Hampton family: 2008 in a Flash.

Ty: Went to Georgia at the beginning of the year. Golf, golf and golf’s whenever an opportunity presents its self. Still thinks he is 25, plays soccer, softball and basketball almost every week. Watched our 2 kids for 14 days (and survived) while Ruth was in Tahiti. Lost his favorite Uncle to cancer. In August started a new job, as a commercial lines producer for “The Mahoney Group”.
Ruth: Pregnant for most of the year. Stopped child daycare to concentrate on her growing family. Large with child, traveled to Tahiti (French Polynesia) without Ty and the kids. Spent some quality time with her family especially her father. In August gave birth to another big boy, Joshua Wayne 10 lbs.6oz. (our daughter still holds the record 11 lbs.7oz.). Lost her dear father to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) a week after giving birth to Joshua.
Tia (9): Enjoys swimming and swam her summer away. Enjoys playing the “Wii” (bowling, golf, tennis etc.). Started 4th grade and is learning to play the recorder. Put soccer on hold to help Mom and enjoy her new baby brother. Lost 2 teeth. Enjoys going to the library and reading. Mastered making homemade Limeade using limes from our lime tree. Still loves butterflies.
Jonathan (3): Loves playing sports and is a natural. Visited a fire station for his birthday. Learned how to swim this summer. Loves fire trucks, trains, guns, tanks, army men and knights. Enjoys playing the “Wii” and hates to lose. Loves to sing the “Sunbeam” song. Got his first library card. Became a “big boy” by using the potty and wearing underwear.
Joshua (4mths.): Drinks mommy milk, sleeps through the night, poops, smiles, giggles, wiggles, chews his fingers, loves baths, is calm and peaceful, is a joy to all.

Mt. Lemmon's Winter Wonder land.

Mommy's Angels: Tia making a snow angel.

Jonathan done making his snow angel.

Thanks for the snow ball people!

Thanks Dad and the Hoobler family for this cool outing!

We had tons of fun!

Mt. Lemmon area...so pretty. Thanks for taking these pictures Ty.

Christmas Everyday.

I miss you Dad. I know you loved Christmas.
I remember you saying a few years ago when we were visiting for Christmas how you wished Christmas was everyday...
As I reflected upon your statement this came to mind that Christmas is usually the season where there is an outreach that comes into our hearts. Hearts are softened. We think a little more kindly of one another, there is little less of bitterness or hate. There is more love...love for our families, for our friends, for our neighbors or even strangers. There is more reaching out to those in trouble, need or distress. Christmas is about Christ. I think I know what you meant by wanting Christmas to be an every day thing. I love you Dad.

After our own Christmas (morning) we packed food, gifts and kids and headed up to Mesa to have lunch/dinner at my sister's house. The food was good, merci ma soeur! The kids had a wonderful time playing with their cousins too. After our meal and chatting we called our mother (Tahiti) and siblings via Skype to wish them a Merry Christmas etc. It was wonderful to hear from you mom. I wish we were closer so we could all get together for such holidays.

Around 8 we packed everyone in the car to see the lights at the Mesa temple. As always the lights and displays were beautiful...I love the feelings felt there too.

Christmas means giving.

Tia is such a thoughtful and giving person. On Christmas morning Jonathan found a "gift" under the tree with his name on it. When he opened it this is what he found: a one dollar bill inside a homemade card that said:

"Merry Christmas. This is for your mission. Love, Tia". She is referring to an LDS mission, that's what the "Mormon boys" do when they reach 19. They teach the gospel. They serve for 2 years.

The best part of Tia's "gift" is that we had nothing to do with it. It was all her doing...and that's Tia for you.

"Believe"

"The bell still rings for me".

Quote from "The Polar Express" movie.

Carrots for Santa's "Raindeer".

Tia left this out for Santa's "Raindeer" - so thoughtful.

As you can see they are messy eaters.

Santa's sleigh tracks...what a landing!

Simple evidence that Santa exists...our kids were in awe especially Jonathan.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Mommy's Wonderful helper:

Tia taking good care of Joshua while I was busy baking and making treats.
Joshua was so tired he fell asleep like this...

Making fun of our tired little "Moose".

He was so tired that the camera flashes didn't bother him.

To have a daughter is a blessing. Thanks Tia for all your help these past couple of weeks.

Joshua is catching flies...hehe.

Brothers.

I'm telling you little Bro. Santa is coming tomorrow night...

Christmas Lights galore!

Merry Christmas from Winter haven Arizona!

Pretty poinsettia's, twinkling lights, Santa displays...so Magical and Exciting! Jonathan is at that age where he is really excited crazy about Christmas...you can see it in his eyes.

Ty and I really liked this display. Whoever came up with this is one cool dude or dudette! This is how I would picture Santa in the islands...a couple of surfboards in the background, sand, flip flops...This is probably what Santa does when Christmas is over - a tropical vacation.

A Gingerbread house...tasty looking!

Family outing: Winter haven, AZ - Tuesday Dec.16, 2008.

Live Nativity

As long as we have lived here we love to attend our Church's Live Nativity every year. It has become a tradition, a family tradition. This free live performance is open to the public and plays for 3 nights (Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14). Here Tia invited one of her best friends Morgan. Tia is holding Jonathan in this picture too.
About three and a half years ago I had the honor of playing Mary for the live nativity. It was a wonderful yet humbling experience. Having given birth to a child in a nice comfy hospital I can't imagine doing the same thing but surrounded by animals, their odors, bugs, itchy hay and probably no privacy...such a humble setting for a King, I love my Savior!
He is truly the reason for the season.

Our kids all bundled up. Yes, it can get chilly even in the desert.

We Believe!

A couple of weeks ago our kids wrote their letters to Santa.

Jonathan included his letter with Tia's so Santa would get both letters at the same time.

Thanks Tia for helping your brother I know Santa is watching...

Joshua's First Christmas decorating experience:

Ooooh! So shiny, bright and lumpy...so this is called an ornament?


So what am I suppose to do with it?

Eat it - I guess...

Two little Indians...

We stopped in Page, Arizona to let our little "Indians" run around for a while. This is the 2nd time we've done this during a trip home from Utah. Last time we only had a picture of Tia, this time around Jonathan is in it. I was nursing Joshua in the car so Joshua will be in a Page, Arizona picture next time...Heavenly Father is such the artist, I love these earthy colors and the rock formations, simply beautiful against the soft blue sky.

Ty took these cute pictures since I was nursing Joshua in that white car you see parked on the side of the road way, way down...
The kids collected some sand in a bottle and here they are showing off some rocks they found. Cool Rocks!

Mining Town.

Stopping to check out this mining town/ museum. Jonathan loved the train and cabooses while Tia was hoping to find a diamond or some gold, just kidding.

Cousins.

Stopping for lights and pictures. This picture was taken in Santaquinn after "Pie Night".
Grandma Julene's sister has a family tradition where they gather for "Pie Night" the eve of Thanksgiving. They have it every year at their home (in Salem). The gathering gets bigger every year as families/relatives have children and grandchildren or bring friends. It was good to see Aunt Neva, family and all the cousins and of course it was wonderful to have some pie. They had 15 plus pies to choose from (warm or cold) it was awesome.

Here Tia and her cousin made a "Happy Birthday" banner for Grandpa's 72nd birthday. Leave it to the girls to surprise Grandpa on his special day. Happy Birthday Larry!

Delta Sand Dunes.

Jonathan having some fun with Dad.

There is never a dull moment when uncle Ty is in town.
Ty and his nephews jumping the dunes...Turkey's can fly!

I like this picture.
The boys would climb the dune or go around it and run to jump off and land in the soft sand below. Fun, fun!

Dad...it's just a game.

I love Joshua's facial expression.

He probably was getting tired of the photo shoot.

Christmas tag

A friend tagged me...

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your family and friends.
Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!!. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you......Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both, it all depends on the gift...

2. Real or fake tree?
Both but I prefer the smell of a real tree.

3. When do you put up a tree?
The goal is the 1st of Dec. or whenever...

4. When do you take it down?
Before New Year's.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Not really, it's good in small amounts it's just too sweet...

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A beautiful bike, I believe I was 8.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Ty

8. Easiest person(s) to buy for?
My family.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, 3 nativities. My favorite is by Susan Lordi - Willow tree.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail, I'm old fashioned.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
It's a family tradition in our family to watch "It's a wonderful life" on Christmas Eve. I like the movie "Elf" too.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Whenever...here a little there a little.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
May be...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
? hard to answer...a good buttery toffee.

16. Lights on the tree?
Of course!!

17.Favorite Christmas song?
All but if I had to pick I'll have to say "Away in a Manager".

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
No, sorry Santa. Santa paddled an outrigger canoe in the islands...

19. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star

20. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning?
CHRISTMAS morning.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Traffic.

22. Favorite Ornament theme or colors?
Christ.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Kitchen stuff...

24. Who is most likely to respond to this?
Anyone who has time or just want a blog idea...

25. Who is least likely to respond to this?
Busy people...

The Fantastic 5 Support Team.

This is our family supporting Ty's sweet addiction.

We threw on some U of U gear (or anything RED) and took this picture before Ty took off for the game.

Feel the burn...

"Crimson Sea, Utah"

From Arizona to Utah and back...

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Utah with Ty's family.
It was nice to get away and see family. Our kids had a blast catching up with their cousins, uncles, aunt and of course Grandpa and Grandma "SNOW". Our kids call them that because when we visit there is usually snow where G-pa and G-ma live and they love to play in it when they are lucky to find some.
For the most part we hung out in Elberta (with an "E"), Utah at Ty's parents for a few days where Ty was able to work a little and also attend the U of U/ BYU Football game - the most anticipated game of the year (for the fans of course). It was a great game! GO UTES! No offense BYU fans. I'm not a football fan and I like both universities however Ty graduated from the "U" so "YES" I'm proud of their victory.
After Elberta we moved our Tucson behinds to Delta (still in Utah) where Ty's only sister Kelly hosted Thanksgiving. The company and food was good.

During the drive up to Utah and back there was plenty of time for reflection and I must say that my "gratitude list" was/is LONG. So I'll sum things up by simply saying that I'm thankful for my many blessings and trials.