Merry Christmas 2008!

We had a wonderful Christmas and very white! The snow prevented us from visiting family on Christmas day but we were able to go down to Salt Lake on the 26th and see everyone. It is still snowing here every day. We're getting very strong from all of the shoveling.

We hope you all had a very merry Christmas too!

Concert Week

This week has been what we call at our house concert week. Tonight was the Logan High School orchestra concert which was excellent---especially since Juice was first chair in the Philharmonic. She never told us! She played a wonderful solo which I was silly and forgot to record. You'll just have to take my word for it that it was very well done.

Yesterday was the Logan High School choir concert which Sonny Pie was in. Here he is playing the hand bells in one of the songs. He always looks very serious in his concerts. I don't know if that's concentration or boredom. Tuesday was Silly Guy's and my first orchestra concert. It was very fun to be under the lights on the stage. Silly Guy was so excited afterward. He said he wants to be the best cello player in the school. I guess the concert made it worth all of the pain(mostly mine) of practicing every day whether he wanted to or not!

A million memories

Well it's been a week now since Grandpa passed away and what a week! I've had so many memories running through my mind. It seems like most of them have to do with food! Everyone remembers his famous pancakes. Last July I took my kids to visit Grandma while she was in the hospital after her stroke. We thought we were going to get up and make breakfast and see what we could do to help Grandpa---but surprise!--He was up before us making his famous pancakes. What a wonderful memory for my children!

I remember picnics in the back yard with Grandpa's famous dutch oven potatoes and BBQ chicken. (Does anyone have his chicken recipe? I know it had vinegar and water in a spray bottle. What else did he put in?)

I remember Thanksgivings at Grandma & Grandpa's house with the whole family. We were always scrambling to find a place for everyone to sit. When I was little Grandpa would tell me, "You might have to sit on your thumb!" I think I might have tried it once without much success!

Grandpa was always the quiet strength in the background of all the noise and fun when we were all together. What a great example for all of us!

Blue what?

Recently we discovered the answer to a great mystery in our family. A few years ago we went on a trip to Disneyland. It was very exciting and fun--especially for Silly Guy and Superstar. For about a year after the trip Superstar was obsessing about going back. What we couldn't figure out was why his obsessions were always blue. The blue hotel, blue breakfast, the blue elevator, etc., etc., etc. We were looking at pictures a few days ago and discovered the reason for our blue vacation---He was wearing these blue sunglasses pretty much the whole time!

Love you Grandpa

My dear grandpa left us early Tuesday morning. He was such a rock. He kept holding on so he could care for Grandma. About six weeks ago he and Grandma moved in with my mom so they could have more help. Once he knew Grandma was taken care of his health quickly went down-hill. He was in a lot of pain so it's a good thing for him that he has gone on to prepare a place for Grandma on the other side. How I will miss him! Here is his obituary.

Don Robert Hymas, loving husband, father, and grandfather, slipped away peacefully at home Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, surrounded by his devoted family. One of two children born to Benjamin and Sarah Elizabeth Hymas on March 6, 1923, in Sharon, he grew up in a loving family, with fond memories of helping on the family farm, adventures with his dog, Ring, and enjoying community dances and activities throughout the valley. He entered the Army during World War II and served his country proudly for three years. He married his sweetheart, Lillie Roma Beckstead, on June 1, 1945, in the Logan Utah Temple. They lived in Preston for a time and then moved to Twin Falls. Together they have six children, 25 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. He was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities, including ward clerk, executive secretary and counselor to the bishop, as well as serving with his wife in the Boise Idaho Temple. He found joy in hard work. His profession was in the grocery business, as well as being a transport driver. He was involved with the American Legion for many years and loved fishing with his boys, being in the out of doors, bowling, woodworking, cooking, gardening and being with family. He found great joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved being with them and hearing of their achievements and activities. He is survived by his wife, Lillie Roma Beckstead Hymas; and children, Shawna (Larry) Dunn, Kent Hymas, Randy (Carolyn) Hymas, Catherine (Bill) Garrison, Kristine (Edward) Durtschi and Richard (Kelly) Hymas; as well as his sister, Pearl (Verl) Perkel. He was a gentle giant. We will miss his loving and devoted ways, his hugs, his teasing nature and the joy he brought to his family and friends. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the LDS 9th Ward Chapel on Elizabeth Boulevard in Twin Falls, with burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Park. A viewing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at White Mortuary "Chapel by the Park," 136 Fourth Ave. E. in Twin Falls, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Friends and family can share your thoughtsand fond memories at www.Mem.com.

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