August

Fresh fruit from the tree... Sweet Summertime!

August 4 - Happy Birthday 4 Year Old!

Alia decided how she wanted to decorate her birthday cake... Pretty Ponies. She helped mommy decorate it. She had a friend birthday party on Friday and a family birthday party on Saturday. Mike fixed us bbq cheeseburgers and hot dots, and the kids showed off their swimming skills.  Alia got a new bike, helmet, streamers for the handle bars, a basket, and a horn to toot! Summer birthday parties are fun!

August 7 - Cleaning the Temple

I had the rare privilege of cleaning the temple this morning in preparation of the Open House. I cleaned tile, on my hands and knees, in the baptistery. It was not a burden. It was a blessing! Afterwards, our cleaning crew was given a private tour of the temple. We learned things and saw rooms that the public will never hear or see. A special blessing was pronounced on us for our willingness to serve... our families would be blessed with those things they stand in need of.

I also watched Alia and Ben in the afternoon while Audrey went to her doctor's appointment. Favorites at grandma's house are the roller rack, rocking horse, marbles, red chair, rabbit, and barbies. You can tell what my favorite thing to do is... watching the kids play and snapping pictures!

August 8 - picking fruit

Dave works hard in the orchard keeping the fruit picked and the weeds cultivated. He picked a lot of peaches today!

August 9 - Technology... KIDS PLAY!

Makaela shows Alia how to play "Angry Birds" on her Nook. Ben listens intently!

Alia is playing; Ben is watching.

Ben really "gets into" the game.

Ben pushes the girls out of the picture and takes over the game!

August 10 - Ball Game

Morgann is on a traveling Softball team. Today they played in Kaysville. She played outfield and pitcher. She is a good little ball player, and I'm not biased at all!

August 11 - To Market... To Market

Dave is out of town so Mike loaded the van and trailer up with peaches for me to take to Kent's in Tremonton. Alia and Ben took full advantage of the time spent at the cooler. Alia walks the "Peach Plank" and... 

Ben loads up on fruit!

Sixty half bushels of peaches ready for delivery

August 13 -  Eighteen years

It's hard to believe it's been that long since Dave and I got married! We celebrated our anniversary eating out at Ruby River Steak House. I have steak only when I eat out because I can't seem to buy the right cut, I get the old cow, and I can't cook it right. I told Dave I like it when someone else cooks for me. And, the older I get, the more I like it!

August 15 -  Hill Air Force Base Museum

Every summer Kelsey takes the kids somewhere fun... and in this case, both fun and educational. I spent the day browsing the Museum with them. They had an airplane named "Audrey". There was remodeling going on and their was no heat, so it was hot! We went to Red Robin for lunch. It was a fun day out with Kelsey and the kids, and it makes me happy that they always include me, too!

August 16 - Willard Bay Sunset

The sunsets on Willard Bay have been so beautiful lately... thanks to the wildfires!

August 18 - Bates Family Reunion

Leslie was in charge this year, and since the Brigham City Temple was finished and starting it's Open House, she thought it would be a great opportunity to have everyone come to Brigham. We attended the Open House in the morning and then came back to my house for an afternoon lunch. It was yummmm and included Green River watermelon, turkey, ham, and roast beef sandwiches, chips, potato salad, jello salad, and brownies. It was a great day to visit, watch the kids play, and reminise about the good-old-days! 

Leslie and the girls picked nectarines and blackberries to take back home. 

August 19 - Brilliant Red

This evening the sun was a brilliant RED. The sunset was both beautiful and eeiry as the sun started settling down for the evening. The smoke filled sky created a haze that made for a perfect red ball in the sky. Looking at the picture, you can't tell that the sun was brilliant red. For some reason, you can see the reflection of the red sun in the leaves of the cherry trees. I love the pink and grayish-blue hues surrounding the sun and in the sky above.

For breakfast, Patty and I sat down at the patio table eating watermelon and fresh-sliced peaches with our egg omlet. It was fun to have Patty spend a couple of days with me.

August 20 - Ushers

Dave and I were ushers at the Brigham City Temple Open House this morning. We had to be at the Tabernacle at 6:30 a.m. to receive instructions and our assignment. We were assigned to stand in the garage and guide people from the bus to the lines going into the Video rooms. Standing on the cement for 5 hours was extremely hard on our feet, but I looked at the opportunity to serve at this historical event as a blessing.. hurt feet and all! We went on a tour of the temple after our assignment was over.  I never tire of looking at the beautiful artwork, woodwork, furnishings, and feeling the spirit of the Lord in the temple. The grounds on the north side of the temple are especially serene. I love the windows; their soft hues of green and blue stained glass, and the reflection of the mountains and the lamp post. 

August 21 - Yard play

Another day having Alia and Ben over while Audrey visits the doctor. After Audrey got back, we went outside for some yard play. Alia shows us her dance and tumbling skills. Such joy!

August 22 - Proud to be an American

I love how every parade is led by the boy scouts carrying the American flag. Today, at the Box Elder County Fair parade, Ben got his first lesson on what it means to be an American and how we show respect for the flag and our country. Makaela placed Ben's hand over his heart and told him to hold it there while the flag passed. And he did! 

August 23 - Carson turns another year older

This picture is from last year when Carson was surprised with a can of marbles from grandma Bates house. She wanted to give him something special, and because he always called her "grandma marbles", she thought giving him marbles would be fitting. And by the look on Carson's face, it was not only fitting, but perfect! Carson turned 11 years old today.

August 24 - Baby calves

I was out in the orchard today and noticed the neighbor had a couple of baby calves in his pasture. It brought back many fond memories of my growing up years. We always had a baby calf or two. I love to watch animals, and  I couldn't resist taking a picture of these two little ones lazily sunning in the pasture grass.

August 26 - Colored leaves already?

Dave and I took a Sunday drive to the beautiful Heber Valley after church. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw colored leaves in the canyons. Already? It seems a little early. Just before we got to Heber, we turned off on to a winding country road that took us to Midway. It was starting to rain a little. The gray clouds parted for a moment and let the sun rays shine down on the landscape below. The sight was breathtaking and awe-inspiring!

Can't go to Heber and not go to Granny's for a delicious milkshake! That's tradition. It started back in the 1980's when Greg and I discovered the quaint little shop while at a Bates reunion. And of course, Dave was raised in Heber and so naturally the tradition continues!

August 27 - Cow Cheese

This is as cow cheese as it comes. Dave got it from last week's Farmer's Market. A farmer from Idaho, who sells the cheese, has a booth on the west side of us. It was a little two sharp for me, but I like how it looks. It reminds me of cheese in the Tom and Jerry cartoon... a pie-shaped block of cheese. 

August 28 - Peach Blossom

My second assignment at the temple started out a little disappointing. I was suppose to go to the 3rd floor of the temple, but when they counted off the green section (my assignment for the day), it left several of us out. I was again assigned to the garage. I talked to the leader of the group and told her I didn't think I could stand there again because of my feet. She had me check with the section that was assigned to put booties on visitors shoes. They could use me. I was relieved when I knew I could sit down. I was there for about an hour when Carol Hyde (her and Leon, bishop in our old ward in Brigham City, were shift supervisors for the day) came toward me, motioning for me to come. To my surprise, she said she was taking me to the 3rd floor of the temple. I said "how did you know?" She said, "I wanted someone to fill a certain spot and I knew it needed to be you." I felt grateful. It was an answer to my prayer. I know it doesn't matter where you serve, but I was so looking forward to ushering on the 3rd floor. I started on the stairwell as people were exiting the tour. I felt the spirit so very strong. It was so quiet and peaceful. I had full view of one of my favorite paintings - a lady picking peaches and placing them in a tin bucket. Our crew rotated from spot to spot. I was able to usher in the ordinance room, the telestial room, the celestial room, and a sealing room, as well. It was a wonderful, spiritual day!

Month in Review