Tracy's Utah Bridal Shower - 11/20/10

Tracy's Texas Bridal Shower - 11/13/10

October Happenings - 2010

Dan's family reunion took place at Brazos Bend State Park - didn't take enough pics but have a few.  All 3 boys went with us but only have a picture of Ransom.  Ryan & Donny were walking with Hunter on his 5 mile hike for scouts when the camera was out.
There are a couple of the girls in their costumes Ranny and I picked out for them.
And then there's a picture of a Confederate Rose that came from our yard.  We bought the plant/bush last year and it has gorgeous flowers on it this year.  It's in the hybiscus family.
We'll probably post some Halloween pics later - the ward Trunk or Treat is tonight!

Fall Leaf Tour - 2010

(Click on the picture to enlarge.)

My mother, my sister, my sister-in-law and I took a trip to see the fall colors the second week of October.  We flew into Boston then rented a car and drove thru the east coast states to Nova Scotia.  The ladies at the bed & breakfast in Pictou (Pick-Tow) actually apologized for the leaves in Canada this year but while we were there they had their first frost.  The leaves in Maine, coming back, were gorgeous.  We had a great time and enjoyed the drive - 3100+ miles in 7 days!  The trip ended on a less than fun note, especially for Mom since she broke her hip on the last evening of our trip.  She was a real trooper and flew back to Houston with little to no complaints (we actually didn't know she had broken her hip till we got home).  They gave Mom a partial hip replacement the morning after we arrived home.  But her biggest pain is in her ribs and shoulder where she hit the car on her way down.  We're praying for her and look forward to her recovery.

WELCOME HOME, MARC!

We are so proud of our nephew/cousin, Marc!  

He is returning (to Wyoming) tonight from a 2 year mission in California.  We wish we could be there to give him a hug but look forward to him coming to Houston in a week!  We love you, Marc and are so very proud of you!  Welcome Home!!

Scout Camp 2010 - West Texas

Dan, Ryan, and Ransom went to Scout Camp the first week of August. I think they had fun - when they finally got there!!

P.A. Trip

Our trip to PA was very nice - the weather cooperated, we had enjoyable visits with several friends, the cabin was peaceful as usual - couldn't have asked for better. Many thanks to all who helped in making this a successful visit - thank you so very much!

Father's Day - 2010

We had a very nice breakfast with Dan's family - always a pleasure to sit and visit.
Had dinner at my parent's house. Celebrated Josh's 27th birthday that was on the 17th. The guys finished Dad's new room enough for him to shower. I was going to take pictures and then forgot. I'll catch them the next time I'm out there.
Happy Father's Day to all our fathers and acting fathers - we love you!!

Yes, we are extremely excited!!!!

Congratulations, Tracy & Preston!
We are so happy for you and we love you both so much!

Remembering My Friend Lorraine...

February 16, 1957 - May 19, 2010
Went to my friend Lorraine's funeral today...
I have been reminded, yet again, how very much our Heavenly Father loves each of us. He truly does.
I will miss you Lorraine but look forward to seeing you again!

Our Friend, Jen...

I have a very good friend - her name is Jen. She dropped off this beautiful loaf of bread, homemade berry jam and this very cute card while we were gone this evening. Someday I'll tell her how absolutely perfect it was that she remembered us on this specific day but for now I would just like to say "THANK YOU, JEN!!". What a great example of our Savior's love!

Now, if you turn that loaf of bread around you'll get the rest of the story...I thought you'd like to know that we followed Jen's example and were good neighbors (kinda) - we shared our bread with them (not that we had much choice) - unfortunately "they" were "neighbors" of the 4 legged variety - my guess would be a raccoon. Dan & the boys were the first ones home - they said they found it in the driveway...sorry, Jen - I know you must have put a lot of time, effort, and love into this bread and it does smell yummy, but we'll definitely enjoy the jam and we'll always remember the day Jen brought us the yummy smelling bread!! Thank You so very much!!

Ransom's Birthday Weekend...

Ransom's birthday weekend started out Saturday morning with a surprise visit from Elder Pitts - now Brother Pitts - who is the Elder that baptized Ransom. Very cool surprise!!
Then Ransom and I went in search of "gold coins" as part of his birthday present. After an interesting encounter with a bank teller who didn't know who/"what" Sacagawea was, we scored when we found Millard Fillmore gold coins.
Then today - his real birth date - we had a family dinner at Grandma's house which included a pinata. Everyone seemed to have a good time trying to break it open, though I think Deirdre was taking out her pent up anger on the thing!! Pretty funny!
Uncle Andy pointed out that the pinata served 2 purposes - first as the pinata then as party hats! (See the pictures below.)
Ransom invited his first Primary teacher, Sharon Bassi, to dinner and she was so sweet to come!
All in all, I think it was a good birthday for Ransom.
Happy 13th Birthday, Ranny!
We love you!!
And Happy Birthday to Uncle Jeff, too!!

Birthday Party...

Look what I was given today...

How cool is this??? Ryan MADE this wallet for me!! It even has 3 pockets so I can separate my cards!! I've been using a rubberband since Emmy ate my wallet so many months ago! This is perfect!! So cool! Thank you, Ryan!! I love you!

Springtime...

Finally getting around to posting Easter pictures. Unfortunately, I didn't take that many. I did take a video of the boys hunting for their Easter baskets but for some reason it's not as much fun watching teenagers/almost teenager as watching little kids - so I'll spare you :o)
We went to Mimi & Grandad's for Easter lunch so I was able to get a couple of Cody dyeing eggs with his Grandma & 1 with Mimi, Cody & Grandma trying to get their picture taken without their eyes closed (funny)!
We've had several unusual bugs/moths show up on our porch in the last couple of weeks. The other day we had one that was at least 3 1/2 inches long - I can't imagine what his wing span must have been. (Didn't get a picture of him/her.)
Hope everyone had a great Easter and is enjoying Springtime!!

Easter & such...

Time with Cody

Have I ever told you how much fun little kids are?? I just love spending time with them. I like the way they think and talk and play - I don't know... they're just a lot of fun and make me laugh.
This is a picture of our nephews (great-nephews to be exact), Cody & Hunter. It's an older picture - Cody is 5 now & Hunter is 11.
Well, Cody & I spent some time together this past Saturday. While we were driving he told me he had just seen a cat - I asked him what color it was and he told me it was black & brown. We turned the corner and I looked out the window and said "Oh, I see it now - it's sitting in the driveway" and he said "Yeesss", quite pleased that I saw it. We drove another block or so down the street and I saw a dog so I said, "Hey, I just saw a brown dog". He asked me where and I said, "back there in the yard". Cody said "Aw, I missed it". So I said to him "Well, it was brown and it was a boxer." He said, "Scrappy (that's his dog, who is quite a large dog) is black. What kind of dog is he?" I explained to him that you usually can tell what kind of dog it is by the size and shape of it's head and body not just by it's color. There was a pause and then Cody said "100 feet and an oval". I had to ask him to make sure that is what he said - sure enough 100 feet and an oval is the "size & shape" of Scrappy!! Dan figures 100 feet was probably the biggest measurement Cody knew and I'm thinking when Scrappy is curled up sleeping, he probably does look like an oval!!
Like I said, I really like little kids - they make me laugh!!

Mom's 75th Birthday Party

So we had a birthday party for my mother - she turned 75 on March 6th - that's quite an accomplishment in our family. There are 3 sets of pictures - sorry Penny. The first is a few pictures from when we went Donut Shopping the morning before her actual birthday. Mom didn't know that her godchild, Marina & her husband, Tim were coming to the party. We strategically placed them in the donut shop and boy was Mom surprised when she turned around and they were sitting in Mom & Dad's regular booth (we didn't even know it was "their" booth)! It was so fun to see her expression - too bad I missed the picture :o(
Then that night we had a Family Night. Jeff gave a brief message on gratitude - very touching - in other words, he made us all cry. Then we all sat on the porch and watched a movie Jenni put together using pictures and music. She did a fabulous job! Of course, we ate too! Good times!!
The last set is Mom's actual birthday party. We had a nice turn out. I'm so thankful for everyone that traveled so far to be here on Mom's special day. And for those who didn't have to travel quite so far! I think everyone had a good time and it was nice to see everyone! Best of all, I think Mom had a good time!!
Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Donut Shopping with Grandma & Grandpa

Family Night - the party before the party

75th Birthday Celebration

January Birthday Celebrations

Jay & Penny came for a visit - brought the safe - and we were fortunate enough to be able to help celebrate Penny's birthday while they were here.
Ryan's 14th birthday was today - we ate dinner at Cici's and went to see "The Tooth Fairy" at the movies. I think it was a pretty good day for him!

"Heeeeeeeee'S SAFE!!!!!"

Thanks to Aunt Jenni & Uncle Brian and to the freight forwarders, Uncle Jay & Aunt Penny, Ransom's "Hunter Pence" ball is now "SAFE"!!
Thank you so much!!