Welcome to Baby Gracie Jo Nielsen

Baby Gracie has arrived safe and sound at the MacKay Dee Hospital at 11:25 a.m. on June 30, 2010.   Her mom Brittani did one terrific job ---- and a very long one.  But holding that sweet little spirit in her arms surely makes it all worth while.

Gracie weighs five pounds and one ounce and is eighteen inches long. 
Gracie is about five weeks early and so she will be spending some time in the NICU at the hospital.  Her mom says that she doesn't want to wake and eat.  They have placed a tube in her belly button and she is receiving a saline solution through it.  She does have oxygen but it is very minimal her mom says.  The doctor feels that maybe only about two weeks in the NICU.  Brittani is filling good she says.  Prayers do help because we always need Heavenly Fathers help.

Father and Daughter

Spending time in NICU

Resting



Such a little sweetheart ---- you are in our prayers



Happy Birthday to Nate

Nathanial Dale Woodruff was born sixteen short years ago.  Nate has been his nickname ever since.  Nate is the only son of DelRay and Tonya and to top it all off he is sandwiched in between his two sisters Kelsey and MacKenzie.  But, that position has never hindered him.  He holds his own and can usually torment his sisters until they have to give up.  He is also very caring and looks after his sisters when needed.  Nate has so many great abilities that make him a great young man.  He has worked by his father's side helping to wire a house,  he has helped with irrigation on the farm,  he has always ridden motorcycles since just a small boy. Nate is an excellent student at Bear River High School. He is on the High School baseball team and just returned from a great trip to New York and the surrounding area.  He loves to shoot guns and go hunting with dad.  Nate has always honored his Priesthood and served faithfully in fulfilling his Priesthood assignments.

I know that there is a little green car that will become Nate's "wheels".  Look out here he comes.  This is not something new ----- living on a farm and out in the country boys seem to learn to drive quite early.  We hope that Nate will continue on the straight path that he follows now and will keep his standards high and make wise choices.  Love him lots

August 4, 2011, Will it or Will it Not

Brad and I have an appointment on August 4, 2011.  We have both been a bit nervous the last 10 days.  Will it work or will it not.  Nerves, questions, schedules, work, and so much more is happening.  Time will tell

Grandma Dorothy

Grandma Dorothy Summers Firth was born on June 26,1914.  She passed away on March 20, 1979, in Tremonton from cancer.  I thought that it would be good to honor her at this time and to let my family know just a little bit about her.  Grandma Dorothy was a great lady.  She worked hard to be sure that her husband and family always had what they needed.  Her home was one of order and love.  She was an excellent cook.  You would never leave her table wishing for more.  She enjoyed the holidays and making them special for the family.  I think perhaps one of the things that I remember the most was her three wheel bike.  It had a large basket on the back and she would ride it over to our house when she wanted to bring something our way.  Grandma Dorothy's testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ was unshakeable.  She had a great knowlege of the scriptures and was one of the great teachers in our ward and stake.  She had little purple pansies in her yard that she would let my little children pick.  They loved it.  She would have loved to share in your lives and I just suspect that she has sneaked peeks at you from Heaven

Anniversary for DelRay and Tonya

June 26, 1981, Tonya Sue Firth and DelRay Woodruff were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple for TIME AND ALL ETERNITY.  Wow! that is a big commitment.  We can kind of guess what time is but I do not believe that any of us can yet comprehend Eternity.  It was such a beautiful summer day and we had prepared our home in Fridal Heights to host a reception that evening.  My mother had came from Ucon several days earlier to help me with some of the final preparations and cooking.  It truly was a very special evening and I hope a good beginning for this special couple.  Tonya had been very busy designing and sewing all of the dresses for her sisters to wear.  They were so beautiful and enjoyed for many days to come.  These two special people have always set a great example for their siblings to follow.  During the past thirty they have accomplished many great and wonderful things which include their three beautiful children, Kelsey, Nathanial, and MacKenzie.  Plus they now have a new son-in-law, Dusty.  They have built and remodeled and remodeled their home in East Tremonton, supported the community and school with great vim and vigor.  But, I think that perhaps the most important support has been to family and their Father-in-Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Never doing any job half way but always going the second mile.  I am not sure that I will be around for the rest of the TIME in their lives but I truly hope that I will be worthy to share the ETERNITY part with them.  Thanks seems so small but this mother truly does say thank you for being such a special couple.  Love you lots.

Home Depot ----- AGAIN

I know I said never again but, I will gladly eat my words.  On Friday we and the Woods made a trip to Home Depot to get wood so that Paul can begin work on new cabinet drawers for my kitchen.  I am very excited.

During the trip Brad and I also selected and purchased a "John" for our bathroom.  This is long overdue since the old one is barely hanging on with one rusted bolt and the carpet just needs to go.  It is just to stinky and awful.  We had hoped to wait until we could totally redue the bathroom but that is just too far off so we will do this for now.  It will be okay.

Family Sharing

This past week the Nesbits lost a family member.  No!!! not one of the boys ---- but Binks the family cat has died.  He has been a part of the family for such along time and will be greatly missed. 

Nichole is busy packing and preparing for the move to Minnesota.  One of her projects was to cut "ELVIRA" and repot pieces of her for the long trip.  She is really hoping that she will survive.  It is so fun to see all the starts that have come from Tonya's first little two leafed plant that she salvaged from the trash at her second apartment.  Maybe Tonya needs to send the Oak Ridge Boys singing "Elvira" along with Nichole.  She and DelRay say that is why the first poor little plant flourished.  She loved this song.  ---- So now all of our plants are "Elvira"

Grandpa Wood is so proud that Garrett selected a Tape Measure for his prize at the store

Maybe just maybe he is practicing to help mom when little sister comes

Tyler is loving his first Ice Cream Cone ------ So Good

Brad and I were able to take MacKenzie to ball practice last week.  Now it was truly an exciting time.  In fact if the truth be known I was beginning to panic a little bit.  She needed to be to practice at nine in the morning.  So at about 8:15 I called her house to tell her we would be coming.  I did think that it was just a little odd that she had not called me already to remind me.  Well I let the phone ring and ring and no answer.  I called her mom and she said that she had been calling too and did not get an answer.  Grandpa and I headed out at about 8:30 to see where she was.  Her mother kept trying and so did I ----all the way over ----letting the phone ring until it cut off.  I was really getting scared.  Tonya had told us where the key was hidden in the garage so that we could get into the house.  We looked and looked and no key.  We knocked and hollored loud but still no response.  Tonya had told us that she was in the master bedroom since DelRay and Nate were out of town so Grandpa headed around to knock on the bedroom window.  Success, she finally came to the door and she was just fine.  Just sound asleep in her parents nice dark bedroom.  As for the missing key ---- she had it in the house ---- had forgotten to return it to its spot.   We headed to the park with lots of dark clouds on the horizon.  We were going to go home and come back for her after the two hours of practice.  Grandpa was worried the rain would come and they would stop so we went back to the park after a McDonalds run and watched.  You guessed right the rain came and they continued to practice in it.  They were very wet little girls and the red dirt on MacKenzie's shoes was thick.  She had to take them off and put them in the trunk for the ride home.  She is such a cute gal and said the rain didn't bother her at all.  She plays catch on the team and does just about everything her way.  She has lots of get up and go and is just one special granddaughter.

Family Sunday

Sunday was Brads turn to give the High Priest lesson.  He read and studied faithfully during the week.  The Conference talks were about following the Prophet.  As he shared the message with me during the week our testimonies of the wonderful gift of having a living Prophet to guide us truly became stronger.  If the world could just recognize this great man I wonder what would happen.  Would we truly become a more loving and Christ like people.  Oh!  what has happened ----- everything seems so crazy right now and the teachings of the Savior seem to be so far from every ones hearts.  Satan is certainly having a wonderful HEY DAY.  This mom and grandma truly prays that her family will be strong and follow the Prophet.

We had planned to grill hamburgers for lunch to save on heating up the kitchen with the weather getting much warmer.  Brad invited his mother over and we enjoyed a nice meal on the patio.  Brad has become very good at grilling the perfect hamburger.  We complimented the meal with our favorite "kettle chips", fresh watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, and grapes, pork and beans and some olives.  Grandma seemed to really enjoy it and it was good to see her eat good.  We had purchased maple bars for dessert ---- she loved them --- eating one with dinner and taking one home to go with lunch on Monday.  She will be turning 97 on July 11th and is going strong.  I think that over 100 just might happen.

We were able to enjoy  a nice visit from the Brewers and Paul after lunch.  Baby Tyler is getting so close to crawling but for right now he will just scoot backwards and roll to get where he wants.  That heart warming smile of his is priceless.  And when he giggles you just have to giggle with him.  It is hard to believe that eight months have passed already.

 We then packed a small overnight bag and headed south to give some help.  Our first stop would be the Sorias to check on their garden.  Natalie felt that some kind of bug was eating some of her plants.  We took along our can of Sevin and did a quick dusting.  She will be doing some more later.  She has become a very good gardener.  With Sid's help they have three nice garden boxes filled with strawberries, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, peas and other vegetables.  It was so nice to just sit and visit in their backyard and watch the children run and play.  Heather loved serving us all ice water and then ice cream treats.  So much fun.  Then it was time to see her drive her Cadillac -------- OH MY ---- she is one crazy driver.  We had lots of laughs.  Then with tears and coaxing Sam got his dad to get out the motorcycle for rides.  They love riding with dad in the housing area.  Sid says he was probably not too legal ---- but he was very careful. 

Just waking up from her nap with "Warm and White"

One Crazy Driver ----- Look out Dad ---- your insurance rates might raise

Sam loves to go riding with dad ----check out that foot rest

So excited to be with dad

A little loving for Grandpa



"I want to be a biker just like my dad"  ---"Can we go again?"



It is Heather's turn ----- she will ride behind and hold on tight.

Sam is waiting for another turn and giving us cute smiles

Little loving for Grandpa

She got to go faster than little brother

Sorry kids ---- dad can't take you both at the same time ---- Mom to the rescue

Grandpa helping get the helmet off

Sam thinks he would like to try the helmet on ----- loves to do everything sister does

Then we headed to Stansbury Park to give some help to the Despains.  Danny and Amy both needed to be at work on Monday and Jacob would be starting his "Camp Invention" experience.  So grandpa and grandma were needed to help.  It is always fun to spend time with them and we so enjoy having Jacob share the things that he does with us.  He really loves working with his Legos and sleeping in his tent.  He is excited for the fun things that are ahead for him this week.  The Despains garden is also doing great even if their soil is pretty poor.  Grandpa said it is a good thing that they planted houses because it is not farm ground.  They have a beautiful front and side area and hopefully next year they will be able to complete the back and make some garden boxes that can have some better soil.  However, they will still have a good harvest for now.  Amy was excited to show us her "PRIZE".  She made a comment on some blog that she follows and won $150.00 worth of scrape booking supplies.  Lots of good things that you just don't afford on your own.  Amy had to take a test today about her nursing skills.  It is a requirement every two years.  It has some written parts and then some application parts.  She said she missed one question on the written part out of 100 and all the rest was good.  She did say that she better have done good or they should fire her because it is about what she does at work.  She will have been and RN at the NICU for twelve years.  Time is moving so fast. 

Loves to build with his Legos

Lots of fun in tent

Lots of imagination



Paper, brads, stickers and alot more stuff





One neat prize in a nice carrying bag



Corn is coming up nicely



It was nice to see that the Great Salt Lake water level is rising.  In all these years that we have been traveling past it the shore line has been so far back.  It was a beautiful blue when we went by on Sunday and clear as glass.  But best of all you could hardly see any of the shore.

The Great Salt Lake

Blue as the Sky

We headed home in the early afternoon and Brad headed to the mountain to work on the Elwood Town water system.  The spring is running high but there is a problem with how everything is going through the diversion box.  He came home hot and tired.  The sad part of all this is that he is the only one that seems to be caring about doing things for our little town.  The mayor is an absolute dumb bell and the councilmen are turning into flakes.  It is so hard to see what is happening.  One of the funniest things though is that Councilwoman Munk called Brad to see if he could pump the water out of the park and get it ready for the Fourth of July celebration.  DAH!!  as long as the river is high the water will be there.  You can not pump a full bucket into a full bucket.  The celebration is cancelled for this year. 















Dale S. Firth

June 24, 1941, Dale S. Firth was born in the old Tremonton Hospital on the hill.  His mother says that it was a very hard delivery because he was breech.  She told me that he was a very cranky baby who cried and cried.  Come to find out his shoulder had been hurt in the delivery and he was in pain.  She always told him that he owed her alot because of this hard time.  He spent his life trying to make it up to her.  He was indeed a good son that was always being sure that his mother's needs were cared for.  When his mother became ill and he was asked to help his father give her a blessing he always felt it was his fault that she died because he had blessed her that all would be well.  He felt he must not have been good enough to have blessed her.  He could never accept the fact that in the Lord's way everything was well.  The cancer was very mean but she was able to endure and have some good time before her passing.  Dale was the middle child in his family and he said that he felt kind of lost.  Ronald was the oldest son.  Jana was the youngest and the special daughter.  He said he was just there.  I have thought about this a great deal and the importance of each child in the family.  Dale came with his own personality.  Vibrant like his red hair.  Spunky, always trying to prove his worth.  Rebellious, because he felt he just never measured up to others.  Giving, no matter what it cost him or his family.  Faithful, to those that were important to him.  A Teaser, to match that mischievous look in his eyes.  Smart, always able to accomplish anything he set his mind and heart too.  Father,  always proud of this title and so happy for his family.  Friend, always there whenever he was needed. 

 Dale was so many things to so many people.  Yes, there were some very hard and sad times but the good memories fill my heart and I know that he truly loved me and his eight beautiful children.  He just was not able to overcome the terrible pain that had encompassed his life and so Heavenly Father released him from this mortal life that he would hurt no more.  I know that over these past thirty-two and a half years he has continued to be a source of strength to each one of us the same way that he tried while we were together here in this mortal life.  I am so very grateful that I was blessed to be his wife and the mother of his children.  Love Always

Apart for the Last Time!

Today June 21st is a special day for Jeff and Nichole.  This first day of summer is their chosen wedding day. It was a beautiful day in 1991 when we went to the Logan Temple for their marriage.  Twenty years----my how the time flies by.  Today Nichole is in Syracuse packing boxes in preparation for the families move to Minnesota and Jeff is in Minnesota locating them a place to live.  I truly hope that this is the last anniversary that they spend apart.  These two young people are full of great adventure and are able to find joy and good things in all that they do.  They are the parents of four fine young sons.  This involves lost of baseball, scouts, priesthood responsibilities for the parents as they support and teach their sons.  They have done a great job and I know that their future will bring good things.  Their faith is strong and their service is constant to their Heavenly Father and I know that He in turn blesses them.  As they work toward that goal of an Eternal Family they will be blessed with His help.  I pray that they will always stay close as companions and treat each other as a king and queen as they have been promised.

Brandon has a Birthday

Brandon Paul celebrated a fun birthday at St. George.  On June 17th he became twenty years old. Reaching this age now takes him from those teenage years into a time of great responsibility.  We are so proud of Brandon and his commitment at bettering himself.  He worked so hard at finishing his schooling at Bridgerland and is now a valued employee.  Brandon has also found a young lady to make his life happier.  Our prayers are with Brandon and Jordan that they will be able to move forward and accomplish the desires of their hearts.  Love Always

Happy Fathers Day

Sunday was a very special day for us to honor our fathers and husbands.  Brad and I attended Priesthood and Relief Society in our Elwood Ward and then we drove to the Woodruffs Riverview Ward for Sacrament meeting.  Grandpa had seen on the Woodruff calendar that Nate would be talking and so we had planned on surprising him.  He has grown into such a handsome and fine young man.  He looked so grown up in his nice suit and tie.  Nate did a great job with his talk and I am sure that his Mom was a great support.  He seemed a bit nervous but his dad said that was because he really thinks the girl sitting by him to give the next talk is "HOT".  Lots of teasing from dad.  We took one whole row in the chapel ---- Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, MacKenzie and Tyler, Kelsey and Dusty, Meagan and Garen.  I am so proud of family when they support one another.  IT IS A GOOD THING.

Nate's talk

In the October 2009 General Conference, M. Russell Ballard talked about the relationship between fathers and sons.  He said that there is something special about seeing fathers and sons together.  It is a visual reminder of two of the most powerful elements we have; priesthood and family.  The priesthood is the divine power through which families are sealed together forever.  Everything in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, including the ordinances of the temple, is focused on the possibilities of families becoming part of the eternal family of God.

There is no other relationship quite like that which can and should exist between a boy and his dad.  It can be one of the most nurturing, joyful relationships in life, one that can have a profound impact on who boys become and also on who dads become.

He also said that we are all on a journey.  Dads are a little further down the road, but none of us has yet arrived at our final destination.  We are all in the process of becoming who we will one day be.  Fathers and sons can play a critical role in helping each other become the best that they can be.

Father-son relationships are never perfect but I know that my dad is proud of my accomplishments and he worries about be every day.  We but heads most days and don't always get along but he is truly my hero in many ways and I would like to share some of the reasons why I love my dad.

He honors his father and mother.  He is always lending a helping hand to not only them but also to my mom's parents when they need it.
He honors his priesthood.
He is faithful and honorable.  He leads, provides for, and protects our family sometimes at great sacrifice to himself.
We share the same interests.  We love to hunt and be outdoors.  We love to ride our motorcycles and he has always made sure I have one to ride.  We love to watch and play baseball.  He is usually always willing to play catch even though I know he suffers later with the pain in his shoulder.
He is super supportive in the things I chose to do.  He has always been there for me no matter what I am doing and always seems to voice his opinion whether I want to hear it or not.
He loves family camping trips but gets frustrated when our sports get in the way.  He loves to be outdoors and really doesn't enjoy the big city.  Just ask him about New York.
He tolerates us when we get crazy and is fun to hang out with except when we got lost in a taxi in New York because the taxi driver couldn't understand us and we couldn't understand him.
He is a super hero because he can accomplish feats in record time and can figure out how to fix things and get things done faster than anyone I know.  Bad part of that though is that he expects me to do the same.
My dad can't run the microwave, DVD player, my ipod, his cell phone or any other electronic devices.  I love to give him a hard time about that.
He is a good teacher of what is right and what is wrong.  He always wants me to do better than he did (especially in school) and he doesn't want me to have to make some of the same mistakes he did.
He is a good husband and makes sure that we are always helping mom.  This is very important to him and has made me realize that I want to be a great husband and father some day.
Even though we have our differences, I love a appreciate my dad.  I also love and appreciate my grandpas, uncles, cousins, and brother-in-law and hope they all have a very happy Father's Day.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

The remainder of this special day was spent with telephone calls and visits from our special family.  I am grateful that they show their great love and respect to Brad.  He has truly tried his very best to be the kind of father that your own dad would have liked his children to have.  It is always hard to know that he left our lives way too young but it is also a great blessing that Brad was sent to be a part of our lives.  He has loved and enjoyed each one of you and is always bragging about you.  He truly is a wonderful companion, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.  I pray that he will always be cared for and loved as each day passes on.

Travelers Return Home

Nate and DelRay have returned home from a great trip together.   I have a few bits and pieces about the trip and overall it was a great success.  Once or twice a snag was hit but they were able to overcome it.  For example getting in a New York City taxi with a drive that speaks no English and not being sure where they were going.  DelRay said that was bad.  A three and a half hour rain delay at the Yankee Stadium made for a long night.  Some of the things they were able to see though were terrific,  The US Capital, the LDS temple in New York, a Broadway play, Gettysburg, Philadelphia and so much more.  I am hoping to get more detailed information.  They say it is great to be home.

The Sorias returned home from San Francisco late Friday night.  And I do mean late.  They made the drive straight through.  They left Omi's house at ten a.m. and arrived at their home in Farmington at twelve thirty that night.  What troopers Heather and Sam and Mom and Dad were.  That is a lot of driving and sitting.  They report a very enjoyable time seeing the sights and SHOPPING but were also very glad to arrive home and drop into their own comfortable beds.

I am grateful that all are well and safe.

Crop Failure

Brad says that he has never had such a crop failure.  He has planted the corn three times and the beans twice and still nothing.  In digging up some of the seed to see what in the world is going on it looks like some kind of bug is eating the center from the seeds.  The rest of the garden is doing great but no beans or corn.  Hope someone will share.

Family

I always enjoy getting media photos on the phone from family members to share with me the things that they are doing.  Here are some of the latest ----

This little boy can still smile even if hurt ----- the bandage on his arm is protecting a bad burn



It looks so bare at the Woodruff home ------- the big tree is gone



Jeff has found a house in Minnesota for his family ---- WOW!!  sits on a two acre lot
and the owner says they can lease it, he likes Jeff

The Despains are enjoying Danny's early Father's Day gift

"Are you sure you are doing that right Grandpa?"
Grandpa Wood and Garrett and Tyler recovering a foot stool for Brandon



Teaching the little ones