April

Grandpa & Grandma:
Dear Family Members,I apologize for goofing up last month. I hope it doesn't happen again.
This is the last Sunday of March. Next Sunday is April Conference. I hope each of you will watch at least parts of it.
We are still in St George and will be until sometime in May. We seem to stay very busy doing our things.We didn't do our Eye screening this year. I am not sure why. Perhaps economics.
Probably the biggest event was the dedication of the Draper Temple. We look forward to going to it.
We don't have many visitors but this week-end Verna and her girls came to see us, Hal and Diana and part of their family came to see us,We enjoyed seeing them and invite others to come and see us.
The trees are blossoming. Spring is here. we turn on the television to discover most of you folks are having snow. That. of course eliminates the folks living in Arizona. They are probably envious they can't build a snow man. We all have our problems. Those members living in St George also avoid the snow. Tough luck!
School will soon be out for those attending school. Make some plans for a delightful summer.
I guess my message for all of you is to Perhaps plant a vegetable garden, try to have a savings plan, Get your food storage built up, and remember if you are prepared you won't need to fear. I remember the depression years . we struggled and made it, so can we now.(does that sound familiar?) Any way keep the good work and always remember we love you, so does your Heavenly Father. he knows what you are going through and he is there to help you along the way.
Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma








Ron & Maud Mary Family:


Brent & Melissa Family:
We are still here! I guess our biggest news is that after YEARS of working 2 jobs, Brent was able to quit his 2nd job! Yea! Not sure what we will do with Saturdays off! (the kids have many plans for him! J) I can’t remember him ever having Saturdays off! He is still working a lot M-F 12 hour shifts, but he will actually be home more then he was before, which makes us all happy! Kolby and Jordan are on spring break this week and so excited! I hope they will want to go back to school! They are VERY excited for warmer weather! The younger kids have been sick off and on for over 2 months. Just when one gets well, someone else gets sick and shares (not what I want them sharing!) with the others. It has been a vicious circle! Yet another reason we are excited for warm weather! Braden is getting tubes in his ears later this month! I hope that will help him feel better! Perci is loving being able to play outside! She is quite the little mommy, repeating everything I say, including telling Braden how to ask for a drink (we are still working on HER asking right!) but she can tell Braden how to ask! Harley is crawling and into EVERYTHING! Him and Braden are quite the trouble making pair and definitely keep me busy! He still doesn’t sleep all night, I think I have forgotten what it’s like to sleep all night! Nothing new with me, just trying to stay sane in all the crazy busyness around here! All and all we are doing OK! Busy, but happy and so thankful for a steady job and GREAT family support!






Dan & Verna Higbee Family:
The month of March was a busy month at the Higbee house. Dan had spring break and he and Robert went to California to visit his mother. We are expecting to loose our 2 year old Kaden this coming week. In his place we will be welcoming in a 4 year old. We also welcomed Cammie into our home this month. Plus, I became a legal guardian to KaRanda. All my girls are doing terrific. We have spring break coming up this week. We did go down to ST. George for a few days of shopping and enjoying life. It was really fun. I am also happy to announce that John and Liz are expecting once more. She is due at about Halloween time. That will bring my grandchildren to 11 counting Tisha and Salomon's boys. I love it!



Robert & Jamie Family:
Hello Family:
The Higbee family in Clawson, UT is doing well. Will is in baseball, he has had 2 games but due to Mother Nature they have both been moved to different dates. He is real excited because he plays Pitcher, Catcher, and Short Stop. He is very excited to be able to play in a game, that is if the weather allows him to, I keep telling him that he will have plenty of games to play. Davey is on a swimming team, Castle Dale has opened a new pool and has allowed anyone with swimming experience to join a team. He is doing really good and he is enjoying it very much. We just had a Scout Court of Honor and he has earned his First Class Rank. He will be getting his Star Rank after his 4month waiting period. And working hard to get his badges he needs to get his Life Rank 6months after that. Becca is doing very well in school and is looking forward to summer. Tristen and Ty are doing well and looking forward for summer break as well. Jamie is working hard with Taxes and Book keeping. She also is the Family History Consultant for the ward and is enjoying that calling very much. She is a very hard working full time Mom and is not looking forward to summer break. But we are all looking forward to summer to go camping and getting out in the open to play in the great out doors. Hope everything is going well for everyone else.





Brandon & Suzanne Family:
Hello Family,
March was an enjoyable month for us. We had our first family picnic in the park, baseball game (involving plastic bat and ball) and kite flying. The bad thing is the dollar kite took a dive and needed repairs. Repairs have been made and we're anxiously awaiting the next wind filled day. We visited Eric and Shannon's farm this month. Keaton had a good time playing with the kids. Brandon is considering putting in a raspberry bush. He still misses Grandma and Grandpa's raspberry bush that he would eat off of every chance he got. He feels it will be an essential item in our food supply. We are now in the last month of awaiting the arrival of our second child. We are excited and nervous that it will or not be a boy. Keaton's excitement for a baby brother is on a new high. He continues to be full of energy and we seem to be decreasing in energy. In case anyone is wondering, we will not be attending the Westover reunion this year. To end, we would like to say congrats to Chelsey on her baptism and apologize that we are not able to attend.





John, Liz and Sara:
We have been really busy for the last several weeks, thankfully, in a good way. We got back from our little cruise on on the 10th of March and it couldn't have come sooner. It was a really great time but on the last day at sea, I got sick....not sea sick.....morning sickness. So that being said, yes, we are pregnant again! I'm due October 29th and we could be more excited. I went to my first doctors appointment at the end of March when I was 10 weeks to the day. We got to hear the baby's heart beat at a strong 170 beats per minute and that was the best sound ever. An ultrasound was done to make sure on the due date and the doctor thought there might even be twins. Thankfully, only one showed up but I must say, a VERY active one. He/she was dancing around like crazy! It's the funniest thing to see. We will find out what the sex of the baby is at the end of May. I will be done with the first trimester in another week and can't wait for the lovely symptoms common to this time ease off. It will be nice to have a life again instead of staying in bed almost all day.



A lot of great things are happening with our business and it is continuing to grow by huge leaps and bounds. We have hired a few new sales reps and many are already getting several accounts and starting to make some good money. We are very grateful to have our business in this economy. We are truly blessed.



Sara is the funnest kid ever and she continues to amaze us with her creative personality everyday. She is also doing exceptionally well at school and got top marks on her last report card. Also, she was one of five students in her class to be chosen to be in an advanced reading course. We couldn't be more proud of her. She is hoping to have a baby sister and she says she will be sad if it's a boy. The only thing she is worried about is if the baby drools on her toys, she definitely doesn't want that.



If you would like a more frequent update on the Higbee family, check us out at http://www.worldofhigbee.blogspot.com/







Gary & Bev Family:


Riley & Tricia Family:
Arizona is HOT!
We just got back from visiting family in Arizona, and we had a lot of fun! If you get to go and visit, don't forget your sunscreen, the kids swam for over 3 hours and were not well protected by SPF, they are roasted, toasted and fried! They all are a bright shade of red. Chelsey has blisters on her shoulders from her burn. Us pasty white folks who haven't seen the sun on months, we were not very smart!
Anyways, we had a lot of fun visiting everyone and spending time together watching conference. What a great conference it was too!
Chelsey has started softball and is doing great so far this season (with only 1 game played!!) She is also looking forward to getting baptized this weekend, the invitation still stands if anyone is interested in coming, but I know that everyone is busy with the Easter weekend!
Corbin just started baseball practice today! Riley is coaching with our Brother in Law, it should be a lot of fun again this year.
Keegan is still sick, (see my blog for updates!) He is being heavily medicated at this point!
Kaylix, well, he grabbed my iron after I ironed my shirt and burned his entire hand. It is really bad. We visited the Dr, yet again for advice. We are taking good care of it hoping that we will not have to have skin grafts done on it.
Tricia is about ready to pull all her hair out with all the times that we have been to the Dr. the last few weeks. We have much more to come too! Riley is still working really hard and is looking forward to taking time to spend with his kids with softball and baseball season upon us!

Dwayne & Patty Family:

Hal & Diana Family:

Greetings from Richfield,I really do not have much to say this time however, last Saturday we went and bought two new Carbon Monoxide alarms. Check out Laura's blog and you will figure it out. Pretty scary what could happen. We are so grateful they had one. Kelly and Steph are moving into their own place the end of this month. Jared and Brittany have bought a home in Nephi and will move in the end of May. Jared is now working in Nephi as a Highway Patrol. Everyone in the family is doing well!

*****Correction from Last months newsletter!!!!*****

I should have said that Hal has a detached Retina not a attached Retina, dah, hopefully everyone has an attached retina!

Jeremy & Laura Family:

Not much going on with the Jeremy and Laura Jensen family. Just living life. Laura is going to San Diego in a few weeks for her sister's wedding. Then, again in May for two weeks with the kids while Jeremy is at Utah State taking a week long class. He will go to San Diego for a long Memorial Day weekend. Pretty much that is the most exciting thing happening with us. If we do anything fun in San Diego, we will report for the June newsletter. TTFN.
-Jensen Family

March Madness!!

Grandpa & Grandma:

Ron & Maud Mary:

Eric & Shannon Family:

Eric got promoted to a supervisor at work. We are really excited about that. He has also been sick and finally went to the doctor and was told he had sinusitis. I'm looking forward to him recovering finally! Everyone else is doing well! We had family come visit from Nebraska (to mourn my 30th birthday with me) and had lots of fun with them.


Dan & Verna:

Hello,
Our family is doing great! Tanya just turned 17 and is getting ready to go to the Jr. Prom. Courtney has tried out for the Emery High School Softball team, Faith and Kara are doing well in Karate. KaRanda has started playing the saxaphone and little Kaden is still a cutie. He gets to go home on the weekends now and we miss him but he is doing well. Cammie is due to come home on Friday, Mar 6. We are all excited for her to come home. Dan is struggling in school. Calculas is not his cup of tea, but he is surviving. Meantime, I am doing fine.

Brandon & Suzanne Family:

Hello Family,
Suzanne continues to trudge along in our final trimester and we are very anxious to see what our baby will be like. Keaton is excited to play peek-a-boo. We are hoping for sleep. Keaton enjoyed receiving and giving valentine's to his friends. We had a healthy December and Keaton and I were sick for January. Keaton had an ear infection and pneumonia, his fever was a high of 106. In February, we attended the Draper Temple open house with our non-member neighbors. Keaton did very well waiting, watching, riding and walking through the Temple. His friends wanted him to play with them but he did not want anything to do with them during the 2 hours. It was a nice time to answer questions from our friends and set their minds more at ease about Mormons. We still serve in the Nursery with an average of about 20 attending each Sunday. Keaton loves Sunbeams and his teachers speak highly of him. Today Keaton was asked, "What calling would you like to have when you are older?". Keaton answered, "I want to make copies in the library?" Each Sunday, Brandon makes copies for the Nursery kids to color on and Keaton helps.
Hope everyone is doing well.

Gary & Bev:

Riley & Tricia Family:

We have been crazy around our house the past few weeks. There has been a lot of sickness going through the family. Keegan was so sick with a stomach virus for almost a week that we had to take him to Primary Childrens Hospital to have IV Therapy because he was so dehydrated. He was tired of throwing up and he had started to refuse to drink anything. I held out hope of a recovery for as long as I could, but it wasn't coming and he was just getting worse. He is much better now, you would never even know he had been so sick. And everyone else in the family has seemed to have a little of this and a little of that, but we are hoping we are on the up and up!
Chelsey is turning 8 years old on Sunday. I can't believe she is that old, or I guess I am that old that I have an 8 year old! She is so excited to be baptised. She has been counting down the days. She will be baptised Easter Weekend, kind of a neat time of year to become a member of the Church! Anyone who wants to come is welcome! Let me know!
School is almost over, and while I am excited about that, I am also wondering what I am going to do to keep everyone busy this summer!


Jeremy & Britany Family:

Where did February go?! Actually, where did January go as well?! We are super busy with holidays during these first months. We have Christmas, New Years, Jer's birthday, our anniversary and Maya's birthday. Fun times, but rough on the bank account! This year we celebrated our anniversary apart because Jeremy has been working down in Yuma for the month. He comes home on the weekends so we cherish that time with him. At times it has been rough on the kids (and me!), but overall, we are surviving and just stay busy while he is gone.

For Maya's birthday we had a little get together with some family and friends. I can't believe I have a 4 year old! She is getting way too mature and blows us away with her humor everyday. Her preschool teacher loves her to pieces and is constantly telling me funny things she says.
Kenyon is still the little terror. That kid loves to tackle and wrestle. I think he needs a brother to fight with, but Jeremy insists we are "done." So we have settled on doing foster care instead. I hope an adoption comes from it, while he hopes we end up with only 2 kids for eternity.
The update on foster care is that we have all of our preliminary paperwork filled out and are just waiting to start the 10 weeks of classes. We were supposed to start several weeks ago, but with all of the budget cuts, they can't start a class unless it is completely full and they don't have enough people yet. It is all very frustrating at this point. Jer says it is a sign that we should not do it so then I told him we should just adopt a newborn instead. He decided we would wait on foster care :).

That is all (and probably more than you wanted to hear!). Hope everyone is doing well. Looking forward to seeing you all this summer!


Dwayne & Patty:

Dwayne and I went to San Francisco for Jacob's 3rd birthday. We had a great time visiting and being able to celebrate his big day with him. Jacob discovered that Grandpa Dwayne gives great horsey rides. Just wish the weather would have been a little nicer. Dwayne is staying busy with work and his church calling. I can't believe that the school year is almost over. I love my job and wish that it was year round. Anyways, I am looking forward to summer and finishing projects around the house. All the kids are doing well in their lives. I am excited though with the news that IN and OUT will finally be coming to Northern Utah. Myself and many others will be counting down till the opening of the Draper IN and OUT!!!! Also don't forget the Family reunion July 18. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.


Hal & Diana:

Well, it's the last day and almost the last hour to send something to this newsletter. For those who are wondering about Hal, he went to the Doctor today and his eye is looking great.For those who don't know what I am talking about, he had an attached retina, but because of surgery seems to be on the mend. He stills see's double sometimes but that is suppose to clear up soon. He will continue to see a Doctor every week for a while just in case.We feel very blessed that his sight is returning. We had a great time on Sunday getting together to see Parker blessed. Thank you to all of our son's and daughter-in-laws for supporting us. It was crazy but really a lot of fun.Thanks to Mom and Dad for letting us use your house.We are excited for spring and finally some warmer weather.Mom, hope you had a great birthday on Monday, we love you and appreciate all you do.

Jeremy & Laura Family:

We blessed the baby on Feb. 1st. We nearly had all the Jensen family there. We were all glad to get together one month later this past weekend for Jared and Brit blessing their baby. Family news: Paul is going to preschool once a week for an hour. He loves it. He is talking up a storm these days. Katie is sleeping through the night. Like 10 pm to 6 am. Not bad for a two month old, huh? :) We figure it's just good parenting...or just good luck! Jeremy got a scholarship to pay for his grad program. We bought a GMC Jimmy to replace the old hand me down that has been in the family for years. We are all well.


Josh & Jessica Family:

We have had a pretty quite month. Josh is getting excited to start riding his motorcycle to work. I is not that excited to see him ride it because I doesn't want to see him in the ER! This past weekend I went to Moab and played in a volleyball tournament with my friends and sisters. Josh took the kids to Richfield and he and his dad went fishing. Josh did pretty good and Hal didn't have much luck. Sunday we went to SLC for Parkers baby blessing. It was great to have everyone all together. It reminded me of how much work baby's are but also what a blessing. I am going to run in a 50 mile relay this weekend! I'm not in the greatest shape for it but am really excited. McKendry is doing great and still loving school. Today she brought home some seeds they planted in a cup and had to put it in the freezer for some reason and then told me that if her plant didn't grow that it would be my fault?? Connor is talking up a storm and pouting one up as well if he doesn't get his way. We are doing great and are getting excited for the warmer weather so we can get started working on our yard.

February Fun!

Grandpa & Grandma:
Family:
There were a few noteworthy events in our lives during January. Both of us had teeth work done to the tune of over $1500. Mine is probably done for now but Donna may require more. She'll go see our long-time dentist, David Christensen when we return to Draper in March. (This trip back will be short-- not for the summer.)

Another special event was a short visit to St George by Arlo (Donna's brother). He came to visit for a few days--read 4. He wanted to visit last December but didn't until January. We kept him on the run for two days and I'm sure he was happy to return home for rest.

Last Sunday was our Stake Conference. We didn't have any visits from General Authorities and the proceedings were fairly standard.

The previous Sunday I volunteered to close up the ward building each night at 10:00 pm starting the first of February for the whole month. I suppose you could say I'm the "night-marshal" of the Morningside 2nd Ward building. I use the term "night-marshal" on purpose because of my dad. Did you know that my dad was the "night-marshal" of Bude for a short time when he lived there? You might say he was the Matt Dillon or Chester of Franklin County. Also did you know that his cronies called him "Dough". I don't know why the nickname "Dough" because he didn't have a pot belly. He was a smoker at the time which killed his appetite so he was thin. Thought you might like to know these little gems of history. Back to the closing of our building at 10:00-- Last night the "Young Men" and their leaders were still in the building at closing time and wanted to continue their basketball game till 11:00. They were from another ward in the Stake and attended a different building. Did I kick them out of our building at 10:00 so I could lockup?What would you have done?

Love to all especially at this Valentine Season.
Mom & Dad


Ron & Maud Mary family:
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!
We are all wishing for spring and summer about right now. We have had enough of the cold. Only 1 1/2 more months until spring.
Otherwise everything is going great.
Not much change for any of us.
We are all still alive and kicking.

Brent, Melissa and kids,

Not too much new going on here! It seems we are settling into chaos which has become normal for us! Kolby is enjoying scouts and anxious to go in to the Bears. Jordan is loving school and reading! He wants to read everything he can get his hands on! They both just started Swimming lessons and are SO EXCITED! Perci will go in later this week and get tubes in her ears. She is doing pretty good, she’s a little mommy to all the kids, even her big brothers which they don’t always appreciate! Braden is almost 18 months and will be going into nursery! He climbs on EVERYTHING and thinks he is just as big as the big kids and he can do whatever they do. He seems to have a sense for when the front door is cracked open because it takes him about two seconds to get out the door (no matter how he is dressed!) Harley is REALLY close to crawling, he scoots really well and is starting to push himself up to sitting on his own. He’s such a happy fun little guy! Brent is still working like crazy! We feel very fortunate that things are going well with his job, scary times right now! We are blessed! We were just released from Cub Scouts, I miss it already, bit it is nice not having the stress of it! Life is good!

Eric & Shannon family:
The Eric Wilkinson family is doing well. Eric has enjoyed being a "horse" (according to Dal-lin) -- he pulled the kids on a sled while we went snow shoeing. Emma is learning how to read and Dallin wants to learn all the ABC's now,too. Liz is a little monkey -- she climbs everything she can. She is also memorizing all the fun rhymes and songs like 5 little monkeys, loves stories, and to play. We have borrowed the neighbors male sheep to mate with our females -- hopefully the kids don't notice any of the action. . . Meanwhile I am in the final trimester and look forward to being done and having a new little girl to add to the crew!


Dan & Verna family:



Gary & Bev family:

January has been a good month. Bev celebrated another birthday. We won't talk about how old, but it was a great day. We have bought a new house. I know everyone has had to start a new page in your address books for all our addresses, but this change will be easy. The phone number will be the same 480-832-1391, address is 3603 N. Boulder Canyon Mesa AZ 85207. We will be moving in on the 7th of Feb. We are excited to move again. We didn't come to Utah for the Super Bowl this year. So we had our own party. With Kellen, Camille, & Livy, Britany, Jeremy, Maya, & Kenyon. Maya turned 4 years old on Feb 3. My how fast time has gone. It is so great to have 7 wonderful grandkids. Our new house is a little bigger to accommodate all of us.


Dwayne & Patty family:

Nothing exciting since the last newsletter. Jacob ( Ben and Alissa's son) will celebrate his 3rd birthday on the 20th.I can't believe that he is 3. He loves to talk to Grandma Patty and Grandpa Dwayne. Everyone else is doing fine.

**The date for the family reunion has been changed. The new date is July 18 from 5:30 to 9:00 pm. It will be at the same place SunRidge Park in Layton.
We will be sending out sign ups later.


Hal & Diana family:

Josh & Jessica Family:

We had a pretty good January. Connor is growing like a weed and talking so much more and getting into so much more. Kendry is still loving preschool and her favorite thing to do is call Josh on his cell phone because we taught her the number. Josh just got called to be the first counselor in the Elders quorum. He also got a turkey tag so he is getting excited for that hunt. Young Women's is going good and we are just busy with activites and getting ready for New Beginnings on Feb 22. We had the chance to go to Katie's baby blessing this past week. She is so adorable. It was great to see Parker as well. I love that we have two babies in the family cause when we get together there is enough baby to go around! Well we hope everyone's Feb. is a good one!