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.

Fun with Fisher Price Toys

When we were raising our kids, Curtis' parents would buy each Christmas a major Fisher Price toy. I have saved them all and they are in excellent condition. So now my grandchildren are enjoying the fun. So tonight we had Jason's kids and we pulled out the toys.

This was the little kitchen and granddaughter loved the phone! You can see her reaching for it. This was Serina's kitchen. We still have all the food and play tupperware.

You can see the School House on the left and the Zoo on the right. These grandsons had so much fun hauling the school kids on a field trip through the zoo and in the tunnel. I wish toys like these were still made today. Great quality. Great fun!

Census Enumerator

Today I became a Federal Employee! I will be a Census Enumerator for 4-8 weeks. After hearing stories from my neighbor about his pre-Census experience I was worried as to where I would be sent. But I am fortunate...I will be assigned an area not far from home. It will cover basically 1 mile x 1 mile square. Houses and 2 schools. Not bad! Come to find out that 17 of the 18 fellow workers all come from the small town where I live! Who knows...we might be able to car pool.

We had our training today in a Navy Facility - who would have guessed the Arizona Desert would have Navy! But alas...it is a small base with a guard shack, barbed wire fense all around it. So today at my training...I was the only one prepared (I brought my lunch) while everyone else had to dash out for their 30 min to find food and return.

I must pause in my story here to give some back ground. I grew up Air Force. I went in and out of Guard Gates my whole life. I always thought that would be fun to do! Listening to the recruits who work it..it can be boring. But not so today! I was asked to handle the shack and let the Census Workers in and out for the 1/2 hour. I guess the Navy was busy. It was great! My half hour of controlling a base entrance!

Because of my willingness in class to help people (who were totally not there mentally) find the correct place in the book, etc... I was asked to be the "Assistant Crew Leader". No extra pay, but get to do some administrative duties for our group.

So...next week I resume training and then the entire month of May will be out tracking down those individuals who didn't mail in their Census!

Stake Prom - Don't Let the Sands of Time Pass you By

Every year the five LDS Stakes in the West Valley get together an put on a Prom for the youth. It is always hosted (as far as I know) at our Stake Center. Last year they had the theme from Phantom of the Opera. This year is was scenes from the Middle East...like from Aladdin or Turkey. On Friday night, the Prom is open to all Adults. Then on Saturday night it is for only youth 16 to 18 and their dates. We babysat Friday night so Heidi & Jace could go dance. Then Since we chaperoned on Sat. night because Curtis is bishop. Was amazing.

This is the entrance to the church at the back of the building. They made it look like a Bazaar. The floor felt like you were walking on sand, they had jewels in baskets, fruits hanging.
The most clever of the night were these decorated drinking fountains. Notice the fringe around the bottoms. They even had those jars on top filled with little gold fish!

A painting and display along one wall.

We had to peek in the men's bathroom. The urinals had dry ice in them with rocks and snakes! The men's bathroom was totally made to look like a CAVE. We didn't get photos of the women's but it was the complete opposite! Totally femine with drapery. Someone put in a dresser with the drawers open and all kinds of fun things in them to add to the ambiance. Pretty clever!

This was the other foyer entrance from the back of the building. It was blocked off so you could not enter. It had couches, lapms, jewels, etc... In the gym (which we did not get photos) was a large mural across the entire wall of the overflow area of a night scene with the domes, lights, etc...of an evening landscape in Turkey (or from the movie Aladdin). They also had on one side of the gym several tents set up with chairs or couches in a U-shape with lamps, lanterns, pillows. Looked just like the ones we saw down on the Sinai Pennisula! Pretty authentic! We had a fun time.