Hats (By Sara)

I remember once visiting the Fifield's for a family reunion. Grandpa was so excited to see us all that he had a sign made that welcomed us to the reunion. I also remember at that reunion all the grandkids piling into the trailer that was pulled by Grandpa's riding lawn-mower and putting on hats. We all know about Grandpa's hat collection, but this is the first time I really remember it. Anyway, we all put on fun hats and went for a parade around the neighborhood. I don't know what the neighbors thought, but we sure had fun! :)

The Canal (By Jake)

Grandpa is probably my favorite out of all my grandparents... just don't tell my other grandparents I said that... or tell Grandpa I told the other grandparents the same thing about them. Haha, just kidding.

But in all honesty, Grandpa's house was one of my favorite places to be, growing up. Old Fritzie was always there to play with, the jacuzzi was always hot and ready to be used, and the canal was always one of the highlights of the trip. I remember back when I was really young, we'd get the whole family together, including Fritzie, and trek our way up the small water ditch, that seemed like a large river at the time, hiking under the massive trees and tall grass to reach the canal up on the mountain.

Once there, Grandpa would turn the metal lever and release the water into the gutter and we'd all try to race the stream back to Grandpas house, and watch excitedly as the stream filled to the brim. Then, of course, Grandpa's huge back yard would fill up with water and we'd have no choice but to play in it and get as wet as possible, splashing and dunking buckets of water on each other. Then we'd get all kinds of grassy so we'd go to clean off in the hot tub. It left a huge, grassy mess in the jacuzzi, but we never heard a word about it.

Tubing down the canal, having the big, pancake breakfasts, watching movies on the TV downstairs, playing in the snow, sledding down the golf course hills and going to far, landing in the so very cold canal, adventuring down the freezing canal while pulling our sleds behind us, sitting around the fire and having Grandpa read to us a Christmas story. These are all memories I cherish dearly.

Marvin's Tender Heart (By Diane)

A very precious memory is the love that Marvin had, and still has, for Fritzi. Fritzi loved him as well. When we first started dating Fritzi wasn't sure that she could trust me with him. So when we would sit together on the couch she would push her nose between us and push me away. The look she gave me made her thoughts very clear. Gratefully that didn't last too long. Often she would wrap her front legs around Marvin's legs when he arrived home. When the day came that Fritzi's health was so poor that she needed to be put to sleep it was a very hard day for Marvin. We held her until she was asleep and then Marvin wrapped her tenderly in a blanket and laid her on the couch and began playing hymns for her on the piano tears coursing down his cheeks.

Marvin is a tender hearted and kind person. I understand from Glen, Allene and Sue that he has always been that way. They tell many stories about him helping them, providing money for dates, letting them take his "wheels"etc.. Even today his "wheels" are always available when needed.

I love watching him with my children they really enjoy visiting with him. He seems to have a genuine interest in people. While we were dating it was not unusual for him to invite me and my family for dinner which he cooked all by himself. They will never forget a certain meatloaf with extra pepper in it. Fritzi up in heaven is probably still talking about it because she ended up eating quite a lot of it. She also drank four gallons of water right after. In fairness I have to admit that most of his meals were delicious and his bread was always a favorite. His dessert was always frozen icecream cakeroll of questionable age. :)

My grandchildren love to play with him. He plays cars well. The cars and trucks have problems that I haven't even heard of. He builds big and fancy Lego buildings. He always has a supply of gadgets to play with such as his harmonica, his palm pilot or his watch. One of the favorite times, I remember, is when he and Emma start their imagination story. It was really a contest to see who had the biggest imagination and the strongest will to bend the story their way!

I love watching him officiate at the temple. He really seems to enjoy his work there. He often takes extra shifts and substitutes for those needing help. He is well liked by the other officiators. He is playing the organ in the preparation meetings we have.

Ponkin Eggs (By Greg)

From my earliest memory of watching my Dad help Grandpa put up Mom's etched glass between the front door and the dining table, to the first time the Fifields showed me how to 'properly open an Idaho Potato.' From the stories of Fritz, the hero of Cache Valley, to the tales of Great Grandpa and his poor cows.

From the stories about all of Mom's poor unlucky childhood cats, to Judy's ferocious cats. From 'Ponkin Eggs' and side-pork bacon, to the grand dinner at Great Grandpa's Birthday with entirely too many candles on his cake. From the grand castle feel of the house that I sensed as a child to the winter cottage feel that I get as an adult. From the jacuzzi and rolling in the snow, to the awesome ski trips and coming home to a hot fire and NOT playing in the snow...

From thinking that Simon Says and Speak and Spell/Speak and Math were the most tecnologically advanced games ever, to enjoying Grandpa's renovations and watching holiday Football on his big screen.

From crying till we laughed, to laughing till we cried, ever Grandpa's house has been a favorite vacation spot in Utah, a place where we can let down our worries and cares and enjoy the fruits of a home seemingly removed from the bustle of the world. Only in my recent years have I come to appreciate Grandpa's hard work to make his home a place for the family at Christmas time.

Grandpa's House (By Michelle)

Most Christmas breaks we come up to Grandpa's house. The ice, the cold, the heater, and, oh the snow! The thing I look forward to most at Christmas break is playing in the snow in Grandpa's backyard. Making footprints in the untouched floor of freezing wonder, sliding on the frozen puddles by the driveway, hopping into the soothing heat of the cozy hot tub. Making the best of snow is what I do best.

One year it hardly snowed an inch but I was so excited that I jumped to the sleighs and marched to the golf course. Terry, Jake, Andrea and Dad came with, only because I forced them to. We trudged up the hill and sled down two by two a few times. We couldn't sled in the same line more than once, though, because the weight revealed the green grass that you could already kind of see. How pathetic.

Every night I spent there we would sit in the sweet-smelling living room and listen to Grandpa's silly stories, his deep, soothing voice playing a song that would put me to sleep.

Another memory is playing cards around the table in mismatched chairs. Grandpa would look at his cards with a serious face that never fooled us on account of his puckered lips. He always tried to cheat but when he got caught he went on pretending he didn't know the rules.

The warm comfortableness and familiar smell, waking up to a hearty breakfast. "Grandpa's house". What a joyous phrase.

A Gentle Giant (By Lisa)

I remember as a youth, for some strange reason, being scared to death of dogs. I loved old Fritzie and would draw pictures of her, but if it came to being in the same room, I'd be shaking. Grandpa I'm sure got many laughs from this spectacle: Lisa telling Fritzie over and over again "Gentle, Gentle!" while she lied very still and looked at me like I was nuts. It took until after we got our own dog that I felt more comfortable around dogs in general. But Grandpa's hours of patience with me and allowing me to torture that poor dog with my demands to stay completely still certainly helped.

Thanks Grandpa! I love you. -Lisa

Coming and Going (By Laurie)

I have been a member of this family since December of 1978, and I felt loved and accepted for the years before that when I was dating Bryce. Dad truly cares about people. He listens and asks questions and makes people feel that they are loved.

Visiting Dad is always a treat. When we arrive at his house, we hear "Hi ya kids!" And, when it's time to leave, Dad comes outside and sees us off, waving and waiting until we are gone from his sight.