This is one of those times where there are not words.
On May 10, my father-in-law, Bryan Hemsley, sent me a photo of this card. He simply stated, “Paul, found this Christmas card going through my mom’s papers. I was wondering if this was your dad or grandpa?”
I looked at it and recognized the names as my father, his first wife, and my half-siblings.
Why in the world would my Dad and family have sent a Christmas card to Dee and Shanna Hemsley?
Dad, Vicki, Scott, Jeff, and Becky lived in Plain City for the 1960s, Becky was born in 1969. The family then moved to Brigham City for a few years but moved to Randolph about 1973. Amanda’s grandparents and father lived in Willard during this time.
I asked Dad about it. He has no memory of the Hemsleys. I asked Scott and Jeff and the similar aged children in the Hemsley family, Shayne and Dwight. They also had no memories of the Hemsleys.
I asked Shanna about it, she knew of Dad as a classmate of Ernest, her brother, but had no memory of Milo from before 1956 when she married and moved away until they met again at our wedding reception in 2005.
One of those little mysteries we will not likely ever know in this life. But further proof that we just never know who we are interacting with on a day to day basis.
With Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year – The Ross Family – Milo, Vicki, Scott, Jeff, & Becky
Before I talk about the Layton and Taylorsville Temples, I thought I better throw in another temple visit we made since I last updated. While on Spring Break this year, we made a stop in Vernal, Utah. While there, we scheduled and attended the Vernal Utah Temple with the kids. Glad we stopped to make another memory at another House of the Lord.
Hiram and Aliza at Vernal Utah Temple on 27 March 2024
Since the kids have a goal to attend the temple every month this year, we did also make it in April to the Twin Falls Temple. In May, while going to Utah for the open houses, we made sure to stop off and fulfill the monthly goal. May took us to Ogden Utah Temple.
Hiram and Aliza Ross at Ogden Utah Temple 17 May 2024
Later that evening, we attended the open house of the Layton Utah Temple with Amanda’s parents. Beautiful.
Paul, Lillian, Amanda, Aliza, James, and Hiram Ross with Bryan and Jill Hemsley 17 May 2024
We look forward to attending the temple after it is dedicated.
The next day we attended the open house for the Taylorsville Utah Temple, again with Amanda’s parents. We were also excited to run into the Brad and Rachel Hales family as well as Sarah Sanderson!
Bryan and Jill Hemsley with James, Aliza, Lillian, Hiram, Amanda, and Paul Ross 18 May 2024
It has been a crazy year for temple attendance and temple open houses. We have attended quite a few and quite a few are coming up for open houses. Wow, should be fun. It is exciting that the Kingdom and Church of God on the earth is in such a position to build so many beautiful houses to the Lord. We are blessed to attend the open houses and hopefully return some day to participate in holy ordinances there.
When I was interviewed for my first temple recommend in 1998, President Gene Hansen indicated he had a goal since he was first endowed to attend the temple every single month. He challenged me to do the same. As long as I have held a recommend, or I had permission to attend, I have attended the temple every single month since 1998. That meant a full day off of work in Missouri as it was a 4 hour drive one way from Branson, Missouri, to St. Louis, Missouri. Or from Richmond, Virginia, to Washington, D.C., that was a 4-5 hour drive and we often would go up and spend the night and return home on Saturday or Sunday depending on the circumstances.
Many open houses are upcoming, including Deseret Peak Utah; Casper Wyoming; Grand Junction Colorado; Elko Nevada; Syracuse Utah; Burley Idaho; Lindon Utah; Ephraim Utah; Smithfield Utah; Montpelier Idaho; Heber Valley Utah; Teton River Idaho; Salt Lake City Utah; Provo Rock Canyon Utah; Cody Wyoming; Lethbridge Alberta; Lehi Utah; and West Jordan Utah. Hopefully we can make some of the more exotic ones, particularly Birmingham England; Edinburgh Scotland; Honolulu Hawaii; and Vancouver British Columbia. We will see what our future holds.
Like many others, we took the opportunity to attend the Manti Temple Open House. We scheduled it during the kids’ Spring Break from School. The last time we were in Manti was for Zach and Alyssa Smart’s wedding in 2018 (I posted it about it at the time). We took this picture as a family then.
Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, Lillian, and James Ross at Manti Temple in 2018
We decided to recreate the 2018 photo. Here is what we were able to do with the exhausted and cold kids.
Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, Lillian, and James Ross at Manti Temple in 2024
We all are 6 years older! I don’t think my hair line has receded anymore since then, although it still might be thinner. All are taller.
We waited for more than 2 hours to get into the temple for the tour. It was brisk and chilly, but the kids seemed to take it well. They even rolled down the temple hill a few times. We snapped this photo near the beginning of the line at the bottom of the hill. Grandma Jill Hemsley joined us for the occasion too!
Amanda, Paul, Hiram, James, Lillie, and Aliza Ross with Jill Hemsley at the Manti Utah Temple
It was a long line.
We finally made it inside. I think we moved through faster than I would have preferred. However, it was fun to be in parts of the temple I had never before seen. The Assembly Room was amazing. I enjoyed the novelty of the stairwells. The new screens in the Terrestrial Room, although necessary for the video presentation, are very disruptive of the room. I really appreciated and felt some of the paintings.
We also recreated another photo from 2018. Some of the landscaping was redone…
Aliza and Lillian Ross attempting to recreate a 2018 photo at the Manti Temple
Here is the photo they were recreating. Aliza and Hiram were waiting for a hummingbird to land on them. Unfortunately, with the new water conserving landscaping, I am sure there will be many fewer hummingbirds. Too bad the grounds didn’t just do away with the grass. The flowers were so amazing.
Hiram and Aliza Ross waiting for a hummingbird in 2018
If you look closely, you can see the keystone of the door in the 2018 photo. Too bad the bench is also gone.
Bryan & Jill Hemsley with Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, and Paul Ross
Our ward has given the youth a challenge to attend the temple each month for the year. We are happy to support the kids in doing so. Aliza and Hiram got to do baptisms with Grandpa Ross in the Pocatello Idaho Temple in January. They asked if they could do some with Grandpa and Grandma Hemsley. We took the opportunity in March. We met up with them and attended the Bountiful Utah Temple for the occasion. Hiram’s first baptisms occurred in the Pocatello Idaho Temple, then he got to attend the Twin Falls Temple in February, and now Bountiful Utah Temple in March. Aliza was also present on all three occasions. Lucky kids.
Grandpa and Grandma Hemsley at the Bountiful Temple with Aliza and Hiram for baptisms.
Amanda’s mother’s family decided to put together a Holden Family Reunion this year in St George, Washington, Utah. Unfortunately, Amanda’s aunt, Jean Holden Drown, passed away earlier in the year so it lessened some making a second trip for another Holden get together.
One of the highlights of the trip was attending the St George Utah Temple Open House. The temple has been updated and restored to a design as would have existed in the 1870’s and 1880s. The original shell of the temple and some of the original rooms have been restored to the period, but the annex and other parts of the building are very much new additions since the 1877 dedication and functional as a current operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
St George Temple on 3 November 2023
The drive down and while I was there I did not feel very well. Other than the drive, it was a great opportunity to relax and take some much needed naps. The whole family all stayed together in this home available for rental.
The Holden Family had a fun little game night at a golf course club house. Here is a picture I snapped from the back door overlooking part of the course and St George.
View from Sunbrook Golf Clubhouse 4 November 2023
The next day we found our way into Snow Canyon State Park.
Jenny’s Canyon at Snow Canyon State Park
We also hiked the Butterfly Trail and saw the petrified sand dunes too.
Amanda Ross and Jill Hemsley waiting for kids to emerge from the lava tube, you can see the petrified sand dune to the left
Grandma took many pictures on the trip. We also did some family portraits near Jenny’s Canyon.
Aliza Ross (in stripes) and clockwise: Rowan and Olivia Hemsley, Jill Hemsley, and Lillian and James Ross
All in all, it was a fast and fun trip to St George for the Holden Family Reunion. Before coming home, we stopped at the Jacob Hamblin Family Home in Santa Clara.
Amanda Ross in white shirt holding the camera, Jill Hemsley surrounded by grandchildren and clockwise from Amanda, Hiram Ross, Paul Ross, James Ross, Derek Hemsley with Rowan on his shoulders, Jordan Hemsley with Bryan Hemsley to her right, Aliza Ross, Jack Hemsley, Olivia Hemsley, and Lillian Ross
For the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14, we traveled to Wells, Nevada. We wanted to be in the path of totality for the full experience.
Ruby Valley Branch Church
We booked a hotel in Wells, Nevada and drove down Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we found out the entire hotel had been somehow double booked. There was no room at the inn. That was a total surprise and disappointment. We looked up available hotels, there was nothing available within many miles. The options were either to just sleep in our van or go home. We could have ventured back to Jackpot for a really expensive hotel room, or… We just didn’t know.
Aliza Ross, Zach Smart, Hiram Ross, Amanda Ross, James Ross, Alyssa Smart, Jill and Bryan Hemsley, and Lillie Ross looking heavenward
We did have a dinner appointment with Jordan and Kari Brough. Since we already had that dinner appointment, we decided to keep it and figure things out later. He was a missionary in Oklahoma City and we have kept in contact over the years. I knew he was in Nevada. I reached out and indicated we would be in his neck of the woods and he invited us over (he said to return the favor of dinners in Oklahoma. We had a great dinner with them and their three little children. The food and company was great, very worth the visit.
Amanda Ross, Alyssa Smart, and Jill Hemsley at Ruby Valley
After dinner, the Broughs asked us about our hotel accommodations. We were not planning on saying anything but we told them. They expanded their dinner invitation to include overnight stay! Which, we were afraid we would impose on them and they would do such. Kari is also pregnant. We had very limited options so we were happy for the chance. We emphasized that they must give us an opportunity to return the favor. We expressly invited them for the Burley Idaho Temple Open House or any other time they may be in our area.
Partial Eclipse at Ruby Valley Cemetery, behind Ruby Valley LDS church building
Another perk of staying at the Brough home was that they live in Clover Valley, part of the way between Wells and Ruby Valley. It reduced part of our trip to Ruby Valley. We had a pleasant breakfast with the Broughs, saw their chickens, and headed out.
Shadows on a wall during the full annular eclipse in Ruby Valley
We had already designated Ruby Valley as the location to meet with Amanda’s family from Utah. We chose The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints branch building in Ruby Valley. The Broughs told us to look out for the Neff family while we were there. Sure enough, a contingent of their family were there to watch the eclipse at the building too.
Solar Eclipse Timelapse by Bryan Hemsley
We went to Rexburg in 2017 for the total eclipse so we had expected something similar. It certainly did not get as dark. Bryan had his camera taking proper shots as the eclipse occurred. You can see the result above. We were very luck to be between clouds for the entire eclipse. The forecast had said it would be about 30% cloud cover, and they were about right. We were really worried we would get cloud cover for the full eclipse and we might not be able to see the sun at all.
Leading up to full eclipse, what we called cartoon shadows
Nothing quite adds up in the mind with the changes of light with an eclipse. This was no different. Even as we were driving out to Ruby Valley and the partial eclipse was starting, my eyes were not happy. My mind seemed to be trying to focus as it recognized something was wrong with the light.
Before the eclipse, the shows reflect the eclipse. You can see the full eclipse above with full circles.
It was already a partially chilly day. I do not think the eclipse helped at all. But we were just along for the ride.
After the eclipse, the webbing of our shadows
It was worth the drive. We are already looking into plans to make the April 2024 eclipse happen. It might be the last chance our children, or either of us, get to experience another eclipse in our lifetime. Where to go to maximize the eclipse length, reduce travel issues, lower costs, but yet avoid potential cloud cover. Where will we end up?
Bryan Hemsley, Amanda Ross, and Zach Smart after the total annular eclipse
Amanda, Lillian, Hiram, and Aliza Ross at the grave of LeRoy and Clara Holden in Payson, Utah
We tend to not get down to Payson, Utah, Utah too often. On this occasion we were on our way back from Ely, White Pine, Nevada from a trip to Great Basin National Park. We were also coming home on Memorial Day weekend, so we had to make some visits to family graves.
LeRoy and Clara Elizabeth Jarvis Holden are Amanda’s maternal grandparents.
Back (l-r): Roy Holden, D Hemsley, Bryan, Jill, and Amanda Hemsley, Mel and Shanna Thompson. Front: Clara Hemsley, Belle Hemsley, June and Walter Hansen.
LeRoy Holden was born 28 November 1914 in Provo, Utah, Utah. He was the son of Alvin Peter Holden and Emma Jane Roberts. I tried to convince Amanda we should name a son Alvin citing to her family history, but it was to no avail.
He met Clara Elizabeth Jarvis was born 11 May 1918 in Palmyra, Utah, Utah. She was the daughter of Joseph Finch Jarvis and Sarah Jane Evans.
Clara Elizabeth Jarvis
LeRoy and Clara met and were married in the Salt Lake City Utah Temple on 19 January 1939. Together they had 5 children and adopted Amanda’s mother, Jill in 1963.
Clara and Roy Holden
LeRoy developed cancer and passed away 25 December 1995 in Provo. He was buried 29 Decembber 1995 in Payson City Cemetery.
Clara met and married Jay LeGrande Barlow on 20 December 1996 in Provo. He was born 7 July 1918 in Enterprise, Washington, Utah.
Clara passed away 22 April 2009 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. She was buried 25 April 2009 in Payson City Cemetery.
Jay passed away a short time later on 23 September 2009 in Draper, Salt Lake, Utah. He was buried 28 September 2009 in Payson City Cemetery next to his wife Dorothy Emett (1920-1993).
Bryan & Jill Hemsley, Roy and Clara Holden, Amanda Hemsley in stroller
Amanda, James, Lillian, Hiram, and Aliza Ross at Capitol Reef National Park
In March 2021 the Ross family went on a little excursion with Amanda’s family to Junction, Piute, Utah. With them we hit Bryce Canyon National Park and some other locations. However, we used it as a springboard to hit some other locations that the Hemsley family did not go with us. One of those places was Capitol Reef National Park.
Rock capitol formation view near Chimney Rock, Capitol Reef National Park
The drive between Junction was off the beaten path. We ventured through little towns like Kingston, Angle, Greenwich, Koosharem, Loa, Lyman, Bicknell, and Torrey.
Chimney Rock in Capitol Reef National Park
We only had about half the day to play in Capitol Reef. We ended up spending the night in Escalante after visiting some parts of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Here you can see some of the different layers over the millions of years.
Here is another vista that takes your breath away. Photos never do it justice.
Another view of Capitol Reef National Park
We did some hiking in the park. It was a bit chilly in some of the locations and with the young children we were limited on how far we could walk. Amanda snapped those pictures, not me.
Sagacity 