Applesauce

Malcolm and I peeled and cooked a bushel of apples today and made 27 pts of golden delicious applesauce. It took us most of the day, but the accomplishment is worth it.

Our 45th Wedding Anniversary

Malcolm and I began our 45th anniversary with a visit to the Temple in Sacramento in the early morning. It was a nice way to begin the day and we enjoyed ourselves. Afterwards we took some pictures outside. It is quite a thought to have spent so many years together and look forward to many more. we hope! We appreciate and love all our 8 children who have joined us in this monumental journey in life together.

Malcolm took this nice picture of the Sacramento Temple
This is us at 45 wonderful years together!

Apple Hill

To complete celebrating our anniversary, Malcolm and I had a wonderful couple of days visiting Apple Hill which is near Placerville. We stayed in a great Motel in Pollock Pines and had a delicious dinner in a restaurant close by. We took in all the Apple farms that looked interesting, bought a couple of items and lots of apples to make applesauce. The weather was perfect and the company was perfect too.

We shared a cider shake together

We took in the Fudge Factory and bought our favorite candy - it was yummy~~

This was our very nice motel with a great view too

At apple Hill with his suspenders - Malcolm looks the part of grandpa.

We bought an apple turnover and some delicious fresh apple juice

New Bench

We have a very nice neighbor who built us a new bench for our front front and finished nicely and even made it short enough for my feet to reach the ground. We feel blessed to live in with such thoughtful neighbors.

Mt. Lassen Trip

While I was in Utah, Malcolm took a day trip to Mt Lassen and climbed the big mountain. He said it was VERY windy, but felt great to have achieved his goal of climbing it again. He got some good pictures!

In the Valley

At the Windy top of Lassen

A nice view of Mt. Lassen

New Planter

Malcolm put in a new planter and plant on the front corner of our yard. The plant is a crepe myrtle plant with lavender flowers. He did a great job and it improves and beautifies the corner.

Relief Society Dinner

We had a good Relief Society Dinner for half of the Stake tonight. We had a potato bar with salad, rolls and brownies. Everyone was so good to help and the dinner was delicious. This is a picture of the group that attended. We are trying to keep a pictorial history of the events for our Stake.

Smiley Malcolm

I love this picture of Malcolm. It was taken at his Contra Costa Picnic while I was in Utah. He has a wonderful smile!

A nostalgic visit at Gram Eastland's

Gram Eastland with Ben

Today, Gram Eastland and I went through some family heirlooms and books and just really had a great time talking about family and memories. I got some interesting views into her childhood and early adult life. When we were going through things, she gave me this necklace that had belonged to my Grandmother (her Mom). It is very delicate and beautiful. It will be a treasure to me.

The books below belonged to Grandpa Hansen (my Mom's Dad) He carried them with him in the service during WWI in France. There is a Book of Mormon, New Testament and Hymn Book and a very early 1915 edition of a book by James Talmage who he was named after. Sure has been an enjoyable day.

We also moved all of Gram's canned food upstairs in a spare closet with a nice shelf so she has easy access to the things she needs. Full and satisfying day

A visit at Dan and Kristina's

I had a wonderful visit with Dan, Kristina, Brad, Kylie and Ben. Kristina cooked a delicious soup with tortilla strips on top and we had a chance to visit and enjoy the children. I brought them some sticker books which they enjoyed and were into right away. It was so fun.

Mal's truck & Mason

Malcolm has needed a truck to finish some work in our yard and got a good deal on this Chevy from a family in our neighborhood. Amanda and Mason came down so we put Mason in the back of the truck and he was so excited and explored and chattered about the truck and being "up" so we had a photo shoot with a happy Mason and Grandpa
He thinks he is hot stuff in the bed of the truck!

Rachel's birthday party

We had cake and ice cream for Rachel's birthday party Saturday with Amanda and Tylers children. They had a lot of fun this weekind.

Rachel's Birthday Weekend

We celebrated Rachel's 9th birthday with a barbecue at our house on Friday evening and a campout at Amanda & Tyler's back yard. This morning everyone came over to our kitchen for French Toast. We ate 2 dozen eggs and 2 loaves of bread worth with sausage, bacon and orange juice! This is a family favorite breakfast for our family.

More Reunion - Group

This is the whole Weston gang attending the family reunion. You can click on the picture to see the faces clearly.

Back Row: Mike, Don, Brian Billie Andrew Tyler & Mason, Malcolm Kristina, Trent & JT, Russ, Miles, Kristina, Erik

Middle: Annette, Cecilia, Bekcy, Nicile, Val, Deb, Sarah, Amanda, Lis, Patsy, Dan, Amy, Sam, Mauri, Justin

Front: Natalie, Jon, Rachel, Matt, Paige, Cavin, Kael, Adon, Carson, Kylie, Ben, Bradley, Rylie, Ben, Maddie

More pictures

Lexie loved the water slide
Kael was a brave bungie gamer
All the children lined up for an giant ice cream sundae
We got some additional pictures from Cousin Erik!

More Reunion Pictures

Mason loves to eat
Mal trying the bungie
Amanda and Gram Weston

Just Us and our Children

This a picture Tyler took of Malcolm & I and our

children who were able to come. We missed Todd

(Back row - Dan, Mike, Malcolm Russ, Brian)

(Front row - Amanda, Patsy, Valerie & Amy)

August 9, 2008

Going Home

Amy and Trent left yesterday to go home to Idaho. Before they left Amanda, Paige, Carson and Mason came over to say goodbye. We are so happy they could come and spend part of a week with all of us.

Grandpa, Mason and Lexie in a group hug!
Mason and Lexie were playing on my little stool in the hall and were having such a good time together
A parting picture of Trent and little JT just before they departed.

Nicole and Jon

Wednesday, Malcolm and I took Jon and Nicole home to Redding. We stopped on the way and had lunch at Taco Bell and enjoyed the antics all the way home. We enjoyed having them for a few days and all the cousins had fun with both of them. We visiting with Val and Don for a while and drove home for dinner. It was a relaxing day!

Gorgeous Nicole in her mod sun glasses- she was such a help the entire week. We played games, talked, ate and just enjoyed each other!

Jon enjoyed gaming, talking with the babies and learned what it is like to be an older brother and even changed a diaper on JT. He feels he is a pro now!

Grandkids Week withGrammy & Grandpa

This week after the reunion, we had Amy & Trent and Nicole and Jon staying with us. We had fun with the grandkids. Monday, Grandpa had a movie day with the boys, but it turned out to be a video game morning for all the grandsons - Calvin, Adon, Kael, & Jon. Amy and I took all her girls out and did some shopping and brought home some lunch for everyone.

Lexie loved her time with Nicole. She would stay there all day and just cuddle.
The boys(Calvin & Jon) all enjoyed gaming wth Uncle Trent and could not get enough. Jon got his fill for the next few months.