An Unexpected Trip to San Diego

I just got home from California on Tuesday afternoon, and Julie asked Steve and I if we would go with her and Cali to San Diego on Thursday.  She had plans to run in a 5K race there on Saturday, and she also wanted to spend Friday at Sea World.  Her plans had changed a few times, but it appeared she needed someone to go with her.  We quickly began to make things happen.  We had a great time.  Julie made reservations at the Sheraton Hotel where we stayed for two nights.  Cali was cute, well behaved, and a great travel partner for all of us.  We enjoyed Sea World and the race this morning.  Thanks, Julie, for including us in your San Diego trip.  It was great fun!

By the pool area at our hotel in San Diego

Waiting for the Shamu show to start at Sea World

Waiting for another show to start at Sea World

Waiting to get on a water ride at Sea World

On the gondola ride at Sea World
"Mission Bay"

Waiting for the dolphin show to start at Sea World

The dolphin show was the best;
what amazing animals

Grandpa and Cali having a little fun

The Wild Arctic was very interesting;
we saw polar bears, walruses, and
white Beluga whales

Cali was very excited to see a white polar bear

Heather and Julie prior to the 5K race
in San Diego

Natalie and Cali made signs to cheer on
Julie and Heather Jones

Part of the run was near a jetty;
so picturesque

Julie running across the finish line

That's me and Trent Jones holding up
the cute signs that Cali brought with to
cheer on the runners

Both Julie and Heather finished the
race and were very happy with
their results

A Proud Dad!

Anderson Sisters Go to CA

I just returned from a four-day trip with my sisters to Simi Valley, California.  Becky was the hostess, and everything was wonderful.  Linda and I drove from LV to Becky's house on Friday morning.  Karen and Pam both flew.  By Friday afternoon we all had gathered at Becky's home, and it felt good to be together again.  Becky planned a variety of activities, and it all was fun.  I am looking forward to many more annual trips where we can reconnect and enjoy making new memories.

Our first evening together
enjoying a lasagne dinner



Even cleaning up after dinner is
fun when we are altogether.



Saturday morning we played tennis.

Linda created a way for all of us to play;
we had four people on the court all the time with one
person sitting out.  When one team had three
points, everyone rotated to the left and new
teams were formed.

We went to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
I have always wanted to stop, but this is the
first time I've actually been inside.

Posing with Ronnie and Nancy
at the Reagan Presidential Library

This is one of the planes Reagan used while he was
president of the US.  It's called Air Force One.  It was huge and
shiney,but it seemed old and not so modern compared to
today's aircrafts

Posing as we entered the plane for a walkthrough
of Reagan's presidential aircraft

We went to BJ's for an early dinner after
touring the Reagan Presidential Library.  Yummy food!

After dinner we headed to a play that was nearby

The play was excellent.  All of the actors including
the young children had incredibly good voices.

The next day we spent about three hours in the pool
at Becky's.  She heated the pool so it felt like
bath water.

It wouldn't feel like a sister weekend
without a shopping trip.

After shopping we had dinner at the
Cheesecake Factory.  We definitely didn't
go hungry this weekend.

The cheesecake was soooo delicious.

Monday we enjoyed an ice cream treat at a local
restaurant.  We didn't go hungry or lack
for sweets on this trip.

Monday we went golfing on a 9-hole course.  Because
most of us weren't very experienced at golfing, we played
best ball.  That made the game go faster, and it
was much easier for those of us who lacked any
true golfing skill.

Here we are on the golf course trying to catch some
shade before proceeding onto the next hole.

We toured four model homes at a very expensive
location near Becky's house.  The homes cost well over a
million and a half each.  My sisters were busy
taking pics for future reference as they
decorate their own homes.

We decided to sit and rest inside one of the model homes
while we caught our breath before proceeding.

Another trip has come and gone with my sisters.  It was wonderful to see each of them.  We had lots of chances to visit which is probably the best part about being together.  I think we've all decided that it doesn't really matter where we are or what activities we're participating in as long as we can be together somewhere.  This year I had seriously thought about staying home, but I'm glad I went.  It's good to have a sister and it's even better to have multiple sisters!

Salt Lake City Cemetery

After spending a few hours at Jace and Sheldon's gravesite, we wandered around the cemetery looking at some of the markers.  The SLC Cemetery is where the most pioneers are buried west of the Mississippi.  It is also the final resting spot of many latter-day prophets.  We saw the markers for Joseph Fielding Smith, Joseph F. Smith, Wilford Woodruff, David O'McKay, Howard W. Hunter, and Gordon B. Hinckley.  I also found out that Steve's grandpa, Joseph Henry Dean, is buried in the SLC Cemetery. A few blocks from the SLC Cemetery is the Mormon Pioneer Memorial.  This is the final resting spot for Brigham Young as well as some of his family.    I can only imagine how glorious the resurrection will be at this cemetery!

Natalie and Julie by
President Hinckley's grave.

Steve and I by President
David O. McKay's grave.

This is a few blocks from the SLC Cemetery.

Inside the Mormon Pioneer Memorial

The Mormon Pioneer Memorial is beautifully
landscapped.  It is a peaceful place where
the Mormon pioneer heritage is proclaimed
and honored.

Brigham Young is buried here not far from
the SLC Cemetery. 

I think this is supposed to be Brigham Young
reading to one of his children.  I had fun posing
with him as I remembered his great legacy.

Remembering Jace in SLC

On Friday, June 8, Julie, Natalie, Weston, Steve, and I drove to SLC so that on Saturday we could join with some of Sheldon's family in remembering Jace's third birthday at the cemetery.  We stopped in Orem and had dinner with Sheldon's sister. brother, and their families.  It was nice to see them again.  Lance reminds me of Sheldon.  It feels good to be with him and to feel of the love eminating from the Olsen family.

After dinner we drove to SLC where we stayed at the Hampton Inn.  It was located just a few blocks from Temple Square.  We didn't visit Temple Square, however.  Julie hasn't wanted to go there yet which is completely understandable.  When we woke up Saturday morning, we lounged around our hotel room.  We left around 11 a.m. and headed for the mall.  Eventually it was time to get some flowers and place our large dinner order at McDonald's.

We got to the cemetery about an hour before Sheldon's family arrived.  That gave us time to place the things that Julie had brought for our remembrance family gathering at Jace's gravesite.  Jace had wanted a pirate party, so Julie had purchased some things for that theme.  I wish Jace could have been with us to celebrate his third party, but somehow I felt that Jace knew where we were and what we were doing.  There has never been any doubt in my mind for the past three months since the accident that Sheldon and Jace are looking down from heaven at Julie and the Galler and Olsen families

Jace's favorite things from McDonald's were chicken McNuggets, fries, and orange drink.  Julie ordered plenty of those items for all of the family to eat at the cemetery.  Julie had a treasure chest pinata which Jace's cousins enjoyed.  Julie bought each family a copy of Jace's favorite book about pirates.  Des ordered green balloons.  We all wrote notes and sent them off together into the heavens.  I think Jace saw the balloons as he smiled down on us from heaven.  Although I didn't read all the messages on all the balloons, I know they were all written from each person's heart.  Heidi made chocolate cupcakes with green sprinkles.  Jace loved cupcakes.  It was an afternoon perfectly planned for a perfect little grandson.  Happy Birthday, Jace.  Grandma GG loves you.

This is "Anna's" grave.  She is buried next to Jace.
Anna was also 33 months old when she passed away
in 1907 from diptheria. It is sweet to think that
two small children, Jace and Anna, are next to each other.
Surely, they are friends in heaven by now.

Here's Jace's grave with a beautiful banner, flowers,
pinwheels, and pinata treasure chest.

The sky was blue.  Although it was a little windy,
the day was beautiful.  The weather cooperated;
no rainstorms and certainly no snow.

Jace also loved pinwheels.  Julie bought a number of them
to place on Jace's grave.  Since the wind was blowing
the pinwheels gave us quite a show.

Such sweet memories of such a sweet little boy

Julie ordered enough food to feed an army. 
Jace would have loved what his mommy ordered.

Here are Jace's cousins on the Olsen side enjoying
Jace's favorite meal. 

Natalie and Weston went with us from Las Vegas.
The Ellsworths had all been sick the week before,
so we were happy that some of their family could be with us.

Here's Hagan taking his turn trying to break open
the pinata.

I'm grateful I could be with Julie as she honored
the memory of her sweet boy.

Here's Julie with the Olsen cousins and Baby Weston
representing the Galler side of the family.

I had wanted to order Jace's favorite book, but I wasn't
sure which pirate book it was.  Thank you, Julie,
for sharing Jace's treasure with all of us.

Sheldon's mom, Carol, drove to SLC on Saturday
from Vernal to be with all of us at the cemetery.

Natalie's message is on the left and
mine is on the right. 

Natalie and I wrote on both sides of our
balloons.  It wasn't hard to come up with
what I wanted to write to my sweet grandson.

If you look hard enough, you can see the
green balloons sailing off to heaven.

Yummy cupcakes compliments of Heidi,
Sheldon's sister.