Overdue Family Update

It's been so long since I've posted that this is sounding like our annual Christmas letter--and since I never got ours sent out last Christmas, I'm overdue for that, too. As time went on, posting just seemed like such a daunting task that I've put it off. I'm finally repenting and forcing myself to tackle this project. Here's what's been happening with us over the last few months.

Alex:

He has started his senior year where he is taking video productions IV and personal finance at the high school and English and government at the community college. He is on track to graduate from high school in December. He will be starting to fill out his mission papers soon.

He is working on getting his Eagle Scout project approved, so he should be able to complete his Eagle before his 18th birthday in October. He's plenty busy as he also has gotten a job at the Dairy Queen near the high school where he works the lunch shift a few days a week.

And it's tennis season! In the home game on Tuesday, Alex beat all 3 of his opponents, one of whom was part of the doubles team that won the State Championship last year. Way to go, Alex! There is only one more home match, which is kind of sad.

Hannah and Kaellen:

The wedding at the Sacramento temple was beautiful. For the Reception in Fallon, they wanted to serve everyone dinner, so Hannah made homemade fettuccine noodles and Kaellen made the homemade Alfredo sauce. Boy, was it scrumptious. At the Open House in Oregon, they had an ice cream bar. It was also delicious and just as fattening. Yum. They have now moved to the other side of Fallon, so they are no longer in the 2nd ward. :(  Luckily, though, at least they are still in our same town, so we will still get to see them.

I only have a few of their wedding pictures downloaded to the computer, so more wedding photos will have to be in a future post.

Ryan and Angeles:

They have settled down in Rexburg where they both work and are waiting for school to start next week.  Good luck with the new semester!

When they came for Hannah's wedding, they downloaded some wedding photos to our computer. Here are a few that I love from in front of the San Diego Temple.

Eric:

He spent the summer at scout camp with Glen and until we figure out his next step, he is home enjoying some downtime with some art projects and game playing. Here's a picture of Eric at one of the climbing walls at Camp Fleischmann.

Andrew, Heather, Henry, and Joy:

It was a busy summer for them. Heather graduated from BYU in August (congratulations Heather! Well done!), and the next day they moved down to Mesa where Andrew is now finishing up his Master's degree by student teaching at Heather's rival high school.

Before they moved to Mesa, Glen and I made a quick trip to Provo to see them.

Glen:

He has started his 30th year teaching at the local high school--3 theatre classes and 3 world history classes this year. He should have one more year of teaching after this one before he retires. And, of course, he's busy with a lot of other stuff, too, between school, church, and the community.

Glen dancing at the luncheon

Beth:

I am taking a pottery class this semester and even though we've only had 2 classes so far, I'm really loving it. Now that I am no longer teaching seminary, I am finding more time to read, which I've barely done the last 4 years. And, of course, I'm subbing again, too.

Denise and I made it to Ed Week again after missing the last 3!

school's out, summer vacation, and an upcoming wedding though there isn't an engagement yet

First things first.

It has finally been announced, so I can at last post it here! Hannah is engaged to Kaellen (pronounced like Ellen with a K in front)! She has informed me that she hasn't seen the ring yet, so they are NOT engaged. Well, Glen and I have seen the ring (and it's stunning), so I'm saying IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH!!!

They will be married in the Sacramento Temple on Wednesday August 15th. They will have a Reception here in Fallon on Saturday the 18th with an Open House in Brookings, Oregon on Saturday September 1st. We are so excited for them and look forward to renewed festivities.

Glen, Eric, Alex, and I just got home on Thursday after spending a week at my parents' house in Brookings, where we got to meet Kaellen's parents and sister. They were so nice. I know Hannah had introduced me to Kaellen's mom a few years ago, but it's not like I could have pointed her out.

Funny story. So, we knew Kaellen had been in The Cat in the Hat musical that the Brookings' community had put on years ago and that Glen and Hannah (anyone else? we're not sure) had attended. Today Kaellen sent a picture taken from the audience of him and his sister on stage and labeled it something like "Nine years ago today!" The funny part...the back of Glen's head is in the photo. Proof of attendance (not that we needed it--I'm sure Kaellen didn't think we were lying about it).

that's Kaellen and Kylie sitting behind Things 1 & 2. That's Glen on the left in green.

Okay, that was the most pressing news to be posted. Now to back track.

So Ryan and Angeles's Open House was here on Thursday, May 24th. Friday, May 25th, was the last day of school with graduation that night. Congratulations, Thomas, on your graduation! Congratulations, Glen, on your 29th year of teaching being in the books!

Since Alex will be graduating from high school early (December 2018), he was allowed to attend the grad night party, which is held out on the Navy base every year. So, Alex, Sam, and Danny went (foreign exchange students are also invited to grad night). Seems they had a great time and came away with some cash prizes. Yay! The boys then went over to the cousins' house and played games the rest of the night (a fun Jamieson tradition). What a great way to end the school year.

We then had a quiet weekend. Monday night we invited a few of Sam and Danny's friends over to say farewell. Danny flew out Tuesday morning and is now back home in South Korea. Sam went to a friend's house and is still in the US for a few more weeks before returning to Thailand.

Next, we headed to Oregon where we had a wonderful time doing not much of anything. Loved it.

We played games with my dad joining in for a bit. He grumbles, but I'm sure he enjoys it.

Yahtzee! 

Funny story. So I sent the above picture to Hannah and Denise with the message: grandpa got a yahtzee, so i took a photo. You would think he'd happier after getting a yahtzee...we laughed about it.

Hannah then replies, "He smiles for me!" and sent the following 2 photos (which made us all laugh):

Looks like we take our playing very seriously!

What else did we do besides play games? We ate too much ice cream and fudge (some fudge bought and also some made by Glen). There was also just a little bit of thrift store shopping happening--not as much as usual, though. Alex and I each bought a paintings at the art center where mom is a member.

The Manly Art Center, Brookings, Oregon

And, of course, we visited the beach. But not too much as it's kind of cold.

Eric took a walk with Glen and me

Alex and Glen get their toes wet

Glen wondering why my parents don't live off a beach in Mexico instead of Oregon

Eric and Alex not getting very wet

they decided to build a castle...

but only got as far as the dungeon in the basement before we had to leave

The weather was gorgeous...mid to high 60's, I believe, and sunny most of the time. Ahh. Perfect.



So, now we are back home. Friday night we had a birthday party for Dad P. which included watching grandma's basketball team, the Golden State Warriors, win the championship! We're sure she was cheering them on in heaven.

Seminary is over for the year and over for me. I served 4 years and am being released. I loved teaching seminary, but it wears on you. But I loved it. Anyway, I received a new calling today--I will now be teaching the Gospel Essentials Sunday School class, which is for investigators and recent converts. I'm a bit nervous, but I think it will be good. So, here's to another new experience!


And that's what we've been up to.