Super Saturday

We had a very busy, fun filled and productive Saturday.  I started with a bike ride with my friend Mary.  When schedules permit we try to ride on Saturday mornings (it's been 6-8 weeks sincere our last ride)  We ride about 8 miles and talk ALOT.  After I got home I started cutting out a dress for Alison and visited with her on the phone. 

Grant, Cami and Kara came over about 9am to spend the day at Grandma's House.  We played together and built a sheet tent in the backyard.  We enjoyed a lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the tent with Grant, Cami, Morgan, Spencer, Shelby, Papa and Grandma.  Grant made MAGIC COOKIES, it's fast becoming a family tradition.  Papa started it.  Grant makes cookies with play dough.  Places them in a container, places the container in a cold oven, sets a timer and goes off to play.  After approximately 10 minutes Grant checks the oven (always with adult supervision)  the play dough cookies have MAGICALLY turned into REAL COOKIES!  Papa has the best oven! 

Papa spent his morning digging post holes at our house, service projecting for Ward members, servicing our cooler, hardware shopping with Grand, grilling pork roasts for Morgan and Spencer's reception and making Ice Cream to go on top of the Chocolate Bundt Cake that Rachel brought to share.  Grant happily taste tested the ice cream when it was done.  We love our Cuisinart ice cream maker.  It has a wonderful opening at the top, just the right size to stick a spoon in (with supervision).

Papa willingly shared this ice cream with Kara. 

I also visited with Bethany on the phone.  She was pattern and fabric shopping.  Sewing dresses for my younger daughters is fast becoming my new hobby.  At least that is what Bethany is hoping.  We also visited with Mark and Rachel.  It was a Super family day!

Alison Graduates

Neuroscience has been Alison's passion since her surgery 7 years ago to remove a brain tumor.  One of the side affects of surgery was a neurosurgeon who encouraged her to attend BYU.  His encouragement was successful.  Alison graduated from Brigham Young University this week with a Bachelors of Neuroscience degree.

Randy, Shelby and I flew to Salt Lake City early Thursday morning.  Alison picked us up at the airport after finishing her last exam that morning.  We attended two separate Convocations.  The first one on Thursday afternoon with the entire BYU graduating class.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks was the speaker.  Friday the very large class of life sciences received their diplomas.  Connie and her family attended the Friday convocation.  Friday evening we were invited to Connie and Dennis' home in Eagle Mountain where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and time with family. 

As part of the graduation festivities Alison gave us a tour of her favorite building.

We enjoyed Shelby's company on the trip.

 One of Alison's goals was to hike to the top of the Y.  Early Saturday morning drove to the trail head and HIKED!  It's a 1.17 mile hike with an elevation change of 1074 feet.

It took me 40 minutes to hike it.  The BYU students were much faster. 

 (The Bisbee 1000 is a piece of cake after doing this)

It only took 15 minutes to go down the mountain.

We had a wonderful three days in Provo.  It was great to spend time with Alison.  We shopped, talked, ate and Randy fixed!  Alison's car runs much better now.  We returned home late Saturday night.  I miss you Alison and looked forward to your visit next month.  Alison plans on enjoying the summer in Provo to finish the requirements for her minor degree in Nonprofit Management.

Morgan's Shower

April 14th Rachel hosted a Bridal Shower for Morgan.  It was held at the Packer Home. 

We enjoyed visiting with family,

 Time with friends,

And

Wonderful Food.

Rachel served Mexican food (mini chimis, taquitos, tacos, beans, chips and salsa) along with cream puffs and brownies.  Very yummy!

I have been sewing this month.  In addition to Morgan's wedding dress I made her an apron with the wedding dress fabric.

I also made Spencer a tuxedo apron.

Randy and I are also busy preping the backyard for the Open House we will have at the end of May

We have planted flowers.

We also have planted berries.  Strawberries in the front underneath the Plum tree and Raspberries in the back.  The berries are not intended to beautify the yard for the wedding celebration.  We just wanted them for future enjoyment.

Signs of Spring

Signs of Spring, but the joke is on me.  A couple of days ago I was outside enjoying a warm beautiful day.  I noticed that....

 the grape vines were leafing out,

 the sweet peas had started blossoming,

the Iris were blooming,

and my geranium was flourishing in its new home.

Today it is windy and rainy.  Snow is predicted tomorrow at 3000 feet.

Gotta love an Arizona Spring!



Grandma Time

Grant had a doctors appointment today, so I got to have granddaughter time.  Kara is growing so very quickly.  She is up on her hands and knees alot. We tried to get a picture of it. But each time we tried she would lunge forward in an attempt to get the camera.  You will just have to trust the she was on her hands and knees. 

Picture a Christmas - part 2

I may have failed to mention that in our home, Christmas is a SEASON, not just a day.  One of our family traditions is visiting the Meas AZ temple and seeing the Christmas lights.  We did this after the Thude Family Christmas Party.

 Christmas was on a Sunday this year.  We attended Sacrament meeting as a family. The ward choir sang several hymns during the meeting.  Morgan was the accompanist and  I (Ruth) sang in the choir.  The best part was when Grant and Cami tryed to get my attention by calling out , "Hi Grandma!  and "It's my grandma!" Afterwards we had lunch at Marks home. Aunt Alison enjoyed some quality time with Kara.

Bethany and Kara also spent time together.

One of the gifts to the girls this year was a Daddy-daughter date (Mom crashed the party.)  We had lunch at Little Anthony's and then attended the Gaslight Theatre production of Christmas in the Big Apple.

 Alison & Morgan

 Bethany & Alison

 Bethany & Shelby

 Bethany seems to enjoy cooking. After Christmas we made tamales.

Bethany also treated us to a wonderful breakfast of Puffed Apple Pancake. YUM!

Picture a Christmas, part 1

Time to reminisce.  I am better at taking pictures than posting.  How grateful I am for the pictures that bring back such wonderful memories.  A recent tradition at the Maroney house is making gingerbread houses.  Alison enjoyed making gingerbread houses with Cami and Grant.

 Grant enjoyed making and eating his gingerbread house.

Grant enjoyed early morning snuggles in Papa bed.  Sleepovers are fun activity.  Grant and Cami had a sleepover before Christmas. 

Morgan enjoys writing and illustrating cutesy children books.  Her Christmas gift to Spencer was a book about a handsome fireman and a beautiful damsel in distress. 

Christmas Eve (afternoon) she was busy writing and drawing.  Bethany and Alison pitched in and helped color the illustrations.  I enjoyed watching them work together and listening to their chit-chat.  It was a wonderful afternoon.

While the three younger girls were busying themselves with the book the rest of us were preparing dinner in the kitchen.  We feasted on Smoked Ham, grilled squash and pineapple, sauted green beans, tossed salad and potato casserole.  Delicious!

After dinner we listened while Randy read Luke 2.  After scripture time Grandpa, Grandma, Alison, Bethany, Grant and Cami enjoyed a walk around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights.

(To be continued :)