Peter passed his Pharmacy Boards

Great news! Peter flew to Albuquerque, NM to take his National Pharmacy Boards and then the next day took his Arizona Law Board. He got word that he passed both. So he is OFFICIAL. He is just waiting for his Arizona License to come in the mail. They are now busy house hunting in the east valley. Peter we are proud of you for doing so well...and to you Meggan...Yeah it is over!

Rough Week and a Half

One never enjoys being sick! Two Sundays ago I joined Curtis at Girls' camp for the rest of the sabbath activities in the dirt and trees. Apparently the dust and pollen really came crashing down on my Phoenix induced Asthma! I go months with no problem and then it hits really hard. So as I started having problems I thought it was just allergies or a minor cold. Well after not being able to talk since last Wednesday, July 1st...and not breathing on Sun, July 5th evening...it was time to see the doctor. So first thing Monday morning I was in my doctor's office. Brian Hawkins is a wonderful MD. Come to find out my asthmas was out of control. I ended up on 8 different prescriptions (not the Over the Counter stuff) when I left. At noon I just wanted to die, ever feel like that you'll never get better? But by 6:00 pm that same evening...drugs working their miracle in my poor body...I finally felt like it was okay to live. Then Tuesday morning, I awoke with energy I hadn't had in weeks! I cleaned house, baked cookies, ran a few errands, and even got in a nap. I am so blessed to live in a day where modern medicine can work hand in hand with priesthood blessings and bring about much Miracles! I just have a minor cough lingering...hopefully gone by the end of the week!

Saturday Fun in the Mountains

Yesterday, Saturday, we did a lot of hiking. We'd hike during the day and then again in the afternoon. This picture below was our scenery! It may be hard to see from this photo but the mountains in the distance are the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff. Flagstaff is 57 miles from where we are camped.

San Francscio Peaks Mountain Range

Mom and I are hiking...this is a self-taken picture of us by some rock formations.

Later after dinner, Lauren (my niece came up yesterday), and my mom went up to the fire pit for a fun evening of S'mores! Lauren and I drove over to the little store at Clint's well and bought $4 box of graham crackers, $2.25 for 3 bars of hershey, and $2.00 bag of marshmellows...therefore $8 S'mores!!! Once we started eating them....it was worth the expense!

Here is Lauren cooking the first 2 marshmellows.

This was our finished product. Ohhhh they were yummy. It was the first time I was able to make S'mores and not have to manage children or clean up messes. It was a real treat! We ate and ate. Now on to dietiing again today!

Time in Happy Jack

I arrived at Sunrise Resort between Happy Jack and Clint's Well, AZ yesterday. Curtis dropped me off at my parent's motorhome. We had lunch and listened to the afternoon rain before he left for girls' camp in Pine, AZ. I get to hang out with my mom and dad for 5 days! I have taken a photo diary of the area. This is a great summer get-a-way.

This is the TINY cute post office here.
This is the little LDS branch house where my mom attends up here.
It has a chapel, primary room and relief society room,
Branch Pres. office, library, store room
and restrooms. The organ is a casio electric piano/organ.

This is the local cafe. Boy...all home cooking and inexpensive! Enough food to share an order.
We ate there last night.

This morning we made a trip to Payson, AZ. This is taken inside the Beeline Cafe.

We had a great breakfast there this morning before we hit the super Wal-mart!

Once we were back to the motor home. I laid in the hammock and read!

The little black square piece laying by my head is my dad's MP3...playing music!

Mom and I also took a long hike up trails into the hills for over an hour. Fun day...so far.

I just made two loaves of zuchinni bread for my dad (zuchinni from our garden). He

thinks I am a great cook.

Our 34th Wedding Anniversary

We have had a very fun two days as we celebrated our 34th wedding annivesary! We were married on June 20, 1975 in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. Wow! That seems like forever ago. We have had a great life...so far...together. We have covered the globe and enjoyed life with family and friends. Last night we went to a dinner and theatrical play of "Bye Bye Birdie". It was great! I remember seeing the movie in 1963 or 1964 when I was a little girl in Newfoundland, Canada. Apparently the movie was based on the stage play. I have always liked the fun movie. Some scenes are re-arranged in the movie. It was good to laugh!

Then we went to the Mesa Arizona Temple this morning. We spent several hours there doing a variety of things. Saw the Lundstrom's from Tucson there! Matt was getting his endowments! Then we went to lunch at Legacy Suites Resort and sat on the patio of the golf club and listened to great oldies while we ate.

This is what we look like today! 2009

This is what we looked like on our wedding day. It rained! So all my curls left, and Curtis' got more so. This photo was taken just before our reception which was held at the Kaysville Stake Center in Utah. Same building I was baptized in only 3 years prior. I sure love this man I married!

Celebrating Peter

Friday evening of June 12th 15 of us went to Carrabas' Italian Restaurant in Avondale to celebrate Peter's great accomplishment. Jason and Carrie had to leave early (hence no photos of them) so their babysitter could go to his own birthday party! We all had a great time visiting and eating!

Sandi & Curtis

Stephen Wallgren (of Tolleson Ward) and another waiter sang
"Best Wishes to You" in Italian.

Heidi & Jace Larkin and baby Noelle

L-R Vanessa & Dale Berg, Connie & Wayne George, Gavin Berg, Warren & Megan Grantham

This is the George Family. I didn't get Lauren in the photo

Meggan and Peter celebrating with their ice cream!

Look at Peter's smile!!! He never stopped smiling all day!

Peter Nielson, PharmD - Our Son!

Friday, June 12th, 2009 has got to be one of the highlights of 2009! As I mentioned before, this is the year of Vacations of Graduations for Curtis and I. Peter, our son, finally Pharmacy school. He graduated as a Doctor of Pharmacy!! Way too go Peter!!! We are so proud of you!

Meggan & Peter right after Graduation.

This is the school he attended in Glendale, Arizona - Midwestern University

This is Peter walking up to get his Doctor hood attached to his robes and receiving his Diploma!

Everyone who came to the Graduation!

Meggan's parents (Gene & Suzanne Lines) and siblings, Warren & Megan Grantham (cousins), Heidi & Jace Larkin (sister), and Peter's grandparents Larry & Betty Gibb, plus some babies.

Our two Pharmacists in the family!

Jace Larkin (Heidi's husband) and Peter Nielson

Peter with his official Diploma. Now to get it framed!

Bishop & Scouts Adventure!

My husband, the Bishop of our Ward, got this great idea to have fun with the Boys from our Ward and the other two wards in our building. Instead of taking them to Scout Camp...he took them to our Time Share in Tucson at Starr Pass Resort. He then used that as a base for day trips around southern Arizona which was our stomping grounds for over 20 years! I am posting a photo from each place they went...especially for those mom's out there that want to know what their boys did!

This is Tucson, Arizona taken from "A" Mountain

Here the boys are climbing on the "A" which
stands for University of Arizona,
is there any other?

Here the group is gathered around the Mormon Battalion Monument

in downtown Tucson. I still can visualize when Pres. Hinckley came to dedicate it!

Trevor Smith attacked by an Alligator - at the Wildlife Museum

The group gathered around monument in old Tombstone, Arizona.

I am assuming this is Wyatt Earp.

All suited up in slickers, hard hats with lights ready to go into

the Copper Queen Mine. This was an underground Copper Mine for years

located in Bisbee, Arizona. By the way...great hills to experience driving!

Listening to guide at the Titan Missile Museum in Tucson, AZ.

Our great pilot, Geoff Smith, flying a plane at the

Pima Air Museum in Tucson, AZ. This Museum has thousands of planes

from World Wars, Presidential planes, etc, Great fun!

Living room & Kitchen of the resort. They had three 2-bedroom

apartments. That meant each person had a bed of their own.

So different from a cot or sleeping bag!

Every evening the boys went swimming in the pool to cool off.

The last day they drove up to Kitt Peak and saw about 15

different observatories. The solar one allowed you to see the sun. Lots of

hills to hike around. Then they headed back to Avondale/Tolleson, AZ.

Time With Grandkids

Monday morning Heidi had to talk Haley to the doctor, so Christian and Haven got to be with me! We played with Fisher Price toys that used to be Heidi and Jason's when they were little. We even played with He-Man toys from Peter's growing up days. We read stories. Had snacks. Then they wanted to watch Peter Pan. They are so well behaved! It is so fun to spend time with them. But I forgot to take any photos! I'll have to capture those cuties later.

Then Wed (today) I had Jaren and Carter (Jason's two oldest). I called my friend, Stefany Dean, for ideas this morning. So off we went with a terrific list! We went to Pratt's Feed/Pet Supply in Glendale. They had rabbits, hamsters, chicks, birds, reptiles, etc... During the winter they carry puppies. The man told me in the summer it is too hot for the dogs.

Here is Jaren & Carter looking at the rabbits.

I would hold them...they would pet.

This lasted for about 40 minutes! We had fun here.

Then we went to the Cerreta's Candy Factory (also in Glendale) and had free samples and tour. While we were there 100 school kids from Anthem schools came! We went and bought a piece of candy for each of us and left while the getting was good! Too much noise! But the candy was awesome! I'll have to go back when I can head straight home with the treats so they won't MELT!

Carter at the Candy Store with their tour info sign.

Jaren & Carter trying to be patient to wait for the tour.
You can see part of the factory behind the boys.

Then we drove to Friendship Park (in Avondale) and fed the ducks at the pond. That was really fun and we were able to do it from the shade of a tree! Then off to Burger King for chicken nuggets and fries for lunch and back home to mom. Grandma is now exhausted!

Week Without Hubby

While hubby is off to Tucson with 10 boy scouts and 3 other adults...I am certainly keeping busy. I know by the end of the week I'll be exhausted and missing him!
Yesterday I spent with a terrific friend, Leasa. We went shopping for frames to put all her newly acquired LDS Artwork in. We shopped from 10 am to 3:00 pm. And then started putting pictures together in the frames. I brought home two and worked on those until late evening. But ohhhhh they look great. I should be a framer for Michael's or something!
Today I am going visiting teaching, doing some mending (quiet things to relieve the back!), and then on to School Board meeting at 5:30 pm.
Today hubby and crew are in Bisbee touring the old underground Copper Queen Mine, and then off to Tombstone (such a fun place to visit!). These guys are going to all our favorite stompting grounds with our kids and family. Kind of wish I could have tagged along. Oh well...relive the memories...

Dilated Eyes!!!

Today I went to the eye doctor for an annual check up and to have my eyes dilated. I just hate that appointment! Good ole Rita Clift rode with me so she could drive me and my car home! Most people...including my hubby...it only takes an hour for eyes to go back to normal. It now has been 4 hours and they are no smaller than at 11:00 a.m.!!!! So I have laid on the couch with my eyes closed, blanket on top, and listened to BYU TV. I have heard some great talks. Can't see the screen! Any way....I am surviving. I'll be glad when the day is over!

Ashley's Promotion

On Wed, May 27th we traveled to Tucson to our neice's, Ashley Prodromides, promotion from 8th grade. Her school actually called it "graduation" and it was fabulous. Each of the 14 graduates invited their special guests. The 7th grade class served everyone dinner. Here is Ashley's Committee.

L-R around the table: Kevin (Ashley's dad), Ashley, Wayne & Connie George (my sister), Morris Kinghorn (head of the table - Kevin's dad & Ashley's grandfather), Glenna Kinghorn, Betty & Larry Gibb (my folks & Ashley's grandparents), myself and Curtis. Patti (Ashley's mom) was taking the photo.

Patti, Ashley and Kevin

Mrs. Jeppson (the principal) showed about 15 slides of each graduate, the student then gave a 2 minute talk about their memoirs of their time at Carden of Tucson. These talks were incredible. This is the photo of Ashley at the podium...before it all started.

Reno Weekend

Curtis and I flew up to Reno this past weekend to spend time with Nick and Serina ... they were married two years this week! Boy, time flies. Anyway...Serina picked us up at the airport and we went straight to the Woffinden's home. Justin and Shauna lived in our ward in Avondale and have now moved to Reno. It was sooooo good to see their little family. They tell everyone HI and they are doing well. We had a great visit.

Justin & Shauna Weaver and kids

Nick and Serina after a family bar-b-que.

Nick & Serina took us to see the Worlds Largest Sporting Goods store. It is called Scheels. It was amazing! It had a ferris wheel in the center of the store. Every thing you can imagine for sports is in there: fishing, camping, hiking, archery, hunting, biking, volleyball, baseball...on and on. We spent about an hour in their trying to see it all!
The four of us went to see the new Star Trek movie. It was amazing!! Then we walked down to the River Front and found several kyackers testing their manuevers in the rapids. Nick was explaining that this river was man made with challenges for Competition! We watched these guys for at least 1/2 hour.

Curtis took the photo of Sandi, Nick & Serina at the River Front.

Saturday evening we went to Nick's parent's home to play games all evening. About 10:00 pm Nick's sister, Rachel, stepped barefoot on a ceramic thingy and it broke off in her foot! So.. they placed Rachel on the kitchen table (aka the surgery table) and Lorraine, Nick's mom, (an RN) went to surgery! Lorraine giving her lidocaine, Richard & Serina assisting!

Now you are probably wondering WHO took these photos??? Curtis

And where was Sandi??? Sitting on the stairs in the other room so I didn't have to see this all!
Surgery commences with the knife!
Good news, they got the piece out, by Sunday Rachel was doing great and walking on her foot!

Nick & Serina after the great Sunday dinner Lorraine fixed for us all.
Serina, Nick, Curtis and Sandi
before we left for the airport to fly back to Arizona.

Special Sealing Day in Mesa Temple

This past Saturday was a very special Mother's Day Weekend! Curtis, my mom, and I spent the morning at the Mesa Arizona Temple. My mom was sealed to her parents. Curtis and I were able to be proxy for her parents. Was a very spiritual and rewarding morning.

Me and my mom (Betty Gibb) in front of the Mesa Temple

Jaycie has Arrived!

Well all you friends and relatives who want to see what little Jaycie May Nielson looks like...here are a few pictures. She was born on Mon, April 27, 2009, at 10:08 am and weighed in at 7 lbs 1 oz and was 19.5 inches long. At first her little face was round and looked a bit like Carter. But now her little face is elongating and looks more like a feminine "Jaren". She is soooo cute and petite. Hard to believe how little they are.

This is me holding her after she came home.

This photo is taken at the hospital the day she was born.

Carrie and the family are doing really great. Carter says he likes being a big brother.