Rayola Hodgkinson Andersen

One of the greatest Hodgkinson Reunions happened on September 19, 2016.  Where was it held?  With the passing of Rayola Hodgkinson Andersen all ten children of Lewis and Mina Hodgkinson have been reunited in Heaven with their parents.  They were a very close knit family growing up in Vernal Utah.  I have always liked the symmetry in the sibling pictures, like the one above - five girls and five boys. (What is my dad looking at? Yeah he is the handsome one on the right.) My dad taught us to say their names in order and as fast as we could. There was a nice little cadence with names broken into two person couplets.   Hilda, Lowell, Ralph, Reed, Wilma, Grant, Mary, Melvin, Rayola, Doris.  Rayola was my dad's little sister and a good friend of my mom's. Bev and Rayola went to Murray High School together and then both got their nursing degree from the University of Utah. 

She was a remarkable woman.  Here are just a few facts about her from her obituary.

Murray, UT-Rayola Hodgkinson Andersen, 89, went beyond this earthly veil on September 19, 2016 to reunite with her husband, parents, siblings and dear friends. She endured to the end being subjected to dementia, several surgeries, and finally—complications from shingles.
Rayola was born in Vernal (as a country bumpkin) and relocated to Murray in her early teens where she commenced a lifelong career in nursing. Her joy and passion never diminished in this field. She was continually being recognized for personal outstanding achievements. She received numerous prestigious awards honoring her dedication and excellence for improving her professional organization.
Her nursing career included: 18 years at LDS Hospital, advancing to Director of Nursing; 20 years as a teacher at the College of Nursing for BYU; 18 years as a hospice nurse for terminally-ill patients. She was the first independent Nurse Practitioner in the state of Utah with an office to practice nursing.
Throughout her life, Rayola traveled the world with her husband, siblings, and grandchildren. She served three missions for the LDS Church to Norway, Magna, and Australia. After retiring, she went on several humanitarian excursions, taking her to China, Africa, Mexico, and an Indian reservation.
In her spare time, Rayola loved: gardening, fishing, raising fowls, her 16 grandchildren, her 12 great-grandchildren, plus twins due in the New Year. Widowed over 45 years ago, she is survived by her four natural children: Karla Andersen, Katherine (Bud) Sadler, Klarise (Mark) Richmond, and Kail (Linda)Andersen, and her two Navajo children: LaVale Footracer and Adam Swofford.

Glad it isn't 1957

I love these pictures.  So thankful for the few pictures that I do have of me and my family members.  The first one is a picture of me propped up in the corner of the couch.  Saucy couch mom!!!  I am such a product of mid-century modern.  Below is my beautiful mother.  Thanks for giving me life mom!!! It has been a great one.  I love this picture with Ilo Leslie and Inez.  It is one of my only pictures with grandparents and I really adore looking at it.  My grandma is staring right into my eyes and I don't know if my grandpa is singing, whistling or blowing me a kiss, but I love it.  I love to hear my mom tell me stories of my birth.  I am sure I have repeated it to you kids many times.  What you may not know is that when my mom got home from the hospital the family was struck with a devastating case of the flu.  My dad was very sick - bed-ridden along with Terri and Clark.  When my mom got home from the hospital she said she was hit pretty hard and was very very sick.  Her mom, Inez,  wanted to come and take care of the family, but my mom insisted that she not come in because it was so contagious and so incredibly debilitating.  My grandma came and left food on the porch, but didn't come in.  My mom said the entire family stayed right down in bed.  Mom couldn't nurse, lost her milk - yes folks, I am a formula-fed baby.  My mom was friends with her pediatrician and he made a house call.  He said that the family had a very base case of the flu, but that they would live, but they just needed to stay right down.  How bad was the flu that year?  1.5 million people died worldwide and 69,800 people died in the United States. What my mom remembers, besides being really sick, is that General Conference, which was held just a few days after I was born was cancelled because of that flu. I did a little research and found a news article that verified that fact and the announcement from the First Presidency (see below).  The one and only time that Conference was cancelled - and I was in the middle of the action.  I like the part of the letter about life being so precious.  Who knows what kind of miracles occurred in our home in Salt Lake City in October 1957 to preserve me and my family.  I am looking forward to Conference not being cancelled and the "uplifting, inspiring experience" that we can have over the next few days.

To all members of the Church,
"With deep regret the First Presidency of the Church, with the concurrence of the Council of Twelve Apostles, announces that out of regard for the health of the people, the semiannual conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, scheduled for Oct. 4, 5 and 6, 1957, together with all meetings planned in connection therein, will not be held . . .
"We have consulted will all public agencies available to us which are concerned in the problems of health, and whose opinion on the extent and effects of the epidemic influenza we regard as helpful in reaching a decision."
 "Life is so precious the Lord expects us to do all within our power to conserve it.
"We are sure our people will understand the reluctance we feel in foregoing the uplifting, inspiring experiences of a general conference of the Church and that they will accord with the decision we have prayerfully reached."

Grandpa's Birthday

 We just passed Grandpa's birthday.  I love these pictures from 1991.  Thought you would enjoy them too.

New Testament 2016-2017

The reason for the posting dearth?  Seminary of course!!  Here is the beautiful class of 2016-2017.  We are studying the New Testament and I am truly loving every day.  They are a lovely bunch, attentive, asking great questions.  Appreciative, fun and funny.  Things got a little lively this week when we studied John the Baptist.  I had gone to the pet store, bought some crickets, roasted and seasoned them.  I usually only have a few takers, but this week there was a new indoor record set.  TEN TAKERS!!!!  One girl had two and one boy took a couple to school to share.  Seminary - what a great place to start your morning.

Nauvoo Family Reunion: Family Photos

As a preface, these are not the final version of these photos. I still need to touch up light and colors as well as do some head swapping, but Marybeth asked for their family photo for Bennett's project and I decided to do a quick edit so I could share. I will get the finals ready soon and share all  the photos we took in Nauvoo. 

Dang we look good!

Zippidy Doo Dah Day

The coolest place to be in the whole country on 9-10-16, this Saturday, is in the 9-10-16 zip code.  Mom and Dad have plans to be at the party!!!  Any family members who where born and raised in 91016 zip code, or is married to someone born in 91016 zip code, or was born to someone from the 91016 zip code is invited to join in the fun with us.

It is the one and only chance of a life time (unless you are around in September 2116)

PRE SCHOOL DAYS

In honor of Eli, Hannah and Emary starting some preschool programs this week, I thought we would take a look at some of  the original generation at that same stage.  Love all those kids and bump into some of them on a regular basis.  Oh Boy, I've Got Joy!!!

SOLSTICE CANYON 16-09

For a generation +, the tradition of how to enjoy Labor Day (as well as the 4th of July and Memorial Day) was simple - go to (great) grandpa Cornwalls house, swim, play with cousins and devour bbq hamburgers.  For the last few years, with the passing of (great) grandpa Cornwall and 1213, the opportunity has been available for new sites, new activities.  Kent and Sue set off on an adventure for this Labor Day, 2016.

Solstice Canyon is a ravine that feeds to the Pacific Ocean in Malibu.  It is accessed off  Pacific Coast  Hwy 1.  The trail follows a northerly path along the stream bed.  It has been a long hot California summer so it was a lovely surprise to trek in some shade and greenery.  The trail eventually turns and climbs nearly 1000' on the dry chaparral covered east wall of the canyon looping in a southerly direction.  The dusty ascent is well rewarded (see video below) and eventually drops back down to the starting point.

Hey... the blue Pacific waves are right there breaking against the highway.  Were Kent and Sue smart enough to bring their bathing suits and towels even tho' the focus was a hot and dusty mountain trek?  Yes they were!   A cool way to end a great hike.

Waterfall at certain times of the year

 

The tradition of a Labor Day bbq feast still needed to be part of the day. . . with the slight change of super yummy turkey-burgers..