Thanksgiving 2010

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving this year and life has been ultra crazy from that weekend on. At least that's my lame excuse for not getting the post done until now. Jade and Jeff were our Host's this year and they did an excellent job. They set up tables and got everything ready for the whole fam damily to descend. Well, not quite the whole fam damily. R.B. and Stacie had plans with Heidi and Bruce who were traveling from out of state. I think most of Stacie's family made it to their fun day too. Jamie and Summer had family coming from hither and yon on Jamie's side, so spent the weekend mostly in Maricopa. We missed Taya and Kevin's cute family this year. They stayed at home in CA. and did their own thing this year.

We are happy to have had such a good day. I personally discovered (again) that I need to make pie more often. Crusts were never hard for me until I stopped making pie except for once a year. I am definitely out of practice. I planned on making 4 pies for our mini pie fest after dinner, but alas, I only got 2 done. And those were only done by a slim margin. Tawna helped make up for my less than manic skills and made an Apple and a Pumpkin pie to bring. I ended up with a Lemon and a Coconut Cream. Gramma Dorothy brought her famous Pecan. Someone made a delicious Strawberry dessert too. None of us went away without dessert overload.

Tawna roasted our 20 + pound turkey and made the dressing. Jade did the mashed potatoes and got us all set up and ready to sit down and eat, plus all the last minute things Hostesses end up doing for everyone. She also got the rolls in to bake and the carrots and corn on to cook. Jeff's sister, Christy brought the famous green bean casserole. Gramma H. brought Grumpy's favorite jello salad, sweet potatoes, the pecan pie, some coleslaw (just for me because I love her coleslaw so much) and maybe some cranberry sauce. We all succumbed to dinner overload and wanted to sleep the rest of the day. It was fun to visit and catch up with family we don't see often. I love Thanksgiving.



Kay, Christy, Jeff and Robert waiting for dinner.



Nathan was our Turkey Carver and did an excellent job.



Our mini pie fest for our desserts this year. They were all awesome.

My sincere thanks to Grumpy (and his helpers) for all the table loading and unloading, same for chairs and the hauling of such items wherever they were needed. He is always there for me and helps me so much. What a guy!

Walk On…

Early in the month of November saw the organization of a breast cancer walk by the Making Strides people. Tawna got us all involved (all who could be) and for many of us it was the first time we had participated in something like it. We wanted to do something to show our love and support for our sweet family member who is dealing with breast cancer at this time. Tawna got us all signed up and we got some shirts printed so we would look like a team. The walk took place at the Tempe Town Lake and I think the final word on the distance was 4.3 miles. It was really quite wonderful to see all the people who were there to walk for someone, had survived breast cancer, or who simply wanted to do something to show concern. There were a lot of people there. I never heard how many walked that day, but there were at least 1 or 2 thousand it seemed like. I don't have a pic of the whole group as it was on Tawna's camera, but I have a few of before the walk and then some as our group came across the finish line.






Our walkers were Grumpy, Tawna, Nathan, Faith, Chance, Taya, Kaitlin, Maddie (Kaitlin's friend), Summer, Jordyn, Rylee, Jade, Robert, Tracy, Kevin, Malea, and Colby. I was there with my shirt on, but knew I wasn't up to a long walk yet. I waited for them at the finish line and took pics. Me and the high school cheerleaders who showed up to cheer people on along the finish line.



Kaitlin and her friend Maddie finished first from our group.



Grumpy and Jordyn were next to cross.






Kaitlin kept circling back to come in with whoever was next to finish. She was too funny. Of course we can't do anything without food, so we all went to breakfast at a little hole in the wall called “Carolina's”. Not much to look at, but they do have really good food. The best tortilla's ever.

It was a great experience and we hope that our sweet lady will know how much we love her and that she is in our prayers always.

Thank you all for coming to walk. It was fun and hopefully will teach us to be aware of the concern out there in the world from so many people. Tawna, thanks for thinking of doing this and organizing us. We should do it again.

October Decorations

Now that October is over, I guess I'll get around to posting a little. I remember years (when I had a lot more energy) our house looking pretty awesome the month of October. I would web much of the interior, make all the frames on the walls crooked, put out all the wonderful, fun decorations accumulated through the years even made "halloween candy" lights one year. I really like those lights. They are lots of fun.

This year I decided I would do only what I had energy for, so it was pretty lame, but hey, some is better than none, right?

This is what you saw coming up the walk to the front door:




I made the tall witch years ago and I really have enjoyed her for many a Halloween.



I managed to put the candy lights on the stairs and place a few jack-o-lanterns around the house. Sadly, that is as far as I got. I really missed the webs. One of my favorite things to do after the webs were all strung was to walk under them and toss black spiders (plastic of course) up into them. That was so much fun. Maybe next year.

I have so many fun memories of costumes Nana made for me, and my brothers and sisters. Later she made some for her grandkids. She always did such a good job and enjoyed doing it. I remembeer a Spanish Dancer dress, a Jeanie, a Dutch Boy and Girl, a Pirate, a Gypsy, several Witches, a Princess or two, Bo Peep, a couple of Clowns, and many others.

Maybe that's why I love the season of Halloween so much. Great memories.

Good News and Some Crazy Stuff!

Just a couple weeks after Rylee made her decision to be baptized, Jamie followed suit. It was such wonderful news. I could not have been happier about his choice. He had been learning from the Sister Missionaries and decided this wonderful gospel was what he was looking for. The date was set and we all went on with the various things we were doing to finish up our move into their home. We were out of the cabin by the end of July and were trying to get wall painted and furniture moved around the house to make room for the items we were bringing with us. One night Robert and I were sitting on the bed upstairs talking about this and that and I went in to use the bathroom. Upon returning to sit down and resume our discussion, I felt the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. It was paralyzing. I couldn't breathe, I could barely get out one syllable words, but not easily. I told Robert to call 911. I was sure I was going to die at any moment. 911 came and got me into an ambulance and took me to Gilbert Mercy Hospital. The ER there got me somewhat stabilized and there was talk of surgery. Then all of a sudden I was ICU, (no surgery) and told I had suffered an Aortic Disection (?) type b. Basically it means my aortic artery split, but did not rupture. Lucky for me. Apparently I had high blood pressure and did not know. I spent a week in ICU at Gilbert Mercy and they did nothing but medicate me.

I missed Jamie's special day, and so did my camera. I'm so sad I did not get to be there for his baptism, but things are what they are. I'm so very grateful he made the decision he did and he is doing a great job learning so many new things. I also missed his confirmation a week later as I was in a better hospital (Banner Baywood Heart Hospital) having surgery to actually help me heal over all of this and hope to move forward. I have two 4.5" stents in my aorta now and hope they will heal well and do their job. I missed his ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood, and when he blessed the sacrament for the first time. I hate missing things like that.

He is doing well, I am doing better and I hope things keep improving for both of us. Taking each day at a time for now - that's all I can manage. I have had great helpers and support around me for which I am very grateful. My sweet husband is forever my mainstay and because he is gone so much others have stepped in to help me. My sister Tracy checks on me and even helps get me to Drs. as well as Tawna, Summer, Robert, Jade, R.B. who have all done such service on my behalf. I know Taya would be helping if only she were here, but she calls and I know the kids are remembering me in their prayers too. All the grandkids have included me in their simple prayers of faith. I love them all so much. They will probably never know how very much they are appreciated and loved for their help. I have such a great family. Everyone has been wonderful to put me in their prayers, call and check on me and even take the time to visit. Friends too. I love you all. So much.

Rylee's Baptism

Since Summer and Jamie have been in their current house, Summer got re-acquainted with some old friends from high school. They had lots in common. The whole ward area here is pretty out going and soon Rylee was taking the lessons from the Sister Missionaries assigned to this ward. She decided she wanted to be baptized, so the date was set. Granny is usually good for a white dress when the girls want one, so off I went shopping for just the right fabric. I found everything I needed for Rylee's pretty dress and set about making it. It took me longer than I thought (as most things do these days), so we ended up borrowing back the actual outfit to be baptized in from Faith. It was nice that it could be worn again, and Rylee looked really cute in it. We decided to put a few yoyos on her dress, so she made them and I sewed them on. It all turned out very nice. It was a wonderful baptism. Rylee asked Megan and Stacie to speak on baptism, Summer's friend Stephanie spoke about the Holy Ghost and Grumpy and Tawna sang a special song. The Sister Missionaries spoke and there was quite a roomful of people.

Grumpy did the baptism and there were lots of uncles, and grandpas to assist in her confirmation. Everyone went to Sweet Tomatoes for a lunch afterwards and that was quite the experience. The little kids love to go there because they can choose all their favorite stuff. Of course they all love the soft serve ice cream.

It was a beautiful day for a beautiful girl. I love you Rylee.

Taya Left Us

It's true. She and her cute family decided they needed to go where their husband and father was, so they did. Kevin had been commuting since January to open a new area for his company and by May they were all tired of the expense and divided household that comes with commuting. I know, we did it for 2 1/2 years. It's no picnic. FIrst there was the endless packing, buying boxes became an expensive venture and finding the best way to transport it all was no fun either. Moves across state lines are pretty horrific experiences. The day after school got out arrived and it was farewell to Kaitlin and Daron for their summer with their Mom and loading day for us. I'm going to skip all the gory details that still live on in my brain, let's just suffice it to say never again. I know Taya feels the same. It truly was the move from he##! To summarize the much delayed start time to the frantic, exhausted search for a cheap hotel at midnight to the blow out on the trailer I was pulling the next day, I am not anxious to ever relive that experience again.

On the upside, they have a wonderful home in central California where they can be together as a family and enjoy the beautiful weather we can only dream about in our hot summers. Taya, as usual had her home put together quickly and they are very happy in their new place. I miss her like crazy, but I know they did the right thing for their family. And that's really the bottom line, right?

Summer Movie Fun

Once again and the cousins were up for it again. Not as many cousins without Taya and her family here and we missed them. I only got to 1 movie this year, but my ticket was well used I hope by the various friends and visitors that needed a seat from time to time. I love these guys so much!

Catching Up

Well, that would be an understatement since I've been silent since May.

First I will post the pics from Faith and Madison's weekend at the cabin since I never got them on here. It was a really fun weekend and I loved spending time with them. Our last few weeks at the cabin were full of grandkids, a little downtiime, and then of course the packing began. Faith and Madison had lots of fun and we loved having them there.






As always there was food. French toast, scrambled eggs, Mac & Cheese, etc. All their favs. I think they both asked for hot chocolate twice a day. Funny girls.

I think everyone has now been through the yoyo learning process. Well--Not the boys.




I hope their Moms put their yoyos on a clip or pin so they could wear them. They did a great job on them.
At this point I would post the pics of the last grandkid weekend which was Ryker and Rylan. That would be difficult since Grumpy took them on a boy weekend with him while I was helping Taya move and he forgot to use the camera. Oh, I remember now, his camera wasn't working, or something, so alas, not one pic of their memorable weekend. I hope the boys remember their food and fun that weekend. I think there was some swimming in the lake? Some hiking and some bike riding. I know they spent lots of time outside with their Grumpy who loves the outdoors.

We spent the 4th of July with R.B. and Stacie and their kids who bunked in with us while dividing their time between us and Stacie's family reunion that was being held in Showlow. As is turns out, many of my cousins were there for that very same reunion and we figured out there was a common ancestor on the Ellsworth side of the world for my cousins and Stacie. Small world. You never know who you might be related to. It was a fun weekend in spite of the fact that the cabin fridge gave out and all we had for our food was my little 2 drawer under the counter fridge. It did fine though, so no worries.

At the risk of having a small novel result from this post, I will stop and put the other events under their own headings.

It's been a crazy summer.

Mother's Day Aprons

I decided (a little too late for it to be sane) to help Jordyn and Kaitlin do aprons for their mom's for mother's day this year. I, of course would be doing aprons for my girls without daughters old enough to master one on their own. I had lots of fun sewing with the girls. They were very good students and together we made some pretty cute aprons for their Mom's to don while cooking. Kaitlin had two to make as she has two wonderful Moms. I would pin and sew on one, and she would duplicate it on the other. I traded back and forth like that so she worked equally on each apron and still only had to do the actual sewing of 1. (My lack of planning made the time short.) I have the girls modeling what they made below.

Jordyn with Summer's cute cupcake apron…



Kaitlin wearing Taya's Cherries below and Christy's stripes in the second pic.





I spent the weekend we had Taylor and Daron at the cabin cutting and sewing aprons for the rest of my girls. I really wanted to do one for all the grandgirls too, but I never start early enough. I will post about the boys weekend with us, but I have to admit I was grateful for Grumpy's gift of games and keeping them busy so I could get my sewing done. I tried to put a little bit of Nana in each apron. I know how much she liked Cherry fabric, all things Betty Boop, polka dots, funny buttons, cupcakes, farm animal fabric (on Jade's apron was actually Nana's fabric bought for who knows what?) and jungle animal prints. Taya had a BBQ at her home for all our Mother's and to say goodbye to some of the family she may not see before moving. I gave the girls their aprons as they came in and had so much fun just doing that. R.B. and Stacie had made plans to be with her family, so I delivered her apron the next day. I made one for Megan as she is Stacie's assistant for the Pampered Chef parties Stacie does. (See her blog for her website if you are interested in Pampered Chef products). I will get some more aprons done for all the other grand girls sometime this summer. Maybe they can help me. Madison wants to do one for her other mother too.

Tawna's cute Betty Boop apron…



Jade's cows and pigs with a little zebra mixed in for fun…



Stacie and Megan's fun french chickens with some wild stripes…



Wear them in good cooking fun ladies, I love you all.

Bring On the Boys!

Boys, Boys, Boys. What a weekend with Taylor and Daron. Grumpy was on it for me this weekend as I was cutting and sewing aprons for our girls. I wasn't completely MIA, but ruefully was not good at taking pics of all the things they did. Grumpy flew up Friday afternoon with Taylor as his co-pilot and I drove up with Daron. Grumpy made his famous Yuckka burros for dinner that night. The boys have them as regular fare for hunting, dune trips, father and sons outings, etc. Traditions are the best, right? Then there were movies (for which Daron dropped off fairly early. He does like his sleep!) We watched The Blind Side as Taylor had not seen it yet. Good movie. One of my favs. Grumpy was up early Saturday…but Daron was even earlier. I made him promise to sleep in for Sunday. (I like my sleep too!) Grumpy made the boys pancakes for breakfast and then went to the club house to play pool etc. for awhile. When they came back, you guessed it, the Monopoly game was on. Daron had not really played before, so Grumpy tried to help him get the hang of it. Taylor knew how to play though and he and Grumpy battled it out for the upper hand. Grumpy is still undefeated, and Taylor still loves his Grumpy. Daron will get better as he plays more, but I think he had fun with the whole thing. They decided to play Yahtze (?) after that had had lots of fun with that one. There were card games, more Yahtze and Slap Jack through the day.



Lunch was PB&J for Daron as he does not really like Chicken Salad. Taylor and Grumpy however love their Chicken Salad sandwiches. It was all good and they ate it up. They all went for a walk around the airpark and came back to see what was up here. I was boring so they went and found some fun at the Dairy Queen.




I had planned to have stacked enchiladas for dinner Saturday night as that is one of Daron's favs. Grumpy was again his wonderful self and made a delicious dinner us complete with all the trimmings. Enchiladas are one of my favorites too and love it when I can just sit back and watch him cook. Did I say how much I love this man? There were 'smores after dark and more movies to watch. We watched Avatar as I finally got a good copy from Costco. I love the special effects and the imagination it took to do that movie. Oh yes, and there was popcorn. How can one watch a movie without popcorn? Good Stuff.




I got the aprons done about 2 am Sunday morning. Daron did indeed sleep in (bless his heart) and we had a great breakfast together. Grumpy had to teach his lesson for the High Priests Group, so he was going to fly home after church with Daron. I took Taylor and we headed out for the valley. It was a pleasant trip home and it was nice to talk to Taylor. He is growing up so fast.

I love these boys.

Weekend with Kaitlin and Jordyn

I better get some posts done, or I am in danger of forgetting what we did. I know the weekend with Kaitlin and Jordyn was too fun and hope I can remember it all. Our Friday nite was just a movie night as we usually don't get to the cabin very early. I'm sure it was probably a New Moon night since we can never get enough Twilight entertainment. Saturday brought Grumpy in the kitchen (allowing me to sleep in) making chocolate chip pancakes for his lovely granddaughters. I don't have pics of that as I was sleeping. Then it was bringing on the inevitable Monopoly Marathon with Grumpy (now rested with a good night's sleep as he doesn't subscribe to the Twilight nonsense). This time there were no tears, but sadly Jordyn's winning streak was broken. She took it well though and the girls had fun playing.



After Monopoly came lunch. Jordyn's favorite is Chicken Salad Sandwiches. She and Kaitlin mixed some up as I watched and made us a great lunch. Grumpy took them to the little country store here to get some necessities for dinner, etc. and ended up getting some yummy doughnuts. By then I was among the living and had sorted out some fabrics from the disorderly mess in the extra bedroom. My intention was to teach the girls how to make yoyo's for their hair, and wherever else they wanted to put them. Out came all the fabrics, some buttons, needle and thread and the yoyo templates in 3 different sizes.





I think they really liked the yoyo thing. They made yoyo's all afternoon. There were a few breaks now and then, but they would come back for the needle and thread and start up again. I thought the results were fantastic. Such cute and funny girls.





Other favorite pastimes of the girls away from home (so no chores or any real have to's). My favorites too. Sleeping and reading.




After dinner Grumpy made a fire outside in the firepit and got ready for the smore fest. These girls were crazy, crazy and ended up throwing marshmallows all over the forest. I hope the little critters out there like marshmallow. Back inside we tried to watch Avatar, but the disk was a bummer and I had to pack it up to return to Costco. We watched several movies that day and into the night. We woke up to a surprise dusting of snow Sunday morning, (this was the second of May) so I took a pic to remember it on our way to church. The girls looked so pretty. Grumpy and I look forward to "showing off" our cute grandkids whenever we get the opportunity to take them to church with us. They are a joy to us. All of them.




Thanks for coming up to the cabin with us Girls. We love you so very much.