Thanksgiving 2022

We like to do our Thanksgiving the Sunday before the actual day.  That was, our kids can enjoy Thanksgiving with both families.  We had a wonderful time, Paula and Grandpa Cline were able to joing us so we had quite a group.  I was so busy and having such a good time, that I totally forget to take any pictures except the one I took before everyone arrived.

Paula stayed with us for several days, and enjoyed getting to spend lots of time with her dad.  

While she was here, we went shopping and got some fun decorations for his little tree,

and took it over to him. It made his apartment look very festive.  We also made him a pretty Christmas wreath for his door. It was so fun to have Paula here to help 

Boys sleepover

On Friday evening, we picked the boys up and went over to visit Grandpa Cline. 

They were so impressed with all his paintings on the wall, and noticed he had an art kit on the table with markers, colored pencils and chalks, that they wanted to draw a picture for him.

They spent quite a bit of time working on their pictures.  They all really enjoy art and had fun drawing pictures for grandpa.  He had me hang them on his door so he could see them when he was sitting in his chair.  I took the boys to visit him an month or so later, and they drew him some more pictures.   

On the way home we stopped at Wendy's for dinner and then made these cute Oreo turkeys for dessert

I saw these cookies made from oreos online, and the boys had fun making them. The next morning we made breakfast, ran to Lowe's to do an activity that I had signed up for, but found out it isn't until next week.  They gave us some leftover projects that we did at home.  We didn't have time to clean up our breakfast mess, or the mess from the projects we worked on.  We had to hurry so we could get Jack to his game, then took Parker and Logan home so Parker could go to his friend's birthday party.  We hung out for a while so Logan and Oliver could play, and I could play with Zac and Savvy.  When we finally got ready to go, I realized, I had left my purse in the car and it was locked.  I had to call Mike and have him come and rescue us.  By the time he got there, and I took Oliver home, it was about 6:30.  I walked into my kitchen, expecting to see the mess I left, but sweet Mike had spent his day cleaning it all up!  Best Surprise EVER!

Halloween Dinner

For the first time in months, all our kids and grandkids were well, and available to come to dinner at our house.  So grateful, every time we do a family dinner, that we took down the wall between the kitchen and living room.  So great to be able to seat 25 people in the same space.

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I harvested all the tiny pumpkins from Mike's pumpkin patch as table decorations.

I bought chocolate milk and made cinnamon rolls as party favors.

We had a yummy potatoe bar, and Jamie made these delicious Halloween cakes for dessert.

It was so great to have all 15 of our grandkids together.

My next door neighbor invited them to come trick or treating at her house.

What a fun night,  Happy Halloween!

 

 

Grandpa's Move

On the evening of Oct. 12, we got a call from the assissted living place that we were hoping Grandpa could live, saying he needed more help than they could give him there.  The next morning, we called Sunridge, which was our second choice, and they still had the room available, that we had looked at earlier.  They sent their nurse out to evealuate him, and they would be able to accomodate him.  Horray!  We made an appointment to sign the papers the next day.  Right after signing, they handed us the key and said we could move in anytime.  

Steven had offered his trailer, so we called him on our way home to see when he could help.  He said right then would be best for him as he was busy the rest of the weekend.  We headed south instead of north, and met Steven at grandpa's condo to load up.  Two guys were at the condo tearing out carpet, who helped us load all the stuff.  We couldn't have done it without them.

Krista and Matt met us at Grandpa's new apartment and helped unload the trailer.  So great to have their help.  After unloading all the furniture, Mike and I went back to our house and loaded all the stuff we had taken there, table, chairs, bedding, clothes etc.  We filled the van and car and headed back.  Just as we started to unload, a cute mom and her two kids were on their way home from school.  They offered to help and before long, several more of their friends stopped by on thier way home from school and helped too. I didn't mention that the missionaries helped move all the stuff we were sending to DI on Saturday.  We have been so grateful for all the tender mercies with the move.

Krista came and helped hang his paintings. The new bedspread looks great and matches his recliner perfectly.

We put some of his sculptures and other treasures on his shelves, and printed off some family pictures.

We got him moved in on Tues,.and Wed. morning, got a call that they couldn't wake him up when they went to give him his morning medications. They had called 911 and were taking him to the hospital.  We met them there and found his blood sugar was 34.  YIKES!  They kept him there for the morning, and were able to get him stablized, and we took him back home. (They changed the dosage of his insulin, and hope that will help.) They sent him home in this cute outfit.

Friday, Mike went over to visit and noticed his ankles were VERY swollen, and he couldn't raise his arms without alot of pain.  He called the Dr. and they told him to take him to the Emergency room.  They spent about 6 hours in the emergency room and then admitted him to the hospital.  They think it has something to do with his heart not doing what it's supposed to.  They put him on diuretics and are hoping that will help get rid of the excess fluid in his ankles.  He is not too happy to be back at the hospital, and is hoping to come home Sunday.  What a roller coaster he's been on!

Steve and Lynn stopped by to check on Grandpa right after we got home .

 

Birks Family Picnic

About a month ago, I thought it would be fun to get together with  our BIG family for a family picnic.  We decided on a date and I sent out a text, and all but Pierce's and Carissa's famiilies were able to make it.  (Jordan brought his 3 big kids, but Jamie stayed home with 2 1/2 week old Zac) 

We went to a fun park in Lehi called Margaret Wines Park and had a delicious picnic.  We had pulled pork sandwiches, Ceasar salad, fruit salad, apple kale salad, vegetable platters, fresh fruit, chips, cupcakes and cookies.  What a spread!  

The kids had a great tme playing on the playground while the adults visited. The weather was perfect, the company delightful and the food was delicious.  The highlight was when Cierra annonced that she is pregnant!

 

Grandpa Cline

On Sept. 26th, we got a call that Grandpa Cline was on his way to the hospital in an ambulance.  YIKES!  He had gotten up, given himself an insulin shot, and fixed his breakfast, but before he had a chance to eat it, he was standing by the fridge and felt dizzy and ended up on the floor.  He couldn't get up, and didn't have his phone with him, so he couldn't call anyone.  Mike had tried to call him to check on him,, but he didn't answer so he sent Jordan over to check.  His door was locked so Jordan couldn't get in, and we assumed he was out with his friend Nolan. ( He will come and get him several times a week to go on a drive somewhere.)  At lunchtime, Meals on Wheels stoped by to deliver his lunch  When his door was locked, they called the contact number, which is Kevin, Grandpa's step son, who lives closeby, and he came over and found grandpa on the floor, not doing well at all.  He called 911 and they took him to the hospital.  His blood sugar levels were VERY LOW, I think it was 29, so we are very lucky that Meals on Wheels came when they did!

  

He was in the hospital for about 4 days, and has been in rehab for abouit 1 1/2 weeks. He is doing pretty well, but because he's 93, and is not able to do everything for himself, they recommended that he not go back to his home, but to a assissted living place.  Mike and I have spent the last week, visiting different places.  It's been pretty crazy.  There is an UNBELIEVABLE amount of paperwork that has to be done.  He is ready to go as soon as all the Dr. evaluations and paperwork is completed.

The one we are hoping and praying works out is called True Wood.  It is right by our house, and is in our Stake.  A couple in our ward, are in the Branch Presidency there.  Bryan Robinson is the Branch President and his wife Debbie is the Relief Society President. They do Sacrament meeting on Sunday, FHE on Monday and Come Follow Me on Wednesday.  He will love that!  

The apartments are very small, so he won't be able to take all of his things.  I found him a smaller table at DI that will work great.

I also found him a couple of cute lamps at DI, since his were HUGE.

His chairs needed a little love, 

so Krista and I spent a morning painting them.

His bedspread was pretty sad, so we found this one that I think will be great!

We spent the last few days at his condo, cleaning it out and going through all his belonging. 

Sure hope everything works out and he can be in his new place real soon!

Fun photo shoot

I have been lucky enough to go with all of Jordan and Jamie's babies to their newborn photo shoot. 

It has been so much fun! 

These three absolutely adore tiny Zachary

 

Aren't these just the cutest little faces?

What a blessing to have a new baby in the home.We're so glad you're here Zac!