24 April 2016

Hi everybody!
   I hope your are all doing well.  I just got back from taking a walk; went between rain showers to stay dry. It was a pretty day for a walk. 
   We've had an eventful couple of weeks, haven't we?  Between April 5th and 19th, we lost Grandpa, then Howard Moon, and then Will Park.  I must admit, I have taken Will's death harder than the other two.  We're just happy for Grandpa and Howard; but I guess we should feel the same way for Will; his death was just much more surprising. 
   Beth had a hysterectomy earlier this week, and she's back home now, doing pretty well, as far as I know.  Janie has been in the hospital with pneumonia, exacerbated by asthma, and had thought she might go home today, but the doc told her this evening that they would shoot for tomorrow.
   I went to Boise on Thursday for a Qualis meeting at the Riverside hotel, and got to spend some time with Dixie's and Zach's family. Dad left for Boise this morning for meetings, and hopes to be able to see them as well. I had hoped to go to Melanie's and Calvin's T-ball games on Saturday, before heading home, but the games were rained out. I remember going to one of Joseph's soccor games 2 or 3 years ago, but I don't remember being able to go to many other grandchildren's games or programs...just the way it is. :(
   Nothing much else...I hope to hear from some of you this week. I'd like to know what you all are up to!  Love you bunches!
Mom/Johanna/Nana
  

Hey everyone-

Hope you are all doing well. Not a lot of updates to share from our group, but we have been staying busy. Maddie is about half way thru with the swimming lessons she has been taking at the middle school. Her lessons have been every Tues and Thurs evening for 30 min. Maddie has always been very comfortable in the water, so we are hoping she will take away the skills that will make us more comfortable with her being in the water. Natalie was recently released as a Nursery and Activity Days leader, and has been called as the 2nd councilor in the YW presidency. I think she will be great with the girls, and it has been a good change for her as well. Alida is throwing new words into her vocabulary pretty regularly now - no full sentences, but she's trying. She's also constantly trying to keep up with her older sisters - no matter what is happening. It's pretty comical most of the time, but can get a little confrontational. Haha. The other day Macy insisted we do "knuckles", instead of a high five - she said "this is what Maddie learned from our cousin, our big, big, hugest cousin, EVER!!". By that, I quickly assumed she was talking about Stephen. Anyway, they both love doing "knuckles" now - thanks to their huge cousin. Haha!! Attached is a pic of Macy ready to bump knuckles. 

Spring is in full swing up in MN. It's beyond green right now, thanks to tons of rain and decently warm temps. The change of seasons is always so drastic in MN - makes it that much more enjoyable. 

Maddie and Macy start another session of pre school today, and they are super excited. I left the house this morning with Macy in tears because she was just sure that school was going to start right after breakfast, but I had to remind her it didn't start until after lunch --- she was bummed :(. 

Natalie has started a garden in the laundry room and things are sprouting up nicely! I think the plan is to transfer everything outside this coming weekend. 

As for me, I'm just enjoying the additional daylight we now have that makes it easier to get out and ride. Ben and I have that bike ride in June, and I'm not even close to (physical condition) where I need to be - only more pedal time will resolve that. Things are getting busier at work, but still nothing compared to how busy we were last year. Oh, one more thing - I've attached a pic of Maddie being attacked by her stuffed giraffe - in her sleep!! This is how she was laying in bed after being asleep for almost 2 hours - I snapped the pic on my way to bed. Haha.  

That's all for now - take care. 

Sam

Hello!!!

We live in Boise now!!!!!! We are all settled in and we're loving it. Best part is we've already had two guests come to stay with us. Mom and Dad!!! Stella is a big fan of them both! 

We're in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath duplex. It's right next to the elementary school Melanie will go to this fall for 1st grade. It was also Zach's elementary school.

Calvin and Melanie are both in tball. They both like it! Melanie's team is called the Warriors. Her coach is a little more serious about it, but that's good. She's learning a lot. Cal's team is the Purple People Eaters. He's in the youngest group, and his games are always hilarious! They both are getting pretty good at hitting, catching and throwing. I'll attach some pictures. It's pretty nice that they're in the same shoe size. We only had to buy one set of cleats, and one helmet. Haha! 

Stella is so fun! She's very expressive, and usually pretty happy. She likes watching the tball games. Today Melanie and Calvin both had games. Stella was all bundled in her stroller and it has a weather blocker. It was crazy windy!!! She was covered and very happy. One time when Cal was up to bat, the wind blew the ball off of the t before he could hit it! Very windy!!! 

We're excited for Calvin's 4th birthday on Sunday! He's having a Star Wars party, of course. And he wants his cake to look like the trash compactor. Should be pretty easy to make. Haha! 

Work is going really well for Zach! He's halfway through his training. He's been on night shift since we moved in, but he'll be on swing shift starting next week. 

The Meridian Temple looks so awesome! I'll get a picture next time I go by. It's so cool! I've never seen one like it! 

Our new address is
9702 W Amity Rd
Boise, ID 83709

We love all of you!

Dixie

Hi Everybody!

It feels like we haven't been up to much around here, but we have been plenty busy!  As school is starting to get closer to the end, everyone but is getting more and more stressed.  Mornings have never been real great for us, we usually have one or two people not very excited about getting out the door.  But now it's almost everyone, everyday!  Stephen is always happy to go to Seminary, so that is good, but school is not fun for anyone right now.  I cannot wait for summer to come!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry.....

I know I told some of you, but I'll tell it again.  The Sunday we were at Mom and Dad's was our Stake Conference and they announced that the University Stake would be dissolved and combined with our regular stake.  Our ward got 25 new families - all young couples with 0-3 kids all Sunbeam age or younger.  Two of the new families are Trevor and Allison Davenport and Robyn (Davenport) and Colby Brower!  I love having them in our ward!!  It's the first time since I've left Egin that I've been in the same ward as someone else from Egin and it is SO nice having that little connection with them!  Trevor and Allison are expecting their first baby in June and Robyn and Colby have 2 kids, a boy and a girl - Cordyn and Skye.  Cordyn is in my Sunbeam class and he is so cute and so easy to have in class.  Spencer was feeling shy to have so many new kids in our class that first Sunday and didn't know where to sit.  Once I told him that Cordyn's mom is friends with Calvin's mom, he was happy to sit next to Cordyn. 

As part of all the changes, our ward now meets in a different building.  I'm trying not to be sad about that, I know it is just a building, but we went to that building for 11 years and I miss it!  I'm sure I will get used to the new one soon.

Our neighbor, Seth Dixon, is getting married this week.  Their reception here is tonight and I got to help with the flowers!  I'll attach a couple of pictures of the Bride's bouquet.  I just finished it about an hour ago. 

Spencer has been saying more sweet and hilarious prayers.  Last week at our suppertime prayer he said, "We thank thee that Annie.......has....arms."  We all had to work so hard to not laugh out loud at that one!

Next week Ellen gets to go to McCall all week for McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS).  The 6th graders in our district get to go every year for 5 days.  I get to go as a chaperone for the first 2 and a half days!  I got to go when Stephen and Annie both went and I'm excited to go again.  It is a really neat place and experience for the kids.  All of the instructors there are UofI graduate students and they do a really good job interacting and teaching science out in the woods and along the lake.   

I got a new phone!  Not a smart phone, but it does do pictures so start texting pictures to me!  I'll text some back!!  Silly, I know, but still exciting to me! 

I love you all SO much!!!

Aimee