Quest it Don't Quit it!

Engagements

2008-09-22T02:30:00.000-07:00

You can see more of our engagements at our blog at annandevan.blogspot.com

SpenMardFam

2008-08-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

Spencer, Mardee and kids have a family blog now. Elizabeth has been doing a great job updating it!

Way to go!

http://spenmardkids.blogspot.com/

My Own Blog

2008-08-12T20:57:00.000-07:00

Hola Family!

I've decided Kate has a point, and a good one at that! I've decided to try to write on my own blog for journaling purposes. So, you are more than welcome to check it out. I love you all and think you are all wonderful in your own ways!

Gwen

http://www-gwen.blogspot.com/

Another treasure....

2008-07-01T14:06:00.001-07:00

Look what I found!!

2008-06-17T10:00:00.001-07:00

I don't even remember where I got this from, Mom probably made a copy of an old t-shirt and I found my copy in some old pictures. How appropriate! Love you all!

I'm almost done!

2008-04-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

This is at a little party with my fellow students and some faculty. The food was amazing! There were lettuce wraps, creme brule, pesto, shrimp etc.

2008-04-03T23:44:00.001-07:00

Take the Quiz here!

new car

2008-04-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

caleb and kate

oh what a feelin! Honda

Gwen looking hot by her hot car

We bought a new car, a honda pilot we are so excited, and Gwen tinted her windows!

Cool Quote

2008-02-15T03:47:00.000-08:00

Speaking of Children
"They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts."
-Kahlil Gibran

I have my own page

2008-02-04T19:26:00.000-08:00

Hola Fam! This is my new link!

My Memories (Gwen's Version)

2008-01-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

I know being the youngest in our family I have the most abbreviated memories of all, but I thought I might as well put my two bits in. Ha ha, pun intended. Most of the things I remember about dad were feelings I felt while being around him. I think the most appropriate word for it is Love. I also remember a scag-nasty green bottle with a large cut in the nipple so I could get the mush out. I sometimes think I remember dad telling me to go lay down so I could have the bottle, but I don't know if that is just me mixing in my own dreams. I do remember looking straight up, trying to see dad's face, but the only thing I saw was his extra long skinny legs. The end.

I sure have loved hearing about dad. It feels like I know him a bit better just by reading what you've shared. Thanks! I love you all!

Wow, while re-reading my post to make sure I didn't have any huge errors (being the teacher I am) I realized I sound really pitiful and that's not what I was going for. So, to let you all feel jipped I thought I would share some memories about Grandpa Nielson. This man was no ordinary man. He was the kind of man that hero's are made of. He had a very deep voice that was very gentle and loving. I would always sit on his lap and listen to his chest rumble as he spoke. That man had a gift for making a little child feel special. I remember him saying to me, after mom had apologized for having to leave me with him that, "I'll baby-sit you, if you baby-sit me." This immediately got a wide smile from both of us. Never have I meet a man that was so wise and quiet at the same time. I remember waking up from nap time and seeing him sitting at the table pouring over his scriptures. He had both a deep calm about him as well as an amazing sense of humor. He told me once, after I had asked him why he eats burnt toast, that he likes it that way. Definitely an acquired taste. More likely grandma accidentally burnt it when the were first married and he didn't have the heart to tell her it was ruined, so he sucked it up and told her, "I like it that way." Boy, I love this man! Through spending time with him I feel like I understand a little better what Heavenly Father's love would feel like. Just looking at the man who would go for walks with a little girl (and his cane) to make her feel important makes me miss him. I always felt like a great lady in his presence, and I can't wait to see him and all our other loved ones again.

Mom's Mini Memory of your Dad

2008-01-18T16:44:00.000-08:00

How we met:

Your dad had returned from his mission on July 19, 1967 and he planned to attend Snow College that fall to play basketball. It was our first day back at college and I was an officer in the LDS Student Association. I was spending my time in the Institute befriending new students and encouraging them to enroll in classes. (The institute is now the Family Life bldg.) I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people. Rather early in the day I noticed this cute, tall fellow lounging in one of the leather chairs, rather layed back, with a smirk/smile on his face. He was handsome in his stiffly starched, perfectly ironed yellow "Gant" shirt and Dockers. (You were stylin' in a "Gant" in those days. Before his mission, he had a good job working at Geneva Steel and had acquired nice clothes.)

The officers had planned a fun get acquainted night which included a dance. To learn more about our dance partners we each had a "dance program". The students were to exchange signatures during the day. That evening, we would locate the person whose name corresponded to the number on the dance program.

It happened that your dad was the first person to sign my program. I didn't know that I would be the first person to dance with him since his return from So. America. When the dance began and they announced: "Find dance partner # one." I began looking this way and that for a tall guy with amazingly long eyelashes and gorgeous blue eyes. He was easy to spot and he saw me so there we were facing each other. Anyway, there was a question attached to each number on the dance program. Our question was. "Where are you from?" He answered first. He said that he was from "here" and that he played basketball for Manti High. Hummm? I'm now wondering:"How OLD ARE YOU? I was a JV cheerleader for Manti High and have never seen you on the playing floor! You must be OLD! I must have had a stumped look on my face but he didn't change his story when I told him that I went to Manti High too. We danced and I led. So he said. What do you expect he hadn't danced for years, and that's what I had done a lot of . I was even planning to persue dance as a minor in college.

During the evening he asked me to dance with him again and then asked if he could walk me home. As we walked, he began talking about his mission, (Andes South), and then started talking about some Elder from his mission who had come home and was married within a month. "Wow!" I said,"Where did you say you served?" "Andes South" he responded. "I have a brother-in -law who served there, and he was only home a month when he married my sister." I said. "His name wasn't Mordecai was it?" he Querried. We both laughed. We had something BIG in common.

I explained that they had been married in the Manti Temple only a month earlier. "OH!" He sighed, "I would have been there if I had known about it." I felt his disappointment and said comfortingly, "Well my sister's dress is upstairs" When we get home I'll put it on and you can shake my hand. I can pretend to be Barbara." "No," He said. "it's OK. You can wear the dress for our wedding."

I did wear that dress for our wedding in July 19, 1968.

Boots

2008-01-18T00:04:00.000-08:00

When I was young if I wanted to remember dad I would think of the sound of his walk down the long mexican tiled halls. I think it was a cowboy boot he wore, but I can remember listening to him walk down the hall as I lay in my bed. A good sound.

I liked to be around our Uncle's because their voice sounds similar to Dads. I think particularly Joe and Richard.

I remember Dad bribing Robert and I to take a nap, saying he would give us a succor or something if we took a nap as he patted our backs and sang to us. (I was probably around 4 years old)

I remember making juice for him in Idaho when he came in for lunch, most likely due to low blood sugar. Scooping spoonfuls out of the top of a juice can, to make enough for one glass(kind of odd).

When I picture Dad I see long legs with 501 jeans with holes in the back pockets and a button down shirt.

I always felt special. I remember in Mexico I was having psycho-somatic stomach symptoms because I had a really hard time not being able to understand spanish in school, because I was a perfectionist used to being able to do things without struggle in school. Mom and Dad took me aside in their bedroom and sang "you are my sunshine" and explained to me how special I was and Dad gave me his diabetic necklace and told me to put it in my pocket and when I got nervous to hold on to it. And telling me also to climb this mountain. That has really stuck, I guess that is why I like mountains so much. Anyway I remember the day I forgot about the necklace in my pocket. Good parenting...

A patient man

2008-01-16T19:11:00.000-08:00

I amazed at how much trust Dad gave to us at young ages. I think of letting my 8 year old drive tractors around - uum. When I was twelve or so I had the responsibility of loading the silage wagon. You would set the weight of something and then fill it until the light went on. One day the sun was shining through the light so I couldn't see when it had turned on so I just kept dumpting and dumping. When I realized what I had done I told Dad. He didn't even seem annoyed in the least he just got in the back of the wagon and scooped out my overload (what I had done with a tractor) with a 5 gal bucket and this left a mark on me.

John

CUTE PICs

2008-01-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

This is one of my new favorite pics!

What beautiful sistas and cute Luke.

My Dress

2008-01-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

Good idea Mom. I look forward to reading what each of you write.

As the years have gone by, memories of Dad's face have faded in my mind slightly but one thing I won't ever forget is how I felt when I was near him and the comfort and safety I felt just by hearing his voice. As most of us would agree, we each felt special just "getting" to hang out with him. I remember Dad taking me shopping for my baptism dress (at Swallow's??) in Wendell. We went and ate first and then we looked for a dress. He let me pick any dress I wanted, regardless of the cost but I set my sights on a grey dress with a pink ribbon on the front. When I tried it on and showed him he said, "Wowee-Dowee!" and I felt like a princess. I did get spankings and what-not but I ALWAYS was in need of correction and I understood why afterward because Dad never disciplined me out of anger, that I remember.

I miss Dad a lot and still think of him often. My friends father recently passed away and it really brought up a lot of old emotions I've strived to supress of the pain attached to losing a beloved parent, I will always miss and love Dad and be grateful for the time we had with him as well as the knowledge of how dear his family was to him (his journal proves this).

I'm SO thankful we are also blessed with an amazing, wonderful mother. Heavenly Father was blessing us by giving us two amazing parents! I'm also grateful for the bond we share as siblings, to know what each other is dealing with, although we will all have different emotions related to this experience - we can talk about it and support each other because we share that common pain and love.

I love each of you SO much!!

Angela

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2008-01-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

I just want to wish the family a happy and healthy 2008! I'm excited to see what new things, babies and changes that will happen this year! Love you all!

Cute!!

2007-12-26T20:47:00.000-08:00

Cute little cousins enjoying some magic and hanging out.... Lets do it again next year!!

more pics from Christmas

2007-12-26T20:36:00.000-08:00

Joey's first Christmas party was fun for him. The kids enjoyed a game of BINGO, Ann was excited about the sweater she received from Gwen and then the talents we enjoyed were fantastic!

Christmas Party

2007-12-23T08:22:00.000-08:00

Our family party was so fun. We really enjoyed seeing everyone, and were so happy John, Anna, Carvel, Emma and Sam could make it from RENO. We took more video than actual photos so maybe we will do a video clip. All those kids are so talented, and Spencer gave us a great magic show. It was fun to get to know Katie more and for her awesome contributions.

Temple Square

2007-12-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

Jeff and I went and saw the lights Sunday night. They were beautiful!

Date night with the Elders

2007-12-16T16:54:00.000-08:00

Maria, Lemmons, Henrie, Kandyce, My date James, me, Kalesha and Topham.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-13T15:26:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas! We sure love you all.

Halloween

2007-12-13T14:40:00.000-08:00

a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h5JFzqLxuhM/R2Ca-MzZF7I/AAAAAAAAAE4/J9Nd_Se_8YU/s1600-h/DSCF1655.JPG"><

Joey Allen

2007-12-13T14:36:00.000-08:00

I think it worked this time....

2007-12-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1200496238

The hyperlink function won't work for me! DANG - this one's pretty funny so you should all check it out!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!

2007-12-06T12:34:00.000-08:00

I just want to wish Emma a happy 7th birthday! I love you!

Here is a picture of Emma and Savanah torturing Jeff.

2007-12-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We are so excited to announce again our party! We are getting together on the Saturday BEFORE Christmas. Which is December 22, 2007 at 1 pm.

John's family got elfed

2007-12-03T15:36:00.001-08:00

Thanks to John....

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1151586672

I can't get the hyperlink function to work. I click on it and it inserts it but when I post, it doesn't show up. =(

2007-12-01T15:49:00.001-08:00

When you watch the slide show, click the sound button on...Hope you like it!

Madwagon

2007-12-01T15:43:00.001-08:00

A few more.....

2007-11-30T21:27:00.000-08:00

More pics

2007-11-30T21:20:00.001-08:00

Neil took a lot of these photos - he's quite the little photographer!!

I'm smrt

2007-11-27T13:57:00.000-08:00

I finally figured out how to subscribe to this so it shows my name. Doesn't take me FOREVER, just a really long time!

BTW - Happy Birthday to John

2007-11-27T13:37:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to make a birthday post, albeit a couple days late! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love you!

Ang

Thanksgiving

2007-11-23T02:25:00.000-08:00

We have a lot to be thankful for, but most importantly our family!

Stem Cell Breakthrough

2007-11-20T18:35:00.000-08:00

Great breakthrough with stem cell research, which means great news for diabetics. Check out this website. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071120/ts_nm/stemcells_dc;_ylt=AiwTUcNDeDYEr6oAYP6E_dJZ.3QA

2007-11-20T12:55:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to make a note, when you leave a comment leave your name also because the email is someone named Allen Family so it just says posted by Family. Keep up the good work!
Love Kate

Scool Pictures

2007-11-20T07:50:00.001-08:00

I don't really know what I am doing, but I am going to try it. I have now entered the world of blogging. As you know Anna is the teacher and this is a picture of the pupils (and the principle). Good luck Anna!

They say it's your birthday?

2007-11-19T14:45:00.001-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!! You are fabulous-o! I think you are very wonderful! I hope you have a wonderful birthday! I love you!

Love, Gwen

P.S. You are definitely in my top 10 favorite things this Thanksgiving!

2007-11-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOMMY!!! Are you really 60? You don't look a day over 35! LOVE YOU!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM and NANA!

2007-11-19T09:09:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving

2007-11-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

Remember this picture? Can't believe it's already been TWO years. Maybe we need to take a new one during Christmas while everyone is here. HOORAY - we all love family pictures don't we?

I'm excited to see everyone for the holidays - really excited actually! This time of year - I just want to express my thanks for the wonderful family I have been blessed with. Each one of you mean so much to me and I'm grateful for everyone's special gifts and individuality. I love my family!

Angela

The Magician

2007-11-17T21:50:00.001-08:00

This was our trip to Cancun. (Luckily I saved theese pictures to my camera because my computer crashed and we lost everything)

When I take some cool pictures I will post them. Until then enjoy the past.

2007-11-17T02:22:00.001-08:00

For family home evening recently we had the EMTC or Early Mission Training Center. We gave them tags that said "Future Missionary" and official mission call letters: Caleb to Hong Kong, China and Luke to Mexico City, Mexico. We had stations set up around the room which included practicing such skills as tie tieing, sewing (Luke didn't participate as much in that one), marking scriptures, and baking instruction through making cookies for dessert (or Mom made them). It turned out to be a lot of fun and I would definitely try it again. I would love to hear any FHE ideas.

Welcome

2007-11-17T02:21:00.000-08:00

Hello Allen Family! Let's get blogging! I am really excited to introduce our family blog. It is really user friendly and only takes a few minutes. Love you.