EASTER TRADITIONS

Debbie contends that Gary never dresses up in anything but sweats. These next three photos show that is not the case. Most days you can find him dressed up in up-scale clothing and dapper head wear. Here are three examples

We all had a good time even though it was cold and wet. In fact it is April 15 and I am sitting here watching large snowflakes fall outside as I write this. We ate hot dogs, salsa, chips, and desert. Grandpa leaned all the grandkids against him and watched a movie while the girls visited and the boys went to do a contruction project for Mike and Ali. Other than Nate getting schocked, all went well. We gathered again for a supper of sloppy joes and other goodies. We all had a good time and returned to our homes in safety. We are going to be very busy for the next few months with birthdays, Disneyland trips, trip to Arizona, and summer activities.

Scout and Gage

Gage filling his basket

Fisher and Sawyer

Grandpa and Abby

Grandma and Abby

Boomer wanted to play with everyone, but could only watch beneath the gate

Grey finding a treat on Grandpa's truck

Amy with her twins Sawyer and Fisher found their share.

Scout looking like she is being left behind

Jeff thinking of Love

All the kids on the rock wall. Some are happier than others about the whole idea.

Grey did pretty well on his hunt.

Kevin is helping launch the parachutes for the kids to chase. Addie not feeling the cold

EASTER WEEKEND WITH THE FAMILY

Even though it was cold and rainy, we are not deterred from our traditions.

Our Easter Egg Hunt had to go on as well as a fun day with the family.

MAKING VALENTINE COOKIES WITH GREY

February 14th, 2009 brought Izzy, Scout, and Grey over to Grandma and Grandpa's house to do fun things, watch movies, and eat popcorn and creamies. Grey decided to help Grandma make valentine cookies because Grandma was not feeling very well. He was a big help and we now have many heart shaped cookies.

FAMILY FUN

Here are some random family pictures. Our family enjoys doing fun things and it is especially gratifying to know they enjoy being around each other.








Mike and Ali

Grandpa, Grandma, and the kids.
Gary and Debbie at the Mesa Arizona Temple

Gary, Neva, and Bennie

Grandpa and Scout

Debbie, Cam, and Maggie

Grandma and Grey sharing a treat




Scout ready for the ride

Dar and Angie

Grandpa Haney with the birthday hat.

Amy and her twins

They don't have snow like this in Arizona.

Mike, Grey and Kate.

Jeff and Brooke tormenting mom

Mike and Cam going

for a ride on the scooter













Mike and Dean

Dean ready to go swimming

Kate with her cool goggles.

Angie and her sweet family

Trip To Oregon for Grandpa Haney's Birthday

In February, many of the family went to Oregon to visit and celebrate Grandpa Haney's 76th Birthday. It was a good trip and really meant alot to Grandpa and also to Debbie. You can read more about it below................Grandpa and Grandma with the Mathewson and Mitchell Grandkids.

Grandpa and Grandma with their four children.

Debbie and her family Angie and Darr at the birthday party

More birthday party fun

Birthday Boy in his Mexican Hat.....we all sang Happy Birthday to him in his hat...76 years old

Gary, Neva, and Bennie

Here are more pictures of our trip to Oregon.......Amy and the twins Mike and Grey

Grandpa, Jannice, and Grey

Mike and Ali's family with Grandma and Bennie

Mike and Ali's family with Grandpa and Jannice

On Friday, February 6, we took off for Oregon to surprise Grandpa Haney for his birthday. Gary and Deb rode up with Mike, Ali and their family in Mike's new Buick. Nate, Amy and their familiy drove up, and Angie flew into Boise from Phoenix and we picked her up at the airport. We all met in Ontario and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express which was really nice. We almost had the hotel to ourselves and the family spent much time in the swimming pool. Saturday morning, we all went out to Grandpa's house and surprised him. He could not believe all the kids who kept coming into his house. Later, we met other members of the family at a restaurant in Ontario where we had a banquet room with Mexican food for his party. We gave Grandpa, and Grandma a new Kodak viewer and loaded pictures on it for them to watch. We spent the day with family and then Sunday returned to our respective homes. It was a fast trip, but it was good to make the effort to visit Oregon. I know it was a major expense for everyone, but I know Grandpa and Grandma appreciated it, and I know Grandma Deb did also. Speaking of which, Grandma Deb slipped on a combination of ice and rabbit poo and took a bad fall. She is sore, and bled alot, but should pull through. I was just glad she did not get any blood on Mike's new car.

Grey sitting on Grandpa

Haney's lap.

Nate and Grey at

the hotel swimming

pool.

Playing at the pool.

Mike, Ali and kids at the

birthday party.

Dan and his grand daughter

I don't have a picture to put with my story today, but I wanted to relate what happened to me last night. I had a Halloween Experience.

I got home from work with just enough daylight to go walk Maggie at the Cemetery like we try to do each day. I always park by my dad's grave and walk a half mile circut six times. As it was getting dark, I decided to stay out on the west side of the cemetery where there are no trees to subdue what little light there was. As I came around, I decided to conquer my fears and go down into the darkness of the old part of the cemetery. There were no other cars or people in the cemetery (except the dead ones). I was walking up the road on the East side when all of a sudden I heard footsteps right behind me. I began to walk a little faster hoping the footsteps would go away, but they walked faster to keep pace with me. Finally, I decided to stop and see what or who was following me. I stopped, turned, and saw a human like figure in white shorts and T-shirt. He had thick black hair on his head, arms, face, and legs. As he passsed he turned, kind of smiled, and said in a deep growel, "HOWDY". I am sure he was a werewolf. He may have been a Cowboy Werewolf, but he was ugly and hairy. I tried to keep an eye on him, but he moved so smoothly I soon lost him in the darkness of the cemetery. Finally, I emerged from the trees and could see him walking ahead of me back into the dark. As I started my next circut into the tree lined part of the cemeter once again, I could see him turn the corner ahead of me. He disappeared behind a pine tree and I did not see him emerge on the other side. As Maggie and I walked again up the East side of the cemetery, Maggie stopped, her ears came up and she was staring at something in the thick bushes to the right of us. I thought I was doomed, but it turned out to be two men checking the fenceline.

I finished my 2nd mile and decided it was time to leave the cemetery and go home. Maggie wanted to stay, I'm guessing because she felt a kinship with another canine, the werewolf.
This is a true story and I am sure the werewolf was just some hairy cowboy walking the cemetery on a Hallows Eve. I am going back tonight and if I see him again, I will smile and say "Howdy".