Pictures from Elder Lott

 

 

 

 

This is why he is losing so much weight. 

 

 chicken and rice

 

 

 

At the Manila Temple

Go Longhorns 

 

 

 

Looks like corn to me??? 

 

 

 

Missionary training  Sept 14, 2014 

(on the right behind the sister missionaries) 

 

 

 

 Elder Lott and his companion Elder Arorong

 

 

 

  Alcala District Tuguegarao North Zone

(Alex's companion from the MTC is Elder Reynolds on the right folding his arms)

 

 

 

It is wonderful to see so many pictures of him.  A big thanks to his Mission President's wife. 

Hooper fun

Adam and Ethan enjoyed an Ogden Raptors game.

 

 

 

 

Ethan loves school.  His first official day was Aug 29.  He was so excited and was up and ready by 6:30 am.  I admit I was to nervous to let him ride the bus the first few days.  He wasn't to thrilled as he wanted to ride the bus so badly.  I did let him ride it home from school and he was so excited.  I met him the first day with the car and he told me to drive home fast so he could walk alone.  I guess he is growing up whether I am ready or not.  I even became one of those moms and cried after I dropped him off for his first day of school.  Then I went to the store and bought a bag of double stuffed mint Oreos and ate way more that I will admit to.  I am doing great now.  It's nice to have a few more hours to myself.  I am enjoying my morning three hour naps after the kids leave.  Ha Ha.  Ok, I have actually only taken a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watching the fireworks with Ry.

 

  Hooper has a huge Labor Day celebration called Tomato Days.  Saturday night there was a town dinner followed by fireworks at fair grounds.  We have chosen the past few years to watch them in the cemetery.  The view is great and so it the company.  The kids enjoyed treats, homemade kettle corn and glow sticks.  The show was spectacular. 

 

 

 

 

Labor Day morning waiting for the parade. 

 

 It's wonderful to live in a small town and to be able to drive two miles and show up for a parade only minutes before it starts.  The kids get tons of candy and its fun to see the great folks from Hooper.

The day continues with games, booths, food, fishing and later a rodeo.  I helped cut and give out free watermelon and helped in our Boy Scout booth selling taco salads.  It was fun to see the boys enjoy the games and rides.  Jaime volunteered all day with the kid games.  Mike followed the boys around and was a great sport.

Adam and Ethan as human sized hamsters.

 

 

Ethan was brave this year and made it to the top.  They both got a reward of a dollar. 

A ditch across from the fairgrounds had been filled with water and about 300 catfish.  The boys had fun trying to fish but didn't have any luck.  I guess the fish finally got smart and quit biting after being caught multiple times during the day.  (it was catch and release)

 

 

 

 

 

So this is what happens when you don't notice a cucumber for awhile.  I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it and it actually had little seeds and tasted great.  I cut it and snacked on it for about a week.  Yes, I promise it isn't a zucchini.

 

 

 

September 12th

The boys happily wore their jerseys to school to show their love towards Ryan.  Sweet little Ethan also wore his "Future Missionary" tag as well.  He was supporting both brothers.

 

 

 

 

 

When we got home from the cemetery I received the email informing us of the typhoon headed towards Alex.  It had been a hard day already with it being the 12th.  And to top it off  Mike's flight was canceled and he wasn't able to come home and had to stay another night in Texas.  Actually he had to drive from El Paso to Albuquerque, New Mexico, spend the night and then fly out the next morning.  He got to his hotel at around midnight.  Had he not taken that drive, he wouldn't have gotten home for three more days.  So, my emotions were already high.  Then to get news of the typhoon was almost all I could take.  The next morning I had a scripture come to mind.  It was, "Peace I give unto you ....  let not your heart be troubled or afraid."  I felt much better.  I was thankful for answered prayers.  I knew he was in the Lord's hands and would be safe.  It also helped that Alex emailed us late Friday night because they would most likely be without power for the next few days.  In his brief response he said he wasn't nervous about the typhoon.  Instead, he was excited about his 1st baptism.  It was wonderful to see him focusing on the positive and not the negative.  I was very proud of him.  I can't wait to hear how both went.  I also took comfort knowing that if he had really been in danger the baptism, only hours before would have been canceled. 

 

Thank you for all the prayers and support.  This evening I did receive word that all the missionaries are safe.  I can't wait to hear about all his new adventures.