Here is our little district group picture with our instructor. He is a history major with asperations as a lawyer. The people on the left are going to Mongolia, the ones on the right of us are going to Chile, and the people on the right to Omaha, Nebraska.
This is our intire class of senior missionaries. Three couples are going to Russia, three others to LDS vistor centers. The shortest Sister in the front is going to Macon Georgia and is from Germany. Here are some of our instructors. It is beautiful to see what a spirit they bring with them. The one is the middle has been a member 5 years and went to Houston, Tx. The one closest went to Russia. Sorry I didn't get any of the Sister instructors. They were amazing and beautiful. The one most impressive was a Sister from Hawaii who was half Hawian and Tongan.
We had the pleasure of walking up the hill to the Provo temple three times. On Thursday we were able to take in a session at 6:00pm.

We have just finished our training at the MTC after just 5 days. We will wait until tomorrow at 1:30 pm to take the shuttle to the airport and be off at 5:00 pm. We fly to Los Angeles where we catch a New Zealand Air flight at 9:30 pm. It will be a 12 ¾ hour flight. Our travel will take us over the international date line so I will miss Sunday and Fathers Day completely.

It has been a wonderful experience here to see that we really can teach and bear testimony. Our young returned missionary instructors have been so good and we so much enjoy seeing the Elders and Sisters. There are 1700 of them this week and next week they expect there will 2,200. They open doors for us and even on occasion take our trays to the bussing station. We are going to miss their exemplary looks, character, and enthusiasm. One evening we were doing our laundry and four Elders came up to us and began a conversation. Before they left they all wanted to bear their testimonies. It was great. They come here from all corners of the world. It is so fun to see South Americans coming to teach in the US, and Americans learning Spanish and Portuguese to teach in South America. The same is true everywhere.

We see in the cafeteria each day two identical twin sisters from Guatemala, dressing and putting up their hair exactly alike each day. They will be going to two different missions in the US. One Elder from Korea is going is going to California to teach in Spanish. I do have a question about that. Will he role his L’s since they don’t have an R in their vocabulary. It is inspiring to see what great strength this gives the church to have so many young people give up these years to serve the Lord. Another strength is the multiple languages we will have in the church.

Photo's of Amanda & Amie

We took Amie and Amanda to the Lehi Library where they were surprised that they have a 5th great grandfather, David Evans who founded Lehi. We took their picture infront of his statue
Infront of the Mt. Timpanogas temple

This is in front of the North visitors center in SLC

Some scenes around the Allen neighborhood

Judy and I took a drive around the Allen Neighborhood to give you a flavor of the ward they live in. At the top is a brand new Christian High School that can be seen for miles as it is on the top of a ridge facing west. It has a beautiful view of the rockies. The next photo is the playing fields which include, baseball, softball, leCross, soccer and in the fore ground football. The football field is not finished yet. Inside the buildings include an olympic size swimming pool and gyms.

The next picture is of some homes that can be seen from the road on the way to Chase's school and their church. The street scene is taken infront of Jenni's house. The large home is taken from the back side, as it is in a gated community. It too, faces the mountains and they must have some spectacular sunsets. The windmill is part of the original Highlands Ranch which is to be made into an historic park some day.

We are getting excited about this week as we leave on Thursday for Utah. We are now concerned with what and how much to take with us. The airlines are very picky about weight and size of luggage. Judy has been very good about finding out the details of travel, obtaining flights, rental car and accomodations.

Birthday Party

Judy has spent most of her time with the children. I have been working on floor projects in the house. This afternoon I went with Rob and his brother Jeff and shot Rob's shot gun at clay pigions. It was in part a gift to Jeff for his 35th birthday. For me it was a lot of fun and a large bruise on my shoulder. We each too 45 shots. In the evening we went over to Jeff's for desert and played some simple games. I didn't get pictures of our earlier activity but here are some at the birthday party.

Here are the children with their cousin Tanner who is holding a red balloon.
They are such hams. We have been trying to potty train the twins but as you can see they didn't even make it to the party so they are in diapers.

Memorial Day

This is the first year in many that we have not been able to go to our parents graves and decorate them with flowers from our yard. We were able to go on a picnic that was probably the coldest in our record book.

Judy and Rob's brother and sister in-law were basking in the beautiful cool weather on Memorial Day.

Rob with the twins enjoying the day.

Judy and Taylor waiting for cake that was topped with glazed strawberrys.

Jenni got a little close to the topping. I think she was licking the spoon.

We are excited because Judy has had success getting the twins to pee in the toilet. We have high hopes.

We just got word that our visa's are in at the missionary department so there will be no delays for our departure. We have made reservations to fly to SLC on May 5, where we hope to see family and enjoy the area before we enter the MTC in Provo.

Some Pictures

This is a shot from the upper entrance to Jenni's neighborhood. It shows what is left of the original Highlands Ranch, and how much higher than it is than Denver in the distance. I hope you can see the downtown buildings in the upper right.

Here is Chase with his new T-Ball baseball hat. I havn't seen him without it all daly.

Here is Zach on the landing leading to his parents bed room. On the left is their playroom and on the right is the hall leading to the three bedrooms and bathroom.
Here is a bull on the ranch with the rockies in the background. Sorry I didn't get the pictures a very good order.
This is the originall ranch house and out buildings, etc.

This is the entrance to the neighborhood accross the street from the ranch where the bull was standing.
Here is Chase sleeping with his soccor trophy. After his first T-Ball practice he asked where his new T-ball trophy was.

Latest Project

Thought you might like to see my handy work.

On the left is the step up to the bath tub. We are still trying to put that project together. I have to cut the lip off the step and then there will be some tile cutting to do.

Here is our oldest grandson Jeremy Hoagland, who will be joining the Air Force as soon as he graduates from Aloha High School in early June. We are sad that we will not be able to be there as we are very proud of him and want to wish him the best in his Air Force career.

Above is our littlest grandchild, Taylor. She is a lot of fun as is her twin brother Jesse (in the background). We are so glad to get to know them before we leave for NZ. All four of the children have been Judy's project and are keeping her very busy.

Jenni is getting some much needed relief from all her labors although there is still plenty for her to do. I have enjoyed going to the different stores with her as we get materials, etc. for the tiling projects. I have enjoyed this time with her as we talk in the car and while we work together.