Grandma Monkeys

Grandma Love made stuffed monkeys for all of her great grandkids. Since she is gone now, I decided that I would learn how to make her monkeys for my grandkids. I practiced with a little boy monkey which I gave away as a baby gift and then made one for Eliza for her 2nd birthday. I had made a dress for Eliza and so made a matching dress for her monkey. It was so much fun and I am so proud of myself.

Alpine Gardening

Lonny has been busy this past month building a new garden in our backyard. It is called the alpine garden because he is trying to limit his choice of planting to those found in the Mt. Rainier alpine areas. He has really enjoyed this project and it looks really nice.

Is it June already?

I can't believe that Danny is 19 years old today. Where have all my babies gone. Look how big he is getting! Here he is sitting wearing the shirt that Michael sent to him from the Bronx.

Oh goody! A present! What could it be?? A block of drumsticks. That should last him the whole summer.
Look a cake! He picked it out himself! Mom just added the candle. Coldstone peanut butter cake.

Dinner of biscuits and gravey. My favorite!

New Year Update

What a busy couple of months. First of all, I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas season. (Better late than never).

Jackson Paul Hoopes: The first of the year brought us a new grandchild. Riki and Tim had a baby boy, Jackson Paul Hoopes, on January 21 at 10:13 a.m. He was 7 lbs. 13 oz and 20 inches long. He had the biggest hands and feet I have ever seen on a little one. I was fortunate to be able to go down to Florida and be there for three weeks. It was so much fun. I don't think they really needed my help as their ward members brought in meals the whole time I was there. It was fun getting to know my little grandson though.


Jackson was born Jan. 21, 2009 at 10:13 a.m.




Daddy and Jackson




Mommy and Jackson




Grandma and Jackson


30th Wedding Anniversary: February brought our 30th wedding anniversary. Has it really been that long. We really didn't do much for this anniversary as we had already celebrated it with a 2 week trip to Tahiti in the fall which was wonderful. We spent time lying in the sun, snorkeling, diving (I certified to dive just before the trip which was an experience in itself), sailing, eating and just relaxing in general.


30th Anniversary in Tahiti.

Passing of Belden: March has brought some sad news of the passing of Belden, the last of our wolf hybrids on March 7. He was the puppy of two of our former wolves, Poledra and Kheldar. He was 14 and a half years old. I will miss him. He was a sweet thing and was my constant companion here in the house this past year.


Blessing of baby Jackson: Lonny and I next had the wonderful opportunity to return to FL for the blessing of Jackson on March 15, 2009 (Lindsey's birthday). He had grown so much in the month since I had left. He is now 11 lbs 6 oz and 24 inches long. He is such a good baby and loves to be outdoors. We got to spend a week with Tim and Riki during which time we went to the beach, Shark Valley (even saw some gater wrestling) in the Everglades, the pool and diving in Ft. Lauderdale. It was a busy week. Lonny worked hard at keeping up with Tim and his friends playing racket ball. He remembered how much he really liked to play. Now he is hurting a bit so maybe should work into it a little slower. (I think the pains have more to do with the long airplane ride home). Now if he could only find someone to play with here at home. Danny stayed home and minded the fort (taking care of Emma). I felt bad that he wasn't able to come with us but I guess school and work are a priority. He is finishing up his winter term at the community college and then will go into the Spring term. He was so good to come and pick us up at midnight from the airport when he had to be at work at 6:30 the next morning. We are lucky that he is still here at home. (Maybe I should say I am lucky --- I don't ever want him to leave).

Jackson at the Beach

Beach Blanket Bingo

Jackson's Blessing (be patient I haven't figured this movie stuff out yet and don't know how to stop the song) I want to redo it and add a picture of Tim and Jackson and a picture of his parents with Jackson and sister with Jackson. Enjoy what I have so far.

Michael in New York: Michael has been transferred to the Bronx in NY. He is enjoying his mission and is really excited to be in the city finally. He says that he is in Huntington Point which is the poorest zip code in the nation ("gangster paradise"). What an experience for him. The ward is made up of mostly converts who are very helpful to the missionaries. He says he is not scared.


Can you imagine Michael's surprise to see Levi Sprengle (the one he is wrestling with) the first day out in New York. Levi was a friend of Michaels' who lived across the street when they were in elementary school. His family had moved with the military and he was serving in the same mission but English speaking. They served in the same stake in Poughkeepsie.




















Winter in Stamford, Conn.















The baptism of Jorge (I think)





Lindsey and Steve in Provo: Lindsey and Steve are staying busy down in Provo with school and work. They are looking for a new furnished apartment as the rent just keeps going up where they are at and so do the utilities. Steve is studying to take his LSAT this Spring and then they will go looking at various schools in FL.

Scott, Erin, Eliza and Aaron in Chicago: They are ready for winter to end. Scott is planning on putting in a fence at their home this spring with Aaron's help. That way Aaron can have a place to keep his new baby. He is planning on getting a puppy this spring (a wolf hybrid). I think he is really excited about it. Eliza, I understand is keeping everyone busy. She is such a cutie. Check out the picture. Aaron and Kate headed to FL for a week after I left and got to spend time with Riki, Tim and the baby. They were looking for warm weather. I think they enjoyed the change.

Hopefully I'll be better at keeping this up now. Life doesn't change too much around here very fast so guess I have to talk about my kids.

Grove of the Patriarchs - December 8, 2008

Grandpa with Eliza

Eliza in one of the big trees

Walking back to the car

Lonny skiing in our backyard






Danny's Court of Honor - December 27, 2008

Danny and Kyle Andrus - the two new
Eagle Scouts

Holidays

What a nice holiday. We have been drowned in snow and cold. I don't think I have ever seen so much snow here in the 15 years we have lived here. It just doesn't seem to want to quit. It was fun though. To top it off our furnace chose this time to to die and we are still waiting to get it fixed. Thank goodness for fireplaces.

After some trouble getting home Aaron finally made it with a little delay and we had a wonderful week with him. We went skiing a couple of times and he, Lonny and Danny spent lots of time "bonding" on the computer. Lindsey and Steve also came home the day after Christmas and we had a nice time with them. We did some shopping, watched some ballgames and spend a day putt-putt golfing indoors. Grandma came over for a few days of fun. Danny had his Eagle Court of Honor on December 27th and now we (I) am completely done with the scouting program. At least for now. I am so proud of him for finishing up.

The highlight I think for all of us this Christmas was the call from Michael. It was so nice to hear his voice and know that he was happy to be where he is (Stamford, CT). He is enjoying his experiences as a missionary and the time seems to be going so fast.

Just a few more weeks and we will be able to welcome a new baby into our family. Riki and Tim are anxiously awaiting the birth of their little boy (probably more so than we are).

Scott and Erin and Eliza spent a short time with us at the first of the month. They were here for the wedding of Scott's best friend, Charlie. It was so much fun seeing them and playing with Eliza. The weather was great (this was before the big snowfall). We spent one day up on Mt. Rainier playing in the Grove of the Patriarchs. Eliza is a busy little thing and such a good girl. We had lots of fun with them.