April 2013 News

Mom and Dad strong on Geneology
Just a brief comment before I write mine epistle. I have two treatises that I have acquired recently that may be of interest to you: One entitled "Called and Chosen and Faithful'' The second, entitled The Spirit World and The Resurrection of the Dead by Robert J.  Matthews BYU Education week, 21 August 2007.

Yesterday a good friend of mine, Ron Cook went to the Church Family History Research Library in SLC. Was my first visit there, but Ron has been there many times  and certainly seems to know his way around. We are looking for more information on great Grand Father William Jackson, the missing link for many of us so far in our search.We went to the small office and room called "Special Collections" and found a catalogue film # 1149514 (new). This film revealed that William Jackson was born 19th August 1832 and Ann Wooley was born14th February1830. Great Grand Father Jackson was born in Patter Pembrook So. Wales. Great Grandmother was born in Burton on Trent, England. They were Sealed in the Endowment House in S.L.C. 9th of August 1861 by Brigham Young, and W.W. Phelps and S.L. Spragues were the witnesses. The reason  I am sending this is to give you the more sure word, since the information came directly from them and there are many discrepancies in the other information we have received. The reference is film # 1, 149,514, Book C pp,542.   I also found in the records that Ralph Moss Jackson my Father, was ordained a Seventy by J. Golden Kimball, on the 8th of Jan1929. Church  Membership West Bountiful Ward, SLC Family Hy . #0,027,425.. Thanks for looking and if any one finds information that would help with the finding of more information on William Jackson and Ann Wooley Jackson regarding their voyage from England and trip across the plains, marriage etc. please be the good Samaritan that I have been looking for. You can let me know through the spirit  or in person. Sure hope you will find this request honorable and that it does not drive more of you away.

Dad sporting a pair of sunglasses Cierra brought back from her trip to California.  Looking good!

Kate loves life!
Hi this is Kate, I have just finished basketball season. (0 wins) I’m now on to volleyball. Which I do not know how I will play with a jammed finger. This year I have gotten a main part in my school play! This one is “The Emperor`s New Clothes.”  I`m a court herald (I yell at the towns people because they are wondering where the emperor is.)  Also this year we got a new car called the Kia Soul it’s the coolest car ever!! Sometimes we call it the swag wagon or the hamster invasion. Jake and dad are having a bad year of fishing mostly because all of the places have been closed.   Let`s hope it will be better later in the spring and summer than right now. Next Saturday I will have a piano festival. There is this new movie at the movie theaters that is called the “Croods” we all should see it some time! Love you.

Michelle and family tripping to Salt Lake for fun This month, we were able to enjoy TWO trips out to Salt Lake.  The first was planned.  I had workshop and Sarah had an eye appointment.  The doc says her eyes look great and to come back in June.  Sadly, it will be our last visit with him.  He's moving to Boston to teach at a university.  The receptionist didn't know which one.  We were told that the new ophthalmologist that will take his place has also specialized in pediatrics, so even though we're sad to see him go, the new doc will good, too.  While there, I also had the opportunity to visit a Reggio Emilia school.  It's the only one in Utah.  While it was a good experience, they only had preschoolers there.  I'd like to visit another school that has students with elementary aged children.  And, last but not least, Sarah and I were privileged to attend Nate's performance of Joseph.  It was awesome!  Nate, you and the cast did a fabulous jo and I'm so glad we could see it!  Sarah loved it!  She was especially fascinated by all the glitter on Pharaoh's face. His makeup was top notch.  I strategically left David with my grandma Goff.

The second visit was quick, and came as a surprise!  Stephen was asked to come to Salt Lake to interview for a job. When we realized that Sarah did not have school that day, we decided to all go and make a day of it.  The interview went well and we will discover if the job is his in the next week! 

We celebrated Easter today.  I'm still working on my Betty skills, so we didn't have all of the traditional stuff for Easter dinner.  But I'm getting pretty good at following those Pinterest crock pot recipes.  I made Sweet and Sour Chicken and white rice with asparagus.  For desert, we got out our chocolate fountain and served it with strawberries, fresh pineapple, marshmallows and crackers.  It was delicious!

We hope everyone had a great Easter!  Also, I'm including a couple of pictures of the kids.  Sarah loves to draw on her Magnadoodle and is getting pretty good! David loves his cars and they keep him busy.

--Editor's note...good luck on the possible job Stephen!

Connie and the gang need a nice long nap!

We are tired...Joseph is finished now. We will rest this week which is Spring break. Then we will

move on to the next thing. Cierra has been triumphant in her first two soccer games. She has
been goalie and has made wonderful saves. She has not been scored on yet. It makes me
nervous...and more tired. Nate has a lead in the Springville Playhouse production of The
Importance of Being Earnest. I am producing.  I will get some rest before I get tired again. Good
thing we really like all the things we are doing!  Mikaila was promoted at work and has been
playing at the sand dunes. She is now tired. I promise to be more sparky next month...Love to
all.  Connie

Mik and friends at the Southern Utah sand dunes 

during Spring break. 

Here is a look at the review Joseph received from a  premier group in Utah that support theater.  

http://frontrowreviewersutah.com/?p=1109

Enjoy Seven Years of Plenty with Merit Academy’s Joseph

Utah has no shortage of talented youth, and that definitely shows in Merit Academy’s finely-tuned production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Judging by the performance I saw tonight, I expect to see many of these cast and crew members continue to shine in both community and professional theater.

I was impressed by the singing and acting talent of the entire cast, but a few particularly stood out. Ethan Edwards (Ruben) seems to really have fun with his role, and that sense of fun is infectious. Josh Brown (Benjamin) develops his character even when out of the spotlight, through little silent backstories that he 

plays out with the character’s brothers. Nathan Agle shows great versatility in his very distinct portrayals of Potipher and then, after a quick costume change, the Baker. Masha Taggart (Potipher’s Wife) is hilarious as Joseph’s unwanted seductress. Kristian Huff radiates charisma as the Pharaoh, who is an Elvis-like heartthrob to his followers. The Narrators (Marcella Shipley and Allison Boone), apart from having beautiful singing voices, become characters themselves as they interact playfully with the characters onstage. 

And then of course there’s Nate Warenski, who plays Joseph as the well-intentioned but obliviously self-centered git he is at the beginning of the play, growing to the more mature, compassionate man he is at the end. Warenski’s emotional range comes through especially when (spoiler alert!) Joseph is finally reunited with his brothers and father.

It’s not only in acting and singing that the students of Merit Academy shine. The program includes an extensive list of students who contributed as choreographers, costumers, hair stylists and makeup artists, stage crew, prop designers, and set constructors. All of these elements were professionally done, but what stood out to me most were the costumes. I enjoyed the little touches, like Potipher’s argyle socks and the poodle skirts with cats instead of poodles, worn by Pharaoh’s servants. I was also impressed by the titular dreamcoat, which was large enough to be a parachute and could easily have contained every color named in the song about it. Also deserving of a special mention is Pharaoh’s gold and blue makeup, which has exactly the right mix of “ancient Egypt” and “rock star.”

In tonight’s performance there were a few technical glitches here and there—mics that didn’t come on when they were supposed to—but not more than you’d see in a well-done community theater performance, and nothing so bad as to detract from my enjoyment. Similarly, a few actors missed a note now and then, 

but overall the performances were quite impressive. I was not surprised to see my nine-year-old daughter enjoy the show, as she is a theater enthusiast herself, but I took it as a good sign that my six-year-old son was just as captivated from start to finish. Be sure to catch this play while you can—it would be 

well worth the price of admission even if you had to sell your brother into slavery to buy a ticket.

 

Holtrys celebrate 20 years!

Hi everyone-

We hope you are all doing great. It was really fun to hear from some of you last month. I hope everyone has time to participate. It’s great to keep in touch! Here’s what happened in our family this month: 

Josh was in our Stake Production of “Savior of the World” – He played a disciple of Christ named Andrew. It was a very spiritual experience for him and you could tell during his performances that he was touched by the spirit many times. In complete contrast to that – he was nominated to go a High School Drama Competition at a local college and perform a monologue that he had performed in class from “The Walking Dead” TV show called “I see Red”. He did such a great job that he and a few of his classmates are going to the regional competition. Over Spring Break he spent his week off from school in class taking Lifeguard Classes. He is now an official Lifeguard and hopes to get a job this summer. He had his first swim meet a few weeks ago and did a great job. He has such long arms that his strokes look effortless in the pool. He’s also on a spring Water Polo league and having a lot of fun doing that. What he is really looking forward to though is next month when he turns 16 and can get his driver’s license and DATE!

Hannah is doing a great job in school. She just finished her 5^th grade State Report and float. She got assigned the state of Nevada……needless to say not a lot of great things about that state. Her “famous person” report was on Tennis Player Andre Agassi - who back in the day people used to compare Brent to. ;) . She also recently held the school record for the flex arm hand. She held it for 81 seconds. She held the record for 1 day until an 8^th grade girl beat her by one second! She still holds the elementary school record though. She is a little monkey. I often catch her 30 feet up in some tree while we are watching Jackson’s baseball game or swinging on the bars at school.

Jackson decide to try baseball out this spring. We have been a soccer family and so baseball is a totally different experience. Those parents are crazy! He had a little meltdown the first game because he wasn’t sure what to do with the ball when he got it, but once Brent went out on the field and helped him he’s been a pro ever since. He’s actually one of the better hitters on the team (in my opinion of course) He’s getting ready to go on his school overnighter to Westminster Woods in a few weeks. It’s on the coast and the kids get to stay for 3 days. They do lots of nature hikes, tide pooling and just have a GREAT time.

Brent and I just celebrated our 20^th anniversary on Tuesday, April 2^nd. It was quite a milestone! We celebrated by Brent going to school and I had a parent meeting at the kids school.  Fun! Hannah and I did decorate Brent’s car though so he could drive around the next day feeling loved. Coincidentally a guy on a bike ran right into his car that day and broke his mirror off. Maybe he was blinded by all the hearts….or maybe he was drunk. I’m pretty sure it was one of those things.

We hope you all have a GREAT month!! Have you subscribed to the Jackson girls  “Chocolates for Breakfast” blog yet? If not, hurry over to http://www.chocolatesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/ and enter your e-mail in the follow by e-mail box. We would love to have all the families support to get our numbers up! ;) – Tell your friends too!

Love you all,

The Holtry’s

Spring Break = Nice Break for Chatfields 

It’s Spring Break!...and it really does feel like a nice break. 

Just a few highlights from March

Jake’s 14^th birthday

Jake turned 14 on March 25^th.  We celebrated on Sunday, March 24^th because the next day was full of baseball and volleyball games.  We had friends and family over for dinner and party fun.  Jake requested Tri-tip, parmesan cheese toast, cheesecake, chocolate covered strawberries and whatever else would make for a balanced meal.  I didn’t see anything green on Jake’s plate except for the strawberry stems!  He was given a lot of nice gifts—a two year subscription to The Drake (a fly fishing magazine), Sportsmans Warehouse gift certificates, CASH, a baseball T (for practice hitting), a very expensive baseball glove (says the mom who thinks the seasonal sports equipment is getting very expensive!), a Duck Dynasty shirt (don’t ask!), The Hobbit DVD…am I missing anything else!  He was quite happy with the haul.

Art City Elementary Book Fair

We had another great book fair!  Kate loves everything about the book fairs and was even asked to help this year.  It’s great to be a 5^th grader!

Kate’s 5^th Grade Wax Museum

Every 5^th grader at Art City Elementary is given the opportunity to become a “famous person” in U.S. history.  Kate signed up to be Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Islands.  We learned alot about the queen and can now finally prounounce her name correctly!  All of the students are encouraged to research their person, create a costume and a speech.  When someone presses the “play button” their wax figure comes to life and they begin to tell in first person who they are and why they are important. Kate was a brilliant Queen Lilioukalani!  She even learned a little of Aloha ‘Oe (written by the queen) on the ukulele.

 Kate’s Volleyball Team

Volleyball was only 4 weeks long this year.  As coach I appreciated the short season.  Kate started out a bit shaky and not sure if she liked the sport but by the end of the season she was hitting the ball over the net and thinking she might sign up again next year.  I’ve decided that the best part about being involved in youth sports is the friendships they make and the feeling of being a part of something good. 

  

Nate (nephew)  was Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Another great activity to be involved in at least for Nate is the theater!  Nate and

Connie played a huge role in this Merit Academy production.  Nate was an awesome Joseph and Connie was Asst. Director of the show.  Connie reported that there were important theater people in the audience and Nate now needs a casting agent!  We loved it twice!

A Good Friend’s Funeral

Last week I attended a funeral for a beautiful 18 year old girl.  This young woman was an All-State track star from Rocklin, CA.  We knew her family when we all lived in Antelope.  She died unexpectedly and tragically from a blot clot to the lungs.  Her sister Amy gave her eulolgy and she started off by saying that Heidi (Greenwood) knew she was a daughter of a Heavenly Father that loved her, and she loved Him.  Amy went on to share a few stories of how Heidi stood as a witness of God at all times and in all places and in all things.  There were over 1500 young friends there to honor Heidi.  Many of them non-members.  My heart was touched as I witnessed this immense group of reverant youth.  I listened and learned and felt comforted by the thought that Heavenly Father does indeed have an eternal plan for each of us and as we diligently strive to be follow that plan we will be blessed. 

As I drove home from the funeral I passed by the Timpanogas Temple where Dad was working that morning, sealing families together forever.  That also brought me great peace.   

A family friend painted this beautiful portrait of Heidi and the Savior  

It’s Easter!

We went to church, then served dinner at the Food and Care Coalition to many well deserving people.  It was a good day!

We love you all.

Kellie, Kels and the kids

Go, Go, Go JOSEPH!

Nate's Coat of Many Colors...Opens this week!

Nate, along with Merit Academy students have been working hard to prepare to present the play, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  

Nate reports, "We have all put in a ton of work and its going to be great! Please come and support us."

The show opens on March 22nd and continues through the 23rd, 25th, 29th and 30th.  A special group discount night on the 28th.  The prices are $8-Adults, $7-Seniors and $6 Students

Nate will be playing the part of Joseph.  Connie is the Asst. Director and Cierra is on the control board for sound and lights. 

Looking forward to a fantastic show!

Ben and Lauren Actively Involved in Youth Fun

Check out this link to see Ben's Young Men's group doing a great tribute to the Young Women of their ward.  It's a lip sync to One Direction's "You Don't Know You're Beautiful".  Filmed with guys in white shirts and ties on the beach under the pier!  Fantastic!  

Ben's YOU DON'T KNOW YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL

Ben along with all of his Priest Quorum buddies invited dates to the Mormal...formal for the Mormon kids in their area.  This is an annual event. 

They all looked fabulous!

Suave and Debonair!

Lauren's young women leaders planned a fun weekend get-a-way to San Diego.  What a stylin' bunch of beautiful young women!

Happy Birthday Mom (Grandma)

It's a beautiful, sunny day!  Perfect for a birthday party.  Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom looks great in her new birthday duds.

 Had a little Mexican Fiesta...Cafe Rio salads, Joe Bandido salsa, homemade cilantro rice, Brad and Melissa's homemade spanish rice, honey lime chicken enchiladas and Sonrisas for dessert.

Also had some mint brownies and clover cookies to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

We love you Mom!  Happy Birthday!

March 2013 News

Some of you have heard that Uncle Brad is in the hospital with some problems related to his Parkinsons disease.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers.  Our love to the Johnson family! 

Hi All

February was an uneventful month for us as I was still in the boot from my foot surgery and couldn't really go anywhere.  It felt like house arrest.  But the Mick took really good care of me.  He did the washing (which he has been trying to do for a long time, but I wouldn't let him).  He cooked the meals, with a little help from his daughters, and he kept the house nice and clean.  He also spent a lot of time in the basement storage room organizing the food storage with rotating shelves.  It really looks nice now and we can see what we have.  Good deal!  We had a nice, but short, visit with Joe and Gerry.  We don't see them that often, so it was really nice having them with us.  This is the first time Gerry was here that we didn't sew, but she hasn't gone back to Alaska yet, so maybe there is still time.  Today is my big day, I go to the doctor and hopefully he will take the boot off and give me a little freedom.  If you don't hear from me for a while it is because he didn't take it off and I am in deep depression.  But I am thinking positive!.But all in all we are both healthy and strong and very blessed.  We love our family and are so grateful for them.

Mom and Dad

Mom tried this banana bread and Carri's house while visiting and said it was the BEST banana bread she has ever tasted...maybe because of the yogurt?  Try it and see for yourself.

CARRI’S BANANA BREAD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix dry ingredients together:

2 cups flour

¾ cup sugar

¾ t. soda

½ t. salt

Mix together wet ingredients:

3 ripe bananas (1 1/2c) mashed with potato masher

¼ cup plain or vanilla yogurt

2 large eggs beaten

6 T butter - melted

1 t.  vanilla

Nuts (optional) in batter or on top before baking

Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients together by folding.  Do not beat.  
Pour into oiled and floured large loaf pan.  

Bake for 55 minutes.

Drs Jackson On the MOVE...

It seems as if our lives have been in flux for the past several years.  In line with this Christine and I have decided to leave Gunnison, at least for a time, to pursue an opportunity in Oregon. 

April 15^th will be last day working for Gunnison Valley Hospital culminating a period of nearly 20 years.  On April 22^nd I will report to prison…voluntarily, in order to work for the Bureau of Prisons in Sheridan Oregon.  We will be living in a beautiful state in the midst of vineyard country where it is rumored to rain once in a while.

This will be a hard transition for me personally, as I like stability and security.  The hardest thing will be to move away from family and friends.  Christine will join me when she retires from her practice… at least she promised me she would.  We are looking forward to living in the “mission field” again. 

Scott and Staci and the boys will stay in our house with Christine so she is not alone and then we will explore selling the home. 

We are excited about the change yet filled with some trepidation.

Love ya John

Hello from the Holtrys

 Hello family! I am SOOOO happy Kellie is starting the Chronicles up again. I hope everyone has the time to participate because I really miss hearing from everyone about their families exciting adventures. Our family is, as I’m sure all of you – CRAZY BUSY! Sometimes I don’t know how or why we get ourselves into all these crazy activities - but it’s all worth it. Forgive me for the long entry but as you know we didn’t send out a Christmas letter this year so this is kind of it.

Brent is just finishing up his last semester of Law School. He graduates in May 18th. We would love for any and all of you to come out for the main event. I’m sure it will be super exciting! ;) Brent has done such an amazing job juggling a full time job, a full time school schedule, a full time calling as YM President and oh yeah a full time job as husband and father. I’m pretty sure he’s going to collapse from exhaustion anytime now. He actually tried to get out of it all by getting himself in a very serious motorcycle accident last year. We feel so blessed that he was OK and his story of safety is truly a miracle. Thanks goodness for heavy Law School Books and a trusty backpack. Who knew you could slide on your back on one for 50 feet, hit a car and a median and just have some road rash.  After graduation he will be studying for the Bar this summer and hopefully finding a job! Yay! He’s a great guy and we are all glad the last 3 years in Law School will soon be behind us.

Josh will be turning 16 in May and holy cow – it.is.weird. I can’t believe I have a kid that old. He has his learners permit and even though he’s a pretty good driver, I am not a good passenger. Usually our drives end up with us in a screaming match while I threaten him that he will probably never be allowed to get his license. It’s the controlling part of me…It’s so scary to give that up. What am I going to do when he gets his license and actually leaves the house in the car…by himself? I don’t know. I can’t think about it. The good part will be that he can drive himself to his gazillion after school activities. He just finished up with the school play. Two of his good friends wrote, produced and directed it for their Senior Project at school and it turned out so well. Here are a few photos from it:

He’s also involved in Competitive Water Polo at Sierra College and is on the High School Swim Team. He just learned to play Water Polo last Fall. Never having played it before and at the beginning of the season he was moved up to Varsity. He was stoked to get a Letterman Jacket as a Sophomore.

He is also involved in a Stake Musical for church called Savior of the World. That is happening this month and we are looking forward to seeing it.

Hannah is 10 and in 5th grade – She is involved in many things as well. She was in the school play “Sleeping Beauty” last Fall and did and amazing job as Maleficent’s Raven. Her “CAW” got a big laugh every time she let it out. I think people were surprised such a loud sound came from such a little girl! She also went back to Soccer last fall and WOW. She did great. I think the girls who play soccer are so much more competitive than the boys. It’s crazy to see how determined they were. They had a great season too! She got to be a “Rigger” on the Balclutha Sailing Ship for a school overnighter. Her 5^th grade class went to the San Francisco Bay harbor and “ran the ship” for the night even hoisting their teacher Kim very high in the air using only rope and chair. They made her promise no homework for a month in order for them to let her down.  

Hannah is also taking Piano Lessons and is in a children’s choir. She has a very beautiful little voice and still loves to sing her heart out….all the time…much to her brothers chagrin.

Jackson is 6 and in first grade! How times flies. He’s in school all day and loves it. He reads extremely well and has a good time at school. He is quite the social butterfly and definitely the ladies’ man. He’s been kissed several times by girls already. On the first day of school he and a girl were holding hands and I told him he shouldn’t be doing that and he got so upset. He said he didn’t want to hurt the little girls feelings by telling her he couldn’t hold hands. Pretty suave huh. I still put the kibosh on it! He also played soccer last year for the second year in a row and loved it. He also participated in a primary talent show and did a Tahitian dance with a couple of his friends whose dad is Samoan and taught them the dance. He did pretty darn good. He’s the only kid left that will snuggle with me and I love it.

Jen I’ve been keeping busy with all of the above things therefore there is nothing for me to report! Well, I guess there are a few things. As I hope you all know and subscribe- Kel and I started a Blog and an Etsy store called Chocolates for Breakfast last year. Con and Car are honorary members also. We invite you to check them out if you haven’t yet. We like to post craft ideas, Young Women and other church ideas, Decorating ideas, Recipe’s etc. It’s pretty fun. In the Etsy store we sell some fun things. Con sells her cute quilts, and Kel and I sell Apothecary Jars and Dessert Pedestals and other misc. things. It’s been pretty fun.

Well I think that’s all for this month. It’s been pretty crazy around here but like I said I am SO happy that we can all keep in touch on a monthly basis. I’m grateful to Kel for taking the time out of her crazy busy schedule to put this together for us to enjoy.

Love to you all

Jen, Brent and the rest of the Holtry gang.

Good News from Gunnison

Our family is enjoying being back in Gunnison.  It has been a nice change to be so close to family!  You can't get much closer than having Grandpa and Grandma upstairs!  The boys have loved living with their Grandparents and getting to see them and spend time with them on a daily basis.  It helps that they have a huge backyard and a hot tub.  William is loving attending Gunnison Valley Elementary school where he is in the same class as Jet Hill.  The two of them have quickly become best friends.  Adam goes to a local preschool run by a very nice lady and her daughter.  He has visited the post office and rode a fire truck for special field trips.  He is the only boy in a class of ten girls, but doesn't seem to mind.  Jacob recently turned one.  He has just started to show an interest in walking.  He has been plagued with ear infections and so will be getting ear tubes put in, courtesy of Grandma Jackson.  Scott is doing well working at ACT where he is learning some new skills.  He hopes that he'll soon be put to work in the area of his expertise (law).  Staci is getting reacquainted with the small town life.  She has started up a playgroup in the ward and was just called to be a cub scout leader.  We are happy and grateful for our many blessings, which include, you, our wonderful family!
Scott, Staci and boys

--Read more about this cute family at their Jackson Five family blog--look for their link at the side of Jackson Chronicles blog.

A Little Look at Life in Vernal 

Hi everyone!  I am so glad we're doing this again!  I'll start by telling a little bit about what life looks like for us right now.

Stephen works nights at a boarding school.  He makes sure the kids stay in bed an not run away!  They also have him maintaining their network and computers.  So he often works in the morning, as well.  He does his best to provide for our family.  We ARE, however, very open to taking employment elsewhere.   We're out to find him some better hours.

I spend much of my time as a taxi driver, taking the children to all of their appointments and classes.  I also work on family history and visit the Temple each week.  Best.  Thing.  Ever.  This last week, I was privileged to help clean the Temple.  The ladies there told stories of how, some years, they were nervous that they would not be able to get it all done.  But that the Lord always sends help.  There was a day where a car full of ladies came from Grand Junction.  They didn't get the memo that the Temple was closed.  They were more than happy to help clean, instead.  Another day, some Japanese sisters came to the Temple to do a session, but, of course, it was closed.  They also were willing to help clean.  And it just so happened that they were all maids in Japan!  They were able to get the work done.  While I was there, one of my tasks was to clean the oxen below the baptismal font.  I felt very honored and humbled that I was able to be down there.  Climbing down that huge ladder was well worth it! 

Sarah goes to two preschools and tumbling.  Since beginning her tumbling class, she has started to speak at school and her speech has improved at home.  Two days a week, I drive her 30 miles to Vernal to our district preschool.  They use High/SCOPE and she really responds well.  On two different days, I take her to the preschool at USU, here in Roosevelt.  She loves it there, too, and is able to just enjoy herself since it so play based.  Sarah can count to 20, name her shapes and colors and is very good at sorting and classifying.  Her time on my lap at ward choir is starting to show.  She now tries to sing alto whenever we sing nursery rhymes and other songs. 

David has challenged every idea I've ever had for baby proofing.  He can climb on anything!  He's getting so big and can do all sorts of things.  He counts to three and he knows that C comes after B.  He loves his sister and loves to play in the same room. He has a cute growly laugh that I love and he makes us all happy every day.  He is incredibly good natured and I have a hard time staying mad for long.  He likes to go go go and plays hard all day, but takes fabulous two hour naps and sleeps twelve hours at night.  He is a dream child.

Love to all, Stephen, Michelle, Sarah and David

Theater Family busy and soon to be on stage

The Warenski family is alive and well. We live at the Merit Academy theater but it is good fun. Cierra just finished her basketball season as the star of her team.  Merit is really looking forward to getting her next year as she practiced with the team a couple of times and they were impressed. Nate is working hard to be
great in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. He is the lead and is doing a wonderful job. Mikaila ia working hard. Any questions about garage doors or how to program an opener? Just give her a call. She can probably set you up with a good deal if you need anything, too. And me? I just work, work, work. Thank
goodness I like what I'm doing. Anyway, all is well. Come see Joseph the end of March. Nate as lead, Cierra on stage crew and I'm the assistant director. Maybe we can get Mik there, too!
Love to all! Connie, Mik, Nate and Cierra

Serving in the Dominican Republic

Christine, John, Brad and Melissa had the opportunity to go on a humanitarian trip to the Dominican Republic in late January.  It was one of the greatest experiences we've ever had and certainly one of the most humbling.  John and Christine were able to use their Spanish speaking skills and wow all the doctors and dentists who needed translators.  We spent a total of 5 days in the D.R. and have many memories to show for it.  We went with a group of 50 people and one of the valuable lessons we learned from this was to not go visit the local temple in a 3rd world country at night. (see http://www.abc4.com/s/yPjw35jIwEWLQdm8_dmyCw.cspx#.UQbl8zonIiM.gmail).  John was able to do multiple procedures of removing lymphomas out of peoples arms and stomachs and was looked to as the senior doctor of the group.  Christine was able to see a lot of the pregnant women and little children who had parasites.  She was definitely the most approachable and patient doctor who had the tender heart to make a point to see everyone possible.  By far the greatest opportunity for me was the experience I gained.  I was able to first watch procedures and diagnoses of patients then actually perform them myself.  Melissa was a great help in the dental arena and then in the medical field for nurse duties as she dipped peoples urine and checked their blood pressures.  We spend 3 days in the city and 2 days in the mountains.  Christine and Melissa, and a few other women who went, made t-shirt dresses to hand out while we were there. Some people donated ties, white Sunday shirts, baby toys, and hygiene kits to hand out as well.  Our favorite experience was the last day when we were up at the local LDS church in an impoverished little town in the mountains.  We were able to help the local members out.  The events that occurred that day will be forever locked in my heart as I think about those people.  The Elder's quorum president took us to "his house" for lunch that day and we ate yet again the staples of the D.R., chicken and rice.  Many people commented on how beautiful his house was, which was the equivalent to the size of many houses here in the U.S. "Wow these people must be really well off if they are living here of all places in such a little dirty town where most residences are cement apartments," said the majority of our group.  Well, they left after they ate, but the president requested that my mom stick around to examine their little newborn baby so we did.  I stuck around with her for fear of what happened previously a few days earlier to other members of our group, (I would feel bad indeed if someone tried to rob my mom and instead was hounded to death by her kindness :) so Melissa and I stuck with her as the rest of the group left.  As we walked along the side of the house I conversed with the president and he motioned to the house and said, "The family that lives here should be back sometime later this week.  We just watch their house for them."  He led us to a small dilapidated shed that stood behind the house and as we stepped down the 3 small steps that led in the house we peered inside and saw his small baby and his wife sitting on the bed; a bed that filled up 3 quarters of his entire house with the other quarter being occupied by a toilet and a crib.  How touched I felt, I cannot begin to describe.  This man, his wife and child living in a shack much smaller than my little apartment kitchen just fed 50 ignorant people who would have no idea of the sacrifice he went through to host a meal of such size.  Discipleship and consecration to the Lord Jesus Christ can be found in much humbler circumstances than what we are living in.  I will always feel so grateful for the lesson a 5'3" Elder's Quorum President from the Dominican Republic taught me that day.

 March Madness

Dear Family,

March is the best month of the year!  On March 1^st Jake reminds us that this is his favorite month and it has all the best holidays…his birthday, St. Patrick’s Day and this year Easter!  Also the month that most fishing streams and reservoirs open from the long winters nap.  I look forward to March for the bit of spring peeking out from under the snow. 

We experienced a whole lot of spring while visiting St. George last month.  I now understand why some people go south for the winter.  Our visit to a warm and wonderful place was a bit of heaven when we really needed it.  Kate’s choir festival at Dixie College was amazing.  Her choir was the only children’s choir invited to sing at this festival.  All the other choirs performing were college aged kids from all over the state.  It was impressive.  Kate’s choir received a standing ovation at the end of their performance.  The only choir to receive one.  I believe it was because the college aged kids wanted to be kind and encouraging.  And it worked, the little choir beamed as they exited the stage.  Kate’s best memory…she loved playing in the swimming pool at the hotel with all her friends. 

While Kate performed and received instruction from some very important teachers and musicians, Jake and Kels found a fishing hole right in the center of town.  It was a man-made reservoir that was stocked with huge fish.  I don’t think Jake has ever caught as many fish before as he did those two glorious days.  He even ran into a few fishing buddies from his favorite spots up Spanish Fork canyon.  These buddies are snowbirds that escape the cold to their condos in St. George for the winter.  Jake’s wondering why he doesn’t have a condo in St. George.

While Kate and I were waiting for the boys to finish up at the fishing hole we had the opportunity to tour some of the historical homes in St. George.  We visited the St. George Tabernacle and its beautiful spiral staircases.  Kate stood reverently at the large tabernacle pulpit, the pulpit that all of the prophets of the church (except for Joseph Smith) stood.  We visited Brigham Young’s home and sat in the same room where the temple ordinances were revealed and written.  We walked the St. George temple grounds.  What a beautiful temple framed by the red rock cliffs of Southern Utah. That was my most favorite part of the weekend trip.

Our St. George trip was our last comfortable, lots-of-space-in-the-car drive.  We’ve traded in Lafonda (Connie’s nickname for our suburban).  The suburban served us well but was starting to eat oil as well as the $100 gas bill each week we’ve gone from enjoying lots of space to the Hamster car.   (Look for the fun commercial advertising a KIA Soul).  Jake calls it the SWAG Wagon.  It’s got all the bells and whistles in one tight little space.  We are hoping the car makes it up the snow covered mountain road that we live on.  If not we’ll be doing some daily hiking.  The gas mileage is amazing, especially compared to the Suburban.  Dad is a little concerned that the new car is not a Toyota but we still have our Camry and it’s still going strong…we hope for a long time.  Jake has become quite attached to the Camry fishing car.  Kind of reminds us of Grandpa Chatfield’s fishing car.  The trunk was always prepared with fishing gear and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Kels made a quick trip to Las Vegas last month to visit his mom.  She was having some health problems and Kels wanted to make sure (in person) that she was ok.  We appreciate Margaret and Steve’s (Kelsey’s sister and brother-in-law) kind and watchful care of mom.  She looks to be doing much better now.  One of Lois’ greatest concerns is that she be healthy enough to teach her Primary class on Sundays.  She is a GREAT Primary teacher and the kids depend and look forward to her being there.  Lucky children.

Basketball season is complete.  Kate’s team received the highest award possible from the Jr. Jazz.  They lost all of their games except for one pre-season game and when given the award said that they showed great sportsmanship--always cheerful, always positive, continually had fun and the team parents were awesome!  Our team was invited to attend the Jr. Jazz Party at the Energy Solutions Arena on March 26^th.  Lots of Jazz players and coaches will be there to party with the crowd.  A nice award for some very nice girls.  The team awarded and thanked Jake for his coaching support and encouragement with a HUGE bag of donuts.  Jake devoured the donuts and thought maybe he might try his hand at coaching again one day. 

Now we’re on to Volleyball and Baseball.  Never ends!...thank goodness.

Along with most of the seniors at Springville High School, Bianca is getting graduation fever.  We keep telling her to hang in there, finish strong…just a few short months and then it’s all over…until college! 

We love you all and look forward to hearing from all of you!

Kellie, Kels, and kids

  

FINNtastic Updates

Hello Family!

I thought we'd update you all on Finn and his progression. I can't believe it but he is going to be 1 in a month and a half, his first year of life has been quite the adventure. Last month we had a 48 hour EEG done which tests for seizures and other abnormal activity in the brain. The results came back as abnormal but they don't think he's having seizures, possibly just some brain misfires. We took him off his seizure medication and he's a lot more active because the meds made him sleepy. The doctors are still unsure what his prognosis is and there aren't really any more tests we can to except for a spinal tap and a muscle test which we may do in a couple months. We are going to Chicago to visit Noah's family at the end of this month and we are going to see a neurologist there who specializes in delayed development and epilepsy, we're crossing our fingers for some answers from her. 

As of late, his head control is getting a little better. He can hold it up for longer periods of time, it's just a little wobbly. He loves to be sitting upright now on either someones lap or on his own on the couch. He loves his solid foods, he has always been a great eater, sweet potatoes are his favorite! We are continuing with both physical therapy and visual therapy 3 times a month and that his been helping Finn a lot. Lately he has been having some stomach issues which causes him to cry a lot, we're hoping to get that figured out so he can be a bit happier. 

We love our Finny so much and we are so proud of him and the progression he's made within the last couple months. We are grateful for all your thoughts and prayers and we'll keep you updated on Finn's journey. We love you! Allyssa, Noah and Finn


Thanks to all who contributed to our March newsletter.  Deadline for April newsletter is March 31st.  Looking forward to hearing from all of you!