Here are some videos of the house we are looking at for Jared and Julianna

TREK

Elena & Kacie - Home Depot parking lot, this is the beginning

 We survived the TREK!!!
Before the youth started, your Dad encouraged them to have an M&M experience.  (Magnificent & Marvelous)  They all had that!!


We will be getting more pictures to share later, but in the mean time, enjoy these Ü

Kacie - ready for an incredible journey

Elena - all smiles and determined to walk all the way!

Kacie & Kayla with the 1st of 3 shirt they made for the Trek

The YO Ranch was beautiful.  Prior to getting to this spot, the youth had an incredible ravine to cross.

Here comes the handcarts

It was wonderful being there with the youth.  Kacie and Elena did great!!!  The first day after about a mile of walking, they made Elena stop.  She obeyed with a smile, but inside a little sad.  It made her all the more determined to walk the whole way on the next two days which she did!!!

The most incredible experience came on the 2nd day when all the men and boys in camp were sent to serve missions.  The girls were left to pull the handcarts by themselves for several miles.  Each handcart had 3-4 girls pulling it.  At the end of the women's pull, these girls had to pull the handcarts up a steep, rocky cliff.  The boys and men were lined up along the cliff and they were not allowed to touch the handcarts or help in anyway.  They just had to stand silently and watch. 

As the first group of girls struggled, it tugged at your heart and made you cry.  When they got to the top, they turned around and ran down the hill to help the next cart along the way.  You had girls running back and forth helping cart after cart.  Most of the men and boys were crying as they watched this event take place.  It was a powerful example of service and knowing there are times when we have to be the Lord's hands to help others along the way.

When Elena's group when up the hill, her new "brothers" were sobbing knowing how bad her knee was and yet, she was able to help pull that cart up the steep embankment.


It was truly a Magnificent, Marvelous and Miraculous experience for all!!

BIG WEEK

It is Spring Break Ü

To begin the week, Allan and a few friends braved the coolness of the pool and went swimming bringing home our first sunburned boy.

Tamiflu to the rescue for my little Aimee has the flu.  We got medicine and the doctor was so kind to inform me that when and if the others come down with the flu, just call him and he will prescribe more Tamiflu for the family.

TREK!!! Dad, Elena, Kacie and I are on our way to the YO Ranch up near Kerrville, TX.  It should be loads of fun and the weather is forecasted to be cloudy all week with no rain and temperature in the 60-80 range.  I've posted pictures of our buckets which contain our life possessions for the week and Elena relaxing this morning playing Mario Sunshine before she gives up the comforts of home and leaves our faithful watch dog to care over the remaining family along with Grandma and Grandpa Foote.

One cool family history story to share...  It turns out that on my Grandpa Petersen's side of the family, Andrew Rose, who was baptized by the Prophet Joseph Smith, was on the same wagon train going West with Warren Foote who is on your Dad's side of the family.  Warren Foote was the captain over 100 and Andrew Rose being in his 70's, died along the trail just before they reached Winter Quarters.  At the time of his passing, the wagon train was in desperate need of meat and when they stopped to bury Father Rose as they referred to him, they were able to find lots of buffalo. Ü

Catch Up Events

The last two weeks have been full of exciting events.  Kacie received a 1st division rating on both of her solo and her ensemble the beginning of this month.  Darin discovered that we finally have a tree he can climb in and enjoyed the warmth of the Texas sun. Aimee took pleasure in relaxing on a nice blanket in the yard and Elena just enjoyed life in general.  We miss Yoko, but I found some pictures as she enjoyed riding on a trailer loaded with her belongings and her packing her bags for her trip back to Hong Kong.

 

 

 

 

Wow!  Time is flying by on me.

Yoko, our dear friend who has been staying with us, is back in Hong Kong.  We pray that all is going well for her.  She will be going to Provo in the fall to begin the PhD program in Psychology. 

My YW Camp meeting was a wonderful success and the girls are fired up about our Two Steppin' Home theme.

Elena and I took our trip to Dallas to meet with Dr. Cooper.  While traveling up, I had my first tire blow out experience.  It was 7:30 in the morning and raining.  We got to the side of the road and I was so grateful to have road side assistance come and fix our tire.  We were also blessed to be 13 miles away from the nearest discount tire.

We learned that a meniscus transplant would not be a good fix for Elena's knee, but the doctor made a couple of other suggestions that we are following.

Guess Which Hand

Happy Valentine's Day to All!!!!

My Aimee just walked up to me and said guess which hand.  I picked one and she said, "no, that's not the right one." so I picked the other.  To my surprise, she holds out her hand and there is her TOOTH.   She mentioned she had another loose tooth several weeks ago, but to have it out with no tears, or fuss or any drama is just amazing to me.  It came out during lunch again -  thanks to an apple.  So now both bottom center teeth are out Ü

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 I just want to express my love and appreciation to my family and how thankful I am for each one.  Jared, Julianna, Thomas, Brian, Janet, Kelli, Rob, Elena, Kacie, Allan, Darin and Aimee.  You are all amazing and I'm so thankful to have you in my life.  Yes, Jeff is still my valentine and oh how he makes my heart twitter-pate.
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Here are some pictures of Aimee and Darin at their school Valentine Party.  It was a candy land theme and they both had a lot of fun.

Snow in Texas

We had a wonderful weekend.

Allan went on his Freeze-er-e and yes, he did get a little cold.  Overall he had a great time and really enjoyed shooting a rifle.

Elena and Kacie attended a fantastic multi-stake valentine dance sponsored by our stake and had a great time.

Elena also had a fun date Saturday afternoon with Josh Riding, Cassie Gardner and David Jones.  They went to the Gardner's and made crapes. 

On Sunday, I went with Jeff to Kerrville.  It was their ward conference.  The weather was cold driving up, and to my surprise, others who arrived after us told us it was snowing!!!!!   I know it is nothing big to my kids in Utah, but for us Texans, any snow is worth celebrating. Ü  By the time I was able to take these pictures, the snow had turned into sleet.  It was a great day to be in the hill country.

Bobcat Award

Tuesday night Darin had his Blue and Gold Banquet where he received his Bobcat Award.  He also got to participate in the flag ceremony and carry the American flag.  Way to go Darin!!

Favorite Hymns

Here lies a new week with new adventures to come.  What will they be????  I look forward and I'm ready to tackle whatever may come Ü

Two hymns have made a big impression on me in the last few weeks.  They were sung in our Stake Conference and the beautiful messages in them have been a source of joy and delight in my life.  The love the Savior has for each of us and his encouragement to stay strong in the gospel sings out to me in these hymns.  How Firm of Foundation (Hymn 85) and Behold a Royal Army (Hymn 251).  I won't share all the verses; however all verses are awesome.  Here is a verse from each hymn that stands out to me.

Fear not, I am with thee;
Oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

Behold! A royal army, with banner, sword, and shield,
Is marching forth to conquer on life's great battlefield.
Its rank are filled with soldiers, United bold, and strong,
They see his signal flashing and shout their joyful song:
Victory, victory, thru him that redeemed us!
Victory, victory, thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Victory, victory, victory, Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

I just want to wish my mom the happiest of birthdays ever!!!!

She is traveling with Kevin to go see her mother, my grandma Tressa Pearson.  I hope they have a wonderful visit and that Tressa  is able to feel of the love Lola has for her.  That would be a wonderful gift for my mom.

Grandma Pearson is in a nursing home and has taken a turn for the worse.  She is not able to recognize what a spoon or fork is used for any more.  If she could be granted the gift of knowing that Lola is there, that would be a miracle.

Cinnamon rolls to the RESCUE

Yesterday, I made a double batch of cinnamon rolls for Jeff to take to work.  The cinnamon rolls were a big hit and did their job to make people happy.

I had a few left over rolls for the kids and low and behold, it was the right thing to pull our Darin's loose tooth.

There was just enough rolls to share with my camp assistants as we traveled to Camp Sionito.  It provided a wonderful smell in the car and was yummy in the tummy.

Exciting, Awesome, Marvelous, Wonderful News of All

This is one excited mom and Aimee who just had the most exciting, awesome, marvelous, wonderful day of all!!

Jared was matched yesterday with San Antonio Medical School.  Yes!  That means they are coming to San Antonio.

Also, my dear, sweet, most awesome and wonderful husband took me out to up grade my phone and I am now a proud user of an iPhone. Ü

Toothless

Aimee lost her first tooth today during lunch. Thanks to a pretzel it came out with ease and no tears Ü

Wonderful Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend.  It was our Stake Conference and we were blessed to have Elder Johnson come and stayed with us Saturday night.  What an incredible man.  His messages on Saturday and Sunday were so uplifting and the spirit was so strong.  All who spoke at the conference did an outstanding job.  The music was as if from heaven.  Sunday for lunch we had chili, cornbread, and Grandma Foote's yummy pear pie and apple/apricot pie.  It was a delicious Texas feast and Elder Johnson was very kind and complimentary on it.

To also add to the weekend events, the Mercedes was sold and we bought Grandma Foote's Honda.  The following are pictures of Grandma's new Outback Subaru and our new Honda.  Grandpa Foote still has his car he wants to replace.  So stay tuned for the last of the car swap-a-roo!!

Yoko and Hula Hoops

We are blessed to have Yoko stay with us for a few days.  She is from Hon Kong and will be flying up to BYU to interview and hopefully be accepted into the PHD program there.

Yoko has the most incredible hula hoop.  It is one that can be taken apart and easily stored and carried to places she goes.  On her mission, she hurt her back and the hula hoop is what she used for exercise and for a back massage.  She can hula and read her scriptures at the same time thus getting exercise and a spiritual lift.

Aimee got a hula hoop for her birthday and thus the competition of learning how to work the hoop is on. Ü  Darin beats us all hands down.  He even attempted reading and hula hooping together.  Allan can do pretty good too. The hula hoop in the pictures below, belongs to Yoko.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIMEE

GUESS WHO IS 6?????     

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIMEE!! WE LOVE YOU

Oh Julianna, I did my best on a cake.  I had to have some help from My Little Pet Shop animals.

E-Bay Success

Wednesday evening the auction of the Mercedes was completed and we sold my pretty bluish green car to the highest bidder.  The gentleman will come on Saturday to pick it up.  It was a success through e-bay. Ü

Goodbye Marshmallow - Hello Flex

With a little bit of sadness, we announce the departure of our faithful White Marshmallow aka - Foote's 15 passenger van.  It has served us well and we will miss the enormous amount of space and luggage room.  Darin and Aimee had a few tears to shed since it was the only car they've ever known. 

Saturday, Jeff found an incredible deal on a Ford Flex and on Monday we traded and bought a used 2011 Ford Flex.  It has a little over 8,000 miles and pretty much loaded with leather seats, navigation system, sync system and seats 7 people.  So welcome Flex to your new home!!  I'm in need of a name for this car, so any and all suggestions are welcomed.  Yes, it sort of looks like a gangster car, but I can't go with that.