Benefit

Stephanie's sister has organized a silent auction benefit this weekend to raise money for her medical bills which will be in the millions.  There are some great things being auctioned.  You can check it out here:  http://www.reachelandrew.com/NieRecovery/Home.html  Also on cjanerun.com they are auctioning a BYU football helmut and football signed by the team.  

Back to School

Carol started Junior High.  We had a struggle getting her into Honor classes, but we were persistent and she got in.  It doesn't seem very difficult.  It seems like Honors is the normal level and they need something higher for a true Honors class.  I haven't been very impressed with the quality of the education.  I can't believe no one else cares! 

Major is enjoying his teacher in 5th grade.  I can't believe he is that old!  I have to think twice to remember everyones correct grade in school.  They all seem too old!  Yikes!

Lucy is in 3rd grade and got her ears pierced.  She has had some trouble with them and kind of wishes that she hadn't gotten them done.  She is enjoying being in the dance company and keeping very busy!
My baby is in 1st grade!  Yikes!  I thought I would have so much free time.  Wrong!  Life hasn't even been "normal" since school started!  Each week I vow to get on track!  

Christian and Stephanie Nielson Family

This is a family picture that my brother Christian and his wife Stephanie had taken recently.  Their children are Claire (6), Jane (5), Oliver (3) and Nicholas (1).  For current information and updates on their status, you can read her sister Courtney's blog cjanerun.com.  That blog also has a link to Stephanie's blog (NieNie).  Thank you for all the prayers!!!!!!

Bluewater Reunion 2008

We just spent 10 wonderful days at Bluewater. The ranch house looked so great! The trees were growing and the grass was so thick and green. Lucy on the back patio dressed in all her cowgirl clothes. Juliette next to the new boot rack. One day we visited El Morro. The kids earned their Junior Ranger Badges. Bluewater Lake Ramah Lake Hanging out in the barn The Kids Variety Show    

Brown Family Reunion

We had a great time at the Brown Family Reunion in Cedar City, Utah.  The kids had fun meeting new cousins.  The weather was fabulous and I got to read two books!  It was a great vacation!

One evening we had a luau.  Three Polynesian guys came and performed.  They were good dancers and fun to watch.  They are trying to get the men to do the "haka" or something like that.  The thing the BYU football players do before a game.

They were a hit with the girls!

Lucy's Baptism

Lucy was baptized yesterday.  It was a great day!  She was so excited to be baptized!  She is such a sweet girl!  We sure love her!  We loved having family come over for lunch afterwards.  

Happy Birthday America!

We celebrated the 4th of July at the cabin and St. John's.    The weather was so beautiful!  Nice and cool!  We had a great time with family!  Clint didn't come so I had to drive.  That is always scary because I have a hard time staying awake.  But we made it!

The kids always look forward to the races and eating snow cones.  It was fun to talk to cousins and friends that we hadn't seen in a long time.

The next day we went to Snowflake for a family reunion with the other side of the family.  The kids loved riding in the little pony cart.

Juliette loved hanging out with her cousins.

Major was busy playing with cousins, but I did get one picture of him.  He wasn't too thrilled with the horses.  He liked the creek better.

Lucy loved the horses and playing with cousins.  The Ballard's were so patient walking the kids on the horses for hours!  They are the best!

Juliette loved the horses and took lots of rides until the horse stumbled and scared her to death!  We had to force her to get on again, but she did.  She can be brave when she wants to.  Now if she could just be brave at night and sleep in her own bed!