An Embarrasing Moment

It's been a long time since I made a major blunder at the organ in church, but today, was one of the all-time best. It was Stake Conference. I was told before hand that there would would be a choir number, then a speaker, then the rest hymn.

I didn't hear the announcement of the order of the program... not sure why. So after the choir, and the speaker, I got up to play the intro to the rest hymn, not paying attention to what was happening. In my absent-mindedness, the 2nd counselor in the Stake Presidency had walked to the podium and was getting ready to speak, when I starting playing the intro to the rest song. It was like a fanfare before his talk.... Karen was sitting close by, and yelled my name, and I noticed there was someone at the podium.

I stopped playing, and everyone started laughing...I didn't think it was so funny, and could feel my head get very warm with embarrassment. So I went and sat back down, and tried to pretend that nothing happened, although everyone could see me on the stand. Oh well, I'm sure this won't be the last time something funny like this happens. Shannon told me that she thought it was hilarious.

Catch-Up Time

Well, now the summer has come, and the summer has gone, and I haven't written anything at all. I guess I've been either busy working, travelling, or on vacation, or just plain lazy. But Anyway, here's some catch-up news.

Shannon went to 2 dance camps, California, to spent time with Grandpa Munson, and some of her friends. She and I also went to our Munson Family Reunion at Tropic Reservoir, and had a great time. Karen stayed home. I think this reunion had the highest attendance since I can remember. It was lots of fun.

Shannon also went to EFY in Rexburg at BYU-I, with her cousin, Janessa. Karen went up with her, to see Elise and Annie while Shannon was in Rexburg. On the day they checked in, Shannon called me and told me they were going to the bookstore, and to see if I could see them through the bookstore's webcam. Here is the picture I snapped from the webcam... It was hard to get them to smile, because they said it looked silly smiling at a blank wall. http://www.byui.edu/Webcameras/

Here are some pics of the summer's events.

Dad resting in the trailer...his favorite spot is his recliner!

Part of taking a 4-wheel ride includes posing with his grand-daughter, and also fixing broken down machines.

Rae Jean and Don set up for their "Pet Rock" painting booth at the carnival

while Richard and Dana just finished a TREK in Wyoming.

Lunch time on the ride, and time for some pictures of the beautiful scenery.

And no reunion would be complete without a performance by the Uncles of "Ol' Shep"!

(The video is too big to load, so if you would like a copy of the video, I'll send it to you on a CD. Just email me with an address where to send the CD.)

Shannon Makes Officer

Friday night, Shannon tried out to be an officer of the Shining Stars Dance Team. She had been practicing the dance for a couple weeks before hand, and had to do an interview, and make a 'life book'. She worked really hard on the things she had to do, and was chosen by the other on the team to be one of the seven officers for this next school year. She was very excited, and they all went to Applebees after the try-outs to celebrate (I guess it's kind of a tradition thing..).

Go-in' To The Ch-a-pel.....Gon-na Get Mar-ried.......

Around April 10, Elise decided she wanted to bump up her wedding date to April 17, 2008, in Las Vegas. That was hardly time for us to arrange to get out there, but we scrambled and bought airline tickets/hotel reservations and flew out there on Thurs, the 17th.

We arrived around 9:00am in Las Vegas, rented a car, and drove to the Tropicana Hotel, where we were all staying. Elise and Rowdy still didn't have a wedding place picked out yet, nor did they have their marriage license.... so they had a busy afternoon getting the license, and finding a place to have the wedding. Karen went with them to look at wedding chapels, and they all returned back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. The wedding was at 7:30 pm.

Well, to make a long story short, I walked Elise down the aisle, and Elise giggled all the way, and kept pulling on me. As we got in front of the preacher, I was asked to give my daughter away.

It was a nice, short ceremony, and Elise and Rowdy looked very happy together. After the wedding, we went to Harrah's hotel and had their buffet, but since it was almost 9:00pm by then, we kind of got what was left. Having gotten up at 4:00am CST to catch our plane at 6:40am, we were pretty tired by the time the night was over.

The next day, we all just kind of hung out, did some shopping, etc, then met for dinner that night. I'm really glad my sister Dianne, and my Dad came for the wedding. It was good to have some family there. Karen's mom and sister couldn't make a decision to come on such short notice.

We flew home Saturday afternoon, and were ready for bed by the time we got back to Dallas that night. Daniel especially had a good time in the casinos. We hardly saw him. It was nice to see Annie again, and be with family for the short time.





Videos:

• Just Married - Part 1
  
  
• Just Married - Part 2
  

• Tossing the Boquet
  
  
  
• Watch the actual wedding.
  
  
  More pics can be viewed at the following website:
  http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=95rkfaj9.aud1kuz5&Uy=-l5tk0f&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=369294905497_891295234209&localeid=en_US

Karen's Green Thumb Come To Life

During the last few weeks, Karen has been planting flowers, and starting her gardening. Actually, she started in December planting her Tulip bulbs, because they have to be planted in cold weather.







Today, she finished planting her Earth Boxes, which is our vegetable garden. She planted tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, and still has one more box of something to plant. This year, we'll use the fence to help the tomato plants climb. These boxes really do well, and we have lots of vegetables every year. That's good, because we like tomatoes and cucumbers. And best of all, Hallie doesn't bother them! She also planted a few more flowers out by the front porch to make the house look even better!

Shannon, and her favorite past time

She didn't want me to take this picture, but this was very typical of Shannon's afternoon activities, in front of the TV, with some kind of food on a plate. I even tried to trick her by going around through the kitchen, but she informed me she wasn't "born yesterday". Good thing she was finished with her food!

We Like Nap Time

Hallie always naps...but on this day, Shannon decided to join her. Take a look!

A Typical Texas Storm

They don't last very long, but they come, drop the rain, then leave.

A couple weeks ago, we had a nice rain. It rained so hard, that the water on the street was up to the curb. Not a big deal, but a took a couple pics, and a short video to show the water level. This will just give you an idea of what it's like when this happens. Take a look.

Daniel Gets The Boot!

Well, I don't remember the exact date, but it was around the beginning of March. Daniel was playing a championship basketball game at church, and with about 10 minutes left in the game, he hurt his ankle. He thought it was just another sprain, like he often gets.


The next day, when we got home from church, Daniel was at our house, laying on the couch. When we walked in, he said he thought he needed to go to the hospital. We could see his ankle all swollen and red. He was in lots and lots of pain, and he doesn't usually complain about pain. he couldn't even put pressure on it.


So I helped him out the door and to the car, when when we were going down the steps from the front porch, I stepped down first, then he stepped down, putting his weight on my shoulder, and I lost my balance, and we both fell down (of course, he screamed when he fell, because it was on his ankle). I felt really bad! So Shannon came out, and we both helpted him to the car.


At the ER, they took an X-Ray, and said his ankle ligaments were torn pretty bad, but nothing was broken. They put him in a splint, gave him some crutches, told him to see an orthopedic doctor, and sent him home. He stayed overnight at our house, and went to the orthopedic doctor the next day.


The doctor looked at the X-Rays, and told him he had about a six week injury, put him in a boot, and told him to go to physical therapy for his ankle. He also wouldn't be able to work for the rest of the month.



Well, the ankle is healing well, and therapy has helped alot, and Daniel's out of the boot now, and hoping to go back to work in the next few days.

Elise's Surprise

Elise surprised us all on Wednesday afternoon with a phone call announcing her engagement. She had kept things pretty quiet...we barely knew she was dating anyone. She tells us Rowdy is a cowboy from Texas, and they look very happy together. She is thinking of a July or August wedding. This makes me feel old now, but you know what? I guess I am, since I only have one more year before hitting the big 5-0.

Daniel and his Infomercial

You may want to pause the music on my playlist so you can hear Daniel.

Daniel's Basketball Game

Last week I went to Daniel's church basketball game, and took a few video clips. Then I edited them into a short video. Daniel is number 10, green.

Here's What's Up A Couple Weeks Ago

A couple weeks ago, Daniel's car overheated on his way to our house. We got it here, and filled the radiator with anti-freeze, but it didn't last long. We took it to the dealer, and it was going to cost 0ver $3000. to fix it. The car wasn't worth that much. So now he has another car that should last him much longer. I went with him to look at it, and thought it would be a good car for him. Now he has wheels again, and doesn't need to borrow my truck to get to work.

Here is the before:



Here is the after:

And here was spectator Shannon:

The Flu Penetrates Our Walls

It started a couple weeks ago, when I caught a cold, and it turned into a sinus infection. I couldn't take anything at night because for part of the week, I was working nights, and then for the next 7 days, I was on pager-duty, so I couldn't be all doped-up if I got a call.

Then last Wednesday, I came down with the flu, and practically slept for two and a half days while Karen took care of me in the evenings. Today, I'm finally feeling better. Last night, Karen got the flu, and I know exactly how she feels. She will be wiped out for another day or two, I'm sure. It's my turn now to take care of her..... I made chicken soup tonight, and no, it wasn't Campbells. Shannon helped me, and it took us two hours.... real baked chicken, vegetables, and noodles. Shannon hasn't gotten sick yet....hopefully she won't. Daniel came over today after church, and then left again so he wouldn't get sick.

No sick pictures this time.... they aren't very becoming!

Follow-up from the holidays

I thought it was about time to post some pics from the holidays. All the kids came home, and I was wondering how we'd manage in our tiny house, but it actually went better than I thought. We had a good time all together. I especially enjoyed having the kids here... it was really fun!

First we had THANKSGIVING!


Shannon and Daniel shared headphones one night while we were playing games. You can view the video.



We used Mom's China for Thanksgiving dinner, and we all fit around our table.



There were lots of good things to eat.




I even made Crab Bisque! And it was very good!



Dave and Dianna came to spend the day with us.




..... and then came CHRISTMAS

Here is my German nutcracker collection thus far. They were standing on the TV, staring at the couch. Since Elise and Annie were sleeping on the sofa-sleeper, it made Elise uneasy having them stare at her....she was afraid they were going to attack her in the night. But if they did, Annie would be there to protect her.




Elise demonstrated her domesticity as she and Shannon spent one whole afternoon baking. Her specialty, "Noir Balls" were just 'out-of-this-world'.

Everyone decided they liked OUR bed.

The "North Pole Village" and the "Bethlehem Village" were on display.

Karen, Shannon, and Hallie must have been bored, since they decided to play inside a cardboard box.

Daniel, Elise, and Shannon were 'charming', or at least pretending to be.

Karen's Christmas Centerpiece of Balls, using the bowl Nice gave her last year.

A Mother and Daughter Moment....

We also had a family dinner with the Huffhines, Karen's Aunt Mary and Uncle John, and their family.

We tried to get everyone to smile all together, and it almost worked!

Shannon wanted to be the center of attention.

Even the Missionaries stopped in for a visit. Now I can add them to my German Nutcracker collection.

Daniel hung out with "T.O." (Terrell Owens).

There were presents everywhere when they came out from under the tree.

Shannon discovered the fascination and entertainment of taking her picture in the mirror.

It was a fun time, and we all had a good time eating, playing games, and just being together!