Every year my mom buys my children Christmas dresses/ties. This year did not disappoint.

 Adalyn, my tiny ballerina. 3 years old.

 Brody and Ada

 Daddy and Brody

 Every afternoon Benton drives to Grandma's house to read with her. He loves his little truck and Ada loves going for rides with him, so does our little Chihuahua dog, Bitty. 

 This is what early morning scriptures and prayers looks like. My four little bobble heads. 

 The hands of a toddler.

 Happy Broday- 6 months

 Alex's style

 Brody- 6 months

 Bryson and Brody- 4 moths

 Last summer we had the boys together for 10 days. Everyday was a new adventure.

Benton, Jayden, Kolby

 Ballet 2013

Tori and Alex

 Benton always seems to injure himself. Today it was his finger and a pencil sharpener.
Benton is our little gentleman. He always gets the doors for me and his sisters and tells us, "ladies first."

 My little Tori is growing up so fast! An official Tween now.

 Summer fun at the Neilsen's pool. 

Alex, Benton, Tori and Ada

 Mommy and Brody during church. 4 months old.

 Benton's first day of Kindergarten.

 Brody

Adam Hatch

Our cousin and next door neighbor drowned on Mexico Independence day while kayaking with his brothers down the river in town. I had the honor to help prepare him for the viewing and Garrett was asked to dress him. It was the last act of service that I was able to perform for this member of our family. I am forever changed.

father of 4. friend to all. outdoors-men. fisher. camping expert. ice cream connoisseur. chef. generous. hair stylist. high adventure coordinator. million dollar smile. gardener. cement contractor. house renovator. world traveler. family man.

You will be greatly missed. Until we meet again.

Oh Canada

We finally got around to taking our kids up North this summer. It was amazing to take my kids back to my roots. We had a fabulous time. We got to waterski, jet ski, hike, bike, swim, eat, visit, play games, laugh, play tennis, and enjoy being together as a family!

 We hiked Bear's Hump as a family.

 All the kids did great. After the hike we laid down for a nap and my mom woke up with a blood clot that she could feel traveling up her leg. She was in immense pain and couldn't walk. She requested a priesthood blessing from Garrett, Dave and Rock then was rushed to the hospital. My mom was administered a shot and tested borderline positive for a blood clot. She was sent home until the morning where she would be given an ultra sound. There were no traces of the blood clot the next morning. It was a miracle!

 The first morning in Waterton my niece Sydney was baptized in the freezing cold glacier water at Waterton Lake. It was an incredible baptism that we will never forget.

 My kids loved the small town and being able to walk or ride their bikes everywhere. Their favorite was the candy store and ice cream shop.

 We hiked at Red Rock and then played in the water. The rocks are smooth enough to slide down if you can stand the ice cold water. We saw 4 bears on the way home from Red Rock, including a Grizzly and a Black Bear and her cub.

 We started our trip in Montana at Uncle Larry and Aunt Flora's beautiful cabin. We spent every morning on the lake skiing and boating and swimming. The water was warm and the most beautiful turquoise color. 

 One afternoon I took my girls to High Tea at the Prince of Wales.

 Christine, Janelle, Louisa, Rachel and BarbaraJo

Sisters together again.

 All of the Matheny grandchildren (minus 1).

 Alex, Grandpa Dave and Grandma Laurel

 Renting sureys was always a childhood favorite. It was fun to take my girls.

 One quick pit stop to see the World's Largest Truck.

 9 of the 10 grandchildren.

 Red Rock

 Christine Hull, Louisa Matheny, BarbaraJo Hatch

 High Tea at the Prince of Wales

 The Prince of Wales.

 The view in Montana from our bedroom window.

 Tea Time with my girls.

 Canadian Wildlife.

 Grandma Laurel and Baby Brody

Montana fun!

 Garrett and Brody in Montana on the porch. 

 Every morning Tori and Alex would go Kayaking in the warm lake in Montana.

 Benton and Weston were fast friends and little buddies the whole trip.

 The boys...Benton, Weston Hull and Lincoln Hull

 Hadley Nelson and Adalyn Hatch

Terrible Twos X 2.

Fruit Salad

I was in Mexico preparing for my daughter, Alex's, baptism. I had a giant pinata stuffed, 100 mini cheesecakes made, pictures framed, programs printed and food for 50 prepared. All except for the fruit salad. I wanted to prepare that last so the fruit would be fresh.

The morning had arrived. We had a busy day ahead of us. Tori, Alex and Benton had basketball games then Alex had a hair appointment to help her feel special on her big day. I woke unusually early and sat down at the computer while nursing the baby. I was simply enjoying a little internet surfing when the phone rang. I saw that it was Rachel. I instantly knew something was wrong. I answered and could hear panic in her voice as she asked to speak with my mom, who had just arrived from Utah. I asked her what the matter was and she said, "Jordan is dead."

At that moment I could feel the blood drain from my face and the wind knocked out of my lungs. I asked if she was sure and she said the police were with him and it was confirmed. My head started to race and I struggled to find words of comfort. I then frantically started finding ways for my mom and I to get to Idaho the fastest way possible. We still had to baptize Alex. I had to pack. My kids needed to be taken care of. I had to feed the masses. We needed to bless Brody. I needed to be with Rachel.  My head spun.

Fortunately, the bishop was the first to hear of this news and in offering to help was able to move the baptism  up two hours and allow us to bless the baby immediately afterwards. This enabled us to make the border before it closed so we could catch a flight out of Mesa at the earliest and arrive in Idaho to save Rachel from this nightmare.

I was holding it together pretty well. I needed to be strong. I needed to be happy for this was a monumental day for Alex and Brody. We were celebrating. We were mourning. I had to pull it together.

Everything was in order for us to leave. My mom offered to help prepare the fruit salad so I could pack. I didn't give it a second thought. I had a million things to do before we could leave. Once in the car and down the road my mom gave me a plate of the food I was serving at the after-party of Alex's baptism. I was enjoying it and thinking of how grateful I was for my best friend, Jen, who stepped in and took over for me and for how well everything turned out until I got to the fruit salad.

I took a few bites and realized there was no fruit in it. I asked my mom what happened to the fruit salad and she said she had put everything in it that I left out for her. It was then that I realized that I forgot to bring out the pineapple, strawberries, grapes and bananas. It was just a glob of cool whip, vanilla pudding and mandarin oranges. I lost it.

I broke down and started to cry. I even frantically called anyone in the family to see if they could salvage the fruit salad. I knew it was too late since everyone had probably already eaten and were headed home. It was my last grasp at something I could control in this chaotic day. My sweet nephew, Kaleb, was kind enough to appease his crazy Aunt's request to finish the salad.

My mom kept looking at me like I had gone mad. She said it was not important but only a fruit salad. Her words did not comfort me. The flood gates were released. It was much later that I realized I was not upset about the actual salad. It was my way of mourning and feeling for my sister at her time of need without realizing it. I could cry over fruit salad but I had to be strong for my mom and sister, for my whole family. I had to hold it together for them, but not for the dang fruit salad.

So, June 1st we had a death,  a baptism, and a baby blessing.  It is amazing how tragedy can put life into prospective. Are our priorities in order? Are we fulfilling our mission in this life? Bottom line is that family is important. The most important. We are forever and we must do all that we can to make sure that sealing stays that way. Family is what brings us strength and comfort, especially in our times of sorrow and need. With the plan of salvation we know we can be reunited with our loved ones...forever.

And so it is. I discovered that I show emotion through non-personal things in order to keep my strength....for my family.

(Picture taken the morning of the baptism)

The trails we endure...

My little sister is doing something I NEVER thought she would be the first in the family to do. She and her sweet two year old daughter have to bury their husband/father.  Rachel has been so strong as funeral plans were made and the choice to move in with my parents was decided. She held it together for her daughter while falling to pieces inside. I know she has felt much peace at this chaotic and emotional time in her life. Here is  her story:

http://jordanandrachelnelson.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-sweet-husband-jordan-glenn-nelson.html#comment-form