10/30/10 AJ is off to the MTC

10/30/2010 LETTER TO AJ ON HIS MISSION

Not sure when your p-day is going to be so I thought I better send you a little something in your in-box.

Hope you are loving it and doing great.  We are anxious to hear from you and hope to hear great things!

Today has been a busy Saturday.  The morning started early scrubbing the kitchen floor and cleaning out the remainder of your bedroom.  I think we have gone through just about everything now and got your things neatly tucked away in the closet.  The border around your bedroom was pretty solidly stuck to the wall.  I tried and tried to remove it with no luck and then gave up and went to Nisson's and bought a product that helps remove borders.  It worked like magic.  The stuff just falls off after 15 minutes with this goop on it.   I am probably 10 minute away from completing this 2 hour project.  Maybe next week we'll paint.  We'll see how much time and energy we have!

Around lunch time the girls wanted to go and hang with the Riley's at their new house.  I went up to get a tour and Sis. Riley asked for some help with her garage.  I spent about an hour there helping put together some shelves and putting things up on the shelves.  Man they have a ton of stuff.  They have about filled their 2 car garage with "stuff".  

We tried to go to the community center last night to check out the Halloween festivities.  There was a line out into the parking lot.  We decided it wasn't worth it and instead the Turner's came and played games -- uno and charades.  We ate caramel popcorn and watched the girls act out silly things.  It was kinda fun.  The boys disappeared in the bedroom and played their game.  They didn't want to participate in "girl" stuff!

I'll have dad send you some pictures of our Halloween costumes.  

Well take care and know that we love you and are praying for you!!!  We are so proud of you.  Love you lots!

10/14/10 Letter to Taylor Squires on mission

Dear Taylor,

    Your mom and dad have been forwarding your letters on to everyone and it has been fun to hear how you are doing there.  It sounds like things are great so far.  Singing in the choir sounds like fun.  Glad you are enjoying your time and doing so well.  You must be coming along well with your language if you are starting to dream in Spanish (even if you don't understand it--- it's a good start!!!)

    AJ will be there 2 weeks from yesterday.  Crazy!  We are buying him the final things -- we have luggage and shirts, pants, shoes, sheets and towels.  He got a new VISA card yesterday from the bank and extended his driver license this morning.  His room is TRASHED (what else is new, right?!)  but once we pack everything up it should be MUCH better!  We got the stuff to treat his clothes with and will have to figure that out this weekend.    He is WAY excited to get this mission thing started!

    So do you need AJ to bring you anything from home?  I told your mom to get us some of her yummy cookies and we'd smuggle them in to you (it was for selfish reasons...I planned on sneaking some before I sent it on to you!!!)

    Aj's farewell is next Sunday, October 24 at 9 a.m.  This Sunday he is speaking in his student ward.  None of us will be able to go see him though because Andy is teaching Sunday school and I'm teaching in YW.  Oh well.  He said he is doing a different talk this week and next week.  

    This morning was Dude's and Donuts -- Andy and Aj both went up to the Elementary school and had breakfast with Katie and Holly.  A fun little tradition.  The girls were SO excited to have their "Dude's" come hang with them.  

    YW's is keeping me pretty busy these days.  Last night we played a super fun game of ULTIMATE FRISBEE.  First time I ever played.  We only had 6 girls so we played 2 laurels and me against 4 beehives and another leader.  My older girls were much better at this game than the younger ones but it was really fun.

    Work is staying busy with tickets coming in like crazy.  It is good -- job security!!  Seems like crime is always up!  

    High school football games are tonight because of Fall break this weekend.  I guess you heard about the boys at Snow Canyon that were struck by lightening last week?  Sounds like Dane Zdunich is doing good -- he got out of the hospital and made the front page of the paper this morning.  Alex Lambson is still in the hospital.  I guess his injuries were worse.  But he is expected to be fine.  Crazy!   And after the strike last week Snow Canyon football won their game.  

    Well keep studying hard and learning -- you are doing such a great thing.  We are proud of you and your efforts.  Heavenly Father will bless you to learn all that you need to!!!

   Love you lots! Uncle Andy, Aunt Shelly, AJ, Dallas, Bryce, Katie and Holly