Pioneer day, Mary's new room and band camp

Hi sweetie,

I love the pictures from last night’s baptism. What a special occasion that you were able to baptize a whole family. I’m sure the Spirit was there in abundance.

I hope that your tummy continues to feel better. I hate it when my kids are sick! Especially when I’m not there to be able to take care of you.

We celebrated the 24th of July with a barbecue and fireworks at the Kings. Holly and Jason are moving to Ohio for dental school so this was also their good-bye party. They have a tradition of doing the craziest thing! They put fireworks on a skateboard, then light it and then ride it down the street. It was insanely stupid and really cool at the same time. Don’t ever try this at home people!

Sara started band camp at SoJo with Ms. Johnson this week. She goes every morning for half an hour with the other flute players so they can learn a little about their instruments before school starts. It’s brilliant! Sara really likes the flute.

We painted the guest room this week and Mary moved her clothes in yesterday. We still need to hang some pictures but she’s excited about her new room.

Michael has some exciting news that I’m sure he will write to you about. He had an interview with the stake president today and he was called as the Elders Quorum president. Please remember him in your prayers as he selects counselors.

We’re excited to go to Bear Lake this week. Actually, I’m excited to get Dad away from work for a few days- he needs a break. But honestly I’m not as excited about the trip as I would be if you and Mary could be with us. Mary has to stay home for Ballroom summer camp and it really stinks! It’s not the same when we’re not all together. Luke has a PTSA sponsored/student government camp this week. He’s going Monday and part of Tuesday- we’ll pick him up from Park City on our way to Bear Lake.

Dad and I had a date last night. Dinner at Cafe Rio and the new mission Impossible movie. It was fun to be together. You’re going to like the Mission Impossible movie. Luke saw it with his buddies this week and he liked it too.

Hope you have a wonderful week. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Love you so much,
Mom

Duolingo, traveling tabernacle and finished park strip

Hi sweetie,

I didn’t like that you were sick on your p-day. I hope that you have been able to rest and that you are feeling much better and able to resume your work.

I had some fun news this week. I reached a 1300 day streak on Duolingo learning Spanish! I started on Christmas day on 2019 and I haven’t missed a single day. Pretty cool huh?

Also exciting is that your missionary plaque was hung at church today. Exactly 1 year to the day from when you get home. It looks really nice and I’m glad it is finally displayed!

Mary, Luke, Sara and I volunteered at the traveling tabernacle this week. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the ancient tabernacle and the symbolism. Luke and Sara taught visitors about the coverings of the tabernacle. Mary was with Kaden Taufer and they taught people about the Holy of Holies- although it was VERY hot in that room so they were rotated out of there into the air-conditioned church building where they taught visitors about the priests clothing. Each assignment had a card to read from but volunteers were encouraged to try and share from their hearts. It was such a great mission prep experience for the youth. Your siblings did amazing! I also volunteered but I helped direct people to the next station. The youth did the teaching.

Dad finished the park strip! It was a big job and it is finally done. It looks really nice. Our next project is to paint the guest room. We’ve decided that Mary will move into the guest room. Once school starts, Mary has to leave for ballroom practice at 5:45am every other day. We’re giving the girls separate rooms so that Mary won’t wake Sara up at 5:15am! It will also be nice for the girls to have their own closets since the closets in those rooms are small.

Our neighborhood had the ‘peak of fire’ celebration last night. Food trucks and fireworks and such. It was a good time. Tim and Jen England announced that they are moving to Florida and Tim is the one that does our fireworks shows so we’ll see what happens with that party next year when he’s gone.

We had the Primary bike parade yesterday. Our Primary isn’t as large as it used to be but it was still fun although it was so HOT!!! 101 degrees.

Mary posted a story on Instagram that you will be home 1 year from today and Macie Dulgarian commented that she thought it would be Aug 8. When Mary told her it was actually July 23, she said she would add it to her calendar. She’s counting down the days!

Cooper Pack gave his homecoming address today. He served in New York City and some of the Bahamas islands. His talk was really good. Don and Blake Fairholm report on their missions next Sunday and Sara was asked to be the youth speaker next week.

Have a great week sweetie! Love you so much and hope you feel better soon.
Love you,
Mom

I won the elite European fencing cup

Hi Ben,

Luke put the subject in for me 😀. It should say Letter from mom- week 47 but Luke’s subject is more exciting so I left it.

We had a fun week. We took the trailer out for the first time this summer. We went camping at Wasatch Mountain State park in Midway. Dad and Michael went to work everyday but they joined us in the evenings after work. We took the kayak to Deer Creek and Nana had the most fun of all of us. Mary got her in the kayak and once she went for a ride she didn’t want to get out. Dad and I tried to go for a ride on our own and Nana swam after us. She finally turned around when Dad told her to go back to shore.

We also went horse back riding at Duke’s ranch in Heber. We rode horses named Bo and Pedro. It was a lot of fun. We also got to see the baby horses and that was awesome.

Anna Loveland had another surgery this last week to remove more cancer from her lungs this time. She seems to be doing ok even though she learned she has stage 4 cancer and has to go through another round of chemotherapy. Their family is coming to dinner and playing games at our house today. 

Hannah Yeates had her farewell today. She did a good job on her talk. She’s going to Kentucky on her mission.

Alex and Tammie have big apricot trees in their yard so they have apricots coming out of their ears. Sara and I went to the Booths yesterday to make Apricot-Pineapple jam. Dad loves the jam on my homemade sourdough bread. Delicious! Also- our yellow squash is doing well in the garden this year. I made a yellow squash and zucchini casserole to serve with dinner today. I love this time of year for the yummy fresh produce that’s available.

It’s getting super hot here. 103 degrees today and possibly up to 105 next week. I don’t love that part about summer but everything else is great! I love the break from getting up early for the kids' school.

Have a wonderful week! You are always in our thoughts and prayers. 
Love you so much,
Mom

Here's a picture of our pets. Demetrius was moved to the kitchen for a few days but he's back to the boys bedroom now. 

Getting ready to leave for camping

Nana's first ride in the kayak

Dad riding Pedro and Michael riding Bo at Duke's ranch

Our visit to see the 4 week old colts at Duke's ranch

Relaxing at the Heber market

Our campsite at Wasatch State Park

Making Apricot-pineapple jam at Booth's

Making sourdough bread at home on a Sunday morning before church

Stewart falls, kayaking, babysitting

Hi sweetie,

I hope you had a nice Sunday and that many of your friends came to church. Our Sunday has been lovely. South Jordan is hosting a traveling Old Testament time tabernacle next week. Mary, Luke and Sara are attending a training today so that they can volunteer to serve at the tabernacle.

Dad has a busy Sunday today. His meetings started at 6:30am and he went to two sacrament meetings, did temple recommend interviews, he had an area outreach meeting and later on we have a fireside and then he sets apart two missionaries (Hannah Yeates is one of them). We feel the blessings of his dedication to the Lord.

In between Dad’s meetings, we had our Come Follow Me lesson as a family. It is easily one of my favorite times of the week. I love the Come Follow Me curriculum. Every time we study together I feel the Spirit and the importance of learning the gospel together. Today I was touched by the story of Stephen. He was an apostle that was stoned to death for teaching about Jesus Christ. In Acts 7:59-60 it says that just before Stephen was stoned to death he cried, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” I was touched by his willingness to quickly forgive. Just like when Jesus was on the cross and He forgave. President Nelson has asked us to forgive. The Church sent out an email this week from President Nelson and at the end he said, “…as you forgive, Jesus Christ will relieve you of anger, resentment, and pain. The Prince of Peace will bring you peace.” Isn’t that a powerful promise? It’s so touching to know that Jesus Christ will relieve us of the negative feelings that can weigh us down when people hurt us. I am praying intently that I will be able to forgive and feel peace through Jesus Christ.

We have had a great week. We celebrated the 4th of July with kind of a staycation. We went to Rockport Reservoir and took the kayak out. It was great! Then on the 4th we hiked to Stewart Falls on Mount Timp. It was an amazing hike! The mist of water from the falls was so refreshing.

We babysat little Charlotte (Lindsey and Jade’s baby) while their parents picked out stuff for their new house (they are building a house in Salem, Ut). Charlotte had a blast and we loved having her. 

Luke had exciting news this week- he got a 5 on the AP Geography test which is awesome. Luke also heard that he is racing JVB this year in mountain biking. He’s pretty excited about that.

Mary is working lots of hours at Chick-fil-A to save up money for ballroom. 

Sara got her flute for 7th grade band. She’s pretty excited to learn the flute.

We are making progress on the park strip. Dad and Luke planted the plants and put in the drip system yesterday. We hope to get the rocks delivered this coming week and then that project will be done. Hooray!

We got a rack for the truck so we can haul the kayak which is nice. We hope to use the kayak a lot more often now. It will be nice to take the kayak when we take the trailer.

We love you dearly and hope you have a wonderful week. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Mom

Babysitting little Charlotte

Sara has her flute for 7th grade! Wahoo!

I think I like the couch in our bedroom!

Dad and Luke installing the kayak rack for the truck

Stewart Falls

Kayaking at Rockport Reservoir

Letter from mom- week 45

Hi Ben,

It was wonderful to talk to you yesterday. We’re so glad that the transition to the new mission president went smoothly. We are praying for the Heckmann’s as they continue to learn about their new calling and as they get to know the new missionaries. 

We’re doing well here at home. Luke was at FSY at BYU with Brett Matthews last week. He had a great time. We are so grateful for summer camps and good friends that help to build testimonies, memories and friendships. 

Sara had her hair cut this week. She asked for a length just below her shoulders and instead Lindsey Harman cut it above her shoulders. Sara wasn’t thrilled but thankfully it will grow back.

Dad and I took Mary to see LesMis at Eccles theatre in Salt Lake. It was really good. Since Luke was at FSY, Michael came home to be with Sara while we were gone for the evening. Michael took Sara to the temple and to Swig. Sara loved it! Mary and Sara are so blessed to have such awesome brothers.

Dad and Michael and Luke went to see the new Indiana Jones movie last night. They said it was good. It’s hard to believe that Harrison Ford is still making movies in his 80’s.

Sara took a tumbling class this week. She learned how to do a back walkover. The process to learn tumbling tricks looks painful but Sara loves it and she’s really good at it. She almost has her aerial and now her back walkover.

Michael did another mountain biking race this week. He took second place and did really great.

Happy 4th of July! My heart is always full of gratitude for the USA. I know that the constitution was divinely inspired and I’m grateful for the freedoms we enjoy. I enjoyed every moment of living overseas but my heart was always bursting with gratitude when I stepped back on US soil. To celebrate the holiday, we’re hoping to get the canoe down from the ceiling of the garage and take it to Rockport Reservoir tomorrow to see if it floats. We bought life jackets yesterday. We’ll let you know how it goes.

Love you so much!
Have a great week.
Love,
Mom