Elder Matthew Ward

has been called to serve in the Puerto Rico San Juan West Mission

(Spanish Speaking). Matthew will participate in a phased training MTC experience -- which means he will spend approximately three weeks at the Provo MTC then travel to the Dominican Republic MTC, where he will receive an additional six weeks of training. His MTC report date is May 20, 2009!

We are so proud of Matthew and know he will make a GREAT missionary! He has such a fun-loving spirit that we will miss dearly -- but are grateful he will be able to share the gospel with those in Puerto Rico!

Walking in the door after what seemed like the LONGEST drive home from Rexburg at 10:45 p.m.!

Where's my call??

Oh the suspense -- I can hardly stand it!!!

We were trying to get Jason (who was in Boise) and Andrea (who was in England) on the phone! The phone somehow hung up on each of them once before we finally got them on speaker phone.

OH Yeah! Puerto Rico San Juan West Mission!!!

Spanish Speaking -- YIPPEE!!

Now where exactly is Puerto Rico . . . to help you here is a map!

As far as we can tell -- Matthew's mission is a fairly new mission. They split the Puerto Rico San Juan mission into the Puerto Rico San Juan West & East missions. The West mission will take in the islands of Aruba, the Netherland Antilles, and parts of Puerto Rico.

None of us even came close to guessing where Matthew was going to go! I think most of us thought he would go Spanish speaking but to the CARIBBEAN -- I don't think that even crossed our minds!!

ANYONE WANNA GO ON A CRUISE IN A FEW MONTHS???

What's a missionary post without a couple then and now photos?!

CONGRATULATIONS -- Elder Matthew Ward!!!

Matthew's Mission Call . . .

is sitting on the kitchen countertop ... waiting ... for Matt to get home from BYU-I tonight!!! Soooo for now this is what I have to look at and I'm practicing lots of self control (I haven't even held it up to the window ... YET!)

So while we are patiently waiting to find out where Elder Matthew Glen Ward is going to spend his next two years -- I have found a little Missionary Mario Video to entertain you . . .

Bryson & Jayden ...

My grandbabies -- I know, I know, they are the subject of each and every post anymore -- but I think you would all agree they are the cutest babies ever!!!

Church Snow Day!!!

I seriously can only remember two church snow days in my whole life and both while living in Idaho (remember I grew up in Canada). If I remember right -- last year we had a church snow day on Super Bowl Sunday and today the 25th of January, 2009 -- one week before Super Bowl Sunday! How crazy is that?!!

I got ready for church -- had just woke up Eric and his friend, Malcolm, and told them it had snowed about 5 inches overnight. Then I received a phone call saying church had been cancelled and get the word out. I told the boys -- who both let out a YIPPEE (shame on them) and then started calling people! WOW everyone I called had already heard from either their Visiting Teacher or Home Teacher!! How Great is that?! We can really get the word out quick. Since we didn't have to rush out the door to church -- Eric had a breakfast request of Biscuits and Gravy (can't remember the last time I actually cooked breakfast). So we enjoyed breakfast together and now are just enjoying a nice, warm (only because we are indoors), peaceful, Sunday! Malcolm has never played Settlers -- maybe we'll have to break out the games here soon!

It is STILL snowing -- I would say we have about 8 inches of snow out there! Here are some pics!

I LOVE ...

seeing my boys with their nieces and nephews! I know they will make good daddies some day!

Babies Blessed!

Jayden and Bryson were blessed yesterday --

Sunday, December 28, 2008.
We were so glad to be able to be here for the blessing and that Robert, Jason, and Matthew
were all able to take part in the blessing!

Jason, Matthew and Robert all bought these British Hats (I have no idea what they are called) and insisted on wearing them in some of the pictures.

Don't they make adorable "British Boys"!?!

We have been able to go to a few castles here in England. Here we are at the Skipton Castle.

This was taken inside the Skipton Courtyard!

The tree we are standing by was planted in 1659 about the same time Robert and my ancestors were leaving England!

Eric, Kennady, & Matthew

in the Skipton Castle.

Robert, Eric, and Jason outside the Skipton Castle!

This is the Bathroom or the "Long Drop" as they called it!

Kennady's favorite room in the Castle was the bathroom or the "Long Drop" -- here she is taking a peek down the hole.

Looks like Matthew also enjoyed this room!!

The Shofforth Castle was another one that we went to see. It was actually destroyed in World War II -- but the boys and Kennady loved exploring the ruins. It was kinda fun trying to figure out which rooms were for what!

Robert, Matthew, Eric, Jason, & Bill

Matthew and Kennady in the Spofforth Castle.

Today we drove over to York to go to the Viking Museum. Everywhere we go we have to take two cars and today we got separated (due to heavy traffic) and never did find each other till we came home to Harrogate. (Andrea and Bill only have one cell phone and they can only receive calls on it -- that cell phone got left home so we had no way of finding each other.) The boys, Bill, Jason, Matthew, and Eric enjoyed their day at the Viking Museum and a few other sites while Andrea, Robert, Kennady, Jayden, Bryson, and I spent our day looking for a parking spot, feeding babies (or waiting for Andrea to feed the babies), walking through an area I would compare to downtown NYC (which Jason and Matthew said it didn't even compare to NYC), carrying babies (including tired Kennady) so by the time we finally found the Viking Museum we were so glad to be able to sit down for the 15 minutes it took to ride a little tour train through the museum we didn't care how "corny" or expensive it was! Kennady loved the Museum, the rest of us could have lived without it!

We arrived back in Harrogate -- got back in the cars and headed to dinner at Joe Rigatoni's. It was an amazingly good Italian Restaurant with more food than any of us could eat! And we could pay in American Money making it a GREAT price too!

I can't believe our time in England is almost over! We will be back on US soil before we know it!

More Grandbaby Pictures!

I'm still enjoying my time here in England. Jayden and Bryson seem to be growing more each day and staying awake a little longer (I don't get to see this too much cuz it's in the middle of the night and all they want is their "Mummy"). We are getting better at telling them apart for the most part! Sometimes we second guess ourselves and realize we had them right the first time.

Bryson & Jayden

(12/17/2008)

Enjoying a swing together!

The Proud Parents!!

At 10 days old (12/12/08), Jayden & Bryson won their first contest at Bill's Squadron Party.

"Best Christmas Sweater Contest"

Prize: $30 BX Gift Card

They were going to give them 1st and 2nd Prize but Andrea said "No, We come as a pair!"

Kennady loves to play in her little brothers' carseats!

We are amazed that she can actually get in!

(12/18/2008)

Kennady looked so cute I just had to take a picture!

She is growing up so fast! She has been sleeping with Grandma each night since I got here -- we are a little afraid what will happen when Grandpa gets here!

(12/11/2008)

No pictures of Taylor this time -- she is off to Boise to stay with her mom for Christmas. She should make it today -- after a delay in London they (Katie Crawford & Taylor) missed their connecting flight in Chicago -- but they should be in the air to Boise at this moment. Taylor and I decided that she should WAVE at every airplane she saw on her way home just in case her Grandpa and Uncles were on one of them! They could possibly be -- cuz they are on their way to England today (they may pass in the air)!

Hope everyone wherever you are have a Happy and Safe Christmas!