Tuesday, May 26, 2009

From the Palouse

Hey family,

Nat, Noah and I are extremely proud to say that all is well up here in the Palouse. As you can see, Noah is cuter than ever, and even though he still is basically speachless, he's our daily delight. Our latest adventure was a trip to see a 3000 year old ceder tree. As it turns out, we didn't quite make it there. You can see that we did get by at least one major obstacle. Two inches to spare! But the snow up high kept us from our final destination. The country was beautiful, and we all had a fun day.
As for the daily grind of things, I am still busy helping the Bishop out; making appointments, taking minutes and getting agenda's ready. Our bishopric is great, and I really have fun. Natalie is 'the glue' in the young womens. At least that's how the bishop phrased it. I would have to agree. The girls love her, the leaders love her, and she makes an impact for good everytime she is with them.
Work is going fine, though this past few days and these next few days sure have slowed down a bit. The people are great, and it's a joy to be able to serve where I can.
Noah is enjoying everyday more and more. He's getting more daring, and fun. At least I get to throw him around a little bit more aggressive than before, and he loves it.
We talk often about the lot of you down in Utah. We are excited to see everyone at Bear Lake. We wish you all the best.
The Pitt's in Potlatch

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Young Couple Survives Serious Attack from Giant Crocodiles

Hello Family!

Well, since so many of you posted we thought we would join the club! (thanks for the reminder email Ryan- the periodical was getting lonely).

So lately this is what's been going on with us (via pictures).

1. Graduation... kinda...



Contrary to popular to belief, we actually didn't graduate yet! We just walked so they could take fancy pictures (which Hyrum was thrilled about...) and go out to dinner with mom and dad.

During Spring term, Hyrum's taking two classes (plus beginning golf- watch out brother golf game!!) and still working as a TA. Jenna finished her internship (much to her delight!) and is taking about 4 classes of GE's she never finished (and regrets).

June 18th is our last day of finals and we will OFFICIALLY be done - as long as we don't drop out between now and then.

2. El Nino
This is our 15th week (which means Jenna is feeling much better.. which means Hyrum is feeling much better too) and we're heading into the second trimester! We heard the baby's heartbeat a couple weeks ago, which was amazing. We were a little concerned at first when the doctor took awhile to find it, but he did and said everything sounded great! We wish we would have asked him how fast it was so that we could better educate our guesses about boy or girl, but we should find that out within a month or so? (Sorry Alicia, we've sold out). We are really excited and can't wait to be parents!

3. CORE as in apple core, not Coor's light as mom thought :)


Well it is official, Hyrum has a job and will be starting work in the pre-construction department at Core Construction on July 6th-ish. He will basically be working to get the company jobs (which is good in this economy) and will be doing some financial and design work on the potential projects (that's a fancy way to say he'll do what they tell him to). He is really excited about what he'll be doing, and we are really happy to have found a company that is honest and that we feel good about. They've already been really helpful working with us and helping us to get down there and on the health plan so all will be ready at the move. Here's to real life!


4. Viva Las Vegas!


Along with that, most of you know we will be moving to Vegas after the Bear Lake trip (which we are stoked about!!!) We're thinking we'll actually head out June 29th and will move in with Jenna's parents for a few weeks until we can make an offer on a home. We say a few weeks with hopeful hearts that the process will go fast! :) We're really happy/grateful to be able to get into our own place soon and Jenna is really excited to be able to decorate our own place soon. While we know the summer will be hot, hot, hot (especially for the baby!) we will definitely be encouraging visitors (all of you!) to come in the winter months when our average temps will be in the 60's.

On that note, we are definitely sad to extend our commute to mom and dad's from 1 hour to 6 1/2 (don't let it discourage you from coming!!) and even more so, to be further from most of our family. But because this is beginning to sound depressing, we are going to move on! Just know, that we will be missing everyone a bunch.

5. We Love You!

I'm sure that there are more exciting things happening that we are forgetting to write about (but probably not..) So we will see you all soon at Fast Sunday/ Bear Lake!

P.S. There are no crocodiles. And, we attached a video we saw lately that we really liked. The beginning is a little strange, but keep watching and it brings a little perspective and a laugh. Enjoy! Click on the title to be linked to it.

Friday, May 22, 2009

From AF: Hey There!


Dear Family, Wow...the past few months have been a whirlwind like no other. Busy, busy, busy. Thankfully the Lord compensates us and keeps us sane amidst it all as we try and do the most important things first and keep a proper eternal perspective. As I (Ryan) have been a slacker in getting an entry out (Jenn and I take turns and it's been my turn for several months now...sorry!) I'll just do a short blurb on each of us:

Jenn: Jenn's plate has been full to overflowing lately. Who knew that Young Women's would entail so much time, energy, and emotion? She's doing a great job though and has some good counselors to lean on. With Girls Camp coming up, she's getting ready for that amdist preparing other activities, occasional Sunday lessons, helping adivsors understand their role (and not dip too far into the budget!), having 1x1 sessions with troubled young women, sitting in on missionary lessons for one of the girls...and the list goes on. Amazingly she still keeps up her primary role as a wife and mother and often sacrifices time she'd otherwise spend to relax for a few minutes to play with the kids, support her husband, and help others. She also just got done with the dance recital and choreographed some great dances for Lydia and Rebekah (Sarah has a different teacher). We just missed seeing her dance herself in the recital this year!


Ryan: Well, I got released a few weeks ago from the high council after serving in that position for 3 1/2 years. It was a difficult release and I've been coping with some feelings of sadness since I truly did enjoy all that the calling entailed (I admit though, after giving 40+ talks, I think I won't miss that). The bishop called me in just this last Sunday to put me to work as the Marriage and Family Relations teacher AND as the Outdoor/Activity Scout Chair. I'm not overly thrilled about the latter, but I think it will be fun to teach the Marriage & Family course. Other than that, I've just been busy at work (and still grateful to have a job after some massive layoffs) and have been spending lots of time with the kids in the evenings in support of my good wife.


Rebekah: Has enjoyed increased babysitting responsibilities, did a fantastic job in the dance recital, loves her friends, and is excited for school to be out! She's growing up faster than Jenn and I care to realize. But she sets such a good example and are grateful for all she does to help out and serve others.


Joshua: Is finshing up his soccer league (thanks to Mom, Dad, and Hyrum who saw him play), has been engrossed in origami lately (he's getting very good and he taught us all how to make a few things for FHE the other nights), loves playing with friends, and is happy to be in scouts.


Lydia: has caught onto reading (Junie B. Jones series) and is doing a great job learning lots of words. She has enjoyed her year at kindergarten but is anxious to move on to 1st grade. She's also enjoyed her year of dance...but...she's going to take a year off next year and try something new: Karate! Hmmm. We'll have to see how THAT goes.


Sarah: Besides going through a whiney/demanding phase lately, Sarah is a cutie. She will greatly miss dance class and preschool (as those were the highlights of her week...."Is it dance class today?" she's ask everyday when she woke up) BUT she is excited for some summer activities and loves dressing up as a princess, working on puzzles, and playing with Matthias.


Matthias: has made the transition to Nursery! WhoooHoo. Now mom and dad can enjoy Sunday School together. This kid just continues to grow and get into EVERYTHING. He also draws on everything. And his new found love is popsicles (as our kitchen floor with sticky spots can attest to). The big news on Matthias is he's going in for some ear tube surgery on Tuesday (26th) as he's had one ear infection after another for many months now.


We appreciate everyone's updates and for your love and support. Thanks to all those who were able to come to the dance concert. BY THE WAY, if you missed the dance concert, you can click HERE (Part 1) and HERE (Part 2) to see it on YouTube. Part 1 includes the dances of Sarah and Lydia and Part 2 includes the two dances of Rebekah. Enjoy!

Some pics from our trip to Zion's National Park:


Thursday, May 21, 2009

The countdown is on!








































Hello family!











We find ourselves on the final countdown for summer YEahooooeeee! We are thrilled! We have had our last couple of months full of dance recitals and soccer games, which have been busy and fun to watch the kids get better and better and have fun. It's been a stretch some nights on the creativity of dinner. Thanks Hyrum for showing up to one of Rachel's state cup games in Orem....even if it was the one where they really got creamed.

Lauren has learned to really clap and say "go ____"! It has been fun to see Spencer move up to the 11yr old BOY scouts and Hunter enter into cub scouts with their birthdays. Thanks for all of the family support with Hunter's baptism.

This is truly the end of a chapter in our lives as we see Rachel graduate from elementary school and move onto Junior High. We have so loved the five kidos all together only a block away for all this time. Hunter has felt right at home playing soccer at recess with the 6th graders and will miss his big sister next year.

Brigham and Nathan are potty trained....and Lauren thinks she is (and could be if I would let her grow up) They do pretty well, although it seems as though I am doing laundry double since they were trained.......at least less diapers!

Jerem has been busy with the scouts......one point of interest if you're going to Antelope Island to camp, just know that......although rain is hard sometimes, rain is better than bugs. Jerem found out that although mosquitos don't really love his blood, gnats do. Extended version will have to come from him.

We are so excited about the upcoming babies to hold...they just don't stay little very long. Lauren is trying hard to keep up with Brig and Nate. She cracks us up with her long explanations of things that usually include about three real words. Our three little ones remind us daily of the excitement and joy we should have about ordinary things in our day. McKay and I laugh all morning long watching them run through the house excited and chanting about things like "soccer game tonight" or "bandaid for my owie". Nate is found always asking us, "is it getting late?", and if I tell him no because it is only 10am, he gets a mad face on and says, "yes it is mom, it's getting late". I find myself always answering him, "yes, Nate. It's getting late" and he is perfectly content with that. They are signed up for Itty Bitty Ball this summer for a few weeks to introduce them to the world of sports, much to Jerem's delight. He loves it when he drives in for lunch or after work and I'm out on the driveway practicing "hoops" or soccer with them.

We are really looking forward to Bear Lake next month! It will be so nice to be with everyone. I for one, am also excited for next week to stop wearing this boot on my foot. It hasn't been my favorite accessory, although I am grateful that my foot wasn't much worse.

Melissa has been keeping up with her violin and has actually found herself more comfortable in performing in front of people. After hearing all the kids in group lessons, I am so grateful that Melissa plays with good tone and pitch. She also had fun and did well with her dance recital. McKay has loved playing soccer with Hunter and has also started baseball. It has been fun this year to watch Spencer and Tanner play soccer together and see Jerem and Travis coach them. Hunter just learned how to do a round off & back hand spring in tumbling and loves to do it. He makes us laugh as he is the fastest to get to school on his "birthday bike" and first one to skid into the driveway only 3 minutes after school is out.

We love seeing most of you on Fast Sunday dinners and the kids are looking forward to helping Grandpa in the peach orchard more this summer. If you ever want a sweet, cool treat come on over this summer and Spencer will whip you up a sno cone with his "summer money making project".

Love, Jerem and Catherine & kidos













Did you know that Hyrum looks just like the new American Idol winner.
I had people after people tell me that my brother looked just like Chris Allen.
Anyway everyone thinks hes adorable and if he looks any thing like my
brother, then he is


Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Mary's ever-exciting life...

Mi familia,

So, I know that I am one of the worst when it comes to posting updates but that mostly stems from the fact that very little changes in my life.  Therefore, I don't have very many interesting things to say.  However, I can always update you on OTHER people's lives so I'll start there.

Sam's brother Lige (whom many of you saw star in Aida at Viewmont) is a Valedictorian this year and also found out that he received the Monson Scholarship at BYU. (AKA the Hinckley scholarship :)  Very few people, especially boys from Utah, receive this all-inclusive scholarship so he's super-psyched.

Martha is doing alright.  Her counts aren't great right now, which indicates the cancer is fairly active, but she is hoping to get through Lige's graduation before doing any big treatments.  Thanks for all your prayers on her behalf--I know they help.

As for myself, I am currently pretty much the same.  I started on a new medication not long ago to help me sleep and it is finally feeling pretty consistant (it takes a while for the body to adjust).  Other than that I'm not doing therapy.  I saw my therapist last week and we pretty much just looked at each other the whole time:  he didn't know what to say other than what he's already said, and I pretty much didn't know what to say either.  Definitely a bit awkward and not worth the $115 :) So, for now I'm pretty much taking a break from that.  Hey, I warned you--nothing much exciting here!  My lastest reading endeavor has been re-reading some of my favorites and it's actually been kind of fun.  I'm surprised at how "new" they feel when it's often been a very long time since I read them initially.  However, I am still open to new titles from any of you readers out there.  I am often found grocery shopping for the family, perusing the DI in search of fabulous finds, and watching cheesy Hallmark's or Redbox rentals.  If anyone (especially you mothers out there) ever need me to be on the lookout for something in particular: new clothes for a certain kid, etc., just let me know and I will keep my eyes open while I shop the deals. 

Well, I don't want to overwhelm you with excitement so I will sign off for now.  I love you all--dearly.  Thanks for all your love and support.

Love always,
meph


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Jordan's letter

Why hello again Family,                                                                                            May 11, 2009
     What a joy it was to talk to all those who I got to talk with.  Thanks for being there.  Sorry again about the time mix up.  It was my fault.  But it all worked out so don't worry about it.  I knew it would work out so it really wasn't too bad.
     Hyrum, congratulations on the coming nino.  I remembered why I didn't write anything.  I wasn't sure if everyone knew, at least for awhile.  Then I forgot to mention it later.  I really am excited for you.  Oh, ya, my companion is a Spanish speaker, so maybe I'll pick up on a few more words.  This is my chance to perfect my Spanglish.
     Mary, I was thinking about that time going to Sam's you mentioned.  If I remember right, we had to go in a very specific way, I think against the house or fence, to avoid the sensor light.  It was fun remembering the expereince. 
     Thanks to all those who have recently sent letters or packages.  They are always much appreciated.  It's fun to know that you think about ol' Elder Pitt sometimes. 
   Well, there is really not too much to say since we talked yesterday.  Oh, ya, thanks for the surprise.  It would have been fu to talk with Holly, but Alan was alright too.  Just kidding, it really was great to talk to Alan and to know that he's doing well and that he's not going to get married before I get home.
     So Elder Milius and I have been working on putting together a vision for the zone and some things that as a zone we can work on to achieve it.  We are going to focus on "harvesting'  and taking advatage of the opportunities that we're given.  Every encounter with someone is an opportunity to help them develop the faith and the knowledge necessary to move forward to baptism.  We are going to work on inviting many more people to be baptized.  We are excited and hope that the zone becomes such as well.
     The weather is impoving and bringing happier people along with it.  We feel that now is an amazing time to be missionaries and we will continue to do our best to help those we've been called to serve.
    Thanks again for all you love and support.  You are in my prayers always.
                                                                                       Love Elder Pitt




Dear family,
    Just a note that Isaac plays today in semi-finals at Woods Cross High School at 6:15 pm.  When they win, they will play for the Championship on Thursday, probably at 4:00pm at Rio Tinto Stadium.  We know you have games of your own, good luck Rachel in State Cup, and there are many conflicts, but we just wanted you to know.  Thanks to a great fammily for so many things.  Dad and I love you and hope you have a great day.                                     Love, Mom


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