What did you do last summer?

Summer isn't over yet, and I'm sure there are many more days of swimming still ahead (thanks to my good friend Annette), but the major events have come and gone. So here is my report:

Aspen Grove Nielsen Family Reunion

Chris’ Mom and almost all of her descendants were there. We had all of our children and grandchildren. Cosmo came and gave all the grandchildren a Cosmo T-shirt. I think I smiled, laughed, and relaxed more than I have in years. I even got a tan!

4th of July

Carol and John hosted their annual 4th of July bash. There were water balloon fights, games, food, and fireworks. A fun time was had by all, which was almost 90 people.

More 4th pictures . . .

Taylor graduated from UCLA Law School

Chris and I traveled to Los Angeles with a mini-van full of things to transfer to Taylor and Laura’s moving van. I think all of us should be tetrus champions. Every square inch of those vans were filled. Enough of the vans though, the real star was Taylor. After four years of under grad and three years of Law school, Taylor was awarded the degree of Juris Doctorate. Way to go Taylor!!!

Couldn't find "Psych". . .

but we found Santa Barbara. After Taylor's graduation, Chris and I spent two days there at the beautiful Fes Parker Resort. It was a relaxing Mother's Day!

The Party Place

In May we hosted a wedding reception for some good friends in our back yard. Later in July we had the 20th annual Relief Society potluck and the next night we hosted the Stake Presidency barbeque for the bishops and their wives. I’ll try to add a picture later.

Don't think I'll go into the business . . .

but I feel really good about the two chairs I recovered for Eric and Anna-Lena.

Memorial Day

We spent the day with Eric and Anna-Lena's family. They got together with friends for a game of baseball and a picnic.

A Tribute to my Mom

I’ve written this blog many times in my mind since my Mom passed away March 18. I just don’t think I can do it justice. Her birthday was yesterday, and so I’ve been thinking about her. She was the epitome of refinement, yet made everyone around her feel comfortable. I’ve heard others say that a synonym for our family is NICE, sometimes to a fault. I don’t know if anyone can be too nice. Well, if we are nice, we learned it from my Mom. She had the ability to listen, truly listen. She knew what to say in response that was not advice, but instead led us to our own answers. Who would have known when my Dad passed away in November, my Mom would join him in eternity just four months later? Whenever I start to feel sad, I just picture the two of them together – forever. Our pediatrician had a plaque hanging in his office that read, “The best gift a father can give his children is to love their mother.” That is true for mothers too. I thank my parents for giving me the best gift. During the last three years of my Dad’s life, my Mom stayed by his side everyday. She only left the house to have her hair done on Fridays, and to go to the occasional doctor’s appointment. There was one time she had to be gone for four days when she had a knee replacement. My Dad sat in his chair those four days staring at her bedroom door. I gave him the report on how her recovery was coming along, and then I asked him if he was feeling alright. He said, “I’ll be feeling better when I see Marie walk through that door.” There’s was and is a true love story.