McKenzie's Birthday

Our cute little granddaughter McKenzie had her eighth birthday on Jan. 7th. She is so excited to be eight years old because she is going to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints later this month. This is a big event in her life. We gave her some jewelery, a little coin purse, and a baptism book.

December 2009

After being away from home other than one day from the 12th to the 29th of November, I had a lot of catching up to do. The first thing I needed to get out of the way was the Ward Christmas party on the 8th. I am on the activities committee and was put in charge of the food. We had roast beef, baked potatoes, corn, a fruit salad, and an assortment of desserts. We had about 250 people in attendance but the way we set things up, we were able to have four serving lines. Everyone got their food quickly. Besides being in charge of the food, I was in the ward choir that performed for the program. Whenever I get that busy I might as well not even eat, because I just don't enjoy it. I was a great relief to have that over with.

I included this picture to show the new kind of beauty we have near our home when winter replaces autumn. As we were driving around the lake, I was astonished by the beauty of the reflection of the mountain in the lake. It is one of those pictures that you can't tell which side is up.

I know you will think I have no brains when I say that I volunteered to have the Relief Society come to my home as a part of the Christmas home tour. As of December 8th, I had not put up one Christmas decoration and the home tour was scheduled for the 17th. I had to take some fast action. The hardest thing for me is deciding where to put everything. I ended up trying some new things that I really liked. I took pictures so that next year I don't have to think about where I will put things. I have also packed all my Christmas decorations away according to the room they will go in. The next three pictures show the new placement of my decorations. Steve liked the finished product.

I enjoyed attending the Christmas program at the elementary school where my grandchildren attend. Allison sang a Christmas song that she wrote at the request of her choir teacher. You can listen to her song at this web sight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwQdljmtNpA.

The kids at her school loved it.

Allison is on the top row, forth one in from the left.

Carter also sang in the choir. He is on the middle row, second in from the right.

We had family and some friends over on Christmas Eve for dinner and a traditional Christmas program. We showed a video from The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints on the Nativity while Steve read the Luke II account from the scriptures. We also showed a DVD story about how the song "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" was written with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the song. Allison sang "Jesus Was No Ordinary Man" by Janice Kapp Perry. There was a good spirit and afterward, everyone opened some gifts. We had a fun evening, but I was too busy to take pictures.

We had a great Christmas Day. Steve gave me some snow shoes and poles. Here is a picture of me snow shoeing. It is a close-up because I took the picture of myself. I went on a trail by the lake and had a great time, but I was physically wiped out for the rest of the day.

Reid Impersonating Aaron Neville

I really wanted to have these pictures of Reid on my Thanksgiving Day post, but I accidentally lost the picture and it was too much trouble to add it where I wanted it in my blog.

Reid performed some of the entertainment after dinner. He showed us what he did when he was on his business trip in Pennsylvania when he performed in a karaoke bar. He performed "Don't Know Much" by Aaron Neville. Reid was hilarious. He is definitely uninhibited.

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.