April 2020

 Week 1 - April 6, 2020

Hiya Isolated Innocents,

Another week behind us.  Another week closer to breaking free of this isolation.  But for now we continue to hold strictly to self-distancing guidelines.  After 3 weeks in it is really upsetting me to see Lane standing at the living room window gazing aimlessly into space with tears running down his cheeks.  It breaks my heart to see him like this.  I have thought very hard how I can cheer him up.  I have even considered letting him in…but rules are rules.    ;o}

More great advice from the CDC.

I’m more than happy to come pick up g’kids…next month, maybe.  Saturday as we were playing pickle ball we heard children’s voices.  Linc & Carrie’s family had taken a bike ride. So we sat 6 feet apart and visited.  But it was our first g’kid sighting in 3 weeks!  Thanks for riding by.  (Missed Matthew)

Saturday my Aunt Patsy died at age 90.  This leaves my mother as the last survivor.  To raise her spirits my niece organized a pandemic parade past her house yesterday.  With very short notice 20 cars carrying 81 people showed up.

One last thing:  My brother Chris tried his talented fingers at Oreo creme carving.  His portrayal of Joseph and Emma even got him a mention on the news.  After all, it was General Conference weekend which focused on the miracle of the Restoration.

Following Britni’s lead and at the request of Lane, we ate a treat every time an apostle spoke to us.  Since we had to buy Oreos too it was a very sweet conference - complete with a new Church Symbol, Official Proclamation, Solemn Assembly, 8 new temples announced and a beautiful prophetic blessing.  (Challenge: Watch for our Oreo carvings.  Please send us yours and we’ll display them next week.)

Coming this week:

April 7th:  The Robison’s celebrate 6 years as a family

April 12th:  EASTER!!!!!  

Week 2 - April 12, 2020

It’s Easter…Spring….my favorite time of year...Alta’s birthday eve.  How are you doing?  Mississippi is getting pelted, twisted, windblown and swamped.  Please remember Robison’s in your prayers.

We spent QUANTITY time making treat drop offs yesterday and today.  Regrettably we DID NOT spend any QUALITY time.  We are really sad about that.  

My hunny bunny is funny.

This part is so real to me, but today was the first time in my 61 years that I saw and heard the phrase coined “DEATH WILL DIE”.  I love it!  A LOT!

Christopher Creek’s latest cookie carvings.

The Incredible Edible Hulk.  (I was only teasing when I reported that Chris ate these carvings.)

Coming this week:

Monday, April 13th - Alta turns NINE!  Happy birthday sweet girl.

Wednesday, April 15th - deadline for family cookie carvings.  (Hansen’s have submitted 7 entries/photos and - Lane ate mine.)

Looking forward, we will propose a “SAVE-THE-DATE” for a family huggathon/picnic in a future month.

Week 3 - April 19, 2020

Hello fabulous family!!!  Another week.  Another adventure.  Here are the results of our Oreo creme carving challenge.

1) The 7 Hansen’s submitted amazing entries.  

2)  The Howell’s of Oregon carved up Olaf’s nose (Cameron), a self-portrait (Cameron), Mickey silhouette (Kim) and a Linc leaf from a video game (Justin).  

3)  My brother Chris asked if he could see the attempts.  I hesitated but then gave in and shared them this afternoon.  High praise went to Britni’s bunny, Dalia’s flower and the anonymous 'interrupting cow’.    ;o}

4) On my walk yesterday I spied this lost nome.  I like him.  I’m an Elvis fan.  He’s a long way from Vegas or Graceland.  

5)  Poor Lane, he’s getting all my hugs…for now.  I’m gonna start saving up for when this self-distancing is OVER!!!  Get ready kids and grandkids.  XOXO

6)  I have plenty of work to do around the house.  I started scanning 50 year old slides to my computer.  I’ve got family names ready for the temple.  There is a Scott baby afghan waiting to be crocheted.  And plenty of movies, puzzles and games.  What’s new with you????????

7) I nominate Saturday, June 20th for an extended family picnic.  Time and place to be determined.  It’s the day before Father’s Day.  SAVE-THE-DATE if you are so inclined.  (If this virus is still interfering we will postpone the picnic as necessary.)

8)  Home church is becoming my favorite form of worship.  God is watching over all of us.  I know it.  

Coming this week:

April 22nd - Remember Dillon Day!  14 years old in earth years.

April 25th - Rayson & Callie were married 11 years ago.  Yeah!

April 26th - Hatcher Hansen blows out 4 candles next Sunday. Yippie!

Addendum to week 3 - April 19, 2020

Hey, late this afternoon I discovered these tasty creations from the incredible Gerbers.

Chloe did several: Man in the moon, and hill with night sky.

Raylie: CTR w heart

Rayson: semi truck

Callie: LOVE

Sophie: moon, stars and rockets

Sadie: modern art

Thanks you guys.  I hope you had fun.  Save your photos and enjoy your artwork with a glass of ice cold milk…or an oreo/cookies & cream shake.

Much love,

Momma C & Dad Lane

Week 4 - April 27, 2020

Grateful Greetings to our growing family!  And I’m not just talking about the two expectant mothers - Stephanie Hill and Randi Scott.  I’m wondering how many, besides myself, have grown a little wider in the middle during our time sheltering-in-place.  My comfort food level has gone way, weigh up!  Oh, but I also enjoy a stroll in the fresh air, the smell of lilacs, the beauty of bulbs bursting, trees blossoming like popcorn. Caramel popcorn drizzled with dark chocolate.  I digress. What a season.  Life springs forth from dried and withered foliage.  Miraculous.  

1)  In the garden tulips grow, straight and radiant in a row.

Each one holds its empty cup, drinking rain and sunshine up.

2) I decided this is a great time to convert 2000+ “Howell family” slides into a digital format. (only 1300 left)

3)  Buried treasure found in stored boxes!

4)  A small preview:

5)  The latest oreo cream artists are Carlie and Jonathan (recent RM).

Carlie:  the whale and turtle 😂 

Jonathan:  a bridge with water underneath (You may need a urim & thummim to see it)

Coming this week:

April 26th  Today Hatcher was thrilled to blow out 4 candles.

April 29th  Dalia celebrates being fabulous 14!!!

May 1st    We are seriously considering reopening our home to family - we miss you!

May 2nd   Great grandson Benjamin Hill turns 2.

We love you forever,

Scatter smiles & sunshine  Ü

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994

P.S.  Lane hit a tipping point last week.  We took a L O N G  drive and he’s doing much better now.

March 2020

 Week 1 - March 1, 2020

It’s Marvelous March for multiple reasons:

14th is Pi Day

17th is St Patrick’s Day 

15th - 19th is Las Fallas- Valencia, Spain* (see p.s.)

19th is the First Day of Spring!!!

1)  This past week the Gerber’s sampled one of my favorite High School insane treats…french fries dipped in a Wendy's frosty.  Everyone agreed it was delish!

2)  Lane and I visited Uncle Gaylin in Farmington and shared dinner at Kyle’s, nearby in Kaysville.  

3) I am organizing my life…a work in progress.

    I love the snack-sack idea.

    I admire my dad for being a nonconformist.  I don’t know Jutta but I appreciate her idea.

4)  Last evening Lane joined me at an event held in my former Orem Ward.

Gold friends:  The Burnhams, Kramers, Sui Logan, Zina Larsen, Nancy Dockendorf, the Sorensens, Diane Tenney, the Youngs, Sydney Germane, (others not pictured.)

5) Afterwards the Bullocks invited us to watch “Knives Out”.  Good show!

Coming soon:

6th  Emeline turns 14 - whoa!

7th  Lincoln & Carrie celebrate 19 years married!

We love you forever!

Scatter smiles & sunshine  Ü

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994

P.S.  Las Fallas - We witnessed this crazy phenomenon while meeting Jerry in Spain 2003.  I can still remember the immense HEAT!  If you EVER travel to Spain GO IN MARCH!

This may just be the world’s strangest and most exuberant spring cleaning. Sculptures as intricate as they are enormous (up to 30 metres tall) are paraded through the streets as merrymakers dressed in traditional garb dance to the tunes played by live bands, with pyrotechnics and gunpowder blasts punctuating the festivities at intervals. On the final evening, the sculptures are burned in a massive bonfire so epic that neighbouring buildings have to be continually based with water to keep them from crumbling. Then, in true Spanish style, a dance party erupts and lasts until dawn.

Week 2 - March 9, 2020

Hat’s off to our Marvelous March Maniacs!  (I mean that in a good way)

1)  Last week there was a death in our extended family.  Jerry Spendlove had married Ginger Howell (widow of Jack Howell - Lane’s brother).  Jack and Ginger had 3 children (pictured below, Howell cousins Tracy, Trent and Todd).  Prior to the funeral Lincoln & Carrie hosted a pre-farewell breakfast as cousin Carmen Howell Pistrito’s daughter has been serving in Lincoln’s ward.  She returns to Toronto this week.

Thank you RayDean, Greg, Stephanie, Tom, and Randi for attending the funeral.  Be prepared for losing aunts and uncles at the rate of one per year.  That’s not to shock anyone...it’s just reality when relatives get to be 80ish.

2)  We pinned down a date when Jon and Raydean could come for dinner.  It was a happy coincidence that Stephen had a HS Jazz Festival near by at Herriman HS.  We were pleased to attend the performance and then have Stephen join us for dinner.  It was a fun evening of visiting and Stephen nearly destroying “G’ma” at Mastermind.  Bright kid with great parents.

3) When my baby sister comes to town it’s always nice if we can get together with my mom.  My mother recently did damage to her ribs and sternum as she lifted a 10 pound bag of sugar.  She mostly stays home and ices her ribs and back per doctor’s advice for 3 weeks.  She will be 85 in May.

4)  Yesterday was a wonderful Sabbath surrounded by family as we gathered to celebrate sweet baby Claire Elizabeth Bell.  Those missing out were missed, but we understand your absence.

5)  Let me formally introduce you to the beautiful, talented and adventurous women seated next to Greg.  Her name is Jennifer.  There have been multiple sitings of the pair who recently went tripping, biking and kayaking in south Florida and shark valley…to use up "spare miles”.  Sure.  I don’t know where I’m going with this, but Jennifer is at ease and welcome at family events.  We like her.

6)  Lane and I are learning the ropes of serving in the Sagewood Branch - an assisted care facility for folks barely older than us.  Yesterday we helped set up chairs (cleaned each week with antiseptic wipes), escorted good folks to and from memory care, and spoke in sacrament meeting.  Nearly 100 people attend.

7)  Did you know that the Gathering of Israel is the most important thing taking place on the earth today.  Nothing else compares in magnitude, in importance, in majesty.  Nothing.  And we are part of it!!!

This coming week:

March 10th  Robert Hill turns 25!

March 11th  Sabrina Howell blows out 4 candles!!!!

March 12th  Lane is the age of a tree + 2  (haha)

March 14th  Stephanie & Jerel Bullock mark 24 years as an outstanding example of a happily married couple.

Week 3 - March 15, 2020

Mid March Already!  What a time we are having this year.  One for the books.  Is everyone doing alright with all the closings, work changes, and church meetings moved to our homes?

I move forward calmly with faith in God and gratitude for His perfect love.  He loves us and believes in us even when we don’t love or believe in ourselves.  

Before the world turned upside down I had an afternoon playing with Gerber kids, several walks to Lincoln and Carrie’s home, an errand taking my mother to the doctor, and a celebration of Lane’s birthday.  

Lane started to picket outside the pickle ball courts until they agreed to hang the nets this coming week.

That’s about it.  We are self-isolated at home but I like to think of it as a “staycation”.  We watch our fill of movies and play game tournaments and wait for better days ahead, while enjoying each day we have right here!

Speaking of days ahead:

March 17th  St Patrick’s Day

March 21st  Danika will party like a mermaid when she turns 4

Week 4 - March 22, 2020

Hi, how y’all doin?

Recommended Coronavirus Diversions:

1)  Watch for signs of Spring.  Check!

2) Search for ‘Where’s Waldo’

3)  Lane dyed my hair and I supported Lane’s growing Mohawk,

4) Rationing TP

5) Build a puzzle

6) Enjoy some pickle ball.  Check!

7)  We’d like to interrupt your pandemic with an earthquake.  ;o}

8) Promote new grocery products.

9)  This is so lame...

10)  Read something….

11)  Become a pianist overnight.  CHECK!

12)  Paint a flamingo… Check!

Lucky 13)

14)  Ernest Hemingway,

“There are people dying who have never died before."

March 24th  Violet will be SIX!

Thirteen days until a unique General Conference.

Check out the P.S. below...

We love you forever!

Scatter smiles & sunshine  Ü

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994

P.S. Don’t freak out…but we are changing addresses again.

   

Same house, same property, new street name.

6152 W Folly Island Way

South Jordan, UT 84009

Week 5 - March 29, 2020

NEWSFLASH!!!  Not one grandkid sighting in 2 weeks.  Catastrophic!   

My week ~ collage-style.

1) laugh often

2) pray more often

3) not my rocks…but a cool craft idea.

4) we took a drive around Utah Lake, stopping in Lindon at the site of our first ’96 date (Los Hermanos = The Historic Robison Home)

5) we observed a 24 hour fast and gave thanks to God for our blessings.  

6) Lane makes THEE BEST chocolate chip cookies on the globe.  

7) we have our very own portable pickle ball net, courtesy of an unnamed person living in Eugene, Oregon  ;o}

Items we crossed off our calendar:

School performances, stake presentations, dance concerts, temple trips, family gatherings, a wedding, several road trips, and who knows how any standby flights ;o}

This coming week:

April 3rd - Sweet Kaelyn celebrates being 8!

Ongoing - We continue our leading roles in a reality pandemic drama…(spoiler, it has a happy ending, in the meantime, hang on!)

April 4th & 5th - General Conference, one of a kind, as promised.

Please keep us posted as to how and what you are doing?  We miss your guts!!!  

We love you forever!

Scatter smiles & sunshine  Ü

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994

February 2020

 Week 1 - February 9, 2020

Fond Family Fabulous February Fotos,

1)  Last week was the SOUP-er Bowl.  Hosted at Carrie & Lincoln’s home.  Plenty of football distractions.  Oh, the food, puzzles, games, camaraderie.

The Chiefs WON!!!!!!!  Wahoo ~ Yippy-skippy!  Nuff said.

2)  I nervously spent the better part of a week attempting to create a tree that Lane or I wouldn’t paint over immediately.  I started over 3 times.

Now, throw away the brushes and rollers and get on with just enjoying this stage of our lives.

3)  Breakfast with grandkids…namely Audrey, Slater and Adelaide. Then 1/2 day goof off time with Thatcher…but not until the eldest 3 ran off to school.

And then there was that day that my sister and a niece sat in on my dear Mother’s DUP lesson.  She did a standout job teaching about the preparations that led to the Golden spike being driven into the railroad ties at promontory point.

Today we are attending the mission homecoming for Tayva Shumway - returned with honor from New Zealand.  And earlier this morning we accepted a stake calling to be service missionaries in an assisted living center located in DayBreak and our stake boundaries.  So our Sunday worship meetings will be 10 a.m. to noon.  It’s a blessing to serve!  (2 1/2 years since we had “official” church callings.  

Family happenings:

February 3rd - Genevieve doubled her age in just one year.

February 4th - Callie celebrated turning 35!

February 4th - Rayson is a handsome 42 year old. 

February 6th - Oregonian Brennan blew out 10 candles in raspberry cupcakes.

February 12th - Elder Joseph Hill will be a tenacious TWENTY year old!

Please share what’s happening in your family.

Week 2 - February 16, 2020

Did you have a lovely February 14th?

1)  We did.  Luke, Maggie and Isaac came over.  Our very FIRST overnight guests.  
  

The next morning I accompanied Maggie to a fabulous Ute gymnastic meet.

2) Here are a few tips sure to improve future Valentine’s days.

    ~   Like the pickle in my cheeseburger, I wanna take you out.

    ~  Do you have a bandaid ‘cause I scraped my knee falling for you?

    ~  Are you my appendix? because I have a gut feeling I should take you out.

3)  Last Sunday we attended the mission homecoming (Donny Osmond sighting) of my niece returning from New Zealand.  On the way home from Provo I took Lane to my former front porch in Orem and kissed him…unlike our previous 2 dates in the mid 90’s. 

 

4)  Tomorrow, February 17th, 2020

The holiday is officially called Washington's Birthday and was chosen as a celebration of the first president.  

The day was originally established in the 1880s to honor President George Washington but later became a time to recognize all presidents, past and present.

Now you know…

My 5 greatest blessings

... my faith…my family…my country…my world travels…my health...

Week 3 - February 23, 2020

What a lovely week!

1)  While my baby sister Cecile flew out from SLC to Manhattan to meet her first g’baby, my younger sister Cathleen flew in to SLC from Indianapolis to meet her 13th g’baby.

We got a visit from Cathleen & Rick with Cohen tagging along.  Also 6 sibs and 4 in-laws chatted and slurped soup at Zupas (no photo).  

2)  Meanwhile Randi let on that Savannah will be a big sister late summer 2020!!!  So, let us assure you that when the time is right for you to become a g’parent, you will love each and every ONE with your whole heart, whether it’s #1, #3 (just ask RayDean & Jon) or #55.  It’s magical and miraculous!  God enables our hearts to expand so our capacity to love is exactly equal to the number of incredible family members who join our cherished circle.  

3)  Today is the day the Kelley’s reserved to come play games and eat tapioca.  We’ve been counting down days for a month.  Thank you guys for putting it on the calendar and making it happen.  

The ‘flour game’ was Mer’s idea, so it was only fitting that she be the first winner!

4)  Last week Matthew stopped by to watch "Ford vs Ferrari" with G’ma Carolyn.   (You all are welcome anytime!)

5)  Thursday evening we cashed in our Christmas gift of a Hale Center Performance and dinner with Steph & Jerel, Lincoln & Carrie.  Great talent is drawn to the Hale Theater and great audiences appreciate it very much.  

6)  Since Heston found the octopus today he has hidden it for the next visitor.  Who will it be?

7)  Whatever our particular furrow, we are to “plow in hope,” without looking back or letting yesterday hold tomorrow hostage.

(some wise person said this and I relate to it.)

This week:

24th ~ Britni Jean is 37 Monday

27th ~ Christopher Thomas is 4 decades old

29th ~ on Tesila’s 3rd birthday she will be 12.  (Can you guess why?)

Make it a great week everyone.   ;o}    Your smile can change the world.   

We love you forever!

Scatter smiles & sunshine  Ü

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994