Family Friday: Featuring My Niece Chelsea

Several years ago a friend in my ward made a comment to me about a little girl in the Sunbeam class. Those golden curls around her beautiful, smiling face made her look absolutely "angelic" she said to me. She was referring to my niece Chelsea, who is being featured this week on Family Friday.

Chelsea and I have lived in the same neighborhood and ward since Chelsea was just 3 1/2 years old, and I have loved it. Nearly two years ago I was called to serve as 2nd counselor in the Young Women's organization where my primary responsibility was to oversee the Beehive class. Chelsea was the Beehive President. I enjoyed the opportunity I had to work with Chelsea, she was such a wonderful president and fulfilled her responsibilities. When it was time for her to move on to the Mia Maid class I was excited for her, but I was a little sad for me, I really missed her in the Beehive class. In Young Women's Chelsea refers to me as Sister Aunt Lesley.

Chelsea is a very talented girl. She has had ballet lessons, singing, and acting classes. She is very talented in the theater and has performed at Rodgers Memorial Theater in their youth productions. Most recently she performed in the BJHS production of Singin' In The Rain and she was wonderful.

One of the things that I love the very most about Chelsea is that she is such a good friend to Caitlin. Caitlin was nearly 20 months old when Chelsea was born. I was so happy for her to have a cousin so close to her age living nearby, I had no idea then that they would grow up together in the same ward and become as close as they are. They have been friends their entire lives. At our stake girls camp this summer I noticed that Chelsea and Caitlin were often together; eating meals, sitting around the campfire, at the devotionals, and they even bunked head to head. While at camp Chelsea and Caitlin got up in front of the entire stake (at the Stake Presidents request) to do "Da Moose, Da Moose" made famous at our previous stake girls camps by Granma. Each summer Chelsea, Caitlin, and their friend Danielle have an annual sleepover at our house. One of the sleepover traditions is a treasure hunt. You'd think teenage girls would be to old for a treasure hunt but no, it's a requirement for me, and a lot of fun for them. I teased Chelsea last year that one day we would be having a treasure hunt at her bridal shower. I was informed that they would never be to old.

Caitlin and Chelsea carrying on Granma's tradition with, "Da Moose, Da Moose"

Things to know about Chelsea: She has a beautiful singing voice. She's funny. She loves performing in musical theatre. She's a good cousin. Uncle Mike calls her Chelsea Lou. She loves Uncle Mikes pancakes. She has lots of friends. She's a good student. She is so quiet when riding in the car with you all the way to California and back, you would never know that she was there. I am so grateful that Chelsea is a part of our family and we love her so much.