7.26.2015

Hi Riley!
We have been home from our summer trip for one full week now and it feels like I am still catching up on so many things ....  Wow, life can keep us busy and preoccupied.
The kids started school last week. Wyatt is in 8th, Brenna is now a middle schooler in 6th grade and Bryant is in 3rd. They were excited to go. Really. They had a busy and fun summer and then they come home for a few days and were "bored".  Perfect timing to head back to school!!  Preston has one more week of summer. He registered last week and got his books and locker. We went to the seminary fireside tonight. He will have Sister Wengert as his teacher. Should be a FUN year of learning ;)

The Ross's are moving to Orem to move in with their grandparents. They have been struggling for awhile with finding work. Preston is bummed to miss his buddies. Brenna will miss having Anna next door too.  The nice thing about it tho is that while we were in Orem this summer we made a few plans with them. We will keep in touch with them I'm sure.
Speaking of while we were on our trip ... While in Logan, we went to the aquatic center and Brenna dived off the diving board. In doing so her legs / feet flipped further then she wanted and she hurt her back. She has tried to take it easy and her back is feeling a bit better now but ever since she has had headaches. Really bad headaches. We went to Dr. Roberts and he classified them as migraines per our descriptions. She has had these headaches about every 12 hours ever since her accident.  We are going to Dr. Andelora (Dr. Ron - Dr. Heather's husband, the chiropractor) tomorrow to see if he can help her.  Keep her in your prayers. One thing is for sure... She is one tough cookie!!  And such a trooper.

What's new in your world? How are all of your investigators? You are keeping busy I'm sure!  I think of you every day and am so thankful for your good example. I shared your example of a positive attitude with my primary today in sharing time (we were learning about examples).  I have learned from you and continue to do so. Thank you for being an example of service and obedience to your brothers and sister. They are watching you! ;)
Big pday plans today?  Are you traveling much with your ZL position? Car? Bikes? When is your next Dr. appt? How are things health wise? How's your hair? It looks great in pics! How are your finances?
Love you lots!!
Mom

It's July! Watermelon in your honor :)

Kids started school Wednesday July 22nd. (Preston starts Aug 3rd)

Court of honor. Wyatt and Preston received a knife from Bishop Lamoreaux for waking up at 5AM everyday at scout camp to exercise.

Preston registered for school this week. I think he has a pretty tough schedule. He is excited tho

 Dad's patrolling photos this week.

Brenna is a trooper! The headaches are most painful around her eye

Imagine Dragons concert Saturday night. Preston, dad and I went and had a great time!! Man, they give a great show!

Bye Ross's   -Adam, Andrew and Anna will be missed

7.19.2015

We are finally home!  We drove home Saturday and pulled in at 1 am Sunday morning. Dad started the day shift, working Sunday's, today at 7am (8 weeks of that) and I had ward council today at 7am. It was an early start for both of us!! Sister White drove the kiddos to church ... so thankful for her! :)  It was a busy start but we had a good day getting back to regular life! 

Our week in Logan was great. 

Preston had an awesome week at efy! He really loved it!  We hardly saw him because he was off by 8:45 in the morning and after he got home about 9:30pm he would get his run in. This week his training schedule had him running for 60 minutes so he was pretty shot after a full day and run. 

Preston is excited to go to efy again next year and Wyatt will be old enough too!!  It feels like yesterday that YOU were at efy in Logan. What a tradition you started ;)

We kept busy this week with the little 3. We went to the Logan Aquatic Center twice. Brenna did a front flip off of the high dive!! We love that place!  We also went on a hike, had Aggie ice cream, played ping pong, did some school clothes shopping, rode bikes around campus and took many walks. 

We saw Madie a few times during the week at "The Hub". She is the cashier at the eatery in the student center. It was fun to run into her all week as we  were at the Taggert for various things.  She said that she could put in a good word for you to get a job there next year ;) ...

I checked out the housing situation and turns out that students can start applying for housing this coming October for next year. They suggested that we get you applied because it does fill up, especially if you want a specific location. We took a short housing tour and looked extensively online at the different options.  On campus looks best!  There is an option called the Living Learning Community, (LLC).  I would say it is a combo of a dorm and apartment.  It only has a kitchenette (frig microwave and sink, no oven), because of that you are required to be on a meal plan in the student center (Taggert).  Remember how yummy that buffet ("The Marketplace") was when we toured with Ben and Becky?  I think this is a good option for your first year so you don't have to worry about shopping much but will still get good meals. 

(There is a full kitchen in the main lounge area of the building tho.)

The LLC is right behind the Taggert with the Institute and Old Main on either side. Trent stayed there and really liked it. It is fairly new, built in 2008.  The biggest plus, besides it's location, is the bathroom situation. Much better than other places we looked at... 

Each "suite" has 8 students. 3 shared rooms and 2 private rooms. One main living room with the kitchenette and then a hallway on each side of the living space. Each hallway (4 students) share a large bathroom with 2 sinks in the hallway. 

Hope this makes sense. I'll send a picture of the floor plan. 

What do you think? Opinions?

I don't want you worrying too much about next year ... Just enjoy where you are now!  Time goes by so fast!! 

I do want to keep you informed though, especially because I will have to sign you up... :)

Well sure love you!! 

Please give me details of your days!! 

Can't wait to hear what life is like in Rhode Island and who you are teaching and experiences you are having. ... 

Have a wonderful week ahead ! 

Love, mom 

Preston loved efy!! ... I made him take this pic. He is a good sport ;)

Logan Aquatic Center

Playing badminton with nana and papa

Madie at "The Hub"

Cow Apppreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A.  Love Papa's cow look. haha

Angie and kids came for a few days. We checked out the temple in the evening. Beautiful weather this week!

And of course a visit to Aggie Icecream.  Love that Aggie Blue Mint !!!

Pics from my morning walks. :)

Construction at the "Maverick Stadium"

Construction at the business building.  (Lots of construction all over campus. They are even building a new Rec Center just for students that will open this fall.)

Our view from Merrill Hall looking toward campus

Living Learning Community. (See how close it is to Old Main)

Inside the lounge area of the Living Learning Community  (LLC)

(We did a quick tour)

LLC floor plan

7.13.2015

Hi Riley!!
We drove into Logan last night and got all set up and I missed writing!! Ugh!!  I hope I don't miss you this morning!
We have had a good week! We were at the Williams and watched their kiddos while they went on trek for their stake as a Ma and Pa. :). They put in a lot of preparation for it and had a great experience!  It even rained and hailed on them so they had a muddy pioneer experience the first day!
While they were gone we took everyone to their Rec Center everyday to swim, I met up with Camie for lunch and dad hiked to the saddle of Mt.Timpanogos.  We also went to a rehearsal of Studio C, which was awesome!
We are on the last stretch of our trip. Preston goes to efy starting today. Check in is at noon. He is excited. I can remember like it was yesterday bringing you to check into efy.  Crazy how time flies!!
Hope you are doing well!  Can't wait to hear about your busy week last week!  How's the president? Your zone? Pics?
Love you so much!!!
Mom

Macy and Brenna.

Brenna was a huge help! :)

We called her messy Macy because she is the messiest eater we have ever seen!! Haha. This pic does not do her justice. :) cute girl.

A selfie with James from Studio C.
(Bryant and Wyatt in the bottom corners.  River and Hadlie St. John on the left of James head)

Lots of playing.

Lunch with my pal Camie.  Wish we lived closer!

We visited Great Grandpa Gibson on the way to Logan yesterday.  :)

7.5.2015

Still on our trip. Missing you but know you are exactly where you should be. How is Rhode Island btw ? We are so excited to hear all about it!!
Bryant wants to know if there are more roads or islands there.  Haha.
How's your new companion? Where do you live? It's just you 2 in your apartment? What are your duties as a zone leader? How is it the same / different from being a zone leader in Cambridge? How's your new mission president? Have you been able to spend time with him? How's your ward?  Give us details please of your new place!
So we enjoyed a great reunion in St. George last week with the Gibson crew and then extended it a bit in Orem with the Williams and those who were heading up north too. The Gibsons, Bishops and Skidmores. We  left on Friday (July 3rd) to go to Logan and enjoy time with all the Heflin side at Madie's apartment which is just across the street from the stadium. We had dinner and played games and then had fun at the big show at the stadium.  Saturday the 4th we went to the Hyrum parade, per usual, and swimming and more fireworks at night. Our sabbath day has been filled with church this morning and then visiting and games. Tonight dad and I took a walk around USU campus. It is beautiful! I cannot believe you will be here in a little more than a years time. Time is flying huh?!  Just enjoy where you are right now because in no time flat you will be on to a different adventure.  Enjoy, learn all you can and really soak it in.
I love you so much!  Work hard!
Love, mom

Great reunion with the Gibsons!!  Love our family :)

Dad had to go home to work for a few days. He captured this while patrolling. The monsoons are in full force.

We hung out at Aunt Becky's with everyone after our St George trip. Our new cousin Hunter sure is a cutie.

We went to the balloon festival in Orem. It was really cool!  So many balloons!

Romney stadium is now called "Maverick Stadium" thanks to the 6.1 million dollars they spent to renovate the stadium (maverick gas station).

Our late night trip to Walmart to get some new flip flops for Wyatt and things got silly. Haha. (Mirror in the shoe section)

Games at Nana's. We also did fireworks, thanks to Uncle Carl !!