Another Term of Office

I have served for 5 years as a board member to the Littleton Elementary School District #65 here in Avondale, AZ.  I was re-elected in November for an additional 4 years! Tonight after our board member, Mike Armstrong and I were both sworn into office by the Board Vice-President, Jeannie Myrick.  All three of us live in the same subdivision!

L-R  Jeannie Myrick, Mike Armstrong, Sandi Nielson

Afterwards we took a group photo.  Two of the ladies on the board retired tonight after serving 5 years each.

L-R  Mike Armstrong, Sandi Nielson, Kelli Watson & Sally Maddux (retiring),
 Kathy Reyes, Jeannie Myrick

Thanksgiving Family Photos

Our family is certainly growing every year. I feel leaps and bounds says it all! I think we have the cutest family every! (Yes! I am a Grandma and have that right!)  We took the photos at the Mesa Arizona Temple Grounds.  The lighting is a bit light, but I think you can see how cute every one is! There are 11 little ones, and #12 will be in June (that would be Heidi having #5.)

Front Row L-R: Noelle, Christian holding Hunter, Carter, Tytan, Haven, Jaren, Ridge
Back Row L-R: Haley, Sandi holding Jaycie, Curtis holding Paisley

Here are the parental units!

Curtis & I on chair

L-R back row:  Serina & Nick, Meggan & Peter, Heidi & Jace, Carrie & Jason

A very BUSY November 7th

This past Sunday, Nov 7th, 2010 was extremely busy! Here in Avondale, AZ after six years and two months of service as Bishop of the Cold Water Ward, my husband  was released as the Bishop.  A new Bishop was called and sustained.  It was a bitter sweet day for us.  We have been used to serving 450 members in a variety of ways and it will be a bit sad to not be in that position; but on the other hand, Curtis is doing consulting work for Fluor Daniel out of Dublin, CA (near Oakland). He is only home on the weekends until Christmas.  So he was wondering how he was going to manage tithing settlement, Christmas programs, etc... while being gone so much.  I guess it is a good thing he had the entire last year off so he could be Bishop fulltime. He did so much during that time with so many single sisters needing help in our ward. He was a fix-it man, etc...  Now I get to have him on Sunday mornings at home, sit with me at church - which I think has only happend a few times in our 35 1/2 years of marriage! At least...until his next call.

This was taken Sunday morning before Sacrament began with the changing of the Bishop.

Also, in Sparks, NV at the same time, our little Hunter was blessed.  Oh we wanted to be there, but it is hard to be in more than one place at a time.  Here is a photo of Serina and Nick holding him.  What a cutie.  Can't wait to see him at Thanksgiving.  They are coming for a few days.  YEA!!!

Then - you think! What else could be happening at the same time that we couldn't participate in.  Our dear friend Tony Bach was sustained as Bishop of his ward in Tucson.  Curtis and I have been involved in the Bach's entrance into church, their sealing, and now he is a Bishop!  Those of you in Tucson who were able to be there and witness it - what a great day!  One Bishop being released, another called at the same time!  We wish the Bach a lot of joy as they serve in their ward.

Dublin, California

I never knew there was a Dublin, California...I knew about Dublin, Ireland.  The Lord has provided a great opportunity to know about this new place. Dublin, CA has become a new home for Curtis during the week. He is on a consulting job with Fluor Daniel Company during the week. He flies over on Monday and home by Friday night.  It is actually interesting that the man who called him up from the company actually worked with him during the Magma Copper era of San Manuel - Irshad Rana! The team is working on an expansion project for the Cananea Copper Mine in Mexico (just south of Agua Prieta, AZ).  The engineer for the Mine is a guy who worked with Curtis in Tucson for Bateman Engineering - Ramon. I can't remember his last name.  So most of the players are all old friends!  Hopefully one of these trips I will get a chance to see Dublin in person.

Fun in Dayton NV

Today Curtis and I went to Dayton, NV to see my old friend, Julie Sutich, from San Manuel days.  She grew up in Dayton and is now back in Dayton.  Dayton is 50 minutes south of Reno, NV.  She lives in Old Downtown Dayton and works as a volunteer with the historical society of maintaining Dayton.  So she gave us a complete tour. We saw old buildings, the old schools, fire station, etc... I even got to ring the fire bell.  So fun.

Sandi, Curtis, Julie, her daughter Rebecca
we are at lunch

This was an out house.  Look at the toddler seat!

One of the old buildings in town.

We are in the old jail! 

We had a great time. Afterwards, we drove out to her family ranch.  Reminded me of my summer days spent with my grandparents in Washington on their ranch! 

Activities in Nevada

Since arriving at Serina's, Curtis has been working in the front yard. Last year was interior home makeover. This year outside. He pulled out the bricks that trim the yard and replaced them more evenly, pulled weeds, and as you can see mowed the yard with an old fashion lawn mower - PUSH kind!

Front yard.

On Wed, we were able to zip over to the Reno Temple and do sealings and a session.  The people there are so kind and glad to see you.  We had a wonderful day!

Seeing new Grand Baby!

Little Hunter Curtis Haines was born on August 20th. On Thurs, Aug 26 Curtis and I drove up to Sparks, NV to meet this little guy. Ohhhh, he is so cute! He is our number 11 grandbaby. 

Here is Grandma holding Hunter!

Bright eyes and awake!

Hunter sleeping with his favorite blanket!

Tucson Weekend

This past weekend my sister invited me back down to Tucson.  When I and my family used to live in San Manuel and Tucson we would host these international kids called "Up With People".  Well...they were back in town with a concert at Mountain View High School where my sister's kids attend. These 86 kids are between the ages of 18 and 25 and full of energy.  It was great and Patti and I knew their theme song and sang right along with them from the balcony!

This was the cover of the program.

The next morning was the Stake meeting.  Apostle D. Todd Christofferson and 70 Elder Patrick Hearon spoke. This was not their Stake Conference.  The Elders had a meeting on Saturday with all 13 Stake Presidents and Pres. Monson asked them to stay over and attend a sunday meeting before flying home...they picked Patti's stake.  It was wonderful. Elder Christofferson ended the meeting 20 min. early because he wanted to shake the hands of all the children and youth (no adults) in attendance.  It was amazing ...tears ran down parent's cheeks as they watched their kids shake the hand of an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It was a great teaching moment...right out of the scriptures!

L-R: Elder Patrick Kearon, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Pres. Todd Polley (Stake Pres.)

Traveling Home through Southern Utah

Curtis' great great grandparents came from Sweden on the island of Gotland. They settled Scipio, UT.  As we were raising our kids and we would drive up through Scipio we would always talk about the family history. We would have the kids pick up their feet in the car as we drove through Scipio...because it was hallowed ground to the Nielsons.  So Curtis and I stopped once again on our drive back home.  We walked the cemetery where so many of his relatives are buried.

Entrance to the Scipio Cemetery.

This is the old homestead. Getting quit dilapidated, but has a lot of stories to tell!

This was an Uncle Ernie's house...still standing...still has people living in it!

We decided to drive from Scipio over to Richfield and down. This is coming up to Big Rock Candy Mountain.  We had to stop and buy some of that "rock candy" so we could take it home to our grandkids! Especially to our "new rock collector" kids in the family!!!

This is beautiful Kanab sandstone. It was sitting next to the LDS church on main street there in Kanab.

Hunter Curtis Haines has arrived!

Well we have been waiting and waiting for this little guy! He arrived on Aug 20, 2010. Nick and Serina are naming him Hunter Curtis Haines. (Guess who after?.... Grandpa!)

Brigham City, Utah

After the anniversary celebration event with all the family - Melvin, Gloria, Curtis and I decided to go and see where the new Brigham City Temple is going to be.  When we got there we found a chain link fence all the way around the 1 city block. To make it worse, it ad green stuff in the fence so you could not see into the building area.  So we looped the block and stopped where the gates were and looked through the hinge! All we saw was lots of construction trailers and dirt! The location is going to be directly west of the Brigham City Tabernacle.  We drove over to the Tabernacle and saw they were having tours. When we went inside the tour guide told us they put the temple fencing up immediately after the ground breaking ceremony.  Then big truck started hauling load after load of dirt. There will be a parking garage for the temple under neath it all, then they will build the temple on top!

Brigham City Tabneracle - Melvin & Curtis standing out front

Looking from the Brigham City Tabernacle west to the construction                 

 site of the Brigham City Temple. You can see all the construction  

equipment and trailers.

Inside the Tabernacle - looking from the front towards the back.
It is built as a miniature of the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

This is the inside of the Tabernacle looking from the benches upward at the podium and choir seating.  Was very beautiful woodwork design! We had fun walking through it all.

This is Lorenzo Snow's (5th President & Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).  One of our last trips to Salt Lake - Melvin, Curtis and I found all the graves of the past Prophets in the SLC cemetery. This one obviously wasn't there.  We only have one left we haven't been to...Pres. Ezra Taft Benson - who is buried in Idaho.

60th Wedding Celebration

We had a quick trip to Utah for Curtis' parents', Melvin & Gloria Nielson, 60th Wedding Anniversary. It was a very enjoyable trip up through Jacob Lake, Kanab - for a stroll down main street to read all the Kanab Hollywood signs, over Bear Canyon and up past sacred Scipio! on to Kaysville, Utah.  Time really went fast ... no we were not speeding!

The dinner was held at Maddux restaurant near Brigham City, UT.  We had a great dinner, then wonderful program. Scott and MaryAnn did a rendition of "Ahh, I remember it well" song from Gigi.  Scott showed slides of Melvin and Gloria through dating, raising a family, etc. but would tell the story wrong. MaryAnn would correct it. Totally hilarious...you had to be there! It is great having someone in the family with Wit!

This is Melvin and Gloria's family - before all the weddings.

L-R:  Curtis, Tracy (kneeling), Kim, Melvin, Scot (on floor), Gloria, Kevin, and Julie

This is the article that ran in the Ogden Standard newspaper on Sunday morning following the party. We found out about the article from people at church!  So I had to go find a copy.

 Here is what their cake looked like. They even cut it and fed each other like on their wedding day.

It truly was a fabulous day for us all.  In church the next morning their Bishop recognized them and told all the youth and young marrieds "You should look to this couple's example of what a good marriage is like."

Back to School

I was up early today! Rode the School Bus and two different routes because I am a Governing Board member and like to check things out.  The air was crisp and clean! Most of the kids were excited. I did see a couple of somber faces.  It was fun. We have great drivers in our district. I am amazed at how they know almost every kid's first name! They even know who their teachers are.  I hope everyone out there had a great first day!

Camping in the Pines

Every summer when Curtis goes to Girls' camp up near Pine, Arizona, I also get to escape. But I spend it with my folks in their motorhome in the Sunshine Resort at Clint's Well.  This year I was on a mission! I was collecting stories and memories from my parents and my Aunt Marlene about my Grandpa Doward Denning.  I heard some funny stories and some great character stories.  I am working to put these all together into a Life History for him (he is deceased) that the entire family can have. Some of his grandkids never knew him. I was the oldest and spent some wonderful summers with him. 

       While there in the Pines, we found out my son's family was just up the road 1 1/2 miles for his wife's family reunion. Peter came and picked up my mom and I and took us to their camp. Wow! It was like the Children of Israel Camp! THey had to bring in everything as there were no facilities there at all! A huge dining hall tent with generator that operated TV and lights.  They had one area for showers, a hand washing area, games of volleyball - croquet - etc, fishing, portapotties were brought in, and each family's tent was pitched all around the camp with the dining hall in the middle.  Was fabulous!  So here are a few pictures.

Ridge

Tytan - he was so tired. But he was determined to watch TV with the cousins.

Baby Paisley and Meggan

Peter

While there - my Uncle Jim and Aunt Marlene took us all

 out to the Cafe for dinner. We had a great time visiting

 them until they headed north for the rest of the summer.

Jim, Marlene, Mom and Dad

I took the photo. 

What a great time. Too bad it couldn't last longer.

Lego Days

The last two days we have had "Grandma and Grandpa Time" with our grandson. He loves Legos. We have saved Legos from when his daddy and brother were doing Legos.  We we cleared the Family Room and sorted colors, people, equipment into proper piles. I then pulled out my file folder of all the saved instructions with pictures and let Jaren choose what he wanted to build. The first day he and Grandpa made a yellow under water diving thing with claws. Much like the machine they used in the film Titanic to retrieve stuff. This project took 3 hours.  Then today he chose the Castle Fortress.  My turn until I couldn't figure it out. Then we recruited Grandpa so he could engineer it all and Jaren and I looked for parts!  It was great...only took us 5 hours today (not counting eating time!).

This is the process today with our

piles and piles of pieces.

Jaren with his underwater sea machine

 and his super Knights with their Castle Fortress.

Grandparents and Grandkids

Grandparents with their grandkiddos!

Last night we were at my neice's wedding reception and we realized we had all 10 grandkids there all at the same time! We we rounded them all up on the church foyer couch. It was a trick keeping them all on the couch for a quick snap! You can pretty well see their personalities in this photo. The oldest is 7 and the youngest is 2 months.

Back in to Scouting even MORE!

Today we had Stake Conference. And I have discovered something...the Lord is really a blabber mouth (in a good way...so don't write me about it!) because I received a calling that puts me squarely back into MORE scouting. I was trying to have a different life here in Avondale. I am now the 2nd Counselor in Stake Primary...over what? Cubs! Yes you got it. I am actually excited to work with the other ladies in our stake and helping move the programs in the right direction. I am very excited to get to know and meet other people in the stake. I only know about a 1/5 of the stake!

Garden Shade?

The other day I saw Curtis walking through the house carrying all these voting signs from a recent school election. I said to him "what in the world are you going to do with those?" He replied, "Shade my garden." Here are the results!

I figure if any neighbor looks over the fence they would die laughing. But hey...garden is very important. Curtis takes it very seriously! He does have a green thumb.

Crazy Wednesday

The life I live is sometimes feels like a yo-yo with all my coming and goings. After a quick breakfast I started a load of clothes and vacuumed 1/2 the house. I left the rest to hubby! Then I was out the door today at 7:30 am to a Census Crew Leader meeting at a McDonald's. Everyone in our group shows up and turns in their work and paysheets from the day before. That meeting usually lasts (for me) until about 8:45 am. I was then asked by the Supervisor up the line, if I would come in and proof all the questionaires that are turned in for 10 Crews. He likes my work, I have no rejected ones. So I work from 9 until noon every weekday (and mid-day on Saturdays).

Mailed some packages and got gas in my car. Had a quick lunch with hubby. Ironed the clothes that he had completed the laundry for (thanks hubby!).

Then I reviewed some proposals on Landscaping for our Homeowner Association. We have a meeting tonight and will be looking at replacing our contractor - they are NOT doing a good job. I want to be ready with questions as these companies come and present what they "think" they can do for us.

I then went to scrub and clean two bathrooms. Hopefully they will last another week. I have my meeting tonight for the HOA from 6-9 pm. Then I will shower and drop into bed.

But you know what! Ever since that trip to Utah and Nevada ... I healed up from whatever was ailing my lungs and I feel great. I have been out walking neighborhoods and knocking on doors for HOURS a day and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Today was my only "Free" afternoon to get other stuff done.

Now you know more than you wanted to know!

Mother's Day

I had such a wonderful Mother's Day. My dear husband put together the most spiritual Sacrament Program ever! He had six ladies tell a different story in the New Testament as a woman from the scriptures in the first person. Such as..."I am the woman who had the issue of blood...." and then used the scriptures in the first person. A double men's quartet sang two hymns, one was a'cappella and so moving! The icing was my mom and dad came and shared the program with me!

Then my daughter and daughter-in-law who live near by had us over for dinner. She made "Heavenly Halibut" and ohhhh it was! The entire dinner was better than any restaurant meal I have ever had! The girls did a fabulous job.

Such a wonderful day. I hope all the other mom's out there had a terrific day as well!

Meeting our newest Granddaughter

After we went to the Gila Valley Temple open house we stopped by Peter's house to meet our newest granddaughter. My dad had not been to their new home so Peter gave him the grand tour. They had just completed their landscaping...so lovely...no more dirt!! Meggan looks like she never was pregnant or only had a baby 3 weeks ago!

Meggan, Ridge sitting, Larry standing in back, Tytan and Grandpa Curtis, and Betty in back.
Little Paisley...asleep in her swing. She has blond reddish hair!
It will be interesting to see who she resembles.

Everyone standing in front of their new home. This

was taken just before Peter got home.

The Gila Valley Temple

The newest Temple to be built and completed in Arizona is over in the Gila Valley. That is over between Pima and Thatcher and about 15 miles from Safford. My parents, Betty and Larry, took us over for the Open House. A three hour drive from West Phoenix Valley to the Temple site. We had a great visit in the car. These pictures are in reverse order, but you get the idea.

When we arrived at the Temple, the usher you into the Chapel next door. We were taken into the Relief Society room and watched a 10 min video on the Gila Valley, its history, why Temple are built and about the work done in them. Then we walked across the street to the Temple and had a complete tour. Afterwards, returned to the chapel cultural hall for yummy cookies and bottles of water. To our surprise we saw two old friends as we walked in Bro. & Sister Barney from old San Manuel days! Then at the end we saw Manny & Arlene Meira from Countryside Ward days iin Tucson. It was fun to get reacquainted!

After the Temple tour Curtis took us to a mexican restaurant called La Paloma in Safford. Food was good, service was extremely slow.
These are the windows on the side of the temple.

This is the landscaping on the side of the temple. The tent at the end of this photo is where we exited from the tour and they removed our booties (to keep the carpets clean).

Sandi & Curtis in front of the Gila Valley Temple.

You can see a tent near the front doors, this is where you put

on your booties as you start the tour.