THE BATES FAMILY REUNION AUGUST 5-6, 2011

Thank-you to one and all for the wonderful reunion!! We had such a great time and wish you all could have been there!! Here is a quick glimpse of our time together-

Friday, Aug.5- pizza at the Lower Lake Park

Saturday, Aug.6- Breakfast at Grand Lake Lodge

Family Business after Breakfast

Minutes from meeting:

Collected $320.00 in dues- spent every penny!!

$15.00 per year per family- whether you attend or not- we will establish a Bates Family Reunion Fund- Katie Roberts is permanent Treasurer.

Next Reunion will be held in Provo, Utah- 2013 ( pending BYU schedule)- Bob & Sandra Suman Family in charge. Bob and Sandra will delegate responsibilities

Voted on meeting at 6 a.m. to go through Rocky Mountain National Park and drive over Trail Ridge

Voted on holding Fast & Testimony Meeting @ 1:30 p.m. at cabin- Bob Suman conducting. Travis Roberts, Jim Epps, Phil Holmes, Ken Schaub bless and administer Sacrament

Meeting adjourned and picture taking:

Saturday night Dinner at Granby L.D.S. Branch -A walk down "Memory Lane"

Sunday morning- Trail Ridge Road- what a great way to start the day!!

Fast & Testimony Meeting- sharing thoughts and feelings of Ivan & Elsie Bates

Sunday Evening- Happy 39th Birthday to J.Hyde

Monday and Tuesday- Fishing, fishing, shopping, hiking, visiting,fishing- so much fun and such good company and such beautiful surroundings. Thanks again everyone!! We had a great time!

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!

With the passing of our sweet little mom and grandma in May, the importance of families and being together for eternity has a much deeper meaning to me. I really felt all of us reaching out to one another and expressing love and appreciation to each other. The past few months have been a time of reflection and strengthening of my testimony. I am so grateful to my wonderful parents, Ivan & Elsie, for all of the Gospel truths that they taught me, and for all of their faith and endurance while raising 9 children.

I am so excited to be together at the Bates Reunion, so we may honor and remember these
two wonderful human beings! I'm sure they will be there with us and be so happy that we are together as a family!! We will see you all in Grand Lake, CO., on August 5,2011.

COLORFUL COLORADO-HERE WE COME!!!

BATES FAMILY REUNION- AUGUST 5 & 6- 2011- GET READY FOR IT!!:

If you haven't already, please e-mail your family contact information and any updates to: Gail Heath

xtrahot4hyde@msn.com

Bates Family Reunion 2009

We are getting excited for our family reunion this year! St. George will be nice and sunny with lots to do! I just sent an information packet out to everyone today via email. Please be sure to review the information and to send back the three forms I included for:

The Talent Show Sign-Up

T-Shirt Orders

Family Reunion Dues

If you have any questions, you may email me at jennaholmes41@gmail.com. 

Also, please don't forget to RSVP for the reunion to me at the same email address.

It's Coming...

Mark your calendars for...

The Bates Family Reunion 2009

June 19-20 in St. George, Utah

Check back for more details.

If you haven't yet, please email your family contact information to:

Jenna Holmes

jennaholmes41@gmail.com

Something to Write Home About

These letters were written from Ivan to Elsie during his many traveling experiences. They are so tender and such a great example of love and respect. I'm sure Grandma's heart just melted when she would read things like this! I, personally, am happy to know that they had such a loving relationship, having never seen it firsthand. What a blessing.

The last two images are of a postcard he sent specifically to his children. And it's darling.

(Click on the images to enlarge them and make them legible.)

(Written in August 1954)

(Written March 1966)

(Front of postcard sent to Bates kids)

(Text written April 1957)

The Mejia Family

On Friday, July 6, 2007, Phil and Susan Bates, Ron and Betty had the opportunity to visit with the Mejias. They came to Betty's house for a light dinner and a lot of reminiscing. It has been 40 years since we first met them. In 1957, they travelled from Pueblo, Mexico with their 7 children to be sealed in the Mesa temple. The trip took 3 days by bus. They stayed in the Ivan and Elsie Bates home for 5 days, and it was a wonderful experience for our whole family. While they were here visiting their son Moroni in July, we had the blessing of meeting them again after so many years. This family has been faithful in the gospel and have reared righteous children. They are still so humble and kind, and very appreciative of our association with them. However, we received the greater blessing through knowing them.

(A more extensive history of our experiences with the Mejia family will be posted on this site shortly).

(Pictured above, left to right: Phil Bates, Sister Mejia, Brother Mejia, Ron Bates, Moroni Mejia, Betty Walker, Lourdes Mejia)
(Pictured above: Sister and Brother Mejia who came to Arizona 50 years ago to be sealed to eachother and to their children in the Mesa Temple)