Tennis, Anyone! and Visiting The Sunshine Acres Childrens' Home

More sporting fun was on tap the next morning.

First on the agenda Tuesday was tennis.

Kids and grandkids broke into teams.

Fathers and sons, cousins, moms and dads 

played each other in doubles. 

While the tennis matches went on,

others skateboarded . . .

. . . cheered the players on . . .

. . . dispensed out tennis balls . . .

 . . . took turns holding Claire . . .

. . . or played games on the iPhone.

 A most excellent line judge presided.

After lunch, we all drove over to 
the Sunshine Acres Childrens' Home.

Each of the kids had chosen 

one of their Christmas presents to donate to the orphans, 

and Stacy had arranged for us 

to also have a tour around the facility.

It was so heart-warming to see what nice gifts 

the kids chose and to see their faces 

as they were explained the lifestyle of those kids 

who lived at the orphanage.

The kids had lots of questions 

that they asked our tour guide/director.

What a wonderful place this is for kids 
who are in varying circumstances - 
in each case, the child either has neither parent 
or the parents are not capable of raising him/her.

What loving, dedicated people care for them.

It was an eye-opening experience for all of us!

And it was a wonderful, learning experience 

for the cousins to share together.

What better way is there to close out this post

than with Baby Claire.

She represents all of our grandkids,

with her happy smile,

knowing that she is loved and adored by her parents.

and  those parents (our children) 

are all able and lovingly eager 

to care for their children.

How very blessed we are!

Hiking, Swimming and Family Home Evening - A Family Sports Heyday!

Our family is full of sports enthusiasts.

You name it - hiking, biking, swimming, 

four-wheeling, riding horses,

playing almost every kind of ball - 

tennis, basketball, baseball, soccer, ping pong, etc.

That's not to mention tumbling, gymnastics and dancing.

I am and have always been  

the spectator, more than the player,

but Ryan told me that this was a hike I could handle,

so Monday morning, some of us drove out to the Wind Cave Trail.

Some moms stayed home with babies and sick kids

and Tom had to work.  

I'll mention here that some of us fell victim to a stomach bug, 

which inevitably happens every Christmastime.

Luckily, only one or two had it at a time,

so it didn't spoil any Big Plans on the itinerary.

At first, it was pretty low incline 

and the trail was relatively smooth.

Roger got some really pretty scenery shots.

It was a gorgeous, clear day, temp. in the high 60s.

So far, I was lovin' it.

After 36 minutes 

(I wasn't counting the minutes, or anything)

 picking my way through uneven rocks,

as the trail got more and more rocky and steep,

I rested on a big rock 

as the group went ahead to the tippy top.

They had a great view of the valley.

Back down at the trail head, we counted injuries -

just two with scraped knees and elbows.

The hike was about an hour up and a little less back down - 

a fun experience together!

We fixed lunch at Ryans,

then hit his pool that he heated up for us!

We have a lot of fish in this family - 

everyone off the diving board!

Jack

Sydney 

Ellie

Ben

Max

Ryan

Londyn

Pete

Sadie

 . . . and those are just the ones we happened to get pics.

Syd and her friend, Noelle, were mermaids last summer 

for little kid birthday parties.

Claire . . .

. . . and Charlie watched the fun.

I love Ryan's backyard.

The hot tub felt great!

Then the water basketball game got underway.

Grandma just enjoyed spectating and holding baby Claire.

Miss Addie getting an ice cold drink

Thanks, Ryan, for heating the pool!

Father and sons

 

Hangin' out after swimming

Emily and Ryan were in charge of Monday night's dinner - 

we had yummy Mexican haystacks.

After the marathon swimming, 

Yikes, shriveled hands and feet!

Cousin love

Non-stop fun catching up

After dinner, it was time for

Family Home Evening,

and it was prepared by Josh.

He had us break up into families to talk about ways 

we can more effectively live happily as families and 

share that happiness with others 

and develop Christlike attributes.

All those grandkids who played the piano (or violin) 

for their talent performed for us.

On New Year's Eve, 

all of the dancers/gymnists/tumblers/magicians performed
at Stacy and Tom's at the New Year's Eve Party (details to follow).

A few more little guys checked out.

Baby Claire giving Aunt Stacy a nursing baby kiss

Blake sharing his talents - 

on the iPhone . . .

. . . and with the basketball!

The only casualty of the afternoon was Grandpa - 

Ryan sewed five perfect stitches in his elbow.

Part of every family gathering is a bit of wrestling 

with dads and uncles,

 their kids and nieces and nephews.

I guess I forgot to include wrestling in the list of sports 

that this family enjoys!

It was a fitting ending to a Family Sports Heyday!