Summer Fun With Grandchildren

We had brief visits from Shanda's children in August and again in September and enjoyed having time with them so much.

Little Lola - age 1 year 4 months old is sitting at my sewing area watching TV and entertaining herself with the things around.

Jasper - age 4 - thought playing games on my Kindle was the best way to spend his time.

Talia - age 7 and Milo - age 6 were creating things with the Tinker Toys.

I couldn't resist this picture of Lola in the rocking chair.  They have one just like it at home in Colorado Springs so she felt right at home.

September 21st - Utah Wards didn't hold any Sunday meetings but make the Ogden Temple re-dedication available to all members 8 years and older.  We felt it was important for our children and grandchildren to be able to attend so we offered to have those children under 8 at our house during the meeting.  When they come to our house, because Papa (Garth) loves ice cream and usually has it on hand, they usually ask for ice cream the this Sunday was no exception.  They were on our deck eating it and when the littlest one - Soren - decided to climb in the picnic cupboard that Garth created out of extra lumber he had from our patio job in Springville, the others had to join him.
Back: Kasen Brown and Mitchell Harding. Front: Soren Brown, Eve Harding & Nyah Brown.

For the Hickman's first visit in August, I made Jasper a Hiccup costume for his birthday and for him to wear this Halloween.  This is from the kids' show, "How to Train a Dragon".  Doesn't he look adorable?

This isn't a good picture of Milo but I made him the dragon costume from the same movie and this pictures shows it best.  It was made from a hoodie jacket with eyes on the hood and a tail attached to the back.  Wings were separate and the pants had toes on the bottom of the feet. 

August was also Stephanie's birthday and we were able to have her and Max here for dinner.  They are such a darling couple!

Labor Day became a work day for the Browns and Hardings as they came and helped us remove grass in the strip in front of our house and replace the grass with rocks.

Here are the Harding boys - Mitchell, Marcus, Sheridan and Caleb enjoying Brunch afterwards

This is part of the work party - Guy and Sheridan are carrying buckets of rocks from our back yard to the front.

Mitchell and Kasen did their share and are carrying clumps of grass down to be placed on the hillside

Drake Hansen wanted to make himself a Dr. Who coat and asked  if I would help here.  Here he is using my sewing machine and doing a very good job of sewing.













Addie Brown wanted to be involved in Drake's project and have a little time with us so she is helping by pinning things for Drake to sew.

Here is Drake looking handsome in his newly made Dr Who coat.
























The summer wouldn't have been
complete without a visit from our Michigan grandchildren.

Dana had been on the Trek this year and was interested in her ancestors so we went with them to Ogden and visited the cemetery where Garth's Great grandfather and the children's great great grandfather, Hans C. Hansen was buried. His cousin Darrell Hansen was good enough to go with us to show them around. 
                                                                    Garth,  Darrell,  Dana, Jenny and Paxton Hansen

This picture was taken the last time we saw them before they left for home. 

Dana, Shelby (attending Weber Univ), Jenny, Paxton and Thayne
           Hansen






THERE IS NOTHING GREATER THAN FAMILY AND WE ARE SO BLESSED!

Our Newest Grandson

Aden Grant Halterman born July 7, 2014 to Kendra and Barry Halterman who live in Phoenix, Arizona

He has 4 older brothers and sisters

Kira was at girls' camp but Trenton, Alec and Tessa are doing their best to enjoy themselves.

Rosie Chandler, a special friend of the Haltermans is getting acquainted with Aden

This is quite the snow cone maker that the Chandlers have

Two "wet" children - Tessa and Alec, huddle in a blanket even though it is 110 degrees outside.

The crib is ready for the new little boy

Tessa and Alec take over my Kindle and my computer to play games

There's nothing like a big sister (Kira) to help take care of this new little one

I am enjoying holding my little grandson

Nielson Reunion at Pine Valley

On our way South, we stopped at Beaver for lunch and to get ice cream and let the children run a little

Talia Hickman loved this old tree

And Jasper Hickman had to climb up as well

Our major assignment was to do the Patriotic program on the morning of the 4th.

To add a bit of color, I made vests for our grandchildren and Garth bought them each a flag.


Addie Brown is helping her little brother Soren march around to the music.

Nyah Brown is loving the attention and the chance to march around with her own flags

Marcus Harding and Gavin Hickman join in the fun

Addie and Soren Brown and Drake Hansen

My Brown grandchildren - Soren, Addie, Nyah and Kasen  -  Thanks for all your help!

For some reason Jasper Hickman decided this was the best place to be

Milo and Talia Hickman, Nyah and Addie Brown  with Jasper Hickman in his favorite place

I'm back by the tree, and Shanda and Serena are helping the children with a song.  

Addie represented the Goddess of Liberty

And Kasen was Uncle Sam



All in all, I felt we had a very successful program with some narration and lots of singing of Patriotic songs

Addie, Marenda, Sam and Soren Brown at Serena's camp site.

The Three Musketeers - Drake Hansen, Marcus Harding & Gavin Hickman - as they "patiently" wait for lunch

Blair is catching a little rest















Serena is preparing the lunch for our family

Serena & Blair's truck at their camp site

The Hickmans' and Browns' tents and camp area. 

Early birthday for our "baby" - Shanda Hansen Hickman

Reunion time for Our Family

Prior to the Nielson Reunion in Pine Valley, some of our family met for a couples' only dinner at Deren and Liz's place.  It was wonderful to be with some of our children again for a short time.

Sam and Marenda Brown - Orem, Utah








Preston and Shanda Hickman from Colorado Springs, Colorado

Blair and Serena Rosenhan who drove out all the way from Waterford, Michigan

Brian and Kerali Reynolds - on home leave from his position at the Embassy in Frankfort, Germany

Deren and Liz Hansen - Provo, Utah - who graciously invited us to their home for the event.

Trina and Guy Harding - Provo, Utah

Janice and Garth Hansen - Parents of this special group of people

A Wonderful Wedding

On June 13, 2014 we were privileged to witness the marriage of Randy Beatty and Ross Gregerson in the St. George Temple.

Randie looks lovely in the dress that her mother, my sweet sister Quinta, bought for her some years ago in anticipation of this glorious day!

Ross and Randie with Randie's two sons -Klyn and Cory

Brad, Melodie and Randie with Ross and his sister.

What a special time to be able to be with my two special nieces - Randie and Melodie on this special occasion

All of Randie's aunts and uncles on our side of the family support her on this special day.  What you don't see is her angel mother and father who are also with this group.