General Conference Weekend 2010

Every April and October The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints holds a General Conference of all the members of the Church. We were able to be in Utah for the April Conference. Hubby's sister was able to get us tickets (they are free to all) for Sunday morning Session along with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Spoken Word on Easter Sunday. It was wonderful. When we parked under the Church Headquarters we had a pass to park with the General Authorities. We parked next to Sister Allred and Sister Thompson of the Relief Society General Presidency. I was so excited to see people I recognized!!! We then walked over to the Conference Center. We had seats on the floor. If you face the pulpit area, we were on the left with the General Authorities! As we were being seated the usher looked at our tickets and said "Oh, you are seated with the important people." It was so fun. The couple who sat behind us was Bro. & Sister Peterson who were the Mesa Temple Visitor Center a few years back. I recognized him. We didn't see anyone else around us we recognized except for hubby's parents neighbors..who sat in front of us! The following are some photos taken (in reverse order actually taken) at conference:

Taken at the end of the morning session where President Monson is leaving towards the right.
Us at Conference in our seats.

This was during the spoken word with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Taken before we left the center. Choir was practicing behind us for the afternoon session.

Visit with old Friends

Enjoyed a visit with Brenda and her hubby, Kevin, on Friday. Low and behold, Audrey and kids were there too! Audrey took me to see their new house. They are painting and getting it ready to move into. It will only be 2 miles north of her mom. Not bad for Grandma to see those little tykes!

Storms while Traveling

As we traveled to Utah we had storms all around us. It made the traveling very nice. We never had bad weather on us, but we could see it in the distance! The follow pictures are just in reverse order of the trip. But you get the idea.

This was driving up the west side of Utah Lake. You ccan see Mt Timpanogus off in the distance...but look at that black cloud to the left of it. It was churning up the waters and you could see nothing over there.

Hat to stop in Scipio, UT. This is "Holy Land" to the Nielson Family. This was an old homestead. Getting dilapidated! We don't own it any more...but it is fun to check out.

This is the intersection in Scipio, UT for all the family to find NEXT time.

This was Flagstaff, AZ on our way up. Looks like we brought the snow to Utah!

A Perm

Isn't life wonderful when you get a perm? I didn't have to do anything with it this morning...and it probably looked like a fat perm. But what can you do for the first week anyway with it? It certianly brought out my natural highlights...(silver)...only it looks sort of blond? I was standing in the light reading a scripture last night and someone told me that I looked like an Angel! Now that was a first. Anyway...I love perms...they hold curl for an entire year! Now on to the next event!

Bad, Bad People!!!

Today on this beautiful Sabbath - we discovered that some horrible people decided to spray paint our subdivision! Hubby and I drove around and took 22 photos of different markings! Fortunately this morning some really good homeowners called the police and they took reports on several of the locations. You work really hard to make a nice place for everyone to live and some "gadianton" rides in with red or green spray paint and marks everything up! I would sure like to find a zapper that would work to "zap" them when they press that paint trigger button! UGGGGGHHHHH!

Preparing for Company

Isn't it amazing that when you have company coming you all of a sudden have a deep desire to do Spring Cleaning!??? Well, that is what happened today. We are having our son-in-law's parents arriving tomorrow on their way to Texas for their daughter's Texas wedding reception. So this morning prompted deep cleaning. We cleaned blinds, ceiling fans, bathrooms, changed sheets, did laundry, iron, scrubbed floors, vaccuumed, and dusted. WOW the house looks great. But since they have only been here once (I think) they won't notice...but I feel it deep inside my bones! Thanks to a wonderful hubby who got right in with me to clean. What a day!

Scenes of Arizona

I have been blessed to live in a very beautiful state...the State of Arizona. However, all the pollen that has erupted due to all of our rain has played complete havoc with my allergies and breathing! But...inspite of all that, this is a beautiful State! Whenever I hear on the radio the song "Arizona" I tear up and cry! The following are pictures taken this weekend in Pinal County towards Superior, Arizona.

This is a Hawk.

Sandi by the side of the road looking at all the beautiful wildflowers. It looks like Heavenly Father just painted a masterpiece for us to enjoy. I had to get out and pick one of each kind to put in my journal - so I could remember this beautiful day! As I would read pioneer stories and hear of weddings and gathering wildflowers for the bride - I could only think of weeds...until today! What a sight!

This is Queen Creek! I knew of the city, but had no idea it started up in Globe, came down a canyon. It passes through the Boyce Thompson Arboretum just west of Superior, AZ.
Pink wildflowers in bloom! Gorgious.

Standing near the Queen Creek is this scene looking up toward the mountains with the splendor the Saguaro Cactus. I miss these Giants of Tucson Sonoran Desert! You don't see them in the Phoenix area like in Tucson.

This is Picketpost house - where Boyce Thompson lived in the 1920's. He is the one who started the first Magma Copper Mine in Superior at the turn of the century. Magma Copper of San Manuel took the name from this place. Would have been nice to take a tour of the house...but it is private property.

This is the Lake at the Arboretum. There were several ramadas around.

It is part of the reparian for the Arboretum.

We had a great day, then drove south to Florence to Hunt Highway and drove in the back way to Queen Creek and Gilbert, AZ to visit Peter's family briefly. Amazing all that has changed in that area with housing!!!! That place is booming. But what a wonderful day we had in the desert of the sun!

The Dews & a Birthday

There is this group of senior citizens (about 87 in all) that have had fun for many years making music and enjoying being together. They are called "The Dews". They play country music and sound great! Each of "The Dews" has a "dew" name. Like my mom is Please Do, my dad is Gonna Dew, my Aunt is Dabba Dew, etc. Whenever someone is having a party, they all get together and entertain everyone else. My Uncle turned 75 and so a get together. Here are some photos of the event.

Lorraine "Shouldn't Dew", Gene "Should Dew", Les "Less DEW"

playing music and singing.
Sandi, Curtis, my mom Betty holding baby Autumn (her great granddaughter)

Uncle Jim "Data Dew" - a wopping 75 years old!

Aunt Marlene "Dabba Dew", Aunt Ida "Never Dew",

Uncle Dick "Used to Dew", Betty "Gonna Dew" holding Autumn

My talented Dad "Gonna Dew" playing the banjo ukelela.

Some of the Dews are dying off. But what a nice bunch of people. We enjoyed a great spread of food and entertainment and visiting! Happy Birthday Uncle Jim!

Disneyland with some of the Family

The first week of March we had a wonderful time. Heidi's family, Serina & Nick, and us all met up at our time share in Anaheim, California. We had two 2-bedroom suites. Worked out great. One suite for the Larkins and one for the rest of us. We all went together on Tuesday to Disneyland. Curtis and I went on Wednesday with the Larkins, while Nick tried surfing and Serina watched! Thursday was the Haines turn with the Larkins and Curtis and I went to the Los Angeles Temple for a day of service. Was great! Here are some photos that give a typical look at our week.

Disneyland - famous night look from Main Street

Sandi in front of the Los Angeles Temple. We did two sessions and
a sealing session. Even ate in the Cafeteria and visited
with some really nice temple workers.

The stroller brigade!!! We are all waiting for the parade to begin at California Adventure.
This was a Pixar Parade. I got excited to see Mater and Lightening McQueen!

This is in California Adventure. Curtis, Sandi, Christian, Noelle, Haven, Haley

Nick & Serina were great help! Haven's new best friend is "Uncle Nick"!!!
Christian, Haven and Haley. This was on the Jungle Cruise. Serina is wearing
maternity clothes now!

The entire gang in front of the shuttle the first morning at Disneyland.
We were all so excited to have fun together! And we Did!!

The great thing about staying at the time share is it has a minor kitchen. So Heidi was wonderful and cooked gourmet breakfasts for us all every morning. Tues - French Toast and fruit, juice. Wed - Whole Grain pancakes, fruit, juice. Thurs - egg mclarkin, bacon, juice, milk, fruit. Fri - left overs of all the breakfasts! We also made sandwiches and packed them in the bags for Disney lunches. We only had to buy food out once for evening meal. What a wonderful time.

Elected School Board President

It has been so fun serving on the Littleton School District Board. We just had our District Office dedication (brand new building) and our maiden board meeting in the new offices last night. Dedication plaque hanging in front foyer.

Wall in District Office. Pictures of the Board Members.

Here is Jeannie and I cutting the ribbon while Kathy, Sally, and Dr. Freeman look on.

My portion of the desk. I was re-elected President for 2010.

A New Eagle in the Family

We have a new Eagle Scout in our family. On Sat, Dec 26, 2009 (YES - the day after Christmas!) was Nathan's ceremony. These photos posted in reverse order. But you will get the idea.

Family, Friends all in attendance!

Big Brother, Steven (who is himself an Eagle) having Nathan take
the Pledge/Oath of becoming an Eagle Scout.

Grandpa getting the pin so he can present Steven with his Rank.

Proud Aunt with her new Eagle nephew!

(This was taken before the ceremony)

Christmas Day

Christmas Day we had fun seeing and being with most of our kids. Heidi's family on the left, Serina & Nick, then Peter's family on the right. Jason's family was in Utah visiting with family there.

Curtis & Sandi on Christmas Day.

A Pioneer Christmas

We had a Pioneer Christmas for our Ward Party tonight. It was so fun. Some families came dressed as pioneers or in their "native" costume. We had bar-b-que beef, ranch beans, peaches, rolls and lemonade for dinner. Here is food line with Pioneer CJW serving peaches.

A little dark, but the above photo is of our "Campfire" we had in the middle of the gym. A fan laid on its back with red crepe paper to float upwards to look like fire and stumps to sit on around and chat. Bro. Walker told stories in the person of "John D. Lee" and his interaction with the Prophet Joseph Smith during 1832 era.

Bishop Curtis and Sandi Nielson in pioneer wear around the campfire!

Ashley and Tessa Grantham in their native Apache wear. Their clothing was absolutely beautiful! They even had real moccasins...so soft to the touch.

We all had a great time singing Songs & Carols with the Stott Boys on their guitar and banjo around the campfire. Fun was had by all in attendance!

Early Christmas!

Our oldest son and his family had Christmas with us tonight. They are going to be her family on Christmas. The kids had fun opening gifts from their Utah Granny and Farfar and from us. You can see the excitement on their faces!

Jaycie opening up dolls and stuffed dog.

Jaren and his baseball mitt, ball and ball pump!

Carter with cloth activity book! Yea!!!

Scary Masks!

When we had gone to South Africa (years ago) we had brought back some masks for Jason. Well, to our good fortune they came back to our house. I am going to hang them in my "African - Grandkid Room". In otherwords, this is my room that has toys, crib, bed, and african decor. Heidi's two middle kids were at our house this past week and found them. They had to try them on! Miss Haven came running out and said "Grandma! I am scary!" She modeled every one. Then brother took his turn. See the variety below!

Aren't these really cool?! Can't wait to get them on the walls.

A Son's Gift

Thanksgiving day our son, Peter, brought this beautiful gift to us! He made it out of one sheet of plywood. It all comes a part and lays flat! It is absolutely beautiful. I brought it inside to get a good photo of it. With the shade in the yard, you can't see it as well (when I took the photo).

The beautiful Nativity Scene that our son made for us!
This is outside, but it is in the shade when I took the photo! There is also a spot light he gave us that goes with it. When hubby is home, he can get it all fixed up (right now he is helping fix sprinklers at our other son's home!).

Thanksgiving 2009

Once again Thanksgiving was at our house. We sure have lots of fun. My sister, Patti and her family came up on Wednesday night and stayed until Friday afternoon. Three of our children had to be other places: Reno, Utah, and home with sick kids! So only Peter's family came. We had my folks and my mom's sister and her hubby as well. We played a new game called "Split the Ward". It is a lot like Rummy...only hilarious! We also watched a couple of fun movies in the evening. Before everyone came for dinner on Thursday...they were all busy looking at the "Black Friday Sales" and making their shopping route for the next day!

Deep discussion about where to go for the sales!

Hubby went and did this early morning shopping event a couple of years ago...so I knew better. I stayed home! However...this year our garbage disposal died! So we went to Home Depot for a new one and installed it by the time the family got home with their treasures! We all then decided to drive out to my folks. We visited and had a great time. When it came time for Patti's family to hit the road back to Tucson....

....Hubby and I decided to sight see! We drove out through Estrella Mountain Ranch until every road hit a dead end. It was fun to see that side of the mountain! We also found this really cool star gazing place! It has an amphitheater, telescopes for night star gazing, and a beautiful water fountain and water noises! Several families were there taking pictures. We will have to try it one of these days.

This is part of the water fall that comes from the top fountain.

This is the Star Tower. I always thought it was just a landmark thingy someone built! Who knew! It has a paved walkpath, lighted trees, bridges. You can walk all the way to the tippy top of this tower and over look Goodyear and even see the Stadium in Glendale! Amazing scenery!

So now we have a new place to take Grandkids and do some easy hiking and photo shoots!