Happy Birthday to Ollie, Doyeon, Dan and AJ

October brings a lot of birthdays, so I'm just going to say "Happy Birthday" now, so I don't miss anyone in the next few weeks.  So, happy birthday to Ollie, Doyeon, Dan, and AJ.  Dad and I wish you the best this year.  Enjoy every minute because the years go by too fast.
It's been a slow week for news, but there are a few things worth sharing.  Caitlyn had a Homecoming date for last night.  Luckily, they did the pre-activity Friday (bowling and a Brave's tailgate party at the High School) because her date was in a downhill mountain bike race on Saturday morning and broke his knee and his femur.  It was a bummer, especially for him, but Caitlyn has good friends and they talked her into coming to the dance anyway.  She went and had a good time.  The people at the door were nice and let her in free when they heard what happened.  Her date, of course, had bought tickets, a corsage and everything else.  Jieun was going to do her hair for her, and when Caitlyn told her she didn't have to come over anymore, she came anyway with dinner for Caitlyn (and Roy and me).

Caitlyn's date is the one making the
peace sign.

Today was the primary program for Gunnar and Ollie, and Hyeji and Doyeon.  The Green's program was at 9:00 and the Rasband's program was at 1:00.  We heard about Gunnar and Ollie's program late yesterday, and made arrangements to be there.  After attending their program, Caitlyn and I went to our ward for the last meeting of the block.  Jieun texted me about their primary program at about 11:20 a.m. Somehow when I read her text I saw, 11:00 (instead of 1:00), so I got up from the meeting and went and got Caitlyn out of young women's.  When we got in the car, I reread the text and realized their meeting wasn't until 1:00.  Caitlyn and I went home anyway.  She and Roy went to a farewell of a missionary leaving from our previous ward, and I went to the primary program.
I held Dojin for a few minutes.  He had a little cold so he was tired and didn't feel well.  Then Yuna sat by me.  I found her a little colored pencil someone had lost on the floor and had her drawing on all the programs.  However, when she tried to draw on my shirt.  I whispered, "Don't draw on my shirt."  She replied, "Just wash it."
I don't believe in taking pictures in Sacrament meeting, but Caitlyn took a couple :0  Ollie was either not having fun, or trying to look cool.  I'm not sure which.

Ollie

Gunnar:  Most of the time we couldn't
see him very well.  He was behind the piano.

I didn't have my phone at their sacrament meeting, so I asked
Dan to take a picture before they changed their clothes,
and send it to me to commemorate their primary program.

Sunday evening, after the home teacher came and we'd had dinner, Jennie, Caitlyn, and Roy and I watched the women's conference that I'd completely forgotten about yesterday.  It worked out well, though, since last night, Caitlyn was involved with the dance stuff and Jennie was a little sick.  It was a great conference, as usual, and a foretaste of what is to come next weekend.

The Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum

Before I get started on this week's letter, I have to mention that it was Gunnar's birthday a couple of week's back and with everything going on, I failed to mention it, so, Happy Birthday Gunnar.  He had a swimming party at his Green Grandparent's home and it was a blast for all the kids that came. Adrienne made some yummy cupcakes (and cake for after the kids left).  It was a fun celebration.

Gunnar receiving a "turtle" painted by Aunt Jieun.
He was thrilled.

Monday, Roy had to drive all the way to Cordelaine,  ID. While he was on a very long drive, I went with my Daughters of the Utah Pioneer group (DUP) to visit the DUP museum, by the capital building.  We were told that they have 2,000 framed pictures of pioneers around the museum and another 25,000 (I can't remember the number exactly, but it was high) in storage.  With that many pictures, it was a wonder to find any we can claim as our own, but these two were pointed out to me by the other ladies in my group:

 These are your dad's great great grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth Giles Rasband.

I was sort of on the lookout for Cooks or Clydes, etc. but again, there were a lot of pictures!
They also had a really cool fire engine.  It was restored beginning in 1994 for $125,000.  The original cost to build was $8.900.

I can't believe I've never even been inside this museum.  It'd be a great family night.  They even have a stuffed two-headed lamb.

I've had two weeks off from teaching water aerobics because of the pool closure.  That has meant more skating.  My body has been a little sore and stiff from no rest days.  I'm back in the pool on Tuesday.  It's good because the pool keeps me limbered up for everything else I like to do.  It was a nice break, though.
Tuesday evening, Adrienne invited us up for dinner because she had made quiche.  It was eat and run for me, because I had a visiting teaching conference, but even though it was short, it was nice,--yummy, too.  Adrienne's a great cook.

Thursday afternoon I had a grandma date with Ori and Yuna.  I forgot to take any pictures, but they were darling and had a great time. I was surprised at how willing Yuna was to go home when her mom picked her up.

Roy and I attended a Young Single Adult Stake Women's Conference with Sheri Dew as the keynote speaker.  It was a nice morning with a yummy salad lunch and I enjoyed spending the day with Roy. We also went out for date night Saturday night.  Jed and Patti Cook had posted one of their dates on Instagram.  We were intrigued so we decided to follow suit.  This included dinner at "Current" Restaurant, which was delicious but pricey.  I especially enjoyed the sushi grade ceviche we had for an appetizer and the apple cobbler we shared for dessert.  The apples were cut into small pieces, nuts were added, and it made for a very tasty cobbler.  I would go back, but I think it'd have to be a special occasion.  After dinner we hurried to the Broadway movie theater and watched a quirky but entertaining film called, "Lost in Paris"  I guess you have to expect quirky at the Broadway.

Roy at "Current"

Sunday was wonderful, as usual.  We attended meetings, and, also as usual, Roy attended more meetings.  It was High Council Sunday so he spoke in another ward.  We had the family over for dinner and enjoyed their company.  Unfortunately, little Effie came down with a cold, so we didn't have most of the Nick Rasband family.  We managed to snag Ori, though, who was not sick.

Ori and Ruby

Ori took a walk in the creek after

she ate.  Of course she slipped and 

was soaking wet.  She cheered up 

after a quick shower and a shirt from

Jennie to wear around.  

Greta

Ruby

Finn and Doyeon

Hyeji and Gunnar

Finn and my creepy witch (He was really
scared at first)

Ruby

Crista and Greta

Jennie and Dojin

Finn and Gunnar

Jieun and Catharine

Yuna, Doyeon, Ruby and Hyeji

Doyeon and Ollie

Ollie (dressed as an Indian) and Yuna

Finn and Adrienne

Ruby and Matt

Grandma got a cuddle for about 60 seconds.  Just long
enough for Caitlyn to get a picture.

Elise sent us pictures of her family this week.  Andy and Max are busy helping people who have had damage from the floods.

I love these pictures.  Max is absolutely dedicated to helping the people in Houston whose homes have been damaged.  He even had to have a shirt.  

Max's helper, Princess Andy (note the crown)

Jennie had a fun Saturday with friends.  She posted a video of her surfing success, of which I took a screen shot:

Preparing Grandma and Grandpa's home to sale

Mav and Max--the waters have receded and
things are moving towards normal.  

We closely followed Hurricane Harvey, and were especially concerned because Elise was there experiencing it.  Now we are following Hurricane Irma, which is hitting Florida with even greater strength than Harvey hit Texas.  We are told in D&C 88: 90 And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds."  I'm not sure what it all means, except that we have been told these are signs of the last days. It' may be tempting to worry (and we should be mindful of those who are suffering), but we also need to remember that the Lord is in charge.  I love 2 Nephi 4,where Nephi is praising the Lord, and he says, "19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

 I, too, know in whom I trust, and that helps me to look forward with faith.  It is difficult to see these destructive hurricanes as blessings, but they truly can be if the people will turn to God in their afflictions.  As Elise has told us, she has seen so much love and so many miracles as the people of Texas have come together to help each other.  

Other than natural disasters (the hurricanes and the fires), there hasn't been much going on of note this week except that yesterday we went to Provo as a family to clean out Grandpa and Grandma's garage, storage room, and shed.  Grandpa has finally realized it is too much for him to take care of his home and he has agreed to go to an assisted living facility.  We will move grandma over to the new facility as well.  She'll be happier with Verl nearby.  

Nick and his family stopped to see grandma on his way to help at grandpa's:

It was an emotional day, especially for Nan.  I think it was hard for her to go through all her parent's things.   My grandchildren had a great time.  The weather was perfect for them to stay outdoors, and they were entertained by their cousins and a few toy cars, plus some pastels and colored pencils.  It was also fun for them to pick out a few of their grandparents things to take home with them.  Adrienne didn't want her kids to take anything (she detests stuff and clutter), but she had to acquiesce.  

Grandpa actually handled the day fairly well,
though he had a nervous stomach.  I think he was
glad to have a lot of things taken care of for him.

who knew that pastels were such a dirty art medium

Finn and Greta

• Below are a few more pictures from our work day Saturday

We ended our Sabbath watching the CES Fireside with President Bednar.  He spoke about being a strong link in the chain of our ancestors and our posterity.

Hyeji, Finn, Yuna, Ollie...

Gunnar and Ori

Uncle Evan (Roy in background)

Gunnar, Hyeji, Ori and Finn

Adrienne was in charge of the pantry

Matt