FEBRUARY 2024

2.25.24

WEEK 2 - Africa road trip continued

Feb 19-24

Polers take us out to the Okavango Delta in Mokoros (flat bottom canoes). Sweltering heat. Game drives by 4x4’s or on foot😳. Discovering a hippo skull while swimming. Salt flats. Flamingos. Hippos. Cross into Zimbabwe. UNO. Can a nonalcoholic “Booze” cruise still be a booze cruise?

VICTORIA FALLS visit!
Feb 25

This day tied for our favorite!!!

Falls walk. Knife Edge Bridge. Zip line between two countries. 

❤️We love you forever!

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

2.18.24

WEEK 1 - Africa road trip

We joined a tour of 15 folks from USA, Ireland, UK, Algeria, Canada, & Australia to see animals, landscapes, eat good food, visit 7 national parks, sleep in tents, embark on a 3,000 road trip, meet the locals, and miss family, ice and A/C.  

We traveled through:

South Africa 🇿🇦 (almost twice the size of Texas)

Botswana 🇧🇼 (nearly twice the size of Arizona)

Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 (nearly the size of California)

& a spontaneous visit to Zambia 🇿🇲 (1/2 the size of Alaska)

So many great happenings. Here are our highlights…

(Intrepid South Africa Trip complete dates:  Feb 12 - Mar 6)

Fly to Johannesburg, SA. Tour the city. Meet our new friends. Drive for hours in discomfort. cross into Botswana. Set up camp nightly. Rhino Sanctuary. 

❤️We love you forever!

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

2.11.24

Last week we hosted a neighborhood social😋

Savannah Scott slept over😴

Thatcher Kelley was baptized (by Tagg)😍

The Chiefs fought for the right…to Par-Tay!🎉 It was a narrow win. Both teams were deserving.  I’m about to binge watch the Super Bowl ads as I wait in the Atlanta airport.

Lane wonders how he’s supposed to respect his elders if he’s finding it increasingly hard to find any 🤔.

❤️We love you forever!

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

Important dates:

Feb 12th ~ Joseph Hill is 2 dozen y.o.🥳

Feb 13th ~ Lane & I travel to South Africa, returning Mar 6th. Emails are welcome😊

Feb 14th ~ ❤️❤️❤️

Feb 16th ~ Matt Lindeman is __.  I actually don’t know.  Maybe 26? Be happy Matt!

2.4.24

Early in February we watched the actual Punxsutawney Phil, followed by “Phil Connors” and then ate ground hog (pork) for dinner. (We both love the movie🍿🎥 !)

We were blessed that Charlie Scott’s sight and overall health are very good.

Over time we’ve prepped bunk beds for the cowboy room. So come visit!

I fretted over my flower art. I’m not too worried.  I parked a hanging chair in front of it. 

I hope you talk to yourself as kindly as you speak to the ones you love most. (You do talk to yourself, don’t you?  I do. Out loud.)

❤️We love you forever!

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

Birthdays:

Feb 6th ~ Brennan Adams is a fabulous 14!!

JANUARY 2024

1.28.24

Last week w Momma C…(not The Last Week😉)

Final free Lexus service, Tapioca & 5 Crowns w/ new friends, 🏀Jazz games on TV, “Claire time”, painting projects, pillow sewing, doctor appt, mtg new neighbors, finished a book, Lincoln strings 3 additional lights for us, our snow ❄️ melted, the Chiefs move on to the Super Bowl🏈!

A fine week. Few fotos. 

I am comforted in knowing that God will never forsake you or me.  God is all-knowing, powerful, just, merciful, loving and fair. Yea, I will trust in my God forever!

We love you forever!❤️

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

This week:

Jan 29th ~ Jami Robison is 37🥳

Jan 30th ~ my Mother celebrates 9 years married to David!❤️❤️

Feb 3rd ~ Genevieve Howell is 6🥳

Feb 4th ~ Callie Gerber is 39🥳

Feb 4th ~ Rayson Gerber is 46🥳

Feb 13th ~ Mar 6th.  We take a camping ⛺️ trip into South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.  Looking for the big 5 🐃🦁🦏🐆🐘and Victoria Falls. 

1.21.24

Greetings amazing beloved ones,

Today was a mighty happy occasion with a gathering of friends and family. Scott Howell is preparing to teach Peruvians more about Jesus Christ. He taught today about sticking with scripture reading even when the path is rough. We love Scott so very much!!!

And ‘baby boy’ Howell will be 12 this year so he passed the emblems today. Issac is his name and this ‘young man’ did an incredible job today. Thanks Issac and Scott!

Well, we’ve been hit with numerous snow storms, shoveled our share of snow, avoided packed roads, and finally got new 🛞🛞🛞🛞on our car.  You can stop worrying about us now.   

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

Important dates:
Today, Jan 21: Thatcher Kelley is 8🥳
Jan 23: KC Bell rings in year 38
Jan 26: Shalaun Howell is double fours4️⃣4️⃣
Jan 28: Spencer Howell is 9🥳

1.14.24

This week’s highlight was having time with Cameron, Kim & Justin as they traveled to Utah to mark Cam’s 50th birthday. Meredith is certain she was his favorite all time gift, born on his 10th birthday. And why not!?  

It was super to get together with Cam-fans and share fun, games, Cafe Rio and cake! We appreciate Lincoln, Carrie and their kids for the prep and hosting. Being in such amazing surroundings makes family gatherings all the better. We often take this for granted. You guys rock it 🚀!

As a bonus: today Justin was ordained to the office of Elder.

Coming this week:
15th ~ Ben & Samie Hale celebrate 2 years as Mr&Mrs💕
21st ~ Thatcher Kelley will be 8!🥳

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

1.7.24

Salutations!

Kicked off 2024 with a small Creek gathering. That’s the family of my origin. (2 siblings/spouses were missing)

Scott’s came to play. Scissors were removed from the craft area 💇🏻‍♀️ . 

My new craft room is taking shape. 

Sam stopped by to catch up. 

I was crazy sick for 2 days. 

Lane & I thrift at D.I.  Lucky find: Puma pants😹

We got invited to Sadie Jane Gerber’s baptism in beautiful Montana. It happened yesterday.  Sadie was ecstatic!  Daisy became my friend (a 4-year wait🥰). Sophie displays her crocheting (G’pa taught her in September). Hansens came too. 

We drove safely but frighteningly back home today.

Jesus Christ can help me:
give a softer response, prioritize differently, show more grace, let stuff go, look for the good in people, love myself. He will help you too.

Coming this week:
9th ~ Audrey Howell can date, drive and blow out 16 candles!
10th ~ Darren & Stephanie Hill celebrate 10 years of marriage ❤️❤️
11th ~ Carlie Spallino is 2 dozen years old!
14th ~ Meredith Hadley is a lovely 39 + 1 😘
14th ~ Cameron Howell turns 1/2 century😱
(Party is the 13th🥳) 

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

DECEMBER 2023

12.31.23

Welcome 2024! 🥳🤩🥰

This was the biggest bash on the block, if not in all of Daybreak!!!

Glad to see and hug all who attended. 

Important dates:
Jan 1st ~ Malcolm West celebrates his birth!
Jan 1st ~ Abriam Buggs parties like he’s 29🥳
Jan 2nd ~ Michael Hill is 32! 🎂 
Jan 5th ~ Sadie Gerber knows “it’s great to be 8️⃣”
Jan 6th ~ Sarah & Matt Lindeman are happily married 3 years!!!💕

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

12.24.23

🎄Merry Christmas! 🌟God bless us everyone!

What follows is an array of pics from last night’s shepherds dinner.  We hosted 49. They came as shepherds, angels, wisemen, door openers, and even a baby shark🦈😁

Thanks everyone for the memories!!!

“The same God that placed the star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem, has given equal attention to the placement of each of us in our precise human orbits so our light may not only lead others, but warm them as well.” Neal A Maxwell

🌟Keep shining and following the light of Jesus Christ.🌟

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

Important dates:
25th ~ it’s CHRISTMAS!!!
28th ~ Lincoln celebrates 46 years!

12.17.23

Home again, home again jiggity-jig!  And wow, does it feel right.  The trip was enormously satisfying, breathtaking and magical.  But coming home has always been a great feeling. 

Here’s a compilation of photos from our 2nd week in Norway.  We experienced “civil twilight”, observed the decorating of a gingerbread lighthouse, and were recognized ship-wide for finishing this tiger puzzle (18 pieces missing), whew! 

God didn’t design us to be sad. He created us to have joy! So if we trust Him, He will help us to notice the good, bright, hopeful things of life. And sure enough, the world will become brighter.  You each make life on earth worthwhile for me!  Always shine🌟

Special dates:
Dec 19th ~ Paden Gerber turns 6!🥳
Dec 19th ~ Lee Howell celebrates his 11th b-day 🕯️ 
Dec 23rd ~ we host a dinner for humble, bewildered and honored shepherds. (Locals will receive an invitation 12.17.2023)

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

12.10.23

Hei 👋🏻

Facts about Norway🇳🇴 :

~ Compares closely in size to New Mexico.

~ Population is 5.5 million, a little more than South Carolina.

~ Russia, Sweden and Finland border Norway.

~ Its coast has not been calculated but it is LOONNNGGGG!

[The coastline paradox is the counterintuitive observation that the coastline of a landmass does not have a well-defined length. This results from the fractal curve -] yawn🥱…

Our cruise along Norway’s coast began last Monday and ends this Friday. 12 days/11 nights. The people have tremendous pride as Norwegians. The food is spectacular. The scenery is nearly non-existent due to extremely short days. What we have ‘scene’ is amazing. Part of the appeal is being at 71° latitude. Darkness engulfs us. Today there was no sunrise, the next moonrise is in 6 days and we had 5% illumination.  It is also our turnaround point as we began sailing south 5 days back to Bergen.  

For church today we played the First Presidency’s CHRISTmas devotional.  

A tiny baby born, heralded by angels, welcomed by lowly shepherds, cherished by Mary & Joseph. This baby, this boy, this Jesus, lived the only perfect life.  I trust in His perfect mercy and justice. Only Jesus makes it possible for me to live again and love you all forever. 

May you each find hope, reduce stress, feel cherished, and make treasured memories this season of the year.  

God jul! (Norwegian for Merry Christmas)

We love you forever❤️,

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

Upcoming events:

Dec 10th ~ Stephen Hill is now TWENTY!!!

Dec 13th ~ Tom & Shalaun Howell also celebrate 20 years - the beginning of their family in 2003

Dec 17th ~ Lane & I return to the good ole USA 🇺🇸 

Dec 23rd ~ an open invitation for any who would like to join us for a “Shepherds Dinner”.  Our home. Modest meal. All are welcome.  No pressure to attend. (Details next week)

12.3.23

Biding time in beautiful Bergen🇳🇴!

We arrived Thursday and go ‘all aboard’ the Hurtigruten 🚢 as we cruise up and over the West coast of Norway tomorrow.  This picturesque city doubles in beauty with the reflection of Christmas lights.  Top memories: funicular views, first snowfall, reindeer sausage, bottomless cocoa & cookies, and a heartwarming choral concert. 

Earlier this past week we put up our tree, visited my mother, marveled at a magical dinner theater and enjoyed an overnight stay from the Adam’s family!!!

There’s a common misconception that your parents like their grandchildren more than they love you when really it’s because you’ve produced something that reminds them everyday of you as a child and it’s like loving you twice. 

Important dates:
Dec 4th ~ our adventure to find the northern lights begins
Dec 8th ~ Gabriela Hill begins her 21st trip around the ☀️ 
Dec 8th ~ Roy Scott blows out 41 candles🎂 
Dec 10th ~ Stephen Hill celebrates 2 decades!!!🥳

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

NOVEMBER 2023

11.26.23

Hello! Life just gets better and better.  I hope you all live to be 65 because I feel I’m at my peak. 

This past week:

Bullocks popped in for 5 Crowns, some hot-chocolate-cherries 🍒 jubilee, a chance to meet Caden Bullock’s  girlfriend, and a preview of our basement improvement.

Our new bedroom wrapped up with door casings, baseboards, and final inspection!

Watched Alta Kelley perform in Newsies, Jr. She was outstanding!!!  Her fan base was all in. 

Charlie & Savannah Scott came to play while Owen had a procedure done. They were a blast!  The octopus is hidden and waiting for our next visitors.

Thanksgiving 2023 is in the books. A viewing of Macy’s parade - Chicago performed, 🏈🏈🏈, feasting, topped off with pumpkin chiffon pie and a visit from Matthew Howell!  (We wore our hats in IKEA, the Depot, etc.)

Finally, we capitalized on an invite to 🎳. Jon managed a couple strikes with that 🍉 🤣. 

Upcoming:
Today is Brian & Britni Hansen’s 19th anniversary!!!💞
Nov 27th ~ something magic will happen with Lincoln & Carrie Howell and Jerel & Stephanie Bullock🤩
Nov 27th ~ Jerry & Erin Adams’ bring their family for a sleepover!🥰 🐙 
Nov 29th ~ We fly to Norway in search of the northern lights. See ya after December 17th. 
Dec 23rd ~ save the date…tentative Shepherds Dinner (our place)

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

11.19.23

I’m off by one week.  I’m always a little off but today I’m waaayyy off.  

Fast rundown.  Justin loves burritos.  We had Death by Donuts with Cam☠️ & Kim. 1500 piece puzzle challenge.  Moving on to Eugene. Musicians 🎸 🎹. Quiplash. Puzzle w/ Kaelyn. Home! We level and install flooring in our new room. Dinner invite to Bullocks.  Puzzle #3!  Caden & I are twinners 👓.

We’ll be home until the 29th.  

Important dates:
Nov 23rd ~ “Fat Thursday” - a great time of feasting - listing our blessings - napping kinda day.
Nov 24th ~ Kira Hadley marks another remarkable year🥳

Sunday School tip of the week:
The only measure of true greatness is how close a person can become like Jesus.  Follow His steps, walk as He walked.  God has promised that to follow this course will lead a person to an abundant life, a fullness of joy, and the peace and rest for which those who are heavy burdened long.

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

11.12.23

Greetings from Albany, Oregon…home of Cam, Kim & Justin!

After visiting Aunt Reta Allen (Lane’s sister) in Idaho (note the moose head) we spent a few disappearing days in Lake Stevens, WA at the Hansen hilltop. No visit to the family of Britni & Brian would be complete without a backwoods hike, a jigsaw puzzle, a coloring contest, Brian’s shenanigans, football, and a dramatic production - starring Tesila as Clarrise, in Percy Jackson’s The Lightning Thief⚡️. All too soon the days were gone. Sunday we drove to Albany, Oregon for a few more disappearing days…

Cam, Kim & Justin ‘here we come’!

Important dates:
Nov 14th ~ Matthew celebrates his 21st year🥳
Nov 14th ~ We drive to Eugene to visit Jerry & Erin’s family
Nov 16th ~ we drive home to Utah🏡 

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

11.5.23

Hey all you wonderful progeny!!!  (That means descendants or offspring.) I’m so flattered to know you!

We spent last week in Cincinnati with the Robison’s - Chris, Jami, Danika & Kamden. 
We cheered at ⚽️ for Kamden, had a “date” w grandkids, accepted an invite to a house-warming😂(burning for fire training), 🌭’s and s’mores were served😋. We went trick-or-treating with Zed the Zombie and a baby. Prepared for Kamden’s 6th b-day party, demo’d my web design, and returned last Friday. It was so, so, so fun!!!

Sunday we popped in to snuggle Tanner Bell and wish Claire an early happy 4th birthday. Also, we prepared 3 CHRISTmas baskets for delivery on our next road trip. 

Important dates:
Nov 6th ~ Claire is a darling 4 y.o.
Nov 6th ~ we drive off into the sunrise towards Aunt Reta’s in Idaho, etc. etc. etc. 
Nov 10th ~ Scott is a dashing 19 y.o.
Nov 14th ~ Matthew is a tenacious 21 y.o. 

Be good humans! Work hard! Floss!

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

OCTOBER 2023

10.29.23 

Good evening amazing adults, terrific teens, and yabba-dabah youth. 

Our basement bedroom progress: 
Sheetrockers finished…after 6 days!
The outlets look horrific😱
Drywall dust is a curse. 🤬
Lane & I cleaned the floor, primed and painted the walls and ceiling and attached the switch plates, etc. 

Lane struggled with toothaches until the dentist returned from Fall break and ordered an emergency root canal. 

We flew the next day to Ohio where the Robison’s act happy to see us. They are so generous and welcoming. Soccer, muffins, a puddle walk, pumpkin carving, g’pa shared his love of football with Danika and Kamden. 

Important dates:
Oct 30th ~ Anissa Buggs has been a wonderful granddaughter for 2 dozen years🥳
Nov 1st ~ Kamden Robison enjoys a Spider-Man party as he turns 6 🕷️ 
Nov 3rd ~ The future Dr Jon Spallino is older & wiser today!👨🏻‍⚕️
Nov 4th ~ We fly home from Cincinnati

57 days until CHRISTmas!🎄 

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

 

10.22.23

Yo beloved kids!

Last week: 

Scott Howell opened his mission call to Piura, PERU.  He’s so ready.

We took an inside look at the new Bee’s home field - aka ‘be-grateful-you-own-in-Daybreak’.

Jordan City passed our 4-way and insulation inspections. 

Lincoln Howell calculates exactly the sheets of ‘rock’ and # of corner bead needed.

We get our daily fix at the Depot…

I enjoyed a fab granddaughter breakfast date with Savannah Scott.

Stephen Hill was working in our neighborhood and made our day by stopping by.

Today the Gerber kids performed in their primary program “I Love Jesus” and I caught it on ZOOM!

Coming this week:

22nd ~ Tom Howell is double fours! 4️⃣4️⃣

24th ~  US DAY!  This is what 27 years of marriage, sharing 14 outstanding kids, 63 grandkids and 5 great grands looks like!  The feeling is indescribable❤️❤️

25th ~ Josh Bullock turns 21 🥳

27th ~ Quinn Adams celebrates 17 years 🎂 

27th ~ Stephen & Emma Hill are a lovely couple married ONE year!💞

Be aware, we care, share.  

We love you forever!

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

10.15.23

Mid-October - so soon!  I’m bewildered.  For 65 years…5 of which I have no memory…I’ve anticipated the Thanksgiving and CHRISTmas holidays. I know that they come fast and furious and before I’m ready it’s January.  No other season accelerates like this next one. 

And yes, I blow right past halloween 🎃 because it doesn’t hold a candle to Fall, Thanksgiving & CHRISTmas🕯️😆.

Recent happenings:
Jennifer & Greg raised beef, killed it, and ate it. The circle of life…for a cow 🐄. It’s yummy in taco soup and meat loaf. 

The annular eclipse was worth a 3-hour drive to a Nevada desert. From the invisible ‘blue-line’ we saw the complete ring for 4 minutes. We hung with some Bullocks and Linc, Carrie, Luke & Isaac. Thanks for inviting us, (and thank you Lincoln for the ‘glasses’). 
As I visited with my dear Mother she demonstrated her pin hole technique but was caught napping and missed it. No worries y’all, it’ll be back in 42 years. 

Sunday I couldn’t stop smiling ALL day😉. It was the Primary program and I am one of the lucky teachers❤️

Primary reading: 2nd Thessalonians 2:16-17
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father,…Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Important dates:
16th ~ 🎂Adelaide Howell is now double digits!
16th ~ Carlie & Jon Spallino mark 3 years happily married❤️❤️
17th ~ Daisy Gerber blew out 4 candles🥳
20th ~ Kim Howell advances to 1/2 century😳
21st ~ we wish Samie Hale a happy 22nd birthday🎉 

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

10.8.23

Hydee-ho neighbors,  and family beyond our state borders. 

Last week was epic in several ways.

We attended a belated 1st bday party for Owen Scott - born August 21st, due in October ‘2022.  Randi & Roy throw great parties!!!🥳😋

Yesterday we were invited to the baby blessing of Lyndsie Elizabeth Hill. A real cutie.  I got to sit by Benjamin, age 5. We gathered afterward for a fun brunch and pics. Darren & Stephanie have a wonderful family!

Earlier in the week we received our building permit and with a little help from Lincoln completed 100% of the extra bedroom framing!  You can see below the results of the framing nailer under my control and the other is Lincoln’s. I now confess that Lincoln did 80% of the work, lane 9% and I did 11%.

(Sorry sweet Lane, but it’s true).

I did add an electric light to the kitty cave 🐈‍⬛ 💡 😁

Then the usual; errands, self-appointed chores, temple, reading. No pickleball or bike rides 😩.  And then the week was gone.

Upcoming calendar dates:

😳No birthdays/anniversaries in our family of 103 😳

How did we arrive at #103 so fast????

   Old foggies 2

   Outstanding shared offspring 14

   Incredible in-laws 12

   Cherished grandkids 63

   Amazing in-law grandkids 7

   Treasured great-grands 5

“Family is not an important thing.  It’s everything.”   ~ Michael J Fox

We love you forever!

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)

10.1.23

🥰Family time…

Sarah & Matt Lindeman welcomed William.

X Bell received her belated bday gift.

Steph Bullock snuggles Tanner Bell.

Charlie, Owen & Savannah dropped by.

We joined my Mother & David for a delightful HS reunion in Logan. (Class of 1950😊)

Fall leaves.

This weekend was filled with football, dogs, crepes and a glorious General Conference. 

President Nelson “Here is the great news of God’s plan: The very things that will make your mortal life the best it can be are exactly the same things that will make your life throughout all eternity the best it can be.” 

Keep life in perspective. 

We hope your week was fun filled.

Each one of you who takes time to read this is fantastic!!!  And those who don’t slow down to read this are equally fantastic!!! 

Our lives are slowing down but we are keenly aware that you are ALL in the thick of what matters most. Keep doing your best, we are here to cheer you on!

We love you forever!❤️

Momma C & Dad Lane (G&G Howell)