Jackpot

All too often I hear negative comments from friends about their in-laws (pronounced with great disdain, like a really bad word), they roll their eyes, grit their teeth, take long deep breaths, and tell themselves how much they love their spouse (and how that spouse darn well better be thankful).  I listen patiently but honestly I just do a little jig in my heart that I got you for my mother and father in-law.  Visiting with you has always been a pleasure, from the first time I met you at Dan's farewell to present day you have been welcoming and kind.  I was slightly nervous (okay scared outta my shorts) the first time I played rook with you (Judy wouldn't deal me in until I produced cash and some genius thought pairing me with Wayne for my first round would be a good idea), but other than that it's been smooth sailing! 

I recall one weekend visiting your home for a family dinner.  Apparently there had been a previous conversation about jell-o in which I mentioned that I don't love 'stuff' in my jell-o (fruit, pretzels, etc.) and now that I was on my own I always eat it plain (my Mom is a big jell-o stuffer).  I didn't actually remember the conversation...but you (Judy) did.  At dinner there was a small dish of plain jell-o next to the large dish of jell-o with 'stuff' in it.  Along those same lines I remember Wayne always having a brand new canister of cashews waiting on the coffee table in the basement when we came up for a visit because he knows they are my favorite.  It's those little things that really mean a lot to a new family member.

Anecdotes like that are plentiful but I want to leave room for others so I'll just say "Thanks".  Thanks for always welcoming me into your home and giving me sincere hugs.  Thanks for keeping in touch with our crew even though we're thousands of miles away.  Thanks for responding with enthusiasm when one of the children calls to tell you that he/she:  peed in the potty, lost a tooth, hit a baseball, signed up for a new class, got a good grade, etc.  Thanks for asking to talk to me too when Dan calls home.  Thanks for coming to visit and filling our home with grandparent cheer for a few days.  Thanks for asking me if I had any specific instructions when you babysat for us...even though you raised 6 of your own and we both know you could have done just fine for those few hours without one word from me!  Thanks for raising a great son who has turned into a great husband and father.  Thanks for everything, everything, everything.  Thanks for plain jell-o and cashews, I love you too.

Amy

From Kyle



Grandma, do you remember
 when we went to Chuck-E-Cheese?
My favorite game was the football one,
my favorite team was the aliens.



Grandpa, do you remember
when you played dominos with me?
I love you Grandpa.

The infamous Hoppie scout skit

Jeff and I were too young to remember actually performing.  I only remember Kelly's barf part. How did it go again?  Anyway, I stumbled on this photo and thought about our old stake in California and the wonderful people there.  If you remember your part, comment on it below.  Love Ya-Dan

The words were...We are daily boyscouts as you can plainly see, but if I weren't a boyscout:
Craig: "a farmer I would be...and as you pass me by, you would hear me cry....there's a cow and there's a cow and there's another YUCK!!!"
Kelly: " a stewardess I would be... and as you pass me by, you would hear me cry...coffee tea or milk sir here's your paper bag...BARF!!"
Kim: "a bird watcher I would be...and as you pass me by, you would hear me cry...Hark a lark flying cross the park...SPLAT!!!"
Pam:  "a carpenter I would be...and as you pass me by, you would hear me cry...Two by four and nail it to the floor."

Don't remember anymore than that....
Life's most entertaining moments....
Hugs,
Pam

Mom and Dad at the ball field

They say that the average human will spend anywhere from 15 - 20 years of their life sleeping.  The other day it dawned on me that between all six of us kids, Mom and Dad have probably spent the equivalent of several years worth of hours at the ball park.  Here is one of my favorite photos of a time when their commitment was celebrated.  -Dan

I know you...

Almost 13 years ago, at about this time, dad was in the hospital.  He was fairly sick at the time and it seemed that he was in for a long period of time.  He had a little "ICU itis", as the  nursing world likes to call it.  Some times he said some pretty goofy things. We laughed a lot when we were out of his hearing  range.  He was pretty direct that we get out to the garden and get the rice crispies picked for the day once.  A little confusion on pain meds provided much entertainment for the kids.  One time I walked into the hospital room he said, "I know you....you're the girl who is knocked up."  I kind of chuckled and said yes dad, " I'm Pam and I have 4 kids." Trent was only about 8 months old.  He was pretty insistent that I was some girl that he knew who was knocked up.  We all shared some pretty loud hoots of laughter over that one until one day about 3 weeks later when I realized that I was indeed 'knocked up" with our fifth child McKinzie. 

So then we wondered...was he so close to heaven that day that he actually got to see her before we did?

Hugs,
Pam

We're having a baby!

After Andy and I were married, I was in nursing school and he had just joined the Army.  After he had been gone for 2 weeks, I found out I was pregnant with  Shaylie.  I was living at home with mom and dad while I finished my last semester of nursing school.  I was really nervous.  I had to call the Red Cross so that I could break the news to Andy as it was, that was the only way to reach him at the time.  So I told him the news and he asked if I had told my parents yet.  I told him I wanted him to be the first to know but I would tell them that night. 

   Mom was in the bathroom fixing her hair when I said ,"mom we are going to have a baby."
She said, "I don't think that is a very good idea."
  I was stunned...

  I couldn't think of anything else to say except "too late".

Then she told me she would be thrilled to have another grandbaby.
Love, Pam

Judy's Reluctance

I was 18 years old when I met and fell in love with Wayne and Judy's son, Craig.  He was 22 at the time, had recently moved home from college, and we had only dated for 30 days when we got engaged.  This is the story of how we broke the news to my future in-laws:

After Craig proposed to me, we went home to his parents' house to tell them our news.  It was approximately 10:30 in the evening and they were both up watching Cheers, and Judy was doing some ironing.

As we walked in the door, Judy said to Craig, "Honey, what have you done to your hair?"

Craig responded, "I got it cut today."

"That's a terrible haircut.  Where did you get it done at," Judy asked.

"Just down at the barbershop on the corner."

"Well, you can't go back there again, sweety.  That is just a terrible haircut," she said with some emotion.

"Well," Craig responded, "here's some more potentially upsetting news:  We're getting married."

The announcement was received by dead silence . . .

Then Judy finally said, "I just can't believe that haircut . . ."

I was terrified!  This was my future mother-in-law and it was apparent her misgivings about our decision were so significant that she couldn't even respond!  Wayne finally jumped in and said, "Well, that's exciting for you kids," and the conversation moved on.  Judy came around and, thankfully, quickly embraced me and welcomed me into the family.  I have always been impressed with the love she has shown me, even in the face of all the risks I'm sure she saw ahead of us that Craig and I were too blinded by youth and giddiness to see for ourselves.  But we've made it through with flying colors so far, and hope our 18 years of marriage will continue until we hit the 50 year mark and beyond, just like Wayne and Judy.

Jenny Hoppie

Jenny Hoppie