Day One (and Two) Getting to Scotland

Our trip to Scotland and Ireland began with a trip to Salt Lake City.  We didn’t have to be to the airport until 1 p.m. when Gary drove us from Ogden to catch our 3 p.m. flight.  We made our way to the D3 gate where we would wait for the plane to carry us to our first stop in Amsterdam and ran into Royce and Jill Jones also heading for Amsterdam.  Small world!

We left SLC in broad daylight, flew 8 ½ hours (much of it in the dark), then landed in Amsterdam - again in broad daylight - at about 9 am, followed by a 3-hour wait for a one-hour flight to Scotland … arriving 27 hours after Gary dropped us at the curb in SLC.

Once in Edinburgh (pronounced by the locals as Edinbura), our cab driver was a nice Scottish man with a very thick and hard-to-understand accent, though much more lyrical than the heavily guttural speech of the Dutch!  Of course, we can’t count Amsterdam among the places we’ve seen in our travels – because we didn’t get out of the airport – but Scotland promises to be delightful!  We can hardly wait to enjoy it after about 12 hours of sleep. 

2 of 3: Trip to Anaconda

We enjoyed two WIM reunions on our way home from Montana.  President and Sister Mehr’s was held in Highland from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, March 30 and President and Sister Gamiette’s was held from 7 – 9 p.m.  We didn’t know many of those present at the Mehr event – other than Bob and Katie Beecher, who gave us a comfortable overnight stay and breakfast; Doug and Margie Horne, our long-ago neighbors originally from Thousand Oaks, CA; Dick and Hazie Brown (he was a mission auditor) from Washington, DC and then-Elder Kaylin, who served in the mission office as one of President Gamiette’s AP’s.

President Gamiette’s reunion was much more enthusiastic with LOTS of former Elders and Sisters who brought along fiancés or spouses and bunches of infants and toddlers.  But there were also several couples with whom we had served either in Trinidad / Tobago or Guyana.  We were greeted warmly by Ralph and Paulette Childs, Bob and Raelene Bush, and Brent and Marilyn Rasmussen (Twin Falls, ID). Simeon and Steph stopped by, too, after her mission reunion (his was in Bountiful … too far to travel).

It was fun to have President Gamiette with us.  He has served for the past five years as an Area Authority Seventy and we all expected he would be released at General Conference (March 31 - April 1, 2018) but wasn't, so we'll probably see him again next year.  Sister Gamiette stayed behind in Guadeloupe with the kids and 15 horses, though she joined us by Skype.  It was a fun evening.  So glad we could make it fit with our travel plans.

1 of 3: Trip to Anaconda

We drove to Montana for Kaytee and Josh’s kids’ Spring Break.  We didn’t do anything particularly exciting but it was fun to spend time with 10-year-old Adyn, 7-year-old Skylar and Thoryn, who just turned 3.  Kaytee’s “family circus” makes her alternately laugh and cry while trying to maintain order but she is a wonderful mother – far better than she gives herself credit for!  We had a picnic in the park with some inquisitive – and hungry – deer; read about half of “Charlotte’s Web;” went shopping and had lunch in Butte – where we also visited Uptown Butte (the historic part of town where several big mansions demonstrated the area’s wealth from mining); and spent a few minutes at the Anaconda Stack State Park.  It’s always fun to see them!

A Weekend in Sonoma

It was a quick trip to Sonoma, CA this weekend to see Kris and her family.  She was unable to take time off work so we scheduled our arrival at 5:30 on the afternoon of Friday, March 10 and our departure for home on Monday, March 12 so we could spend as much time as possible with her.  We spent two days putting puzzles together (ask any of us about that “cheater Jaeson”), reminiscing through Grandpa’s pictorial history of Cuz’N Camps gone by, and just catching up on family news. There was lots of laughter and chit chat which is the best way to spend time together.

We also got some happy news on this trip.  Memo is going to get a baby brother – or sister – on or about October 1. This precious little baby will be our 5^th great grandchild. We love our family!

Til We Meet Again, Coral Henion Nyland

Coral Velora Henion Nyland – my father’s last surviving sibling – passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the home of her daughter Coyia Nyland Keables. The 4^th daughter, and 5^th of eight children in the family of Harry Dexter and Else Marie Werner Henion, was born in Alexandria, Minnesota on 18 March 1920, passing into eternity just 10 days short of her 98th birthday.

Coral and her family moved to Randle, WA when she was 9 years old.  She moved to Tacoma for her senior year in high school where she also worked as a nanny for the children in a family with whom she lived.  Sometime after graduation she met Harry Nyland at a dance and they were married on September 1, 1940.  As their three children - Coyia, Bruce and Mark - grew to adulthood, she worked as a lab technician and later as a clerk in the City of Tacoma County Assessor's Office. In her leisure time, she also enjoyed gardening and golf, as well as being a talented seamstress. 

Harry preceded Coral in death in 1993. Coral leaves behind 2 adult children, Coyia (Dan) Keables, and Mark Nyland. Bruce (Mary) Nyland preceded Coral in death in 2010. Coral also leaves behind 3 grandchildren, Piper Lee, Noah Keables, and Caleb Nyland, and 5 great-grandchildren Stephen, Barnabas, Miriam, Naomi, and Nathanael Keables.

I only have a few memories of my aunt, but the most important was created just last summer when Ed and I made our “circuit” vacation, traveling 3500 miles through seven states to visit friends and family over 3 weeks.  Gratefully, my cousin Coyia willingly organized her annual Henion cousins’ luncheon so it coincided with our time in Washington State.  Larry traveled down from Seattle and Coyia brought her still-beautiful, but frail mother.  My brother and I had a wonderful conversation with our aunt as I shared family pictures on my computer – some she had never seen; and, she expressed her love and admiration for my father – five years her senior – her brother she called “my hero”. I was also pleased to snap a wonderful photo of her.  Although I didn’t know her well, her passing is a loss to me and our family.

Rest in peace, dear Aunt Coral and enjoy your reunion with loved ones on the other side of the veil.

Call Me Dr. Bob!

Tiffany Sappington Nelson’s husband and Charlene’s favorite son-in-law - the amazing Bob Nelson - was officially recognized as Dr. Robert Nelson on Thursday, March 8 after successfully defending his doctoral dissertation at the University of Southern California (USC).

His milestone accomplishment coincided with our visit in Fresno on our way to see Kris in Sonoma, so together with Charlene, Tiffany, Tyson, their spouses and children – a total of 14 family members – we enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Fresno’s Olive Garden ... which kept the servers busy and made the company accountant smile!!!

Thinking back over Bob’s life, we wonder if he sees what we see? He has accomplished so much in his nearly 5 decades and has experienced so many amazing changes in his life to bring him to this point in time, including:

* For more than a decade, Bob and Tiff had only 3 sons (Ben, Josh and Phillip).  Now they have 7 kids since adopting Destinie (5), Abby (almost 4), Ashton and Sawyer (Abby's identical 2-year-old twin brothers) in quick succession over a period of about 3 years.
* When Bob and Tiffany first met, he was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but luckily she saw his potential – as a husband, father and Church leader. They have now been sealed in the temple as a couple and recently Abby and her twin brothers were adopted, joining Destinie, and all have now knelt across the temple alter to become members of the Nelson “forever” family.
* Bob started as an elementary school teacher making “peanuts” and over not-so-many-years his career has brought him to the position of Superintendent of the Fresno School District (with a big paycheck) – the 4^th largest school district in California and second poorest in the nation (only schools in Appalachia are poorer).

Dr. Bob … you are incredible and one-of-a-kind and we have enjoyed watching as your life unfolded. Who, I wonder, will play you in the movie?

Sappington Family's "Top Fourteen" List

2017 has been a fun and extremely busy year in which we had many happy events … and at least one really unnerving one!  Here is what most of our family considers our “2017 Top Ten list" (well, actually Top 14 this year) of Sappington family stories:

1.    Michael Sappington and Jessica Lenford were married on August 1.  Such a happy day!

2.    Kris and Erin Schnabel, Tylre, Jaeson and Memo Gonzales survive “the costliest fire in California history” including the loss of Erin’s high school in Sonoma, CA.

3.    Simeon Lovell and Stephanie Shipley were married on August 5.  Another wonderfully happy day!

4.    Nash Beaumont – our 4^th “great” is born on December 21 to Allysa and Josh.

5.    Kole Sappington is the 3^rd Eagle Scout at David and Jan’L’s Denver home

6.    Kaler Sappington is now a graduate of Prairie View High School

7.    Josh Postma is learning to deal with a diagnosis of renal failure and high blood pressure

8.    Gary Yocum finds his family!!!

9.    Taisley Welch makes the Dixie High School cheer squad on her first tryout.

10.  Mom is named Southern Utah Rotary’s “Woman of the Year” with a unanimous vote of the leadership of all 5 Washington County clubs.

11.   Bob Nelson is named Superintendent of the Fresno School District - California's 4th largest

12.  Mom and Dad travel thousands of miles by car to visit family, cousins and friends in 7 western states

13.  Tylre and Jaeson are finally all grown up with a 4-year-old and their own apartment
14.  We got a cat ... adopting Michael's cat Charles when he and Jessica got married 

We can hardly wait to see what wonderful blessings our Heavenly Father has in store for us in 2018.  Happy New Year one and all!

It's Another Sappington Family Christmas

The 2017 holiday season was lovely, bookended by visits from our son Michael and his family, followed by holiday fun with my brother Larry from Seattle and our daughter Kelly and her husband Gary.  We also welcomed a 4^th great-grandson, attended 8 Christmas parties, took part in a couple of service projects, saw more than a few movies and “Fairy Tale Christmas, a play at Tuacahn; and ate our weight in delicious goodies delivered to our front door almost daily by neighbors and friends.

Kelly and Gary had been with us at Thanksgiving but wanted to come back to spend time with her Uncle Larry.  They arrived on Thursday evening, Dec. 21 then Kelly and I drove to Las Vegas to pick Larry up at the airport on Friday morning.  Poor Larry … he comes to St. George annually for a “sun break” and a visit with family … neither of which happened for him this year.  It wasn’t particularly cold while he was here but it was gray – not unlike Seattle this time of year.  And, although he enjoyed a pleasant visit with Kelly and Gary, Stacy and her entire family were all “near death” with a vicious strain of winter flu.  We had a brief visit in Stacy’s driveway but didn’t get to see anyone else.  Sorry, Larry … maybe you should come in April or October – guaranteed to be beautiful, sunny and warm.

As it turns out, Christmas Day was quiet but pleasant.  Dinner was good and plentiful even though there were only three of us at the table. 

Michael, Jessica and the kids arrived on Friday, December 29 … just in time for Ed’s birthday on New Year’s Eve. On Saturday morning we all went for an easy one mile hike to Johnson's Arch (which I had never seen before) which is considered a "winter hike" because this trail is only open from Nov. 1 - March 15 annually.  It was beautiful.  We also took in a movie ... half of us saw "Wonder" while the other half saw "Star Wars."  It was a very pleasant weekend and we are so happy to have our son back, thanks to Jessica!

Highlights of Christmas 2017:

·      GG#4 Nash Michael Beaumont was born in the evening of Thursday, December 21, 2017 – the third baby boy of Allysa and Josh Beaumont and our daughter Stacy’s 3^rd grandson.  This little cutie weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 oz.  Big brothers Daxton and Bentley are just about as excited about their new little brother as they are about all the gifts Santa brought them. 

·      Having Michael, Jessica and their family for a visit before and after Christmas.

·      Volunteering with Kelly and my childhood friend Jan Christensen for “Fairy Tale Christmas” at Tuacahn.

·      Wrapping gifts for children in need in our community with some of my favorite Rotary club members at our 2^nd annual service party.

·      Having neighbors and friends dropping by with cookies, candy and other lovely gifts … and even a few Christmas carolers.

·      Introducing my brother to my nail lady Michelle Graham who actually is our cousin (haven’t found the common ancestor yet, but I know she’s on our family tree).

·      Seeing “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” (which is wonderful and worth seeing more than once) “Victoria and Abdul” (which my brother and I both loved) and “The Greatest Showman” (which I loved and my brother didn’t).

·      Spending Christmas Eve with Bishop and Lori Bair, Selwin and Brianna, Cara, Aspen, Dakota Bair and my brother Larry.

·       Inviting our neighbors and friends over to celebrate Ed's birthday on New Years Eve ... and to help us eat our mountain of leftovers.

  

      Christmas is such a lovely time of the year but a whole lot of work.  And, no question this extra level of activity - even when its fun - can make us crazy, but we sure love having family, friends and neighbors around and can't wait to see them again.

Happy Thanksgiving 2017

It was a busy, noisy Thanksgiving, 2017.

Although Michael wasn't here on "the day" he came the weekend before to attend the wedding of his good friend Derek Smith who lost his wife a few years ago in an ATV accident leaving him a single father of 4.  Michael brought along his sidekicks Lilly and Laura.  Jessica and the older kids stayed home because she had a concert to perform.  It was a quick trip but such a pleasure to have our son and grandkids in our home.

Kelly, Gary, his son Brian and wife Miriah and their two kids arrived on Wednesday evening.  Kelly came completely prepared to take over cooking this biggest dinner of the year.  Selwin and Brianna, Simeon and Steph joined us for lots of good food, laughter and high-volume chit chat.  It was a lovely day.

On Friday, in an effort to keep people happy and energized, I loaded them in the car and took them on a "mystery trip" to the Family Search library.  At the front door, Gary told me he knew very little about most of his family ... didn't even know the name of one of his grandmothers.  When he repeated this to the missionary at the front desk, the man suggested he set up an account to see if there was any information.

A little aside ... Gary's grandmother, I am told, crossed the plains with Brigham Young and the early church pioneers to Salt Lake City - the second largest "exodus" in world history.  Soon after they arrived, his grandmother - as the story goes - got her feelings hurt and as such left the Church and took all of her posterity with her ... or at least Gary thought!

Gary set up an account and then we left for other destinations.  When we got home at about 5 p.m. Gary queried whether he could access his Family Search account from his own computer or had to go back to the library to do so.

Then the miracle occurred.  Gary got back into his account and began putting in names he knew which resulted in generations of his family popping up!  By 11:30 p.m., only Gary and I were still awake ... and he had traced 5 family lines back to the mid-1500's.  It was an astounding experience for both of us.

Our Trip to Branson

On our third trip to Branson, MO, we enjoyed the company of Tom and Merna Summers (Tom and Ed went to school together in Ririe, ID) and Bob and Katie Beecher (they took our place as missionaries in Guyana, South America) in our 3-bedroom condo.  

Branson’s population is approximately 10,500 fulltime citizens with more than 14,000,000 visitors annually.

During the week of November 4-11, we enjoyed seven Branson shows: Maxine’s Christmas, a Hallmark sponsored spoof on “A Christmas Carol”; The Lettermen (wow, so good even with only one of the original singers); Texas Tenors (they came in 4^th in the 8^th season of America’s Got Talent … and fantastic); Pierce Arrow, a comedy /musical group – very fun; The Miracle of Christmas at The Sight and Sound Theater (very well done and with amazing costumes); Six, (brothers of the same number singing and dancing in Osmond-esque style); and the Haygoods, with incredible music, amazing special effects and a talented family of five brothers and one sister celebrating 25 years of entertaining in Branson.

We also enjoyed a few side trips to Shepherd of the Hills; the Henning Conservation Area, Branson Landing for the obligatory shopping and strolling …. lots of eating out, getting lost at least once a day and a few raucous hands of Phase Ten.

The high point of the week was a day spent at Top of the Rock where we rode golf carts through 2.5 miles of spectacular Ozark country.  We saw Amish bridges, amazing waterfalls created out of the Ozark’s signature large, flat, tiered table rocks.  We watched the excavation of a sink hole near the golf course while enjoying our lunch in Arnie’s Barn (the original 150-year old structure moved from Arnold Palmer’s hometown of Latrobe, PA).  This fun day also included time spent in the site’s Natural History Museum, including prehistoric dioramas, expansive exhibits from the Civil War and the American West, and one of the most significant collections of Native American artifacts ever assembled.  This is the lifelong work of Johnny Morris, owner of Pro Bass Shops / Cabela’s … in short, David’s boss. It was an incredible day … just not long enough.

Of course, nothing ever runs exactly as planned … there are almost certain to be some glitches along the way and this trip was no exception. We bought roundtrip airfare with American Airlines in May.  Our trip to Branson was flawless, but the day after our arrival, we were notified our return flight had been cancelled so we were handed over to Delta Airlines where we were put on standby.  We left Branson at 7 a.m. heading for the Kansas City Airport … and arrived safely back in St. George at midnight!!!  What a day.

The week was wonderful – made more so in the company of good friends - but our 7 days in Branson went by entirely too fast.  Can’t wait to visit Branson again sometime soon because according to a quote from an old-time resident, “When God looked upon th’ work of his hands and called ‘hit good, he war sure a-lookin’ at this here Ozark country.”