Red Dirt Hansens: July 2009

Happy 58th Birthday Robert!

February 12 was Robert's 58th birthday. We celebrated at his mother's since she was ill and in bed. The day before, I told her that I had a secret I needed her to help me with. She was pretty good at keeping the secret from him. The next day, I brought balloons and a cake over before Robert got there.

He acted surprised, even though I am pretty sure he knew what was going on.

What a good sport.

I got him a singing card. His mom got a kick out of that.

As her gift to him, I got 58 shiny new pennies and put them in a little container and tied it with a bow. She always liked to give coins to her kids and grandkids for their birthdays.

She was pretty tickled.

Because of the oxygen, we could not light the candles, so I cut flames out of some orange ribbon and taped them to the candles.

Couldn't help including this picture of Kody.

My baby is all grown up!

It's hard to say goodbye....

Grandma Rose had been ill for some time, but in February, we noticed that she was sliding fast. We took her to the doctor (against her will) because we just could not watch her suffer any longer. She ended up in the hospital that very day (again, against her will). She was in advanced liver failure. She pleaded with us to take her home so that she could pass away in her own surroundings. We did. Rose Madora Peterson Hansen, born June 1, 1923, passed peacefully into the next life on March 4, 2009. It is hard to explain what a blessing it was to stay with her and care for her over the next few weeks. It was our chance to give back some of the wonderful service she has always shown everyone else in her lifetime. Thank you, Rose, for being such a wonderful, gentle mother-in-law and for sharing your family with me. I think about you often and miss you so much. I know that you are happy being with Grandpa Clare again. And I know you watch over your family. I know that we will all be together again someday. But for now, it's not goodbye, just "see you later".

Some last pictures with Robert's sweet mom.

She sure was proud of her kids!

I hope they call me on a mission....

Kaley's brother-in-law Morgen was called to serve in the Texas-San Antonio Spanish speaking mission. Morgen lost both parents when he was a little boy, and he wanted to leave for his mission from St. George. He had been living with an aunt in Oregon until he graduated from high school. He had been attending our ward. When it was time to go to the temple, we just thought we would accompany him to the St. George Temple, but we soon found out was closed for 2 weeks. By the time it would reopen, he would have to be in the MTC. So we loaded up and went to the Las Vegas Temple.

Former Bishop Daniels and Current Bishop Cooper went with us.

Do we look like proud parents?

Morgen wanted this special night picture of the temple.

Now, he has been in San Antonio for about 2 months.

He is an awesome missionary!

Grandkid Photo Shoot

We had all the grandkids together on Saturday, February 7th, except Logan of course. We did not get him until March. So, we decided (Robert decided) to do a photo shoot of them. It was hilarious trying to get all of them to look up and smile. We should have gotten a video of the adults, it would have been pretty entertaining. We never did get a smile out of Kathryn, but when the camera was finally turned off, she was full of them. What a bunch of sillies!

Dumb girl, leggo my ear!!

Kathryn has finally had enough.

Prima Ballerina

I missed Abby's dance recital in May, but I was able to go to one of her dance lessons earlier. She was by far the littlest ballerina, but she was so fun to watch!

The teacher put stickers on the girls' right hands