Melting Pot... Saturday

Today Kristen and her dad painted a mirror... a little project.. turned out really cute... Larry isnt feeling well.. a cold.. we all went to Melting Pot for dessert.. really rich.. really good!

Missionary Humor...for Sis. Alexis Shipley :)

I love Sundays...

Sundays around this house are pretty low key.. it is nice to shut the world out and go to church and see my church family/friends... We went to a Missionary Farewell.. and a Missionary Homecoming..and then to another Farewell at 1..
Larry fixed a pork roast for dinner...the house smelled WONDERFUL! Nice Nap!
Kristen and Nick came over for a visit... Cardinals are going to the SUPERBOWL!!!
A nice day! :)

Saturday...at the Club.. the Park..the Movies...HOME:)

Tennis with Kristen, Scott and Larry... In and Out Burgers...Rugby Game... Movie..Laundrey...Costco..Jaquizzi.. relaxing! :)

What a FUN Day!

Larry and Robin at the Temple in Mesa, AZ

Becky and Larry

Larry telling baby Paul "This is your FAVORITE UNCLE LARRY"

GREAT AUNT ROBIN :)

PAUL ROBERT HUNSAKER... 36 HOURS OLD!

I realize that I have started many a blog with this title... but I have decided amidst these troubling times that we live in... to take it one day at a time....the GOOD and the BAD... but focus on the GOOD and recognize the BLESSINGS of each day.
We overslept this morning but managed to make our way to Mesa..went to the Temple... afterwards met our eldest daughter Becky ... she showed us around her work.. UNiversity of Phx.. that is a HUGE facility..we ate in the cafeteria together.. I am so proud of Becky.. she graduates in the spring from ASU with a degree in communications.. she will be the first SHIPLEY grandchild to graduate from college. :)
Afterwards we headed over to the hospital to visit our neice Kate and Jon and their new little or should I say BIG BOY! It is TRUE... he really is the cutest baby you have ever seen.. it is such a wonderful feeling to hold such a precious little soul.. only 36 hours old.. fresh from HEAVEN! :) The HIGHLIGHT of my day!
Kate and Jon are going to make WONDERFUL parents and we are soooooo HAPPY for them.
It seems SURREAL as the kids are getting older and having lives and careers etc.. of their own.. where has the time gone? I have enjoyed watching them grow and progress.. it is just weird sometimes as I guess I am the one getting older.. good thing I look so young... noone can tell I am only 40.. :) anyway, home now.. went to the club.. swam 40 laps! Going to bed so I can wake up bright and early and play......
TENNIS! night, night!

The Marilyn Video... Happy Birthday 50TH LARRY!

He is HERE! PAUL ROBERT HUNSAKER :)

Congratulations to Kate and Jon Hunsaker and their new baby BOY!
Born on January 12, 2009! :) Susie and Kenny are the proud GRANDPARENTS! 1ST GRANDCHILD!:)
Mommy and BABY are doing GREAT! I guess that makes me a GREAT AUNT.. I have always thought I was a GOOD AUNT but now I have to be GREAT! We are all so HAPPY for this newest arrival of BABY HUNSAKER! :)

It's OFFICIAL... I'm FAMOUS!........ WE'RE FAMOUS!!! THE BIONIC BUTTERFLYS ROCK!!

When I show Larry this... he will surely want me to quit looking for a
J O B...and FOCUS
more seriously on my TENNIS CAREER! lol!
The prestigious TENNIS LIFE featured our picture in a collage of 2008 pictures.. how cool is that? I am so STOKED.. HA! (and that is said in a very egotistical way!... like
HA! :)

FAVORITE 2008 PHOTO OF LARRY!

July 4th Backyard BBQ 2008.


The kids and I have often commentted and laughed at some of the pictures taken of Larry over the years... we have even discussed putting together a photo album of just HIM.
They are quite funny and always make us SMILE... This one is the WINNER of 2008!
I love you Larry! :)

Friday Fun Day!

In school...one of my kids had a classroom in elementary school... and on Fridays.. it was referred to as "Friday Fun Day"... I liked that and have referred to Fridays as Friday fun day for quite some time... today was definitely FUN!
Tennis at 9.. singles against favorite friend Susan! :) What a workout.. I loved it!
The team I am playing with WON their first match today against Randolf Park... and the most fun of all was going to breakfast with these gals to Torinnos...and getting to know them better. The FUN had to end sometime.... 2 o'clk... Robin had to report for duty at the office.. actually I enjoyed it..no matter how much I mess up... I still cant get fired...ha!ha! I learned there is a reason not to eat chocolate chip cookies at the front desk because you can smudge chocolate on the patient's file... it is difficult to clean off... oops! At least I dont have to cook dinner because I HAD TO WORK... and I even got a movie thrown in.. BONUS! :) Whew! I am EXHAUSTED! LOL!
Larry sweetly THANKED me for coming in today...I said.."It's OK.. I had a REALLY WONDERFUL DAY...and I planned on the afternoon.. so it is all good!" I should be THANKING him for all the fun I am able to have... I am GRATEFUL for this time in my life.. it is INTERESTING. :)

We have the BEST Neighbors!!!

I have to say that whereever I have lived... I have always tried to know my neighbors... and we have had some great neighbors who have turned into some great friends...Struthers, Foutz... we have had some not so great as well.. what were their last names? hmmmmmm.... anyway, we came home today to find this brick with a BIG HOLIDAY BOW... Very Creative Poggi's... and a THANKYOU card with 50 dollars in in.. not necessary, of course.. it was to express thanks for Larry and Scott dragging the roads after the rains.. it really brightenned Larry's day.. and we are going to use it to have fun on Sat. when we go to the U of A game.. Thankyou Tony and Kathy...:)

We heard from Alexis today!

Alexis in City Centre on New Years Eve 2008!


Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week... well,ok... besides MOndays..and Fridays.... usually the reason is because I start my day off with tennis but also because we get our weekly e-mail from Alexis in England! :)
Today was a beautiful day in the tennis world... warm sunshine... the mountains...blue skies... Robin lost both sets... but I am playing in the BIG LEAGUES now.. and I really should learn to accept my losses more gracefully... at least the women that I compete with are hilarious to me and always make me laugh.. mainly at myself.. it's all good. I know that I am on this team for a reason.. these ladies are my teachers!
I just wonder to myself... as I get older.. if I will get nicer and not care so much about things like losing at tennis or if I will always be a psycho? Is it innate or learned... or will some people never learn? What if I am one of these people? :( "SAD" as my sister-in-law would say..Worriesome! oh well,afterwards, I was able to go to the Semi-finals of the Copperbowl at the Resort ... where some of the best of the best tennis was being played for the 16 to 18 age group.. WOW! INCREDIBLE TENNIS!
Anyway, All is well for Sister Shipley in Leeds....she says to say hi to all!
Cooking steaks on the Barbee... and playing tennis with Scott tonight.. hopefully not as cold as last night...
Ruined the steaks.. orderred Magpies!

Anyone for Tennis? Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

It was darn cold out tonight... we didn't last too long... but it felt good to swing a racquet... look how BITTER Nick looks... this picture was taken after I beat him 2 out of 3... haha! Actually, it was quite scary when he hit the ball... FAST!
Isn't he handsome?
Kristen thinks I look like Ben Stiller... the weight loss director..."Tony Perkus" in that movie "HeavyWeights" with my ear muffs on... I am telling you... it was COLD! brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

Day 5.... Still ALIVE!

Tho a beautiful winter day... there was no tennis to be played today...so sad, too bad!:(
Even the dogs were depressed! Something about "Raining CATS and DOGS"... they never saw any CATS today!

Day 4.... Sunday!

Will somebody please let me in? It's raining out here, people!!!


A good day...love the rain... went to church... made everyone's favorite meatloaf and mashed potatoes/gravy. Fireplace is going... we are safe and warm... all is well. :)

Day 3.... Silver and Gold!

These friends are Golden! We spent the afternoon up in Mesa at the Temple with our friends the Struthers... their son Steven is going on his mission to Independance, MO.
Afterwards we went to Texas Roadhouse and got home late... what a day tho.. to see Jeff and Doreen in the Temple with all 4 of their boys was SUBLIME.
I think it is funny... if you notice behind Steven... there is a sign that says "Available"... he is definitely NOT AVAILABLE for at least 2 YEARS!
Good Luck Stevo... We love you! :)

Day 2...2009 Taking Down Christmas!

I think I am going to wait a few more days on this one...

Goodbye Mr. Tree... Thankyou for adding your beauty to our Christmas holiday! :)

Scott was more than HAPPY to help take down the tinsel off the car...

Back to OrDinArY!(Sigh)

Meet "Mr. EVerYThinG has it's PLaCE!" :)

Robin attempting a par. :)

Canoa Ranch... a very difficult course... but beautiful!

Scott tearring up the course.

Scott thought he was funny... parking the golf cart right in front of the jayjohn..
Phase one of taking down Christmas has began.. alot to do! I guess the thing I miss most is the beautiful lights...especially the white ones.. they have a way of making things more beautiful..illuminated.. and that makes me feel happy.
Probably why I have white lights on the outdoor trees and a big green floodlight on our giant saguaro out back..
Anyway, we decided not to work too hard and play some more golf since Larry had the day off... we ended up going to Green Valley... Canoa Hills Golf course.. a looooonnnnnnggg
hard course.. my legs were actually stiff tonight when I went to get up from the movie Marley and ME.. great movie.. came home and gave my two girls a BIG HUG! :)
How about this weather we are having... isn't it beautiful?
This is why I love living in Tucson, AZ!

Day One...2009

My Best Friend Larry... who unfortunately LOST to me at tennis this a.m.
but look how cute he is..:)

New Years Brunch...Dove Mountain.

The Guys...

The GAL!

"The Winner" in todays Golf at Quail Canyon...

Hmmmmmm....after ringing in the New Year with good friends... sleeping in.. 7 a.m., Larry says to me.. "how about playing some tennis?" We were on the court by 8...then came home and got ready to go to a New Years brunch with some more friends.
Around 3... Scott and Larry decided that they wanted to play some golf... so they dragged me along... the weather was perfect.. I didn't do too bad...although I wouldnt quit my day job.. "tennis" :)
Scott got a kick out of how competitive I made it.. watching Larry and I argue over a hole and what the score was.. we weren't really arguing... I just like to aggravate Larry once in awhile for fun and get him riled up..lol!
At home now... watching the Rosebowl... eatting left over Carrabas..
I wont be playing tennis for a few days.. I will be golfing.. so I am told.. that's ok.
Today I shot a putt from about 20 feet away and sunk it.. and Scott said " I bet you cant do that again" so, I stood in the exact same spot and SUNK it again.. hahaha!
I atill lost over all... but had a GREAT time with MY BOYS!