November 21, 2011

Grant's News

On Monday at the restuarant, they held a Veterans Eat Free Event, which made Grant's Monday very busy. He served from open until the dinner shift started and then volunteered to cover working the dish pit for the rest of the evening. It's kind of a nasty job, but also somewhat relaxing since you just chill back there, work alone, and listen to music. The rest of Grant's week was spent working on cleaning duties at work that no one has time to do, or is willing to do. All while still serving, usually as the only server in the restaurant. The weekend brought a huge slow-down to Grant's work as a result of deer hunting season starting and then a Packers game on Sunday.


News from the Lane's of Virginia

FHE we started to hang some draft-plastic on the windows. We had forgotten about some food on the stove and were particularly grateful for Julie's pregnancy super-sniffer nose because our normally over-active fire alarm did not go off and almost cause us to have an unsupervised fire. Julie had visiting teaching that morning. It was a really cool experience.

Tuesday, was a quiet night.

Wednesday, Julie had achievement days. Her girls performed some skits and commercials that they have prepared. Jeff worked extra hours. Julie had visiting teaching that morning.

Thursday, Julie went to Charlottesville with a friend. Unexpectedly, her friend ended up giving her a homemade-quilt that created a set with one Julie had already made for Alex. Jeff got some more extra hours. He wants to take off black Friday;hence, the hours. We ran into a friend at the grocery store. Julie had her visiting teachers come that morning.

Friday, Julie babysat for her friend and then we had our last birth class and then we picked up some pizza and watch "Radio" Jeff has been wanting to watch that one for a while, so he was particularly excited.

Saturday, Jeff worked half the day and then he wanted to go window shopping to pre-eye-out costs for black Friday. When we got back we decorated our tree. Julie had some more of those fun pregnancy tears that Jeff was very patient and kind through.

Today, we went to the other ward. We brought a corsage to thank Linda for the baby shower (She is the primary president and they were doing the primary program today). Afterwards, we went to the hospital we are planning on having Alex at -- to tour it. We think it is really nice. There are two rooms for each mother: the first room, the labor and delivery room is really nice. It is big and has a jacuzzi that Julie is really hoping that she will get to use. The other room is just a standard hospital room that they let you recover in,. The nice part about that is that it is a private room. We are really lucky to have such a nice hospital! Jeff's eyes nearly popped out when he saw that a simple soda was a $1.40 in their vending machines. We need to pack some snacks so we will not go broke!

News from the Haws Family of Colorado and Afganistan

This week the girls have been busy with schooland were getting ready for their Thanksgiving vacation. On Monday Kayla played with Emma,which she seems to always enjoy. On Tuesday Haley started basketball for intramurals. Wednesday I helped with reading in Haley’s class. Friday I took Haley to the doctors because she is still having stomach problems. The doctor had decided to get some blood tests and refer her to a gastroenterologist. When Haley was getting her blood test she was such a trooper and didn’t even cry when they stuck the needle in her. She thought it was awesome to see her blood go into a tube. Even though she was a trooper she still has my genes and ended up fainting towards the end. Needless to say we need to go back on Tuesday and finish the rest of the blood work which is okay with Haley because she thinks it’s cool. On Saturday I helped the girls put up the Christmas tree. I let the girls decorate it by themselves; so far it has been redecorated about 30 different times in less than 24 hours. Andy is doing well, staying busy and is doing a lot of driving mainly taking people to and from the airport.

News from the Jackson's of Albuquerque

The weeks continue to fly by with work and school. Kevin & Stacie look forward to spending some time together this upcoming week since it felt like they had little time together over the
past week. On Tuesday Kevin's college roommate, Stephen Potter, visited them as he was in town for a business meeting. They enjoyed going out to dinner with him and catching up. On Wednesday Kevin enjoyed making catapults with the webelos. On Thursday and Friday evening Stacie went visiting teaching. After her visiting teaching appointment on Friday she met up with Kevin & Nick at a bookstore to attend a book signing put on by one of the history professors from UNM.

On Saturday morning Stacie had her hair cut. It turned out much shorter than anticipated and is now shorter than Kevin's hair. In the afternoon Kevin went golfing with his friends Nick, Justin and Colleen. Afterwards several friends met up at their house for cake since it was Nick's birthday. They enjoyed spending the evening with their friends. They look forward to spending more time with their friends this week for their annual pie party and for Thanksgiving.

The Haws Family of Wisconsin

Tonight we made Thanksgiving Turkeys that listed some of our blessings on the individual feathers. Grant introduced us to that tradition last year. It has been fun. This last week we have been involved in a variety of activities. Mom, Grant and I went out shopping for new Christmas decorations for our front lawn because we cannot decorate along the rain gutters. (We are hoping for a new roof soon). Then on Saturday Logan and I set them up. I like them. There are two Christmas trees and lighted shrubs between them. We will have to send a picture. We put lights in the chicken tractor and the hens appear to have approved by giving us a bounteous number of eggs. We are all looking forward to Thanksgiving while Mom, Logan and Emily plan on taking on the Black Friday rush.

Sunday was a wonderful and sad day all in one. The Kolts family is moving out of our branch. They shared their testimonies to the branch that reinforced to me what terrific people they are. They have been like a pioneer family for the gospel in Wisconsin. We will miss them. Mom and I had the opportunity of visiting Sister Atwood, our 96 year old friend, in the hospital on Sunday along with a young lady that from our branch that was hospitalized in the pediatric unit.

Snow has started to fall in Wisconsin and I think the one can be pretty certain that it will be a white Christmas in the Upper Midwest.

Love,

Dad