Yesterday we came down to the valley where Loye has been working practically all this year.  We bought a camp trailer so he will have a place to stay.  It is quite a nice trailer and is completely self-contained.  I have spent the day reading and writing in my journal, something I have been wanting to do for quite a while.

The weather here is so hot and humid that the best place to stay is right here under the refrigeration.

In the evening we went over to Dahl and Shelley's to celebrate Lindsey's 5th birthday we were there, also Lindsey's Bradshaw grandparents and her Aunt Janet and Uncle David with their daugher P.J.  Shelley served ice cream and cake.  She had the house all decorated with crepe paper and balloons.  Dahl and Shelley are going to move from their house as they have sold it and want to build them a bigger house.

While we were at Dahl's we had a phone call from Roger, Jared, Jason and Liza.  Roger said he had work at home next week if Loye wanted to work up there.  Jared and Jason wanted to know where jason's physical was as he needed it in order to play football.  They are both in my purse (down here.)  Liza said her and Mark would not be down Tuesday to go to the temple with Yvonne and Bart who are being married on Wednesday.

After the party Loye and I came home and went to bed.

It has been so long since I wrote in this journal with any regularity and now I would like to keep it up better.

Since I have slacked off there have been many important things pass by that I haven't written about.

One of the things I must make mention of is that Shanna and Jim are getting a divorce.  It was a shock at first but I really don't think shanna has ever been as happy as she had a right to be, and now I just hope and pray she can find happiness with someone else and also have a family.  She is a good girl and I really want her to be happy.

Roger is being ostracized by Dean Sellers and Pres Eddie Hancock and Pres. Pete Shumway want Roger to sue Sellers for defamation of character.  I hope Roger can do what is best for all concerned.  Roger is a good man and a good father and he has a good wife.

Loyelin and Rick are considering buying a new house and they need one so bad.  They are stuck off up there in Shumway with no car most of the time.  Besides they need a new home for their family.

Dahl and Shelley, I think are doing pretty good.  They have sold the little house that Dahl built, and they are going to rent an apartment until they can build a new house.  They also have my youngest granddaughter who was born June 6, 1986 and she is the cutest baby.  Her name is Amber.

Jared although he has been interested enough a couple of times to get married as yet hasn't taken the plunge.  I'm sure he would be lots happier if he would get married.  he does have a horse and that fact has made some changes in his life.  He takes good care of his horse and he has changed from Rock and Roll music to Country and Western and he now wears cowboy boots.  It does help him to have an interest in his life.  Jared teaches primary ad he is very dependable.

Josh I pray that he will soon get strength to shun evil in all it's forms and go forward and upward.

I love all my children.

Jason is at an exciting age this year.  He is just starting High School as a freshie and he is looking forward to the new excitement of the year.  He was just ordained a teacher.  I just pray that he goes and grows in God's kingdom as well as in school.

I know I have not recorded my happiness about Mark and Liza and their sealing in the temple, we are so pleased and happy about this.  It was such a special day.  They both looked so handsome and nice looking, and when they brought the 4 little kids up to the sealing room it was almost more happiness than my heart could contain  Tiffany patted her hair and said "I pretty", and she sure was.  As Liza was carrying her out of the temple she started singing "Old McDonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O."  Some of the old folks smiled as she went by.

Mom isn't feeling too good.  She is mostly lonesome and we all need to visit with her more  I love my Mother and I want my family to know that she is a good, and religious lady.  She loves her family no matter what they do and she has always tried to support them in almost everything they do, at least when she could.

Many of the families have had weddings.  Rion Ramsey married and divorced Bonnie Ellsworth they had a baby girl Riann.

Becky married and divorced Lloyd Gorman she had a baby girl Jamie Ranae, she later married Gene Shurling.

Eric is in Charlotte, N.C on a mission and Rob is a freshman.

Scott Ramsey married Kendra Crosby and they seem to be real happy they have a baby girl Kendyal.

Amy Lewis married Glenn Whetton they now have 3 children, a girl Tony and 2 boys Darren and Jerome.

Matt Lewis married Suzie Cluff and they have a baby girl Mallory.

Stewart lewis is in Korea on a mission, and Tana Lewis is in Hawaii working as a nanny.

Ivy Lewis married Craig Jones.  Benda, David, Vera, Megan, Dennis are all still home.

Kim Rogers married Keith Brimhall they have 4 children - Chad Burdahl, Abbey, Ashley (who was born premature and weighed only 2 1/2# but has done real well and is cute as a button) and Blake Rogers.

Kristi Rogers married Mike Russell and they have 3 children - Chauncy Moroni, Valerie and Jay Hunt.

Monte Rogers married Dana Crandall they expect a new baby this week.

Yvonne Rogers will marry Bart Judd Aug. 20, 1986.  Yvette and Ann are still home.

Ross Lillywhite married Lurlyn Cassidy they have 4 children but I do not know their names because we have neglected to visit with them enough.

Paul Lillywhite married Bonnie Polson (I think) they have 7 children.

James Lillywhite married Kaylyn ? they have 1 little girl.

Julieann Lillywhite married Roy Madison they have 5 children.

Sheryl Lillywhite is married but I have forgotten his name.


Loye's family runs this way.

Geneva Hall married Brent Horne they have 4 children Deron who will go to Roanoke, VA Oct. 1 on a mission.  Darrel, Dustin and Kristen.

Keith Hall married Janet Brinkerhoff they have 6 children, Brian, Scott, Shawn, Deon, Kelly and Kimberly.

Kent Hall married Carol Lofgreen they have 6 children Rachell, Ryan, Terry, Dawn, J.C. Summer and they are expecting again.

George Hall married Denise Gillespie they have 6 children, Brad, Nicole, Kevin, Jolyn, Charlie, Caressa.

Charlayne Hall married Doug Brewer they have 3 children Brett, Charlee and Becky.

Verlyn Hall married Steve Stratton they have 3 girls Rayell, Amy and Kari.

Randy Hall married Vicki Peterson.

Craig Hall not married.

Irva Reeves married Fred Whipple they have either 4 or 5 children Loren, Dalyn, Julie and Reed.

Linda Reeves married and divorced a man by the last name of Romero but I don't know is 1st name they had 1 child Raymond.

Ronda Valee Willis married Ronald Smith they have (I think) 5 girls and 1 boy but I don't know their names.

Keeven Willis married Judy ? and I don't know how many children they have.

Stacey Willis married Gary Farr and they have 5 children.

Kristi Willis married Doug Hatch and they have 2 children.

Mark Willis is still at home.

Greg willis married Holly Powers they have 2 children Chareese and Amy.

Brent Willis married Naomi Bushman they have 2 children Bretyn and ?.

Kay Willis married Mitzi Hammond they have 1 baby named Joseph.

Willis who is one of Jason's best friends is still at home and only a freshman.

Maybe this will sort of keep things in perspective of who are our main families.

Continued

My own grandchildren are very dear to me.  Cassandra Lea is going to Eastern Arizona to school she has a boyfriend named Harry Wood he is from Thatcher.  I am very pleased with Cassie she seems to know where she is going.  May she always remember to do what is right and keep her life in order.

Tamara Lynn is out of High School and is having a hard time deciding what she wants to do with her life, the last time I heard she was going to school with Cassie.  I think this is the best decision she has made so far even though I know Tammy does not like school.

Kris Delaine will be a Sophomore this year.  She is a quiet, nice and pretty girl also she does well in school and should do great in life.

Tara Rachael will be in the 8th grade and she will be all right cause she does not know a stranger and she is bubbly and full of fun.

Heather Jo is in 4th grade is quiet, pretty and smart.  She will do good in life, everyone seems to like her.

Heidi Jill starts kindergarten and is Roger's baby and she is cute as she can be.  She is friendly and happy and does about what she wants to do.

Cristina Marie is a freshie and is a cute, talented and smart girl.  If she chooses the right friends she will go far in life.

Sara Rae is in 3rd grade and a born chatter-box knows everything about everybody.  She is cute, kind and smart.

Richard Edward Loye is cute, chubby and tries real hard to talk but is hard to understand.  He will go far as he is pretty diplomatic.

Daniel Martin Louis is a real cutie and he is going to be a big boy if Loyelin can fill up his height.  He is good natured and knows how to wrestle all ready as Richard is teaching him.

Jacob - good looking, smart, tender-hearted.  He takes care of his sisters and tries hard to be a good boy.

Lindsey is a pretty little girl.  She talks non-stop and she is friendly and does not forget people.  She always makes people feel important especially grandparents.

Amber - a cute little sweet, cuddly baby.

Candon Paul is in 2nd grade and is a dependable little boy, handsome and smart, likes to play ball and takes good care of his sisters.

Rikki Rachelle is in 1st grade and is a cute little quiet girl who has her own burdens to bear but does it quietly.  Everyone's heart goes out to her.

Amanda Jo is just what Rikki needs as she speaks right up about everything not only for herself but for Rikki too.  She is pretty, sweet and important.

Tiffany Lynn is everyone's sweetheart and she knows it and basks in this love, she is a real live doll.

Last week we had our Roger's Reunion and my family was in charge of it.  It was held  at "Sherwood Forrest"  over by Nutrioso, AZ and we had a good time.  It was a lot of work, but worth it.  I was real proud of my family they came through and really helped.  And my precious husband was with me all the way.  I could never have managed without him.  We even won the horseshoe pitching contest.  This is the second time we have got to bring the trophy home.  Here are some of Mom's favorite sayings that my grandkids used in their skit.

"Anything worth doing is worth doing right.
"Pretty is as pretty does."
"Beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes clear to the bone."
"Wilful waste, woeful want."
"All a steer can do is try."
"When the sun is in the west, that's when lazy folks work the best."
"When a string is in a knot patience will untie it, patience can do many things, did you ever try it?"
"Every old crow thinks hers is the blackest."
"Birds of a feather flock together."
"Still waters run deep."
"Water seeks its own level."
"Love goes where it's sent even if it's on a horse turd."
"You couldn't find your but with both hands."
"There's many a slip twist cup and lip."
"You can choose your friends but not your relatives."

40th Anniversary and Grandma Eva Willis Passed Away

Well here we go again, Loye left to work in the valley once again.

Many things have happened since I last wrote in this journal.

We finished working in the Mts. after spending the most enjoyable summer in a while, hauling wood, and being with our boys.  

We have had good new and bad news.  The good news is that Rikki is doing much better and Loyelin had another boy in August.  He is a real cute baby they named him Daniel Martin Luis Aceves.  They get going with names and can't quit, but the baby is cute anyway.

December 3, 1985 was our 40th Wedding Anniversary and our whole family was here.  The kids had a party for us and it was really nice.  I love my children.

The bad news is that Grandma Willis passed away the last of November.  All of her children were there (and most of her grandchildren) at her passing.  She was a good lady and as a mother-in-law I loved her very much, she was always good to me and I will be glad to meet her again in the hereafter.

I have no idea what happened on April 13, but here it is August 21.  My dear sister Judy's birthday, she must be about 47 years old.  She has had so many problems, my heart just aches for her.  She has moved back to Mesa, I sure hope things start looking up for her and her family.

We have problems in our own family.  This summer little Rikki had an operation for a malignant brain tumor that had started growing  she was in the operating room 8 1/2 hrs.  The doctor said they got 99% of the tumor and then they planted 14 radiation seeds hoping to kill what was left of the tumor.  She seems to be doing fine except that the muscles on the right side of her face does not work and when she talks her  mouth is pulled to one side.  We all hope and pray she will get better.  This year she will be in kindergarten.

Cassandra has spent all summer in California staying with Jim and Shanna Nally.  But now she is at Eastern Arizona Jr. College in Thatcher where she will attend school this winter.  Tammy will be a Senior.  Kris a Freshman, Tara will be in the 7th grade (1st year Jr. High)  Heather will be in the 3rd grade.  Heidi will stay with Liza while Cathy works.  Candon will be in 1st grade, Sara the 2nd grade and Jason and Cristina will be 8th graders.  Mandy, Tiffany and Richard, and Lindsey will all be home while Jacob (I think) starts to kindergarten.

Loyelin is expecting our 16th grandchild right away.  We really need a new baby, as Tiffany is about 1 1/2 years old.  She is cute as a bugs ear, but we need a little new baby.

We are up on the mountain by Hannigan's Meadow where Loye and the boys are doing some work for Dean Sellars.  He has quite a project going, and it has provided us with a lot of work this summer.  I have only been up here about 4 weeks but I have really enjoyed it.  It's so pretty and green and COOL!

Katie has been here quite a bit while Charlie has been working his backhoe.  But I have been doing the cooking so I don't have much time for visiting this week I am cooking for about 16 men.  It is quite a hassle in a camper where we don't have running water.  But most of them seem to enjoy the food.  The guys here that I cook for are Loye, Roger, Jared, Jardine and Jason Willis, Candon Williams is here, Andy Savage, Stewart Hensley, Gene Sidell, Kim Lund, Kay Smith, Chris, Bud and Arthur Isaacs, and Roy Madison (Anna Lou's son-in-law who married Juliann.)  Kent and George Hall are here with their sons Ryan and Brad.  Lane Plumb with his sons Jesse and Billy, there are 2 guys from Mesa, 2 guys from Alpine and a man named Joe from Prescott.  When our ward went to Prescott to play softball in the boys Jr. tournament they all stayed at Joe's home and he isn't even L.D.S.  But our boys all stayed in his home along with Merlin and Sherry Hancock and Tom Wing and his son.  They expressed appreciation to Joe's wife for being such a gracious hostess.  The boys won 4th place.

It has been so long since I wrote in this that I can't remember all the events that have happened since I last wrote in here.  Lucielle Plumb and Casey Moritzky, both passed away each having cancer it happened unless than a week from each other.  Lucielle was around 80 and casey was about 26.  He left a young wife Laurie.

Josh has a nice girlfriend, Sheryl Van Deren.

This last weekend was Easter and also General Conference.  We went down to Roosevelt Lake camping and stayed Friday and Saturday nights we came home early Sunday morning.  Mark and Liza and their children went also, Jared, Jason, Cristina, Sara, Loye and I all went.  Roger, Cathy and their girls except Cassie all came down and back on Saturday Amber Whiting came with them.

  Loyelin is expecting again so she wasn't feeling like going.  Shanna lives so far away, her and Jim don't get to come very often.  I love all my family but it is easier to feel close to those who want to be near us.

Mandy is such a little fisty britches and she always has an answer for everything.  As we were looking for a place to camp we teasingly told the kids we were going back to Taylor.  This upset Sara Rikki and Mandy who were riding in the car with us.  "Why?" said Sara, "Oh Brother!" is Rikki's favorite comment.  Then came this disgusted little voice from Mandy "I'm not happy!"  As she was drinking her milk and looked out toward the lake she said "If I would throw this in there it would all turn to milk."  She is a little pouter but she is so full of life and her comments always send out a ray of sunshine.  Little Rikki's is pretty quiet but still enjoys life to the fullest and never bothers anyone.  Candon is all boy and acts accordingly.  Tiffany is so good natured she just played in her playpen until someone picked her up then she was all smiles and happy.  Sara is a pretty little girl, always talking, sometimes enthusiastically, sometimes not so enthusiastic, but always talking.  Cristina is a very pretty girl and always likes to do fun things.  She is also very talented.  I just hope she sets her goals in the right direction.  Jason is my baby and sometimes acts like it, but he is so much company for me and I love him dearly, he also has lots of talents.  He could be a very good athlete, but athletics really doesn't seem to interest him to much.  As long as he is a good boy and does as his Heavenly Father wants him to, everything will be alright for him.

We did have an enjoyable trip the desert was so green and pretty with wild flowers everywhere.  We came home through young (an isolated community in the middle of Pleasant Valley, located under the great Mogollon Rim of Arizona.)  over 58 miles of dirt road.  The people of Young are very back-woodsy because it is so hard for them to associate with the rest of the world because of the bad roads.  They have a branch of the church there that meets in a small, ice little church house.  Young belongs to the Taylor Stake.