April Wedding

In April we had the pleasure of attending the wedding of our friends Tida and Jason. I know Tida from when I started on the Cadbury team and then a few months after I came on board, she moved temporarily to Nor Cal to go to culinary school. It was a lot of fun having her live relatively close! I was really excited to live in the same place again when we moved to Dallas but 1 month after we got here, she moved to Las Vegas. But now we have another person to visit when we go to Vegas. I'm so happy that they decided to get married (and then came back to Dallas to do it!) So here's us at the wedding. The food was fun - they had both Thai food (in honor of Tida's heritage) and good southern cooking like fried chicken (in honor of Jason's heritage). :)

Other March Fun

Since I'm sooo far behind, this will be quick. Here's a couple other things we did in March.

We went to a dinner party at my work-friend Chad Balch's house. I made Monika's Austrian fruit tart and then some fantastic brownies. We met some of his friends, had dinner, and then played Apples to Apples (which I brought). Of course the game was a hit. When we left, guess what we found??? SNOW on the car. Sheesh!! Will the snow ever stop? I thought Dallas wasn't supposed to get snow!

The next day we went to watch our first NHL hockey game!

We watched the Dallas Stars play the Phoenix Coyotes at the American Airlines center. It was fun. The best part was that the score was tied when the regular game ended so we got to watch a shoot out. Dallas ended up losing but we still had a good time. Neither of know much about the rules of the game so I'm sure people around us were annoyed with our uneducated comments. :)

SLC in March

While we were in town for Grandpa Carlson's funeral we got a lot of visiting with family in.

Friday morning and early afternoon was focused on the grandparents. First, we spent time with Grandma Nelson. She made lunch for us including her yummy homemade rolls. I sure appreciate her going to that effort for us. I know she enjoys it too. We got to visit with Uncle Terry and the dogs - Gizmo and Sybil.

Me and Grandma Nelson

Uncle Terry and the dogs

After that we headed over to visit with Peter's Grandmother for awhile.

Peter and his Grandma Jean

Then after the viewing, Peter and I went over to Grandma and Grandpa Blank's house to visit with them (and Kimber/Britt/Mom and co).

Grandpa/Grandpa Grocery Store/Grandpa Green-Thumb/Pot Licker :)

Mom

Can you tell we are sisters?

On Sunday, we spent time with Tawny and Alex and their family. We went to breakfast at Village Inn and then visited a pet store,. We headed to West Valley City and visited more with Peter's Grandmother. It's great because lots of Peter's family lives in the same apartment complex so we were able to visit with Uncle Tim and Aja as well. Peter and Aja spent time showing each other their new skills on the guitar. We ended our time together back at Alex's house hanging out.

Payton had a great time at the pet shop

Lola in the pet store - she loves animals just like her brothers

Lola trying to work her magic on Aunt Aja

Peter rockin' out at Aja's

Watch out!

Jaxton playing the Wii with Uncle Peter

We spent dinner and the rest of the evening at Grandpa Blank's house. We celebrated his birthday with the Foote family. It is so much fun hanging out with the Foote family so I was glad we were able to spend time with them as well on this trip. After dinner, we played Scum with the older Footes and Grandpa.

"Happy Birthday to YOU" Tammy, Grandpa, Nathan, Taylor, and Maryn
Peter helping Grandpa Blank with his computer

Grandma and Grandpa Blank with Peter and I

I was so glad to spend time with soooo many family members on this trip. I love my family and feel that my life is enriched each time I get to be around them. I just wish that we ALL lived close. :( It sure makes it hard to come back to Texas after trips like this.

Tailgating at a Funeral

While the reason for the gathering was sad, it was also a joyous time to have all the Carlson family gather together in SLC to celebrate Grandpa Carlson's life. All of the immediate cousins were able to come except for A.J and Chad and Adam Carlson. I hadn't seem some of my cousins for many years so we had a lot of fun visiting.

The day before the viewing, the family that was in town gathered at the club house in my mom's neighborhood and visited while grubbing down on pizza.

At the viewing, one of the extended family members came prepared with snacks for everyone. These snacks were ready to go in Clay's trunk for anyone who wanted them. I thought it was something Grandpa would have really enjoyed - tailgating at a funeral. :)

Kimberly and Brittany both drove up with their kids and my dad drove up as well. I wish AJ would have been able to come but it's understandable with a brand new baby why he couldn't make it.

Konrad, Ashlee, cousin Derek Hansen, Kimberly and Tyler

One moment at the viewing had us all in stitches - - A bunch of us were sitting in the lobby visiting. Tyler Amos (my 7 yr old nephew) had found a boy to play with and was starting to get a little wound up. So Kimberly separated the two. The other boy went into the next room where another viewing was taking place. A few minutes later he came out and announces excitedly to Tyler (as well as the rest of us) as he gestures into the room he was just in "there's another dead body in there!!!" It was like he was on his own episode of CSI. We all cracked up at the humor of this child's innocence and wonder. So there we all are trying to be respectful of the place we are in while completely doubling over in laughter. Grandpa would have gotten a kick out this one as well. :)

Cousin Heather Fairbanks visiting with Clay and Leanne Riding

After the viewing, Peter and I went to have dinner with the Riding family at In-N-Out. Oh so yummy and Clay is a big fan as well. I knew there was a reason I liked him so much!

The funeral fell on a gloomy/rainy day. It was a wonderful service filled with memories of and tributes to Grandpa. He was a wonderful man. I think the moment that stayed with the most was when Steve Brown recounted how each time you left Grandpa and Grandma's house, Grandpa would meet you at the door, kiss your head, and tell he sure loved you and was glad that you came over. One of these times I want to write a blog about some of my favorite memories of him but for now, check out Ashlee's blog because she is spot on. Ashlee also did a beautiful job speaking at the funeral. I was so impressed with how she held herself together and spoke. It was hard enough listening to all the tender things being said and thinking about Grandpa without having to speak, too. All the grandchildren and spouses got up and sang the primary song "Love is Spoken Here".


When we walked out of the chapel to go to the burial ground, there was a fresh coat of snow waiting for us on the ground and on our cars. Luckily, Peter and I had bought an umbrella earlier that day but I should have also bought some real shoes because I was in sandals (brrrrrr).

Grandma and Aunt Nancy

The Pallbearers from Left to Right - all cousins

Richard Kenyon, Konrad Crabtree, Danny Brown, Derek Hansen, Dorian Ayala, Alec, Preston Carlson, Steve Brown

After the burial, we went to meet my Dad at Sizzler with Kimberly, Britt and the kids. My uncle Brent Nelson also was there and I haven't seen him in years so it was a family reunion there, too. My dad is looking better than he has in a year and seems to be feeling better. I hope that this next year bring good health for him.

All the Carlson clan met back up at a church building for dinner. We had BBQ and visited. It is crazy how big this family is (and everyone wasn't there!). As always happens, eventually the cards come out and we a bunch of us played Scum. It was so much fun that we decided to meet up again after all the little ones were in bed at the hotel most everyone was staying at to play some more. With the addition of the last of the tailgate treats, dessert left from dinner, and some soda, we were ready to go! We played until nearly midnight. It was so enjoyable and makes me really miss living close to family. It's hard when people are spread so far away and it's sad that we aren't getting to enjoy each other as adults.

Peter, Preston Carlson, and Heather Fairbanks

Peter and I with Grandma Carlson The Brinton/Hansen Family The Riding Family
The Carlson Family
The Brown Family
1/2 the group of late-night card players

Peter, Steve, Konrad, Preston, Julie, Derek, Ashlee, Heather

The other 1/2 of the group

Derek, Ashlee, Heather, Clay, Michelle, Laura, Me, Danny

I hope we are all able to get together soon. It saddened me when I looked around and would realize Grandpa wasn't there. But I am also happy that he doesn't have to struggle with his failing health anymore. I am so grateful to have had him in my life.

Grandpa Carlson

I have put off posting about the passing of my Grandpa Carlson for over 2 months. I just don't want to type the words or deal with the feelings that come when I think about the memories. But, it's time to get it done.

Here is what was written in his obituary:

LeRoy Carl Carlson returned to his heavenly home, and to the Savior whom he loved and served, on March 4, 2010 in Gilbert, Ariz., following a gradual decline in health over the last few years. Roy was born on January 10, 1925 in Salt Lake City to Carl and Caroline Strand Carlson. His father died when he was 4 and his only brother died when he was 10. He was raised in a loving home with his sweet mother and four sisters. He graduated from South High School in 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1944 and trained as a bombardier/navigator. After his military service was completed he met and married the love of his life, Joan Crebs, in 1947.

Roy worked as a jeweler in Salt Lake City, Idaho Falls, and Lewiston, Idaho. He then worked as an instrument maker at Dugway Proving Ground, where he designed timing and photographic instruments for government tests. He held many callings in the LDS Church including scout master, high counselor, stake president in the Tooele North Stake, and served as a bishop's counselor and as stake president's counselor in the Orem Suncrest Stake. Roy and Joan also served an LDS church mission to Independence, Mo.

His family remembers all the fun times with him. He was in a dance band in the 1940s and over the following decades his children and grandchildren loved to heard him play his saxophone. He loved to fish and was never happier than when grandchildren caught their first fish. He enjoyed camping, water sports, sleigh-riding, dancing the swing, and BYU sports.

Roy lived as though the Savior walked beside him every day. He never did an unkind or dishonest thing in his life. His family is grateful for such a loving and sweet father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Joan, and their four children: Leanne (Clay) Riding, Robert (Gaynelle) Carlson, Nancy (Bert) Brinton, Susan (Arnel) Brown; their 17 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren; two of his sisters, Ruth (Dick) Dangerfield and Ann Null; as well as Carol Nelson, who is like a daughter, and her family. Roy was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Henry; two sisters, Margie Burgener and Elsie Bauer; and a grandson, Chris Carlson.

His funeral will be held at Wasatch lawn Mortuary on Saturday, March 13 at noon. There will be a viewing Friday Night from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to LDS Philanthropy, PO Box 27188, Provo, Utah 84602.

New Nephew!

THE NEWEST NELSON!

On our way to Utah for Grandpa Carlson's funeral, we were able to schedule a flight that had a layover in Albuquerque. This was perfect because we had a few hours to get to meet our new nephew - Aaron Robert Nelson. He was born on February 26 and was 6 lbs 5 oz. This meant he was 2 weeks old when we flew in so I feel really grateful to Heather for being willing to take him outside into the world so we could meet him. She picked us up at the airport and then we went onto the Air Force Base to see AJ. He was working on his car (my brother is amazing with what he has learned to do!)

Here's the whole family together - AJ, Heather, and Aaron


Peter and Aaron checking each other out

I think it's so special seeing a parent's love for their child

So we hung out at the shop for awhile and then decided to go get lunch and took Heather to lunch at Applebees. She let me hold Aaron as much as I wanted. He is sooo tiny and sweet!! It sure made me baby hungry but luckily that feeling has passed. :)

Isn't he just yummy?

I did get a few pictures with me and the baby but they are so NOT going to be posted out here for the world to possibly see. Next time I'll do a better job of checking the camera to make sure there are some usable pictures. :)