Week #44 - Fred's Baptism, Traveling Very Far and Merry Christmas

Another busy week here in Apizaco.. And I am loving it.

We had a baptism this week! Whoa! His name is Fred. First thing to know about him is that he is a little special.. He was a contact, and accepted to hear us. At times, he can be a bit much. Telling him to calm down all the time.. But ultimately, he is a good heart. The plan was originally to hold off the baptism until we talked about the situation with the bishop. But the other elders of our area (the zone leaders) said that they already did, and told us to go on with the baptism. And so we did! I had the opportunity to baptize Fred, which was awesome!

Another awesome thing that happened was today. Today we went to the home of an hermana that lives quite. Super far, in fact. 2 and a half hours in combi far.. Her name is Hermana Coral. They live in a pueblito that I have no idea how to spell.. But basically it is in the middle of the mountains! It is a beautiful place really. Fresh air, no screaming people.. A get away!

It was also a really humbling experience. This family of four, the mother, and her three little children, live in a wooden shack. As a surprise (and incentive) we bought these little chocolate egg treats, that have a little toy inside, and they went nuts for them! It was touching to see. Even better, when we began teaching them. The children would argue over who would answer our questions concerning the Restoration, over who would pray to start and end the lesson.. Amazing experience. Surely a family I will not forget.

Here's a little hand-drawn map, 

Just to help you understand how big Apizaco is compared to my other areas.

Some pictures from the Christmas Conference ...

... and my companion and I

... and a Merry Christmas from a couple of hardworking elves!

Anyway, a little update from Apizaco! Hope everyone enjoys their Christmas!

Thank you everyone for your support.

Les amo

*** Step Stats ***

Landon said there is a LOT of walking in this area, as it is so big. Tuesday, Dec15 he set a new record high, and said he was exhausted, and really feeling it the day after! Cooper laughed when I told him a 31k day did that to Landon, as Cooper hit a 41k day (although he did say he was dragging the day after that too).

Monday, December 14 - 13420

Tuesday, December 15 - 31389

Wednesday, December 16 - 20008

Thursday, December 17 - 26024

Friday, December 18 - 11120

Saturday, December 19 - 18800

Sunday, December 20 - 12830

Monday, December 21 - 20486

I just haven't been as active, thus my dropping down on the Fitbit list. Happy to see Grayson make the Top10 though! He and the two little boys were in Vegas, and got some steps walking the strip. Callahan was in Orlando, and got lots of steps at the Disney Parks there!

*** Between Brothers ***

Dear Landon, so Orlando was so much fun. I mean I hate flying on planes but once I go t past that part it was amazing. It was great weather and Disney World is just so much fun. We had a 4 day park hopper pass, which means we can go to any of the 4 parks for the time span of 4 days. There is Epcot, which is less rides and more cultural. Animal Kingdom which is kinda like a zoo and a park, which had the best roller coaster (Mt Everest). Then there was Magic Kingdom which had the best rides overall, a lot of fantasy stuff, which is really fun at night. We spent the first night there till midnight. And then Hollywood Studios which has really cool stores and some fun rides too. Which is where we spent the first day and the third night. Everything dos kinda tire you out though so the whole team got at least one nap in per day. I know I did at least. Basketball wise, both JV and Varsity made it to the championship games and won it all! My team played Maple Mountain from Utah in the championship after we played Chartier HS from Penn, and then St. Francis Catholic from Ontario Canada, which we blew both of those teams out. Then we won Maple Mountain by 9. Now that our varsity also won this tournament we are ranked 8th in the nation which is really awesome and crazy to think. It was a great week though but am kinda glad to be home. Hope everything is good down in Mexico. And if it is as humid in Mexico as it is in Florida than I bet you feel really gross all the time. Love and miss you bro, Christmas won't be the same without you. -Callahan

Dear Landon, in my game yesterday against Joel P, we absolutely squashed on them. It was really fun to play them too because I recognized and was friends with some of the players since they went to Columbia. Tyler scored 32 points! He was six for 11 at the three. I did do some pretty amazing passes for him as well. We also beat Bingham on Thursday by 20. I'm disappointed that there won't be any district games for the next two weeks, but there is a Christmas tournament after Christmas. Little Kitten Joy has seriously began to love me. She follows me everywhere, sleeps on me, meows for me to pick her up. However, I'm allergic to her, so my neck always gets itchy and whenever she scratches me they swell up pretty bad. It's irritating, but I guess I'm too lovable (not even joking, she's sleeping on the chair that I'm typing on right now. Lqtm). Star Wars was amazing! I've already seen it twice. I saw it with Colton, Cooper, Dad, Maga, Clay, Ana, Adrien, Amare, and Aidan. Also, Tyler's family invited me to it on Friday. You let me know if you want a spoiler because I'm way more than happy to tell you. It's probably my second favorite Star Wars episode. First is Episode II because Yoda goes straight bananas on Count Dooku. There are stockings hung up, presents under the Christmas tree, Santa M&M head. We didn't hang up any ornaments on the Christmas tree because Oreo and Joy have both gotten 3/4s of the way to the top of it and it has almost tipped over. On Christmas I guess you're going to see Joy for the first time and me with braces. I've only two tightenings so far, but I have another one two weeks from Tuesday. So yeah... pelota es vida. Wuv, Keaton

Dear Landon, this week was kind of crazy. Still getting a lot of steps, (including a 40k step day), and Colton, Dad, and I went to Las Vegas to see the BYU vs Utes game, and last week of school for Christmas Break. Las Vegas was really fun, and we got to stay in a house with a hot tub and a pool. But no one went swimming in the pool because of its temperature, it was freezing, and it was kind of like a challenge to go into the pool. The football game was really fun, the Utes scored 35-0 in the first quarter, and three of them were pick-6's. We left at the first of the fourth quarter, and dad was getting updates about the game and BYU was coming back, but they still fell short. And the Strip is crazy at night. There was so many people, but seeing all of the cool things there made up for that, like the Bellagio Fountains. We also got some movies to watch on the way there, like Pixels and Ant-man, and we also brought Big Hero 6. On the way back, dad got some movies form Redbox, and the movies were Avengers Age of Ultron, Pitch Perfect 2, and Shaun the Sheep The Movie. We got to see Star Wars the Force Awakens. It was a great movie, but I wish I can go see it again because it was so late at night, I kind of fell asleep... but not for a large portion of the movie. I got a new jacket from my school this week and I just love it. It looks really cool and is really comfortable. The voice has ended, and my favorite person won! I wasn't really surprised that he won, but it was still awesome that he won. And I still remember back to the blinds, the TV did not show his face, and his voice was really high pitched that I did not know if it was a boy or girl. Anyway, see you Christmas!   Love, Cooper

Dear Landon, we went and saw the new Star Wars movie! Though, I am not going to say much about it because I don't want to spoil it for you. I had a game on Wednesday. We won 29-23. I got two points. I missed one of our games because of Vegas. Though, Vegas was awesome. I did learn that Aidan is kind of obsessed with me. He came on both five hour rides with us because I was in the car. We went walking down on the strip and he was always behind me. Whenever he would get in front of me, he would fall back to get behind me. Plus, there were so many escalators around! I love escalators! Also, the place we stayed at, awesome!  It had its own pool and hot tub. The hot tub got up to 100 degrees, although, the pool always stayed under around 30. So it was freezing. Sometimes we would do a challenge and jump in! The house was so much nicer than the one in Saint George! (I'm not saying that the other was bad, I'm saying that this one was way, way, way good.) And for the ride we bought, Pixels and Ant-Man. For the ride back, we rented, Age of Ultron, Shaun the Sheep movie, and Pitch Perfect 2. This was an awesome trip! And it's my birthday today. It almost already over because I had to sit in a car for six hours. Anyway, that's it for this week. Love ya     Colt

• Again, I am short on time boys. Super sorry! But we will talk on Friday! Love you my brothers!

Week #43 - Arrival in Apizaco, Journal Peek & Pictures!

Another changes meeting has come and gone once more.. And here I am in my new area with my new companion! I am now in Apizaco.. Translation, "Very far, and very big" . . . After the changes meeting we needed to take a big bus for an hour to the area.. And Apizaco is also one of the biggest areas of the mission!

My new companion is awesome, Elder Acosta from Sanora! We both actually came to Puebla on the same day, just back then I couldn't speak anything of Spanish.. He is a real hard worker, and I am excited to be working with him now in Apizaco. 

Some of the highlights for the week would be during the weekend.. Saturday was "Día de la Virgin" which I learned is a pretty big holiday for Mexico.. So what happens is at midnight, they all party and get drunk during the whole night.. Then sleep during the day, and repeat the process for Saturday night. It was actually quite spooky how abandoned the place looked on Saturday.

Then yesterday, we had the dedication of the Tijuana temple! Awesome! Second dedication in the mission! Pres, Uchtdorf and Elder Oaks were present for the dedication. Awesome and kinda funny to hear them try a bear their testimonies in Spanish.. haha. 

I will keep it short for this week.. But you all can check out the blog, in which mi mamá will post a little bit from my journal (in which I am actually writing now!) and pictures.

Thanks everybody! Love you all!

Plenty of pictures this week,  I just need to find an easier way to send all the photos... Not an easy thing to do (even with the nice wifi camera!) First off, from my old area ...

Pictures from the Changes Meeting 

(mi mamá pulled from the mission Facebook page)

Pictures with Elder Acosta!

***Journal Entries***

• 12/08: Well, day of the changes. E Chacon and I spent the last hours preparing our stuff and cleaning the house. After we were all packed I got a call from E West and Carrasco telling me they got a call from the assistants to close the area. TODAY. At first I didn't believe him but then the zone leaders told me it was true. Yikes! To close an area in a couple of hours? We made it to the changes meeting. There was a choir and it was quite impressive. As we finished up, I asked E Acosta how we get to our area. I asked if it was by taxi. He just laughed. Nope, we have to take a big bus for an hour. It was about 7:00 when we finally arrived. We visited a less active family, then went home so I could unpack.
• 1209: First full day in Apizaco! It was an interesting one. We had our first district meeting, and it was weird not to be leading it. Our district is all elders. After, we traveled an hour by combi into the mountains to our lunch meeting. The house of the hermana who fed us was very humble. The food was some kind of boiled squash, and then vegetables with mole. Our first two citas fell through, but we found a lot of street contacts. We ended up having two more lessons for the day. At the end of one with a less active family, they offered us coffee. E Acosta was surprised and said "As members we don't drink coffee, remember?" and they responded "No one ever told us that!" We left them with a W.o.W. phamplet ;) We had another meeting with an investigator family that is great, but not ready for baptism. The hermana has a problem that we don't believe in "The Virgin".  Until this point in my mission, I have never seen the grip of the Virgin so powerfully.
• 1210: Planning day, it was a good one with E Acosta. We went to lunch with the family of the president of the relief society. The father and oldest son serve in the  young men's stake presidency. The son returned from his mission right as I left. Correlation meeting later, where I got to know a lot of members. We had to leave early because the combis stop running at 8:30. 
• 1211: A lot of walking today. We got a surprise visit from the zone leaders who told us we were going to do divisions for the day. I was with E Quinata (in his area) and we visited an inactive family. Now I don't know a lot of cuss words in Spanish, but I do know that the father here used quite a few of them. We had walked half and hour for this cita so that was a little confusing and frustrating. We went to another area after lunch to look for new investigators but were not successful. We walked the whole day, the area was practically abandoned. I rejoined my companion for a cita with Angel, a new investigator.
• 1212: Dia de la Virgen. Fireworks at five in the morning! We had a big day planned, but it didn't work out. Today is a big holiday for Catholics. They started at midnight and partied until dawn. Then they slept, recovered during the day, the came alive at dusk to party some more. We had planned six lessons, but only had two. 
• 1213: Today was cool because we got to go to the dedication of the Tijuana temple (by broadcast). Afterward, we went to the chapel for a lesson with Fred. There was this old guy hanging around the church, who followed us as we left. We walked a bit faster, and he did too. I'll admit it. We ran. I didn't think he wanted to hurt us, but ... that was the day!

*** Step Stats ***

Monday, December 7 - 11035

Tuesday, December 8 - 11743

Wednesday, December 9 - 18735

Thursday, December 10 - 11057

Friday, December 11 - 28231

Saturday, December 12 - 26161

Sunday, December 13 - 12608

Well, I have slipped a bit in my stepping this week. A bit of a cold, and just the holiday rut (you know, just get through the holidays then New Years Resolution to do better *Ü*) Cooper is still CRAZY. 30k average? And Colton is right up there too. Landon had a big day (28k) and more walking in his new area, so three boys had me beat. Callahan's Fitbit was a little wonky Sunday/Monday ... I think his steps should have been higher.

*** Between Brothers ***

Dear Landon, finally, the streak is over. The Warriors have lost to the Milwaukee Bucks by 13. It was a back and forth game, but the Bucks still managed to hang on to their lead, then the Warriors gave up and put Curry and Thompson back on the bench. The Jazz still not doing their best, but at least getting a win, but two losses. They whooped the Knicks, and fell short to Sacramento and Oklahoma. At practice for Jr. Jazz, there were only 6 out of the 10 people, but we still practiced some stuff. Then at my game, we had another great game, and Keaton was watching me and keeping the stats of me, so I ended up with a double-double! I got 10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 steals. Don't think that I'm a ball hog for just getting two assists, I would have gotten a lot more if my teammates would have finished off of my passes, but it was alright. I won't be there for our next game because Dad, Colton, and I are going to go to Las Vegas to see the Utes go against BYU. I am really excited for it, because It is going to be warmer there than in Utah, and I will also swim. After this week of school, it'll be Christmas Break, but it is bad because it won't be warm outside, so I won't really be able to play outside. Well there is twelve more days until Christmas, which means 12 more days until we get to see you again, can't wait!  Love, Cooper

Dear Landon, guess what, the Warriors lost. To the Bucks. The two biggest streaks in history were both stopped by the Bucks. Anyway, I had three games this week. One on Wednesday and two on Saturday. In game one, my team one 19-16. I didn't get any points, but I did do pretty good. In my second game of the week, I lost 39-17. I got two points in that game. In the third game, I won 24-19. At least I think. I did get four points. My teammate Gordon, went for a full court pass to me, but he almost made it in one of the extra hoops on the side! He hit the rim! So overall right now I'm 3 and 2.(Three wins and 2 losses.) We are going to go to Las Vegas in a week! We are going to see a football game. We will be staying at a house that has it's own pool and hot tub! I went to a friend's birthday party. We did paintball wars! I did get nailed a few times but it doesn't hurt because we were using kid guns. I nailed like 7 guys. Now there is only 12 days until Christmas which means we get to Facetime you! Finally! Well, that it is for this week. Love ya.       Colt

Dear Landon, so we won Elk Ridge yesterday 43-25. One of the point guards on the other team threw an elbow at me and got my braces stuck to my upper lip and split my bottom lip. I was sucking the blood so I wouldn't have to sit on the bench and wait it out. We lost our game on Thursday to a comp team by three. They're a fun team that I've played a few times. I always guard their best player, but he's really nice. At the end of the game I went up to him and said, "I always have to guard you when we play you" and he said, "yeah I know I hate it when you guard me and when I have to guard you too." It's pretty funny. This Saturday we play Joel P, so a few of my friends from Columbia will be on that team. This is the last week of school before Christmas break!! I had a geography test on Friday where I had to name all of the European countries AND capitals! Only honors geography does capitals. I felt pretty confident about it though because I was in the top 10 for a game between the whole 9th grade! I even got ahead of my teacher. I got all of the about 50 countries in Europe within a minute. There wasn't a speed game for the capitals though, but I memorized them on the same site that I had to memorize the Middle East countries and capitals. We've been watching a few of the "Brain Games" episodes again. I forgot how cool they were and how fun the games they let you participate in were too. When I'm all done with my stuff then I usually play NBA Jam or NBA 2k14. I play Jam on my phone and on the Xbox. We get to watch Star Wars this Thursday!!!!!!!! I'm so excited, and some of my friends invited me to a Star Wars marathon on Friday. We'll watch all the episodes of Star Wars and have a sleepover (if mom will let me). So yeah... my lip is bugging me a lot and it hurts! Wuv, Keaton  P.S. - If Callahan doesn't write you, the varsity Copper Hills team won the Elite 8 tournament in American Fork against Layton, American Fork, and Bingham. There was a commentator that was doing play-by-play in the game and he kept pronouncing Blackham "Blackman." LQTM (Laugh Quietly To Myself, it's more realistic than LOL)

Dear Landon, so Orlando is almost here and I couldn't be more excited to get away from work and school for a week and just play basketball with friends and go to Disneyworld. I am so excited for it. Copper Hills won the Elie 8 tournament this past week against Bingham in the championship which was a lot as fun as well. Basketball is just going crazy for the next two weeks which is okay, I'm loving it. All my grades are good besides Language Arts which is ridiculous because we have taken 10 tests just in that class, in the 2nd quarter which is hard to keep up with. Other than that everything is all good. Hope everything is good for you too. Love and miss you a lot bro, almost half way through with your mission! - Callahan

• Dear boys! I quickly read all your letters.. Sorry that I can't respond to you all this week, I have run out of time. But just remember I will see you guys on Christmas! Love you my brothers!

Week #42 - Closing Maravillas, Back to Step Stats & Hawaii!

A busy last week of the change, as normal. Wednesday we had the last district meeting for the change. In this last junta, I still owed a little treat to the district for fulfilling the goal of new investigators in week 3.  I brought some bread from the amazing panadería that we have by the house, with some milk,  and we had a little quick breakfast before we started. Quickly I learned that sugar before the meeting was not the best idea.. One of the hermanas was laughing hysterically at everything.. But she did calm down eventually. It was a great final district meeting. I told them how proud I was to be their district leader, and thanked them for all the hard work that they have done. Haha then afterwards, the hermanas were chatting and saying how I would make a great primary teacher. They said "There we were, being silly and laughing, and you didn't get mad at all! You've got quite the patience! Perfect for a primary teacher!" . . . We even have our district meeting in the primary room.. So as we were getting ready to leave, I decided to roll with it and used my best adult-to-children voice, "Okay everyone! Now it is time to clean up!" They all got a laugh out of it.

Then on Thursday, we found out that we are closing Maravillas... Not forever, but just the two of us are leaving. I was not very excited to hear about that.. I really like Maravillas! But oh well, I do as the Lord commands. So that has been a chore for the week. Also, must take photos with our favorite families!

La Velaquez Jimenez familia

La Jimenez Hernandez familia

La Montes Carrasco familia

La Velasquez Tinajero familia

Finally, the trip to Hawaii! It was an activity setup by an hermana all the way from Sinaloa! And she drove to bring all the supplies for the activity (driving from Sinaloa to Puebla is like 20 hours)! The whole activity was in the church building, but very impressive! We started in a waiting room, for our flight to come in. then they let us board the plane. They had put up little windows on the walls, had the "this is your captain speaking" and the whole safety presentation from two stewardesses! Very impressive! So what I had heard about the activity before, is that they talk about the three kingdoms of glory, and here we were in a plane.... I got thinking, "Wait a second.. We are going to ..." Then the alarms went off! The captain said to prepare for a crash landing. Next thing you know, the whole room is pitch black, and your ear drums are hurting because of all the crashing sounds. After a few seconds of silence, you hear heavenly music and one light comes on, revealing an angel in the room (the angel was an elder we know, so it was SO hard not to bust out laughing!). He tells you that you have been in an accident, and there were no survivors. Then you are taken on a tour through all the kingdoms. It was such a cool activity! Easily over a 150 people came to go through! And at the end of the tour, you eventually make it to Hawaii. :)

Brandon and I in the telestial kingdom.

Terrestial kingdom

HAWAII!!

Thanks for everything! All the support, help, prayers. They are much needed! Next week I will let you all know what my new area is, and who is my new compañero! And for my mother ...

*** Step Stats ***

Tuesday, December 1 - 10155

Wednesday, December 2 - 18079

Thursday, December 3 - 14630

Friday, December 4 - 14000

Saturday, December 5 - 9353

Sunday, December 6 - 6485

Yea! Back to step stats! I must admit I myself have been a bit lazy these past couple weeks. I've been a little under the weather. Just a cold, but enough that I haven't gotten as much activity in. Cooper has relaxed a bit too, insomuch that our neighbor Terrilynne has taken the top spot! At least Landon and his brothers are in the Top10. Grandpa Westra is there too, as well as cousin Tenille and Aunt Wendy. 

I must step it up to regain my #1 spot! 

I'd already purchased a new pedometer to send to Landon for Christmas ... 

Should I send it anyway, as a backup?

*** Between Brothers ***

Dear Landon, the game, Jazz against warriors din't make me very happy. Jazz lost by three. I remember when Jazz was up by three, 73-70, then the Warriors put Stephen Curry in and he drained a three. Also, I had two games this week. My first one we lost 36-13. I heard my teammate tell me that they were undefeated last season. I got seven points in that game though! My first one was an And1! I made the free throw. Later on, the guy who was guarding me stopped to tie his shoe so I booked it. I got a layup. Then after, i took a shot but got fouled. I made both of the free throws! I was 3-3 in free throws that game! My other one, we won 21-17. I got 4 points and 3 assists. The first one, I kind of crossed a guy over then I took a floater and made it. My other one was when I crossed a guy over again then I stopped on  the key wide open, popped a shot and drained it. Now I'm just waiting until my next game and on Saturday I have two games! One at 5:00 and another at 7:00 Golden State is still undefeated!!!!!!!! I am suprised that the kitties haven't knocked over the Christmas tree yet. On MW3, I am working on getting the G36C gold now. I did get the UMP gold. The G36C is getting close to getting gold. Also, I only need to get four more kills with it then I have gotten 750 kills with it which will give me 10,000 XP. That is all that I can remember for this week. Anyway, love ya. Colt

Dear Landon, the Jazz did fine this week with 1 win and 2 losses. They of course lost to the Warriors, but it was a really close game. They also lost to the Magic again, where they turned the ball over around 20 times. But they won to Indiana in Overtime. They were up by 17 in the third quarter, but Indiana came back, but it was no problem for the Jazz and they still held on. Warriors... yep, you know. They are now 21-0, and they are playing in a game right now against Brooklyn,  so hopefully they will lose. Still trying to get outside as much as I can, because I found out that by the end of  the week this next week will be snow, and it won't change back!!! This week was the start of Junior Jazz, and I was sick the morning the day of our practice, but I only missed half of the day of school and then went to practice. Saturday was our first game and we won. I did pretty good with 8 points and a few assists.   Love, Cooper

Dear Landon, I wouldn't necessarily go back to "The Grand", but it was good. It just was too crowded and really long. I liked it better when we just had Thanksgiving at Maga's house. West Hills' first Jordan game is this Saturday against Elk Ridge. I'm more excited about the Saturday league because I get to play West Jordan, Joel P, South Jordan, Herriman, and Sunset. I know most of the players on those teams and I'm even friends with some of them. The Thursday league will be harder because it's a 9th/10th league and it's against superleague teams that gather players from all around. It'll still be fun though. In 9th grade basketball, each middle school team usually elects two team captains to be leaders on and off the court. Tyler Bush and I are the team captains for West Hills. We've been playing together for CH since 6th grade. I got a 4.0 on my midterms, but there's a few projects due in a few different classes in the second half of the second quarter, so I just hope it'll stay the same. I'll need to try those Doritos you got there. They look pretty good. I saw a funny commercial about them. So yeah... Wuv, Keaton

(I told Cal to write before he went to work ... but he didn't get around to it, dang it!)

• Dear Colton: Ah man.. Well that is the specialty of Golden State.. They are deadly at the three point line! Haha sounds like you can be the commentator to your own game! Nice going! Wow.. 750 kills? That is a lot.
• Dear Cooper: I heard that it was a close game with the Warriors for the Jazz! Just darn Curry.. Deadly from the three.. 20 turnovers?! Yikes.. that is a bit embarrassing.. Haha well it is December! Can you believe that?! Already December?! With under 20 days until Christmas! Awesome! that is good that you are doing Jr.Jazz again Coop! You can always do Jr. Jazz, even if there is snow!
• Dear Keaton: So what two different leagues are you on? Is it two different teams too, or same teams, just two different leagues? Haha but isn't Elk Ridge the rivals for you guys? Dang, team captain?! That is awesome dude! 4.0 too?! Keep rocking it! Haha do they have those Doritos there? They are fun, because some are just like normal Doritos, but there are others that are super spicy! and the spicy ones turn your tongue blue! They are pretty cool.

Week #41 - A Stop to Step Stats

Here in Mexico, Thursday was just as any other Thursday. No Thanksgiving here. Well.. Sorry for no general letter... already used too much time. Last week of the change! So we will know if we have changes this week! Let you know!

Yeah....about the steps. I had my pedometer last Monday, when I was writing you... but, I discovered the next day that I had misplaced it. So... there are no steps for this week. I know, I am sorry... but hey, going nine straight months in Mexico... not toobad. So I guess my option now is to buy a new one here. I doubt I will find the exact one I had, but I have seen FitBit Zips here. Maybe I can get one of those... here are some pictures though!

These Doritos are cool!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ...

***Between Brothers***

So we had a short week at school for thanksgiving break but that just means that I worked more. I had to get in for my physical this week. Cough, cough. I have my first game this Tuesday which I'm really excited for, and it is against Woods Cross which I hate their basketball team, so I can't wait to blow their brains out. We had thanksgiving at the Grand America Hotel which was different. It was a buffet so they only give you one slice of turkey so you have to go around multiple times. They had a crepe station and an omelet station which were both really good. School is a little more of a struggle this quarter with basketball I can't do anything for classes after school which sucks in language arts because we have a test almost every class period so that kinda sucks. But nothing else really happened besides work, school and basketball, Love you bro- Callahan

Dear Landon, for Thanksgiving, we went to Grand America Hotel. My favorite food there was the ham, bacon and cheese omelet. They also had pumpkin cheesecake. We brought out the Christmas tree and both kitties are pretty entertained by it. Oreo has climbed nearly to the top, almost knocking it over. Dad was going to the DMV on Friday to get something renewed and I went with him so I can take a written test to get my permit. They wouldn't let me take the test though, because I didn't bring my social security card. School is alright so far. I have all A's, but my math teacher hasn't given me a grade yet. The first semester ends in the middle of January, and the only class that changes is my gym takes my Computer Tech class. Last night was Clay's leg lamp party! It was really fun and delicious with the pumpkin spice doughnuts. I also had an eggnog doughnut which was pretty good. It was just me and Dad from our family, as Callahan had to work, and Mom stayed home with sick Colton and Cooper wanted to stay and watch basketball. So yeah... Wuv, Keaton

Dear Landon, I was really, REALLY, active this week, and I will not be surprised if I am #1 on the FitBit step rankings. It is getting cold really fast, and we got some snow to end the week, so I am trying to get outside as much as possible, and I did. I got five 30,000 step days this week, because we didn't have much school this week, so I stayed outside for most of the time when we didn't have school. The Utah Jazz still holding on to  their good start with 2 wins and 1 loss this week. Keaton actually went to the Oklahoma City game Monday night (the Energy Solutions center has been renamed the "Vivant Smart Home" center. Keaton went with a friend from school), but Durant and Westbrook were too much for the Jazz, and the Thunder won by 22. But the Jazz won by 11 to Blake Griffin and the Clippers, and won by 14 to Anthony Davis and the Pelicans. And the Warriors finally lost... just kidding! They have now set the record for most wins in a season, and are now 18-0. They will be going against the Jazz tomorrow night, so hopefully the Jazz has what it take to stop them. This Thanksgiving is the worst I have had. At first, Colton, Keaton, Callahan, dad, cousins, and I went to go see the Good Dinosaur. It was a very funny movie, but it also had its share of sad parts too. Then we picked up mom to go to dinner. And instead of staying at our own house, we went to the Grand America Hotel, where a special buffet was happening. I have no idea why, I just hated the feeling of being there with all these other people, and just not having our regular Thanksgiving. Colton was sick for all of the day on Saturday. It was after I went to bed, but he told me that he had thrown up around ten times. He stayed on the couch for all of the day eating the pebbled ice, and throwing up a bit more. It had also snowed that day, and I was bored out of my mind, so dad took me to Gene Fullmer for about 2 hours.  Love, Cooper

Dear Landon, we put the Christmas tree up! Joy and Oreo have been getting in it and climbing it. Joy almost got to the top! Cooper got to go to Gene Fullmer while I stayed home and was sick! I threw up around 20 times. Only in one day! I stayed on the couch almost all day! It sucked. Anyway, MW3 is working again. I played some today. I'm trying to get the UMP45 gold. I have the PP90M1 gold. The UMP45 is almost gold. The GSW (Golden State Warriors) is not undefeated any more! Wait, I said "not" i meant still. 17-0.  They have a game tomorrow against the Jazz! Jazz is 8-7. They are the fifth seed in the western conference! We went to this hotel for Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn't so good. It had like 500 other people there and the food wasn't as good as I thought it would be. But we are having another Thanksgiving day today just our family. Dad is making mashed potatoes, mom is making rolls. It's going to be way better than the other. I had a basketball practice, my old coach and some of my old team mates. I'll have basketball every day except Sunday and Monday. Yea! That is about it for this week. Anyway, it is snowy outside. Love ya, Colt

• Dear Callahan: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaahah.... hahahah. hahah.. ha. That is what happened when I read that second(andthird) sentence. Hahaha still laughing! Hahaha I don't even know why! Hahahah it wasn't even that funny, but I just lost my breath! Ohhhh.. Okay. I'm better now. Haha *cough cough* always enjoyable.. Woods Cross? Aren't they like . . . nobody? Haha I think that you working all the time has taken a toll on your psyche for such a young kid.. Easy with the "blow their brains out" but "making their eyes drop on the floor" is perfectly acceptable with me. I heard about the plans last week from Mom. I bet it was quite the experience! And quite expensive.. which of course, was one of the things she told me.. Haha (I know that you're reading this Mom.. sorry.. and love you!) Haha yes, it is obvious that you have quite the busy and jam packed schedule, but I am sure that you can deal with it! Hang in there, and talk to you soon!
• Dear Keaton: What did you think of "The Grand"? Callahan said it was "different", Colton and Cooper said they didn't like it.. What did you think overall? I want to know the tally! Haha I would love to see the kitties playing with the Christmas tree! Darn it! Oh man.. Don't even remind me.. You are "of age" for your permit! Crazy! Haha although, I doubt you'll be getting much practice in during the winter season (if Mom would even allow it!). You seem like me when I came of age. Not much in a rush to get it.. .Just for convenience.. I am pretty sure that I got my license when I was 17 when I think of it.. Ahh man! The Leg Lamp Party! I miss the donuts soooo bad! .... yes, and of course family too.. Jeez.. I feel so guilty.. Hahahaha. 
• Dear Cooper, Dang, your steps are impressive, Coop. Considering, it is always the holiday season when people are the laziest, and eat a ton! I did look at a little weather report for you guys. It does sound pretty dang cold. But looks like it will warm up this week a bit. It is starting to cool down here too, but today, it didn't seem super hot, but the strength of the sun! I felt like I was burning alive! It was weird. WHAT? They changed the name again?! I remember when they changed the name from Delta Center, to Energy Solutions Arena.. But at least ESA has a good ring to it.. .But Vivant Smart Home Center?! Cracker please.That don't have no ring! Oh well. Freaking legalities.. Haha I was wondering what would be your take on the Thanksgiving Dinner at the Grand America Hotel.. But hey, at least you ate super well, am I right? That is always the upside. Oh, and with family of course! Hahaha.. the Good Dinosaur? Haven't heard of it.. Oh well. On my list for when I get back! Oh no... Sick season at the Blackham home.. Never fun... Stay healthy!
• Dear Colton: Silly little kitties... Hopefully they don't make it fall, or get electrocuted (did I spell that right?) by chewing on the wires.. That wouldn't be fun at all right? Yikes... Getting sick is no fun. I am sorry... but you are already better, right? Haha I will be so proud if the Jazz can end their streak! But then again... if Jazz end it, that would mean a lot of haters... Haha but hey, that's basketball! Haha wow. I am surprised by the negative response of the Thanksgiving dinner at the Grand America Hotel from you guys... But I guess you guys do have a good point... Thanksgiving shouldn't be at a restaurant. Wait a second.. TWO Thanksgiving dinners?! You guys are spoiled for sure! Hahaha. Well have fun with basketball!