Words for the Wingmen

Dear Family!

After a few weeks of letter-writing hiatus, I return. Which, according to our sacrament meeting speaker, is pronounced 'VEN-DAH" in Swedish. #funfact

What's new, you ask?

Well, AnneMarie and Baby _____ are coming along beautifully. Both are healthy and glowing and growing. Each night, like clockwork, when AnneMarie lies down to sleep, Baby _____ begins her stretches and I get to feel them. Sometimes, to the chagrin of her mother and joy of her father, she even throughs in a double back with a half-twist. #soproud Talking with Uncle Zach today we decided that the biggest mystery will be what color hair she will have...Stay tuned.

Last Friday through Wednesday morning we enjoyed a trip down to Las Vegas for AnneMarie's cousin Charis' wedding. It was a splendid affair and we love Charis and her new husband Jared a lot. They endeared themselves to us even more by having a taco truck for the wedding dinner the night before and ceviche for the wedding lunch. And we had a safe and uneventful trip in both directions, made the more comfortable by our new Camry which cruised the highway in ease.

We also enjoyed AnneMarie's dad in The Man of La Mancha, where he starred as Captain of the Prison Guard and the Gypsy King. It was a great production, Don Quixote killed his musical numbers and we ate Raising Cane's chicken fingers, homemade cookies, and fresh fruit until we almost popped. All in the scenic Sierra Nevadas.

Thursday was a date night extraordinaire! I left work a tad early so we could make our 4:40 pm tickets for the MTC open house which was unbelievable. We toured the old and new MTC which was a new experience for both of us and such a special experience at that. One of the best parts was walking through the MTC cafeteria where young men chowed through 2-3 meals at a time. Seriously, one guy had a full three-course meal on his tray. Porter, hope you're loving the food as much down there!

The grounds of the MTC were my favorite part and it brought me back to many hours spent studying and preparing lessons as a missionary in the Brazilian MTC. The new MTC buildings are nothing if not spectacular. They have high ceilings, luxurious classrooms, and interiors that would give any brand new, chic hotel a run for its design money. Tons of natural light, inspiring quotes on all the walls, and even quiet church music playing in the foyers. Loved it. AnneMarie and I may be about to welcome our first child to the family, but we're already looking forward to the day when we can join the ranks of missionaries and thrust in our sickles.

After the MTC, we visited the nearby farmer's market where Matt and Jessica we're performing. It was a beautiful evening and a fun concert to see before Jessica heads to Italy for the Fall. And we got farm-fresh peaches to top it off. AND we finished Thursday off with an outdoor movie at UVU, Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

Friday we snagged a magic carpet at an Estate Sale. So that was cool. If you want a ride on it, feel free to drop by the Schenewark's house and we'll show you a whole new world! We also picked up a night stand and a new Patagonia sweater. #winning

Saturday we ventured over to the Hutchins who were kind enough to lend us their chop saw to cut some dowels. Then my hot date and I grabbed Pei Wei for dinner and lost ourselves in the ecstasy of shopping that is Trader Joe's.

Let me finish with some gem of a quote quotes from Primary today. While doing the spotlight, it was revealed that one girl wanted to grow up to "eat cucumbers and play with kittens..." Someone get this girl some cukes so she understands she's not missing out on anything!!! Another boy, when asked to finish the sentence "Keep the Sabbath day _______" responded, loudly, punching his fist into the air, "Special!!!"

May your Sabbath--and week--be special indeed,

Love,

Tanner & AnneMarie