Letter #40

So great news all around that somehow culminated disasterously

Transfers, we left Campo Limpo and we headed to Rio. Literally, closer to Rio de Janeiro than São Paulo OR Campinas. ITAJUBÁ, MINAS GERAIS baby

It's the most distant area in the mission, we'll put it that way.

The other great news: THE Quentin Cook is coming to Mission Brazil Campinas tomorrow.

Big stuff all around

Other Brazil stuff, the truck drivers all went on strike and so the country is preparing to enter into a state of catastropy. There is not a gas station with gas left.

SOO, the world has turned around a little, in addition to being six hours away from Campinas, we were informed that we will be unable to visit with Elder Cook (just my area) and that we can't leave the city for any reasons (which we couldn't anyways because there's no gas).

A nice little city takes a turn for the worse when you're stranded with no way out.
So yeah
That's my week

I wanted to do my car talk bit right here, but as none of the cars are working, I don't see much of a point.

Until the next time,


Elder Click and Clack Need to Get Back on Track

With All My Love

Elder Schenewark,

Somewhere between channeling your inner Garrison and your Brazilian slang, I think I got the basics of last week’s letter. You’re working hard, having success, and being obedient. Thank you. Your siblings pray for you every day.

Monday we were unable to hold family home evening due to Sawyer’s baseball practice, but on Tuesday we did. And we always Facetime Nora and sing to her. Breyer had the lesson, and had prepared with Hunter. What a treat. She read a simple talk, asked a challenge question, and listened to everybody’s answer. We all benefited from her example and sweet spirit. She’s becoming quite a good reader. Dad’s dessert wasn’t as unique as Hunter’s jack fruit, but no one complained eating the mini Ben & Jerry’s or Hagen daz ice cream cups. Of interest to me is that the owner originally branded the ice cream as a tribute to Denmark’s exemplary treatment of its Jews during the Second World War. The original labels included an outline map of Denmark. I’m a fan.

Thursday evening we went down to the YMCA and signed up for a family membership. You’re on the list but inactive at the moment, as is Tanner. A full time student card activates your membership. I’m probably only going to keep this one through the summer, and turn it on again for a month over the holidays, but it’s so reasonable! We should have done this sooner. You were right.
Friday morning everyone hustled and bustled around the house and yard, reading scriptures and playing the piano, to go to the Y. We arrived just after lunch, and stayed close to two hours, some lifting weights, some playing basketball, and some swimming inside. The outside play park opened Saturday. What a treat.

Saturday I spent with Sawyer at his first all star baseball tournament in Glen Rose. Somewhere between spring and 75 degrees we zoomed into Summer and humid 95. We’ve been ten degrees above normal for weeks. Ugh! The team had to play three games – everybody was dragging. The highlight was Sawyer, with bases loaded, hitting a home run, over the 310 center field sign. It was a beautiful home run never mind a grand slam. They won that game, but lost the next two, leaving the team in a hard position to finish the tournament tomorrow without Sawyer. He pitched the end of the second game, and the beginning of the third game. No one pitcher could last very long in the heat, and all teams were burning through their pitcher reserves. He had a couple of triples, other long shots that didn't quite go over the fence. He also shot one right back to the pitcher, knocked against his knee, so hard he left the game. I was so thankful it was the knee and not the chest or face.

Dad picked up mulch and compost for Hunter, who worked that into his garden. He’s excited to finally be able to plant. He borrowed a few stones and has a bit of an edge to maintain the dirt / grass boundary. He also mixed a bit of the cement, and filled in the fire pit cracks. Cooper has two full size stone benches built, and will now be working on singles. He needs more wood, and screws and stain to finish the tops.

Hunter’s still working on job prospects. He and Cooper made a flyer and have spent time putting them on doors of yards with long grass. He’s filled out the on line portion of an Uber application to drive in Granbury, after being added to the insurance. He'll be helping Connor Counts move to Fort Worth on Tuesday. Bro. Counts loves our family and is so kind to think of us. He hired Cooper last week to watch the dogs while they went to Connor's graduation. Hunter's "Historians Get Dates" tee shirt keeps a smile on our faces.

Cooper was given a few lawn mower blades, I think, and he has begun your Brazilian knife. It's huge and heavy right now, as he has a lot of grinding to do. But he's begun. Very excitedly, for you. He found that huge snake skin up by our wood pile on the wall. Much better than the snake!

Thanks to Tanner the boys have been watching a LOT of baseball games. They do love their sports.

And I love you. Dearly. More pictures. More words. More you.

Love,



Mom

Bad Bass Boy Gets a Boat

Spirit of Basketball Award

Congratulations to Sawyer on receiving Granbury Middle School's Spirit of Basketball Award.

His name is on a plaque that will stay at the school.

Oak Woods School Shining Star

Miller is a shining star in fourth grade for many reasons.

He is a great example to others every day. I can count on him to help in class as well as at other times. Miller is kind, caring, polite, and such a great student. He tries his best and works hard at whatever he does.

I know that no matter what others are doing, he will always do the right thing and will always be on task. Miller jumps in to help others without being asked. He is such a joy to be around and I truly believe that so many other students can learn from his example. Way to go Miller!

Mrs. Corb

Letter #39

Well, it's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, Minnesota, my hometown, out there on the edge of the prairie,  the little town that time forgot, and the decades cannot improve.

We began our week in spectacular fashion, popping yet another soccer ball. This time, instead of just deflating, the seams ripped and the balloon inside went outside, in spectacular fashion. We've stopped counting.

News update, my dearest van, the old girl, 2003 Ford E350 12 Passsenger Beast, died this week. Tears were shed, harsh words were exchanged, and promises of a new van are being made.
#NeverForget

On Saturday, I recieved an early morning call.
-Elder, you will have lunch with me today okay?
-Who dis??
-Dis Carmen
-Swag money, the four of us
-No, just you and, if you HAVE to bring your companion, him too
-Tight, ESchen out

So, we show up, 12:15 to the house. Her grandson answers the door
-Come on in, she has a suprise for you
-Swag money, ESchen in
I walk in first, but I don't see anything
THEN
THE dopest thing that has happened in my life happened
She came around the corner with a Nerf Vulcan, this bad boy, which I didn't know you could buy in Brazil AND​ ​In her broken, movie line only English, said, Suprise, M07#3* F!@*#$ (I don't even know what movie it's from)

AND THEN, she blasted us on automatic, laughing the whole time, as she went through the belt of 40 darts.

AND THEN, we made sushi and had a dope lunch, two huge platters of sushi and some desert she made up​.

THEN, we went to our other old dope lady, Benedita, made two cakes and then went to a baptism.
Alright, problems when the water pressure goes out:
-The water fountain and bathrooms have some issues
-The outdoor baptisimal font won't fill up
-The only working water source is downstairs in the street outside of the church

SO, that's how we ended up filling up the biggest baptismal font in the freaking world by hands with buckets. Then, the plug decided to jump out of the place where you put the plug, let's call it the plug socket. And, in all of my wisdom and stress(from having 15 min until the baptism starts), I stripped off the shoes and hurdled the side of the font, with all of my clothes, to put the plug back into the plug socket. Then, I got to continue filling up the font, soaking wet, in the 40 degree weather (yeah Brasil, what's up with that???) and probably caught the Portuguese equivalent of hypothermia and it's just waiting to manifest.

BUUT
Miracles happen, and Ketylen and Leandro were also able to catch a little hypothermia, so we all suffered together.

And the baptism went well and the two of them said they didn't even feel the cold (what liars) and Benedita was happy and her grandson too.​

​Well, that's the news from Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.

Tune in next week, to hear "CarTalk" and more adventures from this little town on the edge of the prairie.
.
Love,


Elder Gary Edward Keillor

With All My Love

Dear Elder Schenewark,

I think if I described my yesterday and called it a perfect day some might think I need to have my head examined. Hunter’s been almost begging to build a garden. Yesterday was the beginning. We borrowed a rotor tiller from the Aiello’s in the ward, and Hunter tilled our foyer size space behind the last sprinkler in the backyard. We picked a good spot, and are pretty sure the sprinklers that automatically come on because of our water usage will be enough. We’re going to start with peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon and lettuce.

Cooper worked on the fire pit area again, building the base of a bench in stone, and then building the seat out of wood 2x4. I can’t believe how good he is. He designs it on paper, and then can build it just like his picture. We’ll have at last one more bench, maybe two, and then reseed the grass in the area. We still have to finish the top edge of the fire pit, and cement a lot, but we’re progressing nicely.

I think it’s wonderful you boys are so eager to help, are persistent in convincing me, and follow through with your projects.

Cooper had a dinner invitation for the family from his class sponsors for Eagle Nest, the high school program that allows those interested in engineering or flight to build a plane. They handed out plaques and provided dinner as a way for parents to appreciate the unique program, and have an up close opportunity to see the plane.

 I finally convinced Dad to buy a new fishing pole, and he and Sawyer finished last night with a fishing expedition down at the marina – each catching a large, large mouthed bass.  

To end the day, Breyer and I went to the city beach for the first time this season. Delightful. Love, love, love Granbury. The wind was warm and gentle, the beach emptying, and the sunset beautiful.

That’s the end of my perfect day. Working together, being together, enjoying each other – it’s all good.

Hunter’s still looking for a job. He had a yard job I snagged off the Bentwater board. All before Hunter could eat breakfast. He was a good sport and went right away, and came home with $75 after spending some time weed whipping the yard back into shape. It’s turned into an every other week job for $40, and one which he can pass along to a brother when he leaves. He has a call back Monday morning for Edward Jones Financial, of which there are at least four offices alone in Granbury. They’re excited to offer him an internship! Lucky, lucky Hunter as he so does not want to work at a restaurant.

Hunter came to work with me Friday morning, dropped me off, and went off to the temple until I was done. What a way to spend the day! The traffic is a bit overwhelming, but he handled it with only a few mistakes. 

For family home evening Hunter had purchased, Cooper cut, and we sampled Jack fruit – a first for our family. I’m sure you’ve now had this in Brazil. Because it’s so large, we’ve enjoyed the fruit all week.

MaryBeth LaCroix five year memory on Face book photo

Meg's mission president, the northern mission, asked all the parents to pray for their missionaries Monday. Nicaragua is experiencing serious civil unrest, and the missionaries have mostly been sequestered in their apartments, except when they're told to shop for week. Sarah is there for three months teaching English, in the southern mission, and Aunt Jenny is concerned as well.

Uncle Zach's Alana had a new baby boy, Rockwell, 20.5 inches, 7 lbs. 14 oz. 12:26 pm on the 18th., after 13 hours of labor. Mom and baby are well.

Breyer was Little Red Riding Hood in her class play, the darling of the day. She's very expressive and creative when she acts. First grade already had their awards ceremony, the same day as the play, and she was given the Citizenship award. Miller and Sawyer have some tomorrow,. That will be news for next week.

Until then, all is well. I love my life. I love my family. I love you. Be good. Be safe. Thanks for writing more. 

Love,

Mom

Bad Bass Boys

Granbury High School Engineering Eagle Nest Airplane

BYU Law School Representative at the BYU Baseball Game

#GoCougars!

Words for the Wingmen

Dear Elder Schenewark & Fam,

We miss you!!! You, Elder Schenewark, and also all of you beyond arm’s reach. Did I mention this is my last full month of work? Well, it is, and that should matter to you because if you’re reading this that means that sometime in the next two months we’re going to be within an arm’s reach J  Elder Schenewark, you and the Uncle Zach gang are the lone exceptions, but the Schenewark hotel always needs visitors so…

News of the week: We had fun watching AnneMarie’s cousin Karina take first in both of her heats at the BYU track meet. AnneMarie was a dedicated fan, attending both days--Friday and Saturday—even though Friday it was pouring. Even with the rain, it was a blast to cheer on the Cougars. We’ll be back!

In more family news, Jessica got engaged! Which, more importantly, means that I have a new brother (in-law). We’re so excited for them, and for me, and can’t wait till they make it official here in a couple of months.

In Nora news, she has progressed from inch-worming to being able to lift her bottom and knees all the way off the ground. She is a rolling, scooting machine, and I predict the days are numbered before she’s able to crawl. She’s starting to eat more solids, and I think her favorite so far is watermelon which she suck on when it’s encased in her food-holding binky.

Lastly, the most momentous news of the week, AnneMarie celebrated her first Mother’s Day. What a sweet time! Nora put motherhood to a test today, waking up at 5:15, not napping, and fussing her way out of sacrament (where I was playing for the primary kids), but other than that it was a great day/week. And tonight, we were treated to Key Lime Shrimp tacos.

Schenewarks Out,

Love,



Tanner, AnneMarie, and #NoChurchNora

Letter 38

So, after get railed on my drop off of email writing, we're gonna try to step up a little.

First, newsy news. They have orange limes in Brazil, they literally look like tangerines and you peel them like tangerines, and if you don't know what you're doing, you scare a less-active member eating said lime (thinking it was a tangerine) and then making sour faces, BUT finishing the lime because you picked it and you need to become a man.
​
I can proficiently stack a deck now, without anyone knowing, and shuffling and stuff, which kinda took the fun out of UNO. Picture below, poor Elder Catini, he didn't know how he went 10 and 0 last P-Day.
​
Much over due shoutout to my girl in Sweden, serving mission and sending me the emails of their companions, more people should follow suite

Mother's day, great day. I love being the first person to talk with my family, and also my mother. She is the best, so yeah

Speaking of Mother's day, visited some less active members having a family BBQ (sometimes the spirit guides you to the door at the right time to find people in their house and also food, so thanks man).
The four sisters (coincidentally all mother, woah) were named as follows.
Josiete
Josinete
Josiede
Josinede
The all go by Jo which caused some confusion but their mom still laughs about it lol

And I felt prompted to include the photos of the baptism we had this week.

For two reason
1) The dude's name is Julius Cesar
2) No one in his family wanted him to investigate the church or get baptized, but he persevered and got it done. NOW, his entire family is coming to church, HIS PARENTS ARE GETTING BACK TOGETHER, and everybody is following him.

So I asked him, why do you want to get baptized, what is drawing you to the church with such force.
He answered, the authority that the church has to baptize. I was alreay baptized twice, once in the church of my dad and once in my mom's. In what was supposed to be my most spiritual experience, I didn't feel the spirit. The first time you visited, the first time I went to church, I felt the spirit and he testified to me of the authority that this church has. I know that no other church can have this power because this is the only church of Christ.

I just kinda kept nodding my head and agreeing, all the time thinking, Holy Crap, he's twelve.
But, let us all take a note from JCesahh (the rapper name I've given him) and let the Spirit guide us and listen to the testimony that he gives us. He does speak with us, we just have to listen. Let us all use our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ to move forward with a little more courage and a little less fear of what people think. If we can, miracles will happen in our lives, like they are happening in the life of JC.
​​
Unitl next week, much love,

Elder Lemon Head

P.S. these are my initials (never gets old)
P.P.S. the member who helped me make a cake and came to the baptism, Sister Bedita, I just can't help but smile when she is around. Just be careful of the missing bottom teeth (she was born without them). Her grandson also doesn't have them, he's the spitting image of her, sorry it had to be done
​​​​​
 IMG_1176.JPG
​​​

With All My Love

Dear Elder Schenewark,

My dear Elder Schenewark. Happy Mother’s Day to me! I have to be the first missionary mother to receive her phone call, again. We’re always trend setters in our own way. What a delight to see your face – and full wall size in the living room. Your siblings watched you like a Friday night movie sans popcorn. And Nora. She’s like a unique piece of art. You look good. Please thank the family for not only feeding you, but also letting you share their technology. What a blessing to be able to be together in such a manner.

After we disconnected, and with tears still in my eyes, we headed out the door for the end of the season baseball tournament. Miller’s team won their first game handily 20-6. After a very long, hard fought game against the season’s lead team, who had an 8-0 record, lost the game for third, in an overtime finish of 12-10. Miller played short stop and pitched, was responsible for most of the outs, had two triples, a few amazing steals behind the pitcher’s turned back, and pitches with the most heat I’ve seen him throw all year. He so badly wanted to win, for a chance at the championship, and ring that they now give to first place teams. But baseball is a team sport. We left his game to go to Sawyer’s, which started later, but was just finishing, with Sawyer receiving the championship ring. He hit an out-of-the-park home run, with no family there to enjoy his first out of the park home run. He also had another no hitter, in the game that finished early due to the mercy rule.

I hadn’t mentioned the fact that I had to coach first base for Miller’s team, my second time ever, and in post season play. When the coach finally arrived, in the last inning, I was chosen to stay because of the success we had in the game. Yeah! I am usually in the dug-out corralling batters, and hadn’t planned on being in the sun, so I’m a nice ripe pink this morning.

Sawyer’s coach is over the all star team, of which he was happy to have Sawyer play on Saturdays. He didn’t even have to go to the Sunday try outs. Miller chose not to try out as well, as they were held on Sunday, and even with a specially for him Monday evening try out, was not chosen. Then, with the all star coach being the team that went 8-0, and spent the morning battling against the Miller Machine, is probably regretting his decision. We spoke with Miller’s coach, who passed his information along to the B team all star coach. I’m confident he’ll be getting calls to help. I hope. Miller isn’t ready for the season to be over.

Cooper completed his tennis season officially with a pool party yesterday.  His interest in driving has finally kicked in, and he’ll be following in your footsteps of completing the over 18 computer course so he can be driving near his birthday in June. Cooper also asked to go to the dance last night, so Dad went with him and worked on his church talk. Sawyer opted out.

Breyer spent most of her afternoon at a neighbor’s birthday party, but was so excited to get home in time to help me clean bathrooms and mop. Truly. Hunter just shakes his head and asks, “Is she always so responsible?” Really she’s in love with spraying the cleaning products, but we love working together. Nothing better than a clean house on Mother’s Day, and I have one this year.

She brought home her love notes from church, one such paper a list of questions she answered about me. My favorite? "When is your Mom her prettiest?" And she wrote, "When she wears pink and wears ancient styles."

Hunter began in earnest this week to find a job. That a restaurant was willing to hire him on the spot because of his “engaging personality” is no surprise. He’ll hopefully have a few prospects confirmed and in progress by next week’s letter. I so love having him home. What a delight! My family always feels fuller when more of my children are home. He went out with the missionaries last night, and will be playing the piano in sacrament meeting and Primary today.

Did you hear the Church has pulled out of Scouting? Not a surprise. They’ll be done by December 2019, with their new program, being redesigned for 8-18 boys and girls, will begin January 2020. Sawyer and Miller are pulling on their boot straps to finish strong. Sawyer can now find an Eagle Scout project.

Well, that's the wrap. President Monson said, "One certain way each can demonstrate genuine love for mother is to live the truths mother so patiently taught." I know you love me. You've been demonstrating it every day.

So thankful.

Mom

Oak Woods First Grade Field Day

Field day was awesome because we got to have a tug of war.

We won the first one.

Then Abigail and I sat together for a snack.

Next, we raced. I tripped one time.

Abigail and I raced on the jumpy house. It was great.

Summer Vacation

My Mom and Dad will not tell me what we will do.

I hope we go to Tyler, Texas and to Paris.

I hope we go to Boston and Florida.

In Tyler, Texas I will go to my cousins.

In Paris I will explore the city.

In Boston I will see my Grandma and Grandpa and my cousins.

In California  I will see my aunt and my Grandfather.

With All My Love

Good Morning Elder Schenewark,

I hope you had a wonderful week. Your letters are getting smaller and smaller. Share more with your starving mother! Speaking of your mother, please get permission to call me Saturday! Before noon, Texas time, and everybody will be home. There is a ward youth temple trip scheduled for 2 p.m. in the afternoon.

The first newsworthy item of the week is our visit to Tyler Thursday night to be there for the 9 a.m. pinning ceremony at Moriah’s graduation from the nursing program at UT Tyler. It was a touching ceremony. Your aunt was able to pin her daughter, as she is a nurse. Some other students had mothers, siblings, grandmothers bestow the honor. It’s a lovely tradition belonging to the fraternity of nurses. Your cousin is actually going to Germany in August, as she was hired as an au pair for the year. Her love for children has always been evident. Breyer accompanied me, as she loves Moriah dearly, as did Hunter. We left after the ceremony, choosing not to stay for the graduation ceremony at 2 p.m. Luke finished school just in time to be there as well. He looks well. We will definitely be back this summer. Family is wonderful. Speaking of family, Grandma Amy and I enjoyed ourselves finding fashion faux pas by those attending the ceremony.

The second newsworthy item of the week is our building a fire pit. I bought the materials on Thursday, after planning, talking, drawing plans, and even building a three dimensional sample out of foam (Cooper) last week. We spent some time Friday after the rain stopped digging out grass, staking the area, removing rock, and getting the delivery of stone. We also spent an hour helping the dump truck get out of the mud he created when he got stuck in our grass. Saturday morning we had the area leveled, the gravel down, the fire brick in place, and the outside wall taking shape. I’ll attach a few photos.

Hunter spent the week working on an entrepreneurial idea and helping around the house. We gave him one week before he had to think about finding a job.

Cooper is finished with tennis so we’re enjoying having him home earlier than usual. We finally plugged in a battery charger for the van overnight, but it didn’t even turn over. Sorry!

Sawyer and Miller’s games were all rained out but that didn’t stop them from playing every day in the yard. It makes my mother heart happy when they play together. They even made a backstop so they could practice pitching together. All stars will begin shortly. Sawyer’s coach is coaching three tournaments, so he won’t be trying out today, as he’s in. Miller chose not to try out today, but is hoping an email to the all-star coach will garner him some support.

Nora and I face timed yesterday morning while everyone else was asleep. I love my early morning chats. She’s just adorable. She likes to roll to her tummy. She smiles when I laugh, which is all the time with her. She coos. She scoots. Joy.

The missionaries were over last night for dinner. They read the scripture in Omni 1:26 26 “And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.” We spoke briefly about what it means to offer your whole self. Hunter summed it up beautifully by offering it means to do what God wants you to do. We also spoke about fasting, as today is the first Sunday of the month, and the missionaries challenged your siblings to fast. Hunter was immediately in, and he convinced Miller he’s in. Sawyer had to think about it, but Breyer said she was too little. But all wanted to fast for you. You’re loved and missed dearly.

Love,

Hope-to-speak-with-you-Saturday,

Mom

Letter 36

Holiday weekend this week, so everywhere (including our computer place) was closed until today.
So real real quick...

I started teaching this lady and she had a bunch of pictures of Felipe Coutinho (Brazilian football player, super chill) and so I asked, oh wow you know Coutinho?

And she was like Felipe? Yeah he's my cousin....

So, besides the fact that the goal THE TAKECHAN MATEAKI gave me was to baptize Felipe Coutinho, it was just a really exciting moment.

Other news, we were coming back from splits and we went straight to lunch. And someone, really randomly, asked me to give him a haircut (b/c he was going to a dance).

So I did, turned out fine

Then, I remembered that I shave with a straight razor and i had it with me so I went real barber on the dude and gave him the sick lines and just felt great to contribute to the world of dating and hair.

Made some FIRE beans this week.



Love you, until next week,
Elder Out of Time

Words for the Wingmen

Dear Elder Schenewark, Family,

It’s been about two months since I’ve written so I need to catch you up on everything you’ve missed on this season’s exciting series “The Adventures of the Schenewarks.” Ready?

Our Arizona trip was stellar. We had a lovely (long) drive down, but we cut it in half by stopping in for a visit with the Grandparents in Las Vegas. From there, I loved the drive down to AnneMarie’s Grandma just north of Phoenix. Lots of cacti, rolling desert hills—beautiful. We were grateful Nora had the chance to meet her great-grandma and her aunt Kathleen and lots of cousins. She did great overall in the car ride, too.

We enjoyed meeting up with my friend Matt Stone for a day where we grabbed some delicious, out-of-this-world bread pudding French toast at a local Gilbert supermarket-turned-restaurant, then we headed to watch the Brewers take on the A’s in a Spring training game. The weather was perfect and we found a shady slope in right field to take in the game with all the snowbirds from Wisconsin. We tried their famed “Bratcho,” a nacho dish made with kettle chips in place of the corn chips and topped with, among the normal toppings, cut bratwurst. You couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try it, but it’s not on my list of return eats, we’ll just say that.

 What is on my list is going to back to the Mesa temple, where we headed next, and also the local Mexican food joint named Carolinas where we headed after for some fresh tortillas, etc. that were outta this world! We were so graciously hosted by AnneMarie’s aunt and uncle Dean and Rachel who have the sweetest family and we’re so much fun to see as well. Also, we were joined by AnneMarie’s cousin Charis, which was fun.

Coming on the heels of our Arizona trip was a trip to Las Vegas for a week. My work let us out for a couple of days because tax season made it pointless to come into work. Mom and Dad Pace were out of town in Australia so we had the whole place to ourselves and it was one of the most relaxing trips in recent memory. We spent lots of time in the pool and the hot tub, trekked downtown to check out the Coke World’s tasting tour of international sodas and the Bellagio’s fountains, and hit up some of our favorite eats like Raising Cane’s fried chicken. We also made a detour on the way down to Snow Canyon in St. George which was beautiful and Nora went on her first hike to see where pioneers had inscribed their names on the underside of a cliff.

 Going back to the sodas, if you’re ever in L.V. and want a guaranteed family friendly can’t-miss hit with the kids activity, this is it. For $10 you get 16 different cups of soda (not different kinds of Coke) and you can also get them as ice cream floats. Most were pretty good. The “Beverly” from Italy was not. Pineapple Fanta from Greece was my favorite (although real ginger ale from South Korea was pretty good as well) and AnneMarie loved the melon Fanta from Thailand and the Pine Nut (Pineapple) from South Africa—also the mint drink from Djibouti. The drinks rotate in and out from time to time.

Next, we went BACK to Vegas. This time to receive Emmalyn back from her mission to Australia. It was a sweet homecoming and we’re very excited to have her up here for school at the end of June.

 We’re moving! Back to student housing we go, at the end of this month. We originally we’re going to move to save little as our landlord was going to raise our a rent $100 (justly), but even after he offered to keep it the same for us we feel good about the decision as it will put us much closer to school, let us sell a car, allow us to experience a student ward one more time, and put us a block away from Matt, Joanna, and Emerson. Today we drove by our new place got excited, though we’ll definitely be sad to leave our home here in Lakeview behind with its litany of friends, our ward, the park down the hill.

Some less notable, but still notable notes:

-        I’ve taken up the sport of Frisbee golf, or frolfing, as we occasionally term it affectionately. On lunch breaks myself with a coworker or two take to a course an exit down and besides being a ton of fun, I’d like to think I’m getting pretty decent! I finally parred the course a couple of days ago.

-        In other golf news, I’ve gotten to go play a round or two with Hunter which was a blast and also went to the driving range with my friend Ben recently. Seems the more I play, however, the worse I’m starting to shank them, and my brothers also didn’t send me my driver so I’m left to just my irons now that Hunter’s out of town. C’mon bros!

-        I bought a bike in preparation for the Fall. Can’t wait to ride it to the law school and get back some of that fitness that’s been tough to come by with a desk job. Looking to get AnneMarie one as well before school starts because there’s a trail that goes right by our new apartment.

-        And, the Law school held an admitted students day earlier last month and it was a blast. I can’t wait to get started in August.

AnneMarie asked me to throw in that Nora is tooo cute, which is true. She’s scooting now, loves to eat watermelon, pineapple, and strawberries (in this little holder where she can suck the juices out). Also, she got sick this week so she had her first visit to the doctor and literally (I know all parents say this, but…) had the whole office in love with her. She was talking with the doctors, smiling at the nurses and trying to befriend all the other sick kids who walked in.

We love you all,



Tanner & AnneMarie & Nora, the Boss