Dear Family,
Happy Summer! We've had a busy last few months. I went to two really great concerts...... reliving the 80's. I saw U2 in May, and Howard Jones last night. Both were really fun. Went with my friend Page from work. Did a lot of dancing, and went right up to the stage for HoJo's last three songs of the night..... good times. Casey likes the 80's stuff too, and went last night with his friend Trevor.
Alyssa turned 8 in May and had a Rock Star/ Princess party at Cookie Cutters which included her and her friends getting up-do's, nails done, karaoke and dancing on stage under a disco ball. They all had a blast! She was also baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We had a really nice lunch and get -together at Mom's house. Thanks to Jennifer and Steve for doing all of the food preparations for us. It was much appreciated. Alyssa danced in her recital at Kingsbury Hall: Mary Poppins. She was a hunter, and had a horse and everything. Fun to watch.
John and I celebrated our 22 year anniversary, and since I was 22 years old when I married him, then I guess I've now spent half of my life with him already.... weird... but good at the same time! :)
Mitch turned 13! A real teenager! We saw Cars 2 as a family, and then John took him and a friend to Classic skating for laser tag, the blast zone, and some bouncing. He was a happy boy. John also went to scout camp with Mitch to Maple Dell (by Payson) for the week where he earned several more merit badges! Travis and Alyssa enjoyed a week of gymnastics camp at the U of U. It was fun watching them. Travis is especially strong. You should see him climb the rope and whip himself around the bars! He's a monkey for sure The kids have now done a couple of weeks of swimming lessons, but still can't get enough of the water.
We are so excited for the family reunion and the river trip, and seeing all of YOU!!! Love, Emily
Monday, July 11, 2011
Dorothy
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Dear Family,
Well, just as I stated in my last letter to the Lingo in May, Ariane graduated from high school and is working at “Cub Fort Frontier,” and Kevin left for his mission to Mesa, Arizona. May was an especially busy month for me because of these two. With all the senior graduation activities, awards programs, and other graduation stuff for Ariane, it was busy enough… then I had all the shopping with Kevin to do to make sure he was prepared with everything he needed going on all at the same time. He also had the huge task of cleaning out his room, going through all his stuff, organizing it, and packing it away for safe keeping while he’s gone for two years. He was feeling a lot of pressure to be totally ready by his deadline of when he entered the MTC on June 8th, exactly one week after Ariane’s graduation. I thought by now things would die down a bit, but I feel like I’m still catching up!
Way before Christmas, before Kevin submitted his papers for his mission, we reserved the first full week in June for our family vacation. At the time, it seemed like the best week for our family. As it turned out, Kevin’s MTC date fell right in the middle of that week. So we had to do some adjusting… it was just a good thing we didn’t plan on going out of state this year. We stayed at Wolf Creek in Eden, Utah, at the same condos we had sister’s week a few years ago. It was fun to relax in the same place for a few days with the family, playing games, watching movies, doing puzzles, and going for a hike. Taking Kevin to the MTC as a family in the middle of that week was the highlight of our vacation.
Our 4th grandchild was born the evening of June 20th, named Benjamin Loyd Tomlinson. Ariane and I were able to spend last weekend with Jason’s family, helping them with a few chores around the house and holding the baby a lot! Their children are so precious, smart, and lots of fun. The week before when Alan, Penny, James, and I were able to spend a day, Becky commented about how her other three were unusually “energized” the whole time we were there. They were just naturally excited to have family come and visit, excited because of their new sibling, and loving the extra attention grandpa and grandma gave them.
Marcus celebrated his halfway mark just yesterday! He is currently serving in Eastbourne which is south of London on the coast. He has some promising investigators and a good companion.
Kevin has been in Mesa just two weeks. He likes his “trainer,” his first companion in Mesa. And naturally, he doesn’t like the extreme heat! He said it was 116 degrees when he stepped off the plane.
Penny and Heather spent almost a week in Alberta, visiting their mission areas and attending the sealing of one of Penny’s investigators who was baptized during her mission. I’m anxious to hear all about their trip as soon as they return tomorrow!
Alan was released as a member of the stake high council and called as the new Stake Executive Secretary! He was also given a special assignment from the Oquirrh Mountain Temple President to serve as Baptistery Coordinator for Saturday mornings. These assignments were given within a week of each other, so needless to say, Alan has felt a bit overwhelmed but grateful for the confidence the Lord has in him to take on these responsibilities. Because of this new calling in the stake, he has to be able to communicate not only by e-mail and telephone, but also by texting. So he upgraded his phone, got some lessons from his children, and is now texting the stake presidency to communicate to them about their appointments. I think he’s enjoying having a good reason to have to keep up on technology!
We hope everyone is well! We look forward to the reunion.
Love, Dorothy
Dear Family,
Well, just as I stated in my last letter to the Lingo in May, Ariane graduated from high school and is working at “Cub Fort Frontier,” and Kevin left for his mission to Mesa, Arizona. May was an especially busy month for me because of these two. With all the senior graduation activities, awards programs, and other graduation stuff for Ariane, it was busy enough… then I had all the shopping with Kevin to do to make sure he was prepared with everything he needed going on all at the same time. He also had the huge task of cleaning out his room, going through all his stuff, organizing it, and packing it away for safe keeping while he’s gone for two years. He was feeling a lot of pressure to be totally ready by his deadline of when he entered the MTC on June 8th, exactly one week after Ariane’s graduation. I thought by now things would die down a bit, but I feel like I’m still catching up!
Way before Christmas, before Kevin submitted his papers for his mission, we reserved the first full week in June for our family vacation. At the time, it seemed like the best week for our family. As it turned out, Kevin’s MTC date fell right in the middle of that week. So we had to do some adjusting… it was just a good thing we didn’t plan on going out of state this year. We stayed at Wolf Creek in Eden, Utah, at the same condos we had sister’s week a few years ago. It was fun to relax in the same place for a few days with the family, playing games, watching movies, doing puzzles, and going for a hike. Taking Kevin to the MTC as a family in the middle of that week was the highlight of our vacation.
Our 4th grandchild was born the evening of June 20th, named Benjamin Loyd Tomlinson. Ariane and I were able to spend last weekend with Jason’s family, helping them with a few chores around the house and holding the baby a lot! Their children are so precious, smart, and lots of fun. The week before when Alan, Penny, James, and I were able to spend a day, Becky commented about how her other three were unusually “energized” the whole time we were there. They were just naturally excited to have family come and visit, excited because of their new sibling, and loving the extra attention grandpa and grandma gave them.
Marcus celebrated his halfway mark just yesterday! He is currently serving in Eastbourne which is south of London on the coast. He has some promising investigators and a good companion.
Kevin has been in Mesa just two weeks. He likes his “trainer,” his first companion in Mesa. And naturally, he doesn’t like the extreme heat! He said it was 116 degrees when he stepped off the plane.
Penny and Heather spent almost a week in Alberta, visiting their mission areas and attending the sealing of one of Penny’s investigators who was baptized during her mission. I’m anxious to hear all about their trip as soon as they return tomorrow!
Alan was released as a member of the stake high council and called as the new Stake Executive Secretary! He was also given a special assignment from the Oquirrh Mountain Temple President to serve as Baptistery Coordinator for Saturday mornings. These assignments were given within a week of each other, so needless to say, Alan has felt a bit overwhelmed but grateful for the confidence the Lord has in him to take on these responsibilities. Because of this new calling in the stake, he has to be able to communicate not only by e-mail and telephone, but also by texting. So he upgraded his phone, got some lessons from his children, and is now texting the stake presidency to communicate to them about their appointments. I think he’s enjoying having a good reason to have to keep up on technology!
We hope everyone is well! We look forward to the reunion.
Love, Dorothy
Finn and Harper
loves that popsicle
future gymnast
down the slide
"John Travolta" or "Ammon-mini"
at the Discovery Center
future gymnast
down the slide
"John Travolta" or "Ammon-mini"
at the Discovery Center
Ammon
Hello Lindgrenites!
Aloha from Seattle and happy summer to all of you! Hopefully you're all enjoying some easy-breezy time in the sun, or at least experiencing a bit of warmth in your neck of the woods.
The last couple of months have been a busy time for the Gilberts. Finn ended school but has already attended one week of summer day camp (3 hours a day) and a week of drama day camp--so least to say he's keeping busy. He also just finished up soccer and T-ball practice in June, ending with an exciting Mariner's baseball game on Father's Day--and the Mariner's actually won! And for as boring as baseball games can be, Finn stuck it out for most of the game.
Harper is talking up a storm and enjoys wrestle mania with Finn and Daddy, having bubbles blown in the backyard, reading a ton of books, and getting into trouble at every chance she gets. Her hair's getting longer and she's gearing up to being a gymnast or a stuntwoman or something physical like that. She's a handful but she sure is fun!
I started a new role at work and have started taking on the movie programming for XBOX Live for the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Mexico (up from just programming for AUZ). So least to say my job has gotten ridiculously busier, but the days go by faster and I get to do some pretty cool stuff for work, like watching movies. Can't beat that!
Angela started leading a PEPS group for new moms of babies starting around 6 weeks old, spreading her wide wealth of knowledge about all things babies to others in the community. She's also keeping herself and the kids busy with tons of activities during the week, ensuring that there's never a dull moment and always an opportunity to learn something new.
We're really looking forward to our week-long camping trip / family reunion in a few weeks--we're getting ourselves ready by getting in weekly hikes and a few camp trips. Once we hit Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, we'll all be seasoned pros!
Can't wait to hear about everything you're doing and can't wait to see ya at the reunion!
Love,
Ammon, Angela, Finn & Harper
Aloha from Seattle and happy summer to all of you! Hopefully you're all enjoying some easy-breezy time in the sun, or at least experiencing a bit of warmth in your neck of the woods.
The last couple of months have been a busy time for the Gilberts. Finn ended school but has already attended one week of summer day camp (3 hours a day) and a week of drama day camp--so least to say he's keeping busy. He also just finished up soccer and T-ball practice in June, ending with an exciting Mariner's baseball game on Father's Day--and the Mariner's actually won! And for as boring as baseball games can be, Finn stuck it out for most of the game.
Harper is talking up a storm and enjoys wrestle mania with Finn and Daddy, having bubbles blown in the backyard, reading a ton of books, and getting into trouble at every chance she gets. Her hair's getting longer and she's gearing up to being a gymnast or a stuntwoman or something physical like that. She's a handful but she sure is fun!
I started a new role at work and have started taking on the movie programming for XBOX Live for the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Mexico (up from just programming for AUZ). So least to say my job has gotten ridiculously busier, but the days go by faster and I get to do some pretty cool stuff for work, like watching movies. Can't beat that!
Angela started leading a PEPS group for new moms of babies starting around 6 weeks old, spreading her wide wealth of knowledge about all things babies to others in the community. She's also keeping herself and the kids busy with tons of activities during the week, ensuring that there's never a dull moment and always an opportunity to learn something new.
We're really looking forward to our week-long camping trip / family reunion in a few weeks--we're getting ourselves ready by getting in weekly hikes and a few camp trips. Once we hit Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, we'll all be seasoned pros!
Can't wait to hear about everything you're doing and can't wait to see ya at the reunion!
Love,
Ammon, Angela, Finn & Harper
Saera
Hi everyone,
I returned from India on July 13 and proceeded directly to graduation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I was awarded a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology. Mom and Dad were there, and it was nice to have them visit me for the first time. It's too bad they couldn't have stayed longer.
I've been dealing with a lot of transition. I was pretty culture-shocked the first three weeks. It didn't help that Daniel was working graveyard shifts. Thankfully, he's switched to days as of yesterday. I've been struggling a bit with lack of structure from not having school or a job and from living in a relatively isolated location. However, I'm delighted that I've been hired as a Community Representative for Ayusa, an organization that facilitates foreign exchange high school students. My job is to find host families and to negotiate with local high schools. It is part time work, but I think it is going to be fun and it’s something I believe in.
In the meantime, I'm trying to keep busy and enjoy the wonderful opportunities that present themselves in summer in lovely Western Massachusetts. I went to the Amherst Farmer's Market on Saturday and bought fresh, locally grown tomatoes, basil, and huge sunflowers for my best friend. I've been biking and I want to go more. Today I went swimming in a local pond with another close friend, and I've planted tomatoes and rosemary. A couple of weeks ago, I participated in my first LARP (Live Action Roleplaying), hosted by a friend. I'm looking forward to hiking, exploring, cooking, and playing more Settlers of Catan, and on Wednesday I think I'm getting a babysitting gig.
One of the more long-term goals I'm working on right now besides job-hunting is developing a coherent document of my vision for the non-profit I am working to establish. This has been my goal for about 5 years now, but now that I am out of school and I have more time and intellectual energy to devote to it, I think I am about to make much more progress.
I hope you're all having a great summer and enjoying the abundance of your local agriculture.
Saera
I returned from India on July 13 and proceeded directly to graduation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I was awarded a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology. Mom and Dad were there, and it was nice to have them visit me for the first time. It's too bad they couldn't have stayed longer.
I've been dealing with a lot of transition. I was pretty culture-shocked the first three weeks. It didn't help that Daniel was working graveyard shifts. Thankfully, he's switched to days as of yesterday. I've been struggling a bit with lack of structure from not having school or a job and from living in a relatively isolated location. However, I'm delighted that I've been hired as a Community Representative for Ayusa, an organization that facilitates foreign exchange high school students. My job is to find host families and to negotiate with local high schools. It is part time work, but I think it is going to be fun and it’s something I believe in.
In the meantime, I'm trying to keep busy and enjoy the wonderful opportunities that present themselves in summer in lovely Western Massachusetts. I went to the Amherst Farmer's Market on Saturday and bought fresh, locally grown tomatoes, basil, and huge sunflowers for my best friend. I've been biking and I want to go more. Today I went swimming in a local pond with another close friend, and I've planted tomatoes and rosemary. A couple of weeks ago, I participated in my first LARP (Live Action Roleplaying), hosted by a friend. I'm looking forward to hiking, exploring, cooking, and playing more Settlers of Catan, and on Wednesday I think I'm getting a babysitting gig.
One of the more long-term goals I'm working on right now besides job-hunting is developing a coherent document of my vision for the non-profit I am working to establish. This has been my goal for about 5 years now, but now that I am out of school and I have more time and intellectual energy to devote to it, I think I am about to make much more progress.
I hope you're all having a great summer and enjoying the abundance of your local agriculture.
Saera
Priscilla
Dear Family,
Well, following up from last entry…amazed that Jennifer’s house sold so quickly and she is in Boise now…
I cashed in my Delta miles I collected over 20+ years and Jim and I went to Sarah’s UMASS graduation. We were scheduled to arrive after Sarah from India at JFK. A connection was missed in London and she arrived after we did, but her luggage did not make it. (That arrived by FED Ex days after). So we picked her up and drove up to Massachusetts, met Daniel at the corner gas station with her cap and gown and drove to the parking lot at UMass where we all caught a shuttle to the football stadium and at 4:55 pm Sarah jumped out and fell in line with her graduating class entering the stadium. Jim, Daniel and I found good seats and enjoyed the graduation, great weather and keynote speaker, Cady Coleman – an astronaut and UMass alum spoke from the space station. The live music was very impressive. Sarah had a cum laude asterisk by her name in the program. There were probably about 5,000 graduates. It was huge. The following day was the graduation for the School of Behavioral Sciences, where they read her name. It was indoors in the events center. It started to rain that day and rained the rest of the time we were in the East. Really enjoyed the time with Sarah. She and Daniel fed us good food, played Settlers of Catan, and showed us around beautiful Central Mass. We also drove up to Vermont, New Hampshire, adding four new states to my States I’ve Been In List (CT, MA, VT, NH) on this trip.
I enjoyed hearing Bryan’s piano solo at his school talent show. The student body voted him 2nd place, a very charismatic hip hop dancer took 1st. His performance singing A Hundred Years went beautifully. I was a very proud mom. Unfortunately the school recording had overpowering wind in the microphone, that we as an audience we did not hear. So you would have had to have been there. His accompanist was a very talented Ashley Allen. Her mother died of cancer June 30th and I attended the funeral with Bryan. It was one of those very uplifting and spiritual funerals.
Hyrum attended Summer Seminar at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and came back a changed man. He has decided to not graduate early after all. He is going to stay in school and graduate with his class of 2013, taking all the hard classes he can, improve his ACT score (he already has a 28), and try to stay involved in Soccer and Acadec as he prepares to apply for Academy class of 2017. Since he is driving and working at McDonald’s he is pretty well grown up and independent.
Our stake joined with 5 others for a youth dance festival that Bryan was involved in. It was held at the Round Valley dome June 4th…in a haze a few days before the town was evacuated for the Wallow Fire that turned out to be the largest fire ever in the state of Arizona . Also June 4th was our annual Webelos Day hike. I went with Isaiah and enjoyed going up to a working forest lookout tower. The attendant there is a school teacher, spends his summers there to report any sign of fire. We could see the fire to the Southeast and the San Francisco Peaks to the North. It was amazing. That Wallow Fire changed the location of the tri-ward Scout Camp that Jim was involved in planning. It all turned out good except they weren’t allowed to use firearms of any kind, so they had to nix the rifle and shot gun merit badges.
The stake primary has the responsibility of Snowflake’s 4th of July flag raising program and breakfast. The speaker, Mary Law, mentioned attending school in the 40s or 50s when J Rufus Crandall was the music teacher. (That’s the name of the music award Bryan received). Riley was trying to help the missionaries put away the chairs and his foot (with shoe on) was run over by a full cart of chairs. It took his whole toenail off. So that was traumatic. He feels better now and enjoys all the attention.
Very much looking forward to being with you at the reunion.
Love, Priscilla
Well, following up from last entry…amazed that Jennifer’s house sold so quickly and she is in Boise now…
I cashed in my Delta miles I collected over 20+ years and Jim and I went to Sarah’s UMASS graduation. We were scheduled to arrive after Sarah from India at JFK. A connection was missed in London and she arrived after we did, but her luggage did not make it. (That arrived by FED Ex days after). So we picked her up and drove up to Massachusetts, met Daniel at the corner gas station with her cap and gown and drove to the parking lot at UMass where we all caught a shuttle to the football stadium and at 4:55 pm Sarah jumped out and fell in line with her graduating class entering the stadium. Jim, Daniel and I found good seats and enjoyed the graduation, great weather and keynote speaker, Cady Coleman – an astronaut and UMass alum spoke from the space station. The live music was very impressive. Sarah had a cum laude asterisk by her name in the program. There were probably about 5,000 graduates. It was huge. The following day was the graduation for the School of Behavioral Sciences, where they read her name. It was indoors in the events center. It started to rain that day and rained the rest of the time we were in the East. Really enjoyed the time with Sarah. She and Daniel fed us good food, played Settlers of Catan, and showed us around beautiful Central Mass. We also drove up to Vermont, New Hampshire, adding four new states to my States I’ve Been In List (CT, MA, VT, NH) on this trip.
I enjoyed hearing Bryan’s piano solo at his school talent show. The student body voted him 2nd place, a very charismatic hip hop dancer took 1st. His performance singing A Hundred Years went beautifully. I was a very proud mom. Unfortunately the school recording had overpowering wind in the microphone, that we as an audience we did not hear. So you would have had to have been there. His accompanist was a very talented Ashley Allen. Her mother died of cancer June 30th and I attended the funeral with Bryan. It was one of those very uplifting and spiritual funerals.
Hyrum attended Summer Seminar at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and came back a changed man. He has decided to not graduate early after all. He is going to stay in school and graduate with his class of 2013, taking all the hard classes he can, improve his ACT score (he already has a 28), and try to stay involved in Soccer and Acadec as he prepares to apply for Academy class of 2017. Since he is driving and working at McDonald’s he is pretty well grown up and independent.
Our stake joined with 5 others for a youth dance festival that Bryan was involved in. It was held at the Round Valley dome June 4th…in a haze a few days before the town was evacuated for the Wallow Fire that turned out to be the largest fire ever in the state of Arizona . Also June 4th was our annual Webelos Day hike. I went with Isaiah and enjoyed going up to a working forest lookout tower. The attendant there is a school teacher, spends his summers there to report any sign of fire. We could see the fire to the Southeast and the San Francisco Peaks to the North. It was amazing. That Wallow Fire changed the location of the tri-ward Scout Camp that Jim was involved in planning. It all turned out good except they weren’t allowed to use firearms of any kind, so they had to nix the rifle and shot gun merit badges.
The stake primary has the responsibility of Snowflake’s 4th of July flag raising program and breakfast. The speaker, Mary Law, mentioned attending school in the 40s or 50s when J Rufus Crandall was the music teacher. (That’s the name of the music award Bryan received). Riley was trying to help the missionaries put away the chairs and his foot (with shoe on) was run over by a full cart of chairs. It took his whole toenail off. So that was traumatic. He feels better now and enjoys all the attention.
Very much looking forward to being with you at the reunion.
Love, Priscilla
Jennifer
Dear Family,
Life is good so far in the "famous potatoes" state! We've lived here now for a couple of months – enjoying retirement! Steve's teaching me the slower pace of life that he's been used to. However, the days go by quickly. I have stuff to do every day! I have a list of projects that keep my days filled. Right now I'm working on painting a desk, chair and lamp (all white) to put in our future guest room. And I made a throw pillow and bought material ready to cover chairs.
First, however, there are things you need to do when you move, especially moving to a different state. We registered our vehicles which cost less than half that in California, AND good for two years! AND we didn't have to turn in our old plates AND we got our new plates handed to us right there, with no proof of identification. Funny thing is, the guy that was helping us used to live in Pittsburg, CA about 20 years ago. We also took our driver's license test (passed) and after three attempts, finally got an identification card for Stephanie (when you have to start from scratch it can be quite a hassle – don’t ever lose you id.)
We planted tomatoes, sweet peppers, basil and zinnias. All the lawns are green and lush-- plenty of irrigation keeps them that way. We've taken many neighborhood walks and walk by Lucy’s house daily (5 min. away). It’s so nice being neighbors with Lucy!
On Memorial Day we spent the afternoon with Lucy's extended family -- in-laws, cousins, siblings (all on Dave's side of the family). We enjoyed an outside BBQ/potluck meal and so I got to know Lucy's relatives a little better. I met most of them years ago, but they were all a lot younger and now they all have children.
The cats are fun. And sometimes don't know that they can hurt you when they’re playing. We have both been struck by sharp claws.
In June, Angela, Finn and Harper spent a week with us. We went to the zoo, the Nature Center, a few parks, and the Discovery Center. These places are all new to us too. We put a kiddie pool on the lawn for the kids to splash in. And then there's blowing bubbles for Harper. And she loves cats and loves to say "cat" "cat" cat". (The cats hid themselves almost the entire time the kids were here.) The kids are very active... they wear us out!
We watched a spectacular lightening/thunderstorm... it was awesome. Love this Idaho weather, although some days it's rather hot! I still feel like I'm on vacation – and pinch myself that I’m actually retired now! I enjoy mowing the lawn every week.
Steve and I went to a concert featuring a local band that played '50s, '60s and a little '70s music. It was great! It was at the Idaho Botannical Gardens -- a beautiful setting and the weather was perfect. It went until 9:30 and the sun was just barely starting to set. People were enjoying themselves dancing and we were amused.
I've made pizza from scratch a few times... trying to perfect the dough. I'm sure it'll take a zillion more times. Also, am trying some new recipes now that I have time to cook.
We got our plane tickets for next year to Italy (using mileage plan miles, so have to book it early!). Now I'm trying to teach myself a little Italian. As well as brush up on German - Steve has agreed to learn some German too!
Things are still slow in the building department -- we got the construction loan, but the final papers still need to be signed by the builder and approved by the City. So we just go with the flow and take one day at a time. I'm on the internet a lot looking at all kinds of things for decorating ideas, landscaping, etc.
We're totally hooked on Showtime's "Dexter" and have been watching it from Netflix - just finished Season 4.
People here are crazy about fireworks and there are fireworks that you can buy that are illegal -- it’s not illegal to buy them, just illegal if you light them…crazy, huh?
Looking forward to seeing you at the reunion.
Love, Jennifer & Steve
Grandma Martha
Dear Family,
I have a new project and need some help. I need to know the mission you went to and the time you left and the time you returned. This is for Jim Hanlon, Alan Tomlinson, Sharron Lindgren, Robert Moss, Preston Moss, Eric Kay, Jeff Troutman, Chris Lee, and Zachary Lindgren. A wallet size picture for that time period would be greatly appreciated.
The highlight lately is being able to be at the sealing of April and Ian in the Salt Lake Temple. Much love to both of you.
I have had a bout with water again.. these past months... Grateful to John Anderson for rescuing me and for Rick who takes care of the sprinklers.. My eyes are holding and I so appreciate my eyes. I’ve enjoyed the previous 85 years with them. Thank you Rick, Lucy, Jennifer for your calls. For Janet and Lynette. Thanks for caring. I am enjoying the cds of the biography of Pres. Thomas Monson that Dorothy has loaned me. Casey gives me a lift every time he mows the lawn. It looks so nice. He does a good job. Thanks Marty and Alan for their help with the cards and the work. It takes lots of help. Had a neat visit with Rick, Misty and family. It’s nice to see the great grandchildren . Proud of Kevin. May the Lord bless him on his mission. Congratulations to Jason and Becky and their new little one. Congratulations on the expectant mothers.
See you at the reunion... Love Grandma M.
I have a new project and need some help. I need to know the mission you went to and the time you left and the time you returned. This is for Jim Hanlon, Alan Tomlinson, Sharron Lindgren, Robert Moss, Preston Moss, Eric Kay, Jeff Troutman, Chris Lee, and Zachary Lindgren. A wallet size picture for that time period would be greatly appreciated.
The highlight lately is being able to be at the sealing of April and Ian in the Salt Lake Temple. Much love to both of you.
I have had a bout with water again.. these past months... Grateful to John Anderson for rescuing me and for Rick who takes care of the sprinklers.. My eyes are holding and I so appreciate my eyes. I’ve enjoyed the previous 85 years with them. Thank you Rick, Lucy, Jennifer for your calls. For Janet and Lynette. Thanks for caring. I am enjoying the cds of the biography of Pres. Thomas Monson that Dorothy has loaned me. Casey gives me a lift every time he mows the lawn. It looks so nice. He does a good job. Thanks Marty and Alan for their help with the cards and the work. It takes lots of help. Had a neat visit with Rick, Misty and family. It’s nice to see the great grandchildren . Proud of Kevin. May the Lord bless him on his mission. Congratulations to Jason and Becky and their new little one. Congratulations on the expectant mothers.
See you at the reunion... Love Grandma M.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Ammon
Hi Everybody!
Aloha from Sunny Seattle! Did I say Sunny? I mean cold, gray, and unbelievably dreary Seattle! But regardless of the weather, the Gilberts are doing just fine and dandy here in the Pacific Northwest--it's been quite the fun and action-packed last couple of months.
First, Finn: the boy has become quite the question-hungry little three and a half year old, asking big questions like what's the Earth made of and where do babies come from. Did I mention he's 3? Fun times for us parents, for sure. He's also becoming quite the athlete, taking on a weekly Soccer practice each Saturday, and recently, he's started up T-Ball every Tuesday. He loves chasing the ball in Soccer and kicking it... and picking it up with his hands and tackling the ball. But you know, he's catching on quite well. He can swing and hit the ball in T-Ball and has quite the throw, and I'm pretty sure he'll be accidentally breaking windows and the like in no time. He has fun with his friends, he loves playing at the numerous parks we have in and around the neighborhood, and he's still infatuated with Trains. And trucks.
Second, Harper: at just about a year and a half old, Harper is the sassiest and girliest little girl you've ever met. She's very opinionated, she knows what she wants (and what she doesn't), and doesn't have a problem telling you what's on her mind. She loves pretty things to wear, she loves walking around with a purse, and she loves baby dolls, stuffed animals, and everything else a stereotypical girl loves--without the help or influence of her parents. She's just girly. She's also a fan of running and jumping. LOVES jumping, actually, and she loves to wrestle and tackle Finn and her Dad during wrestlemania. If she plays her cards right, she'll be a professional wrestler when she grows up. Or a ballerina. Or both. Oh, and her hair is starting to get longer, curlier, and she's able to rock pig-tails, which are just so gee-darn cute.
Third, Angela: she's doing a fantastic job staying home and raising our well-balanced and cute kids, filling their days with the right amount of leisure and activities, and wears her shield as Supermom quite well. She's enjoying crafting with her mom friends and has about 140 projects currently in the works right now. Lots of fun and creativity going on in the Gilbert household, for sure.
Finally, Ammon: he works all day, and he comes home and plays with the kids for an hour, puts em to bed, and repeats the next day. He doesn't exercise and he eats like a horse, and all those extra calories are starting to pack in around the mid-drift area. Or the gut area, to be precise. On his plate at the moment is changing the closet in the kids playroom into an office (i. e., Cloffice or Offet). Which means installing a desktop, shelves, power, a few coats of paint, and sanding out the hardwood floors so they're all nice and shiny. We can do this now because we no longer are the proud parents of George and Lenny, our two former cats. After ignoring and neglecting them for so long, we were finally able to hand them off to Steve in Portland, who will now be the rightful parents (as well as Mom) in Boise. Now that they've moved, they were finally able to take the cats and give them the attention they deserve and demand that Angela and I just couldn't give while also running after the kids. It might sound like a cop-out, but Steve was getting lonely, and our cats missed being petted, so it was the most obvious choice. Plus, we kept them in the family. Now they're brothers instead of sons, which is great.
Other than all that, it's the same ol' same ol' around these parts! Can't wait to see everyone at the reunion this summer, by then we'll be seasoned pros when it comes to camping, as we have at least one camping trip planned each month all summer long.
Cheers! Ammon, Angela, Finn, & Harper
Aloha from Sunny Seattle! Did I say Sunny? I mean cold, gray, and unbelievably dreary Seattle! But regardless of the weather, the Gilberts are doing just fine and dandy here in the Pacific Northwest--it's been quite the fun and action-packed last couple of months.
First, Finn: the boy has become quite the question-hungry little three and a half year old, asking big questions like what's the Earth made of and where do babies come from. Did I mention he's 3? Fun times for us parents, for sure. He's also becoming quite the athlete, taking on a weekly Soccer practice each Saturday, and recently, he's started up T-Ball every Tuesday. He loves chasing the ball in Soccer and kicking it... and picking it up with his hands and tackling the ball. But you know, he's catching on quite well. He can swing and hit the ball in T-Ball and has quite the throw, and I'm pretty sure he'll be accidentally breaking windows and the like in no time. He has fun with his friends, he loves playing at the numerous parks we have in and around the neighborhood, and he's still infatuated with Trains. And trucks.
Second, Harper: at just about a year and a half old, Harper is the sassiest and girliest little girl you've ever met. She's very opinionated, she knows what she wants (and what she doesn't), and doesn't have a problem telling you what's on her mind. She loves pretty things to wear, she loves walking around with a purse, and she loves baby dolls, stuffed animals, and everything else a stereotypical girl loves--without the help or influence of her parents. She's just girly. She's also a fan of running and jumping. LOVES jumping, actually, and she loves to wrestle and tackle Finn and her Dad during wrestlemania. If she plays her cards right, she'll be a professional wrestler when she grows up. Or a ballerina. Or both. Oh, and her hair is starting to get longer, curlier, and she's able to rock pig-tails, which are just so gee-darn cute.
Third, Angela: she's doing a fantastic job staying home and raising our well-balanced and cute kids, filling their days with the right amount of leisure and activities, and wears her shield as Supermom quite well. She's enjoying crafting with her mom friends and has about 140 projects currently in the works right now. Lots of fun and creativity going on in the Gilbert household, for sure.
Finally, Ammon: he works all day, and he comes home and plays with the kids for an hour, puts em to bed, and repeats the next day. He doesn't exercise and he eats like a horse, and all those extra calories are starting to pack in around the mid-drift area. Or the gut area, to be precise. On his plate at the moment is changing the closet in the kids playroom into an office (i. e., Cloffice or Offet). Which means installing a desktop, shelves, power, a few coats of paint, and sanding out the hardwood floors so they're all nice and shiny. We can do this now because we no longer are the proud parents of George and Lenny, our two former cats. After ignoring and neglecting them for so long, we were finally able to hand them off to Steve in Portland, who will now be the rightful parents (as well as Mom) in Boise. Now that they've moved, they were finally able to take the cats and give them the attention they deserve and demand that Angela and I just couldn't give while also running after the kids. It might sound like a cop-out, but Steve was getting lonely, and our cats missed being petted, so it was the most obvious choice. Plus, we kept them in the family. Now they're brothers instead of sons, which is great.
Other than all that, it's the same ol' same ol' around these parts! Can't wait to see everyone at the reunion this summer, by then we'll be seasoned pros when it comes to camping, as we have at least one camping trip planned each month all summer long.
Cheers! Ammon, Angela, Finn, & Harper
Monday, May 9, 2011
Grandma Martha
Dear Family,
The reason I write is to keep a family record of the goings on in our lives which if we don't write it down somewhere it is soon forgotten. Especially if you are 85.
Way back when I went on a cruise to the land of Hawaii. While there, we went to the renovated temple. It was lovely. Upon inquiry I was told that it had been completely gutted out inside and made anew. The weather while we were there was excellent and greatly appreciated as we had left a snow winter. We enjoyed the lush greenery of the botanical gardens with its large vegetation, and flowers like the variety of orchids. Every day we could take a side trip like Whale Watching, the place of refuge (I got a wheelchair ride thanks to Rick). One of the events that occurred was the announcement of the earthquake in Japan on the intercom. Our ship was taken out to sea as were all the vessels as a precautionary measure. We felt only a little movement of the ocean. As outside trips were cancelled we played scrabble in the game room of the ship. Aboard the ship (Norwegian Cruise line) we enjoyed the entertainment... like a magician, a comedian, a hula program, etc. As cruises are known for, we had plenty to eat. Heather put pictures on Facebook as you have probably already seen... she is in process of making a DVD of our trip. We also went on a traditional luau... food and entertainment.
Yesterday was Mother's Day. After church James and Lynnette got me and we went to Alan and Dorothy's for dinner and visiting. I learned that Kevin is going to the Mesa Mission on June 8... Interesting is that some of Snowflake is part of that mission. I forgot what its called but we talked to Priscilla seeing her on the screen. It reminded me of a display I saw when I was in the World's Fair in Flushing in New York in 1939. It showed someone talking on the phone and seeing them face to face while doing so.
We've had quite a winter of snow, rain, snow, rain, snow, rain on and on. I think summer is coming but spring got lost. The girls still come twice a week for clogging. I'm back to being a visiting teacher and supervisor. I've been blessed for the service of Dorothy, Emily, Janet, Lynnette, who help me to run errands. For the calls of Lucy and Jennifer. For always the help of Rick. I've had some good visits from John L., Marty, Tom.
Glad for Steve and Jennifer and the progress they have made... selling the house, moving, giving notice to a long-time job. etc.
I thank Sarah for her picture... what an adventure to have been in India and now graduating. I also thank the Troutmans for the nice family picture that arrived safely all the way from Georgia.
It was good to see Jim and Isaiah if only for a brief few hours.
I've enjoyed playing Scrabble on Facebook ... I don't know with whom I am always playing... its dark on the screen and the eyes are not always doing what I wish they would do. But... I'm not hurting. I've had more physical pain when I was 20 that when I'm 85.
I'm grateful for my many blessings to be able to still see something. I am enjoying the books on cassette and CD. I enjoy John ByTheWay.. Brad Wilcox, Women's conference tapes.
The yard work is getting tough... sad to see the roses going down hill... but that's life. Sorry that your birthdays often whizz right by me... love you all. Grandma Martha.
The reason I write is to keep a family record of the goings on in our lives which if we don't write it down somewhere it is soon forgotten. Especially if you are 85.
Way back when I went on a cruise to the land of Hawaii. While there, we went to the renovated temple. It was lovely. Upon inquiry I was told that it had been completely gutted out inside and made anew. The weather while we were there was excellent and greatly appreciated as we had left a snow winter. We enjoyed the lush greenery of the botanical gardens with its large vegetation, and flowers like the variety of orchids. Every day we could take a side trip like Whale Watching, the place of refuge (I got a wheelchair ride thanks to Rick). One of the events that occurred was the announcement of the earthquake in Japan on the intercom. Our ship was taken out to sea as were all the vessels as a precautionary measure. We felt only a little movement of the ocean. As outside trips were cancelled we played scrabble in the game room of the ship. Aboard the ship (Norwegian Cruise line) we enjoyed the entertainment... like a magician, a comedian, a hula program, etc. As cruises are known for, we had plenty to eat. Heather put pictures on Facebook as you have probably already seen... she is in process of making a DVD of our trip. We also went on a traditional luau... food and entertainment.
Yesterday was Mother's Day. After church James and Lynnette got me and we went to Alan and Dorothy's for dinner and visiting. I learned that Kevin is going to the Mesa Mission on June 8... Interesting is that some of Snowflake is part of that mission. I forgot what its called but we talked to Priscilla seeing her on the screen. It reminded me of a display I saw when I was in the World's Fair in Flushing in New York in 1939. It showed someone talking on the phone and seeing them face to face while doing so.
We've had quite a winter of snow, rain, snow, rain, snow, rain on and on. I think summer is coming but spring got lost. The girls still come twice a week for clogging. I'm back to being a visiting teacher and supervisor. I've been blessed for the service of Dorothy, Emily, Janet, Lynnette, who help me to run errands. For the calls of Lucy and Jennifer. For always the help of Rick. I've had some good visits from John L., Marty, Tom.
Glad for Steve and Jennifer and the progress they have made... selling the house, moving, giving notice to a long-time job. etc.
I thank Sarah for her picture... what an adventure to have been in India and now graduating. I also thank the Troutmans for the nice family picture that arrived safely all the way from Georgia.
It was good to see Jim and Isaiah if only for a brief few hours.
I've enjoyed playing Scrabble on Facebook ... I don't know with whom I am always playing... its dark on the screen and the eyes are not always doing what I wish they would do. But... I'm not hurting. I've had more physical pain when I was 20 that when I'm 85.
I'm grateful for my many blessings to be able to still see something. I am enjoying the books on cassette and CD. I enjoy John ByTheWay.. Brad Wilcox, Women's conference tapes.
The yard work is getting tough... sad to see the roses going down hill... but that's life. Sorry that your birthdays often whizz right by me... love you all. Grandma Martha.
Heather
summer... Summer... SUMMER... (Can you hear the chant? Teachers' voices are louder than students', I guarantee it!)
4 more weeks until the break. But I won't get to breathe quite yet, because girls' camp is the very next week. THEN I get to relax, sleep in, and feel unrushed for a little while. Hurray! Of course - I do have a yard to do something with now. I've been digging dandelions in between cold days. My front lawn was stuffed full of them! (I'm ignoring the backyard dandelions for now) Now that the lawn is looking more like grass, I plan to do a simple flower bed in the front and worry about the back yard in another year or two. My next big house expense will probably be window replacements or fixing the stucco. I'm just waiting for that new homeowner credit with my tax return.
I also have a lot of my evenings taken with Young Women responsibilities. I'm still finding my way as Mia Maid councilor in my ward. I just don't quite connect with those 14 and 15 year old girls. I feel much more comfortable with the primary children. I guess that means I'll be involved in Young Women for a few years... Penny has decided to move in with me for the summer. Yay! I'm excited to have her as my roommate. She'll probably end up moving out in the fall to live with friends her own age. But, I'll enjoy her while she's there! Daniel is staying for the foreseeable future as well, but between our crazy schedules we don't see each other very often. It's good to know we at least sleep in the same house. :)
I decided to be one of those really cool single aunts I hear/read about. So I am inviting Katherine (Jason's oldest) to come stay with me for a week sometime this summer. I am excited! I just hope I can handle a 7-going-on-18-year-old for a whole week... She's a lot of fun, quite intelligent, and very strong-willed... Wish me luck! Well - that's the latest in my life. Not too much different from the usual.
I hope all is well with the rest of the Lindgren Clan!
Love, Heather
4 more weeks until the break. But I won't get to breathe quite yet, because girls' camp is the very next week. THEN I get to relax, sleep in, and feel unrushed for a little while. Hurray! Of course - I do have a yard to do something with now. I've been digging dandelions in between cold days. My front lawn was stuffed full of them! (I'm ignoring the backyard dandelions for now) Now that the lawn is looking more like grass, I plan to do a simple flower bed in the front and worry about the back yard in another year or two. My next big house expense will probably be window replacements or fixing the stucco. I'm just waiting for that new homeowner credit with my tax return.
I also have a lot of my evenings taken with Young Women responsibilities. I'm still finding my way as Mia Maid councilor in my ward. I just don't quite connect with those 14 and 15 year old girls. I feel much more comfortable with the primary children. I guess that means I'll be involved in Young Women for a few years... Penny has decided to move in with me for the summer. Yay! I'm excited to have her as my roommate. She'll probably end up moving out in the fall to live with friends her own age. But, I'll enjoy her while she's there! Daniel is staying for the foreseeable future as well, but between our crazy schedules we don't see each other very often. It's good to know we at least sleep in the same house. :)
I decided to be one of those really cool single aunts I hear/read about. So I am inviting Katherine (Jason's oldest) to come stay with me for a week sometime this summer. I am excited! I just hope I can handle a 7-going-on-18-year-old for a whole week... She's a lot of fun, quite intelligent, and very strong-willed... Wish me luck! Well - that's the latest in my life. Not too much different from the usual.
I hope all is well with the rest of the Lindgren Clan!
Love, Heather
Saera
I've been busy in India and don't have much time for writing another entry just yet, but here is the link to my blog and to my photos.
http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z330/saerahanlon/Surajmukhiya/
http://surajmukhiya.wordpress.com/
Looking forward to going home on Thursday, meeting my parents in NYC and going to GRADUATION! :D
More soon.
Love, Saera
http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z330/saerahanlon/Surajmukhiya/
http://surajmukhiya.wordpress.com/
Looking forward to going home on Thursday, meeting my parents in NYC and going to GRADUATION! :D
More soon.
Love, Saera
Priscilla
Dear Family,
Heater on in the morning, air conditioner in the afternoon.
On March 26, Jim and I were proxy for the sealing of Grandma Ann and Grandpa Al Lindgren. I felt honored to take the position.
April 23, I spoke at the evening adult session of Stake Conference to a chapel and much of the cultural hall filled. People know who I am now. I wish I knew them as well as they know me.
Isaiah took 2nd place in our pack pinewood derby, therefore qualifying for our district derby where I was one of the officials. I even wore a checkered shirt.
Bryan will be the Crandall Music Award recipient at his junior high promotion and beside the choir’s opening number is the only other musical number at the promotional exercise. He is also planning on some fun stuff for the annual Brownie Choir Social and hopes to perform in the talent show. I was quite surprised at the Spring Concert to see him play three different instruments (piano, drum and French horn). He enjoyed going to State Choir in the valley (Gilbert) and would have gone to State Band, but got sick that weekend. He has also grown several inches since December and sings bass. He is quite social and had a large group of friends over to play night (outdoor) games recently. He has enjoyed being involved in student government in junior high too. His picture hangs on the Eagle wall at the junior high as his Eagle Scout project was to paint one of the classrooms there. He earned his eagle... almost…board of review is scheduled Tuesday. He was honored in a special program with Elder LeSeur of the seventy for 88 young men in the area for earning his eagle in the centennial year of scouting in the USA . At a recent sacrament meeting we shared favorite hymns, (second time we’ve done it in this ward) and Bryan shared Hope of Israel and was invited to accompany the congregation in singing it on the spot, which he did. Okay so this is proud of Bryan month. He is a blessing.
Hyrum is driving, working at McDonald’s, skipping his junior year-he’ll be a senior in the fall, 28 on the ACT both times he took it, will attend summer seminar at the Naval Academy for 5 days in June and then work his hardest
(I hope) to be accepted there.
I enjoy James’ quiet presence. He would really like to go to ASU, has been accepted, but is now trying to figure out how to pay for it. He has re-certified in his life guard training.
Riley survived kindergarten and after a rough start has earned Es (for excellent) in behavior the last quarter.
Sarah graduates from UMASS Amherst May 13th with a bachelor’s in Anthropology (I think). I used my Skymiles and Jim and I will attend. She has spent this last semester in a study abroad program in sustainable living in Jaipur , India . While in the east we hope to visit the Brooklyn Diocese Archives, Cemeteries, and courthouse, digging more of Jim’s roots.
Krista helped me paint my front room during Spring Break. It was great fun. I enjoy her being close. It is tough on the quarter she is on the night shift though.
Stake Primary will keep me busy all summer: June 4 - Webelos Day Hike, June 23 – Stake Primary Leadership Meeting, July 4 – Town of Snowflake Flag Raising , July 23 – 8:00 a. m. children’s races (one hour before the parade starts), Aug 13 – 11-yr-old Day Camp, and Aug 20 – Cub Day Camp. All local tradition (Except the leadership meeting).
Jim is on the planning committee and will attend a tri-ward scout camp first full week in June. He went to Provo to train in the climbing merit badge. Isaiah went for the ride in hopes to see Mitchell. He was not disappointed and in fact hit the jackpot with Emily taking them to Boondocks.
Amazed and pleased that things are going well for Jennifer and Steve’s plan.
Congratulations to April and hope all goes well with the summer wedding.
I want to hear about all the Lindgren appendectomies starting with Colten Lee and going back to…who had the first one?
Love and miss you all.
Priscilla
Heater on in the morning, air conditioner in the afternoon.
On March 26, Jim and I were proxy for the sealing of Grandma Ann and Grandpa Al Lindgren. I felt honored to take the position.
April 23, I spoke at the evening adult session of Stake Conference to a chapel and much of the cultural hall filled. People know who I am now. I wish I knew them as well as they know me.
Isaiah took 2nd place in our pack pinewood derby, therefore qualifying for our district derby where I was one of the officials. I even wore a checkered shirt.
Bryan will be the Crandall Music Award recipient at his junior high promotion and beside the choir’s opening number is the only other musical number at the promotional exercise. He is also planning on some fun stuff for the annual Brownie Choir Social and hopes to perform in the talent show. I was quite surprised at the Spring Concert to see him play three different instruments (piano, drum and French horn). He enjoyed going to State Choir in the valley (Gilbert) and would have gone to State Band, but got sick that weekend. He has also grown several inches since December and sings bass. He is quite social and had a large group of friends over to play night (outdoor) games recently. He has enjoyed being involved in student government in junior high too. His picture hangs on the Eagle wall at the junior high as his Eagle Scout project was to paint one of the classrooms there. He earned his eagle... almost…board of review is scheduled Tuesday. He was honored in a special program with Elder LeSeur of the seventy for 88 young men in the area for earning his eagle in the centennial year of scouting in the USA . At a recent sacrament meeting we shared favorite hymns, (second time we’ve done it in this ward) and Bryan shared Hope of Israel and was invited to accompany the congregation in singing it on the spot, which he did. Okay so this is proud of Bryan month. He is a blessing.
Hyrum is driving, working at McDonald’s, skipping his junior year-he’ll be a senior in the fall, 28 on the ACT both times he took it, will attend summer seminar at the Naval Academy for 5 days in June and then work his hardest
(I hope) to be accepted there.
I enjoy James’ quiet presence. He would really like to go to ASU, has been accepted, but is now trying to figure out how to pay for it. He has re-certified in his life guard training.
Riley survived kindergarten and after a rough start has earned Es (for excellent) in behavior the last quarter.
Sarah graduates from UMASS Amherst May 13th with a bachelor’s in Anthropology (I think). I used my Skymiles and Jim and I will attend. She has spent this last semester in a study abroad program in sustainable living in Jaipur , India . While in the east we hope to visit the Brooklyn Diocese Archives, Cemeteries, and courthouse, digging more of Jim’s roots.
Krista helped me paint my front room during Spring Break. It was great fun. I enjoy her being close. It is tough on the quarter she is on the night shift though.
Stake Primary will keep me busy all summer: June 4 - Webelos Day Hike, June 23 – Stake Primary Leadership Meeting, July 4 – Town of Snowflake Flag Raising , July 23 – 8:00 a. m. children’s races (one hour before the parade starts), Aug 13 – 11-yr-old Day Camp, and Aug 20 – Cub Day Camp. All local tradition (Except the leadership meeting).
Jim is on the planning committee and will attend a tri-ward scout camp first full week in June. He went to Provo to train in the climbing merit badge. Isaiah went for the ride in hopes to see Mitchell. He was not disappointed and in fact hit the jackpot with Emily taking them to Boondocks.
Amazed and pleased that things are going well for Jennifer and Steve’s plan.
Congratulations to April and hope all goes well with the summer wedding.
I want to hear about all the Lindgren appendectomies starting with Colten Lee and going back to…who had the first one?
Love and miss you all.
Priscilla
Tomlinsons
Heather and Daniel singing in the their choir in American Fork
After we saw the production of Annie. Kevin's girlfriend, Rebeka, came also
Mother's Day and the Tomlinson girls with Grandma Martha
Dorothy
May 8, 2011 Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful ladies connected with the Lindgren Family in any way!!! I claim 7 of those “beautiful ladies” whose last names happen to be Tomlinson. I feel so blessed to be known as their mother, mother-in-law, or grandmother.
It’s been a great day already because Marcus called this morning. Kevin, Penny, Ariane, Alan, and I all visited with him by way of “Skype” for over an hour and a half. We enjoyed our conversation with him. He is doing great. It’s still a challenge for him and probably always will be, but he is gaining more self-confidence, his testimony is stronger, his knowledge and experience with the world is expanding. I appreciate the good companions he’s had to work with, and a generous mission president that allows them to “skype” home on those two special days each year.
Penny came home from her mission to Calgary on February 24th and spoke in church the following Sunday. It was wonderful to have her home again while she diligently looked for a job. She started working at “Canyon Breeze Senior Living” in Orem as a CNA the middle of April. So on days she works, she lives with Heather and Daniel in Pleasant Grove. She comes home to visit when she doesn’t work for 2 or 3 days in between her scheduled time. It’s a lot of back and forth for now. This fall she plans to go to school full time and room with a former roommate closer to Utah Valley University.
Ariane directed a one-act play at the school’s “Drama-Rama” this past weekend. She has learned a lot being in the director’s chair rather than just acting on stage. She will be graduating from high school June 1st, so this month is filled with those end of the year activities including a theater awards banquet, the Senior Dinner Dance, and seminary graduation. She plans to attend UVU this fall and go into Theater Costume Design. This summer she chose to work at “Frontier Fort” with some of her friends, so if you have any little cub scouts planning to go to cub country this year, tell them to look for Ariane and say “hi.”
Daniel has continued working at Thanksgiving Point since he graduated from UVU in December. When auditions came up for a couple of musicals in Utah Valley this spring, he decided it was time to get back into doing something he loves again. He was cast in a community theater's production in Orem of “Annie the Musical,” which is running for one more week at the Scera. I was very impressed at how professional the entire cast was. Daniel is in the men’s ensemble and plays a wide variety of parts throughout the play. He and Heather have also been singing in a community choir together. We enjoyed their performance at the American Fork Tabernacle last week. And Heather has also continued singing with the Sterling Singers.
Our big news is that Kevin received his mission call to the Arizona Mesa Mission. He reports to the MTC in Provo June 8th, so it’s coming up fast. You are invited to come and listen to him speak in our Sacrament Meeting, which will probably be Sunday, May 29th at 11 AM. I’ll send out a note when that date is confirmed.
It has been a thrill for me to prepare and send off a missionary each year for the past three years. I especially love to see them come home with the good habits they have developed and more firm in their testimonies. We have been blessed as a family in so many ways because of our missionary children. Thank you for sharing in our joy!
Love, Dorothy and family
It’s been a great day already because Marcus called this morning. Kevin, Penny, Ariane, Alan, and I all visited with him by way of “Skype” for over an hour and a half. We enjoyed our conversation with him. He is doing great. It’s still a challenge for him and probably always will be, but he is gaining more self-confidence, his testimony is stronger, his knowledge and experience with the world is expanding. I appreciate the good companions he’s had to work with, and a generous mission president that allows them to “skype” home on those two special days each year.
Penny came home from her mission to Calgary on February 24th and spoke in church the following Sunday. It was wonderful to have her home again while she diligently looked for a job. She started working at “Canyon Breeze Senior Living” in Orem as a CNA the middle of April. So on days she works, she lives with Heather and Daniel in Pleasant Grove. She comes home to visit when she doesn’t work for 2 or 3 days in between her scheduled time. It’s a lot of back and forth for now. This fall she plans to go to school full time and room with a former roommate closer to Utah Valley University.
Ariane directed a one-act play at the school’s “Drama-Rama” this past weekend. She has learned a lot being in the director’s chair rather than just acting on stage. She will be graduating from high school June 1st, so this month is filled with those end of the year activities including a theater awards banquet, the Senior Dinner Dance, and seminary graduation. She plans to attend UVU this fall and go into Theater Costume Design. This summer she chose to work at “Frontier Fort” with some of her friends, so if you have any little cub scouts planning to go to cub country this year, tell them to look for Ariane and say “hi.”
Daniel has continued working at Thanksgiving Point since he graduated from UVU in December. When auditions came up for a couple of musicals in Utah Valley this spring, he decided it was time to get back into doing something he loves again. He was cast in a community theater's production in Orem of “Annie the Musical,” which is running for one more week at the Scera. I was very impressed at how professional the entire cast was. Daniel is in the men’s ensemble and plays a wide variety of parts throughout the play. He and Heather have also been singing in a community choir together. We enjoyed their performance at the American Fork Tabernacle last week. And Heather has also continued singing with the Sterling Singers.
Our big news is that Kevin received his mission call to the Arizona Mesa Mission. He reports to the MTC in Provo June 8th, so it’s coming up fast. You are invited to come and listen to him speak in our Sacrament Meeting, which will probably be Sunday, May 29th at 11 AM. I’ll send out a note when that date is confirmed.
It has been a thrill for me to prepare and send off a missionary each year for the past three years. I especially love to see them come home with the good habits they have developed and more firm in their testimonies. We have been blessed as a family in so many ways because of our missionary children. Thank you for sharing in our joy!
Love, Dorothy and family
Jennifer
ABF Movers
Moving the piano into our rental house in Boise
For Sale
kitchen before and after
Dear Family,
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers!
I skyped with Ammon and Finn -- technology is the next best thing when you can't be together in person. I enjoy my grandchildren SO very much!
Wow, what a few months this has been. Bottom line -- our house went on the market and sold in a week! We got our asking price. It was worth installing new carpet, linoleum, paint, and countertops to make our house appealing and move-in ready. And the timing was great -- our roses were in full bloom and the weather was sunny and in the 70s. We are amazed at how fast it did sell. The couple that bought it were tired of dealing with banks and foreclosures and were ready to buy -- pre-approved and financially stable. We didn't have an open house because they put in an offer the day before. We are happy.
It definitely was a busy couple of months packing and organizing and moving and settling in our rental house in Boise. Well, almost moved, that is me. I'm working until May 31, then I, too, will move. I announced at our Friday's morning firm-wide meeting that our house was on the market and we were to have our first open house this weekend -- then on Monday I came in with cookies in celebration that I sold my house. My co-workers were surprised at the fast sale. So far everything has fallen into place. Our rental is a five-minute walk to Lucy's house. It's awesome that we are in the same neighborhood! How lucky we were to find that place.
So we are ready for this new adventure in our lives...we are looking for a builder and hope to start construction in June. This week also happens to be Boise's Parade of Homes -- so we (Steve) will be able to meet with builders and look at their homes.
This past weekend I participated in RTO (Rebuilding Together Oakland), a volunteer program, (it's actually a nationwide "Rebuilding Together" that was going on all over the country) that my law firm and another firm were involved in, where we painted a house for an elderly woman. (And it just so happened while I was doing that, that my house was being shown to the new buyers, which led to the offer on my house.)
We adopted Ammon and Angela's cats, George and Lenny. Angela was becoming allergic to them. We love them -- Ammon and Angela did a wonderful job raising them from kittens and making them cuddly and loving. They're about 6 years old now.
Looking forward to reading your entries and happenings in your lives.
Love, Jennifer & Steve
Moving the piano into our rental house in Boise
For Sale
kitchen before and after
Dear Family,
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers!
I skyped with Ammon and Finn -- technology is the next best thing when you can't be together in person. I enjoy my grandchildren SO very much!
Wow, what a few months this has been. Bottom line -- our house went on the market and sold in a week! We got our asking price. It was worth installing new carpet, linoleum, paint, and countertops to make our house appealing and move-in ready. And the timing was great -- our roses were in full bloom and the weather was sunny and in the 70s. We are amazed at how fast it did sell. The couple that bought it were tired of dealing with banks and foreclosures and were ready to buy -- pre-approved and financially stable. We didn't have an open house because they put in an offer the day before. We are happy.
It definitely was a busy couple of months packing and organizing and moving and settling in our rental house in Boise. Well, almost moved, that is me. I'm working until May 31, then I, too, will move. I announced at our Friday's morning firm-wide meeting that our house was on the market and we were to have our first open house this weekend -- then on Monday I came in with cookies in celebration that I sold my house. My co-workers were surprised at the fast sale. So far everything has fallen into place. Our rental is a five-minute walk to Lucy's house. It's awesome that we are in the same neighborhood! How lucky we were to find that place.
So we are ready for this new adventure in our lives...we are looking for a builder and hope to start construction in June. This week also happens to be Boise's Parade of Homes -- so we (Steve) will be able to meet with builders and look at their homes.
This past weekend I participated in RTO (Rebuilding Together Oakland), a volunteer program, (it's actually a nationwide "Rebuilding Together" that was going on all over the country) that my law firm and another firm were involved in, where we painted a house for an elderly woman. (And it just so happened while I was doing that, that my house was being shown to the new buyers, which led to the offer on my house.)
We adopted Ammon and Angela's cats, George and Lenny. Angela was becoming allergic to them. We love them -- Ammon and Angela did a wonderful job raising them from kittens and making them cuddly and loving. They're about 6 years old now.
Looking forward to reading your entries and happenings in your lives.
Love, Jennifer & Steve
Monday, January 17, 2011
Need Volunteer for New Editor
Would anyone like to volunteer to be the next editor of the Lindgren Lingo?! After 7 years on the job, I'd love to give the opportunity to somebody else. Please contact me if you are interested.
Family Reunion in August
If you are planning on going to the Family Reunion in August, please contact Lucy.
Grandma Martha
Dear Family,
As I reflect upon the past two months, I feel very blessed and thankful for all of you. Thanksgiving was a treat this year as I went with Marty and Janet to have dinner at Wendy and Justin's home. Justin's folks were also there. It was most enjoyable Thank you Wendy and Justin for the invite.
We had some pretty good snow storms as we approached the holidays. Dorothy and Emily ran errands for me....I'm so thankful for their time in my behalf.
It was good to visit with Tom and Marci, April and Ian, Trent, Trevor and Alissa and little ones, the Anderson's, Tomlinson's, James and Lynnette, the Hill family. I didn't do any of the fixin's...We had a little talent program, good food, white elephant exchange and gifts.
I enjoyed the bugles, nuts, chocolates, gum, brownie dough, a lovely cuddly pink robe. You guys are so good to me.. The evening ended with the PJ game.
During the time between and around Christmas and New Year's I had a nice visit with John and Sharron...also with Jeff and Jenny's family.
Since we had lots of snow and ice, we only had the Andersons and Tomlinsons for game night. We played Rumikube, a new version of Pictionary. Things have begun to simmer down. Heather is back giving Alissa and Mitchell piano lessons and she helped me take down the lights and took me to the D.I. to get some more books on tape...like John By-the-way. Enjoyed the books on tape Jennifer sent.
It was good to get greetings from my three cousins in Germany. This year two of my cousins there passed on.
Grateful for Dorothy who gets me to the eye doctor monthly or so. Hanging in there and able to do genealogy with bright light and closeness. Doing one drop each night for the Glaucoma.
Dorothy and I made a trip to Bountiful to exchange cards...still doing good. I have been keenly interested in Raoul Wallenberg, hero of the holocaust. He is 11 C 2 R to Ross. If you are interested get into Google and put in his name.
Thanks to Wendy and Justin and family I was able to hitch a ride to Boise last weekend. We had no snow problems either way and it was so good to visit with the Yorgasons. While there I watched Guten Abend Herr Wallenberg. What a terrible experience for the Jews and for us as onlookers. Richard Chamberlain played the role in the American movie Raoul Wallenberg, A Heroes Story. I searched out his step brother Guy. It stated I needed permission to do anything about him.
While playing around at the computer at the Yorgasons, I got a translation of Elof Engelberti Olai history and also some more descendants of his.
While at church in Boise, Lucy who is Primary President, introduced me. All the children sang "Hello Hello" as I stood in front of them. Kristen played piano for me at home. She's very talented. Krista also gave a talk on Esther in Primary. I enjoyed talking to Garrett. He has such a cute smile
I hope all of you will continue to write in the Lingo. I'ts a good history of family.
Lucy, I am really enjoying the tape of Come Unto Me and Fishers of Men. Looking forward to the results of Krista's Piano critiquing...I enjoyed playing Ticket To Ride American Version. Sorry I didn't get to hug goodbye from Rachel and Nathan...I will be curious to know if you wind up at the dance in Feb. Go for it. You're
only young once.
Next Lingo I just might be in Hawaii with Rick, Reba, and Heather. Meanwhile, love to all of you and thanks, thanks, thanks for being part of my life...
Love Eternally, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma.
As I reflect upon the past two months, I feel very blessed and thankful for all of you. Thanksgiving was a treat this year as I went with Marty and Janet to have dinner at Wendy and Justin's home. Justin's folks were also there. It was most enjoyable Thank you Wendy and Justin for the invite.
We had some pretty good snow storms as we approached the holidays. Dorothy and Emily ran errands for me....I'm so thankful for their time in my behalf.
It was good to visit with Tom and Marci, April and Ian, Trent, Trevor and Alissa and little ones, the Anderson's, Tomlinson's, James and Lynnette, the Hill family. I didn't do any of the fixin's...We had a little talent program, good food, white elephant exchange and gifts.
I enjoyed the bugles, nuts, chocolates, gum, brownie dough, a lovely cuddly pink robe. You guys are so good to me.. The evening ended with the PJ game.
During the time between and around Christmas and New Year's I had a nice visit with John and Sharron...also with Jeff and Jenny's family.
Since we had lots of snow and ice, we only had the Andersons and Tomlinsons for game night. We played Rumikube, a new version of Pictionary. Things have begun to simmer down. Heather is back giving Alissa and Mitchell piano lessons and she helped me take down the lights and took me to the D.I. to get some more books on tape...like John By-the-way. Enjoyed the books on tape Jennifer sent.
It was good to get greetings from my three cousins in Germany. This year two of my cousins there passed on.
Grateful for Dorothy who gets me to the eye doctor monthly or so. Hanging in there and able to do genealogy with bright light and closeness. Doing one drop each night for the Glaucoma.
Dorothy and I made a trip to Bountiful to exchange cards...still doing good. I have been keenly interested in Raoul Wallenberg, hero of the holocaust. He is 11 C 2 R to Ross. If you are interested get into Google and put in his name.
Thanks to Wendy and Justin and family I was able to hitch a ride to Boise last weekend. We had no snow problems either way and it was so good to visit with the Yorgasons. While there I watched Guten Abend Herr Wallenberg. What a terrible experience for the Jews and for us as onlookers. Richard Chamberlain played the role in the American movie Raoul Wallenberg, A Heroes Story. I searched out his step brother Guy. It stated I needed permission to do anything about him.
While playing around at the computer at the Yorgasons, I got a translation of Elof Engelberti Olai history and also some more descendants of his.
While at church in Boise, Lucy who is Primary President, introduced me. All the children sang "Hello Hello" as I stood in front of them. Kristen played piano for me at home. She's very talented. Krista also gave a talk on Esther in Primary. I enjoyed talking to Garrett. He has such a cute smile
I hope all of you will continue to write in the Lingo. I'ts a good history of family.
Lucy, I am really enjoying the tape of Come Unto Me and Fishers of Men. Looking forward to the results of Krista's Piano critiquing...I enjoyed playing Ticket To Ride American Version. Sorry I didn't get to hug goodbye from Rachel and Nathan...I will be curious to know if you wind up at the dance in Feb. Go for it. You're
only young once.
Next Lingo I just might be in Hawaii with Rick, Reba, and Heather. Meanwhile, love to all of you and thanks, thanks, thanks for being part of my life...
Love Eternally, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma.
Dorothy
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Dear Family,
Here is our review of the past two months: they were good, but went by fast.
To celebrate our wedding anniversary this year, Alan and I spent two days in Provo, the place where we met. We went to the Provo Temple, saw a movie, and spent a few hours at the Bean Museum. It was a relaxing and pleasant time for us.
For Thanksgiving, we stayed home- Heather, James, Daniel, Kevin, Ariane, Alan, and I. So we fit just fine around the table in our small kitchen. Lynnette was at her sister’s in Arizona, and Jason’s family had their dinner at Becky’s parent’s home. Later that day however, Jason’s family came over for dessert and to play.
Two days after Thanksgiving, I had a piano recital for my students at Riverton Music’s recital hall. Only half of my students were able to come because of the holiday weekend, but like one mother commented, “It was just perfect! Not too long, but just right.”
We went to the Christmas “Sterling Singers” concert that Heather sang in at the Libby Gardner Concert Hall (November 29th). We always enjoy their concert. Alan also sang several times with his choir, the Mountain West Chorale, during December, including at a few sacrament meetings, the West Jordan City Hall, and at the Assembly Hall.
Alan’s niece, Jackie, who graduated several years ago from the U in Piano Performance, decided to brush up on her skills and held a piano recital for herself at the Baldassin Piano Store downtown. She played selections by Mozart, all memorized, for the entire time. It was mesmerizing! It was amazing that she could pull that off by practicing for weeks at night after her four children were asleep in bed.
The day after Christmas we went to a Young Single Adults ward where Kevin participated in their Christmas Sacrament Meeting program. He accompanied a few of the special numbers and sang with a small group. It was nice to see him perform in that setting.
At the beginning of the month the foot pedal of my 40-year-old sewing machine broke. They can’t be found in the stores, so I found a replacement by going on-line, however it had to be back ordered. Luckily I had most of my Christmas projects done. I worked on the rest by using my neighbor’s machine, plus I sewed a bunch of projects for her to compensate. Happily, my new foot pedal arrived just a week before Christmas so I could finish up at home. I hate to get a new machine when this one continues to serve me well.
Miraculously, everything (Christmas letter writing, neighbor gifts, shopping, wrapping, etc.) seemed to come together in time for Christmas. Being able to talk to both Penny and Marcus that day topped it off. Penny said she could talk for 40 minutes… we went over the limit but it was OK. She told us that her release date would be February 24, about 3 weeks earlier than I expected. The mission president likes to coordinate the release dates as close to the normal transfer dates as possible. So I guess it was either that, or 3 weeks longer which would have been the first week of April before she came home. So I’ve been feeling really “trunky “ for her to come home ever since.
That afternoon we talked to Marcus by way of the Internet, using “Skype” and our neighbor’s webcam they let us borrow. Marcus’ mission president gave permission for all the missionaries in his mission to “Skype” instead of the traditional phone call home for Christmas. Penny said she was jealous. For us it was a fun novelty. For Marcus it was great, although a bit harder to keep from feeling homesick when he could actually see everyone including the living room with the tree and all.
Jason and Becky announced to the family on Christmas Day that their fourth child will be due to join their family early this summer. We are very happy for them and looking forward to having another grandchild!
Best wishes to all of you during this New Year!
Love, Dorothy and family
Dear Family,
Here is our review of the past two months: they were good, but went by fast.
To celebrate our wedding anniversary this year, Alan and I spent two days in Provo, the place where we met. We went to the Provo Temple, saw a movie, and spent a few hours at the Bean Museum. It was a relaxing and pleasant time for us.
For Thanksgiving, we stayed home- Heather, James, Daniel, Kevin, Ariane, Alan, and I. So we fit just fine around the table in our small kitchen. Lynnette was at her sister’s in Arizona, and Jason’s family had their dinner at Becky’s parent’s home. Later that day however, Jason’s family came over for dessert and to play.
Two days after Thanksgiving, I had a piano recital for my students at Riverton Music’s recital hall. Only half of my students were able to come because of the holiday weekend, but like one mother commented, “It was just perfect! Not too long, but just right.”
We went to the Christmas “Sterling Singers” concert that Heather sang in at the Libby Gardner Concert Hall (November 29th). We always enjoy their concert. Alan also sang several times with his choir, the Mountain West Chorale, during December, including at a few sacrament meetings, the West Jordan City Hall, and at the Assembly Hall.
Alan’s niece, Jackie, who graduated several years ago from the U in Piano Performance, decided to brush up on her skills and held a piano recital for herself at the Baldassin Piano Store downtown. She played selections by Mozart, all memorized, for the entire time. It was mesmerizing! It was amazing that she could pull that off by practicing for weeks at night after her four children were asleep in bed.
The day after Christmas we went to a Young Single Adults ward where Kevin participated in their Christmas Sacrament Meeting program. He accompanied a few of the special numbers and sang with a small group. It was nice to see him perform in that setting.
At the beginning of the month the foot pedal of my 40-year-old sewing machine broke. They can’t be found in the stores, so I found a replacement by going on-line, however it had to be back ordered. Luckily I had most of my Christmas projects done. I worked on the rest by using my neighbor’s machine, plus I sewed a bunch of projects for her to compensate. Happily, my new foot pedal arrived just a week before Christmas so I could finish up at home. I hate to get a new machine when this one continues to serve me well.
Miraculously, everything (Christmas letter writing, neighbor gifts, shopping, wrapping, etc.) seemed to come together in time for Christmas. Being able to talk to both Penny and Marcus that day topped it off. Penny said she could talk for 40 minutes… we went over the limit but it was OK. She told us that her release date would be February 24, about 3 weeks earlier than I expected. The mission president likes to coordinate the release dates as close to the normal transfer dates as possible. So I guess it was either that, or 3 weeks longer which would have been the first week of April before she came home. So I’ve been feeling really “trunky “ for her to come home ever since.
That afternoon we talked to Marcus by way of the Internet, using “Skype” and our neighbor’s webcam they let us borrow. Marcus’ mission president gave permission for all the missionaries in his mission to “Skype” instead of the traditional phone call home for Christmas. Penny said she was jealous. For us it was a fun novelty. For Marcus it was great, although a bit harder to keep from feeling homesick when he could actually see everyone including the living room with the tree and all.
Jason and Becky announced to the family on Christmas Day that their fourth child will be due to join their family early this summer. We are very happy for them and looking forward to having another grandchild!
Best wishes to all of you during this New Year!
Love, Dorothy and family
Tomlinson Missionaries
1. Happy Birthday
2. Matching sweaters
3. Gift from Heather
4. In the backyard
5. Sis. Ence
Priscilla
Dear Family
We’ve had snow like the rest of the nation. It came just before New Year’s Eve and its still here. That is a record since we’ve been in Snowflake. It was so cold it didn’t melt fast like usual. Many had broken pipe problems including our town library.
Krista came over for two days between Christmas and New Year’s and with her motivation and assistance we did a makeover of our Family Room. She even cleaned the carpet. What a dear, it feels so good and clean. She does take care of me. Isaiah changed schools at the break so now he attends where I work. I like it much better.
I have some achy flu bug with a cough. I hope I get over it soon. We’re looking forward to having James back here Tuesday night. Hyrum is 16 Monday. My stake calling keeps me thinking.
Like most years we cut our own Christmas tree this year. This year was by far the easiest. The temperature was high…probably 50, no snow. We picked a thin one sided tree so it could stand next to a wall. Jim had a chain saw …one he has used to cut wood for our wood stove. Quite a contrast from the years when the girls were young and it was deep snow, dark, cold, hand saw, haul it out in a sled…And my body was so much tougher.
We enjoyed doing our tradition of gingerbread houses too. Maybe I’ll get more pictures posted on my blog…Hanlonhaven.blogspot.com
Love, Priscilla
Saera
Hi Everyone,
Daniel had to work Christmas Day, but I had a wonderful time. My dear friend, Emi, who introduced Daniel and me to Buddhism, came out from Boston on Christmas Eve. We spent the day at some friends' house in the Berkshires, where we got to walk a two month old calf and later feed her. We ate delicious food and visited and played Cosmic Wimp Out. On New Year's Eve, Daniel and I went contra dancing. We had not been in over a year, and we were both delighted to return to this delightful, social, energetic activity. New Year's Day is one of the biggest SGI holidays. We have a New Year's World Peace Prayer Meeting, which is always a special event. Daniel helped coordinate a skit, in which he played a 78 year old version of himself rather hilariously. I shared my experience about overcoming various obstacles to study abroad. He had to go to work immediately afterward, but I enjoyed the following potluck and social time.
I have been mostly either having whirlwind bursts to prepare for India or slacker days around the house. I am glad that my friends have been returning from winter break. I missed them. My brother James arrived on Friday for a ten day visit and to look at colleges. We'll start on that tomorrow. It is really nice to have him around. He is the first relative to visit me here in Massachusetts, but it looks as if 2011 is shaping up to be the year that people visit!
I'll be leaving 1/23 to study in Northern India for the semester. I return 5/12, and I'll be graduating with a BA in Anthropology that weekend! I'm delighted that my parents will be coming for that. If you'd like to keep up with me while I'm in India, check out my blogs at http://www.surajmukhiya.wordpress.com or http://www.surajmukhiya.blogspot.com.
Happy New Year
--
Saera Hanlon
Student
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Daniel had to work Christmas Day, but I had a wonderful time. My dear friend, Emi, who introduced Daniel and me to Buddhism, came out from Boston on Christmas Eve. We spent the day at some friends' house in the Berkshires, where we got to walk a two month old calf and later feed her. We ate delicious food and visited and played Cosmic Wimp Out. On New Year's Eve, Daniel and I went contra dancing. We had not been in over a year, and we were both delighted to return to this delightful, social, energetic activity. New Year's Day is one of the biggest SGI holidays. We have a New Year's World Peace Prayer Meeting, which is always a special event. Daniel helped coordinate a skit, in which he played a 78 year old version of himself rather hilariously. I shared my experience about overcoming various obstacles to study abroad. He had to go to work immediately afterward, but I enjoyed the following potluck and social time.
I have been mostly either having whirlwind bursts to prepare for India or slacker days around the house. I am glad that my friends have been returning from winter break. I missed them. My brother James arrived on Friday for a ten day visit and to look at colleges. We'll start on that tomorrow. It is really nice to have him around. He is the first relative to visit me here in Massachusetts, but it looks as if 2011 is shaping up to be the year that people visit!
I'll be leaving 1/23 to study in Northern India for the semester. I return 5/12, and I'll be graduating with a BA in Anthropology that weekend! I'm delighted that my parents will be coming for that. If you'd like to keep up with me while I'm in India, check out my blogs at http://www.surajmukhiya.wordpress.com or http://www.surajmukhiya.blogspot.com.
Happy New Year
--
Saera Hanlon
Student
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Heather
I had an extra week of vacation this Christmas! Unfortunately, that means an extra work week at the end of the school year... Thanks to a water pipe break at school, Mountainville Academy had about 3 inches of water covering the first floor. So, school was canceled for a week while flood clean-up and restoration happened. Another reason (in addition to the view through the BIG windows) to be grateful the library moved upstairs last year. There could have been a lot of water-damaged books! As it happened, there were only a few in classrooms that were damaged.
Grandma and I are excited to go to Hawaii with Rick and Reba in March. (I think I still owe them for last year's trip. I better pay him back, huh?) I have never taken that much time off work, so I'm already stressing just a bit about getting my classes organized before we go. But, I'm excited for my first view of the islands!
I have a new calling in my ward. I was released from teaching the 15/16 year-olds Sunday School class, and now I am the 1st councilor in Young Women. Over the Mia Maids (14 and 15 year-olds). Girls Camp, here I come! I feel a little out of my comfort zone... Maybe Heavenly Father is trying to help me know what it might have been like if I married and had kids by the time I was 21. I could have children that age by now. Weird!!! I'm sure it will be fun (as everyone keeps telling me) but I just don't feel cool enough to hang out with teenagers...
Daniel and I say hello when our schedules overlap, and have time to watch a movie together once in a while. But we're both quite busy in (and out of) my little blue house in Pleasant Grove. Now, if I could just figure out to get 80-year-old walls to stop letting heat escape, so my nose would stay warm while I'm inside my house... I had additional attic insulation installed, and the next big expenditure I plan on is new windows (after tax returns...). Hopefully that helps keep the heat bill down.
I hope all is well with the Lindgren Clan!
Love, Heather
Grandma and I are excited to go to Hawaii with Rick and Reba in March. (I think I still owe them for last year's trip. I better pay him back, huh?) I have never taken that much time off work, so I'm already stressing just a bit about getting my classes organized before we go. But, I'm excited for my first view of the islands!
I have a new calling in my ward. I was released from teaching the 15/16 year-olds Sunday School class, and now I am the 1st councilor in Young Women. Over the Mia Maids (14 and 15 year-olds). Girls Camp, here I come! I feel a little out of my comfort zone... Maybe Heavenly Father is trying to help me know what it might have been like if I married and had kids by the time I was 21. I could have children that age by now. Weird!!! I'm sure it will be fun (as everyone keeps telling me) but I just don't feel cool enough to hang out with teenagers...
Daniel and I say hello when our schedules overlap, and have time to watch a movie together once in a while. But we're both quite busy in (and out of) my little blue house in Pleasant Grove. Now, if I could just figure out to get 80-year-old walls to stop letting heat escape, so my nose would stay warm while I'm inside my house... I had additional attic insulation installed, and the next big expenditure I plan on is new windows (after tax returns...). Hopefully that helps keep the heat bill down.
I hope all is well with the Lindgren Clan!
Love, Heather
Jennifer
Dear Family,
Happy Happy New Year! May this year be a great one for every body!
We were in Seattle on New Year's and watched the exploding fireworks go off on the Space Needle. We saw it from a distance at Ammon's house, but it was still spectacular. We stepped out on the porch for just a few minutes because it was so cold -- like 22 degrees! We watched the rest from inside the house looking out the window, and with a time-delay on TV, we watched it twice. We woke up Finn so he could see the fireworks, although he seemed pretty much asleep -- however, the next morning he said, "I had a dream that we watched the fireworks go off the Space Needle..." It was pretty cute as he demonstrated how he was the Space Needle and was now lighting up with fireworks. Quite an imagination. It was really fun being with them for a few days.
We celebrated Harper's first birthday on January 2. Angela put together a fabulous birthday celebration with a lot of cute decorations and fun cupcakes that looked like owls to go with the Owl theme. She found an antique wood high chair and painted it hot pink. Harper had a very nice day! And Finn helped her open her presents.
It has been foggy and cold -- very winterlike here in California. Yeah, I know, that's nothing compared to what most of you are experiencing.
I'm enjoying playing scrabble on FB with Emily, Lucy, Ryan, and Wendy. Anybody else wanna play?
My law firm has now merged with a third company and we are known as Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton. Offices in 18 cities all over the world. So much to learn with our new document management system -- a whole new way of doing things. Should be much more efficient once we learn it all. Keeps my brain working every day!
Love, Jennifer & Steve
Emily
Hi Family,
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy New Year! This was the first Christmas in a long time that we haven't sent out a Christmas card. We never made the time to get a picture taken, so my goal is maybe a Valentine's card?
We shall see.
I had to be available for jury duty during the week of Christmas, and was summoned to appear on the Wednesday before. I'm glad I was only there for a half a day...ultimately not on the chosen jury. I still had all of my wrapping to do!
Our Christmas was great, (and believe it or not has finally, but just barely, been put away at our household). We were all spoiled as usual. We had a fun Christmas Eve party over at Mom's house with those in town who were able to make it; Tom and family, April and new boyfriend, along with Trevor and Alissa's family, The Tomlinsons, Wendy and Justin's family ..........did I forget anybody?
Mitch and Alyssa have been taking piano lessons this past year with Heather, so they each played a Christmas song for their talent, and then helped Travis sing for his. We all had fun with the White Elephant game. There were some good ones in the bunch. Mitch parted ways with his big wooden fork and spoon that he got at a garage sale this past summer. I think James and Lynette ended up with them after the maximum amount of trades were allowed (and Mom made sure the rules were followed!).
We had another party at Mom's house for New Year's Eve.....playing games. We played a new one this year that was a lot of fun called Guestimation. We also taught the kids Pit, which was an instant hit, and a favorite of everybody.
We spent time over the school break working on Mitch's science project. He's been growing crystals using a saturated borax solution. Sometimes we get the saturation just right, and other times not. We have repeated it about six times so far.......I guess that's a true experiment.....as he has been recording all of the data. Now for the final written papers. Seriously....are we the parents in sixth grade again? It feels like it, and I don't like the pressure!
Mitch got braces in October, and Alyssa got upper and lower retainers that she expands once a week in preparation for future braces. I'm sure Travis won't be too far behind. Casey is glad to be out of his, but still has to wear his retainer at night which he's not too keen on. They're supposed to be worn at night for a lifetime. So where's mine he asks? Good question. Actually, I think I know where they are, but my teeth have shifted enough that I'm sure they don't fit in my mouth anymore.........that should be the lesson for him right there .. don't you think?
John and I have spent the last month out looking for houses. I guess I should stop right there because no purchase has been made yet......and given our track record.....it's not happening until it's happened! :-) but.....it's been a fun and enlightening process. There sure are a lot of short sales and foreclosures out there right now. I'm just glad to be on this side of a bad situation. Right now South Jordan is where we are looking. We can get the most bang for our buck out there without having to commute too far to our places of employment.
Take Care Family......until next time...(or see you on Facebook). .. Happy Martin Luther King Day!!
Emily/John and Family
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy New Year! This was the first Christmas in a long time that we haven't sent out a Christmas card. We never made the time to get a picture taken, so my goal is maybe a Valentine's card?
We shall see.
I had to be available for jury duty during the week of Christmas, and was summoned to appear on the Wednesday before. I'm glad I was only there for a half a day...ultimately not on the chosen jury. I still had all of my wrapping to do!
Our Christmas was great, (and believe it or not has finally, but just barely, been put away at our household). We were all spoiled as usual. We had a fun Christmas Eve party over at Mom's house with those in town who were able to make it; Tom and family, April and new boyfriend, along with Trevor and Alissa's family, The Tomlinsons, Wendy and Justin's family ..........did I forget anybody?
Mitch and Alyssa have been taking piano lessons this past year with Heather, so they each played a Christmas song for their talent, and then helped Travis sing for his. We all had fun with the White Elephant game. There were some good ones in the bunch. Mitch parted ways with his big wooden fork and spoon that he got at a garage sale this past summer. I think James and Lynette ended up with them after the maximum amount of trades were allowed (and Mom made sure the rules were followed!).
We had another party at Mom's house for New Year's Eve.....playing games. We played a new one this year that was a lot of fun called Guestimation. We also taught the kids Pit, which was an instant hit, and a favorite of everybody.
We spent time over the school break working on Mitch's science project. He's been growing crystals using a saturated borax solution. Sometimes we get the saturation just right, and other times not. We have repeated it about six times so far.......I guess that's a true experiment.....as he has been recording all of the data. Now for the final written papers. Seriously....are we the parents in sixth grade again? It feels like it, and I don't like the pressure!
Mitch got braces in October, and Alyssa got upper and lower retainers that she expands once a week in preparation for future braces. I'm sure Travis won't be too far behind. Casey is glad to be out of his, but still has to wear his retainer at night which he's not too keen on. They're supposed to be worn at night for a lifetime. So where's mine he asks? Good question. Actually, I think I know where they are, but my teeth have shifted enough that I'm sure they don't fit in my mouth anymore.........that should be the lesson for him right there .. don't you think?
John and I have spent the last month out looking for houses. I guess I should stop right there because no purchase has been made yet......and given our track record.....it's not happening until it's happened! :-) but.....it's been a fun and enlightening process. There sure are a lot of short sales and foreclosures out there right now. I'm just glad to be on this side of a bad situation. Right now South Jordan is where we are looking. We can get the most bang for our buck out there without having to commute too far to our places of employment.
Take Care Family......until next time...(or see you on Facebook). .. Happy Martin Luther King Day!!
Emily/John and Family
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