another month of memories Jan/Feb 09

We have been busy this last month. First, we rented three snowmobiles and stayed overnight at Daniel's Summit Lodge in Wasatch County over Civil Rights weekend. It was a blast. We sat in the hot tub and all went outside for a group photo in our swim trunks, except Nathan who forgot his suit and had to swim in his skivvies. Taylor and Jaden have been playing hard at basketball. Nathan took a cute girl to Sweetheart's dance last night and found out today he was accepted to BYU. Morgan and Jaden had a winter camp out last Friday night and got snowed on all night. Hailey and Dallin came home for the President's weekend and Michelle flew to Cody Wyoming to help her sister Maralee with her new baby. Nathan and Taylor performed with the high school choirs earlier this week. The theme was "An Evening with Love." They were great and Hailey was able to attend with her new friend Addison. I am including some pictures of the events. Our children bring us pleasure.

winter activities

We thought we would post some pictures of our winter activities: Taylor and Nathan with dates at the Christmas dance: Nate's Morp (girl's choice dance), Dallin's giant snowman, and some other fun events. Our kids are busy and bring us joy. Michelle's Birthday; Trip to Las Vegas Bowl, and Triple date and dinner

Nathan and Mr Springville

Nathan spent the week in the high school's "Mr. Springville" contest, a talent contest for the senior boys. After making the first cut, the young men have to immerse themselves in daily contests and creativity. Each day had a different activity; poster day, homemade t shirt day, costume day, leg day followed by the final night where the boys did talent, swim suit, dance, interview and tuxedo escort. When last night was over, he came in 2d, the first runner up. We thought he won, but were sure proud of his efforts. It was a great night to be a parent. Michelle, Dallin and Hailey all helped him with their talents. I am attaching a few photos of his night, including the winning poster and a video of a small part of his dancing. He won first for poster, first for costume, and took third in t shirt and third in best legs.

The rest of us are doing more boring activities. Hailey and Dallin returned to school with busy schedules, Landon was made a senior companion in his area and is doing great. Taylor is playing basketball and skiing with Jaden. Morgan is working hard in school and playing the piano. We are all well. Kevin was released from teaching institute after 2 1/2 years and will miss the opportunity. We have enjoyed having Kevin's nephew and niece an their two girls with us for the last 10 days while they are between homes. It is fun to have babies around us again. They sure are easy to love.

Christmas 08

We had a great Christmas. All our single children were here for the week and Ashley and her husband, Randy, and his two girls came to stay overnight. The young adults got clothes and Hailey had some great gifts for everyone from Jerusalem. Dallin bought some new skis and bindings and a camera on the post Christmas sales. Practical Nathan wanted luggage and camera for his mission next summer. Taylor got clothes and Morgan got an MP3 player and scooter while Jaden received a go cart type of scooter and a large plane model. The family present was a Wii. Everyone was excited by the surprise except for Kevin who thinks his kids "nerd" too much already. Our highlight was talking to Elder Landon on the phone. He sounds good and had some fun stories to tell. We have enjoyed seeing all of our kids this year, except our missionary, for the Holidays. We have had much snow last week and dug out many of our neighbors. Kevin has enjoyed the 4 wheeler snow blade attachment immensely. We had a lovely Christmas Eve family program and sang christmas songs and read Luke 2, etc. We shared our feelings about each other and the Savior. It was Kevin and Michelle's highlight of the season. We enjoyed some great holiday parties with family and Kevin's work and were treated to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert for the 5 consecutive year. We feel so blessed and hope our good fortunes continue.

Thanksgiving and 1st week of Dec

We have had a busy two weeks. More leaves and more work, but lots of play. We hosted Thanksgiving at our home for 40 Sutterfield relatives. It was great. The teenage boys played in the church turkey bowl while we set up and worked. After the meal, we went to James Bond or Bolt, depending upon the age. Friday was bowling and Saturday was Kevin and the 5 boys going to the Jazz game for the 6 tickets, 6 hot dogs for $90.00 special. It was fun, but the Jazz played poorly.
This past weekend was Friday night at Snow College for Dallin's LDSingers performance; Saturday a.m. at our ward Christmas breakfast party: Saturday afternoon with the Sutterfield cousins party; Saturday night at the Choir dinner watching Nathan and Taylor with the Gparents and Morgan and Jaden in the audience cheering them on; Sunday Kevin taught the Relief Society about Joseph Smith, and Sunday night we did the Adult Dinner at Jana's house with the 5 Sutterfield siblings and our spouses, and our parents who spent the weekend with us on their way to Yuma for the winter. I don't remember eating more in two days in my life since the Thanksgivings weekends we had in the mission field, but in those days, I could handle 4,000 calories a day without consequence. We also had a family party for Dallin's 22 birthday just to break up our otherwise "boring" Saturday. Oh well, what a great two weeks. Our children are growing, but making us proud. Hailey is home in 11 days, and Dallin comes home this weekend. Landon is having great success and being blessed in New York. He and his companion are having 5 baptisms this coming Saturday and he is reading the scriptures and working hard.

The other big news is that on December 4, 20o8, Kevin had 7 birdies in one round of golf, a record for him that is likely not to be seen again.

16 Nov 08

Howdy, All are well. We don't have any more kids or grandkids and compared to many of our friends, we are way behind, but we will catch up. We have been busy with leaves and Nathan's play and Morgan and Jaden's merit badge pow wow. Our two youngest got three merit badges with our help. Taylor barely missed out on making the sophomore bkb team, but is planning to play city league. Nate has been in the high school's musical, "Thoroughly Modern Millie." He plays one of the Chinese kinappers. It is a great production with dozens of participants and dozens of muscians. We are hosting Thanksgiving at our home in 10 days and should have a great time. Landon is having great success in NY and has been teaching and has two baptisms scheduled. Dallin was in the musical production of the Snow Institute, "LD Singers." He performed 11 times over the last three days. It was great to see him perform. We are attaching a few seconds of their work and a picture or two. See you soon. Kevin and Michelle

kauai and November 08

We had a perfect time in Kauai. I was able to play the Prince Course three times and Popui Bay Course once. Mom took the catamaran with the Caywoods and Mary Ellen and had a great time going down the Na Pali Coast. She saw several dolphins. We kayaked, went to marvelous beaches, saw the Grand Canyon of Hawaii, ate well, went on a gorgeous ATV 3 hour ride and enjoyed the 2-3 a.m rooster crows outside our condominium every morning. We were convinced the rooster, who had a brood of hens, was on Utah time and not 4 hours earlier in Kauai. He woke us up every morning hours before we wanted to be awake. Here we are at Barking Sands Beach. I am the skinny one.

We are doing well here. The 4 boys at home are all on the honor roll this first term and we are working hard every Saturday raking, piling, and processing leaves. The fall leaves work is in full scale production; from Halloween until the first weekend of December, we have at least one overflowing trailer full of green and brown waste to take to the green plant in Springville. We hired Lorenzo's son and grandson to help us yesterday. We filled the trailer twice. We spent 6 hours and had a lot of complaining, but had T Bone Chinese food to end the day. Lorenzo's son, Miguel, has started taking the missionary lessons from the Spanish elders after mom sent his name to the missionary department during the Hill Cumorah weeks.

Dallin has been home from Snow College an average of every two weeks. He is doing well in school and having a great time there. Ashley is enjoying her new life in Idaho.
I marvel at how the Lord has blessed Landon in his first area: regular teaching, a good companion, faithful, charitable and generous members, new converts, several serious investigators, and the chance to read the scriptures. I can't imagine anything better for a first area. He has gained 15 pounds which means he better go back to eating Raimen noodles and work out on P day. Hailey is loving Jerusalem so much that she never writes us. She said if it wasn't for her family, she would live there. Thanks a lot Hailey.

Love, us