The year 2021 started out slow with the realization that things weren't going to change any time soon. January 6 saw a riot at the Nation's Capitol with people wanting to halt an election that they felt was "stolen" or at least had some very shady things going on due to Covid. Unfortunately a woman was killed and the news made it seem more terrible than just a riot gone amuck. Fortunately for us here, we were focused on Samuel getting his papers ready to turn in for his mission call. With interviews and paperwork we were busy and preparing to hear where the Lord wanted Samuel to serve. We sent in his papers with a picture and had him looking like a missionary. He got his call 2 weeks later. In February on the 9th, he opened his mission call from a web site. It was quite a fun ZOOM call and family and friends were there. He read that he was called to the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission. He started to cry as he was reading his call. He was suppose to enter the MTC but later found out that he would be doing a home MTC experience.
Cold outside but cozy inside.
Early March we went to visit Rebekah in Aubrey, Texas at her home. We got some dental work done where Rebekah works and that Saturday when Rebekah was off we went to visit Waco, Texas where the Magnolia set was for TV. It was a nice day trip and we had a great time with Rebekah. It was actually quite warm while we were there so it made for a nice change in the weather.
We stayed the night at Eric and Detsy's place on the way home because Eric could take us to the airport early in the morning. He took us to a restaurant like Tacano's but better. It was delicious.
Once we were all back in Seattle. We celebrated Jessica's birthday on the 24th with Juan.
In these pictures, you can see the newly planted cherry tree and Jessica and her kids along with the twin boys that she babysits, Leon and Charlie Woodland.
April was busy with Samuel doing online, at home, MTC. He seemed to enjoy it and it was nice to be a part of his training. He would come down from his room all excited about what he was learning. He really enjoyed his MTC companion, Elder Gee. He actually started his MTC training before giving his missionary farewell which was on April 11. We also received permission to go with him to the Seattle temple during Covid on April 17. There wasn't a lot of people there but it was good to go through the temple again.
Samuel was very ready to go to Philadelphia on the 28th of April. We didn't have a crowd of people there to send him off due to Covid but Stephen and Kathleen walked as far as they could before he was off on his missionary adventure. He made it to Philadelphia and was picked up by the office Elders without any problems.
Stephen got a call from Liz and Austin asking him to come and ordain Austin as a High Priest before he was set apart as the second counselor in the bishopric of his ward. We loaded up and drove to Utah. 
In May Stephen worked on the project that he was doing for Kathleen's birthday and Mother's Day. We chipped out the cement in the pond and filled it in with rock, smoothed it out and started the base for a gazebo in the backyard. We had a electric cement mixer that was quite old but it still worked so Stephen bought over 80 bags of cement and put up boards and figured out where to put the deeper footings and we mixed cement and poured it into the area that used to be the pond. It was so very exciting. Stephen did the leveling and the smoothing of the cement. Kimball was here and helped load the cement into the mixer and Kathleen added the water and help start the mixer to turn when Kimball plugged it in. It was a little tricky. Jessica came out to help and she was on the opposite side of the mixer when she cried out and started to run to the house, yelling, "I see bone". She didn't make it to the house before passing out on the grass. Her finger got caught up in the grooves of the mixer and just crushed everything. Kathleen took her to the hospital as we called Juan to come home from his studies. Stephen had to finish the cement project with Kimball's help so that it wouldn't dry improperly. Unfortunately they couldn't help Jessica except give her some pain medicine and tell her to see a specialist.
The end of May brought Memorial Day and a family gathering in Idaho City. Stephen and I drove the truck with a quad on the trailer. Jon brought his several quads and Austin brought his quad. Sarah and Michael came to be with the family before they had to move to California. 
We rode quads and rented a side-by-side, drove to the hot springs through the mountains, had a great time cooking with dutch ovens and just enjoying all the time together. We missed Ben and Carli, Rebekah and Juan and Jessica and all their kids.
June 28th brought the hottest day on record for the Seattle area. It was so hot it cooked the plants. Thankfully we had air conditioning so we kept cool but the poor plants outside were literally leaf burned. It was a bit rough to try and cover them and keep them cool. Even the plants at the temple were burned. Thankfully it cooled down before Stake Youth Conference at Ensign Ranch. Stephen was the member of the Stake Presidency that was in charge of the activity and they asked Kathleen to be the nurse. The youth seemed to have a good time. It lasted until Friday July 2nd and Jessica drove her van with kids to Ensign Ranch and picked up Kathleen.
There was a lot of food, lots of company came by and were very impressed with everything that was done. We even had shaved ice available with everyone helping to make it a big success. Grandma said she really was surprised and that so many people mentioned how wonderful it was. Grandma had so many people come that she knew. It was nice to celebrate such a moment with her. After spending the week enjoying family and loved ones in Utah, Stephen and Kathleen drove home in the truck with their granddaughter, Katelyn.
Katelyn came to spend time with her Grandparents and Oakley came back with Juan and Jessica to spend time with her cousins. There was lots of things to do with Katelyn. We visited the Ballard Locks, the Troll under the bridge, and the Gum Wall at Pike's Place Market.
We celebrated Juan's birthday and then we took all the kids to the Zoo including the twin boys that Jessica babysits every Friday. 
We rode quads and rented a side-by-side, drove to the hot springs through the mountains, had a great time cooking with dutch ovens and just enjoying all the time together. We missed Ben and Carli, Rebekah and Juan and Jessica and all their kids.June was nice. Rebekah turned 40 and we sent her flowers for her birthday. Gracie also turned eight so we were excited to see her get baptized but they waited until July so family could be there.
June 28th brought the hottest day on record for the Seattle area. It was so hot it cooked the plants. Thankfully we had air conditioning so we kept cool but the poor plants outside were literally leaf burned. It was a bit rough to try and cover them and keep them cool. Even the plants at the temple were burned. Thankfully it cooled down before Stake Youth Conference at Ensign Ranch. Stephen was the member of the Stake Presidency that was in charge of the activity and they asked Kathleen to be the nurse. The youth seemed to have a good time. It lasted until Friday July 2nd and Jessica drove her van with kids to Ensign Ranch and picked up Kathleen.We headed stayed the night at Susan and Cory's place in Boise. They were very accommodating and gave us all beds to sleep in. The next morning we packed up and drove to Utah for several fun occasions. First, we made it in time for a 4th of July activity that was celebrated the day before on the third since the fourth was on Sunday. We celebrated Oakley turning 7 years old (on the first of the month) with her mother making a special cake for her and all the family that were there.
Then Sunday we went to Church with Sarah and Michael since we were staying at their home. 
The next day, Monday the 5th of July we gathered in Spanish Fork at Jon and Jenna's home then at their church where we witnessed the baptism of Gracie June Ralph by her father, Jonathan. Gracie entered the gate to the covenant path and it was so special to witness another grandchild enter into a covenant relationship with our Father in Heaven. Part of the activity was to write a letter to Samuel which was a very nice idea from Jenna.
The next day, Monday the 5th of July we gathered in Spanish Fork at Jon and Jenna's home then at their church where we witnessed the baptism of Gracie June Ralph by her father, Jonathan. Gracie entered the gate to the covenant path and it was so special to witness another grandchild enter into a covenant relationship with our Father in Heaven. Part of the activity was to write a letter to Samuel which was a very nice idea from Jenna.
After the baptism we met together at Jon and Jenna's home for smoked Brisket and Macaroni and Cheese. On Tuesday we started buying things for the Big Birthday Bash for Grandma (Ellen) Ralph's 90th birthday. On Thursday we met up with lots of family at the Provo Recreation Center. We spent time indoors and outdoors in the pools. Thursday was suppose to be at the
South Fork Park in Provo Canyon but there was a mix-up and we didn't get it reserved so we could only spend the morning there but we went back to the church building for family games of Twister, parachute games, board games and chatting. Saturday was the big Day for Grandma. We were to have the celebration outdoors due to Covid but it was so very hot that week in Utah that we decided to have most of the events indoors and the Church Building when Liz and Austin attend since he had keys as a Bishopric member. Susan Brighton was the one with all the ideas. She had spoken with Ellen about her likes and dislikes. She wanted a Hawaiian Luau type theme. With some Family Activities on her actual birthday (Thursday, the eighth) and a reception type activity later that weekend. Thursday was made of fun activities with games for everyone. The huge parachute was fun for the little ones and the Twister Game was a hit with the adults. The Ralph Siblings got together at a restaurant near Liz and Austin's home to talk about what we could do to help Mom and Dad (Grandpa and Grandma) with their situation. Saturday was a Hawaiian Theme. We had to change the location and time since there was a baptism at the church before we could get in and decorate. Susan brought a lot of decorations and there were signs made and Susan made a lovely birthday cake for Grandma.
South Fork Park in Provo Canyon but there was a mix-up and we didn't get it reserved so we could only spend the morning there but we went back to the church building for family games of Twister, parachute games, board games and chatting. Saturday was the big Day for Grandma. We were to have the celebration outdoors due to Covid but it was so very hot that week in Utah that we decided to have most of the events indoors and the Church Building when Liz and Austin attend since he had keys as a Bishopric member. Susan Brighton was the one with all the ideas. She had spoken with Ellen about her likes and dislikes. She wanted a Hawaiian Luau type theme. With some Family Activities on her actual birthday (Thursday, the eighth) and a reception type activity later that weekend. Thursday was made of fun activities with games for everyone. The huge parachute was fun for the little ones and the Twister Game was a hit with the adults. The Ralph Siblings got together at a restaurant near Liz and Austin's home to talk about what we could do to help Mom and Dad (Grandpa and Grandma) with their situation. Saturday was a Hawaiian Theme. We had to change the location and time since there was a baptism at the church before we could get in and decorate. Susan brought a lot of decorations and there were signs made and Susan made a lovely birthday cake for Grandma.
There was a lot of food, lots of company came by and were very impressed with everything that was done. We even had shaved ice available with everyone helping to make it a big success. Grandma said she really was surprised and that so many people mentioned how wonderful it was. Grandma had so many people come that she knew. It was nice to celebrate such a moment with her. After spending the week enjoying family and loved ones in Utah, Stephen and Kathleen drove home in the truck with their granddaughter, Katelyn.Katelyn came to spend time with her Grandparents and Oakley came back with Juan and Jessica to spend time with her cousins. There was lots of things to do with Katelyn. We visited the Ballard Locks, the Troll under the bridge, and the Gum Wall at Pike's Place Market. Stephen planned a day up to Paradise on the tram. With Covid the prices were lower and though we had to wear a mask in line once we were on the tram we had them off quick.
We hiked around the top of Paradise after getting off the tram. It was a beautiful day and Mt. Rainer could be seen clearly in the distance. We took hiking poles that were placed for use by hikers at the top of the tram.
Just before Katelyn left. Liz and Austin came for a summer visit with their six kids. We had a good time visiting the zoo and going to the Boeing Museum of Flight. You can never see enough of what is there but we had a good time and a picnic lunch just outside under the wings of a jet.
We also had a birthday celebration for Emeri.
Emeri had her ninth birthday while in Washington and Samuel celebrated his birthday in Pennsylvania while on his mission. The cousins had a great time together. Oakley, Emeri and Hadlie were three "peas in a pod" and Christian and Ezra had a great time getting into all kinds of mischief. Owen and Caleb became pals which was a nice change from their last encounter.
August came quickly after so many family members were able to visit. It was a wonderful July that lead into a very nice August. Kathleen and reserved a all-inclusive stay at the Grand Marquis in Los Cabos, Mexico. It was an anniversary get-away that started on the 11th with a flight to Los Cabos on Alaska Airlines. Masks were still required for all passengers but it was a 3 1/2 hour flight so it wasn't too terrible.
Our suite was very nice and included a bottle of wine that we left in the room.
We had a great time going on a camel tour but they wouldn't let us take any pictures. We were able to go to the church building on Sunday via the bus and a long walk but they were not having in-person meetings due to Covid. We spoke with the bishop who was young and a convert and very enthusiastic.
It was a nice get-away for our anniversary.
Hadlie had her eighth birthday on the 18th of October. We waited for Thanksgiving time for her baptism because Juan's parents were coming. She was pretty excited. 
Before her baptism Stephen, Kathleen and lots of family and friends were scheduled to go on a cruise to Mexico. Due to Covid we had to be vaccinated and also have a negative test 2 days prior to boarding the boat. It was challenging to find a place that could get results back in time for the voyage. We were traveling on MSC cruise line and we'd never been on that line before so it was a new experience but the price was right. Unfortunately the changed the ports that we would visit so it was a little disappointing to begin with but some of the excursions made up for it. The airline changed our flight schedule at the last minute and we were afraid that we would miss our flights. Susan and Cory flew in with Kimball (Kimball stayed at our home while we were gone.) and we ended up flying to New York instead of Dallas, Texas. It was a long flight but they gave us first class seats which was a nice surprise. Unfortunately, Susan and Cory didn't get so lucky and they couldn't sleep on our Red Eye flight. We had to make sure our luggage was coming with us because of the change in flights. It was a little bit concerning but we mad the cruise before it left. It was good that it left later than we were used to. The cruise line was owned by an Italian company so the service was more a European flavor.
Our first port was Cozumel and several of us went on an excursion to the "Secret River" which was an underground cave with a river running through it. We had to put on wet suits and climb down into the cave that was filled with tree roots and stalactites and stalagmites. 
Our group consisted of Stephen, Kathleen, Susan, Cory, Bruce, Annette, Angie and her husband and four of Angie's neighbors. It was an amazing adventure and we had a great time. That excursion was the highlight of the trip and made everything worth it. 
We had invited a large group of people on this cruise and many were able to come. Rebekah was the first person to invite us and Susan and Cory, Bruce and Annette and their daughter Angie and her husband who invited their neighbors. We invited Eric and Detsy because they had never been on a cruise and we invited Kathleen's brother Michael and her sister-in-law, Teverly. Both of the last two had lost their spouses and this was a singles available cruise so it seemed like they could come without any problems. At the end of the cruise Stephen lost his Apple watch by mistakenly putting it in the ship's container instead of his ship wrist band. Otherwise it was a wonderful trip.
It was a very nice way to start the month of November. At Thanksgiving time Juan's parents came for a visit. They were so very welcome and we had a good time trying to banter in Spanish and playing games. His mother was very helpful in the kitchen and his Dad made us some very yummy carne asada tacos with his mom making sauces and homemade tortillas. We were very surprised one night when Rebekah showed up at the door for a Thanksgiving astonishment. What a lovely surprise it was! We also had Kimball here for Thanksgiving and for the baptism and then Susan came with Oakley after Thanksgiving to be here for the baptism. Kathleen got some help from Diana Jenks with making Thanksgiving special. Diana made little name placeholders for the table decor and it just added such a festive look to the table. We enjoyed all the company around the table. 
Kathleen flew down and started Grandma duty but meals were brought in every day so there wasn't much to be done, just laundry, dishes, watching littles and the regular routines. An amazing event was watching the little finch type birds land in the dry bush next to the house and eat all the seeds left. There were at least six birds on the bush.
There were several activities that the Heath kids participated in at their ward and also at Jon and Jenna's place. All the Heath kids made gingerbread houses and Owen really enjoyed his endeavor. 
Hadlie's baptism went so very well. Susan conducted the music while Rebekah played the piano. Jessica gave a talk on baptism and Juan performed the ordinance then Kathleen spoke on the Holy Ghost and Juan confirmed Hadlie with lots of family standing with him. He wasn't told to give her a blessing after so he did that separately. Hadlie was baptized with another young girl, Phoebe Engstrom.
December started out with a new arrival. Ellen May Heath was born on a Friday to Liz and Austin. She wasn't due until the 13th but it was good she came early since she was so small. 5# 7oz. and 20 inches makes her long and skinny. She beat out Hadlie for the smallest grandchild award. Great Grandma Ellen Ralph for whom she was named, gave her a special quilt that her mother had started. It was a unique and special treasure.
Kathleen flew down and started Grandma duty but meals were brought in every day so there wasn't much to be done, just laundry, dishes, watching littles and the regular routines. An amazing event was watching the little finch type birds land in the dry bush next to the house and eat all the seeds left. There were at least six birds on the bush.
While Kathleen was gone to Utah, Sarah and Michael came to Washington. By the time Kathleen got home, there was a ladder up to the attic and flooring put down for storage. A light was installed also to make it more usable. Michael also helped Stephen with wiring the spotlight on the back porch and adding wiring and electricity to the gazebo for the lights outside. Sarah worked on the inside of the house. Reorganizing and changing things around so that Stephen and Kathleen could have an office area to work in downstairs. We celebrated Jaxon's first birthday on the 18th but he didn't quite know what was going on. He did enjoy the cake, though. 
On a Saturday before Christmas, our neighbors Jim and Judy Brennan came over with a craft project for the kids. There was enough fun things to do for more children than were already there so Kathleen called around to see who else could come. Lisa Lewis brought over her daughter, Rosalin and our neighbor Roxie Olin came by with her two grandkids. They all had fun making candy trains and Christmas cards.
Christmas came quickly after that with kids getting new PJ's on Christmas Eve and some stockings being made for the new little ones that were at the house. Kathleen had help from Diana Jenks to help with the stockings but she still needed more help after Christmas since Jaxon's stocking was backwards.
Christmas came early on the Saturday morning. The usual stair photo shot and Christmas breakfast was enjoyed by all. This year the Nativity was performed after breakfast. It made Christmas day a little more special.
All in All the year 2021 was fun filled family adventure and a memorable blessing with Samuel's mission call and no one getting seriously sick with Covid. Several members had Covid including Grandma and Grandpa Ralph before the vaccine was available. Then they got the vaccine and Grandpa still had a positive Covid test when he was hospitalized after a car accident. It just seemed that the vaccine wasn't really very effective. Rebekah got Covid prior to getting the vaccine but Jessica, Susan and Jon got Covid after they were vaccinated. Samuel, Jenna and and several of their kids got Covid before they were vaccinated and it was like the flu. Samuel had to get the vaccine for his mission call even though he had had Covid at school. He still got sick during his mission. It has been a crazy year but lots of blessings. We are so grateful for all that we've been given this year and we acknowledge the great goodness of God in our lives. We are truly blessed.
