Anniversary Memories

One of our activities at the Hall reunion was an "Oldie Wed Game."  Gary and I didn't do too well, actually.  One question was,

"What did you do on your first date?"   

My first thought was of Halloween, 1967, when we were "trick-or-treating" with a group of friends.  He tore off a piece of his brown paper bag, rolled it into a ring, and asked me to "go with him."   We were way too young for that, by the way (just 13).  

His answer was, "Going to the movie 'Where Were you When the Lights Went Out."  That was technically true, in that it was the first time he actually asked me to go somewhere with him officially. 

Another answer I was going to give, but didn't, was "At the hospital."   I guess that wouldn't qualify as a date, since we were just a few days old, but it would have been the first time we were together here on this earth.  We know we were in the nursery together, because he is only three days older than me and back then our mother's stayed in the hospital for 10 days.  We also speculate that we may have been right next to each other, being as both of our last names started with an "A."   (Just as a side note -- Mom always joked that Gary must have been the baby that was screaming all the time.)  

We meet up again at Wasatch Elementary in the fifth grade.  (Second row down, far right)
 

My mind is on many of those memories, as today is our 37th wedding anniversary.  We figured this morning (after he had very sweetly made me oatmeal with blueberries) that at this time 37 years ago, we were on our way to the Salt Lake Temple for our ceremony.  I have only the happiest of memories of that day.  It could not have been more perfect.  I guess the only negative thing I can remember is that it was the day President Richard Nixon announced he was resigning as president.  We were having a hard time getting the family to come get their pictures taken because they were outside listening to his speech on the car radios.

I don't have a lot of early pictures of us together, but here are a few I've found from our Jr. High yearbooks.

(Right by each other again)

Romeo and Juliet

Hall Sisters

This last week we've been up to West Yellowstone for a Hall Family Cousin's Reunion.   Mom was one of 6 girls born to Edward Owen and Pearl Averett Hall.  One daughter, Fern, only lived for a couple of months.  The 5 sisters were always very close, and we grew up sharing many good times with our cousins.  All of the sisters and their husbands have passed away,  but only one of first cousins, Wally, has died. 

It is pretty amazing that nearly 122 years since my grandmother's birth and 50 years since her death, that 16 of  her 24 grandchildren were able to come to the reunion this year.  We range from age 76 to 50 years old.   It makes me hope that the sisters and our grandparents were able to catch a glimpse of us together, and that they feel happy we are still gathering.

Here are the 5 Hall sisters.  My mom is Charlet, the one in the middle.

   Ruth, Beth, Charlet, Ione, Merlyn

Life keeps

constantly reminding me that you can never know, from simple appearances, what a person may be going through (or has gone through) in their lives.  It is good to be reminded, as it is so easy to become judgemental, or even indifferent, to the people we associate with.    

Today in Relief Society a new neighbor told the story of her struggle with getting and overcoming her addiction to prescription pain medication.   This woman is probably one of the most out-going, friendly people I have ever met.  From the moment she moved in, she become every one's friend.  It would be easy to assume she always had that sunny-happy outlook.  Now, knowing her story, I admire her even more.  

The fact is, everyone has a story.  And, outward appearances seldom tell it.   I'm glad life keeps reminding me of that so I can try to keep learning from it.       

I can hardly

believe that our oldest grandson, Jackson, turned 15 today.  When I hear his deep voice, with its Missouri twang to it, saying "Hi Grandma," my heart melts.

Today when we called to sing him Happy Birthday, he told us that he made the Team USA in baseball.  He is one of 16 others in the Midwest region that get to play in a tournament against other Team USA regions.  He loves sports of all kinds and is dedicated to doing what he needs to do to excel.   I'm very proud of his accomplishments, but most of all I'm proud of the kind of young man he is and the man he is becoming.  

We love you, Jackson!

I won't take

a picture.  But for the last 3 days my face, neck, and arms have been covered with hives.  It's a little better today, but I'm going to the Dr. anyway for my yearly physical (fun), so maybe she can help.  

My best guess, as for the cause, is that when I got my hair cut and highlighted on Monday there was something in one of the hair chemicals that I reacted to.  It's never happened before, though.  Last night when Natalie called, I told here that I had been thinking of her, because she is allergic to many things and has that happen a lot.  So, Natalie, I now appreciate what you go through more than ever.

We went to

Park City on Monday to meet the Adairs for dinner.  As we sat waiting for them to come, I asked the waitress to take our picture. 

Park City is meaningful to us, because almost 37 years ago (August 8, 1974), we spent our honeymoon  there.  My friend Kim Thomas' parents had a condo they let us use.  Here is a digital scrapbook collage I made of our honeymoon.

We've changed a little (Ok, maybe a lot),

with a few more wrinkles and quite a few more pounds. 

But the same love is still there,

but now it is mixed with a lifetime of memories.  

That's what matters.

I feel very blessed and lucky.

(Though I wouldn't complain if I had that body back!)

In honor of

the "Beehive State," which Utah is called, I've been making these cupcakes.

I wanted to show a picture of them so Misty's kids could see what they looked like.  I had to send several things that Lydia left, so I put a dozen of these in with them.  Apparently it has been so hot in Missouri, that they kind of melted and fell apart.  She said they tasted really good, though.