17 March 2019

 Hi all,

   In a recent meeting, we were challenged to spend at least one minute a day writing in a journal of some sort. So my plan is to make this email even more like a journal, adding a line or two each day. The speaker who gave that challenge used the diary of one of his relatives, born in 1884. He felt that because she had written almost every day, sometimes only a word or two, such as "canned peaches," he knows her, and she is someone he loves and that they have "a tie that binds."

Monday: on the flight home, from Minneapolis, Dad and I were in separate seats, about 10 rows apart. When we landed in SLC, we discovered we had chosen to watch the same movie during the flight, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. I thought it was neat that we picked the same movie!

While at Sam's and Nat's, I was introduced to juicing and the health benefits it can bring, many that I need. We discussed it and ordered one which should be here tomorrow!

Tuesday: back to work today, not as hard as I expected. All my prep work last week payed off. Tonight I had a presidency meeting and a Community Sharing committee meeting.

Wednesday: Today is Mama's 86th birthday; she and I went to the Egin RS birthday celebration, and they all sang Happy Birthday to her. :) 

Thursday: Work was good, then I went to our Diabetes prevention class without Len; he has been sick with a bad cold.

Friday:  Len and I went to the NRA banquet tonight. Then I stayed up late juicing carrots, celery and apples, got almost 3/4 of a gallon from 4 lb of carrots, 2 lb of celery, and 4 apples.

Saturday: got my hair cut, went to visit Fern. She especially enjoyed watching the video of Ben, Macy, and Alida, singing, I Am a Child of God. I could see her mouthing the words right along with them. This afternoon I juiced 4 lb of spinach and 9 oranges and got about the same amount as yesterday.

Sunday: I missed going to Len's Sunday School lesson, but I spoke in Parker 2nd Ward Sacrament meeting with Brother Will Stewart of the High Council. Gina Humphries was there and it was nice to see her and lots of old Egin faces: Anna Jane Anderson, Joan Palmer, Mabel Josephson, James and Debbie Davenport, Brent and Carleen Rhodehouse, etc. 

Day 2 of juice fast . . . 

   Well, there's my week. I hope you've had a good week too, and hope to hear from you!

Love, 

Mom/Johanna/Nana

Hello Everyone-

 

I want to send an email out to everyone to recap the fantastic weekend we had with everyone who came for Maddie’s baptism. First off, thanks again to everyone that joined us – it really was nice having you here to share in the special event. As Mom already recapped, Dad arrived on Wednesday and then Mom and Natalie’s mom, Nan, arrived the following day, and then Bradley, Ben, Lynsey and Joe arrived Friday morning. Bradley and Joe were itching to get out and play in the snow, so we didn’t waste much time before we (Maddie, Macy, Alida, Ben, Joe, Bradley, Myself) all headed out to do some sledding in the park. We started right behind the house, but the snow was too deep – we couldn’t get the sleds moving. We went down the hill and across the street where the hill is steeper – that’s when the fun began! We had a pretty decent jump built after about 15 minutes and we all got plenty of turns to hit (video will be sent in separate email) the jump – good times!  

After sledding we had lunch and then Brad, Ben, Joe, Grandpa, and myself started the Farming Game. Natalie, Nan, Nana, Lynsey and the girls worked on making some no-bake cookies and chocolate chip banana bread that would be served as refreshments for the baptism. As you can imagine, the Farming Game wasn’t over by the time we needed to leave for our scheduled time slot at Feed My (FMSC) Starving Children, so it was put on hold…

FMSC was a great experience – seemed like we worked pretty steady for about 90 minutes. It was a great service opportunity for a group our size. After that, Nana, Grandpa, Joe, Bradley, and myself went to Hy-Vee to get some evening (cookies and ice cream) treats. We met everyone at home and enjoyed the evening together. The Farming Game picked back up and went until we called it at 10pm. I was busy with other things, so I may be incorrect in this statement, but I think Grandpa edged out Ben by only $7K, but that could have been the other way around – I forget, all I know for sure was that Ben, Joe and Grandpa all ended up with a net worth in excess of $400K!

The baptism was at 10am on Saturday and everything was wonderful! Attached is the program for those that didn’t get a chance to attend. Thanks again for everyone who participated – much appreciated!

After the baptism we returned home, had lunch, and then the boys went to the car show that was happening at the Minneapolis Convention Center and the girls went to the MOA to get Maddie’s ears pierced. We all joined back at the house and had Maddie’s favorite meal, Orange Chicken with white rice – YUM! It rained quite a bit that day, which turned to snow later in the night – we probably got another 5-6” of snow that night.

We all went to church on Sunday and then came home and ate leftovers – there was plenty of food that needed eating! Brad and Joe ended up outside again after we had lunch – they were able to get the snow in shape for some good sledding on the hill behind the house, which isn’t super steep, but it’s nice and (about 100 yards) long. I went out and gave the hill a try once they had it nice a packed down – it was a good (fast) long run! From there the departures began – Brad, Ben, Lynsey, and Joe left for the airport around 6pm Sunday. Nana and Grandpa left about 3pm the following day, and then Nan took off Tuesday morning.

Things have gotten back to normal since everyone left and now we are looking forward to spring break next week – Brad arrives this Friday around 7:30pm. It should be a good break – the snow is melting nicely and the weather reports indicate we might hit the low 60’s this weekend – WOW!!!

 

Hope everyone is happy and healthy!!

 

Some pics with commentary are below.

 

 

Grandpa was victorious in Sleeping Queens for the first time at our house – Alida was in disbelief!

 

 

The Farming Game – Grandpa might have been victorious on this one also….anyone who remembers clearly feel free to chime in. Pretty sure he made most of his money in Fruit.

 

Orientation at FMSC – Macy didn’t want her picture taken with a hair net on. And Maddie was yet to accept she needed to wear one…

 

Bradley busy scooping up the nutrient powder and veggies!

 

Joe working side by side with Brad scooping the soy and rice.

 

 

Macy and Lynsey busy with the bagging process.

 

 

Maddie working the bagging and Nan scooping rice. Where did Macy’s hair net go???

 

 

Mom and Dad getting things done scooping and bagging.

 

 

Ben operating the bag sealing station – only professionals were authorized at this location!

 

 

Final results for the night – nice job everyone!!

 

Minutes prior to the start of the baptism.

 

 

This was taken as we were getting ready to leave the chapel after the baptism.

 

 

Brad and Grandpa sitting in my future (maybe someday) ride – BMW X7. It had head pillows that were pretty amazing – seriously!

 

 

Bradley with his new dream-car – Mercedes AMG GT-Coupe. He’ll figure ($$$) out a way to drive one eventually – he’s a natural salesman. Just ask Ben – he has the proof!

 

Maddie and Rah-Rah-Dawg with newly (and new cool glasses) pierced ears – good times!

 

 

Maddie with her new baptism pillow case – thanks goes to our good friend, Sheri Migliori!

 

 

Samuel Humphries