Bits and tidbits

Recent news from family members

Kira (Dale and LeAnn’s family) posted on Labor Day: “Last night Scarlett shocked herself trying to plug in a nightlight, which was super sad and scary. I think the electricity must have done something to her because she has been a perfect angel all day and decided to potty train herself. No accidents all day. She just woke up this morn­ing and magically knew how to use the potty.”

Chuck McAllister’s mother, Margaret Ellen Linford McAllister, died September 7, due to complications of pneumonia. She was 71 years old. Chuck is Kay’s son-in-law, married to Andrea. According to the obituary, she was “survived by her husband of 50 years, Karl W. McAllister, six children: Karl David, Benjamin L., Charles Mark, Adam James, Paul Samuel and Heather, also 25 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“Born November 25, 1944 in SLC to Duane H. Linford and Mary Ellen McDonald, Margaret was the oldest of five living children. A graduate of Granite High, she excelled in the arts, and music, and became a ‘Sterling Honor’ of Home Eco­nom­ics. After earning her Bachelors and Masters degrees, she taught ‘Special Ed.’ for 30 years, and was beloved by all her students.

“Love of family and motherhood were her most cherished and honored achievements. She excelled in every cooking and sewing skill, but especially enjoyed creating many unique heir­looms quilts and artful embroideries.”

The funeral was held on September 12 in Lehi.

For Claudia’s and my family this is “the year of the move.” Five months ago we had children spread across all of the time zones in the conti­nental United States: Becca and Cade in Fall­brook, California (Pacific time zone); Rachael and Robert in Harris­burg, Illinois (Central time zone); Eliza and Paul in Cumming, Georgia (Eastern time zone); and the other five in Utah (Mountain time zone).

In June Becca and Cade moved from southern California to St. George. Cade’s contract work for the military can be done largely from home, and they are in St. George (either permanently or tem­porarily; they’ll know in January) helping to care for Cade’s mom and grandma.

The same month Rachael and Robert moved from southern Illinois to Kaysville. Robert, a medical doctor, is now working for Inter­moun­tain Health Care, working at InstaCares in Weber and Davis counties.

And this coming week Eliza and Paul are moving from Georgia to somewhere in Utah (initially staying with us here in Bountiful until their house in Georgia sells and they decide where they want to buy a home here along the Wasatch Front). Paul, a pharmacist, will become a manager for a new pharmacy probably to be located some­where in the north end of Utah County.

And two of our Utah children moved: Anna and Pete to a new home in the Yalecrest area (also known as the Harvard-Yale area) of Salt Lake City and Mary and Vince from our basement into Anna and Pete’s former house in the Sugar House area of Salt Lake.

Bits and tidbits

Recent news from family members

Kay was released in July after serving for five years as bishop of his ward in Hurricane. He had two grandsons marry this summer: Marshal McAllister (Chuck and Andrea’s son) married Savannah Moon on July 28, and Austin Cleverly (Kyle and Melissa’s son) married Lexi Hesen on July 30.

Austin posted on August 26: “What a great week! I just got hired as a physical therapy aide! I can finally get experience and take the next step towards my future career!”

Two missionaries (that we know of) are cur­rently serving from the family: Ryan Cleverly (Chad and Melissa’s son) is serving in the Mexico City West Mission and Caleb Cleverly (Michael and Shauna’s son) is cur­rently in the São Paulo MTC on his way to the Brazil Ribeirão Preto Mission.

Caleb’s older sister, Meghan (Michael and Shauna’s daughter), set herself a goal to do ordinance work in 16 temples during 2016. On August 23 she went through the Boise Temple, her 15th, and on August 24 she went through the Twin Falls Temple, her 16th. Goal completed.

While Meghan, Claudia, and I were in Boise we had a nice visit with Jerry and Jim. That evening 16 of us went to dinner at the Jade Garden, a Chinese buffet in Nampa: Lyle and Nina; Gene and Cheryl, Kelley, and Ronnie; Dale and LeAnn and Micah, Keisha, and Carson; Rex and Jackie; and Claudia, Meghan, and I. We had a delightful evening visiting at the restaurant and afterward at Dale and LeAnn’s house.

And just four days later five of us got together at Lynda’s house in Ogden and went to dinner at Chuck-a-Rama: Lynda, Kay, Karen, Claudia, and I. Another delightful evening together!

4 Bits and Tidbits

Lyle's family
As we reported last month, Joseph Card (Lyle's great-grandson and Terry and Becky's grandson) has received a mission call to the California Roseville Mission. He speaks in sacrament meeting on Sunday, December 9, with an open house that evening, before he reports to the Provo MTC on Wednesday, December 19.

Jerry
We spoke with Jerry on the phone on Friday, November 30. We were down visiting Kay and Karen in Hurricane and had made contact with Nancy Shahan (who as Nancy Blades joined the Church in 1964 in Nampa, and Jerry and I were her first home teachers). She now lives in Hurricane, and we looked her up and invited her over to visit. She walked in Kay and Karen's front door as I was on the phone with Jerry, so I handed the phone to Nancy, and she talked briefly with Jerry. We had a nice visit with Nancy catching up on nearly half a century. I had probably last seen her in the mid-1960s.

Kay's family
On Thursday, November 15, Kay celebrated his birthday. On Friday, November 16, he had surgery for an esophageal diverticulectomy. The doctor found a hiatal hernia while in there, so he fixed it also. Karen posted on Saturday, November 17, "Kay's surgery went well. This morning I get to take him home. For Thanksgiving dinner he gets only soft foods. He has not had to take any pain meds at all. We are so grateful for the priesthood and the blessings they administer . . . and the power of prayers. Thank you everyone." 

Claudia and I drove down to Hurricane on Wednesday, November 28, to visit Kay and Karen before we leave on our mission. We arrived there that evening, not long before Kay had to go off to tithing settlement. The delicious meal of soup and salad was Kay's first eating of solid food since his surgery. Karen works all day in the St. George Temple on Thursdays, so that afternoon Kay, Claudia, and I went through an endowment session, which ended just as it was time for Karen to be through. On Friday we visited with Nancy (as reported above under Jerry) and then went exploring: to Pine Valley up behind Pine Mountain, to the site of the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857, and back to Tuhacan, where in the evening we watched a live enactment (with live animals, a donkey, some sheep, and a camel) of the Nativity. We concluded the evening driving around looking at Christmas lights in St. George and Hurricane. And then Saturday morning, December 1, Claudia and I got in the car and headed home to Bountiful. It was a wonderful few days together.

Chad and Melissa's girls did well at the North American Western Regionals Oireahtas on Saturday, November 17. Danielle place third and Mckenna placed fourth. Melissa posted, "SOOOOOO proud of them. We love you girls."

Dean's family
With our visit these past few days to Kay and Karen in southern Utah (as reported above under Kay's family), we have now had an opportunity to see all our family before we take off for two years to serve at the Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters (in Omaha, Nebraska). We visited our daughter Rachael and her family in Harrisburg, Illinois, for a week in September; the family in the Nampa and Boise area (Lyle and Nina, Jerry, Gene and Cheryl, Dale and LeAnn, and Rex and Jackie) in mid-October; and our daughter Eliza and her family in Atlanta, Georgia, right after that October trip to Idaho. And then Kay and Karen. Our travels are now through.

We are excited, however, that both Rachael's and Eliza's family are coming to see us at Christmastime for a week each: Eliza arriving on Christmas Eve and flying home on New Year's Day, and Rachael arriving on the night of Christmas Day and flying home on January 2. They will be here for when Claudia and I speak in sacrament meeting on Sunday morning, December 30, before we enter the Provo MTC on Monday, January 14.

Our son-in-law Cade Hoff has accepted a new job in southern California, a contract position working for the military at Camp Pendleton, which he begins on January 2. (He had been doing a similar job, something to do with computers, for the military at Hill Field here in Utah.) So, the family will be moving from Layton to California just before we take off for our mission.

Dale's family
Dylan and Sarah are expecting their second child this coming summer—at least that's what their Christmas card announced. Exciting!

4 Bits and tidbits

Lyle's family
Joseph Card (Lyle's great-grandson and Terry and Becky's grandson) has received a mission call to the California Roseville Mission. He reports to the Provo MTC on December 19. As Becky posted, "So very proud of our Joseph!!"

Jerry
We visited Jerry and Jim when we were in Boise a couple weeks ago. Just a week before Jim had suffered what they determined was a mild stroke. After a day or two in the hospital, he was back home, using a walker to get around and working with a physical therapist. Depending on the therapist's recommendation, he should soon be back to normal and able to drive again and such.

Dean's family
Claudia and I returned Tuesday evening from a week's visit in Atlanta, where we were staying with our daughter Eliza, her husband Paul, and their three children (Peter, Aaron, and Claire). We learned while there that a fourth child is on the way, due in March. (Talmage and Louise are also expecting another child in March.) While we were in Georgia, our daughter Rachael, her husband Robert, their four daughters (Claudia, Esther, Margaret, and Eleanor) drove down from Illinois for the weekend. It's about a seven-hour drive. And our son Michael and his son Jacob flew from Utah for the weekend to attend the BYU-Georgia Tech football game. We had a great time.

The day before leaving for Georgia, Claudia and I returned from Idaho, where we visited with everyone up in the Nampa and Boise area a final time before we leave on our mission in January. We saw Lyle and Nina, Jerry and Jim, Gene and Cheryl, Dale and LeAnn, Micah and Keisha, Rex and Jackie, Jared, and Jeff, Jolene, and Rayna. Friday afternoon, the day we arrived, we were able to go through the Boise Temple open house. The next afternoon Jackie, Gene, and I attended the Boise State-UNLV game. Most everyone got together after the game at the Chuck-a-Rama near the temple in Boise, and some adjourned afterwards at Dale and LeAnn's house in Nampa. We attended church with Jackie on Sunday afternoon. And left for home on Monday morning.

Dale's family
The weekend we were in Idaho, Dale and LeAnn left early Sunday morning to drive to Rexburg for a missionary farewell for LeAnn's nephew. Micah and Keisha went with them, and they met David and Kira on the way (at the Kimberley exit down by Twin Falls). They returned home that same evening.

That same Sunday, even though he wasn't there, Dale was released as ward mission leader after seven years and sustained as a Sunday School teacher of twelve-year-olds.

Jackie's family
Jackie had an operation on her foot last week for removal of a half-inch bone spur on the heel of her right foot. She is recovering nicely, without pain, but has to stay off the foot for two weeks. She has been using one of the little scooters that you kneel on to get around. She can't drive or return to work until it has healed. She was going to have the operation done later, but this way she will be recovered in time to help Jolene when she has her baby.

4 Bits and tidbits

Lyle's family

Lyle called us on Saturday, September 8. He said they had spent a week up in northern Idaho (Couer d'Alene, Farragut, and such) and over into eastern Washington. They saw some of his grandkids in Spokane. They were planning a trip the next week on the Fun Bus down to Winnemucca to see Tami and her family. And I guess to have fun.

We gather from posts on Facebook that Christopher spent the final week of September visiting family in Washington State and is now back home in Maine.

Kay's family

Kay posted a link to his grandson Carson's football profile:

http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/q9UKYSvy0EiV6sT9P3ng1g/football-fall-11/profile-carson-cleverly.htm

Carson is a junior at Heritage High School in Brentwood, California.

Marshall McAllister, Chuck and Andrea's son, was chosen last month as homecoming king at Layton High School.

Dean's family
Claudia and I spent a week this past month (from Tuesday, September 18, through Tuesday, September 25) visiting our daughter Rachael Hodson, her husband Robert, and their four daughters in Harrisburg, Illinois. We flew in and out of St. Louis.

We were there for their Primary sacrament meeting program. Rachael is the Primary president in their little branch, and the three older girls had parts on the program.

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Kay's family

Kay and Karen made a trip to northern Utah this past weekend (August 24-26) to see a grandson play football and another grandson ordained.

Ray's family

We recently received a message on Facebook from Richard, Ray's oldest son: "Have not heard from dad's side of family in long time. I'm living in West Yellowstone, Montana. Been here 11 years now. I work at Parade Rest guest ranch in summers, Yellowstone Arctic Yamaha snowmobile shop winters. Do you still have family newsletter? Please send info to sign up if you do. Congrats on retirement. Hope all goes well."

Dean's family

Robert and Rachael and their four daughters came from Illinois for a week's visit, arriving Friday evening, August 10, and returning home Thursday, August 16. While here in Utah, their daughter Esther (who had turned eight on July 26) was baptized and confirmed in Layton on Saturday afternoon, August 11. Afterward our entire family gathered at a nearby Golden Corral for dinner together.

The next day we had our family birthday party for the August birthdays (one of which is Rachael, who doesn't normally get to be here for our birthday celebrations). Another day I went with them up to Malad, to check on their house that they still own from when they moved three years ago from Idaho to Illinois.

And on their final evening in town, Claudia and all the girls (our daughters and daughters-in-law and the two oldest granddaughters) got together for a sisters' night out. Everyone was here except our daughter Eliza in Atlanta. I took some of the grandkids to buy pizza, and we took it to a park, where we ate and played for a couple of hours, and ended with ice cream cones at Arctic Circle before taking the little ones home to their mothers.

4 Bits and tidbits

Gail and Lynda's family

A report from Angie Craine dated July 3

Melissa had a baby in May. Not sure of the date, but her name is Meleigha Zoe Montano.

Not sure on the spelling of the first name.

My Richard has been in chemotherapy treatments since March for stage 4 rectal cancer.

It metastasized to his lungs. He has been very ill and has lost about 60 pounds since March.

Mom is expecting another grandchild (John and Morgan) and a great grandchild (Josh and Veronica) early this next year.

Craig Foley was set apart as the bishop in their ward last July.

Bill completed the Ironman triathlon in May, with a bad knee.  But he is an ironman.

Zander Duay had a seizure at the Laramie Rec Center pool last week, and had a 

grand mal seizure while in the hospital. They don't know why or how. It was pretty

scary.

I think that is all the latest. Mom might have due dates and birth dates. Everyone else is doing well.

Others in the family
Following the wedding festivities when Lyle and Nina married on July 21 (see item 1 in this newsletter), Jerry and Jim, Gene and Cheryl, Dean and Claudia, and Dale and LeAnn gathered at Dale and LeAnn's house in Nampa to visit further throughout the rest of the afternoon. They concluded with dinner at the pizza buffet in Nampa where Keisha works as a manager.

The next day, following Dale and LeAnn's midday church meetings and dinner with Dale and LeAnn and Micah and Keisha, Dean and Claudia drove across the state for their week at Lava Hot Springs in southeastern Idaho.

4 Bits and tidbits

Lyle's family 

Lyle will be getting married on Saturday afternoon, July 21, in Caldwell, apparently (if we understood him right) to someone named Nina who used to know Barbara and Lynda from way back in Big Bend days. We should have more details next month. This will be Lyle's third marriage. He has been widowed twice.

Dean's family

Our daughter Anna (yes, the one who just had a baby in March) did a triathlon sprint in June at Daybreak here in the Salt Lake Valley. She swam a mile, rode a bike for 10 miles, and concluded with a run.

Our daughter Mary and her husband Vince will be running a half marathon in a couple weeks at Bryce Canyon National Park. Vince a few weeks ago also participated on a team that ran the 194-or-some-such-insane-distance Wasatch Back Ragnar. The race began in Logan and ended in Park City. Crazy, no.

Relatively speaking

I spoke on the phone with our cousin Kent Palmer. He said Aunt Berniece, his mother, is doing well in Tooele. She is in better health than any of her children and says she is going to outlive them all.

4 Bits and tidbits

Throughout the day on Memorial Day I had opportunity to speak with Lyle, Jerry, Cheryl, Dale, and Jackie. Everyone seems to be doing relatively well.

That same day we also visited the grave sites in the Bountiful City Cemetery of our grandson (James), a brother (Ray), Kay's wife and child (Claudia and Andrew), and great-grandparents (James and Mary Alexander Cleverly). In previous years we have also visited grandparents' graves (Henry William and Olive Ritchie Cleverly), but could not seem to find that particular headstone this year. In the process of looking, we came across various other Cleverlys buried throughout the cemetery.

Lyle's family

Tami, who lives in Winnemucca, has recently been (perhaps still is) visiting Lyle and others of the family in Idaho. She posted a picture of Barbara's headstone on Facebook and mentioned that she had gone to visit her grave.

Kay's family

Brandon, who lives in the Indianapolis area, helped organize a Basketball Gives Back 3 on 3 basketball tournament on May 18 and 19 to "assist others in our community through basketball." According to Brandon's Facebook post, "This year we are working to 'assist' David Hicks and his family. David has been stricken with a very rare disease called Hyriama Disease. It affects the spine and the motor skills of the arms and in some rare cases the lower extremities. In David's case, it has affected both of his arms and now legs. He is currently walking with a walker and will soon be in a wheel chair if something cannot be done. David and his family are incurring mounting medical bills. They recently incurred the costs of a trip to Columbia University Hospital in NYC to get a second opinion and seek further assistance on an action plan. David needs the help of our community." Sounds to us like a worthy endeavor.

Dean's family

Claudia and I flew to Atlanta on Wednesday, May 9, to visit Paul and Eliza and their three children. On Friday and Saturday Paul graduated from pharmacy school at Mercer University. Rachael and Robert and their four daughters came down from southern Illinois (approximately a seven-hour drive) to be there for the big event. The Hodsons returned home to Illinois on Sunday, which was Mother's Day, and we flew home on Tuesday, May 15. The evening before we left we went to Turner Field to watch the Atlanta Braves lose to the Cincinnati Reds. It was the first major league baseball game that Claudia had ever attended.

Dale's family

She was a week overdue, but little Hazel Elizabeth Asay was finally born at Saint Lukes Medical Center in Boise on Tuesday morning, May 29. She weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. The happy parents, Kira and David, have been living in Nampa but are moving down to Kimberly, which is near Twin Falls. They'll stay a few weeks with Dale and LeAnn before actually moving to Kimberly.

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Kay's family

We spoke on the phone recently with Kay. He reported that he has a new job as a bookkeeper for a construction business. He started working on March 23.  It will entail about 30 hours a week.

Dean's family

Pete and Anna Halverson will bless their new daughter Kate on Sunday afternoon, May 6, at their ward in Salt Lake City. Kate is their second child and our 22nd grandchild.

1 Passing of Connie Cleverly

Connie Moss Cleverly [1926~2012]

Obituary in the Deseret News, March 14 and 15

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Connie Moss Cleverly, age 85, passed away peacefully from complications of pneumonia Monday, March 12, 2012 at 1:32 pm.

She was born on May 24, 1926 in Woods Cross, Utah to Walter Henry Moss and Blanche Cahoon Moss. After waiting for Jimmy to complete his wartime service to our country, she married her grade school sweetheart and eternal companion, Jimmy Cleverly, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they raised a beautiful family of two boys and six girls.

Mom was the ultimate earthly example of service to her family and neighbors, showing kindness to all, these qualities defined who she was. Many described her as an angel on earth. Mom loved to be with her family and supported them in all their endeavors. She was our confidant, example, counselor, encourager, and greatest source of support and trust. She so willingly gave all she had and kept so little for herself. She was gracious and appreciative for the blessings of life. She attended every child's and grandchild's sporting events, tended grandchildren, was the local taxi service, couriered forgotten items to those in need, rendered compassionate service to friends and neighbors, and tucked her own young children in with bed time stories that sometimes had a peculiar ending. The positive effect of her selfless service will remain with us forever. Through the years many neighborhood children thought they had three grandmothers, their own and Connie. She was a GRANDIOSE grandmother who was bigger than life. She had "grandma sleep overs" for her 30 grandchildren, knew all of their favorite treats, not only invented but participated in the sock wars, treasure hunts, night games, fireworks, and every other imaginable source of wholesome fun that would promote family unity.

One of her most cherished accomplishments were her 12 years of perfect on time attendance during her elementary, secondary and high school years, for which she was awarded a collegiate dictionary inscribed with the details of her scholastic accomplishment.

In keeping with her life of service, she enjoyed playing the piano and was Primary pianist for over 25 years. She was always happy to share and teach songs to young Primary children. Being Jimmy's biggest basketball fan taught her to love the game of basketball, which made her conversion very natural to being one of the most loyal Jazz and BYU fans in the state.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children; Gary (Jill) Cleverly of West Valley, Alan (Caiqing) Cleverly of Bountiful, Brenda (Bob) Brisko of North Salt Lake, Karla (Lance) Hamner of Franklin, IN, Ellen (Boyd) Clark of North Salt Lake, Rhonda (Jeff) Ogden of Roseville, California, Cheryl (Jeff) Harrison of Kaysville, Nancy (Willie) Salas of Woods Cross, 30 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, her sister Ruth Cleverly and her brother Sherman Moss.

Funeral services [were] held Friday, March 16, 2012 at 12:00 pm at the Woods Cross Stake Center, 2064 S. 800 W. Woods Cross. Family and friends [were able to] call Thursday evening from 4:30-6:30 pm at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 N. Main in Bountiful and Friday morning from 10:00-11:30 am at the Stake Center prior to the services. Interment, Bountiful City Cemetery. Online condolences and guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.

We love you Mom and Grandma! Your good example and committed service to those you loved is emblazoned in our hearts and minds and for that we will be eternally grateful.

4 Bits and tidbits

Kay's family

A March 23 post by Ike on Facebook: "There's nothing like coming home to discover your house has been robbed and they have taken every electronic device!" That does not sound like good news at all.

Kay reported that Ike's son Carson, who is a junior in high school, has been offered a football scholarship to Purdue University. Way to go, Carson!

Gene's family

We talked on the phone with Cheryl on the day before her birthday. She said that she and Gene had gone to Texas to visit some of her family and to visit Kelley and Rhonda. They had a good visit. Ronnie drove down to Moab to pick them up on their way home, and they stopped in Ogden to visit Lynda in Ogden and had a nice visit with her.

Dean's family

Kate Halverson was born at 7:08 p.m. on Friday, March 23, to happy parents, Pete and Anna Halverson. The baby, who was delivered at home with the help of a midwife, weighed 9 pounds even and was 19 1/2 inches long. She is Pete and Anna's second child, Dean and Claudia's 22nd grandchild.

Jacob Cleverly, a sixth grader at Heritage Elementary in Layton, Utah, placed 15th out of 100 contestants in the state geography bee held at Thanksgiving Point on Friday, March 30. Jacob is the almost-12-year-old son of Michael and Shauna.

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Postscript

Last month we posted answers from random children about questions of love and marriage. Our daughter Eliza decided to ask her two boys (Peter age 5 and Aaron age 3) the same questions. Here are their answers:

1. How do you know who to marry?
    Peter: You find someone you don't know but you want to love.
    Aaron: You ask Jesus.

2. What is the right age to get married?
    Peter: Any age.
    Aaron: 4 years old.

3. How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
    Peter: If they have rings.
    Aaron: I don't know.

4. What do you think your mom and dad have in common?
    Peter: They both like a house that is cleaned up.
    Aaron: Mom and Dad both like crayons and having kids be brothers.

5. What do most people do on a date?
    Peter: They go somewhere kids can't go.
    Aaron: They ride airplanes.

6. When is it okay to kiss someone?
    Peter: When you're married.
    Aaron: When someone says thank you.

7. Is it better to be single or married?
    Peter: Be married.
    Aaron: Married because people will love you.

8. How would the world be different if people didn't get married?
    Peter: It would be bad, bad, bad because nobody would have kids, and if there were any kids they would be all alone.
    Aaron: They would just have to go to the store and buy food for themselves and they'd say, "You can't get food."

9. How would you make a marriage work?
    Peter: I'll marry someone who I know is good and kind and playful.
    Aaron: I'd do nothing because I'm not grown up. But when I'm married I'd say thank you and stuff.

Lyle's family

Lyle has been doing some traveling. He spent considerable time with his family up in Washington. More recently, he visited Tami and her family in Nevada.

One of his granddaughters, Crystal Price (who lives in Bellingham with husband Josh, three sons, and a daughter) reported recently on a special Valentine's dinner she did for her family. She said, "I have a real problem with over planning things and not being able to execute all the great ideas I have thought of. Which leads to the end result of me being frustrated and no one enjoying the evening, because mommy is grumpy. So this year I was purposeful to plan a simple menu and simple decorations. . . . Josh commented that it was his best Valentine's Day ever." You can read her full report and see the pictures she took on the Prices' blog.

Kay's family 
Kay continues to be busy being a bishop. Claudia and I will be traveling down to visit him and Karen this weekend so that Kay can do our taxes (which he does for us every year, except when they're off somewhere like Peru on a mission).

Kay's daughter Nicolle also reported, mostly in pictures, on making cookies and on their Valentine's candlelight dinner. See the Higleys' blog for full details.

Ray's family

Ray's daughter Sharae DeMartini posted on Facebook birthday greetings to her 12-year-old (or is it 3-year-old) son, Blake, who was born on Leap Year Day twelve years ago. But there have only been three February 29s since then. "Thanks for being such a sweet, helpful boy that always makes us laugh," Sharae wrote.

Dean's family

I have been down much of this week and last with a nasty bout of bronchitis. Not fun. It's slowly getting better, I think.

Our son Talmage posted, "After years of scrimping and saving, I purchased a new to me silver 08 Toyota Yaris 3-door hatchback to replace my aging 98 Saturn SL1. This is the first car I've ever bought that was my choice to get what I wanted. Ever." Read a more detailed report and, of course, see a picture at Talmage's blog.

Our daughter Anna Halverson is expecting her second child sometime in the next few weeks. This one is a girl, who will join older brother Miles.

4 Bits and tidbits

Claudia and I returned last night (Tuesday, January 31) from a week-long visit to our daughter Rachael and her family in Harrisburg, Illinois. We flew into St. Louis and then drove east and south for about two and a half hours to reach the town of 9,000-some people in rural southern Illinois. Our son-in-law Robert is a medical doctor and the head of the hospital's emergency room. They have four daughters, ranging from 9 years old down to a year old.

Having been gone the final week of the month, and desiring to meet our publication deadline early on the morning of the first of the month, this is the only tidbit we're offering this month. But we'd love to hear from many of you before next month's issue on March 1.

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Gail's family
Claudia and I attended the wedding reception in South Ogden for Craig and Kris Foley's son Kyle, who married Cortney Stockdale on December 10 in the Salt Lake Temple. We were able to visit with Lynda and most of her kids. We spent most of our time visiting with Lynda, Debbie, and Angie. Earlier that same week Angie had sent us an update on her family:

Michelle and Dustin moved with Hastings Entertainment in July 2010. Three days after Elizabeth Diane Duay was born. They live in Laramie, Wyoming. She was born July 19, 2010, the first of the three that were due in our family last summer. Michael Dustin Duay was baptized and confirmed on November 22, 2011. I flew over for the baptism, and we drove back to Utah for Thanksgiving.

Nothing else that I know of is going on in my family. John and Morgan just moved out into their new home in West Point, and Mom lost most of a tree and part of her brand new roof with the wind. No other damage that I know of. I did lose a garbage can full of aluminum to the neighbors, but my bicycle didn't even tip over. Debbie recently retired from the IRS after 30 years. Mom is keeping very busy with Wild Bill's Gourmet Seasonings.

Dick stops every week in Laramie and visits with the kids, and he brings little Zander home once a month to hang out with the two grandmas and Dick (the only grandpa Zander has any interest in). I like the drive over to Laramie and have been able to visit quite a bit. The schools there are awesome. Melanie is in Kindergarten and got to start as a four-year-old due to the birthdate cut off. Her class has 17 children, with one teacher, a student teacher, and there are two special needs kids so they have an aide for those two alone. Michael's class has 18 kids and grades K-3 have the largest classes with a max of 22 in one class.

Christmas phone calls
On Christmas Eve I visited on the phone with one of our cousins, Kent Palmer. The next day I phoned his mother, Aunt Berniece, who reported that she is doing very well at age 88. She said she's in better shape than any of her kids. Also on Christmas Day, I talked on the phone with Jerry in Boise, Kay in Hurricane, and Dale in Nampa. They all said they were doing well and had had a nice Christmas. It was really nice having Christmas fall on a Sunday this year.

I tried but was unable to reach Lyle, Gene, or Jackie. (In fact, the number I have for Lyle, 208-571-7055, elicited a recording saying it was "temporarily out of service" or some such thing. Does anyone know if I have the right number?)

4 Bits and tidbits

Gail's family

Cortney Joanne Stockdale (daughter of Stephanie and the late J. Paul Stockdale) will be married to Kyle Taylor Foley (son of Craig and Krisine Foley, grandson of Gail and Lynda) on Saturday, December 10, in the Salt Lake Temple. A formal reception is being held in their honor that evening from 7:00 until 9:00 at the Prudential Building, 5929 Fashion Pint Drive, in South Ogden.

Kay's family

Bishop Kay missed two weekends in a row from his ward in Hurricane. The first weekend of November (from Wednesday, November 2, through Monday, November 7) he was in Indiana for the baptism of a grandchild, one of Brandon and Nicole's kids. The second weekend (from Friday, November 11, through Monday, November 14) he and Karen were in the Salt Lake City area for the ordination of one of her grandsons on Sunday and a six-month checkup on his hip on Monday.

Dean's family 
We learned on Thanksgiving Day that Talmage and Louise are expecting a child next summer in late June or early July. This will be our 23rd grandchild. The 22nd one, a girl, is expected sometime in March at Pete and Anna's house.

4 Bits and tidbits

Elder Austin Cleverly
Austin (as in Kay's grandson, Kyle and Melissa's son), serving a mission in Paraguay, was transferred during October, his mother reports. Austin is now in Villa Elisa, which is in Asuncion and near the Argentine border. He left an area and people he truly loved. He learned a lot and touched many lives, as well as having his touched.

Cool runnings
Nicolle Higley (as in Kay's daughter) ran the Layton half marathon on Saturday, October 8. She wrote, "I have ran a lot of 5Ks and a few 10Ks so the whole race thing really wasn't new. I actually really enjoy that feeling of people you don't know cheering you on along the route. When we were getting close to the finish line I saw my kids holding their signs and of course my eyes teared up and I got a serious boost of energy. Chad, my kids, Andrea and Kendall were there to cheer me on. It was great when I crossed the finish line they said my name on the loud speaker and I felt awesome. I am so glad that I did it and am seriously considering doing a marathon in May."

Talmage Cleverly and Eliza Challis (as in our son and daughter) ran the South Jordan half marathon on Saturday, October 15. After their race, Eliza (who was visiting in Utah from Atlanta) posted on Facebook: "13.1 miles ~ 2:08:10 with my awesome brother Talmage Cleverly at the SoJo Half Marathon this morning!"

Published!
Our son Talmage has published two electronic books: A Clouded Skye and Children of a Clouded Skye. Both are available on the three big ebook sites: Amazon.com, Smashwords.com, and Barnesandnoble.com.

Concerning his first book, published in August, Talmage wrote, "If you like lighthearted comedic romantic fantasy adventure tales, you'll enjoy A Clouded Skye."

Concerning the second book, published in October, he wrote, "For those of you who loved the first book, you'll like the sequel as well. It takes place twenty years after the first book. Skye and company have begun raising families of their own, growing the population of the faerie kingdom of Ellana. But Skye's old enemy, King Cardeness of Retti, has plans to upset their peaceful lives. There is more humor, romance, and adventure to enjoy in this sequel. If you thought Skye was crazy as a vagabond faerie princess, imagine her as a mother of a teenager too."

A lot of family togetherness
Claudia and I had all eight of our children, their spouses, and our 19 living grandchildren (that all adds up to 37 people, by the way) together the last weekend of October. Paul and Eliza Challis and their three children (five-year-old Peter, two-year-old Aaron, and nine-month-old Claire) have been visiting from Atlanta for four weeks, starting in mid-October. Robert and Rachael Hodson have been visiting from Harrisburg, Illinois, for four days.

On Saturday, October 29, we documented the family once again with all 37 of us in the same picture. It will be out of date again in March, when Pete and Anna Halverson have their second child, a daughter, and our 22nd grandchild.

4 Bits and tidbits

Uncle Bill dies 
Uncle Bill (William L. Batt, 1921-1911) died at age 90 on Wednesday, September 21, in Spokane. Bill was the only son of William and Hazel Batt, a younger brother of Dorothy Cleverly and Ruth Batt, an older brother of Berniece Palmer. His funeral was scheduled in Spokane for Friday, September 30. Bill was the second of his siblings to die. Dorothy died in 1982, nearly 29 years ago. Ruth lives in a care center here in Bountiful and no longer recognizes anyone, even her children.. Berniece, who lives in Tooele, was planning to travel with a daughter-in-law and a son to Spokane for the funeral.

Bill's obituary appeared in the Spokesman-Review:



"Of Spokane, Washington, passed away September 21, 2011.

"He was born January 19, 1921, in Milo, Idaho and is the son of the late William B. and Hazel Batt. He graduated from Utah State University in 1943. On June 7, 1943, he was married to Martha Jean Call in the Salt Lake Temple in Utah.

"William served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He continued his service in the National Guard and retired as a colonel. Mr. Batt served on the Spokane City Council and owned a construction company in the Spokane area.

"He is survived by his five children, William C. Batt, Leslie Krogh, Deborah Meyers, Rod Batt and Bradley Batt. William is also survived by his 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Jean Batt, his wife of 63 years, passed away in 2006.

"A memorial service will be held at 10:00am Friday, September 30, 2011, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 401 W. Regina in Spokane, Washington. The interment will take place afterward at Greenwood Memorial Terrace."

Family reunion and a wedding
A Cleverly family reunion was held in Idaho on Friday and Saturday, September 9-10, in connection with Ronnie and Brittany's marriage. Our thanks to Gene's daughter Kimberley, who generously put the reunion together. On Friday evening, September 9, some 26 family members gathered at Kim and Bob Ellis's lovely, large home in Homedale for dinner and visiting:

From Lyle's family: Lyle, and Randy and two of his boys

From Gene's family: Gene and Cheryl, Kim and Bob Ellis and two children (Michael and Misty), Gena and Jason and two children, Bobbie and three daughters, and Ronnie

From Dean's family: Dean and Claudia

From Dale's family: Dale and LeAnn, Keisha and Micah

And a cousin (daughter of Lee and Sybil Cleverly): Nancy Smith Cleverly

Some of Lynda's family had originally indicated they would be coming, but Lynda was involved that weekend in Brigham City's Peach Days, one of the big events of the summer she is involved in, so no one from her family ended up coming. Kay and Karen were unable to come because they were in Oklahoma following the death of Karen's mother. And everyone thought Rex and Jackie would be there, but they were not.

Jerry and Jim joined us the next evening for Brittany Michelle Faught and Ronald Gene Cleverly's wedding on Saturday evening, September 10. The ceremony was held in the Sandstone Event Center in downtown Nampa. The reception, a sit-down dinner, was held in the basement of the center following the ceremony.

Earlier that day Claudia and I, Lyle, and Dale had a nice three-hour visit with Jerry and Jim at their place in Boise.

And off to serve our country
Lyle's granddaughter Sunshyne Kersker (daughter of Doug and Marina) reports that her husband Josh left September 4, deploying to Afghanistan. He will be back in May or June. Our best wishes to him as he serves his country. Sunshyne, who lives in San Antonio, has gone back to school full time to become a registered veterinary technician. Both of the girls are in school: Adria is in the fifth grade (the last year of elementary school in Texas), and Hannah is in Kindergarten. Sunshyne is still their Girl Scout leader, and they are working on the bronze award for Adria's junior troop. She will bridge to Cadettes this year. Hannah is starting her first year as a Daisy.