DISNEYLAND: M I C K E Y M O U S E, Mickey Mouse! Liz and Little Benny joined us in Disneyland while in California. We came early and stayed to LATE, per usual. You just cannot

leave anything out. Grandpa and Benny took a long nap while the kids and I did as many rides as possible in the afternoon. The Aladdin show was super and the new water and lights show was way cool, too! Scott went on Space Mtn for first time and the Mattahorn, too. Sweet!

Scott making the shots on basketball team.

Elder Stuart(top left) in Apostoles, Argentina with the Barbosa family. He is serving as a Zone Leader in this area and seeking the best way to get the investigators to attend church and understand the principle of marriage.

Janae and Ella Hatch on our outing to the Flagstaff Arboretum. Those are penstemmon behind them. Grandma (me) had a whole week with Ella and Janae all to herself and rain and cool weather - oh yeah, it was heaven for a Phoenician! Ella was born July 1, 2010.

Here is our Elder Stuart and his last companion, Elder Robles (Chili), pointing to Obera, Misiones, Argentina. He has just been transfered to Apostoles, Misiones with Elder Litchfield and now he gets to learn a new place, new companion and new people AND responsibilities as Zone Leader. A good thing, out of many, is he gets to renew friendships with past elders he worked with in last areas. He called on Mother's Day and it was just great to hear his voice and hear him struggle with English - so amazing what 8 months will do on a mission for the Lord. He commented how hard physically and spiritually it is to keep encouraging his investigators and inspire them into choosing what is right - I thought now he knows a bit about what parents feel in raising kids - exhausting at times and exhilarating other times. We are so proud of him. It is becoming cooler and he has lost his sweater so I guess he is going shopping. I died when he said he eats hot dogs for lunch too often- yuck!

A MIRACLE! Scott walked into the schoolroom on Monday and said, "Mom, I can't put this book down!" I fell off my chair in pure joy! I haven't heard those words in a very long time! He is reading THE LIGHTENING THIEF. Maybe you should check it out?

Stuart is in Resistencia, Argentina serving the Lord as a missionary. He was just made a trainer for his new companion Elder Robles from Chile. He was stunned to be a trainer, as he has only had 2 other companions and no gringo gets to be a trainer this soon. His Pres. Castillo's advice was, "The Lord often calls us for what we can become not just what we are." It was comforting to Elder Stuart.

Candice is BUSY! In the chorus for the HS musical, schoolwork, job as hostess at Claim Jumper Restaurant, voice lessons, church, home duties, etc. She is so far staying with her head above water. She just competed in a NATS competition last weekend and won 3rd place and $45 in her division. Pretty sweet - she said, "I wasn't really doing my best, so think what I can do if I really do my best." What a girl! She sang a german song and a Handel song.

Little Ben and Scott at Christmas visit

Busy Ben takes after his mother, Busy Lizzy! He is on the move constantly, finding things, climbing, eating, playing, walking, walking, walking! He walked at 7 months old just like his mother, his grandmother T and his grandfather T. It's in the blood. We had him for a whole 5 days to ourselves when parents went to Cancun (poor things). He was fabulous in eating and sleeping and keeping us on our toes and our chairs moving to guard him from the stairs! He is so happy and his momma is so good with him.

Here is our little New Jersey Tristan. His photographer momma looks like she has a lot of fun with him. He wanted to play outside the other day but the snow had blown up into a huge pile outside their backdoor and it wasn't possible. Crystal said he just followed her around begging her. (sounds like my kids - still) We get to see, hug, tickle, read to, kiss and be with Tristan and his parents on Feb. 27 for a few days - yes! Can't wait.

2010 February Ethan and Emmett Rauch

Time to update for 2010. We are fortunate to have Ethan and Emmett live nearby so that Grandma and Scott can help out. Scott is Ethan's hero (next to his parents). They play trains, cars with the new road that Scott made for him, jump on the trampoline, and some little boy basketball are some of the favorites. Being a grandparent is pretty sweet. Emmett is 8 pounds now after being born on Oct 1st at only 28 weeks along in Karla's pregnancy. Not sure his sucking is working as well as it could so they are looking into that. He smiles now, though, and it is adorable.