STEPHANIE-AGE 4

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY, STEPHANIE RENEE DAVIS!!

Our SUPER Scout!!!

Congratulations to Daniel, our SUPER Scout!!!! He just completed his first year of scouting. During this first year, he earned his Bobcat badge and his Wolf badge. He also earned 12 arrow points for doing 120+ extra scout electives. He is now working on his Bear badge. We are sure enjoying the scouting program. It offers Daniel and our family so many opportunities to learn, grow, and experience a variety of new activities together. Keep up the great work, Daniel!!!








Doug helps Daniel to design and build his Pinewood Derby car!!! It is fun to watch the "boys" work on the little details together. This year Daniel decided to design his car to look like a tow truck.

Before the Pinewood Derby begins, Daniel is awarded with six arrow points. Way to go, Daniel!

There were about 20 cars involved in the Pinewood Derby on Tuesday. Daniel's yellow tow truck won 3rd place overall. HURRAY!!!

Daniel is very proud of his super fast tow truck. He is even more proud of the smashed up TIDE race car that it is towing. He loved 'wrecking' the car with a hammer to make it look more authentic.

NEVER A DULL DAY AT THE DAVIS'!!!

Doug, Bobby, Daniel, and Amanda spent Friday canoeing and fishing at Lake Turlock. Bobby was determined to catch some fish to grill for our dinner, but after 6 hours the only thing that these Midwesterners caught were too many sun rays. We ended up going out to eat for dinner instead.

As with any Davis adventure, there are always those extra special moments for photographing, like this beautiful rattlesnake that Amanda "discovered accidentally".

Watch where you step!!! Amanda came within inches of stepping on this lovely rattlesnake. Not sure who moved away quicker-Amanda or the rattlesnake!!

Amanda and Daniel take a break from fishing and canoeing to explore some islands.

While exploring the islands, Daniel and Amanda discovered lots of nests. Amanda counted over 125 goose eggs while exploring.

"Big" Abby and Bobby Humbles

"Big" Abby and Bobby came to visit us from Illinois for a few days this week. While they were here, we took them to enjoy a beautiful hike at Knight's Ferry. The kids were eager and excited to be able to take our guests on the extreme trail through the bolders and narrow walkways. The weather was perfect. Unfortunately for Abby and Bobby, they will be returning to Illinois on Saturday to experience the latest dusting of snow and frigid temps. Sorry guys! Better you than us. That is why we love "CALYFORNIA" and the "governator".

Bobby and Daniel skip'n stones. Kerplunk!!!!

Stephanie "helps" Bobby navigate the rocks!

Our little 'jailbirds'

Two Peas in a Pod!!!!

Girl time by the raging rapids!!!!

Is it break-time yet??? Big Abby says "yes indeed or I quit"!

HAIR TODAY

HAIR TODAY!!!!!!!

DOUG UNDERCOVER! LOTS OF HAIRY COVER!

PETER

ONE LAST SMILE AND PICTURE BEFORE THE BEARD AND MUSTACHE BECOME JUST A MEMORY!

STEPHANIE LOVES DOUG'S BEARD, MUSTACHE, AND CURLY HAIR!

SHE WON'T RECOGNIZE HIM WHEN HE FINALLY DOES SHAVE AND GET A HAIRCUT!

GONE TOMORROW

GONE TOMORROW!!!

DOUG COULDN'T WAIT TO CUT HIS THICK, BLACK RINGLET CURLS OFF. HE HADN'T HAD A HAIRCUT IN EIGHT MONTHS! THE CURLS CAME OFF THE DAY AFTER THE PLAY ENDED!

SHAVING AT 1:00 IN THE MORNING AFTER THE FINAL PERFORMANCE! HE REFUSED TO SLEEP ANOTHER NIGHT ON HIS "BRILLO PAD"!

LAURA COLLECTS A FEW CURLS FOR KEEPSAKES AFTER AN HOUR LONG HAIR CUT!

HEY! WHO IS THIS? WHY IT IS THE DOUG DAVIS THAT WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE!

HE IS SO HAPPY TO BE SHAVED WITH SHORT HAIR AGAIN!

More Savior of the World Pictures

AMANDA AND LAURA IN AN ISRAELITE VILLAGE SCENE!

DANIEL (MARY'S BROTHER) WORKING ON MARY AND JOSEPH'S FUTURE HOUSE!

ROMAN SOLDIERS ANNOUNCE THAT ALL CITIZENS MUST RETURN TO THEIR HOME LAND TO PAY TAXES!

More Savior of the World Pictures

FINAL SCENE! COME LORD JESUS GREAT REDEEMER!

DANIEL AND MARY'S FAMILY AT THE BETROTHAL!

RESURRECTED SCENE-DANIEL AND MIMI

TOMB SCENE!

BOAT SCENE! FISHERS OF MEN!

LOTS OF HAIR BRAIDING BEFORE EACH SHOW!

THE DAVIS ANGELS

DANIEL'S BUDDIES-WESLEY AND NATHAN

THE SAVIOR APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES IN THE UPPER ROOM. PETER FEELS THE NAIL PRINTS IN HIS HANDS.

PETER COMFORTS AND TEACHES DOUBTING THOMAS ABOUT HAVING FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND IN THE RESURRECTION.

SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

As most of you know, our family (except for Stephanie) has been very involved in the musical performance of The Savior of the World. We have been rehearsing the play since September. For the past two weeks, we have been performing it almost every night in the Turlock Community Theatre. It was bitter-sweet when we had our final performance on Saturday Night.

Doug played the part of Peter, Daniel was Mary's brother, a temple boy, and a canopy boy, and Amanda and Laura were Israelite Townspeople and part of the Angel choir. Laura also braided hair for several other actresses.

Being in this performance took a lot of time, energy, and dedication, but it was an experience that we will never forget. We all learned so much about ourselves, our talents, and the lives of those who lived with and loved the Savior. We met so many wonderful people, and after spending so many hours together, it was hard to say good-bye.

Doug did an amazing job as Peter! He had a lot of lines, and he struggled at first to memorize the lines with the right feelings and emotions, but he was amazing to watch once he mastered the lines. It took him almost as long to look the part, too. He started growing out his hair and beard and mustache in September. By March, Doug's long curly black hair, full beard, and contacted eyes made him look very biblical.

My favorite part was at the end when the whole cast was on stage and Doug (Peter) carried Daniel up to the top of the mountain and we all sang "Come Lord Jesus, Come" and then we turn to look up past them to see the Savior. Daniel looked so little in Doug's arms as the lights spotlighted the two of them. I had tears in my eyes each night as I turned to see them together.

I am so thankful for the opportunity that we had to be part of this wonderful performance. I am grateful to everyone who helped to babysit Stephanie and to everyone who made this experience possible. I am thankful to those people who traveled to California to experience this wonderful journey with us. I am also thankful to those of you who supported us from a distance with all of the encouraging emails and phone calls. We love you all!

Laura

A NESTLE FAMILY

IN A HERSHEY TOWN!!!!

OUR FAMILY

Welcome to our family's first blog! If you are able to read this blog, than I must have done everything correctly. If anything has gone wrong, than it is Shannon's fault. Sorry Shannon!

I hope that I can get the hang of this blogging, because this seems like a fun way to share our pictures and experiences with our family and friends.

I would like to attach a picture, but I am not sure if it will work. Wish me luck!