Kevan Kingsley Clawson's Blog

We spent thanksgiving week with family in a rented home in Bountiful, Utah. There were 22 of us in one house! We all had a great time, got some family pictures (thanks to Liz), and all the kids got to know each other– some for the first time.

We held a ‘birthday party’ for everyone and had Christmas presents for everyone.

We had time to get to talk as small and large groups

There was a play room for the kids, that they used a LOT

I would often find the children in small groups playing with each other

The children would make cards for us and each other

We also had a chance to go to Chucky Cheese, for a break?

Then it was back to the house again

At one point I found the ‘girls’ dancing in the kitchen to music playing on Terri’s machine

Then, of course, there was the need for family pictures, taken by Liz

It was fun to watch the parents try to get the kids attention. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes the children just screamed anyway…

As we were leaving, some last minute pictures were taken

We all had a great time, and have a lot of memories to treasure. Happy Holidays!

First time going with the kids for Halloween. It was also the first time for some of the kids (who have been living in Brazil) !

Mike and Tamy did a great job on their house

A vampire named Piter    

The crew is all set to go: Robbie (looks exactly like Harry Potter!), Gabe the zombie, Lita the vampiress? And Jack …

It took most people a while to get this one…

While we went out into the cold (I came in early), Terri stayed at home to give out treats.

Not sure this fits the halloween theme, but…

The kids counting out how much loot they got. They even shared a little with me!

It was a good night for them. Mike’s area was very busy with lots of kids. Liz, however, had her normal 2-3 visitors– a typical slow night.

One of the blessings of being home is being able to go on walks with our grandchildren. On this morning Ben, Grae (the dog), and I went for a walk.         

In addition to walks, some of us are re-learning how to ride a bike!

The weather has been nice here, but getting chilly. We are trying to take advantage of the warmer weather while it lasts!

Terri and I have been waiting to celebrate our birthdays at Benihana, but never could get the timing right with the family. We finally got to do this on Saturday night.

Lita has the chef’s hat on, Terri, Jaime, Liz, and Kael

Liz, Kael, Gabe, Ben, Robbie

Jeremiah, Mike, Piter, Tamy

We had not one, but two great chefs to entertain and feed us!

We were even able to get a group picture!

Yesterday was the great pumpkin race at Daybreak. We had a fun time with the family.

There was a LOT of people, and they had some food trucks, etc. This was right across the street from Liz.

We had to wait a while, but then they finally got into their huge pumpkins to start the race.

It was a great day for family. Hard to believe Terri is in jeans! We were sitting with our oldest son Mike, with his wife Tamy (holding their newest son Piter) with Robbie, Gabe and Lita.

They have several races, with some spills, and most were wearing costumes… and for those interested in politics, Hilary Clinton won the race…

I guess it’s time to update some things that have been going on. Today we went to hear my son Jeremiah speak at his new ward (he was just called to be in the Elders Quorum Presidency). It’s weird to be able to go see our children and grandchildren participate in the gospel! In fact, we have yet to even attend our real (new) ward… We attended our old ward just after getting back, then it was General Conference, then we got to go see our grandchildren in a primary program, and this week we saw our son JJ give a talk…perhaps next week we can go to our real ward and me our new Bishop.

We have also been able to see soccer games and attend Family Home Evenings, etc. We are relishing it as though it won’t last.

Terri and our granddaughter Lita (visiting from Brazil)

Terri at her birthday party at JJ’s. The cake was made by our newest daughter-in-law Tamy. Yes, she is 62 and I am 64 this year…

Our grandson Gabe (tall on the right) at soccer game

Terri and our daughter Liz enjoying the sun at the soccer game

My online cooking school product: still learning about salads… maybe move up to soups next year?

Family Home Evening with the grandchildren who decided to play a musical number or two! Gabe, Kael, and Ben

Lita leaping over stuff while the boys play music in the background

My oldest son Mike being coach for the day at indoor soccer (usually JJ is coach), with Gabe and Kael

As you can see, we are enjoying our time at home!

Well, Terri and I are slowly getting adjusted to ‘real life.’ Although it is already cold here, so I miss the islands already!

We have been able to see most of our children and grandchildren–the only ones left are our Mexican family who live in Mexico City. They will be coming for Thanksgiving, so we will be able to see them then.

We went to our ‘old’ Ward two weeks ago, to meet our bishop for the first, and last, time. The Ward split after we left, and just split again as we came home…so we had never met our bishop, and will not be in his ward now that we are home! We will be visiting our new ‘permanent’? ward this Sunday.

Terri got me an online cooking course for my birthday, so I have been starting to learn how to cook (I guess it is about time, since I have been cooking for Terri for over 11 yrs now!). The course starts with salads…

Well, its a start! I already do pretty good soups…but I’m sure I will learn some things.

Terri is busy studying and actively looking for work as a PA in South Jordan, UT. She wants to start work after the first of the year (after all of our partying is done

On Sunday, after getting officially released by the Stake President, and attending our old ward (it’s a long story: we met our Bishop for the first time…to say hello and goodbye, as we will actually be attending another ward since we will be living with Liz…), we got ready for yet another party over at my son Mike’s house.

It was my birthday, the anniversary of my father’s death in 2011, and the date we were released from what could be our last mission. Quite memorable day!

When arriving at Mike’s I discovered that he had chickens! I guess South Jordan allows you to have 6 chickens. After being introduced, it was time for a great Brazilian dinner and a birthday cake: my favorite– pinapple upsidedown cake.

Mike with his favorite chicken

I made a wish for Terri and I– that we can quickly adjust to normal life!

After spending time in PA we finally headed home to Salt Lake. We had a long flight– PA to San Francisco, then to SLC on another airline. We ate lunch with Terri’s parents before we left, knowing we would not get food again that day– we landed about 11:30pm.

The next day we went out to dinner together.

Today we went to the Stake President’s office and got ‘officially’ released. It was the same time as our church…so we are going to the J’s ward (our old ward) for today, then next week we attend our new ward.

On Sunday we attended the Philly temple dedication. Only temple recommend holders were allowed inside any of the chapels that had closed-circuit TV of the proceedings (Terri’s parents, sister, and brother were able to attend the dedication IN the temple, the rest of us viewed the dedication in the Jarrettown chapel).

John and Nancy will be working the the temple at least one day a week as temple workers. Meg is a temple volunteer once a month.

The Hopkins home is a beautiful place, filled with all kinds of memories from their lives.