July 5, 2015

Dear Loved Ones,

Here's the lowdown on all the family!

The Larsons have Jessica and Derik, Grayson and Isla with them, as the Atkinsons have moved from their rental house in Logan and are hoping to become home owners soon.  Josie and Jeff and Atlas were down this weekend as well, and are going to be moving this fall into a rental house of Jeff's parents.  We didn't get to see Dallin and Abbey, but I do have to tell you their latest adventure.  Dallin was out baling for Shane one day recently, when he ran over a nest of ducks.  He rescued one egg and put it between his legs to keep it warm (if I have my story straight).  He took it home and when it hatched out, they became the parents of a duckling, who followed them around the apartment.  Jen said that Abbey was holding the baby in her hands and it would slowly nod it's little head in sleep, when Dallin would yell out "baby duck!"  It would come to attention immediately, and then drift off again, only to hear his Dad's "baby duck!" again.  It is now on Old Troy Larson's farm in a rabbit cage, being watched over by two very curious cats.  Uncle Hal said he would give them two ducklings, so "baby duck" would know what he is.

Amy's talk at girl's camp went very well.  The girls came in shifts, so it wasn't just a one-time thing, but by what she told me, they got the right gal to talk to teenage girls.  Sounds like Tanner is doing well, loving his job and enjoying dating a young lady.  Whitney has less than a month before heading off to Massage Therapy School, so they are focusing on that right now.  Kalvin and Lincoln had Scout Camp this past week, and Kalvin is working on getting his driver's permit this summer.  According to Facebook, Jana had a wonderful trip to Washington D.C., but was ready to come home.  Abbie has a job as a Dental Assistant, and I think she is still doing hair.  I believe Will also has a couple of jobs and is going to school? 

The Preston Palmers are busy working and playing.  Stilman is working with Jeff's company, but has also enjoyed Youth Conference with Quincy and Walker.  He also went to Soccer Camp in Ephraim, Utah a couple of weeks ago, but is now back to work.  Quincy just got a job at Stoke's Deli, and will start July 13th.  She will be going to Girl's Camp this week.  Walker is working several jobs in his ward and neighborhood.  Speaking of Walker, he was jumping on their tramp, when it split right down the middle, so they now have a new trampoline mat and a new swimming pool!

We spent the 4th of July with the Klinglers and Nelsons in beautiful Star Valley.  The drive over and home was lovely and we enjoyed seeing where Karley and Dustin live and where Karley and McKenna work in Thayne (at a grocery store).  We enjoyed the parade and lunch in Afton.  We were also able to see Karley's horse that Dustin just bought for her.  Preston is getting so tall, and Cooper is as funny as ever.  Travis was in heaven, taking pictures of all the Star Valley beauty.  I told him to build a lodge over there and we'd hold our reunions there all the time!

Just talked to Mat who is driving home with the family from a camping trip in northern Wisconsin with some friends.  Sounds like they have had tons of fun in the water and on walks and cooking dutch oven, etc.
Livvy is working at Coldstone's and playing tennis, and I think she still volunteers at a horse ranch, helping special needs kids to ride. (?)  Liv, Lucy and Jill are all going to Girl's Camp in a week and leaving the men at home.  Lucy has a job as a "Mother's Helper," keeping little ones entertained while the Mom gets things done and just doing whatever the mom needs her to do.  (Every mother needs a Mother's Helper!)  She is also learning to golf, along with Vaughn, who is also playing baseball a couple of evenings a week.  Sounds like Jill is the taxi driver this summer.  Dad says Liv has not had one car accident this whole month!  We're looking forward to Liv coming out the end of this month to be with us on Rodeo weekend and then on up to EFY in Rexburg.  Can't wait Liv!

Travis and Lindsay were released as Bishop last weekend.  "Well done, thou good and faithful servants."  Travis took Jaren, Mason and Eliza on a 3-day backpacking trip.  I guess they made it home safely; I didn't hear otherwise. I heard (through the grapevine) that the sale on their house fell through, but the Real Estate Agent put it on the market again and it sold within two days!  I think the contractor is hoping to get them into their new home by the middle of this month.  It's sure stressful to build and get moved into a new home, so you'll be in our prayers Palmers.  We look forward to seeing that new home!

Old McFryar's also have a farm, with four 4-H sheep and a few chickens sprinkled in there with the sheep.  They also have a dog-sitting business going on (mostly for no pay).  Ben and Maddie just returned from their stake trek, which was held on the Dalling's Kilgore ranch.  They said it was a great success.  Jess has been working for Shane and learning all about changing out sprinkler heads, moving lines and tractors, etc.  He is loving his job and loving making money!  McKay and Kennedy are the babysitters, house cleaners and etc. for Mom.  Ben has some more nit-picking revisions to make on his dissertation, but is still on track for graduation in August.  The Fryars are taking a much needed vacation next week to the Oregon coast.

The Dallings have enjoyed having Shane home to do some playing and "honey-do" jobs, after getting the hay in.  Mandy said because of the mosquitos down by the river, they ended up camping over in Uncle Bill's backyard.  It was Mandy's favorite camping trip, cuz she took the baby home and got to sleep in her own bed!  Will is working with Jess for Shane and is quite the tractor driver for an 8 year old!  Shane made benches for Mandy's kitchen table and is on call for a few other projects this week!  Little Meg will celebrate her 1st birthday this month.  The kids are egging her on to walk; Mandy is not.

Shawn and Torrey are just enjoying Kanyin being potty-trained and little Maren growing fat and sassy and fun.  She has crazy hair that just doesn't quit!  Shawn built bed frames for he and Torrey's bed and a bed downstairs.  They have 6 chickens - all still alive!  Shawn can hardly wait til they start laying.  He is buying a truck tomorrow.  It has a double cab, is a 2005, with 105,000 miles, is a Dodge and is gold in color.  Not his favorite color, but who says the Palmers ever get to choose the color of their vehicle?  Sounds like they are doing well and enjoying their ward callings and being around family.

As for Clair and I, we seem to stay busy.  My favorite thing to do is visit people.  Every once in a while, I just have to make a trip up to Inkom to visit old friends.  This past month, it was Cathy Johnson (who says to tell you all hi), Karen McNabb and RaNae McKee.  We also went to see Uncle Var and Carol a couple of weeks ago, and this past week, I visited Aunt Pauline and Karen up in Thatcher.  I sometimes go to the Heritage - an Assisted Living here in Preston, and attend Relief Society and visit with Karley's grandma-in-law and others.  Everyone needs to feel remembered and loved.  I hope you all know that you are remembered and loved!

Mom/Grandma