Week #23 - Forjadores Food

First of all, I should say forgive me for not writing the past couple weeks. With not much happening, that means that there isn't a lot to write.. The days keep going by, here in Forjadores. This week was a lot better than the last. More lessons, more work. With this week, we've had a lot more focus on the less actives of the ward. So we went with every member that is listed in the ward, including some inactives that we have never seen! We also plan on visiting every member in the ward at some point, hoping to obtain a reference from every one of them. 

We did get haircuts last P-day (compare this weeks picture to last weeks, I was a little shaggy). We played  Uno at one of our gatherings. I didn't win, but it was a lot of fun. We observed a couple of the sisters during language study.  I'm glad Hma Guadarrama isn't my teacher, she is really tough! Every time Hma Ibarra would mess up, Hma Guadarrama would give a shriek of frustration. It was pretty hilarious to watch. As usual, there has been rain. Lots of rain. One day it was practically a monsoon. Really, the rain was nuts. 

A little about the food here ... we had some lasagna this week, it was great. A family that works at a Chinese restaurant invited us over there. It was a buffet. Lets just say we ate very well! I had a ton of fried rice, shrimp and beef. They also had some wonderful watermelon, probably the best I've ever had. Then I had my first fortune cookie in Spanish, which is cool. Last week, we went to Tomatos Pizza. The family we were to eat with were the owners. We were a little hesitant, because is was Sunday! But what could we do, that was lunch (or we wouldn't have food).  This week, a newlywed couple had us over for dinner and made awesome burgers for us. I ate three (they were small, don't judge). Yesterday we bought some Tacos Polo. It was the first time in like three weeks and I'd missed them dearly. 

So that is what is happening right now in Forjadores!
Have a good week everyone!

*** Step Stats ***

Monday, July 20 - 19419

Tuesday, July 21 - 15969

Wednesday, July 22 - 12940

Thursday, July 23 - 12007

Friday, July 24 - 18226

Saturday, July 25 - 15639

Sunday, July 26 - 8200

Well, Callahan is in first place again. The brothers are pretty impressive ... Daddy dropped off the Top10 completely (back at work, not a lot of stepping at the desk or during the drive). 

*** Between Brothers ***

Just a word from Mommy here ... I generally rearrange the order the boys write and Landon responds, so that the letters are in chronological order (youngest kid to oldest) and consistent each week. This week, I didn't shift things on the letter TO Landon. Keaton wrote first, then Cooper, Keaton and Callahan (Callahan IS consistently last to write after I remind him). I did rearrange the letters here, but you'll note Landon mentions writing Keaton first (in response to his first letter) and commenting on Colton's description of the Pixals movie (which Keaton and Cooper had mentioned but hadn't explained in detail as Colton did). Landon's comments don't make quite as much sense in my reordered copy here on the blog. :)

Dear Landon, on the 24th, we did a lot of fireworks. I was surprised that Mom and Dad bought some. Joy and Oreo have been a bit nicer that usual, they both were sleeping on mom's bed a the same time. Also, we let them both out at the same time, Joy would mostly attack Oreo then run away and Oreo would follow her, every time Joy would swat at Oreo, he would like defend himself by putting his paw up. We saw a movie called Pixels. It was awesome. About the movie, some humans sent a time capsule into space and some aliens found it and they thought it was a way of attacking them. So they sent down real life video games to attack back. There were 3 battles. The first one the humans didn't know about so the Pixels won that battle but every battle won would get a trophy. If the Pixels won, they would take one of the humans of the city, but if the humans won, they would get a video game character. The part I mostly liked was one of the battles, where pac-man was destroying the city then the people said, "The only way to take pac-man down is with ghosts." So they got some cars that are called ghosts and they had to hit pac-man 3 times. FNAF 4 CAME OUT (not for the ipod though...) We have been watching Markiplier play it. He's already on night 5! Today we had a great dinner! We had, mashed potatoes, chicken, stake and, rolls. And for dessert, we had scookie! This week we also went to Krispy Kreme's and got, 3 boxes of glazed donuts, (dropped one box off at Maga's house) and we got a box of chocolate, maple and cinnamon. That's about it for this week. Love, Colton

Dear Landon, dad did not come Monday night, he actually came a day after in the afternoon. He brought a lot of stuff home, but my favorite thing he brought was the shirts. And right when he came home he asked the question, "Where's Joy?" So Joy is living in Keaton's room now, because my room has a lot more hiding spots. Also, Joy and Oreo have gotten along with each more. But this time, it was Joy attacking and hissing at Oreo, which was weird. And while they were both sleeping in mom's room, they woke up, and kind of started whacking each other, and it was pretty funny. And we finally got to see the movie Pixels, because it came out a couple of days ago. It was a very funny movie and it was very dramatic. We also had the good dinner today with steak, chicken, and MASHED POTATOES. It was so delicious, too bad you are not going to have it in the next 1 and a half years. And a few days ago we went to Krispy Kreme's. I never thought that donuts could be that good, especially the sample donuts! FNAF 4 came out unexpectedly this week, so we have been watching the videos of it! It is the scariest game yet in the series, and you are not in an office, you're in a bedroom playing as a kid. And I hope in a little while it will come out to IOS. Love, Cooper

Dear Landon, dad got home last Tuesday at about noon. And since dad isn't allowed to bring a razor to the airport, he came home with a pretty hefty beard. He brought us all candy and shirts, and he got me a weird high-pitched/quacking noise toy thing. It's really fun! It's about one cm and I just put it on my tongue and either blow or suck in. We had a BBQ tonight with Maga, Livi, Ana, and the boys, but Callahan had to work. He didn't get any. We moved Joy into my room so she can't get lost as easily. We chose my room over Cal's because mine is about 5x cleaner than his room. Even with the kitten's toys and litter box! I suppose that you didn't hear fireworks two days ago. We lit the rest of our fireworks with Kaden and Nikki watching. Callahan had to work again, so he didn't see any fireworks at home. We also got new neighbors in the Sextons' house... again. Still, no teenage boy. We saw the move Pixels a few days ago. It was a lot funnier than I had expected. It took Cooper and Colton's first place spot in movies-watched-in-theaters. Dad and I still think that Inside Out was funnier. Pixels had a lot of funny characters. Like: Kevin James, the Bed Time Stories guy, the voice of Olaf the snowman, and the midget in Elf. So yeah... it was pretty fun. Wuv, Keaton  -Oh, and we also went Krispy Kreme doughnuts while the hot light was on. I've waited thousands of years for that... it seems like.

Dear Landon, Dad is home from Europe which is nice, but I still haven't seen him that much. On the 24th I worked a lot, I had to work at KFC for 4 hours and then work a Real game. I didn't get home till 12:45. I got a couple Krispy Kreme donuts in between my shift at KFC and the Real game. Then Dad did a barbecue on Sunday which was mean because I had to work that night. He did cook up a steak right before I left though, which was nice. There is plenty leftover without you there or me there. Oreo has been adjusting to the kitty better now. She hasn't, but he has. I went to a farewell for a friend that all my friends used to play with last year, His name is Josh Ward and he is going to Salem Oregon. It was nice to hear him speak and see him again. I hadn't seen him for a while. Your mission is flying by and lets keep it that way. Love and miss you .

• Dear Colton: That is a bit surprising that the parents would buy fireworks! That is good that the kitties are getting along better. Now you get to see them play together, which is a lot funner. Finally! Someone explains what the movie Pixels is about! The only thing I know about it, is a picture at the movie theater of a giant Pac Man eating a city. Now it makes a lot more sense! Haha I bet that you are dying to play it huh? I miss that dinner so much. There is Krispy Kreme's in Puebla I think... Just HAVE TO find it! 
• Dear Cooper: You always got to have souvenirs, especially from a trip to Europe! Luckies.. Haha so he already knew about Joy.. That is good that they're doing better together. What is Pixels about anyway? Oh man. I do miss that legendary dinner.. Is that your first time with Krispy Kreme Donuts? They are the best in the world! Sounds like a pretty scary game.. You'll have to enjoy it for me!
• Dear Keaton: Weird, I've never written you first. Haha yeah, I can tell in the pictures that that is true. Haha so you are the one that gets to sleep with the new kitty! Haha well, there are always still fireworks here in Puebla.. More new neighbors in the Sexton home? Wow. What is Pixels about anyway? I need to know if that if one I need to see when I return. Haha. Sounded like a good week! So that is good.
• Dear Callahan: That is the working life.. Ain't it awesome? There is a Krispy Kreme donuts somewhere in Puebla I believe.. Or at least I hope! Haha yeah, with you and me not there to partake of the steak, I can imagine a lot of leftovers. I know.. It is going pretty fast. This change flew by. Next week is the end of the change. Honestly... I am praying to have changes!

Week #22 - A Peek in the Journal

Sometimes Landon doesn't get a general email letter off ... but Mommy and the brothers still receive a letter. Often he'll include some snapshots of his journal entries to let us know what he's been up to, without having to rewrite it all. So this week, that's what you get, a quick compilation of some of his activities from our Elder's journal ...

We often have several appointments, but so many of them fall through. That can be a little tough. On a good note, one of our investigators, Hector, gave us 10 ties! He said "well you wear ties every day and I have never worn a tie in my life" ... so, new ties! They are nice ones too. At district meeting, we had a little celebration for one of the sister's birthdays. Juice, chips and a simple cake. That is a missionary birthday party. We had a second one later in the week. Yea cake!

We spent some time in service this week. One day we helped one of the members move stuff. One item was a dental chair, which was a beast! Another day we helped another member break down some wooden frames. We had to remove all the nails and I was able to do it pretty fast due to my experience in framing. I got to break a bunch of glass too. That was surprisingly fun, and we left without any cuts. 

A little shop opened up nearby, selling bags, purses, luggage, etc. I bought a backpack, which I've been wanting/needing. I've been reading "Our Search for Happiness" by M. Russell Ballard. I've been attending choir practice, which doesn't exactly make me happy. And there has been a return of the rain this week. Some super storms.

I've been out for FIVE months now. Time flies!

 Here is Landon with a little friend ...

*** Step Stats ***

Monday, July 13 - 24693

Tuesday, July 14 - 13754

Wednesday, July 15 - 13949

Thursday, July 16 - 8389

Friday, July 17 - 10077

Saturday, July 18 - 11083

Sunday, July 19 - 6010

Elder Blackham dropped down to the seventh spot this week. Grayson was #1  for almost the entire week. He's been off it Italy, Rome and Barcelona, getting substantial steps as he was seeing all the sights. But ... traveling today dropped him a couple spots. Callahan spent the morning golfing then playing basketball, and that pushed him to the top. Curt (our neighbor and former bishop) moved up, even beating his wife (Terrilynne). Aunt Wendy and Uncle Chris made the top 10 too.  Just spoke with Grandma and Grandpa Westra's Fitbit is having some issues (also syncing with a new computer) ... even after the heart attack a couple weeks ago, Grandpa's steps seemed low.  Always fun to see how the steps stack up. 

*** Between Brothers ***

Dear Landon, this week was fun. My basketball game I won 28-23. In the 2nd quarter, it was tied 6-6 and then we got a 12-0 run! They started coming back but we were still making baskets. It was 26-23 we were  winning, and then my teammate Luke, got another basket so I said to myself, "Yep, game's over." I had to go to scout camp twice this week! The first one was just regular scout camp, but the other one was Star Wars. Jedi Camp. In the first one I did bb guns, a hike, games, digging for gold, smores, and an obstacle course. In Jedi Camp we did, rockets, build a "droid", a game called jeopardy, lightsaber fight, and another obstacle course. Maga got a new kitty! Her name is Princess. She is really cute. She mostly hid under Amare's bed though. Our ducks are almost full size! I can barley tell which is which. I was saving this for last, we got a new kitten!! Her name is Joy. And she is SO small and cute! But Oreo does not like her.  He has been hissing and growling. So we make Oreo sleep upstairs, and I think he likes it. One time he almost attacked Joy but we got him. That's the end of the week, love ya. Love, your youngest brother, Colton

Dear Landon, Maga got a brand new cat named Princess Tiana. We went there today to go see her, and her cat. But  the bad thing about her, is that she is very shy and scared of us. For the time that we were at Maga's house, she spent about 95% of the time under the bed. Dad had extended his trip in Europe, but he is coming back tomorrow night. And do you remember when dad was on his trip to Las Vegas and we got Oreo. Now he is on another trip, so we thought, why don't we do it again? And we actually did get another kitty! Her name is Joy, she is very small,  cute, and playful. But Oreo really hates her. He'll hiss and smell her a lot, but Joy is living in mine and Colton's room right now, and Oreo will be upstairs sleeping with mom. But don't worry, we still love Oreo as much as we do Joy :). The NBA Summer League is coming to an end with the championship being tomorrow. The final game will be San Antonio against Phoenix, and I want the Spurs to win this game. And in Omega ruby, I beat the Pokemon league! I kind of changed my party from Altaria to Latios. And I didn't have Metagross because, I do not know where to find a Beldum. So know I need to complete the Delta Episode, which will be really hard to do. Love, Cooper

Dear Landon, dad ended extending his vacation out of the country in Barcelona! He doesn't get home 'til tomorrow night. We figured that since we got Oreo when he was away, why not get a second kitty while he was away? Lol. It was mom's idea. Her name is Joy and she is like six inches long! Oreo doesn't like her, though. He's been hissing at the sight and smell of her. It's really funny when he hisses. Pedro is doing just as fine as the other two duckies. Except, he's naturally afraid of everyone, when Alex and Andy aren't. Pedro has a black bill. Maga also got a new kitty. She is way more shy and scared than Joy. Her name is Princess Tiana. Princess was Addie's idea and Tiana was Aidan's idea. Maga had me get her from under Amare's bed twice. It took a while to bait her out of the corner with a hanger. So yeah... Wuv, Keaton

Dear Landon, Keaton got me playing Pokemon Revolution again which is pretty funny, I'll probably stop playing pretty soon because I'll get bored but who knows. I took the bros bowling and I got a triple in both games we played because I'm absolutely amazing. Then I hung out with some friends and we played some sand volleyball at night which was way fun! My team lost the 5 game series 3-2 but oh well. Mom kept getting red velvet cupcakes which are so dang amazing, I love them with all my heart. Amanda kept talking about stuff about her childhood so I kept thinking about it too. I kept thinking of songs we used to listen to as little kids like Now that we Found Love, and Sweet Dreams. For some reason those are the first two to come to mind. Hope you get more action in the mission field next week and some more rain because I bet you like a little moisture. Love you bro

• Dear Colton: Very nice. Keep up the good work on the basketball court! I remember those scout camps, they are a ton of fun! I never went to Jedi Camp (I don't think that it existed back then..) But I did go to a space one, which is pretty similar. Maga and you guys got a new kitty?! Whose idea was that? Hahah I don't it was Dad's.. Oh no.. That's a bugger when cats don't get along.. Maybe Oreo just needs some time. He is use to being the man of the house.. Haha. Well.. Good luck! 
• Dear Cooper: Yup.. I heard from Colton that Maga AND you guys got new kitties! Just give it time with Princess. She is adapting to the new environment.. The same with Oreo and Joy. Oreo is use to being solo, and the man of the house. Just give it time, I hope it will work out. Summer League.. Just the rookies and sophomores play right? Haha I don't remember which game I was playing.. But I believe I have a shiny Metagross... Maybe you can find it! 
• Dear Keaton: Haha that is a pretty brilliant idea, while Daddy is away. PLEASE tell me how he reacts! I am dying to know Ha! Ah Oreo.. He needs to chill out a bit.. How old is Oreo now, and how old is Joy? What if when Joy becomes an adult, they have kittens!? Ahhhh.. Kitten love. Triste (Poor) Pedro.. Haha Princess Tiana.. That is.... Interesting. You guys should've asked me for some awesome Mexican name for Joy! Well.. "Joy" en español es "gozo" pero.. Joy is a girl, so "Goza"...? Haha maybe..
• Dear Callahan: I remember Pokemon Revolution.. That is a pretty fun game. Triples? Dang.. That is pretty good! Haha, volleyball is pretty amazing. I just miss being able to play beach volleyball. It is the best there is. Dang so close.. Red velvet? Be careful.. Those can fatten you up really fast! Haha the song that always reminds me of you is UP, but I don't remember who it is by.. But that was when you were a lot younger. Another one of my favorite things of our childhood is when I would do ridiculous things to make you laugh! It was always hilarious. Tenga una buena semana, mi hermano.

Week #21 - Utah Took Our Rain!

Well, there really isn't much to write about. Every Sunday night, we call our district leader and tell him our numbers for the week. I added up all the numbers for this week and ... they are ugly. I am feeling a bit discouraged. As far as weather though, it sounds like that you guys (Utah) took our rain for this week! We didn't get a day of rain these past few days! It was so hot. Not sure what I prefer. Rain or heat...

 So happy to get some photos up.

Intercambios con E. Pineda (mi hermano)!

Switching to skim milk after this (26.4 = overweight)

*** Step Stats ***

Step numbers
for the week weren't bad though!

Monday, July 6 ...17459

Tuesday, July 7 ... 15715

Wednesday, July 8 ... 15764

Thursday, July 9 ... 19033

Friday, July 10 ... 13966

Saturday, July 11 ... 18975

Sunday, July 12 ... 9799

Look there ... Grayson is in the #3 spot! He's in Italy this week, and had a huge day on Friday (over 35k that day). He's been walking around a lot. And Grandpa Westra is back in the Top10 too!

*** Between Brothers ***

Dear Landon, this week was a lazy week. In my basketball game yesterday, I lost 21-18. There was about three seconds left on the clock, and there were three people, me, my teammate Collin and someone on the other team. Collin had the ball the other guy was defending him. Collin was SO close by passing it to me but the other guy blocked so it was game over. So right now in my season, I have 2 wins and 2 losses. Dad has left on an airplane to Italy! And Maddie and Mia are there too. The ducks are almost all the same size now! Cooper found a dove living right under the steps in our back yard. But then we saw the saddest thing. We saw the bird on the grass with a lot of his feathers off and his head ripped off. We all think it was a magpie who did it. We saw a movie that was really funny called Minions. This movie was placed before Despicable me. Three minions out of like 5 thousand, went on an adventure to find the greatest super villain to work for. In that movie they found Grew. That is it for this week, love ya. Love, Colton

Dear Landon, I chose to be lazy this week, so not a lot of stuff to tell you. But there was some storms this week that had me kind of scared, but not a lot. All the days this week were sunny at first, and then a storm in the afternoon. We went bowling once this week, but it was cut short because Jacob was waiting for us at Gene Fullmer. So we first played some basketball for about 2 hours, then we went swimming for an hour. Guess what? Pokemon has made a comeback... for me at least. So I have started to play Omega Ruby again, and I have already got past from where I was at last time! I am trying to get everyone in my party to have a Mega Evolution. Right now, I'm thinking my party will be: Blaziken, Gallade, Manetric, Aggron, Altaria, and Mawile. And when we let the ducks out, I saw a little bird under our doorstep in the backyard. It was a cute and small bird probably hiding, or probably living there. And when Colton came back from his game, I wanted to show him it. When we got there, it was not there, so I figured it flew off. But when I turned around, there was its body with feathers everywhere, and it did not even have a head anymore. It was not Oreo, so the main suspect is the Magpie. It was so sad, Rest in Peace little birdie. And I think you have already heard that Dad has gone to Italy to visit Kolby, Jaime, Maddie, and Mia. He has been there for a few days, but the others have been there for 3 weeks. We have finally got NBA TV, but we only get it for a month because the Summer League only lasts at least a month. We have already watched a whole lot of games, because there is about 6-8 games a day. We went to go see Minions. It was pretty funny, but not how I expected it was going to be. But in a week, Ant Man is coming out, and in two weeks, Pixels is coming out. I am very psyched for more of those movies. Love, Cooper

Dear Landon, not a lot of stuff happened this week. We just went to Gene Fullmer a lot to play basketball and swim. There's been almost no progress towards Episode VII, The Force Awakens, of Star Wars except for a new trailer revealing... almost nothing. There's actually been a lot of thunder storms here, but the ducks didn't seem to care much. The ducks are all almost the same size now, and I'm proud to say that I can tell the difference between them. We still haven't gone wave running yet. I forgot to tell you that we went last week, but couldn't get in because the boat ramp that we use was full. We still went swimming there, though. And Travis came along. Dad went to Italy. I know that you wanted to go there for your mission, which would have been cool because dad might have got to see you. That would be cool. I think we're also getting a new bishopric in our ward. So yeah... boring. Wuv, Keaton

I hope you and your new companion are getting to know each other. So last week I actually made $225ish from real games and KFC. I don't work super long shifts, the most I ever work is around 6 or 7 hours. The one day I worked more was both job, so no overtime. I don't work too much this week. I eat a lot of KFC now, and if I didn't play basketball, I'd get fat super fast. Work hasn't been too bad recently, I would rather do a lot of other things but everyone who works at KFC is really funny and nice. Whenever I close and we have extra food me and Ben take it to some of our friend's families because we eat so much of their food so we give them food. I took the little boys bowling and to Minions the movie. It was a pretty good movie, I think Colton was a little upset with it, but he'll get over it. Dad is in Italy which makes me jealous just because of the food. I bet the food is just amazing. I'll never know I guess, haha. I turned in my early morning seminary application a little while ago, and it kinda makes me cringe when I think about getting up early, even though I've been getting up around 8 everyday. Although some days when I don't even care and just sleep until noon. So it has been a pretty good week. Hope it has been good for you. Love you bro, Callahan

The three younger boys, ready for church, 

with a little Landon influence...

• Dear Colton: Dang, so close.. I KNOW! Dad is one of the luckiest people in the world to go to Italy! I am so jealous right now. Yikes... Is it possible one of the duckies did the damage? I think they are more capable to "rip a head off" than a magpie. Haha I am aware of the movie Minions.. Mexico loves Minions.. They have Minion everything! I have a Minion binder.. ;). Anyway, have more fun this week!
• Dear Cooper: Yes, Mom told me about the rain. It is exactly like Puebla! But it sounds like you guys took our rain, because this week it didn't rain at all. Super hot! You are forgetting the greatest Pokemon ever! Metagross! Poor little birdie.. That is a lot of games to watch! I want to see Minions so bad! Ant Man seems a little... Weird.. Haha but hey, if you want to watch it, go ahead!
• Dear Keaton: The same thing here. A week of nothing! We just went walking, and walking, and walking.. Haha I am proud of you too. How is my Pedro doing? Still no wave running yet?! Poor Susie and Roxy. Haha I didn't really want to serve in Italy. Just vacation. Because Italian is super difficult to learn. But I am definitely going to vacation there some day.
• Dear Callahan: Be careful with all that chicken....be sure to be exercising a lot! That is good that you enjoy your work. I know. I am super jealous about Dad in Italy too.Well for early morning seminary I woke up at 4:50-ish I think... so have fun with that! Keep up the good work.

Week #20 - New Mission President

Nuevo Presidente, y muchísima lluvia...
(New President, and a ton of rain..)

Well, this week was better concerning lessons and investigators, which it rather impressive with all the rain that we have had this week. There was a lot of it. Everyday. Around 5 o' clock, here in Puebla, if you look to the West, you see the pretty sky, and the sun starting to set. But if you look to the East... You usually see doom coming your way. And by "doom" I mean, the biggest, nastiest, and darkest clouds you have seen.. I am always so excited to see them.. :p

(sure enough, this is the forecast for today!)

Anyway, another big thing that happened this week was that we got to meet our new president and his wife! Presidente and Hermana Nelson. I am excited to get to know them. And the fact that I only had three months knowing Presidente and Hermana Christensen, I really miss them.

Presidente and Hermana Nelson

That is practically it for this week.. Please forgive me if I spelled something wrong.. When I write, almost every word is underlined in red.. because it is English.. And with me only speaking Spanish, I am starting to forget my English. HA!

Tengan una buena semana todos!

Les amo mucho!

My Family - Stories That Bring Us Together

A pamphlet project each missionary personalizes.

*** Step Stats ***

Monday, June 29 - 18273

Tuesday, June 30 - 15665

Wednesday, July 1 - 20561

Thursday, July 2 - 15757

Friday, July 3 - 11462

Saturday, July 4 - 8608

Sunday, July 5 - 11756

I'm not sure why the average steps aren't showing, must be a glitch on Fitbit. Landon's average was about 14,600. I made sure that the boys all synced their devices, as it did shake up the standings with the most recent numbers. Colton ... the nine year old is there at the top! Active little boy! All the brothers made the top 10, and Daddy too (just barely). 

Aunt Wendy made the list this week. Grandpa Westra is doing great after his cardiac arrest, but not quite up to regaining a spot in the top 10 as of yet.

*** Between Brothers ***

Dear Landon, July 4th was pretty awesome! We went to Clay's house and did a few fireworks. While we were there we had a water balloon fight with the neighbors. It was so fun, I got soaked and I soaked some other people! On the way home we saw a bunch of fireworks. Keaton, Aidan, Livi and I, all went to Lagoon! My favorite ride was the Wicked! We went on it 2 times. We also went on a bunch of other rides such as, The Terroride,  The Colossus, The Spider, The Wild Mouse and, The Rocket! The Rocket wasn't exactly a ride, it was a thing that went so high and fell down. Also we went on this thing called, The Samuri, and it would make us go upside down and back and fourth. So after that ride we were dizzy. We got some ice cream and water. We got a monthly pass to Gene Fullmer. I think we went there, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and, Friday. Yesterday we went to Virges and got some pancakes. That's it for this week. Love Colt

Dear Landon, on Friday, we went to Pineview, but it sucked a lot more than I expected. When we entered Huntsville, there was a sign stating, "BOAT RAMP FULL." But we still wanted to go to the beach, so dad parked the wave runners in a church parking lot to go to the beach. And when we got there, it was blazing hot. I could not stand on the sand with my bare feet, and the water was actually kind of warm, so it made it worse. And Maga and the boys were supposed to come, and we saw thier car, but we never saw them. When we started to leave there was a lot of stuff to think about, like if the wave runners were stolen, or where Maga was at the beach. And don't worry, the wave runners are not stolen. We finally got the new net up on the tramp, and it makes the tramp a lot better so that the balls will not fall off, and people won't too. Also, the 4th of July was a blast because we spent most of it at Clay's house. We did a whole lot of fireworks, and watched a lot too. That is it for this week. Love Cooper

Dear Landon, we actually got fireworks this year! They were good fireworks, too. Dad got two of the big, aerial fireworks! We went to Clay's yesterday for a BBQ, some fireworks, and water balloon fight with the neighbors. It was really fun. Mom got me juggling clubs and rings. They're both pretty hard, but I can juggle them for a little while now. Colton and I went to Lagoon yesterday with Livi and Aidan. We all went on all of the good rides. They got a lot of new roller coasters, too. You know how Wicked was their main ride. Now it's a ride called Cannibal that's twice as high and long! It's closed this whole season, though because when it was open, when people got off they would feel nauseous, dizzyness, and they would actually vomit. We would have definitely gone on it if it was open. So yeah... Yesterday was kinda fun, I guess. Wuv, Keaton

Dear Landon, so I worked 3 shifts at KFC and 2 Real games, and made around $200, so it hasn't been a terrible week, money wise. I worked 10 hours on the 4th of July which sucked but it's over now. But before the 4th we were supposed to go waverunning but all the boat ramps were full... I was so mad, and just wanted to go home, but everybody else just wanted to stay and swim. It was still fun but I just wanted to go waverunning. I miss it so much. Mom got a iPhone 6, which is cool, and I'm not as jealous as I thought I would be. She got it a while ago I just forgot to mention it. I don't have much planned for this week, just work, basketball and fun I guess. I finished One Tree Hill which just makes me sad. It was like the best show ever! You'll have to watch it when you come back. I thought more things happened this week but I guess not. Love and miss you bro, Callahan.

• Dear Colton: Wow. Sounds like a busy week for you guys! We actually played with water balloons today, in our zone activity! But we didn't have a handy dandy filler.. But we got by. Haha The Wicked is... well, WICKED! The Rocket is a ride! It is so fun! The Samuri I have never been on.. It is ALWAYS closed when I go.. Seriously, every time. You guys have passes to Gene Fullmer too? Wow! Virg's.. Good stuff. Keep having fun during the summer while you can!
• Dear Cooper:Is that the first time you guys have attempted to going wave running?! Sad.. That is probably one of the worst things you can see in your life.. "BOAT RAMP FULL".. Well, yeah.. During the summer, everything is hot! I would probably die right here where I am sitting you if told me that the wave runners were stolen.. Anyway, keep having fun, and get to Pineview earlier to have a spot!
• Dear Keaton: e actually saw real fireworks earlier this week! Wasn't the 4th of July.. Because it is different in Mexico! Cannibal... Hmmm. Sounds pleasant.. Do people eat each other on the ride? Hahah.. chiste.. Think I might pass on that ride.. But you go ahead and enjoy for me!
• Dear Callahan: Isn't working so much fun? haha. 10 hours? Do you get overpay for that? Was that the first time you guys have tried to go waverunning this summer? I miss Susie and Roxy soooo much. But oh well. Mom has a iPhone 6?... Well we have a Nokia... Who knows what it is.. Haha. It is a sad little cell phone.. Haha I already have list of a lot of movies I will have to watch when I get back! Keep on working hard, and having fun too!