Our Weekend in Redding

Grandpa ordained Jon to be a Deacon and he was thrilled

The whole family with Jon - Grandma Weston joined us for the trip

The 10 little golden retriever puppies

We had a memorable weekend in Redding with Val, Don, Nicole and Jon. Jon was ordained a Deacon and was very mature and sweet about his experience. We also celebrated Jon's birthday and Mother's Day with them. We had the opportunity to see their new (10) puppies and oohed and aahed over how cute they are. We had some lightning and thunder for excitement too. Val and Don barbecued hamburger and we had ice cream, strawberries and brownies- really yummy food!!

Mother's Day Memories

Beautiful Fuchia plant from Val and Don

Beautiful Flowers from Brian and Deb

Terrific crockpot cooking book from Amanda & Tyler

Memorable silver spoons from Todd & Billie with Love, Family, Friends & Joy

I've always wanted a Sego Palm so Malcolm got one for me this year!

I feel spoiled and grateful for a very thoughtful family! The pictures above are some evidences of their very sweet spirits and I am so blessed and grateful to be remembered. I love my husband and children so much!

Food For Thought!

  I found this this interesting
thought and felt it worth sharing:

Life should not be a
journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in
sideways, thoroughly used up and totally worn out
loudly yelling " WHAT A RIDE "

Peter Sage

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Michael and the grandkids

Amanda has been sick with pneumonia the past week so we have had the children until Tyler comes home. One day our Son Michael stopped by and played with the three youngest - Paige, Carson and Mason and they had a ball wrestling, playing with quarters he gave them and just having fun. He wore them all out so Carson and Mason took a nap afterwards - so fun have a fun uncle!

Happy Birthday, Dan!!

Happy Birthday, Dan!! What a wonderful Son, Dad, Husband and so much more! You have brought us so much joy and happiness and love the things you do with your own family. We wish you a terrific birthday and send you our love!

Mardi Gras Dance with Rachel's Girl Scouts

This was a the patch Malcolm got at the dance

Malcolm and I drove to Napa Saturday to spend some time with Brian, Deb, Rachel and Matt. Rachel invited Dad to a "Favorite Fellow" dance for Girl Scouts with a Mardi Gras theme. Before they left, we all went to a very delicious Italian Dinner House for dinner and everyone had Salmon, but me. I love it, but the plates were too large for me to finish it all. It was beautiful land built in the midst of vineyards with interesting sculptures and gardens where they grow the vegetables they cook. Anyway it was fun. Then Malcolm and Rachel went to the dance and Malcolm showed Rachel some interesting dance steps and they had a blast! While they were gone, we watched a movie and had some Coldstone ice cream - my favorite with berries. Thanks to Brian and Deb for a terrific evening. We were tired when we got home, but it was so worth it!

A Visit with Grandma Eastland

I borrowed this picture of my Mom with Amanda's children - thanks to Amanda. She had a visit and family home evening with Dan and Amanda's children and had such a good time and wonderful memories of all the children and their enthusiasm.

Flowering plants

Spring is the perfect time of the year with blossoming flowers and plants, cool evening, warm day, and a bit of rain. We are enjoying all of the plants in our yard!

Spring in Blossom on our block

I love these soft and beautifu blossoming Pear trees this time of year. The whole street is anchored by them!

David Foster and Friends

David Foster on Great Performances

Malcolm and I watched a wonderful and inspiring musical performance tonight on public television featuring David Foster and some of the remarkable people he has associated with and assisted in the music field. If you get a chance to watch it - Do. We ordered the DVD and CD so we could listen again -

Olympics

Our skating rink in the front yard of our home in 1950 in Alaska

Our ice rink at school in Fairbanks, Alaska. We spent our lunch hours and after school skating!

We have really enjoyed watching the Olympics the past couple of weeks. The Winter Olympics are our favorites. The skating, skiing and snow remind me of Alaska and many happy days spent on ice rinks and ski slopes when I was growing up. Hope you all enjoyed the games too!!

Valentine Day

Valentine Day was wonderful. My sweet, thoughtful husband gave me a beautiful bouquet of roses and a darling card - I love flowers so I am so grateful and touched. I gave Malcolm some sugar free chocolates - he loves chocolate and I think these were good. After Church, Amanda and Tyler came down with a valentine cake with cool whip/pudding frosting and cherries - it was delicous along with a card made by the whole family. While Amanda and Tyler were visiting, our Stake Presidency came by and gave Malcolm a blessing. He has been sick for several weeks with a hacking cough. We appreciated their thoughtfulness after a full day of meetings! Thank you everyone for the wonderful day!

The Weekend

Tyler and Amanda went for a couple of days away for their anniversary so Grandpa picked the children up at school and I stayed overnight and cooked, played and just enjoyed all the children for a couple of days. We played scrabble, read books, cooked their favorite foods, snacked, and visited. Grandpa wasn't feel too well, but he came by everyday to check on us and have some goodies with us. Mason took his naps well and all the children went to bed like angels. Mason said the "jello was the best in the whole wide world!"

Pizza for dinner one night and chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and

Lion House rolls the other night

Adon, enjoying some cinnamon rolls for dessert

Calvin, our maestro playing the piano for us

We had an activity to make Valentines for Mom and Dad

Paige reading a book for Mason

Happy Birthday, Grandma Weston ( Elizabeth)

Tomorrow, Feb 3rd is Grandma Weston's 91st Birthday. She is doing well and is basically healthly and active. We spent Monday with doctor appointmnts, shopping, then dinner at our home with Amanda, Tyler and their little ones. It was fun and relaxing. She really enjoyed the time and attention from all of us. Happy Birthday, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma!

Our Day Together

Our bamboo salad mixers
Today, Malcolm and I went to a home and landscape show at the Expo in Sacramento. We had such a good time looking a beautiful displays of ideas for homes, gardens, decorations and exhibitions by business trying to sell their products. We spent three hours walking around just to see everything in 4-5 large buildings. We stopped and had a lunch of taco for me (very delicious and light) and taco salad for Malcolm, which he really enjoyed too. We met some nice people and even saw several friends. We bought some energy efficient light bulbs and a set of salad mixer forks made from bamboo. It was wonderful just to be together and have fun! I would advise a date day for all couples - it is just good, fun and helps keep your relationship fresh, healthy and wonderful!

Come Unto Christ

I have been speaking for ward conferences in our stake the past couple of weeks and have written this poem to go with my talk on the Beatitudes. It has been a wonderful time to study and think about the Savior and how we can be like him.

Come Unto Christ

Being poor in spirit is much like a child
Allow the Father to mild and to guide
Pruning our weakness-allow us growth
Patience and love are the results of most.

Mourning with family and with friends
When tragedy strikes and feels no end
Our hands are the Saviors as we assist
Bringing comfort through the tears that mist.

Meekness is obedience to the laws of God
Helping us hold on firmly to the iron rod
Being gentle, patient, forgiving and sweet
Often will bring answers while we sleep.

Righteousness involves work, sacrifice and pain
But reflect on all the blessings we can gain
Through temples, scriptures, study and prayer
Our hunger for the spiritual is answered with care.

Mercy brings mercy to those who are kind
Judgment tempered with sacrifice is not blind
Forgiveness, the condition of a generous heart
Know that a loving God to us grace imparts.

Purity in all the areas of our life
Always will bring peace instead of strife
Virtue garnishing our thoughts most oft
Will allow us eventually to see our God.

Peacemakers, oh what a balm they bring
They're seeking and making peace to ring
With friends, church and family near
They are a blessing to all we hold dear.

But those who sacrifice for righteous sake
have brought us the gospel for us to take
For they are tried and true to the very end
A witness of Christ is the message they send.

Patricia A. Weston - January 2010

Pinewood Derby

This morning, Malcolm, being a wonderful Grandpa, invited Tyler, Calvin, Adon & Kael down to work on their pinewood derby cars. He has all the tools and equipment they need to cut and saw their cars into shape. They worked out in the garage BRRR! for quite a while and with the help of Tyler and Grandpa, they got all their cars ready to finish! It is becoming a tradition! We feel blessed to have some grandchildren near us!

The boys and Tyler beginning their derby
Calvin working on his car

Grandpa helping Kael file his car

Adon working on his car

Paige, Carson ad Mason joined Gram for watching pictures, coloring and having snacks!

Tiles

Our daughter Amy made these very cute pendant necklaces for me. They are made from tiles and are very pretty and how talented she is!

A Beautiful Vase!

Last week, Malcolm and I were in a furniture store and saw this beautiful vase. It has all the colors that are in our living room and kitchen. We loved it, but decided not to get it. Well, today, when I returned from a class, Malcolm was very cute and smiling. Then I went into the kitchen to make lunch and was putting it on the table when I turned and saw the vase on the room divider! He said I wanted to see how long it would take you to notice it - I think it was 20 minutes. I am delighted and just love it!