Sunday January 24, 2016

Dear Cass -

Good day from another snowy morning here at home. There are a few inches out there waiting to be cleared before we can go to church. Colten's already braved things in the van for mission prep. I'm happy he's been getting up a little better to go to that. It's at an early hour and I do understand.

Well - let's start with a question. I've spent a little bit of time trying to figure out flights and travel plans for us and this is where I'm at...Dad & I will meet you in Freiburg on the evening of Apr. 14. We'll probably stay in Dresden that night and do all around that area Friday and into Saturday. You mentioned the "Christmas town," do you know where that is? I'm having a hard time finding it on the map. Then move to Gera on Saturday and be there for church and whatnot on Sunday. Sunday night or Monday we'll move down to the castle area. Spend Monday night somewhere there and Tuesday night be in Salzburg. We're thinking we'll probably have to fly from Salzburg to Hamburg/Berlin as it’s about a 10 hour drive so we'd do that maybe Wednesday night? Thursday and Friday for Hamburg and Berlin. Fly home Saturday. What do you think? I feel like it’s rushed but we'll be able to see a lot?

Ok - enough of that topic. Back to missionary stuff! How's your new companion? I'm excited she's German. Will she speak with you mostly in German, or not? I'm pretty confused that you said you'll be the only Sister Training Leader in the companionship. How does that work?

Fun that you got to see Sister Garcia! And have a sleep over. And VERY exciting that you got to attend a baptism. That's really great.

Well - let me update you on my week. I'll try not to overlap a lot of what I think dad will write about.

We had no school on Monday. Nobody had anything they really wanted to do so we just stayed around home mostly. Boring, I know. River decided about half way through the day that I should just take her to Claire's. For no reason other than she was bored and wanted to spend her money. I didn't take her and she didn't speak to me for a few hours that afternoon. We had a good FHE that night where River taught about the Plan of Salvation to pass off a value experience. One extra thing for that day was that the Miser's were out of town on a cruise. It had snowed a little on Sunday and by Monday evening I had people calling me asking if they were out of town and did we think we should clear their driveway because that was a sure giveaway that they were gone. That big, long driveway with no tire marks, etc. So we went over and shoveled quite a bit and dad tried to use their razor with the snow blade on it. He got two runs done and then the rope snapped that held up the blade. Hadlie tried to help him fix it for the longest time. I didn't realize she was holding the whole thing up and she had bruises all on her legs from letting it rest on her. :( Dad finally just had to tie it up and drive it up and park it. I guess we didn't really break it, Liz says it happens all the time.

We took the Corolla in to have some work done. Dad and I dropped it off on Monday and I'm sure he'll give you the rundown of what had to be fixed. Anyway - it's been quite the week juggling everyone's schedules down one car. We're spoiled for sure.

Tuesday Colten went to Briggs's birthday party after school. He had a party with a couple of his friends and all his older boy cousins. He was in heaven. We had a pretty normal night. Colten is also participating in a dance for one of his friend's talent for Mr. Maple Mtn. so he's been gone to practices pretty much every day. That's this week and you'd better bet I'm going to watch!

Wednesday I went visiting teaching to all three of our people. That was pretty much the day.

Thursday Dad took his car to work and I needed the van so we had to take turns shuttling Colten around to where he needed to be. Because he has that anatomy class in Springville every day that made things complicated. So I mostly helped at the horses and drove around on Thursday.

Friday I spent grocery shopping.

Saturday Dad came with Hadlie and I to the horses and something crazy always happens when he's there. Yesterday the big stallion horse tried to leave his stall when Dad turned his back and the other horses were going out. Hadlie about lost her mind I think. She was so upset. Anyway - it all worked out fine and nothing bad happened though it was a little scary at first. Dad and I went on a date in the afternoon. We ate delicious steaks at Outback and then went to the movie Creed. It’s another Rocky (boxing) movie and I liked it a lot. I'll put it on your list.

And now it’s Sunday. We'll go to church and Dad and I will teach the Sunday School class that Colten's in. We didn't have enough kids to make our own class of Seniors so we just teach the 17 year old class once a month. Then we have a YSA meeting this evening and dinner at Grandma Bonnie's. So that's about it...

I hope you have a great week and remember we love you so much!!!

Love - Mom

My only picture for the week. Colt got accepted to the University of Utah!