Sister Outing 2011!

Calling all sisters! So there have been many ideas for the sister outing this year but I think this one is the winner. First, it will be the first weekend in August (the 5 - 7) if that works for everyone. If it doesn't then tell me. So we will be camping by the coast in the Redwoods somewhere. We will drive there thursday morning and get there by early afternoon and stay til either saturday morning or afternoon and then come back. its about a 3 1/2 hour drive I believe. Anyways, it should be lots and lots of fun! If you approve please comment on your approval. If you do not approve or can think of better ideas then please let us know of them. Thank you!

Julia and Bryan were here :)

It was really fun to have Julia and Bryan come over for the weekend and a bit more. We relaxed, went to the beach, Julia was pretty much a pro surfer at Kahana, made 4 dozen chocolate chip cookies each day Julia was here, and ate them all up lickety-split. Tucker had a great time with them both and we were sad to say goodbye!

Julia was showing us how she is learning to draw model faces for her design classes. Not bad, eh?


Julia is such a great family photographer...


Can't wait to see everyone again this summer!

Recent Events

1. April General Conference

Mom, Dad, and I fit in a short utah trip to go to conference and visit Ape, the Larsens, and some mission friends.

Hna (Kathy Jo) Hanson let us use her 3 tickets she had for her family and then Elder Rose and I scalped 2 more tickets for mom and dad. We all went inside for the Sunday Morning Session!

Hna Rider, Hna Hanson, Jeff Rose, Me, Hna Greene

We went to Yogurtland with Ape, her boyfriend Andrew, and Camille! Camille entertained us with stories and Andrew talked to us about his computer job, archeology major, and usta. He's a very nice Kentuckian.

2. KT, Gio, Zeke, and Lili came during spring break!

Gio sat in on the post-game pep talk--he's not shy at all! (That's him in red.) Capital Ellie is the best and best-looking goalie ever, despite their loss that day.

3. Snowboarding with Britta and Alan

Only Al would spot a half-burried ziplock back of red vines from the ski lift and then snowboard down to find them for us. Thank Al!

Britta is already pretty much going Professional after her first time snowboarding! She did so well she even flew into the air a few times landing unpleasantly and even throwing up. She's a really good sport.

4. Yesenia

It was fun to see Yesenia at the YSA Fireside at the mormon center last week. She said she wasn't sure if it was me until I smiled and she could identify the "demartini teeth." I'm not sure what "demartini teeth" look like.

5. Yet another snow storm

One of the pine trees fell on the Taylor's house. They are all okay.

BNP Paribas Open

The Goddards, Mom, Dad, Jules, and I really enjoyed ourselves in Palm Desert watching tennis, swimming, and enjoying the resort--yes we are really spoiled. It was fun though and for $21 for the day we could all go next year watch the best tennis players in the world battle out long points and 140 mph serves! Along with McDonald's, Disneyland, and General Conference, it is just one of those happiest places.

http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/

What would it be like to be famous? I have never been in close proximity to so many famous persons before, and I kept asking myself, "What is their personal life like? Do they maybe wish they could go somewhere unnoticed for once? Are they happy?" Here are some people we saw:

Djokovic (Men Singles 2011 Champion!)

Andy Roddick

Roger Federer

Nadal

Jenna Fischer (Pam Beasley) with her husband

It was a fun time! Who's in for next year?

More similar than not

I am way overdue for a post, yet I have so much to share and I'm not sure how I could sum up the best 1.5 years of my life--in Argentina! So I will try. The things that impressed me many times on my mission were not all the cultural differences and traditions (although there are many), but all the ways that we are the same. We are all heavenly father's children looking for our way back home with him! We all want to feel loved. I love the gospel and Heavenly Father's plan for us! Sharing it with our brothers and sisters is the most important thing we can do! Anyway, here are the similarities...

The Weather

It is hot in the summer and cold in the winter, as is utah, but maybe even more so. Summer highs - 50 degrees C!; Winter - just snow. I didn't quite as enjoy working in the freezing cold. I don't like to not feel my toes.

City Traffic

This is downtown Salta capital. No lines, no rules, no police. In a way it more efficient--if there's space with maybe a few inches on each side of the car, you're good. There's no need to wait for the person in front of you.

Thunder showers--when it rains it POURS!

We walked home many times in water up to our knees but it was all good because it meant we didn't have to wash the mud off our shoes. In Palermo, Salta we were caught in the biggest and closest electric storm I have ever imagined. The lightning was right over my head and we saw "rayos" (bolts) striking demasiado cerca. A mother and daughter in the country were struck by lightning that night and killed.

Dance Parties

Jumping shots are popular all around the world

All you need is love. Everybody is looking for it.

Soccer-Tennis

Everything is some version of soccer. In the front yard, they play soccer-tennis with 2 teams and a net. Each team member may touch it once before kicking it over the net without the ball hitting the ground. A very fun game.

Not just letters, but whole words written on the mountain sides. Of course it would be religious. "God is Love"

I love Argentina and I love serving our Heavenly King by sharing the gospel with His children. Let's not focus on our differences but our similarities! Let's keep sharing the good news with all those around us!

Love you guys!! Thanks for coming out to see me!! It was very special for me; I didn't think anybody would be home.

Welcome Home Joslin

Joslin is back. She is the same Joslin and really positive about everything. She still has "half a brain" sometimes. We love you Jos and we are glad you are back!!!

Happy Late Birthday Britta!! We love you so much and glad you are part of the family :)