Frozen

Hello Family!

Nothing like the last minute!  It's not midnight yet on the west coast, so it still counts, right??? :)

The title of our entry can represent a number of things in our lives right now....one being that we have been in negative or near negative temperatures most of the winter.....the other being that our girls are obsessed with the movie "Frozen", and it is sung, watched, acted out, and quoted far too often around our house!  Kate LOVES it!

Just a note about us....life moves forward as usual, busy with the everyday coming and goings.  Elli's gymnastic season has just ended, as far as competitions are concerned....we've spent many weekends driving here and there.  At the end of February we went to the annual PINK meet in Philadelphia.  Matt needed to be here for a Youth Conference, so I took the oldest two, Melinda came for fun, and we spent a girl's weekend in Phili.  We enjoyed the sites, a fun farmer's market, some great bakeries, and the pool at the hotel. :) 

Ashlan is growing up before our eyes, it's hard to believe she'll be 13 in a few months.  She recently competed in a regional science competition held at Penn State Erie, and qualified for States, which will be held at Penn State main on May 19th (just after my due date....we'll see how that works out!). :)  Her big skating show of the year is next week, and she has a competition coming up the first of May.  She is LOVING mutual, and is very excited for camp this year!

Kate is....hilarious.  Singing at the top of her lungs no matter when or where!  She just had her birthday and turned 5.  Crazy.  She's taking swimming lessons right now, and is really such a little fish.  She does a great job, and we're hoping she can be "on her own" completely by Newport.....for her fun, and ours. :)  For a reason we're not quite sure of (though we think it's because of a section of the park at Disney World), Kate has been in love with dinosaurs lately.....she will choose to watch documentaries on dinosaurs (much to Matt's delight) over almost anything else (except Frozen)!  So, the other night Matt said to her, when tucking her in bed, "bugs and kisses"......she replied, "more like dinosaurs and kisses!".  So, that's a new saying around here.

Matt and I just try to keep up!  He is incredibly busy, but that's to be expected, and we feel blessed.  His tenure package is due this summer, so he's finishing up paper's he's publishing, etc.  The Stake Presidency decided to have a Saturday night session for Ward Conferences, as you do for Stake Conference, and asked the Stake Presidency members and their wives to speak at each ward.  It's been a great experience traveling together and seeing the stake members, especially those I love so much and have missed since I was released.

Above all, my mind is on the "before baby to-do" list!  I really can't believe he's due to arrive in 6 weeks!!  I suppose the shock will wear off at some point when I'm actually holding a new little baby in my arms.  Another adventure ahead!   Words cannot express our gratitude for his health and well-being at this time, and the girls are getting more and more excited as they help fold little blue outfits.  We had another ultrasound this past week, and all looks well.  The women in the ward held a shower for me this last Thursday, which was very sweet.  Some friends in Buffalo are doing one as well on April 19th.  I am blessed with such wonderful women around me.

We love you all so much!  Thank you for your prayers in every way.  You are in ours, as well, always.

Love,
Stacie


 

California Spring

Hello,

Life is busy and I always seem to put off writing even though my intentions are good.  I will try and do better so as to heed mom's challenge of writing at least once a month.  I haven't been available to talk as often as I would like to have talked over the past few months so I suppose that it is important to take the time to share about our lives with each of you.

I think you all know that Dave and I bought a home a couple of months ago.  We actually closed on the home in mid December, but then had a little bit of work done on it so we weren't able to move in until late January.  That was ok as it would have been hard to move so close to the holidays anyway.  It is a little larger home on 1 acre.  We have gotten to a "functional" state which has made everyone feel as though we are done unpacking.  In reality, we still have boxes to unpack, pictures to hang, cupboards to line....and the list goes one.  I have decided all I can do is a little each week as life doesn't stop and has kept on plowing forward even with having to move.  Everyone is enjoying the space and they all have their own wish list for the house and the yard.  We will have to keep a running list and tackle what we can when we can.

Austin has started a program at a technical college to get his medical assistant certificate.  He has been frustrated with the job search and so decided that this would enable him to get a better job as he works his way through school.  He still says that he wants to ultimately do physical therapy so if he does he will have many years of schooling ahead.  He works a few hours a week at Sunglass Hut and continues to look for more work as his classes are at night.

Cordon just finished wrestling and is now participating on the track team.  He gets a little frustrated that his days are so long, but he enjoys being involved with the team and many of his friends are participating as well.  He still does his performing group and plans to travel to Mexico with them this summer on their summer tour.  He has done well in school and is hoping to spend a bit of time with the Gruwells this summer as he is still interested in working in Matt's lab to get experience.  With all that the Gruwells have going on this may not work out until next year, but he keeps putting the pressure on. :)  He  just had a really neat experience of being awarded a scholarship to attend a youth leadership summit at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania.  Dave and I had the opportunity to travel with him as chaperons.  I think I was more excited than any of the youth as I love history - especially American history.  The group that puts on the summit did a wonderful job.  It was well worth the trip!

Cameron is finishing up 7th grade and decided to try-out for the volley ball team.  He hadn't ever played before so he was pretty nervous.  He made it and his game improves each week!  They beat their rival team last week so he was happy.  He has also been taking tennis lessons, but is taking a break during volleyball season.  He continues with his piano and really is becoming a good pianist. He enjoys playing, but not practicing...sound familiar????  He is excited to turn 14 this summer and gets to go to EFY the same week that Cordon is going.  EFY happens to be the week after the reunion so we will be driving straight to Utah from Newport.  It sounds like others might be doing that as well so it will be fun.  Dad and mom, I hope that you don't mind continuing the reunion there in Utah???  Jenny, we will have to talk but it sounds like I may not be in Calif. when you drive through.  Dave and Austin will be here, though, so you are always welcome to stay if you want someplace to crash to break up the trip and visit with Kevin and Julie.

Cordon and Cameron and Dave all had the opportunity to participate in our stake's performance of Savior of the World last week.  They have been practicing for the last couple of months.  It was a wonderful performance.  The youth did such an amazing job.  I was very impressed.  Cordon was Samuel the Lamanite and Cameron sang in the angle choir while Dave played in the orchestra.  It will be one of those experiences that they will remember for a lifetime. I am so grateful that they had the opportunity to participate!

Katelynne wrote a little note below.  She is doing well and involved in lots of fun things.  To my disappointment she decided not continue on the gymnastics team, but still participates in tumbling at her gym.  She is taking singing and still participates in the kids' performing group.  She was asked to dance with Cameron's group (the next group up from hers) as well as her own group because someone dropped out and they don't have time to teach someone new the dances.  Because Katelynne stays each week and waits for Cameron to be done she had learned the dances and was able to step in.  She is very excited about that!  She is SO excited to be together in Newport this summer!

Speaking of Newport brings me to some business....mom called tonight and asked if I would be in charge of coordinating things for the reunion this year.  I am happy to do so.  The concern I have is that I am so involved planning girls camp and all of the end of the school year activities this time of the year that I may  not make a lot of  assignments until after girls camp is over, which is the middle of June.  If there is something that someone wants to do that needs reservations or a timely decision, please contact me as soon as you can.  I know that there have been emails going back and forth about Legoland, Disneyland, a cookbook, etc.  Can you all either post on here or email a group email with your suggestions of what you think would be fun this year?  I will then email out a list of suggestions and we will coordinate what will work the best for the most people.  We are looking forward to spending time together!

We love you all!  We are very grateful for your love, your support and your prayers. Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Cinda

 Hi everyone,

Friday I came home from a camp for school called Sly Park, it was a very fun and a neat experience. We got to rock climb, go on a night hike, eat delicious food, etc. My least favorite parts were the hike. The night hike was alright, but we had to go on a 5 mile hike which was horrible!

Also, I have started taking singing lessons, tumbling classes, and I have been having so much fun with all my activities. My mom and I have started a new favorite T.V. show called "When Calls The Heart" you may have heard of it before. It is a Hallmark series.  Well I cant wait to see you all in Newport. :-)
                                                  Love,
                                                  Katelynne

It's Another Sunny Day in St. George, Utah

Hello family! 

It's been a while since our last update, and  while it can be hard to get back in the habit, we do love hearing about all your adventures. 

The days are starting to get warmer here in sunny St. George, on Saturday Amy took the girls to the pool and they didn't want to leave. It's been in the 70s-80s, and I'm kind of dreading the next few months when it will get up to the 100s (but I guess that's the payoff for these spring pool days.)

Bella is growing like a weed, running around and keeping us on our toes. She definitely has a mind of her own, and isn't afraid to show it. She has a list of destruction in her wake, including one work laptop, various dishes, glasses, vases, toys. (when we go out to eat, we always have to ask the server for something "non-breakable"). Luckily she hasn't broken any bones. She love to talk, and we'll sometimes hear her in her bed, just gabbing away. Or sometimes she'll run up to you, and say something, completely serious, then run away. 

She also does say real words too. Her catch phrase at the moment is "Addi! Come here!" (Complete with hand gesture.) But it sounds more like, "A-E, Cm-ere." She certainly loves her sister, and wants to do whatever Addi is doing. 

Addi is your typical little kid, always asking questions and trying to be independent, which sometimes clashes with the wishes of Amy and I. This article perfectly describes what it's like getting her to go to bed, she has a million stall techniques, which includes multiple questions about the next day's activities and who she'll be playing with.

She's going to "pre-school" twice a week. (A mom co-op Amy does with several others in our ward/neighborhood) But she loves to learn and to play with her friends. Sometimes it's hard to believe how big she's gotten. She loves primary. This past Sunday she gave her first talk on reverence. (Hoping the lesson rubs off a little bit.) Here's a video Amy had me take.



(Sorry for the poor quality, you'd probably expect better from a news reporter. For some reason my phone camera wouldn't focus... weird...)


Perhaps the biggest news from down south is our move... It wasn't a huge move, but it turned into a serious ordeal. It started when the owners of the townhome we were renting informed us they'd be selling the house. It was kind of an inconvenience, but our lease was close to expiring and well within their right to do so. So, we began searching for a new place to live. Amy's top requirement was to stay in the ward. We really do love the ward, we've made some great friends and have really settled in. Luckily it worked out that a townhome just down from ours became available to rent, so last week we packed up and moved about 100 feet to the north. (I've decided it was a much harder move than when we moved from Centerville to St. George, mostly because it's harder to pack for a short distance move.) We survived anyhow, with only one visit to the ER.

On the last day in our old place, I was doing some touch up on the walls and had gotten out the paint. it was a huge 5 gallon bucket, so I poured out a little bit, and left the rest on the back patio. I began painting over some of the spackled holes, when Amy and I noticed Bella walking in, with a handful of paint and coughing up paint. (She'd snuck outside and put her hand in the bucket, then in her mouth.) Amy took her to the ER, and it turned out to be fine... but that's Bella, always getting into mischief. Just to compare the two, Addi stayed in the living room playing with her Leapster the entire time.

So, our new address is: 3155 Hidden Valley Dr. #168 (rather than #108). All the units are laid out the same, so aside from a different wall color, and some upgrades (wood floors in the kitchen, a little nicer cabinets), it's completely the same. (Which is kind of nice for the girls, not much of a transition.

Other than that, we're just going right along, Me with work at Fox 13... and Amy doing Singers Company. Amy is also using her musical abilities as the Primary Chorister in our ward... I'm in charge of the ward bulletin (program). They really know how to maximize talents.

That's all for now!

Love, The Whitneys

Addi and Bella doing their favorite morning activity... Coloring. As you can see, Bella like to really "get on top" of the work.

Amy and Bella at our "Valentine's Dinner" with the girls.

Addi and I enjoying a movie night. I believe this night it was "Tangled." But lately it's been "Frozen." Both Addi and Bella are obsessed with it. "Let it go!"

Long Time Coming!

Hello family! I am so looking forward to the revival of the blog! As I know Stacie can attest, living far from family makes me yearn for the connections that come through phone calls, texts and blog posts. I miss all of you so much!

We  are alive and doing well up here in the Great White North. We're in the midst of yet another snowstorm, but our temperatures are quite a bit warmer than they have been, so I'm not complaining. Like much of the states, we had a very frigid winter.... and uncharacteristically for here, we haven't had many chinook winds blow through. The boys have adjusted amazingly well to the cold and are just used to "gearing up" before heading out... balaclava, toques, mitts, snow socks, boots and all... even snow pants many days.

The boys are enjoying school but are very happy to currently be on spring break. Ryder has joined a swim team, which he is loving. Hudson and Cannon start swim lessons pretty soon. And Ryder and Cannon are counting down the days until baseball starts. Hudson will be playing soccer this spring, as they don't have a baseball team for his age... much to his disappointment. Hudson has been attending a "tumble" class (gymnastics), and often talks about his teacher, Miss Heather, and all he is learning. It's been so good for him to have something of his own. The older boys took ski lessons at the beginning of the year at the nearby Canada Olympic Park, and we just recently took a weekend trip to Montana where the boys had their first full ski days. They LOVED it!! We are grateful Ryder is finally embracing a "Canadian sport"... ha ha! The long days on the mountain really helped to improve their confidence, and both Ryder and Cannon are now much better than me. :)

Nixon is getting bigger by the minute. We met up with some friends last night who have a three week old, and I just can't believe how quickly the last six months have flown by. Nixon is such a happy baby and the older boys adore him!! Ryder has always said he wants a sister, until recently. He's now convinced a sister would ruin his playroom setup and destroy his legos, so he's very content having just brothers and "boy" toys. :)

Todd is doing great and really enjoying his practice. The work is growing, slowly, but surely. Up until March he had been scheduling OR time whenever needed into whatever spots were available. But now he has one full OR day a week, and I can tell he loves having those full days of surgery. Hopefully before too long we'll be adding another day per week into that. He has been working so hard in visiting with dentists and orthodontists and attending meetings around the city and province. Dad continually reminds us that it just takes time. :) We have until September to decide if we are staying put and buying in. As things stand now, it looks as though we will be here. Todd keeps in touch with the oral surgeon down in Lethbridge that just started up an office, but the timing may not work out for us there... and I'm quite enjoying Calgary and have a hard time imagining leaving.

I am managing to keep up with the boys and all of their energy... somehow. I feel like I'm just now coming out of the baby fog and am ready to rejoin life again. :) But that probably won't last very long, as I am scheduled to have a tonsillectomy on April 30 and will be down for about three weeks. :/ I'm very ready to have that all behind me!

We had such a wonderful visit to Utah last month! We loved all of the cousin time and seeing Greg, Kristin, Scott, Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Amy... plus some reunions with friends from San Francisco. The time, as always, went by way too fast. Hudson keeps asking me when we are going back to "Grandpa and Grandpa's" house. :)

We are so excited to see all of you soon in Newport!! As mentioned in my previous email, we will be hitting up Legoland that Saturday and would love anyone who wants to join us to come! I think Amy and Zach are in. I know in another email regarding whether or not to go to Disneyland, someone asked what else we should do. I agree with Amy that another beach day would be fun. It seems every time we're there, I leave wishing we had had more time at the beach. :) But I do also agree with Kristin that one year it would be great to go to Sea World!

Since we will be down there anyway and since we won't be doing Disney all together, Todd and I are thinking we'll probably stay an extra day or two after Newport to take our boys to Disneyland. If anyone is up for a Monday theme park visit, let us know!! :) I am planning to make a trek (again) of the trip and drive down to Utah before and stop there after Newport to enjoy some summer time at Mom and Dad's. I'm hoping to be able to swing by Cinda and Dave's new home on our way up through NorCal too! Cinda - call me back! :)

We love you all and hope you've had a peaceful Sunday! Let us know when any of you would like to make a visit!!! (hint, hint) I've added a bunch of recent photos below for your enjoyment. :)

Love,
Jenny

  

   

     

 

Welcome Back Family

Dear Family,
Welcome back to our blog!  I can't believe it has been six months since anything has been posted on our blog.  I know we can do better!  Life continues to be busy for us here in Utah.  Tonight for family home evening we joined Kristin and the children (while Greg attended a class) for dinner at a restaurant just down the street and then went to a wheelchair basketball game.  One of the youth in our ward organized this event for his eagle project.  There were several groups that each took turns playing against this very professional youth basketball team where each of the members was disabled and confined to a wheelchair.  Those that were not disabled had to play in wheelchairs as well.  It was fun to watch and very inspiring to observe individuals who had worked so hard to adapt to a variety of disabilities and become so proficient at what they were doing.
Spring is trying to come here in our valley....We have had some very pleasant days but now and then are surprised by a light snow storm that doesn't stay around long.  In anticipation of warmer weather, Dad and I have been looking for play equipment and furniture to use outside.
I had a great trip to CA the first of the month.  I was able to spend time with Kevin, Julie and family as well as see Cinda and Dave's new home.  I was so glad to be able to help Kevin and Julie and the kids for a few days.  Lizzy and Tyler are doing so well and busy with school, singing group, sports, etc. and Emily is so fun and entertaining.  I was constantly amazed at her vocabulary and how well she understands what we are saying and asking her to do.  I miss singing with her, taking walks and just kissing her chubby cheeks!  It was plain to see that Kevin and Julie are loved by many and we are so grateful for the members of their ward and other friends who have brought meals, offered to help with rides for the kids and many other things.
Cinda and Dave's new home is beautiful and it was fun to see how they've arranged everything.  I'm anxious for all of you to see it.  All the kids seem to be growing up so much and so fast....
This morning I went to Grandma Horne's assisted living home to see her participate in a St. Patricks Day program.  Their director was giving a presentation on the history of Ireland and their traditions.  As part of his presentation, Grandma sang the "Irish Washerwoman", a song she used to sing with three of her sisters.    She dressed up in an apron and with a towel on her head and used a large tub.  She did a great job, actions and all!  I was actually amazed she could remember all the words!
I have been attending a BYU continuing education course on the Pearl of Great Price/Old Testament on Wed. mornings.  It is similar to an institute class.  The teacher is wonderful and gives many insights from past, as well as present, presidents of the church and other general authorities.  Last week we talked about establishing Zion and what needed to take place.  After much discussion what was concluded was that each of us needs to be more concerned about preparing ourselves become what we need to become and not be so worried about what others are doing or not doing.  There was a wonderful conference talk by Elder Condie he suggested we read:  "A Mighty Change of Heart" .  I looked it up and read it and recommend it to all of you to read.  He also quoted President Hinckley:  "There is so much of bitterness in the world.  There is so  much of pain and sorrow that come of angry words.  There is so much of tears that follow disloyalty.  But there can be so  much of happiness if there is an effort to please and an overwhelming desire to make comfortable and happy one's companion. I m satisfied that if we would look for the virtues in one another and not the vices, there would be much more of happiness in the homes of our people.  There would be far less of divorce, much less of infidelity,  much less of anger and rancor and quarreling.  There would be  more of forgiveness, more of love, more of peace, more of happiness.  This is as the Lord would have it."             
President Hinckley always expressed himself so well.  His entire talk, "Living Worthy of the Girl (or Boy) You Will Someday Marry" is wonderful and one that would be good to teach to our children and our youth.
I am going to end....I will ask Dad to add a few words.  We look forward to hearing from all of you!
 Love, Mom
   
Hello everyone,
Mom's told you most of what is going on but in addition I have been serving in the Temple as a sealer 2 shifts a week, Wed. PM 3:45-10:00 and Sat. AM 5:45-11:00 or 12:00 depending on what is going on.  I have had a chance to perform 3 sealings for the living (2 licensed marriages and 1 child to parent sealing) as well, of course, as many proxy sessions.  It has been enjoyable but getting up at 4:15 AM on Saturdays is a challenge.  I had gotten use to not getting up that early since leaving Fresno so I have had to readjust again.  I am in the process of planning and installing soon some raised bed garden boxes so we can grow a garden.  It will be good and help us hopefully with our emergency preparedness.  I am going to order some seeds that are sealed in a container and supposedly good to still germinate after 20 years.  We loved having Jenny and Todd and family, and Amy and Zach and girls and Kevin and Julie come in Feb. and of course love having Scott, Kristin, Greg, Jake and Eliza close by.  We miss all of you and would love for all of you to be able to come more often and look forward to Newport this summer.  I am going to close and go out and plant some Spring flowers and then hope we don't get a significant cold spell.  A little frost won't hurt but several nights of freezing weather wouldn't help much.  I think of all of you daily and pray the blessings of our Heavenly Father to be with all of our family that we might be worthy of the sacred blessings all of us have been promised in the Temple if we honor our covenants.
      All my love, Dad and Grandpa