Halloween 2009

I just couldn't find any of Tyler's Halloween pictures. He dressed up as Patton and then donned a lab coat and wig and turned into a mad Scientist. Now where are those pictures!!!Oops, We forgot to get a picture of him. Ha! That's what happens when the grandkids are around.

Sisters Get Together 2009

My Sister Tobi and husband Scott have been in Malaysia for 6 months and came back for a visit. A great excuse to get together with all the siblings. We had such a nice time.
Vicki, Tami and I stayed with Dad and Mama Lanie. Penny stayed with Tab and Pam. We got to be with Terri and John also. Helmut and Lark also came to the family gathering on Friday night along with Tobi's children and grandchildren. Lots of fun. I missed getting a picture of Tab and Pam but we sure did have fun being with them also.

Still got it after all these years

Most Wednesday nights, the ladies gather at the church at 9 pm to play volleyball for an hour and half. It is really fun especially when we get enough to really play. It's fun to have Carrie here so we can play together or against each other, Ha!
We had our stake volleyball tournament a couple weeks ago and our ward had 3 teams.
I played on the championship team !

Cute pics of grandkids

Closet Redo

For years I had a desk in our bedroom that I kept my sewing machine on. A few years ago we finally bought new bedroom furniture and got rid of the desk. I took one of the bedrooms and made it my sewing room. I still had half my closet that I kept my craft and other things in. But I decided I really wanted to redo my closet and spread out my hanging clothes but still have room for other things. So I started going through all the stuff I had tucked into every available space. It's amazing what you can fit into a small closet. But the redo is complete, except I will still add a few pull out baskets when they go on sale in Dec.

Youth Temple Trip

Tyler went to the temple for the first time this past Saturday. He got to do baptisms for those that have passed on and couldn't do for themselves. He was able to do the work for Uncle Robbie. That was a special moment.

Braces for Tyler

It's nice to have a son who is in his last year of Orthodontics. Shad put braces on Tyler this last month. He had to also pulled his last baby tooth. Already we can see changes for the good.

Tyler - 12 years - 7th grade

The first day of School was August 24th. Tyler has just barely passed me in height. He is such a good kid. We love him.

Summer 2009

It has been fun to have Carrie back in Houston. She moved into her own apartment this past week and it has been fun helping her set it up. After my vegetable garden was done I decided to grow the giant Sunflowers, they are fun to watch grow as they get so big. Amber, Dan, Megan and Brooke come and visit often. Little Brooke changes everytime I see her.

Disneyland 2009

We spent a week in California. Craig had a meeting in LA on Friday. Tyler and I went along.
We arrived on Monday. Tuesday we went to Univeral Studios. Wednesday we went to Disneyland. Thursday we went to California adventure. Friday Craig had meetings so Tyler and I went to both Disneyland and California adventure and did our favorites again.
We stayed just across the street so we had an easy walk to the front gates of Disneyland.
I think we have mastered the fast pass so we didn't wait in any long lines.
Tyler loved the roller coasters. He went so many times he knew right when the camera would take his picture and did some pretty funny poses. The weather was perfect and we just had a great time.

Kalaloch 2009

We spent a week camping at Kalaloch with Craig's brother Kevin and his family.
Kelli, Kyler, Bridger and Kimber.
It was a little cloudy thru the week, but not too cold. We made fires at camp and on the beach everyday. We saw a bald eagle at his nest, seals, a whale, pelicans, seagulls, smelt, and several other animals. We relaxed on the beach , took walks and enjoyed the sounds of the ocean. We had a stunt kite and it really took off with the strong winds and was fun to fly. The 2nd day there we caught smelt in the waves. One day right in front of us where the seals are usually feeding , up came a big whale. Maybe he was feeding on the seals. Quite the sight.

More Fun in the Sun

We have had a very hot June. Today when I woke up at 6:30 am to go for my walk it was 77 degrees outside. Now at 3 pm it is 101 degrees on our back porch.
So swimming is the only fun thing to do outside right now and even the water is warm. I am sharing some pictures from Father's Day, the children's Museum with the kids and I did spend yesterday making Salsa and my Spicey Sweet tomato sauce.
After a delicious Father's day meal of shrimp and brisket we showed home movies of when our big kids were little. It was fun remembering them at this stage of life.
Craig had meetings in Washington DC earlier this month and then flew for an overnight stay with Jamie and Trent and kids. He sure enjoyed his quick visit.

Hailey turns 6

Hailey's 6th Birthday
Hailey had a pool party at our home. She had a lots of kids here to swim and play.

Swim Meets June 2009

Willow Pool Swim Meets June 2009.
It has been fun to have Tyler and Hailey swimming on the same team this summer.

Did you say this was a Plumeria?

I have been babysitting Jamie's plumeria trees since she left. She said they take 3-4 years to flower and she had them for 5 years before leaving with me when they moved. The first tree flowered a few days ago and it is not a Plumeria. What can I say but it is beautiful.

Tyler Turns Twelve

Tyler had a fun busy birthday. Friday night he had his first Scout Campout, then Saturday was a double header baseball game. Next he had 5 friends over along with family for a swimming barbecue party.
Sunday was a special day as he was ordained a deacon.In picture is Josh Pratt, Shad Hanis, Tyler Hanis,Craig Hanis and Scott Hunter.

Mother's Day 2009

This has been such a nice Day. Dan, Amber and Megan, Shad, Amy, Hailey, Zach and Chloe have been here for dinner and playing games and visiting.
We had a nice dinner all together. I have talked with Jamie and Carrie and read their blogs with such nice memories of me their Mother. Thanks children and grandchildren, you are such a wonderful part of my days and life.
The two littlest ones busy helping in the kitchen.

Discovery Green Splash Park

Amber, Megan, Amy, Zach, Chloe and I met our friends Linda Talbot, Kathry Barney and Kaden at this water park for a fun morning of play and a picnic.

Schilitterbahn Galveston Water Park

Tyler got to go to a band competition at Schilitterbahn Galveston. After they played they got to spend the rest of the day enjoying the water park.

Fresh Lemon Sorbet

For Christmas I got an electric icecream maker. I have loved using it. You keep the bowl part in the freezer and then when you are ready to make it , take it out and just add your icecream or sorbet mix, turn it on and it is ready in 25 minutes. No ice and salt mess, clean-up is easy and bowl goes right back to the freezer.

I had a baby shower luncheon a few weeks ago and tried this recipe.
It was so refreshing and delicious. I scooped it out using an icecream scoop and topped it with fresh berries. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
We have made it several times since. I just put it in the freezer and take a scoop out and add some water and have an instant frozen lemonade drink.
Fresh Lemon Sorbet

Makes 14 1/2 cup servings

3 cups sugar
3 cups water
2 1/4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (9 - 10 large lemons)
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped lemon zest

Instructions
Combine the sugar and water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer without stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 3 to 5 minutes. Cool completely. This is called a simple syrup, and may be made ahead in larger quantities to have on hand for making Fresh Lemon Sorbet. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

When cool, add the lemon juice and zest; stir to combine. Turn the machine on. Pour the lemon mixture into the freezer bowl, and mix until the mixture thickens, about 25 to 30 minutes. The sorbet will have a soft texture similar to a freshly scooped Italian ice. If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the sorbet to an airtight container and place in freezer for about 2 hours.

Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving.