California here I come...

Our Family Vacation to California

 

The first day we drove until we got to Barstow, California.  There really isn't much in Barstow...at least where we could see.  Many of the businesses were abandoned and not much to choose from to eat.  When we left the next day, we saw another part of town that looked like it was being revived. 

 

Our second day we took a detour and drove down to where Elder Jeremy Johnson is serving his mission.

 

We had made a poster and secretly decorated the apartment door and left many goodies for the Elders to eat.  It was pretty fun!

 

There were many windmills across the landscape.

 

At lunch time we stopped to go bowling.

 

We bowled two games and laughed a lot.

 

We drove the rest of the way to Fresno.  Most of the evenings the boys played games before bed.

 

We stopped at our first new temple- Fresno.

Surprising a Missionary

 On our vacation through California we happened to be staying relatively close to where our nephew/cousin is serving a mission.  For FHE we made a poster and wrote a letter.  We went a little out of our way to do this for Elder Johnson.  After decorating the door and leaving all of the treats, we sped away and imagined what his reaction would be when he found our surprise.  We had so much fun planning and sneaking and serving- we hope he liked it!

Ram Mall

Elijah worked hard to make a booth at school where he sold popcorn.  He "sold out" and had loads of fun!

Ordained a Teacher

Those who stood to ordain Noah a Teacher.

Turning 14

 Noah turned 14 years old and decided to go to the Pie for his birthday dinner.

 Ceremonial writing on the walls.

 He wanted an Angel Moroni cake. (Where do my kids come up with these ideas?)

I think it turned out pretty cool, but Noah LOVED it, and that is what counts.

A nightstand to remember

Josh made an awesome nightstand in his woodworking class this year.

Grandma Nelson's Funeral

I gave the Opening Prayer at the Funeral- something that I had never had the opportunity to do and it made me a little nervous. 

 Grandma must be smiling because so many of the people that she loves are all together at one time.

 Sara, Joseph, Andy, Ann, Ruth and Grandad

 930 Jefferson, Rock Springs, Wyoming-  This is where my grandparents lived and where my mother grew up.

Ruth, Ann and Sara on the steps in front of Grandma Nelson's former home.

My parents attended our church meetings with us today.  During Sunday School my Dad's phone rang rather loudly.  He answered it and handed it to my mother and told her to talk.  It was very distracting for the class and the teacher.  On the other end of the conversation- my aunt was explaining to my mom that her mother had just passed away this morning.  My mom was very calm and collected.  I found out what had just happened when I saw my dad writing it down in his planner.  We sat through the rest of class and another hour of classes.  I was very distracted, but I was glad I could be there for my mom.  We will miss you Grandma Nelson.

Granger Lancers- Say goodbye to the old, hello to the new

 We took a tour of Brad's old stomping grounds and he showed us his old lockers and classrooms.

We were impressed with the new school.