Sunday, October 21, 2012

Week of October 15, 2012


Spencer’s home!! 
We went to the 2012 Fessssssssstival of Bands!  (the announcer wasn’t very fun this year).
Here’s Lainey  in prelims warmups:

She’s awesome! 

 Here is the whole band.  Can’t wait to show you this show.  It was written by Cooper and is a kind of “sequel” to last year.  They call it Connection
Had to include this one…
Brenna and Maren came home for the weekend to see Spencer.  The Dunlops had a gathering for Spencer this afternoon (Sunday) and Brenna and Maren left for the airport while we were there.   It was fun to look at Spencer’s photos and let him tell us about his mission.  He told stories and it’s so fun to hear his very thick Portuguese accent.  Lots of people and fun time. 

This week, it’s all about getting ready for homecoming!  We’ll send pictures next week!





Sunday, October 14, 2012

Week of October 8, 2012

Well, let’s start out this letter with a little high school fun. 

Lainey was asked to the Homecoming Dance by Aaron Bell.

He did it in a fun and creative way. 

So, last school year, Maren (I don’t know why) started calling Aaron (who’s 6’8”) “Punkin”.  Somehow that nickname stuck with Dad, and he started calling him “Punkin” too.  Also, Aaron calls Dad “Punkin” back.  It’s been pretty fun.  Meanwhile, Lainey has put some distance between herself and Eli and has started nurturing friendships elsewhere that include Calais Loftus, Clara Dunlop, Logan Wahl, Kaitlin Ellis, and other fun band/church kids.   Well, Wednesday night when Lainey and I got back from Mutual, we found these Jack-o-Lanterns on the front steps.  We didn’t know it, but Aaron and a few of his friends were watching from across the street.  Pretty cute.  So, Lainey and I baked cookies and she decorated a sign that said YES! and she had it on his music stand at Jazz Band the next morning.  So, Lainey has a date! 





She finally got her call.....


I have been called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the New Zealand Wellington Mission!! I will be speaking English, and report to the Provo MTC on January 9th!

And....Katie and Mark got married this week! They are planning a bigger bash in June.





















Another fun event….

We finally made an appointment to take Dad’s feet to a podiatrist.  He took one look at Dad’s current ingrown toenail and said, “This will never get better. Your big toenail grows in too much of a bowed shape and it will always be ingrown and painful.”  So, his solution was to completely remove the nail.  Permanently!  He did it right then and there!  So, I got to watch yet another “procedure” in the Drs. Office involving Dad, needles and grossness.  This one would have really hurt had he not deadened Dad’s toe first.  So, now it will grow a tough layer of skin over it and he will never need to worry about it again.  He says that he can feel the other foot doing the same thing again, so I’m sure we’ll be doing the other one in a matter of months.  Meanwhile, Dad now has cream for the crackling foot and some antifungal liquid to remedy his other ugly toenails which should look better in the next few months. 

Here’s a gross photo for you.  This was taken two days after the procedure.



Yesterday was the 2012 Century Showcase!  We had another great show with plenty of behind the scenes drama in the volunteer room and very long hours.  Ultimately, it went very well and we had fun.  Most importantly, it’s done!!




And last, but not least!  Nick and Michelle Welch got married last week!






Week of October 1, 2012

Here’s the big news item for the week…..from Uncle Marty’s Facebook:

Well, it started out to be a normal evening, got done teaching my night class, went to my condo for the night, parked, turned the car off, then all of a sudden, smoke everywhere! Then... FIRE! Chrysler lives no more, 8 fire trucks came to put the fire out, Jefferson Street in downtown blocked off for 2 hours, and most of my neighbors evacuated the tower because of smoke throughout the whole building. Here's a few pics, a video that one of my neighbors took of the car burning will follow soon when he sends it. Well, my first new car, almost 25 years later...



Okay.  Change “gears” now.  It’s the weekend and we heard Conference!  Actually, we were at the Tri-Cities competition when the “Mormon” girls came to find us in the gym where we were staying to tell us moms that the Prophet had just announced the age change for missionary service!  Brad- If you haven’t heard, the Prophet announced that the age for serving a mission will immediately change to 18 years old for men and 19 years old for women.  They were SO EXCITED!!  Lainey, Calais (who is a senior this year), Clara, and several others were all abuzz!

So, I have some theories about how this will affect a lot of things.  Not the least of which is your Little sister!  Think about it.  Since the age of service went down by two years and we assume many more young women will be excited to serve missions now, that means that for the next two years, there will be a lot of women gone from the church universities.  Maybe that means that they will be able to be more liberal in their selection process for admissions….I’m excited!  Here is a photo I found on Facebook:



Pretty funny, right??!


Adam and Drew: I’m guessing that what this means to you is that you will likely spend your second year on your missions training young 18 year-olds!  Sound exciting????


Also, we just got back from Tri-cities.  Guess what?  A truck lost its brakes and had to pull off at Hood River on the way home.  Our other truck pulled off with it and now we have no luggage or equipment to unload!  Never a dull band trip!  We actually had very good bus drivers this time. 

You should see what has happened for the band this year.  I’ll give you a visual:



Front half of our new “train”.  See the Golf Cart at the front?  It’s a NEW one!!!! Very powerful, but not as noisy as a four wheeler.


And here is the back half.  You can see in each photo new metal speaker cases.  We have a dad now who works for a company that makes the golf carts and his company likes to donate each year to non-profits…we get to benefit this year!  The same dad helped build these speaker carts.  It worked out so well and the front ensemble didn’t have to push their equipment to the fields and back this year.  Wonderful!!


Also, Ted Fuller (Hannah-alum and Ian-a sophomore) donated funds and helped to get us 3 new drum major stands!  One large one for the front and two smaller ones.   Thrilling!!

Well, I’m exhausted.  Two nights in a COLD gym and on a bus.  Going to go take a nap and then watch some of the conference we missed.  I hope it was wonderful for you!!!!


Well, here’s another one!  Brit Carson is engaged.  Did I already tell you that one?  I’m starting to lose track. 






PS-Drew, I’m glad you like my new signature! 

Week of September 24, 2012


Hello!! 

Another week! 

Well, I’m not sure what to tell you this week.  Dad went to California overnight on Friday.  He was doing something at UC Davis.  Luckily, he didn’t get pepper sprayed!  Or, maybe unluckily.  The courts awarded each of the pepper spray “victims” $30,000 for their trouble.  Travesty!


Annie and I accompanied the band to the stadium for a home game vs. Forest Grove.  We won!  I think it was something like 37 to 15.  Our marching band took the field at half time.  They did well.  Jim was out of town at his grandpa’s funeral, so I think we did pretty well without him. 


Annie has finished her second week at the Subway job.  She’s doing great!  Although she’s not thrilled with the actual job, she’s being very responsible about it.


Adam, Lainey told me this evening that Shelbie is expecting a baby…didn’t know if you knew that.  She’s in a relationship with Kyle Medick.


Here’s a fun one….


Hey…..

Kristen and Cory got a dog!!!

He’s pretty happy about it and Kristen is living a much different life than she thought she would…and she likes it!




In an effort to pare down the budget, we turned off our fios tv and our home phone. Thank goodness for BYU TV live streaming, Hulu and Google+ phone! We get to keep uplifting entertainment and our good old land line phone number that we've had since 1991. Modern technology!

 Dad took such good care of the tomatoes this summer. Bounty time!


Only 19 Days until Spencer Dunlop returns home…


The girls and I went to Jason and Claudia Hadley’s wedding reception at the Liddell’s home last night.  What fun.  This girl is great.  Jason is trying to figure out how to get her to move to Oregon… and Garth and Joanne are definitely planning a move back to Oregon next summer.  He is setting up clinicals with local doctors and has 3 or 4 out of the 5 he needs set up already.  We ARE excited!






This is a photo from a 112 mile bike ride they did together recently.  They amaze me!


We are going to Tri-Cities this Friday-Sunday for the Eastern Washington Cavalcade of Bands again.  Should be fun.  We are staying at a school called Southridge High this time.  Hopefully we will get to see the Hydes again.


Hopefully by this time next week, I’ll have word from you Brad, that you are on your way back to the states??  I hope so!!!


Well, I’m finishing my “online training” courses for the School District tonight.  They were due by today.  Got about one more hour to go. 

Talk to you again next week!!

Love you all,

Mom








Week of September 17, 2012

Hello!


I’m getting a late start on my email for this week! 

We had a busy week! Or more like weekend.  We had an all-day practice for band on Saturday and then the family bbq.  It went very well!  I didn’t take any pictures.  If someone posts one, I’ll send it next week.

Dad and I spent the weekend finishing up inputting all the medical forms into our new band website that keeps track of all our stuff.  What a job that was!  Took all weekend!  But now, we can give all the band families a log-in and they can access all their band information.  Inventory, volunteer hours, financial information, demographics, etc.

Other than that, we’ve done nothing!  We are getting ready now to go to Tri-cities (Pasco, Washington) for our first comptetition.  The next week is the Century Showcase.  Things are ramping up!

All the Oregon colleges started classes this week, so most of the facebook stuff is all about that.  Moving in, first week, etc.

Last night we had the elders over for dinner.  We invited Annie, but she was a no show.  I made chowder, though and it was wonderful.  Those elders just make me miss you more, but they also fill me with joy as they remind me so much of Adam and Drew!  They are heaven sent!

I’m settling in with the new Rosedale library classes.  We’ve started novels with all but the 1st grade.  I’m reading Charlottes Web to the 2nd graders!  So fun. 

The presidential election is the hot topic lately in the news.  So much negativity everywhere. 

Brad, I had a long conversation on facebook IM with Lauren about both politics and religion.  She was extremely polite!  I’m still really liking that girl….

Well, I think I’d better go.  Gotta get busy with work preparations.  Feed the dogs, laundry, dishes.  You know the drill….

I love you all!!!!!

Have an awesome week.


Week of September 10, 2012

DREW!!! A VOLCANO ERUPTION?????!!!!!!  ARE YOU OKAY????????????
We want all the details.  Did you see smoke?  Ash?  Is it blowing in your direction or away from you? 
Here’s a photo that Brad sent last week.  Only a few more weeks to go! 
Okay.  I found the fix for Dad’s little truck’s broken window handle on the passenger side.  New power window!!

Hmm.  Sounds like most of the news is NOT happening here!  Just a work-a-day week for us!
Oh, Annie starts work at a local Subway this week.  There is one over by the Hillsboro Winco that has a drive thru window and Annie has done that before.  It’s a start!  She wrecked on her motorcycle again yesterday and she is bruised all up one side.  Glutten for punishment I guess!  She’s having a lot of fun.

Can you play videos on the computers there?  If so, I’ll send you some video that Nick’s dad took this week while Annie was riding. 
Cameron came home last week.  We got to see him speak in Sacrament meeting this morning, then his family had an open house for him this evening.  All 6 of his siblings were here and a grandma, a couple of aunts and his dad from St. George, UT came.  Pretty fun for him.  He admitted to me tonight, though that he hasn’t left the house all week.  He’s got a bad case of RM shock going.  HE’s not sure what to do with himself and he doesn’t have a plan in mind for work or school yet.  He promised he’d visit the kids at Seminary and Band practice this week, though. 

Oh, Jeff Foody was called as a Seminary Teacher today.  I think he’ll be working at Hilhi and Century.  Don’t know the schedule yet, though.  Pretty fun.
My Birthday was fun. Dad made me salmon for dinner with spinach salad and garlic bread.  Yum.  He and Lainey made me cake and Dad bought me a cool new book by Mitt Romney.  Annie and Nick came over and gave me a card.  It’s always fun having them over.  Love their company!
That’s all I’ve got for this week!  How about you??
Oh, one more thing….
I LOVE YOU!!!
Mom

Week of September 3, 2012


Hello!  Greetings from the land of back to school and work!

We are all otherwise occupied now! 

Dad’s back to work (I think he’s clinically depressed now…)

I’m back to work and happy, happy, happy to be working with the same kids as I did last year!

Lainey is beginning her junior year and acting responsible about it.

AND we are all getting busy with fall marching season!!

The nights are getting colder, but the days have still been in the 80’s and 90’s. 

Dad has one little clump of grapes on the new grape vine and they are turning purple!

We planted the tomatoes too late in the season, so they are just now starting to ripen up some fruit.  We’ll see how many make it before the first frost takes them down.

Oh, I have to show you a very cool photo that came from the Stott family this week…

Cute!

I love Katie’s face.  She’s curiously looking very old these days.   How DOES that happen??  It’s like a disease that hits all the kids!

Lainey spoke in Sacrament meeting today.  She was terrifically nervous until she got to the chapel and looked at the program.  She discovered that the elders were the adult speakers and was like, “It’ll be just like sitting on the stand with my brothers!”  All better.

She told the bishop that and of course then the Bishop shared with the congregation.  Then Elder Lawrence gave Lainey a great big smile and almost made her cry.  Elder Lawrence got up after Lainey and said he was glad to be her brother.  I have to say that the two elders we have right now make it just a little easier to have Drew and Adam away.  They both remind me of you two so much.  Right down to the trombone and the drums. 

Their talks were wonderful. 

We went to the Stake Girls Camp fireside tonight.  Fun.  Lainey only has one more summer of camp until she’s officially too old.  This is just too much.

So Adam, I’ll try to be ready for the day before 6:30 in the morning so I’ll have time to sit at my email while you’re on. 

Not much else to report this week! I guess Annie has a couple of job interviews.  I’ll let you know how she fairs!

Brad, we don’t hear much from you, but we do see Lauren’s comments on Facebook, so we know you’re still there!  Let us know how you’re doing. 

I sure do love you guys!!

All my love and hugs,

Mom



Week of August 27, 2012

Hello!

Well, we’re back from North Bend and Dad is in Seattle until tomorrow (Monday).  We had a nice visit.  Didn’t do much but visit.  Annie and Lainey dropped in on Aunt Lynn, but Dad and I missed her.  Maybe next time.

Here’s a picture of Grandpa.  He’s doing okay, but they are looking into home health care and he has to be on oxygen most of the time now.  Their new rental house is in Empire and it is all flat.  No steps anywhere.  It suits them better. 

 
Dad mowed the lawn at the old house while we were there.  It’s ever worse now if you can imagine that.  There’s an uncontrolled leak in the roof that is making the interior fall everywhere.  It’s pretty bad. 

Grandma Hopper is good.  The new house is right by Empire lake and there are walking trails all around it.  She’s enjoying it and took us on a walk while we were there.

Of course Annie gave Lainey a hard time the whole walk…

But they managed to have fun too!

Then we celebrated Annie’s 17th (oops, 24th) Birthday!

I’ve been upstairs for the past two days finally getting things cleaned up and put away.  Moved Annie into Lainey’s old room.  Adam’s room is now a guest/family history room.  Adam, it will be all ready for you when you return!  Now the quilt room is now a room again.  Clear floor, access to my sewing table and library of books.  Annie has a nice little “living room” there.  Annie’s been gone camping with Nick and his parents this weekend, so she’ll come home to a nice clean and organized room.  Not sure she’ll be thrilled, but I’m excited!  Now I just have to tackle the “give away” pile in the garage and the “storage” in the room above the garage.  Hopefully soon it will be all organized so that when you return (all three of you!), you’ll be able to find your stuff!! 

Well, there’s only two more days until I’m back to work for the school year.  I have mixed feelings.  Oh, and Teri Dunlop is now the new secretary at Ladd Acres!  She’s terrifically excited!  The office manager is Andrea Ansari’s mom.  Teri will be great there.  It was her birthday on Friday, so it was fun for her to get this job on her birthday!

Okay.  Just sayin’ – There’s only 114 days left until my Christmas phone call/Skype visit! Not that I’m counting or anything (or that there’s a count down on my phone ;-0)

Adam, how are Benedito and Sonia doing this week?  Hopefully they’ve made progress.  The gospel can bring so much happiness.  Hopefully they will decide that too! How did dessert night go? 

Drew, how’s Sonora so far?  Hopefully, no one died last Tuesday?? I hope that is behind you!  How’s it going with Elder Luna?  How is it that an 18 year old can serve?  Are the rules different in different countries??

Brad, how’s it going?  We are definitely waiting to hear from you!  What kind of work are you doing?  What have you learned about begin “embedded” with an Afghani community?  Is there a lot of interaction with the people?  Are you a part of that or do you have other work to do? 

Well, I’m heading to bed.  Hoping to wake up to a little conversation with you Adam!  Let me know when you are on line.  Hopefully, I won’t oversleep!

I love you all and wait to hear from you all!!!!!!

Have a productive week,

Mom



Week of August 13, 2012

Hello Gentlemen!

It’s been a pretty slow week around here, but there have been some happenings.  The missionaries came to dinner on Wednesday. That was fun.  Elder Lawrence came on splits with an Elder Sherwood.  He was an…interesting character.  Then they came back on Friday (Elder Lawrence and Peterson this time).  They came to teach us.  Dad, Myself, Lainey and Annie.  They are teaching some of the families in the ward and they wanted us to be a part of that teaching.  It was fun and we are working on figuring out when would be a good time for them to come again. 

Freshman camp was held at the high school for the band.  Dad and I went to give out med/travel forms and introduce ourselves.  It was fun.  On Friday, we held a parent meeting for newbies.  There is so much to teach them about Century Band that I always think we are totally overwhelming to the parents.  Oh, well.  We’ll fix the problems along the way as we can!  We’re getting excited about rolling into a new fall season.  Looks like Lainey has captured the bass trombone at least for jazz band this year.  Did I mention that she’s a JUNIOR this year??  How’d that happen?? 

Band camp is this week and I’m sure since Dad is home this week that there will be some shenanigans! 

Brad, Annie says you are leaving for Afghanistan this Wednesday??  You didn’t tell us that!  Hopefully, you’ll have most of the problem with your car figured out by then. (Drew and Adam-Brad was driviing during a bad rain storm last week and when he went through a puddle – a BIG puddle, his engine seized! He’s got it in the shop right now and is waiting to see if it will get repaired or if it will be totalled).  Back to Brad: Please let us know what we can do to support you from here.  It seems a little disjointed this time.  We don’t even know your unit number, we’re not connected with your units’ website and I’ve not become acquainted with any of the other moms.  All things that happened before you deployed last time.  Seems a little surreal this time.  Probably because you are not going with the rest of your troops.  Please leave us a trail of whatever you can.  I know you are probably busy beyond belief trying to get everything done.

We had a special meeting at church this week.  We met with the Stake and Elder Russell M. Nelson came to speak to us!  It was very wonderful.  Always is when an apostle of the Lord comes to your town!  He spoke of things we should teach our children.  He asked the Primary children to stand up and sing “I Am A Child Of God” improptu.  Very cute.  Then he asked all the 14 year old boys to stand.  When they did, he asked us how we thought it was that Heavenly Father asked a 14 year old to bring the Gospel back to the earth?  It was pretty cute.  Then he spoke of how Joseph Smith was prepared for the work. 

At the end, we got to go up and shake his hand.  He is turning 88 years old next month. 

So, after the meeting, we got to see Spencer Dowd.  He is heading to BYU-Hawaii in a couple of weeks.  He’s pretty excited.

Also, we saw the Rose family.  Melissa is now a Mrs. again.  She married a fellow named Griffin.  He seems pretty okay.  They graduated from college (both of them) a week ago Friday and the next day, they got married in the Las Vegas temple.  Tomorrow (Monday), Melissa starts cullinary school in Vegas.  She’s excited.  Nicole told me that she has put papers in and is waiting on a mission call!  I’ll let you know when and where she’s going.  They both asked about you both and I told them how well you are doing.  They send their best. 

And, for the news of the week…..?


Derek and Jess got married?

 Is that all?????

NO!!
Luis and Brittany are having a baby!!!!!!!

And for the DCI finals news…

Here are the results:

DCI World Championship Finals


Place
Corps
Score
World Class
1
GE
39.650
1
Visual
29.750
1
Music
29.300
1
98.700
2
GE
39.350
2
Visual
29.250
2
Music
29.050
2
97.650
3
GE
38.850
3
Visual
29.200
3
Music
28.500
4
96.550
4
GE
38.050
4
Visual
28.350
5
Music
28.650
3
95.050
5
GE
37.850
5
Visual
28.500
4
Music
28.100
6
94.450
6
GE
36.800
6
Visual
27.400
6
Music
28.350
5
92.550
7
GE
35.400
8
Visual
26.650
7
Music
27.050
8
89.100
8
GE
35.250
9
Visual
26.350
9
Music
27.250
7
88.850
9
GE
35.600
7
Visual
25.950
10
Music
26.450
9
88.000
10
GE
34.850
10
Visual
26.500
8
Music
25.350
11
86.700
11
GE
33.800
11
Visual
25.100
12
Music
25.500
10
84.400
12
GE
33.750
12
Visual
25.250
11
Music
25.000
12
84.000



Blue Devils

A group of 93 Blue Devils members and staff will be headed to Guatemala over Labor Day Weekend as special guests of Casa Instrumental, the largest music retailer in Central America. In addition to educational clinics, the corps will put on a 30-minute concert as the finale to the Guatemala Marching Band Championships.

I don’t know if Tim will get around to writing you anytime soon, so I’ll let you know that he was injured early in the season (Achilles tendon, I think…) and ended up as an alternate this season.  He learned several parts, but didn’t end up marching.  Kinda sad.  He said he’s glad they didn’t take first this year.  Would have been kinda sad on the sidelines!  Maybe next year!

Adam, I’m so glad to hear that you are hitting it off with your companion.  The work moves along so much better when you like who you’re with!

For the record, I WAS THE ONE WHO DROVE YOUR CAR UP ONTO THE TRAILER AND THEN BACK OFF.  IT WAS THE SCARIEST THING I THINK I’VE EVER DONE! Dad was too big and Lainey is not experienced enough with a manual transmission…so it was me.  So when I started up onto the ramp (made of 2x4’s), the wood split in half and the tongue of the trailer went up into the air!  I thought the car and I were both going to die!!!  I got it up there about two inches too far to the right, so Lainey turned the wheel while they pushed the car back and forth on the trailer.  That got the front end moved to the center, but then Lane and Dad had to jack the car up in the rear and push it over to center it on the trailer.  She stayed strapped really well for the whole ride home.  She did great!  So did Stanley, but he now needs new brakes.  Go figure.  We had to put the top down in order to get out of the car while it was on the trailer because we couldn’t open the doors.  Adventure!


Lainey is now on a mission to finish her Personal Progress, get her license, earn the money for insurance and gas and drive your car while you are still gone.  She even gave it a carwash when we got home.  By the way, when Lane went to move her to the front of the shop, she stared right up!

Adam, I loved your quote last week.  Music sure has made all the difference in our lives.  Thanks for that.  By the way, next week you hit the 8 month mark.  1/3 of the way done already! 

Drew, sounds like the Mission President interview last week was a highlight of your mission.  I hope you always remember and follow his words to you.    The zoo sounds like it was super fun!  But skittles to the monkeys????  Really? White horses.  Wish you’d had your camera out…

How’s it going with your reactivated family with the business open on Sunday?  Did they come back this week? 

Somehow I don’t think I’ve run across too many mentions in the handbook about people praying over dead people.  Interesting new thing!

Hey, have a good week, men, and Brad: travel safely!!  Please let us know how to stay in touch and know that we love you all dearly!!  Crying now.  Be safe. 


Mom