Ward Stuff

Brock and Raymond went with the teacher's quorum in our ward and ran the Snake River. They were able to run it 3 times with Raymond getting dumped into the freezing, cold water a couple of times and Brock hanging on for dear life and never getting thrown off. He later jumped in just to get wet. They also went to Jackson Hole for a chuck wagon dinner and some cowboy music, which they said was the highlight of the trip.

Our stake, Centerville North, has put on a stake softball tournament for all ages the past 3 years. We have 9 wards in our stake and our ward's women's team ended up taking 2nd, losing in extra innings by 1. Fran's New York stickball experience was huge for our team. She scored the winning run twice. As you can see by the grimmace on her face, she was out for blood!! In fact, her home team, the New York Yankees, have contacted her about playing for them. Look out A-Rod!!!!

Fran swinging for the fence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anne & Fran talking strategy.

MADDI

MERRI

The ball players - Fran, Merri, Anne & Maddi.

Maple Grove Days

 

This past week our community held the annual Maple Grove Days. It began Thursday with a small town parade and ended Saturday night with a bang! Kirk and I volunteered on Saturday at the carnival like setting where our assignment was to keep the tables clean (where people eat) and to pick up the garbage there. Not only did we gain a lovely new turquoise shirt as our volunteer "gift" but also had access to the all important hospitality room (read that food!) for the various volunteers. Saturday night we watched the firework display with Erin and David. All in all it was a good day!

 

Eight Days a Week

This past week we watched Braden learn to play an all important All American game: TBall. He is really having fun learning and says he is a real baseball player now because he slid into home base. He's earned the reight.
Kirk and I took Ashleigh on an outing with us to Medicine Lake where we rented a canoe and paddle around the lake a little bit. We had lots of fun together and even got wet..hmmm. It's always great to have opportunities to have individual times with the grandchildren. Just as I thought and do think it important with our own children, I still think it is a valuable thing to do with the grandchildren.
One of our new favorite things about Minnesota is to go to Lake Harriett where there is this bandshell and concerts are performed every night for the summer. We here in Minnesota have to make the most of the sunny, coat free days! We are loving going with a few our several thousand friends, setting up our chairs, and just relaxing at this most beautiful spot. Through the back windows of the bandshell you can see sailboats floating by. Incredible to me that such a frozen land can utterly transform for several months a year. We are determined to enjoy it!






 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Summer Fun!!!

Here are a few pictures from our summer so far.

Celebrating Father's Day

Elaine. Lexi and Kate (?), I think?

Stephanie, Lauren, Grandpa George and Ben Hatch

Elaine and Mark

Elaine, Mark and Anne

Grant, Caroline and Beckett Handy

Cole got a new million $$$$ helmet with all the "bells and whistles"!!

Cole loves his new helmet sooo much he even took a nap in it!!!

Cole attended football camps at Utah State, U of U, BYU and Washington State.

We took care of Belle, Fran's dog, while the Luczak's went to Yellowstone.

Riley was quite 'cited to have a slumber party.

McKenzie ran in Centerville's July 4th 5K and took 1st in her age division!!

Stork Delivery

Welcome the arrival of Jordan Ryan Sanders on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 1:19pm at St. David's Medical Center in Austin, Texas. Jordan was one of 23 babies born that day (a number not "lost" on Ryan as that number is Michael Jordans!).
Jordan is the first official Longhorn I guess you could say. He's beautiful, handsome and perfectly formed. Jordan is our fourth little grandson and 6th grandchild. So far, the boys are winning the "race."
Mommy and baby are doing great with Melanie's Mom and her Grandma there waiting on all of the Sanderses.
Ryan did his job by wearing only "Jordan" shirts while they were at the hospital for those two days. A wild and a crazy guy!

In the Pursuit of Happiness

In this world of ours that can at times seem gloomy it is wonderful to see a fine couple utilizing their talents to bring joy to others and in return receive it themselves many times over. To live such a way would enrich one's life and add years to it as well. As this youtube video was shared with me, I, too, wanted to share it with you in the hopes that you will be inspired as I was to be and to do a little better. And now I just need to find my duet partner (it's a bit late to get Kirk to learn this...taking applications!) Enjoy.

LOVE STORY (Taylor Swift) meets VIVA LA VIDA (Coldplay) - Piano Cello - by Jon Schmidt

I have to give Erin credit for sharing this Jon Schmidit youtube music video with me. I think that you, too, will enjoy it.