It's been too long

Hello my family! First of all I must apologize for being extremely lame. It's been so long since I have posted on the blog. At the same time, not a whole lot happens with Jake and myself so I don't feel like I have anything to write. That and I feel like a terrible writer. LOL.

Colleen and Becky, I'm so jealous! Italy looks absolutely divine, so beautiful. I'm very glad that you two had a good time.

Larry, congratulations! You'll be a wonderful grandpa! :-) So happy for you and for Crystal and Max.

It was wonderful to see Nece, Todd, Brooks and Tatum. The beach was splendid. I have to say that for the most part I don't let the humidity get to me. I guess you could say that I'm acclimatized. That only means I'll be a shriveled up raisin popsicle come Christmas. LOL. The dry and cold will be...interesting to say the least. But I can't wait to see everyone. I miss you all so much.

Things are going well with Jake. He's working hard at his job, it isn't his favorite, but he doesn't let it get to him. They are cutting hours because of how things are working out in the economy, absolutely NO over-time and they took an hour a day off. So he goes in at 7:30 and gets off at 2:30 now. I'm not sure if they will go as far as laying more people off, but I don't worry about Jake. He works too hard, and they like him too much to let him go. He's going to schedule a time to take his GED test soon, then, he will be going to college. :-) I'm very excited for him. It will be nice for him to find something that he really enjoys.

Not a whole lot has happened with me. My court reporter hasn't sent anything in awhile. She only sends me half of the work she takes on so that there is less of a bill for her. I'll just get done with school quickly so that I can find a more reliable client. That's it for me. Not much excitement, you see. LOL

We're really glad to be here in Florida with my family. Living with them and paying a household contribution will make things a lot easier for Jake and me while he is in school. We all get along so well so it is a great situation.

Happy Halloween! I can't wait to see you all very soon (because time is flying by so fast...)!

I'll try to be better about hopping on and saying hello.

quick update....

Just had to tell you, since I never blogged it, Stan's middle school soccer team were the undefeated county champions!  It was so thrilling.  I'm so proud of what he accomplished with a very talented team, and Cody was an amazing anchor for the defense, always taking the toughest assignment.

Josie's team is on a 2-game winning streak.  They are playing very well together, no small thanks for Stan and another father (Arnold) giving tons of their time to assist the team and work with all the girls.  (I'm a little distressed at a couple of our parents...that's a personal gripe of mine more appropriately saved for lunch w/the girls for best address...haha).

Cody just got back from his trip and had a great time.

Larry, I love you, brother.  Wish you hadn't used your vacation time for weddings and stuff (hehe)...we'll miss seeing you over the holidays.  And many congratulations on your upcoming "grandfatherhood"; you must be thrilled.

Anyway, love you all!  Nece, the photos are awesome.  Can't wait to see the rest.  Later....

Lana

I know they say better late than never and it is only a month past the vacation. Here are some pictures from the beach Lana and Stan took us to (I'll email you all the pictures Lana) I think the name was Port Orange? We had a riot in Florida with Lana's family, although I don't know how they get used to the humidity. The our family loved going to the beach my glasses washed off and I was blind as a bat for the rest of the day until we got back to the hotel and I could slip on my contacts. Disney World was not very busy (wonderful time to go if you don't hit a hurricane). The kids really liked the magic kingdom especially Splash Mountain and those type rides, there was this dinosaur ride that was pretty intense and freaked Brooks and Tatum out, but after that if they were acting up we would tell them if they didn't shape up we would go back on that ride.

Question for Crystal, my mom wants to know when Max's birthday is?

Well I've got to run for right now but I'll blog soon.

LaNece

Finally Florida Pictures

Howdy again!

Well I am trying to get into a better mode of writing in the blog.

I guess one of the reasons I dont write as much is I can see that I pale in comparison to by big sis Lana. I can hear your voice when I read and it always lifts my heart but leaves me wishing I could be as expressive.

It is good to hear from you all especally Collen and Becky. Italy looks so cool. I have to admit that I share your disappointment in the European Food. When Michelle and I went to Switzerland we were disappointed in the food. Well most of it anyway. Loved the bread and of course who wouldn't love the Chololate.

I agree with Lana!!! Believe it or not. It would be good to hear from my little sister!

I have some great news. I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDPA!!! Can you believe it? Crystal and Max are expecting a baby. I am waiting for some follow up information about when she is due and all but Michelle and I are so happy for her.

Conference weekend was great. It was inspiring to be reminded and taught about unity, obedienence, love and service.

I am not sure if we will be able to come to the Valley for Christmas. Megan and the kids would love to so I am looking to find a way to make it happen but it is not looking really good yet. Our travels through the year has taken our opportunities this year but we will see.

I love you all so much. It is so good to here from you all.

Love Larry

Where does the time go?

What happened to the summer?!? What's happening to the year?!? It's unbelievable how time drains away and shameful that I haven't spoken with family in so long.

Colleen and Becky, the pictures of Italy are beautiful. It sounds like you had a wonderful time...but it's always good to be home, right? And you're right, we made it through the hurricane season (actually shouldn't say yet...goes until November) relatively unscathed unlike other areas of Central Florida. What a crazy year for storms! We feel very fortunate.

Stan, hope all is going well with your family? I only hear stories about your dog (don't know the name) and that it (he/she?) is spoiled rotten. Yeah, the jig is up, you big softie!

Lynn, I see your family is as busy as usually. It's wonderful to see you so involved in their activities. It's so important for them. How has the soccer season gone?

Nece, can't tell you how wonderful it was to see you and your family and spend some time...btw, I burned the CRAP out of a strip on each leg at the beach...seriously. Hope your kids came away from that unscathed since I'm the one that lotioned them up.... Oh, and the humidity dropped for a bit like 7 days after you left...wish you would have been here then...it was gorgeous.

Larry, I can tell I need to plant some citrus here. I've got an avocado pit I'm working on so I can plant it, just waiting for it to sprout, and am considering a pineapple (easy as can be to start here, I'm told). You ever done avocado there? It's "cooling" here....slightly. Stan was about at his wits end with the muggy...which doesn't bother me as much as I was afraid it would. You going to SL for Christmas too?

Julie, I miss you like crazy, littlest sister. With Josie not in dance, I didn't have that first day of heartbreak at the first dance class without you both there; we'll have to bring Josie's recital DVD so you and Ally can see it. How're the kids? We still need to connect by phone or something.

Mom and Dad, I'm assuming it's busy, busy as usually. Can't wait to see everyone in a couple months. That alone is going to be the best Christmas present ever!

Things are going well, other than watching the market fall with a mixture of desperation and horror and wondering where the bottom truly is. I've worried like crazy about Mom and Dad and how it has affected them. We just have to sit tight, I guess, and wait it out.

Josie is playing soccer and loving, LOVING it. It is really her sport and where she is happiest...even if the team she is with is...well, there will be time for stories about that later. She's doing choir and is on student council and was just elected student council president for the school.

Stan's middle school soccer team, with Cody taking the toughest defensive assignments, goes to district finals on Monday...which is basically equal to what would be "state" in Utah. We are so excited and I'm so nervous I almost feel sick! Cody is very not nervous...takes everything in stride. He's going to be making some big choices about what to do for high school...NEXT YEAR! (OMG, that's right, folks). We're pushing, not so gently, for the IB program. He is going on a trip at the end of October with his gifted geography class. They are going to Williamsburg, Williams and Mary, Monticello and all that good stuff for 5 days. We're very excited for him.

Well, guess that's about it. I'll let Bethany keep you posted on what's going on with her and Jake. I'm going to try to be better again...maybe that once-a-month goal is a good one, like Colleen. It's a start anyway! I love you all and can't wait to see you....

Lana

We are home

Here are just a few shots, me in Tuscany, me with my winning Bingo card (I won $100). Mom and I in front of St Peters Basilica.

We are home. Now we are just trying to get over the jet lag. I got up this morning at 4 am and I am wide awake but by this afternoon about 2-3pm I will be so wiped out. I hope that I will continue to adjust. We had a great time and I feel so blessed to have the family connections that we have. I am so glad to be sleeping in my own bed. The pictures tell the story.

Love you all

Becky