The Garden

Over the years I have attempted to grow some vegatables. Mostly tomatoes, nothing like a fresh tomato sliced and a bit of salt. I have never been very successful. In fact that is Ken's joke every Spring. "Are you going to try tomatoes this year"? Well after seeing a friend's garden and remembering that my dad did grow boxes with great results, I decided to go for it. This way I don't have to try and deal with Texas clay. So here are our garden boxes. Ken built the frame from landscape timbers. We lined them with weedblock to keep the grass out and filled them with planting soil. The kids each got to pick what they wanted to have in the garden. (Better chances of help) We got some plants from seedlings and some we went to the seeds. We have 4 types of tomatoes (Paige & me), jalapenos (Taylor's choice), cucumbers(Lexi's), Orange bell pepper, squash, watermelon, carrots, corn and beans. So now we wait. We'll let you know how the garden grows.

Pictures from the mission field

Jordan just sent us some pictures from both his 1st area and his current area in Banning. Thought I'd share some.





Visiting Big Falls in Banning National Forest on p-day

Elder Torbit and Elder Rose in front of the Redlands Temple

A cool shot of the Redlands Temple at night. I love the perspective.

Elder Torbit and Elder Aguilera (new companion) with his box of goodies from the Young Women in our ward

Happy Birthday Lexi

Happy Birthday our Lexi-Lou. You have been such a great blessing in our family. You are so full of life and ready for any new adventure. We never lack for drama or excitement. You are always quick with thanks and willing to help. You are the sweetest with hugs, kisses and special notes. Hope that your 10th is a great one. Love you!!!!!

Girl Scout cookies

Both Paige and Lexi are in girl scouts. Lexi is a Jr. and Paige a Cadette. This is Girl Scout Cookie time. The girls sold cookies in January and we have been delivering them for the past two weeks. Each troop also signs up to do cookie booths-where they sell cookies in front of local businesses. This past weekend each girl had a booth. Of course a cold front had come through and Lexi's was "freezing" That's in terms of Houston weather. It was windy and the adults tried to keep from having the boxes blow away while the girls practiced their salesmanship skills. We did pretty good. I think people felt extra sorry for us standing out in the wind and cold. Luckily Paige's booth was inside the mall. Her main concern was that someone from school might see her. Sound familiar mom? We also did well there. It's hard to resist a Thin Mint.

The Percussionist

Paige was complaining that I don't give equal space on the blog to both the boys and the girls so here's my attempt. Paige began playing percussion in the Mayde Creek Junior High band this fall. The kids have to try out to get into percussion so it was great that she made it. She's been doing really well and this was the first "real" performance. This was actually part of the high school performance. They had some well known percussionist Jeff Queen come and do a clinic and perform with the kids. It was very good and exciting to see how much she has progressed.

President's Day weekend in Nac.

the girls cousins after church

Taylor worn out after jumping on the tramp. Claire and Harrison are loving being able to climb all over him.

Look at those City slickers on the horses. It was lots of fun!

The kids had Fri Feb 13th and Mon the 16th off of school so we decided to head to Nacogdoches to visit my sister Amy and her family. On Sat. we took the kids to a ranch owned by some people in their ward to go horseback riding. Besides the walk around the ring at the Oil ranch Lexi had never been. Paige has had the chance to go horseback riding with Girl Scouts. Taylor decided that he didn't want to go so he hung with the little cousins. It was fun and a beautiful day to be out. We stayed until Sunday afternoon before heading back to Houston

Transferred

Monday is Jordan's preparation day-to do laundry, shop etc. We usually get a e-mail from him also. This past Mon. Feb. 9th we didn't hear from him. His companion-Elder Rose was going home and we thought maybe he was busy with the new comp. and getting things settled. On Tues. we got a e-mail. He was transferred at the same time. Jordan is now in a town called Banning. It is just down the freeway from Yucaipa. Same zone. In this area he is in what is called a home share. He and his companion live with members. His companion is from San Antonio. He was a bit bummed because he felt that they were really making progress with several of their investigators. I'm sure many of you who have served missions know that many times we plant the seeds, get them started and then move on. We'll be interested to hear more as he is settled. The rest of us are looking forward to a 4-day weekend. Yeah!!!!! We're heading to Nacogdoches to visit family. Enjoy!!