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. :)

Vegas Vacation

We finally took a "real" Vegas vacation. Of course we go to Las Vegas quite frequently to see my family but we've never really had a trip where we go all out as if we were regular tourists. This time, we did! We planned this trip along with Peter's brother Alex and his wife Tawny.

The first night we went to the Hooters Casino for dinner at, naturally, Hooters. I have never eaten at Hooters before so I was cautious. Turns out the food was great, the atmosphere was nothing too extreme, and we had a good time. I really liked my food so I will definitely go back (whether or not I have a male with me!) Plus, the girls are quite covered up compared to a couple places we've been to in Dallas - Twin Peaks and 3rd Base. Afterwards, Tawny and I played a little penny slots mainly as a way to sit down while the boys played at the tables. I came away a winner! $16.50 - thank you penny slots. :)

The next morning we got up, went to breakfast, and headed out to go to the Hoover Dam. None of us have been to the Dam before so it was really cool to see. We were going to go on the tour that actually went inside the dam but the wait was over 2 hours so we opted for the tour that took us through the powerstation. It was really interesting learning all about the dam, how it was built, and all the electricity it generates. The room with half of the generators in it - huge!

Peter on the lake side of the dam

Looking down from the top on the river side

We then went to the outlets and did some shopping followed by dinner at the MGM Grand Buffet. That night we went to go see KA - a cirque du soleil show. It was awesome! I love the cirq' shows they are always so inventive, unique, and jaw-droppingly amazing.

Me and Peter

Alex and Tawny

Our next day was spent mainly on the strip. We walked around, shopped, gambled, ate, etc. We had dinner at Cafe Rio (another must when in Vegas) and then headed over to the Green Valley Ranch. Alex wanted to play some Texas Hold 'Em Poker and Peter played Blackjack. My friend Tida and her fiance Jason (who recently moved from Dallas to Vegas) came over and we got some time to visit, which was nice. Afterwards, we met up with Kimberly and Lalo late that night for the show Blue Man Group. We had seats in the center of the second row in the "poncho zone". And boy did we need those ponchos! I had a jello mold thing shoot off the stage right at me. We were splashed by paint and then the worst was when mashed bananas hit us. It was ALL over me. The poncho didn't help much because at that point in the show I was feeling pretty safe so I had taken down the hood. BAD MOVE. I ended up with bananas all in my hair, my arms, my chest, etc. It was really a fun show though.

Tawny, Alex, Peter, Kallie, Lalo, Kimberly
Me in my poncho
Kimberly, BLUE MAN, and Lalo


Peter, BLUE MAN, and Alex

The next day Alex and Tawny went home so Peter and I got to spend some good time with my sisters and their families. After we dropped Alex and Tawny off at the airport though we headed to the strip and walked around the new city center a little and did some more gamblings. (Overall I ended up losing about 25.00 total gambling but was able to get in a lot of time playing. I was up on the slots and down on Blackjack.) At the Amos/Mejia household, Lalo made his famous carne asada (OH SO YUMMY!!!!) and while he was grilling it, we got to watch how Tyler and Kaitlyn now can ride 2 wheel bikes. I am stunned with how old they are getting. For example, on this trip we helped Kaitlyn with homework. It's kind of weird for me because I don't feel like I'm getting older but yet there are visual reminders like this of how time is passing. I still think I'm basically the same person I was 5 years ago and not much has changed. Sometimes I think that maybe I'm missing some boat because I'm not experiencing major shifts or changes in my own life... ??? Anyway, sorry for the digression.

Hayden on the scooter Tyler and Kaity riding bikes The Grill Master - Lalo
Joe and Hayden

Kaitlyn and Dad

Dad came over to enjoy dinner as well. We even got a little "Just Dance" in on the wii but couldn't get Dad to participate. :)

One of the nights, after Alex and Tawny left we went out to dinner with Tida and Jason. We went to this great Spanish tapas restaurant called FireFly. It was sooooo good. We had tons of food, good drinks, and great conversation. I sure miss Tida and wish they still lived in Texas! After dinner we went to a club and had drinks while we watched people dance. That's what you do when you go to Vegas, right? We stayed out late and had a really good time. :)

Peter and Hayden

We ended our Vegas Vacation by having lunch with dad at a buffet before heading off for home. It was a really fun vacation and I loved all the time I got to spend visiting with family and friends. It makes it hard to go back home where we don't really have any of that, yet.

Valentine's Day

This year was Peter's year to plan our Valentine's Day activities. We had a homemade dinner by candlelight. (I can probably count on one hand the number of times we have used the table to eat at since we moved to Texas.) He made chili with yummy fresh french bread and I tried a new recipe for dessert. It was a brownie trifle layered with cool whip and raspberries.

Katherine's Wedding

We headed to Utah right after New Years for Katherine Hough's wedding. During our (really) short visit we did our best to fit in visits with as many people as possible.

We stayed with the Foote family and exposed them to one of Peter's Christmas presents. "Just Dance" is a Wii game that is fun for the whole family. Here's the evidence of that. :)

Tammy, Kimberly and Peter

Nathan, Ethan, and Taylor
We also went to brunch with Peter's brother Alex and his family at the Grand America Hotel. It sure was the fanciest brunch I've ever been to, that's for sure!

Jaxton and Payton

Payton, Tawny, Alex, Jaxton, and Lola

I was really glad that we came out for Katherine's wedding to Tony Phillips. It was held up at Log Haven up Mill Creek Canyon. The beautiful snow covered mountains were the perfect backdrop for a winter wedding. I love weddings!

Here's Kimberly, Tyler, and Kaitlyn

Tyler and the flower girls - Star and Skye Peter and I all dressed up for the special day
Dad and Marriann were in the wedding party (naturally). I loved watching them walk down the aisle together.
BEST MAN - Logan (Tony's son) and MATRON OF HONOR - Marabeth
The Ceremony
Katherine and Tony enjoying all the touching speeches
Let's party! We danced the night away.
The Bride "workin' it"Sisters - Kimberly, Kat, and KallieWhew! I'm exhausted.

After the wedding (we left at 11:30 PM!), even though we were wiped out from a long day we made the trek 1 hour out of our way to hit the new In-N-Out in Draper. In Dallas we are more than 13 hours from the closest In-N-Out so this was nothing compared to that! This was our first chance to have In-N-Out since we moved to Texas. It was sooooo yummy. I had mine with the chopped chilis even though it was past midnight. :) I MISS IN-N-OUT!