Lots of Fun Weekend

Garth and I are still recovering from a weekend of so much fun!  We were so excited to have our family together (minus a few now-and-then).  We used the Fall Break from school to spend this time with family.  It was one of only a few years when we didn't attend any UEA activity.  We had arranged to stay at one of our favorite places, the Staybridge hotel in West Valley City, which has the Grins and Fins swimming pool.  Barrett and his family also stayed there so we had enough swimming passes for everyone.  All of our grandchildren in the same pool at the same time!  So fun!  We then ordered pizza and bread sticks for the whole family and with permission from the hotel manager, we had the dining area for our dinner.  The grandkids were so good and well behaved.  Maybe it was because they were so tired from all their swimming!  They watched the TV while they ate and played together.

Lexi loved playing with the two babies.  Here she is with Isaac.  He is such a fun little guy!

Koy and Kayden watching TV in the hotel dining room while waiting for pizza.

Maxwell, Morgan, and Tyler were anxiously waiting for the food as well.

Grayson was happy with Daddy Dallas holding him. 

Aren't these kids so cute!

The next day my children appeased their mother and went to This Is The Place Heritage Park.  I've wanted to go here ever since my Great-Great-Grandfather's little cabin in Emery was moved to the park.  This turned out to be the perfect time to go.  Because it was just before Halloween, the park was ready with Halloween activities.  Children were encouraged to wear their costumes and given treats at several of the places in the park.

The kids were excited to get their Halloween costumes on!

We got to the park at the perfect time, about 10:00 am.  It was beautiful weather and there weren't many people there yet.  It was a wonderful day!

Lexi kept Grayson entertained while others were off playing games.

Spiderman (aka Maxwell) likes to play the games for candy.  Tyler just like the candy!

Tyler would walk everywhere as long as Grandpa was holding his hand.  Kayden just kept going, encouraging everyone to follow him.

Morgan showed Tyler how to toss into the pumpkins.  Tyler had such fun playing with his cousins.

Everyone was waiting to listen to the old witch tell her stories.  Nicky loved to play with that little duck.......Isaac.

Listening to the witch tell the story.

It must have been a great story!

We finally found our way to the Emery County Cabin.  This cabin was moved from Emery to the park a few years ago. My great-great Grandfather Casper Christensen lived with his family in this cabin.  He was called to be a postman in Emery. Casper was the grandfather of my Grandma Olsen. 

Here I am with my husband and our 8 grandchildren, descendants of Casper Christensen.  This children are six generations away from Casper Christensen.  How time changes what we view as 'acceptable.'  Casper lived in this small cabin with eight children, just as my eight grandchildren.  I can't imagine what that must have been like, but I am sure the family was very thankful for what they had.  When the kids started running back to the street to go to the next place, I was a bit overcome with thankfulness for the sacrifice that Casper Christensen and his wife, Maren, for coming to this country from Denmark, living in Minnesota where 4 of his children were born, then moving to Spring City in San Pete County, later to move to Emery County and establish his home here.  His daughter, Annie married and lived in Emery, welcoming a daughter, Melva to their family.  Melva married Neldon Olsen and moved to Rochester, or 'out on the flat' or the 'blue hill'.  Melva and Meldon had a daughter named Nellie Ann, who is my mother.  These people shaped my live and are a part of who I am today. 

Happy Birthday Kayden!

Another October birthday!  Today is Kayden's seventh birthday.  What a special young man.  He is so kind and tender-hearted.  He is a big helper to his parents, and loves to play with his siblings.  He is a good reader and does well in school.  He has progressed so much from the little tiny sick baby to a big healthy first grader.  He loves to play soccer and runs everywhere he goes.  We love you Kayden!  Happy birthday to you!  (This picture is from Kayden's Make a Wish party.  His wish was sponsored by West Jordan student council.  They were such wonderful students and made his day so special.)

Two in a Week

This week has been full of events. We have experienced two kinds of special events twice each. We have attended two funerals of very special people in our lives. We have seen two birthdays this past week. Two very different celebrations.

It was Koy's birthday on Saturday, and tomorrow is Kayden's. The poor little boy had to had his blood drawn again today, and get a shot. He calmly told us how he had to look away at the wall so he wouldn't see the needle give him that shot, and that it was bleeding but all better now. He just takes all those pokes and blood draws in stride. Probably because he has been doing them literally all his life. What a brave boy he is. We are so thankful for the happiness he brings into our lives. He is one of Grandpa's little men. (I can't begin to tell you how much Grandpa loves his 4 little men, and 2 beautiful girls, and Grandma does as well.) We are so thankful that Kayden is still with us and bringing us so much joy. I think one of my new favorite shows on TV is Sunday night's "Three Rivers". But I cry all the way through it because it is all about transplants and the feelings and emotions present in the lives of the receivers and the donors. I hope it makes more people think about the honor of donation. Because of someone who was so willing to give, we are able to celebrate Kayden's fifth birthday! Happy birthday, big boy!



Thinking of donations leads my thinking to one of the funerals we attended just today. My cousin has needed three liver transplants, and he stands as a survivor today. But, sadly, he had to experience the unexpected lost of his wife. Today we went to her funeral. They were married just a week after I gave birth to my third child, but that didn't stop me from attending the wedding. James and I are close cousins, me being only two days older than him, or is it he? :) We always enjoyed visiting and being together as we grew older. He has always been a special cousin. I am so sad that he has to experience this loss. We are thankful that we had time to visit during our family reunion this past summer. Kelly was the life of the party and we always laughed as we visited and talked about all the kids. I will really miss her, and I know James will. My thoughts are with James and Daniel (JD) at this time.
The other funeral was our dear home-teacher, Ted. We loved him coming to our home every month for more than 20 years. He was a most faithful home-teacher. We know he loved us and we know he knew we loved him. What a great influence on our children.
Two different occasions but good memories.