General Conference- April 2012

General Conference was a wonderful time. The Saturday session was filled with admonishments to forgive and remember the importance of family. Sunday sessions were filled with the same desire for all of us to allow the atonement to come into our lives.

Ava asked me to make her a cowboy cake. The heart shape cake is for Grace's 3rd birthday celebration.

During the 1st and 2nd sessions we went to the park.

After the second session, we celebrated Grace's birthday. Autumn brought Easter baskets and fun things to put inside. It was great fun for all.

55th Birthday

It was a pleasant surprise when Clarissa and her family started the day off by singing Happy Birthday. Kaela really wanted to give me a birthday hug. Shortly thereafter Jarod and his house full of singers sang t0 me as well. Autumn called too and wanted to stop by to give me a hug. Before I knew it we had an impromptu party happening. I loved the biography, Neal A.Maxwell and See's candy I received. The best part was all the hugs and seeing their sensational smiles.

 Carly 7 yrs, Jarod R. 9 mo, Jack 4 years, and Josh 5 3/4 years

 Grace will be 3 in just a few weeks. Gabriel turned 4yrs old on New Year's Eve.

 Ava is 5yrs, Isla 2 1/2 yrs and Kaela is 7 years old.

Jana wanted to have her picture taken with Autumn. We just sang Happy Birthday and I captured the moment on camera. Ava is angry because Gabriel blew out the candles on the cake in front of her. We always light candles for each child to blow out and we do it several times. This time however Carly's candle lit her plastic glass on fire. Carly and Kaela have a look of both astonishment and panic. Grace is looking at the glass wondering what happened to the small flame from the candle. All the while Jana beams with enthusiasm. Within seconds Autumn jumps up and gets the glass in the sink - She saves the day!

Elle's 21yrs old and going on a mission

 Turning 21 years old, we're at Cattleman's Restaurant eating an ice cream sundae

 The hat is the complimentary birthday gift at Cattlemen's Restaurant.
This is one of Elle's favorite spots to eat.

 I finished a cake decorating course and made her several fun cakes.

 Elle had to submit a picture for the plaque on the wall at the church.
Her favorite scripture for the plaque: 3 Nephi 5:13

 Another pose for the plaque.

 Going to the Los Angeles temple is fun,

....espcially with family.

Jarod and Elle, I affectionately call them my bookends.

Ignacio Caro Valdivieso's Funeral

                   National Cemetery, Riverside, California- December 2, 2011

                  While Taps played there wasn't a dry eye...it was so serene.

                    These soldiers volunteer their services. It was wonderful!

Jarod is in the front and Steve in the back.

 At Azusa church building. Robert (Sally and Ray's son) and Becky (Robert's wife) hug Nellie and give her comfort

 Rosanne, Don (Rosanne's middle son) and Tony (3 yrs old, Don's oldest child)

 Sally and Ray's children: Ruth, Robert, and Ruelon (Steve's in the middle)

 Zack (Kristen's son) and Brian (Kristen's husband)

 Camryn (Kristen's fourth and last child), Kristen (Rosanne and Andy's oldest child)
and Karly (Kristen's third child)

 Lydia, Roger and Gladys Smith
 (long time friends from Azusa 1st Ward
and neighbors from 13th Street)

 Art's sons: Nicholas and Lucas (Lucas wore his ROTC uniform in honor of
his grandfather) Ian is missing from the photo because he is
serving a mission in Russia

 Jim Cook and Gordon Marx (long time friends of Art), Art and Elyse (Art's wife)

 Steve, Karon, Kayleen and Vickie
 (favorite neighborhood friends:
 Roger and Gladys Smith's daughter)

 Brother and Sister Shultz from Azusa 1st Ward (friends for many decades)

 Jarod (32yrs.), Steve (56 yrs), and Elle
 (21 yrs old and soon leaving on a mission to Montana,
 she's wearing heals, she's not that tall)

 Zack (Kristen's second oldest child), Rosanne, and
Amanda (Kristen's oldest child and Rosanne's oldest grand child)

 Chris Lyman (middle) gave the beautiful eulogy

Sisters from other mothers: Rosanne and Karon

Thanksgiving in Azusa, CA 2011

                                         Isla Belle crying, Clarissa, Steve, Nellie, and
                                         Jarod holding baby Jarod

                                       Jake, Jim, Gayle (holding baby Jarod),
                                       Jarod and Megan sitting at  bountiful feast

                                                            Clarissa and Karon

                                                Sweethearts- Jim and Gayle

                                                Carly, Kaela, Joshua, Ava, Jackson
                                                    Karon's glorious grandchildren

                                             Jackson (Jarod's 4yr old son) and
                                             Jaxon (Gayle's 4yr old son)

                                                    Megan holding Isla Belle Wilstead
                                                    Jarod holding baby Jarod
 

Grandparents' Day at Quailwood School-Oct 2011

 Josh and Ava are both in Mrs. Bowles class. She taught Kaela and Carly last year when they were in kindergarten. I am so fortunate to have such fun grandchildren. I just love them!!!!!

Carly hugged Kaela and were ever so happy to smile for the camera. They are good friends and adorable granddaughters. 

Papa Steve was able to attend Grandparents' Day with me this year. Lots of grandparents were  at McDonald'sbuying Happy Meals: chicken mc nuggets, choc. milt, fries, and apple. The most important part: the coveted toy.

After such a wonderful afternoon in Bakersfield, we came home and rode my bike; Steve gave it to me for Mother's Day.  (Notice the decorations on  our house for Halloween. Didn't Elle do a great job?)

181st Semi Annual General Conference

Elle and I are focused; we want this cake to be spectacular for the little ones.  My new tradition is to make a conference cake.

I have always invited the missionaries to share part of Conference.  I usually have them over for conference waffles but this year they came for the pinata and cake. I'm celebrating all the fall and winter birthdays now. During April conference we'll celebrate spring and summer birthdays. The sister missionaries are lighting candles so we can sing Happy Birthday.

During the 1st and 2nd sessions on Saturday we had pizza at the park. Yummy!

We had Round Table-King Arthur and Little Ceasar- cheese only. Everyone's needs were met.

When I went to pick up the pizzas, Boy Scouts were selling popcorn. I had to support the troop, so I bought two bags of popcorn 18.00  each, my have prices gone up. I must admit, I did announce to them that I have three son who earned the rank of Eagle. I was so pleased to have such a declaration.

After the final session, we had a pinata filled with snakes, insects,  pencils, erasers and  a few bags of M&Ms. The grandchildren enjoyed it immensely. 

We ate delicious sandwiches, chips, and a special slush drink.

Jarod Richard is 2 1/2 months old. He is as good as gold.

Elle is soon to hear where she will serve the Lord on a mission.  Aren't they the cutest? My youngest daughter holding Jarod's youngest son.