Lonny and Tammie

A New Year 2011 - A view of the past 2010

2011-01-30T16:15:00.000-08:00

Since it has been almost a year since I have written on my blog I will do a quick review of the year and am going to try faithfully to keep up this blog monthly. I love to read others blogs and see what is going on in their lives so even though my life is kind of boring I will try and keep up mine.

Where to start, Where to start!

I guess I will start at the important events in our lives. We now have 5 grandchildren and they are all the greatest. The oldest is Eliza, who is 31/2 (Scott and Erin's), Jackson, who is almost 2 this coming month (Riki and Tim), Heber, who just turned 1 in Nov (S&E), Aliyah, who is six months (Lindsey and Steve), and Rylie, who is 3 months (R&T). Unfortunately we don't get to see them or their parents as often as we would like. We are really lucky though, because Lindsey and Steve now live in SeaTac while he is going to Law School in Seattle so we get to see them and Aliyah pretty often.

Michael returned home from his mission in New York in June and we were excited to have him around again even though it was for only a short time before he headed back to school. He is now attending BYU.

Danny graduated with his AA degree from SPSCC (South Puget Sound Community College) and headed to Utah Valley University in Orem (used to be UVSC). He spent last semester there and will be home this next semester to work and then will head back next year to finish up his degree in education.

Aaron is living in Chicago and working for REI. He is an avid outdoorsman and spends as much time as he can living dangerously. (At least in my opinion) The more thrills the better it is. I just hope he is careful!

Scott and Erin and their family live in Chicago also and provide a home and family for Aaron. He is the favorite uncle in that home as he is there to play with the kids. Scott works in landscape design and Erin stays home and keeps the home running (she is great and we love her so much).

Riki and Tim are still hold outs in FL. We just can't seem to be able to talk them into coming West. Oh well. It is nice to have a warm place to go and visit. I was able to go and spend a couple of weeks with her when Rylie was born and had a wonderful time playing with Jackson and holding Rylie. We also went earlier in the year a did a short cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale.

What a full year for Lindsey and Steve. Steve graduated from BYU in April, a new baby in June and a move to WA and start of Law School at Seattle University in just a few months. We are glad they choose Seattle so we can see them often. They even got to spend Christmas break with us part of the time. It is great!

Our family reunion this year consisted of a trip to Leavenworth for about 4 days. We rented a cabin big enough for us all (including Grandma and Deanna) and had a wonderful time playing games, sitting in the hot tub and various other activities. We went hiking, horseback riding, river rafting, and a day as tourists in Leavenworth. I love these yearly family reunions and will be sorry when the kids decide that they need to do their own vacations. What will we do next year?????? That is the big question!

Well that is a brief summary of our year 2010. Now for the pictures. There are alot of them here so hopefully you won't get bored!

Digital slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Ward Split - September

2010-01-23T20:55:00.000-08:00

In September our ward was finally split. After many years of being in a huge ward it is really strange to actually not have to fight for a seat in the chapel. We have had a ward of between 600-800 people for many years. There was no way to know everyone in the ward. It was especially hard for the leadership. The ward was divided and names changed. The Yelm 1 ward was changed to Deshutes River Ward. The Yelm 2nd Ward change to Yelm Ward and those of us put in the new ward which encompasses Bald Hills and Canal Rd area plus McKenna and Roy is called the McKenna Ward. It was a good change and though we all miss our friends in Yelm Ward we are adjusting and things seem so much easier. I was called as the YW Secretary and continued to serve for about a month and a half as the Nursery Leader too. I will definitely miss my little nursery children but am enjoying getting to reknow the YW whom I have known all through their Primary years. Lonny was called as the Gospel Doctrine Teacher and was just getting to enjoy teaching adults when he was called as YM 2nd Counselor over the Deacons' Quorum. What a change for him. It will be a challenge to work with that age of boys as he has worked so long with the older boys whom he really enjoys but I am sure he will do great.

January 18, 1980 - January 18, 2010 - Happy Birthday Aaron!!

2010-01-23T20:40:00.000-08:00

Where did all those years go. I can't believe that my little baby boy is now 30 years old. It doesn't seem possible. That doesn't mean I'm getting old does it? Here are a couple of pictures of Aaron then and now.

Aaron's Blessing Day. 2/3/80

Aaron about a week old. Look at all that hair. What a sweet boy!!

January 2010. Almost 30 years old. Look at all that hair. It's a little curlier now.

Aaron and Akela. They look like a wild bunch don't they!

I love my little boy and am proud of him. Happy Birthday Aaron!!!

A new puppy - Teddy

2010-01-23T20:19:00.000-08:00

After coming back from our trip to IL, we picked up the newest member (at that time) to our family, Teddy, a three month Labradoodle pup. He is so cute and has been fun to have in our home. It is so different from the big hybrid wolves. He is definitely a house dog and thinks he is a lap dog. He is not very small anymore but loves to jump on my lap to sit for awhile. His favorite thing to do around the house is to terrorize Emma. I feel sorry for that poor cat. We did take him camping a couple of times and he seemed to like that okay. He just finished his first obedience class and can now walk at a heel. He doesn't always listen to the command of "come" though. He loves to play with other dogs and people. He had his first experience at a dog park this week and just loved it. I think we will try some agility classes in the spring as he loves to jump and catch things. I would also like to train him as a service/therapy dog.

Teddy at 3 mos. old

You mean I can't lay here?

I can fit here. Just watch me!

Playing on the beach at Tolmie State Park in Lacey.

Camping at Rainbow State Park

I don't like to sit on the ground

Fishing for a twig.

Buddies! Do they look the same?

Playing in the creek.

Teaching Teddy to swim!

What are we reading!

What are these? Can I play with them?

Come on Emma! I just want to play!

Pleeeeese! Come out to play!

Playing with giggle bug. Can't quite fit in the cat's bed though.

First Haircut. Dad didn't like my nose so I had to go back.

Is this better. Bright eyed and Bushy Tailed.

What do you mean...toilet paper isn't to play with.

Graduation from Puppy Class

Do I look smart!

Christmas was fun. Lonny got a nerf ball gun. He was shooting balls at Teddy and Teddy ran to Danny for protection.

Golden, CO

2010-01-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

On the way home from our family reunion in IL, Grandma and I took a side trip to Golden, CO to visit with Deanna and Abbey. Grandma had fallen and badly sprained her ankle in IL so Deanna had ordered a wheelchair to get her around in while we visited. We were warmly welcomed by Thelma Tubbs and Nancy, Rob’s mom and sister. We had a wonderful time while we were there. We did some sight seeing. Visited Buffalo Bill's gravesite, Idaho Springs where we found the castle that Rob's family used to own and drove through old mining towns and even visited an abandoned graveyard. We also had a wonderful trip to the temple with Abbey. Abbey had recently gone through the temple for the first time and we had a nice day going through with her for the first time. I think this was probably the first grandchild that grandma was not able to attend the original special day but Deanna was able to be with her and so was Nathan and Cami.

Deanna flirting with an old miner

Is anyone in there? I need to go bad!!!

Wild Bill Hickhock and Annie Oakley

Deanna driving like a crazy women down the mountain.

"The Castle" in Idaho Springs, CO

Deanna, Thelma, and Nancy Tubbs in front of "The Castle" in Idaho Springs, CO

This one's for you Riki. This is a fire station in Idaho Springs, CO

Old Gold Mine

Really neat old cemetary. I could have spent a day looking and reading gravestones.

Our trip ended with a wonderful trip to the Denver, CO Temple with Abbey.

Family Reunion - July

2010-01-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

Boy has the time flown by. So much has happened so this is all about catch up time. I'll start with

Natter Family Reunion - July

We all gathered at Scott and Erin's home in Illinois to start our week long family reunion. Grandma and I drove to Chicago from WA so that we could take all the camping gear and things that the kids needed (wanted) from home. Aaron had just gotten a new puppy and wanted the dog cart so that as his puppy got older she could learn to pull it.

Akela 4 mos. old

We arrived at Scott and Erin's about Wed and everyone else started to appear by Friday. Saturday we all drove to a home owned by Scott's employer on the beach of Lake Michigan. We spent about 3 days there playing games, hanging out at the beach and one day at the Indiana Dunes. There was decently warm water in the Lake compare to the cold beaches in WA and lots of sand and sun.

Great Grandma with Jackson - are they both sleeping?

Jackson in the car. I think he is hungry!

Eliza and Akela playing in the sand.

Riki, Eliza and Jackson

Playing Bang. I bet Danny is the renengade.

Erin and Eliza - ready for church.

Playing in Lake Michigan.

Grandpa and Jackson

Grandpa running down the Indiana Dunes

Daddy.... I want to go again.

Scouting for the best place to start

We then headed into MO for camping with a side trip to Nauvoo for the Nauvoo Pagent. After driving all day from IL to MO in the pouring rain we ended up spending the first night in a hotel because all of our gear was wet. We now know to put the sleeping bags into plastic bags as the car top carrier is not waterproof. The next day we headed into the campground, set up camp, made a run to town to pick up all the things that we forgot and some of the family did a little bit of hiking. It was interesting on the way through MO we passed the hospital that Riki was born in. While we were playing at the river in the campground Tim finally arrived to join us. Jackson was so happy to see his daddy! The next day we got up early and left to drive to Nauvoo to spend part of the day touring and the evening at the pagent. It was a wonderful day and the pagent spectacular. We even had a good dinner at the Nauvoo Hotel (I think that is the name) before the pagent started. Before the pagent there was dancing and lots of games and contests that the kids joined in on. I sat saving our place with the dog, Akela. It was a long day but very worth the drive to and from. We got home very late to find our camp being ransacked by racoons. I didn't know that racoons knew how to open up coolers. We got there just as they were running off with our cookies. We cleaned up and they soon returned to see what was left scaring grandma who was in the tent closest to the picnic table. We then decide we needed to put everything in the cars. The next morning (early) Lonny and all the kids took off for the IL Caverns for some caving fun leaving grandma and I to take care of the little ones (Jackson 7 mos. and Eliza 2 yrs). We had a busy day keeping up with them and trying to entertain two little kids. Lonny and all the kids seemed to have a wonderful time in the caves. Erin went in as far as her belly would allow her to go and then headed out to the lawn chairs with grandpa to wait for the rest. The next day it started to rain again and we decided that maybe we would leave a little earlier than planned. Tim, Lindsey and Steve all left for the St. Louis Airport and the rest of us drove back to IL to finish up our trip. It was a wonderful time and so much fun to be all together again. We did miss Michael though. Next year we'll do another reunion. The plan is Zions or in that region before Steve and Lindsey leave for law school somewhere.

Erin and Eliza at the river.

Scott and Steve catching crawfish

The girls chilling out

Eliza heading over to Scott and Steve to check out the fishing.

Stopping for lunch on the way to Nauvoo

Scott, Eliza and Grandpa. Looks like Grandpa and Eliza traded hats

Scott, Erin and Eliza and baby(?) makes 4

Tim, Riki and Jackson

Games and Fun before the Pageant.

If there is a competition, the kids are involved.

Is this a game of skill or weight

Tim might have Scott outweighed (I mean out skilled) this time.

Wait!! Riki is cheating!!!

Will this be an even match?

Go Eliza!!

On your mark, get set, gooooo!

Story time.

This must be the strong man competition?

Then it is time for the Nauvoo Pagent

It was a wonderful show. It reminded me how thankful we should be for our ancesters who lived and had to leave this city and the sacrifices they made for us. We even had a chance to look for the old Hendricks homestead.

The Nauvoo Temple today.

Time for Caving and then off to our separate homes. What a fun time together!

2009-06-02T22:07:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-02T21:56:00.001-07:00

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?

2009-06-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-01-06T06:38:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-05T08:16:00.000-08:00

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.