Skinny Chad ....

Chad is doing well in Mexico. He has lost about 60 lbs. WOW!! He is working very very hard, and loving the people.

CARLSBAD

(July 16th-23rd)

This year Ken's neice Kandus was getting married in San Diego during our week vacation. Convenient !!! So - even though Kenna wasn't back from the Trek we took off on the 16th. The next day we had the rehersal dinner at the beach (way fun !! complete with smores) and then picked up Kenna from the airport that night. She flew in just in time for the wedding the next afternoon. It was a beautiful wedding at the Bay with the water behind them. Congratulations Kandus and Shaka -- we love you !!

We missed Chad so much !! Chad is "Mr. California" and everywhere we went people asked about him. We showed lots of pictures and people took some as they looked. Ken says that the good thing about NOT having Chad with us -- was well, the food budget !!! It was great. I wanted to surprise him with a family picture with us in his boardshorts. (He's been asking me to send him a pair of his -- but my opinion, call me crazy...... A missionary does NOT need a pair of boardshorts. So, I haven't sent him any and won't be sending him any. HAHA!) So before we left I went in to his room to get a couple pairs. He had 27, yes twenty-seven pairs of boardshorts. CRAZY!! It would have been great to have a picture of a bunch of people (just complete strangers) in his shorts, but we took a family one anyway. He loved it -- but once again asked, "HEY---- SEND ME SOME OF THOSE !!!"

When we checked out of our Condo we drove to Anaheim and finally took Kenna to Knottsberry Farm. She's been wanting to go forEVER. It was fun. But, Ken and I are getting too old to do those dang rides.

Kenna finally getting her

Knottsberry Farm trip

Typical family beach time--

we're ALL asleep !!

Fashion swimwear provided by Quicksilver...

and Chad !!

LOVE this picture of our sweet 'Lena

Chip, Nicole, and Ken

Grandma Virginia and 'Lena

At the reception

Kandus and Shaka

Daddy's Princess

TREK 2011

(July 13-16)

Our Stake did a Pioneer Trek this year. Kenna went all decked out in her pioneer gear. Doesn't she look cute!! Physically it was not hard for her, and she really enjoyed it.

She was in the Rollins family

Lena turns 24 !!! (WHAT????)

'Lena had her 24th birthday yesterday. I can't believe it !!

Her favorite way to celebrate -- her favorite fast food. Yum. (NOT!) She got new sunglasses, clothes, pjs, and new notebooks and pens to write in. The 24 candles in the cake, just about caused the smoke alarms to go off. : o )

Dinner of choice ....

cheeseburger, fries..... strawberry shake.

Burning down the house....

Chad's been out 6 months !!!

Well, it is finally here. Chad has been in the mission field for 6 months !!! He is having a great time and having lots of wonderful experiences. Our best guess is that he's lost about 25 lbs. and is developing that nice, dark Mexican tan! He says his Spanish is "coming along"..... He did a practice exercise with one of the Hermana Missionaries (Sister) and she told him, "Well, I don't really know what you said.... but the Spirit spoke - and it was strong." HA! We have truly been blessed while he has been gone. The Lord is taking care of us -- we have received some "breaks" the last few months - that have really helped us. We recognize that for the true Spirit that it is. We are blessed..... We miss him horribly but love Monday's when we get to hear from him. He's being a good boy and doing like his Mother asked him -- sending pictures with every e-mail. We usually get about 5-10 pictures each week. That's such a blessing. I can't imagine when parents had to wait for snail mail. Even when his e-mails sound a little down - I can see a picture of him - smiling, laughing, enjoying life. That really helps because those don't lie. He's doing well.

Chad's 20 !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAD !!!!!

In honor of Chad's 20th Birthday, we had a Mexican feast. (No - not fish heads..... or avacoda pasta...... yum!!) But, chili rellenos and pork green chile. And, Mom -- to really tick Chad off - sent him this picture of her enjoying a Monster. And, Kenna ... pretending to enjoy a Monster. MMHH! It was good! It was my first one since Chad's left .... honest !! We miss him so much!!!

Chad's 1st Baptism ...

Chad did his first baptism on December 29, 2010. He had not taught the woman, but his companion really wanted him to have the experience. (Isn't that the most unselfish thing....) So - Chad enjoyed being a part of this woman's special experience. We really enjoyed talking to him on Christmas, but it opens up the wound of him being gone. He is doing really well. He is struggling with the Spanish -- of course. But - he loves the investigators and really enjoys the area he is in: Puerto Morelos. WE MISS HIM !!!

The PRINCESS is 16 ..... !!

Kenna turned 16 last month. She worked really hard to get her Young Womanhood Recognition so that she could drive. So - on her birthday, she got her license. She had a "Sweet 16" party that ended up being 35, yes 35 teenagers in our home. It was alot of fun. But - very very loud!!

She got a car for Christmas -- so that really freeze up ..... MY world !! Hallelujah!! : o)

Chad's VISA is here !!!

Chad got his VISA this week. WOW! We are so grateful. Many elders have been delayed a month or more, and some have been temporarily sent somewhere else. So - this is GREAT NEWS !! And, he got to get out of the prison, (oops that's his words not mine --) the MTC two days in a row to see the Mexican Consulate. So - he will probably be leaving on the 13th. THAT'S IN 8 DAYS !!! The super great news -- we will be talking to him in 8 days !! I'm trying to prepare myself so that don't just weep the whole time. It reminds me of when the kids were little and we would be away. Ken would have to call and talk to them, because I couldn't do it. UGH! He's so excited !!! So - I'm excited for him !!!

Thanksgiving

Ken & Mc Kenna started our Thanksgiving with a 5K "Turkey Trot" for the Bentz' little girl. She has leukemia. Ken had already run his normal 5 miles. WHAT A TURKEY !!! (What's a few more miles right????)

We had a wonderful day at my sister Diana's. It was a VERY QUIET THANKSGIVING !!! So strange. But peaceful and nice. Bryce and Laura literally JUST had their baby, Zachary Paul Thurber. He came from the hospital to Thanksgiving dinner. It's "CHAD DAY" so I wasn't sure if we were going to get an e-mail. But - we did. While we were at Diana's. It was a treat to hear from him on the holiday. He began his day with a devotional from Elder Holland. His family was there and their grandkids even sang a primary song for the missionaries. This is the 5th apostle he has seen, and he thought they were going to see another last night. We survived our first holiday without Chad....... whew!! It was very strange for Kenna. 'Lena went with her Dad too, so Kenna was an only child. Like I said STRANGE !!!!

Is that Kenna with a FOOTBALL????

Pam & Zach

Madison & Uncle Ken

Anthem Tree Lighting

Every year the Outlets at Anthem have a beautiful tree. This year's tree is 101 feet. They have a big party to light it. This year we went because Jacob Bentz's band, Divide and Conquer, played. Jacob is Taylor Bentz's brother (Kenna's friend) and Bishop Betz's son (Chad's great buddy -- and one of the reasons he's on a mission).




Their band was AWESOME !!! And, it was lots of fun.

HALLOWEEN !!

I got this picture with a text: "Guess who I look like?" on Saturday night. Kenna was having a hard time figuring out what to be. Well -- she sure LOOKS LIKE CHAD !!! She sent him this pictue in an e-mail and today his e-mail said, "Those are my favorite boardies !! Can you send them to me." NOT!



'Lena carved her own pumpking this year (with a little help from Dad...) She loved taking out the "GUNK". That surprised me.

Life goes on ...

It took 9 days to hear from Chad. I was NOT worried -- but I am just so used to atleast getting a text from him. It's funny how weird I've been. Chad has been so independent (from a very young age), and it's strange now for me to be so worried about the "little" things again. Is he making friends??? Is he lonely??? Is he sleeping at night??? Is he being a good boy??? HAH! I just really needed to hear from him and hear the "phrase" that I have wanted to hear. "The Spirit is so strong here." And, that's what he said. WHEW! He is working on his Spanish. It's coming. He says that his companion is really good at it -- so he gets to feel "like crap" every day. (In good Chad terms....)

Life is going on. I got a terrible Strep Infection a couple days after Chad left that really "took me down". And then I gave it to Kenna. She was SO sick (104 degree temp - ugh), but she recovered so much quicker than I. Could it be age??? I am still struggling. I think the stress of the last few months has caught up to me. And, teaching a bunch of 9 year olds every day, all day, doesn't help. I'm constantly surrounded by germs.

We are trying to get into a routine. The house is empty and quiet. But - I'm really enjoing McKenna and her crazy "social" life. (15 and 1/2 year old girl ya know????) Thursdays are my new favorite day. Chad days. FUN !!!

Chad's gone .....

Oh my gosh -- this is HARD !!! Whoever says, "We just dropped them off and it was great...." they are LYING! It is so hard to imagine going two years with this pit in my stomach. Even Kenna misses him -- and they hate each other, right????

Brian, Ken, and Chad flew out to Salt Lake yesterday morning at 7:30. There were several of his friends there to say goodbye. Everyone tried to keep the mood light, but it was difficult to keep smiling. Ok, so I didn't. What a big baby I've turned out to be. Haji serenaded us with his rendition of "His bags are packed -- he's ready to go...." Just made me cry harder.

I kept thinking all day, "What time is it -- where is he?" And then at 12:00 our time (1:00 Utah time) I knew he was getting close to the curb ..... and the phone rang. Kenneth. It was done. Oh man.

So, now I'm left wondering every minute what he's doing. I recognize how silly that is. I haven't done that in a VERY long time. Chad is so independent. I keep thinking to myself, "Just imagine he's in San Diego for a couple of weeks, or Oklahoma again." That would get me through this first couple of weeks right?????

I did come to a realization though. The night before Chad left, I couldn't sleep (of course) and I just kept thinking, "I just want this 2 years to be over." Then I had an overwhelming feeling . . . and I came to an understand of a more importnt thing. I absolutely COULD NOT want this time to pass speedily by me. I COULD NOT wish this time away. A time that I have with Mc Kenna. When Chad gets home, Kenna will be almost 18. If I wish this time away -- I will be wasting the time I have with her.

Chad's Farewell

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Chad had his farewell yesterday. It was a great day! He gave the most amazing talk on Missionary Work. He has a gift, that's for sure. We're sure that he will have an amazing effect on the people of Mexico. The simpleness of his spirituality, and his down-to-earth nature will touch people everywhere. He had the audience laughing throughout the talk ..... and his Dad and grandma Virginia in tears. Aunt Sherle and cousin Cori sang the most beautiful song EVER !! Thank you so much!

The party afterwards was HUGE! We figure we had about 70 people in and out throughout the afternoon. People sure love that boy! And, we do too!

It's hard to believe that he will be "on his way" in just TWO days. Kenneth is going to fly up with him. So is Brian, his friend. Then Ken and Brian will turn around and come right back home. I decided that was a bit much for me and opted for the "Goodbye at the airport". I hope I don't regret that -- but I think it's what Chad wants too.