IT'S ABOUT TRUST--GRAND CAMP 2009

It was Grand Camp time again this year July 16th, 17th, & 18th. All of us were so excited! Lacey and Halle had been in town for a couple of weeks so Jessie and Sage were the only ones to fly in. Sadly, Alex and Tristan decided not to join in the fun this year. We had Mackenzie sleep over Wednesday night and got a very early morning start to LAX. Sunny uncharacteristically slept in and required a frantic last minute mad dash to the airport, but got the kids on in good order. We picked them up and headed for our traditional IHOP breakfast. The kids were so excited to be together doing fun things.

The excitement and love for each other shows in their faces.

Jessie, Lacey, Bailey, Sage, Halle and Mackenzie.
Sage didn't mind being the only boy this year. He gets along so well with his cousins.

Lots of love for Papa as we wait to be seated.

A little diversion as we wait for pancakes with chocolate chip happy faces and other wonderful culinary treats.

Being in LA we decided to go first to the Los Angeles Temple and visitors center. How were we to know the Visitors Center had been closed down and was being totally renovated? It was still a great experience. We walked around the grounds of that very large and beautifully kept temple and it became one of the favorite experiences of Grand Camp. The Family Statue was a great starting place for our adventures to strengthen this family.

A beautiful fountain with beautiful (and handsome) faces around it.

In front of the temple, too big to get all of it in and still identify faces. With the visitors center closed, no available restrooms meant three who couldn't wait any longer got to be escorted in to use the temples restrooms. We should have let them all go in to see how spacious and beautiful even the foyer is in this temple.

We found a shady, private area and let thekids ask questions about temples. They had many good ones and the spirit was strong even just on the grounds. We handed out cards with the scripture they were to memorize and introduced our theme about trust. It is:

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.
With all thy heart acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths.

We talked about what that meant to them and that our Heavenly Father is the ultimate source of all truth and the Perfect One to lean on when they need important answers. They showed real insight and such willingness to put this into practice.

Halle and Mackenzie show their cards. Before we left the grounds many of them had already passed off the scripture. Such sharp kids and spiritual, too!

Our next stopping place was the Great Park in Irvine. It used to be the El Toro Marine base near our old Lake Forest Home. Massive plans to create this Great Park are underway. To advertise these plans and get people on board to further them, they offer free rides in a large orange helium filled balloon. The kids tried to guess what our next stop would be and we told them it was an example of trust and Papa said it rhymed with orange. I guess only orange rhymes with orange and they didn't figure it out until we were almost there and saw this big ballon waiting for us. We were all a little excited and a little nervous. However, there was quite a wait for our turn. While we waited we played kick ball...

...soccer and frisbee. It was fun but warm and getting close to lunchtime. After about 45 minutes of waiting an announcement came that it was too windy for the balloon to fly and all flights were cancelled for that day. Disappointed we went straight to lunch and then home for some much anticipated swimming.

On their own the kids had decided to do a Grand Camp Store. They had even created their own Grand Bucks to be distributed for good behavior, jobs done and special talents. With a little help from moms they had acquired fun things to stock their store and a schedule to rotate who operated it on which days. May I say it was a great success. I had lots of helpers, almost no quarrels, kids who fell asleep at the mention of Grand Buck rewards, and behavior that instantly improved with a suggestion.

The night before, Papa had driven our trailor to a campground about a half hour from our home in Casper Park off Ortega Highway. When we'd had our fill of swimming (is that really possible)and the food and gear were packed we took the truck and my car loaded up for a little camping.

We cooked dinner over the campfire and roasted marshmallows for s'mores...

...shared stories as the sky darkened, and sat around the campfire. We had lots of fun again with Joke Night. I heard Halle's joke at least ten times in the next days! We told spiritual experiences and worked together to memorize our scripture. One by one they passed it off and received their own flashlight as a reward along with Grand Bucks. Spiritual experiences topped off the evening, the first of three secret cousin gifts were anonymously distributed, and we snuggled into a still warm trailor for a welcome nights rest. We were all quickly sound asleep with only minor disturbance from a pre-dawn chill and a few squirrels who can imitate human footsteps in the early morning hours.

First thing in the morning we took a nature hike. We saw deer and their fawns, rabbits, squirrels, lots of birds including quail, windmills, horses, snake tracks, stink bugs, bobcat tracks and mistletoe to name a few. We had check-off lists, but discovered somethings not on the lists. Papa is a good guide and tracker.

This tree was great for climbing as well as posing.

Breakfast tastes better after a hike!

The girls did some tree climbing in the great trees around our campground...

...while the men took down the camp. Sage could unhook things that Papa had a hard time getting at. He was a special help to Papa.

And then he got to climb the trees, too.

Bailey, Lacey, and Jessie got to ride in the big red truck back to our house as the day turned into a scorcher.

We hoped to accompany Papa back to the Orange Balloon at the Great Park where we keep the trailor, but a phone call revealed that they had filled all the registrations for that day. So the kids helped us clean out the trailor and load the quads back in and then took advantage of the time to swim, eat lunch and have fun. When Papa returned and cleaned up we headed for the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park. It was kind of late in the day, but we missed the heat, saw a bird show and took the train around the park.

Here we are getting off the train. At this point I had lost my camera, so we used Papa's good one. Unfortunately, a setting had been altered accidently and most of the pictures from here on were out of focus and a little blue. Eventually, he changed to his telephoto lens and they were better. But many good pictures became a disappointment. I eventually found my camera left above the handlebars of one of the quads locked away in the trailor at the Great Park, but not until Grand Camp was over. Age takes its toll and leaves its mark.

Here we are looking at the Wild Animal Park's $20-a-ride balloon with our Grand Camp t-shirts on showing the orange balloon on the back that we hoped to go up on. They say at the bottom of the picture "It's About Trust."

Notice the bags of cotton candy. The vendor unloaded all he had left on us almost for free. Unfortunately, we paid for it by several not feeling so well at the end of the day. In N Out burgers on the way home help a lot, though.

When I called the balloon place on Friday, they told me if we came at 9:30 the following morning we could register early for the balloon that started going up at 10 am. So we hustled the next morning and arrived at 9:15 to find that it really started on Saturdays at 9 am. We were able to go right out to the entry and soon it was our turn. Here we are waiting. The balloon was tethered but went up 400 feet. It was not a long ride, but it was worth all the anticipation.

Next ones on!

What a view! And what a thrill!

We wished it was longer, but it was so fun. It was a little hazy this day, though we could still see so much.

Innovative bicycle parking at the Great Park

We had only a little time for the beach after that, but it was still good. What is California Grand Camp without the beach. The day was very hot and Doheny beach was very crowded.

I think this is the only Grand Camp picture we have that has all of us in it that you can see all of our faces. The extras in this picture were glad we didn't stay long since we blocked their view of the beach.

We had a 3:00 pm appointment at the stables at Irvine Park in Tustin so we had to move fast.

Here are our cowpokes ready to meet their mounts.

Here are the mounts! Ready to be on the trail!

The trail ride this year was lots more fun than riding around the arena last time. All were good riders and did a good job of managing their horses.

Back from our trail ride, we pose with our horses. Do you kids all remember the names of your horses? Even Papa and I got to ride this year.

Following a Dickson family tradition, we picked up KFC and went to our favorite park and tidepools at Laguna Beach. Unfortunately, it was packed with wall-to-wall people and tents as part of a wedding taking place right then. We even saw the bride and groom as we drove. So we headed down to South Laguna and the park and tidepools at the Montage Resort that Harmon helped build. It also had an outdoor wedding going on and was crowded but not so bad. We couldn't find a picnic table so we found a grassy corner with a manhole cover for our table and enjoyed our last meal together.

The tide was so high we couldn't even get to the tidepools.

Papa and Lacey take a few moments to contemplate the great experience of being together.

The kids loved the view, the breezes, the tides and the splashes, but especially each other. They danced and sang along this burm and tempted the tides. (See the previous blog.) We have lots of great memories and trust that we will be together again at Grand Camp next year.

GRAND CAMP SPLASH!

I promise to add more pictures from Grand Camp and catch up on the past, but I really want to share this great shot I captured. The tide was too high at the tidepools but the children were taunting the waves from this burm of boulders.

But this one really caught Mackenzie by SURPRISE!

Drenched! Luckily it was the last event for this year.

SURPRISE!!

Look who slipped in behind me on Saturday afternoon and quietly said "Surprise!" --All the way from Raleigh. Too bad they weren't aiming a camera at me, because I was so surprised. They had let Alan in on the secret so we would be home and somewhat prepared. He managed to go shopping in the morning with me and I let him talk me into buying much more food than I would have without him.

Lindsay's sister, Tracy, had her 4th baby a couple of weeks ago and asked Lindsay to come out for a couple of weeks to help her with the older ones while Tracy's husband, also a Sam, was out of town doing some training for work. She stayed with us for the rest of Saturday and Sunday. It was the best weekend!


Max is such a grown up person now and not a baby anymore--so cute and expressive!

Bailey and Reed became close cousins at Outer Banks. Reed couldn't wait to see Bailey and she came right over for swimming and dinner (along with her parents, of course.) Bailey is so good to these little boys, you'd think they were the same age.

Lindsay is such a patient and loving mother. She never dreamed she would be the only girl in a family of boys, but she is a star. Max would not wear the floatie suit, but he stayed pretty close.

Max wanted to see the dogs the first thing when he got to our house and the first thing in the morning. He doesn't want to get too close, but he loves to watch them. Papa is happy to oblige.

The shirts say "Not Lucky, Just Cute!" and they are.

Sunday everyone came over for dinner and the children all had a great time outside in the cul-de-sac playing. In fact we all had a fun out there with them as the evening went on. Jennifer and Mackenzie posing for me.

Papa wouldn't come in for dessert until he had squirted off the chalk, but at least they had fun with their artwork all over the street.

Even Papa got into the action.

Yep, Kayla got Adam where you think she did! She has this oven mitt which looks like a cow that she loves to "bite" people with. Whoops!

JR's birthday is this week so we did a mini celebration. Of course, all the kids had to get in on the candle blowing action. We even had to re-light, because Max felt like he missed out the first try.

We love these little guys so much. We wish we could see them more often, but we appreciate Lindsay finding time to spend with us before she is swamped at her sister's. I know Sam is missing his great family. He is tying up the loose ends of his thesis while they are gone. We will see them again in a couple of months when he defends his thesis. What an occasion that will be!
(My apologies to the Chris Price family for all the exclamation points!!! Way too many, I know!!!)

Where Do You Stand?

Bailey and I joined the Tax Day Tea Party in Mission Viejo. We made the sign (Bailey did the creative part) and stood with others who feel as we do.

Sometimes you have to make your voice heard. Bailey had a play practice so we only stayed a short time. But we saw what really went on.

There were lots of really good people who have never been at a rally before. The signs were very diverse as were the people and their political affiliations.

The media downplayed the event, but it was widespread and represents many sincere citizens who want to be heard. Bailey and I had a good time while we were there. Between this and the campaign for Prop 8 I am becoming a dangerous right wing activist.

The Best Sights In Manhattan

I got to visit New York and saw the best sights it has to offer. Ashley and Todd and their three little boys are having a wonderful adventure living down the street from Central Park in Manhattan. It is a different lifestyle from the how they were raised. They sold their cars and have learned to see the city in style. The boys hop on their scooters, Ashley gets behind her industrial strength stroller and the city is theirs. (Ashley also has her own Xooter so she, with Chase in an ERGO backpack, can keep up with Ben and Toby on many adventures.)

I was relieved to see that they lived in a safe, residential area and that they have quickly adjusted to living in the big city. They have their groceries delivered and have figured out how to occupy three active boys in small spaces.

Spring was beginning to show itself and The City was outdoors enjoying itself.

WE VISITED A FEW OF THE HARRISES' FAVORITE PLACES:

Ben and Toby evaluate the size of this clam at the Natural History Museum.

Ben relates to this Tiger

Ashley looks like a New Yorker!

WE SAW LOTS OF CENTRAL PARK SIGHTS:

Ben and Toby had just contributed to this sax player in this tunnel.

Local wildlife makes them a little nervous.

A little wind by "The Castle"

Lots of rocks to explore.

A friendly basset hound.

A few wild animals in the park. Ben and Toby with Parker Romney.

MOST IMPORTANT WERE THE PLAYGROUNDS OF CENTRAL PARK:

The biggest fastest slide!

Why climb back up the stairs, Ben, when there are these great paths?

Ashley and Chase don't sit on the sidelines.

Swings for Chase.

Slides and enthusiasm for Ben

Toby just can't climb the stairs when he can climb up the slide.

Navigating the pole at 3 years old.

Toby was a pro.

Now that he can walk, Chase thinks he can do the slides by himself just like the big boys.

TREATS AND GOODIES AND INTERESTING THINGS TO EAT

The treats in the park were old and freezer burned, but the boys loved them anyway.

Yummy bakeries close with people lined up to purchase their goodies.

Lots of hungry people to enjoy the delicacies. Interesting places to eat within two minutes of home!

Some people get more into the delicious food than others!

THE BEST SIGHTS WERE THE PEOPLE I LOVE. WISH I COULD SEE THESE SIGHTS MORE:

TODD with his boys. He often takes them running with him in the early morning--the boys on their scooters. Ashley gets a few more minutes of sleep.

ASHLEY is a wonderful "hands-on" mom.

TOBY is so smart and enthusiastic. His personality makes him a leader and many friends.

BEN keeps up with Toby every step, but has his own imagination and darling personality.

CHASE is suddenly trying to grow up and be more like the big boys. Walking has opened a new world to him. He has his mother's heart completely!

Thanks to the HARRIS FAMILY for showing me the best sights in New York City!

Bed and Breakfast--Dickson Style

One of the many blessings of living in So. Cal. is that we get to have visitors frequently when the rest of the country is shivering and freezing. I like to say my nest is seldom empty. Harmon and his brother Dan stayed for a couple of days when their sister, Karen, had two adopted children sealed to her family that already included 5 children and blessed them. Usually we get Harmon this time of the year for a golf trip, but no time for that this time.

Sunny and Steve had a whole Spring Break week with just Gracie and the twins, Charlie and Sam. So they made the drive to Cali and we had a few days with their "little family." I will do a separate post on them in a couple of days. After we left for Utah they stayed in the Disneyland Hotel and took the little guys to Disneyland for a baby version of seeing the Magic Kingdom. With expectations very low, they had a great time! Bailey joined us here at Irvine Park. Gracie is off camera in her stroller.

We expected Adrienne Smart and friends when we got back from Utah, but her plans changed. To make us feel better, Alex Patterson, my sister Barbara's son and his friend Matt came and spent a few days at our house. They went surfing every day and had a great time. We hardly saw them! It was fun to have them here and get to know Alex better. He will have his mission call soon.

Alex, left, and his friend Matt.

Overlapping with Alex, my sister, Marti's daughter, Hillary came for a short weekend with her bff Kelli. They spent most of their time visiting the local shopping sights and a couple of visits to the pier and beach, but it was a little chilly. They also were more "with us" than the boys. Hillary is such a cute, fun person. It was fun to have her and some of her circle of friends who stopped by. We hope they will use the Dickson B & B again.

Hillary is next to me. Her friend Kelli on the far left.

To finish off this month we had the perfect house guests: Lindsey and three of her Tobler sisters. Unfortunately for me, they came while I was in New York visiting Ashley. It worked out great for them, however, because my car could be left parked at the airport for them and available for their whole visit. They shopped, went walking, sightseeing a little, ate at their favorite restaurants, and finished up each evening in our spa. They hardly ate breakfast, though Alan loves to fix our visitors his specialty breakfasts. They took Alan out to dinner one night, kept him from being too lonely while I was gone, and left all the sheets and towels clean and their rooms spotless. I could not even tell I had visitors while I was gone. Since I had the little camera with me, I have no picture for this event. Maybe Lindsey will send me one to include.

Now Where Was I? Lets Start With Now

I apologize for not posting for months and leaving up such a sad blog. I have about five months worth of pictures to post and don't want to miss them in this little journal. As February has been mostly uneventful (See Mao's posts for new baby Isabella Mia) I will start with getting to be with two of my sisters (and Lindsey) at the Craft Show in Anaheim at the end of January. Rosemary will hate this picture, but it is the only one with the three of us together. By the time I got my camera out, Lindsey was happy to be back home in Utah.

We mostly work hard at these shows, but I get to touch base with family for a few minutes. Here are Heidi, Marti, Doug and Rosemary just as the whole trade show is ending. Heidi is almost four months pregnant. Can you even tell?

We don't get so many beautiful sunsets as Arizona does, but once in a while they couldn't be more beautiful. This is my evening view from my balcony on a clear day. If you look, you can see the ocean as well as San Clemente Island. Most days you don't see the island. When it is magically there so plainly, you are surprised you didn't see it yesterday.

It is so fun to have Jennifer and Bailey join us and Adam in California. They are once again a part of our lives on a regular basis. Bailey attends the local elementary school and Jen has started a new job. I often get to pick Bailey up from school and spend the afternoon with her. She is a darling, fun, and special girl and I am lucky to see so much of her. Can you believe she was swimming in January?

We Must Move On

GORDON SMART

August 30, 1951-October 24, 2008

Gordon, we will miss you. A better friend and brother you couldn't be.

We'll miss taking little trips with you.

I'll probably cry through the Rodeo in Las Vegas this year.


Will there be a family event that there won't be a hole in our hearts and an empty chair?

Who hugs better than Gordon? Who will give me that kiss-on-the-lips hello when I gather with those I love, if you are not there?

Who participated in more family priesthood events? The only one you missed for the Salt Lake area branch of the Dickson family was Gracie's on November 2nd. Were you there anyway? The circle was not quite complete.

Would we have spent more time together if we'd known we would have so little left? Would I have laughed harder at your dumb jokes if I had known they would run out?

How can we enjoy Thanksgiving at St George as much without you with us? You might not have been the best player at the family Turkey Bowl, but no one had more fun...

...or made it more fun for others.

A funeral is a time to celebrate a wonderful life. Yours was one of those rare ones that truly lifts so many people and gives us new resolve to be more spiritual, more loving, less self-centered, more thoughtful of those around us, but always have a sense of humor.

Your family is strong and very united and has great support from so many around them. I never saw a larger, better attended viewing, except for a general authority or U.S. President.

The spirit was strong at all the events. I think you were there and helped your family bring comfort and strength to each other and those around them.

Rosemary was surrounded by flowers, family, friends, advisors, neighbors, priesthood leaders, and the Comforter. She is sad but is facing life head on and with courage.

It helps to have a new grandbaby to hang on to. Many things made Rosemary smile through the sadness and pain. She will continue to find things to smile at. We will try to remember to share corny jokes with her.

Those who loved you went to Colton's game the week after you left. It was a symbol that we would try to continue on with living.

You left your family in the hands of a wonderful Bishop. Bishop Beecher drove all the way to Centerville to support Colton and, of course, Rosemary. He is loving, spiritual, and intuitive and present when he needs to be. He had Colton at the 7:30 am Stake Priesthood Meeting as you would have done, the Sunday after we lost you.

Were you at the game as Colton caught the baubled ball and took it into the end zone when time was up and won the game for his team? He seemed to think you caught that ball for him.

It really helped to celebrate something happy after so many tears.

Colton is a wonderful boy and I know you will be able somehow to help Rosemary finish his raising! The other kids are almost there already.

You have raised wonderful children and they will continue to be a legacy for you and a joy to Rosemary. Most of them came to the luncheon following Gracie's blessing. Fast Sunday in your ward was a spiritual experience for all. I am grateful your influence on that ward when you were bishop and in all your other callings was so strong. There is more love, more strength, more reaching out because you set such a good example when the ward was first formed. It will help Rosemary get through this difficult time. Please stay near if you are allowed. They will move forward, but it will be hard without the joy you brought into all our lives. We love you Gordon Smart. See you on the other side.

Making a Difference

Proposition 8 Passes

Preserving Traditional Marriage

Bob Knoke, of Mission Viejo, Amanda Stanfield, of Monrovia, Jim Domen, of Yorba Linda, and J.D. Gaddis, of Yorba Linda, celebrate returns for Proposition 8 at an Irvine hotel.

Standing on the street corners with my ward, heeding the prophet's voice!

It has been a long few months getting Prop 8 passed. I know that good people can make a difference. When our prophet says in no uncertain terms that he wants us to give of our time and means to pass this proposition because it is a moral issue with very far reaching consequences, we step up and do all that is asked of us. I know that when good people of all faiths and backgrounds come together and seek the Lord's help, the battle can be won. There has been a lot of bad news in my life lately, but I am so glad that this one went our way. It would not have, however, without the enormous effort of so many dedicated, committed, righteous people.

One bright life raft in a sea of worry.

Blessed by Grace: #23

Late is better than I have been doing lately. I took so many pictures of Sunny's new little one, Grace Elizabeth Wright, that it is hard to choose what to post. I have not seen her in a month and hear she has changed a lot. Gracie is a darling, dimpled, dark haired beauty but at one week she was very sleepy and off in her own post-pre-existence world. She was also very loved from the beginning. Sunny was tired and worn out before her birth and worrying if she could handle a new one with her very active 14 month old boys. Then when she called to tell us Grace had been born, the excitement and love in Sunny's voice told me that love conquers all and she was up to and thrilled for the task.
Alex got to be there for Gracie's birth. Can you see how excited all three of them are at this beautiful baby's entry into the world?

Not yet two days old with her adoring mother.

Proud father Steve beams at his minutes-old little daughter. Look at all that hair!

Just home from the hospital and still strapped in.

Charlie could care less about Gracie, but it was love at first sight for Sam. Sunny had to watch Sam every moment because he wanted to kiss, touch, stroke and hold his new little sister. He seemed to know her and be attracted to her from the very beginning. One morning Steve walked into the bedroom to find Riley had just hoisted both twins into Gracie's little bed and they were moving in on her like little vultures. Luckily Steve arrived before they did any damage!

Everyone Wants to Hold Gracie! Will She Ever Be Put Down?

Tristan was so cute with her and held her as often as he could.

Jessie is a natural and will probably be the best volunteer helper in the family!

Sage is experienced at holding little ones and argued over who got to hold her first!

Riley held Gracie often, but this was such a cute picture. The love just beams!

Sam couldn't hold her by himself, but he tried! He wasn't interested in anything else when Gracie was in the room. On the other hand, I couldn't keep Charlie around long enough to get a picture of him with her.

Sunny is so fortunate to have found Ashley. Ashley is Sunny's nanny, but is more than that. She loves the children, is self-motivated to be a wonderful help, willing to work whatever hours Sunny needs her, and is one of Sunny's best friends. She makes a difficult job possible for Sunny.

As usual, I am a little too smiley. I am again as in love with my #23 grandchild as I have been with all the others. (Yes, Jade, you will always be special to me, even if I have 23 more.)

Adam and Bailey picked me up from the airport and drove me to the hospital for my first peek. Bailey got to hold Gracie early. She has had some training already.

Didn't have my camera out when Jade was holding, but she spent half the evening snuggling with this littlest cousin.
Jennifer always grabs the babies up and has the magic touch with them.


Rosemary found a moment to visit on my last morning at the Wrights. She is now finally a grandmother of her own first grandchild. Laura just gave birth to a little boy, Stockton Reed Reschke. Gracie and Stockton were due about a week apart, but Gracie was a week early and Stockton a week late, so there is about a 3 week spread.

Here is a little window into Sunny's life as she gets Riley off to school with the "help" of Charlie, Sam and Gracie. Good luck, Sunny. Keep remembering it is worth it!

This little Grace, though she has her father's dimples and dark hair looks more like Sunny did as a newborn than any of her other children. I will have to dig out the baby pictures and post some. Who knows how she will change? Post some updates, Sunny.

Oh, look, she has eyes!

Welcome to our family, Baby Grace.

Ethan Max Dickson: 22 and Counting

Ethan Max Dickson, our 22nd grandchild was born on July 11th, just as Casey had hoped he would be. Her labor was quick and relatively easy, hardly time for the epideral to help out. We are as thrilled with #22 as #1 and as much in love. Aren't grandchildren wonderful!

Half a day old! Look at all the hair--it has blonde roots like my kids hair did.

Nana with Ethan
Papa with Ethan

Mackenzie is thrilled with her little brother.

Kayla gets acquainted.
The first family snuggles--no room for Dad.

Papa watches as they all admire Ethan.

JR with his children the first day home.
Mackenzie is going to be a great help!


Kayla is still trying to figure out how this all works.


Casey and Ethan at our house a couple of weeks later. Doesn't she look good already?

Uncle Adam gets acquainted.

Great Granddaddy Price does a little doodle-do with Ethan.


Grandma Marge has the touch.

Ethan's first short trip to the beach.

Aunt Sunny got to hold him for the first time, but I don't think a ray of sunlight got to him!


Aunt Ashley came to visit when Ethan was one month old.

We love you Ethan and are glad you're here!!

Finally! A New Post: Summer's Overview

Summer is almost gone and I really have been a terrible blogger. Ashley, I hope you now will start checking our blogs again--you guilted us into blogging once more, but it took two weeks to even check my own blog for your comments. Sorry to be so boring! Before I am too swamped (Sunny's baby is coming in a week) I must update all that has gone on this summer. If I do what I plan I will enlarge on most of these events in their own space.

...Except this one: The Jones family came to town and we were actually able to get together while they were here. This is the only picture I snapped when they were here. It was Haley's birthday and we tried to fix some of her favorite foods and honor her even if she wasn't in her own home. I don't see or talk to this great family that I love nearly enough. Heidi was still recovering from her incredible jaw surgery and I really had to keep staring at her since she changed so much--even prettier than before. I missed the Bazzill show in Chicago, which is usually a time I get to see many of them at least a little bit. I am glad we had a few minutes.

Haley taking out her candles.

I was in charge of food and decorations at our ward's 4th of July breakfast. One more thing to do. I put this in because it shows Dad and Marge at the breakfast. They came for most of the summer and have really enjoyed our cool weather. We have spent enought time with them and not taken advantage of our time with them here as I thought we would, but have had them over most Sundays for dinner. They only went home one week at the first of August when Spence and Louise and their family used the beach house. That was the same week we went to Utah for Sage's baptism so we only had a quick visit with their family.

THE BIG EVENT OF THE SUMMER!

Ethan Max Dickson was born to JR & Casey on July 11th, exactly three years and 4 months after Kayla was born. This is only important because Kayla was born exactly three years and 4 months after Mackenzie. All of their birthdays are on the 11th of the month. We now know that the next baby will be born on November 11, 2011!

Bailey and Jennifer came to spend a week with us and with Adam. It was so fun to have them here! Here they are with Mackenzie and Kayla outside Jumpin' Jammin'.

Sunny and Steve and their children came the last week in July to stay with us. The house was full! But off they went on an adventure every day: Legoland, Disneyland two days, and the beach. Here is Jessica with Charlie at the beach.

Here is Tristan with Charlie while Steve looks on. Their friend from No Salt Lake, Savanah West is in the front.
As the Wrights left our home, we took off ourselves for Utah for Sage's baptism. It was a very special event. Here is Sage with his two grandfathers. Vic Orvis baptised him and Alan confirmed him. Can you believe Sage is already eight years old!

Todd and Ashley and baby Chase came to the area. Ashley's friends and their spouses from college got together at her friend Liz Ord's family's beach house on Coronado Island for a long weekend reunion. Since they flew into Long Beach we got to see them coming and going. We'll take whatever we can get!

For Ashley

Maybe we can alternate wearing these t-shirts every other day!

Check Out Outer Banks Again

I know you think you've seen the post below, but if you have a block of time, check it out again. I have been working on it for a week. I have added new stuff. It is a fun memory for me since I will probably not ever do a real scrapbook. But I will never do a post this long this way again. This blog formatting is so quirky!! But it is finally done. If I missed something or someone, it wasn't on purpose.

A Taste of Outer Banks

For more than a year we planned a family vacation. We had to all decide where we could get together with all the children and all the personalities and have a good time. At Sam's suggestion we chose the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We found a great house on line and then eventually all bought into a date that would work for all of us. At last, our planning ended and we gathered in Corolla, North Carolina at a house called Beach Memories and made some memories ourselves.

Believe me, it was such a relief to open the front door and find it was a beautiful, clean, large enough home for all 37 of us to enjoy ourselves together. Then one by one the families arrived and filled the house with laughter, hugs, and joy at being together. Here are a few of the 350 pictures I took that might give a flavor of this fun week the Dickson family spent together.

WE WENT CRABBING:

In the early morning hours (note the pajamas.)

Jessica and Todd with Chase, Ben and Toby

"I'll save you Sam!" Sage goes after a crab.

In the evening with almost everyone!

WE ATE THREE MEALS A DAY TOGETHER:
Each family took a day to plan and prepare the meals. With 21 grandchildren it was a little noisy getting started. But we have some excellent cooks and the food was always delicious. The "gourmet kitchen" lacked many of the pans and utensils we needed, but we always found a way! One morning the bacon cooking set off the smoke alarm and a few late risers found their way to breakfast after all.

EACH EVENING WE HELD A SHORT DEVOTIONAL TOGETHER WITH EACH FAMILY TAKING A TURN:

We loved it as the children would lead us in a song, as we shared some spiritual moments and someone led us in prayer together. Mostly we loved gathering together!

The first night they surprised Papa with a birthday celebration since our flight to Raleigh took the whole day of his birthday. The children all helped blow out the candles and open the presents. Papa loved that as much as the gifts!

WE SWAM IN THE POOL EVERY DAY:

Adam with Bailey

Mao with a jacuzzi full of children.

Steve with Baby Sam. Sam liked the water better than Charlie.

Papa enjoys Sam with Max.

Playing with cousins is the best! Toby, Halle, Reed & Max

WE SOAKED UP THE SUN AND THE COMPANY:

With 5 babies and many little ones, nap time was no problem. Moms could hang out by the pool with everyone else while the kids slept peacefully inside. The only question was, "Whose baby is crying on which monitor?"

WE HAD THE CHILDREN BE OUR SERVANTS:

Lacey serves Cathy.

Bailey and Lacey have a drink for Todd while Riley looks on.

And the kids thought it was so fun, they competed for the chance to do it!
Toby and Sage serve while Jack leaves satisfied.

WE WALKED TWO MINUTES TO THE BEACH EACH DAY:

Sam and his boys on their way.

Our house is just down the street behind me. The beach is just in front of me down the stairs.

Ashley with a well protected load.

WE PLAYED IN THE SAND:

Riley, Jade and Mackenzie

Max, Lindsay and Reed

Mackenzie makes a castle.

Mackenzie, Jack, Riley and Max

WE EVEN HAD SAND BUILDING CONTESTS:

Adam makes Bailey a car while Reed helps.
Jessie and Sage and some other helpers made this winning castle

Lacey is the Little Mermaid with Flounder

WE PLAYED IN THE SURF:

Some tentatively along the edges--

Kayla

Hunter and Cathy

Toby, Sam & Charlie, Sunny, Alex, and Jack behind.

Riley, Jessie, Reed, Nana, Jade and Alex with one of the twins.

And some with fully immersed commitment!

Alex tortures Charlie while Tristan, Bailey and Lacey brave the waves.

Tristan, Lacey, Jessica, and Bailey

WE PLAYED WITH BOOGIE BOARDS:

Sam and Charlie didn't miss out on any of the action.

Believe it or not, it took Riley a while to be bold in the water. Thank goodness.

WE PLAYED WITH KITES:

Alan and Steve try to position it right.

Alex gets it started with Steve and Papa's help.

Mao figures out how to keep it in the air with Alex, Alan, Cathy and Hunter looking on.

WE PLAYED WITH KAYAKS!:

Toby, Todd, Ben, Jack and Ashley. Someone is going kayaking.

Casey and JR. Should pregnant moms kayak? Both of ours did!

Jessica and Sam ride a wave!

Sam and Tristan make it all the way to shore on that wave!

Brothers and sisters all catch one together and I got it on camera! Sunny with Sam and Lindsey with Adam!

SOME WENT GOLFING:

Uh-oh! I didn't get any golfing pictures. Adam, Harmon, and Alan got up early two mornings and went to a beautiful golf course and had a great time golfing. Jade joined them one morning and had a great game. But the best thing of the whole trip for Harmon was when he decided to go one more day on his own. He had the best game of his life and shot a 66. He took a picture of the scorecard, had one of the men playing with him sign the card verifying he actually got that score and saved his ball to be preserved with the card. He smiled for the rest of the trip.

WE WENT TO SEE A LIGHT HOUSE:

The Toblers said it was so worth it and convinced others to make the climb!

Bailey, Jessie and Lacey on their way up.

Tristan and Bailey stop at a window well for the view.

Todd, Ben and Toby enjoy the view.

Cathy, Mao and Hunter at the top.

A little windy for us. JR, Kayla, Nana and Mackenzie. Casey had to stay at the bottom since we didn't want any babies delivered at the top of the lighthouse.

WE WENT TO THE WRIGHT BROTHERS MUSEUM AND PARK:

Outside the museum, with another part behind them.

Todd, Baby Sam, and Sunny by the replica of the Wright Bros plane.

Ben explaining the principles of flight to Reed.

Mothers, babies and toddlers. We have many. Casey, Sunny with Sam, Lindsey with Kate, Jack and Hunter

Walking the path of the Wright Brothers's flight. Sage, Halle, Kayla, JR, Riley, and Mackenzie.

Just Jack!
Off to the monument. Only Tristan bothered to turn and smile at me.

A little hike with babies in your arms on a hot day deserves a place to sit and contemplate the monument

Mackenzie, Halle, and Sage get a birdseye view of the Wright Brothers' flight path.
Reed decides to fly to the top of that hill with a little help from his dad.

Halle, Mackenzie and Sage sit next to Wilbur on this bronze of the first plane to fly and imagine what it felt like to fly down that hill.

Fathers and sons admire the accomplishment. Mao and Hunter, Reed and Sam.

Sage takes a step back in time and gets in on this historic moment.

Not a bad place to climb even on a hot day, is it Halle?

IN OUR SPARE TIME -- WE PUT TOGETHER PUZZLES,

This table was perfect for puzzles.

Who is going to put in the last piece?

Dad and Sam are working on another one.

Alex, Adam, Jade, Sunny and Papa with the finished product. Lighthouses of the Outer Banks

COUSINS GOT BETTER ACQUAINTED

Tristan plays with Max.

Jade had never even met Chase before.

Alex and Reed do a little bonding.

AND OCCASIONALLY ESCAPED FOR A LITTLE QUIET TIME.

Jade and Alex shared a room in the quiet part of the house (except at mealtimes when it sounded like the thundering herd was coming through the ceiling. Hard to sleep in here, but they managed.

IN THE EVENINGS WE PLAYED GAMES--

The last ones seated at the poker game--Adam, Harmon, Alex, Ashley and Todd. I know this picture shows up on Papa's blog, but we were so into having fun, these two are the only pictures I took of this nightly event.

We had a lot of fun at the arm wrestling competition, until Mao and Todd broke the glass on this table. The girls wrestling was the funniest. Some of our girls held their own!

--WHILE THE CHILDREN SLEPT!

Ben and Riley thought they could stay up a little longer. Too much fun all day, though.

ONE LAST DEVOTIONAL:

Tired and tan we gather one last time. Several of the families had plane flights that left a day earlier than the rest, so our numbers were reduced.

Sam, Sage, Sam and Lindsay.

Nana gets a rare snuggle with Max. I am trying to store up until I see him again.

Jennifer, Adam, Bailey and Jade waiting for the program to start.

AND THEN WE MUST SAY GOODBYE

One last hug for Toby from Aunt Lindsey and Halle.

Bye Ben, hope we are together again soon!

"Bye, Dad," Lindsey with Kate says, "It was worth it."

The cars are packed but we are not ready to part. Jade says good-bye to Jack and Harmon.
Sam and Max, ready to attend church in Nagshead, gives Jade one last hug before they must part.
One last early morning farewell to the beach (and the crabs.)

GOOD-BYE, BEACH MEMORIES! WE LOVE THE MEMORIES WE HAVE OF OUR TIME IN THIS HOUSE.

Jessica in the last picture on the front steps of Beach Memories.

What an adventure in Corolla in the Outer Banks of North Carolina the Dickson Family had.

NOW I AM FINALLY DONE!!!

ARIZONA CATCH UP

I know, I know I am about a month behind! We have just come back from a fabulous trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. But the days since then have been crammed with many consuming activities. I still want to document our quick trip to Arizona. It was so fun and we got to see a few of those we love so much. I will put Arizona up first and then post some great pictures from Outer Banks in a few days.

I have been missing Arizona and we have not seen Dad and Marge in months. So with very little notice we headed to AZ seriously early in the morning. Arriving just before lunch, we went with Dad to see Marti's most recent expansion of Scrapbooks, Etc. It is huge and beautiful. What a business she has built!

After a quick sandwich we picked up Marge and went to Doug's new facility. Who would have thought Bazzill would grow to such an extent? We remember when he had just one cutter. It is an amazing operation! It was fun to see the whole process, especially after taking orders a few times for all their things.

Dad and Spence were able to get enough tickets for us to accompany them to the Diamondbacks game. It was so much fun! We ate hot dogs and cheered and talked and talked and, of course, ended up winning the game. They have wonderful seats right behind the D's dug-out and home plate. We really had a wonderful time! I was glad to be able to spend some time with Spence, too.

The next day, Alan and Doug went to play 9 holes of golf and had a good time. I spent a lazy morning just talking to Dad and Marge. Then we ran over to see the Jones' remodeled home. It is beautiful, naturally. Here are some of them--Haley, Marti, Doug and Kevin--forced to pose in front of their redone fireplace.

We joined them for lunch and got to see Nathan, Lacey, and their cute little Sydney. Here they are in front of the restaurant. Hope they all come to the beach next week.

Alan has a homing device built in that leads him to any Bass Pro Store or Cabellas in the vicinity. We had to spend a few minutes and a few dollars at this one not too far from Dad's.

After spending a good hour at Barbara's and catching up with her a little, we all went to dinner at a "Cowboy" type restaurant close to the Jones' area. Spence and Louise put their children first and couldn't come to our last minute dinner plans. It was so fun to be with everyone else, though. We have to steal these minutes when we can.

Having Sunday commitments, we awoke early Sunday morning and made the quick dash back to California in time to teach our classes and fulfill our commitments. It was worth the driving for the great time we had.

CELEBRATIONS!

MOTHERS DAY

Mothers Day was especially fun since Sam and Lindsey with Reed and Max dropped in from North Carolina and surprised us. I had all three of my sons with me for a couple of hours. When has that happened lately? It will happen again soon at the Outer Banks in NC when the whole family will be together again.

JR, Adam and Sam with me in a group hug! I miss the giant hugs my sons used to give me so often.

Max says "I do!"

Reed and his oven mitt puppet posing together.

These pictures were hard to get--moving targets. Lindsay tried to corral them for me. They were on their way to Maui with Lindsay's family the next day. Lots of plane rides and things to do to keep them excited.

Sunday dinner with a group again. Could I ask for a better Mothers Day? And I didn't have to cook or clean up. Thanks guys. (Don't look at me on the phone back there.)

ONE MORE BIRTHDAY DOWN

My birthday celebration at JR & Casey's. Casey made me a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. My favorite--what a treat. I am not crazy about birthdays any more or getting so, so, so-o-o old, except that I always think about my brother Ron, whose birthdays stopped at 48. Boy am I glad to have another birthday and share it with my children and darling grandchildren that I love so much. Everyone called me on that day and sent flowers, gifts, schmaltzy cards and emails. I felt very loved and honored.

Mackenzie, Kayla and I admire my delicious cake. Thank you Casey for not putting a candle on for every year. We look like we are blowing out that many, though.

Quick Utah Visit

When I went to Utah during Jack's stay in the hospital I shot some cute pictures I just have to post before I move on.

Halle is such a good help with Kate!

Just Lacey!

Love that Kate smile.

Just home from the hospital, but big smiles for everyone. We are happy he recovered so quickly.

Halle posing for me.

They actually look like sisters in this shot.

Jessie with her Nintendo DS.

Sunny and Riley. Look closely and you will see Riley always posing.

Alex practices piano quite a bit and it shows!

Tristan (phone in hand, of course) with a great new hair cut.

The only shot of Sage where he wasn't pulling a face.

Ashley, their nanny, with Riley and Charlie.

Sunny with Riley and Charlie; Sage popping in.

Alex with little brother Sam, just up from a nap.

Some of My Favorite Faces In Utah

When we were in Utah at Conference time, we had several times we were all together. Sunny and Steve open their home to all of us and we have a great time together. I took dozens of random pictures, but could only pick a few.

Steve and Sam

Jessica and Charlie

Lindsey and Kate

Harmon and Kate

Adam says every picture of Kate is the same because she has such a big natural smile. Here she even smiles her face off with a pacifier in it!

Halle and her unnaturally dark curly hairdo!

The Fierce and Scary Pirate Jack!

The sweet and loving big sister Riley with Charlie.

Jessie and Lacey.

Sorry, girls I didn't post the crazy ones that came after these.

Travis and Jade trying to calm Charlie.

Jade, Lacey, Bailey, Sage and Jack on the trampoline.

Tristan, can you see the good looking boy under the hair!

A normal position for the mother of twins--Sunny with Charlie and Sam

Conversation! Always lively.

An unlikely pairing, but great picture--Adam with Alex

Bailey and Jade on their way out the door.

Alan with Rosemary

Our weekend was so crammed that the only way I got to see Rosemary was that she came over to Sunny's to see us on Monday morning before we hit the road for home.

CONFERENCE?

Last month we went to Utah over General Conference weekend. Alan had Friday and Monday meetings and I had no Sunday RS obligations. Adam had much to do on his house to get it ready for sale. So the 3 of us headed to SLC. On Saturday we saw portions of Conference. But we also saw Riley's soccer game, Bailey's dance recital and Lacey's volleyball game. What are these Momons thinking, scheduling over Conference?

Riley plays on a 4 year old team with all boys. She is a full head taller than all of them. She is also the best player by far. But they are still 4 year olds. The pregnant mother just behind Riley was the coach of the other team. She kept trying to drag her players to be in position to block the ball since they didn't seem to get the game. Before the time was up her team didn't want to play anymore. I wonder why?

Bailey is on a cute dance team and we were lucky enough to be there to see her dance at a competition. She is very good and really projects and loves to be in front of an audience! None of my pictures during the performance turned out since we were so far away. Isn't she cute? How we remember when she and Lacey were little and used to perform for us after Sunday dinners! How time flies! We are excited to have Bailey and her family in California so we see them more often.

Lacey is playing on a volleyball team with her friend Kennedy and this was only their second game. They are just learning to play the game. They play in a coed league and with older kids. But they both were pretty good for their team. Don't these girls look alike except for their color hair? They have a lot in common and have a great time together. Besides they live across the street from each other.

We missed some of conference, but we couldn't pass on the opportunity to watch our grandkids perform while we were there. Steve's wonderful grandfather, Britt McConkie, passed away between Sunday sessions which added sadness to the visit and one more distraction from Conference. Luckily we have other ways of viewing and reading Conference later. It was a wonderful historic Conference. It is something to see the mantel fall on President Monson. I always think that my love for the previous prophet will make it harder to accept the new one, but the Lord helps us feel that love, acceptance and reverence for the successor.