Its Christmas Time!

It was such a blessing to have Mom and Aunt Janice(no pictures of her this year) join us again for our family Christmas Eve celebration. Nora and Sara decided to bury her in all the Christmas stuffed animals.

Our cute little "hand out the presents elves" As you may notice in the background Emily is having the time of her life!

Before we open presents on Christmas Eve, we do a family humanitarian project. This year was newborn kits. It breaks my heart to know that baby's are wrapped in banana leaves and newspaper in some parts of the world. So we completed 14 kits. When Nora asked what I was doing, I explained that I was making baby blankets for babies that didn't have a grandma to make them one. She liked that explanation. This was especially meaningful for me, since we are adding 2 new grandchildren this year. Neither of which will lack for blankets, clothes, diapers or food. Nora and Sara passed out the items, while the rest bagged the kits.

This is what makes Christmas fun for me. Are they just the cutest things you have ever seen?

Our annual Nativity Puppet Show gets better every year. Sara decided she didn't want to do 2 puppets at a time, so Sam helped. The girls know the story. Saras line was the Angel saying "Fear Not", Nora added the "in the city of David part", with Sara concluding with, "Jesus is Born."  And that is what the season is all about. What a gift was given us thousands of years ago. I am grateful for the time to stop and ponder.

Nora's Hair style

Emily's friend Katie was over for a visit, when the girls were here. Nora likes to play beauty parlor, only if she is the beautician! So I was real surprised to come into the room and discover this darling hair style, and that Nora sat still long enough to have Katie do it.

We have a Nora Smile

Just wanted to show smiling faces and New Jammies!! Are they the cutest!

Announcement !!!!

I can finally announce!!! Grandchild number 4 will arrive in July.

It was difficult to get the girls to stand still, and be able to read their shirts! Nora's says "I am going to be a big sister AGAIN"

Sara's says"I am going to be a MIDDLE Child"

Baby is due first part of July. "Nora's world" has more details and funny stories. It has been hard not to say anything, especially since Holly has been so sick. So Congratulations to the Roseners!

Decorating the Christmas Trees

Our Family gathered to decorate the 2 Family Christmas Trees. Having Grandchildren participate adds a whole new demention to the experienceThis is the tree in the living room, it is a fake pre-lit tree (thank you to whoever thought of that concept) The ornaments are breakable, and they all have stories. They are from significant events in our lives, and travels we have taken. The children...ie Brad and Emily, seem to have a contest as to who can bring back the ugliest one. So far the bright pink one with the red tassel from China is the winner. But close behind is the felt King Henry from England.
This is the tree hanging in the hall. The origins date back to our home in Riverside, which was to small to have a traditional tree. So we hung the first ones from lattice, in the front entry way. It is the perfect tree when small children are around. It couldn't be knocked over, and the kids couldn't get to it. We used to have a real tree (branches cut off) placed in the lattice, but one year we got a spark, and decided to go with fake garland, (burn a candle for scent)

We have tall children, so by the time they were teens they were tall enough to help decorate the tree. Brads wife Katie, and Wesley's girlfriend Dana needed a stool to stand on to put the ornaments up. Nora and Sara were not satisfied to just hand the ornaments to people, they were boosted up to help. This tree has ornaments that the kids have made, ornaments that were gifts, or the result of ornament exchange parties. Each has a story, that seems to get better each year!

We don't have a picture of the finished product, I think Holly does on Nora's blog. It is so full, and pretty. we have to be careful to put the longer ornaments in the middle so we can get the doors to the closet, Grandma room, and bath room open.

You can see Nora getting a boost from Sam to put on an ornament

Katie is on a stool, or she is now as tall as Wesley!

I am the one that sits and untangles the ornaments from each other. Grandpa this year was the story teller to the grandchildren. It is always a fun evening.

"Wood day" with Grandpa

Nora requested a Wood Day with grandpa, we really weren't sure what it was she wanted to do. You remember last year she requested a tool set. So Grandpa was ready to "graduate" to real tools. He went to Lowe's a purchased a "Real" hammer and a box of nails. The hammer was the smallest he could find. They pounded nails into wood to spell Nora's name. She got really good at hammering them in straight, and being able to take them out as well. After playing with grandma, Sara realized that Nora was doing something else, and went to find Nora and grandpa, of course anything Nora can do Sara can do just as well...just ask her. Before long Sara was attempting the hammer thing to. We send the "creations" home with the creators...Sam and Holly are thrilled (not). We still have creations of Brad, Wes, Emily and Holly as a result of their spending time with their grandfather in the garage, having a "wood day".

Slumber Party at Grandma and Grandpas

We have a once a month slumber party with the girls. They get to have a bath in the big tub. They get to play wack the suds (Picture of Sara) which results in a mess for grandma to clean up, but the girls andgrandpa laugh hysterically. This month there were new, warm, fuzzy and matching pajamas! Sara kept looking at me and saying. "Grandma, Nora and Sara have matching pajamas". She said it so seriously, that it really was funny. At bedtime, after prayer, grandma gets to tell stories, and sing songs until they go to sleep. This night the scripture story was the Birth of Baby Jesus story, and after I said we could sing some Christmas songs about baby Jesus. Sara wanted to sing Jingle Bells, and Once there was a Snowman. Neither of which are conclusive to going to sleep. Sara has outgrown the Elmo bed, so they were both on the queen sized air mattress. They have also out grown the crib sized blankets, so one of my next projects are a couple of tied quilts for grandmas house. I found the perfect fabric. Flannel that says "I love Grandma" Andy asked where the I love Grandpa fabric was, they were out! and the sale is only once a year. Maybe next year.

We Have News

I can finally post the news.....Brad and Katie are expecting a baby in June!!. They have wanted (and rightfully so) to make their own announcements. They have found cute ways of doing it. The one to Brads siblings backfired...Nora didn't cooperate. But on thanksgiving day they announced to my extended family. Brad was taking the family picture that day. And when he had everyones attention he said. Smile...everyone say...Katie is pregnant...Then he quickly snapped 4 pictures in sucession. The facial expressions are priceless. I am leaving it to them to put those pictures on their blog. Congratulations. We are so exited. I passed along the family bassinet for them to use, it is now being used by the third generation of Hobbs decendants.

Ok, I am having to much fun with the Christmas cards this year. I loved the pictures April took when we were in Utah, and then I attended a Creative Memories webinar, that showed how to make our own cards with matching stationary. (If you would like the link, let me know) So this is one of the ones I came up with! Now to get Andy to write his funny letter. We haven't sent cards out the past few years, and realize we are loosing contact with old friends. Sorry about the big blank space, it is the empty piece of paper that is part of the letterhead. I didn't know how to crop it. Lots of stuff to learn.

My Mom and her girls- 4 generations

This is a hard entry to write, especially after rereading the Oct 8 post. As my sister said the CA-19 test results were a cruel hoax played on us. The tumor has not shrunk at all. The extreme tired, and fever spikes, and rumbly stomach were not chemo side effects, but the cancer fighting back and hard. She is on hospice care, and at home. The doctor says about 2-3 months is what she will have left. So our Thanksgiving was a time of saying goodbye. Janice, Ron, and I will rotate being with her. She had a good holiday, and when awake enjoys talking to friends and family. She took a fall on Wednesday that scared us all. But besides a bruised arm and sore ribs she is doing well. She smiled a lot this past weekend. She loved that the whole family was together at her house. We are grateful for a lot of things. Our family has been blessed.

Thanksgiving Day 2008 Hobbs Family

My entire family gathered for Thanksgiving this year (minus the 4 on missions). We thought we had better get a picture! For those who look at this blog, and you knew us younger and skinnier, I will do my best to identify the people!. Mom is in the middle and on the same row are the five siblings ( in no particular order of favorites) Ron, Me, Mom, Lorraine, Janice and Vaughn. Our spouses are standing behind us, Lottie, Andy, Delos, and Caryn. The grandchildren are filling in the rest of the space. The 5 youngest are the great grandchildren, with the announcement that 2 more of that generation will join us in June and July. Dinner was great, and mom was energized to have everyone together. Vaughn smoked a turkey and brought it on the plane with him. Sara wouldn't leave greatgrandma alone, she wanted to sit in her lap the whole time she was there. The second cousins had fun getting to know each other again. It is to bad they live so far apart. There is a lot to be grateful for this year, and family is at the top of the list. Travis brought his Wii game, that was interesting to watch people play that. Mom wanted to try it when no one else was around. I hope she got the chance.

Proud to be an American

I couldn't find the camera fast enough so no pictures. I hope that words can express how I felt and what happened. I am sitting reading a book in the St. Louis airport, when in the distance I hear bagpipes and a drum, my first thought was that is different music to be playing at an airport....But then I realize that it is getting louder and closer. I stand up and look around, and notice others are to, wondering what is this all about. Finally I see the piper, and drummer and hear everyone in the airport standing a applauding. Tears come even now remembering. And then there were wheelchairs with elderly men in uniform, or wearing hats that said WWII Veterans, there must have been at least 20 of them. Some of them their wives were with them, others being pushed by younger people. About 15 were walking on their own power through the airport to the farthest gate, and the entire way everyone stopped what they were doing, stood and applauded. It was an amazing experience. It is called the Honor Tour. I had heard that here was a gentleman, trying to get as many WWII vets as possible to see the WWII Veterans Memorial. They must have had some kind of stop in St. Louis.
I couldn't help but think of my own dad who served in Papu New Guinea, Australia, and Philippines, and until just before he died wouldn't talk about those experiences. My father in law is also a Vet, was in Japan at the end of the war. I thank them for their sacrifice and service. I also think of friends who died in Viet Nam, and now friends sons who are in Iraq. I wonder if we really value the freedoms we have? My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812, and the Mexican American war, Korean Conflict. I am grateful, and also grateful for the beautiful reminder while waiting for a plane in St. Louis.

Happy Birthday Holly

Tomorrow is your birthday. I am so sorry there are no pictures. I am on your dads work computer, and don't know if this will even work. And St. Louis seems far away from home..
I look in the mirror and realize that it was a long time ago that you were born. I love our old family pictures where Sara and Nora think that I am you and you are Nora. I was so scared to be a mom. Didn't think I could do a very good job. You made it so easy. You naturally chose the right. We didn't have the horrible rebellion that happens to so many teens. You loved school, church, and chose good friends. It did drive me crazy that I couldn't get you into a dress very often, but the matching socks and tee shirts........
You are such a good example to your siblings, and you are an awesome mom. I know I don't tell you often enough how proud I am of you, and the decisions you have made. You and Sam and the girls are the best family. The day you were married in the temple was one of the happiest in my life. I hope you have a great day. Eat a piece of pie for me!
Love, Your mom

My Mom

I should put a picture up. Will do that when I am home. I have not blogged about my mom having cancer. It has been to difficult to even talk about. She was diagnosed in April with pancreatic cancer and given about 6 months to live. In June she opted for the Chemo Radiation treatments. She had previously made up her mind never to go through that kind of treatment. But something happened to both of us as we talked to her Oncologist and Radiation Dr's. We felt it was right and to go forward. It has has not been easy. But we have been amazingly blessed. Allot of the side effects we were warned about did not happen. She did loose a lot of weight, is very tired, and has a rolling stomach, as she calls it. The last 3 weeks have been the worst, with more fever spikes lasting much longer. Some days she was only a few hours without a fever. But she is a fighter. I have to admit all of my siblings during the last 3 weeks have wondered, did we do the right thing. But Heavenly Father knew, and through a lot of blessings, faith, prayers from a lot of people we received the most amazing news. The results of the CA-19 cancer marker test....this is the test that identified she had cancer (the number then was 950)...the number was down to 33. We were told that the magic number was 35. So technically she is in remission. (There is no cure for this kind of cancer) Words do not express our gratitude and joy at this time. We have a long road to get her back her strength, she is still very tired, listless and no appetite. But we feel the end is in sight, there will be time to complete the things that need to be done. Thank you for your love, prayers and kindness shown.

Our Forever Family

On my trip to Salt Lake last week, I spent time in the Family History Library. Having way to much fun. I confirmed one of the Hansen babies, one more to go. I wasn't able to confirm things about our ancestor Elizabeth Southworth/Southwick. But if the genealogists notes are correct......we have a connection to the Salem Witch trials. Our David Towne line goes to William Towne and Joanna Blessing who came from Norfolk England in 1640, to Salem Mass. They later settled in Topsfield, Mass. Joanna and William had 8 children. Two of the daughters were burned at the stake, Rebeca July 1692, and Mary Sept 1692. Sarah was accused. Mrs. Good was the accuser. They were all later exonerated. The youngest of the eight children was a boy named Joseph. He was our ancestor. More interesting things to come.

Happy Halloween.

Say Cheese

For those who may not recognize us (with out the smiley faces in an earlier blog) We start with Brad and Katie Anderson, Wes is in the back with Emily in front of him. The old grey haired lady is me. Sara is on Andys shoulders, and Nora in front of us. Holly and Sam Rosener are the parents of the worlds cutest grandchildren.

I am not sure what happened as to why the pictures are the way they are.....but aren't they the cutest kids you have ever seen?

I love being grandma!

Being mom isn't to bad either.

We had so much fun on this photo shoot. I can't believe how hard it is to get the family together to get a picture. We will have a Christmas card with picture this year! Yeah

Sara is 18 months old and Nora just turned 4.

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary ( I know this is early, but I can remember right now how to download a picture, next week maybe not)

I was surprised to realize that it will be 3 years. It is so much fun to watch to two of you working together in the garage on different projects. (maybe you can get Brad running again) This year has started out great, Katie's job, Brads promotion. (we will forget the car accident). It was so fun to see Katie's excitement with the Organ workshop. Here is hoping that there is much happiness in store for you this coming year.

Happy Birthday Nora

Grandma is the first to wish you a happy birthday..........of course I am 7 days early!! It has been so much fun watching you this year, you have tried so many new things. You are growing up so fast. We love you and hope you have a wonderful year full of fun, laughter, new experiences and lots of love.

Way to go Emily

I can't believe this worked!!! The letters which you can't read are the Congratulations to Emily for making the Deans list at Cal Poly Pomona. This was my child who announced the first day of High School that she wasn't going to be a nerd. She planned to have fun!! Welcome to nerd ville.
We are so proud of Emily's decision to go back to school and get her Bachelors degree, and to work so hard, both at a job and school. The end is in sight. You are awesome! This is the first page I have designed from scratch! I didn't use a template. pretty exciting. I like doing the creative memory thing. I am just not a sales person. I loose my consultant status in about 7 days. Didn't make enough sales (or buy enough stuff myself). I am excited that this downloaded to the blog. Way to go me!

Family reunion

We went to Utah. The whole family was there for about 6 days. We were only there together for about 6 hours. So we got our family picture taken. Do you see the genetics at work here. Even the In-laws look like the family.We were in Utah for Andys dads 90th birthday party.It was a lot of fun. We had great visits with Andys siblings, and cousins, and our nieces and nephews. The hard part was calling him Gordon for the celebration. The pictures were taken in Wheeler Park. Andy and I stayed in a friends Condo in downtown SLC. We went to Music and the Spoken Word, took in a session at the Salt Lake Temple, went to church in the Joseph Smith Mem. building. It was Pres. Hinkleys ward, Elder Cook was visiting. We had dinner at the DeLaMares, and a good visit with Aunt Osh, went to Maxines house and visited with her and Jay. I will figure out how to get some of the party pictures on the blog. I spent the past 4 months working on a history of Andys parents. I was pleased how it turned out. We have been trying for years to get their cooperation, but they have always said that no one would be interested in it. Even if no one else is, I am grateful for what we got done. They have a very interesting story, and I learned a lot more about my in-laws. We did a memory book from the Grandchildren. It was interesting to see the different experiences each one had with thier grandparents. I was wondering what my kids would come up with since we lived so far away. But because Clyde and Wanda made such an effort to come down each year, the kids had some pretty great experiences with them.

Chino Hills Rocks

I have been away, so way behind in my adventures. So this is the Earthquake report.....
I wasn't home, I was in the local nail salon when it hit. All the manicurists ran out of the building. It was kind of funny. The lady in the next chair and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, and said "Oh an earthquake. I wonder where the epicenter is?" I looked up at the TV on the wall, as the news anchors got back behind the desk. I read the words at the bottom of the screan that said that the center was in Chino Hills!! With that in mind I thought I had better call some people and let them know I was OK. As I got to my cell phone it was ringing and it was my mom. (the only call that got through) I told her I was OK. Please call my brother who is our out of state contact and let him know. (Our children couldn't remember who the contact was....)Luckily, Holly was in contact with my niece in Montana, who had heard from her dad (my brother) so Holly notified Andy I was OK. The phones did not work for 4 hours. People could leave voice mails, and messages on my land line, but I could not return them, or even pick up the voice mail. As I took stock of where the rest of the family was.....Wes in Idaho, Brad and Katie in Utah, Emily with her dad....I was concerned about Holly, Sam and the girls who lived near by. Found out they were OK.
When I got home from the Nail Salon, and opened the garage door, out rolled spray paint cans, tubes of caulk, sheets of wood had fallen, as did the sawhorses, and some canned goods. I was a bit nervous about what I would find in the house. Actually not to bad. Everything had shifted that was on shelves and tables, some items had fallen to the floor, just a few things broke. The rolling shelves that Andy had made for the pantry and rolled out, and a few pictures had fallen. I was glad I wasn't home when it hit. The funniest phone message was from Wes. He was watching the news in Idaho, and a newscopter was circling The Shoppes in Chino Hills looking for damage, and as the circle widened, he saw our house. The message was..."Mom if you are alright go out in the back yard and wave so I can see you" To bad I wasn't home. The news vans searched for damage to broadcast from, but our community is fairly new and there was no dramatic damage like there was in the older neighboring town of Pomona. I am just glad everyone was OK, and the damage was minimal. There are some bricks raised on the Patio. But we are fine....We left for Utah the next day, so I didn't get all the mess cleaned up. I looked in my craft room....boxes fell in that room. When I have a couple of uninterrupted days I will attempt to clean that room.(the mess is not all earthquake related)

Happy Anniversary Holly and Sam

It is hard to believe you have been married 8 years! It doesn't seem that long ago we were preparing for the festivities. You were so prepared to be sealed in the temple, and it was such
an awsome day. It has been great to watch you grow together as a couple, and watch you as parents. You both are wonderful. I love you. We are looking forward to the 3 days with the girls. We promise not to spoil them very much while you are away. Have a great time.

Helping Grandpa Water

Nora and Sara came for a "quick" visit just as Grandpa started to water. Of course he had helpers. Sara loves playing in the hose. In fact, she likes being "in charge of the hose"
Nora on the other hand likes to fill up bottles and take the water to the plants that way. She also put a Twinkle and Sprinkle Shirt on to keep dry. She just didn't take off her regular clothes, so she would have something dry to put on.


So out came more Twinkle and Sprinkle shirts to go home in. I wonder how many shirts are at the Rosener house now?

Happy Fathers Day

Nora and Sara painted a shirt for Andy, complete with handprints and glitter. Andy is a glitter kind of guy. Sara wouldn't be in the picture. So Happy Fathers Day (late) Our kids are so lucky to have you as their dad.

But as you say. "Grandchildren are the reward for not killing your own kids when you were justified". We have great kids, and you are an awsome dad, ( husband to!). Love to you.

Yeah Wes

This is the picture of the truck after Wesleys accident. We are grateful he wasn't hurt any more than he was.........
Are you ready for the story. It will probably loose something in the telling. As you know Wes is a guy of few words. Andy got a text from him that said. "I have been in an accident. I am fine, the truck not so much." Andy text him back with "Define fine" (he does know his son) Wesleys text. "Just a small cut" So Andy called him. Wes said "It is not bad, the paramedics are working on me. They are asking me questions, I need to hang up." Andy:"one quick question, who hit who?" Wes: I don't know if it was a sideswipe or a head on, got to go" Next text message from Wes: They are taking me to the Hospital! at least this time it wasn't by helicopter. We got the word that the truck was totaled, and that the accident was Wesleys fault. It seems he pulled an all nighter studying for a final, and on the way home dozed off, crossed the center line, in Carbon Canyon. It could have been a lot worse. The other person was not hurt, and his car was drivable. Wes has just completed 1 year of college, and now will have a huge insurance bill. After looking at replacement trucks, which is what he really would have liked, we decided to have him drive Andys 6 yr old Honda, and for Andy to get a new car.
Stay tune for chapter 2

Whose bike is this?

Wes bought a bike. He was in an accident and totaled his truck. When Andy saw the bike, he thought it would be one big enough for him to ride, He took it for a spin in the culdasac. He hasn't been on a bike since..........well......dirt was invented.
It is a nice sturdy bike. With gas prices the way they are, Wes will get some good use out of it.

Maybe Andy too.

Grandma and the Babies

Sara likes to "feed" the babies. She likes grandma to hold and rock her, while she holds and rocks her babies. She sings the cutest songs to them. If Sara is feeding a baby, grandma has to do the same. She shoves the bottle in the dolls mouth, makes slurping sounds, and then smiles and says ..."mmmm tasty". She thinks she can do everything Nora can do. Last night she announced that she had to go "Potty" after Nora did. I finally figured out that she ment, to wash her hands in the sink, after climbing up the step ladder. Fun times ahead.

Here she is Miss.........

Nora arrived for a Nora and Grandma day all dressed up. She had a crystal necklace that used to be her great grandma Roseners, the gold lamae bow and belt from Emily's old Sunshine Generation costume. Her Cinderella wand, all she was missing was her princess slippers. There was even a hair band that day. What an imagination.