My friend Calie

Sister Calie Hill

Texas, San Antonio Mission

Marianne, Kathie (Calie's mom), Calie, myself, and Nikki
Former Young Women Leaders farewell lunch at Bajios for Calie

• One of my former Mia Maids left for her mission in mid-December. She was called to serve in the Texas, San Antonio Mission. Calie is awesome! She has always talked about serving a mission and finally that time came. Calie is also a character! Ya, never know what is up her sleeve.

• During our first youth conference together (she was fourteen) she created a lasting memory for the two of us. No, it wasn't a spiritual experience. I was alone at the time in my small tent getting ready for bed. She unzipped the tent door and opened it to say good-night and little did I know that wasn't really her main intent. She snuck in a live frog without me knowing. Before too long I discover my new tent buddy, the frog. I'm past the days of finding joy in handling little creatures like this, so I wasn't too thrilled. This was only the beginning of many vivid memories of Calie. Despite the frog incident, I still loved her. We spent many girl's camps and youth conferences together and I was always on the lookout for one of her many pranks.

• Several years later Calie ended up working for Russell on his BYU grounds crew and she became his lead student. Russell and Calie created a special relationship too. Oh and yes, she pulled many pranks there too. Her companions better watch their backs!

• When she spoke in our Ward before she left, she gave a powerful talk and bore a firm testimony. She is so ready to go spread the gospel with the Texans. I love you Calie.

• P.S. She was able to be in the MTC with her younger brother, Dallin, who got called to serve in the Philippines. They spent Christmas together in the MTC!

Festival of Trees

We took the Young Women up to The Festival of Trees in early December. It was a fun evening together.

Every time I think of The Festival of Trees, I think of my dad. When I was in junior high and high school he would take us there. This is an event where all the proceeds go the the Primary Children's Hospital. My brother, Sam, spent quite a bit of time in that hospital and this was one of the ways that my dad felt was supporting this great hospital. I love you Sam and I'm grateful for the care that you received there. Thanks dad for the great memories.

Go Cougars

Lacey and her cousin, Annemarie, went to a BYU basketball game together. Fun, fun!

Senior Ball

Lacey got asked to Senior Ball in early December by Quinn Black. Usually it is a sweater dance but this year it was a Star Wars theme. Laceys group went to Savers together and they bought their shirts. Lacey really enjoyed her date.

Family Photos

During the Thanksgiving weekend we took family photos. Everyone was here except for Tyson. He had a good excuse not to be here though...a mission in Peru is the place for him now. Sorry there isn't a picture of just Ryan and Kathi's family, but as you can see they were in the picture with the whole family.

Here are the few that live in our household at the present time.

Kyle, Dad, Mom, & Lacey
Darling big-eyed Zoey

The fam

Courtney, Zoey, & Hyrum

Trent, Aspen, & Lindsey

Another horticulture project

Here is another horticulture projects that Lacey created at school. This looked so elegant on our dinning room table this Christmas season. I just think Lacey is way too cool.

Young Women Handouts

My daughter-in-law, Kathi, is way too cool. Upon my request, she created these outstanding handouts and invitation for me for Young Women's. I love the colors in each one. They were exactly what I wanted ! Thanks, Kathi. When I grow-up, I want to be cool like you.
Our Bishop, had just given an amazing talk to the youth on "doors" and how there are lots of "doors" in our lives and some of them we need to open and others we should NEVER open. It was just prior to a lesson that I was giving in Young Women's and so the "door" idea went right along with this great quote by N. Eldon Tanner. In regards to this quote, we should NEVER open the first door and then there will NEVER be a second door to tempt us.

Our invitation to Young Women's in Excellence.

We did a combined Young Women activity on dating and this was the handout that I gave to all the Young Women. The words come straight from "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet. As I have gone into some of the Young Women's home recently I have seen these on their refrigerators and bulletin boards in their homes. We are so blessed as members in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I'm grateful for the prophets and their counsel and for the programs of The Church.

Young Women Values

In the Fall, I had a Laurel Class Presidency meeting at my home. This was shortly after I was called to be Young Women's President. As the last of the Young Women and Young Women Leaders were leaving, there was a beautifully wrapped gift at my doorstep that I hadn't noticed earlier. It was wrapped in such happy colors and the note on the outside was so kind!

This darling Young Women Value plaque was inside. I LOVE IT. I love the colors, the layout, and everything about it. This is something that if I would have seen somewhere, I would have bought it. It is so my style. It looks so good against the paint on the wall in my bedroom. Thanks to whoever gave this to me. I have no idea who it was, but thanks.

The Gray family in numbers for 2009

1
Ryan shot his FIRST deer this year on a hunt with his dad, brothers, cousins, and uncle.
It was Lindsey’s FIRST time to Canada to visit Trent’s brother and his family.
Bayli is in the FIRST grade. She loves to read and she recently started reading Harry Potter.
The number ONE computer wiz in our family is Kathi! She’s so creative and knowledgeable.
ONE broken foot for Russell.

2
Kyle was blessed to be able to go to Nauvoo TWO times this year. Once with his friend and another time with his mom, aunts, cousin, Grandpa Merrill and Lila.
Lacey worked TWO jobs this past summer. One at Summer Sno, and the other for Gray’s Lawn & Garden. She is quiet the good mower now-a-days.
TWO of our children hiked Havasupai…Kyle and Tyson.
TWO church callings for both Ryan & Kathi. Ryan was the Ward Mission Leader and is now the Young Men’s President. Kathi was the 1st Counselor in the Primary Presidency and is now a cub scout leader.

3
THREE semester’s at U.V.U. - two for Hyrum and one for Courtney.
Bronco turned THREE in November. He likes to play with his Leapster and all sorts of cars and he also likes to watch the movie “Cars.”

4
Aspen turned FOUR earlier this year. She really enjoys going to the local swimming pools in the summer with her mom and friends.
Kyle worked FOUR months for the Forest Service for the Spanish Fork District this summer.
Hyrum and Courtney were out-of-state for work this summer for FOUR months. They were in Wisconsin and North Carolina.

5
Tyson’s been serving his mission for FIVE months now! He got called to the Peru Lima East mission and is learning Spanish.
It’s been FIVE years since Tyler passed away.

6
Our SIXTH grandchild was born this year. Hyrum and Courtney are the proud parents of little Zoey. She was born on August 24th and she has big beautiful dark eyes.

7
Russell has been serving “down on campus” on the High Counsel in the BYU 12th Stake for SEVEN months now.

11
Kyle’s been home from his mission in the New England States for ELEVEN months.

13
This was Judy’s THIRTEENTH year in a row of going to girl’s camp! In August she was called to serve as the Ward Young Women President and so she is looking forward to more years of going to girl’s camp.

16
Sweet SIXTEEN is what it’s all about for Lacey. This means driving and dating!

30
It’s hard to believe that Ryan turns THIRTY this month!

Numerous
NUMEROUS times that Trent, Lindsey, and Aspen went camping.
NUMEROUS (over 600) lawns that the Gray’s Lawn and Garden crew mowed this year and that’s not including all the weeding, pruning, trimming, fertilizing, raking, and also the mowing of our own lawn twice a week for the season!