Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Today is Christopher's Birthday.
He was born, I should say finally born, on September 29, 1977 at about 5:00 am in the morning, exactly two weeks to the day later than he was suppose to be. Chris was named after his Grandfather, Christopher Don Wintle. His Grandfather's name was Donald Franklin Bagley. Chris was a Daddy's boy from the beginning. When he was a little over a year old he began getting sick a lot. He would get tonsillitis about once a month and run very high temperatures. A few times his temp was so high that the doctor would put him into the hospital. When he was 22 months old the doctor decided that his tonsils would never get better so they took them out. I remember in the hospital right after he woke up from surgery Craig decided that he needed to go home and take care of a few things. Chris screamed so hard for his dad that I had to call him to come back. He would always call his dad "My Friend Daddy". When he was 3 we did a little play at Grandma and Grandpa Bagley's for Father's Day. Chris's part was about a daddy giraffe. He said: "Daddy Giraffe's as tall as a tree, My Friend Daddy's tall, he's twice as tall as me." I don't think I will ever forget that.
Christopher liked to dump his food on his head. Whenever we would have spaghetti or oatmeal or anything like that, I would turn around and find his bowl on top of his head and his food running down his face.
In the summer I could not get him to take a nap, but I would always find that he had laid down in the middle of the drive way and gone to sleep.
For Famous People Day in Elementary School he was Martin Luther King. We painted his face black as part of his costume for his report. A few years ago I was going through some pictures and found a little black boy and it took a while to realize that it was Chris.
When he was in 6th grade I was incharge of the birthdays at his Elementary School. The school mascot was the Crescent Cub. So once a month he would dress up in a blue cub suit and go with me and pass pencils out to the kids who had had birthday's that month.
Christopher loved sports from the very beginning. I can remember when he had a bottle he would bend over and throw it through his legs to his dad like a football. He loved to hit things…anything. Anything he could pick up and swing he would swing. One day when he was very young, I don't think he was even in kindergarten, Craig was playing baseball with him. He swung at the ball and hit it pretty hard for a little kid. Craig yelled at him to run telling him that he had hit a home run. Chris took off running and ran around the house.
He played soccer and little league base ball as soon as he was old enough to do so. Everyone was always amazed at the talent he had. He played basket ball in Jr. High and in High School he played on Jordan's Baseball team. His sports, whether it was soccer, basket ball or baseball, always caused a little conflict between he and his dad. Craig was so excited about the talent that Chris had that he could not contain himself. Chris would get so upset at him that I wondered what had happened to that feeling of friendship for his dad he had when he was young. I wondered if he would ever get along with him again. But he and Craig officiate basket ball from time to time and that I do believe has brought that friendship back to them.
The thing that I think that I love to watch in Chris most is the love he has for his family. He often calls just to tell us about some of the cute things that his children have done. It is so obvious that he loves them and is thrilled with their actions.
Chris may have given us a few worrisome times during his growing up years, but we are so proud of the man he has become. He is a great father and husband and had grown to be so spiritually strong. We love you Chris. Happy Birthday!!!
He was born, I should say finally born, on September 29, 1977 at about 5:00 am in the morning, exactly two weeks to the day later than he was suppose to be. Chris was named after his Grandfather, Christopher Don Wintle. His Grandfather's name was Donald Franklin Bagley. Chris was a Daddy's boy from the beginning. When he was a little over a year old he began getting sick a lot. He would get tonsillitis about once a month and run very high temperatures. A few times his temp was so high that the doctor would put him into the hospital. When he was 22 months old the doctor decided that his tonsils would never get better so they took them out. I remember in the hospital right after he woke up from surgery Craig decided that he needed to go home and take care of a few things. Chris screamed so hard for his dad that I had to call him to come back. He would always call his dad "My Friend Daddy". When he was 3 we did a little play at Grandma and Grandpa Bagley's for Father's Day. Chris's part was about a daddy giraffe. He said: "Daddy Giraffe's as tall as a tree, My Friend Daddy's tall, he's twice as tall as me." I don't think I will ever forget that.
Christopher liked to dump his food on his head. Whenever we would have spaghetti or oatmeal or anything like that, I would turn around and find his bowl on top of his head and his food running down his face.
In the summer I could not get him to take a nap, but I would always find that he had laid down in the middle of the drive way and gone to sleep.
For Famous People Day in Elementary School he was Martin Luther King. We painted his face black as part of his costume for his report. A few years ago I was going through some pictures and found a little black boy and it took a while to realize that it was Chris.
When he was in 6th grade I was incharge of the birthdays at his Elementary School. The school mascot was the Crescent Cub. So once a month he would dress up in a blue cub suit and go with me and pass pencils out to the kids who had had birthday's that month.
Christopher loved sports from the very beginning. I can remember when he had a bottle he would bend over and throw it through his legs to his dad like a football. He loved to hit things…anything. Anything he could pick up and swing he would swing. One day when he was very young, I don't think he was even in kindergarten, Craig was playing baseball with him. He swung at the ball and hit it pretty hard for a little kid. Craig yelled at him to run telling him that he had hit a home run. Chris took off running and ran around the house.
He played soccer and little league base ball as soon as he was old enough to do so. Everyone was always amazed at the talent he had. He played basket ball in Jr. High and in High School he played on Jordan's Baseball team. His sports, whether it was soccer, basket ball or baseball, always caused a little conflict between he and his dad. Craig was so excited about the talent that Chris had that he could not contain himself. Chris would get so upset at him that I wondered what had happened to that feeling of friendship for his dad he had when he was young. I wondered if he would ever get along with him again. But he and Craig officiate basket ball from time to time and that I do believe has brought that friendship back to them.
The thing that I think that I love to watch in Chris most is the love he has for his family. He often calls just to tell us about some of the cute things that his children have done. It is so obvious that he loves them and is thrilled with their actions.
Chris may have given us a few worrisome times during his growing up years, but we are so proud of the man he has become. He is a great father and husband and had grown to be so spiritually strong. We love you Chris. Happy Birthday!!!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Today is the Birthday of our first born child…Jared Craig Wintle. Jared was born on September 23, 1973 in the Cottonwood Hospital in Murray Utah. How excited we were to have a child and especially to have a son. I grew up with big sisters, but no big brother, and I always wanted one. So, I was really excited that the rest of my children would have a big brother to watch over and protect them.
Jared was a quiet, rather shy child. He was the kind of child that you could have a dozen or so of and never be bothered. I remember I was excited when he made friends because he was so quiet. Greg Oakeson was his first friend. They were friends from the time they were 2 or 3 years old. One day they wondered off together and Greg's dad found them across the other side of the rail road tracks. A chain link fence was put up around the yard that summer.
He is a great combination of the men around him. He looks so very much like his Grandpa Wintle; much of his personality comes from his Dad (some of which can be a little tormenting, but for the most part it is very very good) and then he got his love for animals from his Grandpa Bagley. Jared has always loved animals. When we would go to my parents house he would head straight up the hill to see Dad's chickens. When he was just young his Grandpa Bagley gave him some chickens. He loved those chickens and I think one of the highlights in his young life was when he entered one in the County Fair. His chicken received a 2nd Place ribbon. Of course it got some disease from the other chickens at the fair and died not long after he brought it back home…but he was still very proud that it had received that 2nd Place Ribbon. He loved dogs. When he was around 12 he begged for a dog. I told him when he could provide a kennel for one he could have one. So he and Greg went to work and built a kennel out of old pallets or some kind of scrap wood. It was awful, but what could I do…I had not specified what kind of kennel, just said a kennel. So Jared got a dog. I must say he has been through several dogs during his life. Still has dogs and yes, chickens too. I can just imagine that his Grandpa Bagley just looks down and smiles at him, proud as ever.
When Jared was in 1st grade he broke his arm. He would try to hide his arm because he did not want anyone to see it. He absolutely would not allow anyone to sign their name on his cast.
In third grade, for Famous People Day he was Louis Pasteur. I can remember him working so hard on that report and memorizing it so that he could tell the class about him. We made him a beard so that he could look like him when he did his report. For some reason that was a really big deal to him.
When Jared was in 5th grade he decided that someone was going to poison him. So he would have to take lunch from home. His lunch box went into his book bag which was pad locked and that is how it stayed until lunch time. Fortunately his teacher, Mrs. Summers, was a very wise person and helped him get over that. I think he will be teased his entire life about locking his lunch in his book bag.
Jared played the baritone in band at Mt. Jordan Jr. High and did very well. His teacher would talk about how he had learned so fast and how great he was doing. His sophomore year he played in the marching band at Jordan. Well, at least he played for a while. After marching at 2 or 3 football games he decided it was not cool, so he transferred out.
Jared continued to be shy. He never asked a girl to a school dance until the last dance of his senior year and then I had to bribe him into asking Megan Simon to a dance and I had to pay for the date as well.
The one thing he did that totally surprised us all was when he and Greg agreed to dance in the Church Dance Festival at the Salt Palace.
After graduation, he met Bridget and all that changed.
He has grown up to become a wonderful husband and provider and the best Dad a child could possibly have. I love to watch him with his children…the way he interacts with them, the patience his displays with then and the great love that radiates for them.
Jared, I cannot express how proud we are of the man you have become. We love you so very much. Happy Birthday!!!
Jared was a quiet, rather shy child. He was the kind of child that you could have a dozen or so of and never be bothered. I remember I was excited when he made friends because he was so quiet. Greg Oakeson was his first friend. They were friends from the time they were 2 or 3 years old. One day they wondered off together and Greg's dad found them across the other side of the rail road tracks. A chain link fence was put up around the yard that summer.
He is a great combination of the men around him. He looks so very much like his Grandpa Wintle; much of his personality comes from his Dad (some of which can be a little tormenting, but for the most part it is very very good) and then he got his love for animals from his Grandpa Bagley. Jared has always loved animals. When we would go to my parents house he would head straight up the hill to see Dad's chickens. When he was just young his Grandpa Bagley gave him some chickens. He loved those chickens and I think one of the highlights in his young life was when he entered one in the County Fair. His chicken received a 2nd Place ribbon. Of course it got some disease from the other chickens at the fair and died not long after he brought it back home…but he was still very proud that it had received that 2nd Place Ribbon. He loved dogs. When he was around 12 he begged for a dog. I told him when he could provide a kennel for one he could have one. So he and Greg went to work and built a kennel out of old pallets or some kind of scrap wood. It was awful, but what could I do…I had not specified what kind of kennel, just said a kennel. So Jared got a dog. I must say he has been through several dogs during his life. Still has dogs and yes, chickens too. I can just imagine that his Grandpa Bagley just looks down and smiles at him, proud as ever.
When Jared was in 1st grade he broke his arm. He would try to hide his arm because he did not want anyone to see it. He absolutely would not allow anyone to sign their name on his cast.
In third grade, for Famous People Day he was Louis Pasteur. I can remember him working so hard on that report and memorizing it so that he could tell the class about him. We made him a beard so that he could look like him when he did his report. For some reason that was a really big deal to him.
When Jared was in 5th grade he decided that someone was going to poison him. So he would have to take lunch from home. His lunch box went into his book bag which was pad locked and that is how it stayed until lunch time. Fortunately his teacher, Mrs. Summers, was a very wise person and helped him get over that. I think he will be teased his entire life about locking his lunch in his book bag.
Jared played the baritone in band at Mt. Jordan Jr. High and did very well. His teacher would talk about how he had learned so fast and how great he was doing. His sophomore year he played in the marching band at Jordan. Well, at least he played for a while. After marching at 2 or 3 football games he decided it was not cool, so he transferred out.
Jared continued to be shy. He never asked a girl to a school dance until the last dance of his senior year and then I had to bribe him into asking Megan Simon to a dance and I had to pay for the date as well.
The one thing he did that totally surprised us all was when he and Greg agreed to dance in the Church Dance Festival at the Salt Palace.
After graduation, he met Bridget and all that changed.
He has grown up to become a wonderful husband and provider and the best Dad a child could possibly have. I love to watch him with his children…the way he interacts with them, the patience his displays with then and the great love that radiates for them.
Jared, I cannot express how proud we are of the man you have become. We love you so very much. Happy Birthday!!!
Monday, September 14, 2009
.....................Summer 2009
Summer has come and gone and I have not put one thing on my blog. I am not sure when I will figure out that it takes less time if I do this one event at a time instead of all at once…probably never. Anyway, here is an attemptto catch up on "The Summer of 09". .....Scroll on down and enjoy our summer with us.
The first event of summer is usually Memorial Day and we, like most, go to visit the graves. It is not an organized event, just whoever can come comes. The kids always enjoy the Murray Cemetary where they can climb on the old cannon by Grandma and Grandpa Bagley's grave. We usually end our visits at Cassidy's Grave Site where we can sit and talk for a while. I am amazed at the closeness all the kids seem to have with her, even though they have never known her on this earth.
June 10 was the day for Craig's first surgery. Three years ago Craig tore his meniscus at the Post Office. Finally - three years and 5 months later they agreed to pay for the surgery to correct the tear. Craig will love that I have published pictures of him…especially the ones from the hospital or should I say hospitals…He was really funny coming out of the anesthetic. He was so kind to everyone and just kept telling me how much he appreciated me taking my day to be with him. His knee is doing a lot better…He no longer has a legitimate excuse not to walk with me…however he still tries to come up with them
The first event of summer is usually Memorial Day and we, like most, go to visit the graves. It is not an organized event, just whoever can come comes. The kids always enjoy the Murray Cemetary where they can climb on the old cannon by Grandma and Grandpa Bagley's grave. We usually end our visits at Cassidy's Grave Site where we can sit and talk for a while. I am amazed at the closeness all the kids seem to have with her, even though they have never known her on this earth.
June 10 was the day for Craig's first surgery. Three years ago Craig tore his meniscus at the Post Office. Finally - three years and 5 months later they agreed to pay for the surgery to correct the tear. Craig will love that I have published pictures of him…especially the ones from the hospital or should I say hospitals…He was really funny coming out of the anesthetic. He was so kind to everyone and just kept telling me how much he appreciated me taking my day to be with him. His knee is doing a lot better…He no longer has a legitimate excuse not to walk with me…however he still tries to come up with them
Tuachan
For Christmas last year Craig and I gave our five children and their spouses tickets to see "Footloose" at the Tuachan Theater in St. George. So 10 days after Craig's knee surgery we left all the kids with other Grandparents or other loving relatives and the twelve adults of the family headed for St. George for the weekend. We just kind of paired up and all did our own thing until Saturday night. I wanted to make sure that Craig got plenty of exercise for his knee, so Friday we took him to Las Vegas to walk the stripe. Of course he complained to everyone…but then he admitted to me that he felt like the walking was actually good for his knee. We all met at Tuachan for dinner and the play Saturday night.
One of the highlights of the evening was the mechanical bull. Unfortunately the light is not really good in those pictures…but you can still tell who it is and see the effect …and yes, I was a poop…I just was too chicken to let go and fall. Before the play we did some pictures of each couple with me and Craig.
The sky threatened rain, but we only got a few drops and then it cleared up and turned out to be really great weather. I think we all had a great time…hopefully is will be one that they will all want to do again sometime.
One of the highlights of the evening was the mechanical bull. Unfortunately the light is not really good in those pictures…but you can still tell who it is and see the effect …and yes, I was a poop…I just was too chicken to let go and fall. Before the play we did some pictures of each couple with me and Craig.
The sky threatened rain, but we only got a few drops and then it cleared up and turned out to be really great weather. I think we all had a great time…hopefully is will be one that they will all want to do again sometime.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Surgery Number Two
In the spring Craig, with a little prompting from Jared…okay…a lot of prompting from Jared…went to see John Richards for a physical. His blood work came back with a PSA count that was a little above normal. Then with some additional, very strong prompting, from Bridget this time, he went to see an urologist…Dr. Clark. He did a biopsy on Craig's prostate and found that he had Prostrate Cancer. He went in for surgery to have his prostrate removed on June 29, 2009. We were blessed to have all our children and grandchildren here on the Sunday before. We all fasted for Craig and then celebrated Rebecca's, Kailee's, Payton's and Maddie's birthdays. That gave us the opportunity to get a good picture of Craig with all the grandkids. The surgery went well. Craig had a few rough days in the hospital, but nothing serious. By Friday he was feeling great and was ready to go home…He was released on Saturday, July 4 and has recovered very well. It was found that the cancer was all contained within the prostrate. We are very grateful for all the love and blessings that we have received. We received a lot of calls and concern from ward members. We also had some of the young men and their dads come over and mow the grass for us…but of all the love and caring we received there is one moment that we will never forget at our house and I think a couple of other homes will be laughing about this for a long time to come. On the Sunday after Craig came home we were blessed to have 2 young men and one of there leaders show up at our door with the sacrament. That is an opportunity that we have never experienced before. I went up to our room and asked Craig if he wanted them to come up to the bedroom or if he wanted to come down.
He said he would come down. Well…he came down the stairs with his loosely tied pajama pants and a t shirt on. They were about to bless the sacrament when I looked over and noticed that Craig's pajama pants had fallen down. The boys reacted great to that…at least until after the sacrament had been blessed and given to us…then we all had a good laugh and yes…we are still laughing.
He said he would come down. Well…he came down the stairs with his loosely tied pajama pants and a t shirt on. They were about to bless the sacrament when I looked over and noticed that Craig's pajama pants had fallen down. The boys reacted great to that…at least until after the sacrament had been blessed and given to us…then we all had a good laugh and yes…we are still laughing.
Sundance and North Fork of the Duchesne
Because of Craig's surgery we missed the Family Moon Lake trip, but took the opportunity to go on a couple of others. The first was just visiting Sarah and Trevor when they were camping up by Sundance. We only got pictures of Anna that night…but then she was the cutest one there. Over the 24th of July we went with Chris and Megan and Sarah and Trevor to the North Fork of the Duchesne. Craig grew up going to the North Fork with his family so this is a really special place for him to go…brings back a lot of memories.
Cousin's Sleepover
One of our annual events…okay this is the second time we have done it…but it is going to annual…is to have all the grandkids over…yes all at once…for a sleep over. We made sock dolls and tin can lanterns because my kids all missed being able to do that at Moon Lake. We set up the tent in the back yard, roast hot dogs and make smores and then we all sleep out in the tent. Well most of us sleep out in the tent. Craig seems to have memory lapses and momentarily thinks he has a meeting in the morning so he has to sleep inside. Then claims in the morning that he just couldn't remember if he had a meeting…but he didn't. Anna and Straton were not able to stay overnight this year.…too young, but they were at Sage's Birthday Party. We look forward to when they are old enough.
The highlight of this sleepover is walking into church with all nine kids. They were pretty quiet…they just can't stay in their seats. We ended the day by celebrating Sage's birthday. We really did have a great time.
The highlight of this sleepover is walking into church with all nine kids. They were pretty quiet…they just can't stay in their seats. We ended the day by celebrating Sage's birthday. We really did have a great time.
FISH LAKE
We ended our summer with a trip to Fish Lake. Craig and I went down there on Saturday, August 29th and spent the first few days with Judy and Gene in a camp site just past Johnson's Reservoir. Jared and his friend Daison were down there hunting so they stayed with us on Saturday night. Then on Thursday, Jared came back down with Joshua and Bailee. Bridget and Sage and Trevor, Sarah and Anna came late Friday afternoon.
Becky and Rob came down and spent Sunday with us. The only thing that would have made the trip better is to have had Chris and Mindie and their families join us.
We came home on Labor Day, but left the trailer and Jared's truck and 2 of his four wheelers up there because he and Craig were going back down there hunting 3 days later…which is where they are right now.
Becky and Rob came down and spent Sunday with us. The only thing that would have made the trip better is to have had Chris and Mindie and their families join us.
We came home on Labor Day, but left the trailer and Jared's truck and 2 of his four wheelers up there because he and Craig were going back down there hunting 3 days later…which is where they are right now.
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......................Through the Years
Top Quality Wedding Flick...Don't ya think?
Our first pictures after we were married. Craig left for Boot Camp two days after this picture.
Pam, Craig, Mindie, Jared
Jared, Pam, Chris, Craig, Mindie
Mindie, Jared, Craig, Chris Becky, Pam
Mindie, Pam, Sarah, Craig, Jared, Becky, Chris
Jared, Craig, Mindie, Chris, Pam, Sarah, Becky
Chris, Craig, Jared, Pam, Bridget, Becky, Jeremy, Sarah, Mindie, Maddie
What can I say.....
Mindie, Jared, Pam, Craig, Sarah, Chris, Becky
So here we are today...okay 3 1/2 years ago and...and yes we are missing a few Grandkkids in this picture and Trevor, but we are working on an update...
