Wedding for Jordan and Nikole

The evening before Jordan and Nikole were married Tim and I tried to help set up. Nikoles family had things well under control. But, it gave me a good chance to take this picture of them the night before the wedding and meet some more of her great relatives.

The next morning we arrived to the temple and watched Jordan and Nikole be sealed for time and all eternity! It was a beautiful ceremony. Nikole is beautiful and Jordan is handsome. I just don't have any more pictures on my camera of them. Look at Hilary or Tai's blog for that. I am so pathetic when it comes to what to take pictures of.

This is a picture of just a few of the incredible people from our family who came to be there for Jordan and Nikole. Far left in the sunglasses is Nancy, Sheila, Kathie, Sherryl, Becky, Marilyn and Arlene. These are all women who have been a great influence in my life. I would not like to live without them. Any one who knows any of them would agree.

Sweet McKenzie giving her grandpa a huge hug. Can a grandparent get too many of these? No!

Cute little cousins playing together out in the sunshine! Kailie, Rylee and Lana. They were just walking around in circles...so cute.

All 8 of Tim and I's grandchildren with their great-grandmother...Tim's mom. They were looking directly into the sun and it was a little difficult. They are darned cute! I submit I have the cutest grandchildren, anywhere.

Brielle spinning and dancing. Do you love the pictures of the Bride and Groom? It took so long for them to get outside, and, somehow I quit taking pictures and expected the photographer to take over. The rest of the day was wonderful. I was told, and I believe it to be true, Friday was the only day it hasn't rained in our area since June 1st. Saturday and today it rained, also. It is a day to remember for many reasons. I am grateful for my children...all of them. They all married people I love and admire. They are giving me these great grandchildren and fabulous husband.

Have a great day!

Zion National Park

Another quick post without pictures. I was so proud of myself that I remembered to grab my camera to take with us to Zion national Park. I knew we would get great photos and ones people would want to see and comment on. Tim and I left by 10:00 in the morning to get down there early. We ended up stopping often and taking our sweet time getting there. We ate at one of our favorite restaurants in Provo...and stopped about 5 more times. It was fun. Usually we get in the car and get to our destination as quick as possible. When we got to the park we were amazed at the road, mountains, rocks, and everything about the area. Wow! I am going to get great pictures! I got my camera out to take my first picture, I turned on the camera, and then I saw the notice...no card. Can you believe it? But really. Go to Zion National Park. Plan on staying a few days to hike and look. Wow!
It was a great reunion. I love seeing my family, all of them. They are incredible people. The all have their strengths and I look up to them for a variety of reasons.

Concert

Sorry, no pictures with this one. But there is a funny story, does that count? 15 years ago Tim and I ordered CD's from a company. We were getting them free. Somehow we got a CD by an artist we had never heard of. Tim and I looked at it and didn't know what to do with it. It was free so we really didn't want to spend time and money to send it back. A friend came over and I was showing her the CD and I asked her if she had ever heard of him. She said she really liked him and I gave it to her. After all, he is a country western singer. She took it and then Hilary began listening to country. Then we knew who Collin Raye was. I like his music. Later on we bought the CD we gave away. Yesterday I was preparing to go to a family reunion today. I got a phone call from Tim and he asked me if I would like to go to a concert later in the evening. I said that I had too much to do. He then said I should hear who was the singer. Yup, it was Collin Raye, the only singer I would like to go to a concert of. We went and had a fun time.

Tennessee connection

Andrew wrote in a letter several months ago about some really super people he met in Tennessee, where he is serving his mission. He told us they were coming to Utah for a vacation because they are both from this area. Saturday evening they came for dinner. We think they are great people. He is going to University of Tennessee for his doctorate in math and she teaches grade school music. They are incredible people. She is fighting a form of cancer and treatments aren't going as expected. They dated while she was bald and going through chemo treatments. They loved each other enough to not let anything get in their way of marriage. We are grateful they stopped by and say hello.

Catching up time!

Three weeks ago Brooke did my hair. As she was coloring it we discussed what to do with the length. I showed her some pictures of hair styles and she looked at them. She then shut the magazine cover up and when the coloring process was done she cut away. It has taken a few weeks to get use to short hair.

I was in a hurry to get this picture, that is why it is so blurry. This is the first time my two grandsons played together. It only lasted a few moments. Maybe they will start being pals. Hayden could lead Isaak into some great adventures.

Jordan and Nikole went through several photo albums and loose pictures to find what they wanted to put in their wedding video. I can't wait to see the finished product. Mike and Jordan are doing the video together.

Jordan and Nikole...aren't they cute together? The wedding will be fabulous.

Sunday night we played a fun game with Jordan, Nikole, Tai, and Mike. It is called "Five Crowns." We highly recommend it. Or you can come play it with us! The little girls got a little tired. Brielle climbed up on a dining chair and fell asleep by me. I thought it was so cute.

I climbed under the table to get this last picture. After we took the pictures we moved her to a rocking chair. She slept there all night. It was pretty darn cute!

Wicked with Brooke and Sara

9 months ago Sara enlightened us on the coming of a new play called, "Wicked". I had heard about the play from her a few years before. I thought it sounded boring. After all, how could it compete with "The Wizard of Oz"? Because I didn't want to appear like I was a stuck in the mud kind of girl I acted all excited to go when Sara offered to get our tickets. She had some wonderful connection through her mom. Brooke and I asked her to get us some since our husbands didn't want to go. So this is our wicked girls night out date. We began by going shopping and walking around. I think we wore out our pregnant shopper.

You tell me...does she look worn out? At this store you can try their foot massager but since she is pregnant they said she couldn't use it. Sara and I browsed the store while Brooke took a 5 minute break.

Then off to dinner! We decided on Olive Garden since it was across the street from the theatre. We had to wait for a few minutes. While waiting for our table our fourth member of our party arrived. Brooke and I shared a meal and Sara and Natalie shared a meal so we could feel guilt free to order desserts! Yummy! For some reason we got one of our desserts free. It's because the head waiter asked Sara if he could have a bite. Without blinking an eye Sara offered him her fork! I guess it was only a test and she passed with flying colors. After dessert we rolled our bodies to Wicked!

Natalie, Brooke and Sara were having fun in this cool chair, so, it became a picture moment.

After the show we got a stranger to take a group shot for us. I loved the show. I think in many ways I liked it better than "Phantom" or "Les Miserables", and you know how good they both are! Sara wouldn't tell us the entire story line and I am glad. I think maybe I liked it so much because I expected nothing and was pleasantly surprised. I sang the songs in my head all night and woke up with them still swirling around. I played them in my car all day today, too. Thanks again, Sara! I would recommend it to anyone.

In my Easter Bonnet

Yesterday was Easter. A day to celebrate for many reasons. Obviously the most important reason is for the life, death, resurrection and atonement of Jesus Christ. But, on a more personal note, a day to spend with family. If you don't know, Jordan is marrying Nikole Clements on June 19. She is sitting here with her future sister-in-laws and cousin, Angela. It was so cute seeing the girls together!

Here we have all the males in the family (except Andrew who is in Tennessee still). Isaak was almost asleep in his dad's arms so we had all the guys gather around him. We had to just about tackle Hayden to get in some pictures. Pictures are so dumb when he has cousins to play with!

Kailie and Rylee! So cute together! They love being together...

...and being goofy!

Then Kenzie decided to join in on the fun play time in front of the camera!

All of the granddaughters in one spot...for a short moment. Kate didn't want to get her picture taken too much. She wanted to wander!

Angela came up for a few hours. Angela is my niece and is almost like a sister to Hilary, Tai, and Brooke. She is a beautiful, kind, loving, smart, sweet, etc. girl. The little girls wanted her to hold her all the time. Kenzie was watching for her to arrive! She was so glad to have her come. Thanks for coming Angela. Come again, soon!

I made the couples pose for pictures. Hilary and Bill. They have a wonderful sense of humor. They know how to laugh, play games and see humor in the craziest situations.

Jordan and Nikole...the engaged couple. Nikole is a cutie! Hope she likes being in the family as much as we enjoy having her. When they are around I feel at peace. That sounds boring, and they are full of life and fun, but, there is still a wonderful sense of peacefulness. Welcome to the family Nikole. Good job Jordan!

Tai and Mike...cute couple. They actually don't seem to mind hanging around with us. We love talking to them and playing games with them. We are game playing folk...anyone want to play Phase 10?

Brooke and Andy...Fabulous couple. They are expecting their first baby in June. They look cute as an expectant couple. They stayed later than anyone else last evening and played a game with Tim and I.

It was a wonderful day. I have been given so much. I have been extremely blessed with a grand family, handsome husband, warm home, food, the gospel, health, brothers and sisters (in-laws, also) and more than you would want to read about.

Hope you have a great day and week. Until I write again...God be with you.