APRIL 2002

April 24, 2022

Crazy, lazy daze in Ohio!

1) family!
2) sunshine☀️ 
3) cookie baking
4) treasure hunting
5) playgrounds
6) picnic
7) movie night
8) coloring
9) fort building
10) memories🥰

Thanks to the Robison’s for welcoming us and being perfect hosts!  

More April events:
April ~ Anissa & Abriam got engaged! 💍 
25th ~ Gerbers celebrate 13 years of married bliss😍
26th ~ Hatcher ‘tanks’ it on his 6th b-day
27th ~ Lane & I arrive back in SLC
29th ~ Dalia can legally drive!!!
30th ~ a long awaited wedding day❤️❤️
            Welcome Jennifer🥰

We love you forever!
Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell

April 17, 2022

Hello & greetings fabulous family members,

1) It snowed last week! 
2) Not totally unexpected. 
3) I’ve experienced valley snow in Utah during 9 different months. 
4) But we don’t appreciate the cold 🥶…
5) …although we are grateful for the mountain moisture. 
6) And this Daybreak sculptural art piece is pretty awesome. 
7) I used the weather as an excuse to hybernate a little longer —
8) yet I ventured into the chilly weather to meet up with friends from my past. 
9) 2 of these remarkable women left an indelible impression on me since I met them in 1983 (Orem)!
10) and the 3rd one has been an incredible friend since 1997 (Orlando). 

“Treasure your friends and be a treasured friend!” I just made that up!😍

Do you have a friend that you can pick up with after being apart for 25-35 years??? Of course not. You haven’t lived this long🥴. 

Dates this week:
17th ~ EASTER!!!
18th ~ having experienced a rare failure flying standby to Cincinnati we drive 23.5 hrs straight and arrive the 19th (in 10 minutes from sending this email🤪). We’ll be in Cincinnati for nearly a week. 
22nd ~ Dillon’s 16th anniversary of his arrival on 🌎.  Thinking of YOU dear g’son!

Have a great week!!!

We love you forever!!! Honestly & truly. You have made an indelible impression on us, never to be erased or forgotten. 
Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

April 10, 2022

Dear treasured family,

We’ve been back in Utah nearly 2 weeks and are getting caught up with friends, family, doctors, familiar food, etc.

1)  May I introduce you to beautiful Ruth? We were neighbors in Eagle Gate, 2011.
2) She reached out to me in October 2021.
3) We reconnected last week. We each said the other hadn’t changed one bit.  She lied.
4) Her husband (and our friend), Ted, passed quickly in December.
5) We had so much to talk about.
6) Lane and I also had lunch with 5 of his siblings…
7)  …and dinner at the invitation of Greg, Jennifer, Samie & Ben.
8) We also had our first Cafe Rio in many months!
9) A temple date and Jazz game were the idea of Linc, Carrie, Steph, Jerel, Carlie & Jon.
10) Then yesterday a brunch and yard work at my Mom & David’s.

Family and friends are where it’s at!!!
“Friend’s are God’s way of taking care of us.”

Important dates:
April 9th ~ Anissa and Abriam got engaged
April 13th ~ Alta celebrates turning 11
April 17th ~ EASTER!!!  Thee best holiday of all.

Have a fantastic week.  Be good humans.  We love you forever!
Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

April 3, 2022

Good news everyone!  This weekend we explored the early pioneer settlement of Spring City; built in 1852, burned, rebuilt, abandoned, resettled, prospered until 1890, and stagnant for the next 130 years. But the locals love it small and uninterrupted. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.  A gem and worth a looksie 👀!

1) Stephanie had a brilliant idea…

2) for Carrie to invite us to join them

3) for conference weekend 

4) at a ‘Pulsipher’ family homestead

(built 4 yrs ago to look old).

5) So she did!

6) There were 13 of us. 

7) Food was plentiful.

8) Games & puzzles were in abundance.

9) Bracelets formed for Ukrainian refugees and friends. 

10) Conference messages carried peace and strengthened faith in Christ.  (The 2 hour break between sessions is the fastest 2 hours of the year!!!)

Outstanding memories remain.  Besides, it’s Spring people.  Get out and enjoy life!  How was your weekend?! 

Important calendar items:

April 3rd ~ Kaelyn hits double digits TODAY!

April 7th ~ Jami & Chris have been married 8 years❤️

We love you forever!

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

P.S.  

Heck

is a place for people

who don’t believe in

Gosh

MARCH 2022

 March 27, 2022

Hello again,

It’s taken me too long to write this week. 

1) it’s wonderful to be back in the states!
2) we spent a week in my home state. 
3) I was born and raised in Washington.
4) it’s nice that Britni & Brian chose this for their home. 
5) I have a great excuse to visit this lush green space.
6) it was fortunate that…
7) Dalia had a track meet.
8) Violet turned 8 and was baptized.
9) Tesila’s play happened!!!
10) we hiked their backyard trail to the Hansen Creek.

We appreciate all of our children and are grateful to be close by (relative to the Middle East) so we can see more of you!

Christmas coupons may be redeemed.  Anyone?

This week:
March 28th ~ We flew back to Utah
April 1st ~ tip: Don’t use red food coloring to fool your spouse that you cut yourself shaving in the shower. Psycho! 
April 2 & 3 ~ **General Conference**
April 3rd ~ it’s Kaelyn’s birthday!! She’ll be 10!!

We love you forever!  Enjoy April🌷
Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

**I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  John 14:18

“No trial, no sadness, no heartache, no suffering, no wound — however deep, however wide, however painful — will be excluded from the comfort, peace, and lasting hope of Jesus Christ.”
Elder Neil L Andersen, Apostle

Sent from my iPhone

 March 20, 2022

Hey!

We returned to the U.S. on Sunday the 20th and already it’s Thursday, the 24th.

1) last week we swung by the Red Sea
2) visited Luxor Temple at night
3) explored tombs in Valley of the Kings
4) sailed on the Nile
5) toured the mummified crocodile museum
6) dined and danced at a Nubian village
7) walked among the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
8) flew in a hot air balloon over Luxor
9) climbed inside the Great Pyramid of Cheops
10) road tripped to visit two iconic, massive rock-cut temples at Abu Simbel, relocated in the 1960’s!!!  (Imagine relocating Jordan’s Petra.) My favorite find!!!
https://youtu.be/CgoGYYa71Us
https://youtu.be/Nk3gwFsb9eo

We took a family group of 23 to Egypt in 2010. Twelve years later Egypt is still as fabulous as ever!!!

This week:
21st  Danika is now a precocious 6 year old
24th  Violet has decided it’s “great to be 8”

We love you forever,
Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

Sent from my iPhone

 March 13, 2022

Hey,

1) Near 
2) the
3) Pyramids
4) of
5) Giza
6) I kissed
7) a friendly
8) camel 🐪 
9) named 
10) Charlie 

This week:
3.14 Stephanie & Jerel celebrate 26 years of promoting an excellent marriage!
3.14   pi day (what’s your favorite? I love fresh 🍑 or 🍓 in a traditional crust)
3.17   St Patrick’s Day 🍀 
3.20  our Egypt tour ends and we fly back to the USA - more precisely, Lake Stevens at the invitation of the Hansens.  A X-country meet, a school play and a baptism. 

We love you forever, 
Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)


Sent from my iPhone

 March 6, 2022

Oh man, Oman!

It’s been an exhilarating week. Still in the Middle East. Finished a 7-day road trip through Oman.  We…

1)  camped in the Empty Quarter (largest sand sea on the planet).

2)  swam in the gulf of Oman

3)  watched the sun set over the dunes

4)  counted camels

5)  caught Bream and Trigger fish with NoBoundaries off Shuwaymiyah

6)  drove 1400 miles round trip - Muscat to Salalah

7)  strolled thru a grove of Frankincense Trees - Wadi Dawkah

8)  gazed upon the Grand Canyon of Oman - Jebel Shams

9)  visited the sultan’s palace grounds

10) took Covid test #6 since January so we can fly to Qatar on Tuesday

Oman is certainly a country we would invite you to visit.  People always want to know where we are from.  They are friendly, beautiful, curious, helpful and welcoming of foreigners.  They are proud Omani’s and want to show off their country; its resources, its beauty, its cuisine, its history.  Come if you can.  Or let us be your eyes and ears.  

We feel we may have walked the land where Lehi and Sariah journeyed too with their family.  Through wadi’s and mountain valleys in southern Oman, to the seacoast.  What an amazing sight.  We know like Nephi that if we love God and keep his commandments he will nourish and strengthen us and provide a path that we can accomplish that which is best for us and our families.  Keep doing your best to work hard and look after your loved ones.  We cherish each of you.  

This week:

6th   Emeline can officially ‘drive’ her family…crazy at age 16

7th   Carrie & Lincoln have been wife & husband for 21 years!!!

8th   We catch an early flight from Oman to Qatar

10th  Robert celebrates his 27th year!

10th  We fly to Cairo for an organized tour of Egypt

11th  Sabrina gets birthday cake and ice cream while turning 6

12th  Lane is the most handsome 74 year old husband I have ever had!

Take note that we’ll be in the SLC area approx March 29th thru mid to late June (with a week in Cincinnati in April).  Please plan some time when you can redeem a Christmas coupon or two.  

Lane will toss out his Omani sim card Tuesday so you can once again reach him by text.  

We love you forever,

Scatter smiles & sunshine  Ü

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994

FEBRUARY 2022

 February 27, 2022

This is Carolyn in the Middle,

Geographically, there is very little ‘east’ in the Middle East. So why is the region named this way?  This really is fascinating and a quick read. I’m 63 and still learning plenty as I travel.  

What exactly is this region to the east of?  And what exactly is it in the middle of?  In the mid 19th century the British Empire was vast and powerful.  They used the phrase ‘Orient’ to describe the East and split it into 3 distinct areas.  

- the Near East, included Turkey and the Balkans

- the Far East, included Asian countries along the Pacific Ocean

- and the countries in-between came to be known as the Middle East

1)  I’ve seen a map identifying 18 countries that compose the Middle East.

2)  We’ve traveled to 9 of them.

3)  We left Dubai Monday,

4)  spent 2 days in the Kingdom of Saudi,

5)  and  two more in amazing Bahrain. 

6)  LDS church services were Friday here, they meet in a converted home.  Their baptismal font is quite large.

7)  And now we are loving our first day in Oman!

8)  Tomorrow we begin a 9 day road trip down the seacoast and back via the Arabian desert, 

9)  also known as the ‘empty quarter’ or largest continuous sand sea in the world.

10)  It covers 250,000 sq miles and is shared by 4 countries

Okay.  Class dismissed.  This week we both felt deeply concerned that our travel plans might be thwarted in Saudi Arabia.  Eventually it all worked out.  It was worrisome for only a few hours but we felt completely helpless.  We often watch news in our hotel room and sorrow greatly as the Ukrainian people are fleeing from or fighting for their homes, families and freedoms.  We have added them to our prayers. 

“There will be times when the path ahead seems dark, but keep following the Savior.  He knows the way; in fact, He is the way.”  Stephen W Owen, former General YM President

Please tell us how you are doing and share photos when you can.  

We switched out Lane’s sim card today so emails are the best way to reach him.  Or text him on Carolyn’s number.  

Important dates:

February 27th - Chris has a birthday today.  He is 42!

Somewhere hidden between February 28th and March 1st is the multiverse which is Tesila’s birthday.  Happy 14th!

March 6th - Emeline will be a driving force on this birthday.

We love you forever!

Scatter smiles & sunshine  Ü

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994

 February 20, 2022

Hi,

Thursday we fled to the desert.

1)  We rode 4x4’s over dunes,
2)  then went dune-bashing in a caravan of ten Land Cruisers,
3)  went sandboarding,
4)  (our guide was a natural photographer)
5)  hopped on a camel🐪,
6)  watched the sunset over a Bedouin camp,
7)  ingested a BBQ buffet
8)  while watching bellydancers, 
9)  flame throwers,
10) & a whirling dervish.

Another day to remember. 

Happy Birthday to:
Britni ~ 39 on the 24th
Chris ~ 42 on the 27th

We leave our sweet little humble Dubai apartment and fly to Saudi Arabia Tuesday. What’s new with you? 

We love you forever!
Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)
Sent from my iPhone

 February 13, 2022

Hey everybody.  

We may be like Spiderman…'Far From Home’ but we still ‘attended’ Gaylin’s funeral, via Zoom, Saturday 10pm to midnight.  Tonight we’ll attempt to watch the Super Bowl.  

How y’all doin?

Wanna history/geography lesson?  There’s a test at the end...

1)  The U.A.E. is an infant country…only 5 decades old

2)  formed in 1971 when 7 small emirates (countries) combined to form the United Arab emirates

3)  making it a bigger country with a bigger global voice

4)  it is slightly smaller than the US state of Maine

5)  in the late 19th century the pearling and fishing trades flourished 

6)  in 1966 oil was discovered

7)  and VIOLA! Tick-Tick-BOOM! this country explodes into the fantastical oasis it is today

8)  Locals make up 20% of Dubai’s population while the other 80% are expats (people living outside their own countries)

9)  Islam is the official religion here and tolerance is a proclaimed virtue

10)  law enforcement is highly effective here (FYI - the police force boasts the inclusion of 14 supercars; including the exotic Bugatti Veyron, Ferrari and Lamborghini

if you have 2 minutes we recommend this:  https://youtu.be/JUlbcuy1ao0

Coming soon:

14th ~ Valentine’s Day 

16th ~ Matt Lindeman (Sarah’s husband) celebrates his birthday with a screaming goat (shhh, don’t tell him, its a surprise!)

19th ~ we observe camel racing live!

Our upcoming travel plans:

February 22nd to March 10th ~ we visit Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar

March 10th to March 20th ~ tour of Egypt

March 21st ~ fly to Seattle for Tesila’s play and Violet’s baptism

March 28th ~ fly to SLC

April, May & June ~ we’ll primarily hang around Utah.  So, Utahns, this is an ideal time to redeem a Christmas coupon or two from your punch boards. 

We love you forever! 

Scatter smiles & sunshine  Ü

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994

P.S. j/k about the test

 February 6, 2022

Hello fabulous family,

Facts about the TALLEST BUILDING IN THE WORLD!!!  The Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE

1)   163 floors

2)   2,716.5 feet tall

3)   It’s held the record since 2010.

4)   It is 3 x the height of the Eiffel Tower...

5)   …and nearly double the Empire State Building.

6)   It took only 6 years to complete.

7)   The weight of the concrete used = 100,000 elephants.

8)   It’s a 60 second ride to get to the observation deck on floor 124.

      (You can go to level 148 but the cost is $150 pp, even more $ if you want to see the sunset) 

9)   There is a light show on the building every 1/2 hour.

10)   Ghost Protocol (MI:4) was literally filmed on the building.  

     https://uae24x7.com/entertainment/movies/no-mission-is-impossible-how-did-they-film-ghost-protocol-climb-scene-at-burj-khalifa/

People say the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building but in fact the library is because it has more stories.   ;o}

Today we got information about Uncle Gaylin’s funeral from Shelly Jordan.

Friday, 2/11  VIEWING 6-8pm

                    Metcalf Mortuary

            288 W St George Blvd

            St George, UT 84770

Saturday, 2/12  FUNERAL SERVICES  11am

                   Washington Stake Sandia Chapel

             628 S 3000 E

   St George, UT 84790

(available via Zoom but I’ll have to get more info on how to join)

Happenings:

Today ~ Brennan is twelve years old!

February 12th ~  Joseph will be 22!

We love you forever!

Scatter smiles & sunshine  Ü

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994