Student of the Month

 Connor was a Student of the Month for November for the second year in a row! Great job, Connor!

Ready for the MTC

On Wednesday morning we loaded up the car with Cody's luggage around 12:00 and then did the last of all the photos and hugs we could with Grandma, Granddaddy, Aunt Suzanna and her kids and Aunt Calley.  We sang Called to Serve on the way down to the MTC.  It was quite difficult to get through with out numerous tears!  On the way down we saw many families outside on the temple grounds taking their last photos.  One of those families was a friend of Cody's from high school, Ryan Garlic.  We didn't stop to say hi but it was fun to see someone we knew.  There are 3 other elders from our valley entering the MTC before Christmas.  One is going to Raleigh as well but Spanish speaking.  We dropped Cody off at the MTC at 12:30pm.  Grandma's house is about 5 minutes from the MTC.  We left her house at 12:21 and were back to her house by 12:36 after dropping him off.  It took us longer to drive to the MTC than it did to unload him and say goodbye.  After a final hug from mom, a final hug from dad and then a final final hug from mom he was off and so were we.  It was a good day with the sun shining brightly and not too cold.  We love out missionary!

Bon Voyage Breakfast

On Wednesday morning we had a special Bon Voyage breakfast for Cody.  Don went out early for Einstein bagels and we cooked up a storm.  I made grits and french toast.  Connor made bacon and sausage out on the grill.  Aunt Suzanna, Owie, and Ella, Uncle Chris and his family, and Mawmaw were able to join us and then give Cody one last round of hugs. 

Our Missionary

Tuesday night, November 27, we had family dinner of pizza from Papa John's and then got ready for Cody's setting apart. I wasn't sure if we were all supposed to be in our dress clothes but with a few phone calls we found out that it was a good idea for everyone to be dressed up.  Aunt Suzanna's family, Uncle Chris came and Mawmaw.  Aunt Anne stayed home with the kids because they were all super sick.   The stake president of Cody's singles ward was the one that set him apart. It was a very spiritual experience-other than Kyle being especially noisy and the phone rining.  Atleast it was Brigham Young that called in the middle of the blessing-the University that is.  I also made two of Cody's favorite desserts:snow tunnel cake and jello cake.  Cody had lots of phone calls and visits from friends all that day and into the evening.

Temple Square FHE

On Monday night, November 26, we went to Temple Square to see the lights.  Our first stop was City Creek mall.  Calley and Cody had been there before so they knew their way around.  We went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner and then walked across the street to see all the lights on Temple Square.  We listened to the Nativity and went inside to see the Christus.  We wondered around the grounds for a while and saw all the beautiful lights and then went over to the Conference Center for a super speedy tour.  Connor and Kyle were getting tired and wanting to go home.  It was not a very cold night thank goodness but a nice last FHE before Cody left.  

Family Photo Shoot

On Sunday November 25 Cody spoke in his singles ward.  We all went as well as Mawmaw and Grandma Penny.  Cody gave and outstanding talk, similar to the one he gave in Logandale the week before.  There were two other sister missionaries that spoke.  Afterward we had a family photo shoot in the grandma's backyard.  The top two pictures are what we used on our family Christmas cards this year.

Walking in a Riverwoods Wonderland

On Friday night November 23, we went down to Riverwoods to see the lights and see Santa.  Kyle didn't actually have to face Santa so he didn't really know who had him.  Cayden actually got within arms length of him this time.  It was a little chilly but not terribly so.  We went to the slider place and ordered a few to share and of course had to hit Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  We also went into Blickenstaff's, a toy store and looked around there.  Riverwoods has lost alot of shops but it was still fun to go down there.  The line to see Santa was really short too so that made it nice.  

Turkey Day

We had Thanksgiving at Grandma Penny's house again this year.  Cody had come down on Monday November 12 and was able to stay until we all drove up together on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  He wanted to come home on Saturday, November 10 but the a huge storm blew in and Utah County was almost to a stand still.  We didn't want him driving down and having any problems because of the weather so he waited until Monday.  Grandpa Penny  had neck surgery on Monday November 19, just 3 days before Thanksgiving.  Grandma usually tries to do most of the work for the big meal but she couldn't do too much this year and even if she wanted to we would not have let her.  We made snacks during the day like a cheeseball and dips so we wouldn't starve before the big meal.  Dinner was at 2 like usual.  Don handled the turkey and everyone else pitched in to help with everything else.  After our delicious meal we watched Christmas Vacation.  Since Grandma was out of commission we did alot of the cooking for the family.  For some reason, it must be the high altitude, every time we-Don or I, made something in the oven it would boil over.  One night we made enchiladas I think and they boiled over so bad and the smoke was just filling the house.  Don opened the oven door right as the fan we had put in the kitchen turned my way and blew all the smokey carbon monoxide right at me.  I thought I was going to die!  I coughed and coughed and choked so bad that I had to run outside to breath.  I was feeding Kyle at the time and yankied him out of the high chair and ran him outside with me but his back was to the smoke and so it didn't affect him as badly as it did me.  Connor was pretty freaked out and thought I was going die.  I did have a really hard time for about 10 minutes but finally I was able to breathe normally.  I do not think I want to die in a fire.  That was not fun.  We had a good turkey day and then spent the weekend trying to get Cody all ready for his departure.  We did some shopping, lots of list checking, some eating out and just being together.  

The First Farewell

On Sunday, November 18, Cody spoke in Sacrament meeting in our ward in Logandale.  He looked fancy i his new suit, tie and shoes!  He would not let me read his talk beforehand-which he always used to do-because he said it was a surprise.  It was a marvelous talk and he got so many many compliments that day and then for many weeks after that when people would come up to me at church and tell me what a great job he did.  There were a few people who commented on the fact that they have never heard the word superfluous used over the pulpit!  After Sacrament meeting we had a luncheon at our house for all the family and friends who came down to support Cody.  We had soups and spinach salad and Grandma Penny brought brownies and cookies from BYU.  It was a nice day!  One of my best friends, Amy Marshall, and her family came down from Panguitch.  The family from Utah had to be on their way pretty quickly after lunch because every one had work and school and Grandma Penny had neck surgery scheduled.  At 4 Cody had invited a few friends to come visit him so he spent the next few hours with them eating more brownies and cookies.  A few of his leaders and teachers came by as well like Brother and Sister Mulcock,  Sister Mulcock was his seminary teacher from 9th grade.  Brother and Sister Barlow came by as well.  Brother Barlow was our Bishop while Cody was in Young Men's.  It was a nice day to spend with family and friends.

The Last of the Hohos

The terrible horrible no good very bad news came out today that there would be no more Hostess products. Grandma Penny and granddaddy were down for Cody's farewell and they made a run to Lin's to see that was available.  This was the last of the HoHo's. It's a sad day for our country.

Kyle Brandt is 14 Months Old