With All Our Love!

Dear Tanner,

I tried to log into your LDSmail account to see if you were able to view last week's letter after your preparation day, but couldn't. I don't think I'm using the write user name, or you changed your password. Were you able? (Now I'm afraid not to write on Sunday!)

I also checked your BYU account and saw that you were awarded a BYU scholarship? Congratulations! Not sure if it's semester by semester, but we'll take it!

Clint asked Hunter if he wanted to do a Tough Mudder run in the fall in Utah. Hunter wanted to know if you are in ;-) Hunter also was invited to play in his golf scramble. Speaking of Hunter, he had been asked to teach the Elder's quorum today in church, on family history. He and I had spoken about some of our family stories. When he was told it would be a combined high priest, elders quorum, relief society meeting, he was a little nervous, and asked me to share the stories. He did a fabulous job! He was very encouraging of others to share ;-) and they loved him because of this.

Dad left Thursday morning on a house hunting trip in Texas, with his trusty sidekicks Porter and Cooper. He rented a car so he didn't have to worry about any car problems, and got to work early Friday morning. We've already sent you a few pictures of the house...Dad will have a few more when he returns, which will be fun to see. We feel very blessed we could find one (hopefully) within our budget without too much difficulty. He went with a list of five, and picked one we knew about but wasn't on our list. What you think you see on the computer and what you actually see are VERY different! Never buy unseen! And the one we bought is SO much nicer in all ways than what we thought. They are still there. They have enjoyed their time there, Today is your father's birthday, and the first spent in Texas this year ;-) Evan graduated from paratrooper school this week, and after your aunt visited him, was able to bring him home so there was a full house! While attending the church in Tyler, he saw on their board that there was a missionary serving in your mission since March, an Elder Colton Price...probably arrived in Londrina this month? Anyway, your father wanted you to know!

Your brother Porter got his braces off. He commented that you had never seen him in braces! I have yet to get a picture, but I will! Cooper loved your birthday message. He's been celebrating turning 14 here and there...asked for a machete for his birthday present. $8 at Walmart with an adult i.d. He loves that thing. He's cut up the father's day cake, a watermelon, and ice cream, weeds, bushes and the field. He's a man on a machete mission.

 Mrs. Shiner is back for the summer, decided not to retire in VA. I ran into her on a bike ride, and offered Hunter and the van to help her get her belongings back to OH. He'll be making the trip on Tuesday. She called me tonight and invited me to come over tomorrow and make gooseberry jam, after she invited the sister missionaries.

Most of the week we spent sorting and packing, doing small jobs and regular household stuff. Your siblings keep me busy! Sawyer and Miller had practice for their teams most of the week. I usually go down in the evening and sit to watch. It's a fun time I set aside for myself to enjoy the beautiful evenings, your brothers playing baseball, sometimes Breyer, sometimes a book. This week Sawyer was rotating through short stop, and had a hard hit in his direction. He ran, leaped, twisted, and caught the ball, which pulled him to the ground. It was spectacular. I gave a good honk from the parking lot, and the coach made everyone go over and give him a high five. Miller's all star tournament week started Saturday and goes through next week. They won their first game. He loves baseball!

We were reading the story of David and Goliath this week. When everyone wondered why he was on the battlefield, and their anger kindled against him, he said, "Is there not a cause?" You have a great cause, and are using those "five smooth stones" in your bag to fight the good fight, and do so "in the name of the Lord." We love you, and are so thankful you're slingin' the stones.

Mom and Dad