Thank You!

Dateline: Saturday, N.Y.C., 6:45 a.m.

Hi Wonderful Kids,

You are still all asleep, and we are back in New York City!  Six hours ago we were treated to a farewell piano duet by Tom and Shalaun and already we are across this marvelous country, flying in over the Empire State Building and taxiing through Central Park. The sun isn't up yet but it is now getting light and we have been dropped off at our hotel on 103rd and Broadway.  We feel strangely at home, even though we are officially homeless.  It is almost like a dream.  

Thanks to all of you, our belongings are stowed away for a few years, and some favorite furniture has found a new home.  Rayson, Meredith, the Hills, and Kim (surprise coincidence that she was in town!) came earlier in the week to help us haul stuff away.  Callie and Jami came by on Tuesday to help complete an important project.  Wednesday was moving day.  Hard work, heavy lifting by the moving crew (Greg, Jenna, Steph, Tom, Sam, Jamie, Jerry, Jami), Big Kahuna Pizza, ongoing packing (thanks Meredith for "laboring", barely avoiding the real thing...), endless cleaning by Jami, vacuuming--thanks, Jerry (the carpet specialist), Jamie and Jenna hoisting a chest of drawers, temple door maneuvering, a flying mattress, and more plastic bins than we could have imagined.   Amanda and Tagg came along to observe the action.  They transformed an empty closet into a movie theater with G'pa's iPad.  Interspersed throughout the week were phone conversations with Cam, Lincoln and Britni who offered encouragement and loving support.  (We revisited the plastic totes Thursday and amazingly we were able to locate the item you requested, Katie X.  Tom has it.)  

 Leave no trace...

Hummm...

Have we told you lately how special we feel you are?  Maybe we're feeling a bit of nostalgia, or just the emotions of leaving Salt Lake for points unknown, but our reflections have been of you.  All of you.  We just are so proud of each of you and hopeful that you will be able to achieve your greatest dreams.  

Irony...our choice of Manhattan lodging, the Marrakech Hotel (Moroccan) is a one floor walkup, with an entry that is only 4 feet wide.  No elevator to the remaining four floors above.  And a bit third world.  We crustily asked for an "early arrival" at 6:45 in the morning!  After checking our luggage we walked out on the street to find a nearby Dunkin' Donuts.  Then to our amazement, we were standing right in front of Mama Mexico, an out-of-the-way restaurant RayDean and Jon visited with us back in 2008.  And there we were, back in time, remembering mariachi singers, great food and a special time with two choice "kids".  This is a wonderful life we are experiencing!

Once again, Thanks! For all you have done to support and encourage us as we begin a new gypsy adventure.

Much love,

Mom and Dad

P.S.  We suggest you find a minute to email your sister, Sister Randi.  We have emailed her mission address.

Good bye

To everything there is a season....

Tis the season for good-bying.

Good-bye Eagle Gate.  4th floor, corner.
Good-bye downtown SLC, Temple Square, Brigham Young home.
Good-bye walking to Gateway, Jazz games, church at the JSMB.
Good-bye parades on South Temple, and conference crowds.

Good-bye apartment.  I remember meeting you just like this.
Good-bye friends, neighbors, Eighteenth Ward. 
Good-bye swimming pool, social room, underground parking, tunnel.
Good-bye tapioca nights.
THANKS to our kids who helped with our move!
The packing, sorting, dumping, storing, cleaning.
Thanks Jerry, for selling our i-phones.
Thanks Sam, for storing a 'few' boxes (50?)
Thanks Tom, for selling the cars.

Good-bye comfortable, fast, dependable, and sporty car.
Good-bye road trips, GPS, heated seats.

Good-bye uncomfortable, slow, undependable and antique car.
Good-bye rumble seat, "aw-oooh-gah" horn,  repairs. 
Good-bye exercise loops around the capitol.  Good-bye snow.  
Good-bye seasons.

                                                                                                                    

Good-bye Disneyland.  Good-bye USA.

But mostly, we wish a fond farewell to

X, KC, Jami, Randi, Callie, Rayson, Raylie,  Meredith, Tyson, Taggart, Britni, Brian, Dalia, Tesila, Jerry, Erin, Ava, Brennan, Sam, Jamie, Tom, Shalaun, Emeline, Audrey, Lincoln, Carrie, Matthew, Scott, Luke, Maggie, Stephanie, Jerel, Caden, Carlie, Josh, Amanda, Cameron, Kim, Anissa, Justin, Greg, Kylie, Samantha, David, Danny, RayDean, Jon, Michael, Darren, Robert, Sarah, Joseph, Stephen, Dad & Mom, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews.

We fly away March 25th. 

          We await a mission call.

                 We await 3 grandbabies.

                                 Adventures await!!!

 Our love to you~ Mom & Dad

 (Carolyn & Lane)

                                                                                                    

Sunday, March 6th, 2011

Today I sang in the

MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR...

...seats!

The Ensign Stake Conference is held in the historic tabernacle.

It was fantastic!

A favorite scripture shared from conference:

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

D&C 6: 36-37

Love, Mom
Carolyn

February 2011

Incredible!!!

South for the winter. Palm trees. Clear blue skies. Warmer weather.
WRONG!
Well, to be honest, it was warmer. We left Salt Lake in 5 degrees and heated up to 12 degrees in St. George. Records lows followed us. We set out to find a 'new' old temple. Randi, Lane & I entered through it's doors for the first time. Incredible!

One week later Randi enters the MTC wearing my name tag "Sister Howell". I guess I'll have to get a new one...

Lane and I submitted papers to serve a 23 month mission. Our start date could be as early as July (with some assurance of returning for a key family event in the Fall)!

Baby-no-more-Brennan invited us to a celebration marking ONE year.

Kim came for a sleepover and shared a glimpse into her Egypt memoirs - a bound book of personal photos.

And we succeeded in escaping the cold on our next try...

10 days in the Caribbean
Wow! Incredible!

Home again. It is always sweet to return to our family.
Thanks for the airport transport, house sitting and dinner Sam & Jamie.

My last ward newsletter was also my last. That calling has been my favorite one.

Time to organize, declutter, downsize, and pack up again. We have moved 8 times in 14 years. It would appear that we are due.

I feel a tapioca night coming...Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

January 2011

The holiday season nearly passed without my walking across the street even once to see the Christmas lights. Thousands of visitors drive into the heart of Salt Lake City, hunt for a parking space, bundle up against the wintry weather and take to the walkways to see the lighting displays; perpetuating years of tradition, teaching little ones why CHRIST is in Christmas, and feeling the excitement and spirit of this special season.

Temple Square. I live next door. So, late on Saturday the first of January, (also the last night) I strolled over to see the nativity display. I walked straight to the statuary camels facing towards a 'stone' stable. Having toured Israel a few weeks prior I can more easily visualize the real thing. Hallelujah!

I believe the greatest words in the scriptures are:
- Unto you is born this day, in the City of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord
- He is not here, for HE IS RISEN!
- Joseph, this is My Beloved
(Birth, Resurrection, Restoration)

Great words in my family history, this month, are:
- Michael Hill, "you are hereby called to serve in the New York, New York North Mission" (my first mission area as well)
-Sam & Jamie Howell, "you may now kiss over the altar"
-Jerry, Erin, Ava, & Brennan, "we are moving back to SLC"

Jamie & sister Heather at Bridal shower/Meredith celebrates 27!!!

Parents are as happy as their unhappiest child. We celebrate the happiness of our children.
Katie X, hurray for your countdown to graduation and returning home to NV.
Jami, a stand out college grad making good choices and constantly helping others.
Randi, your choice to serve a mission will bless your life forever!
Callie, a delight to watch as you embrace motherhood and reach for temple blessings.
Meredith, we excitedly wait to meet your latest creation.
Britni,your love of life and enthusiasm for homemaking are contagious.
Jerry, a hardworking, amazing son with a wit that won't quit.
Sam, you've proven that no goal you set is out of reach. Dream big.
Tom, devoted to family, teaching by example, embracing truth.
Lincoln, a great communicator and family man with a zest for life.
Stephanie, a remarkable mom with extraordinary abilities.
Cameron, predictably goofy and notoriously lovable.
Greg, incredibly patient, persistent and ready for anything.
RayDean, a cherished daughter who pays it forward beautifully.

We echo Alma's advice to his child...
"Therefore (your name here), see that you are merciful unto your brothers and sisters; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward-"

For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again...love, Mom & Dad (Carolyn & Lane)

December 2010

An abundance of family fun!

- Best girlfriends meet again
- Gerbers nite out (THANKS!)...
...joined by Adams family
- Hightowers celebrate wedding (Jerry's mission president is related to the groom)
- Lane's pirate imitation
- Curtis' latest creation
- RayDean's accreditation party

- annual shepherd's dinner
- Creek progessive dinner

Merry Christmas & A most Happy New Year!!!

Glory to God in the highest
and on this earth, PEACE,
GOODWILL to all sons, daughters, grandchildren, parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles & friends.

Boundless love,
Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

November 2010

!!!

Great expectations!
Outstanding events!
Dreams do come true!

We sold our business...again!
Randi surprises family with a mission call!
We take our family to Egypt!
Sam gets engaged to Jamie Young!



Mission surprise at JFK/JORDAN/Petra/Camel riding

Israel - part 1

4 c's : Galilee, the Med, the Red & the Dead
Israel - part 2

Israel - part 3

Egypt - part 1
3day Nile Cruise

Egypt - part 2
Cairo/Pyramids/Sphinx

(Dang it, 600+ photos disappeared from my blog file.
Honestly, I only wanted 8 more for my last collage.)
Say la vie!

Enough with the exclamation marks...but I can't help it, this month was totally awesome.

We loved Egypt, traveling with family, riding a camel, and seeing Sam propose to Jamie.

Welcome Jamie Young - soon-to-be-Howell.
We love you!

Lane & Carolyn
Dad & Mom