Christmas in Idaho Falls

Bryson, Dave and I drove to Idaho Falls on Christmas Eve day.  Jeff and Jaelyn and family arrived shortly after and Linda, John, Jackson, Sam and Liz after that.  We ate dinner about 5:00 (egg rolls, shrimp, sausage balls, veggies and dip, bbq smokies, etc)  Jeff brought in an electronic piano and everyone had a blast with that.  It came with a microphone and you could change the sound of your voice so it made us all giggle.  Grandma had a bingo game, we sang some songs, Kayla and Lexa played some beautiful piano numbers and we read Luke 2.  (Sadly, we had no one willing to dress up as mary, joseph, shepherds and angels.)

We opened family gifts.  The Howells game Jeff & Jae a wooden pig chopping block, a cloth happy birthday banner, Love Comes Softly set of videos, and a hat with lights in the brim.  The Snows gave us a radio/charger that you can wind (for emergencies), a green smoothie recipe book and a book called Agent Bishop about an FBI/Mormon Bishop.  Mom and Dad gave each of us a new set of towels (that we always look forward to).  They also gave the Snows an electric knife sharpener.  Jeff and Jae gave Mom and Dad a special request - a membership to Sam's Club in Idaho Falls.

We had a great time opening gifts the next morning and had a nice Christmas Day with games, good food, and good company ('cept I missed my "marrieds" who were all in their home towns).  In the evening we had an incident which I liked to call "Libby didn't die this Christmas".  Kayla, Jaelyn and Lexa made a couple of trays of dipped chocolates with cashews, cherries, peanut butter and coconut centers.  They had a great time and they looked beautiful (the chocolates and the girls making them.)  Then they set them outside to cool.  A little while later, someone let Libby out.  When we let Libby in, I saw a sheet of empty chocolate spots and we thought Libby had snarfed a whole tray of chocolate!  The uproar ensued.  Kayla was upset because of all her hard work, Grandma was upset because Libby was going to make a mess somewhere (from either end!) and some of us were upset that Libby would be so sick and might die from the chocolate.  We made a little bed for her in the cold garage and put an old blanket over her.  I checked on her once in a while and she seemed confused but physically fine.

After Grandma and Grandpa went to bed, Brielle made a discovery of the missing tray of chocolates on another table outside.  The sheet I saw was just chocolate spots they had used for getting the swirls on top.  Libby was let inside, and everyone apologized and loved her up.  She was still confused but happy to be in the house.  Kayla was happy, Libby was happy and Grandma was happy when she heard the news the next morning.

Friendly Mr. Fox

Dave and I went to McCall to check on some things at the cabin and got these nice pictures of our resident FOX.  He is very friendly.

Adventures in Cooking

Last Friday night I had a craving for Creme Brulee, having tasted it for the first time a couple of weeks ago at Tucanos.  Mike Bell (Bryson's friend) was at our house waiting for him to get home from work and heard me talking about it. Mike decided we should make it and went to the store to get whipping cream.  He also brought over his double boiler and we started cooking.  Who knew it consisted of sugar, cream, eggs yolks and vanilla?  (So we won't make it again soon!)  But it was fun to experiment and try something new.  After it cooked in the oven and we put the sugar on top, Mike got out his blow torch and caramelized the topping.  Then it had to cool again.  It was worth the wait and was creamy and delicious with a crunchy sweet topping.  Does that make us gourmets??

Chunky Dunkin at Skinny Dippers

Dave checking the temperature.

On the way back down. We liked the waterfall in the background.

John and Linda Snow - did anyone bring the sunscreen?

Just soaking away our troubles.

Since it was such a beautiful warm fall day we decided to run up to Skinny Dipper Hot Spring, hike up the mountain and do some soaking in a natural hot springs. Emphasis is on NATURAL as there were several nudies enjoying the sunshine and the warm water. We chose to keep our suits on and had a great time being outside on such a nice day. We stayed in the upper pool, ate our lunch and then hiked down to the car. We got home just in time to finish getting ready for the cowboy dinner at the church.

Sawyer Emmett Koprowski

Sixteen days after Jett arrived, Sawyer made his appearance on October 1st. Matt took me from the airport to the hospital and I got to meet Sawyer Emmett Koprowski and visit with Kristen for a while. I loved holding both sweet newborns and I miss them! They both changed in the short time I got to spend with them.. To see more info about Sawyer go to this link. http://www.kprow.blogspot.com/ To see more about Jett go to http://www.howellaz.blogspot.com/

Jett Benjamin Howell

Dave and I came grandparents for the first time on September 14th. Jett Benjamin Howell arrived on a Monday and I went to meet him 10 days later. Ben and Chantal had night duty (of course) and I got mornings. They would wheel his bassinet out into the living room and get some sleep and I would cuddle and hold him to my heart's content. While Ben and Chantal were adjusting to parenthood, I did a little cooking, laundry and vacuuming.

Campout with the Cousins - Labor Day 2009

"Go Granny Go"

Watching Old Sow

Grandpa's New Hairdo

We all met at Pioneer Campground near Soldier Mountain (Fairfield) for the annual Labor Day campout. All of the cousins were there (Connie's kids) and Larry's kids and Ron, Kaye and Annette and her three kids. Some were there by Thursday, but Bryson and I arrived Saturday after he went to football practice. The wasps (hornets? bees?) were horrific and most everyone was stung at least once. Dave was out of town and missed it, bees and all, and we missed him.

Hand and Foot, Hearts, and a few other games were always going. We also played Would You Rather and Battle of the Sexes. A few familys had their Beach Boys songs ready for Sunday night, the others were party poopers. We caught up on all the news, chatted and went for walks.

There as an intense game of Old Sow with both a regular version and an all girl version. The boys can get brutal. In old sow there are 10 holes with 11 players with sticks and a hole in the middle. A squashed tin can is the "puck". IT tries to get the can in the middle hole and everyone else tries to keep it out while protecting their hole. When the can gets into the middle hole everyone has to run to "home" and then run back, grab a hole and a stick. The extra person is now IT. Crazy!

August 22, 28 years later

Dave and I celebrated our 28th annivesary by running away to Cascade and then swimming in the river, riding bikes and exploring the back country. We found a few huckleberries, but it was past season. It was a beautiful day and at one point we had a bald eagle flying next to the truck. Living with Dave is always an adventure and I love every minute of it!

Baby Shower

Megan and Kristen both flew to Boise on Thursday the 13th and Friday we began preparations for the baby shower Megan had planned for Saturday. Kristen had invited 3-4 friends from high school and great-Grandma Dee and Grandma Hansen were both there. We had a blast decorating T-shirts, playing silly games and eating salads and sandwiches. Megan left on Sundayand Kristen flew home today, I wish they could've stayed longer!

Chantal's Visit

Ben and Chantal were supposed to be able to come to Idaho around the 4th of July. Since that didn't work out, Chantal got to come by herself about a week ago. It was a fun visit: canning apricot jam, sewing baby crib sheets and a nursing cape. We all (Dave, Bryson, Chantal and I) went to Harry Potter HBP one night. Other than that the highlight for me was feeling the baby have hiccups. Can't wait til the little guy arrives.

Eagles' Nest Lookout

Two weeks ago, Bob and Dave took an exploratory motorcycle ride in the Cascade area. They found the Eagles Nest trail which led to the Eagles Nest Lookout. Being the adventurous types they are, they rigged up the missing rungs on the ladder and Bob went first. When Dave got halfway up he said, "I'm not sure about this" and Bob (at the top) said, "quit looking down and just climb!" The view from the top was spectacular and worth the life-risking ascent.

It was so great, that Dave took Bryson and Ron Despain back up the next week. Ron and Dave declined climbing up, but Bryson was game. They rode 50 miles and had a wonderful time. Bryson saw a badger up close and personal, but they both survived.

Fireworks in the Foothills

4th of July:
1) bike ride on the greenbelt at 7:00 am
2) nap and watch Signs
3) pick zucchini and lettuce from garden
4) head to sister's house for dinner: fish, steak, asparagus, zucchini, green salad, pasta salad and delicious "just-right" watermelon
5) play hand and foot with parents and John and Linda
6) hike up to Shane's Loop in the foothills
7) watch beautiful view of fireworks over the city lights, full moon to the east, lightning to the west
8) hike down with flashlights
9) get to car - realize Dave's cell phone is on the top of the hill
10) realize Michelle is not willing to sit in the car and wait 20 minutes in the dark canyon while Dave hikes back up the hill
11) decide to come back in the morning to find cell phone
12) say prayer of gratitude for the free country we all enjoy and the lives that have been given so we have that right.

HURRAY FOR THE RED WHITE AND BLUE

Megan and Kevin in the Boise Temple

Megan and Kevin drove out to Idaho from Oklahoma in time to arrive for G'ma and G'pa Hansen's 50th anniversary party. Surprise! The Monday after the party Megan got her wisdom teeth taken out (all three) and spent a couple days recovering. Saturday, June 20th, they invited friends and family to their temple sealing. It was a nice ceremony and we had luncheon at the house afterwards to celebrate. They left this morning to go back to Oklahoma City (I think they were ready to go home after two weeks of vacation). We will miss them!

Parents 50th Anniversary

Linda, Dave, Bryson, Ben and I drove over to Idaho Falls on Thursday to get ready for the Big Day on Saturday. We washed windows, dusted, vacuumed and bought groceries and ordered cakes. On Friday Dave, Kevin, Bryson and Ben headed for Jackson Hole and went on a hiking adventure. Kevin was a little shocked at the adventure part of the hike. Dave, Ben and Bryson stripped down to skivvies and jumped into an ice-encrusted lake. Why? Because someone dared them to. Kevin was smart and stayed on the sidelines to video the whole thing.

Sat a.m. Linda and I washed and cut mounds of fruit and the men arranged tables and chairs and stayed out of the way. Saturday afternoon was an open house from 1-5 pm. The guests started arriving: my parent's friends, neighbors, former co-workers and relatives all came and visited for a while. It was very festive!

The grandchildren's favorite part was posing for a picture in G'pas HATS. My favorite part was displaying mom's wedding dress and looking at their wedding album.

Drive Home from Idaho Falls

Dave, Bryson and I drove to Twin Falls Friday night and I stayed with my parents at my Aunt Connie's house. They were having a garage/estate sale for all my grandfather's "stuff" and they needed some help. We stayed up late pricing and got up early to get everything ready. Dave and Bryson drove on to Idaho Falls so they could go motorcycle riding Saturday. (They said it was too crowded and more ATV trails than single track. I think they will stick to SW Idaho for riding).

Saturday afternoon my parents and I drove on to IF and Bryson and Dave had dinner ready for us. Sunday morning we drove to Shelley to hear Jacob's talk (he is going to the Roseville, CA mission). We had a great time seeing everyone and then left about noon for Boise. We drove through Arco and saw Craters of the Moon and the Camas Lilies in bloom around Fairfield. Good weekend, good to be home.

Ben Graduates from ASU

Bryson and I flew to AZ on Weds night (Dave was already there) and as we arrived at Sky Harbor airport we could see all the lights and traffic on campus where Pres. Obama was speaking. Friday we went to the graduation for the Liberal Arts majors where Hugh Downs spoke. It was a great ceremony and Ben was awarded his degree in communications. We are proud of Ben and his accomplishments! Chantal and Ben were great fun to visit. We saw the new Star Trek movie, went on base to tour an airplane that Ben works on, attended the shower while the guys went to the shooting range and ate lots of fresh fruit.

Chantal's Baby Shower

Chantal's friends from the school where they all teach threw her an awesome baby shower on Saturday the 16th. We played some games, ate some great food and watched her open a zillion presents. Marilyn (Chantal's mom) took this video of her opening the gift I gave her. Chantal was great about oohing and aahing over every gift - that's a lot of smiling for one day! The biggest hit was the pee pee tepee to avoid getting sprayed during a diaper change. In the video is a fellow teacher, Chantal, Grandma Broways, Rachel (Chantal's sis-in-law-to-be), and Becky, a friend from Las Vegas.

BBQ

We went out to dinner in Gilbert, AZ to celebrate Ben's graduation. The place is called Joe's BBQ and it was cafeteria style service but not cafeteria food. We ate outside and we all enjoyed it. I think Bryson enjoyed it a little more than the rest of us!

Dance Festival!!

Take notice of where Bryson is in the photo to be able to find him in the video. There were about 10 stakes involved and it was a lot of fun. Very creative dancing and colorful to watch.

Crazy Week

This has been a BUSY week. The youth have a dance festival coming up on Saturday (two stakes) at BSU. I just finished ironing three skirts (lots of material). That was the least of the problem. As the activities person in my ward we were assigned by the stake to help with the youth during the day at a Humanitarian Project. We couldn't think of anything for 300 teenagers to do that doesn't take a lot of money, time and preparation. We decided they could tie quilts from the Humanitarian Center and I was asked to arrange for 10 quilts. Okay, I thought, I will ask if each ward could bring one that needs tied along with the quilt frames. It has been like pulling teeth. Not everyone has a quilting person, or frames or someone who cares about finding them. So, I have sewed two tops and arranged for three frames (all sitting in my car). I know for sure I have five frames and three more maybes that will be there. I think we have six more quilts. Hopefully it will all come together after 10 more emails and 7 more phonecalls. THIS is why I rarely volunteer to be in charge of anything.

In our spare time Bryson went to the orthodontist Sam Smith to get spacers put in his teeth in prep. for the braces that will be attached on Tuesday. He has the same situation as cousin Janna: baby teeth not coming out, adult teeth not coming in. Even the same two teeth as Janna. They will put chains on the teeth and "encourage" them to come in. AND I got to go in to get a re-treat on a root canal gone wrong. It was still infected and I am on the third round of anitbiotics. I am also on the warpath with the sunny sweet dandelions in my yard. They've got to go--all of them. Okay, I'm done venting and thanks...I feel better