Strolling Down Memory Lane...

I was going through pictures on my computer, and I realized there are so many excellent pictures with so many amazing memories attached to them. So I thought I would chronicle some of them here- a fun stroll down memory lane, if you will! :)

Where This Is: This was taken in Arizona at my cousin Tyler's wedding in July of 2003.
Why I Love It: My sister A-G-O-N-I-Z-E-D over getting her hair cut. While she was in the midst of this life-altering dilemma, I was carefree and living it up at EFY in Sherman, Texas with one Miss Bethany Malouf. The week ended on Friday, and I was leaving on Saturday with my family for Arizona When the week was over and I was back with my family, I saw my sister's cute haircut and I loved it. I had been thinking about cutting my hair for the couple of previous weeks, and so that night (while I was supposed to be cleaning my room) I took some scissors into the bathroom and went at it. My haircut in this picture was the result of that night in the bathroom. What? You say that it looks pretty much like my sister's? Yeah... she noticed that too. And even though I didn't mean to, she was convinced I purposely copied her haircut. After lots of tears, my dad being mad at me because before he really looked at it he thought I butchered my hair, and a few days of the silent treatment from Cam in Arizona-- we were finally able to stand together and take a picture. Now, its a funny family story we all like to laugh about :)

Where This Is: This picture was taken in 1967 at my mom's Uncle Ken's photography studio in Glendale, Arizona. My mom (the baby) was six, and my Uncle Jay (the oldest) was 17.
Why I Love It: The first time I saw this picture was at my grandpa's funeral, and I fell in love... We dug it out of the old storage shed- I think this is the only picture of my mom's whole entire family I have ever seen while my momma was little, and I love that everyone looks basically the same that they do now! This is a small glimpse into a whole other time!

Where This Is: This was taken in the Plano West theatre lobby my senior year, after the final performance of Little Shop of Horrors. I got to be 'pregnant' in the show... It was a fun costume!
Why I Love It: This was the last show I actually performed in at Plano West, and I had such a great time in it with all my friends! I designed this costume, and I loved the "homeless" makeup. Lots of good memories associated with this picture!

Where This Is: This is my joy school class in March of 1993. I was the only girl, and the tallest one by about a head and a half!
Why I Love It: Oddly enough, I actually remember this picture... I was five, and we had learned about doctors. After we made little doctor kits, stethoscopes, and headlights, we took this picture. I had so much fun with all these boys- mostly because they let me boss them around. Maybe that's where I got my need to be in charge?!

Where This Is: This is at the Dallas Museum of Art. I think we weren't supposed to take pictures... But we did anyways :)
Why I Love It: We always joke that Nick is like an old man, and when we saw this picture- It was like we got a glimpse into what Nick will look like in 60 years!

Where This Is: This was taken in San Diego when we were there for a LeSueur family reunion.
Why I Love It: This was the first REAL family reunion the LeSueurs had. My grandma wanted it in San Diego because that's where she and my grandpa took my dad and his two brothers when they were a young little family! This picture was taken outside the San Diego Zoo- this is me, my siblings, and all of my cousins except for three... I love this photo!

Stay tuned... More pictures to come!

The Blogging Bug

SO, I caught the blogging fever from my cute cousins and my brother-in-law. I blame them for all future procrastination that takes place on this blog!

In the world of Chelsea, A LOT has been happening lately. Namely, I am a junior theatre student at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. I am definitely loving it- it is wonderful to be so close to my family and especially my sister now that she will be giving me a little niece or nephew soon. Being a patron of the theatrical arts, and a HUGE fan of Shakespeare, you can imagine my joy when I found out Baby J, as we lovingly refer their little blessing, will be making his/her sure to be dramatic entrance on none other than The Ides of March, March 15! E tu Brute?


I was actually here for my momma's birthday this year! She turned 29. Again. My dad got her a charm bracelet and each of us children got her a charm. My mom, Cami, and I spent the day shopping, that was fun until pregnant Cami got Baby J nausea, and I got sympathy nausia. Poor mom- we were such debbie downers!



It is also nice to be close to Lance. We have been dating off and on since March of 2006, and I couldn't be happier than I am right now. This last weekend, he and I went to my parent's house in Prosper to watch General Conference with them- what a fun experience that was to watch the prophet and apostles speak on the importance of family and other spiritual matters with those I love most!


My family is doing very well; in light of the suckishness of the economy right now, I think we are turning inwards and recognizing the importance of the things that are important! Newport Homebuilders is my dad's company and it is indeed a family affair! Seeing as how about 80% of the company is LDS, they have monthly Newport Night at the Temple, which from the outside looking in, I can see has made a difference in demeanor. The Lord surely does bless those who follow the commandments!

This is part of the Newport crew at the Mongolian Grill post temple. It should be noted that Cami was also there, but due once again to Baby J's nausea, had to skip out on dinner.


On 16 September, my family received the disheartening news that my Grandpa Jones passed away at 3:56 in the morning, Arizona time. My whole family gathered together that weekend for the funeral; it was wonderful to get together to share our favorite memories of grandpa- he was feisty until the very end, and I hope that is a quality I received and will maintain until my the very end- just like him! Just a little anecdote, the day before he passed away, he was checking into the ER; when being asked the routine questions he cooperated politely until they asked him if he smoked or drank, to which he replied, "Do I look stupid?". He was never afraid to set people straight... Here are some of my favorite pictures from that weekend:

Here are the cute boys of our family at my Aunt Melodee's house. There's also a great picture of trevor sitting on my dad's lap with a smirk on his face- in the interest of maintaining a good relationship with by darling brother, I will refrain from putting it up. I'm not sure what Kevin is doing here though...












And here's one of the girls! Can you see the family resemblance?












You know how they say when children are quiet, they're probably making a mess... here is photo evidence! This is Aden and Westin, My cousins Celeste and Harmony's little boys, finding fun in dominoes. They are too cute!













This little beauty is my cousin Connie's daughter Kaydance. This was taken at the Arizona temple when we were taking family pictures.























Here are all the cousins with grandma.

These darling little girls belong to my cousins Jared and Ashley. Their Grandma Neeenee, my aunt Lisa, got them these precious dresses. They both LOVED the flowers on the temple grounds.












This is the ever-energetic Kade. He is my cousin Shalynn's son, and he is a HOOT! At the viewing, he was running up to everyone in the line, introducing himself and shaking their hands. This was when he was all introduced out. What a cute kid...

















These were the Navy men present at my grandpa's grave site service. Their salute was so neat to watch, I'm sure Grandpa was proud :)












My cousins, the pallbearers












My cute Aunt Kim and her girls Jamie and Annie. At the funeral we had an arrangement of red roses, one representing each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild. When everything was all said and done, we each got to keep our rose.












Clayton, with his rose.









One of my favorite pictures, the Arizona temple with some beautiful yellow flowers.

























This is at my Tick-Tock Grandma's house. I have so many memories around this table!














My family, sans my momma, in front of the fireplace where we always take pictures.














Trevor being so cute and musical. Family Von Trapp anyone?


The Little Red Caboose was my daddy's favorite book as a child. He rediscovered it, and read out loud to us, this was such a cute moment that I hope to always remember!












Another nostalgic moment: my grandma, in an effort to clean out, had this little memento from my daddy's childhood sitting on the trashcan. When my dad walked up to the house and saw his Bobby Hall Hockey game heading for the city dump, he let out a, "Nooooo!" then he turned to my grandma and said, "you're not throwing this out, are you?" It was a cute glimpse into my dad's sentimental side- he has memories of playing hockey tournaments with his dad and brothers. This is a picture of Trevor and Daddy carrying on the father-son tournament tradition.