April Was a Busy Month!!

April began with spring break.  Last December Josh and Irina called to ask if we wanted to go with them and Jared and Stephanie to Zions over spring break.  We planned to rent a condo and spend a few days down there.

















In January, my niece, Brook got engaged and her wedding was the same time as our trip. I debated over going and it all my brothers and sisters were going.  In the end Jason and Jacob went to Zions

 and I went to Arizona for the wedding.

I arrived on Wednesday night and on Thursday we visited and sat around Kristina's pool.  Thursday afternoon Chris arrived and that night Erick and family came in.  We had dinner and enjoyed Thrifty's ice cream!  A blast from the past.

On Friday we began some of the last minute preparations like flowers etc.  Jessica, Emily, Erin and I went over to the Kristin's (aka "The Wedding Planner) house to do center pieces, boutonnieres, bride's maid's bouquets and Brook's bouquet.  Actually Kristin did most of the arranging and we assisted.

Pulling thorns off roses and splitting apart the baby's breath.

Apparently, while we were doing this Kristina and Heidi finished their errands and did this!



That evening we went over to where the groom, Max, and his family were staying for a wedding, get-to-know-you dinner.   His mom is so nice.

 After the dinner we went back to Kristina's to put together last minute things to take the next morning to decorate.

 Saturday morning it began in earnest!  A friend of Kristina and Shane's offered their beautiful backyard for the reception.  It already looked good, but about a month before they decided to do some updates--add a pergola, re-do the pool and put in a BBQ grill.  Everything came together but the grill.  The contractor who was supposed to do it (the Thursday before the wedding) didn't show up.  So the owner's of the house were working on it all day Friday, through the night and were finishing as we got there Saturday morning to decorate!

Friday morning

Saturday morning around 7 a.m.

Almost done!

Turned out great!!

They were so tired.










We began to put up lights, a back drop for people to look at when they came in, cloths and center pieces on the tables etc.  It took all morning and everyone helping!

Set up

Pallets that were painted white were attached together and then pictures were displayed on and in front of them.

Waiting for them to come out

Then came the wedding.  Brook and Max Bastian were married in the Gilbert, Arizona temple Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. 

The lovely bride and groom

After the wedding they took pictures and we went home for dinner before the reception.

  Dad's health hasn't been good, so while he was in AZ he had a scooter to get around.

Dad and Christian

Brook caught the bouquet!

The Safsten cousins

They had a sparkler send off that was so fun!!

Spring break ended and we got back to "normal" life and school.  But life didn't stay normal.  Dad's health has not been good since last July.  His heart (congestive heart failure) is not working right.  He didn't do well in Arizona and had a Dr. appt. the day after he got home.  They wanted him admitted that day. 

Heidi had taken them and drove them from their Day Break appt. up to the U of U hospital. That night we went up and Jason administered to him.  The purpose of the stay was to take down the water build up he had in his body.  His heart can't pump it out.

He was in the hospital from Wednesday - Saturday and he lost 30 lbs. of water!  Now that he is home he has a strict diet of very little sodium and no more than 8 cups of water a day.  If he doesn't stay with that regimen he would end back in the hospital and he doesn't want that.  It is a hard stage of life!

                                                                                                                                                                 

The next week, on Wednesday we had Randy, MarySue, Jenny and Karen over for Randy's birthday.  The lemon cake I made ended up looking like a blob, but it tasted good.

That Saturday, the 23rd, we had a bridal shower for Jenny down at Irina's house.  It was mainlhy family and a few of her friends.  Hannah had interviewed Jacob (Jenny is marrying a Jacob) asking questions about their courtship, what they thought of each other etc. It was fun to watch!

Jacob and Daniel made this during the shower

Enjoying the sunshine with a good book!

Now we're into May and all that the new month brings!

Easter

Yesterday was Easter.  We got up and Jacob found his basket and then began to look for eggs.

Basket found. Wrapped up in his new baptism blanket

Looking for eggs in the family room.

Right at his feet--ah, he found it!!

Look up Jacob!       Not that high.  :)

After church my friend, Judy, drove down with us to Heidi's house for dinner.

Everyone looked so happy to have pictures taken!

Linnea bought this plaque for Mom.  She does not like to be called "Nana."  It says, "Nana, my favorite place is to sit on her lap!"  It was funny!!

Turning 8!

This month Jacob turned 8!  He went from this, to this!

The Friday before his birthday, the 18th, we had 10 of his friends over for a birthday party.  

Chase Anderson, Ryan Harkness, Reese Tillmann, Bridger Gee, Tirk Sollis, Andy Brown, Avery Roper, Jaxon Cathey,
Alex, Brown, Jacob

 We opened presents, had dinner of pizza and fruit, and then went to Airborne to jump!

 Afterward we came home and had cake and ice cream.  Grandma Wong was so nice and came to help us transport kids to and from jumping.


On Jacob's actual birthday, March 23rd, Joy was in town visiting Elizabeth and Christian.  She picked up Mom and Dad and brought them up for his birthday dinner.

Poor Elizabeth--tired new mom!

On Saturday, March 26th, Jacob was baptized by his Dad into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

At the baptism Joy lead the opening song, "Teach Me to Walk", Reese Tillmann's Grandpa gave the opening prayer, Jacob, Abby, Emma, Mylee, Lilly, Grace, Samantha, Olivia, and Reese's cousins sang, "I Am a Child of God." A s Stake Primary President I then gave the talk and managed to not cry through the whole thing!

We went to baptism font and he was baptized.  Then we moved to the Relief Society room where he and Reese were confirmed member of the Church.  It was so nice!

Blessing Day - June 6, 2008

Baptism Day - March 26, 2016

After the confirmation we went into the gym to have lunch.  We had hawaiian haystacks and everything was ready, but the rice didn't cook very well.

It all worked out, but we had to wait a while.  

I can't believe he is this old!!

Love these boys!!

Draper Elementary Art Show

Last night we went to the art show at school.  My friend, Kylee Welling, is the art teacher and has done a great job!  All grade levels participated and it turned out so well!

Quilt done of 2nd grader's art

Quilt block of Ikea that Jacob drew

4th grade totem poles

Stephen Gets Married!

On Saturday, March 12th, Hannah Latham and Stephen got married!  They were married in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.

Coming out of the Temple

Jason's Family

 They were married at 9 a.m., we took pictures and then went to the Riverside Country Club in Provo for the reception.  It was a beautiful place and we had a great afternoon!

Decorating the car

                                                             
                                                                       

Jacob Nelson - Jenny's fiance.  His car is next in June!

They cut the cake that said, "To Infinity and Beyond!"











       Jacob helping with the decorating.

Stephen trying to get the car ready to drive.