong in the faith and helped build the Kingdom under trying circumstances. I can't fault them, they had enough to do.  But what about me?

The picture above is a part of my history. These are my father's siblings, Mildred, Clifford, Reta and Mabel Mangum.  Looking at Reta, I would guess she is two or three years old - that would mean the picture was taken in 1918, the year after Dad was born in 1917. They were undoubtedly on Pine Creek Ranch. It appears that they are standing in front of a conestoga wagon. Is it one used by our ancestors when they came from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City and then to Wayne County? 

Three months have gone by since my last post. Too many other things have come along. A flurry of activity in a variety of settings making it hard for me to decide what to blog about and making me sometimes question the value in it. I love that blogging keeps a history for me and even if no one else is interested, I can have a record of events and things that matter to me. Haven't I heard a prophet here and there tell us to write things down. I wish my ancestors had recorded more, but they had far better excuses than I do. I will try to blog again.