Our Last Great Wall Hike

George has hiked the Great Wall of China 11 time, Ruth only 9. The Wall is an amazing engineering effort that leaves one in awe of what great things man can achieve and yet conflicted about why, at such a sacrifice of human life, would someone want to build it?

When the YSA's announced another Wall hike Ruth hoped George would be content to leave her home. When he said--please come, Ruth found her knee braces and walking stick.

Jinshaning Great Wall of China

May 24-June 10, 2012 Provo Trip

Provo, Utah Trip

Ruth's dad sent us an email the Tuesday after Mothers Day thanking us for the flowers we sent to LouAnn. He mentioned that in April he was having some health problems. He went to the doctor. After a scan and then a scope of his stomach they found a large ulcer. The did a biopsy and found that he had stomach cancer. We though we should take a trip to Utah to visit while Ruth's father was still strong. We planned on spending 2 weeks in Provo in August but we felt the spirit telling us we should go sooner. We arrived in Provo on Thursday the 24, Friday we went with dad to the cancer center where the doctor told that him that he had stage 4 cancer and any treatment plan would not be helpful.

Saturday May 26

Wilde Family Dinner

All of Ruth brother, sisters and their spouses
gathered together for dinner and visiting.
Dad was strong and enjoy the evening with all
of his children. Dad told stories of his youth. We
all shared favorite memories. 

We had a family portrait taken 
(Charles West was the photographer)

 Memorial Day

We went up to Logan for the traditional West Family memorial day. We ate lunch together at Uncle Paul Montrose's, then as a family we visited Logan cemetery paying respect to parents and grandparents who have passed on.

Allison

Grandpa Moment

The George West Family

Grandma & Grandpa West
Frank & Frances

Ruth and two of her babies

Ruth's father passed away.

Wednesday May 30, 2012

In the early hours of the morning Ruth's father passed on.

We are so grateful that we listened to the prompting of the spirit and made an extra trip home. 

O. Geral Wilde

 The Viewing

Grandparents (?)

 The Funeral

Dad wanted the congregation to stand
and sing "Come Let Us Anew" 

The Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren
sang "I'm a Child of God"
Sylvia, Jeff, and Greg spoke at the service

Family Luncheon

 The trip to Fairview

The Sound of Music

Martha was Mother Abbess
Hales Center Theatre-Salt Lake City

 Day Trip in the Uinta National Forest

Family Moments

Grandma need some emotion food.
Isaac want to share--he had to bring his own spoon.

Grilling Steaks

Eating Steaks

Looking and playing cute.

Cascade Springs

Thirty-five years ago on this very bridge George proposed marriage to Ruth. Thirty-five years, 6 children and 12 grandchildren later..........

Pioneer Village

Grandma LouAnn

April 8, 2012 B-George, Chauncey and John in Beijing

Chauncey and John arrived in Beijing. We have a weeks worth of sight-seeing and shopping to do. 

This is the tree where Elder David O. McKay
stood when he dedicated China for missionary
work. The tree stand in Zhongshan Park
in the Forbidden City. We have come to
Love China and all of its millions and millions of
people. We join our prayers with Elder McKay.

The Forbidden City

The stairs leading up to the
Drum Tower

Inside the Drum Tower

The Bell Tower

Temple of Heaven

The Brown Door
A Chinese Restaurant with American Characteristics.

The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu

Dragon Gorge

The Summer Palace

 The Night Market on Wangfujing Street

Scorpions anyone?

Fruit can be a safe choice.

The Olympic Park

It's been a great week. The culture, architecture and people of China are great. We've enjoy showing Chauncey, John and B-George some of our favorite places.