It had been a couple of years since I had been to New Hampshire and I had some frequent flyer miles burning a hole in my pocket, so I decided it was time for a trip to see my good friend Melora and New England in the fall. We had a great visit, with a day trip to Vermont, a drive to the coast and even a trip late one Friday night to the hospital emergency room!
We took the trip to Vermont to visit the Shelburne Museum. It was a really fun and interesting way to spend the day. It is basically the result of a woman named Electra Havemeyer Webb (1888-1960), who was a pioneering collector of American folk art and founded Shelburne Museum in 1947. When creating the Museum she took the imaginative step of collecting 18th- and 19th-century buildings from New England and New York in which to display the Museum's holdings, relocating 20 historic structures to Shelburne. These include houses, barns, a meeting house, a one-room schoolhouse, a lighthouse, a jail, a general store, a covered bridge, and the 220-foot steamboat Ticonderoga.
The trip to the coast was to have lunch in an old historic library in Portsmouth, NH that has been turned into a restaurant and to spend a little time at the coast. We were sitting on a park bench after lunch overlooking the ocean when the wind started to pick up and we glanced behind us to see a huge dark storm quickly coming our way. We had to make a run for the car — it was a quick, amazing storm!
The trip to the ER was because Melora started to have significant back pain that we couldn't seem to get under control. She is doing better now, but still doesn't have any great answers, which is frustrating. I was glad I was there to help do the driving and some of the meals since her husband was here in Utah on business! So, the rest of my trip was a little more low key, but we managed to fit in some good chats and a couple of chick flicks. It was a nice chance to get away for a week and just play.
Clark decided to play soccer again for Waterford this year. There team did really well, taking second place in the tournament. We have a great coach and several of Clark's friends played on the team as well, so it was a fun experience for him.
After much practicing in the basement without the accompaniment, we were finally able to hear Clark perform ??? with Mr. Beck from school as his accompanist. He did great, especially because the counting was so challenging.
We also were able to hear Elliot play his duet (Carousel) with his teacher Mr. Chamberland. It was impressive to watch and hear them play together. We will include a short video of each of them performing so that you can feel like you were there too!
Halloween night was fun although it is not quite what it used to be with a lot of kids in the house. Clark and Elliot were carving their pumpkins pretty much at the last minute, but they turned out really cool. Elliot was especially into his — I think he may have to list pumpkin carving on his resume from now on. They both went trick or treating with friends, and pretty much left Mom and Dad to watch a scary movie by themselves — I guess this is what it ultimately comes down to. We watched "The Forgotten" which Alan didn't remember at all and I did, so I got to anticipate him jumping at the scary parts — which he did!
College Kids
Madeleine is doing well her first semester at BYU. She is learning to juggle school, homework, a job, a calling and a social life. Oh, and of course all the roomate stuff and cooking and cleaning. It's hard work to go live on your own! But what a great opportunity to realize how much mom and dad have been doing for you all your life, right!?
As Loren is getting closer to finishing at BYU, he is starting to make plans for graduate school. He is researching various schools and has just recently taken the GRE. He and Anne are enjoying married life and are very busy with work and school. In fact, our daughter-in-law Anne has just taken a job counseling troubled teens for the State.
She has spent most of her time up until now in marriage counseling, so this will be a new and exciting experience -- hopefully not too exciting!
Missionaries
Tess has settled into life as a missionary in Poland. Her letters are positive and upbeat and always fun to read as they are filled with her personality. As a mission, they have a goal to baptize 100 people in 2009. As the year draws to a close, they are working very hard and would appreciate any prayers sent on their behalf!
Phillip has only a couple of weeks left in Spain and is working hard as District Leader. Phillip is the fourth elder his poor companion has had to "send" home, so I know that he is trying to stay focused on missionary work. I know it has to be a bit difficult though, while registering for classes at BYU and arranging for housing. We, of course, are getting very excited and counting down the days. I'm sure it is a happy/sad time for him to have to say goodbye to so many wonderful people that have had such an influence on him throughout his two years in Spain.