OUT OF TOWN

Elder Gillis and Elder Vernon scored new hats from Dad at Zone Conference this week.  Dad picked up these two hats at a Stockman sale accidentally.  They were way too big for Dad, but fit these two "fat head" Elders perfectly.  What is so funny is they are companions and they both have lost tons of weight since they have arrived.  Most of our Elders do.   Aren't they cute?

Elders:  Mills, Salinas, Armstrong, Hunter (so cute too) at Zone Conference this week in Moscow.  The Lord sends us the best missionaries.  I heart them so much.

Dad and I are leaving in a couple of hours for our ZC in Voronezh.  We are going to stay over to go to the branches there on Sunday so we won't be back until Sunday night.  I'll miss you even more and you know why.  Flakes--good luck with getting moved.  You are lucky to have the Larks and Collins' there to help you.  Families are great to have around and I'm so proud of the way you kids help each other.  I have the best kids on the earth.  I'm the lucky ducky for sure.

Have a great weekend and remember to keep the Sabbath Day Holy!  

ILYT

oxoxoxo

Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHELLY

We are so glad that Shelly married Jonathan.  She is the sweetest thing.  It was hard to find a picture of her without her arms full of either her own or someone else's baby.  Have any of you ever heard her sound like she has lost her patience or even beginning to lose her patience?  I haven't.   She is a great wife and mother and always looks so dang cute--even when she is 9 months pregnant.  We love you Shelly and hope you have a fun birthday today.  Jonathan will treat you like a Queen.  He is good that way and you definitely deserve it.

oxoxo

Philip and Tricia

KIE KIES MAREE IS 7

Happy Birthday to my Cutie Pie!  What a crazy nut this girl has always been.  She was born with a darling personality and makes us all laugh.  She is adorable too.  We are so glad Heavenly Father let you come to our family 7 years ago.  What a joy and delight you are to all of us.  One more year until you are baptized.  We will be there for sure.  We hope you have a fun day today and that you feel loved by all of us.  We love you tons Kiley Maree Skousen.

Hugs & Kisses

MeMa and PaPa

37 YEARS DOWN--ETERNITY TO GO!

What a blessing it was to be on our visa trip to Madrid on our anniversary.  We celebrated our 37 years of being married by going to the Temple.  We are so grateful that we began our marriage in the Temple and having the opportunity to be there again on our anniversary day was a sweet delight.  We felt the Lord's tender mercies when the officiator said the session was going to be in English and then asked us to be the witness couple.  It is always a special time to be in the Temple, but Wednesday was an extra special time.  Who would have ever thought that while serving as the mission president and wife in the Moscow West Mission that we would be able to attend the Temple in Madrid?  Life is sweet.  Being married to your Dad is true joy.  I love him from infinity and beyond and I am blessed beyond measure to have you kids and kiddies all because we fell in love oh so many years ago.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

We love sharing our anniversary day with these good kids.  I remember the day they got married--it was such a special day and we were so wrapped up in their happiness that Dad completely forgot it was our anniversary.  He made up for it though.  It's hard to believe that was 14 years ago.  Congratulations to Jackson and Amy.  We are proud of you and the special eternal family you have created.  What a blessing the Skousens are to our family.  Good luck with what lies ahead for you.  California---here they come!  We Love You TONS!

Hugs & Kisses

MeMa & PaPa

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JONATHAN COLLINS FAMILY

Since Shelly's sonogram was at 3:00 pm yesterday and that was 1:00 a.m. here I requested that I have an email with the news as soon as I woke up today.  "IT'S A HEALTHY GIRL"---that was the entire email from Jonathan.  We are so happy and excited for that news and relieved that Jonathan didn't have a reason to act up at the Dr.'s office.  How fun for Scarlett to have a close girl cousin.  Now  Paige won't be the only Collins girl either.  Here comes all the ribbons and bows to the Collins household.  Can't wait until that adorable little girl arrives.  I love love love my kiddies--they ROCK!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAWYER

My Chunky Little Peanut is 1 year old and I was the Lucky Ducky to be there to celebrate his first birthday.  Our trip to the Pumpkin Patch that ended with yummy pumpkin cupcakes was a fun way to wish Sawyer a happy birthday.  We are so blessed to have this sweet, calm and always happy little boy in our family.  He is not only adorable, but is so immediately lovable.   I can't wait for PaPa to meet him.  We love you Sweet Sawyer.

Hugs & Kisses

MeMa and PaPa