Letter Archives for September 2006

The Davis Family Letter

Dear Loved Ones,

You've heard a lot already about our wonderful Mediterranean cruise and visit to the Netherlands this summer, but I think you'll really enjoy seeing some of the pictures.  Laurel, with her heart of gold, is posting them, so we'll let you know when they are ready.  We're so glad Mom and LaMarvelous came with us.  They made the whole trip even more fun, and were a big help to Blair in shepherding me around, with my unsteady gait and fancy-schmancy chariot.    

We loved visiting Christine's family.  They showed us lots of amazing places in their area--windmills, canals, dykes, locks, and quaint villages--but the best part was just being with them.  The children were adorable and well-behaved.  They sang for us, played games with us, and loved all the extra attention from the grandparents. 

Now that all our summer playing has ended, we've settled into our regular routine.  My classes have been well-behaved so far, and I hope it continues!     

The biggest news in our family right now is that Jayma is expecting.  Although she's having some difficulties,  we are praying that all will go well and that she and Tim will become parents in late April.  Thanks for your prayers, too.  If everything progresses normally, we'll probably fly to Florida for the blessing and a few days' visit. 

Yesterday was my first day to work at the Temple answering phones, while Blair did his usual monthly shift at the veil.  Working in the Family File area, I was amazed at the number of patrons who brought in small computer diskettes which the temple workers used to print out ordinance slips for temple work.  Lots of people must be doing what they're asked to do--genealogical research for their own families.  I really enjoyed my assignment, which mostly consisted of taking names that people wanted added to the prayer roll.  Between phone calls, I painstakingly read the first three chapters of First Nephi from a Spanish Book of Mormon, and even understood most of it.  The other workers are very nice, and I look forward to going next month.

While I was in the temple, I met Abigail Jimenez, who's worked there over twenty years.  She remembered Dad, and spoke of him with the utmost love and respect, saying that he was one of the dearest, humblest people she ever knew.  Of course.  We now have a Spanish unit connected to our ward.  I think it will be fun, and I hope to be able to speak a few words with those members.

Blair joined Dianne's husband, Jeff, and their two older boys, Ethan and Zachary, at an Angels' game.  The Wurtzes are big Angels fans, living in Orange County as they do.  Even though the Angels lost, the "boys" enjoyed themselves and topped off the evening with Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  Dianne and I, after Spencer had gone to bed, talked the evening away. 

Lymabean.com, Jeff's student-focused website, is going very well.  He has a number of big-time investors.  Natalie showed us the videotape she made of one of the crazy fellows in the company wearing the amazing lima bean costume she had made.  The bean is six feet from front to back and five feet high, made of foam rubber covered with bright green polar fleece.  The fellow wearing it (and also a green leotard, tights, and hood) was talking, joking, and showing off among lots of in-coming college students and their parents at UC San Diego.  The parents and students laughed and talked right back.  He even tried doing a cartwheel next to some cheerleaders, but it was a hilarious failure.  He spent a couple of minutes squirming to get himself up again.  I believe that snippets of this video will be used to promote the Lymabean name and logo.

I love my new calling--Gospel Doctrine teacher.  We don't have anyone in class who wants to argue, as I've heard some wards have.  Everyone listens and many participate.  And the Old Testament material is fascinating.  As always happens, the teacher is learning more than anyone else in the class. 

For those who know Glenn and Gloria Davis, Gloria's mother passed away a few days ago.  Glenn, Rebecca, and Sarah came to visit us while the whole family was down here for the funeral.  Gloria is the only LDS member in her family; her mother was Pentecostal, and so are all her siblings and their families.  One of her brothers is even a Pentecostal preacher.   

Blair drove Natalie up to BYU after a summer working for Jeff, and she's happily installed in her apartment and classes.  I'm especially eager to hear about one of her classes, once she gets into it--bookbinding.  Blair was happy to see his family and to visit with Mark in Provo and Mom and LaMar in St. George.  Stephanie flew down from Rexburg for about ten days after her summer session.  We enjoyed having her here, but she's now back up at school and part of the busy campus life again.  She'll student teach after Christmas in Salt Lake as a high school art teacher, and will graduate in April.  Then she'll be wanting to find a job. Mark also will graduate in April from BYU in Industrial Design, so we'll make a quick trip to Provo and Rexburg for both those graduations.  We hope he'll be able to find work in California.  He's footloose and fancy free these days, and we're wondering when some young lady is going to knock him off his feet.

A couple of months ago, Kathy sent us a CD of the most adorable pictures of her little girl.  Some are from last Halloween, when Jane wore a Yoda costume Kathy made, and some were of Jane in a beautiful Christmas outfit from last December.  The little one is now about sixteen months old, and as cute and fair as can be!       

I've been having the best time knitting.  After finishing the fisherman-style afghan for Blair, I knit a lace sweater for Nan in a brick red, and another lace one for Stephanie in dark brown.  Right now I'm knitting a baby sweater, but I'll soon move on to other projects.  I told Blair I may have to quit my job, since my knitting is taking so much of my time. We all look forward to Christmas of 2007, when we plan to have a reunion of all our children and grandchildren.  Christine's family will come then, so it will be a perfect time.  I'll think I've gone to heaven when I have so many loved ones around me.

Love to all, Susan and family

 

The Barker Family Letter

Dear Family,

It has been a very long time since we sent letters, it seems. I am glad to get back to normal and hear about everyone and what is going on. Things change so fast, 2 weddings recently, we need to catch up. The best part right now is that it is almost FALL!! That is my favorite season.

School is in session and I am not involved in it much anymore. I do find myself behind a school bus if I happen to leave 2 minutes later than I should. It is a real reason to leave on time. The neighbor kids are back jumping on the trampoline and laughing. It is fun. Th noise bothers my back door neighbor more than he can stand and there in NOTHING he can do abut it. Good. Jason is in first grade and LOVES it. He is a popular kiddo. Madi 's birthday is August 8 and the cut off day is Aug 1. She was so sad to miss school by a few days. She should have gone 2 years ago. She is very in charge.

JD took the BAR exam in July and is waiting to hear the results which will be out the first few days in October. Long! He is working at a law firm for the few weeks until he knows and we will see what happens after that. He would like to stay in Kansas City somewhere. Tiffany will be glad for that.

Andy and Chrystie and Isabel(4) are waiting for little sister to arrive, right around Halloween. I don't think little Kevin cares. Little sister makes #9 grand baby for us. They are still in Florida waiting for any hurricanes too. Andy really enjoys being part of the Defense team on the Base.

Jenny , Greg, Jason and Sydney are still busy as ever. Jenny works LOTS of hours and is changing jobs to a more stable place. Everyone loves Sydney at day-care.

Mike has been called into the Bishopric as 2nd counselor. (They are in Pocatello, Idaho.) Poor Becky. She was soooo worried about Sacrament Meeting. Both boys would be a handful We all know about that. There were several people who offered help and said they have teenage girls who are willing to sit with her and the boys. That has been a good help. They have a nice home and a big garden.

Brigham is in school. We are very happy about that. His 4 year old little daughter, Audri, tells people that her Dad is in college-day care.

Wiley and Kate are up in Logan at USU. They have about 1 year to go.

David passed his 2-year mark as Bishop on July 4th. He says the big parties that day are celebrating his survival for another year. He has made such a difference for so many people. He is lucky enough to have a new Service Missionary couple to replace one that has been here for 2 years. They were a wonderful help. We just loved having them here. They took us out to dinner at the 'Country Club'. It was really something, beautiful and very good. ( my salad -spinach leaves, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries with raspberry vinaigrette dressing)

I am still doing the same-old, same-old stuff. I just passed my 15 year mark at the FBI. I can retire in 5 more years.

We really enjoy being, just the two of us, here. It makes it more fun when family comes by. This weekend is Conference and we will have Kate and Wiley and Mike's bunch here. Grandpa will take Jason and this time, Jamen to the Circus. Mike will go and help. It is boys night out. Then, it is the Priesthood session of conference in the evening.

Love to all of you,
David and Karen XXOO

The Kennington Family Letter

Dear Ones,

It has been another chaotic summer. We were greatly looking forward to Jeff and Brielle's wedding at the end of August. The week before our flight out of Boise, the cows got sick, (not the same sick they were last year,) but fortunately, since Clint, Casey, Jeff, and Tyson, our nephew, were there, the cows were all given shots and vaccinations and our herd has been restored to health.

Clint and I and our children including spouses (except Jeff and Brielle, who were already there,) flew to Philadelphia Tuesday but weren't able to land because of thunderstorms, so we circled for an hour or so, landed in Washington Dulles airport for fuel, and flew back to Philadelphia. Then we got our rental vans (Clint and Dr. Mark did the driving honors) and took off for Washington D.C. again. We had to wait for an hour on the bridge over the Susquehanna River, since they were painting stripes on the road in the middle of the night. We finally drove to the Holiday Inn Central by about 1:00 a.m. and slept in.

Wednesday was the wedding day. The D.C. temple is huge and absolutely beautiful. The day was perfect. Even though the men grumbled about having to wear a nice shade of light pink for pictures (which they looked quite handsome in), everyone showed up and the happy couple was married. Brielle's family are wonderful people, from a small town in Pennsylvania. We all went to Maggiano's Little Italy, in the high rent district around Neiman Marcus and Saks 5th Ave. etc., found some parking, and had an outstanding 3-course Italian meal. Then the honeymooners took off, the Gampes went back to Pennsylvania, and the rest of us began exploring Washington.

Thursday we walked from our hotel to the White House, the Archives where the Constitution & Declaration of Independence are (a very spiritual place), the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, (I took a picture of Dad's Surveyor spacecraft,) the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum. Casey's wife Katie the art major didn't want to leave the National Gallery of Art, and the rest of us didn't want to leave the National Gallery of Art gift shop. Clint bought a very handsome Gustav Klimt silk tie. We probably walked eight miles that day, but it was cloudy and cool and a perfect day for sightseeing. Jon and Carrie brought Dallin, who was a joy the whole time.

Friday hurricane Ernesto came up the coast as a tropical storm, but through the wind and rain we saw the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials, and then we took off for Philadelphia. We only got lost a few times. We all made it to the Historic Downtown Comfort Inn, then we walked around town and found some terrific Philly cheesteak sandwiches. Ernesto hit that night, so the next day was sopping wet, (probably the lines were shorter because of it) but we still visited the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. These are beautiful buildings where amazing history took place. Casey had the foresight to buy us all plastic ponchos which came in handy.

Saturday evening we drove to Reading where the reception was. We only got lost a few times. There are trees all along the highway and you can't see hardly anything else as you drive. There was about an hour of extra time, so the entire Gampe family took off for the Penney's Outlet (evidently Reading is famous for outlets) so what else could we do? I bought an aqua cashmere sweater for a good price. Vanessa found some great children's clothes. Then we got into our pink and green outfits again and had a nice German Catholic Mormon-style Pennsylvania reception with lots of dancing including polkas, but no beer. (The Gampes are the only members in their extended family.) Conrad and Sarah represented the Kennington family by dancing the swing. Then all of us, including Jeff and Brielle, drove back to Philadelphia, although one of the vans took the wrong exit, and went over the Ben Franklin bridge for a side trip to New Jersey. Unfortunately they had to pay a toll to get back.

Sunday morning we had enough time to visit the Edgar Allan Poe house not far from our hotel that Carrie wanted to see. It is run by the Parks department and the rangers (hats and all) were pretty funny. ("Everyone point to the person that dragged you all in here!") They were glad to see our big group on a quiet Sunday. The old house smelling of mold with uneven brick floors, steep narrow stairs and writhing wallpaper could lead one to believe Poe would write horror stories in there, down to the little trap door with a rubber heart in it the park ranger told us to check into. One room was made up to reflect Poe's essay on the furnishing of a bachelor apartment, including using red lights since it made women look better. We packed up Jeff and Brielle's gifts in three cardboard boxes and checked them on as luggage.

We were glad to get back to the West. Although I love trees, I'm a desert dweller and I like to see the horizon, I guess, and there aren't nearly as many people in Boise and environs. For the Ontario reception, Mom and LaMar kindly agreed to come, so I picked them up at the airport on Friday morning, stopped at Costco for supplies, and we had some nice quiet chat (and vacuuming and dusting) time before Conrad and Sarah and Jeff and Brielle showed up on Saturday. I know LaMar must think I never dust, but I kept reminding him this is a dusty place. It was perfect weather for this reception, too. (Thanks, Dad!) We did have an emergency, though--20 minutes before the reception began, Tyson called from down Morgan Avenue, since he was driving the pickup and had been sideswiped by a woman running a stopsign in a mini van. Fortunately everyone was ok, although both vehicles were demolished. And Clint really liked that pickup. The evening was lightened up by our friends the Frahms, onion farmers who own a light plane. They dropped Jeff and Brielle a couple of candy bars in a plastic shopping bag parachute after buzzing over our house. It landed in the field behind our house. People stayed late and had a nice time.

Sunday everyone left, so Clint and I are on our own again. We are finally starting to catch up with everything else. I was called in to substitute at OHS three times this week (how is that different than when I was working every other day?) and had a colonoscopy on Thursday. All I can say about that is, the soda phosphate tasted awful, I can't remember a thing after they put in the IV, and I came home and slept for two hours, which felt wonderful. I've been picking the last of the peaches, and the raspberries are coming on again. It rained several days in a row, so the smoke from range and forest fires is rinsed away and the skies are blue and beautiful again.

Lots to catch up on! We love you all!
The Kenningtons

The Robinson Family Letter

Dear Family,

We are hip deep in wedding preparations around here. Genna is a good planner and has things well organized. It is just getting it all done that bogs me down. And now she is taking a full load in school and working full time. She is a busy, busy girl.

We are so thrilled that she and Jeff can be sealed in our new Sacramento temple. It is beautiful. Craig got to take through a couple of groups (the mayor, city council members, etc.) on the special VIP tours before it was open to the public. Those tours were longer and more detailed. Craig was happy he got to see the Bride's room (gorgeous!) since Genna will be in there and he'll never see it again. It was not on the regular tour, so Genna hasn't seen it, yet.

Jeff Redd brought his family up to tour the temple and we got to have them over for dinner. It was a laugh-riot, of course! I invited some people from my work to go through the open house and they were very complimentary. The newspaper and TV news did a good job covering everything. President Hinckley was even on the TV news putting mortar on the cornerstone.

Our little granddaughter Clementine is growing like crazy and getting cuter every day. Having a grandchild is absolutely everything everyone told me it would be. Brian goes to Canada every summer to bike ride in Whistler. Since he is the stay-at-home parent, I got to take off work and watch Clementine while Heather worked. It was a fun 3-generation bonding week. They are good parents and it is fun to see all the latest trends in parenting.

Craig Jr. and Rachel spent Labor Day in Chicago. Too bad the Polish wards have been disbanded. But they were able to go to the Polish section of town and attend a Polish Festival. Craig said it was like being transported right back to Poland. We are looking forward to seeing them at the wedding.

I got to go with Craig to a City Manager's conference in San Antonio. It is a fun place, even if it is a bit muggier than we are used to. Roseville was honored with an award this year. The LDS managers and spouses get together and it is a fun time. I found Mexican jumping beans there! I hadn't seen them for years. I had to get some for all of the kids. When they were young I thought Mexican jumping beans would be a good, quiet thing to have for them in Sacrament meeting. WRONG. Every time they would move, the kids could not contain themselves and had to tell very loudly what happened. Oops!

Craig has been involved with a leadership group from the greater Sacramento area. They meet monthly and went on a weeklong wilderness trek up in the Sierra in August. He absolutely loved it. He is learning a lot and is really enjoying the others in the group. Some of them have overcome huge obstacles to become the good people they are.

We love you!

The soon-to-be Empty Nesters.

The Pimentel Family Letter

Dear Family, It's finally cooling down!!  We got up to 114 degrees for a few days earlier this summer, but it mostly hovers around 100 degrees.  When the evenings/mornings cool off it seems so much more pleasant even if the days get warm. 

We had a short little family reunion in August.  Bret flew to the Bay Area and met up with Andrea, Roger and Grandma Pimentel.  Then the kids drove home for a 3-day weekend and Bret stayed here for a few more days before flying out of Bakersfield.  We just never have enough time together.  Next reunion:  Christmas holiday.  Can't wait.  It is likely that I will be having a hysterectomy shortly before Christmas and will take advantage of the kids being home to do all the work.  Also, I won't have to take as much time off of work because I already have 2 weeks off. 

Roger did a 7-week advertising internship at the ad agency where Andrea works and they had a fun summer together.  He is a senior at BYU now; Andrea is an art director.  Bret is in the second year of his 4-year doctoral program.  He will have a recital next month.  We hope to go when he does his recital next year.

I am liking working at the dental office.  Having Mondays off is so fabulous, and then I am in the office by myself doing paperwork on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Thursdays and Fridays are crazy because they are patient days.  The dentist has another office about 1 1/2 hours away and he works over there three days a week.  I did sort of miss the excitment of school starting, but I got to keep up on the activities through Ron.  He is glad that classes are back in session.  He teaches three classes this quarter, and two classes the next 2 quarters.  This was the first summer that Ron didn't teach summer classes.  He likes to (the $ is nice!), but he is sharing with other marketing faculty.  He worked on a few projects around the house and did some research.  The newly refinished front doors look fabulous!

Our YSA branch got a lot bigger over the summer.  We topped out at 102 in Sacrament Meeting, but when BYU and BYU-I started up again we lost quite a few members.  We usually have around 70-80 and we are gradually growing.  Ron spends a lot of time counseling and has many disciplinary councils.  It is a heavy burden for him, but he says it is very rewarding.  I love working with the branch, too, although my role is much different!

We are looking forward to going up north for Genna's wedding.  We will go after work on Friday (about a 4.5 hour drive), and we will leave early Sunday morning and try to get to church at 11am.  Quick trip, but it will be fun.  We wish we could make it to all the weddings.  Maybe we will have a wedding some day! 

Love you all!  Sarah and Ron

The Feddock Family Letter

Dearest Redd-ites,

Oh my, time is certainly marching on. Our little infant daughter who couldn't even turn over is now in 11th grade. She took driver's ed over the summer and will be getting behind the wheel with an instructor soon, as soon as her mother has the nerve to pick up the phone and take care of it.

In school, Breanne has an internship this semester. Each junior does an internship for one semester. So, twice a week, during school hours I pick up Breanne and take her to B.O.K. Ranch where she does some administrative work (not her favorite) and works with children of various ages who come to the ranch to ride horses as therapy. Some are autistic, others are in wheel chairs so they come to ride to help work on their upper body balance.  She really loves it. She loves animals and helping people, so it's perfect for her. She spends 3.5 hours each time. Other students are working with a crime lab, NASA, software companies, etc. It's a neat program.

B has also just joined the first soccer team the school has had since it is a newish school. It's a charter high school in it's fourth year. The soccer team is co-ed. She has had knee trouble for years and when it finally occurred to us to take her to our chiropractor he fixed her up and she can't wait to be sporty again.

Breanne is enjoying studying church history in seminary and even brings a non-member friend! She was recently "set aside," as Dad would say, as 2nd Counselor in her Mia Maid class. Although, in November, when she turns 16, she'll move to the Laurel class. She is still taking piano lessons.

Our little guy, Miguelito, just started kindergarten and is loving it. He is in a K/1 class (kindies and 1st graders together) and has the same teacher Breanne had for 1st grade and we know how FABULOUS she is! He is also in the same room she was in as a kindergartner. He isn't shy, wasn't afraid, he walked right in and got started in class. I'm glad he is not painfully shy. It wasn't hard for me to let him go to school because I knew how much he would love it. He does live with three adults, you know, and we don't always feel like playing what he wants to play, although we do try. I gave Breanne my best years, being the fun mother who would chase the children around at the park while the other mothers chatted. Now the other mothers still chat but I sit in the shade and knit--poor guy! I guess he's not the only one getting older. He's been sleeping like a little log since starting school.

As for Michael-the-hubby, we went to his 30 year high school reunion last weekend. He granulated in 1976. It was actually an all-years reunion. There were only 21 classes before the high school was torn down which, as everyone around here knows, was a big mistake since there are so many children around now. It was becoming an aging community, but now there are lots of young families with chillens. Anyway, it was nice to meet so many nice people at the reunion. He was really good about going around, mingling, and getting to know other 1976-ers.

One person I met was a Jewish man named Gary Katz. We got started talking about geneology a little which allowed me to mention we were LDS and that there was a wonderful family history library near him. I mentioned that the Jews and we Mormons are cousins which he already knew. He has across-the-street neighbors who are LDS and he says they are really good people and that he noticed the Mormons help each other and look out for each other. Like, when they go out of town another Mormon child will come take care of their yard and dog, etc. I felt a kinship to him and he hugged me goodbye when we left. Michael and I are always the first to leave a party. Such poopers we are! Besides, six hours of G'ma and G'pa Feddock babysitting the little guy was plenty, as good a boy as he is.

Michael continues to work in the office of a roadway striping and signage company. He loves the two block commute! The boss might never admit it but he just wouldn't be able to get along without Michael. He is the most dependable person in the office. For one thing, he never calls in sick due to a hangover from the night before! He's never late and is so diligent. But you could have guessed that.

As for me, I'm doing some walking in the hills during kindergarten. I'm listening to talks on my MP3 player. A friend gave me her old one when she got a new one and I am using it like crazy. I even recorded stake conference with it last weekend so Carol and Mike could listen to it. They weren't able to go. He is recovering from knee replacement surgery and doing well. Anyway, I'm listening to Sheri Dew (she's so awesome), John Bytheway, Mary Ellen Edmunds and others.

As for my calling, we finally have a complete presidency after three months of no secretary! My Education counselor is the stake president's wife, Sue Jacobsen. I got to know her at Girls Camp. My Enrichment counselor is from one of the Stanford singles wards (there are two). I also met her at Girls Camp. She served her mission in Poland but at a different time than Craig Robinson. The counselors are both reserved, easy-going and awesome. Our secretary is Rosemarie Perez who is a single mother, and strong convert of a few years. We had our first official assignment last weekend for stake conference. We were to provide a "snack" for the visiting general authority (Elder Steuer, sounds like Stoyer), the stake pres'y, and their wives between their Saturday meetings. Our presidency's hubbies were also invited, but that meant only Michael joined us, because two of us are single and one is the Stake president's wife anyway. This was to be at 6pm so we put out make-your-own sandwich makings, cut up fruit and veggies (Costco trays), and homemade desserts. It sounds like a small thing but I'm not really good at hostess planning but we did it. We thought of all the details and it went just swimmingly. The best part was chatting during dinner. What a treat to visit casually with the stake presidency and Elder Steuer!

We Stake RS ladies are suddenly getting busier what with having a dinner for each of the ward presidencies, separately, to get to know them. There's the broadcast coming up this weekend, our first ward conference this weekend (the Spanish ward), our semi-annual leadership mtg for the ward presidencies to attend, beginning to plan for the stake women's conference in the Spring, etc. It will help keep me out of trouble and you know how I need that.

On the day I was sustained a ward member came up to me after Sacrament Mtg to tell me that he didn't remember there ever being a president of any stake organization from our ward. Counselors and secretaries, yes, but presidents, no. I reminded him of a married couple from our ward who were the stake YW/YM presidents at the same time, but he still seemed to think it was significant. Even though we live in an affluent town, we are sort of regarded as the poor orphan ward of the stake (besides the Spanish ward). I'm not sure why that feeling is there. Maybe it's because the Stanford professors (men and women) live in the other wards, mostly the Palo Alto wards and are even more affluent. Interesting. I absolutely love our ward.

That's enough gabbing for now,

Love, the not-empty-nesters-for-at-least-another-16-years Feddocks