Friday, October 17, 2008

Random Pictures

Here are some random pictures I scanned a few years ago (with what was written on the back of them)...

Mesa Phelps home, Easter 1954 (yellow dresses)

Shenla, Susan, Jerry
Backyard- Nannette, Jerry, Kelly

Donna- cute!

Jerry in Scout uniform and Donna; white Bonneville Station Wagon in background

Jerry

Susan, Jerry, Shenla on Easter Sunday 1953

Donna’s 1st birthday part with Family at Tempe Beach, 2nd swim, July1960

Shenla, Susan and Jerry Easter 1954

Jerry and Kelly’s room out in back upstairs- Jerry’s collection of pennants

Jerry, Kelly and Nanette 1954

Old Slides


Sitting on the front porch: Shenla, Kambi and Julie (I think)
Laurie and Julie playing in the irrigation
Cute Julie in little pink dress. The VW bug in the background was Jerry and Shenla's and they had it for a long time. Nanette learned how to drive, by driving that. I still remember stalling as I went across Broadway on Center Street with Shenla helping me drive. Good thing traffice wasn't what it is today, or we would have been smoosh.
Shenla, Julie and Jerry with their VW bug.

Who Are They?

Kelly showing off his basketball award. Not sure what the award was. Maybe he will let us know. I am sure it was "Most Valuable Player".
He loved this picture, because all boys love to make reflectors with shiny things. Must be his senior year. 1970
Grandma Phelps holding Kambi I think?
Laurie, Donna and Julie playing in the irrigation the came next door. You can see the old Mesa High seminary building across the street. Across from that you can see the Library and English building, which are all gone now.
Shenla holding Kambi (Old camper shell behind them)
Nanette, Laurie and Susan
Donna (don't you love the expression on her face), Susan, Laurie and Nanette (1971)
Little Girl's day at school, my senior year. I look more like a saggy dog.
Pretty in Pink (LOL)
This would have been right after Jerry got home from his mission, I think. Isn't it cute that he still slept with his teddy bear.

Laurie standing in front of Grandma and Grandpa Phelps house. Date? She looks about 3 yrs. old. Does anyone know?
Shenla holding Kambi.
Cute Donna! Look at those knee high socks.
Close up smile
Julie's happy face

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Memories of G-ma & G-pa

Fun stories shared on the Phelps Family Website in May-June of 2008...

Tamara Lecheminant - May 26, 2008
I thought it would be fun to share memories of Grandma and Grandpa on this site, to be soon compiled into a book of some sort. I thought we would start with Grandpa because his birthday was the most recent. (I meant to write this on his birthday, but I think that is when AI started to get interesting.) Then, when we finished we could write about our memories of Grandma. If there is already a book of some sort, then we don't need to do one. I just thought it would be a fun and easy way to get a memory book of the two. We could share as many thoughts, stories, or memories as we want. No limit. They can be short or long. It would even be great if we could get the aunts and uncles to share lots too. (Also, if you remember details of something and want to add to someone's, please do)

Read what others had to say:

Tamara Lecheminant - May 26, 2008
We were having some sort of party at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I don't remember who it was (probably Kambi :) ), but someone talked me into pushing Grandpa into the swimming pool, fully clothed. All I remember is that he pulled his very wet wallet out of his pocket, and I was really scared. I felt REALLY bad and wanted to run and hide.

Kambi Strong - May 27, 2008
Okay, that is so funny (now of course) It probably was me, I have no memory of that. I probably blocked it out cuz I got in trouble. When they were digging the hole for the pool, this big bulldozer thing pulled a bunch of citrus trees right out of the ground. They had these really big roots. Then they put a fire hose in to fill it up. When the deep end was about a third of the way full Grandpa said he would give us a dollar (?) if we jumped in so I did. I think maybe Julie did too. Also, on my eighth b-day grandma took me to Red Lobster in her cool maroon car and then to Kmart and I got to pick out any jacket I wanted. Then she said there was a surprise on the back seat and it was covered by a blanket. She told me to pull it off and it was a great big white teddy bear. Also, for my eighth b-day Aunt Nannette made me a blue gingham dress with puffy sleeves with red rickrack on them. There was an apple on the front pocket. I wish I had that dress so bad. That was the best birthday of my life. Thanks Aunt Nannette and Grandma!

Shenla Jones - May 27, 2008
Okay,m when I saw amandas letter seweater it reminded me of the thousands of patches, Daddy sewed. He would Chenille ( the way you make the patches that go on the sweaters) way late into the wee hours of the morning to make sure everyone was happy at Christmas and at the end of the year sassemblies.He was the only person who could make them back in them ther days Course I can hardly remember them days
He also spent hours doing the trophies for the schools in Arizona. How he could concentrate on those little tiny things he made for so long amazes me. He was put out with me because I was the only one of the kids (smart one) who wouldn't learn something in that dern store(which provided food and clothing for me). Of course I loved working there. IHEMOI except WTCBWCI


Rachel Cunningham
"I hated every minute of it." Except "when the cute boys would come in."


Kimeree Bates - May 29, 2008
I think I can figure this one out. Ummmm.... Oh Wait this is suppose to be about Grandpa. Mom, did I get it? Ok, so about Grandpa. I think it is very ironic that Phil is trying to clean up the city that Grandpa changed for the good. They are both my heros.

Alicia Black - Jun 1, 2008
I remember Grandpa had Gatorade in the fridge at the store and I did not like it. I also remember finding a lot of cool treasures on the floor of the store and stuffing my pockets full of stuff. I loved all the ribbons that were mess ups, and then they became my own. I also will never forget his big, wet kisses.


Jennie Cunningham - Jun 1, 2008
Grandpa was always doing magic tricks and I loved that. Yes, can't forget those wet kisses :) I remember he brought this really long blue and white rope camping and we jump roped with it. I remember him doing his dance to his song...white sports coat and a pink carnation. I remember him always trying to bite our big toes ewww. I can't remember if he played water monster with us in the pool or not?? I loved playing water monster :) Anyone remember that game? Did he have tandum bikes we would ride?


Kimeree Bates - Jun 2, 2008
At the store all I remember was a giant shoe. Anyone know what I'm talking about or did I just make that up?


Nelson Phelps - Jun 2, 2008
I remember water monster, that was awesome.

Julie Hallsted - Jun 8, 2008
Water Monster was the best game ever! Yeah Kim, there was a big gold shoe. Barry bought his first baseball glove from grandpa when he was a kid and has an awesome story about how he would go look at the glove all the time as he was saving and if he went in the store and didn't see grandpa he would know he was going to get a ball thrown at him from out of nowhere.


Tamara Lecheminant - Jun 8, 2008
water monster was the best game ever invented. i always thought laurie made that up. (i give credit to her for all of the fun made-up games in my childhood.) anyways, just wondering if anyone remembers how to play, because i would love to teach my kids how to play. (do you try to get everyone and then the last person is the winner?) that was such a fun game at the swimming pool?


Nelson Phelps - Jun 2, 2008
Does anyone remember that motorcycle thing that was in the back of the store with the really wide tires (like quad tires) that were always flat. Also, I remember going down to help out on Saturdays (I least I thought I was helping even though I'm sure I wasn't) and I would sweep the back as well as peel the paper off the numbers and letters that had been ironed on the shirts. Then Grandpa would give me a couple of bucks and I would go to Micky D's next door and get lunch.

I also remember the day he closed up shop and we went down and cleaned everything up and took all of the surplus stuff over to his house and stored it there.


Rachel Cunningham - Jun 2, 2008
Brett inherited that motorcycle thing with the really wide tires. He couldn't bear to see it go to the dump. He and a neighbor kid in our old ward actually got it started one day and rode it a little, but then it died. R.I.P. "Hog"


Kylie Glover - Jun 2, 2008
You can't forget getting your toes bitten!!


Nelson Phelps - Jun 2, 2008
Of course not. I do that to my boys every now and again. They like it about as much as I did, but I do it anyway just for old times sake. It was so weird because it was kind of ticklish and it kind of hurt at the same time.


Julie Hallsted - Jun 8, 2008
I didn't really know how gross the toe thing was until I think about doing it now to someone else. And the big wet kisses IN THE EYE! Weren't yours in the eye too? Or did he save those just for me?


Tamara Lecheminant - Jun 8, 2008
how did i forget those wet kisses in the eye. those were the best. you couldn't help but just laugh after being with grandpa. i remember him always doing those money games. where he would drop the dollar bill and if you caught it, you would get to keep it. i thought he was the coolest thing ever.

does anyone remember being in that parade and throwing racquetballs all over the street from the float for grandpa's store. that is definitely one of my favorite childhood memories. I just remember racquetballs bouncing everywhere. that was sooooo fun!


Kimeree Bates - Jun 9, 2008
I remember he would put a ton of quarters on his elbow then snap it and would catch them all. I think we all thought he was some kind of superhero.


Staci Allen - Jun 9, 2008
I remember spending the night at Grandma Phelps house as a little girl. I remember one time, making bead necklaces with her & then she let me stay up and watch a MOVIE that started a MIDNIGHT! I laid on her bed & watched "An Affair to Remember". I remember thinking "my mom would KILL me if she knew I was watching this movie" It is actually a really cute movie, but I was a little girl & the word "AFFAIR" was BAD to me! :) The movie didn't end until 2am & then I went and slept in the PINK room. I'm pretty sure Grandma stayed up to watch ANOTHER movie. Hmmm....is this where all our mother's get their "night owl-ness" from??? I remember making Instant Breakfast for us in the morning-Grandma loved those(or maybe she thought it was the only breakfast that a 10 yr old could handle???)

I remember Grandpa teaching me how to PITCH in Softball. I was a slow-pitch pitcher & he would take me behind his house(what field is back there? Mesa Jr?) & we would PRACTICE & PRACTICE & PRACTICE & PRACTICE. Of course I remember him BITING MY TOES...and his WET KISSES...both of which I DID NOT LIKE!!! I remember Grandpa coming up when we were camping at Spring Break( I think he just came up for the day) & I played horseshoes with him. I TRIED & TRIED...but I could never beat him! I think he got a ringer every time!

I LOVE GRANDMA & GRANDPA!!!!!!!!


Sherri Whiting
I loved the Gatorade gum that was under the cash register cabnet. I would go and grab handfuls of the stuff. (You can still find the gum at Sports Authority. It's called Gator Gum) I remember grandpa lifting us up, while he was on his back. He would take our feet and we would have to balance and then he would drop us. He would also take us for "horse rides" and then buck us off. He did all this while he was going through all his hip surgeries.


Tamara Lecheminant
I used to love that gum too. I have bought it since, (just for the memories) and it doesn't taste as good as I remember. I think I just love it because it reminds me of Grandpa.

Did Grandpa used to throw coins in the pool for us to dive in and get? I can't remember if he started that or my mom...That was my most favorite game ever.

Does anyone remember those hard candies Grandma used to keep in her drawers? Oh...the memories.


Julie Hallsted - Jun 16, 2008
Yes, grandpa definately threw coins in the pool. I loved that. He taught me how to dive and how to do a front flip just standing on the carpet. He always made me feel like I could do anything! It's so funny I believed everything he said because I really doubt he was an amazing diver or that he could stand and do a front flip.


Nelson Phelps - Jun 17, 2008
I would bet he was an amazing diver with all the experience he had. Plus who puts 1 meter and 3 meter diving boards in their pool if they don't love to dive. I know that whenever my dad got on the diving board (which was rare) I was always amazed at what he could do. I'm sure he learned it from Grandpa. As far as the standing flip, I'm not so sure.


Rachel Cunningham - Jun 17, 2008
What I want to know, Julie, is if you can still do a standing front flip. Holy cow...I know for sure I would break my neck.


Julie Hallsted - Jun 17, 2008
Ha, no Rachel. But I do have a small goal to do a back handspring before I turn 40 in November. It's only been 20 years or more since I have tried one.


Alicia Black - Jun 15, 2008
I remember the candy machine at Grandma's house. I also remember some coconut head that totally freaked me out. I just came across the hymn book that Grandma gave all the grandchildren for Christmas. I love reading these memories!


Nelson Phelps - Jun 16, 2008
I remember the folding chairs that Grandma gave to all of us. At the time I thought it was pretty lame because I didn't want a folding chair. Now, my parents still use then quite and bit and we have had them for who knows how long and looking back I think it was a great idea, although I probably won't get those for my grandkids.


Ryan Jones - Jun 16, 2008
Did you know for one of my Proms, I cant remember which, he dressed up as a driver and drove my bunch of friends to prom at the butte! He was so cool, and I cant believe he did that for me. That was one of my best memories of him, let alone the store and the awesome times there.

myfamily.com conversation

This conversation was taken directly from a Myfamily.com conversation. It turned into sharing fun stories about Grandma & Grandpa...

Posted By: Kendra Peterson
Date Posted: Sep 16, 2008
Description: I'm trying to make you all want to move to Cedar with the fun stuff we have going on (or at least come visit us and go to some of these cool things!).
Date Taken: 9/13/08
Place Taken: Cedar
Owner: Kendra

Read what others had to say:


Nelson Phelps - Sep 16, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

It wouldn't matter what they had there, I still wouldn't move there since there is snow. Snow = no go.



Kendra Peterson - Sep 16, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

St. George = no snow = Nelson move there.



Nelson Phelps - Sep 16, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

In an earlier post (several months ago) I said I would gladdly move to St. George (I love it there), if most of my family moved there, and if they had a better air port.



Kendra Peterson - Sep 17, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

If you move here they will all miss you and move here too! Why the better airport? I think they're actually working towards that right now but I can't remember for sure.



Tamara Lecheminant - Sep 17, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

good point. what would az be like w/o nelson and marci??? nelson, move, and they will follow.



Nelson Phelps - Sep 17, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

I can see it now...All the family says "you and Marci move first and we'll soon follow" (wink, wink). Ten years later no one else has moved up there and then we finally move back. Then everyone is thinking oh shucks, well it was a good ten years while it lasted.



Ryan Jones - Sep 17, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Wow..its like he can read my thoughts.



Kendra Peterson - Sep 18, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

You guys are so funny!! I miss you all like crazy (but sorry - I have no desire to move back to AZ). I guess I'll just have to make a trip down there sometime soon. Unless you guys want to come visit us! (If anyone does, we'll make them some really amazing dutch oven food!) Dutch oven reminded me of a funny story. We were camping one time and Jared's sister-in-law's sister brought her boyfriend and it was the first time he had met any of the family. Jared was making dinner (dutch oven of course) and we asked if he wanted some dutch oven. He kept giving us this weird look so we kept asking him and telling him it was so good and he just kept looking at us like it was some kind of joke and he was wondering what was going on. We finally mentioned that it was food and he relaxed and told us that where he's from (Oklahoma I think - and back East in general I think) dutch oven is the same thing as a covered wagon here. We laughed so hard and Jared and I joked about getting them a dutch oven when they got married!!



Kambi Strong - Sep 18, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Okay, I could be wrong on this one but has anyone that says they would hate to live in snow actually lived in snow? I mean family members. I am not talking about your neighbors that moved from snow and now they love it here. And there is SUCH a difference between Utah snow and say East Coast snow.



Nanette Brinton - Sep 19, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

It's not even the snow that I would hate. I have lived in Az too long and I get cold here. There is no way I could tolerate the cold there. I can honestly say I understand why snowbirds live there in the summer time, but live here in the winter. It makes a lot of sense. But for me to live there all the time, no way. I would FREEZE and I HATE HATE HATE being cold! I can take the heat so much better than the cold. I must be Grandpa Phelps' daughter. He LOVED the heat. So sorry...even though I love Cedar and St. George (I know St. George is hot, so you think, why not live there. Well if we did, Uncle Robert wouldn't have the job he has now, so it would be a no go). I think they are great places to visit and to live there, if you want...just not me. (Maybe we'll go on a mission there-speaking of cold, we'll probably get called to outer Syberia, LOL) Miss you guys too. At least it gives us somewhere to visit when we need a place to get away.



Nanette Brinton - Sep 19, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

By the way Kendra, we do have hot air balloons here too. They fly all winter.



Staci Allen - Sep 19, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Kambi...I lived in Utah for a year & remember almost crying as I walked to my classes in the FREEZING COLD WEATHER!!! I actually appreciated a good snow, since it usually warmed up the weather a bit & it was SO beautiful...but then it was NO FUN TO DRIVE IN! I worked in Lehi the whole time I lived in Provo & the commute back and forth every day was KILLER if it snowed! I remember one day hitting black ice & my car spun in 2 complete circles before stopping. It was on the freeway & I was SO LUCKY that no other cars were around & I didn't hit anything...just spun.

If I had MY WAY...I would move to Utah (or somewhere cooler) EVERY summer & then come back to AZ for the rest of the year! Anyone know any good jobs that would move us back & forth, just so I can enjoy the weather:)




Nelson Phelps - Sep 19, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

I lived in Murray Utah for about six weeks during the winter time when I was training for a new job. I was living in a hotel with no covered parking so every morning I had to wake up and before I left for work I had to scrape ice off my windshield. I hated it. Driving in the fresh snow was even worse. Right before we got to our hotel we had to an intersection where we had to take a left turn. About half the time I made that turn I would slide. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. It was a little freaky.



Julie Hallsted - Sep 21, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Let me just clear all this up. No one hated snow/cold more than I did. I truly HATE being cold more than anything! So I was a little concerned when we moved here. But I figured it all out really quickly...because I hate being cold! We moved here January 1st in the middle of the winter. But we found that by the way you dress you can actually never get cold! I seriously have RARELY been cold since we have lived here. If it is going to be cold we wear knee socks, my walking/hiking boots, always a hat, keep gloves in my coat pocket all the time and layer my shirts. It is so easy to do but we only need to do that about 5% of the time here. The snow is only on the ground about 10% of the time. The teenagers seriously wear no coats to walk to school and sometimes flip flops! It is amazing how fast you acclimate. Trust me if I could acclimate, ANYONE can acclimate! Now we snowboard and ski, sled, and everyone in the neighborhood pulls all the kids around on sleds with their fourwheelers everytime it snows. But the absolute BEST part of living where it snows, is that the kids play outside ALL DAY every summer in the creek and catch bugs and go hiking and climb trees and yes, we swim at rec center which isn't as fun but I seriously have never been hot one day since I moved to Utah. And I love the heat but I have realized that I love the breathtaking beautiful sparkling snow all over the trees and rooftops and ground even more than I love the heat! You learn to drive in the snow too after a few months. Only about 4 - 10 days a winter are the roads bad enough to worry about and the smart rule to follow is - if you don't HAVE to go somewhere, don't go! These winters are so mild compared to back east. We love how there are so many winter days when the sun is shining, hasn't snowed for a couple of weeks, and there is a gorgeous white blanket of snow everywhere you look and all over the mountains. So like Kambi said, if you have never lived in the snow, or if you have lived in the snow and didn't have the right kind of clothes, you really can't say that you wouldn't love it! But living by family is definately worth enduring any weather - so ya'll move up here and live by us! Another bonus of living away from family is - we are the only cousins who get Grandma and Grandpa and other cousins and friends to come sleep over at our house for a week at a time a few times each year! Except Tamara of course but she will move back and all that fun will be over for her. :)



Kendra Peterson - Sep 21, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

That's exactly it Julie! I have to say I don't think I'll ever move back to Arizona. I wouldn't mind moving to Montana or Colorado or somewhere someday (don't worry mom - we're not moving Crue anywhere anytime soon:)) but snow is just fun. Jared hates clearing the driveway but when you use a snowblower it makes it a lot easier. I love it when it's snowing at night and you go outside and see all the snowflakes and everything is just so quiet (somehow it does that when it snows) and it's just so peaceful and beautiful.



Julie Hallsted - Sep 21, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

My kids love shoveling snow! It's so funny! But we only have to shovel about 5-10 times a winter.



Nelson Phelps - Sep 21, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Okay, so I don't know who the professional brainwasher is that you went to, but he or she is good, I mean really good. You almost seem like you really mean what you say. If you weren't trying so hard to be convincing I might have believed you actually meant everything you said. Don't worry though I definitely give you a big "A" for effort.

p.s. Did anyone else have the image of the little brother from the Christmas Story when Julie was talking about all the clothes they wear? I mean who doesn't want to have to take 30 minutes to get undressed to use the toilet? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for bladder control but seriously!




Staci Allen - Sep 21, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

haha. I'm laughing out loud. Julie & Kendra...you ALMOST have me convinced. And ask me in the summer...and I would move up there in a second because I HATE the heat! But...I think I hate the cold more????



Kambi Strong - Sep 22, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

I promise Staci, I went to Ricks for two years, and was freezing. I never owned one normal winter clothes item. Went to England for a year and a half and was freezing the entire time. Move to Utah with Chris and....awwwww. I didn't know life could be so good. It is all about the lack of knowledge of shoes and clothes. Using your fireplace and the smell of pinecones can't be beat. Now my kids are older I want them to be able to play in the summer and you can only go swimming here. The parks look like a ghost town. They keep the grass green here in the summer and nobody steps foot on them and then they are dead all winter-go figure. We didn't get annoyed in the summer as kids cuz we were at Grandma's pool every day.



Sherri Whiting - Sep 22, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

I miss grandpa's pool. I still can't believe they buried it. Such a waste!



Nelson Phelps - Sep 22, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Okay, I drove down Grandview about two weeks ago just to see the old house and I could not even tell which one it was. Does anyone remember what the address is? I'd like to go back and see it.



Staci Allen - Sep 22, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

That may be true...BUT on Christmas day we CAN play outside---in shorts & t-shirts & flip flops if we want, while most people are FREEZING away indoors. I guess it is a trade. You either get cold winters or hot summers...I just don't know which I hate more??? But I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. I want my kids to grow up by their grandparents!!!!



Julie Hallsted - Sep 22, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Hahahaha I am laughing so hard. I am trying to picture us all indoors in our coats and boots on Christmas Day with real icicles hanging from our Christmas tree.....FREEZING away. I remember I used to think it was that way too. In reality we are all praying for a white Christmas with lots of fresh snow, while we sometimes sit indoors with our blazing hot fire in the woodstove, drinking hot chocolate in toasty flannel pajamas, watching movies and occasionally going to the steepest hills we can find to sled on! If you have never had a white Christmas you don't have a clue what you are missing. The one downside is that when you get to wear your sweaters and boots which is so fun, that when you go indoors where the heaters are on, it can get too warm. After 5 years we still run to the window EVERY time it snows because it is so exciting! Btw, there was snow all over the mountaintops today after the thunderstorm!! It was still about 75 to 85 outside but not up in the top of the mountains! Next summer before or after the Naylor reunion come visit my neighborhood and you will not believe how amazing it is. Ask anyone who has been here and they will tell you. And Nana is coming to visit this week for a few days! But I do wish everyone actually lived here! Which is why it is a hard decision to come for Christmas, which we are, but missing the cold is not as big a sacrifice as missing Christmas with family.



Julie Hallsted - Sep 22, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

I was just looking at the picture that has garnered so many comments...kind of funny



Kendra Peterson - Sep 23, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

I know. It's pretty funny where this conversation has gone and how long some of the posts are. I don't think it's Christmas unless it is cold. That means it's winter! It's starting to cool off here and turning into Fall and I love it!! I love having four seasons. Instead of hot, hotter, and holy crap it's hot out here! And what's better than hot chocolate when it's cold?!?! I think Mesa gets cool enough (not cold enough) for hot chocolate one or two days a year. :) By the way, I bet the leaves here are going to start changing and they are absolutely beautiful when they do! If anyone wants to see it, without having to go to the east coast, come on up. We'd love to take you up the mountain through all the colors. Kylie, if you guys come, it would make for some great photo opportunities! (And maybe some Peterson family pictures? ;)) In fact, the drive on the mountains has been listed in magazines before as one of the top places to see fall color.



Julie Hallsted - Sep 23, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

You would not believe how much Steven's hot chocolate and whipped cream we go through. And the leaves, holy cow! Our mountains are already turning red.



Ryan Jones - Sep 23, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Why do you guys believe it doesnt get cold here in AZ. In December, it gets down to 35+ at night. Thats not cold? What...is that just a mild chill? We still have to bundle up in the early mornings and late evenings here in AZ in winter! AND, I have had to scrape off ice and frost off my front windshield in the mornings to go to work. Just no snow!



Kendra Peterson - Sep 23, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

I remember visiting at Christmas one year and I wore a long sleeve t-shirt for caroling and that was plenty! :) Our car has remote start so when we lived in our apartment (before we moved into our house with a garage) I used to open the front door just enough to start the car when it was cold so that it was warm by the time I went to leave for work and if there was snow or ice on the windshield, it was gone. I loved it!! The October after Jared and I got married we rode with a friend on the motorcycles to the Provo area. We were going to mission reunions and then General Conference on Sunday. We had stayed with our friend's mom. His brother had a motorcycle too so we all went on a motorcycle ride between sessions on Saturday (his mom had come too but she has a little bike so she didn't go the entire trip). We went through American Fork canyon I think and it was absolutely beautiful! Julie you need to have Barry take you for a ride on his motorcycle through there. It's so much better on a motorcycle and the colors were amazing (you might already know about the colors if you've been through there before).



Kristen MacLay - Sep 23, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

it actually did snow last year for 1 night. i'm pretty sure it was snow. we have pictures. i took my boys the next morning and we played in it for a couple of hours. there was a lot of it within a square mile. it was incredible. there was actually enough to build a snowman. we wore boots, gloves, the whole shabang. they made snow angels and everything. it was way cool!



Staci Allen - Sep 23, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Yes that is right! It did snow & I live in that square mile...our front & backyard was COVERED! I have pictures to prove it. Every retention basin was filled with kids sledding & building snowmans....it was CRAZY!!! NEVER did I ever think that would happen in Mesa!



Ryan Jones - Sep 23, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

See....it does get cold here. Not so special anymore...are ya!



Julie Hallsted - Sep 24, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Oh I think Amy posted or emailed photos of her kids playing in it and there was a sled in the background. Who would have ever guessed it would snow that much there! So fun!



Kimeree Bates - Sep 25, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

I just have to say that Phil told me he ordered the snow just for me on my birthday. I had just had Grace and we were in the hospital and it was my birthday so I didn't get to see it, but I saw lots of pictures. It snowed back in like 1942 or something on my birthday too there are pictures at the temple. I'm just special. Also, everyone I get to go love in rain so no snow or hot weather. So there!!! and apparently you can go just a few hours one way and there's desert and then you go another few hours another way and there's tons of snow so I egt the best of both worlds.



Jennie Cunningham - Sep 23, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Really Nelson? Maybe you don't recognize the place (grandma's house) because the house across the street used to be a dump...and now it is gorgeous!!!

The brick is like a mauve/brown color (ugly) and has a fountain in front. my mom thinks the number is 1848.




Nelson Phelps - Sep 24, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Thanks Jennie! I did see that house and thought that was probably it but it has changed so much that I was sure. I'll have to drive by again and check out the house across the street, I had forgotten about that.



Tamara Lecheminant - Sep 24, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

the owner, who is at least the second owner, since grandma, was outside and super nice. she said she would be glad to let us come in and take a look just for memory sake. nelson, it does look so different than even the last time i saw it on the outside.



Kambi Strong - Sep 28, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Nelson, it is 1846 not 1848, that is funny that i remember that but not Aunt Susie. I mean it's funny in the way that I can't remember what I did yesterday but that address is clear as a bell. I think for emergency contact numbers and addresses I always put hers and Aunt Susie's down. I stopped by a long time ago and they gave me a tour and it was completely different. The pool was still there at that time. Never did I imagine someone filling it in. I used to go there at night with my friends and swim in the dark. I could see Grandma in the kitchen window sneaking her ice cream, etc. that she wasn't supposed to be eating (cuz of her diabetes). She never heard us and I never worried about scaring her if she did because she was tough as nails. The main thing I am grateful for is that nothing ever happened to her (meaning a break in, robbery). She was definitely being watched over. I sure did love her. She used to take me to my job at Pete's Fish and Chips and would drive down the middle of two lanes. I was always happy when we got there in one piece. I drove her to Tucson once in my 300ZX to go visit Laurie and she kept telling me to slow down. Then I got pulled over and she said "officer, it was my fault, I keep talking to my granddaughter and it was making her not pay attention" He let me off with a warning!



Julie Hallsted - Sep 28, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

That's a great story Kambi. I was with her in the car when she drove through her dining room wall. She sat and cried and I felt so bad for her. It was the only time I remember ever seeing her like that. Of course, who wouldn't have felt that way! Someday we need to all write memories and make a book of hers and one of Grandpa's



Staci Allen - Sep 28, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

I'm laughing that you would just go over & swim late at night without her knowing:-) I'm 100% positive that if I had diabetes, I would sneak icecream too. Some things are just too good to go without!

I remember the story of her driving through the wall...but I think it was patched up before I ever saw it. But there were tire tracks in the carpet in the dining room for a long time & I thought it was SO COOL! I'd always go in there & look at them, while I was looking at her rock collection.




Julie Hallsted - Sep 28, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

She had a rock collection? I can't picture that... Where was it?



Alicia Black - Sep 28, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

I had completely forgot about the rock collection. I forgot about driving through the wall too. Do you remember the Christmas tree with our pictures on it. Are there any cousins that remember going to see Princess Bride at the theatres with some cousins and Grandma. Is that just my imagination or did we really go?



Staci Allen - Sep 28, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

You may have been off & married before the whole "rock collection". I'm pretty sure 100 of the rocks were ones I brought her! Everywhere I went I would look for a rock for her collection & bring it to her...but she acted like she loved every one I brought her, even though she probably wished that I would stop:) They were in her dining room along the wall(at least that is what I remember) & she would always show me the new ones she collected & I would "oooh" and "awe" in fascination.

I don't remember the Princess Bride....I might have been too young?




Donna Little - Sep 29, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

You guys are amazing with your memories. How I love to read them:) The rock collection from each of you was one of her favorites. She had them lined up against the dining room wall on yellow round trays that she had bought just for that purpose. She loved the stories you would tell about where you found the rock and why you chose that one to bring to her. She treasured every minute she had with her grandkids. You are right Kambi 1846 E Grandview is forever in my mind too. Lets see who can remember the phone numbers to the store or our house???



Kylie Glover - Sep 29, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Didn't the phone number end in 8848? The first part I can't remember--969, 833...???? We drove by on Satruday and the house did look different.

I remember going to see princess bride at the theaters! And then going back to her house after and I still remember having crackers and cheese and other snack/junk food. Didn't she always have ding dongs for us (or was that someone else)??? I also LOVED her Back to School parties--I thought they were the coolest thing ever!!




Alicia Black - Sep 30, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

You are good. My memory stinks. I also forgot about the back to school parties. They were so much fun. Although, anytime we got together I had fun. I always loved summers at her house with that pool.



Julie Hallsted - Oct 2, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

This is so funny because I was completely out of school and married when she started her back to school parties. I was always bummed that she hadn't started it earlier!



Tamara Lecheminant - Oct 7, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

does anyone remember going to see annie with grandma? i know sherri was there and that was all that mattered (did it get any better than sherri?) that was so fun. and then i remember grandma taking us to red lobster and i ordered a hamburger. it upset her pretty good. she couldn't believe anyone would ever order a hamburger at a seafood restaurant. :) i miss grandma.



Ryan Jones - Oct 15, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Its funny because our kids stay inside so much during the summer, and Im always saying to them, "We were ALWAYS outside during the summer! Go outside and play!" but then I realized, we had that pool we swam at every single day. I remember running from my house to Gma's house from our house barefoot, and we would run from lawn to lawn because we would burn our feet if we didnt. I also remember watermelon seed spitting contests, because we always ate watermelon there. Christmas was unbelieveable there as well. AWESOME MEMORIES!



Jennie Cunningham - Oct 15, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

yes, every time I eat watermelon, it reminds me of grandmas house and swimming. That pool WAS THE BEST!!!



Sherri Whiting - Oct 8, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

Thanks Tam! You are the best!!



Brittney Phelps - Oct 15, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

i always remember fhe nights at gmas and we would have pizza and watermelon and then my dad would always pick figs. I wish they still had that pool.



Nanette Brinton - Oct 16, 2008 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item

That was so fun reading so many memories. The phone numbers by the way are: Grandpa's old store 964-5897 (I think); the old house 964-3397 and the new house was 834-8848. I knew two other people with the same ending to her phone number. I know some people who have 832-8848 and someone else who has 803-8848. Funny huh? Her house number was 1846 E. Grandview and when I drove by the other day, I hardly recognized it either. They have stuccoed the entire outside, but they still have those orignal posts. I don't know why they don't update the posts, but they alwasy leave those.

Since we are on memories, I am going to ask all of you to write your memories of Grandma and then your memories of Grandpa and send them to me anyway you want, so we can make a book for the Phelps party in April. Do it now while you are thinking of it. That would be so fun to do. It will also make me get those pictures scanned that I have. If you have pictures of Grandma, you can send those to me too. Even if it is with your kids. The more pictures the better. If you do it now, maybe we can get something done in time for Christmas. Get started! Thanks for the memories!