Carol Ann Swan ³⁶⁹

  General Notes:

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

It is difficult to put into words my childhood memories. Many of them have faded with age and some have blended together. For the most part they are happy experiences.

The day I turned eight years old is still a strong memory. It was a very windy sunny Sunday. Mama was expecting Linda any minute and I wanted her to be born on my birthday. I'm sure I pestered Mama about it all day long. For this and the fact it was my birthday I went with Daddy on some errands in the truck. We spent the morning going here and there. I seem to remember that Daddy was looking for berry plant to put in the garden. When we returned home Mama was still not ready to go to have the baby. In the evening Mom and Dad Robinson came with a flannel nightgown she had made for my birthday. I went to bed early to get to use the new nightgown. Linda was born the next evening. I overcame my disappointment when the folks decided to use the name Charlotte and I had picked out for the new baby. I also thought it was great to have even numbers of boys and girls in the family.

Christmas morning was always a great time for me. Because there were so many of us it always looked like a mountain of gifts under the tree. I knew it was a struggle to put them there, but I always thought there was enough.

Entering high school was a very frightening thought when I was in eighth grade. I was so glad to have Charlotte, Jim and Jerry there to look after me.

The Church activities were a big highlight in my teenage years. It was so fun to go to dances with Jim and Jerry. They always made sure I danced at least once with them. I think the other girls were a little envious of Charlotte and me. I think the dance festivals we went to were the outstanding events. They were always on a Saturday and out of town. The costumes, the music, and the crowds in the stadium made me feel very important. (I always had a severe sunburn from practicing all day in the sun.)

My senior year in high school while I was still 16. I met Elder Charles Price. It is the very best thing that has ever happened to me. He was serving as a missionary in Stockton and Daddy was involved in missionary work. Elder Price and his companion Elder Ronald Scheibe were often invited over for supper. I'm sure you would like all the details, but I don't think I'll tell them here. On June 15, 1963, three months after he completed an honorable mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we were married in the Los Angeles Temple.

We lived next door to the folks in their rental unit. That is for three months. They sold the place and moved to Arizona. We stayed on the place until the next spring until after our first son, Grant, was born. We move to Pocatello, Idaho. I thought we had move to the desert. LaNae was born 15 months later. Chuck's job took us to Ontario, Oregon. We were there about six months and then moved to Salt Lake City for eight months. Chuck got a job with a non-foods wholesale distributor and we moved to Tucson, Arizona. I was sure we had really moved to the desert this time. Glenn was born there. Chuck's company then transferred us to Las Vegas, Nevada. THAT WAS DESERT. There wasn't anything growing anywhere! I was very grateful to move back to Utah two years later. We couldn't believe how green everything was.

We rented a home in Layton, Utah for two years. Chuck was made bishop of the ward. He was 29 and I was 26. Ryan was born a year after our move. We decided it was time to buy a house, we had been married for nine years. We were blessed to find the right place very easily. It took us ten minutes to decide this was the right place for us. We have live at 110 Aircraft Avenue for over 22 years now.

When we thought our family was complete, Spencer came along eight years after Ryan. Then when we were sure it was complete, we were shocked to find out another one was coming. Benson was born when I was 41 years old. lanai was married, and Grant was home from his mission and soon to get married, and Glenn was out of high school and ready to go an a mission. There is over 22 years between Grant and Benson. Benson was an uncle officially when he was four months old.

We have been active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for all of our married. Chuck has served in many leadership callings and I have, too. The boys have served missions. Our children have married in the temple. Spencer and Benson are still at home with Chuck and me.

I have been fortunate to be able stay home and not be employed outside my home. For many years I did sewing and alterations at home to earn extra money for the family. I no longer do it. It is a trade I can go back to if needed, but right now I'm having too much fun doing other things. I have enjoyed the extraction program for genealogy research. I type death record into the computer so they can be available to people doing research. It has made me realize that everyone who has ever lived is a child of God. I'm also very glad to have modern medical care too. Many died young of diseases that are easily cured today.

I think we have a very special family. It is a joy to have all of you for friends an well as relatives. ³⁶⁹

  Life Events:

1. Church Affiliation: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ³⁶⁹

Carol married Charles William Price on 15 Jun 1963.³⁶⁹ (Charles William Price was born in 1941 ³⁶⁹.)