Thanksgiving Day in St. George

I was home from Arizona for only one day before we were to leave for St. George to spend Thanksgiving Day with my parents. All of my children and their families were able to come except Brooke and her family. Sixteen of us were there. When I told my mom a couple of months previous that we wanted to come down for Thanksgiving, they were over-joyed. I told them I would prepare the dinner, but she called me back a couple of days later and said that they wanted to have the dinner catered. They wanted us to be able to relax and visit and have a good time and not have to worry about preparing dinner. As you will see, we had a feast.

My parents had not met their newest great-grandchild, Hallie Kate, until they came for Thanksgiving. We could now take a four-generation picture with my mom (Evelyn), me (Nadine), my daughter Katie, and her daughter Hallie. That was a first for our family.

The gorgious, delicious food....

Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.

Proud Grandpa with his newest granddaughter.

After dinner, we sat aroud and visited.

Allison sang her new Christmas song.

McKenzie did some gymnastics routines.

Kerby did some stand-up comedy.

Jake also got in the act.

Everyone had a great time and all of us were especially grateful to Grandma and Grandpa Olsen for all they did to make this such a wonderful celebration. Thanks!!!

Babysitting grandchildren in Arizona

On November 12th I went to Brooke's house to babysit while she and Spencer took a much needed get=away to Jamaica. Brooke thinks I spoiled her children, but what is a Grandma to do when Isaac, the youngest, goes around the house whining in the most mournful voice, "Go bye-bye, go bye-bye..." Well, this Grandma took him on at least two walks a day and several times we ended up at the park. Isaac and Noah had a great time.

Noah is holding a ball. Both he and Isaac enjoy stomping in the water.

One night we went to a Cub Scout pack meeting to see Caden get his Bobcat award. He also participated in a flag raising ceremony.

I had a great time tending my grandchildren. I feel bad that I didn't get any pictures of Chase.

First Catch

Fishing is not my forte. I have only been fishing maybe four times in my life and two of those times was at a fish hatchery. I couldn't even catch a fish there. Steve decided I needed a successful experience with fishing so he took me to his favorite fishing spot in Wyoming. I can't say the exact spot or else the place would be over-run. Well, I can now say I have caught several fish and that is no fish story. You can see from the picture how big they are.

Maybe I'll go fishing again with success like this.

Allison singing at the Mormon Idol night.

Here is a picture of my adorable granddaughter, Allison. Last Thursday we went and viewed her sing as an invited guest at the Mormon Idol Contest awards night. She sang a song she wrote called "This Time." You can see her performance on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paoAnV9bTnw

You can also read more about the evening by going to www.mormonidol.com and clicking on the Arts and Entertainment heading and going to Music.

Autumn in Eden

Steve gave me a new camera for my birthday and since I haven't had any opportunities to use it, I decided to go out for a drive last Monday and take pictures. It is a beautiful time of year here.

Aren't those autumn colors simply breathtaking? We call it "eye candy."

Sailboat on Pineview.

Reflections on Pineview.

I hope you enjoy seeing the beauties that we enjoy each day.

Balloon Festival

Summer is beautiful up here in the Ogden Valley. Everyday we wake up to sunshine and blue skies. We definitely are spoiled. Right now, the temperatures are in the 80's. It is perfect. Last weekend there was a hot air balloon festival up here. The balloons are so beautiful as they dot the sky.



It's hard not to like it up here. It is a place of great contrasts. We have loads of snow in the winter, colorful autumn leaves in the fall, and beautiful pleasant summers.

Summer 2008

This summer has flown by since it has been so busy. We have had the birth of a new grandchild, a family reunion, and Reid's unexpected move up by us in Eden (the people he was renting from had to move back into their home and they gave Reid only a month's notice to move out.) We were able to find them a home in our ward. With them living close, I have been able to assist them in getting settled into their home. With them living so close, it has also given me the opportunity to spend more time with his children.

Reid's son, Carter making a big splash.

This picture has several of my grandchildren. Walking around the pool is McKenzie (Reid's daughter), Chase (Brooke's son) is getting in the pool and looking this way, In the middle is Jake and Allison (Reid's), and in the front on the ball with Aunt Kim is Noah (Brooke's).

Brooke's son Chase.

Brooke's boys, Caden and Noah.

It is sad to think that summer is almost over, but it has been a good one.