Today we were looking for a little boy in our neighborhood (and hence from our Primary). For a brief time, his older brother who was 7 was walking along with me as we checked some of the neighborhood houses. He said, "Thanks for helping to look for my brother." "No problem", I replied. "You like my brother." I said that I certainly did. Brief pause and then he stated matter-of factly, "Of course, you like all of the kids in the Primary." I laughed because of his tone and added, "And I love you." Smiles...........ah, children are so great!
(And his brother was found playing with a cat in a neighbor's garage. He had climb in an opening they had left for their cat to come in while they were gone. His mother had one of those "I am so mad at you and so happy to see you" moments. That is the other part of children....they can drive you crazy at times.)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Accomplishment....
Jena skiied down the Littlecat Hill at Snow Basin all by herself today (with her ski instructor at her side giving instructions). She had done the flatter pieces by herself but skiied the steeper spots holding on to a ski pole being held by her teacher. Today, her last run she did by herself. She was thrilled and I was wishing I had our camera to capture the moment. (On behalf of my other four children, they all skiied down hills on skis or snowboards as well. I just didn't have a blog to record the moments!) Now just Gary and I have not had the experience...although Jena and her teachers invite us to try one day with her. We might do it. I don't know if I am brave enough at 55.......
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Bowling and more bowling
Jena has been busy bowling these days. With practices each Saturday and extra practices with Dad, her average has been improving over the past couple of months...going from around 40 to around 55 for two games. Yesterday she bowled her highest games ever--she and Gary went bowling and she bowled a 62 and then a 114 and a 110! Her first games over 100 and she got two in the same day. She was very excited and was thrilled to have her scores printed out for our refrigerator.
Today she competed in the Area Special Olympics Meet and got a silver in her division. She scored a 53 and a 68 (I think those were the scores). It was fun because most of her team was one the lanes right next to us so we could cheer for lots of her team. They got new team bowling shirts this year and now they look professional.
As mentioned, Jena is also taking skiing lessons. Each of our kids took skiing lessons around their 14th birthday so we checked around and started her in skiing lessons at Snowbasin. She normally takes them on Fridays but we added another one since she was out of school today. She is part of an adaptive ski program and her teacher is amazing with her. Jena had this same ski instructor when she came skiing for one day with her 4th grade program. She is really enjoying her teacher and skiing. It is fun to watch her ski down the mountain, with her teacher by her side and big smiles at the bottom of the hill.
Today she competed in the Area Special Olympics Meet and got a silver in her division. She scored a 53 and a 68 (I think those were the scores). It was fun because most of her team was one the lanes right next to us so we could cheer for lots of her team. They got new team bowling shirts this year and now they look professional.
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| Some of Jena's team mates on the Comet Team with their brand new bowling shirts. |
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| Waiting for her turn. |
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| Jena waiting for the competition to start..still smiling after skiing for couple of hours before this! |
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| Skiing on the first day with Terrie, her instuctor |
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Family and Friends
Having shipped off the rest of the family (I should mention that Gary and Ben did not make the trip as you might have noticed. Ben started a new medication and it was not a good time for him to travel and Gary started behind to be with him.), I first went to Grapevine and spent the day with Rick and Linda and their family. It was great to see their house which I had only seen in pictures and the plans. It was wonderful. We also enjoyed some game playing and conversation. And I got some new ideas on books to read. My sister-in-law Linda has made a goal to read every book which has won a Newberry award starting from the first book which is called "The History of Mankind" or something like that. An ambitious title for a children's book. I think the first one is from 1929. On top of just reading, she is going to blog about each book after she reads it. I hope to be a follower on that blog and expand my own reading in the upcoming year.
Sunday morning I attend Church in our old Plano Ward. Many faces had changed--either because they were new or because they had grown up, but it was still wonderful to enter the chapel and worship with some many of my sweet friends. As a bonus, Carla Morrell was leading the music and Charlie was playing the organ, just like old times. I love listening to Charlie play prelude and postlude and even the hymns. He is amazing and clearly loves the organ. It was fun to catch up with some of the people in the ward.
I spent the next few days visiting friends, talking and talking and talking----it was wonderful. It was like we had just been together the day before. Some friendships have that feature---comfortable and warm and a rhythm that never stops. We talked about life and children and Church, books and relationships and grandchildren. We talked about goals and projects, callings and challenges, and all that life is made of. It was perfect. I could have stayed forever, except for the minor (make that major) fact that Gary and the rest of those Halls were in Utah.
Tuesday Robynn Thiot and I headed east on Hwy. 80 to meet our friend, Julie who came west from her home near Tyler Texas. We met in Canton and made lunch together in a dive which served great Texas BBQ with all of the trimmings. Julie brought a granddaughter London Paige who is five months old and was excellent during our 3 hour visit. When I first moved to Texas, I served in the Primary Presidency with the two of them. Now Julie leads the music and Robynn and I are both in Primary Presidencies--not much has changed although our lives have changed a lot since then. That would have been almost 19 years ago. Very weird to think about....
At one point, Julie and Robynn were talking and I was just listening and enjoying the sound of their voices. I felt such a feeling of peace and contentment. How fortunate I was to have these two outstanding women as friends! They have taught me so much about service in Church and school. They are great wives and mothers. I learned about Cub Scouting under their direction and grew to love the program as I served with them in Cubs and also Boy Scouting later as our kids grew. They will never know how much they have meant to me in my life and in my family's life.
We agreed to meet again in 10 years for Texas BBQ although the place has not been set in stone yet. Perhaps they will come to Utah then and I can be the host.
Thanks to Rick and Linda, Dick and Robynn and Don and Maria for letting me spent the night at your homes.
My only regret was that I did not take any pictures the whole time I was in Plano...too much talking I guess. It was wonderful...and it was wonderful to be home again and see Gary and Ben...even though it was 18 degrees when I arrived at mid-night.
Sunday morning I attend Church in our old Plano Ward. Many faces had changed--either because they were new or because they had grown up, but it was still wonderful to enter the chapel and worship with some many of my sweet friends. As a bonus, Carla Morrell was leading the music and Charlie was playing the organ, just like old times. I love listening to Charlie play prelude and postlude and even the hymns. He is amazing and clearly loves the organ. It was fun to catch up with some of the people in the ward.
I spent the next few days visiting friends, talking and talking and talking----it was wonderful. It was like we had just been together the day before. Some friendships have that feature---comfortable and warm and a rhythm that never stops. We talked about life and children and Church, books and relationships and grandchildren. We talked about goals and projects, callings and challenges, and all that life is made of. It was perfect. I could have stayed forever, except for the minor (make that major) fact that Gary and the rest of those Halls were in Utah.
Tuesday Robynn Thiot and I headed east on Hwy. 80 to meet our friend, Julie who came west from her home near Tyler Texas. We met in Canton and made lunch together in a dive which served great Texas BBQ with all of the trimmings. Julie brought a granddaughter London Paige who is five months old and was excellent during our 3 hour visit. When I first moved to Texas, I served in the Primary Presidency with the two of them. Now Julie leads the music and Robynn and I are both in Primary Presidencies--not much has changed although our lives have changed a lot since then. That would have been almost 19 years ago. Very weird to think about....
At one point, Julie and Robynn were talking and I was just listening and enjoying the sound of their voices. I felt such a feeling of peace and contentment. How fortunate I was to have these two outstanding women as friends! They have taught me so much about service in Church and school. They are great wives and mothers. I learned about Cub Scouting under their direction and grew to love the program as I served with them in Cubs and also Boy Scouting later as our kids grew. They will never know how much they have meant to me in my life and in my family's life.
We agreed to meet again in 10 years for Texas BBQ although the place has not been set in stone yet. Perhaps they will come to Utah then and I can be the host.
Thanks to Rick and Linda, Dick and Robynn and Don and Maria for letting me spent the night at your homes.
My only regret was that I did not take any pictures the whole time I was in Plano...too much talking I guess. It was wonderful...and it was wonderful to be home again and see Gary and Ben...even though it was 18 degrees when I arrived at mid-night.
San Antonio
The Tuesday after Christmas Scott, Chantel, Jena and I headed down to San Antonio. My nephew, Niles was getting married in the San Antonio Temple on Tuesday evening. We arrived in time to get checked into the hotel, change to Church clothes and grab a bite to eat before heading to the temple. It was a beautiful place with water fall fountains in front and even a small one inside the temple itself. The ceremony was beautiful and Niles and Rachel make a great couple. It was wonderful to be there with them.
Jena and I headed up to Buda, TX where my brother Todd lives with his family and joined in family games and conversation with some other Gibersons who gathered there.
Scott and Chantel stayed in San Antonio and picked up Jessica and Tosha who couldn't head out as early as us. Wednesday evening we had the reception at Texas Old Town complete with a Texas BBQ dinner, dancing and the famous Texas march and ending the evening with sparkles and real fireworks (which would not be legal in Utah). It was a fun time to be with my family and to see my kids have some Giberson cousin time.
Chantel and Jena at the reception
My four brothers: Scott, Mike, Todd (father of the groom), and Rick
We (the Halls) ended back to San Antonio to enjoy some of what San Antonio had to offer. We had never really made a trip down here while we lived in Plano, Texas, so we decided to take advantage of the opportunities. Good timing since it was in the 20s in Utah, and we enjoyed weather in the 70s!
Christmas at Sea World
We did the usual things. We went to Sea World--I know, it seems odd since we are in the middle of Texas and no ocean nearby, but there it is complete with Shamu and all of the other cast of characters. Where ever you see them, sea animals are amazing.
We also visited the Alamo which is an important place for anyone who ever lived in Texas. It is the 50th anniversary year of the the famous John Wayne movie called the Alamo. It is important to remember those who gave their lives defending the desire for freedom and the blessings of being an American.
There is a short walk down some blocks form the Alamo to the famous River walk. There was a small stream and a number of water features (as well as shops) along the way. Jessica was shopping when we took this "action" shot.
The River Walk or at least the section we walked along. Fall colors (which are part of their winter season) were every where and it was very beautiful. Here Tosha is taking a picture of the scene ahead of us.
Jessica Tosha and Jena along the River Walk
Scott and Chantel and my nephew Scottie waiting for the ride to start
Roller coaster fun...except for Jena and I. Jena isn't a big fan yet.
Saturday morning everyone except for me headed back to Utah on a early (meaning very early) flight. I sat in the airport for a couple of hours and then headed to Dallas/Plano for a few more days of visiting family and friends.
Thanksgiving in Arizona
We (Gary, Tosha, Jena and I) got to make our thrid trip to AZ in about 13 months to attend a wedding of my niece, Kara to Tommy. As an extra benefit it was over the Thanksgiving weekend so we got to spend Thanksgiving with my sister Valerie and her family plus Linda and Tana from my brother Rick's family. It was filled with the usual food and games and some football games. We also completed the monthly Ipson Family and Friend 5K where Jena and I walked the whole distance. And of course the wedding and reception were great. However we have no pictures from this event, becausee Gary downloaded them to his computer and then his computer completely crashed. Our pictures were only a small part of the loss as he had to spend the next week getting things set back up for work. Computers---love them and not--depending on the day.
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