Aberdeen and the Francom Family 2013

Kirk, Alec, and I set out for Aberdeen this year in June.  It was hot and humid for us, but they got their window unit air conditioner units set up and put us in the cool bedroom, so it wasn't too bad.  The Francom household has evolved from a fairly tranquil environment to a hub-bub of whirling activity with four energetic kids.

We drove the longest day first, so we could arrive in South Dakota in good time on Friday afternoon.  They were anxious for us to see their plot in the community garden plot, so we headed out to it.  All water has to be hauled to the garden, so Greg took his truck with huge container's that we filled up at a public works building.  Then off to the garden.  All of the kids have helped plant, weed and water it.  It's a pretty long process to get enough water for the plants to flourish, but it was a beautiful day in a beautiful setting.

 Look at that pathetic stream of water -- it took forever!

On Saturday afternoon, we went to the art fair in the park.  The doll clothes booth was our favorite, and we watched some fire jugglers perform.

We have some Culver's drive-ins in Utah, but we have never been to them, but we repeated last year and chose that as a meal out. 

The kids demonstrated the tire swing Greg made for them, and one night we had a BBQ.

We made ribbon wands.

Toward the end of the week, we headed for Rapid City which is almost half the way home for us.  Misty had a friend who was able to get us rooms for 39.00 a night (Marriott's lowest were 159.00), so we stayed there a couple of nights.

One day we went to Mount Rushmore.  We visited Dinosaur Land which was a major disappointment.  It's good we went to Mt Rushmore the day we did, because the next day there was quite a storm.

Sabina and Clara found a girl friend for Grandpa.

Alec and Greg geocaching in the Black Hills.

We were able to get re-acquainted with Katherine who actually liked us most of the time.  Jacob loves to talk ALL the time, and kept us entertained.  Clara and Sabrina are both adorable with darling personalities.

The  last part of the trip, Alec shared only his grumpy face for photos.

Darling Little Family

 Mr. Personality, Xadrian Winterton.  Looks so much like his daddy and his grandma, Tina.

These are indeed out of order as a few posts down the page are some photos of expected baby.  Waiting for baby.  Alycia Beckstrand did this photo shoot for Christian and Debbie.

 Beautiful child.

I love this photo.  Debbie -- gorgeous mother in waiting.

Steps

September 2013.  Ironically this was at the Harward's ward house -- Braxton's Aaronic priesthood ordination, and no picture of him.
But a great photo op of Austin, Luke, and Great-grandpa Day.

Hunsaker Boys

Our Hunsaker boys -- all we have in the family! David, of course, Kristopher, Raymond, and Jarrett with their beautiful wife and mom, Judy.  David is quick to point out that the only way he could keep Kris in place and posed was with a pinch or stronghold.

Jarrett is 10 and is truly a string bean.  Tall like his Grandpa Clark.  He loves electronics - games etc. as much as his daddy.  Don't plan on having  a conversation with him if he is involved with them!  And he loves to talk in goofy voices.

 Raymond is 4 and spends a lot of time with his cousin Cate.  He is a beautiful child.  He is the only child that has spent as much time with his mom, as Judy has been able to be a stay at home mom for the last couple of years.

Kris is 8 and is a fireball-- full of energy and loves to talk.  Also a daredevil, very inventive, and loves sports.  He is always first to greet his grandma with hug and an "I love you".
They live in Lehi and like to spend time on their kayaks on any near body of water.

Juchaus in Marysville

In 

In April, Kirk Alec and I went to see where our little Juchau family had made home.  We stayed at a Marriott in Roseville, near Sacramento.  Mindy and the kids to see us, and they stayed in Roseville for one night.  After that, we just commuted to Marysville.  

Cousin Marilyn came for dinner on Sunday, from Sacramento.  We had a great visit and a good time.  I rode back to the hotel with Marilyn so we could visit.  We had quite the time with her GPS, as the road we were on had just been built, but we made it with Kirk following behind.  Eventually Kirk learned the route.  

Mindy cooked us great meals!  

We had fun with the kids.  Brinlee loved the little doll blanket I crocheted for her.  In fact she was determined to make it fit her, so on the way home, I started a Brinlee-sized one.  

We made fast friends.  Marilyn was pretty sad, as Brinlee would have nothing to do with her the times they had got together.  Mindy had primed her well to love her Grandma Hunsaker.

Ethan was happy to play with his toys, the iPad, and his scooter.

 Justin was into TV or Xbox -- and the iPad.  Our treat out was going to Roundtable Pizza Buffet, their favorite.

 It was HOT and humid there.  Thank goodness for air conditioning.  On the way out, we stayed in Elko at a Marriott, on the way home we just drove straight through.

Little Brother -- Kendrix Kirk Winterton

 Xadrian got a little brother this summer, and after over a week in NICU with first one lung, then later the other collapsing, he came home and his been super healthy ever since.  He is thriving and good natured.  Debs is back to work, and Christian is Mr. Mom again.

THIS BLOG MAY OR MAY NOT BE GOING BACKWARDS COVERING THE LAST FEW MONTHS, AS I'VE NEGLECTED IT.

BEANS, BEANS, AND BEANS

Great harvest of beans this summer.  Problem.  I am having sciatic nerve problems and can't stand or sit too long -- bad news for canning.
To the rescue -- Elise and other Harwards.  Giant picking time one day after school, and with the help of the rest of the Harwards and Alec, we got them all snapped in the same evening.
Kirk to the big time rescue hunting down mason jars from all corners of the property, washing them all, and finding all my cookers and getting me all set up to can.
The next evening, back came Elise and the Harwards to help with the canning process.  Christian came over and grilled burgers and hot dogs.  Luke was Jack of all Trades, as usual.  We processed 28 pints -- finished cooling down at 11:00 p.m.  Glory!!! First picking handled in two days.
Now for the record.  The petcock (which is the weight that sits on top of the tube that jets out the steam) is now called the pressure regulator.  Was given a huge hassle about the name from my humorous grandson, Christian.  He didn't believe that something used in canning could have that title.  I pulled up the recipe that I got from Grandma Vera Hunsaker, and that  was what it was called.  After bouts of hilarity, I got out my pressure cooker instructions, which are a little more current, to see what it said.  Now a "pressure regulator".  Much more appropriate name.