Christmas Morning 2011

Trying to keep Dan's travel time to local wrestling meets, scouting events, etc. under 2 hours :o)

Tracy handing out Christmas treats - yes, there are 5 of them!!

Scrups catching a paper ball mid-air!

Best part of Christmas - being together!

Christmas 2011 at Gram's

Ryan opening gifts...he's talking...really :o)

Think Ransom is happy with his gift...intense thought...

Megan, Jalaina and Jocelyn enjoying Grandma's chocolate pie - YUM!

Deirdre and Caitlin and pie!!
Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Wrestling continued and more...

Ryan had another match last night...and he won!! Pinned his man after quite the "fight"...at least it was quite the fight for me...I didn't realize until it was over that I was gritting my teeth and "helping" him from the bleachers!!
Best part was Ryan's dad and brother came to support him! Thanks Andy and Ransom!!

After Ryan wrestled, I had the good fortune to see the new Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn, Part 1!! My good friend Ami was able to wrangle a ticket for me to an exclusive 8:00 pm showing - yep, 4 hours before the rest of the Twilight fans were able to see it!! And it was GOOD! Best one so far!! And of course it leaves you wanting to see Part 2 - too bad that won't be until November 2012...I'm waiting...

Wrestling

I know this is a lousy picture but I had trouble managing 2 cameras at one time. After Ryan's first competition yesterday, I went to my parent's house and showed them the video. (I stopped the video and took this picture.) It was really fun to see Mom cheering for Ryan and hearing some of the same things she used to say at my brother's (Joel's & Jay's) matches years ago. Anyway, this picture sums up the day for Ryan - he had 4 matches and 4 wins - one of them he pinned in 35 seconds! And the Cy-Woods Varsity Team took home 1st place! GO WILDCATS!! GO RYAN!!

Ryan's Baby...

As part of Ryan's Child Development class he has to take care of a "baby". Yes, this baby cries, needs to be fed, needs it's diaper changed, needs to be burped and rocked and cries some more...needless to say, it's been interesting and he's only had it home for 3 1/2 hours. No one but Ryan can care for it...excuse me, him - the baby's name is Tim. Hope it sleeps thru the night though we've already been warned it probably won't!

At the risk of sounding...chauvinist? (that may be a little harsh)...Ryan was able to figure out how to care for the baby while playing on the computer and playing his video games.

Think it cried a few times? And that was before we all went to bed.
Update: I woke up at 2:53 to a baby crying intensely. Little Timmy was in the room with Ryan but Ryan was fast a sleep. I woke him up but it may have been too late - Timmy didn't go back to bed until 3:45. Needless to say we're all a little tired this morning. And just a little happy that Timmy goes "home" today!
Oh, something else Ryan figured out... if he leaves the baby's pants off, even if it was chilly this morning, it's easier to change the diaper. Hope there isn't a temperature sensor on that baby!!
And finally, poor little Francis became worried every time the baby cried. She kept trying to see what was wrong with it. And at 2:53 this morning she was sitting across the room staring at the doorway - wonder how long Little Timmy had been crying???
Almost forgot...so as we were getting ready to leave this morning Ryan asked me to look at the log book (he had to keep track of every time the baby cried and what Ryan did to get him to stop). On the very last page What have you learned from this experience? - "I NEVER want to have kids" - he said he wrote it at 3 in morning while the baby was crying. Somehow I'm sure that will change in a few short years.

Hovater Family Reunion - 2011

Ryan holding sweet Lily!

Luke & Jon playing with Ryan - fun stuff, a pebble shower!

The whole family - minus a few who were in Austin, a few living in Colorado, 2 living in Russia and of course, the 2 living in Virginia Beach - we missed you!!

And it all began with these 3: Robert Hovater,
Martha Carol Hovater Bell & Nina Hovater Barber

Ryan the Wrestler

We're pretty pumped about Ryan's participation on the wrestling team...looking forward to the first match in a couple of weeks!

Sad but good times...

On Friday my good friend, Annette, from work, retired...I'm already missing the laughs!!
Then on Saturday I flew to Raleigh, NC so I could attend the memorial service for Preston's dad that was held on Sunday. Many people attended - he was obviously a well liked and respected man. There were tears at the service but there were many good moments spent with family.

Annette at her desk with her retirement "goods" - plant, balloon, candy, etc. This shot is from my desk - yep I saw that smiling face everyday - well most days - the days I wasn't irritating her anyway.

Annette and her husband, Mike, with her 5 year service award - best wishes on your retirement!

Josh, Rhiannon, Tracy and Preston at the sight of the memorial service.

Josh, Rhiannon, Kathy, Preston and Tracy at Kathy's beautiful home.

Tracy and her "poochers" watching TV in the hotel room - Preston too!!

Ryan at Cy-Woods

Ryan is now enrolled at Cy-Woods High School (the school right by our house) as a Sophmore. He is very excited!
He wasn't quite as excited about me taking a picture of him next to the school mascot (Wildcats) after he was finally registered...but I told him it would be our only chance to take one without a bunch of people around to watch us look dorky!
Anyway, Ryan starts both school and seminary this coming Monday!!
Go Wildcats!! Go Ryan!!

My Yearly Picture...

I was able to get my yearly picture of the boys today after church - amazing what happens in 6 years...

July 2011 - The Trip

I took a trip to pick up my parents from Wyoming - we then went to Utah and then to Phoenix before heading home.
We were able to see Cowboy "Don"uts while in Wyoming - all I have to say is we have some hard workers in our family AND the kolaches were yummy!!
We had a very nice visit with my sister, Jenni and her husband, Brian in Utah - thanks for the great Birthday dinner!! And I was able to visit with my good friend Jen and her cute kids! Thanks for letting me drop by so early in the morning!
I didn't get my camera out in Phoenix so I don't have pictures from there but we had a good visit with my Aunt Lin and were able to have dinner at my cousin Erin's house with her boys! Thank you!!
Besides running out of gas in West Texas - yes, believe them when they say the gas stations are few and far between out there - the trip was good!
Thanks to everyone that made it happen!!

Trek 2011

So I know I'm really late but I finally found a picture of Ryan on the Trek that happened back in March. This is him with his "family". He had a good time and he said he'd really like to go on another! Maybe as a big brother...

EFY 2011

Dropped the boys off at EFY yesterday in San Antonio. They are going to have a GREAT time! I'm very excited for them.
The picture was taken right after they picked up there "stuff" while checking in - with their friend Spencer.

Scout Camps 2011

Bavarian Cream Filled Bar - 6:00 am - June 6th

Jalapeno, Sausage & Cheese Kolache - Strawberry Milk - Where's Cowboy Donuts when you need it?

Leaving for High Adventure Camp - South Padre Island - Notice the Light Skin Color...

Dan & Ryan (Senior Patrol Leader) Leaving for Scout Camp - June 11th - Notice Ryan's Burn/Tan - Ransom's was worse - SPF 30 is NOT strong enough for the Texas sun!!!

Dr. William Randall Lynn - "Dad" "Randy" "friend"

We are sad to report, Preston's father past away Saturday, May 28, 2011.
For those of you who may not have known, Randy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer toward the end of last year. He was able to attend the wedding in March - it was difficult for him but he came with a cheerful spirit. He was a wonderful father who loved his children. He will be missed.
Fortunately, we know we will see Randy again and look forward to that day.
Please keep Preston & Tracy and Preston's family in your prayers as they deal with their loss.
Love to all.

Zoo, Ransom's 14th Birthday and Easter 2011

Michelle, Kylee, Penny & Jay all had plane tickets to come to Houston for Tracy & Preston's Wedding Reception - with all of the plans changing they came and we had time to go to the zoo instead!! We had a good time though you might wonder looking at the pictures.
Ransom's 14th Birthday was in April also - can't believe he's 14 - WOW!
We spent Easter with both sides of the family - it was nice to visit with everyone. Megan and her 2 girls, Jocelyn & Jalaina, were in town too. So glad we were able to have so many from out of town come visit - we're sorry you missed the reception but it was good to spend time together - THANK YOU!!

Texas Wedding Reception/Open House

And this is the reason to hire a photographer or at least ask someone to take pictures - didn't get nearly enough pictures of the people who came - didn't get pictures of decorations - didn't even get a good "formal" picture of the bride and groom. But I think everyone had a nice time. It was good to see people we haven't seen in a really long time and most importantly, I think the bride and groom were happy!!
Congratulations Preston and Tracy - we love you!!

A message from Tracy & Preston:

Thank you to all who were able to come to our wedding in Virginia. As you know, from our previously sent announcement, we were planning to have a reception in Tomball, Texas on April 23rd.
Many of you know Preston serves in the U.S. Navy and due to the unfortunate events in Japan, he is being deployed at the end of April. Preston is only allotted a certain time to take leave. We will be traveling to Texas at the beginning of April and would still love to share our joyous union with all of you we care for.
We are rescheduling our reception for:

Friday, April 8, 2011 ~ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

We thank you for your understanding
and hope to see you there!

Sincerely, the Newlyweds,
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Lynn

The Wedding

Here are the pictures of the wedding - everything went well and Tracy was a beautiful bride - and Preston was handsome, of course!
We love you, Tracy & Preston!!
Congratulations!

Francis - #3

This is a picture of Dan picking up Frani from S.A.F.E. House Rescue. (11/13/10 - running just a little behind.) She's settling in with just a few hiccups. She's still very puppy-ish. But we like her! Dot & Emmy are starting to like her too!