This is Annie updating Mom's blog, you guys, since she has been slacking since the grandkids have been here. But just to update and record a little, Grandma Neslen has been having a great time with the grandkids! We've been to Kansas, Utah, and are on our way to Idaho tomorrow.

When we first arrived in Colorado three weeks ago, Cedar would not let me out of her sight and would not really let Grandma hold her. Now she has a certain whine/cry that she uses when she wants Grandma to pick her up. It's a little "hmm hmm hmm" cry.

Grandma and Tanner have had fun snuggling and reading stories. She bought Tanner a new Transformer, Prowl. It's the one from the cartoon, Tanner makes sure we know, because there is another Transformer named Prowl who is a Deceptacon. But this one is an Autobot.

Kimmie and Kevin had tons of fun with Tanner. Tanner has not had a chance to wrestle with his daddy since we left, and so he tried to make up for it with Kevin when he was here. We had to tell Tanner to give Kevin a break, he wanted to wrestle so much.

We've missed Dad being around. He flew back to Denver after conference weekend to work, and is flying back in tonight. He stayed at home while we spent over a week in Kansas, too. We wish we could have seen hime more.

Kimmie chose and ordered her wedding dress last weekend, and we will start the planning as soon as she graduates and moves to Oregon. She and Kevin have set the official date: June 19. They have booked the O.C. golf course for the reception.

We've had fun staying at Scott and Melissa's, although Scott and Cedar got the flu randomly. We'll be in Rexburg tomorrow through Saturday or Sunday, and then the kids and I head back home on Tuesday. Ryon took the day we are coming home off from work! Yea!

Mom is coming to Oregon to help with the rest of the wedding plans in the middle/end of May through the wedding. That will be so fun!

Well, that's our last few weeks in a nutshell. Here are a few photos of the fun times.

This picture was taken at Christmas time, but it reflects how I feel today.

I know the Lord answers prayers. I've been praying about how I was going to spend time with my daughter, Annie, and my grandkids, Tanner and Cedar, during their month long visit in March/April. It was going to be very hard for me not to be with them while working full time. I also have Kimmie's wedding coming up and I want to be available to help but there was the work problem. I love being a Mom and Grandma more than anything and I always carry a prayer in my heart that these relationships will remain strong. The Lord answered my prayer...I was laid off 4 work days before they came. For most this would be a difficult thing...but for me I know it is an answer to prayer. I struggled with feeling like I was making a difference in this job anyway and now I can put ALL my effort and energy back into my family. Thank you Heavenly Father.........I won't be making any decisions about work until after Kimmie's wedding this summer.

Only a week before I get to see Annie, Tanner and Cedar.
Can I last that long?
I'll have to do it, but it won't be easy.
Life is to short to live so far away.
See you soon.

Kimmie and Kevin came for Valentine's Weekend.
Kevin and Marko cooked Chicken Alfredo and Marko bought a most delicious fruit cake.
The weekend was especially something to remember...
Kevin and Mark had the father and soon to be son - in - law talk.
Kevin passed. Boy was he sweating bullets for awhile...not really...Mark is really just a big teddy bear...But Kevin went away knowing how much Marko loves his girl and wants her to be loved and treasured.
We are all anxiously waiting for the acutal proposal now.
Kevin--"Way to be the man!" You are a wonderful person and we are so blessed to have you be a part of our family. Thank you for honoring your priesthood and being respectful to Kimmie's dad. You have won our hearts. Your future together will be blessed because you both have chosen to lead your lives with purpose, respect and integrity.

We only had one day left before leaving Oregon and flying back to Colorado. We woke up and it was sunny. To the beach we go..... It was snowy through the Coastal Range, and the beach was cold, but the sun did come out to say hello.
All in all we had a blast. Of course the memories of our beach house will always be with us.

On our last day in Oregon before going back to Colorado, we went to Seaside.
The roads were snowy on the way and it was cold on the beach, but the sun managed to come out later in the day. We had fun in the shops. We missed you Scott and Melissa.

There's always the fun of the Hat store in the mall.
Kimmie and Kevin try on a few for size.

Kimmie and I got to spend some time with our very good friends, Lynn and Nicky.
I've known Lynn for going on 20 years and our friendship has stood the test of time.
Kimmie and Nicky have been friends for the same duration.
It was fun to go to lunch and open presents.
Lynn and Nicky still live in Oregon so when Kimmie and I came back for Christmas it was the perfect time to get together. The bad snowy weather prolonged our fun but once the snow melted our plans were finalized and the fun began.
We love you Lynn and Nicky Lou Lou.

Being a Grandma is the best. As Grandpa says, "there is joy in having children, but there is rejoicing in having grandchildren." I love Baby Cedar and my Tan Man.

Christmas in Hillsoboro Oregon has been a snowy blast.
Melissa and Scott arrived 2 days before the snow.
Mark and I arrived the night the snow started.
We are so blessed to be together.
You can imagine the fun of snow and the magic of Christmas shared with loved ones.
Here are few pictures to enjoy.

We arrived in Oregon just before the big snow strom. The airports closed the day after we arrived. We feel blessed Scott and Melissa arrived before the snow storm as well. Hillsboro had close to 10 inches of snow. Our home in Beavercreek had over 2 feet on the back deck. I think this is a record for Oregon. In the almost twenty years we lived here we only saw around 8 or maybe 10 inches.

Merry Christmas Family. We are so blessed.

Only Four more days and Grandma and Grandpa are on their way to Oregon.
We are excited to see the kids and the grandkiddos.
Look out Du's, here we come.
We can't forget the chimmies for Christmas Eve!!!
We're all going to squeeze into Annie's house for the holidays.
We'll be staying in the Beavercreek house for a night or two but
other than that we'll all be at Annie's.

This is a season to remember our Savior and the gift of eternal families that
He has given us.
We miss Curtis, but know he is doing well on his mission.
See you soon Neslen Clan.
Scott and Melissa, don't forget the jerky Uncle Don made for us!

Scott and Melissa are coming this weekend.

We're soooooooooo.. excited to see them.
Only one more week and we're on our way
to Oregon for two weeks.
I miss my Tan man and angel baby.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving was simple this year. Everyone was together on the cruise in early November and we'll all be together for Christmas, but we were pretty spread out for Thanksgiving. Mark and I did get to have Kimmie and her boyfriend Kevin Jackson here. It was fun to get to know him better.

Kimmie and Kevin after a yummy Thanksgiving dinner.

A simple Thanksgiving. Where's the turkey? Oops, it's still on the counter.