Spring is Approaching

We have not posted anything for a while, mostly because we have been under the weather, busy surviving school, and just getting old and tired at nights, but all in all this has been a different winter. Our greatest blessing this winter came with a new grandchild but also being able to spend time with family.

Jessica and Dan have had their hands full with baby Derek, Jacob and Jessica's health. I am so proud of how well they take care of each other and love each other. It looks like they are all finally getting well-- their last battle has been baby Derek batting RSV. It was very scary at times, Jessica and Dan had to take him to the hospital 2-3 times a day for treatments... but he is doing amazing as of Sunday! I can not believe their stamina.

Heather is definitely ready for graduation! She is having senior-i-tus already and we still have two months to go. Other than having a little cold, her health is doing really good and she is looking forward to painting her new room and moving back down stairs.

Richie is back into the High School Soccer season. He is playing in the forward position and is getting a lot of time on the field. I just love to watch him sprinting down the field and scoring a goal. (Proud Mom!) In the last game he played in, he scored twice and had one assist! Keep up the good work Richie!

Rachel and Jim are doing great at UVU. They are almost done with their winter semester and after that, Rachel is going to pack up and go on a volleyball trip to New Zealand and Samoa. She is really excited to play volleyball and her team is doing a service project and helping a village in Samoa get back on their feet after the tsunami that hit them.

Angie and Chad sound like they are doing great, getting ready to start another semester up in Washington, moving into a new apartment, and planning a wonderful trip to Canada to go whale watching-- I am totally jealous!

Rich and I have our health issues but are looking forward to spring, pruning trees, planting the garden and don't forget all the weeding! Somehow this really does sound fun! I am really looking forward to just being in the back yard relaxing with my family, playing badminton and volleyball, barbecuing and chasing grandchildren. Good times.

good night all!

Welcome To Mortality

This morning Jessica and Dan went to the hospital around 6:00 a.m. Jessica quickly had little Derek at about 9:00 a.m.

Both Jessica and Dan had a little breakfast waiting for Derek. Jessica's was liquid IV and Dan had a sandwich. I always had the cheese burger and fries.

Jessica did a great job and in a few pushes Derek begins his mortal journey. Jacob and Derek are very lucky to have two loving parents that are dedicated to their families. Lynne and I are so excited to have another grandchild.

Proud Papa! Holding his precious cargo. The life long commitment of raising kids truly is the only way we can understand our relationship with our earthly and Heavenly Parents. What a wonderful and challenging hands on laboratory experience. Don't forget that we are here for you when needed.

Whats up! Little Derek a wrapped up tight like a pupa !

Just a chilling !! Derek is taking a break from all the attention. He has beautiful color and unblemished skin. You did well Jessica !

Perhaps Derek has a little attitude. Ha!

Poor kids going to be poked and prodded for a little while and I am sure he will look forward to some peace and rest. Derek this is the first of many posts with you. Here is looking at you kid.

Sunday Dinner

Lynne and I wanted to barbecue so we decided on pork loin. My Dad is the master at this cut of meat but he is currently living with Lisa and Jim. So.... we are creating our own version of Grandpa G's pork loin.

We started by taking the loin and wrapping it in bacon. According to Dan "everything is better with bacon". The butcher at the store gave me some string to try our creation. It took us a while but teamwork prevailed and we put together what we call Smothered Pig.

We got a little carried away with the string. I have a habit of over doing it and this over the top in so many ways.

A little chilly outside but I can warm myself with the smoker when needed.

I put the coals and fire wood on the right side of the smoker and the meat on the left. There was no direct heat under the meat. It worked well but was a little difficult to add wood to the fire. I removed the far right grill section for easy access to the fire. I also could slip in wood through the intake vent to the left of the fire. Next time I would not use any coals just wood from the cabin.

Here is our final product wrapped in bacon. The bacon was crisp but I could have left it on just a little longer to equalize the crispness. The bacon remained on the loin after we took off the string.

Dan, Jessica and Jacob came over to test my dish but I think it got mixed reviews with the Astins. I still cannot cook meat that Jacob likes. Maybe in a few years. Jessica is definitely with child most likely does not want me to upload pictures of her. Just know she looks cute with her big belly.

Jacob is a young botanist at heart. He enjoys playing with pine cones in the mountains or in the house. If you check out this last years Pine Valley trip you can see him throwing pine cones into the stream.

If I can only get this seed.......almost.......just a few more....... darnit I can't get it.

I think Rachel or Heather took this image of Jacob. Great smile kid !

Hey Jimmy if we were going to flex you should have told me. Jimmy is supporting a new facial look with approval from Rachel. Looks good my friend.

Master Teacher

Our very own Father and Husband has made his mark on society, he has helped many and has been recognized. Richard Glassford was in the BYU magazine for Fall 2009. He was recognized for having great Field Experiences, providing Great Opportunities, and Mentoring University Supervision. In the article it states :
"I was apprehensive many years ago as I stepped into the classroom for the very first time. I had just finished my course work at BYU and started student teaching with Scott Squire (Lakeridge Junior High) and Carl Ingersol (Mountain View High School). Both of these men were skilled mentors and teachers. It was their desire to help me become an effective instructor that contributed most to my success. Their efforts to share, listen, and work with me were a priceless gift.
While completing his student teaching, a good friend at BYU had the opposite experience. Because of lack of mentoring, his experience was so discouraging that he did not continue his training to become a teacher. I frequently wonder, what if my friend had had the same support I had as a student teacher?
Today I have my own classroom and owe much to my mentors who helped me find my style of teaching. Over the years I have had opportunities to give back to my profession through mentoring. I currently work with teacher candidates from BYU. The process of mentoring improves my skills as a teacher and provides a medium for me to pass on what I have learned. I hope to be able to continue helping young teachers have a positive impact on the educational system." http://education.byu.edu/news/magazine/focus

We are very proud of Mr. G and his hard work has paid off immensely!!!! Good Job!

Grandma Hawkins Throws a PARTY !!

Grandma H's had our traditional Hawkins family Christmas party at her house. We met around 5:00 and hung out until about 7:30. We had pizza, salad chips and dips and of course lots of candy.

Here Lynne and Rachel are getting ready to serve up some salad.

Dan and Jessica are kicking back on the famous bean bag. Jessica created a very interactive Christmas game for all of us.

After eating, we played some of her Christmas games (taboo and pictionary combo)
before the exchange gift game .

Jimmy and Rachel chatting during the game. We divided into two teams, boys against the girls. Of course the boys dominated. Perhaps there is some trash talking going on here between the two.

Dustin prepares to take his turn, Jaimie looks on and hopes for a easier card.

Jamie's card was "artifical tree" She provided a very intense drawing but the girls could not get it. I thought is was a great drawing.

Jim is helping Rachel loosen up and Heather is being Heather. I cannot figure out what she is doing here.

Jim is t

Jacob responds to the flash. He was very active during the party. Running all over the place. He felt very comfortable around everyone. Caught texting during the party, Heather shows her 'darn-it you caught me' face.

Dan competing his heart out !!!

Grandma H and Ducky await their turn.

Jacob and Richie playing.... never a dull moment. Boys will be Boys !!

Jacob trying to get Grandma to find him a special toy.

Stephanie and Lynne attempt to beat the guys...... resistance if futile.

Little Jacob and Greg playing the staring game. Of course Jacob lost, he could not stand still for very long.

Jacob getting one of his many hugs throughout the evening. I love getting hugs... when the kids were young, Grandma G and I would get many hugs each day. Now we are lucky if we get hugs from our kids once a week.

Watching contestants act, draw and perform was very amusing.

Zoom !!!

Hey I got a popcorn popper.

Zoom again !

A big thanks to those who planned and participated in our little party. Thank you Grandma H. for hosting a wonderful evening.

Merry Christmas !

Ginger Bread 09

Hey we had our 2nd Annual Ginger Bread get together. We have been looking forward to this activity for weeks. Each contributor brought uniqueness to our evening. There was the traditional and the strange and bazaar (in a good way). I have given each team a special award and look forward to having them return for next years fun fiasco. Oh we also had some of Mama's chicken broccoli soup. Yummy !

Heather, Stephanie and her guy friend (they have been seen together many times. I do not know how serious they are). They started with a ginger bread house kit and created a very interesting house. I enjoyed their unique perspective.

We are missing Dan and his parents in this photo. They came later after the football game.

Richie and his friend Rachel built a ginger bread castle. Their stain glass window was a tremendous addition. I would like to add this feature to our house next year.

This was easily the biggest house created this evening.

Check out the stain glass window. Awesome stuff!!

Ok Richie and Rachel here is your award / acknowledgment...... "The Biggest Castle with Towering Christmas Trees on Cream Filled Cookies". You also receive a second award. This is very unusual but we are giving your the "Best Use of Stain Glass on a Castle with Cream Filled Cookies". Nicely done !!

The faces of seasoned competitors can be observed in the image above. Returning from a successful 08 season Heather and Stephanie try to get Justin pumped up for piping.

Their finished product was stunning. One look and you think, what the heck. So you three receive the "What the Heck Award" This is not the kind of award that can be sought after. It is a gift and I give you all big time props for having the courage to create such a wonderfully strange house.

Your second award: "The Most Likely Ginger Bread House to be Mistaken as a Ghost Buster Ginger Bread Marshmallow Tan Man on the Loose" Award.

Both Rachel's are busy at work while Richie looks on. Rachel LaRae Glassford Anderson single handedly puts up the walls to her house while in the lower left hand corner Justin (Stephanie's friend) contemplates if they will put a second large tan Man in their ginger bread house. I know he wanted to, but I think the girls over ruled him.

Jimmy enjoying some of Momma G's soup and cheering Rachel on.

Here is Rachel and Jimmy's tremendous house. Your first ginger bread house together and your already experts. For your first award..... drum roll please, You get the "I can Build the Narrowest Ginger Bread House Without it Tipping Over Award".

I want all to know that Jimmy made the little Santa Want-a-be Ginger bread man. I thought the icing and the way the eyes and mouth were placed on the perfectly proportionate head was magnificent. You will have to ask Jimmy what the rest of the writing on the little ginger boy / man reads. I am not at liberty to divulge that information. Ok I love the idea with the little snow mobile pulling gifts. For this reason you receive the "I am Out of Control and Driving Into Santa's House" Award.

Here Jessica is seen using cheap generic canned foods as a stabilizing technique. This has only been pulled off successfully in 1935 by a Swedish Physicist that studied under Chris Kringle himself. I thought this process was sealed and stored in a granite vault in the North Pole. I know you are thinking 'there is no granite in the North Pole', Well they created the vault out of granite and hauled it all the way up to the North Pole to protect this technique..... some might say this is an illegal display of canned foods.

Jessica your use of chocolate, ginger bread and pretzels earns you the "I Can Create a Village on a small piece of Cardboard" award.

The three little pigs and the big bad wolf had nothing on you Jessica. You can huff and puff and not blow yours down, unlike your mother in laws heavy laden royal frosted house. One more award for you Jessica. I know you were physically hampered with contractions etc. so you receive the "I wish Dan was there earlier Award".

Nice piping Jessica..... You also receive the "You Can't Place This House at Room Temperature because Half of it Will Melt award".

It was nice to have Dan's parents come and enjoy the festivities. It would not be right of me to not acknowledge their innovations. Steve and Noreen I give you the "I Can Use More Frosting Than You Can Award". Congratulations !!

Nice Job Momma..... I was honored to be your partner. Your technique and pleasant demeanor throughout the evening allowed me to exhibit my piping talents. Now I cannot give us any awards because that would be self serving. So it is up to you readers to acknowledge our work of Ginger Bread 09

I had to pull out all the stops this evening and used my patented gooey finger tree. Yes it was unfair of me but Lynne needed me to bring game.... so I responded with all I had.

Jacob was very curious and wanted to play with the houses so we spent some time together downstairs and bounced on a big ball, played with blocks and watched Donald Duck. You Da Man Jacob.

Above and below is a front and back shot of our house. Come on guys give us an award. We deserve it.
Thanks you all for a wonderful evening and we hope you will all come back next year for our new improved Ginger Bread 2010.