President Monson

I have had this picture sitting in my email for about a month now. It's probably time to get it posted. This was taken on the day of Pat's funeral. President Monson came to the funeral and spoke at the end. He and Pat were good friends. He and Sherry would go to plays with President Monson and his wife and Pat would always send him a new tie for each General Conference. So it was a wonderful thing when he came to speak. I know it was a great comfort to Sherry. After the funeral, as he was leaving, some of the grandkids must have walked over to his car. A family member (Rachel Orison, I think.....) was able to get some pictures. I don't know where all the other adults were but we are so glad we have this picture along with a couple others-even if Indy is pulling a weird face!

More Preference pictures

Adam, Dalton, Montana, Mo

The girls waiting at the restaurant. It was a masquerade ball, hence the painted-on masks.

Preference 2011

Last night was Orem's Preference dance. As of Tuesday, Montana wasn't even going. Then Tuesday night, at the stake fireside, she saw Dalton Stanger and realized that he would be a fun person to ask. Wednesday at school she found out that she had been made royalty for the dance. At that point she knew she needed a date quick! So she did ask Dalton.

This was an easy dance as far as preparation. No flowers, no buying a new dress, no making appointments for hair and makeup and not even a day date. I was actually lucky to get the two photos I did! The girls were running late of course but they looked beautiful. Can't wait to hear how the evening went.

The Grand Adventure

The Las Vegas skyline courtesy of Emerson and her new camera.

While we were at the ranch for Christmas, the Nielson girls kept talking about the fun New Year's Eve stake dance that they were going to go to. That started Montana's brain thinking. Then Darin suggested we all head to Laguna for New Year's. And, before we knew it, the kids were planning it all out. So Kurt and I talked it over on our drive home from Grover. Kurt had to work so he couldn't go. And I didn't want to leave Kurt home alone for a week knowing he would be traveling for work the whole next week. Eventually we decided that Montana could drive all the kids to Laguna herself........... Yes, we were(are) slightly crazy. So Tuesday afternoon the kids packed up the little red Jetta and headed out the door. They were giddy with excitement! (A little hiccup almost foiled the trip. Montana's car was spewing black smoke out the exhaust only the night before. Thanks heavens for easy fixes because the plan was back on track by mid-morning Tuesday.)

Their first stop was Las Vegas Tuesday night to stay with Kam and Katherine. The next morning they were on their way in to Laguna. It was a slightly tense 24 hours waiting for the next phone call confirming that all was well. But they did it and I'm so proud of them.

They went to the beach, went paddleboarding and had a great time hanging out with cousins. Thank goodness for super aunts and uncles who were willing to put them up all those days! I think this will be an adventure they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Birthday Boy

Today is Kurt's birthday. He started his day by waking up at 4 a.m. to get to the airport to catch an early flight to Orange County for work. Not so fun. So while he may be spending his birthday in a warmer place, he will not be celebrating with us! So we had his birthday dinner and opened presents last night.

He wanted "truck stop" breakfast for dinner. Yes, those are eggs and, yes, that is bacon grease.

Gross and oh so delicious all at the same time.

Buttermilk pancakes.

Bacon, duh, of course.

Plate-sized buttermilk pancakes!

Happy Birthday Kurt!

We love you!

2011

Though 2010 was not the best of years, we do have so many great memories from the past 12 months. Our family is looking forward to plenty of exciting things in the year to come!