2/26/12 Earning money for the band trip

2/26/12

Hey AJ!

I can't believe it's Sunday again!  This week has been incredibly busy.  Dad has been doing basketball playoffs (they were here for once, which was great!) so he's been gone ALL THE TIME!  I had my YW and court and we did special needs mutual Thursday night.  So between the two of us we saw each other Monday and Friday  and then Sat night.  Bogus!

The boys had a couple of little blessings while earning their money for the band trip.  Initially they were told they had to earn $450 each.  SO $900 was their goal.  Mr. Canland got some "deals" and was able to reduce the price to $350 each.  Which is pretty major.  Then the boys got the job working for Dr. Hagan.  He told them he would pay them $150 for doing his yard.  They worked at it all through the "leaf" season.  When it was over they went to tell him they had completed the job and he paid them $200!  Then they were selling Dixie Direct books.  They were told they would get $15 per book.  They sold all the books and dad turned in the money.  Dad told the person they sold them for the band trip.  He gave them the $17.50 per book rate getting them an extra $75!  I don't know if you can trace these all back to tithing and the Lord taking care of you...but I'd sure like to think so.  So the boys now have enough money to go to the band trip and have a little extra for food/expenses too!  Cool, eh!

The girls and I did volunteered at the Dogtown race yesterday.  From 8 - 12 we passed out gatorade, water, bananas, oranges, goo and vaseline.  The weather was perfect and the time actually went pretty quickly.  We had runners pass or station from the 9K and the 1/2 marathon.  It is still no where near as busy as working the actual marathon but it was pretty cool.  Got to see a few people we knew run by.

Today Brit and Jared are blessing their baby Mason.  So instead of grandma's house we are going the their new place.  They just rented a place over in bloomington that looks pretty fancy in the photos I've seen.  I think it is the nicest house in the family now except Eldon and Diane.  I don't imagine I'll be able to stay long.  They have cat(s) and dog(s)...not sure how many of each.  But I think 2 of one of those.  We are having pulled pork sandwiches and funeral potatos.  Not sure what else.  Should be good.

Nick and Bree split up.  Not sure what finally pushed her over the edge but she left him a couple of weeks ago.  Nick is pretty upset about things from what we read on face book.  I really like Bree...it's too bad he couldn't keep 'er!

Wendy and Eddy are moving back down here.  Did I already tell you that?  He got the job as the Santa Clara city manager.  I think he starts soon.  They are having issues with getting his parents to move out of their home in Ivins so they can move back in.  Ed is supposed to live in Santa Clara within 18 months anyway. If it were me I'd just get a place in Santa Clara and not have to move 2x.  I guess they are good at moving though.  They do it a lot.

So most of the family should be living back here before long.

Austin is going to school to be a police officer.  I think they have talked about moving out of the area if they have to.  They don't come to anything anymore.  I guess they had a falling out with Nick and so they avoid him.  (???)  I dunno.  It's too bad.  Zoe is sure cute!

Well I can't think of anything else exciting to tell you.  Love you lots!!!!

Mom

02/05/12 Superbowl Sunday & dance central

2/5/12

Hey, Superbowl Sunday...so you know what that means?!  Too much junk in the house!  Don't think anybody is coming over though.  Too bad.  Gma and pa aren't feeling well (colds) and Neal and Cheryls' kids are coming to their place and we didn't ask anybody else.  So just us Griffin's at the party today!

We made meatballs and homemade bread, chicken -- Tso something or other?!, velveeta dip, oatmeal fudge cookie bars and sugar cookies.  I dunno what else.  Just junk!  The kids are excited to pig out. (and watch commercials).  Yeah.

New Beginnings was a HUGE success.  13 girls!!!  (3 newbies and 10 of the usuals) and parents and all my presidency and teacher and bishopric member and just a packed room!  I was very happy for such great turnout and success!  I had to talk and then my presidency put on a play that was really cute about using the personal progress book, strength of youth and scriptures to make them better people in the 6 years they are in young women.  It showed one girl who hucked it under her bed right away and never did any of it.  The next "dabbled" in it and the third immersed herself in the teachings and learned and grew from it.  The prince came through town and visited each girl and of course chose the girl with the qualities of a refined young woman and they married and lived happily ever after.  It was funny and cute and hopefully got a good message across!

Katie has been fighting off a nasty cold/cough for awhile now.  So we just stayed in Friday and watched movies and hung out together.  She seems to be getting better but it sure seems to have stayed around a long time!

The boys are still working on saving their money to go to Disneyland etc with the band.  They have sold 27/30 dixie direct books and just completed the Hagan's leaf/lawn project.  He told them he would pay them $150 but gave them $200.  Dallas was grinning from ear to ear.  I think the price actually came down a little from first estimate and instead of $450 each they need $350 each.  So they are getting there!  They have about $600 now between the two of them.  Not bad really.  The trip is in March for Spring break.

Dallas says he will be working every weekend this month so that is good.

He has started taking piano lessons again with Brother Bassett.  He goes every Tuesday night at 9 and he will pay him in trade.  He will babysit or do odd jobs for his lesson.  He has been practicing quite a bit.  Says he wants to play in seminary but he is kinda chicken.  He really has put a lot of effort in.  I'm proud of him!

Katie, Holly and I have been playing Dance Central.  It is a kinect game that picks up your movement and "scores" you according to how well you dance.  We have been having a ton of fun with that.  The girls have pretty much "beat" everything on easy and are continuing to improve and enjoy their game.  I've been working on the medium and hard levels but I have lots to do still.  I sometimes do that in the morning instead of going to the gym now.  It's kind of addictive...it makes you want to keep dancing.  A couple of times I've been like, Ok, I'm tired, I'm gonna quit now...and an hour later I finally quit.  Totally sweating and tired!  In the morning before work I have to make myself quit and have been 10 or 20 minutes past when I was supposed to quit.

Well I guess the superbowl is starting so I'm gonna sign off now.  Hope you had a great week. Are you driving now since you are a zone leader? Is your apartment better?  Do you have a ton more meetings to go to?  How is the weather where you are?  Totally HOT all the time?  You will probably freeze when you come back here!  Might have to move you to Arizona or something, Ha ha!

K, take care.  Love you lots. MOM