Flashback Friday

Nielsen back yard in LaMesa, CA.

Some of Poppop's work with rocks and plants 1971.

Sonja (in white in back), Jolynn, Kalen, Janell, Dewayne, Jerrod (in front)

Cousin Leona

(From Virginia)

Hello to the missing cousins at Monday night's gathering. Sorry things did not work out for you. This is Leona and Brad Lasher - from Vancouver, WA. Leona is the daughter of our uncle Alan - one of the triplets. Leona is a radiographer - loves to take those mammogram photos! Brad is a pilot for Delta - loves those flights to Maui. They are a delightful couple, keen sense of humor, and very adventuresome on their many bike trips around the western states. We were pleased to meet them and hope they can return to the big family reunion in May on Memorial Day weekend. Plan to be there!!

Ready to head down the hwy - Rt 6 to Southern Utah for a look at the wonderful canyons.

Steve's Trip to Escondido

(Written by Tom)

Steven (Nielsen) rang our doorbell today while he was out "tracting for bugs" in the Southern California neighborhoods. (His post-mission-summer-job is selling for an extermination company.)

We had a very nice visit. For his mom and dad (Doug & Jeanette), he is doing well, looks healthy, fit, hydrated and well-fed. He offered to give me a "kin-folk discount" on their exterminating service...but...being related to Doug and Dad I declined for two reasons...I'm cheap and "think" I can do it myself. :)

Steven is about "10 feet tall" now and has his pleasant-easy-going demeanor and smile going for him. His sales pitch is solid and he seems to be having fun and is looking forward to returning to school this December after signing all us flea-infested-Californians up for his "hit-man" services.

Flashback Friday

(From Virginia)

This is a real flashback - can you find one older than this? First one to correctly tie this family to our family gets a hearty congratulations for being up to date in knowing all about their ancestors!!! Keep up the good work. I found this photo in one of Mom's books - that apparently none of you other kids wanted!! haha The title of the book is "I Walked to Zion - true stories of young pioneers on the Mormon Trail" collected by Susan Arrington Madsen

"I was talking to the assistant wagon master and driving the lead team, when we heard a terrible yell. We looked up the road and saw a large band of Indians coming towards us. They were very modest in their request, for they demanded 10 yoke of oxen, 1000 lbs. of flour, 300 lbs. sugar, 100 lbs. coffee, and 100 lbs. bacon. If we wouldn't give it to them, we would have to fight and they would take what they wanted. There was between three and four hundred Indians. Some of the men wanted to fight it out with them, but our wagon master, Mr. James Clayton, would not hear of that if there was any other way to get along with them. He told us to prepare for the worst, for we may have to fight, but he would do all he could to avoid it. After talking to them for some time, he thought of the man in our group with smallpox. He told the chief to go with him to the wagon where the sick man lay. A number of the Indians followed their chief, thinking they were going to get all they asked for. But when they got within twenty-five yards of the wagon, Mr. Clayton called to the sick man to look out of the wagon for he wanted to see him. He arose and looked out. The scales were just falling off his face. The chief gave a look and said, "Smallpox!" He turned his horse and yelled for his men to follow, and they did so. It was almost two miles to the Platte River, and they rode as fast as they could till they got there. Then they crossed and looked around for a few minutes, then rode off again. Mr. Clayton was watching them through a large glass. We could not get sight of an Indian for three weeks after that. We had to conclude that smallpox was a very good thing to have close by." George Humphreys, who came to Utah in 1856, served a mission to Great Britain, 1896-98. He married Sarah Ann Eaton in 1864, and they had ten children. They lived in Paris, Idaho, where he was known to be friendly, to have a clever wit, and to be an excellent gardener. He died May 19, 1922 at the age of eighty.

Source: George Humpherys. Autobiographic sketch, holograph, LDS Church Archives.

Don't Forget!

We will be having a visit from your cousin Leona and her husband Brad from Washington state.

We will have the gathering at our home, spouses, kids invited. Pot luck dinner to start at 6pm - or as soon as you can get here.We are happy to tell you locals that we now have grass and bushes in the back yard - for the kids to play, etc.Brad and Leona will be spending the night with us before heading on to Southern Utah on their motorcycles.

MONDAY - SEPT 15TH - 6PM
PLACE: VIRIGINIA'S HOUSE
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN SANDWICHES FOR YOUR FAMILY
WE WILL FURNISH DRINKS, CHIPS AND DESSERT PLEASE
RSVP - email Virginia

Leona is the daughter of Alan - one of the triplets. Even though she is my 1st cousin - she is closer in age to most of her 2nd cousins - as she is turning 46 in Oct.I think you will enjoy meeting her and her husband - who are pretty gutsy to be taking a road trip by motorcycle!!!She is looking forward to meeting as many of you as she can.

Flashback Friday

Vanessa, Tom, Cathy & Erik

Christmas 1990

Happy Birthday to everyone that has a birthday this week!

Elton (click here)

Cathy (click here)

Janell

Seth

Barbara

Hope you had or have a great day!