Ft. Bragg Camping Trip 2009

We went to Ft. Bragg with the Atkin family, and the Doughman family. Melissa, Bob, Joshua, and Kari joined us for the last three days we were there. We watched fireworks over the ocean on the 3rd of July. Unfortunately the fog rolled in and all we saw were flashes of light on the fog. There was a radio simulcast, however, that was pretty funny. At one point the announcer even said "Well, it sounds like a good show!" We laughed and laughed about that one. We didn't have hot showers most of the week but we made it through. This may be our last trip to McKerricher to camp because our state is threatening to shut down many of the state parks. We have made many memories with our friends and family and we will treasure them forever.

The Whole Gang

Sunbathing???

Papa & Joshua

Melanie has graduated from college! Yeah Melanie!! On April 10, 2009, we were priviledged to watch our third child(4th daughter) graduate from BYU Idaho. It was a wonderful experience. We drove and drove to get there and loved every minute of our time in Rexburg. We are glad Gma and Gpa were able to come share in this special time, as well.

As I sit here reflecting on Melanie's accomplishment, I am led to think about my own college experience. It was brief, just 2 years, and then I married and had 5 kids pretty quick with a 6th one later. Now 3 of my kids have graduated and are better educated than their mom. I might not have much book learning, but I have a lot of life experience to draw upon and it has shown me that knowledge is a good thing, but wisdom is better. The keynote speaker at graduation talked about this. Wisdom is sometimes lost when we seek knowledge; knowledge is lost in all the information out there; so it is important to seek wisdom because that will always get us through and keep us on the right path in life. I treasure the wisdom I have gained in this life. Someday I may have a college degree, but until I do, I will bask in the accomplishments of my children and keep seeking wisdom.

Disneyland!!

The happiest place on earth is Disneyland, so they say, and I have to say that I can be very happy there when I am with my family on a spur of the moment vacation. This year Disneyland is letting you into the park free on your birthday and so we decided to celebrate Ray's birthday by going to So. California for a whirlwind trip. We took Hannah and Katianne and spent 3 fun-filled days riding our favorite rides, watching parades, and eating some really good food at the Hungry Bear. We enjoyed frozen lemonades, popcorn, churros and other great junk food, but most of all, we enjoyed being with each other and relaxing from the stresses of daily living. When we weren't at the park, we spent time with Mom & Dad Nelson and Keith & Vickie. We played games, ate more good food and talked, talked, talked. It was a great way to spend the first weekend in February.

Happy New Year!! O.k., I know it is half way through January already, but it is still a new year and I am happy for it! We had the most awesome day on Friday when we went to Sacramento and met up with the Whetten's who had picked Sean up from his mission just the day before. We spent time in the temple with them, went out to lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory, and walked around Old Sacramento where Sean showed us a great candy place that gave out free samples. This weekend we also got some new photos from Portugal. Sister Lyman sent us some shots of the fireworks they set off on Madeira, one of which I have included and some more pictures of our elder. He looks good. Happy New Year everyone.

Hats, Hats, Hats!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This year for Christmas, our missionary, Lyle, sent us all these great hats from Madeira. We just had to pose with them on. We actually wore them when we went to look at Christmas lights one night. There is this great house that you have to get out of the car and walk around because it has so many neat things to see. The weather was freezing and our hats kept us nice and warm. Of course our jackets and gloves helped as well...
We spent the holiday with our kids, grandson, my parents, and my sister. We ate and ate and ate and we STILL have food around. We played almost all our new games - Pictionary, Don't Forget the Lyrics, Trivial Pursuit 80's, Beatles Monopoly - we napped, and we even sang some Christmas carols. We also revealed our Secret Santa's, a tradition we have been sharing with our neighbors, Geri and Kirk Clements and family, for about 7 or 8 years. We enjoyed the story of the birth of our Savior shared once again by our children and we marveled at the love and blessings we have. It has been a truly blessed year.

Elder Nelson turns 20.

Elder Nelson(Lyle) turned 20 on Nov. 28. He is currently serving on the island of Madeira and the missionaries in his area have been 'adopted' by a couple living there from Provo, Utah. Brother Chrisman sent me an email with this picture of Lyle on his birthday. The missionaries in his area gave him a surprise birthday party, the Chrisman's baked him a cake, and I am comforted knowing he was loved and appreciated on this most special day. I am so grateful I have a son who can serve the Lord faithfully and share the gospel with God's children. My life has been blessed because of my son's service. Thank you, Lyle. I love you!

It's December!! The lights are up on the house and we've decorated inside and out. Joshua is enjoying our yard display of the nativity. Christmas music is playing and there is just a wee bit more shopping to do before I can settle back and enjoy the season completely. I love this time of year. I love the smell of our Christmas tree in spite of the fact that it makes my eyes run and my throat itch (Ah, allergies!!!) and the sound of Bing Crosby singing my favorite carols. I love the games we play, the cookies we bake, decorating gingerbread houses, and doing Secret Santa's with our friends. But most of all I love celebrating the birth of our Savior and reflecting on the awesome love of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. My wish for this Christmas season is that we can all become a little closer to them and feel more completely the love they have for each of us. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!