Jacob Update

This week is full of changes for Jacob. He has been with the same companion since he arrived in Argentina in August. That companion is headed back home to Canada. That leaves Jacob getting a new companion and maybe a new area this week. This is a lot of changes, on top of being away from home for Christmas. We hope he manages it all. Because of having to come into the city to get his new companion we haven't heard from him this week. Hopefully he will be able to email us soon so that we can find out when he will be calling us on Christmas. We are soooo excited to talk with him!

If you didn't hear - last week Jacob and his companion were able to go to the zoo on their P-day. At first in Jacob's letter he said that is wasn't a very good zoo. That it seemed to be run by a lot of 20 year olds and was run down. It wasn't until later that he sent us some pictures of the zoo that surprised us. It seems that these 20 year olds allow you to go inside of the cages with the lions and tigers. Jacob sent pictures of him petting the animals. He later also told us that the tigers began to circle around them as they were chatting and one stopped and licked his hand. The worker then said that maybe they should go outside of the cage since it was lunch time for the tigers. Ya think - Boys!!!!! We are certainly grateful that Jacob wasn't eaten for lunch. My sister Jill said that Jacob needs to remember that the Lord's protection for His missionaries does not apply to idiots! The things you can do in 3rd world countries.

Whew -- Another Semester Over!!

Congrats to Bret for surviving another grueling semester. See pictures and posts on BreeAnn's blog. And a

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Devan for finishing his last semester (for a while at least) and earning his Bachelor's of Business Degree. YEEHAW, we couldn't be more proud of you. We are anxiously awaiting a post of your graduation gift!

Howell Family Christmas Party

We always have such a fun time at the family party! It is good to see everyone, especially the new babies. Merry Christmas Howell clan - we love you all!

Stories From Jacob

This past week we baptized and comfirmed Vivianna and her two kids Matias who is 13 but is as tall as me and could easily pass as 17 and then Malen who is almost 12. I had the priviledge to baptize Matias. I said the pray right so that was a relief but he freaked out a little when i was putting him under water so I didn´t get his head all the way under. When i pulled him up he was yelling a bunch of stuff but i couldn´t tell what he was saying. The witnesses who were members calmed him down and we did it again and it was perfect. They told me later that he was yelling, He tried to Drown me, i almost died, and things like that but i think he was just surprised that I pushed him down but the second time when he realized that that is normal he was fine. Elder Kwasney said that Vivianna, and Malen freaked out too when he pushed them under. Even with that it was very spiritual and a great day.

Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I blogged last! Times have been busy and fun. We have celebrated two birthdays. Nana turned 100 on October 26th. I don't know where she gets her energy, but she enjoyed her party more than anyone. It was fun to visit with family and cousins I hadn't seen in a long time. Here's to another healthy year for you Nana! We also had an early birthday party for BreeAnn last Monday. Her birthday isn't until next Friday, but we wanted to party while she was here.

Getting BreeAnn here was a funny story. Jory found out he had a business conference in St George the first part of November and invited me to join him. Because Nana was staying with Mom and Dad for awhile I thought I might need to pay someone to help me out getting Camron to school. The thought then came to me that if I was going to pay someone I might as well put that money towards getting BreeAnn here and she could tend. Well after much ado whether she should leave Bret home studying and taking tests, knowing that he would love to be here visiting almost more than she would, they both decided that it would be okay for her to come. Once that decision was made she asked if she could come the next day. Usually that costs a fortune to buy a last minute ticket but everything went perfectly and we bought the ticket while she began packing. Within 6 hours we were hugging and loving on that cute baby tummy. YEAH!! The next 2 1/2 weeks are somewhat of a blur. We shopped and shopped getting Christmas ready to ship to Jacob. We enjoyed Halloween with Camron and the traditional scones and chili for dinner. We enjoyed time at the temple. Loved having Mykaleen back around a lot to visit and listen to her and BreeAnn reminisce about high school days (I learned a few things I didn't know, Ha ha). Jory and I had a wonderful time in St. George and knew that the kids were enjoying the time without us. Cody came home with "Rock Band" for the boys. They partied until there hands hurt playing. Somehow they missed a little school to enjoy time together which was great. Devan came and visited with us a couple of times also. Because BreeAnn was in town it made for the perfect opportunity to have some baby showers. Thank you, thank you to everyone who showered BreeAnn and baby with love and gifts. She is now back in Mississippi happily shopping and getting all those necessary items she has been wishing to have money to buy. Family love and support is such a huge blessing! It was so wonderful to be with BreeAnn again. She brings such a warm, fun spirit to our home. It was with huge alligator tears that I took her back to the airport on Tuesday. Here's hoping the next 2-3 years of schooling go by FAST! It seems hard to believe that we will be celebrating Thanksgiving next week, then comes Christmas quickly behind and then it will be time for a new baby. BreeAnn is due on January 18th. I can't wait to fly out there! Life is passing quickly. I am so grateful for family, friends, our health, laughter, love, airplanes, skype, good children, a patient husband, mountains, warm sheets, the Book of Mormon, and so much more. The Lord is certainly good to us!

I just finished this fun blanket. I loved the cute animals on it, so I am going to make it my Grandma blanket. A blanket to keep around for when my Grandbaby comes to visit. I know it is silly but it was fun to sew and I am very excited to be a Grandma so I needed a new item also!

Well after a year of waiting to buy this most wonderful jacket, I scored on the sale of the century. This is the Arc'teryx Atom LT Hooded. Initially when I was looking at buying this jacket it was retailing at around $250.00 American dollars. When I went to Al's sporting goods for their 90 year anniversary sale, however, they had it on sale for $200.00 American dollars, but thats not all folks, take another 20% off. Thats right I got this beautiful jacket for only $160.00 American dollars! Man do I feel like 160 bucks right now!

Recipe for Annie

Grandma Gurney's Yummy

Cabbage Patch Stew

(slightly sweet tasting chili)

1 lb hamburger (brown and crumble)
1 onion diced
2 c shredded cabbage
2 c water

1 Tlb sugar
1 Tlb Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp chili powder

2 cans tomatoes (15oz)

2 cans kidney beans (15oz drained)

salt & pepper

Mix all together and simmer for about an hour to make the cabbage invisible (so those who don't like cabbage will not know the secret yummy ingredient.) Can start this in the morning and let it simmer in the crockpot all day on low. Put a loaf of frozen bread dough out to raise and cook right before you eat for the best dinner ever!

Thoughts from Jacob

"We were having our second lesson with a lady named Stella and my companion asked her how she feels when we come and she said that life is crazy but when we come she feels peace. This really affected me. That is the classic answer for all the role plays we do, but this wasn´t a role play. This is for real. It just really hit me that I am really here and I am really changing lives not just practicing. I have almost been here a month now and I am still suprised when I see our reflection of two missionaries. Every time I realize that that is me, I´m a missionary. I have been waiting for this for nineteen years and now I am here."

I thought these remarks were so touching. Life comes up on us faster than we think. We are so proud of Jacob and the daily choices that he made to get him to this point where he can "change lives". I also have times when I look at my reflection and see an old lady with grown children. I worry that I have not been enough for them or done enough. Have I done what I need to do each day to have the "light of Christ" with me to bring peace and comfort to those who the Lord has put in my path? It truly is a daily decision to choose scripture study, praying and being happy to have that "light" with us. Big moments like this for Jacob, like impending parenthood for Bret and BreeAnn come all too quickly. Take a look in the mirror. Are you what you dreamed you would be at this point? You have wonderful adventures and family that await you. Are you ready? I think you are great!! Life is hard -- make good choices each day -- and then it gets much easier!

Happy Farmer

Well, they aren't all roosters. Camron has been sure that all his chickens were roosters. He looked up on the internet to see how to tell the sex of chickens and they all passed the test for being roosters. The test was to grab the chickens by their stomachs and tip them up with their legs poking straight out. If they pulled only one leg up and were still they were girls and if they kicked with both legs they were boys. REALLY?? Well according to this test they were all roosters because they kicked a lot. (surprise, surprise crazy, silly test)

Much to Camron's great excitement he found an egg in the coup when he went out to feed them the other morning. When he got home from school he found another one!! He was very surprised. This morning he cracked one and scrambled it for breakfast. Camron said it was "very delicious"

Happy Birthday Dallen

Happy 16th Birthday Dallen!! We love you so much and hope you have a wonderful day. Dallen LOVES sports and can't really function in his day until he has read the sports page in the newspaper. His favorite sport to play is soccer. He loves watching any and all sports. We love watching Dallen play soccer. He is a great player and very competitive. Dallen has a huge heart. Although he loves to tease and torment his little brother he is also the first one to give a hug and do something nice for a family member. We are so proud of Dallen being worthy to become a Priest. It is hard to believe that he is old enough now to bless the sacrament along with all the other "16" year old possibilities - dating - driving. We think you are AWESOME Dallen and we love you TONS. Happy Birthday!

Another Fun Labor Day Weekend

We began our Labor Day weekend on Friday by going up to the cabin with Grandma Joy. The weather was gorgeous and the first night the sunset was amazing. We kept watching it thinking it couldn't get any better but it continued to amaze us! Saturday was a work day. We needed to put a coat of sealer on the cabin. We worked to cover the windows and scrape off the old stuff and then began painting. Jory brought along the handy-dandy weed spray container and used it with the paint. It worked really well. He just brushed it in after he sprayed a bunch on. Note to self - spray carries in the wind and now the Montero that was parked off to the side in the wind path is now stained and sealed as well! Next time remove all objects from wind path! It was quite scary with Jory climbing up so high to paint. He had Grandma and I hold the ladder for him but we laughed because other than keep it from wiggling a bit we weren't going to be much help if it started to fall. This picture only shows him up half the way. He had a higher ladder that went all the way to the top you can see in the background that he climbed up. I told Jory as I held the ladder that I was really scared and he said "Yep, so am I". He is a good sport!

Camron kept busy by chopping and stacking wood for the winter, with Grandma overseeing.

We hated to leave and come home because it was such a perfect day.

Sunday we attended Sacrament Meeting

and then packed up and headed to Logan with Grandma and Grandpa Nunley. We met at Cody's house and he had a picnic ready for us. Devan and him are not roommates anymore but neighbors. We walked over to Devan's place because he had a picnic table for us to use outside in his nice backyard. We later went to Sherwood Hills Resort which is in Sardine Canyon. It was wonderful. There was so many things to do and the scenery was beautiful. Monday morning brought golfing for everyone. It was great fun (I didn't golf, just took pictures and drove the cart, but still enjoyed it).

This was the perfect getaway. Up the canyon enough to enjoy the beauty but close enough to Cody and Devan that they could come be with us in between their work schedules.

I'm so grateful for family!!! Every member is in the midst of some changes and challenges. Know that we are praying for you and know that you will SUCCEED at what ever you put your mind to. Work hard, pray hard, and then work hard again. We love you!

Happy Birthday Bret

Today is Bret's 27th birthday. Happy Birthday! Unfortunately he will spend the entire day at school. Bret is a fabulous student and works extremely hard to keep a very high GPA. Bret is a good mechanic, good musician, excellent video game player, enjoys soccer and basketball and is a good husband to our favorite daughter. We love you Bret and hope that you have a very wonderful birthday. We are glad that you are part of our crazy family!

Congratulations Camron

Way back when the snow was still on the ground Camron began planning the garden. He would spend time drawing maps of the garden and what would be planted in each row. When spring came he worked hard to prepare the ground and helped plant everything. His efforts paid off! On Saturday he took a zucchini, a crookneck squash and some beans up to the Stake Harvest Fair. Master Gardeners came in to judge the items. Camron ended up winning 1st place on his zucchini, and 2nd place on his squash and beans. He was very happy.

WAY TO GO!

Grandma Joy's 81st Bday

To end our week of family fun we gathered on Sunday for Grandma Joy's 81st Birthday. It was fun to visit with everyone. Kambree announced that she is expecting her 3rd baby next March. Yeah, more babies.

I thought this picture turned out cute of dad with his mom and siblings. Uncle Darcy got stuck having to pull Shelby's car down the mountain at the last minute and missed the party.

We certainly are blessed to have such great family love and support from both sides! Thanks Grandma for all your love. We have always felt that we could come to you with any problem and whatever we needed you would give us. Your love has been unconditional and abundant. WE LOVE YOU!! We wish you another great year with memory to spare.

Happy 100th Birthday Nana

Last Saturday we continued with Family Reunions and met at Alpine Park to celebrate an early 100th birthday for Nana. It was so wonderful to see so many of my cousins. Aunt Claudia's three children were there: Dave from Seattle, Dianne from Oregon and Paul from San Diego. I hadn't seen them forever. We even had a new family member arrive. I didn't get the whole story on how she came about being there or who she was related to but she lived in California and never knew that she had any family on the Nunley side until through genealogy she was found. While at the reunion she met a half sister she didn't know she had and was interested in finding out more about the church. I think she was a niece of Papa Joe??? It was great to visit with all the cousins! While chatting we decided that we love family blogs because it keeps us in contact when we are spread so far away. The best part is that it allows us to combine our efforts of prayer when family trials and health concerns arise!

There is always one thing we have in common and that is our great love of Nana. She has had such a huge impact on my life. She continues to send cards to all her posterity for birthdays and anniversaries. That is A LOT of cards. It has always been her way to share her love for ALL of us. Nana reminds me to use my talents and always be looking for ways to learn. Nana loves nature and the simple beauties of life. Nana loves her family and I hope she feels our abundant love for her!

Nunley Family Reunion - Walker's Cabin by Strawberry Reservoir

Last week we had a wonderful family reunion. Thanks to the Walker's and their great hospitality we all had a great time at their cabin. It was fun to be with family and the cousins especially loved being together. We played a lot of games (ripple, volleyball and parlevufrance??), ate a lot of fabulous food (stuffed french toast) and enjoyed visiting. The kids had a party trailer outside that they all enjoyed sleeping in. One day we went down to Strawberry where the kids loved catching crawdads! They caught about 10 and made a swimming pool for them. We stayed at the cabin Tuesday through Thursday evening. Friday we met at Grandma and Grandpa's to do a service project of weeding and trimming for a couple of hours. That evening we gathered back again in Alpine for a fabulous dinner and spiritual devotional. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for sharing your thoughts and testimony with us. You always inspire us! We love you and appreciate your happy, loving, spiritual example. We did miss our three family missionaries! and of course all the rest of my kids who couldn't come!

He Arrived

Check out Jacob's mission blog (Link is in right column) to see some fun pictures of his arrival in Argentina. So love the Mission President's wife for doing this blog!!!

Off to Argentina

Jacob called tonight!!!!!! He was on a layover at the Dallas airport. They always let the missionaries call from the airport when they are headed out. It was so good to hear his voice. He is doing wonderful and very anxious for the next step in Argentina. He got on the airport in Salt Lake around 2:30 today. He will load the plane again in Dallas at 7:40 and have a 13 hour flight to Buenos Aires. Fortunately he is traveling with around 20 Elders all headed to Buenos Aires. 14 to his mission and the others to the other Buenos Aires missions. He said they are attracting a lot of attention, so many clean cut, young men all dressed in dark suits.

Watch for his picture to come up on his mission blog site. His Mission President's wife is wonderful at taking pictures of the elder's coming and going and putting them up.

Remember to send Jacob letters. You can still do it at dearelder.com. Just do it for the pouch to the Buenos Aires West Mission. It will take several weeks to get there, but I'm sure he would still appreciate any mail from home!

Summer Fun

My latest Favorite Inspiring Story

"Someone told me the story of Thomas, who was alone on his boat when a big storm rose up. His boat capsized. He swam to shore and found himself alone on a deserted island. As the weeks passed, Thomas became so miserable, so distraught. He didn't think he would ever be found. He prayed and prayed, but the heavens seemed silent. Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, his thatched-roof hut caught fire.

Thomas sat there weeping as his shelter went up in flames. It was like pouring salt on his wounds.

"God, I give up," he said. "I ask You to help me, but one bad thing after another happens."

He was so down, so discouraged.

Then, about an hour later, a Coast Guard rescue boat pulled up to the beach. Thomas could not believe it. He was thrilled.

"How in the world did you find me?" he asked.

"We saw the smoke coming from the signal fire you built," they said.

Sometimes what looks like a disappointment is simply God getting us in position for a rescue! "God created every one of us to be successful." Have a bigger vision for your life. There are exciting things in your future. The right people are out there to help you. Who can stop you from your destiny - not the enemy, not other people, nobody can keep you from your destiny --- except you.

My Dream Come True

It's been over 10 years that I have been dreaming of owning a Nissan Altima. Well my dream has come true. After working hard to save enough pennies, finding a great deal as well as sadly loosing so many kids to warrant it, I have been able to buy one. I must say I'm happy to be done with driving a mini-van, although we sure have a ton of good memories all jammed in the two white vans we've had. Thanks to all my kids who had to listen to my buying saga and help me make a decision. You are all great cheerleaders! Thanks! Dallen thinks this car would make a great 16th birthday present. He hasn't driven it yet but he sure has been a lot of help figuring all the gadgets out for us. It isn't the perfect deep red car I was dreaming of but hopefully it will be a good reliable car for us.

Chicken Woes

Camron is very dramatically involved with his chickens. We came home late the other night and they had flown up on the high fence at the back of our house bordering the church. He couldn't reach them and was very mad at them because he was afraid they would go over on the church side and get lost. He lectured them and then yelled at them that he was going to go get "Papa Jory" to get them. We tried not to laugh because he was so frustrated, but it was quite funny. Unfortunately even though he has put roosting posts in their pen area for them they still like to fly up high on the fence. This morning one didn't make it back home and had to be retrieved from the church. It is funny that they only like to be on the post very late in the evening. Maybe we need to read up more on chickens to see why this is.

Camron also found a mouse that wanted to share in the chicken feed. Now I do not tolerate that at all so when he asked to try and shoot the mouse with the BB gun I was all for it. Camron tried everything to entice the mouse out so he could shoot it but he was never able to get a perfect shot off. This is where Camron sat for SEVERAL hours waiting to get the mouse.

24th of July Weekend

We had a very fun Pioneer Weekend. Although it just doesn't seem the same with so few kids at home. We missed you guys! Devan was home for most of the weekend until Sunday afternoon and then had to head back. He golfed with Grandma and Grandpa on Saturday and helped me shop for a car which was stressful for me but very fun for Camron and him. I did appreciate the help. Dad and Dallen were gone on a week long Scout trip biking the Skyline Drive south road. They really enjoyed the beautiful scenery, good company and Brother Olsen's fabulous cooking. Dallen's leg wasn't healed enough to bike all the time so he drove along as support with Dad. They arrived home Saturday afternoon very dirty, stinky and tired. We were glad to see them! Sunday brought a BBQ with friends, the Rigby's and Seguin's. We really had a good time, even though it was hard to believe our kids are so grown up now. There was a time when the kids were little that we would trade tending with Rigby's. We would have a date night while they tended and then the next week we would swap. Do you kids remember that at all? After eating some yummy food we had a bocce ball tournament. Dad and Dorthy were the winning team.

Mondy morning we woke up early and went to the Days of 47 parade with Grandma, Madi and Nikell. We were worried it would be a nightmare to find a good place to sit, but it was not trouble at all. We got on trax at 8:00 and rode it to the courthouse. From there we walked two blocks east and found a fabulous place in the shade. It was very fun! Later that evening we went to Uncle Todd's for another BBQ and fireworks. We certainly are grateful for good friends and family!!! Hope your holiday weekend was great.

Another Generation Begins!!!!!

We are soooooo excited that Bret and BreeAnn are going to have a baby! We have had to keep quiet for a long time and now we want to shout it from the roof tops. Camron has been so excited that he has let it slip more than a few times, so thanks to those who helped keep the secret. BreeAnn finally was able to go to the Doctor today and they said everything looks perfect.

I'm thinking she already has BreeAnn's cute nose. (Just positive pink thinking there) Now I just need to decide what I want to be called, Grandma, Nana or Grammi. I think I will love any or all of the names! Now hurry January 18th.

Jacob's Mission Blog

This is the main road in Buenos Aires. They say you can see it forever away as you are flying into the city. Dallen and I counted seven lanes on both sides of the center grass section. Crazy! Go to the mission blog site to see some pictures of Jacob. (Right side under family blog sites)

This is what the mission president's wife says about the weather there now. "I was so cold yesterday that I decided to wear double of everything today. Double skirts, double shirts, double jackets, double scarves. However, the room heaters in the building were working! It is a lot like sitting by a fire. The side of you next to the heater is extremely warm and the side of you away from the heater is ice cold. " Also, "

Even with a coat, scarf and jacket, it is very cold." We hope Jacob enjoys summer while he can, it is winter now in Argentina.

Happy Birthday Devan

Happy 24th birthday Devan! We filled up the van with Grandma, Grandpa, Jenny, Ashley, Jill, Camron and myself and headed to Logan to spend the day with Devan. Fortunately, Cody was able to get off of work and spend the day with us also. We started by opening presents, then headed off to hike the river trail up Logan canyon. It ended at a fun nature lodge. From there we headed to lunch at Devan's favorite, Chili's. We enjoyed lots of yummy food!!! Then, we headed to Hyrum reservoir to float, visit and enjoy the day. The only problem at the reservoir was that the cotton trees were dumping TONS of cotton and it was sticking to everything and everybody! We still had a good time. Thanks for the fun day Cody and Devan.

Devan - we love you tons and appreciate the fine man you have become. Good luck with your last semester of college. We are constantly praying for your success. I guess that would be our advice to you in this new year - "pray continually that you may come off conqueror". We just read that in the scriptures and I thought it was great. You are smart, loving, generous, funny, thoughtful, hardworking, and simply AMAZING! We love you - happy birthday.