First Blog EVER

Hey everyone!  We just got our computer back and saw several new things on our email and on the blog and I have decided to try to learn about communication in the digital world since I have children who are now and soon will be in faraway lands.  We heard from Josie and Jeff that they arrived safely in Hungary and are in the process of looking for an apartment and a car.  They have a blog that they started and it was fun to see some pictures from their adventure so far .  Dallin is now in Camden, New Jersey and loving the people there.  Daniel had his interview with the stake president this past week and now we wait.  Kaden just participated in a big choir festival at BYU-I this weekend and is enjoying singing with his quartet.  Faith is on the 8th grade girls basketball team which keeps her pretty busy.  Kallie and Sadie are doing well in school and piano and are starting duets together.  Remember Dutch Dance Amy?? Sadie, Lyndie, and Marlie have been home sick for several days now. We have so much snow but no one feels like sledding without cousins to do it with.  It was really fun to have Travis and Kris come for a visit and then Katie and kids came and my kids cried when it came to an end!  I think Jeff and Kimi's kids are coming this week so we'll look forward to that. For those of you who haven't heard, Jess and Derik are expecting baby #2 and we're so excited.  Grayson is doing his army crawl and has the most adorable "GOOFY" teeth (big gap on top).  Derik is finishing the drafting program at Bridgerland and than they are planning to join everyone up in Rexburg to go to school at BYU-I.  Troy has stayed very busy and we are both so thankful for this and for our dear family who prayed for us and have helped us in so many ways.  We love you all so much!  Jen

Gearing up for the Adult Reunion!

Hi All,

We're almost through January, and the cold weather has moderated somewhat.  We are supposed to have 3-5 inches of snow today.  I hope so; we sure need it.

Just a few questions for you about the reunion in June.  My original plan was to have you come the afternoon (or evening) of the 6th, which is a Thursday.  Then we could check in to our hotel (which our reunion fund is paying for) and go out to dinner (which you will probably be paying for) and go to a Tabernacle Choir Rehearsal in the old Tabernacle at 8:00 that night.  Is that okay, or would you rather come on Friday and stay through Sunday?  The bad thing about that is that whoever is tending your children would have to get them ready for and take them to church.  Amy mentioned that her kids don't get out til the 7th, but usually they only have movies etc. at the end of school, so maybe the Pedersens could still arrange to come the evening of the 6th.  Please let me know this week, so we can all put it on our calendars and I can move on with my planning!

I just noticed that Josie and Jeff posted on our blog and want to let everyone know about their blog, so because they will need some family support way over their in Hungary, let's all respond.

I stopped to see RaNae's sister yesterday and found out that she is doing quite well and they expect to take her home to the mission home this Friday!  Elder Nelson told them when he was back there to :"expect miracles."  So they have and they are having them.  Her sisters are going back to visit her in about three weeks.  Oh yes, her Dr. told them that he thinks she will have a complete recovery!

Accept Us! :)

Jeff and I (Josie) have made a blog. We "invited" a bunch of you guys--you just have to "accept" it. You should have received an email, but Jeff said that only those with a gmail account can view it...? We're not sure, but if you can't view it, here is the link. Check it out! If you do have a gmail account and haven't received an invitation, give us your email. Thanks! Love you guys.
P.S. The most recent blog is at the top, so start reading from bottom to top.
http://misterandmissesjry.blogspot.com/

Adult Reunion!

I think we've got this figured out!  We are going to have our reunion the 6th, 7th and 8th of June in Salt Lake.  Clair and I will figure out where to stay, what to do, time for visiting, eating, relaxing, etc. and we will let you know.  If you have any suggestions, complaints, changes that need to be made, please let us know, so we can accommodate you.

We have enjoyed having Kristin and Travis and family in the area for a few days, as well as Katie and kids.  Of course the cousins all want to be with the cousins, so they all are sad when play days are over and they all have to head back to school.

Jeff and Kimi are headed to Nashville next week for a landscaping conference and then a few days after they get home, they are going to California for a family vacation.

Jeff and Josie are leaving this Thurs. for Hungary.  We will be excited to hear of their adventures.

Elder Dallin has been transferred.  I haven't read yesterday's emails, so I'm not sure where he is now.

Daniel has all his paperwork turned in to the Bishop and is just awaiting his last interview with the stake president.

Hope all is well with all of you!

Love to all - Mom

The January doldrums

Well, we are getting through the cooollllldddd of January! We had a parent teacher conference day off plus Martin Luther King day, as well as Tuesday off for some unknown reason, so we took a trip to Grandma and Grandpa's! Monday Grandpa fired up the four wheeler and took the kids up on the hill to go sledding. Of course there were many articles of snow clothes forgotten (it wouldn't be a successful sledding trip if we were all outfitted properly!) and so we were rummaging through everything Grandma had, and all that I had brought. We had kids with pajama pants over jeans, and jeans over the pajama pants -- socks over tennis shoes -- my big snow pants on a little body, with a rope to snug up the waist -- my big snow boots on little feet -- Everyone had a cold, fun time! Kristin had also come up for the long weekend, and we loved being together with everyone.  Now we are headed back to life, with more fun to come in the future, I am sure.
   Hope everyone is making it happily through the January doldrums! The month of LOVE is just around the corner.

Christmas Party!

I thought I would share a few pictures from this last weeks adventure. Thank you to everyone for letting us stay at your houses, feeding us and partying with us. We already miss everyone and especially those that we didn't get to see. 
Happy New Year everyone! Torrey

How come babies grow up so fast??

Reed's Blessing Day

One of Shawn's favorite activities, following Shane around with the camera who LOVES getting his picture taken