TDBC Day 5: My Family

This blog is full of stories and pictures of my family, so I decided to do something a little different on this post. Some of you will remember my Family Friday series that I did from April 2009-March 2010. If you are new to my blog here it is in a nutshell: Every Friday. 47 weeks. One family member per week (my parents and their entire posterity). A lot of work and worth every hour I spent.

My Mother desired that Family Friday be published into a book so that she could give it to me and my siblings for Christmas. I spent many, many... many hours on this project and I'm very proud of it. Here is a picture of the book (I hope I don't ever find a copy of it at the DI). If you are interested in finding out what Family Friday is all about, just click on the Family Friday link in the labels section at the bottom of this post. You might find out you like us ;-)

Special Edition Family Friday: Featuring My Auntie Margie

On Monday October 18 my Auntie Margie passed away. Although I was aware of her health issues and that she had had recent heart surgery, it was unexpected news to me, as I'm sure it was for all of her family, immediate and extended. The day following the news of her death, as I was thinking about her, I knew that I wouldn't be able to attend her funeral which will be this Saturday in Mississippi, and so I wondered... what can I do to pay tribute to my aunt? The thought came to me immediately, to feature her in a special Family Friday. So here are just a few of my memories of my Auntie Margie....

Auntie Margie was born in Birstall, England; on December 18, 1940. She was the eighth of nine children born to my grandparents. Only five of those children lived to adulthood. In England, my grandparents and their two eldest children worked every day. My dad who was just a boy himself, had the responsibility to take care of his two younger siblings, Marjorie and Derek every day after school. He has shared stories of this time in his life many times over the years, and always with fondness and a deep love for his brother and sister.

During my growing up years we didn't have a lot of extended family nearby. Many of our aunts, uncles and cousins lived out of state and out of the country, but there was a time when both of my dads sisters lived nearby; I have very happy memories of those years.

My first memory of Auntie Margie was when she and her family came to visit us when I was in elementary school. She had three of the cutest little girls you ever saw, all of them younger than me. They also brought a dog... a Beagle named Sheba. I enjoyed their visit so much, I remember crying when they left. When they later moved to Utah we were very happy, it was fun to have our cousins nearby and we often spent time at each others homes. When I started Jr. High I became the babysitter for my three younger cousins, they were my favorite babysitting family. Annette, Alana, Rita and I had so much fun together. I had many sleepovers at their house.

Auntie Margie was a hard worker. Any employer was lucky to have her in their employment. She was a hard worker at home too. Her house was always immaculate, she had great coffee table books and interesting statues in her home as well, and a really awesome harpsichord. I loved that harpsichord, I'd never seen one before. Her family was always well taken care of too. It was always fun to go to her house. She always had treats on hand. She was a fun Aunt. I remember trips to Bear Lake and Willard Bay and sailing in a "cool" sailboat.

I remember when Auntie Margie went to the temple for the first time. My Mother had just purchased a new temple dress that she was going to wear for the first time that night. I had just fallen asleep when suddenly there was Auntie Margie, kneeling by my bed telling me about her wonderful night at the temple; and then she told me that Mother had let her wear her new dress. She told me that it made her "...feel like a bride."

Auntie Margie always had a present for us on our birthdays. She knew just the right thing to get too. On my 13th birthday she gave me the first Partridge Family album. I was thrilled!! I didn't even have a record player to play it on, but whenever I went to babysit my cousins I took my precious album with me to play on the record player at their house, and the four of us danced and sang all night. Whenever one of my siblings had a birthday we were all excited, because Auntie Margie always had "un-birthday" surprises for the rest of us. She was always thinking of us. When Mother was expecting David, Auntie Margie was soooo excited. She was buying things for the baby all of the time. When David was born he had so many nice baby clothes and other items, compliments of Auntie Margie. When our families new home was under construction, Auntie Margie showed up one night with fish-n-chips for dinner. We all sat around on our future kitchen floor and enjoyed that wonderful treat.

When Auntie Margie's family moved to San Diego at the beginning of my sophomore year it was hard to see them go. I was there when they closed the door on the moving van and drove away. I don't think I've seen Auntie Margie more than five times since that day... that thought makes me sad.

The last time I saw Auntie Margie was in July of 2006 when we celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Auntie Margie surprised us all by coming all the way from Mississippi to attend. We were so happy to see her and we knew that she was happy to see each of us. During the celebration she took me and my five siblings aside, calling some of us by nicknames we hadn't heard in years; names that she used to call us. She presented each one of us with a gift from her, I suppose you could say she gave each one of us an "un-anniversary" gift. So typical of our Auntie Margie who loved us, because... that's just the way she was. Love you Auntie Margie.

This is how I will always remember my Auntie Margie

BONUS Family Friday! Featuring LESLEY! (Written by her favorite sister!)

Lesley seems to think that her Family Friday Feature is complete. However, I beg to differ. Our family is NOT complete without Lesley. Of course she isn’t going to go write a big post about how wonderful she is, so as her favorite (and only) sister, I am going to take the opportunity to do it for her.

Lesley is the first born of our parents. She was born in Belfast Northern Ireland. Just a couple of months after her birth our parents took her to the London LDS temple for it’s dedication. Soon after the dedication they were able to be sealed together as a family. Lesley may have been the only one of the children there in body. But I’m sure we were all there in spirit.

Lesley only lived in Northern Ireland for a few short years before she and our parents, along with our brothers Archie and Timothy, emigrated to the United States and made their home in West Bountiful, UT. It wasn’t until after our brother Alan, and I were born that they became citizens of the United States.

Lesley met Michael in high school and were married within a year of graduation. Their oldest son Andy was born shortly before their first wedding anniversary. Not long after that they moved to Duchesne County; Jeff was born while they lived there. Then the time finally came for them to move back to West Bountiful where Jeremy, Ashleigh and Caitlin were born.

Lesley has always been a very loving and devoted mother. After three sons were born and a daughter came, she was so delighted. They were all so happy, all the boys loved their baby sister. Lesley lovingly cared for her baby girl until the moment that Ashleigh passed away. I remember myself being so heartbroken for her, but I also remember seeing my sister as a pillar of strength.

Her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shone through and it was clear to me at that time, and still, that she loves our Father in Heaven and knows His plan for us. I can’t speak for them, but I do believe that she is also a wonderful mother-in-law and loves the women who are married to her sons. She is also a wonderful grandma too! Even though it is difficult to think that MY SISTER is a grandma! Ha ha!!!

I suppose I should be used to it by now since Adam is almost 8 yrs. old. As well as the fact that in the next few months there will be three more! (One of them at anytime!) Lesley loves to have “Grandma Days” with the little boys and I’m sure as the other little ones get bigger they will get their turn.

Something that everyone MUST know about Lesley - She HATES birds. Dead or Alive… she hates them. For whatever reason they scare the heck out of her. If she knows there is a dead bird on the street she will cross the road in order to not have to pass by, or see it. I was with her in London England one day and as we walked through St. James’ Park we came across a HUGE bird sitting on a bench. Forgetting her fear, I asked her to stand there for a picture. She actually complied…. right as the bird was starting to spread it’s wings!!! What a good sport!

While she hates birds, there is something else that she absolutely LOVES! T’ocean! (THE OCEAN). She loves to go to the beach and just sit and stare at t’ocean. As often as funds and time will allow we go to the beach house in Capistrano and spend a week there. Lesley loves everything about being there. And never likes to leave. There have been times when the tears have come when leaving. There was another time she forgot to leave the key. Now it sits in a shadow box as a memento from the beach. She has another trip planned to be there soon! I will get to be there with her too and it will be so wonderful!

In December of 1985 Lesley had a family Christmas party in the living room of her home in West Bountiful There was approximately 20 people there. It was so much fun she had another one the next year, and the next, until one year as the family was clearly growing, she began having the party at the cultural hall of her ward building. With anywhere from 60 to 70 people (or more!) What started as a small gathering with dinner, a few games, caroling and a visit from Santa. Has now become the highlight event of the year. With dinner, a major talent show, contests, games and the visit from Santa!! I think sometimes we look more forward to Lesley’s party than Christmas itself. I know that for my family it’s like Christmas can’t start until we’ve been to Lesley’s party!

Lesley is kind to everyone she meets. When we were traveling home from England in 1997, we had to get through U.S. Customs in JFK in New York. They are GRUMPY people there and we had already been on a long flight (we both hate to fly). I remember this mean looking grumpy man lifting a bag to Lesley and she very sweetly and politely said, “Thank you.” He just grumbled and looked away. I then asked Lesley, “why bother being so kind to someone so rude and obnoxious?” Lesley simply told me that it was because it didn’t matter how the other person was treating her, she was going to be kind. I’ve always remembered that and have tried to have the same attitude. (I would have told the guy in customs what he could have done with his freckles!)

I love spending time with Lesley. As I’ve gotten older she’s become one of my best friends and we have lots of fun together. Sometimes she calls to invite themselves over for a movie night. She always asks if it’s okay that they invited themselves and I always say “Of course!” There have even been a few times when I have thought to call and invite them but they beat me to it and invite themselves first. We always have a lot of fun together.

Some things to know about Lesley: She collects nativities. She made my wedding dress. She made our sister-in-law Marivic’s wedding dress. She has sewn countless costumes. She makes beautiful baby blankets. She has a beautiful singing voice and has sung with dad, Echoes of the Heart and We Also Sing, as well as Starflite! She was once called on down on The Price is Right. She LOVES that Mr. Darcy! Sometimes when she tells a funny story she laughs so hard while she’s telling it, that everyone else is laughing hard too… although they have no idea what she’s saying because she's laughing too hard. She can’t sit through a movie without talking, or asking “What just happened?” She was once bucked off a horse. She has had skin cancer. She used to live in a log cabin. She likes Cavanaughs Mindy Mints. The family likes to tease her about being a bit ditsy at times… like snow on top of buses in June… in California, or the Lake at Yellowstone… “no Les, that’s the sky”. She has a very strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has served in many callings and served in them well. She is a daughter of God and she knows it. She is a good mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, aunt, cousin, sister and friend. She is an amazing example of love, kindness, and patience. And through all the things she has dealt with, Lesley still has JOY. She brings me great JOY knowing she is my sister. I love her so much! Thank you Lesley for the amazing job you have done in making each one of us in the family feel special. You are special to each and every one of us too!!

Lesley and her family at Disneyland June 2009

Family Friday: Featuring My Nephew Christopher and My Daughter Ashleigh

There is hope smiling brightly before us...

My parents have twenty-three grandchildren. Andy came first, then Jeffrey, and then Jeremy. All three mine. In October of 1985, two months after Jeremy's second birthday, Melissa was born to Tim and Margie; she was the first granddaughter. At the time of Melissa's birth Granma made a prediction that there would be three new grandchildren in the near future and she was right. Early in 1987 and within four months of each other arrived three new babies. Today's "Family Friday" features two of those babies; Christopher and Ashleigh.

Christopher was born on February 7, 1987. An unusual occurrence happened during his birth which was by Cesarean section; Christopher's forehead was cut with the Doctor's scalpel. I remember seeing him for the first time the following day, he was such a beautiful baby boy. There was a thin bandage around his head protecting his wound which had been carefully repaired; with his beautiful brown skin and an abundance of black hair, at first glance I thought he looked like a tiny papoose wearing his miniature headband. But he was Christopher; one of Heavenly Father's most valiant spirits.

Christopher knew and loved each of us in his family. I'm confident that that includes those family members that didn't have the privilege of meeting him here. He was an intelligent child with an enthusiasm for life. He loved his mommy and daddy and there was absolutely no question that they loved and adored him; and they still do.

Mike reminded me of a "tender moment" he had when he saw Christopher and Marivic at Albertsons one day. Christopher's response when he saw his Uncle Mike at a place that wasn't where he would normally see him was, "is it you?" Yes it was, and Uncle Mike loves that memory that he has of Christopher. I had a similar experience about the same time. One day Alan brought Christopher over to be tended, I had gone on a quick errand and Alan left Christopher with my older boys. When I arrived home Christopher was standing at the top of the stairs and with a big smile proclaimed, "I'm here!" I couldn't help but share his enthusiasm as I exclaimed, "and I'm so happy that you are!"

Ashleigh was born on May 13, 1987, it was a beautiful spring day. Ashleigh was the perfect answer to a mother's prayer. She brought her daddy, her mommy, and her "boys" much love and joy. My joy was so full at having a daughter, that many of my tasks as the mother of a newborn seemed so much lighter. Even getting up at 2 am seemed easier. The boys were delighted to have a sister and they loved and served Ashleigh with all of their hearts. Ashleigh loved "my boys" as she called them, with all of her heart as well. Ashleigh too, was one of Heavenly Father's most valiant spirits.

Ashleigh loved her daddy. Occasionally on an evening, Michael would be lying on the floor watching TV and Ashleigh would sit on his back. There would be a big bowl of popcorn in front of Michael, and Ashleigh would lean over his shoulders to reach in for her share. Sometimes we played a little game that went like this: I would say to Ashleigh, "he's my Babycakes", and I would point to Mike. "No, he's my Babycakes", she would reply. We would go back and forth trying to decide whose "Babycakes" he was, Mike loved it! Sometimes I would start the game and sometimes Ashleigh would, and then there were the times that Ashleigh would say, "he's my Babycakes", and I would say, "you can have him."

Christopher and Ashleigh were playmates as well as cousins. I don't think it matters what age a child is... when you get more than one of them together they can come up with some clever ideas. Ashleigh's bedroom wall had a small hole in it, it was about the size of a door knob, actually the door knob caused the hole. One day I found Christopher and Ashleigh in her room, having a great time dropping toy blocks into the hole in the wall. Consequently, another hole had to be cut into the bottom of the wall to retrieve the blocks, and... a few other toys that we found in the process. Eventually both holes were repaired.

Christopher was a smart little boy and he spoke very well. One day while he and Ashleigh were watching "Bambi" some butterflies appeared on the screen. Ashleigh pointed to them and referred to them as "fafa flies". Christopher looked so surprised and kindly informed her that they weren't "fafa flies, they are butterflies." Ashleigh loved "The Little Mermaid" and quite often per our request mimicked Ariel as she sang Part of Your World on her make believe rock.

At the beginning of "Family Friday" it was suggested to me that it would be neat to post a picture of me with the featured family member. That was a great idea, but I don't have very many pictures of me with individual family members. I am grateful to have this picture with me, Christopher, and Ashleigh; together.

Throughout my life I have heard people use the word "heartbroken" countless times. It wasn't until December 12, 1989; more than 31 years into my life that I discovered that the word "heartbroken" or "heartbreak" has very real meaning, and that having a broken heart is a very real physical pain.

It seems that most of the days in our lives begin in a routine manner; that's how it was for me that December morning. I was being a mom and getting my boys out the door to school, getting Ashleigh and myself ready for the day, I had projects to finish for Christmas which was less than two weeks away, and my Christmas party was only five days away. It was my brother's last day of school for the semester and Christopher was coming over to be tended. When Alan returned to pick up Christopher I had no idea that that would be the last time I would see him. Later that afternoon when I received the phone call, I remember seeing the partially filled cup that Christopher had been drinking from just hours earlier sitting on the kitchen counter. I did not know when I woke up that morning, that when I returned to my bed that night that the lives of our family; and most especially Alan and Marivic, would be changed forever.

August 16, 1990 started out as a beautiful summer day. The sky was blue, the sun was shining and I felt great. The previous evening a good friend who is a nurse, expressed concern to me about Ashleigh and suggested that I take her to her pediatrician. Everything seemed fine that morning and I thought to myself, "Ashleigh is okay, I don't need to take her to the Doctor." I was immediately impressed that I must take her to the Doctor. There are a lot of details that go into the events of that day that I won't take the time to share here, but by the time I left St. Benedict's hospital that afternoon, the beauty of the day had been replaced with black clouds and pouring rain. It was as if the heaven's mourned with me as I learned that my precious daughter, my perfect answer to prayer, had a brain tumor. When I went to my bed that night, again the lives of our family; most especially Michael, myself, and our four children had changed forever.

Things to know about Christopher's family: Christopher was the first child in his family, he never had the opportunity to associate with his siblings Tara and AJ as most children do. But they know him and love him and he is still their big brother. As I have been reading Alan and Marivic's 25th anniversary series my heart has been touched as I have read about the sacrifices that Marivic made to come to America; her life has been greatly blessed because she came, but it hurts to think of our Filipina sister enduring the experience that she did without her mama and papa and her siblings by her side. I remember that December twenty years ago, when I looked at Alan it hurt me to think that I would never see my brother smile again. I have seen my brother smile, and I've heard him laugh many times. Alan and Marivic are good people, they are my heroes and I love them.

Christopher's family: Tara, Marivic, Alan, and AJ

Things to know about Ashleigh's family: On the morning of September 17, 1991 Ashleigh returned home to our Heavenly Father. During the previous thirteen months our faith, love, determination, hope... increased as we endured (and I think well) and accepted our Heavenly Father's will for Ashleigh and our family. On March 17, 1993 we were blessed with a gift; Caitlin Rose. We have been blessed with the love and comfort of our three sons. As you look at the expressions on the faces of "her boys" in the picture below; I think we came through it pretty well, and I think Ashleigh would agree.

Ashleigh's family: Jeremy, Emily, Mason, Michael, Lesley, Zachary, Caitlin, Adam, Kristin, William, Andy, Melissa, Avery, and Jeffrey

Some things to know about Christopher and Ashleigh: Doctrine & Covenants 137:10. Christopher and Ashleigh are lights to our family. I love them both with all of my heart and soul. I look forward to the day when I will see them again, maybe then I will be the one to say (with a big smile on my face), "I'm here!"

Farewell Family Friday

Recently, while editing a "Family Friday" post I called Mike in to read what I had written. He took one look at me and asked, "do you always cry while writing Family Friday?" The answer was no, not always; but I have shed some tears.

As I contemplate what "Family Friday" has meant to me, and the feeling that I have gotten from many of you that it means as much to you, I feel so much love and gratitude for this family. I started out writing a review of each family member according to what I knew about that particular person; and yet as I have read your comments I have learned so much more.

Many times over the course of this series I have made a personal observation that what I write is just a tiny, little synopsis (basically a drop in the bucket) of the person being featured. Basically, all I have done is share "my good opinion" of each family member as I stated I would at the very beginning of the series. I have wondered, what if each family member wrote a "Family Friday"? What if each family member kept a detailed personal journal? Or wrote a blog? What a history and a legacy in writing we would have!

I have loved reading the comments left each week. Comments parents have left about their children; comments from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins; the memories siblings have shared; and spouses for their companions. I have felt a renewed bonding in our family as I have read of your love and appreciation for each other. Your words have uplifted and motivated. I have had some wonderful feedback, including comments from my friends which I appreciate so much.

Tomorrow is the final installment of "Family Friday"; for now. At the very beginning of the series I stated that the first and last features were pre-determined, and so it is with much emotion that I present to you tomorrow a "Family Friday" featuring our families angels; Christopher and Ashleigh. I look forward to reading your memories/comments/thoughts about them. I hope that everyone who reads tomorrow's post will share something.

It has been nearly a year since I started "Family Friday". It has blessed my life as each week I have thought about and focused on an individual family member; from my Dad our family Patriarch.... to baby Hannah our youngest member. I love each one of you. Thanks for letting me nominate you... it's been my pleasure.

Family Friday: The Cutting Room Floor

During the "Family Friday" series I have published many, many pictures. Thanks to all of you for letting me "lift" pictures from facebook and from your blogs. There were several pictures that I "lifted" that I wasn't able to use (as well as a few of my own) but I wanted to share a few of my favorites here. Enjoy!

Alan, Jeff, and Jeremy at the beach last summer. I can't decide if they're contemplating going out, or if they have had enough.

I love this picture of Granpa and Caitlin, they are walking downtown in SLC between conference sessions on a rainy day in October 1998.

Lesley Ann Marsden Leger, Andy Marsden Leger, Zachary Marsden Leger, and Alan Marsden. Does anybody know what we all have in common?

Granma as a school girl in Ireland. Do you see any family resemblances? I think Mini Embem looks like Granma.

I love this picture of Margie, she looks exactly the same. It seems funny to think of Margie playing with Barbie dolls, but here's the proof.

Jeff, Melissa, and Miss Avery last summer at Tuacahn. "Tomorrow... tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow."

I've always loved this picture of curly-top Chelsea and little Derek. Aren't they adorable?

Three Alan Marsden's. All of them handsome men.

Is this Ammanda Ann or is it Audrey Hepburn?

Okay... it's Ammanda Ann.

Archie and Lesley in Belfast. How cute are they!?! Way cute!!

Our "girly party" during the summer of 2008.

Look at Mike's "trigger finger", he can change the channels in his sleep.

The cousins in 1989: Christopher, Ashleigh, Jeremy, Jeffrey holding Ammanda, Russell, Andy holding Alan, and Melissa.

Twenty years later: an assortment of cousins at the beach house in 2009.

Don't forget to check out the contests on my previous two posts. You have until 10 pm tonight to enter your answers and hopefully win a prize!!

Family Friday: Featuring My Nephew Alan

It's finally Elder Nielsen's turn! Alan Hugh; named after both of his Grandpa's is this week's "Family Friday" feature. Alan is my sister Lilian's second son and he is currently serving in the Florida, Tallahassee Mission.

I love this picture of little Alan. His life was a miracle before he was even born, and as I look at the photograph of this beautiful, innocent, little boy I feel so grateful for the faith of his parents and that he is here and a part of our family.

Alan is a patient nephew. During his early teenage years before his voice changed, I often mistook him for his mother on the phone. In fact it wasn't often... it was pretty much always. I was so happy when the day finally arrived that I actually called Alan, "Alan" and not "Lilian". Unfortunately I am now doing the same thing with his brother Jacob.

I have mentioned before that our family have a lot of nicknames, one day I'll do a post about them; in the meantime I'll just say that our nicknames have nicknames as well as Jr's., Sr's., mini's, etc. hence... I call Alan, Little Lala and he calls me Auntie Lelu. I love Little Lala. He is a good nephew.

Alan is a very talented young man. Several years ago he decided to create things with... duct tape? I'm not kidding. He has created some amazing things including swords with cartoon characters, a scripture tote, and the most amazing thing of all, a Wonder Bread suit. The neighbor kids wanted his creations so badly that their parents would pay Alan to create things for them. Alan is also the creator of "Clyde". Clyde is an ant. I'm not sure how many "Clyde's" that Alan has drawn, but his mother has featured 100 of them on her blog while he has been on his mission, in a series that she calls "Clyde Friday". I admit that I am probably one of the "Clyde impaired" but as you can see Alan is a very talented and creative artist.

Alan is a big Disney fan, huge Disney fan. His favorite character is Donald Duck and he can do Donald's voice very well. He is also a fan of another Disney character... Hannah Montana, aka Miley Cyrus. Alan has been to Disneyland countless times and will be heading there within weeks of his return from his mission and I get to go with him.

Things to know about Alan: He is a good missionary. He loves his family. He's tenderhearted. He's handsome. He loves movies. He's a good friend. He's a good son to his mother. When Alan was a baby I baby-sat him overnight while his parents and Russell went on a trip, he was a good baby. He was just an infant when he went to the beach house for the first time, he ended up going to the hospital with pneumonia. He loves his family. Prior to leaving on his mission he was able to go and serve as a "missionary" in his brother Russell's mission for a few days. A couple from WB served in the mission office in Tallahassee; while there they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and Alan made sure that they had a cake, they said that Alan is a good missionary. Alan is loyal. Alan has determination. He has a great smile. He is faithful. We all love Alan and are grateful that he is in our family. We're looking forward to seeing him in a couple of months and hearing his report on his mission. Love you Little Lala.

Alan's family: Taylor, Cory, Jacob, Lilian, Michael, Jessica, and Russell

Family Friday: The Count Down

Next week is the final week of "Family Friday". I will be posting something every day starting on Sunday and ending on Friday with the final "Family Friday" feature. Be sure and check in; there will be two blog contests with two winners for each contest!! Here are the prizes: these way cute St. Patrick's Day bubblegum jars. You want one, don't you!?!

Family Friday: Featuring My Brother (by marriage) Cory

"Family Friday" is quickly winding down and coming to an end, there are only two weeks left. I will have featured 47 family members when it is over and I have observed that there is something unique about the family member who I am featuring this week; he is my only brother "in-law" on my side of the family. Of course I am talking about Cory.

Cory met my sister Lilian in the summer of 1984, shortly after she returned from the beach house. He moved in with some guys who lived next door to my parents home and, well... the rest is history. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 6, 1985. Over the next several years Cory and Lilian became the proud parents of five handsome sons.

There are a lot of things I love about my BIL Cory, I'm going to mention a couple of important ones here. First of all, Cory has always made me feel welcome and comfortable in his home. Mike and I love to go on a Friday or Saturday night and watch movies with Cory and Lilian and their friends, often we invite ourselves, but we know we can. When I go into the house and I see Cory sometimes I say, "dad, we're home." Cory always has a big smile and a welcoming hug, and he always says that we can come back. The second thing I'm going to mention is Cory's hugs; they are the BEST!

Cory is a very handy guy and he's always willing to help others with their projects. He is a good carpenter and finished his basement beautifully; and now he lets our entire family invade it for many of our family parties. Cory is also really good at electronics. When me moved into our new home Cory was right there to help Mike install our TV on the wall. Mike was so grateful for Cory and his knowledge and willingness to share it. One thing I've observed about Cory, he is always ready, willing, and able to help in whatever way he can. And he'll even bring the tools!


Cory has a job. Do you remember "The Incredibles?" or did you ever see California's "Governator" in the movie (only on TV of course) "True Lies?" 'nuff said. Of course with me there is never 'nuff said, so I did get permission from Cory to say that he meets with NATO. Although we really don't know what Cory does we do know that he travels all over the world and consequently Cory has a lot of frequent flyer miles. In 1997 Cory very generously treated me and Lilian to a trip to England (with his miles) to visit our parents while they were on their mission; FIRST CLASS SEATS! Cory is awesome! 'nuff said.

Cory is interested in what's going on with the family. Selling and buying a house was an extemely stressful and emotional experience for me. I remember Cory coming to the new house (before we bought it) to check it out; he also called me on the phone to see how things were coming along, and I'll never forget the time that we were talking on the phone and he said to me, "it's your turn (for a house)." That meant a lot to me. Cory celebrates other peoples successes. That is a quality that I admire.

Cory is very tender hearted. He cares about everyone in this family. When Ashleigh was sick he came to our house one day with a pair of "Little Mermaid" socks that he had bought for her. Those were the last socks she ever wore.

Things to know about Cory: He was student body president at Gunnison high school. He's patient. He teaches the Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School. He loves movies; two of his favorites are: "The Flinstone's Christmas" and "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers". He likes "Popeye's Chicken"; I'd never heard of it until I saw Cory eating it at t'ocean. Every year after Thanksgiving he takes his boys to Gunnison to cut down a fresh Christmas tree. He is an avid Denver Broncos fan; he even had a dog named Elway. He's a great husband and father. He is a good provider for his family. He is a wonderful son and brother. He honors the priesthood. He loves the Lord. He loves my baby sister. He can get to California quicker than anyone I know. He doesn't draw attention to himself. He's a tease. Cory once had a cool car named Henry. He's very good at buying cars. I am so grateful for Cory, I know the rest of the family is too. We are so lucky to have him in our family and we love him.

Cory's family: Michael, Jacob, Taylor, Jessica, Russell, Lilian, and Cory (Elder Alan Nielsen will be home three months from tomorrow)