02/29/16 SUPAF and state basketball tournaments

02/29/16
We enjoyed our dinner at the Phillips' house last Sunday.  They made lasagna and salad and strawberry pie.  All very delicious.  We were able to stay and visit awhile and then headed over to Gma's house and stayed a little longer.  Eldon stopped in briefly but didn't see much of him before he was gone again.

Monday the girls had SUPAF dress rehearsal concert at DHHS.  They did a good job.  I am amazed at what Mrs. Hodek can do with the kids that have only been playing 6 months.  They sounded great. And they looked great too.  Takes a special person to be able to stand all the commotion and not be insane.  I went with Holly's class Wednesday to the actual SUPAF competition and that was more than enough kids for me for a long time!  They were good but so busy and noisy!  It was fun to hang out with Holly. She's so grown up!

Wednesday night Dad and I went to cold stone creamery and walked the mall while the girls were at YW.  We knew Dad was going to be busy all week so we thought we better take our date early.  It was nice to hang out and eat ice cream together.  

Thursday, Friday and Saturday Dad worked a TON.  He left early each day and went up to Cedar City and then spent all day covering games both on the radio and not.  Then he would write up the games.  When he finally got home very late he would then stay up until 5 a..m. give or take publishing all the tournament stuff plus whatever else has been going on in the area (U of U, BYU, Dixie, rugby, etc).  Crazy!!!!

The girls and I had a pretty mellow quiet week while he was gone.  We went to Costco for dinner Thursday and did a little shopping.  The girls babysat Friday night for the bishop's family.  Dawn Wright and I went to Brad Wilcox, Why I believe, fireside at the tabernacle.  It was really good.  Saturday we did some yard work and took the little girls swimming.  Katie did homework.  She really wants all  A's all the time everywhere. And she's not afraid to work for it!

Yesterday we had dinner at Gma and pa's house and enjoyed pork and mac and cheese among other things.  Delicious and fun.  It's so nice to just hang out and visit. McKayla even got to hang out with us.  She wasn't feeling well so she didn't go to work last night.  Usually she can only stay 1/2 hour or so.  

The girls are keeping busy and soccer season is just around the corner so it should be even busier soon.  I think they might get to be on the same team again.  I am really hoping.  I've been really liking that this year. 

Well I got too busy yesterday so now it's Monday morning and I'm due to be at work in 11 minutes so I better sign off. Love you lots!!!!  

Mom

2/21/15 Another week in the books

Holly making a firefly stepping stone

Sometimes as I sit down to write I can't remember what in the world we've done the past week.  It just seems all a blur!  I look back over my calendar and sometimes it comes back to me and sometimes I think I should be writing more often cause I just can't remember what the heck happened earlier today let alone last week! (old age?!) (crazy?!) ...don't you dare answer that!

So this week was a little shorter due to the Holiday on Monday.  Feels good Monday, feels bad Tuesday!  Tuesday was super busy and flew by as the phones rang off the hook while preparing for court. Not all bad but tiring none the less!

The Binder's family has been sick for awhile battling colds and sleepless nights with new baby.  Sister Binder is my visiting teacher. She posted on the internet that her house needed sanitized and they needed to get the sickness OUT!  So Jamie Meacham (her partner) and I decided that since she couldn't visit me since she was sick we'd surprise her and come spend our visiting time with those handi-wipes that fight germs.  We wiped down her door knobs, kitchen table and chairs, counters, fridge etc.  We then vacuumed.  We played with little Jeffrey for just a few minutes and then left.  Hopefully we helped to let her know she was loved and helped get the sickness out of the house too!  She says she'll be more careful what she posts on facebook from now on (she was embarrassed that we'd come to sanitize her!)  It was kind of fun and felt good to do some service. 

Wednesday night the girls did basketball practice and learned to crochet.  So Katie has already almost finished a pot holder and is working on a scarf.  Told her she better hurry or it wouldn't get used this season!  She really picks this stuff up fast and runs with it!

Dad and I have Wednesday nights home alone when he doesn't have games so we found ourselves with a quiet evening. Dad is still nursing his bum knee but he needs to get out and start trying to use it.  So we took a couple of laps around the community.  We haven't done that in awhile and it was nice to have a little walk together.  Afterward we watched our program "Elementary" together -- detective show we both enjoy. 

Lady bug stepping stones

Darryn Taylor got his mission call and opened it via SKYPE on Wednesday evening.  He is going to Canada -- BC -- right up above you!  Extra cool is that his father's grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc live in the next province over about 7 hour drive away.  So he might even get to "run into" some family while he is there!  He leaves May 11. 

Thursday the girls won yet another ward BB game.  While they were in the game I went and visited Sister Bunnell (visiting teacheing again).  I have had her on my list forever but never got in her house until this week.  (Sister Wright was my partner and always said she already visited her and Sis B was sick and didn't want another visit...so I left it at that.  Sis W is no longer my partner so I went by myself -- I have no partner for now).  We had a nice visit.  Sister B's mom just died within the past 2 weeks and we talked about how hard it is to lose your mom and the different feelings and experiences she has been having.  We talked about life after death and I told her I was very certain her mother was happy and catching up with the family and friends who had died before her.  I talked about some of the books I have read regarding near death experiences and how all of the people expressed the beauty and the love they felt while visiting the other side. And how they hated to leave here but when they got to the other side they struggled to come back because it was so wonderful there.   I really believe it is true and told her so.  I think it helped a little.  I told her it has been over 10 years since my mom died and it gets easier and she'll be ok. 

Friday after work I went to physical therapy for my shoulder.  I think that was my 4th visit.  I had some really tuff pain the first couple of weeks but I am feeling so much better lately. The therapist said I should probably come 2X next week and if I still feel good I can be done. 

Friday we went with gma and gpa to Pizza Factory for lunch.  We had a yummy lunch and a nice visit.  I really enjoyed our lunch.  We caught up on what they've been up to and they on what we've been up to.  It's nice to know someone cares!  

Unfortunately lunch got over close to 4 p.m. and at 5 p.m. the Clark's were hosting a bishopric family party which included dinner.  Which we weren't hungry for of course.  It was one of those rare times when Dad was off on a Friday night so we actually got to go too!.  Clarks, Harrisons, Fife, Carnevale, us and another young family whose name escapes me -- I think that was everyone there. It was a nice get together.  Afterward they played ping pong but since Dad's still not supposed to be jumping around we went home instead of playing. (Plus he had to get to work anyway).  The girls and I watched Annie together until bed time while dad worked downstairs. 

backyard swing patio

Saturday I spent outside most of the day.  Got up early and mopped and wiped down the kitchen, did laundry and dusted and straightened up a little and then headed outside.  Last week I had chopped all our bushes and filled up the trash cans.  But there was still more debris.  So since the cans were newly emptied I promptly filled one up again.  Took awhile!  Everything is nice trimmed and fertilized and ready for spring. Last Monday I moved the bricks I bought quite some time ago and made a little patio for our porch swing out in the back yard and extended the trash can patio since we have an extra can for recycling now.  This week I moved a bunch of the rocks and am trying to carve out a place for a little garden.  Steve our handyman guy is going to come over soon and run some water and put it on our timer.  The girls and I went shopping for awhile and got TV dinners and watched Lil Giants movie Saturday night.  It was a cute movie. 

(We just figured out how to use Amazon prime to stream movies for free...if you are wondering why so many movies lately!)

So we are getting ready to take the girls to a fireside this evening and then go to Randy and Kay Phillips for lasagna for dinner tonight. Dad's exhausted as he only slept 4 hours last night...Would have been 2 if he'd have gone to early meetings!  Crazy!  He thinks he is still in his 20s and doesn't need to sleep!

Holly had the fun experience of arriving at church today and having the bishop ask if she was ready to give her talk in sacrament meeting.  Dad and I had not even heard of it.  She said, oh yeah, I forgot when I asked her.  So she quickly threw together a scripture and talked about her great brothers and their great examples and her testimony of working and weak things becoming strong and how the gospel has helped her in her life. She told a little story about how she sometimes gets hard piano music that she thinks she can't do it and after a week it's much easier.  And how there are other things in our life like that.  She kept a cool head and did a great job.  For just a split second I thought she was going to bust out crying and back out but she didn't.  She was calm cool and collected!

So here is her scripture: 

 12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

That about wraps up our week. We are just busy doing life these days...nothing exciting or out of the ordinary (which is GOOD!)  I hope you are also busy doing mission and things are going well and time is moving quickly and you are happy.  Hopefully your computer will cooperate this week so you can send us some pictures -- we miss your cute mug!!!!  

Love you lots! Can't wait to hear from you.  XoXo Mom. 

Lil patio for the swing

02/14/16 Letter from Dad

Whassup Bryce!

I'm actually in church right now and figured I'd use a little down time to write you only iPad.

I have been super crazy busy the past few days as the playoffs near and state is happen g in other sports like swimming, wrestling, etc. I Added it up and we published 19 sports stories the last three days - definitely the most in a three day stretch since I've been at STGNews. I wrote more than half of those and edited and published the rest, including photos - yeah Hoppie has been busy too.

Hey, just two weeks away from turning 50 -- I'm so excited ... NOT.

Dunno if mom told you, but no surgery fo my knee yay!!! But I'm not allowed to play racquetball or basketball for six weeks, so boooo!

Binders blessed their baby today and Dallas and I stood in the circle. It was nice. They have two little boys now. The kid, Jacob, was cute. He just laid back and enjoyed the bouncing during the prayer.

Happy for you that things seem to be going pretty well for you. Did you ever hook up with the zirkers? Has it been gloomy/cloudy there. We are having gorgeous weather here - 70 degrees! Unfortunately, all of Salt lake seems to be down here clogging up the streets and the parks. Hate all the traffic!

Mom played organ today - kind of a last minute thing. Oh , and we got called to teach marriage and family relations class. That should be a adventure .

Keep having fun and growing spiritually. You'll be home before you know it!

Love ya son!

Pops

2/15/16 Valentine's Day & President's day

Rachel Riley and Katie getting the drinks ready

Not sure if you get Pday today with the holiday!  

The week has flown by as everyone is busy with school stuff/playoffs etc.  Monday we met with the insurance guy and started paperwork to get paid for our medical/motorcycle losses.  From what I hear things go slowly...but at least we're started.  I guess with medical you don't get paid until you decide you are done.  Which for us should hopefully be within 4-6 weeks (make sure dad's knee is ok).  But for people with major injuries it can be years... I never realized.  What a pain!

Emma Christensen, Morgan Riley and Katie
(Look how perfectly the table is arranged!)

The girls had an etiquette dinner Wednesday night. The evening started at 5:45 p.m.  with two boys, Preson and Tyne picking the girls up in a big red truck driven by one of the leaders.  They came to the door with roses and opened the doors and helped them in the truck.  I didn't get any pictures, boo.  I thought of it too late!  They went and had a speaker that told them rules of etiquette.  They ate dinner with the boys and they had opportunities to try out what they were being taught.  The boys had to go get food for the girls and bring it back and they learned about silverware and who knows what else.  I think they learned some things and they had a nice evening.  

Intense basketball game!

Thursday the girls played ward basketball and their team won.  They have a pretty good little team this year.  Marlee came about 1/2 way through the game and watched the game with us.  Afterward we had a super speedy dinner (pizza popover things and french fries) and then went to her alma mater Snow Canyon to watch a girls game for dad's work.  It was Desert Hills vs. Snow Canyon and it was a pretty exciting game.  It was for the region championship.  Snow Canyon won (yeah!!! for Marlee's team).  The girls enjoy hanging with Marlee.  You might have to fight over her with them when you get home, haha!

Holly and the twins being silly

Friday we enjoyed dinner at Casa Dona Maria's with Gma and Gpa.  Good food, good company!  The weather here is wonderful so we followed them home and borrowed their electric trimmer for the bushes.  After dad went to work I went out and cut all of our roses and bushes in the yard.  It took until it was pretty dark to finish.  The girls came out and (joyfully -- NOT! haha) picked up what we could see of the debris.  We filled all 3 trash cans.  Uh-oh for the garbage this week!!!  There was a reward for them...told them I'd take them to the temple when we were done. 

So by 7:30 we headed over to the temple.  I guess it was one of the busiest nights ever.  Aunt Laura said we should come back because they had a soccer team or two ahead of us.  Randy and Kay Phillips were working in the visitor's center so we took the opportunity to go get a tour and visit with them.  It was fun!  And they were pretty smart considering it was the first time they'd done that!!! (They worked doing that at Liberty jail and stuff so they know how to do it, they just have different stories to tell!)

We headed back over closer to 8:30 and the baptistery was still full.  We stayed anyway.  It was 9:30 before we all finally got dunked!  Gma and Gpa went to DQ with us afterward and we didn't get home until 10:30 or 11.  Late night!!!

Katie and April Moyes

Aj came down for the weekend and he came in even later than that!  I didn't see him until Saturday. 

Saturday morning the girls volunteered at the Dog Town race.  I think this might be 5 or 6 times they've done it.  I'm pretty sure they've done it every year they've had the race!  The weather was perfect and it was a lot of fun.  They filled cups with water and Gatorade and then handed it out to the runners.  We were the first station on the marathon/half marathon course so we started at 7 a.m. and were done by 9 a.m.   Pretty quick and easy.  

The rest of the day was pretty chill for us.  The girls played and hung out.  I worked on the yard some more.  Aj had a fun adventure but I'll let him tell you about it!  He has pictures and everything!!!! (lil roll-over in a razor -- don't worry, he's ok!)

Sunday morning Dad went to early morning meeting and I went on my early morning walk.  When we came back we noticed there was mess all over the soccer fields.  So we spent some time cleaning up litter.  Linda found a whole trunk full of treasures...stroller, umbrella, jackets, blankets, shoes, bags.  Can't believe how much stuff people just abandon!  

Katie looking pretty while she plays ball

While we were doing that Brother Clove called 8 a.m. at this point, and says he isn't feeling well and will I play the organ for sacrament.  I had a meeting with the bishop at 8:30 to find out our new calling.  So we hurried home, dressed, played the songs 1x through 1 verse each and then headed to church. 

Dad and I are going to be Marriage and Family relations Sunday school team teachers.  Once that class is done we'll teach parenting.  I don't know if we'll do this 1X and be done or if this will just keep repeating itself.  (Probably depends how good we are, haha!)  I think each class is 6-8 weeks so total it's like 4 months commitment or something if it's just 1X through. 

I got released as camp assistant (wah). So sad!!!  Holly's first year this year!  

Binder's blessed their baby today and we visited them after church and then came home and had meat rolls (put sweet pork in biscuits).  

Katie made swig sugar cookies and they are SO DELICIOUS!!!!!  

We had a wonderful meatball and rice meal at Gma and Gpas with Randy and Kay, Dallas, AJ & his friend Christian and us.  Grandma had some scriptures that had love in them (for valentine's day) and we each read our scripture and then talked about what it meant to us.  AJ taught us how to play warewolf (like Murder or one of those type games) too.  Everyone just hung out and visited.  Pretty chill evening. 

Holly looking for some action in the game

Aj's off early to Zion (8 mile hike to overlook point) and some other adventures today and then he'll go home later this evening.  Hopefully he won't get caught up in too much traffic. 

Dad has to work today so we'll just find some girl stuff to do today.  Not sure what yet!

This week in Sunday school and RS they talked about adversity.  They talked about how it can make us stronger and the Lord is there to help us along the way.  There were many good thoughts and quotes but this one is promising!

Psalms 34: 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

Holly, Marlee and Katie
after a fun night at Snow Canyon girls basketball game

Katie was kind of concerned after her lesson -- she said she had a dream that someone died (she couldn't identify who, just someone she loved) and then we had lessons on adversity today.  She wanted to know if the Lord was trying to tell her something.  I told her I didn't know but that all of us must at some point deal with death and hardship and we never know when or where it will come from.  And that at some point she will most certainly have to deal with adversity. 

We talked about not worrying about what MIGHT happen since usually the hardships are things we never dreamed of.  It's a hard thing to not stress and worry but I really feel like that is one of the tools of the devil.  He cripples us while we think of what may be in our future and we waste valuable time and energy on the what if's instead of taking care of the what is!

So that's my thought for the week.  Summed up:   Don't worry, be happy!  

Love you and look forward to hearing from you!!!!  Hope you had a wonderful week!  Did your package(s) arrive? 

Dog Town Marathon Volunteer team

XOXO mom

02/07/16 Super Bowl Sunday

Football Cake!  

We made it through our week with lots of aches and pains but we're on the mend!  Didn't realize a little toss like that could make you so sore!  Dad's got a partially torn MCL and some sprain/strain on his other knee parts (I'm not a dr.!  Sorry!!!)  He's feeling better (doesn't need to use the cane) but not ALL better!  Still not doing sports or running around.  But getting around. So that's a start!

Chili fogged up my camera!

My shoulder is still paining me (this started before the accident but has intensified since).  I've been to physical therapy 2X and am taking medications but I'm still very sore.  Hoping it will just go away soon!  

Pretty typical week.  Monday night pizza.  Long night Tuesday.  The girls had New Beginnings Wednesday night and we got to see their makeover pictures.  They are pretty awesome!  Those girls look great and all grown up.  Our YW program sure goes all out.  They have had one super neat activity after another.  This week they are doing an etiquette dinner with the boys.  I'm so glad they are having a great experience.  Their leaders aren't afraid to work, that's for sure!

Thursday they girls played ward ball and won against the Armadillos...the team to beat I guess.  They were pretty happy!  Marlee surprised us and popped in after dinner and stayed and visited with us awhile.  It's like she is one of the kids.  She fits right in!  

Friday we went to Dickey's with the parents and dad worked all night.  

This weekend is the first one in a very long time that we didn't have stuff.  It was so nice to clean up the back porch. Do laundry.  Clean the kitchen.  Make yummy goodies.  And not have to go anywhere or do anything. 

We played games Saturday night the girls and Dad and I. It was a nice quiet evening.  Must treasure those.  The girls are growing up fast and will soon be doing other stuff not wanting to hang with us!

Today we had tons of yummy food and everyone is chilling watching super bowl 50.  Eldon came for a little while and then we drove him across town.  Gma and Gpa also came but not for long.  They didn't watch the game.  Just ate and ran.  They had other things going on.  McKayla is working overnight shifts at the hospital psych ward so she also had to leave.  So it's Dallas and the girls and Dad and me. 

Reading a couple of books right now.  One is about a man that dies and comes back.  The other is about a girl that is sick her whole life and then receives a heart transplant.  (Someone of course had to die in order for her to obtain that).  Both stories really make me appreciate all that we have.  Our health.  Our family.  Our life.  

So my message for this week is just to be thankful for all that we have and to realize how fortunate we are. Life is a gift.  Don't take it for granted. 

I hope you are doing well there. I found some I am a child of god stickers at the DI this weekend.  I'm going to send them the next time I send something off to you.  I took some to church today and made friends with a couple of little kids. They love it!  

Love you lots!!!!  Love mom

Glamour shot from YW, Katie

Glamour shot from YW, Holly
(I didn't even recognize this grown up girl!)

Program from New Beginnings

Brother Hafen and Brother Clark playing
the part of the Professor and Marty
from Back to the Future

02/01/16 Letter from Katie to Bryce

Hi Bryce!

How've you been? I have been super busy between keeping my grades up and piano and band stuff. Mr Lanners is... not my favorite person. But I deal with it and next year I get Mr Paxman and he's supposed to be way more mature and chill so I'll endure to the end (of eighth grade, that is). 

So as of right now I don't get to play my soprano sax much but after supaf I should get to play it plenty. In the mean time I'm playing my alto. I pretty much have no chance without a lot of hard work of getting on the high school basketball team in a few years but I've moved on from that dream. I want to be an all state band member some day. I want to be that girl that everyone thinks is insanely obsessed with music. 

I'm super excited for seminary next year and I've been working on playing hymns so that I can do it for seminary next year. I've seen a sad change come over many of my classmates. They use vulgar language they dress immodestly they do other things they shouldn't be doing but my group of friends are pretty much all super mormon-ish and so I'm all good. I have seriously figured out life. I've started reading two chapters of the Book of Mormon daily as well as writing in my journal daily and remembering to say my prayers in the mornings (which has always been a struggle for me for whatever reason). 

My room is spotless pretty much all the time and I actually do my hair every day. It's hard to believe you've only been gone for a year and a half, I feel like I've grown up and matured so much since you left. I feel like a different person altogether not to mention you've never met Kayla. 

I'm still into Harry Potter and frozen but I've recently added Star Wars to the list. I think Luke skywalker is like the greatest movie character ever. Except maybe Elsa that is. Just remember that your attitude is your choice and if you want a good day you need to make it a good day. If you are struggling with attitude, depression, homesickness or whatever the solution is simple just turn to Heavenly Father and turn to the Book of Mormon and other scriptures. My estimated finish time for the Book of Mormon is March 3 and for personal progress is August 18 stay strong stay faithful stay Bryce love you bro! 

-Katie

PS what do you get when you put a pig on the millennium falcon? HAM SOLO!!!!!!!!! Hahahahaha see you in six (five?) months!