Lincoln Day Dinner - Success !

I've been involved with the Republican Party (Morgan) in working on the committee for the Lincoln Day Dinner.  It was last night, and it turned out really well.

I was in charge of the Veteran's recognition.  I collected pictures and information from 90 Veteran's and their families.

Bob Bell, from River Printing donated the displays.  It saved me SO SO much time and work, and looked SO much more professional that I ever could have made it.

I headed over to the Commons Area at the HS to help set up abou 2:45 pm yesterday.  Got home about 9:30 pm !!!  last night.  I was beat.  Mindy Savage and Tanaeya Nye had the tables looking so spectacular, and all I had to do was place the displays on top.  Easy Peasey.

Dinner was handled by Natasha Plyer, and was a Costa Vida dinner, really yummy !

Lt. Governor Spencer Cox was there, and I had the privilege of introducing him to Mom and Dad, and LuAnn, and Roger.  I really appreciated them being there, and supporting me.  Roger picked them all up, and took them home, and was out of his element, and he does this all for me.  He is THE BEST, and I LOVE HIM!

We had about 102 people there, and the OUR presentation was good.  It went a little long, and we just about FROZE in the auditorium (brrrrrr) but all in all the night was a success.   It was great to work with some people I didn't know before this assignment.  Clark Fowers, Natasha Plyer, and Mindy Savage.  Also, Justin Rees and Tanaeya, who I did know.  Lydia Nuttall, and Mathew Garn also.

Here are some of the pics of people you may know (and that I'm related to :)

Aunt Judy (LuAnn's sister) and her husband Ben, who I think I only met once back in the late 70's 

Uncle Blaine (Mom's brother) 

Uncle Martin (Grandma Tonk's sister (Aunt Jane) husband.

Uncle Keith (LuAnn's Uncle) 

Our own SON IN LAW !  Brendon !
This is what the entire display on each table looked like

Uncle Max (Grandma Tonks' brother) 

Grandpa BEN - (Roger's Dad)
LOVE HIM AND MISS HIM

Uncle Don (Ben's brother)

Uncle Ray (my uncle) 

Here is what I said at the dinner:

It has been my honor and privilege to collect the Veteran information you see displayed here tonight. 

We had 90 profiles submitted by Veterans and their families.

A special thanks is given to Bob Bell, raised here in Morgan, a vet himself, and owner of Riverprint Printing, who donated the displays that you see.

I hope you all had time this evening prior to dinner to browse around and read some of the bios.

We have representation from all branches of service….. from World War I to those presently serving in Afghanistan. 

Some who spent 35+ years in the military, and one who 12 days after enlisting, died of the Spanish Flu while in basic training.

We have those who served in the battles of war, and those who kept the war machine running here at home.

We have POW’s, pilots, sailors, infantry men, nurses, clerks, instructors, dentists, physicians, top turret gunners, MP’s, paratroopers, wagoneers, draftsmen, guards, engineers, truck drivers, gunners, patrol leaders, aircraft repairmen, and the list goes on and on.

Some have paid the ultimate price, protecting the freedoms we enjoy today.

We have Veterans in attendance here tonight.  To all Veterans, we honor you, we remember you, and we THANK YOU for your service.

Up Up and away

Standing to work !
I like my new adjustable desk.

Aunt Dixie

My dad's sister, Aunt Dixie passed away on February 2nd.  One day after her 91st birthday.  All of her brothers and sisters were there to see her on her birthday the day before. 

It was a blessing, that she didn't have to live in her worn out body anymore.  Uncle Paul was such a wonderful caregiver to her.

Aunt Dixie as a young girl.
Her given name was Estella, but they never called her that.
Patricia said that later in her life, she legally had Dixie added to her name (because that is what every one called her)
Grandpa called her "Jimmy", not sure why.  I asked him once, and he just said that he had always called her that.
I wonder if that is why she named (James) Jimmy her boy?

I can only think of how happy Grandma and Grandma Dickson (with the chickens) were to see her.  They died in 1995.  

Here is her obituary:

Our dear wife and mother, Estella Dixie Porter was born February 1st, 1928 in Richville, Morgan, Utah and passed away from the earth on the morning of February 2nd, 2019 in Bountiful, Utah. She married Paul Cook Porter December 10th, 1947 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Paul was the love of her life. She was the daughter of Reed and Anona Porter Dickson. 
Her sweet spirit and great love was a wonderful blessing for her family. She spent 30 plus years in California supporting her husband in his occupation. She had great love for those with whom she served. She served in callings such as Stake Relief Society President, Temple Worker, and as a missionary with her husband in Hawaii, Cincinnati, Ohio and at the Bountiful Humanitarian Room.
One of her desires was to be sure her children and grand children received gifts, especially for Christmas and birthdays. She felt very blessed with 3 children, 18 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson..
Dixie is survived by her children Patricia Shaw (Grant), James Paul Porter (Kathy), and David Porter (Angela). She is also survived by 4 siblings; Barbara Whittier, Maisie Whitaker, Lee Dickson (Veloy) and Norris Dickson (Pam).
Viewings will be held Friday, February 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful and on Saturday, February 9th at 9:45 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 165 South 1000 East in Bountiful. The funeral will follow on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the South Morgan Cemetery, Morgan, Utah.

The funeral was wonderful, and Patricia, and Jim, and David all spoke, and it was so so good.  I loved to hear about her love for Morgan (she lived with Uncle Paul and kids in California most of her married life), and her love for Grandpa and Grandma.

All of my 1st cousins (living) were there, and I wish so badly we could have gotten a picture, but we didn't.  After the funeral we came back to Morgan for the burial (see video below)

Last picture together - June 2018
Uncle Norris, Dad (Lee)
Aunt Dixie, Aunt Barbara, Aunt Maisie

Fun with the Littles

Bexlee is close to walking. She can pull herself up, and loves to stand.
I've got a picture of Payson, just about this age, doing the same thing,  the day before they left for the Philippines in 2013........

Payson (2013) - littles love this drawer full of STUFF

My best pancake helpers 

Bex doesn't know if she likes Grandpa Roger or not !

Time to frost Sugar Cookies :)

Then it was time to collect the eggs.....

Great Helpers 

They wrestled, and wrestled, and had a great time.
We played "Hello Neighbor" (not the virtual version)
Brightyn hid in Roger's clothes rack in the closet, and me and Bex hid in the shower.
Payson had a hard time finding us :)

Another Not So Excellent Adventure

So after last Sunday when Tagg went to the McKay ER (and was sent home) - AND CJ had to practically BEG for a blood test that day..............this was the poor boy on the couch, feeling crappy, rash all over, eye hurting.......
Monday about noon, CJ gets a call, and apparently his blood was infected with strep.  They wanted her to bring him back down... FAST  (really?)   She said NO THANKS, we'll head to PRIMARY CHILDREN'S  (which was really really hard). 

CJ's Facebook Post
My poor sweet Tagg has not had a good bday week!!! We are now in primary’s with cellulitis in the eye and infection in his blood stream. We are hoping to avoid surgery please keep him in your prayers he could use a few. He’s been such a trooper. ❤️

Ups and Downs - getting a bunch of anti-biotics
Eating (sometimes), and NOT EATING (because they might have to do surgery to remove the infection behind his eye)

Home made blanket gift from great caring people who make things like this for kids at the hospital.  Don't you think the BONES and DOG PAWS are just right? 

He got a GET WELL card from his friends at school :) 

Tuesday Night - Doesn't want to eat.  EVEN PIZZA !?!?!

Hey You GUY EYES..............  Mimicking SLOTH in the GOONIES

Looking a little better !

*****Update from mom on Facebook
Feeling a little better today and slowly making improvement and we to got meet Winston the service dog!!! 🐾❤️

Valentines Day - Gets to Come Home

CJ's Post on Facebook
Thank you all so much for the prayers and love! Spending these past few days here at primary children’s with Tagg fighting a problem very close to Tenzins 💙 was a huge challenge. To say that I had PTSD would be an understatement. Although I cannot explain the feelings of walking out these doors today with my son and I am beyond grateful for that. The last time I walked out these doors was the worst day of my life I keep asking the why me?!? I’ve already done this and why bring up all the pain and I can only think to continue healing. I faced so many trials that first year after Tenzin passed and I felt uplifted and the second year I feel I was just broken. Being here and seeing so many kids fighting and so many mothers and sympathizing with all the pains and fears has helped me grow once more. I do trust my Heavenly Father even though at times that is hard for me. I could not have known things or taken care of Tagg without him! The doctors and nurses and staff here at Primary’s have been so great to help us through it all knowing our history and have been amazing at explaining and reassuring us! Today on this day of Love ❤️ my heart is full and I know that 💙 Tenzins sweet spirit has been here with us too! I can’t wait to go home to the whole family and take care of a sick Treyson (step throat of course) and snuggle my Thatcher and pups!!!
💕Happy day of Love!!! 💕

Happy Birthday to Thatcher (a strange one)

Happy 7th birthday!!

He's a snaggle tooth :)

Tagg is in the hospital (still), so it wasn't the normal birthday this year.  They usually have a big celebration together for the family, but this year, Tagg was sick on the 8th (his birthday), and now for the 13th (Thatch's b-day) Tagg is at Primary Children's (more on that in my next post) and MOM (CJ) hasn't been home for days.........so this birthday for Thatcher was a little different.   This pic was from Tuesday night when we visited with Taggie.  Thatch got to play with some legos.  Also, Thanks to the many many people who have helped out.  Lindsey brought cookies for Thatch to take to school for his birthday, and a cake for his birthday, and VALENTINES for him to take to school (today).

So after school yesterday, Thatcher got to come to our house (I was at work all day), and he ended up playing 2 hours worth of UNO with Grandpa Roger.  Treyson was home sick with streap throat, so we didn't want him around Thatcher.  After Dad got home from the hospital, we brought Thatch home, and had a little cake, and he opened a our present.

Hard to know what to get this kid this year, but this is what he said he wanted !!
It was a hit (although a little nerve wracking..........so much so, that he would only POSE for a pretend picture, with Grandma putting a dab of whipped cream on his nose (for picture only).  It was Grandma who had to be the guinea pig

Thanks LINDSEY !!
And thanks to Tracy who took Treyson to the doc and got him medicine.
And to Bishop Fawson who plowed the driveway

Thatch got the cool crown from school

And Carrie and Sienna Fawson made sure he had a VALENTINES BOX for school today.
All in all, his birthday turned out good (except for missing MOM and TAGG)
He's gotten on the bus and to school for the last 2 days (keep your fingers crossed for today, because Dad's going back to work and that's Grandpa Roger's duty today)  Thank goodness Cousin Lisa takes such good care of him on the bus. (Lisa Carrigan in their bus driver, she's so good with him and all the boys) 

What a miserable Birthday !

This was going.............

Tons of these being used..............

Actually on the 8th - His Birthday DAY,
he wasn't feeling TOO horrible..... and could manage a smile (through the nose blows)
Hoping to have a party for the weekend, but no............

He got worse.   This was Saturday night

This was Sunday in the ER

Needed fluids, did chest xray, blood work.......

His eye has some sort of ocular infection

Viral rash all over him.
AND  INFLUENZA
Lungs are clear though.
Sent home a few hours later.
I guess he'll be off ANOTHER week from school
(he was off ALL last week)
No fun being 11 (so far :)
Love you Tagg