While we've been with the Wilde family, we've tried to help out any way we could, such as running kids where they need to be, cooking meals for the family as well as liquid foods for Alison. We've tried to do a lot of odd jobs around the house and throughout it all, try to be a supportive team for John and Alison and all they have been going through.
George became best friends with Roscoe and Roxie.
Daily he would "dance, dance, dance" with Roxie. She loved it--and I think Grandpa George got a kick out of it, too!
And each day, as George would eat his breakfast on the ledge outside, he had two "best buddies" right there beside him.
If he tried to sit outside in the sun for a few minutes, Roscoe decided he needed to get a little sun, too. The sun made Roscoe yawn!
Yes, these dogs are definitely part of the Wilde family. When the table is set, Roscoe thinks the biggest chair is for him!
And if George left his chair for even a minute while playing a game, Roscoe was right there to take over! We got a kick out of lots of their funny ways!
We loved attending Tyson's soccer games while we were here. He is a fantastic player--fast as lightening!
Whenever we are at John and Alison's, we always get to see lots of wildlife--we actually saw mule deer right across the street eating their neighbor's plants!
And as the leaves started turning colors, the wild turkeys came out in even more abundance!
Who needs lawn pest control? Bugs on this lawn don't have a chance!
Don't these very large turkeys know Thanksgiving is quickly approaching?!
A couple of times George and Preston took the dogs for a walk--remember there are lots of hills around here! It really wore those dogs, plus Grandpa out. Preston didn't seem a bit fazed even though he bounced his basketball left handed all the way!
Then the day finally arrived that was "bath" day for Roscoe and Roxie.
Believe me, it took everyone in the family to get the job done. Where am I, you ask? I was the photographer--an absolute essential component of this activity!
Yes, this was quite the experience!
One week, we were able to attend a session at the Oakland Temple. We always love to participate in temple work there.
Today the air was very clear and you could see over the entire valley. Great day--great experience.
While we were here at the Wilde home, we got to see Tyson take off for his first high school dance--without a date, of course, because he isn't 16 yet. He had a great time! He looks so sharp, doesn't he?!
And as the leaves started turning colors, the wild turkeys came out in even more abundance!
A couple of times George and Preston took the dogs for a walk--remember there are lots of hills around here! It really wore those dogs, plus Grandpa out. Preston didn't seem a bit fazed even though he bounced his basketball left handed all the way!
Then the day finally arrived that was "bath" day for Roscoe and Roxie.
Believe me, it took everyone in the family to get the job done. Where am I, you ask? I was the photographer--an absolute essential component of this activity!
One Sunday, we were able to listen to the Primary Program in Sacrament Meeting. Preston had a talk to give and did such a great job!
Shopping--Of all the stores I go in, George dislikes me going to JoAnne's Fabric the most! He knows this is a place I will never get out off very quickly, and he gets very bored! When Alison asked that I do a couple of quilts for her boys, George went along as we picked out fabric. We thought George was sitting quietly in the front waiting for us when we turned around and saw this! Honestly! I couldn't help laughing! At least it was keeping him busy and not complaining! Hah!
The request was to use t-shirts that the boys had collected while attending the Warrior's games the last few years. This family has AVID Warrior fans. I had never done a t-shirt quilt before, but I dove in. So in between other activities I was helping with, I was able to finish this quilt for Parker for his birthday.
Parker's birthday is the end of October. When he received it in Philadelphia where he is serving his two-year Mormon mission, he wrote, "This was the best birthday present ever!" That made me pretty happy! All the time and effort were definitely worth it!
That is one happy missionary!
In addition, I made this one (a little differently with the white squares in between) for Preston's Christmas present. Shhhh--don't anyone tell him!
Another project I was able to accomplish while staying here was to complete three missionary advent garlands that were sent to our three grandsons serving in the following areas: Australia, Nicaragua, and Pennsylvania. As they open each one counting down the days to Christmas Day, they will be reading quotes from this past General Conference.
It was so fun to wrap one of the thoughts with the pictures of our daughter Amy, daughter-in-law Anne, and grand daughter Sydney, on it. The three missionaries are going to be so happy to see these three familiar faces!
Another project I was able to accomplish while staying here was to complete three missionary advent garlands that were sent to our three grandsons serving in the following areas: Australia, Nicaragua, and Pennsylvania. As they open each one counting down the days to Christmas Day, they will be reading quotes from this past General Conference.
It was almost time for Halloween. Alison and Preston had a great time together decorating a "Happy Halloween" house.
And they did such a great job painting pumpkins!
Look at that happy face!
And they did such a great job painting pumpkins!
Look at that happy face!
George and I had such fun attending Preston's Halloween parade at school. Not only did he look the part of a little old man, he actually acted the part. He walked hunched over the entire parade. It was definitely the best costume there, in our opinion!
And Tyson was Superman, of course!
I always love to see how my grandkids dress up for Halloween. I have never been a "dresser-up" kind of person, but I guess I'm still a kid at heart and get so much fun out of seeing my grandkids and their creativity! Here are Lauren and Kade!
Cute Hannah!
And definitely too cute to be a witch is Lola!
Isaac plays the role of a football player so well--that's probably because this was his first year as a tackle football player, which he loved!
Their brother Garrett chose not to dress up this year, but helped his mom distribute the candy at the door.
At first I was wondering where Brady was--oh, yes--he is the Ninja warrior and went trick-or-treating with one of his best friends.
Gavin was a Ninja warrior.
Riley was, also, a Ninja warrior.
Kennedy was a Supergirl Elsa.
And little Dawson is an adorable Minion! See why I love Halloween. All these pictures and costumes really make me smile!
We were here when Preston brought home his Halloween candy. It is always so fun for them to look it over while they sort it.
I would definitely say Preston had a great Halloween! I'm sure all the other kids did, too!
While we have been here, we were able to attend all of Preston's basketball games, and even most of his practices. Consequently, we have gotten to know not only the team players, but, also, the coaches and many of the parents. They are a great group of people--and really a fun team to watch! Although there isn't a lot of height on their team, they are so scrappy and quick, they beat many teams almost twice their size!
When the coach's wife heard that George's birthday was coming up, she planned a little pre-birthday bash for their last game!
She had worked so hard to make delicious brownies, which she heard were some of George's favorite, plus darling painted cookies that had taken her hours to make, I'm sure!
George with the team.
The team and their siblings! Everyone had such a great time!
And here is Toni, the amazing lady who planned this whole party, who had one last treat that she knew George loved--Chex mix! She really spoiled George, for sure!
And just to emphasize how much fun everyone was having--Tyson shows how strong he is while his mother shows that she still is pretty flexible and hasn't lost all her dancing skills!
We were able to celebrate George's _____ birthday (Yes, it was a milestone for him!) while we were here.
This picture was taken right after we were engaged 47 years ago! Seriously, he still looks almost as young to day as he did then--a fact that I am reminded about by others often!
We were here when Preston brought home his Halloween candy. It is always so fun for them to look it over while they sort it.
I would definitely say Preston had a great Halloween! I'm sure all the other kids did, too!
While we have been here, we were able to attend all of Preston's basketball games, and even most of his practices. Consequently, we have gotten to know not only the team players, but, also, the coaches and many of the parents. They are a great group of people--and really a fun team to watch! Although there isn't a lot of height on their team, they are so scrappy and quick, they beat many teams almost twice their size!
When the coach's wife heard that George's birthday was coming up, she planned a little pre-birthday bash for their last game!
She had worked so hard to make delicious brownies, which she heard were some of George's favorite, plus darling painted cookies that had taken her hours to make, I'm sure!
George with the team.
The team and their siblings! Everyone had such a great time!
And here is Toni, the amazing lady who planned this whole party, who had one last treat that she knew George loved--Chex mix! She really spoiled George, for sure!
And just to emphasize how much fun everyone was having--Tyson shows how strong he is while his mother shows that she still is pretty flexible and hasn't lost all her dancing skills!
We were able to celebrate George's _____ birthday (Yes, it was a milestone for him!) while we were here.
This picture was taken right after we were engaged 47 years ago! Seriously, he still looks almost as young to day as he did then--a fact that I am reminded about by others often!
He is modeling the t-shirt our grandson sent him from Philadelphia. In addition, all the kids sent a video from their family that Alison's neighbor put together as a birthday wish. I looked over and tears were streaming down George's face. He certainly loves his family! Such a thoughtful way of wishing him a happy birthday that Alison had thought of and made sure it was all put together!
Alison, also, made this darling poster that George loved!
Yes, George was treated very royally at the Wilde house for his birthday. Thanks ever so much!
Four days later, we got to celebrate Alison's birthday! So interesting how she was born while her dad was in the CPA exam--before cell phones with no way to let him know that he now had a baby daughter in addition to our son, Kevin. I think he was actually pretty happy that he didn't have to go through the waiting part when he finally figured out I must be at the hospital when he came home and found no one there. I hadn't even left a note--I thought I was just going to get checked by the doctor--I was immediately put in a room and had Alison less than three hours later
Alison has always been such a loving and giving person. She is constantly thinking of ways to make others happy!
With two sons on missions right now, she just has the two boys home--but they definitely keep her running!
Parker, who is on his mission in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sent this great hat to his mother for her birthday. He has great taste, right?!
John took Alison to see Riverdance and they stayed at the Marriott for the night for her birthday. They had a great time!
John took Alison to see Riverdance and they stayed at the Marriott for the night for her birthday. They had a great time!
One day Preston had a visit to a farm with his school. Alison had signed up to be a chaperone. Fortunately, she was feeling a little better and was able to go. They had to dress up in cowboy attire. Preston wasn't at all happy that he had to take his sports clothes off for one day . . .
but after arriving at the farm and seeing all the other kids dressed up, he soon forgot about it and had a great time.
On the evening of Alison's birthday, Brigham Young University played San Jose State. John got us all tickets to go to the game. We were on the second row where we could watch all the action . . .
not only the team members . . .
but, also, the mascot Cosmo. He was the best Cosmo I've ever seen!
Whether he was doing dance-offs or jumping off the walls . .
he kept us thoroughly entertained!
As he was walking by us, we told him it was Alison's birthday. He gave her a big hug!
It was so fun having Cosmo acknowledge that it was a special day for her!
A little chilly, but by taking blanket and coats, we kept warm just fine! The game wasn't a pretty win for BYU, but it was a win, nonetheless! We all had a great time!
After two months, Alison was finally able to get off her feeding tube. We were so happy and now that she has specialists helping her (plus lots of prayers and prayer rolls!), we feel confident that the doctors will be guided as to how to help her get back to normal health.
Even though it has been a bad situation that brought us here to the Wilde home, we just couldn't have been treated any better by the Wilde family! We surely love them and appreciate all they do for us and the entire family!
Even though it has been a bad situation that brought us here to the Wilde home, we just couldn't have been treated any better by the Wilde family! We surely love them and appreciate all they do for us and the entire family!
1 comment:
Loved this recap of the time you spent with the Wilde's...can't believe you ended up being there two months. What a godsend you and George were to Alison and her family!! You both are bright rays of service! We continue to pray for Alison's recovery and send our love.
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