Happy New Year from us

Happy New Year from our family to yours. We wish you all the best in the coming year.

Larry and Michele

Alpheus Gifford 3rd GGrand father

I already posted on Alpheus related to his birthday.

http://mcgeefamilyblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/alpheus-gifford-3rd-great-grandfather.html

Today is the 170th anniversary of his death near Nauvoo. I found a few links that mention his conversion and activities as a missionary that might be interesting.

“At the age of eighteen, having scarcely sufficient learning to enable him to read the Bible, he (Alpheus) commenced preaching the Gospel, not for hire, but for the salvation of souls” (HC, Vol. 4, p. 109, footnotes). (See also HC, Vol. 4, p. 484, footnotes – birth stated to be August 25, 1798.)

see more at:

Alpheus and Anna Nash Gifford

http://firstconvertsinmyancestry.blogspot.com/2010/08/alpheus-and-anna-nash-gifford.html

Enos and Ruth Franklin Curtis

http://firstconvertsinmyancestry.blogspot.com/2010/08/enos-and-ruth-franklin-curtis.html

Also linked to this site:
http://www.fold3.com/page/286263089_alpheus_gifford/

Enjoy ... and Merry Christmas

McGee Family Reunion 2012

Plans are under way for the Southern California Reunion of the Lloyd and Marna McGee Family Reunion to be held during the Christmas season of 2012.

A trial run of weather this year, has temperatures during the day in the mid 60's to the low 70's, clear skies, and cool nights high 30's to low 40's.

Many activities are available in the area. Disneyland is planning a grand celebration and the company I work for is hard at work installing new tile at many locations. Seaworld will have a Christmas celebration as well as new rides. Knotts Berry Farm has exciting adventures as well. The animals at the many zoos are looking forward to visits.

The local mountains have skiing, snowboarding and tubing areas. There are some water activities available for the brave souls who dare.

Parades and football games will be held as well.

The actual family dinner/activity is scheduled to be held on the Saturday between Christmas and New Years. (Dec 29, 2012)

Housing space is limited at the Casa McGee. However there are many fine accomodations in the area. Ranging from the backyard to Marriots.

Please let us know your plans for attending.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

In case I forgot anyone or you moved and I didn't have the right address. We want to wish you all a very very Merry Christmas! Love, the Wolf family

Pacifica Visit

Walking on the pier in Pacifica, we saw some sealions surfing in the waves right behind Mom and Dad.

Volleyball Follow-up

I reported earlier about Katie's broken finger.

Link to earlier post:

The final outcome is that her team won the championship for her grade. She missed two (Sunday) games because of the injury and came back to finish the season, without the coach insisting she play any other Sunday games. Katie was a real force in the semi-final game. The championship happened on Sunday so her friend came over that evening to bring her her trophy. She was very happy.

Myrna's Birthday Dinner 30 Sept 2011

Three sisters and their husbands:
Myrna and Kale Smith
Leola and Pinky Rees
Colleen and Fred Maynes

Robert's Distinguished Educator Award

Extracted from emails:

Spencer: That's really cool that Dad got that award.

Robert: (From Dad)
> > Well, Thursday we went to the award ceremony. The Math department held the
> > dinner on the third floor of the Gordon B. Hinckley building. It is the
> > alumni and visitor center at BYU. They had set up round tables with 8
> > settings each. The podium was right in front of table Q. Guess where we
> > sat. That's right on table Q. We were able to take the three youngest.
> > Isaac was going to go but he remember that he had a paper he had to write.
> > Besides us, the asst.principal and his wife sat on our table. I invited
> > three of my students from mathcounts and two of them showed up with a parent
> > each. They started with dinner. it was spagetti and they had a chicken
> > pasta, caeser salad and cheese crusted garlic bread. they had three kinds
> > of dessert. After dinner they gave me the award for outstanding educator.
> > This was only the second year for the teacher award. What an honor.
> > Afterward Jena David and Trischel got goody bags and t-shirts and then they
> > gave us goldfish out of the centerpieces. We took 4.
> >

Spencer: Sounds like the award ceremony was really neato. Did you name the
> fish? Have they already died? Congrats on the accomplishment. It's
> kind of weird how you got your award the same day I was asked to train
> and be district leader.

Larry: But what is this update from you? Award at BYU math department? I looked for it on the internet but only found an earlier award for you, I think from 2008.

Robert: I was nominated by Professor Wright at BYU for distinguished Educator for my work with the AMC8 and how successful my students last year were.

...AMC8... The AMC 8 is a 25 question, 40 minute multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem solving skills.

Congratulations. Tell us more details.

CASANA

From Patti's work: Sunrise Therapy facebook

It's Official! PATTI KASTEN is CASANA Recognized for Advanced Training and Clinical Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech!!


[Patti, will you please translate and elaborate.]

BTW, congratulations.

Lilly's Baby Blessing

Hi everyone. We will be blessing Lilly on the first sunday in December. I believe it is the 4th. It would be great if you could make it. Call 801-857-0606 if you have any questions. Our sacrament meeting starts at 9am.

Speaking in tongues

I believe Brianna has been taking lessons from her Grandpa-Great. This morning as I was taking her out of the bath (apparently before she was done) she shouted, "Nein! Nein!" and later I gave her a cracker and she said, "Danke." 

Perhaps Grandpa is trying to prepare her for her mission?

And HOME

Plane landed at 4pm and we walked in the house at 9 pm.

Andy -In Flight

Andy at the airport this morning...


Status as of 12:24 PST

You can use this link for the next few hours to track Andy's flight status including a map.

Delta Flight 2349 Status

21 hours (and counting)

I guess it's ok to be trunky now. Andy has returned to the mission home and had his last meal before his early departure tomorrow morning. He arrived in Alabama in January 2010 with a bunch of missionaries but only he and a sister missionary are leaving tomorrow. Flying first to Atlanta, then a direct flight to SFO arriving just after 4pm PST.

Andy looking good

Zone Conference Lunch, 3 Nov 2011

20 Jan 2011- 4 Nov 2011

It's a sad day for all of us today. Our beautiful and loving foster kids are moving to another placement. We are trying to put on a brave face for their sake, but our hearts are breaking. Because of privacy issues, we can't talk about the reasons, but know that they were deeply loved while they were a part of our home and will forever have a place in our hearts.

Michele (Facebook)

Thanks for everything Michele. You went through a lot. Every good thing in my life now is due to you sharing with me.

And costumes from 2011

Costume for Halloween

Halloween Costume Contest

Link

Happy Birthday Dad and Grandpa

Happy Birthday... Wishing you many more!

Dangerous Service

Spencer had one of those life altering experiences recently on his mission. Here are some pictures from a few moments after.

Spencer was not driving and both missionaries walked away from the accident. Some cuts and bruises but no broken bones. I think the date was Saturday Sept 17th.

Katie's finger

A little crimp in Katie's plans for this school year. Two volleyball teams, flute and piano on hold for awhile. From a rough game of capture the flag at school yesterday. Pictures via Michele's facebook.

Patti's New(est) Pet

From following Patti's facebook, here is her newest pet. Apparently she lets it share the bed where it got a bit greedy recently. Maybe Patti can share more details?

Newest GreatGranddaughter:Lillian Elizabeth

(Not mine, but Dad and Mom's)
Born 4:30 pm 12 Sept 2011.
Congratulations to Jim and Carla... Adam Betsy and Dan.

BE NewsJournal Article

Moms 80th Birthday

We celebrated the 80th birthday of Marna Ruth Maynes McGee during the week of August 31 to 4 September for her date of 1 Sept. On Wednesday (31 Aug 2011) the article in paper came out with her picture and article in the Box Elder Journal. Roy and Mary Jones came down from Meridian, ID and we went to the Draper Utah Temple on Thursday 1 Sep where we performed endowment sessions for those departed. After the session we met for lunch in Sandy with Marnas brothers and sisters. Those in attendance were Fred & Colleen, Gaylen, Roy & Mary, Verla & Maureen. On Saturday Larry surprised his mother with his visit for the family dinner which is being held here today for the rest of the family. We will have Heidi, Robert and Jim's family here after church today. Marna thanks everyone for their support for her DAY.

Rachel's comments on the Family Reunion

Rachel started this blog but puts all the interesting stuff on her own blog. Here is a link to her comments and pictures from the recent reunion. Look it up.

Andy transferred to the land of our ancestors

From facebook: Michele McGee> Andy (Chow) just had what could be his final transfer in Alabama. He now is in Florence which is in the NW corner of Alabama near the Mississippi and Tennessee borders. Home in 12 weeks. ... Larry: Florence AL is the county seat for Lauderdale County Alabama. Solomon Joseph DeSpain was born in Lauderdale County in 1823. He joined the church in Illinois in 1851 and later moved west. Andy is now serving again as a Zone leader. His zone extends into Tennessee where Lowryville, Hardin TN is part of the Alabama mission (about 36 miles from Florence). That is the birthplace of Solon Huff McGee (b 1853) who joined the church in 1898 in Oklahoma and moved west a few years later. Lauderdale County AL and Hardin County TN are adjacent to each other. There is a new Elder in Andy's mission, Elder Despain assigned to one of the ward's in Andy's zone. I asked Andy to check if there is a relationship.

McGee Family Reunion 2011

From Michele: Other great news: We now have permission to post pics of our two youngest. Only restriction is that we not use legal names, but Manny and Rosie are okay to use. In the family reunion pic, Rosie is sitting with Melody on the bottom row and I'm holding Manny. Progress!

Lost

Found: One pair of yellow flip-flops. If they belong to you, please call/email Catie.

From Facebook: Ward Despain

Steve Despain: My father passed away Sunday evening after a 5 year battle with Alzheimer's. While it was a blessing as he didn't recognize anyone and was not able to communicate well, it still gives pause to reflect.
The viewing will be at Metcalf Mortuary on Friday the 5th from 6-8 pm, and the funeral will be Saturday the 6th at 10:00am at the Foremaster Ridge chapel,http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif with a viewing from 9-10 am prior to the service.

Obituary from the St George Paper.

ST. GEORGE - C. Ward Despain, age 89, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011 in St. George, Utah. He was born July 6, 1922 in Granite, Utah to Charles W. and Elsie Fryer Despain. He married Irene McGee on March 19, 1943 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Ward grew up in the small town of Granite, Utah in the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon with the "best parents in the whole world" (his words). He graduated from Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah in 1940, attended Utah State University for three years and then was inducted into the army with his R.O.T.C. group shortly after his marriage. For two years, Irene was able to be with him at various locations in California, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas. He attended Officer's Training School in North Carolina and received the rank of First Lieutenant. He then served in the 209th Automatic Weapons Anti-Aircraft Battalion for a year in the Philippines and Japan.

He attended the University of Utah where he received his B.S. degree in sociology in 1951. He then received his M.S. degree in church history and philosophy from Brigham Young University in 1956. His doctorate degree was obtained in curriculum, teaching, and educational administration at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington in 1965.

He began his 39-year career with the LDS Church Education System in the middle of the 1948-49 school year as a seminary principal and teacher in Coalville, Utah. He was later assigned as a Coordinator of Seminaries for Southeastern Utah, living in Price, Utah; Coordinator of Indian Seminaries; with headquarters at BYU in Provo, Utah; Coordinator of Seminaries in Eastern Washington in Pullman Washington; Director and teacher at the LDS Institute at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah and Coordinator of Seminaries in Hawaii.

As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he has had many church callings including first counselor in a bishopric in Coalville, Utah; serving on two high councils in St. George; Bishop in St. George and in Hilo, Hawaii; and always a master teacher. He has influenced the lives of many. He loved life, loved the Lord, and loved his family.

He is survived by his wife, Irene, three children: Mary Ann (Terry) Blackburn of Las Vegas, NV, Steven (Evelyn) of St. George, UT, and David of Riverton, UT, 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and sister Nellie Kunz of Payson, UT. He is preceded in death by his brothers Joseph, Leo, Merland, sister Verdant Warren and granddaughter Tera Blackburn Cannon.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Foremaster Drive LDS Chapel, 912 South 1740 East, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will follow at the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. Please visit our website www.metcalfmortuary.com for full obituary, funeral listings and condolences.

Final announcement/schedule:

In case you are wondering, Yes I do look for excuses to make invitations/fliers!

I wanted to let everyone know that:
    1. I am still planning on about 30 people.
    2. The 7200 West exit (off highway 201) is supposed to be closed this weekend. If your directions/GPS's have you taking this exit, you will need to change your plans. I suggest taking 5600 West (that's the one I always take anyway).
    3. If you are not planning to attend the Temple session, you are welcome to come here instead. Heidi is planning on being here at about 8am to watch my kids and I think Adam and Betsy will be here early as well.
    4. Benjamin is planning on all the kids playing in the sandbox so plan on them getting a little dirty.
    5. We would like to have a "Game Night" after dinner. Please feel free to bring your favorite game and hangout here as late as you want. We are planning to have a couple of kids games (Candy Land etc) as well as a movie for the little ones.

IMPORTANT!!!! Reunion Changes

Hey Everyone,

I wanted to let you all know about some last minute changes to the Family Reunion plans. I am attempting to make sure that everyone who wants to attend will have the opportunity to do so. Because Betsy is on bed-rest, she would be unable to go to the park and because Davy has been sick, Bob's family would be unable to go all the way to Brigham. As such, we have decided that it might be better for everyone to hold the reunion at our home in West Valley. This way Betsy would be able to stay sitting down comfortably and Bob's family would be able to stay a little closer to home.

As for the schedule, everything will be basically the same.

Bountiful Temple Trip

    ~8:45am~

    Meet in the chapel before 9am

  

Lunch at our home

    ~12:00pm~

    Please come even if you don't go to the Temple

Games at our house

   ~2:00pm~

    

Dinner at our home

    ~5:00pm~

Again, I know this is VERY last minute so PLEASE let me know if this change is going to be a problem AT ALL.

These are the people who have talked with me about attending the reunion:
-Lloyd & Marna (2 Coming)
-Larry & Michele (6 Coming)
     -Rachel Atwood (1 Coming)
     -Sara (1 Coming)
     -Elizabeth (1 Coming)

     -Becky (1 Coming)

-Jim & Carla (4 Coming)
    -Josh & Catie (4 Coming)
    -Adam & Betsy (3 Coming)
-Bob & Rachel (? Maybe)
-Patti & Frank (2 Coming)

-Heidi & Monty (4 Coming)

Head Count

Temple Trip Info:
We are planning to attend the Bountiful Utah Temple (640 South Bountiful Boulevard, Bountiful, Utah)on Saturday morning. Anyone who wants to attend should be dressed and ready to attend the 9am Endowment session. We will be having a light lunch at my home (2983 S. Gazelle Rd (7010 W.) West Valley UT) after the session.

Please let me know if you plan on attending the lunch as I will need to purchase to food soon!

These are the people who have talked with me about attending the reunion:
-Lloyd & Marna (2 Coming)
-Larry & Michele (6 Coming)
     -Dan & Elaine (Not Coming)
     -Laura & Jesse (Not Coming)
     -Anna & Chris (Not Coming)
-Karen Atwood (Will be there in spirit)
     -Rachel Atwood (1 Coming)
     -Sara (1 Probably)
    -Elizabeth (1 Coming)

   -Becky (1 Coming)

-Jim & Carla (4 Coming)
    -Josh & Catie (4 Coming)
    -Derek (Will be there in Spirit)
    -Adam & Betsy (Not Coming)
   -Brittany (???????)
-Linda & Dave (Not Coming)
     -Cherry & Ross (3 Maybe)
     -KC & Jenn (Not Coming)
-John & Julie (Not Coming)
-Bob & Rachel (Not coming)
-Patti & Frank (2 Coming)

-Heidi & Monty (4 Coming)

So far, I am planning on food for about 30 people. Please let me know ASAP if you are planning to come and I have not counted you on my list.

Thanks,
Catie McGee

Updated updated Update

Temple Trip Info:
We are planning to attend the Bountiful Utah Temple (640 South Bountiful Boulevard, Bountiful, Utah)on Saturday morning. Anyone who wants to attend should be dressed and ready to attend the 9am Endowment session. We will be having a light lunch at my home (2983 S. Gazelle Rd (7010 W.) West Valley UT) after the session. I have not yet been able to arrange this with Brittany or Bobs kids but I am hoping to have a someone at my house to watch kids while the adults are at the Temple. Please let me know if this would be beneficial to you so that I can work it out.

These are the people who have talked with me about attending the reunion:
-Lloyd & Marna (Coming)
-Larry & Michele (Coming)
     -Dan & Elaine (???????)
     -Laura & Jesse (Not Coming)
     -Anna & Chris (Not Coming)
-Karen Atwood (Will be there in spirit)
     -Rachel Atwood (Coming)
     -Sara (Probably)
     -Elizabeth (??????)
     -Becky (??????)
-Jim & Carla (Coming)
    -Josh & Catie (Coming)
    -Derek (Will be there in Spirit)
    -Adam & Betsy (Coming)
    -Brittany (???????)
-Linda & Dave (Not Coming)
     -Cherry & Ross (Maybe)
     -KC & Jenn (???????)
-John & Julie (Not Coming)
-Bob & Rachel (Not coming)
-Patti & Frank (Coming)
-Heidi & Monty (Coming)


If there are question marks after your name, it is because I have not heard  from you!!!
If you are not on my list, or are and I have your info wrong, please let me know so that I can plan how much food I will need.

Thanks,
Catie McGee

McGee Family Reunion

McGee Family Reunion. The first one I remember.


and the Maynes side of the family (perhaps the same day)

Memorial Day

Help Needed

As most of you know, Betsy & Adam are expecting a baby in October. On Monday it was discovered that Betsy has a large blood clot in her leg and a part of it has passed into her lung. She has been in a great deal of pain and was admitted to the hospital for a few days but was able to go home yesterday. She is on strict bed-rest and needs to give herself shots 1-2 times daily.

This is where the "help needed" comes in. The medication she needs is very expensive and her insurance does not cover it. We are asking, in addition to thoughts and prayers, for any help you can give. I am working on setting up an account that you can donate to but for now, just contact me (Catie) and I will let you know what to do.

Thanks,
Catie

McGee.Catie@gmail.com
JoshandCatie@gmail.com

Brigham City Temple Progress

Recently the Angel Moroni was placed on the Brigham City Temple.



Next is a view from west of the High School. It would be nice to get a view from Mom and Dad's place.


and last is the picture from May 8th, 2011 to give you an idea of how fast the temple has gone up.

Elder McGee

Spence is off to Nebraska today, he loved the MTC and gained about 12 lbs since he has been gone. His email address for his mission is
Elder Robert Spencer McGee
Nebraska Omaha Mission
11930Arbor St Ste 203
Omaha, NE 68144-2998
United States
He hopes to get your letters soon and he misses you all of you guys