Dane Football

Dane Football, Sept 24, 2005 Layton v. Clearfield (12 to 7)‏

Regarding Your Father

Mona Lee: Dear Myrna and all,

We have read about you Dear Father, and Von will be at the services for sure, I am suffering with a Sinus infection. and have been this way for several days..if I can stagger myself enough I will make it to the Dr. at 2:30.

Your father was an exceptional person, and with so many friends, because he was a friend to all of them, and was as friendly as he could be to every one. We have enjoyed him so much. And so sorry he had to go, and also that he is not suffering some-where.

Thanks for being so thoughtful. We sure understand you not calling us, that is an emotional time, and so much to do and to think about........His ervices will be well attended and the best words spoken...what we give comes back....and he has proved to all he is a Joy to be around and be with........You will be adding to his blessings when the time comes.

Love to you and yours, Mona and Von Grundvig Keep in touch

Myrna: We appreciate your love and concern. I guess Von has told you about the services. I kept trying to get my sisters to do some of the program planning but, aside from Mike and Cyd, I ended up doing most of it. Hence the "family, non-Mormon/Mormon" funeral we had. They did agree with everything, however, as I ran it past them. One of my sons did the family prayer and another the grave dedication.

Thanks for the kind words of comfort.

I hope you are feeling much better now. 

Dad's official cause of death was pneumonia.

Love, Myrna

Howard Pitts Obituary

Howard Pitts

PRICE - Howard Thomas Pitts, 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Price on Sunday morning, Sept. 18, 2005.

He was born in Myton, on Sept. 27, 1918 to Thomas Vivian and Ruth Edwards Pitts. Graduated from Carbon High School. He then moved to San Francisco, Calif., where he worked as an apprentice in the plumbing business. He returned to Price where he began his own trucking business. Married Elaine Smith Dec. 3, 1939. They had one daughter, Myrna. Elaine died Nov. 24, 1940. Served in the Pacific Islands as a SeaBee in the Navy during World War II. He married Edna Pilling on March 4, 1946; she died March 14, 1997 after 50 years of marriage.

Later, his brother Kenneth joined him in forming a construction business. During this time, along with Lieb Miller, they built the two large water tanks still in use in Price. They built bridges in Utah and Idaho and completed many other contruction projects. He also hauled coal for many businesses in the county.

In 1953, he and Kenneth also began another business, Pitts Brother's Wrecking and Auto. He operated this business, even after his brother's death, until he was 75 and then retired.

He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed hunting, photography and gardening. He won the monthly best-kept yard in Price award two times, once in 2004 and just this past month, 2005.

He was a hard worker, successful businessman, loving husband, father, grandfather and a well-loved neighbor and friend. He will be missed by his family and his many friends.

Survived by four daughters, Myrna (Leonard) Trauntvein, Nephi; Charlotte (Wallace) Kilfoyle, Boise, Idaho; Laurel (Thomas) Marinos, Cydney (Michael) Anderson, both of Price; two brothers and one sister, Morgan (June) Pitts, Travor City, Wis.; Robert (Maxine) Pitts, Price; and Patricia Lubbe, Las Vegas, Nev.; 14 grandchildren, Shawn (Kimberly) Trauntvein, Layton; Melanie (Howard) Bolton, Milford, Mass.; Todd (Amy) Trauntvein, Johnstown, Ohio; Eric (Amy) Trauntvein Payson; AnnMarie (Brandon) Howard, Provo; Julie (James) Jones, Nephi; Kirsten (Jared) Waite, Colorado Springs, Colo.; David (Arbree) Trauntvein, St. George; Brenda (Nathaniel) Golden, Boise, Idaho; Bridget Campbell, Boise, Idaho; Ursula (Cris) Pereira, West Jordan; Gust T. Marinos, Price; David M. Anderson, Las Vegas, Nev.; Terri Pierce, Price; 29 loving great-grandchildren and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents; one brother, Kenneth Pitts; two sisters, Vera Pearl Pitts and Bernice Narrisso.

Funeral service Thursday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 East Main St., Price. Family will be at Mitchell's Wednesday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. and Thursday one hour prior to service. Interment, Price City Cemetery. 

Dad's Death

Dear Childs family, I was going to call you while I was in Price but I failed to do so. We are waiting for Charlotte to come from Bosie. We go to the funeral home tomorrow morning. I think the funeral will be on Thursday, the viewing on Wednesday. Nothing is for certain but I think that is the way things are going. I really will call when I know for certain. Love, Myrna

About My Dad's Obit

Myrna wrote: Would you mind picking up the obit for Howard Thomas Pitts from the Trib or DN? I think we should have them in by then. If not, I have typed one that probably will not meet with my sister's approval but they won't, more than likely, see it anyway. I have included the Navy photo they want used.

The viewing, more than likely, will be on Wednesday, so I will not be able to go to school board meeting. Myrna

Allan Gibson wrote: Sorry about your dad's death. We will be glad to pick up the obit from the Trib., but just ask the funeral home to send us one when they send the one to the Trib. email to obits@nephitimesnews.com Allan

Myrna wrote: I will do that. I have written an obit and sent it to you, twice. Disregard the first one, it had two mistakes. But I will have the mortuary send it to you. Hopefully, this morning. They kept telling us that Tuesday would be fine but, for us, it won't. I am going to miss my Dad. I've had him around a long time. From time to time I have even been irritated with him but I would take that to have him back. Myrna

Dane's last 3 games.‏

17 Sep	01:45pm	Field	Farmington Black	@	Layton Silver (East)
At Ellison in Layton 24 Sep In Clearfield	01:45pm	Field	Layton Silver	@	Clearfield
01 Oct	12:00pm	Field	Layton Silver	@	Syracuse Gold

In Syracuse

The toughest games will be Farmington this week and Clearfield next week.  We have 1 loss, so 1 more and we are out of Playoffs.  Farmington and Clearfield only have 1 loss, as well.  Clearfield lost to Farmington and Farmington lost to PlainCity—which is who we lost to as well.

About HTP

From: "Kim" 
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 14:04:47 -0600

Hi, Myrna!
I just spoke to my Dad and he said that they won't know much about the monitor for your Dad's heart until Monday. Not a lot of info, but it's all I have for now. If I hear more, I will let know by either calling or emailing, ok?

Love, Kim

Dear Kim, 
I have called Dad a couple of times. He said Dr. King and Dr. Gagon think his heart is fine. He does have pneumonia, however, and he hasn't been resting. He was bending over and pulling weeds (bending from the waist) and then the blood pooled in his legs. He just can't do that anymore. I hope he won't do that any more.

I know Dad is getting older but it will still be difficult for me to let him go when it is time. 

Thanks for your help and for understanding. I am the kind who hopes for a perfect world. I guess I just need to try harder to do my part to make things better. I think I am trying but maybe I am not doing everything that I could or should.

I do appreciate you and your Dad and Mom. I am grateful that you are family and friends.

Love, Myrna

About Grandpa

Grandpa Pitts passed out for the third time. It happened on Tuesday. Two of the neighbors noticed him. He had made it to a chair on the porch but then had passed out. They called an ambulance and he was taken to Price Hospital. He wore a monitor for a day but the doctors told him that there didn't appear to be anything the matter with his heart. He does have pnuemonia and should be resting not out mowing his lawn and pulling weeds. He pulled weeds in a bent over position which, the doctor said, made the blood pool in his legs and then made him light-headed and dizzy. He is also having a hard time walking and so they gave him a cane which he doesn't think he needs to use. They did some more tests on his thyroid to see if that could be causing a problem. Most of the results of all the tests, including the CAT scan, will not be available until Monday but you could call him anytime. That would make him happy.

Love, Mom

Neat Fish Story

Charles E. Edwards (cellised@networld.com) wrote: 

A friend of mine, Steve, was fishing in a local area lake and saw a ball bouncing around kind of strange in a nearby pond and went to investigate. It turned out to be a flathead catfish who had obviously tried to swallow a 

child's basketball which became stuck in its mouth!! 

The fish was totally exhausted from trying to dive, but unable to because the ball would always bring him back up to the surface. Steve tried numerous times to get the ball out, but was unsuccessful. He finally had his girl friend cut the ball in order to deflate it and release the hungry catfish. 

You probably wouldn't have believed this, if you hadn't seen the following eight enclosed pictures... 

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Results of Test for Howard Pitts

Hi, Myrna!
I just spoke to my Dad (Robert Pitts) and he said that they won't know much about the 
monitor for your Dad's heart until Monday. Not a lot of info, but it's all 
I have for now. If I hear more, I will let know by either calling or 
emailing, ok?
Love, Kim 

From Garth About Newsletter

Garth Childs (Garth@e.emery.k12.ut.us)Add to contacts 9/14/05
To: mandlht@msn.com

Got your E mail but only the title come through. Is there more to come? Garth

Myrna wrote: I think that I need to just open the files and send them as one long email.  Todd said that a pdf file should work since everyone can read those.

Gallbladder

Melanie: We were having some problems with our computer. I wanted to have photos to you, but we can't get them to save to the computer. Go ahead without them. We will send some to you next month.

I am sure to keep in touch with you. It looks like Siovhan may need gallbladder surgery, and we will probably have it done out there, due to her being in school. I will let you know more as soon as I know more. She is going in for an ultrasound on Thursday at 2:00. She has asked Julie to come and be with her, as Julie has already gone through all of this. After this test, she will likely have the dye test, then they will schedule the surgery.

I will talk with you later.

Melanie

Myrna: Welcome to the family of gallbladder sufferers. She will feel so much better after it is done. My grandmother (Smith) had her gallbladder rupture while she was at school. She nearly died and it took months to get better. I was a freshman in college and I sat by her bed and worried. The drug they gave her for pain made it so that she was delusional. Finally, Uncle Fred came and gave her another priesthood blessing. That really helped. She had had one from our home teachers but Uncle Fred re-sealed the anointing and gave her an additional blessing. Better to get rid of the gallbladder when it first starts to bother you. Especially with today's surgery--three little holes and hardly any recovery time needed.

Bring her here after the surgery and be with her while she recuperates. Julie said the best thing to sleep in was one of our big recliners in the living room. We can make sure she has peace and quiet. We will love to have you both. Grandpa will wait on her hand and foot because he had the old surgery and remembers how bad he felt. Plus the pain killer they gave him made him feel like giving up on life and just quitting the fight and going to sleep. Now they don't use that one anymore for anybody.

Love, Mom

Dad is in the hospital.

Thanks to Uncle Bob, I found out that Dad had been in the hospital. I didn't find out until 6 p.m. For some reason, I think that nobody likes me, Uncle Bob excepted. Anyway, I don't know what is happening with the birthday celebration either.

Excuse me for feeling sorry for myself. My phone number, in case you need to call me ever, is (435) 623-0195.

Love, Myrna

Sarah Bean's aunt

Donnette Smith wrote:

Dear Family,

I went to the Family History Center this week and looked a little bit at the film I had ordered in. Surprise!!!  Ann Wollage Bartington, the aunt Sarah Bean Shearring had lived with,  was an LDS member, too. I had to go to Salt Lake today and spent a few minutes at the Family History Library and found that the records telling of Ann Bartington’s baptism must have been lost. So I haven't found her baptism date but she was a member when she died. Sarah Bean (Shearring) was "Cut off" - which means she was excommunicated - They cut them off the church for trivial things then.. And the Cousin, William Bartington,
Ann Wollage Bartington’s son, was baptized and emmigrated.

SLFHL film 087,037
Record of Baptisms & Ordinations London Conference
The new style register adopted Jan 1853 [Minnie Margetts, the secretary in the Church Offices who indexed these old records, called this Bk 425], from 1843 to 1855, Walworth Branch

Line 17 Ann Bartington, widow, Wilds Rents, Rec'd 23 Apr 1852 from Southwark

Line 81 Sarah Bean, age 12, single, Smith Bldgs, rec'd from Limehouse, 9 Oct 1853 ,cut off 1855

Line 82 William Bartington, age 15, single, Smith Bldgs, born 9 Apr 1838
Lambeth, Surrey,
bapt 10 Oct 1853 at Finsbury
emigrated 23 Jul 1855

Another book - Walworth
Line 57 Ann Bartington, widow, Smith Buildings, bapt by Kemp, confirmed by Penrose, recd 6 Dec 1857 from Lambeth, dead

Another book
Ann Bartington, died 23 Sept 1866

William Bartington emigrated to the US. I found him on the Mormon Immigration Index CD crossing the ocean in 1855. But I haven’t been able to find him in any US records. He wasn’t on the records of those LDS companies who crossed the plains. And he wasn’t anywhere in the US in the 1860 Census. There were several diaries on the CD of people who were on that ship and while they mentioned several babies dying on the trip, they didn’t say anything about adults dying.

******
Mormon Immigration Index CD
BARTINGTON, William <[born] 1838> [ship] Cynosure [sailed]1855
Gender: M Age: 17 Origin: London Occ: Labouer
Note: BMR, p.213

Ship: Cynosure
Date of Departure: 29 Jul 1855 Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
LDS Immigrants: 159 Church Leader: George Seager
Date of Arrival: 5 Sep 1855 Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Source(s): BMR, Book #1040, pp. 204-214 (FHL #025,690); Customs (FHL
#175,512)
Notes: "DEPARTURE. -- The ship Cynosure, Captain Pray, sailed on Sunday the 29th ultimo for New York, with 159 souls of the Saints on board, under the presidency of Elder George Seager, with Elder William Rogers and William J. Silver as counsellors. It is impossible for us to determine at present when our next vessel will sail, but it will be as soon as a ship's complement of passengers can be made up. In the mean time we would say to those who have determined to emigrate the first opportunity, do not delay sending in your deposits."
<MS, 17:32 (Aug. 11, 1855), p.505>
*******

Well - It is strange that all these years we have thought that Sarah Bean had no contact with the church after she went to live with her aunt. Now we find that the aunt was LDS all the time!!! The aunt, Ann Wollage Bartington died 5 years after Sarah was married.

Big mysteries - but fun to research.

Donnette

Pitts Party

Myrna wrote: As for the party, Todd says that Saturday afternoon would be great. He was planning on going down to visit Grandpa (Dad) anyway and will be thrilled to celebrate the day with the family. Is a picnic still a good idea or should be just have a dinner at the house? Did you decide you would rather eat out? What could I bring? Love, Myrna

Kim Pitts wrote: Let me know what you all decide, and I will help you with food....no 
problem!
It will be nice to visit with all the family!
Love, Kim

Todd Says Saturday Will Work

Myrna wrote to kimiann@preciscom.net:

As for the party, Todd says that Saturday afternoon would be great. He was planning on going down to visit Grandpa (Dad) anyway and will be thrilled to celebrate the day with the family. Is a picnic still a good idea or should be just have a dinner at the house? Did you decide you would rather eat out? What could I bring? Love, Myrna

Tyler's Baptism

Tyler is learning a song on his own for his baptism that is coming up. Just a reminder for everyone that Tyler’s baptism will be on September 24th at the Nephi chapel. We are able to change the time back to 10 am with a lunch following that at the chapel. Amy will be contacting everyone for his or her participation in the activity and to see if you are able to make it. Grandpa Trauntvein is going to do the baptism and Grandpa Gordon is going to do the confirmation. Love, Todd

Todd,

When were you suggesting the picnic? On Sunday or on Dad's birthday on Tuesday? I don't think we can do the Saturday, judging from what Todd has outlined.

Love, M

O! Hi! O!

Ohio News

Well, another month gone.  Doing this e-mail makes me realize how short the months really are.  Here is the news:

During the past month (August), I had some hotel points to use up, so on a whim, I took the family to DC.  Turns out, we picked the wrong time to be there.  It hit 108° F in the shade with 99% humidity.  If any of you have ever seen that, you know that it is just miserable to be outside.  So, needless to say we spent a lot of time in the Smithsonian buildings.

We did make it to see the changing of the guard at Arlington, to see Jefferson, Lincoln and Washington memorials/monument and the DC Temple.  We saw the White House from the front.  I asked a policeman out front how a person could get a tour of the White House.  He said, “You have to be sponsored by your Senator; however, if you hurry to the back right now, they are giving garden tours today.” 

So, we dashed to the back (as fast as you can dash in the heat with kids and a five-month pregnant wife).  Much to our pleasure, we were given tickets (the ranger had some spares still) and put right in line.  We spent the next 45 minutes touring the White House gardens and got to stand on the back steps of the White House.

We drove the Cumberland gap to get to Washington–it was outright beautiful.  The “divide” stood at 2800 ft.  A little shy of the norm for a Utahn, but it sure was green with wall-to-wall trees and the temperature was quite different from the DC temps.

Now, the kids are back in school and here are the particular updates.

Michael

Michael was chosen as the teacher’s assistant for Art.  His teacher called Amy today and thanked her for having such a thoughtful kid.  She said, he is the best TA she ever had and that he even anticipates what she wants (kinda Walter “Radar” O’Reilly’ish).  The Secretaries in the main office have said that if he gets tired of being the TA for the Art teacher, then they want him to come and work in the office with them.

Michael is taking choir (a break from the normal for Mr. Science) and he really enjoys it.  As always, he is doing well in his classes and all his teachers thank us for having such a good kid.  We finally got to the library and checked out some books.  Michael averages six “chapter” books, every four weeks and he still finds time to cram in his Eye Witness science books.

Tyler

Tyler is in 2nd grade and is quite the reader.  He reads this and that and everything between.  He is learning a song on his own for his baptism that is coming up.  Just a reminder for everyone that Tyler’s baptism will be on September 24th at the Nephi chapel.  We are able to change the time back to 10am with a lunch following that at the chapel.  Amy will be contacting everyone for their participation in the activity and to see if you are able to make it.  Grandpa Trauntvein is going to do the baptism and Grandpa Gordon is going to do the confirmation.

Tyler spoke in Sacrament meeting last week.  He wrote the talk himself and delivered the talk.  He did quite well.  Tyler is also checking out his 10 book limit at the library each time the family goes and he really enjoys story time at night and them reading in bed for 30 minutes before going to sleep.

Emily

Emily is in First grade.  She loves school.  She and Tyler get to ride the bus, by choice.  Amy asked her if she wants her to take her to school (6 blocks from our house), or not and Emily said she wants to go on the bus.  So, each morning, they stand out there for the bus to come.  It takes them directly to school–a 5 minute ride.  The ride home takes about 45 minutes.  Both she and Tyler like the ride home, because they do their homework on the bus.  When they get home, they get right to the business of playing.

Emily wanted to learn to ride a two-wheeler like her best friend Alex.  So, I ran up and down the sidewalk with her a number of times.  Each time I let go of the bike, she laid it over in the grass.  I came home from work two weeks ago–Emily was riding her bike on her own.  She just decided enough was enough, went out, hopped on the bike and took off. 

Emily likes first grade.  She has two good friends in her class and she plays with them and Tyler during lunch and recess.

Amy

What is there to say.  She is the ruler of her castle, the crowning victor, the magistrate of the feudal lands Trauntvein!  Oh, and she has been feeling better with the pregnancy as well.  As a matter of fact, she painted Emily’s bedroom to match the coloring in the one she had just finished in Utah.  It turned out really nice, she is getting to be quite the artisan with a three inch brush and a nice lamb’s wool roller.  Of course, I helped her.  I installed the chair rail. :)

Amy gets to have a little time to herself these days between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:30 pm while the kids are at school.  That will end.  We can’t have that.  Who ever thought of a Mom who had time to think, clean and enjoy some quiet?  I didn’t think so.  She is adjusting well to Ohio.  She doesn’t get lost anymore, but she does go through a lot more gas here than she did in American Fork.  WalMart and Target here are 15 miles from home.  In AF, they were a mere mile at the most.

Todd

Not much to say about that one.  Working and working.  When it isn’t work, it is church.  When it isn’t church, it is work.  Not much has changed there.

As mentioned above, the family spoke in Sacrament Meeting on 08/25.  Each person picked their topic and wrote their own talk–Dad typed them up, but the kids wrote them.  Each of them did a wonderful job and so did Amy.  The 2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency was there that day and he sent the children a thank you note for their talks and wrote specifically to each of them.  That was a first for me.

I missed being on the Labor Day campout this year.  You all know that I never missed one and I was there for all nights of the campout.  Some of you think, I did it out of mere desire to support my parents in an activity.  I want you all to know that I did it out of love for each of you.  I love having the family together.  You all know I am a watcher of people.  I liked sitting there and watching you all chat with each other and catch up on the goings-on with each other.  That is the reason I invited you all to my home a few times a year.  Heck!  If were going to spend the eternities together, we better make darn sure we are friends right now.  I love you.  I miss you.  And I know you miss me driving you crazy with my matter-of-fact attitude and my polar-positions on ALL issues <insert big, cheesy grin here>, but know that I love you.  I always have and I miss having you around.

I was happy to hear that so many were able to make it to the campout this year and that Eric was finally able to get some time off.  Too bad about the rain, but that too is a blessing.

Here is a suggestion that you all ought to take advantage of over the next couple of years while the ability exists.  Do the “Trauntvein Roadshow”.  Take off from Utah, and go to Kirsten’s.  Stay a couple of days with her.  Drive from there to Ohio and stay with us for a couple more.  Then drive to Melanie and stay with her for a couple more.  Fly home from Boston.  Meals are free, lodging is free.  You would have to pay for a rental, gas and a flight.  Not too shabby.

Well, I love you all.  I look forward to reading what you write.  Love, Todd.

Plans

Hi Myrna, So thankful you and Leonard were able to meet with Dad and Bob for lunch before his dreaded appointment. Sounds like he has some type of infection, somewhat a more common diagnosis as he ages. Know he gets upset about his immune system the last several months. Anyway, thanks for all you are doing, wish I were closer to help more with Dad. We will be down for Dad on his birthday Saturday and then Wally has an appointment for his regular biopsy and etc. on Monday at LDS Hospital. Think our Brenda will come along with us. How about a more intimate gathering for us all and we can better visit our loved ones and either take Dad out to brunch, lunch or a picnic with all of us and then go back to the house for ice-cream and cake? I got him a fly fishing T-shirt and a message in a bottle card I designed. This will be good to do on his BD and also it won't interfer with the baptism. We will try to come for that, but will now have to work around Brenda and her work schedule, Thanks so much. I love you both, Char

The birthday celebration plans sound great!

Is anything planned for Dad's birthday? What can I do? By the way, Todd is baptizing Tyler on Sept. 24, so could we do it on a different day than that? We are having lunch at our house after the baptism. You are all invited, if you would like to come.
I went in with Dad and Bob to talk to the doctor. He has pnuemonia, the variety we used to call "walking pnuemonia." The doctor said in some people with pneumonia, coughing is not a major symptom because the infection is located in areas of the lung away from the larger airways. Elderly people, children and babies who develop pneumonia may have few symptoms. He also has something is the matter with Dad's thyroid gland, he has nodules. The doctor also wants him to see an endocrinologist because he suspects he has a nontoxic nodular goiter. I was glad I went in with them because they, Bob and Dad, didn't hear the doctor's instructions very well. I had the doctor repeat things by asking questions. Then he started talking louder.

I think you are a GREAT daughter. You call, you listen and you care. That is wonderful.

I love you, Myrna

September 2005 Todd Trauntvein Photos

Nice News of Our Church

Melanie Bolton wrote:
To: Myrna and Leonard Trauntvein
cellmel@comcast.net

BATON ROUGE, La. — Refugees among the 5,000 in the downtown River Center who are finding shelter after Hurricane Katrina looked up from their cots in surprise as a group of men in white shirts, suits and ties, hosted by the American Red Cross, walked in Sunday to say hello.

John Hart, Deseret Morning NewsElder M. Russell Ballard and President Boyd K. Packer visit River Center, which is housing 5,000 evacuees in downtown Baton Rouge. Evacuees were resting on cots, passing the time aimlessly, as members of the group spoke to them as they passed.

"Who are they? I want to get a picture of them, too," said one young man as President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve walked by.

They were accompanied in their inspection of the effects of Hurricane Katrina by several other LDS dignitaries, including Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Presidency of the Seventy and Presiding Bishop H. David Burton. Their host was Armond Masselli of the American Red Cross disaster relief.

"Hang in there," Elder Ballard told a man as he passed.
Philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman Sr., a member of the Board of Governors of the American Red Cross, brought the group to Louisiana to see the needs of hurricane victims, reinforcing the importance of the LDS Church's support of the Red Cross.
After their stop in this city, the group re-entered the private Huntsman jet to circle low over flooded and troubled New Orleans. Then they were off to Hattiesburg, Miss., for further viewing of damage.

Before the group left, they visited the Baton Rouge Louisiana Stake Center, which is housing about 75 refugees. About half of them attended a brief meeting at which President Packer, Elder Ballard and Bishop Burton spoke.

President Packer described the hurricane as a "monstrous tragedy." He told of recently visiting Indonesia and explaining to officials there that the humanitarian aid of the church was given without expectation of anything in return.

"We want nothing except the opportunity to help," he explained to them. To those in Baton Rouge, he said, "This is going to be a long, long, difficult road ahead of us. And at the end of that long road, we will still be there. We stick with it and we stay with it until we do everything we can to help.

"Our one concern is for the families. The biggest tragedy would be the dissolution of the families. Children from parents and parents from children, and their separation from our Father in Heaven."

President Packer told the survivors, most of whom are from New Orleans, that he would offer the closing prayer in the form of a blessing upon them, and that the "power of blessings are the very best thing in the church. The blessings we invoke are not incidental . . . but contain all of the power we have as apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ."

President Packer petitioned a blessing in behalf of all those involved in the natural disaster, for "fathers and mothers and the children," and for "those families where there is not a father present," and for "the mothers and their little children who have little or nothing now," and those "reaching out to help."

He asked that family members can "find one another in all this difficulty of people moving back and forth."

He noted that from day to day, some will push the tragedy into the background. "Bless us that we will not forget, and that others will not forget," he said.

Elder Ballard said the visit was short because of the situation, but he praised the American Red Cross for its work. The group came, he said, "to try to understand the magnitude of this tremendous challenge you have here in the southern part of the United States. We have seen things that are unbelievable, the devastation that has occurred. We are grateful for our connection with the Red Cross and the great work they are doing. We came for just a few moments to say we love you and extend our love and blessings to you."

Bishop Burton said, "You are not alone in your travails. We are a church that likes to participate in helping others. Each day, at church headquarters, the phones ring off the hook every day with people asking, 'What can we do?' "

Olsen Addresses

Dear Myrna, Leonard, and Shawn,

Thank you so much for your friendship and kindness in coming to the Nephi Park after the Levan Cemetary graveside service, and to Shawn for being at the service. We were so very happy to see you all! You brought a lot of love and kind, comforting expressions words to us. We are very grateful you.

Thanks so much for the addresses for Trauntveins! I will share the list with the family.

Olsen Family Addresses:

Ann Olsen

29440 N. Red Finch Drive

Queen Creek, AZ 85243

480-986-1795

cell: 480-650-0146

olsenann@cableaz.com

Ron A. and Karrissa Olsen (Richard, Dylan, Juleigh, Ronnie, Kierra, Katie)

1890 Eastern Street

Kingman, AZ 86401

928-753-8343

Ron's office: 888-692-3201

Russell and Diana Olsen (Lauren, Lindsey, Alyssa, Drake Russell)

866 Ridge Road

Cedar City, UT 84720

435-586-2055

Russ's office: 435-586-2225

Randy and Shelly Olsen (Nick, Shannen, Lexi, Elise)

19835 East Silver Creek Lane

Queen Creek, AZ 85243

480-926-8934

Rand's office: 480-926-7979

shellyolsen@cableaz.com

Robin and Robert Wiirthlin (Riana, Joey, baby girl in September)

71 Bedford Street

Lexington, MA 02420

Home:

Robin's cell: 781-572-8527

robinow@byu.net

Rachelle and Kevin Veal (Kelsae, Hayley)

3786 S. Redwood Drive

Springfield, OR 97478

541-988-2055

Rachelle's cell: 541-337-0541

jamesveal@msn.com

Roxane and Stephen Whyte (Daniel, Rebecca, Rachel)

1069 South 810 East

Provo, UT 84606

801-607-0405

roxane.whyte@comcast.net

Ryan and Amber (Cambria)

23789 West Hayden Peak Drive

Queen Creek, AZ 85242

480-888-2110

badboybarleydog@aol.com

Rebecca and Alan McHood

3153 South Southwind Drive

Gilbert, AZ 85296

480-545-9301

rebecca@mchood.com

Bree's Birthday

Barbara Anderson wrote:

David, Bree and kids all went out to Sand Hollow. It wasn't bad. I never did get to cook dinner or get Bree a birthday cake. They decided to go boating yesterday, the 5th and spent the whole day. I had to work, and got home really late.

So, Im going to take Bree somewhere tonight.

I don't know what to get her. We are both stumped. I think a gift certificate to Bed & Bath, Target, someplace like that. Then we don't need to worry about getting the wrong thing.

Getting my car worked on. I filed the last three years of taxes, that I have been ignoring, and got a bunch of $$ back. So, I'm taking care of everything that needed taking care of. I knew I was going to get $$ back so I waited until I really needed it.

The kids seem like they are doing fine. Erin wants to stay with me all the time. David and Bree seem like they have come to some kind of understanding and are doing well.

The kids would have loved the camping trip. Tell Kirsten not to feel bad, I live here and I can't get David and Bree to return my calls. :) Of course, I can always just go over to their house.

Love ya, Barbara

Another Cousin

Judge Ferdinand Ericksen

Author: Caren

Date: 3 Jul 2005 5:11 PM GMT 

Surnames: Ericksen

Classification: Query

In Reply to: Re: Judge Ferdinand Ericksen  by: Myrna Trauntvein

Many thanks for your response. I appreciate hearing from cousins, no matter how distant. So should I assume you are a descendant of Camilla? Or another sister? 

I am undoubtedly the youngest grandchild of Ferdinand and Caroline. He was gone by the time I was born, of course. 

How about off line correspondence?

Hello Cousin Myrna:
From: "Caren Wilcox" 

Sorry I was on vacation when you responded to my posting re Ferdinand Ericksen.

I remember my mother speaking of Mina, and I am sure I must have met her when I was a little girl as we went to Mt. Pleasant at least once then.

I live in Washington, DC, but I enjoy being back in touch with my roots, and have met many cousins on the internet.

A couple of years ago I met my first cousins, daughters of Clementina Morrison Ericksen, Ferdinand's wife who died after childbirth. They went to Canada when they were quite young and many of them still live in Alberta. I was traveling in Alberta and found a contact via the internet and drove to meet them. Great fun. I have the genealogy book they prepared on the Ericksen's and I will have to look and see if I see your branch.

Thanks for responding. If you would like to correspond more let me know.

Your cousin, Caren Ericksen Wilcox - only daughter of Elroy Lofgren (Eric) Ericksen and Edna Robinson Ericksen Wilcox.

To Caren:
I loved my great-grandmother (Mina) very much as was lucky to know her personally. She told me many stories about my relatives on her side of the family. I am trying to remember and write down everything she told me. I am now 64 and I was 16 when she died. That is long enough that some of it has slipped away. I also have the book on the Ericksen family. 

Your cousin, Myrna

Preschoolers learn about language by listening and talking.

Start a conversation with your child by asking a question that has no right or wrong answer: "What did you think when you saw the tall tower you built?"

Help your child become a creative thinker by asking, "Suppose that..." "What do you think...""What if..."

Encourage your child to talk with older and younger family members. A child who has lots of opportunities to talk will learn how to put ideas into words.

Help your child choose a few special television shows that are just right for children of the same age and interests. 

Watch with your child and talk about what you see and hear. "Are those lions like the ones at the zoo?" 

Ask questions to find out what the child is learning. "Does our familydo things like the family in the show? How are we different?"

Use television wisely. At family mealtimes, talk and enjoy each other's company. Make a list of things your child can do instead of watching television, such as looking at books, playing with brothers and sisters or drawing pictures.

A bit of humor for September

FLAT TARR (PEOPLE FROM THE SOUTH WILL UNDERSTAND THIS.)

There was this fellow from East Tennessee who had a flat tire. He pulled off on the side of the road, jumped out of his car, walked down the hillside and picked a bunch of wildflowers, and proceeded to put one bouquet of the flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait. A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was. The man replied, "I have a flat tarr." In response the passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?" The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back! I never did understand it neither."

What do you do all day?

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls. As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, “What happened here today?" She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world did I do today?" "Yes," was his incredulous reply. She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

Correction to Trauntvein History

The histories for both Gladys and Henry Trauntvein are included in the histories that Aunt Eva gave out for Christmas a few years ago. You all have copies. Please read them.

One exception that Dad and I noted was that we were living in Provo at the time he was sealed to his parents rather than Nephi. I was expecting Todd at the time. Todd was born in Provo in November and the next fall, in October, we moved to Nephi. We had to wait from August, when Dad was hired to teach, to October because our home was not yet finished. When we did move in, we didn’t have front steps. They soon laid them and they stayed the same until we built the addition to our home. It has been a good home and has been filled with the sounds of children, which makes all houses into homes and happy places.

The Magnificent Seven (Almost)

We have really enjoyed having our little Rachel join us. Each one of us has enjoyed her and her sweet spirit. There have been many arguments between the girls as to which one of them will hold her. But they both (Megan and Alyssa) have stepped up to the plate and been really good team players. Megan has a knack for calming Rachel down by walking around with her and singing to her. Matthew and Kyle have also participated in their own way: Matthew by singing to her, and Kyle by informing us when she is crying. She has been fussy the last two weeks, but we are still enjoying her.

We are all getting back into the swing of things. We are back in full swing with school, dance, scouts, church and everything else. The three older ones are doing really well in school (academically and socially), and we are hopeful it will continue throughout the year. Matthew should start preschool in October if we can figure out how to make the schedule work.

Brandon is still extremely busy with work and church, but hopefully things will be easing up for him sometime. I am enjoying a few more weeks of maternity leave and have really enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom.

We are planning on having Rachel blessed on October 25th at our church. Sacrament meeting is first and starts at 11:00 a.m. Please join us if you can.

We all want to express our thanks to each one of you who have prayed for us, sent us notes and gifts, and given so much of your time to us. It is such a blessing to be part of a large and supportive family. We are so blessed by each one of you. Our hope is that our children (while not so numerous) will be as supportive to each other in their future.

The Late but Always Great Waites Rocky Mountain "Hi!"

We miss you Utahans already!!! We (the girls and I, and Jared for a few days) had so much fun with all ya’ll in Utah. We are so grateful we got to be part of the welcoming committee for Baby Rachel. It was so much fun to spend that time with the Howard clan. It made me miss living in Utah, and being only a hop-skip-and-jump from

a majority of the family.

I also had fun honing my home makeover skills with Dad while we caulked, and hand-rolled the back of the house (then later repainted the back--long story, ask Dad--and finished the rest of the exterior on the edition using Jim's much faster, cool paint gun). Now I think I'll try out for one of those "please help me, I'm decorating challenged" shows on TLC. Maybe I won't look as stupid after this recent experience (alright, alright, save your comments, Howard and Todd, I know what you're thinking). By the way, if any of you are looking to fill up that extra time on your hands, we didn't finish the trim on the six side windows (I say "we" loosely, Dad worked, I

mainly watched).

The annual Labor Day campout was a lot of fun! But we missed those of you who couldn't be there. Whitney managed to stay pretty clean (she takes after her dad) and Emma, of course taking after her mother, fell face down in the mud and later used up her "spare" outfit by "wash me handies" in the five-gallon water cooler of which everyone else's kids are already knowledgeable and experienced in using. We'll have to “break” one out here just so we can practice for another year.

We, of course, ran out of time to do everything I had planned to do and see everyone I had planned to see. I thought three weeks would guarantee freedom from time-constraints, but I was wrong (yes, that's the only time you'll hear that, so take note). We never made it any further north than the airport (dropping off and picking up Jared) nor any further south than, well, Nephi (Flying J to be more specific). Like Mom always tells me, "always leave a place wishing you'd done one more thing, then you'll always go back." -- not that the family isn't a big enough draw for the "always go back" part--but that's how I feel about this trip and my trip to Mel's; there's much more I still want to do.

The girls had a lot of fun just being girls in a small town: playing out back in the yard, eating green apples that had fallen from Grandma's tree by the swing set (I think most of them were worm-free), getting wet, riding bikes/running in the street, walking to church (remember those days, Melanie and Todd?) and playing with neighbors. Every Friday night while Mom and Dad Trauntvein went to the temple, we were lucky enough to have a Waite Girls' Night Out. We sampled the best of the best in Nephi--Taco Time and Reeds (Vard's), included--always ending with time well spent at the park (which you should all know has been renamed by Whitney to "Uncle Jim's and Aunt Julie's Park"--the first time we went there this trip, we were, of course, with Uncle Jim and Aunt Julie).

Whitney learned to ride a bike without training wheels and took her first bike excursion to the Library and then around the south end of town--my bottom was pretty sore the next day, but she woke up ready to jump on that bike and go five more miles. It was pretty cool to watch her learn to ride with the same person (Dad) and on the same street I did 22 years ago. Pretty amazing experience for old mom (me). Emma also learned a new trick: how to turn on the water hose (thanks, again, Mom). She used that knowledge today to soak down one of our little neighbor boys who came to play with her; she thought it was great fun, he did not.

I loved the time I got to spend with my siblings and nieces and nephews. Your kids are all wonderful and growing into such incredible youth. It's amazing to see the changes every time we come visit. We love you all. The only sour note of the whole trip was the terrible loss of the Cougars to the BC Eagles which we were blessed to watch in person. It has added fuel to the fire of our neighbors in The Springs (all Air Force and/or CSU fans, of course). But we still wear our BYU shirts with pride; we just keep an eye out for rotten produce being hurled our way.

The Whitney "line of the day" came when we picked Jared up from the airport, "Daddy, I forgot what your face “looked like." That lets you know how relative time is to children, I guess. It's good to be back, though. A little bittersweet for all of us (Jared hated the silence of an empty house while we were gone, now I'm sure he misses the freedom of coming, going, doing whatsoever he wills and we are happy to see our home, daddy and friends again.

Whitney is back into full swing at preschool and is already loving it. She loves her teacher, Miss Deb, and I am reminded of Michael when he went to kindergarten (teachers always know better and more than do moms, right Amy?!).

Emma starts a playgroup with three other little girls (who all turn three by December) next week. I think we'll have a good and busy year.

Speaking of busy, Jared has hit "busy season" for dentists. Back to school and end of year (before insurance runs out) is always pretty crazy for the healthcare field. He's working longer hours and has few breaks (if any) during the day, but he still manages to find time for the Subway sandwich of the day (except on Tuesday: meatball, and Friday: tuna salad). That's just one more reason why he's grateful to have Fridays off: not having to order the tuna salad, number one; and number two, the good, quality time he gets to spend with his family. I link his deep and abiding love for Subway with the apparent subconscious connection associated with all those who are named Jared.

Me, I'm still unpacking a few things (the things I'm not sure why I took and what I should do with them now). I can't wait for fall to hit in Colorado. I've really missed that season for the past five years (in Texas they have a saying about the four seasons there, "End of Summer, Waiting for Summer, Almost Summer, and Summer"). I've already planned a little day trip to the mountains (the backside of Breckenridge) to revel in the beautiful colors of fall. I hear it's best the last week of September here, but we already have a tree in our back yard wearing its full red coat. I can't wait to see more! It's amazing!

We hope Todd and Amy have another great trip to Utah. We wish we could be there for Rachel's blessing and Tyler's baptism, but life and callings wait for no man or woman. I'll be spending my time this month trying to prepare nearly 30 girls for Young Women in Excellence, which all of you who've been in Young Women's know is a great treat. I hope it will all turn out great.

Here's to another trip!

Love,

The Waite Clan