The Ralph Family House of Ideas: 2018 in Review First Half

The year has gone by so rapidly. It's December already and lots of blessings of come our way and we need to express Thanks for the bounties we've been given.

January saw Samuel playing Basketball for KLHS on the JV team. He enjoyed the comraderie of being on the team. Jessica and Juan arranged the upstairs rooms to how they liked it to be and we all had a rainy winter to work indoors.

February saw snow but no days off from teaching Seminary or going to school.

March was slow due to Kathleen having surgery to replace her left hip which was diagnosed with congenital dysplasia. Jessica took over with the cooking, cleaning and shopping. After a few weeks of recovery, Kathleen was back to Seminary and, to add to the household, we added a few chicks which the kids enjoyed immensely.

April was a full month of warmer weather, garden work, the tulip festival and preparation for a surprise birthday party for Stephen's 60th birthday. Lots of plans and arrangements were made and changed and made again.

The plan was to get all the kids here for a birthday weekend filled with activities, temple attendance and pictures. There was a lot of coordination between kids with Rebekah picking up Elizabeth and baby Ezra at the airport on April 26th, Thursday afternoon in time to hear that Jenna was contracting. It was exciting to hear about a healthy baby girl but disappointing to know that Jon wouldn't make it because Jenna went into labor early. Jenna wasn't due until May so it was a surprise delivery. What another blessed birthday surprise!

Makenzie Pearl Ralph

We decided to continue with all the plans knowing that we could photo-shop Jon into the family picture afterward. Susan flew in and rented a car and she was at Rebekah's. It was challenging to get Stephen out of the house when everyone else came on Friday. Ben and Sarah arrived late Friday morning and were picked up at the airport by Jessica. We asked Stephen to help fix something at Rebekah's house so he wouldn't see the kids gather at the house for the surprise. After he left Liz and Susan came over without him seeing them. A photographer was arranged to take pictures on Friday but he called and was delayed. Kathleen was grateful because we weren't ready. Stephen was taking a long time at Rebekah's and we were waiting patiently... :-/ for him. Finally Kathleen called and told him to come home. He arrived to a Big "SURPRISE" from his kids and then everyone got ready for pictures. The photographer came and set up the living room for a picture that mirrored one from 2001. After we were arranged in order, leaving a space for Jon, the doorbell rang and before I could get it, the door opens and in comes Jonathan. What a surprise for Kathleen and Stephen. Jenna had her mother at home and let Jon catch an early morning flight that got him into Seattle that afternoon. He had arranged for the photographer to be late so that he could be there. What a wonderful surprise!!!

Remake photo from 16 years earlier.

Some goofy shots and some fun shots but lots of memories to add to the collection for a birthday surprise!!! First were the indoor pictures and then we went outside to take some outdoor shots. The kids seem to enjoy both.

We had time to talk and play and enjoy the celebration of Stephen's 60th birthday.

Saturday we got up early to enjoy breakfast at Stephen's favorite all-you-can-eat place, Old Country Buffet. We left in time to take babies home and leave for a 12:00 appointment at the temple for baptisms for the dead. What a wonderful activity for the whole family to share. Samuel was able to do baptisms with the changes in the requirements for priests. What a special birthday.

After the Baptisms, enjoying a beautiful spring day.

After the temple we had a birthday party with Brian and Ruth and extended family. There was lots of food and conversation. Sunday morning, Jon had to get back home to his wife, kids and new baby daughter. Ben and Susan also had to leave a little later. But Sarah got to stick around until Tuesday. She and Jessica were a big help with the open house that we had on Stephen's birthday on Monday...the actual day. What a joy and blessing to have all of the kids come for such a wonderful occasion.

Sarah plays with Eric after
announcing that he's'
going to be a BIG Brother!

During the preparation time for Monday's birthday celebration, Sarah announced that she was expecting her second child in December on the 13th. She had waited until the fun was over to celebrate her news. A great end for a great week!
The end of May before Seminary ended, Stephen and Kathleen flew to Texas to see little Makenzie for the first time. What a blessing to have another beautiful granddaughter join the family. It was a nice week in beautiful Texas weather. We had a wonderful time with all the family there in the Dallas area. Besides meeting Makenzie for the first time there was plenty of fun with the Grandkids and work for Grandpa. A project to remove the fence posts from Jon's backyard was undertaken. Jon had moved the fence to add the cement court for basketball, but the previous posts were still stuck in the ground. Stephen contrived a lever system with long boards to remove the posts much quicker and easier than just digging them out. Grandpa was a whiz!

A beautiful new Granddaughter!

Playing games with Grandpa.

Makenzie on Grandpa's leg

Gracie and her new little sister Makenzie

Grandpa is always willing to help where needed.
Making work seem like fun.

Fun times at the pool.

War games in the pool.

There are always games going on in the Ralph House.

Miss Makenzie with Grandpa and Grandma Ralph

Signing off Samuel's Eagle Project
Cialynda Pula

Samuel started his Eagle Project full time in May. He had several group activities and finally finished his project before his birthday in July. His Dad really helped with the hardware and Brian contributed things from his garage. It was a unique project for the Covington Elementary School Students with disabilities and Autism.

Sleep study at Valley Medical

Picture of Samuel at the Awards Banquet.

In June Samuel was recognized as a Student of the of Year by his coach along with many of students. He also had a sleep study done to determine if he had sleep apnea and may need a CPAP machine.

In July Liz and her kids came for a summer visit. It is always nice to have grandkids come for a visit. We went together with Rebekah to visit Mt St. Helens and the various visitors center about the volcano. The kids seemed fascinated by the subject and loved learning about volcanoes. It was a beautiful day and worth the long drive in Zeus.

Mt Saint Helens under the clouds.

It was a cold and windy day but worth the drive.

Picnic basket and kids ready for lunch.

Looking toward Mt. St. Helens as the clouds began
to lift.

A little bit chilly in the wind.

Those Texas folk aren't used to the cool weather.

The day cleared up to see the Mt.

Outside view of Mt. Saint Helens.

Homemade cherry pie filling from our trees.

July was also a great month to make cherry pie filling. It was nice to have so many fruits in the area. Liz and her kids drove down to Utah for the Ralph Reunion.

Happy 6th Birthday Emeri!

July 26th, 2018

We had our Stephen Lowell Ralph Reunion as well as the H. Lowell Ralph Reunion all in the Provo area. It all started with a birthday celebration for Emeri Heath at the Gordon house. A fun M-n-M wishing well cake made for a girl turning 6. Then the SLRalph reunion continued with a trip to the Bean Museum where we were entertained by some live creatures and some stuffed ones too.

SLRalph Grandkids as of July 2018 Eric Gordon in the stroller, Ezra Heath held by brother Isaac, Kimball Brighton, Katelyn Ralph holding her sister MaKenzie, Gracie Ralph with Christian Salcedo in front next to his sister Hadlie. Behind her was Andrew Heath with his arm around his cousin Nathan Ralph. Joshua Ralph posing in front with Emeri and Oakley standing behind and next to Jarom Hardy then Josiah Brighton.

July 28th 2018

Kimball and Josiah being sealed to Susan and Cory

An eternal family

Posing in front of the temple.

There was the opportunity to witness Grandpa Lowell Ralph seal Josiah and Kimball to Susan and Cory Brighton on July 28 which was also Samuel's birthday. Susan planned a very nice picnic activity after the sealing and a lot of people showed up to celebrate both occasions.

Picnic activity was a big success.

Happy Birthday Samuel. He turned 18!

Celebrating Samuel and the Brighton's was a great way to start
the H Lowell Ralph Reunion.

Lots of posterity as of 2018. Ellen and Lowell are center front.

Picture taken from a drone that Michael Gordon brought for the Reunion.

Stephen had planned the Reunion and there was a lot of people that were able to come. Not everyone but quite a lot of people. Austin and Juan couldn't make it from our family but everyone else was there. Lots of cousins and Aunts and Uncles. The activities included a selection to choose from. Some people hiked up to the Timpanogas Caves, some went shooting up the canyon. Br. Treu, Carli's dad, arranged for a tour of the BYU movie studio where they were working on the Book of Mormon project. We got to see where and how they made the ship scene where Nephi was tied up by his brothers Laman and Lemuel. It was a unique experience. Stephen also arranged for a dinner at BYU where Ellen and Lowell were able to speak with the whole family and enjoy a meal together. There was some babysitting available at a church and swimming fun at the Provo Rec Center.

Br. Treu explaining about the different
props they have for the church videos.

More props at the BYU movie studios

Benjamin trying on several hats.

Benjamin showing some style.

Br. Treu at the studio "blue room" where the
ship scene with Nephi tied to the mast was shot.

Brian and Ruth with Brandon and Demarae and their kids
Brooks, Maggie and Penny enjoying time at the dinner for
Grandpa and Grandma Ralph.

After dinner at BYU with Grandpa Lowell and Grandma Ellen talking about their
lives.

Talent night extravaganza.

More games and fun on the Talent night.

Grandma giving her message to the family after the BYU catered dinner.

Brian and Ruth Ralph

David and MaKayla Shannon

Samuel and Jack Tracy

Benjamin behind Jarom

Ellie put up with all the kids "loving on her"

Grandma Ellen holding one of the newest
additions. Brittany Gonzalez 2nd daughter.

The highlight of the event was a day at the park in Provo Canyon. There were lots of games, food, and socializing. Michael Gordon brought his drone from work for some fantastic pictures of the family from a bird's eye view. Memories were made and familial bonds strengthened.