Irene's Visit

Sandy, Ray and Irene at Checkerboard Mountain, Zion's Park

Ray's mother came for a visit just before Thanksgiving and we so enjoyed having her with us for a couple of weeks. She is without a doubt, the most positive person I have ever met. She reminds me alot of my Grandma Ethel, who was always so cheery and positive.


There was so much wildlife in the park - we enjoyed stopping to watch the birds, deer and elk. This buck was scratching his head on the branches and got his antlers stuck. I have a video of him trying to get loose, he had to work at it for at least five minutes and he had quite a crowd watching him before he finally got loose and wandered away.

Ray and Irene

Irene is a rock hound and we so enjoy hearing interesting things she knows about the rocks and minerals all around us and her trips with the Denver Rock Club.

Thanksgiving and Ray's Birthday

They asked me what I was most thankful for . . . with tears in my eyes, I just waved my hand and said, all of you - and that includes those in Michigan that we wish were here with us! I truly feel most blessed - what a beautiful family we have!

That broken arm didn't slow Charlie down one little bit

Danielle, Kourtni, (Sydni) Brittany and Ashton

Ally, Ashton and Charlie

We went out to a trampoline center for Ray's birthday and it is fun! Imagine 10,000 square feet of trampolines . . . they even go up the walls. They have a separate area for small children and lots of fun blow up slides as well. We had a terrific time! We went out to a trampoline center for Ray's birthday and it is fun! Imagine 10,000 square feet of trampolines . . . they even go up the walls. They have a separate area for small children and lots of fun blow up slides as well. We had a terrific time! Ray and Irene - are you sure you don't want to come and jump with me?

Now, that is what I like to see . . . all of the kids in the kitchen, working!
What a great bunch - I feel so blessed to have such wonderful children and they all married equally wonderful people . . . so we feel twice blessed! And with those beautiful grandchildren, make it thrice!

Ray, opening his presents on his birthday - the best gifts are all those cute grandchildren around him!

Aunt Megan helping Ashton build his Marble works.

So, we enjoy playing games together as a family . . . and most evenings, some afternoons and any free moments in between you are apt to find us gathered around the kitchen table in comptetive fun and laughter and an occasional grumpah as well. Ticket to Ride, Slide 5, Killer Bunnies, Settlers, Scrabble and Zion Check are a few of the games we enjoy. Brett was our scorekeeper and he went over the top to award us with gold trophies down to frayed ribbons, King of the Hill or Jack and Jill at the bottom, or Olympic medals down to plastic bracelets. Yes, yes I was at the very bottom of the hill in a heap of dust and was the proud owner of a plastic bracelet. Anyway, Brett's doodles were the hit of the holiday and now we will expect them at every competitive event!

Hmmm . . . I wonder where he learned this? Ashton out hitting a few balls on the front lawn.

Example is such a powerful teacher.Tiffany & Brett in the doubles tournament

The weather was so pleasant, we went and played tennis over at the park for a few hours while the children played on the slides and swings.

Sipping hot chocolate through TimTams. This was Ethan and Megan's competition - but those Tim Tams are SOSOO good, who wants to waste them with hot chocolate? I don't remember who actually was able to use them as straws but what a delectable treat!

Ray, Irene and Brad

Brad was in Salt Lake for a conference, so he drove out to join us for dinner one evening. It was fun to get to know Ray's brother, Brad a little better and to see Irene with her two of her three sons.

I love sunflowers, so this was one of my very favorite trees at the Festival.
On the way up to the airport, December 4, we stopped in to see the Festival of the Trees in Salt Lake City. The festival began 37 years ago as a way to raise funds for Primary Children's Hospital. It is an amazing event with over 800 decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, food and many homemade items for sale. My friends and I made some darling tutus for little girls and I had crocheted a baby afghan for the festival gift shoppe.

Another amazing tree at the festival was this one made of blown glass plates.

Hunter's Blessing Day

Brittany, Hunter, Cory

January 5 was a special day for Hunter Maximillian - what a joy and blessing it is to watch your own children blossom with their beautiful families.

We are grateful for these men who serve and help others with the Priesthood that they bear.

Brett, Damien, Cory & Hunter, Ray and Will, Ethan and Grandpa Hill were also there, but left before we could get photos taken.

Tiffany, Danielle, Arianne, Sandy, Brittany and Hunter
Some of our beautiful daughters !

Ray and I with our tenth grandchild! What a joy it is to be a grandma - I love it!

After Christmas, I sewed Hunter's blessing outfit - a cute little pair of cuffed trousers, vest and bowtie . . . doesn't he look adorable?


Cindy and Grandma H Grandpa H (who Hunter Maximillian is named after) and KyleCindy's lovely family - Kyle, Heather and Autumn

Jacob, Kourtni and Charlie

The children enjoyed the trampoline in the garage - and spent most of their time out on it.

Below - Will, James, Jacob, Charlie, Ashton and Sydni

What lovely couples - Clockwise from top Brett & Tiffnay, Damien & Danielle, Megan & Ethan, Will & Arianne with Hunter

Brittany, Ethan, Sydni & Arianne
After dinner, we played games for several hours . . . Arianne's favorite Scrabble contest - Jacob and Sydni both played and came up with some really great words!

Damien, Brett, Tiffany, Will & Ray

playing the new family favorite - "Ticket to Ride, Europe" It is lots of fun!

Ashton and Hunter - good buds already!

Wishing you Joy in 2009

Well, here it is 2009 already . . . . wasn't it just Y2K yesterday? We went down to St. George with Ethan and Megan to bid farewell to the old and welcome in the new. Tiffany and Brett came down for an afternoon and evening as well. Megan had her list of things she wanted to see and do while we were there and we just about got everything crossed off . . . we went to the Outlet Mall, had Mongolian Barbecue, checked out all the thrift stores we could find (even Brett finally decided to join us in the one that only had "Women's things") We still need to get to the Antique stores and PaintBall/Food Storage/Violin shop (yes - it's all in one - a family enterprise!) We spent an afternoon hiking in the Red Hills that overlook St. George - it is a beautiful area with lots of hiking trails, fun caves, great views and picnic areas.

Ethan and Megan at Red Hills Park