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.

Our Garden Finally Takes Shape

We knew time was getting short if we wanted to have a garden this year so, as soon as other things were out of the way, we went to Lehi and got a truck load of brick.

The three grow boxes are in process here.

They are now finished and awaiting top soil and compost.

Before we dared plant anything we knew we had to put up a fence to keep our neighbors, the deer, from coming in and destroying everything.  Garth pounded in tall posts then put up a 7 foot high fence around our garden.

We made this terraced area into a garden last year but much of it is still too shaded so we are putting our tomatoes and other things that need the sun in the grow boxes and on the south side of the terraces.

As a birthday gift to me, we spent the day filling our grow boxes and planting tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, onions, kale, etc.  I had planted beets, carrots, radishes, zucchini and summer squash about a month ago.  Most of it has come up nicely and is just waiting for some good, warm weather to really start growing.

Two Recliner Chairs for Trina

Once the wedding was over and things had settled down, we picked up two recliner chairs that Trina had that badly needed recovering.

Fortunately, the tops come off and they are able to be done in two parts.

This is the top in a "before" picture.

The bottom in pieces

The bottom is finished except for the leg and foot rests.

The top is finished and ready to go back on.

AND THIS IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT!