March 2026

March is supposed to come in like a lion and go out as a lamb.  Well, the coming in as a lion is pretty accurate as the wind is relentless and blowing very strong!  

On Monday the 2nd, I made a stew and we went over to Connie and Dennis's in Kimberly to have dinner with them and Debbie and Doug. We had a wonderful time catching up on everyone's lives and their children.  We love spending time with family!

On Tuesday we headed to Boise to get Lon's tooth fixed then met up with Craig and Robbie and went golfing.  It was a beautiful day with hardly any wind.  We walked 9 holes, Robbie fed up dinner and we drove home.  It is March Madness, so we will spend a lot of time with basketball this month.  

When Lon was changing into his whites for our Wednesday PM shift, he twisted something in his back and could hardly walk.  He was in a lot of pain but was able to finish the shift, then we went to one of our fellow workers home, Sister Mishler, and her husband and a neighbor gave Lon a beautiful Priesthood blessing.   Lon was able to sleep well and Thursday we attended the temple and went to lunch.  It was too windy to fish or golf.  So thankful for the healing powers of the Priesthood and men willing to use it to bless others.  

On Monday the 9th, we took Tracy with us to the Verizon store to get new cell phones.  We wanted someone with us to help with the tech language that we don't understand.  Our phones are not functioning well, so it is time to change them.  So thankful that Tracy was there to help us.  We went from androids to iPhones, so we have a lot to learn.  Lon's phone transferred just fine, but they couldn't get my phone number to transfer to the new phone. I was asked to return the next day, and they would have everything working.  We went to dinner with Tracy, Sarah and Eisley.  We went to a Tia restaurant.  New experience, not bad but not our favorite.   

I spent Tuesday morning and Thursday morning at the Verizon store.  They couldn't get my number to transfer to the new phone, and I finally just told them to give me a new number. So, I have spent the rest of the month trying to let everyone know about the new number.  All of our doctors, church, utilities, banking, etc., are in my name and number.  What a headache this has been. 

We attended the Burley, Idaho Temple on Saturday the 14th with Tracy and Sarah.  We had dinner at Edith's restaurant and enjoyed a wonderful evening with family.  Tracy hooked our new phones up to the car.  We are learning to use them little by little. 

We golfed on the 16th with Tracy.  It was a cold, windy day.  The longer we golfed, the worse it blew.  We were thankful when we finished!  Tracy got Lon's phone connected to his truck and we did some shopping for Weston and Hadley.  

Tuesday morning the 17th we went to Boise again.  Lon spent the day helping Craig convert his pleasure boat into a good fishing boat.  They got the fish finder and electric motors all installed.  We had a wonderful visit.  Now they just have to plan a day to fish together and see if everything works right.

Time for our annual Temple Hopping Trip.  Our Twin Falls temple is closed for the next two weeks so we headed to Mindi and Justin's on Wednesday the 18th.  We got there about 4, had dinner and headed to the Draper Temple.

I forgot to take any pictures😞 We did an endowment session with Justin and Mindi.  This temple was huge.  It was in a beautiful residential area with huge homes.  

Thursday morning, we went to the Payson Temple to attend an endowment session.

The trees are all in bloom and the flowers are blooming.  It's way too early so we are sure that everything will be frozen before spring really comes for real.

So thankful for Mindi and her love of us and temples.  We look forward to our temple hopping trip all year.

  

This is a huge temple and the most beautiful and elaborate one that we have ever been in.  The restrooms were gorgeous, in greens and golds. We felt like we were in a palace.  Justin was not able to go with us as he has just begun a new job with a new company so just the 3 of us again this year. 

We stopped for breakfast and headed to St. George.  It is so wonderful to have Mindi do the driving for us. We were to meet Gene VanWagoner here to attend an endowment session.  We got there a little early, so we toured the grounds.

It was a beautiful, warm day with everything in bloom.

When we finished our session, Gene and his daughter Janene met us in the Celestial Room.  One of the temple workers, Phil Packard" asked us if we would like a tour of the temple.  OF COURSE!  He spent an hour taking us throughout the temple.  It was so wonderful. We toured all 5 floors.  I think we saw more than people saw on the open house!

Janene, Gene, Lon, Nancy, Mindi

Gene and Lon

Gene took us to the Chuck Wagon for dinner, and we enjoyed our visit so much.  Janene is a wonderful woman.  We felt like we had known her forever.  We drove to the condo that Mindi had arranged for us.  It was a very nice 2-bedroom condo. 

Mindi brought some breakfast foods and even a puzzle to keep us busy while Lon watched basketball before bed. 

Friday evening

We took Lon to the South Gate golf course on Friday morning to meet up with Gene for their 18 holes.  Then Mindi and I headed out to do some sight-seeing.  We started at the Mountain Meadows Massacre site because it was going to really get hot as the day went on (98).  

such a tragic event

The church and state have made a beautiful memorial

Felt good to get a walk in

We then went to the Jacob Morley Home and the Brigham Young Summer Home and toured them.  Phil had told us where to have lunch, so we went to the Mexican Restaurant he recommended. 

We drove out to Hurricane to pick up Lon at Gene's house, back to the condo to get ready for our evening at the Red Cliff's Temple.  We did both sealings and an endowment here.

Another huge temple

We picked up a pizza on our way back to the condo; Mindi really spoils her dad as we had to drive all over the city to find him a pepperoni pizza. What a wonderful day.  We were tired when we finally finished the puzzle, the ballgames and went to bed.  

Saturday morning, we went to visit with Aunt Charlotte Whatcott.

Charlotte will turn 97 this year.  She is doing great and is living in an assisted living facility now.  We're thankful that she isn't living along anymore and has friends close.  We had a nice visit then headed to the Cedar City Temple.  Here we did initiatories and then a session.  

This was a smaller temple, beautiful but still larger than our Twin Falls Temple.

We stopped at a Chilies for lunch and headed back to Mindi's house in South Jordan. 

5 temples in 4 days.  It was a wonderful trip!

Sunday morning was Stake Conference for Justin and Mindi, so we watched the first hour with them via internet then they had to leave to attend a missionary farewell for a niece.  We finished watching conference then headed to Salem to visit with the Burks.

President William and Hermana Patricia Burk

They were the temple president and matron for the Guatemala City Temple.  Lon was his second counselor for a few months then made the first counselor till we finished our mission there.  We loved serving with them on our second mission.  We have such fond memories.  They taught us so much.  We love them.  President Burk had a stroke about 3 years earlier but seemed to be doing very well. He passed away one week later after another stroke.  We are so thankful that we got to spend an afternoon with them.  We were able to watch the services via the internet.  What an amazing man.  We got back to Mindi's for a roast beef dinner with all the kids, grandkids, great grandkids and dogs.  What a wonderful Sabbath Day.  

Monday morning Lon drove to Farrell's house and the two went golfing at The Oaks Golf Course.  They had a good time.  I stayed at Mindi's to play with the great-grand kids. 

Weston and Hadley remembered me, and we had a great time.  

Lon picked me up and we headed for home, arriving in time to catch the BYU game.  March Madness is winding down.  We had a wonderful Temple Hopping Trip again this year.  

With our temple closed, we went to Burley on Tuesday the 24th.  We enjoyed performing the ordinances in Spanish there.  

We spent the rest of the week golfing when the wind would let us and Lon went fishing when the wind would let him.  We always enjoy our two weeks off but look forward to the temple opening again.  We miss our temple family and look forward to being with them again.  

March didn't end like a lamb.  It has been in the 50's with high winds most of the month.  The bad thing is that we have had no rain.  Praying for April showers.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

   

February 2026

 We live in a desert!  This winter has been very mild and dry.  We have been asked to fast and pray for moisture that we might get enough snows in the mountains and rains in the valleys to fill our reservoirs and replenish our aquafer.  This has been one of the mildest winters I can remember.  Lon went golfing at the Muni in Twin Falls on the 2nd of February.  Lon and LaRon went fishing 6 times this month.  There has been no ice fishing as the reservoir never completely froze over.  The only reason they haven't fished more is because of the wind blowing so hard.  (which only dries out the land even more).  Lon even got to fish with Craig, Ryan, and Scottie at Magic one day.  

Our first highlight of this month happened on the 7th.  We were invited to attend the baptism of Kason Thompson, son of Derek, grandson of Kip Thompson.  When we arrived and looked at the program, I found out that I was the pianist😲!  Nobody told me!  I didn't have any music with me, and it was in the Young Women room so there were no Primary books there.  Luckily Brother Wright was there, and he had played for another baptism that morning and had his book with him.  

Leah and Derek Thompson with their combined family of three boys.  They have another son who will be sealed to them this afternoon by Lon.  Leah has one son, and Derek two.  It was a wonderful baptism, and we were thrilled when Linda, Great Grandmother was able to attend.  

We went to the temple at 2 for the sealing.

Leah and Derek were sealed and little Oliver sealed to them.  It was such an honor for Lon to be asked to be the sealer today.  Those in attendance:

Former Bishop Cody Bingham and wife, Mark and wife (brother), Lance and wife (brother), Tawnya (mother), The happy couple with Ethan (brother) Lon and Nancy (great aunt and uncle) Kip (Dad), Kurt (grandfather), Current Bishop Brown and wife, Vibekka and Brett (aunt and uncle) and Emily and Chad (aunt and uncle)  We were sad that Linda couldn't make it.  

Derek, Leah and Olive Kip

The three brothers were not able to be sealed today as they each have other mom's and dad's that have to give permission for this to happen and they are not ready for that to happen yet.  It was a beautiful day, and we ended it with a dinner at Linda and Kurts that evening.

Our second highlight of the month was on the 19th when we visited with Elsie and Tommy Williams in Hollister.

We started working in the Boise Temple on the very same day and the same shift back in 1998.  They were the Wednesday PM Shift Coordinators in Twin Falls just before us and we have served in the temple together all these years.  They have had to retire due to age and health, so it was great to visit them and see how they are doing.  As you can see, Tommy has fallen and has a black eye and hurt shoulder, but they have high spirits and firm testimonies.  So fun to visit with them.  

 Our third highlight of the month happened on the 21st.  We were asked to substitute at the temple on Saturday morning.  We were asked to be the attendants for a sealing.  We didn't recognize the names, but when we went to meet them at the door, the son asked Lon if he had a brother in the Seattle area.  Turns out that Ken (Lon's brother) and Bonnie were best friends with Howard and Lynda Case and they raised their families together in Mt. Vernon, Washington.  Howard and Lynda moved to Twin Falls about 20 years ago.  We have been to their house with Ken and Bonnie when they came down to visit.  I remembered Lynda from our visits.  It was so special to be able to be with them for this amazing morning.  Howard was never a member but supported Lynda and the kids in all of their church activities.  Howard has died.  Today he was sealed to Lynda, and their deceased son, Hal, and living son, James and living daughter Sheri were sealed to them. What an amazing morning to be with this special family and witness this family being sealing forever.  We called Bonnie and shared it with her.  She was elated.  What a tender mercy for us.

We were in the temple 14 of the 28 days this month, and while the temple was only open for 20 days because of Sunday and Monday, that's not too shabby.  It truly is a favorite place of ours.

Our fourth highlight of the month happened on the 24th.  The Harris', Taylors' and Thompsons' met at the Burley temple to do a session together.  

We totally disrupted the temple as everyone was so thrilled to see us and we them.  After our session, President and Sister Tateoka took us on a tour of their temple and taught us of a lot of the changes that have happened and are to happen since we have been released.  It was amazing.  We then went to lunch and enjoyed our love and friendship with these dear friends.  Serving together for the 2+years was wonderful.  Derlin is finally starting to feel good.  We really missed the Taylors when they had to quit in our 2nd year.

And in a nutshell, that is what happened in the month of February.  We continue to pray for moisture.  Our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren are a blessing to us and are all doing great.  We of course seem to find aches and pains as we get older but are able to carry on so all is well.  Life is good! 

 

2026-Jan

 Happy New Year!  And Happy 18th Birthday to Eisley!  Time just marches on at a faster pace each year.  We spent the day watching football and then subbed at the temple on the 2nd and 3rd.  Great way to begin a new year.

Mindi came in on the 7th, Wednesday afternoon, and spent some time with Tracy and Sarah while we served on our regular Wednesday PM Shift.  We were thankful she came in earlier because we had a white out driving home.  We're headed to the airport in the morning to fly to Seattle for Ken's funeral.  We really didn't need snow this week, but we are in a drought, so we need to be thankful for any moisture we receive.

This is what we woke up to.  Luckily, we didn't have to leave till 10 so the freeways had a chance to clear off and the roads were fine going to Boise. We are so thankful that Mindi is going with us to the funeral.  She is going to do the driving and be our guide.  When I fly and have to put on the patch in order not to get nauseated, I can't think straight.  Nice to have someone along to think for us and drive in the big city! 

We met up with Craig, Robbie, Scottie and Jamie in Boise and took the same flight to Seattle.  We got our rental car and drove to Bellview where we will all stay.  We had dinner together and then Mindi and I had to go shopping.  I forgot to pack my dress!!!😟I just hate how the meds take away my brain!

Friday morning, we went down to breakfast and met up with Farrell and AnnaKay. (Great that we all stayed at the same motel) We found out that AnnaVee had passed away Thursday morning.  She just didn't wake up. We knew that AnnaVee was not doing well but it is still a shock when it happens.  Farrell had to speak at Ken's funeral, and he wanted to come cause there was nothing he could do at home but sit around and weep so AnnaKay came with him.  The funeral was a very nice tribute to Ken.  Farrell talked and Craig and Lon did the prayers and Lon dedicated the grave.  The kids and grandkids all did a great job too.  Each of Ken's siblings were represented except Lynn.  

Scottie (Craig), Quinn and Staci (Ken), AnnaKay (Farrell), Starla (Ken), Kevin and Darren (Larry), Brett (Kurt), Sharlynn (Larry), Mindi (Lon)

These cousins really enjoyed visiting at the luncheon.

Most of them will be together again next week at their Aunt AnnaVee's funeral.

The motel let us put the Oregan/Indiana Football game on that evening

Farrell needed to talk so we all enjoyed time together thinking and remembering our dear sister AnnaVee.  

We were so thrilled that Charlie Stewart (the Indian exchange student that became part of the family) was able to drive out with his wife and 2 children to attend.  These brothers have a deep love for each other and especially for their older brother Ken who was such a great example for them all.  

Bonnie seems to be doing very good, but the reality will be hard.  We are so thankful that Starla and Ed will continue to live with her.

For a Saturday, the traffic was very heavy as we left Bellview and drove the hour to Seattle and caught our flight home.  We are so thankful for Mindi being with us and doing the driving.  We got home about 6pm, just in time to watch the BSU football game and then the BYU game.  Mindi headed home on Sunday morning.  

We got a new bishopric on the 11th.  Our new bishop is Gary Brown, with Kent Yost and Scott Rogers as counselors.  They will be a great team.  They are all humble, faithful servants of our Savoir. 

On Friday the 16th, we met Tracy, Sarah and Eisley at their home and took off for Utah.  We are again blessed to have one of our children drive us to another funeral.  We got to Mindi and Justin's home about 9 and spent the night there.  Then we all headed to Orem for AnnaVee's funeral on Saturday morning.  It was a wonderful tribute to AnnaVee with remarks from Briyanna, Tera, Wade, Tadd, Lance and Farrell and Larry Daines, AnnaVee's brother.  This was a hard funeral for me.  AnnaVee was truly a sister to me.  I am going to miss her.

It's hard to have to say goodbye in this life, but thankful for the knowledge that we can be together again when we meet in our Heavenly Home. Till we meet again dear sister.  I love you.

17 cousins got together this time.

Tadd, Tracy, Tera, AnnaKay, Tiffany, Darrin, Brett, Scottie, Lance, Blake, Wade, Shane

Vaughn, Kevin, Kip, Mindi, Sharlynn

We missed Kurt and Linda but the rest of the family that were there:

Farrell, Ken Longmore, Lon, Craig

Betty, Bonnie, Lynn, Nancy and Robbie

AnnaVee's brothers with Wade

Ken and Lynn Longmore

Wade and Donnell

AnnaKay with Kayanna and her children and Tadd's children Zachary and Jessica

Vibecca, Tawnya, Ethan and Kayla

Kevin with Craig and Robbie, Scottie and 2 of his children

Larry's first wife Betty with Bonnie

We enjoyed another family day as we said farewell to AnnaVee and we headed for home about 3.  We had good roads coming and going and are so thankful for Tracy driving us and for Mindi giving us a bed.  We are so thankful for our children. Ginger wasn't able to fly in as flights were just too expensive.  Shayla and Justin were not able to attend the funeral as these two came to town for a visit.   We were sad that we didn't get to see these two grandchildren this weekend.  

Gideon and Ryanne

The next two weeks of the month were spent in the temple, playing golf on the simulator and fishing with LaRon.  Nothing out of the ordinary until the 30th when Ken and Lynn came to visit.  We were so thrilled to have them come for lunch and then we visited and looked at pictures in our scrap books and Ken took photos of the ones that Lynn didn't have.  Nice day!

On the 31st we again headed to Tracy's home, and we headed to Pocatello to the baptism of Abby Sanchez. Abby is Ashton's girlfriend.  She decided to investigate the church without Ashton's knowledge.  She wanted to know for herself if she should join or not without being influenced by Ashton.  He was thrilled when she asked him to baptize her.  Tracy sang a special number and I played for him.  I led the music and Tracy played for me. 

Ashton, Abby and the three missionaries who taught her about the gospel

Ashton and Abby

Sarah, Ashton, Abby, Tracy and Eisley

Chandler's girlfriend, Kinley also attended.  She is also a nonmember, but we are hopeful that someday she will also investigate the church.

We had lunch with everyone at Panera's soup and sandwich and headed for home.  It was a great day, and January has come and gone.  

 

 

December 2025

                                                        

                                          The Elk Hunt of 2025 

Lon and Laron took off on Monday the 1st to fish at CJ Strike.  They had a successful day. As they were heading home, Ron Bloxham called and said, "the elk are in the field, get up here".  They got home, packed, and headed for Challis at 4am on Tuesday morning.  They arrived in Challis around 8am.  The elk herd had moved!  When they finally found them, they were in a field that the owner won't allow any hunting in.  The hunters, Lon, Laron and Ron, kept watch until dark hoping that the herd would move back into the other side of the field, but nothing happened.  After a nice dinner with Ron and Jane, Lon and Laron headed back home, arriving about 11pm.  A very long day for them.  We served our Wednesday PM shift at the temple.  Thursday morning, Ron called again and said that he had just shot his, the elk were in the right place and get up here NOW!  So, off they went, arriving about 1pm.  Ron had stayed right with the herd, and they were right where they needed to be.

It was a huge herd

Just needed to pick which one

  The three of them crept up on the herd, and they could have just drove up as this herd was not spooked and didn't move as they approached.  Lon missed on the first shot, and says he shot 4 more times before she went down. 😜 

A nice dry cow

The weather was predicting snow, so they hurried and dressed the elk, quartered her, loaded her, helped Ron hang his and headed for home.  They arrived home about 8pm and got the elk hung in our shed.  A very successful elk hunt with no mountains to climb or snow drifts to wallow through.  

On Friday morning, we started at 10am and thankfully Chandler came over to help us butcher and bag the elk. 

Chandler cutting the meat off the elk carcass

Lon

Laron used to be a butcher, so he was the instructor teaching Chandler and Lon what to do.  I washed the meat and got it ready to bag and freeze

Lon vacuum sealed the meat

Chandler put the meat through the meat grinder

We didn't get finished until 7:30pm. So thankful that Chandler was there to help.   Laron took a hind quarter, backstrap and tenderloin.  We ended up with 160 pounds of hamburger, about 15-16 roasts and some steaks.  The meat looks good, hopefully it tastes good cause we have a freezer full!!!

Saturday morning, we worked on getting everything cleaned up and put away.  THE MEAT IS WONDERFUL!!  We went to Gooding to stroll through the flea market where George had another booth set up.  This one went better than his last one.  It was huge and well-advertised.  We enjoyed walking through it and even picked up a couple of things for Christmas gifts.  

He sold most of the toys and a few birdhouses this time.

We had our final dress rehearsals for the Messiah on Wednesday and Thursday.  It's been 4 months of rehearsals, and I think we are as ready as we will ever be.  We were able to get off early on Wednesday so we could attend the rehearsal.  We substituted on Thursday AM shift, got a nap in and went to the Thursday night rehearsal.  Friday morning, Lon and Laron met Scottie and three of his kids at CJ Strike to fish.

Laron, Lon, Owen, Tessa, Cole, Scottie

The kids had a ball and caught a bunch of fish.  Cold day but good.

Lon got home for the first evening of the Messiah performance.  We had a good crowd, and all went well.  Saturday morning, we again substituted on the AM shift then the evening performance of the Messiah.  This evening even went better than last night.  We are glad that we participated but are definitely tired.  It was a wonderful way to welcome in the Christmas season.  Our hearts are full.

Fishing continues to be good but rather cold as you can see.

Christmas packages are wrapped, mailed, and tree is up.  Our first snow storm of the year happened on the 18th.

It is always so pretty.  This snow didn't last very long and the roads were clear by the next day.

On Saturday the 20th, we served on the AM shift then came home to prepare for our Christmas party with Shayla and Justin's family.  We had a Mexican dinner of enchilada's, beef and chicken, cheese dip, tortilla soup and cookie salad with peach cobbler for dessert.  

Grandma Janice also came but didn't get her in the photo😕

Mason, Justin holding Halen, Shayla, Aydan, Kyleigh, Hendryx, Braxton, Riley, Adam

Because it is a Saturday and they work in restaurants, the husbands, Tyler and Josh couldn't come, and Dillon and Jasmine eloped and have moved to northern Idaho for school.

Grandma Shayla with Halen

These two really enjoy the vintage toys.  Fisher Price is on its third generation.

We had a wonderful evening.

Sunday the 21st was our ward Christmas Sacrament Program.  I played "Oh Holy Night" for Brother Robertson, Sue Miller played a beautiful piano solo and our choir sang.  Derek Thompson, Russell Howell and Bishop Bingham spoke.  Then we visited with our ministering families and left treats at each home.  We finished off the day with a Christmas movie.  Great day!

Ken Thompson, Lon's oldest brother passed away at about 3am on the 24th.

The funeral is going to be in January.  He was 90 years old.

Christmas Eve, Tracy, Sarah, Eisley, Ashton and Abby (Ashton's friend? or girlfriend?) came to dinner.  Chandler was with Kinley's family.  We had a traditional turkey feast with all the trimmings.  And I didn't take one picture😝We played games and watched football.  Fun to get to know Abby. 

Merry Christmas 2025 and Happy 76th Birthday Lon

We had a quiet morning opening our gifts then went to Tracy's at 10 to be with them.  Chandler and Kinley were there with the rest of them.  We had snack foods and enjoyed watching the kids open their gifts.  Abby is definitely a girlfriend!  Talked to everyone!

Tracy had deer in his back yard.

We served on the AM shifts at the temple on Friday and Saturday and attended a sealing session with Tracy and Sarah on Saturday evening, then out to dinner for our monthly date with them.  

Barb and I went to lunch on the 30th while Lon and Laron repaired John Coleman's single wide.  The wind had blown a couple of pieces of siding off.  Suddenly it is the 31st and 2025 is coming to an end.  Lon spent the 31st watching football and I got our Christmas decorations put away.  We will start the new year tomorrow with the house clean and looking forward to whatever adventures awaits us.  Welcome 2026!