August 7, 2012

We finally downloaded pictures from our camera so will attach some of them and tell you about what's happening.

This was a moonlight hike on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake.  We are on the left along with the Roberts, Thurmans and Manns.  The nats were supposed to be bad so we invested in headnets.  It turned out to be not so buggy but it was good to not have them in your face.  The ranger who led the hike told us lots of interesting things about the lake, all the nesting birds and we watched the sun set and the moon come up.  Just a fun evening.

This is one of the lakes above Brighton Ski Resort that we hiked into.  There was a sandy beach for lunch and it was a beautiful place.  After sitting in the office all week it's nice to get outdoors and explore some of the canyons around Salt Lake

This is what missionaries look like on a day off.  July 24 was a holiday and Karolyn was here with Sadie and Carson.  Kelmen was at BYU baseball camp.  So we headed up Little Cottonwood Canyon to see the wild flowers.  It was so gorgeous.  There are just miles and miles of flowers--I'd never seen wild flowers like this.

We also spotted 3 moose--2 bulls and a cow together.  So fun to watch them.  I love seeing wildlife.

 Along the path they had old lift chairs stationed so you could have a rest.  Kind of fun!!

The flowers were just amazing--so glad we heard that this was the best time to see them.  We drove to the top of the canyon and then took a shuttle up a couple of miles.  There was a nice trail to walk through Albion Basin and see the flowers.  We took our lunch and found a little stream to sit by and eat.  Before we got back to the car the clouds lowered and there was thunder--such a fun experience.  The temperature dropped about 20 degrees and we were actually cold for awhile--rather a pleasant experience in our hot summer.  Anyway it was a fun day.

July 22, 2012

Sunday, July 22, 2012
WHAT an exciting week.  On Sunday Erin's CrossFit Team won the world competition!!!  We were ecstatic for her and for Hack's Pack Ute.  They all did such a great job and work so, so hard to win.  Dan and the kids were there with her in California so it was a great time for all of them.  There is info and pictures on the CrossFit site if you're wondering what all the competitions entail.  Erin says no competition for awhile but those of us who know her are sure there's something else on the horizon.

Also on Sunday Karolyn arrived with Kelmen, Sadie and Carson.  They have had a busy week seeing sights and spending time with friends here in the area.  One of the fun things was seeing all the floats that will be in the parade on the 24th.  They were on display in the South Towne Centre and it was interesting to be able to walk all around them and see how floats are built.  Float builders are so creative and can tell a story in such a small visual place.  We really enjoyed seeing them plus there were activities and entertainment and all FREE.

Brent got home from HI on Monday morning, very tired but had a successful trip.  After changing his suit and eating lunch he was back to work in his office in the missionary department.  What a soldier!  On Tuesday we went to the dentist--one cavity each.  We go to the son of our long time Brigham City dentist and he shares an office with another dentist from Brigham whose family we know.    We attended our support group for early release missionaries and tried to spend some time with Kar and the kids--but it was a pretty busy week.  On Friday night we had tickets to the Days of '47 Concert in the Conference Center.  It was the MoTab, Symphony and guest, Kathryn Jenkins.  She has the most amazing voice, great concert.  Our friends, Monte and Karen Munns from Brigham came to SLC and we had dinner and went to the concert with them.  They are involved with the open house for the Brigham City Temple and Monte has been called to be assistant recorded in the temple.  He will be great.  Our old stake president, Pres. Checketts will be the temple president--wonderful man.

Yesterday was our turn to help clean the church and with Karolyn and company along we enjoyed helping.  (Kar took the kids to Brigham to see the temple and have lunch at Peach City and see the old home town)  We headed out to the Jordan River Temple to witness a friend's sealing.  It was wonderful to be in the temple with so many friends--really enjoyed our time there.  Kar and I took the kids shopping and to Costa Vida for dinner--Brent opted to enjoy some quiet time at home.  Then we headed over to Hatch's for ice cream.  They have huckleberry ice cream which is Brent's all time favorite so we like to go there.  The owners are "little people" and their main business is making chocolates--especially special designs for special occasions.  They make KILLER carmels and some really creative things out of chocolate.

Kar and I took Kelmen and Sadie to "Music and the Spoken Work" this morning and Brent stayed home with Carson who is too young to go (have to be 8).  Now they are on their way to church with some friends because our branch doesn't have Primary.  Brent will be sustained today as the 1st counselor in the branch presidency and I've been called as the 1st counselor in the Relief Society.  What a great opportunity.  Kar and the kids will be back to come and see us be set apart.  How fun to have family there.

 Then we have a short week as Tuesday is a holiday, haven't decided exactly what we'll do.  Kelmen will be at baseball camp so Kar, Sadie and Carson are going to do a 5K first thing in the morning.

We've started this blog to record our mission adventures and activities.  Our call came November 10 to serve in the Family and Church History Headquarters Mission in Salt Lake City.  Brent will be a mental health advisor to the missionary committee and Nancy will be his assistant.  We report to the MTC in Provo on Jan. 2.  We're excited and nervous. . .lots to do to close up the house for 2 years and to get everything together that we need to take.  So, stay tuned. . .

Well, the summer is speeding past WAY too fast.  It's been SO hot but I'm already worried about coat weather coming too soon.  Go figure.  One thing about serving in Salt Lake City as opposed to Mongolia or someplace is that we are getting to see our family.  They've been drifting through for the last 3 weeks and coordinated a day together last Saturday--all 4 girls and 14 of the grands.  It was great to see them and to watch the cousins interact.  The best entertainment was swimming in the pool at the hotel where the Williams and Bennions were staying.  If you're coming to SLC take a look at the Hyatt that is right next to Gateway--close to so many things and to TRAX and the price was good for downtown.

I had my first Crown Burger--the kids always talked about it when they were in high school but I had never gone before.  It's a cheeseburger with pastrami--be sure to have a diet soda so the fat and calories go on through!!!  We did some shopping and sight seeing and just enjoyed being together and talking.  Thanks to my girls for making an effort to all connect.

There are free concerts in the park on Tues and Fri all summer so we have been hitting some of those.  Just relaxing to sit in the park and listen to music and be with our missionary friends.  One night we had dinner and went to a free symphony concert with 4 other couples--so much fun.

New find:  maxi dresses at Wal-Mart.  They're more like sun dresses but I put a tee under it and it's so comfy for Sundays and around the apartment.  I would never have gone to Wally's for a dress but Kristin arrived in the cutest one so I had to have one, too.  There are some other cute ones but I don't think I can justify buying more when I can't wear them to work.  I hope it's a style that stays for awhile.  So, hurry on down. . .

As I write this I have spent the weekend home alone.  Brent is in Hawaii. . .but before you get envious, it's an over and back trip to pick up a sick missionary and escort him home to Las Vegas.  So he left yesterday morning and will be back tomorrow.  But he did get to sleep in Kona and hopefully go for at least a short walk near the ocean.  I spent yesterday cleaning, getting groceries and ironing 11 white shirts and some blouses for me, all the while watching the World Crossfit Competition.  Erin is in California with her team and they were in first place at the end of yesterday.  So 37 teams are disqualified and the top 6 go for it today.  As I understand it they wipe out the scores from the past 2 days and it all hangs on today's performances.  I'm too nervous to watch today and just hope they can all do their very best.  Yesterday I actually got to see her do a few things and to see her team.  Once they had a good lead the cameras were most focused on the other teams.  But it was fun and interesting to watch.  The workouts are grueling--can't imagine that a body can do all that stuff.  Erin has been coming to SLC since February and spending weekends with us so she could work out with her team.  She's amazing--wife, mother, softball coach, nurse, PhD student, Relief Society President and work class Crossfitter.

I have an appointment with the Branch President at 1:15.  Brent and I have new assignments in the branch but it won't be announced until next Sunday.  So stay tuned. . .  Also, Kar and her tribe are arriving later today for 10 days.  More fun for sure.

June 3, 2012

My sister reminded me that I'm not answering her emails or posting on my blog so I'd better get better with this.  I'm always waiting for a great picture to add and don't have one so I keep putting off writing.  But the written parts are OK sometimes without pics.

This was a short week with Memorial Day off--really enjoyed that.  All weekends should be 3 days so you really can get things done and have time to play.  Friends from St George came for the weekend and we got to see them a little.  Had dinner at Tucano's--a Brazilian restaurant.  I'd never been to one of those where they bring around all the different meat.  It was good but we ate way too much.

On Sunday we went to the Music and Spoken Word.  They did a really nice tribute to veterans and sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".  No one quite does that the way the MoTab does it.

During May Brent and I taught Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School.  I really enjoyed having to study and prepare, you always learn more than you can teach.  In our branch they have couples teach for a month at a time rather than have the same teacher all the time.  It's interesting to see other people's ideas on the Book of Mormon.  They I taught Relief Society one week and last Sunday we both had to speak in Sacrament Meeting.  So our spare time was taken up with getting lessons and talks ready.  The Branch President told us we could count on not having to speak again during our mission as there are so many people in the Branch your turn only comes around once.  YEAH!!

We went for a morning hike on Monday and then spent time doing stuff in the apartment.  I ironed ALL the white shirts and pulled out the ones that are looking a little ratty.  Dressing up 6-7 days a week makes for a lot of laundry and ironing.  Also,  just having enough clothes and keeping everything looking neat takes time. Even if you have quite a few outfits, by the time you wear them so often you just get tired.  I brought my sewing machine and have made 2 skirts, a dress, a jacket and some pj bottoms since we got here.  I still have some material for a skirt, jacket and a dress and then I'm going to be done for awhile.  But the women have it better than the men--everyday a suit and white shirt.  All they get to pick is a tie!

On Wednesday we go to the support group for the Early Release Missionaries.  We've had a pretty good turnout lately and Brent has been teaching about every 3rd week.  I enjoy going and meeting the missionaries and their parents.  We're on our 3rd time through the 10 week course so I think pretty soon I could teach it. But I don't want them to ask me.  By the time we leave we should have the discussions memorized.  The group leader has been doing this for 5 years.  No wonder he asks Brent to teach sometimes.  He's been able to incorporate some of the therapy tools he developed when he was at the Liahona Academy so that's been a nice addition to the basic course.

Friday night we went to a summer concert in the park.  It was a 17 piece band playing 40's music--loved it. It was just a nice evening to sit in the park and listen to the music.  Salt Lake is doing a lot of things to try and get people downtown in the evenings and weekends and to have the right kind of atmosphere downtown so families will come and people will shop and walk and visit.  With the new City Creek Development I think they're achieving their goal.

Well, tomorrow starts early.  I'm in the women's choir and it's our turn to sing for the Monday morning devotional and they want us there at 6:24 to warm up, then a day in the office and tomorrow night we need to get things ready to host our zone for dinner on Tuesday night.  Three missionaries are leaving so we're having a good-bye for them.  Love to your all. NP

Easter Sunday

It's been a beautiful Sunday here.  We started off the morning going to the Tabernacle for Music and the Spoken Word.  We sat up right next to Lloyd Newell who gives the Spoken Word.  Interesting to see the technical side of the broadcast.  The music was wonderful and the Tabernacle was full.  They sang "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" and the "Hallelujah Chorus"  Then we had a nice Easter program in our Branch.  Brent and I were the narrators.

Last night we went to the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Regionals at the U and saw our neice, Callee Price with her ASU team.  It was fun to see her perform and we got a minute to chat afterwards.  It was her last time with her team as her eligibility is over this year.  She is so cute and did a great job.

This week Erin and the kids came for a quick spring break trip and stayed with us while they saw some of the sites in SLC.  We hadn't seen the boys since Christmas so it was great to spend some time with them.

Here I am in my cubicle.  Notice the bowl of pretzels.  Someone started doing that 6 or 7 years ago and it has been kept up by whoever sits here.  I didn't want to be the party pooper so I fill the bowl every morning.  I get the huge bags at Costco--3 to a carton.  It does bring lots of people to my desk and some stop to chat.  Most people are into free food!!

This is Brent's office.  He sits with his back to the door and his face to his computer about 7 1/2 hours a day--pretty exhausting most days.  Notice that he has no windows.  But he tells people that we are living our dream--serving a mission together.

We were fortunate to get tickets to 2 sessions of conference in the Conference Center.  It was great to be there in person and we enjoyed it so much.  I like watching at home but as long as we're here in Salt Lake we will try to attend all we can.

One night this week a couple in our zone made Mexican dinner for all of our zone.  It was delicious and fun to socialize with our zone.  We are 6 couples and 2 senior sisters so have gotten to know each other pretty well as we have a devotional together 4 mornings a week.  There are so many interesting and wonderful people to meet here.

So time to get ready for a new week--pack our lunch for tomorrow and set out clothes so we can be fast in the morning.  Monday morning we have our choice of devotionals--one with the Missionary Department and one with the Mission.  If we're fast we can hit part of both.  Then at noon is a devotional with the Church Service Missionaries and a FHE tomorrow night.  Will we make it to everything??  Hard to say.  We'll see

More Missionary News

Spring has finally come to Northern Utah and we are loving it.  With warmer weather and daylight savings time we can go for a walk after work on most days and it sure feels good to be outdoors and in the sun.  Everything on Temple Square is SO beautiful with the flowers blooming and preparations for conference.  They have power washed the sidewalks and washed windows and spiffed up the lawns and flowerbeds.  We try to walk around Temple Square on a break in the morning and/or at lunch.  I've started leaving a pair of walking shoes at work.

This week was the opening of City Creek Center in downtown SLC.  It is so much fun and such a good place to walk around on a nice day.  They have tons of shopping and eating and really nice water features--one even has fire and water--haven't seen that one go off yet.  On Friday I turned 65!  Yikes!!  They had a yummy carrot cake for me at work and Brent took me to dinner at P F Chang.  So good.  Some of the GA's in the Missionary Department were traveling last week to Europe and Elder Zwick brought back a 10 poung block of Guitard chocolate that he had been given.  That is a lot of chocolate.  They were breaking it up with a screwdriver and hammer and telling everyone to go help themselves.  We only managed to eat 5 pounds of it the first day so they were really pushing it on Friday to get it out of the office before the weekend.

This is me leaving for work one morning.  Thankfully I haven't had to wear a coat for a few days.  We have sliding glass doors for a front door--a beautiful view at night of the valley and lights and we have a little deck, too.

Here I am with Gretchen (Sister Bray).  We were roommates at BYU and now here she is with her husband serving in our mission--this is their 3rd mission.  Gretchen, her husband, Ken, Brent and I were all in the same apartment complex just before we got married and we haven't seen them since.  One of their daughters was at Ricks and knew one of our girls.  So it was a pleasant surprise to find them here.  Ken has a neat conversion story.  He came to BYU just to play football and ended up joining the church.  Notice my Chico jacket--a great find at a thrift store in Phoenix!