Well, around our house, Laralyn’s wedding has been the focus for a long time. Yesterday was the big event and we are glad that everything went as well as it did. We want to thank all of your for your support, generosity and help. Thanks Mom for the wedding shower you put on for Laralyn. She went through the temple on Tuesday and that was a wonderful experience. Wednesday was spent setting up for the reception and a lot of last minute preparations. Thursday started off by driving Laralyn down to Kyle and Sarah’s so Sarah could put her hair up. Thank you Sarah, it looked great. The ceremony was wonderful and we want to thank everyone who was able to join us. Randy’s family put on a wedding lunch at Gardner Village which was just for immediate family members. It was nice to get acquainted with Rodney’s brothers and sisters. We were happy with the way everything worked out at the reception. Laurie worked hard for many weeks getting everything organized and it all came together very well. We appreciated everyone that came to celebrate with Laralyn and Rodney. We wish that people had eaten more food. We ended up with a lot of extra food which Laurie has been busy trying to give away today. Our house is now full of wedding presents. The newly weds are due back on Monday evening and then maybe we can empty out our house of wedding stuff. They went to Kanab for their honeymoon. I must say being involved in this wedding has brought back a lot of memories of when Laurie and I got married. I don’t think I ever had a clue of how much my parents and Laurie’s parents went through to pull off our wedding. It is definitely not an easy process. We are very happy for Laralyn and Rodney and proud of them for getting married the right way in the right place. Rodney is a great guy and we are happy for the addition he is to our family. Laralyn has been a wonderful daughter to raise and we are very grateful for the good example she has set for her younger brothers and sisters. We wish you all a great month of March, what’s left of it, and want to say again thanks for all your help and support. We love you all.
Darrell, Laurie and kids.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
February Newsletter
Dear Family,
I hope MaryAnn and Michelle both had wonderful birthdays. I know I did. Thanks Mom and Dad for the great birthday dinner. January and what we have seen of February have been full of shoveling snow. I don’t know about the rest of you, but we have mountains of snow piled up around our driveway. Today is sunny and I think the forecast is for warmer weather. I just hope it doesn’t get too warm too fast to cause flooding. I am sure you have all felt as we have the loss of our beloved prophet president Hinkley. I have been impressed with the expressions of love and affection from those who are not of our faith from around the world. He was truly a wonderful ambassador for the Lord’s church. I couldn’t help but feel grateful that he was blessed to not have to suffer a long drawn out period of poor health. It seemed as though he was able to carry out his work up to almost the last days of his life. His whole life has been a testimony of the promise made in the oath and covenant of the priesthood, “are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies”. Laurie and I enjoyed the World Wide Leadership meeting held for all adults yesterday. It is good to know that the Lord’s pattern is set and won’t change with every wind of change in today’s storm of values and philosophies. For an update on the activities around our house, wedding plans pretty well fill the air most of the time and consume most of Laurie’s time. Laralyn and Rodney were able to start moving stuff into their new apartment yesterday. I believe Rodney is going to be living there until they get married. Our house was getting filled with shower gifts and Laralyn’s stuff. Now it is just full of reception stuff. Bethany has a new job, and a pretty good one at that. She works at the new Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. She works in central processing cleaning the surgery instruments. It is full time work and includes full benefits. Austin’s 16th birthday is coming soon and he thinks that is pretty cool. Macall started working at the local elementary school as a sweeper like her older brother and sisters all did. Bryce and Shane weathered the Klondike Winter Camp up at Jordanell State Park along with their dad a few weeks ago. It was cold and there was a lot of snow. Putting up spring bar tents in 8-10 feet of snow became quite a trick. Dave let us have his club 100 tickets to the Jazz versus the Bulls basketball game last night. We had a great time. What a fantastic experience it was to get to go to the dinner before the game and then sit 3 rows up from the floor. It was one of those once in a lifetime opportunities and a lot of fun. Thanks Dave. Miranda and Mollie have enjoyed getting a bunch of their big sister’s (Laralyn’s) fun hand-me-downs as she is sorting through her stuff. Until next month, we wish you all a healthy safe and wonderful time.
Darrell, Laurie and kids.
I hope MaryAnn and Michelle both had wonderful birthdays. I know I did. Thanks Mom and Dad for the great birthday dinner. January and what we have seen of February have been full of shoveling snow. I don’t know about the rest of you, but we have mountains of snow piled up around our driveway. Today is sunny and I think the forecast is for warmer weather. I just hope it doesn’t get too warm too fast to cause flooding. I am sure you have all felt as we have the loss of our beloved prophet president Hinkley. I have been impressed with the expressions of love and affection from those who are not of our faith from around the world. He was truly a wonderful ambassador for the Lord’s church. I couldn’t help but feel grateful that he was blessed to not have to suffer a long drawn out period of poor health. It seemed as though he was able to carry out his work up to almost the last days of his life. His whole life has been a testimony of the promise made in the oath and covenant of the priesthood, “are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies”. Laurie and I enjoyed the World Wide Leadership meeting held for all adults yesterday. It is good to know that the Lord’s pattern is set and won’t change with every wind of change in today’s storm of values and philosophies. For an update on the activities around our house, wedding plans pretty well fill the air most of the time and consume most of Laurie’s time. Laralyn and Rodney were able to start moving stuff into their new apartment yesterday. I believe Rodney is going to be living there until they get married. Our house was getting filled with shower gifts and Laralyn’s stuff. Now it is just full of reception stuff. Bethany has a new job, and a pretty good one at that. She works at the new Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. She works in central processing cleaning the surgery instruments. It is full time work and includes full benefits. Austin’s 16th birthday is coming soon and he thinks that is pretty cool. Macall started working at the local elementary school as a sweeper like her older brother and sisters all did. Bryce and Shane weathered the Klondike Winter Camp up at Jordanell State Park along with their dad a few weeks ago. It was cold and there was a lot of snow. Putting up spring bar tents in 8-10 feet of snow became quite a trick. Dave let us have his club 100 tickets to the Jazz versus the Bulls basketball game last night. We had a great time. What a fantastic experience it was to get to go to the dinner before the game and then sit 3 rows up from the floor. It was one of those once in a lifetime opportunities and a lot of fun. Thanks Dave. Miranda and Mollie have enjoyed getting a bunch of their big sister’s (Laralyn’s) fun hand-me-downs as she is sorting through her stuff. Until next month, we wish you all a healthy safe and wonderful time.
Darrell, Laurie and kids.
Monday, January 7, 2008
January Newsletter
Dear Family,
December was quite an eventful month for our family. Most of you met the reason at the Christmas party. His name is Rodney Smith. He is marrying our daughter Laralyn. They were good friends during high school; however, they didn’t date before he went on his mission to New Jersey. He returned in October, and it didn’t take them long to get engaged. Their wedding plans are: Date-March 13th; Place-Timpanogus Temple; Reception Place-to be decided; and Colors-pink, green and brown. Laralyn has already bought her dress, which is very beautiful.
I must say, it came as quite a surprise when I received a call at work from this recently returned missionary, who had been seeing a lot of Laralyn for the past few weeks, when he said he wanted to meet with me. I figured that could only mean one thing, but so soon? After agreeing to meet with him, I called Laralyn and said, “You better start talking!” She said they loved each other and wanted to get married. Laurie and I met with him a few nights later. He really is a very fine young man and there is nothing about him that is not to like. He is very respectful, kind, and loves Laralyn very much. He would have to, she can be a pretty big handful. Anyway, we are very excited for them both and wish them our very best as they prepare to start their lives together.
It was cute when they came over to talk to the kids about their getting married and Laralyn started the “Send a Whisper Around the Room” game. She whispered “Laralyn and Rodney are getting married” to Mollie. She then whispered it to the person next to her. Well, none of the kids believed that what they were hearing was what Laralyn actually said to Mollie. When it came back the same as it had left, and Laralyn confirmed that it was true, it still took some of the kids a while to let it sink in. Macall was hyperventilating and after about 5 minutes, Bryce asked, “So are you really getting married?” Anyway, it was cute.
Our Holidays were great, except for a little stomach flu. Of course, as usual, Laurie did all the work getting ready for Christmas and I just got to enjoy being home. She really does spoil me. Both Bethany and Laralyn were at home, so we had all 8 kids again for a few weeks. It was probably the last time our kids will all be single and at home together. Bethany started back at Utah State today. Laralyn just got a job today at Rise, a program that works with kids with disabilities. A few weeks ago, I got to go with Dave to see his cabin. That was a lot of fun. We wish you all a very Happy New Year!
Darrell, Laurie and kids
December was quite an eventful month for our family. Most of you met the reason at the Christmas party. His name is Rodney Smith. He is marrying our daughter Laralyn. They were good friends during high school; however, they didn’t date before he went on his mission to New Jersey. He returned in October, and it didn’t take them long to get engaged. Their wedding plans are: Date-March 13th; Place-Timpanogus Temple; Reception Place-to be decided; and Colors-pink, green and brown. Laralyn has already bought her dress, which is very beautiful.
I must say, it came as quite a surprise when I received a call at work from this recently returned missionary, who had been seeing a lot of Laralyn for the past few weeks, when he said he wanted to meet with me. I figured that could only mean one thing, but so soon? After agreeing to meet with him, I called Laralyn and said, “You better start talking!” She said they loved each other and wanted to get married. Laurie and I met with him a few nights later. He really is a very fine young man and there is nothing about him that is not to like. He is very respectful, kind, and loves Laralyn very much. He would have to, she can be a pretty big handful. Anyway, we are very excited for them both and wish them our very best as they prepare to start their lives together.
It was cute when they came over to talk to the kids about their getting married and Laralyn started the “Send a Whisper Around the Room” game. She whispered “Laralyn and Rodney are getting married” to Mollie. She then whispered it to the person next to her. Well, none of the kids believed that what they were hearing was what Laralyn actually said to Mollie. When it came back the same as it had left, and Laralyn confirmed that it was true, it still took some of the kids a while to let it sink in. Macall was hyperventilating and after about 5 minutes, Bryce asked, “So are you really getting married?” Anyway, it was cute.
Our Holidays were great, except for a little stomach flu. Of course, as usual, Laurie did all the work getting ready for Christmas and I just got to enjoy being home. She really does spoil me. Both Bethany and Laralyn were at home, so we had all 8 kids again for a few weeks. It was probably the last time our kids will all be single and at home together. Bethany started back at Utah State today. Laralyn just got a job today at Rise, a program that works with kids with disabilities. A few weeks ago, I got to go with Dave to see his cabin. That was a lot of fun. We wish you all a very Happy New Year!
Darrell, Laurie and kids
Sunday, December 2, 2007
December Entry
Merry Christmas and Winter Wonderland. What better way to get in spirit of Christmas than a good hard winter storm. November may have been fall, but December sure blew in with a winter storm. Yesterday was December 1st and it snowed most of the day. We probably got 5-6 inches of snow. The kids couldn't wait to get outside and play in the snow. They built, while it was still snowing, an 8 foot snowman in the back yard. Definitely the largest snowman I have ever seen. The bottom ball had to be at least 4 feet in diameter. I don't know how long it will stay standing, when we got home from church today, it was leaning at about a 20% angle.
Last night, the whole family, we rarely do anything as a whole family, went to the BYU folkdancers Christmas Around the World. It was very well done. Boy, there are some very talented kids down at the Y. We went because Laurie's nephew and the kid's cousin, Collin Slade, was one of the dancers in it. It was a lot of fun and it was a great way to get in the spirit of Christmas. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We enjoyed it at home with Laurie's sister, Lani, and her family joining us from Sheridan, Wyoming. It was fun to see them and spend some time together. Bethany came down from Logan and Laralyn was back and forth all weekend from Provo. Laralyn has a new job working for a telephone surveying company. It seems like in all her jobs she winds up on the phone a lot. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Darrell, Laurie and kids
Last night, the whole family, we rarely do anything as a whole family, went to the BYU folkdancers Christmas Around the World. It was very well done. Boy, there are some very talented kids down at the Y. We went because Laurie's nephew and the kid's cousin, Collin Slade, was one of the dancers in it. It was a lot of fun and it was a great way to get in the spirit of Christmas. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We enjoyed it at home with Laurie's sister, Lani, and her family joining us from Sheridan, Wyoming. It was fun to see them and spend some time together. Bethany came down from Logan and Laralyn was back and forth all weekend from Provo. Laralyn has a new job working for a telephone surveying company. It seems like in all her jobs she winds up on the phone a lot. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Darrell, Laurie and kids
Sunday, November 4, 2007
November Newsletter
I hope everyone got through October ok. We did, Halloween and all. We had a chance to attend the Regional Conference a few weeks ago down at the conference center and enjoyed the spirit of being in the same room as the prophet. His council to couples to have a successful marriage was wonderful. His 4 points, for those that weren't there, were 1) Mutual Respect, 2) Soft Answer, 3) Financial Honesty, and 4) Family Prayer.
For an update of things around here, there isn't anything of tremendous note that I can think of. Four of the kids started back taking piano lessons and they have a recital this next week for which they have been preparing. Macall enjoys playing beautiful music, and Shane has really picked up playing the piano very quickly. They all enjoy their new teacher who they say if very nice.
I was reminded this past week of how very little many people know of what LDS people really believe. We have a new sales person working for my company who lives in the Denver area. Since joining our company she has expressed a great deal of interest in learning about the "Mormons". She often asks us various questions about our church. She even asked for a Book of Mormon to read. Well, this past week as I was in Denver working with her, she was reluctant to ask a question, but she finally got it out. She had heard about polygamy and the church and wanted to know what the truth was. Of course it gave me the opportunity to let her know that we no longer practice polygamy. I am sure that there are a lot of people around the world who think we still do.
A few weeks ago, we had Sarah take some picture of our family. They turned out very well and I must say I was very impressed. If anyone in the family is looking to have their family portraits taken we have a very talented photographer right here in the family. Thanks Sarah for doing such a great job.
We love you all and wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Darrell, Laurie and the kids.
For an update of things around here, there isn't anything of tremendous note that I can think of. Four of the kids started back taking piano lessons and they have a recital this next week for which they have been preparing. Macall enjoys playing beautiful music, and Shane has really picked up playing the piano very quickly. They all enjoy their new teacher who they say if very nice.
I was reminded this past week of how very little many people know of what LDS people really believe. We have a new sales person working for my company who lives in the Denver area. Since joining our company she has expressed a great deal of interest in learning about the "Mormons". She often asks us various questions about our church. She even asked for a Book of Mormon to read. Well, this past week as I was in Denver working with her, she was reluctant to ask a question, but she finally got it out. She had heard about polygamy and the church and wanted to know what the truth was. Of course it gave me the opportunity to let her know that we no longer practice polygamy. I am sure that there are a lot of people around the world who think we still do.
A few weeks ago, we had Sarah take some picture of our family. They turned out very well and I must say I was very impressed. If anyone in the family is looking to have their family portraits taken we have a very talented photographer right here in the family. Thanks Sarah for doing such a great job.
We love you all and wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Darrell, Laurie and the kids.
Monday, October 8, 2007
October Newsletter Entry
I felt bad after reminding everyone last night at the talent show to write their monthly newsletter knowing that I had not written mine either. So I guess I had better write something before any grass grows under me. We send our congratulations and love to Denise and Jonathan on their new little Elizabeth. After a very rocky start to life, we were glad to hear last night that she would be coming home soon. We took our whole family to the park and Sarah took pictures of everyone. It doesn’t seem that long ago when we did the same thing up the canyon in the fall amongst all the fall colors. But wow, have they all grown up in last 4 years. Bethany is now taller than Laralyn, Macall has almost passed up Bethany and Austin has passed up them all, and will probably soon be taller than me. Of course they all passed up their mom a long time ago. Soon she will be the shortest one in the family. But of course that is only in height. She has us all beat in spiritual height. The other day, our home teacher, who was recently called as our Bishop, Bishop Dave Davis, came over to home teach us. He took a moment to complement and thank Laurie for a very impactful visit she had recently made to a past member of our ward, Donna. He had recently gone to visit her and she commented to him about Laurie’s visit to her a few days earlier. Although our ward recently spent thousands of hours helping her move, she has been very bitter about some things, both towards the church (she is a recent convert), and the ward members. She was expressing her regrets for the way she had been so awful towards Laurie during her visit to her, and yet Laurie responded in a very Christ like loving way, and because of her response to her awfulness her heart was touched and she realized how unkind she had been and what Christianity is all about. The Bishop took the time to thank Laurie for her kindness towards Donna. Now Laurie isn’t going to like that I wrote this in the newsletter, but oh well, call it payback for the Donna story she wrote about me a couple months ago. We look forward to the upcoming holidays and wish you all a wonderful October.
Love Darrell, Laurie and the kids.
Love Darrell, Laurie and the kids.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Darrell's September newsletter entry
Dear Family,
August was a rather unusual month for our family. Laurie started it off by taking off to see her sister who just moved to Wyoming. She was gone for a few days. That is the first time she has ever taken off on her own like that. When she got back, she and Laralyn flew to southern California to take care of Laurie’s mother. Laurie was gone for about a week and a half. Laralyn came home a little sooner than that. I took those days off work and we had a family vacation with those who stayed home. We just made small trips to fun places here in the Salt Lake area. That is the first time we have done that. We also spent a lot of time replacing the back patio during that week and a half. As soon as Laurie got back we took Bethany up to Logan to go to school at Utah State. That was Bethany’s first time to move out of the home, and our first to go to school at Utah State. Then Laralyn moved back down to Provo to go to BYU. That wasn’t a first. The kids all started school and for the kids in elementary school they are going to the school near our home which is a first in about 10 years. Laurie doesn’t have to drive kids back and forth to Willow Creek every day. That is a very welcome first. The local school finally changed to a traditional schedule. This is Austin’s first year in High School. This is Bryce’s first year in Middle School. He has decided to play the tuba. What a monster of an instrument. I just opened up a new office outside of Utah. That is a first for my company. We are expanding into the Denver, Colorado area. So as you can see we have had a lot of first this past month. Definitely, it was not a usual month at our home. We are all doing pretty well and everyone seems pretty healthy. We send our love to all of you and hope you can enjoy the beautiful fall colors soon to be upon us.
August was a rather unusual month for our family. Laurie started it off by taking off to see her sister who just moved to Wyoming. She was gone for a few days. That is the first time she has ever taken off on her own like that. When she got back, she and Laralyn flew to southern California to take care of Laurie’s mother. Laurie was gone for about a week and a half. Laralyn came home a little sooner than that. I took those days off work and we had a family vacation with those who stayed home. We just made small trips to fun places here in the Salt Lake area. That is the first time we have done that. We also spent a lot of time replacing the back patio during that week and a half. As soon as Laurie got back we took Bethany up to Logan to go to school at Utah State. That was Bethany’s first time to move out of the home, and our first to go to school at Utah State. Then Laralyn moved back down to Provo to go to BYU. That wasn’t a first. The kids all started school and for the kids in elementary school they are going to the school near our home which is a first in about 10 years. Laurie doesn’t have to drive kids back and forth to Willow Creek every day. That is a very welcome first. The local school finally changed to a traditional schedule. This is Austin’s first year in High School. This is Bryce’s first year in Middle School. He has decided to play the tuba. What a monster of an instrument. I just opened up a new office outside of Utah. That is a first for my company. We are expanding into the Denver, Colorado area. So as you can see we have had a lot of first this past month. Definitely, it was not a usual month at our home. We are all doing pretty well and everyone seems pretty healthy. We send our love to all of you and hope you can enjoy the beautiful fall colors soon to be upon us.
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