boo's letter

hello family and friends.
well its getting closer to christmas and lights are coming up and stuff. it snowed about 4 inches on monday and 3 inches on tuesday so we have a little bit of snow. it was been -5 and lower for the past two weeks. which isn't that cold, but still cold if you walk in it. I got moms envelope with the talk ideas and primary stuff, thank you for that, they will help. this week we have been setting up nativities for our nativity display that the church puts on. the branch presidents wife collects nativities. she has 187 different kinds and that's a lot. it took us four hours just to unwrap them all, and another four hours to set them up, and another four to rearange them, and set up lights for them. I will walk through it all and video it so you can see it. it is awesome. I went to mass last saturday with Mead it was a lot different from our meetings, but she said she'll come to church if we go to mass, so we did. hopefully she is there on sunday. mom can you send me some addresses, g-pa denny, g-pa robinson, bj, karen S, jeff anderson, pres hatch, Aaron and amee, and stu and jess? that would be awesome if you could. thank you. so preparing for mexico has gotten you all to busy to write me! I know that sounds like I wrote you all the time when you were on your missions (bros), but I didn't so I will let this week slide. well all is well here. doing great and having fun. I can't believe I have been out 6 months it has gone by so fast. I love you all and thanks for everything you do for me.
love your little boy, Elder Brayden Denny
love peace and chicken grease, Peace out!!

SNOW!!!!

We have a very happy boy at our house!

Draper Thanksgiving

The Draper clan had a great Thanksgiving day. All the kids that live within 500 miles came. There was plenty of yummy food and yummy pies and card playing. We even pulled out the old Nintendo and played some Dr. Mario. We discovered that some of us are smarter than a 5th grader, but not all of us. :) There was also some football, while most of the tackling came from Jaxon. Sadie enjoyed her first Thanksgiving, but not the mashed potatoes. That's about it.

Pictures from Thanksgiving

We had a small (25-ish) gathering at Ali's mansion! It was awesome! Thanks Ali for sharing!!! If you live in the area, make sure you stop by and see this amazing house! If you live far, make sure you visit when you're in town!...and bring your swimsuit as it has a great hot tub on the roof, overlooking the city! WOW! Anyway, here's a few pics of family, plus a few pics of the group making 150+ stockings to take to the children of Ascencion, Mexico!!!!

THANKSGIVING @ ALY'S

There was a lot of eating done!The "hostess" and Matt.

We put together many stockings for the children
in Mexico. Cooper and Sophie spent their time trying to
steal all the toys and bubblegum.

I need a break away from everyone else.
Maybe a nap on Aly's stairs would be good!

Morgan and Lauren came in time to enjoy Aly.

We had a really fun time in the "Mansion". It was a little cold---here's the rest
of that story.
Aly talked with her landlord about some things that needed to be fixed, and
ask about why it was so cold on Thanksgiving. He said: "Oh no, I forgot
to turn on the heat in the kitchen and the dining room!!!!
Even with the cool atmosphere, I think a good time was had by all who came.
THANKS ALY FOR SHARING YOUR HOME.

Thanksgiving

We had a Fabulously delicious Thanksgiving! Thank you Aly for being a great Hostess. It was fun having it at "The Mansion"! Thank you Pam, Amy, and Lisa for making the yummy feast!

More Thanksgiving pics!

I think that Lisa and Amy were taking pictures at the same time as me so I didn't seem to get a picture of them. I also missed getting the pictures of Travis, Jeff, Erin, Morgan & Lauren. If anyone else has some more pictures, please post them! It was a fun day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY D!!

Happy Birthday Darren. Wish I was there eating turkey with ya! Do you get a cake or do you have to settle for pie? See you at Christmas!

FYI

All those who are coming to "the Mansion" for Thanksgiving---be sure to dress warm. It is a real big old home with about 24' ceilings, so it is cool on the main floor. No matter how high the thermostat, it will still be cool.

C-ya there!!

amy's ring

help!!!
when the family were all at Dad's on his birthday, Amy took off her new wedding ring so it would not get damaged. she put it in a black makeup bag that was in my truck. now she cannot find the makeup bag or the ring! she's sick! she doesn't remember taking any of it out of my truck, but maybe? if anyone has seen or saw this bag that she put the ring into, please call us. the bag is black, about 2"x 4" and has some misc make up stuff in it. thanks,

Bookmark this Page!

Make a bookmark to this site and play the game and you'll learn new words and also help a good cause at the same time:

FreeRice.com

Free rice is a site where you can play a vocabulary game. Every word you get right donates ten grains of rice to the U.N. World Food Program. (Advertisers on the site pay for the rice.) When you get the word right, you get a harder word the next time. If you miss it, you get an easier word.

What a great idea. It's also rather addictive, but you can learn a lot of new words.

Norma is HOME!!!!!

We want everyone to know Norma is home! She came home today (Tues, 11/20/07) and is making great progess. You may or may not know, but she was diagnosed with a congestive heart failure. Even though the name sounds scary, it just means that her heart is not able to work as well as it should because it's not able to pump the blood properly, so the lungs fill up with fluid, and other fun things. (Maybe our post master can add a few links to give you clear information if you are interested!)

Anyway, the good news is that with the diagnosis, the doctors are able to put her on the correct medications, as well as give suggestions as to how to live with CHF. It's actually a pretty common illness, and is very treatable! One main thing to watch is limited fats, salt, and carbs. Another important thing is that when she starts to regain her strength, she is encouraged to increase her activity levels! So.... anybody up for daily walks?????

Karyn, her youngest daughter, is here through next Monday. Also Karyn's daughter, Izzy, and her husband will be coming to join them for Thanksgiving! Another of Norma's daughters (Penny, I think) is trying to get some time off out of her busy schedule to come next week.

Norma (and G'pa) is so thankful for all the love and help and support she has been given and would like to let all of you know that prayers are truly answered! She is thankful for your prayers and best wishes.

Norma - we all love you very much and are so blessed to have you in this big family - even if there are 175+ of us!!!!! Continue to heal and rest!

(P.S. Dad and Karyn went to visit Aunt Ruth Ann in the Layton Hospital today and thought she looked great and was full of spunk! We all will continue to keep her in our thoughts and prayers.)

Aunt Ruth Ann Thorne

I got a call last night from Linda Cline and Ruth Ann is back in the hospital. I spoke to Ruth Ann toady and she has another blockage and will be having surgery tomorrow. The doctors have given her a great prognosis and feel that after the surgery she may have a few more years. when I spoke to Linda and Ruth Ann today they both sounded lots more upbeat and positive about how this is going.

On the lighter side, Linda just informed me that Scott Thorne just made the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! that's quite an accomplishment and a time commitment, but one that most musically Talented persons would love. congrats to him!

I'll give you all more updates on Ruth Ann as they become available.

What the crap Bachelor Brad!!!!!

I devoted the last few months of my life to watching you find true love...and you fooled us all by picking no one.....How could you?

brayden

hey family and everyone that reads these things. well today it snowed all day and we got about 3 inches of snow that kinda stinks to tract in, but the snow doesn't last long. The branch here covers from brisco to golden. Most of the members live in golden but the Rintouls live in nickelson. the other missionaries that are coming are senior (old couple) missionaries. so there will be four of us, the senior Elder is proably going to be the next branch president. there are about two families with kids the youngest is 9. and the rest of the branch are old people that have kids, but that have moved away.
Radium hot springs is in radium city which is just below our area, and there are hot springs that run into pools there.
On sunday we had a three hour teaching appointment with beth she is doing great we found out her concerns and tried to anwser her questions. she is single and 26 and has a 6 year old girl named emily. beth is really progressing. now that we no what's holding her back we can help her. she did ask Elder blocker if he would come back up for her baptism. so she knows that she needs to get baptized. kindra is 23 and is married with two kids both boys. she's not really progressing like beth but we are still working with her. she is readng the book of mormon right now. Mead is about 60 or so and is married and we are helping her with her family history. sounds like everyone is really busy with the mexico stuff, dont have to much fun with out me. well, everything is great here, just enjoying the weather, and the mountains. I love you all and miss you to.
love peace and chicken grease,
Elder B. Denny

HAPPY BIRTHDAY x 28!!

Happy Birthday to Kara!

Enjoy your family---and have fun today.
We all love you tons!!
You are a wonderful daughter, sister, wife and mother.

Thanks for being a special part of our family!

An Update.

I just got off the phone with Mark and wanted to share an update on Norma with all of you. She is still in the hospital, but had a very, very good night. Mark said that when he arrived this morning she showed enormous signs of improvement. She even said: "I'm hungry, when can I eat." That's a really good sign. She also had previously been retaining water and all of that swelling is now gone. Overall he felt she was doing really really well. Why doesn't everyone leave a comment here for her so that when she arrives home she has an endless stream of well wishes to read. We love you Norma. Heal quickly. And much love to all the family who is there caring for her and Dad at this time. We all so appreciate it.

GOOOOOOO LANCERS!

We are all excited to see the Layton High Lancer Football Team go play for the championship 5-A Title!!! The seniors boys on this team have played together since they were young in little leagues, then when they were Sophomores, they went undefeated; last year at JV, they also did very well, so people have been saying they would be a powerhouse this year! And it's true! It's been fun to watch this season and whatever the outcome, Layton has finally earned some respect in football. GOOOOOO LANCERS! So everybody wear their blue tomorrow!!!!!

(The game is at U of U at 2:30)

TWILIGHT

OK. I am totally obsessed. How does any sane (sometimes) mother of two young children read a 498 page book in one day? When that book happens to be Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I couldn't put it down. It was in my hands while making breakfast, cooking lunch, nap time (I got in a good 2 hours there), making dinner and I finished it in a 3 hour marathon read after the kiddies went to bed. It is fabulous. Don't let the fact that the story is about Vampires scare you off. I don't like anything fantasy(sorry, haven't even read any Harry Potter books or even seen any Lord of the Rings), but I was fascinated with this. It is the first book in a series of three. I am off the the store to get "New Moon".

p.s. - Thank you Kristen for letting me borrow your book.

Thanksgiving Dinner

The Willeys are planning a Thanksgiving dinner at Aly's "castle house" as Lauren and Morgan call it.
Any of the Dennys that would like to join them---let Pam [298-2074, cell 209-7286] know ASAP.

Pam will give you the details and assignments when you call.

Breadsticks

Since I hate to procrastinate, before my soak in the tub, I thought I would post the recipe for the breadsticks---as per Angee and Aaron's request.

GARLIC BREADSTICKS

Rhodes rolls --cut in half for the small size
or whole for full size
1 cube butter [melted]
1/2 cup parmesan cheese [Kraft]
1 heaping T. Johnny's Garlic Spread & seasoning
---you buy this at Costco--

Mix the parmesan and garlic stuff together on a plate.
Let the rolls unthaw enough to roll. Roll them into a thick pencil shape between
your hands. Hold them by the ends and dip them in melted butter, then roll them in the
garlic/parmesan mix. Let them raise to about double their original size.
Bake @ 400* until golden brown---about 10-14 min. depending on your oven.



You adjust the amount of everything, depending on how many you are making.
I think I used about 3 cups cheese and 2/3 c of garlic for 180 breadsticks!!!
thanks for the great fun today.
Love,
Pam

Happy Birthday Martells!...wait...make that Edgars!

Since I'm out of town and don't have access to any of our wonderful family pictures, maybe somebody can add some later. But...let's not let that stop us from wishing the two Martells in the family a wonderful wonderful birthday. I know there is a whirlwind of activity at Dad's house which is all a sign of the wonder that is this family. Happy Happy Birthday Dad/Grandpa and Mark. We're so blessed to have both of you. We hope this fall day is one you both remember for a long long time. We love you both.
UPDATE: We love you too Ben. I finally got my reminder updated correctly...but we do have to wait until next year now to see if it's really true.

Missionary Mail

Dear family
I am doing well. The members in O'fallon are really strong. They don't need to go too far to go to church for most of the members.
But everything is fine and I am doing well it is getting nice and the weather is cooling down. My companion Elder Farmer got his shoelace caught in his peddle the other day it was funny we both laughed.
On Halloween I cooked up a bunch of tacos and it was really good everyone liked it.
The weeks out here seem like days, it is crazy. We went to the wrong house for an appointment with a less active and we got a new investigator.

We just had CDM-combined ditrict meeting it was a lot of fun. I have been learning so much from my trainer. It is always great to talk to preachers from other faiths because they are so kind to let you say what you have to say.
I got news on a guy named Tim I contacted on the metro a while back and gave him a card for a free Book of Mormon. The sisters are going to teach him, it was cool to hear that. Also thank you so much for the package, I was so happy. I also got a greenie one from Aunt Lisa.

Well I will tell more on paper.
Love, Elder Ostler

Who is older?

Today we have TWO BIRTHDAYS in the family: Nate and Ben. Maybe we'll see both of them at Dad/Grandpa's birthday celebration! (Not sure if Ben is in town.) At any rate we hope that twice the cake sugar high in the family doesn't cause any unexpected effects. Except maybe one: bliss. Happy Happy Birthday Birthday Nate and Ben. We love you. 

dad's party

In case some did not get an e-mail, any who can make it are invited to Dad and Norma's on Saturday, November 10th. we're planning to start about noon and work til about 3, then we'll have pot luck dinner of whatever we all bring. everyone can stay as long as you like,(or until dad and Norma kick us out), but I felt this time frame would allow Val and Janet to travel home on Saturday Evening, if that is their plan. we're planning on soups, salads, bread sticks, rolls, etc. plan to bring enough of whatever you like for your family and a few others to share. although with this I cannot say there will be enough soups for all, or salads for all, but knowing us, there will only be enough for a small ward dinner of the leftovers. the term pot luck means we eat what comes, so we'll do just that. we'll be doing yard work, house cleaning, and house repairs, so wear grubbies and bring whatever tools you might think we'll need. maybe those of us who live close could bring a few extras for those who don't. i don't want to plan out every detail of this, but just come to help dad and Norma, visit, eat, and spend time with those we love. thanks for all your support in this, but don't feel obligated. if your family had plans before this was unveiled, no sweat, do what you can, if anything.
love to all,
Dave

from brayden

Hey ya'll. it's snowed just a little bit. and I haven't got a beanie yet so i'm going to have to buy one this week. On sunday everyone came to church. there was 15 people there. yep everyone was there. weird and only 15 people, its crazy to go from a ward of 150 people and then get sent here to a branch of 15 people. its been really fun here, but it gets dark really early and people get mad at night when we knock, so we don't knock on doors after 6 because it's dark then. we try to set up appointments after 6 so we can do something. yes dad, the people can be mean sometimes, after work they hit the bars so there are a lot of drunk people. also, there is a lot of drugs in this small town of about 5500 people. we are focusing on beth. this week we are watching the testiments with her on friday at a members house, that will go well. we're also working with kindra with reading and praying about the book of mormon. those are the two people that are really interested. also mead, she is interested in family history so we are working with her a little. new missionaries are coming to golden on the first of december so that will help out. a member is the branch president, not my companion. so how is everyone? sorry stu I haven't finished your letter yet but I have started it so it will be done and sent off at the end of this week. So I got both of your packages, the halloween one and the one with thermal garment top. I haven't tried the garments yet but I will soon. thank you for the packages and the treats inside I loved all of it. well, I got to go but I love you all and miss you tons. love always your favorite son/brother/friend
Elder Brayden Denny

Saturday

Does anyone know the plan for Saturday? It is in 2 days, right?

PROUD MOMENT

It's a great day at the Brezoff household. I finally got my Brain Age down to my real age!!!! I started at a brain age of 62 years old about a month ago. (It's a Nintendo brain game). I had to document this glorious achievment - ha ha

brayden last week

Hey yall, how's the weather down there? it snowed last night only two inches and most of it is gone. I'm in Golden B.C., middle of no where, golden is in a valley surrounded by mountains. it is warmer here because no winds really. yes we do see wild life in the town, tons of deer, bears, big horn sheep (they eat the grass at the church every morning), wolves... dont worry though. a member owns a wolf reserve so we help him there. go walking with the wolves. and a member is in charge of the bear aware for the town so we help her out to. my companion is elder blocker he is from orem utah. well the work here is diferent, because its a branch and on sunday only 7 people came to church counting us sad. the two big families were out of town so it was small numbers. we dont live with members cause the members that are here have girls. the members help out the best they can since there is not alot of members. this is a small lumber town there is a lot of logging, so about half the town works there. also a train yard town. so about a fouth of the town works there. I do have some winter stuff. but I'll get the rest soon. I have not got my package yet, but the zone leaders said that the have something for me. the baptism went great really spiritual and the mission president was even there. elder brimhall baptized him. and he was givin the holy ghost on sunday so i wasn't there for that. Well I got to go, love you all and thanks for writting me.
love, Elder Denny

P.S. My address is p.o. box 792 golden b.c voa 1ho canada.

It Might Be a Girl

I had my first ultra-sound today and it might be a girl. They could not get a direct shot but if they had to say they would say girl. I think Taylor was supposed to be a girl and we all know how that turned out. Ben wants to get one of those 3D ultrasounds so maybe we will get a confirmation there. Hopefully I will see a lot of you on Saturday at Grandpas! We love everyone and miss everyone.

Somebody is having a birthday.

Brian is celebrating another white hair...wait, he already has white hair...anyway...he's celebrating another wonderful year beginning. We hope you get to spend the day surrounded by your gorgeous family and doing whatever it is you love...and root canals don't count. We love you. Happy birthday.

McClelland Halloween

We had a VERY low-key Halloween. Only about 10 trick-or-treaters and not a whole lot of anything else was going on. Here are a few pictures of Thomas' costume. We can't decide if he was a dragon or a dinosaur but he was ferocious whatever he was. Hope you all had a fun Halloween!

We did get to see Grandma and Grandpa Howell which was all the treat we needed!

Halloween is for big kids too!

Everyone is posting pictures of their children on Halloween, but since I don't have any of those I thought I would show you how I spent my Halloween weekend.

We tend to take on many personas (Saturday night I was a kitty)

Tuesday we were tootsie rolls (We almost won the costume contest, but in walked Top Gun Hotties and we lost)

Party at the mansion! Fairy a.k.a. Tinker Bell, A Roman Goddess, and A Cave Woman

I like to make friends with the local UPS men!

Can you guess who this is???

I hope all of you had as good of a Halloween as I did!

OOPS ---WE DID IT AGAIN!!!

The Willeys had their 6th annual "Shop 'til YOU drop
weekend.
We went to Park City and had a blast.
We missed having Erin go with us---she had other committments.OOPS! We may have bought too much!!
It was a really " good deal" weekend, and now Aly
has a full time job....so she was the winner!

WE DEFINITELY HAD FUN, FUN, FUN!!

kynaston Halloween

Here is the McPherson Kansas version of Halloween. Taylor a ninja, Jessie a mepod, Lexi a dog and Kelcie a princess. It was a nice short trick-or-treating session of about 1/2 hour for everyone except Lexi, who by the look of the piles of candy is happy she went overtime!!