San Francisco

 We took a weekend away and went to San Francisco with Geri and Kirk.  Our plan, to see The Lion King and the Disney Family Museum and to relax!
The Lion King was playing at the Orpheum Theater on Market street in San Francisco.  It is a big, old, beautiful, and enchanting theater.  Its biggest drawback, no leg room!!  That was a small price to pay for the fun of watching this play.  The costuming was pretty amazing, the singing was great and some of the acting was pretty funny.  We enjoyed ourselves even though we got wet in a downpour on our one block walk to the theater!
That was Saturday night.  During the day on Saturday, we went to the Disney Family Museum, dedicated to Walt Disney and his amazing life.  I learned about his talent, his business acumen, his dedicated drive, but most of all, I learned about his love and loyalty to his family, his friends, and his employees.  It was truly inspiring to walk through this museum and read all about him and see his life in pictures and stories.  I highly recommend this museum to anyone visiting in the San Francisco area.
We also enjoyed spending some time with Kari at her new apartment on Friday night.  I taught her how to make chicken parmesan and we ate a yummy dinner.  On Saturday, we picked her up and went to dinner, then she took us to the Bart station.  At midnight, she came back to Bart and picked us up after our evening at the play.  What a wonderful daughter!
We had a relaxing, fun weekend and I look forward to many more years of traveling with my hubby and our great friends.

 

THE JOY OF DISNEYLAND!!

A quick one day trip to the new California Adventure Cars Land elicited this joyous expressison on Joshua's face!  Doesn't it just make you want to go and enjoy the magic of childhood in the Happiest Place on Earth?  I had so much fun with Melissa, Bob, Joshua, Kent, Ray, and Hannah as we explored the new rides, ejoyed some of the older rides and ate some great food.  The weather was perfect, just warm enough to remind us it is summer but cool enough to enjoy all of our activities.  We even got to ride some rides with Drew, Ivy, and Arthur who also were spending a couple of days at Disneyland.  Joshua is always asking for his friends, Ivy and Arthur.  I am so glad that the next generation of this great family are becoming good friends.

Grandma Camp

This year for Grandma Camp, we planned activities around books I read to the boys.  Our favorite was "If You Give A Moose a Muffin".  We read the book, learned a moose song, made a moose with our footprints, and baked muffins to enjoy for a snack.  Both Joshua and Kent wanted to stir the batter and pour it into the muffin tins.  They did a really good job.

We also read a book called "Who Pooped in the Park?" that I borrowed from a friend after our trip to Yellowstone.  Joshua thought it was especially funny to talk about 'poop'.  He is a true boy!!  We went the the Chico Nature Center with Aunt Melanie and Aunt Amanda and saw lots of animals and their 'poop'.  Then we came home and put together a puzzle of animals.

   I love spending time with these beautiful boys and look forward to many years of Grandma Camp!

"Sleeping" at Grandma's

Wedding Day!!

February 18th, 2012...Melanie Rae Nelson and Russell Mason Askey are sealed for time and all eternity in the Sacramento, CA Temple.  Many of our family members and many friends were able to join us for this sacred and wonderful occasion.  We thank each of them and we know that those who were not able to come were with us in spirit.  Melanie looked radiant!  Her grandpa, Marvin Nelson, was able to seal the couple.  This was the 9th sealing he was able to officiate for his grandchildren.  It is a wonderful experience to be in the temple with those we love. 
Following the sealing and pictures at the temple, we all headed back to Chico for the PARTY/reception.  We always have a good time dancing, visiting, and eating and this was no exception.  As he did with Melissa, Ray recorded himself singing the song that he and Melanie danced to.  It was amazing and there was not a bit of noise as everyone looked on and listened to the traditional daddy/daughter dance.  I think there were many wet eyes when it was over, including mine. 

First Comes Love...

Melanie was home from her mission all of a couple weeks when she began dating Russell Askey.  The first time Russell came to our home...they were not dating yet...I knew something was in the air, a kind of electricity.  Melanie might not have known it at the time, but I knew just where this relationship was headed.  After a very short dating life, it turned out I was right.  They will be married February 18, 2012 in the Sacramento Temple.  Russ is a great guy who makes Melanie very happy and that in turn makes me very happy.

Lyle turns 23

Blowin' out the candles on his birthday cake!

What's this?  A Slinky!!

Oh, oh, oh...

It's a goldfish for our goldfish bowl.

Here is a very special gift.  Brooke compiled all of Lyle's letters and many of his pictures from his mission and made them into a book for him.  What a wonderful way to capture those special mission memories.  I am glad I saved all his emails, letters and pictures so that he could have this great keepsake.

A Month of Gratitude: The Musings of my Grateful Heart

1.  I am grateful for wonderful parents who brought me into this world, raised me with love and discipline; taught me about right and wrong; and support me still with the memories of their love for me.
2.  What is a good husband? MINE - The man who loves me, helps me, honors his priesthood and me and so much more...
3. Oh the fruit of my loins, those beautiful children I gave birth to - Melissa, strong of spirit, smart, and loving; Amanda, gentle, kind, and a lesson in patience; Kari, sensitive, athletic, and the best hugger in the world; Melanie, independent, playful, "I love you the most, I win!!"(an inside thing); Lyle, my boy, my one and only boy, loyal, loving, and a tease :), and Hannah, last but not least, caring, sweet, tender, where would I be without each of you...
4.  In-law children; Bob, you were the first, were you good enough for our beautiful daughter?  A million times over, YES!!  You are a wonderful husband and father and because you make our daughter happy, you make me happy.  Brooke, oh so quiet when first we met, the mere mention of your name lights up my son's face and now your laughter lights up our lives.  I am thankful for the beautiful woman, inside and out, that you are.  You will always be my favorite daughter-in-law!  And now a new son-in-law, Russell.  Who would have thought that Melanie coming home sick from her mission would lead to marriage so quickly and with someone as fine as you.  I am grateful for all of you and our increased family!
5.  Grandchildren!!  I have always loved, loved, loved being a mom!  People would gush over their grandchildren and I would think that was nice, but nothing could be better than being a mom...something could-grandkids...Josh and Kent keep me young and excited for life!
6.  Good friends...some I have known all my life and some for just a few years but all add dimension, happiness, wisdom, and joy to my life.
7.  Extended family...I know some marry into families that aren't so great but I have been blessed to marry into a supportive, loving family.  I know someone always has my back..I love you all!
8.  The gospel of Jesus Christ and a knowledge and testimony that I have a Savior all of which are an important part of who I am.
9.  I'm thankful for a soft bed, warm blanket, and a good night's sleep.  It always makes the next day easier to live.
10.  I'm grateful to have the ability to care for and have compassion for the aged, my life has been blessed indeed because of the opportunities I have had to give such care.
11.  I'm thankful for modern medicine.
12.  I'm grateful for a car so I can go to see all those I love whenever I can.  It makes me really glad that I didn't live in the days of wagons where distance made it difficult to be with the ones you love.
13.  I love, love, love rocky road ice cream...it can make difficult times sweeter.
14.  My pets...and the unconditional love they give.
15.  I am so glad I can read...reading can transport me to any place, any time.  It can teach me, comfort me, encourage me...
16.  I am thankful for my husband's job! 
17.  I am grateful for the new floor in my house and for the help of our children in getting it put in.  It makes me feel good to walk in the door and know that our ability to work together makes all things possible.
18.  I am thankful for my second set of parents - Ray's mom and dad who treat me like their own.
19.  I am thankful that we get to spend Christmas all together at a cabin this year.
20.  I have been blessed to take some wonderful vacations...I love a good time.
21.  Family reunions....if you've been to one of ours, you know why it is a blessing in my life and one I am truly grateful for.
22.  Connecting with friends over Facebook.  Not long before my dad passed, I connected with a friend from high school.  His encouragement, support and love saw me through a very difficult time.  Thanks, Bert!
23.  I am thankful there are people who want to do pedicures and manicures...and I love pedicures!
24.  I am thankful for Hannah's willingness to cook dinner!!
25.  Money...lets face it, money makes so many things easier and I am thankful we have enough for our needs with a little left over for our wants.
26.  Temples and forever families...I want to be with my own family and the Lord has shown me how.
27.  A clean house...always one of the best gifts from my children and husband.  A clean house helps me have a clear mind.
28.  Breakfast in bed, cold bacon and all, on Mother's day morning.
29.  Kari's funny dances and songs...they always bring a smile and make me glad she is mine.
30.  I am thankful for my home and for the gatherings we have here, the warmth we share, the games we play, the laughter that flows easily and even for the troubles we sometimes have, because as we come together, our love is increased, our joy overflows, and all things are possible...because we are FAMILY.