Mother-Daughter Campout 2008

We drove to Brazos Bend for our annual Mother-Daughter campout. The weather was perfect. It was cool enough to enjoy a campfire but not too hot or cold for the babies. This year it was Amber and Megan, Amy, Hailey and Chloe and me.
We left about 3:30 and arrived about an hour later to the campsite. Luckily for us Craig said it was a little walk from the parking lot to the group camp site. So I had packed our wheel barrow. We had to make 5 or 6 trips with it loaded down to get all our stuff there. Two tents, two pack in plays, stroller, sleeping bags etc.
Since we had two babies the pack in plays were great as they could each be in their own so as not to hurt each other and keep out of the dirt. Although Amber let Megan crawl around in the dirt and leaves so she could have her first taste of camping. Those leaves were so yummy! I am always so glad to have our dinners cooked and ready to eat because by the time we get camp all set up it is close to dark and everyone is hungry. The Stake provided a big campfire and we enjoyed it to roast our marshmellows and have s'mores.
In the morning we cooked pancakes had orange juice and bacon. Then we took a little hike but missed seeing any alligators. Then we packed back up and headed home, we got home about 12:30. We missed Jamie and the girls.

Little Girl Hair Bows

I got together with some friends to make bows for the little girls in my life.
Amy, Amber, Margarita and Melissa Harvey came over. We had a fun morning and now I think I am inspired enough to do more on my own. The big flowers can clip in hair or clip to a headband. After doing the bows, we had a delicious chicken salad served with homemade wheat bread.

BYU Homecoming 2008

We just spent 4 days in Utah going to many activities for BYU's homecoming.
Craig was asked to come and be an honored Alumni from the college of Life Sciences.
We arrived on Wed. night and spent the night at Tobi and Scott's home. ( my sister)
Thursday morning we awoke early to get ready for our events for the day, starting with an orientation at 9 am and then Craig had a lecture at 11 am followed by a luncheon. We were asked to be in Business dress so Craig in a suit and Tyler and I also in our Sunday clothes.
As we drove through Orem, Tyler leaned forward and threw up all over us and the car, he was seated in the middle back seat but managed to spray all over. We just looked at each other and tried to think of what to do next. We remembered our friends the McCann's and I called her up and we were just 2 minutes from her house. What a nice greeting after not seeing each other for 3 years. Craig hosed Tyler off and into the tub. I took Craig's suit jacket and started cleaning it and myself. Our now dearest friend, Mary took all Tyler's clothes, my jacket, and started running everything through the wash. I called Tobi to bring me a change. I kept working on Craig's suit jacket and scrubbed it as clean as I could, I used some nice smelling soap and it was wearable. Mary kept Tyler for the day, what a friend.
We arrived at the end of the orientation, boy were they glad to see us.
Craig did a fantastic job on his lecture, I changed my clothing between lecture and luncheon. We enjoyed a luncheon where he was honored for his acheivements in the Scientific world. They gave him a bronze cougar ( I will add a picture) and a beautiful glass plaque. Our first order of buisness after luncheon was over was to trade out our rental car and pick up Tyler. All was well and so was the smell after getting a new car.
On Friday we took our time driving down to Provo, stopped at Cabela's and Thanksgiving point. We checked into our room at Aspen Grove where we were staying for this night. We enjoyed the ride up the canyon and seeing the pretty colors.
We headed back to the beautiful Hinckley Center for a dinner followed by the Homecoming Spectacular in the Marriott Center.
On Saturday we awoke to SNOW falling everywhere. We got to ride in the Homecoming Parade in a one of a kind vintage car.(See bright yellow car). Tyler hung out with his Uncle Tab who had brought up several 4 wheelers all decked out for the BYU cheerleaders to ride on. My niece Jessica is a BYU cheerleader. It had stopped snowing but it was cold. Then it was breakfast with the cheerleaders where we met up with Tab, Pamela, and Tyler. At noon we had a garden barbecue at the Hinckley Center Patio. We had about an hour before we headed to the stadium for the Homecoming Football game, BYU vs New Mexico. We got to be seated in the President's box. What fun. We were up high but had a great view and were inside away from the cold. When we arrived they served dinner and snacks. At half time they served dessert with icecream. This is where many of the General Authorities and General Board members sit. I talked to Sis. Oaks and Sis. Beck. Tyler had great seats and sat with his friend George McCann, but out in the cold. They were pretty bundled up to stay warm. BYU won!!
We took George home on our way to Tobi's and got to have such a nice visit with Mary and Lee McCann and their children.
Sunday morning came too early and once again, SNOW everywhere, this time a couple of inches on the lawn. Tyler was so excited to play in the snow. Then off to church and back to Tobi's for an extended family dinner. Dinner was so delicious.
We loved seeing all the family and appreciate those that came to support us at the luncheon. Dad and Mama Lani, Tobi and Scott, Tab and Pam, Terri and John, it was so great to be with all of them and then on Sunday to visit with most of Tobi's children and Mitch.
We were off to the airport about 2:30 to head home to Houston.

Hurricane IKE, Sept. 13, 1008

We have had an eventful two weeks. We knew Hurricane IKE was on it's way and we had time for some last minute preparations. I went to Sam's and stocked up on granola bars, chips, cookies and such. Also filled our 5 gallon water bottles that I usually store empty. I have our water barrels filled always. Filled the freezer with ice bags and gallons of water to freeze. We cleared out one side of the gargae that usually has bikes and such so we could get both cars in gargae. Moved all my plants undercover, not an easy feat as I must have 20 or so in containers. Took the umbrella's down around pool and stored furniture. Craig took the satellite dish down. Filled the cars and gas containers with gas. We checked the generator and made sure it would start. We moved Tyler's mattress into our room at his request. Then he also wanted me to sleep right by him. Then the waiting started. The first thing before any rain was the power went out. That surprised us. The storm really didn't get started until the middle of the night. Craig was up a few times to check on things. I finally thought Tyler was asleep so got back into my bed and then next thing I knew a little body was at my feet. So finally I told him to get in my place by Craig and I slept on his mattress. In the morning it was still so dark and we had a hard time seeing exactly what had happened. It began to rain again and Craig needed to unclog the drain in the back porch area.
As soon as it was light, he went out to the street and cleared the debris from our storm drain and it didn't take long for our street to drain of flooded water. Many neighbors came out and all pitched in the clear debris and cut limbs as needed.
Saturday to Wednesday, Craig, Tyler and Shad were out everyday helping as neighbors and church crews to clear debris and cut down limbs and such.
We had a couple of inches of rain on Saturday morning and then no more rain. But it was hot and humid. We slept in the backroom and ran the window AC for two nights. Then the humidity dropped and we had some pleasant days to work on clean-up. We moved back into the house for sleeping at night and just kept fans blowing on us at night. With our generator we were able to run the refrigerator, freezer, lamp, two or three fans and the TV. This was so nice to be able to get the news each day.
On Tuesday, I was asked to provide 15 lunches to send with Craig for the day. Our neighbor Helen Viola was cooking up a storm as she had to cook most of her freezer food or lose it. She had just brought over a 2nd beef brisket so I chopped it up and made sandwiches and added chips and cookies for lunch. (Good thing I bought those extra cookies and chips before the storm) The next day the whole crew came over and Helen just kept on cooking, we served chicken, beef and barley soup, meatloaf, beef chunks and gravy, mashed potatoes ( potato pearls are the best),
delicious rolls ( homemade by Lynn Hunter)and served 30-40 people that day.
Craig was back to his regular job on Thursday and Friday. Tyler started school this past Tuesday. Our church building still does not have power, the first Sunday was a work Sunday and any that could helped with clean-up. The 2nd Sunday we were provided a generator that ran two big fans, a portable microphone and a light and we had a wonderful sacrament meeting.
Power work crews were in our neighborhood all day Wednesday and by 8:30 pm we had our power back on. Hurray! We slept comfortably cool for the first time in 12 days. The next morning I was so anxious to get everything back to Normal, started a load of wash. Began putting camp stove away and extension cords and such. AT 8:15 am the power went out. I found the power crew guy and asked him how long , he said probably most of the day as they were still working on the lines in our neighborhood. Off to Amber's for the afternoon to finish up my laundry.
The power came back on by 6:30 pm and they said it should be for good. I'm still not putting the generator away just yet.
Having the generator was the best preparation we did as we didn't have to lose the food in the refrigerator or freezer. I was also able to give ice to neighbors and I just kept making it to share. This time around we did not lose water. There were a few days where we had to boil our water but we always had water for clean up and showers. The pool was also great as when it was hot we could work hard and then jump in the pool to clean up. Craig got all the leaves out and I shocked it every 3 days or so and water stayed pretty clear and clean.
I used our propane camp stove , just put it right in the kitchen and we used it everyday. A few years ago we replaced our windows and had screens on every window which was really a life saver with no AC as we could open up all windows and not let mosquitos in.
Jamie and I were talking and realizing that no matter where you live you need to prepare for the type of disaters that might come your way. What we did right:
Generator, non-perishable food, water, gas cans filled, plenty of extension cords,
propane for barbecue and camp stove, put coolers and generator in back room and house. Cleaned the gutters of leaf debris. Froze 2 gallons of milk, these lasted until stores once again were open. Cooked up chicken and roast the day before this got us through several meals before I had to cook again.

What we will do for next time:
1) Make sure we have access to third garage, after power went out we only had access through the attic and this is where we stored all gas, extension cords, etc.
2) I bought a better fan as this was needed with no AC, after the storm
3) Buy a few more propane gas containers, had to borrow from a neighbor for cook stove. Walmart by us was all sold out.
4)Buy a few new toys, play dough for kids.
5) Buy more bread to put in freezer.
Overall, if we had not had time to get anything last minute at the store we still would have had what we needed as we had been preparing for a long time and following our leaders counsels to prepare as a family.
We were without power for 12 days, there are still many in our area who do not have power. We feel so blessed as we did not have any major destruction and our home is in tact. Because of our preparation we did not have to seek out ice, water or food as so many had to, with all the long lines and heat. We were also able to help each other and our neighbors and they in turn helped us when we needed it.
Several of our close friends got power after a few days and had us over for dinner. That was a real treat. Blakes had us over on Friday, And Talbots had us over on Sunday. Then the Maxwells had us over on Monday. That was so nice not to have to worry about a meal on those days and enjoy eating in a cool place.
We did laundry at a few places and then Amber's power came on and we were able then to go there and keep up with this.
Kroger's grocery is still running on generators, they have restocked most everything now and I was able to get milk and bluebell icecream today. ( the essentials, ha!)
It was so nice to have Shad and Amy, Hailey, Zach, and Chloe so close so we could help each other out. I'm sure they are glad to be back at home and get back to a schedule. If the pictures for slide show are too small just double click on picture and it will bring up a large view that you scroll through on your own.

Bluebell Icecream

I have a sweet memory of eating vanilla icecream inside of a scooped out cantalope. It was always so yummy to slice a little cantalope with each spoon of vanilla icecream. Last year blue bell came out with this Cantalope and Vanilla icecream and it is soooo good. Taste just like eating it out of a cantalope. Now they only make this icecream once a year and you can only find it for a few weeks. Although I think vanilla icecream with hot fudge and nuts is still my favorite this ranks up there pretty high.

1 Day of School 2008 - 6th Grade

August 25, 2008, First day of Middle School for Tyler and first day of Kindergarten for Hailey.
Tyler was pretty excited and had gotten his supplies all organized and ready to take. Highlights of first day, Wow, we get 5 minutes between classes and since most of his classes are on the same Hall he feels like he has all this free time to himself. And then Lunch is so much more flexible than elementary school. No homework yet. Hailey also had a great day, she didn't have much to say but things would come out as the day went on. It was so hot 97 degrees this day and when Carrie got home from work she took Hailey and Zach swimming along with Tyler.

Summer Vacation 2008

On July 28, we (Craig, Candy and Tyler) flew to Seattle. Peggy picked us up along with Mom Hanis. All the family that live close came over to Mom's house that night to see us. What fun to see all the little ones a year older. Since we were here last summer, Kevin and Kelli moved to a new home and Sarah and Pat also moved to a bigger home.
Tuesday morning we packed up and headed to Kalaloch for a 4 day camping trip.
It was a little drizzley when we arrived at our camp but got all set up. The next day it was beautiful along the ocean. We headed to beach 4 to check out the smelt situation, they were no where to be found.
On Wednesday morning we drove to the Sol Duc Hot Springs. They have a big pool for swimming, and 3 other big hot tubs kept at different temperatures. It was heavenly since this was a very rainy day.
We did all the usual things, tide pool walk, ranger talks at night, cooking by the fire, and hiking through the trails. We saw a bald eagle, a dead seal on beach, little chipmunks, racoons, pelicans,and seagulls.
We came back to Mom's house on Saturday and got cleaned up and clothes washed.
The next week we went camping at Lake Wenatchee with most of the family.
There were 7 families that came. They have a lake we could walk to and swim in. It got quite warm during the day so the lake felt great but cool at night and in the mornings. We had a big camp potluck on Thursday night and that was very yummy. Pat set up his big screen outside and we watched Enchanted until all the little ones were too tired to stay awake. We biked and played games and enjoyed the big outdoors. We headed back to Moms's on Friday , Tyler stayed an extra day with Pat's family. On Monday the 11th, we headed to Hood Canal to Mark and Marci's home. What a treat was instore for us. Mark had 14 dungeness crabs for us to eat. He also made crab cakes, crab louis salad, a crab pasta salad, along with corn on the cob and french bread. What a feast! He sent us home with some salmon to cook and smoked salmon also. We had a great time, but always the highlight is renewing our relationships with family and seeing all the cousins and their families.
It was so great to be with Baba ( Craig's Mom) She is now on a Family History Mission that she can do from home and spends many hours each day helping others from the computer.