January 30, 2022
It’s Sunday afternoon, we leave for Dubai this evening. Which means I showered, dressed and won’t change clothes until Tuesday. It’s a long trip and we fly over the dateline.
News update: Gaylin Poulson, husband of deceased Colleen Howell Poulson, passed away last evening at the home of his youngest daughter in NC. Kim’s family lovingly cared for Gaylin and considered it a privilege to have him with them for his final 2 years. When I know more about any memorial service I will pass it along. I will send contact info for Shelly, Debbie, Melonie, Kyle and Kim to the Howell kids later today. We will miss Gaylin. He was quick to laugh, fun to be with, loved fishing, a great BBQ-er, loved his little pooch, missed Colleen…until now. Life continues for us all. I know that!
See 2 photos of Teotihuacan [teotiwa’kan]. Have you heard of it? It’s pretty cool, see it if you can. The top photo: 2003, standing on top of the Pyramid of the Sun overlooking the Pyramid of the moon. The second photo, 2022 standing in front of the Pyramid of the Sun, it is not allowed to climb either pyramid anymore. This pyramid was unearthed 1904-1912. It had appeared as a hill of stone rubble with trees and plants growing up from the rocks. The archeologist hired to do the excavation, also looted the sacred sight and barely escaped Mexico for Europe never to return to his homeland (at least that’s what our guide told us).
Top 10 things we did in Mexico, also the only 10 things we did since I was unwell for the first 17 days.
1) Explored our neighborhood on foot.
2) Watched Spiderman - No Way Home at our local theater.
3) Did a fair sampling of Mexican meals.
4) Enjoyed our close proximity to The Angel of Independence statue…
5) …and the Huntress Diana Fountain.
6) Took an afternoon Hop On Hop Off bus tour.
7) Elevatored and climbed to the top of the Revolution Memorial.
8) Ubered to the ancient city of Teotihuacan, about 25 miles outside Mexico City.
9) Strolled to Chapultepec Park and toured the Castle/National History Museum.
10) Got soaked in our rooftop pool and sauna.
Lane has also felt fortunate to watch the NFL playoff games on TV in Español.
This coming week:
January 30th - Today the Englands are feeling the 7-yr itch. That’s my mother and step-dad and the 7-yr itch is an anniversary thing.
February 1st - We land in the UAE (United Arab Emirates and stay in Dubai for 3 weeks)
February 3rd - Genevieve is already FOUR!!!
February 4th - Callie Jo celebrates turning a fabulous 37!
February 4th - Rayson is eleven times Genevieve. That’s an elementary story problem. If Genevieve is 4 and Rayson drives 60 MPH to his job 45 miles away but only has 30 minutes for his lunch break and his happy meal costs $5.75 and he is 11 times older than Genevieve what age is Rayson during the 2nd month of this year?
February 6th - Brennan enjoys his last year as a tween, or three times Genevieve. ;o}
We love you forever. No matter what!
January 23, 2022
Bodacious, beautiful, benevolent, brood,
This week’s collage:
1) After feeling low for 4 weeks I feel great again!!!
2) Yesterday we finally left our neighborhood...
3) ...and took the Hop On Hop Off bus through central Mexico City.
4) My destination was the Revolution Monument.
5) We hopped off and took the elevator up to the copper dome.
6) From there, we took a meandering staircase to the observation deck at the tippy top.
7) Neat views of this huge city.
8) Once back on the ground we treated ourselves to a cup of corn, topped with mayo and cheese.
9) Lane loves to photo bomb ‘quinceañera’ gatherings…but they invited us both to participate.
10) It was a wonderful day!
Update on Uncle Gaylin:
Having fallen on Thanksgiving, it was discovered his body was laden with cancer. Doctor’s thought he might have days or weeks left. He’s still holding on after 2 months. He is just recently bed ridden, cared for by Kim Poulson Herbst and her family in NC. Gaylin sleeps most of the day, is not eating, but requests juice, milk, etc. He is in good hands. His 5 kids gathered around him in December to reminisce, embrace him and say their goodbyes. His passing seems very near. We will keep you posted. Please remember Gaylin and his family in your prayers. They would love to hear from you.
WE love to hear from you too!!!! Thank you so much to those who responded last week. It really was a shot in the arm. That’s probably what cured me ;o}
This week:
January 23rd ~ Today KC is 36!!!
January 26th ~ Shalaun begins another trip around the sun.
January 28th ~ Spencer is excited to be 7!
January 29th ~ Can you believe my baby is 35 today?!
January 30th ~ My mother & her beau David celebrate their 7th anniversary.
We love you forever! No matter what.
January 16, 2022
Hello to the few, the proud, the mighty, who may actually open and read this. You are remarkable!
1) Still in Mexico City.
2) Still fatigued (Carolyn).
3) Rested for another week.
4) We walked across the street...
5) and sat in a empty but comfortable theater for 3 hours...
6) and watched "Spiderman - No Way Home”.
7) I marvel at the poinsettia plantings.
8) We discovered a Krispy Kreme, Cinnabon, Wing Stop & Subway shop nearby.
9) And our corner roundabout features the "Huntress Diana Fountain”.
10) Our suite is tidy and efficient.
Important dates:
21st Thatcher is well prepared to be a spunky 6 year old.
23rd On this day KC will be 3 dozen!!!
What’s new with you? Share facts, fotos, and funnies. We miss you.
We love you forever. No matter what.
January 9, 2022
Me again…I am admittedly cheating by sharing a collage of NINE photos for my picture of the week. What would you do?
1) We arrived in Mexico City last Tuesday.
2) Near the heart of this incredible city stands the Angel of Independence memorial.
3) Our apartment location choice was based on it’s nearness to this statue.
4) We spent a week in Mexico City in 2003...
5) …and we remembered driving past this beautiful memorial.
6) I had no clue I would ever see it again.
7) We picnicked on its steps.
8) A N.Y.C. "Shake Shack’ franchise is located on the same circle…convenient!
9) We found a Walmart Express within walking distance…
10) …and bought these 2-bite blueberries. Huge. Sooo yummy! I am sooo spoiled. And still tired. And resting lots and lots.
Coming this week:
TODAY! 9th, Audrey is now 14 years old!
10th, Darren & Stephanie celebrate their 8th wedding anniversary! Congrats, you are doing great things!!!
11th, Carlie is 22 in ’22 ;o}
14th, Cameron completes his 48th trip around the sun…that’s a ton of miles.
14th, Meredith marks the 38th anniversary of her birth!
15th, Granddaughter Samie marries her handsome beau Ben. Yea!
If you have kids you would like added to my weekly emails please send me their email address. Somehow I lost emails for Samie, David, Danny, Stephen.
[These g’kids are already included: Quinn, Amanda, Josh, Carlie, Caden, Michael, Robert, Darren, Stephanie, Sarah, Joseph, Anissa, Justin, Kylie, Emeline, Audrey, Slater, Matthew, Scott, Luke, Maggie]
WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!!! Keep emailing. Sometimes we get texts. Sometimes we get WhatsApp phone calls. WE MISS YOU!!!
We love you forever! No matter what!
January 3, 2022
Dearest fantastic family!!!
1) May this be a wonderful year of purpose and possibilities for all of us!
2) My strength is returning.
3) We are on the road again…
4) It’s looking good that we’ll catch our standby Delta flight Tuesday morning.
5) Don’t ask me what we plan to do in Mexico City.
6) We have no concrete plans.
7) My main objective is to stay safe...
8) …and secondarily to have an enjoyable and educational trip.
9) We will be thinking of you and hoping you’ll stay in touch with emails.
10) Adiós chicas & chicos (I wish I had Jerry as my personal translator)
Dates to remember:
1st ~ Joseph (Hill) and Gabriella are engaged! (summer wedding plans)
2nd ~ Michael is Steph Curry’s number…30. That’s huge!
4th ~ Lane & I try for a standby flight to Mexico City. If we miss it, where should we go?
5th ~ Miss Sadie Jane is a spunky SIX years old and sweet as can be!
6th ~ Mr & Mrs Lindeman have attained the 365 day record. 1st anniversary for Sarah & Matt!!
8th ~ Bridal shower for Samie (Greg’s 2nd daughter). See Steph for more info.
9th ~ Audrey Lois begins her second year as a teenager. Watch for big things in Centerville!
We love you forever. No matter what!
Scatter smiles & sunshine Ü
Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)
801 499 7994
January 2, 2022
1) This is an amazing family!
2) I am so blessed that you each have made room for me in your heart.
3) I love you all!
4) Thanksgiving was an exciting day and I see that each of you had a blast during Carrie's photo shoot.
5) Over 3 dozen photos were taken in various groupings.
6) All smiles, ‘cept a few grimaces under the weight of ‘Dad’. ;o}
7) I see you supporting and encouraging each other.
8) No matter what path you are on, or where you are on said path...
9) …that love, respect and encouragement will be steady.
10) Please forgive my misunderstandings and failings. Help me improve.
11) Hang tough. Together we are tougher than Covid.
12) The Howell family IS amazing!
I believe the Book of Mormon teaches us how to be more like Christ. When our Savior visited the Americas, one of the first things he taught was the need to eliminate contention in our lives. So, please be compassionate, be understanding, be slow to judge, and be quick to forgive. May this be a wonderful year of purpose and possibilities for all of us!
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