“Oh My Son, Remember…” – Letters to Calder on His Mission

So much fun to chat with you on Thanksgiving! We spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday up in Park City...Chad and Cec's family joined us on Saturday night and slept over. This morning we had a delicious breakfast with everyone. It was really great to be with them. We missed you and Will and talked about you guys a ton! One thing that I really like about being with the Horsleys is that they are really good at playing games together. Last night we spent some time playing "psychiatrist" and laughed a lot. I think one of the reasons that they are great at games is that Ethan is just a little kid in a man's body! Haha. I feel like the past week was extra wonderful because of the #givethanks challenge. I do feel like we were able to heal our hearts and be happier as we focused on those things that we are grateful for. I'm actually sad to see it come to an end. I missed one of the days and still have a post coming...I think it counts, right? I'm looking forwa...

Calder! I'm so excited to talk tomorrow! I just look so forward to Mondays now. It's been a bit of a crazy week. I was able to get our Christmas cards uploaded as well as a Calder Christmas Calendar. But the greatest thing I got done was a thanksgiving package sent to you! I hope you get it tomorrow! But more importantly, I hope that you like it! Needless to say, I've been the worst writer this week. Darn...so sorry! Hopefully you were so busy that you didn't notice. I guess I did write one day to tell you about Blake. I actually ran into his sister Ally on a walk on Thursday. It was fun to talk to her. She said that he was very excited. Such great news. I've included some pictures from McKay's birthday. It was a nice day. Super low key but he was easy. We went to a Ramen place for dinner...the same place we went when we saw the lights at Thanksgiving point. It was fun but we missed you. I thought you'd like the pics from Sally's bday ...

Hello Calder! This last week seemed like it took forever to get through! I’m not sure why?! I’ve had crazy dreams each night...one strange one that Caleb Lohner was in and one night I dreamt all about you and Texas! Here’s a recap of the week. You know lots of it, but here goes... The big birthday weekend came to an end and another big bday tomorrow for McKay. The weekend was full of celebrating and friends bday party and all the fun we could pack in. Luckily we packed in a lot because Monday started with the lockdown governor's mandate and rising Covid numbers. So, Gwen will likely be our only 2020 family birthday that actually got to celebrate. Here we are at Benihana’s (pic1) and had a great time. McKay’s feeling a little melancholy about his day tomorrow. It’s looking to be a little lame (not in school) and no friends can hang out. I also think the older you get, the more you realize that it’s just another day. It’s the sad reality of life... The Crumbl cookies from Carli w...

Well...it happened...we are back to online high school starting Monday. The cases are sky rocketing in Utah. It’s this whiplash, back had forth that’s so exhausting for the high schoolers. The mountain bike banquet was a driveby at the equestrian center. McKay was a great sport and got the courage award. We were so proud of him. We also went to pei wei for dinner. It was tasty. I’ve been missing you a lot this week. I dreamt all about you last night. I’m looking forward to hearing about your week. Things have been good here. We’ve worked on a bunch of house projects - mainly kitchen cleaning and house cleaning. Myrna didn’t come and we have a mouse. I was thinking about all the mice you had to kill while we were in St George last year. Dad just killed a mouse a minute ago. Those dang mice! So looking forward to chatting on Monday! Hope your sabbath is fabulous. No big plans here. Hoping McKay’s bday isn’t a huge bummer!! Love you tons!! MOM

Yes, she did! She sent us cookies. Crumbl, my fav. Her note says “I just wanted to send some cookies your way. I hope you guys are doing well! Much love, Carli” I texted her a thank you. We are excited to dig in! (Pics 1&2) I went on a run to that area we did one time...the super long run with the Berner. It was a great run and the Berner says hello! (Pic 3) Benihana fun. The food was way better but the kids voted that Mt Fuji noodles are far superior. I definitely enjoyed the high quality shrimp and non rubbery chicken. It was a great change from Mt Fuji. (Pics 4&5) My lunch date with Gwen on her bday. Can you see the snow flurries? It was a great day (pic 6) Hope you’re doing well. Love you! I’ll enjoy a cookie for you. Hope your day was fabulous! Love you tons! MOM PS No young women’s tonight. Woohoo!!

Calder, Great job making it through six weeks! That's a great accomplishment. So, you've heard for sure but Biden won the election. So interesting. I actually don't really care that much. I just want it all to be over. And I'm praying that we keep the senate. These politics are exhausting. We just got news from the governor in Utah that we are going back into a modified lockdown. School and work are ok but no social gatherings. No friends. Such a bummer for the kids. We will see how this all shakes out. From my picture you will see that we had a family gathering tonight with the Chad Horsleys. We ate enchiladas and celebrated Gwen's birthday. It was great to be together. Chad's family has been in Arizona visiting Grandma and Grandpa. It was a heavy week. Grandpa is fading and there is a lot of stress to get the house sold. They discovered that the guest house has roof rats, which isn't uncommon in Arizona, but it's another thing to deal...

Calder!!! The week has flown by but here are some pics I thought you’d like. First off, Wednesday night young women’s. It was a missionary panel with Ana and Kenzie as well as done other women from the ward. It was a beautiful night. Ana and Kenzie wanted a full update on you! (Pic 1) The classic pic of the parking job you made popular. We had church cleaning and this was McKay and henry. (Pic 2) Today was a full birthday party fun day for Gwen. She had a party with eight friends. We went to do a cooking class and it was super fun. I think she was very pleased. (Pic 3 & 4) And on a whim we just got her ears pierced. She was thrilled. I’ll try to get a better pic for you later. (Pic 5 & 6) I’m so excited Monday is almost here. Hang in there. I’m dying to know about transfers...as I’m sure you are too. Have a delightful Sunday. And know how proud I am if you!! Love you TONS! Mom

So, SO fun to chat on Monday. I’ve just had a smile on my face since then! Here’s some pics. Henry’s at the DMV proudly holding his driving permit on Monday He’s been driving more. No accidents yet. (Pic 1) Highlight of the week...talking with our favorite missionary! (Pic 2) I went on a run today while Jane was in her let’s play music class. Yes, we are still doing it. No, we both hate it. It’s complicated, but I don’t hit her with the mallet anymore 😂 My run took me up to the flight park. It was a super cool view but a little hazy. (Pic 3) My run also took me to St George. I thought about you with this pic. (Pic 4) We are just watching the latest with the elections. I’m guessing that President Trump wins. It looks like Trump will keep Texas and Florida. Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina are leaning left. We will see. But I don’t think there’s huge upsets like the democrats had thought. I just think there is a lot of closet Trump voters, like myself. People who do n...

How come Dad is the best writer ever? Seriously. I thought you said to write on Tuesday’s, Thursday’s and Saturdays. But Dad is like an everyday writer!! Here are a few of the fun pictures in the last few days. Does this look familiar? Jane gets into the date dances: We’ve been partying it up over here. Jane has a party on Friday evening. This is Gwen doing face painting: Gwen was surprisingly great at face painting. This is Sawyer with her pumpkin face: Here the party group - Sawyer, Cozette, Piper and Jane: Then Gwen has a party later that night. They were a little loud and screamy. This is Gabby, Sadie, Gwen, Stella and everyone’s favorite Birchley (Berkley): Scout today. She’s so random: The super fun Halloween party at Grandma and Grandpas. I loved Jay and Lara’s costume! I hope you loved your Halloween meal! And had a super happy Halloween!! We missed you tonight. It was a strange year. Not a ton of trick or treaters. Enjoy your sleep in! I hope you...