2015 Jan. 15 - 31 Potts Newsletter- Bear Lake Retreat

I hope you got your google+pictures.  I didn't know how to attach them here:

BEAR LAKE TRIP

Friday - fortunately we were able to check in at the Bear Lake Retreat House early on Friday morning.  After a busy morning we left around 9:00.  After some bad stretches of the road we arrived before 1 PM.  Trisha and Darrin got there before we did.  We trickled in throughout the dy and had fun getting to know the house that sported a huge play area with a trampoline, theater, slides etc. etc.  The house was huge and fun.  

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner then tried to watch a movie.  I went to bed and the others stayed up and played games.   

Saturday - Dan and I made french toast for breakfast then after relaxing a little Bishop Veenendaal and John Veenendaal came to officiate Joseph and Alicia's wedding.  Her immediate family came.  The Bishop did a beautiful job with the wedding and before we knew it the whole thing was over!  We were reminded that this wedding was not the official one in October and asked to not share this information with others.

Soon the time came to go sled riding.  All went except Tiff and Adam who needed to rests with their girls.  Kalli, Tiarra and I left early but ended up getting lost on the way home.  Thank Heaven that we finally got the gps to work and after about half an hour of being lost we made it home.  After a great dinner we watched movies.

Sunday

We enjoyed a leisurely morning then went to Church at the Bear Lake ward.  Tiff and Adam drove to visit his 98 year old grandma who is dying of heart congestion. A few of us played the family guessing game, Trisha did a photo shoot with Tiff and her family. After that she took pictures of the whole family (except Joseph and Alicia who left early)

Monday

Dan and the guys went early to rend snowmobiles.  It was a perfect day for snowmobiling and sled riding.  Most everyone had a great time but when Adam and Tiffany didn't come back from their turn on time (1 1/2) we worried and Maddy and Grace were having a hard time a few of us had a family prayer on the hill.  Soon after that we saw Adam walking down the hill and learned that they had gotten stuck.  Because there was no service we weren't able to reach each other.  In the end it took about 8 guys to get them out and back down the hill.  

We came back to hot cider and hot chocolate at the house.  After a brief rest we all went into high-speed mode and cleaned, polished, mopped etc. before heading home. 

On the way home Michael said "That was better than Disneyland!!"  I have a feeling we will be heading back to Garden City another year to stay at the Bear Lake Retreat house!!  Thanks Father. 

DAN

21- Dan and I enjoyed a delicious steak dinner made by Joseph and Alicia!!23- Dan was in charge of our date.  We played Chromecast games, created silly videos and worked on our wellness plans that his company offered. 

24- Dinner at the Mandrine with Gary, Kerri and Brad.  Yum.  Afterwards he gave us a tour of his homes, and bountiful. 

30 - Dan and I enjoyed a nice fish dinner over at Darla and Doug's place then played mexican train and chatted.  Van fixed and Robert came to fix things around the house. :)

25- We watched a Hallmark movie abut swans. It was good.

26- Dan, Alicia and Joseph began our FHE series about mission preparedness.   We are listening to Dr. John Lund's cds

31- Our Hometeacher, Richard, came by. Dan and I and Divit enjoyed going for a walk.

PATRICIA

Bear Lake Trip Goals:

Enjoy being with Dan

Enjoy grandkids: bring nursery songs, cotton candy maker, play the family history game

Enjoy our own kids: snowmobile and 4 wheel with them

Enjoy the retreat home

Save pictures on memory sticks

Joseph and Alicia's special event

church at bear lake

help with meals

take lots of pictures. try Margaret's new lense

19 - We arrived home late on the 19th.  Michael, Joshua, mom, Dan and I carpooled.  

20 - I took Tiff and Adam to the Airport early, visited my sister in her group home, delivered salad to mom to take to St. George with her, went to the doctors for pain in my toe and went to the mall to have my shattered phone taken care of (bad choice because they charged so much)... felt guilty, had a headache, did cognitive thereapy and eft.  I also enjoyed looking at the pictures Trisha took for Tiff's family. 

21- It was a very hard day emotionally and headache wise and I'm worried about my toe because Leah had such a hard time with hers. 

22- I went to John Graves funeral.  It was such a sweet thing to get together with past neighbors and dear friends.  He was very much loved.  They had served an inner city mission. 

23- Dan did our date.  We played Chromecast games

24- I got to go to the temple

26- Helped Cindy at school. Grocery Shopping. Speaking with Kerri at a Post-Prison Fireside.  There were 2 women and about 10 men.  The spirit was strong there and it was a beautiful evening. Thanks Father. 

18- I worked hard at preparing a power point presentation for the prison

29- Dentist appt.  yay! no cavities!  I also met with the enrichment committee

I am thankful for the time we all spent together at our family retreat, I am thankful for the money Dan makes so we could do it, I am thankful for the talks, the hugs, the food, the 14 grandchildren, 5 children, and more.  I am thankful for memories for yesterday and hopes for tomorrow and a special prayer we had for the safty of one of our children and for the way it was answered.  I am thankful for how many of our children helped even if it wasn't their turn to do so, for the sunrise in the morning, for warm fireplaces and comfy beds and most of all for the feeling of togetherness. 

I am thankful for my massage chair and for my hands to serve, for the chance to see loved ones at a funeral today, for cold water with ice cubes, for freezer zip lock bags for leftovers, for a freezer, for our frig, for our silly dogs who chase water bottles, for the internet where I can look up things like windshield repair, for hope in my heart and spring in my step (it wasn't always this way), for mechanical pencils (great invention) and for my ever-ready computer.  I am thankful for thee Father, my helper-Jesus and for all the heavenly help I so often receive whether I realize it or now. 

I am grateful for Alicia's yummy breakfast, for finding something I lost, for inspirational music, for the love of my husband, for kind words of Facebook, for sheets that fit our bed! for gloriously beautiful skies, for baby steps, for clean counters, for the joy of going to the temple and coming out glowing, for feeling happy.  I am so thankful Father.

I am thankful for medical insurance, for laptops, for a book I am working on, for the opportunity to speak with Kerri last night, Apple juice, the chance to take a nap in my car, my car heater, finding my lost purse and my wise and supportive husband.  I am thankful that wherever I am I can talk to my Heavenly Father and feel His love. 

I am thankful for sweet moments sharing oatmeal with Alisha, for Trisha's great ideas for RS, for the joy of having Parker and Spencer run to me for pick-up hugs, for toes that work, for scheduling a breakfast with my sister Leah, for hot chocolate on a cold day with the boys, hot cider with Dan at night, for the ability to hear and see and taste and touch.  I am thankful for make-up and brushes and so much more.  I thank thee Father.

I am grateful that my spice/pumpkin cake turned out, grateful that I have a printer, grateful for my supportive husband who says "If you want to go to the Conference then go. Don't worry about the money." I am thankful that I could go walking today, grateful for Amazon (because I am alergic to errands), I am thankful for texting... it makes life so much easier and I am thankful for the warmth I feel in my heart when I see or hear something inspirational.  Since Dan and I take turns sharing something inspirational at breakfast that happens at least daily.  Thanks Father. 

Celebrations/Tender Mercies

Darla and I decided to share with each other the common things that happen in our lives that reflect the tender mercies of God or events that cause us to celebrate.  My tender mercy was when I went to wallmart looking for a file box for my 2014 finance file.  The cheapest one I could find was about $7.00 then I felt impressed to look at the packing boxes.  I found one for 67 cents!! Thanks Father.  Darla celebrated that she was able to talk to a loved one about a sensitive subject.  When she felt impressed to bring it up she took a deep breath and did it!  The discussion went well!!!  Thanks Father! 

CINDY

Cindy helped a lot with the little ones at our retreat.  She has also been principal-challenged lately.  Mike missed our retreat because he was sick.  He even had pneumonia.

HEIDI

We loved being with Heidi and Family at the retreat (see notes above_). They are hoping to put their house on the market in January

TIFFANY

We were all so thrilled to see Tiff and family again after so long.  The girls are growing up!  It was great fun to watch them open their Christmas gifts at Bear Lake. 

TRISHA

- Trisha and Darrin get an extra big thank you for helping us find our retreat place, Trisha planning all the food, taking the pictures and Darrin sharing turns on their 4 wheeler. 

JOSEPH

Joseph and Alicia had a special day on January 17th at Bear Lake.

31- Joseph, Mike, Tiarra and Ryan went to Fanx.  Joseph was El Savador

JOSIE

We missed our Josie hugs at the retreat this year.  The roads are too slick in January.

Potts - December 15 - 31 2014

(I am trying to follow Heidi's example.  Here are pictures you can watch on google+.  If you right click on any picture you should be able to save it into your computer. )

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100819837951907922187/albums/6102483972069817089

FAMILY

15- Going to Kallis Madrigal Concert  Trisha and family went too!  They did a terrific job.
22-It was the big TEWS CHRISTMAS PARTY at our house this year.  Heidi helped a ton to get ready and everyone came who was in town except David, Caige and Jaydon.  We even got a BIG picture after the white elephant gift exchange.  The food was wonderful and Aunto Cindy came as well. 

  23- We took Cannon to get things for his mission and out to lunch at Mimis.  Dan and the guys went to the movies

24- Heidi, Cindy and Trisha and families drove all the way to Idaho (along with mom, Dan and I) to go to Burton's wedding.  Mom took care of all the food and Cindy made their cake. It turned out to be a beautiful ceremony (American Indian style).  We went back home for pizza, the candlelighting and getting to bed for Santa to come!

25 - We began the day at about 7:30.  The girls woke up and we had our beeakfast in a crock pot along with my homemade hot chocolate then Heidi's family got to see what Santa brought them.  I had fun texting and facebooking dear friends and family. SAD, SAD.. WE HAD THIFT.  A BEAUTIFUL GIFT TIFF SENT FOR HEIDI WAS STOLLEN AND OUR MAIL WAS TAMPERED WITH. ----hurray!  After prayers and tears we found the important package hidden beneath out welcome sign!!  Richard and the Edwards and Simons joined us at noon for a wonderful lunch planned and bought by Trisha.  Mom and Cindy Todd were here as well.  After a wonderful lunch we exchanged gifts and watched Barbie's   by around 7 pm Kezia began to feel sick.  It progressed rapidly and soon her fever was 103.6.  we ended up having to get her into a cool bathrub.  finally we were around 102.  McKinley was feeling sick too.  At night Heidi got sick and Jason.

26- Heidi and Jason decided to stay another day to help get everyone well again.  Dan was kind to take Ireland (the only non-sick one in their family) and Joshua and Kalli skating.  Unfortunately he hit his right knee pretty hard.  There was excitement in the air by around 2 pm when Joseph announced that he was going to ask Alicia to marry him at the roof at night.  Dan and I and Cindy went so we could be there and take pictures!!  THANKS FOR ASKING HER BEFORE WE LEFT ON OUR TRIP JOSEPH. 

MINNESOTA TRIP TO VISIT TIFFANY

27- We spent much of the day trying to clean up from Christmas and thinking about Joseph's recent engagement.  I was also rapidly becoming sick with a bad cold.  Joseph took us to the airport and we proceeded to get our Frontier ticket only to discover a couple hours later that our flight was concealed.  The miracle came when Tiffany was able to get one-way buddy passes allowing up to get to Minnesota at the same time we would have.  We were so blessed that it was a non-stop and that although I was very sick (blowing my nose or coughing or shaking with cold)We arrived that around 11:20 to Tiff and Adams home that was all lit up and with welcome home signs and gifts. 

28- After getting some much needed sleeping-in time we hung out and talked and got reaquainted with the girls. Dan gave the girls piggy back rides and wheelbarrow rides and we enjoyed watching the many routines Tiff and Adam have developed for the girls.

29- Today we got word that the whole Hamilton family and half of the Edwards family was sick.  I continued .to battle but at night I felt a little better and Tiffany took us out to dinner at a local place called _____ .  I had ribs and it was yummy.  Afterward we looked for some furniture for her house but weren't successful.  When we got home we enjoyed Tiff's traditional hot chocolate  

30- The morning went by quickly with the girls and soon their nanny Paulette, came to talk over so we could treat Tiff to lunch at a local pllace called Mini's cafe.  Yummy food and great fried apple pie at the end then we went to THE HUNGER GAMES MOCKING JAY part one-movie then out to shop some more.  Tiff found a pair of dress boots.  When we got home we took a while to warm up after -3 degrees (but the weatherman says it feels like -18).  I say it feels like -23. ccoooolllllddd!!!

31- NEW YEARS EVE.  We started the day just hanging out at the house and taking down the Christmas Tree.  Adam got home early and in the afternoon Dan and I took the girls to seebig hero 6 WHILE tIFF AND aDAM WENT TO bENIHANAS.  tHEY BROUGHT DINNER HOME FROM Chick-fila.  Ny around 8:00 they put NEW YEARS hats on the girls and let them go in the bounce house before wishing them a New years eve and put them to bed.  At that point we played Rubicube (I won the first round) and had cheese cake and bubbly.  By the 3rd round Tiffany was feeling sick and we called it a night early.  Adam's back was still hurting, Tiff had chills, I was tired and by 11:15 Dan gave it up and went to bed as well.  Still, it was a great, memorable, loving new years eve.  Happy 2015
 

DAN

19 - 21 - Dan and Doug went on their football trip to Vegas to watch the Utes play. 

PATRICIA

15- Helping Cindy at her school today.  Visiting Teaching. Dinner with Kerri for my birthday. 

16- After shopping I was down with a bad headache all day. rough

17- Breakfast at Trisha's for moms birthday. Watching the kids while she goes shopping

18- Walking and breakfast with Margaret. 

19- I had a wonderful time at the Branson Concert with Mom and Emelou

21- I got to sing in the ward choir!

22- Busy all day getting ready for the TEWs PARTY.  Heidi helped a lot!

I am thankful that I was able to find a dear friend on Facebook, for the ability to talk and be heard, for the past 2 hours that have passed without coughing, for the gift of patience (although I would like that more often), for the miracle of lower gas prices and the miracle of having more time with my wonderful husband (I just found out that my friend lost her husband in August) and I am thankful for my washer and dryer. I am also grateful that Dan is such a wonderful grandpa.

I am thankful for the sound of the furnace, the shadow on the tree, the joy of lighting our outdoor Christmas lights with the flick of a switch, the anticipation of family togetherness watching our Christmas pyramid, the joy of giving gifts and new pjs to wear (a tradition born from my grandma in Manti.)

I am grateful for my cell phone that allows me to talk to Tiffany all the way from Minnesota, for the generosity of our children with each other, for memories of pajamas past, for hot chocolate with whip cream, for unexpected time, for Christmas cards and letters and for good knives to help me make homemade chicken stew!

I am thankful for the Prophet who brings love, compassion and stories to my life, for mormon messages app, for grandchildren to talk and play and hug, for water, for good friends who listen and share and for the ability to see colors and experience light and feel love. 

I am grateful Dan made it home after 9 hours of driving, I am grateful when the rain evaporates off the roads because I am afraid of it after an accident about 7 years ago, I am thankful for my bread maker (It is such a fun way to welcome company), I am thankful for memory sticks that allow me to give and receive priceless pictures, for ice (it makes water so much better) and I am thankful for my heater that keeps me company by my laptop.

I am thankful that despite her 103.6 temperature Christmas night Kezia responded to a cool bath. I want to be thankful that it seems like Heidi is sick now, I am thankful that so many of our children and grandchildren were here.  I am thankful that Trisha took over the food for Christmas and that the kids contributed.  I am thankful for Noelle who loves to watch the Christmas tree and loves to play with beads. I am thankful that we found a package that was lost and once again experienced miracles through answers to our prayers.  I am thankful we have 1 1/2 days to pack and get ready to go and I am thankful for our Jesus picture by our tree and for our yearly tradition of writing down question for us to answer about the next year.  I love that activity.  I am also thankful for all of you, my Facebook friends and for our loving family.  I am so thankful.   

CINDY

18- We picked up Tiarra from her volunteer job at humane society and took her out to Freebird burrito place.  

- Busy finishing up school for the year, making gifts and attending all the events (special thanks for Dan's medal case)

-Tiarra was in a play BABES IN TOYLAND and Kalli was the lead in he school play THE WEDDING SINGER and she was also involved a lot in performing with the madrigals

HEIDI

22- Thanks for all your great help in getting ready for the TEWS CHRISTMAS PARTY.  We enjoyed your stay too from the 20th to the 26th.  

- A special thanks goes to Heidi and Jason for going more than "the second mile" to support Kalli and Tiarra and all our Christmas Events

TIFFANY

- Tiff and Adam were busy buying a home and getting moved in. 

They also welcomed us to their home a few days after Christmas and Tiff helped us a lot when our flight got bumped! 

TRISHA

17- Trisha served a wonderful egg burrito and fruit bread breakfast at her house in honor of Mom's 85th birthday!  It was delicious and served on my grandma's china that Mom gave to Trisha.  wow!  Thanks Trisha

- Trisha and Darrin did a lot of entertaining and Trisha was nice to handle the food for Christmas day

JOSEPH

Joseph and Alicia got engaged at the Roof in December!  They were nice to do it the night before we left on our trip to Tiff and Adams

JOSIE