Chris' Birthday and BBQ

We hosted birthday party for Chris on Sunday, inviting all the new young families in the ward. About 35 adults and equal number kids. It was an informal BBQ in back yard with lots of visiting by adults and kids exploring playhouse, sport court, etc. This was certainly more fun and easier than me trying to personally visit every new family.

Chris celebrating birthday with Kate.

Utah Fun

Fall is always filled with lots of birthdays, BYU football and family fun.

 

Celebrating Kellyn 23rd birthday with special cake made by Grace.

Such a delight recently to drive up to Tanner home with Natalie greeting us on front porch.

Beautiful full arc rainbow in Provo.

Mama and twin baby deer in our Provo back yard.

 

Finally got to the BYU football. Blake & Chris joined us for home game. 

Odds and Ends...

SW Flight over Catalina Island Sunset.

A statement on my frenzied life these days... Had to laugh when looked down at A's game with friends Mark and Cheryl Alder family recently.

Glen and Talyn share cool dudes sunglass moment at A's Game family tailgate.

Bryn discovering my Russian nesting dolls with storybook cameos bought on trip to St. Petersburg. There are twenty in all. See smallest one in her hand.

Severson Family Reunion Oregon 2012

Floyd and Frances Severson family and descendants gathered at Oregon Camp Arrah Wanna near Mount Hood for traditional every other year family reunion. All children of Frances and Floyd attended and many grandchildren and great grandchildren plus some extended family. Good time was had by all visiting, playing games, ball, swimming, hiking, etc. Family time was great but the cold weather and rain was unwelcome.

Floyd and Frances Severson descendants, Oregon July 2012

Frances and Floyd Severson with children Larry, Shelley, Brandt, Elouise, Clark, Troy, Tim, Charlotte & Ralph

Ralph and Sue Severson with children and grandchildren

Blake and Michael aka Where's Waldo twins.

Sue and Ralph Severson grandchildren.

Burney Falls, Memorial Day Weekend

We joined other family members for annual tradition of camping Burney Falls, northern CA over Memorial Day weekend. It was a little cold and rainy the first few days warming up by the end. We choose to "camp out" in the Charm Hotel. The hike down to Burney Falls was nice, then over the top of the falls loop. Gabriella choose to earn the park badge so Aimee and I hiked with her to Pioneer Cemetery. Glen was hero when he took out the pesky ground squirrel who had been stealing food. Overall, fun for all, except the squirrel, nicknamed Pretzel.

Severson clan at bottom of Burney Falls.

Aimee and Gabriella feeding albino rainbow trout at fish hatchery.

Glen and Kellyn with Nathan relaxing in new hammock.

Nathan and Glen holding up "Pretzel."

Kellyn and Glen house remodel

Kellyn and Glen purchased small starter home in Lafayette from original owner since 1953. Glen's dad lent his contractor expertise to tear out wall between tiny kitchen and dining room, shut up three doors into den, add French doors into den from living room, replace all interior doors, etc. They also plan to replace baseboards, door moldings and add crown molding, etc. Kellyn is the "mud" queen and Glen the molding king.

Original Helen Lane "sunshine" kitchen.

Glen with help of dad John replacing beam and tearing out kitchen/dining room wall.

Half way there... doing all their own work.

Orinda Gobble Gobble

Orinda has always been know as "semi-rural" despite being only 17 miles due east of San Francisco. Over the years while total citizen count remains about the same, the wildlife diversity and population has grown dramatically. There have always been numerous squirrels, raccoons, hawks, owls, deer, rabbit, fox and skunks, etc. In the last few years, the wild turkey population seems to have come out of nowhere to dominate the animal scene. They are seen around frequently as flocks of hens, roosting in the valley trees, and springtime brings out the male mating rituals. All the animals can be very fun to see, but also a nuisance to gardens and travel.

Two large male turkeys challenging each other over several females across the street on Tara Road.

Kellyn and Glen Wedding

Kellyn Michelle Severson wed Glen Scott Gagon on Saturday, May 12, 2012 in the Oakland LDS Temple. Reception was help that evening at parents Ralph and Sue Severson home.

Cinderella Play

Abby and Megan Severson, twin daughters of Pam and Chris Severson starred in the Glorietta School play as Cinderella and stepsister, respectively. Grandpa Ralph was the musical director and accompanist for the production with Ron Pickett as director.

Kellyn Vocal Solo Recital BYU 2012

Kellyn BYU Vocal Recital 2012