Mason Reef Howard is now 1 year old

Each year I try to put together a year book for my grand children.  This idea was presented to me by my own step-mother who actually kept a photo album for each of my children their entire life.  When they graduated from high school she would give them their life in an album.  Thanks mom for your example.  I have tried a different approach.  I choose a different format each year and send my grand babies a book of pictures of themselves for their own use.  It's fun for me and I hope they enjoy their gift.  As I sit making each book I always ask myself, "Why do I spend so much time on this project?"  The kids are really too little to appreciate them, maybe I should wait til they get a bit older.  My loving husband reminded me that how fun it is to spend a day (because it pretty much takes me a whole day to produce one of these books) just thinking about one particual grandchild.  And as usual when it comes to matters of a tender heart, he was right. 
Below are a few pictures of my youngest grandson, Mason Reef.  Happy Birthday little one, I really enjoyed spending a day just thinking about how special you are.

More Summer pictures

Krystal and  Bruce tied the knot.  Everyone came home for the special day.

4th of July fun!

Lili and Peyton enjoying a cold one...

Oh what do you do on the 4th of July

When everyone is here

Do you have a Bar B Que?

And drink root beer?

And watch the fireworks in the sky?

If that's what you do

So Do I!

Soon the Howard Family will be retuning to Hawaii.  The Calls will be on their way to their new home in Anchorage, Alaska.  It was so much fun to spend time with everyone.  How we will miss our children. 

 BOO-HOO-HOO!  But we still have Garrett. 

 So glad that they are all happy and doing well.  Until next summer!

Fun after the wedding

This is what happy children look like when they get to play together.

These four are actually waiting to see Aunt Krystal come out of the Temple.

The Howard family sharing a refeshing shaved ice after the 4thof July Parade downtown Prescott

Going for a relaxing boat ride on the lake behind the Lister's house.

Happy, wet and cold slide rock enthusiasts.

Slide rock is located in the Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Arizona

At this time, we are the only people playing on the rock because a summer thunder storm hit just as we were arriving.  All the other visitors left the area and we braved the storm, huddeling against the red rocks to keep warm and protect the little ones from the drenching rain.  Once it stopped raining we had the slide all to ourselves.  It was great! 

Kerri is 6 months pregnant.  Her comment after being drenched by the cold mountain rain, "well, at least I'm not HOT anymore!"

Pre-Wedding Activities

With the whole family together we were able to enjoy some fun activies.  Here are a few pictures of the time we spent together.

First.  we all go swimming.  Very refreshing!

G.G. with his grandchildlren.  Nate, Kaci & Lilian

Now we take a bath

Kaci. Lili, Mason & Nate

It's a big bath tub so  the big cousins are  invited.

We find our favorite seats and watch a movie til we get sleepy....

And we all go to bed.

The Circus is in town. 

 We all have dinner together. This restaurant was celebrating it's 30th annivesary and offered a special for $3.80! Beef Taco, tosada & cheese enchilada.  YUMMERS! 

The circus was Terrific!  This is Lili sitting with Uncle Garrett wearing a clown hat, glasses and big red nose.  Isn't she a cute little clown?

More pictures to come....keep checking for the latest on the Hebner Family Gathering.

Bridal Shower reminder

Wedding date reminder

Love is a good reason to Celebrate

Beginning Saturday night the family will start reuniting.  Kerri and Kaci will be here and then on Wednesday night Kim, Lili, Nate and Mason arrive.  Yeah, Yahoo!.  Gary and I are doing the Hallelujah dance each morning that passes.  We owe all this fun to Krystal.  Her wedding is the reason for all of us to get together and celebrate.  The son-in-laws will be with us also.  Yippee!  but they don't arrive until next week. 

how to make a bathtub on the beach

Step by step instructions for a personal beach bathtub. 

(Hot surfer dude not included)

First, you get measured for a perfect fit.

Second, you get a hot surfer dude to dig a hole.  Luckily Lili's dad fills the requirements.

Third, make yourself comfortable.

Fourth, wait for the surf to come in and fill your tub. Voille! a perfect personal beach bathtub.

Personal until your little brothers see how much fun you are having... oh well, good thing

Dad has remodeling experience.

Beach activities on Castles Beach

there's nothing like a nice mud bath.  Lili age 4 1/2 years

You are never too young to contemplate life's directions.  Mason 10 months

Nate, You are now cleared for take-off!   3 years

Mother and daughter  Kim and Verda

We're hot, tired and hungry can we go home now?

Home from Hawaii

Family fun at sharks cove.  This is a great place to snorkel.  So much fun!

Grandma Verdi Avatar style

Spending time on the beach with my grand babies.  I already miss the ocean....but not the sand!


more pictures of our fun together later...

Flying in an airplane hight above the clouds....

On Thursday, April 22, 2010  I will be heading towards the Hawaiin Islands.  I will be visiting the Howards until May 22.  If you need to get a hold of me, please just call.  I'll have my phone.

I hope to return with a nice tan and a few less pounds.  Wish me luck!

the more we get together...

Just a few photos from Krystal's birthday party, the first one with her soon to be new family.  Bruce's family invited us to their home where we ate yum yum yummy food.  Michelle (Bruce's sister) made Krys the most awesome swiss chocolate cake with whip cream icing, filled and decorated with fresh strawberries. 
The Balls Family are all blessed with beautiful singing voices.  They sang the prettiest Happy Birthday To You we have ever heard, completely harmonized.  Then we demonstrated just how UN-talented we are by singing our pitiful version of the song.  They were very polite, the only comment made was "Oh My!"  We had a wonderful time celebrating with Krystal and Bruce.  The cute little blonde boy in the candle blowing out picture is Sam. (krystals other boyfriend)

Name change coming soon

Krystal reminded me that when she and Bruce tie the knot the HCH crew will no longer be.  She's right.  So I decided on a new family logo, or whatever it is I do.  The new name will be as follows:
HEBNER have HOWARD CALL the BALLS.  I understand it is a bit long, but it does include  all our names.  The change will be in effect June 26th.  Just so you know~

Krystal is still a Pistol at 22 years

A new baby girl

hip hip hooray!
a new little rose
is on her way...

Misty and Chris found out today that they are having a sweet little girl and she is already 11 inches long.  Misty's baby shower is planned for Sunday, June 13 so all the Hebner girls can come.  Isn't that great! 
Congratulations Misty and Chris

Sew Sweet

No I didn't spell the title wrong.  I want to talk about sewing.  I am very blessed with the ability to sew.  I'm not the best mind you, I just get by, but I enjoy it so much.  I'm grateful my dad insisted that I learn to sew.  It has been a blessing many times over.  Lately I have been sewing for Krystal's wedding.  I didn't get to do that for the other two girls, I was working full time back then and in the Young Women's Presidency so I couldn't fit sewing into my schedule.  I have enjoyed making dresses and skirts for all the girls.  I just hope they like them and that Krystal will be pleased  I would hate it if she were disappointed. Here is a list of the  things I have made with my sewing machine in the past.

1.  little girls panties
2.  swim suites
3.  a fur coat for Kimi
4.  halloween costumes
5.  repaired the trampline mat
6.  levi quilt for Gary
7.  dresses for Easter, Christmas, Church, Baptism & Blessings
8.  camoflage pants for Gary
9.  aprons
10 pot holders
11 prom dress
12 bride's maid dresses
13 curtains
14 recovered a couch

These are just a few of my projects. And I keep finding more.   Yes, Sewing is So Sweet!

It's Spring Again, the birds are telling me...

I looked out my window and what did I see,  POPCORN popping on an apricot tree...
Literally I look out my kitchen window and blossoms are popping right before my eyes.  I love this time of year.  All the trees in the neighborhood are in full bloom.  Pink and white puffy flowers.  Of course Gary and I are sneezing all the time, but looking at all the beauty makes it worth all the trouble.  This time of year we pretty much can not survive without  allergy tablets.  It has been very windy also, which keeps me indoors most of the time. Too much stuff flying around.  I know everyone everywhere gets to look at pretty flowers drurng the spring, but I just have to take a picture of this sight every year. 

It's a beautful day in the neighborhood!

This is so very much pretty!

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

                   Church Headquarters, Salt Lake City, Utah  Temple Square   September 2009

The last time I visited Lynda Call we visited the Conference Center.  As you can see from this lovely picture

we had a wonderful time together.  The reason I post these pictures is because one of the two best weekends starts Satuday, April 3.  CONFERENCE WEEKEND.  Yippee Yahoo!  I love to watch conference and hear all the leaders speak to us.  When the two of us were walking around looking at the flowers after dinner, Lynda stopped in front of the Church Headquarters Building and began singing:

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

I know who I am.

I know God's plan.

 I'll follow him in faith.

I believe in the Savior Jesus Christ,

I'll honor his name.

I'll do what is right;

I'll follow his light

His truth I will proclaim.

Now each time I hear this song sung in primary or see a picture of Temple Square and this building  I think of Lynda singing and it makes my heart sing.  Thanks Lynda for your example. 

I too am  proud to be a member of Christ's true church .

backyard visitor

The water company sent a visitor to our yard.  This big bad maching dug a giant hole.  I thought my grandson Nate would like to see what grandma had in her backyard.  It stayed the night and I wanted to get in the driver seat and take a picture, but with my luck something would of gone wrong.

keeping busy

I have recently signed up to do Indexing for Family Search. One of my felllow "humanitarian" volunteers is doing this for his Eagle Project. It has been a little bit challenging because reading the handwritting of the preparers of the census reports back in 1910 can be frustrating. I just got started and only have submitted 100 names. The project goes through the end of April. We have been encouraged to continue on after that date, I think I will. It gives me something to do when I can't sleep at night, or get bored with my regular activities. My piano lessons are coming along. I can now play 5 hymns. Yahoo! My teacher tells me it will become much more challenging starting with my next lesson. Bring it on!