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.