Two Special Cruises

As we are getting ready to go on a cruise with our children, it has brought back nice memories of two cruises Sam and I took with my family:  (1) an Eastern Caribbean cruise with my parents and my siblings and their spouses; (2) a Western Caribbean cruise with my brother and sister.  Ina went on the first cruise with us but not the second one due to her not enjoying being on the ocean.  

These photos I have on my computer are from the 2003 cruise:

Different formal outfits in this photo for a different night.  

The Eastern Caribbean cruise was to Puerto Rico, Antigua, Trinidad, Granada, Barbados, Curacao, Martinique, the British Virgin Islands, and the coast pf Venezuela.

On the second cruise to the Western Caribbean, the headliner entertainers on board were members of our Church:  Michael Ballam, Kieth Merrill, and James Oneil Miner.  Michael Ballam played the piano and sang songs from Broadway and Hollywood musicals and movies and shared interesting historical information about the composers.  (An interesting side note:  Michael Ballam and my brother K. were "actors" in the same temple movie, Satan and John.)  Kieth Merrill, the movie producer, shared stories about his experiences in Hollywood and about his work in producing the movie, "The Testaments," shown at Temple Square.  The movie Merrill produced that is probably best known would be "Mr. Krueger's Christmas."  James Oneil Miner is a fun pianist and was able to play virtually any song requested, welcoming the audience to sing along when words were known.

James Oneil Miner

Kieth Merrill, Michael Ballam, Narene, and Michael Ballam's wife

While on this cruise, Sam and I shared a table with Michael Ballam and his wife for an ice cream treat one afternoon and had a nice visit with them.

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Now we are looking forward to the Alaska Cruise we are going to be with our seven children and their spouses, leaving August 24 and returning home September 2, 2024.

Ethan & Whitney's Wedding

Our grandson Ethan Graham married Whitney Blaylock on June 15, 2024 in the Payson Utah Temple.  Their reception was held in our backyard.

Sealed in the Payson Temple and now leaving to join family and friends waiting to celebrate with them.

Whitney and Ethan - June 15, 2024

With Ethan's family (front:  Rebecca, Megan, Beth, Ethan, Whitney, Todd, and Amanda); (back:  Gabe, Jared, Joshua, and Alex)

With family who attended the wedding:  Todd & Beth's family; Todd's mother, brother, and sister (Irene Graham, Kevin, & Sarah); and Ryan & Tani and Doug & Shannon's family, Sam & Narene from our family. 

l to r:  Ryan & Tani; - Shannon, Corban, Mason, Brynlee, Isaac, & Doug; - Irene Graham - Todd & Beth, Jared, Joshua, Ethan & Whitney; - Marla & Curtis; Narene & Sam - Kevin Graham and Sarah Bloomfield; - Amanda & Alex; Megan & Gabe; and Rebecca

With Gramma Narene & Grampa Sam

Whitney's family decorated our backyard for the reception.

Ready for the guests at the reception.

Adding their lock to our marriage tree.

Whitney and Ethan greeted guests.

The traditional cutting of the wedding cake.

Amanda with her creative picture of Ethan & Whitney

greeted the guests as they arrived.

With my brother, K. LeRoi Nelson

I am grateful for my brother coming to the reception.  He turned 98 on his birthday April 4th.

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Luncheon hosted by Ethan's parents followed the temple marriage and before the reception.

Todd & Beth, Ethan & Whitney, and Whitney's parents at the luncheon.

 

The traditional luncheon hosted by the Grahams.

Whitney and Ethan at the luncheon.

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Following their marriage and reception, they left for their honeymoon.  

After returning from their honeymoon, they began their life together in the upstairs apartment in our home in Spanish Fork while they are working and continuing their university education.  Ethan is studying mechanical engineering at BYU, and Whitney is attending UVU and studying accounting.     

Family Came for Celebrations

We always enjoy when family are here, and our pool is popular when the days are hot.  Scott and Kristine were here for the 24th of July, and Judd and Amy came to swim while they were here.

Scott and Kristine here for the 24th of July and were here until going home on July 29th.

Scott, Sam, Ethan, and Whitney

We went to see the fireworks at the Sports Park on the 24th of July.  (Kristine was babysitting Judd & Amy's children.)

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August 3 - Families of Trevor, Sarah, and Haley came to go swimming and celebrate Megan's August 1st birthday.

James, Sadie, Paul, and Anna

Anna made and decorated the birthday cake for Megan.

Before blowing out the candles on Megan's birthday cake.  

(James, Anna, and Sadie) 

Haley with Wesley & Penny; Megan with James

Smile for the camera!

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Ethan and Whitney

They are living in our upstairs "apartment" while going to school.

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Utah County Fair is held in Spanish Fork at the fairgrounds each year.  This year the dates were July 31 to August 3.  Because it was so hot, we only went one afternoon to see the open-class exhibits and didn't go to the rodeo or other events.  This amazing cross-stitched picture won a "Best of Show" ribbon at the fair.

Family Visits in July

We enjoyed having Jeff and Rochelle's family come for a visit with us in Spanish Fork on their way home from visiting Rochelle's family in Nevada.  They arrived here on July 16 and left for Arkansas on Saturday, July 20.  While they were here, Doug and Shannon's family also came; and Ryan and Tani came on Saturday (July 20).

Ryan, Jeff, and Doug

Chance, Mason, Isaac, Miles, Ella

Austin

Doug working on his computer

Chance, Corban, Miles, Isaac, & Mason

Rochelle with Chance and Ella

Ryan, Tani, Sam, Narene, Jeff, Rochelle, Doug, and Shannon

Ryan & Tani, Jeff & Rochelle, Doug & Shannon

Shannon & Doug with Isaac, Corban, and Mason

Jeff & Rochelle's family

Grampa Sam & Gramma Narene w/ Arkansas grandkids.

Jeff, Doug, and Ryan

Doug brought these four-wheelers and electric bikes for some fun time with Jeff's family during this visit.  They had a good time in spite of Jeff having a leg that was bothering him.

We are grateful for family visits!