MTC EXPERIENCE

The famous picture spot at the MTC in front of the world map. New York here we come!!
This couple is the Davis's. They are the best friends to the couple we are replacing, the Shaffers, from Bountiful. We both drove into the parking lot together and were told to find each other. The Shaffers told each of us about the other. We spent a lot of time with them and learned to love them. They are going to England on their two year mission.This is our district. There was another couple going to San Francisco that were two weeks delayed and didn't show up. Elder and Sister Dale are the ones sitting with me. They are going to Rapid City South Dakota to the Indian reservations. The couple standing with Doug are the Huntingtons, they are going to South Carolina. Doug had the opportunity to give Elder Huntington a blessing of healing along with Elder Dale. The young RM is Brother Dustin Graham one of our teachers. He was awesome.
We took many pictures of Senior missionaries that were in our dorms. The end couple is the Shumways, they are going to Australia to teach literacy. Doug and Elder Shumway hit it off really well, both are avid hunters. The couple in the middle are the Wrights going to Alaska.

The MTC was the most awesome experience. We wish we could bottle the time there and sip on it a little every day. We made some wonderful friends, probably gained 4 pounds each, no Doug really enjoyed the ice cream and deserts, he probably gained 6 pounds. We enjoyed the strong spirit with every meeting we had. The young return missionaries are awesome teachers. I hope to be just like them. Elder Russell M. Nelson and his new wife Wendy were our Tuesday devotional speakers. The "Senior" Missionaries are spoiled, we get reserved front row seating at all Devotionals, and firesides. We will always remember our time at the MTC with cherished longing memories.

Fair-well Week-end

We have had a most wonderful week-end of family, friends and love. Many arrived from out of town on friday night. We had a wonderfully precious experience in the temple. I sat there pondering that this is how heaven will be. Surrounded by family, friends, loved ones. My heart was sad as there was some not there that we missed.

After the temple session we had a luncheon for everyone. The food was great and tasty. The girls in the cafeteria at the temple made the meatballs and gravy, the potatoes and vegetable. My girls all brought salads along with Mitzi and Suzanne and our Mothers. We had a yummy Birthday cake celebrating Clint's birthday. Everything was delicious. Thanks everyone.

Then at 5:00 pm we had an open house for ward members. Cookies Cookies Cookies were the hit. Thanks to all who baked and brought cookies for us. They were so yummy. That night we just hung out at the house and visited and enjoyed the moment. There was just this buzz of visiting that was great. It meant that everyone was happy.

Today is Sunday, our actual fair-well. It was a full house looking out over the audience. Many friends and family, what a great gift to us from all of you. Thanks for all of your support, love and prayers. We love you.

That evening after everyone had left but our immediate family, blessings were given and then we all went to the stake center for President Richards to set us apart as missionaries. We now are going forward as MISSIONARIES for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR CLINT !!!!

Clint was born on November 9th 1985, so he would be 22 years old. What I would give to see him now. He was our "short round" number 4 child, third son, as the kids call it. I'll bet he has grown a few inches taller. I would love one of his hugs. He always would like to walk with his arm around me when ever we went any where. I would love to look into his sparkling blue eyes and feel the warm of his love with his smile, or was it his mischievious grin that melted hearts. Clint was the most beautiful baby. Everywhere I went I was told how cute he was, I should have him model in catalogs they would say. He was smart and a born leader, the man with a plan. He had so many friends.

We miss you Clint and love you so much. But we know that you are doing a great work on your mission. Can't wait to see you and hug you and have one of your famous smiles. Take care of our two little ones up there preparing to come down here. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

I love Fall!!!

The leaves turn colors and fall to the ground so we can rake them up and make a mound, then run and jump and hide and play. Thanks Pampa for the fun!!!

Brandee and I were walking with Taylee around the perimeter of the park while KC was at soccer practice. Doug was playing with Allee and Kell and they were walking thru the leaves and decided it would be fun to rake them into a pile and jump in them. They attracted quite a crowd of little ones who wanted in on the fun.

Sunday tradition put on hold

For the last 7 1/2 years our family has gathered at 5:00 pm on Sundays to eat dinner together. Tonight was the last time we will all be together for the next two years. I am very sad. Some changes are hard. This has just become part of our day on Sunday. We will miss the gathering. Hopefully the kids will keep with the tradition as they feel they can. It will be a big burden on Brandon and Malea as they will be living in our home while we are gone. Brax is staying here as well, but he has moved out to the Casita. Our home is the only one that is big enough to feed everyone. Our hope is that they will get together at least twice a month and we will all get on the web-cam and be able to visit together that way. Before too long there will be 20 of us. It does get a little crazy, but I love it.

SOCCER SOCCER SOCCER

Let's hear it for KC, he plays on a team where he is the youngest on the team, Go Lobsters!!

Let's hear it for Easton, he likes to score side ways goals. Go blue team!!!!

We have not been able to watch KC and Easton's soccer games because we have been out of town alot on saturdays. But we caught them in action this past saturday. I remember the days when our kids were all playing soccer. We loved it. The kindergarten age is so fun to watch as they learn what to do and where to do it. We are such proud grandparents. You kids will have to blog all the things we will be missing and keep us in touch.

Trick or Treat - our Halloween treat

The spooks were out tonight! The TRICK was getting them to pose all together, the TREAT was all ours as we had them gather for pizza and treats before the night really began.
Maesi as: JoJo, Easton as "DASH"
Kell as: the witch, Taylee as: the sleeping kitty, Allee as: Cute Cow gal, KC as: fireman
Tryston: where in the world is NEMO?
Breckon as: our "Chunky Monkey"