The Greig Family

Art of Divergence Photography

2012-02-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

My cousin Amy Tanner does photography, "Art of Divergence Photography". She just sent us some pictures that she took of our familes preformance. I think she is very talented.

Grandma Whitney and Aunt Judy Tanner on the piano.

I LOVE this picutre of my Grandmas hands. Those hands have played a lot of piano.

Great picutre of my nieces Allie and Elise

I think this is beautiful of my Moms harpsichord and recorder.

During rehersal - the 8 hand quartet.

Warmning up before preformance

Cool picutre of the bass.

I LOVE this picutre of Jackson and James!

Rehersal

Wonderful Grandma

Aunt Judy

Dad and Dus

Country roads with all the fam.

Praludium and Allegro solo

Rehersal

Estefan with the auto harp.

My Mom and I. So lucky to always have had a wonderful accompanist whenever I need one.

Marky the "big cowboy" on the ukulele. Too cute.

Me....feelin it.

Me being happy I didn't fall off the stage or something.

Mom and her mandolin. She's amazing.

Love my brother.

Day at the Dam

2012-01-30T13:20:00.000-08:00

The weather has been so amazing lately. The other day we went up to the dam on the rhino and played and fished for a while.

The irrigation company has been working on the dam a little and it's a little different. The kids had fun playing on the side of this dirt hill.

They cleared out all the brush and made a road on the side of the river. Till the next flood comes I guess.

Anna wondering where all the fishies are. I was wondering too. I actually remember exactly a year ago this day (January 28th) me and the kids were at the dam and caught a large mouth bass. No such luck this day.

They made quite the slide down the hill.

Isaac juming off.

Jackson loves to get up on top of the rhino. He's such a monkey.

Tall Towers

2012-01-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

The other day the boys made the tallest towers with their legos. They had so much fun doing it.

Isaac kept trying to block Anna and Jackson becuase they would knock them down.

Then they built a skyscraper on the treadmill.

Musical Heritage Performance

2012-01-29T21:11:00.000-08:00

January 23 we had our performance that the Arts Council asked us to do. We called it, "Our Musical Heritage".

The performance showcased the evolution of music throughout the family. It began with Mom's great grandma teaching piano and playing in the dance bands almost 100 years ago. So the first few numbers were dance songs. Kristi's in-laws, Bevin and Kathy Dalley, along with Gary and Kay Batchelor danced on stage! Dad was on guitar, Dustin Bass, Kristi violin and Grandma Piano.

Then Uncle Bruce, Mom, Aunt Susan, Me and Grandma sang, "A Lad and a Lass", with Aunt Sherrie accompanying on piano and Kristi on violin. After that Grandma, Mom, Aunt Susan, and Aunt Judy played an 8 hand duet on paino's. I couldn't find any pictures of that.

My mom and I then played Preludium and Allegro by Fritz Kreisler

My Mom did a little number on her harpsichord that she brought back from Texas.

My Mom and Dad did a little thing to honor Dr. Moses. I didn't hear it but something about how he helped support my Mom when she was a choir teacher and he was the principal and how he actually started the Arts Coucil.

Then I sang two of the songs I've written.

Then down to the fun stuff....our Bluegrass music.

Mom on mandolin and Grandma is of course amazing on the piano.

Dad and Dustin tear it up on the guitar and bass.

Twin fiddles.

Then we brought up all Dustin, Kristi's and my kids for a number. It was absolutely amazing that every one of them got up there and no one ran off the stage crying. They all played their instuments.

I will say that I bribed my boys with a trip to Home Hardware to pick out a toy if they would do it.....but they did it!

My friends Wendy and Josh were so nice to watch my kids during the show and take a few pictures. This is the only one I could find where you could see Anna (kind of). She was back by me so it was hard to see her but she sawed away on her violin the whole time. She loves it.

Then all the relatives came up and sang Country Roads.

I had no idea but apparently Jackson snuck away during that performance and found someone's giant soda on the edge of the stage and sucked on that instead. Funny boy.

Over all it went pretty good and it's very nice to have it done. It sure was nice of all the family and friends who came and supported us.

Anna

Aunt Susan, Emma and Anna

Aunt Donna, Baby Matthew and Kristi

The Nelson Family Band

2012-01-02T14:24:00.000-08:00

Valley of Fire

2012-01-01T13:57:00.000-08:00

The other day we took a little trip out to Valley of Fire.

We had so much fun playing on the rocks.

There were little chipmunks everywhere. Anna was so excited about them and kept talking to them.

Isaac is quite the little rock climber

Jackson said this was his rocket ship

Beautiful desert.

Last of the December Days (2011)

2012-01-01T13:03:00.000-08:00

Jackson caught the neighbor cat Abby, she looks as big as he does!

The weather has been so amazing lately.

Jackson got a new bike for Christmas and can keep up better with his big brother.

Maybe he just likes to wait for me though. Isaac is way up ahead.

We always stop at the ditch to throw a few rocks in.

One of the places we like to walk to is the Old Logandale School. They have lots of cement to ride on.

For some reason everyone likes to climb on this grill thing.

Time to take the Christmas tree down.

Good thing we still have our fun toys to play with.

Beautiful Bryce Canyon

2011-12-28T10:35:00.000-08:00

Fairyland

Escalante Mountain

Wallstreet

Can't get there going over Cedar Mountain.

Christmas Morn

2011-12-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

The boys coming out of their bedroom Christmas morning. Jackson had a fever of 103.3

Isaac was very excited that Santa brought him a Leapster Explorer and he brought Jackson a truck with motorcycles on a trailer.

Santa brought Anna a rocking horse.

Jackson just laid on the floor and I would hand him his presents. Aunt Kristi gave him a cool Toy Story garbage truck

A Christmas morning mess.

Anna loved her new pink cammo coat. Poor Jackson just laid his head on a box.

Isaac's favorite thing ever is transformers. He was so glad Grandma and Esther gave him some.

I got Anna some cute pink boots to ride her horse in.

Aunt Kristi got her this cute little outfit.

I love it when they all sit and play with their toys so good.

Grandma came over and Isaac taught her how to play the Leapster.

Jackson got some new Berenstein books and wanted to read them all.

What a Merry Christmas we had!

Santa Came

2011-12-27T21:21:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in the night Santa snuck in.

Christmas Eve Progressive Dinner

2011-12-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

For as long as I can remember, the Whitney family has always done a progressive dinner on Christmas Eve. This year we all decided the family was getting too big so we just had it with the Nelsons this year. It was supposed to go from my house, to my Moms, to Kristi's and then Dustins. But since Anna and Jackson were so sick and contagious, I just sent Isaac and stayed home with the little ones. When they all got to Kristi's house my Mom decided to come over wtih Anna and Jackson for a while so I could go. So I got some pictures of Christmas Eve over to Kristi's.

Uncle Dustin, Allie, Elise and James.

We also invited my friend Wendy Jensen and her family to come. I'm sure glad we did becuase her husband ended up having to work Christmas Eve.

My Dad enjoying dinner

Cute girls.

The big boys...and Luke.

I love that it's nice enough weather here for the kids to run around outside on Christmas Eve. I loved that when I was a kid.

Aunt Kristi and Emma Lynn

High five from Luke.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-27T20:57:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve I let the kids open one present and it's always Christmas Jammies.

Poor Anna and Jackson were so sick this year during Christmas. All Jackson wanted to do was lay on my bed and watch "buzz".

They were excited about their Jammies though.

But then they just wanted to lay back down. That's when you know they really don't feel good.

Take My Picture Mom

2011-12-27T20:44:00.000-08:00

Lately Jackson has been saying "take my picutre Mom". So I do.

Cheeeeze!

Then Isaac has to have his picutre taken too.

The bunny didn't tell me to - I just did.

Old Folks Home

2011-12-19T09:28:00.000-08:00

We played Christmas music for my Grandpa Bill the other day. It was fun with some of the old folks dancing around.

Tuachan Christmas

2011-12-16T22:40:00.000-08:00

After going to the Rest Home, Taco Bell, and the Temple, we headed over to Tuachan to check out the Christams happenings there.

Grandpa and Isaac.

Little Lukester, Aunt Lauren, Anna and Uncle Dustin.

The kids all took a ride on a train made out of water barrels.

Then we went into the outdoor theatre and watched a live Nativity Play. We were freezing coooold!

Merry Christmas!

Temple Lights

2011-12-16T22:24:00.000-08:00

My Mom and Dad, my Brother and Sister's families and me and my kids all went to St. George and played Christmas music for our Grandpa Bill and the other people in a rest home. Afterwards we went and walked around the St. George Temple and looked at the Christmas lights and Nativity Scene.

Jackson, Estefan, Grandpa Jack, Isaac and Mark.

Jackson and Isaac

Jackson

Grandma keeping Anna warm.

Baby Matthew is 2 months old now.

Then we went into the visitor center and listened about Jesus. The kids were so good.

13 kids, 7 adults in our group.

Tis the season

Jackson said, "Jesus is big!"

She liked the view from the floor.

Ginger Bread House

2011-12-16T22:01:00.000-08:00

The kids were so excited to build a ginger bread house the other day. Really, what could be more fun than building something totally out of sweets.

I'm sure Jackson ate more candy than he put on, and he put on a lot.

Anna kept trying to break the house but as long as we would give her some candy she would stay down. Funny girl.

Preschool Christmas Party

2011-12-16T21:54:00.000-08:00

I snuck into Isaac's preschool class the other day and took some pictures. They were having their Christmas Party and all wore their pajamas.

He has such a fun teacher.

Boys n' the Bunny

2011-12-16T21:51:00.000-08:00

Camel Hill is still alive. Sometimes we let him come in, hop around and have a carrot.

December Music Recital

2011-12-13T18:12:00.000-08:00

I just had my December music recital for my students. They all did so wonderful, I should have taken pictures but I stole this one from Laurens blog of my sweet little neice Allie who played "Tugga Tugga Stop Stop" so well. I was so proud of her!

A Bunny Named Camel Hill

2011-11-28T21:19:00.000-08:00

We finally got a new bunny. I have no idea how it popped into his head but when I said, "what do you want to name it?" Isaac said, "Camel Hill!" and Jackson said, "Ya, Camel Hill!". So Camel hill it is. (Camel hill is a hill behind my Grandma and Grandpa Whitney's house that we play on sometimes)

Cutest little bunny. I wanted a lop but the closest I could get was one with one pointy ear and one floppy ear. Hopefully he wont grow out of it. Look at those big feet!

Jackson sitting on mommys lap and the bunny sitting on his lap.

Funny Bunny.

Christmas is Coming!

2011-11-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

It doesn't seem possible but Thanksgiving is over so it's time to get the Christmas stuff out.

Our neighbor lady is always giving us cute Christmas things to decorate with. She is so sweet.

My wonderrful brother got us a tree when they went out Christmas tree hunting and then he came over Sunday help me put it up.

I think it's the best tree we've ever had. It is the perfect hight - the angels head just skims the ceiling.

Got the lights on.

Mom and Dad come over to watch us decorate.

One of the cute ornamets our neighbor lady gave us this year is a John Deere Tractor. Jackson loves it.

Anna turning up the Christmas music with the remote.

The boys loved getting out all the stuff.

I kept handing Jackson balls to hang up and then I went around to look how he did and he put them all on the same branch! Cracked me up.

A picture of Isaac taking a picutre of the village. I just love Christmas villages.

Anna will be old enough to enjoy all the little Christmas things this year. Last year she was only 8 months old. She already broke a few of our old glass balls, so I decided to get rid of them and buy plastic ones.

Time to read, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever", growning up my Mom would read it to us every year under the Christmas tree lights. I'm not sure if I should read it to my kids yet - what if they decide they want to be like the Herdmans?

Making Cookies

2011-11-27T21:01:00.000-08:00

The best part about making cookies is licking the beaters!

Indian Museum

2011-11-27T20:56:00.000-08:00

The other day a bunch of us went to the Overton Indian Museum and had a picnic, it was very fun. The Moms were, Wendy, Kristi, Cara, Emily, Me and Grandma Gaye.

Baby Mathew

I liked this picutre because you can see Bunkerville Mountain in the background.

Inside a pueblo. The kids had a great time going inside and playing around the pueblos.

Tenley, Jackson, Isaac, Tag, Ty and Dillon. (Just some of the kids there.)

Emily and Dillon

Helping Anna out.

Jammies

2011-11-27T19:53:00.000-08:00

You Only Have to Practice on the Days You Eat

2011-11-27T19:50:00.000-08:00

At this age (1 & 2) I never "make" my kids practice, but Anna and Jackson always want to play their violins! (I'm sure it will wear off eventually.)

Fast Feet

2011-11-27T19:44:00.000-08:00

Meet the new lizard Fast Feet

Isaac's cousin Estephan caught it for him.

Time Out

2011-11-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

Last week a group of us girls went to Time Out For Women in St. George. It was so much fun, I'm glad I got to go. They had amazing music and amazing speakers.

Annabel

2011-11-15T14:22:00.000-08:00

Everyday Things

2011-11-14T20:03:00.000-08:00

The whole reason I do a blog is so once a year I can have it printed into a book and no more scrapbooking for me. It's wonderful. So I try to put everyday things in it also, so I can always remember my fun days with my little kids.

Eating suckers on the treadmill.

Anna loves to walk around the house and try on everyones shoes.

Jackson has been loving play dough and painting lately.

Isaac likes to make big tracks for his Thomas the Train.

Everyday Anna says "bi, bi" and that means she wants to practice the violin.

Taking a bow.

The boys like to climb up in the oleander trees and make monkey sounds.

Sometimes Jackson will sit down on the chair to drink his juice and say Isaac do you want to sit by me?and sometimes Isaac does. (When they are being nice to each other)

The rest of the pictures are Isaac's photography, he loves to take pictures.

Occasionally I will let the boys drink a little bit of orange soda. Not too often but they LOVE it. Isaac loves it enough he wanted to take a picture of it.

We went for a rhino ride and had a snack up at the dam - Isaac loved taking pictures of that.

Pinata Time

2011-10-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

Uncle Dustin and Aunt Lauren brought the pinata

Uncle Dustin runs it.

The kids get lined up youngest to oldest. (I think only Emma and Luke aren't in age order.)

Anna taking the first whack!

Emma Lynn taking a turn.

We got out the bigger whacking bar for Jackson.

James and Mark did great.

Isaac knocked a little piece off.

Allie is a crazy girl and started knockin it to pieces.

Elise finished it off! Look at that candy falling.

The big boys (caleb, Estephan and Will) weren't too happy about not getting a turn. Usually they finish it off. Next time we'll have blindfold em' all.

Vampire family.

Family Fiesta

2011-10-31T20:33:00.000-07:00

Every year for Halloween since I was a little girl my family has some kind of big get together. For years and years (I think 19) we used to go to Mexico. Then the last several years we have gone to Cannonville, Utah. This year we went to my parents house. No matter where we go we have a great time. We still have Mexican food (now just without the diarreah), wear our halloween costumes and do a pinata.

Annabell as Tinkerbell.

Jackson was Peter Pan. He LOVED the candy apples Aunt Kristi made.

Isaac was captain Hook.

Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tinkerbell.

Uncle Dustin was a big pumkin

Kristi's baby Mathew is 16 days old. Aunt Lauren is pregnant.

Big cowboy Mark as a scarecrow.

Anna walked around saying "bite, bite" getting bites of all the kids candy apples.

Jumping on the trampoline. You can kind of see the quarter on Will's back. He was a "quarter back". Caleb is the skeleton.

Grandpa, Lion Luke and Tinkerbell

Sometimes Estephan was a pumkin and sometimes he was the Tin Man.

Princess Emma Lynn

James was Iron Man

Allie Jean as Dorothy

Lining up for the pinata. We always do youngest to oldest.

Everyone got vampire teeth.

Anna tried to put hers in.

Princess Elise

Peter Pan wrecked on his bike and Anna was trying to help him feel better.

Lots of family fun.

Pumkin Carvin' Time

2011-10-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday was our last day together and one of the fun things we did was carve pumkins. My boys were really excited to help but when it came down to it they didn't help scoop the guts out at all - it grosed them out or something. Maybe next year.

Courtney and Weston with their blue ring pops.

Karissa, Jenna, and Weston.

Isaac wanted a scary one and Jackson wanted a hapy one. Anna just wanted a shovel.

So Cute!

Weston wanted to sit on them.

When it got dark we put them on the porch and lit them with glow sticks.

Anna kept trying to peek through to figure out what was in there.

Happy Halloween!

A Week of Fun

2011-10-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Aunt Karissa and her sister Courtney and my Neice and Nephew came to visit us from Oregon.

We had a fun filled week with 5 little ones.

My Nephew Weston is 3, the boys had so much fun playing together.

My Neice Jenna Joe is 1. Just 3 months older than Anna. She is the cutest little thing - she just makes me smile.

Anna and Jenna Joe

They all love reading books. We read lots of books before bed.

One of the favorites is the "The Little Enging that Could", we all love to say, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can......".

We couldn't all fit in my car together but we all walked to the park several times. The kids love to go to the skate park and run on everything.

And jump.

We also had lots of fun playing in the dirt. The weather was beautiful and what more do you need to keep kids happy than a pile of dirt.

Little Jenna Joe's bed was in the closet.

She didn't seem to mind at all, she slept great.

Or maybe she would sleep great anywhere!

Aunt Karissa is always giving the kids fun things. Here are their ring pops.

Jenna Joe is a crack up. Cutest thing you ever saw.

Anna wasn't always sure what to think about not being the only little girl around to get the attention but over all she did good.

All the flowers in the yard are in bloom.

Isaac loves to pick me roses. He's such a good boy.

Jackson's my good boy too.

We were so glad Aunt Karissa and the kids would come visit us.

Preschool Party

2011-10-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

Isaac had a Halloween Preschool party and got to wear his Captain Hook costume. He had lots of fun.

Now we got the backback and boots.

Angels Landing

2011-10-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

The other weekend I went camping and hiked Angels Landing at Zions. In the morning these big horned sheep were just standing by the road not bothered at all by the cars.

This looked really neat with the big moon next to the white rocks.

These are some views from the top of Angels Landing. Of course no picture could ever do it justice, it is indescribable.

Getting out the Halloween Box

2011-10-28T13:32:00.000-07:00

When we got out the halloween decoration box the kids wanted to try on the old costumes.

My Aunt Judy gave us this several years ago and no one has gotten to wear it. I just thought Anna made the cutest little bunny.

Little cotton tail.

Poor little duck. This is the costume that all the cousins have had to wear for their first costume. I'm surprised Jackson wanted to put it back on.

Sunglasses

2011-10-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

The kids got new sunglasses to ride on the rhino with.

2011-10-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

(I copied this post from my sister-in-law's post)
Saturday evening we went a pumpkin pickin'!!

We had quite the truck full!

The Dalley's and The Greig's joined us for the fun.

Someone was trying to smuggle extra pumpkins out of the patch.. I'll let you guess who. ;)

Baby Dalley should be coming any day now!

I made all the Nelson grandkids sit together for a picture. Pretty successful!

Then the kids wrestled, swung on the swing set,

cried,

played and swung some more!

The kids kept asking who's birthday it was.
But sometimes you just have to get together for fun, right?!

A Nelson party isn't complete without Dustin making this face..

and being silly with the boys!

Then we concluded the night by watching Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

With the pumpkins picked, its officially Fall and the start of the holiday season!! YAY!

Top of the Mountain

2011-09-25T20:02:00.000-07:00

I hiked to the top of Pine Valley Mountain the other day. Most amazing views I have ever seen.

Pine Valley Picnic

2011-09-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

Kristi and I decided to take the kids and go to Pine Valley for a picnic. It was a beautiful cool day and it is such an amazingly beautiful place. The kids had a great time running around in the trees and playing. The ages of our kids are 12, 8, 6, 5, 3, 2, 2 and 1 plus Kristi is 36 weeks pregnant. We had quite the time.

Caleb, Will and Jackson

Elise

Will

Kristi, Elise and Emma Lynn

Me and Anna

Jackson

Anna and Jackson

There were lots of black clouds in the sky with some big rumbling thunder and lightning but we didn't get rained on.

Anna and Emma

We decided to go for a little hike.

Poor Jackson biffed it but it didn't slow him down. They all did good hiking.

There were a bunch of neat trails through a grove of bushes and trees. Isaac bonked his head on a branch.

Isaac standing next to the river.

Heading back up the hill. After our hike we went had a yummy picnic and played some more. The kids built a neat "lean to" fort out in the trees and then we went on a tour of the historical church in Pine Valley. It is an amazing building, so neat to see. Then we took the Utah Hill road home and saw Aunt Mildreds old house in Gunlock. Such a fun day and such a great Sister I have.

Bryce Canyon

2011-09-05T22:47:00.000-07:00

Monday morning of our Labor Day trip I decided to take the kids to Bryce Canyon before heading home. I put Anna in the backpack - she quite likes it.

Jackson loves to climb on things.

They liked looking of the points. This is Sunset Point.

When we looked down at the Navajo Loop Trail they said they really wanted to hike it. It's 1.5 miles and very very steep down and up. I told them we could hike a little because I knew I would end up carrying Jackson along with Anna.

Heading down.

Navajo Loop sign.

Still going down. Isaac is up ahead - Jackson is still hiking good.

A neat little window to look through.

Isaac took our picture.

I told Isaac he could hike a ways down by himself. You can see him on that switch back.

We ended up hiking down with him though anyway and I jsut carried Jackson back up. A nice passer by took our picture.

Back up at the top.

I figured out how to use the timer on the camera.

A fun time.

Then we started our long drive home. Isaac loves to take pictures out the window so here is one of them he took of the cows.

Labor Day Weekend at the Cabin

2011-09-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

We were actually supposed to go camping with the Dalleys but last minute Elise got sick so me and the kids headed up to Cannonville. My Mom and Dad were already up there and my cousins Bryce and Emily were going up too.

My little cousin Torry Nelson that lives in Cannonville came up and played with Isaac a lot. They worked on this fort and had so much fun playing in it.

Little Anna loved playing on the deck.

Isaac loves playing with my camera and taking pictures of himself.

My Dad and Torry

Just leaving the Cannonville park.

Me, my Dad, Torry, Isaac, Jackson and Anna decided to hike to the top of red rock.

Our goal is that flag up there.

We also decided that next time you have to be 5 or older to go.

We made it! My dad Isaac and Jackson.

I couldn't believe this turned out. I just held the camera backwards up over my head and took it of Anna on my back. I just realized she is sucking her thumb. Silly girl.

Cannonville red rock is an amazing place I just love it.

Hiking back down. The kids did good. It's quite the rock climb.

My Dad is crazy. We were heading out to Sheep Creek (pronounced Crick) Dam to slide down it (which we sometimes do in an ice chest) and he decided to stop and see if the ice chest would roll down a steep hill with him in it. It wouldn't.

Sheep Creek Dam

It was such a beautiful evening.

The kids had the best time playing here.

Jackson and "Grandpa Jack" are such pals.

Grandpa and Anna

She laughed and laughed sliding down. She loved it.

Jackson and Isaac racing down.

Grandma is so fun, she wanted to ride with the kids in the back. Anna in the window.

It was such a beautiful sunset.

Isaac and Torry have so much fun playing together.

I didn't get my camera till right when they were done but the boys loved helping Grandpa smooth out the driveway with his homemade land plane.

Preschool Time

2011-09-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

Uncle Dustin got Isaac a new backpack for preschool and Isaac was so excited about it.

He is also very excited to go to preschool. He can't wait. I hope he loves it.

Evening of Music

2011-09-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

My Mom is organizing an evening of music every other month. This was the first one. I didn't know if everyone would want their picutre on my blog so I just put us.

My Grandma, Sister, Mom and me playing a concerto.

This is the harpsichord my Mom brough back from Texas. Very fun.

One of my students. She did so good.

Yankee Meadows

2011-08-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

August 18th through the 20th we went camping at Yankee Meadows. My friend Wendy and I and our 6 six kids left Thursday morning. Wendy's husband Josh came up Thursday night and my cousin Emily and Bryce Adams and their little boy came up Friday. We had such a fun time and it was such a beautiful place I can't believe I hadn't been there before.

Isaac and Ty

There is a beautiful resivor right by where we camped that we liked to throw rocks in. Also Josh brought up a canoe and fighing boat that was so fun to go out in.

Wendy and Tenley

Ty and Anna playing on the rocks. I love the mountains in the background.

The kids had a great time playing on this fence.

Jackson pretended it was his rhino.

Anna Isabel

Anna and Tenley loved playing on the wheelers.

Bryce, Emily and Dillon.

Wendy and I washing all the sippy cups with our propane stove. Unfortunately I didn't bring enough propane (or we did too much washing) and the next mornig we cooked our breakfast borritoes over the fire. That's fun too though.

Tag and Jackson love driving their trucks on the rocks.

My cousin SheriDawn lives in Parowan which is only about 20 minutes away so she and two of her boys came and visited us.

Out on the canoe. Josh took the kids out a lot and he even watched ALL the kids while Wendy and I went out once.

This made me laugh so hard.....The boys would get on the wheelers, hold their feet up and coast all the way down a long hill. They just had to steer around the curves. Jackson sat on the back with Isaac driving and they would do it over and over.

Still going....

....Still going

It goes past those trees quite a ways, down to a fence.

These little girls have fun together - only 12 days apart.

Doesn't this chair bring out the color in my eyes?

Anna and Tenley racing the wheelers. They even coasted down the hill a ways.

Go, go go!

New Toys

2011-08-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

The day after Isaac's birthday. Playing with the new toys.

Isaac put his new puzzle together all by himself.

Time For a Party!

2011-08-14T15:05:00.000-07:00

We've got the party hats, noise makers and Grandpa - what else do you need?

Isaac and Emma Lynn share a birthday and we had the party together for them. Emma turned 2 and Isaac 5.

Uncle Corey and Will

Isaac loves his new Birthday bike.

Happy Birthday Emma Lynn!

Happy Birthday Isaac!

Isaac likes to decorate his cake himself.

I just love her!

Opening presents.

A new scooter!

Anna just likes to hang around Grandpa - she knows she'll get something to eat.

Uncle Corey getting the scotter ready to ride.

Emma Lynn got a new bike.

The first test ride.

Caleb pulling Jackson in the wagon.

All the fam.

Elise

Camera war with Corey. James.

Such a fun Grandma, helping James and Jackson build a cabin with Isaac's new Lincoln Logs.

Little bike gang.

It was a long day but sure a fun one. Happy Birthday big brother!

Birthday Bike from Daddy

2011-08-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

Isaac got a new big bike for his birthday from Daddy. He loves it!!

Grandpa and Anna went for a little ride on the Rhino.

It's a big bike but he rides it really good. Now he can go super fast with those big wheels.

He got to ride bikes with Daddy - and Jackson too!

Jacksona and Grandpa Jack always have fun together.

Aunt Susan, Emily and Dillon came over to tell Isaac Happy Birthday.

Jackson wanted to park his birthday bike next to Isaacs birthday bike.

Then they sat down to talk about it.

Park Picnic

2011-08-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

After Jumpin Jacks we headed over to a park to have some lunch.

The Jensens gave Isaac a transformer for his B-day present and boy did they all love it.

Ty and Isaac with the transformer. I just can't believe he's 5!

Party at Jumpin Jacks

2011-08-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

For Isaac's Birthday he wanted to go to Jumpin Jacks in St. George. Aunt Lauren, Raegan, Wendy and all the kids came. It was great fun.

Anna didn't really love it, but she had fun walking around.

Isaac and Tag climbing a wall.

Wendy is always so good with all the kids.

I think Jacksons favorite was just playing with this steering wheel on a video game.

All 3 of them liked this!

Hans taking break. Looks comfy.

This is what Anna and Tenley liked to do - just walk around and check things out.

Cute little girls.

Wendy and Jackson

All wore out.

The Big Day of Turning 5 Begins

2011-08-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

I let Isaac open one present in the morning before we headed in to St. George to Jumping Jacks.

He loves Berenstien Bears books, so he got a bunch of those.

Silly Boys

2011-08-14T13:55:00.001-07:00

Another Lizard

2011-08-14T13:54:00.001-07:00

Isaac sure loves lizards. Too bad they don't live forever.

Dressed Up

2011-08-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

I got Anna all ready for church in the prettiest fluffly little dress and she was so upset! She cried and cried and kept trying to pull it off. So I decided it certainly wasn't worth it and put her in this more comfortable dress. She still looked cute though.

I don't know if Jackson pinched Anna or what - but she was not happy!

Both of them trying to console her.

Not Ready to Go Home

2011-08-04T21:30:00.000-07:00

Driving home from Brian Head the kids and I decided we just weren't ready to go home yet. I had my tent in my trunk so I decided to stay a night at Oak Grove Campground. It is such a beautiful place and we were the only ones in the campground. We had so much fun playing outside.

There is a gigantic rock right in our camp that the boys had fun playing cars on.

Our camp.

Isaac

Jacks

Our last camping trip a few weeks ago Anna wasn't walking yet. It was a little nicer this time now that she can walk. Still a bit wobbly though.

Crazy little girl is sure starting to show her personality. She is always making me laugh and I think she will be at least as stubborn as her brothers.

Jackson is a good little hiker. He is very independant and has to do everything himself.

Always ready for a milk or juice break.

Isaac's favorite part about this campground is all the lizards. He loves to lizard hunt and he spends hours in search of them.

Shakespeare Festival

2011-08-04T21:10:00.000-07:00

Another tradition of our annual Brian Head trip is going down to Cedar to the Shakespeare Festival. Anna loved listening to the music and watching the dancers. The boys loved to run and run in the green green grass.

Unfortunately my camera batteries died before I got very many pictures but if you look very closely you can see Jackson on the other side of the lawn in the grass. The boys had a great time. It is so beautiful there.

Paria River Flood

2011-08-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

While we were in Brian Head one day we drove over to Cannonville to get some things at the trailer for my Dad. From the cabin we could hear the sound of loud rushing water. We looked across the field and could see muddy raging water going down the crick (as they call it in Cannonville).

We drove to some different spots to get a better look. It was pretty amazing. They had a lot of rain around there.

Castle in the Clouds

2011-08-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

We love to go up to the Summit of Brian Head and there is a little look out that we call a castle. The elevation is 11,750 ft.

We were up in the clouds, it was a beautiful view of the mountains around.

Quite cold though, Anna and Grandma snuggled up.

Grandpa Jack and little Jack looking off the edge.

Brian Head, Utah

2011-08-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

Every summer since 1988 we have gone to Brian Head Utah to stay for a week while my Dad goes to DRI (Desert Research Industries) classes and the rest of us play.

The first few days were rainy and cold but it was just nice to be able to go outside and ride our bikes when it's too hot to do it in Logandale.

Jackson

Grandma, Anna, Jackson and Isaac

It was so green and beautiful

New Wrestler in the House

2011-08-04T20:30:00.000-07:00

Anna's growing up and I guess part of growing up is you get to join the wrestling club. She seems to like it.

Party with the Lee's

2011-07-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

About 30 minutes after we got home from our camping trip we headed over to the Lee's for little Erics 3rd birthday party. They always do the funnest things and they had this awesome water slide to play on.

Isaac going down - Eric watching.

Bret helping Jackson go down.

They even gave them neat little goodie bags. What a fun party.

Camping With the Kids

2011-07-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

Some of us Mom's and our kids decided to go on a camping trip. It was me and my three kids, my good friend Wendy and her three kids and my cousin SheriDawn and two of her kids (the other two were at their Grandmas). We ended up going to a campground near Panguitch Lake. It was pretty cold at night and in the morning but oh so beautiful during the day. It's so nice to be somewhere where you can play outside during the summer. We stayed Thursday to Saturday. I wish I would have gotten some more pictures of our camp and activites but we were a little busy chasing all the kids.

We went fishin at Panguitch Lake. SheriDawn gettin' the poles ready.

Anna and her little friend Tenley ate a whole lot of dirt this camping trip. It was their favorite thing to do. It will be nice when they are walking and not always down in the dirt.

Wendy and Tenley relaxing in the sunshine. Wendy forgot her sweatshirt and was freezing cold!

Isaac sitting in his chair with the pole and I think Tag has the other pole. The boys loved it.

Tired little girls.

Isaac actually ended up having a high fever all day Friday and slept in the tent most of the day. He also got car sick on the way home and threw up. He still had lots of though and we were glad we went.

Wendy's car is awesome because we can fit all 8 of us. It was extremely tricky to get all of our stuff packed in there though. Wendy made quite the art of it.

We went back to panguitch lake and went fishing again Friday evening. We didn't catch anything that morning and the boys were a little bummed. We actually didn't catch anything this time either - but after Wendy and I went back to camp SheriDawn and her boys stayed on and Ty ended up catching two trout. The kids were all very excited to see them.

Isaac is always a good boy to help with Anna and likes to hold her.

Sheridawn has the most awesome camp chair - we can all fit in it. Poor Jackson has the sun right in his face.

Preparing for dutchoven chicken and potatoes.

Isaac and Jackson

Wendy, Tag and Ty

SheriDawns husband Josh came Friday evening and stayed over night. I think you can see all three of our tents in this picture.

Josh showed us how to gut a fish. I had never learned how so I was glad he would give us a lesson.

Jackson kept saying, "No! Don't cut fish! No!".

We had a great trip.

4th of July 2011

2011-07-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

For 4th of July this year we woke up early and headed to the fairgrounds. I played fiddle music with my family band for the community breakfast. Then the kids and I went for a fun rhino ride. After naps we headed over to Josh and Wendy Jensens for a yummy dinner and afterwars they all came over to our house for fireworks and root beer floats. Finally at quarter to nine it was time to head back over to the fairgrounds for the big fireworks. My cousin Erin Whipple sang the National Anthem and did such a great job. It was a long day for the kids and they were entirely wore out by the end of the day, but we had a great time.

Little Tenley Leah and Anna Isabel. This time last year Anna was a week and a half old and Tenley was born the next day.

We had a ton of s parklers and snaps....or pops...whatever you call them. The kids love those.

We had smoke and flames everywhere!

Jackson did pretty good with the huge sparklers but the flames got a little too close to his hands on the small ones. He mostly preferred to watch.

I bought several of these bigger ones. Purple rain I think they are called. Isaac and I escpecially liked them.

My Dad came over and brought some more sparklers and snaps! Anna sure likes it when she gets to sit on his lap and share his treats. This time a root beer float. (My Mom wasn't feeling well so she didn't get to come over)

Too cute.

Waiting for the big fireworks to begin at the fairgrounds.

Now that's a good Grandpa. The kids hung on him the whole time.

Isaac and Ty started practicing their UFC moves. We had to wait a long time.

They were so wore out by the time the fireworks came that Isaac just wanted to curl up and go to sleep. The best was watching Anna's face while she watched the fire works. She just loved them. She oohed and ahhed with a big smile the whole time. Jackson sat with my Dad the whole time and sometimes he would say, "that scare me" but I think he was just saying that - he loved them too.

Cookies!

2011-07-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

Messy little Chocolate Chip face. She loves it!

Anna loves to get in this little bin. But she hasn't figured out how to get out so after awhile she starts yelling till you get her out.

The boys have been building a "block wall" in the hallway. It's interesting the things they come up with to do, when it's too hot to play outside.

I have no idea how Anna got up in her little bin up on this bench without falling down.

Grandma Bonnie's 80th

2011-07-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

My Dads Mom, Bonnie Nelson just turned 80. My Aunt Jolene had a Birthday party for her at her home in Panguitch.

My Grandma Bonnie is an amazing woman. She looked so great.

Cousin, Lance Miller and Uncle Jimmy Miller

The beautiful Nelson girls. (Lauren included)

Isaac and Jackson had so much fun just playing and playing and playing. There were lots of cousins, a big nice yard and beautiful weather.

Uncle Dustin and Anna

I just love my Uncle Clint - nicest man ever. He was in charge of the pinata.

They started from youngest to oldest. Jackson went up and put the bat in his hand but then he got to shy to actually take a whack at it.

I had a hard time getting Isaac up there, but once he took the first whack he didn't want to stop - he got a few pieces of candy out of it.

Traveling Home

2011-07-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

My Mom rode home with me and my kids cause Dad was headed to Cannonville. I love to go places with my Mom becuase we always like to stop and explore fun places. We went over Cedar Mountian and went to Navahoe Lake to check things out. There was still snow on the ground and the lake was so so full.

We hiked out to the boat docks. It was a super windy day.

That sign says, "Parking $7.00" I don't think I would pay 7 dollars to park there!

The boys loved going across this bridge at the boat docks.

Reunion Activites

2011-07-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

My Uncle Dennis Patten is such a neat man. He gave us all a lesson about Mountain Men. Here he is holding up a beaver pelt.

Here he is telling us about black powder guns. We all jumped when it went off and we weren't ready for it. He said he loves to do that to crowds.

Uncle Bruce and Lincoln. Josh and Anna.

We played some fiddle music.

Unfortunately Kristi and I had to switch off because she didn't have her violin up there. It's much more fun to play together.

We ate a lot of good food - hence the chipmunk cheeks.

Played with pipes. (?)

Corey and Uncle Dennis helped all the kids make rockets and they launched them off. It was amazing how high they would go - except for the ones that blew up.

Isaac LOVED that activity. He made a great rocket that went way way high in the sky.

Jackson and Grandma playing with someones rocket.

Exploring Bullion Canyon Mines

2011-07-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

My Dad took us up Bullion Canyon and we checked out an old mining area. It was a very cool place. The boys loved looking at the old equipment.

There is a little trail you follow around and it tells you about all the old mining stuff.

The river up there is fuller than anyone has ever seen it. It was just raging.

Isaac and Jackson climbed up on a huge boulder.

Trailer

2011-07-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

Anna got to sleep in her little bed in my Mom and Dads trailer while me and the boys slept in the tent. It was like a little town of trailers up there, it was fun to go around and visit family in them.

Elise and Emma Lynn came over to give Anna her birthday present.

Kristi, Dad and Aunt Susan visiting.

Anna Isabel Turns 1

2011-07-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

We were at the Whitney Family Reunion on Anna's birthday, June 24th. So in the evening when everyone was gathered round, I put her in her walker and gave her a cupcake and we all sang Happy Birthday to her. I just can't believe my little baby girl is one. I guess I was kinda hoping she would stay my little baby forever.

At first she wasn't quite sure what to do with the cup cake but she figured it right out and loved it!

The boys had helped me ice the cupcakes and put pink sprinkles on them. Acutally my Uncle Dennis and Dad helped too - I should've gotten a picture of that.

She is such a happy sweet girl - always smiling. Such a cute little mess.

Just shoving it in her mouth.

Then she decided she wanted to share it with me.

Here mom, take a bite!

My good helper.

My little monster.

My sweetie.

She decided to start playing peekaboo with her chocolatey gooey mess.

Time to clean up.

Arriving at Whitney Reunion

2011-07-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

We camped at the Rose Ranch Resort in Marysvale Utah. Me and the boys stayed in a tent but most people had their trailers. There is a big beautiful grassy area and Isaac loved to pick the dandelions from it.

Jackson's typical picture kickin back with his juice.

Just like Grandpa Jack.

I might have to get one of these cute pink chairs for Anna. She loved playing on it, and only took a few spills.

Aunt Donna and Aunt Susan.

Dirt is a wonderful thing. Entertains these boys for hours.

Grandpa Whitney and Anna Isabel. She sure likes sitting on his lap - especially when he has cookies.

I don't think I will go anywhere with out Jacksons little bike. It keeps him so entertained.

On Our Way to the Whitney Reunion!

2011-07-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

Almost anytime we pass through Cedar City we stop at Canyon Park for a picnic. Actually we've been doing it ever since I was a little girl. Still love it.

Such a great tree for climbing.

Great grass for picnicking.

Fabulous creek for wading.

Fun Grandpa for playing with. Can't beat it.

Funnest Camping Trip Ever

2011-06-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

Last week me and my 3 kids, my best friend Trisha, her 3 kids and my Mom all went camping. It's my new favorite place called Oak Grove campground. It's nestled at the bottom of Pine Valley Mountain and I just love it. We stayed 3 days, 2 nights and it was so much fun, to make it even better it was a beautiful full moon.

Best Grandma ever

Our setup.

Isaac, Madeline, Logan, Alexa. What good kids.

Isaac

I'm so glad we took Jackson's bike. He can be entertained on that thing all day. He loves it. He would ride it around looking for little paths to go on and go up and down "big hills".

This is a gazebo that the C.C.C.'s built in the 1930's. We would go sit in it at night and watch the full moon come up through the pine trees.

The kids loved swinging in my hammock.

Logan and Isaac spent hours chasing lizards. Logan finally caught one and he was so nice to let Isaac have it. (we still have it)

Isaac loves lizards!

Isaac said I had to take a picture of it.

It will be nice when Anna is a little older and can walk but she loved it and did great. She liked walking around in her walker, and Trisha's kids are so good at playing with her.

This is Jackson pulling his bike up a "big hill", if you try to help him he freaks out and says, "I got it!"

Craft time.

Isaac's creation.

We went for some fun hikes.

Gazebo

Cute girls, Anna and Lexa

Logan and Isaac

All day Jackson would go to the ice chest get out a capri sun and take it to Trisha. She spoils him and just keeps opening them for him. He knew right where to go.

I told Trisha I wouldn't help her get the backpack on cause I wanted to take pictures - but she didn't even fall down.

Sweetest ride ever.

What we look like after 3 days of camping with no water or electricity. I love it.

My mom is great.

Nothing better than camping in the mountains.

We Love Grandpa's

2011-06-19T14:02:00.000-07:00

Not sure what they are doing but they sure had fun doing it.

Moapa Splash Pad

2011-06-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

A Bunch of us Moms went to the splash pad the other day. The kids had a great time. Big cowboy Mark and Jackson.

Raegans baby Renlie and Laurens baby Luke. 10 days apart.

Anna girl.

Jackson

Isaac

Isaac and his good friend Ty had so much fun!

Isaac and Jackson