Back to Blogging

Okay. I've been idle too long. I am going to try and be better about keeping my blog a little better. So many things have happened in the last couple of years. I don't even know where to begin, so I will post things as I think of them. The biggest thing has been our 31st move. I think when I write my life history I will do it by the addresses of where we have lived. Seems like a good way to get the chronological order right. That aside, here we are in beautiful, mountainous Colorado. Richard finally got the secret desire of his heart to live in the mountains. We bought a home in Dolores, CO. in August of 2014. It is the not so secret of my heart that we are done moving. While I miss our kids so much I almost can't stand it, I am happy to be back in the same house and the same state as my sweet honey. It has been a rough 4 years. More on that later.

Not quite the cabin Richard was hoping for, but hey, he gets his mountains and I get a house that works for us. We moved our stuff in the end of September 2014, but didn't really live here full time until March 2015. Long story that. In any event I am trying to get things organized, tweak things here and there just a little and get things looking like home.

Taya, Madison, Lauren and Emersyn are here with us for a bit. Taya is home-schooling these 3 cute girls while Kevin is holding down the fort with Kaitlin and Daron as they finish the school year in Buellton, CA. Kaitlin will graduate in May. She will be putting in her mission papers soon and hopes to do a semester at BYU Idaho before she leaves for a mission at the end of the year.

I love having Taya and girls here. They are so much company and a big help with all the tweaking! Madison has proven herself to be an excellent painter, so I am pleased to see the next generation pick that up and be amazing.

I am getting used to the colder climate here. Not. I really am a desert rat so anything under 60º is hard for me, but spring is coming. Spring is coming. Soon. I'm sure I won't miss the 110º days in Mesa this summer. I am hoping the nice mid 80's here will entice my kids to come see me and Grumpy often this summer. It's a mere 6 1/2 hours from here to there. Totally doable, right?

Well. Enough for now. Will post more stuff, more often than I have been.
Course, any more would be more than the last couple years.

Super Saturday

Kind of a "throwback" to hear people from other wards talk, but our ward does a Super Saturday every year. Still. I love them. It's a great way to get together for a very fun and productive crafting day. Who doesn't love that? This year I was called to serve as the specialist for our big day since the leader who would normally do it was expecting her 5th child. She actually delivered about 10 days before our event, so I was glad to take over for her. There was a committee meeting, some ideas were discussed and then I came home and started delving into Pinterest. Six craft classes were decided on, and two cooking classes for a grand total of eight opportunities to learn something new that day. I had to get samples of said classes ready to display about 6 weeks in advance, so I went to work. The best thing was the help I got from my girls, Jade and Taya. Jade patiently listened to all the ideas and helped me weed out the lame ones leaving us with some great classes to offer. Taya came to bring Maddie over, so had about a week to spend helping me. That saved my bi-toot-ie! I am posting pics of the classes so I won't forget how fun they were.

The Chalked Class:
Four designs were offered. All came from people on pinterest, but I made my own patterns in Adobe Illustrator. I learned a lot while making the patterns, so it was a good project for me. Three seasonal designs and one everyday design to choose from offered in a standard 11x14 size.

I got tempered hardboard at Lowe's, had it cut into 11x14 size (got 27 boards per 4'x8'panel). The guys at Lowe's were awesome and didn't even charge me to cut all 54 boards. I got a quart of Black chalkboard paint and painted all the boards. That really had to be done ahead of time to allow the paint to cure. They were sanded, wiped down and packaged up for each lady. It was a popular class, lots of ladies wanted to learn to chalk art! I had lots of fun doing the samples and I learned a lot. Can't wait to do some bigger projects now.



The Word Stack (Block) Class

The RS President had some blocks she bought at the BYU bookstore and thought they might be a good project. The idea was okay, but the blocks were small and only had routed words making them impossible to read from even close. I decided to do them in graduating sizes so they could stack like a tree for Christmas with something else on the other side. I came up with 5 sets of possibilities for words after all was said and done. Most ladies did 2-sided blocks.

There was a set with the Young Women Values and other words from their motto…

There was a set of words from the Scout Motto…

One with words taken from the Family Proclamation…

Of course the Christmas version…

And not pictured is the set that I actually liked the best. The 13 key words for each article of faith. There are 13 blocks in a set. I made the paper to cover the sides in on my computer using digital scrapbook files in Photoshop. That way we could get the different colors on 3 11x17 sheets for each set. I had a lot of fun designing the paper and the word files. My sweet Sister-in-law Sydney agreed to cut all the vinyl for the sets. She did an awesome job and I learned a lot about that too. A very nice man in the ward cut the sets of blocks and his wife (RS Homemaking counselor) and the teacher for this class got together and sanded them all ahead making the ladies jobs easier on that saturday. Each set of blocks was bagged up, tagged and placed out for the class.

Table Talk Class

Jade was mostly responsible for this class. It is a fun sort of game that has as many questions as you can think of crafted onto jumbo craft sticks. We then mod-podged cute paper on the other side and added a button on the end. We placed them all in a pretty jar with a ruler for "the rules". At dinner, someone picks a stick and reads the question. They then must answer the question, being honest and courteous. The listeners must also be courteous and when the question has been answered may add their perspectives and answers as well. Nice to get some positive dinner conversation going both for families and for entertaining. Found many sources for questions on pinterest. Gathered the ones that we thought were the best and made them up for the game. We did 154 questions, but only did a 90 stick set for each game. The extras can always be added later. We also offered a 60 Stick set of Christmas activities to help keep a good focus on the season of crazy and keep it a season of real christmas events. I picked out several color schemes of scrapbook paper pads (the small 6.5"x6.5" size) and had them cut into strips for mod-podging. We hand cut the questions up for each set, and I have since gone back into that file and set them up for cutting on a paper cutter. That would have been nice from the get-go. Taya did most of the work on this sample and I am taking it to her so she can have it for her family. Would love to hear some of the answers they will give!

What's Cookin? Class

A couple of years ago Tawna made me a frame similar to these for weekly menu planning. I have loved having it in my kitchen. I may not always stick to everything I write down, but it really helps me remember what meals I shopped for as the week wears on. I made up two different styles and did seasonal papers for the backgrounds as well as an everyday paper for either the brown or black frame versions. Got a good response on this class too. Sydney cut the vinyl for this also and lots of ladies went home with nice frames for the weekly answer to the inevitable question of "Whats' for dinner, Mom?"

Wreathed! and the Shabby Chic Frame Class…

Three different styles of wreaths were offered. A frame wreath, with whatever you brought from home for whatever season you chose and with whatever frame you had. I chose a Halloween motif for the sample. I bought the boots and the mesh ribbon at Hobby Lobby, the glitter ribbon, spiders and pumpkin at Ribbons & Lace and had a frame at home. This also went along with our Shabby Chic frame class to teach the art of distressing wood for an old, vintage look. I painted the frame black and let it dry overnight. I then painted a watered-down bright purple over it and allowed it to dry well. I sanded off some areas and Wha-La. Shabby Chic frame. In it's simplest form. No one brought any stuff from home or the store to do this craft  or the shabbied frame, except Summer and she had some great Halloween stuff to work with. She and I worked on her wreath during and after the meeting and she took home a finished product. It was great. Loved that she came to do stuff. I will post a pic of her wreath when I get it off my phone.

The next wreath offered was a burlap version. Have seen this many times using many different motifs on Pinterest, so thought I would learn the technique. Watched a tutorial someone was kind enough to make and went for it. I will do my next one differently, as far as the fine-tuning of the technique goes, but it got done and that's what I needed. I did a fall theme, but have seen it done for every season and many versions of everyday. It's a winner however it is done. A fun craft to do and have. We had several ladies choose this wreath and they basically watched me demonstrate it once and taught each other. The easiest class I have ever taught. 

This Clothespin Wreath is also something I have seen with many different themes. The most popular after the seed packets is the Christmas Card version. It is way fun if you get lots of Christmas Cards. No one chose this particular wreath to make, so one less project to gather stuff for. 

The To Die For Cinnamon Roll Class…
Taught by a lady that truly makes the best ever cinnamon rolls. Her Mom, Carolee Phelps made them for our Boutique years ago when we did the boutiques at Nan & Pops house. Her daughter, Starlyn (now Peterson) is certainly equal to her Mom's rep. Great Class, Great rolls. Wishing I had one about now.

The last class was Freezer Meals!

The leader out having her baby has a group that does freezer meals and has a great method. She and a friend taught the class and is was a great success. Who wouldn't love a bunch of meals in the freezer, ready to go when your day has been crazy and you didn't have time to shop, or cook? With the Holidays coming, can't think of a better class…

I had lots of fun preparing and gathering, and making kits and doing samples, etc., etc. I have missed those Homemaking meetings that taught fun, inexpensive things to keep or give. I hope my girls had as much fun as I did. We also had several ladies from our sister ward sign up and come. It was nice to get to know a few new faces there. Jacque, and her friend Christy came and made some stuff. Sydney came and did some Chalk Art with Tawna, so I got to spend some time with family too. I think our ward ladies had a good time too. I watched lots of finished projects leaving with ladies bearing happy smiles. That's really the reward for me.

What Happened To July?

I know I was away from my computer in July, but it seriously went by like a flash. I'm glad I took a few pics of things I did, or I would have missed it completely.

I made some pioneer clothes for Jordyn to wear on her Trek this year. She and Taylor were experiencing their first pioneer trek in July. I made pantaloons, skirts, aprons, sunbonnets, and kerchiefs. Taylor wore an old pair of Papa K's suspenders and his outfit in large part came from Goodwill. Summer promised to send me pics, so I will update this post later with a more complete set of photos. All I had in my camera was one set of pantaloons. I wasn't very smart with my camera this summer.

Jordyn was asked to speak in Church the Sunday after their Trek. Grumpy and I were in Mesa, so went to hear her. I could tell she developed a soft spot in her heart for the pioneers that sacrificed so much so we could have all that we do now. I have never been on a trek, but felt that same reverence for all those who gave up so much when we visited some of the church history sites in Nauvoo, Kirtland and so on. We have no idea how brutal their experiences were. We can only imagine. I enjoyed Jordyn's sweet testimony of the things she felt.

It was a pleasure to sew for her knowing she would be touched by the spirit. I know Taylor was too, he just isn't very articulate about it. They are both great kids.

I am looking forward to hearing about her next Trek in a couple more years. This time Rylee will get to go.

My only experience with the pioneer spirit was the celebrations our wards did when I was little. I do remember my Mom's pioneer dress. She made it out of a black small print calico. It had yellow bias binding and white lace on the bodice. She had a matching bonnet too. I can't remember what I wore, or Tracy, but I know Curt had a cowboy hat, levi's and chaps. There was always a parade of various home-made covered wagons. Mostly a red wagon with some kind of domed white sheet. There was taffy and home-made ice cream. I so wish I had pics of some of that. Though all of that was fun, I am very glad to see the Treks happen for our youth. I know they take lots of time and money to organize, but I think it is a great way for our kids to be touched in small part by those amazing Saints. Most of us will thankfully never experience the events that put our ancestors on the trail for Salt Lake, but I am grateful they were up to it and endured.

Sacred, Honored Pioneer.

Random Things in June

The madness has begun for the Visiting Teaching Conference scheduled for September 8th. I had it all planned, so when I was released as 1st Counselor in the RS, Jenny said to just go ahead and do it. Okay. The plan is now rolling. First was the design of our little paper shoes. I know I am a crazy chick, but I just had to do these cute shoes made from cardstock. On the lazy side of my nature, I didn't want to have to embellish them once they were made, so I designed 8 different shoes in Photoshop to put into the template I am using. Already embellished (digitally) and printed out on the color copiers at OfficeMax in Mesa. All 80 of them. They are even already all cut out and ready to start assembling. I have ordered little plastic bottles that just fit in the shoe that will hold a homemade sugar scrub for our feet. I want to have a tag on it that says something akin to serving each other as the Savior served by the washing of his apostles' feet. Still working on that. Our theme is a cute one adapted from one that Taya's ward in CA. did. I went online and put RS Shoe Skit in the google bar and Wha-La! Shoe skit complete with altered words to an opening hymn, etc. I think it will be a fun way to inspire our sisters to get out there and get their V.T. done. (I probably need it the worst!) We will be having a fun luncheon of Wedge salads, Flat bread sandwiches, Shoestring potatoes and peach Cobbler for dessert. he he. I am having way too much fun planning all this. I will be posting later with pics of all the stuff. I am doing this the party in a box way, because after all this, I will be in AZ with Grumpy that day for Chance's Baptism. Nonetheless, I am having a great time getting it all ready to roll.

Also this month I am working on our Ward "Sisters in the Kitchen" cookbook. Yes, it is one of those ward cookbooks. However, we did get a pretty good response and I have typed about 250 something recipes into our online cookbook site. Granted, all categories were not well rounded at first, but thanks to "Frannie Frugal" and "Imma Pinner", we are looking pretty complete. It should be a great addition to our cookbook collection and I can't wait to see it all done.

I am also in the throes of planning Homemaking Meetings. (or trying to). If anyone who happens to read this has any great ideas to share, they would be more than welcome. Of course Pinterest is ever in the idea nook, so there are some really great things I would love to do from there. We'll see how all that goes in a month or so. It seems like the hardest task is getting people motivated to do anything. We don't have great resources here and it is really hard to find stuff that is fun, useful and economical. Of course online ordering helps when you can't find stuff. Just takes longer. I guess I can't procrastinate so much anymore.

And the pioneer trek clothes. Jordyn and Taylor get to participate in their Stake Pioneer Trek coming up in July. I am working on skirts, aprons, pantaloons and bonnets for her to wear on her adventure. I hope Summer can find stuff at Goodwill for Taylor. I loaned him a pair of Papa K's suspenders. I have his Americana ones that he wore while building his house. They are the only things that kept him from losing his pants. I hope they work as well for Taylor on this trek. Can't wait to hear how all that goes for them.

I am going to spend some time with Taya and her "mini family" for the better part of July. We are going to put together some rag quilt bedspreads for her two short beds that Emmy and Lauren sleep in. Long ago we had shortened mattresses made from regular twin sizes, so they are short. Kids don't need a long bed for quite a few years and it's amazing how much extra room they have in their room without the beds taking up so much space. A couple of summers ago I went and shortened the bottom sheets of a couple sets of sheets so they would fit properly on the beds. They turned out well and are well used. Now it's finally time to get some bedspreads done. Taya has been busy painting their furniture lime green, so after my visit they will have a new room (so to speak). Exciting stuff. I will take pics and post our adventures in quilt making when they are done. We are also hoping to do some organizational tasks while I am there. She will be my experiment in organizing for a homemaking meeting I hope to have in October. I have some fun projects in mind. Hope they work.

All the July Birthdays are about to begin. It is a crazy month for birthdays. August too. I am still getting some amusement out of the "it's so hot outside" complaints here. It is hot, but they have no idea how good they have it here. There is always a breeze. We are not talking 112º + either. It is a little more humid here, but not as bad as I thought it would be. Now AZ is HOT. Tawna called the other day laughing about a facebook post she had seen. It read: "Satan called....He wants his weather back!!!" I laughed a good laugh over that one. I've always said I am thankful (mostly) for the hotter than hell weather in the AZ summers. It keeps most of the winter visitors and the rest of the country from moving there. Works for me.

And so it is today. The first day of July.

Moroni

The Golden Moroni that tops the Temple Steeple for the Gilbert Temple. Summer sent me this pic and it was wonderful to see it getting ready to place. I am looking forward to coming to the new Temples in AZ, both in Gilbert and in North Phoenix. Dawson is taking good care of that project and it is exciting to know someone in our family who cherishes the privilege of building a House of the Lord and has the opportunity to do it. Great stuff.

Some things in May

The week we returned to Midland, Grumpy had purchased tickets for the very fabulous and entertaining BYU International Folkdancers. We have a very nice and brand new theater here in Midland so the venue was very upbeat. I guess technically it is in Odessa, but it seems to be kind of in the middle between the two cities.

Such talented performers. The dances were amazing and the Mountain Strings performing with them provided excellent music and song. It was an evening well spent and I would highly recommend their performance. I only wish I could have ever moved that way. So fun to watch.

I then had a luncheon planned with my Visiting Teaching partner, Holly for our ladies. We wanted to do something a little special for them for Mother's Day, so decided to have them over to Holly's for a nice lunch. I gave Holly the recipe off Nana's blog for the wonderful Strawberry/Citrus salad and she was excited to make it. Everyone loves that salad. I decided to do a couple of quiche recipes I have been wanting to try. It seems like I have to have an occasion to try recipes. I don't know why. I guess that way my quests are my test group and I can get some impartial feedback? I don't know, but it seems I am trying out new recipes for get togethers often. I posted my refined efforts on Nana's blog, but will put some of the pics of our fare that day.

Above are the two quiches cooling after cooking. The top one was the Broccoli/Cheddar, the bottom one is the Spinach/Mushroom. It was raining hard that day, so I cooked them at my apartment rather than hauling all the ingredients over to Holly's. Since quiche needs to cool about 15 minutes before serving anyway, I took them down to the car and was at Holly's ready to serve them when they were ready.

Our delicious salad Holly made and our quiche plated. It was a yummy lunch, which was only attended by one of our ladies. Sadly the other 3 could not come. Holly put some quiche and salad into zip-lock containers and we went delivering after lunch. It was a good day.

Then it was Mother's Day. Grumpy took me out to dinner Saturday night at our favorite, the Shogun restaurant (for Robert). Robert took Gramma and Papa H. to dinner for us, so Grumpy took me for Robert.  It was an excellent dinner and I called to thank Robert that night. I got other nice things done for me while I was home in Mesa in April (for Mother's Day in advance). I was taken by surprise when I woke up Sunday morning to the realization I had no children around me for the first time in 37 years. It hit me pretty hard and I did not do well with this change in my life. I couldn't stop crying. I felt terrible that Grumpy was having to deal with a despondent wife through no fault of his own, but couldn't help myself. Everyone was good to call and text, I knew I wasn't forgotten, but it was very different to be far from everyone for this holiday. It made me feel doubly bad that Grumpy had been here totally by himself last year for Father's Day. Horrible. That won't be happening ever again. I re-grouped and went to church. I lasted for Sacrament meeting. I went to give Jenny a poster for our cookbooks we're putting together and when she asked if I was okay I lost it. Poor Jenny. She and Holly gave me hugs and sent me home. While I was home waiting to go back and get Grumpy I heard a knock on the door. It was a nice young man delivering a bouquet of fruit to me by Edible Arrangements from Jamie, Summer and the kids. I was so surprised and glad I was home to take delivery. My favorite of course were the chocolate covered strawberries. Thanks Armstrongs for the bouquet of sunshine that day. I got nice calls from all the kids and wore one of the necklaces Taya and Kevin got me for Mother's Day while I was in Cali.  I hope Grumpy didn't feel too bad. It wasn't my best day. I made him change his reservations the next day so he and I will be home in Mesa for Father's Day. Thanks for all the calls and texts. I got a card from Stacie, RB and the kids the following Tuesday. I love my kids and grandkids so much it was just so weird to not be with any of them that day. I guess this is another hurdle in my changing (older) life that I need to get over.

Just life, right?

A Quiet Sunday Dinner

Our last dinner while still home in April was for our parental units. (so Nathan would say) We had Papa K., Papa H, Gramma Dorothy and Aunt Kay over on Sunday for some fried chicken. I know how much papa loves his fried chicken, so decided to make some for him. Aunt Kay was recovering from a knee replacement surgery, so it was good to see her out and about a little. She is always so chipper. Gramma too. You never really know how they really feel, because they always put their best face on for everyone. We had a nice time together and it was fun (and quiet) to have them over.

Papa K in his Hawaiian shirt.

Aunt Kay (top) and Gramma Dorothy (below) looking happy as ever.

Papa H. posing for the camera.

I hope we can swing another dinner when we are home next. I know Robert has asked for Chicken Fried Steak from Gramma for his birthday dinner, so we will see about that.

The Games…and then The Games!

There are always games. There is baseball, basketball, volleyball, football, dirt bike racing, soccer and even water polo. We have some pretty active grandkids, so while home this spring Grumpy and I tried to attend as many games as we could. I even got to go to an electric strings concert for Taylor. The first his school has sponsored. He plays lead guitar in his school's electric band. There were several lead guitarists, bass guitarists and electric violins and violas. Wow. Drummers too. It was a pretty amazing concert. I only had my phone camera, so the pic isn't very good, but it will have to do.

Taylor did very well especially considering he hasn't been playing all that long. He is adding piano to his mad skills list, along with Rylee, Jordyn and Faith. Piano is a lifelong set of skills they will all enjoy. Rylee was in her school orchestra this year. Violin. She had a concert too this spring, but I wasn't able to go. I know she and Jordyn have done a little choir too. Jordyn surprised me by going out for her high school freshman softball team. I'm not surprised that she is a good player, just that she was interested in being on a team. Good for her. Fun to watch. I went to one of her games with Tawna, Faith and Chance.

She plays right field (above). Got some pics of her at bat and on first (below). Their team won by a lot that day. She did great.

Taya has since acquired a piano and her kids will be starting their lessons this fall. So excellent! Her Kaitlin is our water polo player. I don't have any pics of her games, but she loves it. Her list of sports are water polo and school volleyball. She tried track and basketball, but seems to gravitate to the water and the net. Daron loves basketball. It is his sport and passtime of choice. I don't have any pics of him playing either, but know he is good and gets better all the time. Maddie loves soccer and is really good at it. She has been playing for several years and she loves everything about it. Also, no pics. I need a camera in California. Taya has several on her blog though, so I go there to see their sports pics.

Faith played on a city volleyball team this year and had lots of fun with that. I got to one game while home, but Grumpy made two. She learned a lot this year and it was good to see her involved in a team sport.

She is getting lots of balls over the net on her serves. That is the hardest part, those pesky serves. She did great.

Chance is our resident dirt bike racer. He loves it and it is something he and his Dad go and do on weekends. I went to watch with Tawna one Saturday morning and he really gets into it. So cute. I hope he can use his skills to keep from getting hurt. (I am the resident worrier!)

Our Megan and Rylan love basketball. Megan went out for her school BB Team and made it. She didn't play first string, but she got to play a lot this year. Pretty good since it was her first year. She is a good player. Scrappy. She plays as a guard and does a good job.

Rylan is a BB lover too. We have been to a couple of his games and he really hustles up and down the court. Good shooter and keeps on his task well. I wish I had one tenth the energy it takes to run up and down the court for an hour. Crazy kids.

Then there are the football players. Two in one family. Jaxon and Ryker. They played on a city team this spring and had lots of fun. Jaxon played quarterback and Ryker hiked him the ball. Grumpy went to a couple of their games, but I sadly missed them. I did get to go to lunch with them afterward on Saturday though. So glad Grumpy got some good pics with his camera. I only got one at Freddy's after the game.

About to pass (above). After pass (below).

Ryker about to hike (above). Running (below)

We had a good time at Freddy's. It's one of Papa K's favorite places to go. Good hamburgers and hot dogs and really good ice cream. Shoe string fries too. Grumpy and I figured during our "spring break" at home there were at least 5 games a week to go to. We didn't make them all, but went to what we could. Fun to watch our grandkids play their various sports, (and concerts) this spring. I hope we can go to many more.

Like, It's A Party Dude…

The Annual Mower Dinner party was a blast this year. Tawna chose an 80's theme and everyone had lots of fun with that. Sadly, Grumpy and I both had clothes we wore in the 80's, so dress was not a problem for us. We all got together and laughed over our dress of choice, took lots of pictures and read all the 80's trivia Tawna had put up on the walls in her house. She, Taya and Summer looked just like they did as junior high students all those years ago. Summer and I went and got our nails done and painted neon. My friend Nancy got me nails for my 30th birthday (in the 80's), so nails seemed appropriate for the occasion. I still have a love/hate relationship with acrylic nails. Love the way they look, and wear but hate that they get "in my way" so much. I will keep them and hopefully enjoy them for awhile before I rip them off and have ugly hands again. I went to Jade's school and a girl there did my hair all big and poofy (and sprayed) like the 80's. It was amazing. That was on Friday, so by the time I slept on it and redid it for the party the next day, it was a bit tamer. The pictures say it all for everyone else. We all had a good laugh over our vintage choices.

R.B. and Stacie definitely look the part. She was laughing because she was only 10 in the 80's, so had fun picking out stuff to wear for both of them.

Tawna in character and Nathan as the surfer boy he was then.

Taya and Kevin bringing back memories of "the good old days". Kevin too had clothes from the decade. Too funny. Some of us like to hang on to our stuff. See, it does come in handy now and then.

Robert went to Goodwill, which is where many of us shopped for wardrobe. He was pretty young in the 80's, so he had to research a little to figure out what went in that decade. Jade went for the look and rocked it. A dark haired Madonna. She had a student at school do her makeup so it was really fun.

Not to be outdone, Summer and Jamie showed up with "the look"! Jamie could pass for Bret Michaels for sure. They looked awesome.

Everyone had a good time talking and enjoying being a little different for a while. Tawna and Nathan do this as their Christmas gift to their siblings annually and I love that they do. Every year we have so much fun and can really visit and talk and be a little crazy.

For the Dinner part, Tawna chose to have a fun Nacho bar and completed her food tables with all kinds of other "movie food". It was like a refreshment counter, but free (for us anyway. I'm sure the Mowers used up a fair portion of the weekly food budget on us!)We loaded up our plates and went back for seconds and thirds, some of us. The food was served on her patio which was convenient for the "movie theater" she had set up in the back yard. Lawn chairs, a projector and a sheet on the fence for our screen. It was a nice night and we were treated to "Back to the Future". Marty made it back and Professor Brown was not killed…again. It was fun.

(Yes Stacie, I fixed it!)

Thanks Mowers for another fond memory, a fun time and the chance to shop for decade appropriate clothing. And hair it would seem.

So who played Ferris Bueller's sister?
What Planet was Spock brought back from?
There was Miami Vice…
Starksy and Hutch…
Top Gun…
So many fun things to remember.