Riding in style

I love getting together in the summer for the monthly family yard clean-up parties at grandpa and grandma's house. They always provide the best dinner---Pizza! My favorite part of the clean-up is riding with grandpa on his sit down lawn mower. We get to supervise and make sure everyone is working hard. Sometimes he even drives me home so I can have a longer ride.

Thanks grandpa--you're the best!

--Jared

Taxi Service

Sometimes, my mom and dad can't come pick me up from certain places. I know I can always call Grandpa to come pick me up. He tells me, "I'll always be able to come pick you up, wherever." This means a lot to me. Thanks Grandpa! I love you!

--Mikell

Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

I like to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house to visit. I look out the kitchen window with Grandpa to see which horses are out. We have names for the horses. One thing Grandpa likes to ask me is "Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" I love Grandpa.
--Jenna

Yard Work and Tuna Sandwiches

Happy Birthday Grandpa, I don’t really have one specific memory of you. My memory is all the times I’ve been over to your house to do yard work. I think I’ve been doing it since I was eleven or twelve. We’ve spent a lot of time together fixing sprinkler’s, mowing the lawn, pruning, trimming, spraying the weeds, digging trenches, and a lot of other odds and ends. At lunch Grandma always had a tuna fish sandwich ready for us and some Sour Cream and Onion Chips. A couple of years ago I was sure that I was fixing the same sprinklers every year, and I was starting to get a little suspicious. Grandpa, I thought you were going out and breaking the sprinklers so you could have an excuse for me to come over.
--Trevor

Magnify Priesthood

Of the memories I have of Grandpa Mills the best ones usually revolve around sacred ordinances. I remember Grandpa attending my baptism, when I was given the priesthood, received my endowments and finally when I was married. He has always been there for me and been there during those sacred times. He has also been a good example to me of a worthy priesthood holder.

When I was given the priesthood he told me to always magnify my priesthood. He explained that a magnifying glass can make things bigger, focus in on objects and even be used to burn ants! He told me that magnifying the priesthood meant to focus in on our Savior and the power that he has given us as priesthood holders to help his children. I feel like he has done that throughout his life. Thank you Grandpa for your great example and your love that you show to me and my wife. We both love you so much.
--Joshua

Great Man

He is a great man and has taught me how to be a man. The way he lives his life is an example to the world. He has had some trials and stumbling blocks placed in his path, and has overcome them. What an example he is! This is a man who loves his family, he not only says it but he shows it.

This was exemplified when he had all 8 children living at home and he was still willing to move Grandma and Grandpa Syme into his home to love and take care of them. Dad, I am glad you welcomed Teri into the family and treated her like your own daughter. I love the way you interact with Joshua, Elise and Mikayla and have always shown them you love them. You continue to be an example to me by the way you have welcomed Jaimie-lyn and Andrew into our family.

I am glad you have the Bob Hope gene and gave it to us. As kids it has always been fun. I love you.
--David

A Magnificent Example

Last year for English, I had to write a paper about someone in my life that has had trials. I didn't know who I should write about. Then my mom started telling me about Grandpa's childhood. I was really interested, so I decided to go ask Grandpa some questions. He told me lots of stories that were funny, but he also told me some pretty sad stories. The story that stood out to me was the story when he accidentally threw his chocolate bar into the fire. Despite all of hardships Grandpa had to go through, he is AMAZING! He doesn't let his past weigh him down. He was such an example of enduring and working to get what you want, and I look up to him. I love Grandpa!

--Mikell

Goodies

I get to go visit Grandpa and Grandma once a week. We usually eat lunch while we are there. I like to go to their house. They always have chips and pop. Whenever I have potato chips or cheetos, Grandpa will ask me if I have a bag of goodies. I think that is funny.
--Chalise

When the Saints play

I know my Grandpa likes football. When I played football last year, he held special practices for me and Jared to get extra practice. Grandpa likes to watch football games too. He always tells me that we can only watch football on Sunday if the Saints are playing. So according to Grandpa the Saints must play every Sunday.
--Brandon

Work Ethic

My strongest memory of Grandpa is his work ethic. I remember being woken up in the dark to have family prayer so Grandpa could get to work. What a great example!
--Bethany

Little Green Trees

One of my memories of Grandpa is whenever I eat broccoli with Grandpa, he tells me they are little green trees.
--Lauren

Pass the Bloomin' Onion Please

Grandpa Mills is a great man. Grandpa has always gone out of his way to make sure that I felt a part of the family. He made sure that I was included in the family dinners, and I think I have said the prayer at those more than any other married granchild. :) One of the best times of the year is Priesthood session. We always get together to listen to the session, and then go out for steak. I have very fond memories of the great discussions I have had with Grandpa over a steak dinner. One of the best memories is when Grandpa asked the table next to us if he could have the rest of their Bloomin' Onion because his grandsons were hungry! Here is to many more good memories! Happy Birthday Grandpa, we love you!!
--Andrew

Football with Grandpa

A few years ago Grandpa decided that he would take all the boys to a Utah Blaze game. Grandpa made the night really special by treating me to my favorite restaurant -- Crown Burger. I had a great time with Grandpa, my dad, and all my boy cousins. We yelled really loud and I think our cheering helped the Blaze to win. Happy birthday Grandpa, I love you.
--Jared

Wolf Creek

I remember one time the whole family went jet skiing. My mom and I were on the jetski, and I was driving. I took a way too sharp turn, and we were both dumped off. We laughed our heads off. I remember eating lots of candy and drinks because we stayed a really long time at the beach. I remember going on a jet ski with me, Jared and Trevor, and another time with me, Brandon and Trevor. When Brandon was driving he made us all fall off. When I was driving Brandon fell off. I guess we need more practice driving. Thanks for inviting us to go to Wolf Creek. I love Grandpa.
--Kason

Don't Eat Pete

I remember playing “Don’t Eat Pete” after having family night with them. Trevor, me, Reagan, and Kason had to have an assigned order when we played “Don’t Eat Pete,” so we wouldn’t fight. I loved the M&Ms then, and I still love them. I love you Grandpa! The end.
--Mallory

Christmas Eve

Happy Birthday Grandpa! My favorite memory is having Grandpa and Grandma come to dinner at our house on Christmas Eve. I like eating dinner with them, reading Christmas stories, and modeling my cute new pajamas.

I like coming to their house for the family dinners where I can play with all my cute cousins. My favorite part is the ice cream and cake! I love Grandpa!
--Reagan

Grandpa's Love

I can remember from an early age when I was growing up, that Grandpa loves to tell stories. We were always over to see everyone since we lived close by. He always talked about growing up with his siblings and he talked about how much he loved his parents. I remember him always commenting on how much he loved grandma and his kids and grandkids. Although it has been 11 yrs since I have seen him, I still remember that he looks the same only more white hair and same smile.

--Christy

Grandchildren memories

I remember you love me. I hope you have fun on your birthday. I love you so much. --Rebekah (age 8)

I like to hear your stories. I remember you would tell us nursery rhymes that didn't rhyme. I like to ride with you in your wheelchair. I love you grandpa. --Spencer (age 5)

I like to play eensy weensy spider with you. I remember grandpa is always afraid of the big bad wolf. Happy birthday grandpa, I love you. --Jane (age 3)