Activities of the past week

This past week has been a flurry of activities from Maggie's wedding to making cookies, sipping cocoa through a straw, and visiting Santa.

Winter has arrived!

This is what we awoke to this morning. Not a lot of snow but a very pretty winter scene. Happy surprise to learn that Walter had stopped by on his way to work to remove the ice and snow from my windows. I'm very grateful for that kind act and for the suggestion from his wife that motivated it. That only goes to prove that the right woman makes a good man better.

Elder Hereth

Today was the big day. Jacob came bouncing into my room at 6:30 a.m. (sharp), reminded me that I was his companion, and brought me to the living room for companionship prayer and scripture study. Wally, Josh, and Lyla joined us for breakfast. Walter then helped him pack those last items. We drove to Provo (Jenny's family and Em went with us) where we had a quick lunch at MacDonalds and and even quicker good-bye at the MTC curb. We left him very excited and happy to be there.

Deception Pass

Would you believe that I only took one photo on my trip? It is true and this is the photo and it was taken with my phone because I never remember to take my camera anywhere.

I Love Fall!

I was so disappointed to come home the other day and find that the leaves had all been cleaned up in our complex. I had so enjoyed walking through them. Fall is my favorite time of year! With the leaves gone and the trees bare it feels like we are moving into winter.
What a great Oct we have had. I had a couple of weeks off track. For the first week Kara and the kids were here. (Chris was only able to stay a couple of days.) The cousins had so much fun playing together and all of my children were able to be in the temple with Jacob. It was super special. The next week Jake and I spent in the Pacific Northwest. Had a great time with Louie and Darci and with the family just north of Seattle.

Vacation

Jake and I are having a lovely time in the Pacific Northwest. We are being tourists and visiting family. Pictures when we return.

Old slides

Lyle's mother took a lot of photographs. The only problem is that most of them are on slides. Jenn found for me a "Slide Digital Converter". This gives me the chance to put a few of my favorite slides into digital format. Here are three that I have been playing with. The top picture is of Emilie in preschool, we then have the temple on my wedding day, and last of all a photo of Lyle and I shortly after our engagement.

Called to Serve

Jacob has been called to serve in the Eugene, Oregon mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will enter the Missionary Training Center on November 18 where he will be for approximately three weeks. He is very excited about his call. He has been busy with shopping for all that is required to enter the MTC. He has found that a two years supply of suits, shirts, ties, etc. is a fairly big investment.
I am also very pleased for his call. Oregon is a lovely place even if they do believe that their speed limit should stay 10 mph lower than anyone else. (I only noticed this because of how it bogs down a trip from here to Washington).
I suppose it is a mom's job to be just a little sentimental as her last fledgling leaves the nest. Even I, who have found it useful to keep sentiment to a minimum, have indulged in a few moments of "but this is my baby!".

Last Day of Summer Break

Today was my last day of summer break - I go back to work tomorrow. Wally and family invited me and Jenn and her kids to accompany their family to Ogden to see the Eccles Dinosaur Park. I had never been and was pleasantly surprised. We had a great time.

A step back in time ...

Jenn and Tyler have taken a little vacation and I have become the stand in caregiver. We had a fun first day- a swim at the condo pool with Uncle Jake, guitar hero, and a new t-ball set left by Mom and Dad. This takes me back about 27 years, to the time my two boys were about the same age. I remember being tired back then but oh what 27 years will do!!!

Father's Day talk from days gone by

Let me tell you about the greatest dad on earth, MY DAD.
MY DAD likes to do things with me like build things. We built a pinewood derby together and it won second place and looked real good too. He teaches me how to use his tools but isn't too happy when I don't put them back after I borrow them.
MY DAD like to take me places. He takes me to the mountains, to the ocean, to the desert, and even to work with him on my birthday. Once every month he takes me to breakfast all by myself.
Another thing about MY DAD is that he loves my Mom. He helps her cook and wash dishes. He takes her on dates every week and hugs her a lot. He doesn't like it when she is sick and he has to be Mr. Mom.
MY DAD is a better cook than most dads. He makes the worlds best omelets. He makes good cookies and muffins. He makes rhubarb pie and is even learning to make cinnamon rolls.
MY DAD helps other people a lot. My mom says that was what she like about him when they first met.
I could tell you some other things about MY DAD. He likes to read and can read really fast. He knows a lot about computers and fixes cars. In fact, my dad can fix about anything.
MY DAD likes to camp but he doesn't like to sleep on the ground. He always takes a mattress with him when we camp. He likes to hike and take pictures of animals but doesn't like to hunt them with a gun.
MY DAD holds the Priesthood. He gives us blessings when we are sick or when he is going away. He gives me blessings on the day before something important, like the first day of school.
He baptized me and gave me the gift of the Holy Ghost when I turned eight.
The most important thing about my dad is that I love him. I think he is the greatest guy on earth and I am glad that he is MY DAD.

Readers

I have had so much fun reading with my two 5 year old granddaughters, Audrey and Belen. They seem to have picked up the "I love to read" gene (if there is one). They are both getting pretty darn good at decoding those one syllable words and are not afraid to tackle the multi-syllable ones. Here Belen has fallen asleep with her nose in a book. What a great way to drift off! I think I'll go follow her example.

Family Visits

We have enjoyed seeing a bit of family this past week. Patty and Jack stopped by on Monday for breakfast and a trip to the zoo. Jenn and boys joined us there. Then on Thursday, Chris and family drove out from their home in Colorado. We had fun with them.

Jacob's Graduation

Tonight Jacob graduated from High School. Can you believe it? I mean, this is my baby!

Busy, busy, busy!

Sorry that it has been so long since I have posted a blog. I have kind of been living between two places for the past month or more. I don't think I even began to understand what a big project I had taken on when I decided to move out of my home of 30 years. Can you even begin to imagine how much "stuff" can be collected under one roof in that much time? It didn't help that the condo that I bought was in need of a fair amount of work. We are still working on the finishing touches and putting things away but I am beginning to feel settled in. I could not have done it without my kids. Walter in particular has been there as my #1 handyman. He tore out all of the carpet and the kitchen cabinets. He put down tile in the kitchen, dining area, and bathroom. He has worked with the plumber, electrician, carpet layers, and cabinet installers. He has lugged countless boxes from one house to another. On top of moving mom - he was moving his family also. In my old house - his new house - he has put down new tile, painted, and is getting ready to put down laminate flooring in one more room.
I can't leave out the contributions of my other children. All have helped in the move. Even Chris and Kara gave up most of the week-end that they were here to help. Chris hung 11 sets of blinds and he and Kara delayed their return home to move much of my furniture up here. Thank you all.

Lyla's- See how she grows!

Lyla just had her 5 month check up. She was in the 90th + percentile for both height and weight. That means that she weighed 18 lbs 14 oz and was 27 inches long. She seems determined to not be the baby sister for long. Lyla belongs to Walter and Vero. She is such a happy little girl, smiles at everyone.

A Trip Colorado in honor of Chris Junior

Jacob, Emilie, and Jennifer (with her two boys) accompanied me on a flight to Colorado last week to see Chris and Kara's new son and of course his beautiful sisters. CJ was blessed on Sunday and had lots of people to love him. This photo of CJ was taken by Kara's sister, Chelsea.

Be it ever so humble, it soon will be home!

After 30 years in my home, I am looking toward a change of address. On Thursday, I will close on this little condo in a 55 and older community. With Jacob graduating from High School this spring and looking to a mission soon thereafter, I have decided to downsize and give up yard work and snow removal. Walter and family will be moving into my home. That will give them a little more space for their growing family. Much work is involve in this project. I will be doing some renovation in this older condo (new carpet, paint, tile, and a new kitchen) and Walter has been working on my home here to bring it a little more up to speed. The question is, "Has Grandma H completely lost her mind!"

CJ aka Chris Jr. is here!

Chris and Kara's little son arrived today. He was born at 12:35 p.m. and weighed 6 lbs 14.5 oz. That makes 8 grandchildren for Lyle and I and 19 great grandchildren for my folks. I think that would bring Walt and Alvina's great grandchildren to 18. Welcome to the family CJ. Thanks Kara. You do good work! I think I can see that Chris may have added something to the project. He is beautiful. Is there any hair under the cap?

Just a news update!

It is 6:00 a.m. and I haven't been asleep since 3:00 a.m. My mind is going on hyper-drive and sleep just won't come. Let's see - what could be the cause of such a thing.
1. It could be drugs. My doc put me on Prednisone for a little tendonitis. Prednisone can certainly disrupt sleep.
2. A daughter has had a reoccurrance of the seizure that caused an accident a few months back. That is a worry.
3. A son with three children just found himself suddenly unemployed. That could add a little stress to his life and vicariously to mine.
4. A new grandson is coming. While that is a wonderful thing, I have to worry just a little bit about him and his mommy with this upcoming labor and delivery.
5. I am in the midst of purchasing another home and getting ready to move out of the one I have lived in for 30 years. The condo I am buying will require a little updating (like a new kitchen, carpeting, and paint) before I am ready to move into it. Oh my, why do we do these things to ourselves!?!

Snowman

Wally decided (with today's new snow) that it was time for him to help Josh make a snowman. Josh has only been asking for one all winter. The hair style they decided on was a red mohawk. Belen heard that it had been colored using a package of red kool-aid so she had to taste it to see if it was really true.

Grandma's House aka The crazy place!

Sunday night at Grandma's House is really wild sometimes. Some descriptive words might include LOUD, MESSY, CROWDED, and occasionally even FUN. Here we have one of our favorite activities - everyone pile on Uncle Wally for a horsey ride.

Just one of my many blessings- Lyla's sweet smile.

Sometimes when life gets a little heavy as it tends to from time to time, I have to just take a moment to count my blessings. The first things that always come to mind are the gospel of Jesus Christ and my family. Each member of my family is a blessing. I wouldn't trade a single one of them for all else that the world might offer. What a blessing family is! Grand children are a particular blessing. Thanks Lyla for your sweet, sweet smile. Hunter, thank you for sharing the sparkle in your big beautiful eyes. Grant, thank you for making me laugh. Joshua, I am so glad that you ask to go see Mama House. Thank you for reminding me how exciting new things are. Kate, I love how much you remind me of Grandpa H in so many ways. Belen, thank you for letting me share in your wonderful, creative stories, and Audrey, thank you for being my very first granddaughter and for that special little dimple when you smile.

Eagle Court of Honor

Jacob had his Eagle Court of Honor on Saturday. Chris was able to come out from Colorado to present the Eagle to him. We were all able to get together (with the exception of Kara and the girls). It was fun. The grand kids thought the brownies and ice cream were the very best part of the day.

New Years Bash

I'm not much of a party person but if the party comes to me I can be a willing participant. This year Patty and her family came to spend the evening even the night. My local children and grandchildren added to the festivities. Don't let the serenity of the picture fool you - it was loud and somewhat chaotic but is was wonderful bringing in the New Year with those I love. When the family gets together there must always be lots of food. Patty made her wonderful egg rolls, Abby added a cake and pot stickers, Vero showed up with a scrumptious turtle cheesecake, and I filled in the gaps with the help of Panda Express.