Christmas Cookies

December 16, 2008

Today I was the lucky one and got to tend my grandkids for the day! I love the fact that they are so close I get to tend.

While Talmage was at school and Sawyer was napping, Laine and I decided to make sugar cookies for Santa and her Daddy, and anyone else that happens to drop by (hint, hint). Things were going along great until the bowl on my Bosch mixer fell apart!! I can't believe it would break the week before Christmas, it's only about 20+ years old!! But we continued....doing it the old fashioned way...by hand! Laine is really alot of help!

Laine rolled and cut out lots of cookies, especially little gingerbread boys and girls! They will be really fun to frost!?

Sawyer loved being able to help too! and he is really alot of help!:)

Marie and Talmage came after Talmage got home from school, so now it's his turn to create. He seems to like the gingerbread boy, especially the small one! (might have to hide the little cookie cutters before next time?)

Now, for the fun part!! Frosting and sprinkles and decorating...we had LOTS of fun with LOTS of sprinkles...and lots of taste testing!

Look at our finished cookies!! You are all invited for cookies.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish all of you out there...somewhere...a very Happy Thanksgiving. We hope you are spending time with family and friends. We are truly blessed as a family and are looking forward to having family here with us. My perfect day would be that ALL of our families could be together, but reality is...we have to share and take turns. We love all of our families and hope you all have a terrific day and eat to your hearts content and be sure to count your blessings. We have so many blessings to be grateful for, our Heavenly Father has poured out blessings to us in abundance. Stay happy, Stay healthy, Stay safe, and stay in the arms of those you love.

Escape!

November 6-9, 2008



We escaped from it all with the Hiskey's and took a 4 day road trip. 1300 miles, lots of open spaces between here, Hite, Moqui Dugway, Mexican Hat and then to Flagstaff the first day.










Day 2 We headed toward Sedona, AZ, Prescott, and ended up at Lake Havasu. This day was incredibly long!! The roads were very twisty and turning as we climbed up one mountain and then down another. The worst part about it was I got terribly car sick on the way to Sedona and spent the day telling Richard to pull over so I could....well, you know. Not such a fun day for me and I'm sure not so much fun for the other 3 who had to put up with me and my yucks! We finally made it to Lake Havasu and the day came to an end. Thank Goodness.





Day 3 We spent the day wandering around the London Bridge and enjoying being tourists. We walked under and over the bridge. It's an amazing stucture and to think they moved it here piece by piece! We took a paddle boat ride around the island on the "Dixie Bell". Life is really good, (especially when you feel good!) After spending most of the day here we headed for Las Vegas...seeking our fortunes...just kidding. The closest we came was dinner at the buffet in the Sunset Casino, didn't even drop a nickel!










A game of Golf while we wait to set sail.


Day 4 All good things must come to an end...but we still have today, even though we are headed for home. The Vetenam Memorial Wall was set up in Henderson, so we decided to check it out. The weather was cold and rainy which added to the somberness of the display. What an emotional experience. With the help of the volunteer, Dennis and Richard looked up a classmate from home that lost his life in the war. Dennis made a pencil rub of his name. It was a humbling experience for all of us, but especially Dennis who served in the war. There was a display of pictures, uniforms, equipment and Dennis told us about the helicopters and explained alot of the pictures to us. Thanks, for sharing your knowledge and memories Dennis.







We loaded up and headed for the Hoover Dam. Another amazing structure! We wandered over it but not under...pretty incredible! Then it was on to Lake Mead, St. George and home.



We had a great time. We always do when we spend time with Dennis and Maridee, they are the best friends ever!! Love you guys!

Birthday Weekend!

October 17, 2008
Happy Birthday Teona Ann

Teona Ann was home for her birthday weekend. We always have such a great time when we are all together. Talmage and Laine had a sleepover on Thurs night so Teona Ann woke up to excited kids. Brandon picked up the kids about 11:00 and Sis and I headed for Richfield for an afternoon of shopping and lunch. We had lunch at the Rice Buffet and then shopped, shopped, shopped. Teona Ann found LOTs of cute clothes with her birthday $$. We headed for home to make homemade pizza and party with the family.

We spent too long shopping so instead of a cake she got a "store bought" pumpkin roll. The grandkids made sure there were enough candles on it to create a good flame. They also had a great time helping or just beating Teona Ann in blowing out the candles. Brandon to the rescue!

Life is good when you spend it with family.

October 18, 2008
Talmage's Birthday Party

Talmage had his birthday party this weekend while Aunt Nona was home. It was a "Knight" party and we were to come as princess' and knights and be prepared for a sword fight.

Once everyone was equipped with swords and shields we headed outside for pictures and all of a sudden a Black Knight appeared to ruin the party. A sword fight brought about a good ending.

The young Knight conquered over the black Knight and saved us all. Brandon and Marie always are so creative with the birthday parties, we had lots of fun.

There were plenty of "beautiful Princess', one "old" King, one Black Knight and our hero...the Birthday Knight!

Richard's Birthday!

September 22, 2008

We had a small birthday party for Richard for his 58th birthday! Wow, he's getting old! but that means retirement is getting closer. Brandon, Marie, Talmage, Laine, Sawyer and Grandma Jensen came out for dinner. Dinner was good but the best part, of course, is presents and cake! The kids helped me put the candles on the cake....not nearly enough but we didn't want the smoke alarm going off!



Birthday spankings are a must too! Good job kids!



Grandpa had lots of help opening presents. Everyone wants to be in on the action!



Look at those flames!! Blow hard Grandpa! We better help you!



Sawyer helped get the candles off the cake...oops a little cake came too! Isn't he cute!!



Laine and Talmage are going to get in on the action too!



Here Grandma...it's really good!







They are the cutest grandkids in the whole world! This is what makes our life complete, having family close around and close in thoughts. We love our family so very much.

Fun at the Fallows

September 20, 2008



Ray and Jennae hosted a family party at their home in Kaysville and as always they were exceptional hosts. Kandice and Tim, Jackson and Tyler were here from Maryland which meant we had to party! We were all excited to meet Tyler, what a cutie! Most of the Nelson family was there and it was great to spend time together.



The cousins had a great time laughing and talking and catching up on what's been happening. Zion is growing as we now have 3 new babies coming into the Nelson family. YEH!





One thing about the Nelson family....we love to eat! We never get together without a good meal. Lots of conversation and laughter.

State Fair

Friday, Sept 12

Richard and Dennis had to work the fish pond (real live fish) for the DWR so they invited their wives to spend the day with them at the State Fair. We had a great time, we always do, we just don't spend enough time with our best friends. We strolled around the fair for a couple of hours before the guys had to man their pond. Maridee and I then spent more time wandering around and enjoying the sights. I haven't been to the State Fair for lots of years, probably since Ryan's bug collection was in the 4-H display! Maridee had never been so it was great.










Teona Ann joined us after she got off work. Yeh! We did some "fair" shopping, there are always bags to look at! After the guys were through with their fish pond we treated ourselves to some traditional fair food. Teona Ann introduced us to "funnel cake"!! Yummy! We had a great time, but we are getting to old to stay in the city until 9:00 pm and then drive home.