Grandma Bellows Tribute and Funeral

 On Tuesday, May 13th, we held a funeral for Grandma Bellows. We had a viewing the night before where it was nice to spend time with family and friends.

 Some of the memorable Grandma items were out on a table at the viewing such as the candy dish, the famous cow cookie jar, and Steph even made her famous meatballs, as named by Holly Olsen!

 The funeral was beautiful. Kris, Mary, Linda, Cousin Shannon, and the Bishop spoke. They all shared wonderful memories and truly brought the spirit in. The great-grand-kids and the Olsens sang as well, making it an amazing service

 The weather in Orem was beautiful as we reached the cemetery. All of the boy cousins were named as pall bears and those who were able to attend participated. Chad Louder, Robb Louder, Brad Olsen, Travis Beardall, Scott Christensen, John Christensen, Kristopher Gillespie, Andy, Louder, Spencer Gillespie, Bryan Olsen, and Max Christensen.

 Shannon Brems took some great pictures of Grandpa and Grandma for their 70th wedding anniversary that she shared with us. So glad I have copies.

 Dad dedicated Grandma's grave and did a beautiful job, the kids sat around the casket at the cemetery and I loved getting a picture of Grandma's great posterity....

 Grandma was and is an amazing example to me. I am so blessed to have such a role model in my life.

 I am so grateful that we could come together as a family and celebrate this woman's life!

I love this picture that Shannon took, because it is where you would always find Grandpa and Grandma when you visited. Grandma sent me a birthday card that arrived the day she died. In the card she said," We love you, we always have and we always will!" I can't help but say the same, "I love you Grandma, I always have and I always will!"

Happy Birthday/Mothers Day!

 I have the most wonderful and amazing family! My 40th birthday was Sunday and they threw an awesome party for me starting with a Cookie Monster Pinata that Kelly found!

 It was stormy outside so we did the pinata in the living room with Kris and Spencer in charge, scary!

 We had a ball!

 Of course Kris and Spencer made it a lot of fun and were traumatically impacted at the loss of Cookie Monster...

 Caleb on the other hand gained a new hat.

We also enjoyed mothers day and having Julie in town was a special bonus! So grateful for an amazing family!

NaDean Davis Bellows

1924 ~ 2014

NaDean Davis Bellows, born August 1, 1924 to Dean L. and Margaret Muhelstein Davis in Edgemont, UT, passed away Thursday, May 8, 2014 in her home in Orem, UT.

NaDean graduated from Lincoln High School in Orem, UT and married her high school sweetheart Lynn Bellows in the Salt Lake Temple on May 14th, 1943. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and neighbor and was a caretaker for all. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion for any of her posterity. NaDeans love and devotion to her family and to our Savior has positively impacted hundreds and will be felt for generations to come. In her actions, attitude, and words she bore witness of and drew people to Christ. She was kind, loving, generous, compassionate and selfless. NaDean was happiest with her sweetheart and her family and loved the outdoors fishing, hunting and camping. She had a great sense of humor, could make a joke even in the worst of times, and almost always had a smile on her face. She served in various callings in the church and was steadfast in her faith and beliefs. No words written or spoken could express the influence she has had on all of our lives.

NaDean is survived by her adoring husband Lynn J. Bellows, children JoAnn (Paul) Gillespie, Mary (Darrell) Beardall, Linda (Randy) Olsen, and Kris (Randall) Christensen, brothers Eldon and Neil and sister Delora, 26 grandchildren, 92 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren who all love and admire all she did and represented. She is preceded in death by her sweet daughter Carolyn, brothers Bud and Dennis, and her sister Faye.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Orem 4th Ward Chapel, 50 South 800 East, Orem, UT. A visitation will be held Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home, 495 South State St., Orem and also at the Church on Tuesday 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SundbergOlpinMortuary.com

San Pete County

 My work sent me to San Pete County with my Diet Coke loving friends and co-workers, Camille and Laura.

 We went and toured the Gunnison Prison which I found very interesting and educational.

 This sign outside the prison was very funny, isn't it a criminal offense to provide drugs to anyone?

 There are not many hotels in San Pete County, work got us a place to stay at a very nice bed and breakfast known as the Yardley Inn in Manti.

 The lady that owns and runs the Yardley Inn was quite funny and it made the stay even more of an adventure!

 Before heading to other sites we needed to visit I took a walk around Manti and took pictures of some historic buildings like this LDS church,

 the temple from a distance, and...

of course the library. Surprise, surprise!

Celebrating Easter

 We had a fun Easter egg hunt with the nieces and nephews on April 20th,

Kelly kept the traditions alive by making the famous bunny cake Mom had made for so many years! 

Happy Easter!

Keena Prepares for a Mission

 Keena received her endowment on April 12, 2014 in preparation for her mission to Canada,

 Family and friends able to attend with her at the Timpanogos Temple.

I am so happy for Keena and I know she will be an excellent missionary!

Setting Marcus Apart

 Marcus turned 12 on Sunday, March 16th. Steph and Andy kindly set up his priesthood setting apart at there house so everyone could come...

 Marcus, Grandpa Horton and Grandpa Gillespie

 Kelly and Grandma Gillespie

Thanks Hortons for letting us share Marcus' special day!

Roosevelt and Vernal, Utah

 I went to Roosevelt and Vernal, Utah for work. I had a little time to explore and found this beauty shop with this great name!

 I had never seen the Vernal Temple and I was really glad I had a chance to go see it. 

 It was a beautiful day and I would like to return and do some temple work there.

As a funny side note, I just happened to find the library, go figure!

The Central Park Five

I watched this documentary last night and although it is somewhat one sided it was fascinating story. It shows the impacts of social issues on individual cases and how important innocence is. It also shows how the news media can skew so much! I am so glad there are innocence projects in many law schools throughout the United States and I love documentaries that make me think. Thanks Ken Burns!

Nostalgia

 I am a very nostalgic person and I love to collect things from my childhood. Books, movies, toys, records.... I have had a set of records saved for years, the originals from when I was a kid. These babies survived fire, flood, and bed bugs! 

I have wanted a record player forever and I promised myself I would buy one when I could afford it. So you guessed it, I found one on an amazing deal and I have been listing to all of my favorites ever since!

For those who grew up with me you may recognize some of the favorites. It does not take much to make me happy, but this is like Christmas morning!

House Warming

Sarah Waugh threw a house warming party for me on February 8th. 

It was great fun to have so many family and friends at my house for games and treats. Sarah planned some really fun games for all! One unplanned game was how many people can we fit on this couch.

Kaitlyn fixed one "great" dinner! Thanks to everyone who brought food, gifts, and just came to see the new place! 

Love you all!!!