3.29.2015

I hope you are feeling better!!  Tell me all about it!  Are you better, worse or the same ?? Did you call your doctor?
We had a good week. The kids were still on spring break. (Besides Preston).
Bryant was counting down the days until his friend Bryce could come over and spend the night. They had a great time!  We have had some late nights around here lately with spring break. It will be an adjustment to get back to school tomorrow. It will be good for all. :)
Wednesday Preston and his friends set a school record in the 4 x 800 relay. He did a fantastic job and was named "Athlete of the Week" for track.
Thursday dad had an Arrow of Light ceremony to do for our pack meeting.  He did a great job!  All of the boys look forward to receiving their arrow of light and to shoot the flaming arrow!  During the awards Bryant received his  -Bobcat-, so he is on the way :)  Those events are a lot of work but dad makes them so special for the scouts.
Friday we went to the Easter Pageant. We got some great seats thanks to Aunt Ladawn getting there a little early and saving us a few. Preston and Wyatt went with the youth and got really great seats thanks to Bro. Walker in our ward. (His mom does the costumes for the pageant).  We looked for my cousin Kimmie (missionary at the visitors center) but there were SO many people there that we missed her!!  Our youth in the ward did see Elder Ross however. He was with some investigators and everyone said he looked great.  You probably know but we hear that he will receive news soon as to if he will receive a call somewhere else. The Ross's are set to pick him up in 2 weeks either way.
The Easter pageant is very powerful!! It was a great night. I love the new Easter video (short but powerful) the church put out!!!
Saturday we started our baseball games. I missed you terribly as I made 190 snow cones by myself!!!  Preston helped dad make the popcorn in the morning but I was a lone salesman all day at the park. The day was very successful and everyone was very excited to be out and playing and I think they were all looking forward to the popcorn and snow cones ;)  I also had many people ask about you. Many non members asking where you were, so it was a great opportunity to share the great work that you are doing :)
Brenna had an activity day recognition night tonight. It was nice. Dad and I took her and learned about all of the goals she is working on for her Faith in God award.  I can hardly believe she will be 12 in a year and will go to YW!!
I have thought about you a lot today as I ponder on this date 3 years ago. Your transplant day. I am grateful for the gift of Preston being a match for you. I am thankful that you handled that time as well as you did!  I am so thankful that we had so much time together. Not many 16 year olds get to "hang out" with their moms like that :)  I learned much from you!
You have made it through a lot of adversity and I hope you will never forget the closeness you felt with your Savior during a time of uncertainty and suffering.  I am reminded often that Christ suffered that pain already. He knew what that was like for you. For me. For our whole family. Wow. He loves us so much!  I am so proud of the positive person you are that always looks forward and is full of faith.  Keep that attitude throughout your life and the remembrance of your Savior's love for you!  It will bless you!

I love you! Have a wonderful week!! Enjoy it!!! :)
Love. Mom

This is us at one of Preston's track meets.  

Good support Wyatt... You are turned the wrong way ;)

Preston and his track buddies set a school record in the 4 x 800 relay this week during their track meet. Yay!

Dad and I enjoyed a session at the Gilbert Temple. It was a beautiful day.

Bryant had his friend Bryce over for a sleepover. I promised him he could have him over during spring break and he counted down the days. :)  They had a great time!

This was dad during a U of A game during the tournament. Haha.  Too bad they lost in the elite 8  :(

We went to the Easter Pageant on Friday. The youth of our ward went and we decided to go as well. It was a great night! The spirit was strong!

Baseball games started Saturday. :)  (Brenna)

3.22.2015

Hello There!
How was your week? Sounds like you are very busy! Keep it up as you only have a short time left in Waterbury! :)
This week has been spring break for the kids, full of baseball practices and video games. Preston had track practices and an invitational.  
We have been working in the yard for several days. Cleaning up weeds and organizing the sports equipment in the shed. I cleared out the garden and planted some tomatoes and cucumbers along with a few other fruits and vegs.   It rained for a few days this week and spring is busting out all over :)  The garden and new lemon trees loved the rain.
Preston heads back to school tomorrow, but the kids have 1 more week of spring break. They are excited and Bryant told Preston after prayers tonight, "Sorry you have to go to school tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you as I sleep in and you don't".  Ha.
Saturday we went to see Cinderella with the Hopekids group. It was really great! We put it on your "must watch" list I'm keeping for you. :)
Church was good today. Preston spoke in sacrament meeting and did a great job! He spoke about following the prophet. My sharing time in primary was how Prophets speak for God.  I'm so thankful that we get the opportunity to hear from our prophet in a few weeks. I love conference. :)
We will probably go into town tomorrow. Errands and a little shopping. Brenna has outgrown most of her clothes and I promised her a bit of shopping over the break. Dad says she might pass me up in height soon. :)
Have a wonderful week! We pray for you every day and love you so much. Keep up the good work! Be happy!
Love,
Mom

It rained a few days this week. B and B loved to play in it.

We are keeping tabs on the brackets this year.

It is spring break and I have put the kids to work a bit. They love it ;)

This is how we were greeted to see "Cinderella".  Bryant was the only brave kiddo to pose with the princesses! He is such a good sport!   Hope kids is such a fun and great group of people!  We love seeing some of the same faces as we attend a few events.

Bowling + laser tag + video games AFTER the movie... How do we rate? :)

Our tree is exploding with yellow blossoms. Very spring like :)

3.15.2015

Hello there Elder!
How was your week?
We celebrated Brenna's birthday at Bedrocks Bowling with some of her friends. There were lots of giggles. Haha. It was really fun.  She sure is growing up :)
It was a regular week otherwise. I had a school board mtg Wednesday and baseball practices sprinkled throughout the week. Preston had a track meet and then midterms Thursday and Friday. This coming week is spring break. Preston will have a week off for spring break and the kids get two weeks! They are looking forward to it!
Saturday Bryant and I went to the district pinewood derby. He got first place in our pack so he was invited to district. There were some serious cars at district!! We enjoyed the morning but didn't win a race. :(  it's all good. We were excited to head off to the movies after the races. We saw "Big Hero 6". It's a Disney movie that came out a few months ago. We put it on the list we are making for you of movies to see when you get home. ;) It's a good one!
Today was Derek Wengert's homecoming. He gave a great report of his mission, and spoke mostly about obedience.  Tonight the youth had a fireside. Bro. Rasmussens parents were mission presidents in Japan for the last 3 years and they reported to us about their time there. They mostly spoke of service. All very wonderful examples of doing good. The day's events made me think of you so much and all of the good you are doing!! Keep it up!!  I love you!
Love,
Mom

Brenna wanted Eegee's for her birthday treat. We brought it in during her lunch.  FUN

Brenna's "Studio C" cake. Her request. ;)

We took Brenna and some friends to Bedrocks for her birthday. 

Anna, Madalyn, Kendyll,Brenna, Lucy, Elsie and our boys

Dad snapped this pic from his patrol car at work the other day. Spring is here for sure!

Mismatch day at school.

Wyatt on friday night...

We hit Carl's Jr. before the district Pinewood Derby.  We actually went to the stakecenter but were given the wrong time,,, so we were early.  We were hungry anyway... :)  MMMmmm biscuit, egg, bacon and cheese. 

"Big Hero Six".  Just the two of us and a big tub of popcorn :)

3.8.2015

Hi Riley!
How was your week? What are the temps getting to there? Are you still buried in snow?  How are things with your companion?

We had a good week. Baseball rosters (for 15 teams) are done and uniforms are ordered and for the most part we are good to go there. The kids are getting into there practices and are having a blast. This year we made 2 teams for the older kids which included freshman. Preston wasn't sure he wanted to play because of his busy schedule but decided to play and enjoy one last year with his friends. Saturday night will soon be full of fun at the park. :)
This past Wednesday was Preston's first track meet. He ran the 1 mile and 2 mile. He got first place in the 2 mile. He did great!  He then went to an invitational on Friday where they left at 7 in the morning (missed school) and didn't get back until 10 at night. The invitational included 17 other schools and he raced against the state champ in one of his races that day. He loved it.
We went up to phx on Saturday to celebrate the March birthdays for Papa, Uncle Westen, Ashlyn and Brenna. It was fun to get together and the "happy birthday" rendition was maybe the worst I've heard yet. Haha.
Dad gave a talk in sacrament today on prayer. It was great!!! Poor dad had to give it without a microphone though because as soon as they turned on the sound system, it made the loudest, most awful noise. Bro. Mendell would turn it off real quick but they continued to try and fix it and each time they tested it, it was so crazy loud. It made all the babies in the chapel cry. I would have laughed if it weren't so sad. Dad handled it very well tho and gave an outstanding talk. He talked about missionary work a lot and some stories from his mission. Specifically when he was learning how to speak Thai.  We sure do think of you a lot and know that you are learning more and more the power of prayer.  I am so thankful for your desire to serve your Heavenly Father. He knows of your needs and desires and is blessing you beyond measure for your faithfulness. Keep it up ! :)  
Have a wonderful week ahead! Work hard!
Love, mom

We had a crazy storm pass through which left us with some eerie fog one morning.

Getting the baseball equipment ready to get out to coaches.

Busy day ahead...

Preston's first track meet.  He ran the 1 mile and the 2 mile.  He came in first in the 2 mile.

Court of Honor

Way to go Wyatt!!

Yay March!! One of our family favorites!

The Corolla hit 200,000 miles this week!!  It made it :)

Bryant would play hedbanz everyday if he could!

At the annual "March birthday" get together.  

Here are the birthday kids :)  Uncle Westen, Papa, Ashlynn and Brenna

3.1.2015

It has been a crazy week! We started off with baseball sign ups. We signed up 150 kids! It will be a good season! A few people have asked if we will still do the popcorn. ... I think we'll have to :)
Now we are in the nitty gritty of it all. Splitting up teams etc etc. Maybe things will calm down in about a week and a half  or two... ;)
Right after sign ups we went up to pinetop for rodeo break! We stayed in the roundhouse resort just like last May. This time things were a bit more chilly! ;) not near as cold as you of course, nor close to the amount of snow as you... But I feel like we got a taste of it. We drank lots of cocoa. Haha.
We tried to find the snow and went sledding one day. I attached some pics and even a fun video of Bryant being a dare devil!
Just more baseball since we've returned home so it was a wonderful break!
Preston is running track this season. He will run the 1 mile and 2 mile.
He is loving it especially since Corrigan is the distance coach and some teammates are from cross country.  He sure loves to run. He even ran while we were in the mountains!
Wyatt is wrapping up soccer for the school and excited to play baseball with his friends. He is still into his games and has a few favorites that include mine craft! (Still).
Brenna is growing up. She will be 11 next week!  She is into Instagram but is careful what she posts and not to post too much. (Her rules for herself).  She was amazing at assessments for baseball and was a top pick in her age group! And just like Brenna, when she's happy, she's really happy and when she's not... Well. You get the idea. Haha. ;)
Bryant is still hilarious. He thinks he's a wise guy! He likes to tell jokes and make funny noises. He memorizes punch lines from his favorite show and repeats them. We love him. He is a friend to everyone!
I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!  I love you very much and am very proud of you! Keep working hard and try to keep your toes warm!  ;)
Love,
Mom

Our little dwarf orange tree finally gave some fruit!  

We had baseball sign ups this week

Pinetop Roundhouse Resort

Preston is a dedicated runner.  He was excited to run in the higher elevation :)

Mini golf with a few snow obstacles :)

We checked out the ski resort hoping to see a little more snow

We love you Riley!!!