Grandma Ellen

It is with sadness and many fond memories that I report that my Grandma, Ellen Lee, passed away earlier this week after a nearly three year battle with Ovarian Cancer. Grandma was so valiant in her battle, refusing to give up, never complaining, and always considering the thoughts of others.

My earliest memories of Grandma are of summers spent on her farm (with Grandpa) on Thorp road in Ellensburg. Every time we drive through Ellensburg I look for the farm house and big barn...it is still there even though the barn is blue instead of the original red. I recall picking lettuce and raspberries in her garden, attending swimming lessons in town, and most of all playing in her square dancing dresses in the attic with my cousin Lisa. As we grew older, grandma never seemed to change. Her house decor was always familiar, her scented lotion the same, and her kind and loving spirit always comforting. I struggle with the thought of not being in her home this coming holiday season...even when she was not well, she always enjoyed the holidays and invited us to her home. If I am counting correctly, she is a grandmother to six children, and a great-grandmother to fourteen great grand children. Her spirit will always be remembered, and my heart aches to think of her not being a phone call or visit away. May my father be comforted, my cousins as well, and may we always cherish our memories of Grandma Ellen. I feel confident that she has been reunited with the many loved ones we have lost and who await our eventual return to our heavenly home. I love you, Grandma!

Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo West Mission!

Seth received his mission call on Thursday to the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo West mission! Immediately we realized that Seth's cousin, Nick, is also going to the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo area. He is in the Southern Mission. How interesting! Seth enters the MTC in Provo on November 4th for three weeks, and then transfers to the MTC in the Dominican Republic for another six weeks of training. We are so happy for Seth! When Wayne and I married, Seth was in 4th grade. Even then he was almost a foot taller than his peers, and that is still the case. We are confident that we will be an outstanding missionary. With one boy leaving October 21st and one November 4th, we will be busy over the next several weeks. Both of them will spend Christmas in the MTC...one in Provo and on in the Dominican Republic! Guess who will be busy sending care packages this Christmas?

Once the boys leave, we will likely turn our focus to Tess, who will be entering her senior year. Senior year is busy with exams, college applications, prom and graduation. With Tess being our first daughter to graduate from high school, we look forward to this adventure!

Still Waiting...A Second Time!

Well, as promised we are waiting for Seth's mission call! As the girls and I are heading out to girls camp tomorrow, I am sure that his call will come during that time! The boys are divided between deciding if they will wait for the girls (and MOM) to return home, or if they will open the call. If it were me, I would have to open it! Either way, we will have some very exciting news this time next week!

It is also a fun year at girls camp. The theme is the "Wizard of Oz". Most importantly, this is the first year that all four girls will be at camp together. Tess and Jessica are YCL's while Amanda is a 4th year camper. Alyssa is excited as this is her first year at camp. We are all looking forward to a week away from the boys, and time together in an estrogen-rich environment! We will return home on Friday tired, dirty, and ready to cool off.

We look forward to our next posting!

Japan Hiroshima Mission!

We are so pleased and excited to report that Travis Nuttall will be serving in the Japan Hiroshima Mission! He enters the MTC on October 21st, 2009. This call is such a blessing for Travis. Travis really had a desire to serve in Japan. He took two years of Japanese in High School, and has an interest in the culture and technology in Japan. We have heard that missionaries usually do not get called to an area that they want to serve in! We anticipate that Travis will arrive in Hiroshima near Christmas eve.

As his mother, I am excited, nervous, and a bit scared. I truly want him to serve, and am so excited for the location he will be serving in, but the reality of not seeing him for two years is starting to sink it. Seeing the actual call, and knowing that he will be so far away is a bit scary. How lucky, though to have had him in my life for almost 19 years. I still remember holding him in a tiny little attic apartment in Provo, Utah. I remember thinking what a great responsibility this is, and how special he is to me. Many experienced mothers tell me that the two years go by quickly, and that they come home young men...no longer a boy. I try to imagine how he will look two years from now...taller, thinner, "thicker", deeper voice? Who knows.

Okay, enough sentimentality! We look forward to hearing where Seth is going. His call should come around the 30th of July. I can assure you that I will have something "gooshy" to say at that date as well. I am pretty sure that Seth's mission call will come while I am at girls camp with our four daughters! We'll see how the timing works out!

P.S. Congratulations to Jessica and Ethan who correctly guessed Travis would go to Japan!

Still Waiting...

Due to the 4th of July holiday (and lack of mail delivery), we are still waiting for Travis' mission call. Be assured that the mail is checked every day and that we are anxious to find out where he will serve! We are also pleased to report that Seth has submitted his papers as well. He has been able to avoid having to have oral surgery, so he is good to go with some minor adjustments to his teeth. We anticipate finding out about Travis' call by Thursday, July 16th and Seth's two weeks from Tuesday. The children have all enjoyed guessing where they will be going. We have recorded everyone's guesses and the one with the closest guess (by miles) wins a prize! We'll see how this finally plays out!

Summer is in full swing, the sun is out and the kids are just starting to say "I'm bored...there's nothing to do!". This is quickly met with, "Well...the lawn needs mowing, or...the garage is pretty messy." This seems to do the trick in diffusing the complaining!

Stay tuned for more information!

Waiting for a Mission Call...

We are glad to report that Travis' mission paperwork will be submitted to Salt Lake City tomorrow. We have been told that the waiting period is about 10 days to 2 weeks. You can be assured that we will be checking the mail everyday from next week on. We are all anxious and excited to see where Travis will serve and when he will leave. You can look forward to a posting of that information soon.

Seth will be submitting his paperwork as well. He has to get his wisdom teeth pulled before he is fully eligible to apply for a mission. We hope that he will be ready to go in the next couple of weeks. Clearly we have some exciting news in the very near future! Stay tuned...

Class of 2009!

Congratulations to Travis and Seth who graduated with 342 other seniors from Auburn Mountainview High School yesterday, June 13th! The ceremony was wonderful, the weather was just about perfect, and the family celebration was delicious. We are grateful to Grandparents, friends and extended family who have supported the boys over the years, and helped us celebrate this milestone.As mentioned previously, the boys are in the process of deferring their admission to BYU-Provo and are completing the process of serving their missions. Travis will have received his mission call in July (hopefully) and Seth shortly thereafter! Seth needs to attend to his wisdom teeth...looks like he will have to do without them! Speaking of Seth, you will notice a picture here of his state track meet. Seth placed second in the 800 meters, 3rd in the 4x400 relay and 15th in the 1600 meter run. We are so proud of him! The local paper wrote a nice article about him. The article can be found at the following link

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/aub/sports/47681972.html

. Seth will be walking on for BYU after returning from his mission. Seth also received his Eagle Scout last weekend...he has been a very busy young man this month! Between prom, scouts, track, and graduation he hasn't had much extra time on his hands!

Travis graduated not only from high school this weekend (magna cume laude) but from Green River Community College with highest honors (suma cume laude). Travis'

talents are academic in nature. He is a natural learner, quick on his feet

and always has a witty sens

e of humor. Travis has spent quite a bit of time these last couple of years helping us drive the kids to and fro, he is always helpful and does not com

plain about having to help out...even though we know he'd rather not be the back up taxi driver! We appreciate his leadership and helping hand! Both boys will become fine men. They will find joy as they serve their Heavenly Father during their missions. We will, of course post mission information on this blog!

We have added some pictures taken of the graduation (thanks, Grandpa Bill). We hope that you enjoy looking at them as much as we do. I suppose that it is normal to be a proud parent. We have enjoyed watching our oldest children grow into young adults, and feel so grateful for all the help that we have had along the way!