I guess it's about time to get going on this again so here's a new question for all of us to answer - even you Nathan. What is a special smell you remember from your childhood?
I haven't had time to get back to working on my page yet. I have to teach in YW this coming Sunday and I'm leaving for girl's camp Wednesday morning and won't get home until Saturday. So I've been trying to get my lesson figured out but it just isn't coming together. I'll take my notes and work on it at camp. Maybe I'll get something posted next week before we leave for Las Vegas, but maybe not.
I hope everyone is healthy and happy and I've enjoyed the updates on the pages, too.
Love ya,
MOM
Monday, July 31, 2006
Poor Bryan
Jared and Michelle, I saw the pictures added to your page from the reunion. Pretty sweet. I had forgotten that Bryan fell and hurt his face on the second to last day. I hope that he is doing better and healing up quickly. Does school start for Brooke soon? I start in 29 days. I bet Brooke is more excited about school than I am, but that is because she is smarter than me and knows that school will do her good. anyways, where's a new question for me to ignore, mom? I have not seen one in a while.
Nathan
Nathan
Blog FHE
Since it was the last Sunday of the month (and I was gone for several of the earlier ones), I got visit taught. Our lesson was on strengthening families. The main points emphisized were temple work and family history. Those can be done at any stage in life; as a child or teenager, all the way up to retired adult. It is something that can bring your family closer, learning about the family before them, more than just names and dates (if possible), but stories as well. Other strengthening activities mentioned were family reunions and activities, traditions, FHE, dinners, etc. I overheard Tawnia getting visit taught, and because we are all "in between" families, they talked more about things we can do now to strengthen ourselves. It is hard to take care of a lot of other people, when you don't take the time to take care of yourself. Although you are part of a group, you are still an individual, and you still can have things that just you like to do. Take the time to get away and read, draw, hike, swim, anything that makes you happy. You will always be you, no matter who else comes into your life, so be sure you know who that is.
You can find a copy of the visiting teaching message on lds.org under Gospel Library, and it is under monthly messages on the right-hand side. Or look in the July 2006 Ensign.
You can find a copy of the visiting teaching message on lds.org under Gospel Library, and it is under monthly messages on the right-hand side. Or look in the July 2006 Ensign.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Sounds like us
Hey Emily,
your trip around Washington DC and looking for metro stations and finding different ones and then coming above ground and not knowing where you were reminded Amanda and I about our trip to Europe in a round-about way. We had lots of times where we didn't know where we were when we popped out from the underground, or we couldn't find the places that were right in front of our faces. The place that I am thinking of however is an internet cafe that used to be in one place that we were sent, and it ended up not being there anymore. Big cities have a way of sucking people in and not letting them go until the city has played a few tricks on them. But once you get used to the metro systems, I am sure that they aren't as bad. It wasn't as bad for us when we figured them out. But then again, we never completely figured anything out.
Nathan
your trip around Washington DC and looking for metro stations and finding different ones and then coming above ground and not knowing where you were reminded Amanda and I about our trip to Europe in a round-about way. We had lots of times where we didn't know where we were when we popped out from the underground, or we couldn't find the places that were right in front of our faces. The place that I am thinking of however is an internet cafe that used to be in one place that we were sent, and it ended up not being there anymore. Big cities have a way of sucking people in and not letting them go until the city has played a few tricks on them. But once you get used to the metro systems, I am sure that they aren't as bad. It wasn't as bad for us when we figured them out. But then again, we never completely figured anything out.
Nathan
Round and round and round I go
First off, I did not get lost yesterday. I always knew exactly where I was. Where the place was that I was trying to get to -- that's another story.
Yesterday, Trina dropped me off at the Metro Station, and I rode down to the Mall. I went to the Natural History Museum (I got lunch there). They had an exhibit on Antarctica (and you all know how I like penguins), so I wanted to see it. The problem was, I couldn't find it. I knew it was on the first floor, so I walked around in circles until I was able to get directions.
Then I went to the Art Gallery. There's a huge dome in the middle, and then many galleries, one leading into another. So I looked at the paintings (I liked the Monet paintings and landscapes). And it just went on and on, and after about an hour, I started wandering in circles again trying to find my way out. (Good thing there are exit signs near the floor beside the doors.)
When I was leaving, I asked for directions to the Metro station, because I wanted to go to the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum which had just recently opened. Next time I must ask which street I should cross. I never did find the station in question. But I eventually (by following a family of tourists) found another station. And then I had to find out which way it was to the gallery, which was four blocks from the station.
The Portrait Gallery was nice. I saw portraits of Civil War generals, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and the founding fathers -- in that order. Yes, I went through all the exhibits backwards. I did the same thing with the American President exhibit.
I actually skipped the modern art exhibits, because my feet were hurting, and I made it back without getting mixed up once. Although there was a truck parked in the middle of the road.
And today, my adventure involved a vacuum cleaner. It was not working. So I starting pulling hair from the rollers. And I cut hair and yarn from the rollers. And I pulled some more. And more, and more, and more. (I am in no way exaggerating.) But it still didn't work, so I pulled off the catcher and dumped it out. And Trina asked if there was a filter in there. And I found the filter, buried under a mountain of dirt. And now the vacuum works.
Yesterday, Trina dropped me off at the Metro Station, and I rode down to the Mall. I went to the Natural History Museum (I got lunch there). They had an exhibit on Antarctica (and you all know how I like penguins), so I wanted to see it. The problem was, I couldn't find it. I knew it was on the first floor, so I walked around in circles until I was able to get directions.
Then I went to the Art Gallery. There's a huge dome in the middle, and then many galleries, one leading into another. So I looked at the paintings (I liked the Monet paintings and landscapes). And it just went on and on, and after about an hour, I started wandering in circles again trying to find my way out. (Good thing there are exit signs near the floor beside the doors.)
When I was leaving, I asked for directions to the Metro station, because I wanted to go to the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum which had just recently opened. Next time I must ask which street I should cross. I never did find the station in question. But I eventually (by following a family of tourists) found another station. And then I had to find out which way it was to the gallery, which was four blocks from the station.
The Portrait Gallery was nice. I saw portraits of Civil War generals, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and the founding fathers -- in that order. Yes, I went through all the exhibits backwards. I did the same thing with the American President exhibit.
I actually skipped the modern art exhibits, because my feet were hurting, and I made it back without getting mixed up once. Although there was a truck parked in the middle of the road.
And today, my adventure involved a vacuum cleaner. It was not working. So I starting pulling hair from the rollers. And I cut hair and yarn from the rollers. And I pulled some more. And more, and more, and more. (I am in no way exaggerating.) But it still didn't work, so I pulled off the catcher and dumped it out. And Trina asked if there was a filter in there. And I found the filter, buried under a mountain of dirt. And now the vacuum works.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
look around
If you checked out the sister blog earlier, you can check it out again, because I changed it again. I think I'll leave it like this for a while, until I decide to play with it again. I hope you like it!
While you're looking around, you can also see the portrait I did for Sam on my page (there is a link for my page on the sister blog) .. it is at the right end of one of the rows .. it's worth finding.
While you're looking around, you can also see the portrait I did for Sam on my page (there is a link for my page on the sister blog) .. it is at the right end of one of the rows .. it's worth finding.
Hola
I think this blog is feeling a bit neglected (as I'm sure all the other blogs owned by members of our family are feeling also.) I realize that we all just saw each other a few weeks ago... but life is still happening, and I still like hearing from people.
Mom and Dad - Congrats on the new car! I'm excited to see it when you come through Utah in a few weeks. (But more excited to see you.)
Eric, Laurel and Stevie -- I want to see more pictures! I really miss seeing that boy. I look at the videos I made of him a lot and I am already thinking of when I can come to Cali to see him again.
Jared, Michelle, Brooke, and Bryan -- I miss all of you too. What have you been doing since being back in Texas? When does Brooke start school again? Have you been doing lots of swimming? What fun things have you been doing as a family?
Nate and Manda -- Could you put a page of all the Cathedrals and Castles you went too (or saw) and where they are... and also any stories you want to share about them. I teach my class about the Middle Ages and it would be cool to have those to share with them. Thanks. (It doesn't have to be right away... I don't teach about that until later in the year.)
Sisters -- Look at the sisters blog to see questions I have for you and Mindy's newest arrangement of things. It looks pretty cool.
Love you all.
Tawnia
Mom and Dad - Congrats on the new car! I'm excited to see it when you come through Utah in a few weeks. (But more excited to see you.)
Eric, Laurel and Stevie -- I want to see more pictures! I really miss seeing that boy. I look at the videos I made of him a lot and I am already thinking of when I can come to Cali to see him again.
Jared, Michelle, Brooke, and Bryan -- I miss all of you too. What have you been doing since being back in Texas? When does Brooke start school again? Have you been doing lots of swimming? What fun things have you been doing as a family?
Nate and Manda -- Could you put a page of all the Cathedrals and Castles you went too (or saw) and where they are... and also any stories you want to share about them. I teach my class about the Middle Ages and it would be cool to have those to share with them. Thanks. (It doesn't have to be right away... I don't teach about that until later in the year.)
Sisters -- Look at the sisters blog to see questions I have for you and Mindy's newest arrangement of things. It looks pretty cool.
Love you all.
Tawnia
Friday, July 28, 2006
Hello friends
I was just looking around at Mom's page and saw many of the changes. I like your new car. Every time I talked to you since you got it I forgot to ask what color it was. I should have known that you would have picked red. I like your matching outfit too. Are you going to put pictures on your traveling page of the reunion, even though you did not need to travel to get there? My camera was either full of pictures from our other trip or the batteries were dead, or we forgot it at home, so we did not get very many pictures from the reunions. We did however get some of Stevie. Are we going to get copies of all those family ones soon? Anyways, I hope that everyone is healthy and well, and I am lonely now that all you guys are gone. Obviously mom and dad and Clarissa are still here, but it was fun having everyone around.
I just wanted to add that I saw Mindy's new piggy on her page, and that her school page has a lot of pictures from her class. I don't know if that has been there for a while, but I just noticed. I also saw the pictures added to Jared's page. I saw them a little while ago but failed to meniton before. I like the cannon shot.
Nathan
I just wanted to add that I saw Mindy's new piggy on her page, and that her school page has a lot of pictures from her class. I don't know if that has been there for a while, but I just noticed. I also saw the pictures added to Jared's page. I saw them a little while ago but failed to meniton before. I like the cannon shot.
Nathan
Thursday, July 27, 2006
the past few days
Thank you all for the birthday wishes, either on the blog or by phone. I heard from just about everyone. I was very happy to get sung happy birthday four times on my phone, because that's the only place I heard it (the song, not the words "Happy Birthday"). But I had a nice breakfast out with some friends, and it was a good start to the day. I went to work for a majority of the day, but one of the girls bought me a little cake, and I ate that for dessert during my break. Afterwards I got to go to tap class for the first time in a month. Turns out they changed the time it started, so we showed up at the end, instead of the beginning, but Charlee stayed the extra hour so we could have our class. We learned a ton, so I had an excellent time. Around 11 o'clock, we went out to the parking lot and set off a few extra firecrackers from the 4th, and danced around with sparklers.
Yesterday, because I didn't have to work until three, Tawnia and I started to look around for furniture for our new apartment (that we will hopefully move into next weekend). We didn't find a whole lot at WalMart, but she did buy me one of those collapsable butterfly chairs for my birthday (and after sitting in it a while will probably get one herself). While I'm at work today, she's going in to find out about some six foot Monster Sacks (aka giant beanbags) that we might use as our couch.
I got a phone call from the principal at Reagan Academy. He told me that I'm not going to be working with the same teacher this next year, or even stay in the same grade. I was a bit shocked by the news, and although he assured me that it was because of anything I did, and it was just because they thought I would do well with the new teacher, I was still sad to move up. I'm moving up to the sixth grade. I sat and cried for a few minutes, because I was so surprised, and because I'm really really going to miss working with all the cute first graders. But I just might like sixth grade, and I could probably use the challenge.
Yesterday, because I didn't have to work until three, Tawnia and I started to look around for furniture for our new apartment (that we will hopefully move into next weekend). We didn't find a whole lot at WalMart, but she did buy me one of those collapsable butterfly chairs for my birthday (and after sitting in it a while will probably get one herself). While I'm at work today, she's going in to find out about some six foot Monster Sacks (aka giant beanbags) that we might use as our couch.
I got a phone call from the principal at Reagan Academy. He told me that I'm not going to be working with the same teacher this next year, or even stay in the same grade. I was a bit shocked by the news, and although he assured me that it was because of anything I did, and it was just because they thought I would do well with the new teacher, I was still sad to move up. I'm moving up to the sixth grade. I sat and cried for a few minutes, because I was so surprised, and because I'm really really going to miss working with all the cute first graders. But I just might like sixth grade, and I could probably use the challenge.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
A few updates
I've been working on my page lately. I have a new picture on "What's New" and I have part of our DC pictures on my travel page. Trina asked me to put up some pictures of Summer. I'd been working on my vacation page so I just put up what I have done so far. There's still a lot more to do on it.
Life is still busy here at home, a little quieter but still busy. Next week I'll be at Girl's Camp from Wednesday through Saturday and the following weekend we're going to Las Vegas for the McCune family reunion. We'll stay with Jen while we're there and we have a couple of stops on the way, so I'm sure I'll have more pictures to post.
After that it will be time to start thinking about school starting. Then there's wedding plans and whatever else comes along, but life is supposed to be busy. It's what keeps us out of trouble. No boredom around here.
Love ya,
MOM
Life is still busy here at home, a little quieter but still busy. Next week I'll be at Girl's Camp from Wednesday through Saturday and the following weekend we're going to Las Vegas for the McCune family reunion. We'll stay with Jen while we're there and we have a couple of stops on the way, so I'm sure I'll have more pictures to post.
After that it will be time to start thinking about school starting. Then there's wedding plans and whatever else comes along, but life is supposed to be busy. It's what keeps us out of trouble. No boredom around here.
Love ya,
MOM
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Another happy birthday
Hey, Mindy.
Have a great birthday. Do you still have those fireworks you were saving from the Fourth of July? Have fun with Tawnia.
Emily
Have a great birthday. Do you still have those fireworks you were saving from the Fourth of July? Have fun with Tawnia.
Emily
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy Birthday Mindy!
I hope you have a great day even though you have to work.
Eat some cake!
We love you!
Eric, Laurel & Stevie
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MINDY!!!
Today Mindy is 23 years old and she is done being 22. It is sad, I know, but life will go on. Mindy, do not worry about not being 22 anymore. I had a rough time at first, but I overcame the difficulties of turning 23 and have since turned 24. The numbers are all starting to jumble together now and I really have not cared what my age is, except that at times I wish I was still 22. If you want I could keep telling people you're 22. Anyways, happy birthday and I hope that Tawnia makes you a cake or something.
Nathan
Nathan
Monday, July 24, 2006
Work
Well, I know it is a struggle for Mindy to work 40 hours this week.... but it is forcing me to come over to the school and get to work. I am also doing better about getting up early, and trying to get to bed earlier. I actually feel that I have accomplished some things today. My classroom is still a mess, but it's slowly getting better. I like having windows, but I can feel the heat seeping in from the wall. Hopefully the same thing won't happen with the cold. So yeah, ummm... I'm going to go home now and do more stuff there.
Happy Pioneer Day.
Love,
Tawnia
Happy Pioneer Day.
Love,
Tawnia
I did it
At 3:16 pm Eastern, I e-mailed my resignation letter to Susan, Jeremy and Carl - my 2 bosses and our executive director - effective August 31. This is almost a bigger leap of faith than moving out here to DC with no job confirmed. I've gone around and around with this for months - do I stay full time, go part time, or quit completely ... it's done now. No going back.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Summer's newest thing
Summer rolled from her back to her front this morning. I noticed her lying on the bed on her front, and asked Adam why he put her down that way. He hadn't - he'd put her on her back. So we turned her onto her back, and she flipped over to her front again. She hasn't been particularly happy this weekend - very, very fussy all the time. She seems to calm down the most when Adam or I are holding her, so I'm wondering if it's something to do with the fact that I was back at work this past week and away from her most of the day.
Back to work ... I have to learn a piano piece in about an hour right now to play it at a baptism this afternoon. Bye.
Back to work ... I have to learn a piano piece in about an hour right now to play it at a baptism this afternoon. Bye.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
HOT
It is 4 in the morning right now, and it is hard to sleep because it is so hot here. We do not have air conditioning and so we are cooking. It is about 80 degrees outside and so very uncomfortable. We have a ward breakfast we are going to tomorrow morning so hopefully we get some sleep. It actually starts in about 4 hours. I don't have to do anything for it except eat, and I am pretty good at that. I hope that you guys have better luck at staying cool than we do.
Nathan
Nathan
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Hello
I am very glad to hear that Trina and Adam and Summer made it home safely. I am also glad to hear that Emily made it to DC safe and sound. I am also glad to hear that Tawnia and Mindy also made it home. I hope that Jared and Michelle and Brooke and Bryan made it home safely, and I hope that Eric and Laurel and Stephen make it home safely also. I have to go to girls camp tomorrow.
Love,
Nathan
Love,
Nathan
Family Pictures
I am currently working on our family picture, rearranging people at Mom's request, so the whole thing looks much more balanced. I think it will look very good, once I've got all the little details cleaned up, and hopefully no one will be able to tell that it was not taken that way. It has taken me all day, but at least it is looking better (which can not be said about our apartment). I work the next three days, so I will try and have the picture posted soon.
Tawnia and I drove home safely yesterday, getting in at just after midnight, since we stopped to have dinner with Uncle Gary and Aunt Marleen. It was very fun.
Tawnia and I drove home safely yesterday, getting in at just after midnight, since we stopped to have dinner with Uncle Gary and Aunt Marleen. It was very fun.
the next reality show
Who wants to be a superhero? is the next reality show. How much less real can you get? I think that it is hosted by Stan Lee, the creator of Spiderman. Sometimes I just don’t understand people.
Nathan
Nathan
How I visited my 41st state
So, yesterday, I got up at the crack of dawn in order to get to the airport to catch my plane. It was a nice flight -- I could see the Cascades rising above the clouds, and we flew right over Mount Jefferson.
Then we got to Vegas, and I had to wait a couple of hours before my flight left. (And I don't like the Vegas airport.) We all got on the plane, and we couldn't take off because of a problem with the hydraulic system. So, we took off an hour late. And we flew along, and they started to report bad weather in the Northeast. Then they said that there were too many planes around Baltimore, and we didn't have enough fuel to get in a holding pattern, so we had to stop and refuel in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Yes, now I have been in North Carolina. And I wasn't even in the airport -- I just sat on the plane. They said the shops and restraunts in the terminal were closed, so there wasn't much of a point in getting off. And I couldn't call anyone unless we were on the ground. Fortunately, once we did take off, after another delay while we waited for a fuel truck and then for the tank to fill (I'm so glad I brought a good book to read), it was just a short flight to Baltimore.
I saw Washington D. C. from the air, and at night, it's a remarkable sight. (We were actually a bit southeast of it -- I think -- but I could see the Potomac River, and I think I saw the blinking red light on top of the Washington Memorial.) But my flight, which was originally supposed to land at 7:30 and then the scheduel changed to 8:30, actually landed in Baltimore around 11:15. I spent about eight hours on that stupid plane!
At the end of the flight, they said, "Thank you for flying American West. We hope you will travel with us again soon." The response among the passengers was a soft chuckle, like, yeah, right, sure we'll fly with you again. And then they sent us to the wrong baggage claim area. But I got my suitcases, and we left the airport at midnight and got back to the apartment close to one in the morning.
Then we got to Vegas, and I had to wait a couple of hours before my flight left. (And I don't like the Vegas airport.) We all got on the plane, and we couldn't take off because of a problem with the hydraulic system. So, we took off an hour late. And we flew along, and they started to report bad weather in the Northeast. Then they said that there were too many planes around Baltimore, and we didn't have enough fuel to get in a holding pattern, so we had to stop and refuel in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Yes, now I have been in North Carolina. And I wasn't even in the airport -- I just sat on the plane. They said the shops and restraunts in the terminal were closed, so there wasn't much of a point in getting off. And I couldn't call anyone unless we were on the ground. Fortunately, once we did take off, after another delay while we waited for a fuel truck and then for the tank to fill (I'm so glad I brought a good book to read), it was just a short flight to Baltimore.
I saw Washington D. C. from the air, and at night, it's a remarkable sight. (We were actually a bit southeast of it -- I think -- but I could see the Potomac River, and I think I saw the blinking red light on top of the Washington Memorial.) But my flight, which was originally supposed to land at 7:30 and then the scheduel changed to 8:30, actually landed in Baltimore around 11:15. I spent about eight hours on that stupid plane!
At the end of the flight, they said, "Thank you for flying American West. We hope you will travel with us again soon." The response among the passengers was a soft chuckle, like, yeah, right, sure we'll fly with you again. And then they sent us to the wrong baggage claim area. But I got my suitcases, and we left the airport at midnight and got back to the apartment close to one in the morning.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, JARED AND MICHELLE!!!
I too would like to wish the two of you a happy and wonderful anniversary. I remember when you got married and hanging out in the lobby waiting for you two to come out. I also remember giving a toast and wishing you many fat babies. Perhaps at one time your babies were a little chubby, but they grew into that and we are very happy that they are part of our family. I hope that you guys are healthy and happy and that Brooke and Bryan are also. Good luck with Brownie Scouts and school Brooke.
Nathan
Nathan
Happy anniversary to Jared and Michelle!!!
That's what I wanted to say ... and that I'm glad Michelle is part of our family, and that we have Brookie and Bryan now too, and it was great to see you all last week. Love, Trina (and Adam and Summer too).
Monday, July 17, 2006
we're home
We made it back to DC all safe and sound - Summer did fine on the plane rides again, and didn't throw up this time when we got home. We were able to have her carseat in the seat with us the whole time because the flights weren't full. We got home just before 9 last night - had dinner and Summer got her bath, and then we went to bed. And she didn't go to sleep until after midnight ... I figured her sleep schedule would be all thrown off and she'd be up all night - I hope this resolves itself quickly. She's going to an 8:00 bedtime starting tonight.
Tomorrow I go back to work ... I have some mixed feelings about it because I do like my job and I feel a sort of obligation to stick it out as long as possible because they've treated me very well. But I suspect that as soon as I have to leave Summer for a good chunk of the day, I'll be more than ready to quit. I have 33 days of work between tomorrow and Aug. 31.
Edited at 5 pm for this addition: Summer's 2-month doctor appointment was this morning. She now weighs 12/2 and is 24 inches, so she's in the 75th percentile for her size. She was of course not happy about getting her shots. Before the nurse stuck her, she asked if I'd be okay. Summer has been sleeping most of the afternoon - it's difficult to put her down because she's being very clingy even in her sleep (and really - can you blame her), but I've managed it for the moment.
Tomorrow I go back to work ... I have some mixed feelings about it because I do like my job and I feel a sort of obligation to stick it out as long as possible because they've treated me very well. But I suspect that as soon as I have to leave Summer for a good chunk of the day, I'll be more than ready to quit. I have 33 days of work between tomorrow and Aug. 31.
Edited at 5 pm for this addition: Summer's 2-month doctor appointment was this morning. She now weighs 12/2 and is 24 inches, so she's in the 75th percentile for her size. She was of course not happy about getting her shots. Before the nurse stuck her, she asked if I'd be okay. Summer has been sleeping most of the afternoon - it's difficult to put her down because she's being very clingy even in her sleep (and really - can you blame her), but I've managed it for the moment.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Hello in Blogland
Everybody thinks I'm cool because I'm posting on the blog. You people have weird definitions of cool, let me tell you.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
hey
Sorry its been a little while. Amanda and I have not been home. We've been spending a lot of time at Mom and Dad's and visiting with family there, so we have not had a lot of time to post. Not a whole lot going on right now, just some movie thing and that is about it.
Nathan
Nathan
Friday, July 07, 2006
We're on our way!
Or we will be in a few hours anyway.
See you tomorrow night. I'm guessing we'll be there between 8 and 9 PM, but we'll see.
Don't send search parties. We'll be there.
We love you all and are very excited (and I should be sleeping)
Love,
Eric, Laurel, and Stevie
See you tomorrow night. I'm guessing we'll be there between 8 and 9 PM, but we'll see.
Don't send search parties. We'll be there.
We love you all and are very excited (and I should be sleeping)
Love,
Eric, Laurel, and Stevie
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Temple Trip
Mom wanted me to post this after I talked to her. With all that was going on before the Europe trip Amanda and I were not able to or did not take advantage of renewing our Temple Recommends. They expired at the end of June. The easiest time for us to renew our recommends would be the 2nd or 4th Thursday of the month which would be the 13 or 27 - both too late to attend in Seattle. How set are we on attending when everyone is out here? With all the goings on next this weekend and next week I really do not see us being able to acquire our recommends. Mom told me not to mention something about the last time we attended so I won't, but you could always ask her about it. Sorry if this is a let down. Everyone else if free to go obviously.
In other news, Emily, that is awesome that you got to go to Timpanogos Cave. I have never been there, but Amanda has, and she kept saying either she remembered things or didn't that you mentioned in your post. I think that next time I make it that way I will have to go there. I really like caves too. I have not been to one in a while.
Tawnia, are you coming in tomorrow. Amanda and I might go and hang out with everyone friday night/saturday morning at Mom and Dad's, but let us know if your car is working or not.
Jared, Thank you so much for getting a hold of Taylor for us. It was very nice being able to attend church again. I also met Noel some really hard last name to remember who used to be your home teacher and then moved to Florida but is back now.
Trina, are you going to call us when you are in SLC so we know everything is well with you? You could also send us all your flight information via email if you wanted. Amanda and I are both very excited to meet Summer and Stevie, and we are very excited to have all the Palmers and Caudles together.
Nathan, thou art the man
In other news, Emily, that is awesome that you got to go to Timpanogos Cave. I have never been there, but Amanda has, and she kept saying either she remembered things or didn't that you mentioned in your post. I think that next time I make it that way I will have to go there. I really like caves too. I have not been to one in a while.
Tawnia, are you coming in tomorrow. Amanda and I might go and hang out with everyone friday night/saturday morning at Mom and Dad's, but let us know if your car is working or not.
Jared, Thank you so much for getting a hold of Taylor for us. It was very nice being able to attend church again. I also met Noel some really hard last name to remember who used to be your home teacher and then moved to Florida but is back now.
Trina, are you going to call us when you are in SLC so we know everything is well with you? You could also send us all your flight information via email if you wanted. Amanda and I are both very excited to meet Summer and Stevie, and we are very excited to have all the Palmers and Caudles together.
Nathan, thou art the man
Pictures
I put some pictures of some of the places that we went on our trip under our picture section. We have a lot more. I just wanted to get a couple on there. I think that you guys will be able to tell where the pictures were taken.
It is raining right now and I hope that the weather clears up for everyones' visit when they show up. Tawnia, I hope that your car gets to feeling better and I hope that everyone has a better flight than I did when I came back from Paris. The cool thing about that flight was that we got to see Greenland peaking up above the clouds.
Nathan
It is raining right now and I hope that the weather clears up for everyones' visit when they show up. Tawnia, I hope that your car gets to feeling better and I hope that everyone has a better flight than I did when I came back from Paris. The cool thing about that flight was that we got to see Greenland peaking up above the clouds.
Nathan
Timp Cave
We did borrow a car from Tawnia's friend, so we were able to get to the cave. We started hiking about two hours before our tour was scheduled to begin. And we needed those two hours. Clarissa and I aren't used to the high elevation, and the trail does go up a mountain. We did see a snake along the way; I heard it moving among the bushes first, but I didn't see anything for a little while. Tawnia took pictures (she took a lot of pictures). There were a lot of places to stop and rest, and we sat on every bench along the trail. But we finally all made it to the top.
So we got into the tour. Timponogos Cave is not a cavern, and the tunnels connecting the different rooms were very narrow. And there were places where we had to duck, such as to get around a formation that looks like a dinosaur head. There was a lot of cave popcorn and bacon. (Whoever first explored caves must have been hungry.) And there are helictites, rare formations where the stone grows sideways. There are a lot of these in Timp Cave. It's very beautiful. I really like caves.
The tour was fairly short, and it only took forty-five minutes to hike back down. I got a postcard for my collection. And I checked another item off my One Hundred List. (Actually, it's currently my Sixty-Six List, because I never did get it all the way to a hundred.)
So we got into the tour. Timponogos Cave is not a cavern, and the tunnels connecting the different rooms were very narrow. And there were places where we had to duck, such as to get around a formation that looks like a dinosaur head. There was a lot of cave popcorn and bacon. (Whoever first explored caves must have been hungry.) And there are helictites, rare formations where the stone grows sideways. There are a lot of these in Timp Cave. It's very beautiful. I really like caves.
The tour was fairly short, and it only took forty-five minutes to hike back down. I got a postcard for my collection. And I checked another item off my One Hundred List. (Actually, it's currently my Sixty-Six List, because I never did get it all the way to a hundred.)
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Brakes
So Monday evening my brake light blinked on and then went off.... and it has continued to do that. Today I took my car in to get the oil changed. I mentioned that my brake light had been coming on and that I figured it was because the brake fluid was low.... it turns out that the fluid is leaking... so I have to take my car to the Hyundai dealer in Orem and leave it over night so that they can check it out, order a part if needed, and then fix it. And we were supposed to be hiking Timp Cave today... we pre-paid and everything. So I came home from Springville (where my oil was changed) and started calling all the friends I have with cars... to see if someone wanted to go hike Timp Cave with us. So far the best offer is to borrow one of my friends cars, just as long as I drop her off and pick her up at work. She is very kind to me. Anyway, my hope is that the car is fixed by tomorrow afternoon so that I can still go to ballet and, more importantly, drive to Oregon on Friday. If you could all please PRAY that the car is fixed and that we can then drive safely to Oregon... yeah, that would be greatly appreciated.
love,
Tawnia
love,
Tawnia
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!
Today is my mother's birthday. She is very old today so we must take good care of her when she comes back from Washington DC. I hope that she has a wonderful birthday and is able to go to the many museums that she wishes to go to. I am glad that the weather is nice for her now, but I am also glad that she is inside in air conditioning so it isn't too hot for her either. May all of her 57 years of wishes come true.
Love,
Nathan
Love,
Nathan
the real meaning
In looking at what meetings and trainings my boss has scheduled for me, I will be ok taking all day off on Monday, Thursday, and Friday. On Tuesday, I can leave at noon to head up there, and on Wednesday I can leave at 3pm. I know that the world isn't revolving around me, but I just wanted to let you know in terms of movie filming and whatnot. I don't want to miss out on any of the fun, and it doesn't look like I'll miss tooooo much of it being gone those times.
Love you all - time for bed - happy birthday my favorite mom in law! :c) And happy 4th of July to everyone!
Goodnight,
Manda
Love you all - time for bed - happy birthday my favorite mom in law! :c) And happy 4th of July to everyone!
Goodnight,
Manda
Monday, July 03, 2006
home at last
Well we made it. It took a little longer than we had planned, but we are now home. It was an awesome trip and we both had wonderful times. We are both also very grateful to be sleeping in our own beds now and to be wearing clean clothes.
Happy Birthday, Adam (on the 25th of June)!!! and Happy Birthday, Michelle (yesterday)!!! Sorry I missed those, we either did not have a computer or it totally slipped my mind. I hope that the both of you had wonderful birthdays.
Amanda and I had a wonderful anniversary on top of the Eiffel Tower, and then eating in the tower's restaurant. It seemed as though that the thing to do in Paris is to climb all the tall buildings to see the other tall buildings. It was fun though.
Well I have to figure out how we are going to get our car and do some other things today, so if you don't hear from us again, we will see all of you in less than a week. Oh yeah... about where people are staying. Amanda might not be able to get all of the days off for the family reunion, though she will be able to join us for evenings and some afternoons. My suggestion then is to have some people stay down here in Salem so I can go back with them in the morning and then Amanda can drive up later in the day. But we can talk about that later... but not too much later because then the reunion might be over.
Love,
Nathan
Happy Birthday, Adam (on the 25th of June)!!! and Happy Birthday, Michelle (yesterday)!!! Sorry I missed those, we either did not have a computer or it totally slipped my mind. I hope that the both of you had wonderful birthdays.
Amanda and I had a wonderful anniversary on top of the Eiffel Tower, and then eating in the tower's restaurant. It seemed as though that the thing to do in Paris is to climb all the tall buildings to see the other tall buildings. It was fun though.
Well I have to figure out how we are going to get our car and do some other things today, so if you don't hear from us again, we will see all of you in less than a week. Oh yeah... about where people are staying. Amanda might not be able to get all of the days off for the family reunion, though she will be able to join us for evenings and some afternoons. My suggestion then is to have some people stay down here in Salem so I can go back with them in the morning and then Amanda can drive up later in the day. But we can talk about that later... but not too much later because then the reunion might be over.
Love,
Nathan
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Temple Square and Fireworks
Hello, family from everyone in Utah.
Yesterday, Tawnia, Clarissa, and I went to Salt Lake City. We tried to see the new Joseph Smith movie, but there were no tickets available, so we reserved tickets for next Friday before we drive home. We went to the visitor's center and saw "Testaments," and we looked at the exhibits there, including a new display on the family. And we went to the Museum of Church Art and History.
In the evening, we went to see Stadium of Fire. It was a bit strange, because it was the first, not the fourth. We tried to watch it from Rock Creek Park, but we couldn't find a parking space. We actually had to drive into Orem to avoid the traffic. We finally found a good spot -- the Maceys parking lot. (We had to be there at eleven to pick up Mindy from work anyway.) We sat on the grass, and we could see the massive fireworks that fill half the sky and the smaller fireworks over the stadium. Then the sprinklers came on. So we had to relocate to a bike trail by the creek across the street. Mindy got off work later than usual, but that was good because we missed the worst of the traffic.
Yesterday, Tawnia, Clarissa, and I went to Salt Lake City. We tried to see the new Joseph Smith movie, but there were no tickets available, so we reserved tickets for next Friday before we drive home. We went to the visitor's center and saw "Testaments," and we looked at the exhibits there, including a new display on the family. And we went to the Museum of Church Art and History.
In the evening, we went to see Stadium of Fire. It was a bit strange, because it was the first, not the fourth. We tried to watch it from Rock Creek Park, but we couldn't find a parking space. We actually had to drive into Orem to avoid the traffic. We finally found a good spot -- the Maceys parking lot. (We had to be there at eleven to pick up Mindy from work anyway.) We sat on the grass, and we could see the massive fireworks that fill half the sky and the smaller fireworks over the stadium. Then the sprinklers came on. So we had to relocate to a bike trail by the creek across the street. Mindy got off work later than usual, but that was good because we missed the worst of the traffic.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Report from DC
Dad and I have been enjoying our adventures here in the DC area. We've been here for one week now. I told you about our first day of touring. The Archives is still closed and may be for the rest of the time we're here but we've seen lots of other things. We went to the zoo with Trina and Summer on Tuesday and managed to avoid most of the downpours. Since then the weather has been much nicer. On Wednesday we went on a tour of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. We had our White House Tour that day, too, but due to an unfortunate glitch, Dad missed the tour so I went by myself. We also saw the holocaust museum. On Thursday Trina joined us for our VIP tour of the Capitol building - just the three of us with our own guide. Afterward Adam joined us for lunch in the Senate Dining Room, which you can only do by special invitation. Then Dad and I toured the Library of Congress and then went to the Kennedy Center for a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra. That was a very busy day. Yesterday we went to Arlington National Cemetery and then we all drove down to Charlottesville where we spent the night. Todsy we toured the various sites around there - Monticello, Michie's Tavern and Ash-Lawn (Monroe's home). It was all very interesting. Now we're back at Trina's and ready to crash for the night. We're having a wonderful time and I'll put a whole write up on my Travel Page when I get home.
In other news, Nathan called us last night to let us know that he wasn't quite home yet. Their flight stopped in Dallas and he got sick as they got off the plane. They ended up staying in Dallas and will get home tomorrow. He's fine, now, but when he called I was a bit worried about him.
My legs are doing much better and I've been able to do the walking without too much difficulty. A little slower than usual sometimes, but I'm getting along.
I hope everyone else is healthy and strong and as excited about the reunion as we are. See you next Saturday.
Love always,
MOM
In other news, Nathan called us last night to let us know that he wasn't quite home yet. Their flight stopped in Dallas and he got sick as they got off the plane. They ended up staying in Dallas and will get home tomorrow. He's fine, now, but when he called I was a bit worried about him.
My legs are doing much better and I've been able to do the walking without too much difficulty. A little slower than usual sometimes, but I'm getting along.
I hope everyone else is healthy and strong and as excited about the reunion as we are. See you next Saturday.
Love always,
MOM
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