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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Wynette Smith Farrer


My sister Wynette came down with meningitis to go along with her lymphoma.  They called all of her children to come.  They felt like her children could not get there before she passed away in the hospital.  However,  the doctors said she is a miracle, and is going to recover.
 
We  are hoping for the best.
 
Gordon and Roberta

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I Still Love Robert Frost


God's Garden

God made a beauteous garden
With lovely flowers strown,
But one straight, narrow pathway
That was not overgrown.
And to this beauteous garden
He brought mankind to live,
And said: "To you, my children,
These lovely flowers I give.
Prune ye my vines and fig trees,
With care my flowerets tend,
But keep the pathway open
Your home is at the end."
Then came another master,
Who did not love mankind,
And planted on the pathway
Gold flowers for them to find.
And mankind saw the bright flowers,
That, glitt'ring in the sun,
Quite hid the thorns of av'rice
That poison blood and bone;
And far off many wandered,
And when life's night came on,
They still were seeking gold flowers,
Lost, helpless and alone.

O, cease to heed the glamour
That blinds your foolish eyes,
Look upward to the glitter
Of stars in God's clear skies.
Their ways are pure and harmless
And will not lead astray,
Bid aid your erring footsteps
To keep the narrow way.
And when the sun shines brightly
Tend flowers that God has given
And keep the pathway open
That leads you on to heaven.
~Robert Frost

Wynette


Gordon Smith wrote:

My sister Wynette came down with meningitis to go along with her lymphoma.  They called all of her children to come.  They felt like her children could not get there before she passed away in the hospital.  However,  the doctors said she is a miracle, and is going to recover.

We  are hoping for the best.

Gordon and Roberta

Myrna wrote:

Thanks for letting us know about her. That is a miracle! Neither of those diseases are easy to have and both together would be too much for most. She is a strong woman.

RE: I still like Robert Frost!‏

Lyla Spencer wrote: Thanks Myrna, I loved that and needed to be reminded.  It was wonderful to see you there tonight.  Have a wonderful week!! Will you??
Love, Lyla
 

EllaDean Hunter wrote: Yes,  I like also.

Maxine Gordon wrote: I love the poem.  Thanks Myrna.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Happy Easter from Auntie Eva


HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE
All I need to know
I learned from the Easter Bunny!
Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
There's no such thing as too much candy.
All work and no play can make you a basket case.
A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans.
Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.
The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.
To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.
May the joy of the season fill your heart.
Happy Easter!

Myrna wrote: Thank you. Happy Easter to you, as well.

Kyle's ordination


AnnMarie wrote: We are planning on Kyle being ordained on Sunday, May 1 after church -- we start at 11:00, so I assume it will be at 2:00ish.  Things aren't really clear since his interview with our bishop didn't occur when it was supposed to.  We would love to have any or all of you.  But we also know how hard it is to get away from your own church callings, particularly on a fast Sunday if you have young men who need to do fast offerings, etc.  Sorry about the late notice.  We will be having a lunch at our house afterward.  I have saved a big turkey for the occasion (not quite the same as a fatted pig, but it will do).
 
Thanks,
AnnMarie

Myrna wrote: Rats, I thought we were having a fatted lamb. Isn't that the tradition. Oh, wait, that was for Jewish boys. We will be there with bells on (quiet ones so as to not disturb the setting.)

AnnMarie wrote: I just can't do a fatted lamb.  Maybe it comes from singing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" growing up.  I prefer fatted pigs.  Perhaps because there aren't any clever songs about them that make kids want to have one and take it to school.  The closest is "To market, to market to buy a fat pig."  But it is very clear that the pig is going to be eaten, as in "the pig was eat, and Tom was beat, and Tom went crying down the street."  Not very many happy thoughts with pigs.

I left the rest of you off of the original email invitation knowing that you would not be in the position to come this Sunday to Kyle's ordination.  But if you happen to blow this way, there is enough turkey for all.
 
AnnMarie

Melanie wrote: As you might remember, I don't like the taste of mutton...weird flavor...so I would prefer the fatted pig. A little roasting never hurts a pig, but brings out it's best: refiners fire and all that. 

Mel

Myrna wrote: I think that I haven't liked lamb since I helped take care of a bummer lamb. That is a lamb whose mother either dies or abandons it. My Grandpa Pitts let me help take care of a bummer lamb by feeding it bottles of milk. Poor little thing grew up to be hearty and was fixed for dinner. Grandpa said, "This delicious lamb was the lamb Myrna took care of." Nobody could understand what was the matter with me because I wouldn't and couldn't eat it. They always called me a "city" girl. I don't think it was meant kindly.

Todd wrote: The turkey is a noble bird. Remember, it ranks right there behind Eagle, Mr. Franklin even said so. Eating one of those birds brings fortune and blessings, unless it is undercooked, then the eater is misfortunate and begging for a blessing. 

Wish we could be there. 

Myrna wrote: I don't like fatted lamb and, living between two Greek families, I have had my fill of Easter lamb roasted on a spit in their backyards. Grandma Smith, however, annually thought she had received the gift of gifts. I do like turkey. I am neither Greek nor Jewish.




Pawaia

Pawaia is a Miskitu verb that means "to progress" or "to grow". Something that is really interesting about Miskitu is the varied meanings that the verbs have, because there are lots of verbs and each one has generally two meanings. However, this is not the main subject of this short but important email.

In this particular email I am going to break free from the pattern that I have set and just discuss something interesting that I learned last night while I was talking to some really cool members. Last night I was waiting in the Chapel for a missionary to arrive so that I could help him with his baptism. During that time some of the youth (the really hard working ones that always help the missionaries out) came to help us to translate and such and they randomly started asking me and a couple of other missionaries questions about being missionaries, serving missions, etc. Their main worry was that they might go on missions and not be "perfect", they might come home and not be "perfect". I giggled a little bit with them and then spoke some amazing truths. 
I told them that:
1. Missionaries are not perfect. We try to perfect ourselves but we tend to fail miserably.
2. You're not going to come home from your mission perfect. We want to all say that we'll get off our missions and be just the most amazing people ever. But that tends to not be true, as we still have our weaknesses and faults.
3. We are all, as Children of God, on the Earth to learn and progress. We should not compare ourselves with other people because we are all on our own track of progression.

I amazed myself when I said that because it reminded me of something that one of my religion professors said at BYU about giving advice. Generally when we give advice we say something that we need to hear for our own personal problems. That was definitely something that I needed to know. I needed to know that comparing myself to other people is NEVER something that I should do. I should compare myself to ME. I am the one on my own little train track of progression tyring to get to the train depot that is Exaltation. I cannot say, "Wow. That train is moving faster than I am." Rather, I should think, "I think I can, I think I can." We are all living examples of The Little Train That Could. I never thought of my eternal progression like that until last night. I think I was almost doing something God himself frowns down upon, that is, comparing eternal progression. We are rather busy thinking about our own learning and progression, so how can we be busy thinking about the eternal progression of others?

Now, don't get me wrong, trying to help others in their eternal progression is something that our Heavenly Father wants us to do. In fact He wants us to help others to get to where He is, and sometimes we need to help. Yet, He does not want us to think that we are father along, or that somebody else is farther along. We are all on the same playing field. A pitcher is not greater than a batter, nor an in-fielder better than an out-fielder. They each have their own specific roles and they each have their own duties; however, each is necessary in the game and you cannot compare one to another. Their statistics don't match up. Their roles are unique. Each one is a person with needs, wants, desires, problems, strengths and weaknesses.

Well, where are you on your eternal progression? Are we all where God wants us to be? If not, what are we willing to do to get in the game, to get on those train tracks? Are we playing the position that He would have us play? Are we going to the right train depot in the right destination?

I know that this Church is the true church of Jesus Christ on the Earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God and that it has amazing, life-changing stories. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, my best friend. I know that He can be yours too, if you let him in. I know that this work is truly the Lord's work, the errand of angles. I love you all and wish you luck, success and happiness in this next week of life. 

P.S. Tomorrow I hit 11 months. Wow.
P.P.S. Happy 18th Birthday BEN! You're officially a dude now.

Love,
Elder B

We are planning on Kyle being ordained on Sunday, May 1 after church -- we start at 11:00, so I assume it will be at 2:00ish.  Things aren't really clear since his interview with our bishop didn't occur when it was supposed to.  We would love to have any or all of you.  But we also know how hard it is to get away from your own church callings, particularly on a fast Sunday if you have young men who need to do fast offerings, etc.  Sorry about the late notice.  We will be having a lunch at our house afterward.  I have saved a big turkey for the occasion (not quite the same as a fatted pig, but it will do).

 
Thanks,
AnnMarie

[Rats, I thought we were having a fatted lamb. Isn't that the tradition. Oh, wait, that was for Jewish boys. We will be there with bells on (quiet ones so as to not disturb the setting.) Mom]

I just can't do a fatted lamb.  Maybe it comes from singing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" growing up.  I prefer fatted pigs.  Perhaps because there aren't any clever songs about them that make kids want to have one and take it to school.  The closest is "To market, to market to buy a fat pig."  But it is very clear that the pig is going to be eaten, as in "the pig was eat, and Tom was beat, and Tom went crying down the street."  Not very many happy thoughts with pigs.
I left the rest of you off of the original email invitation knowing that you would not be in the position to come this Sunday to Kyle's ordination.  But if you happen to blow this way, there is enough turkey for all.
 
AnnMarie

Funny Joke for Easter


Gertrude Jensen wrote:

Hello.

Thanks for all your mails. Have sent this mail to alle myf riends (senor citizens).

With regards

Gertrud Jensen

Erin wrote: That is hilariouse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Myrna wrote: I love you!

Eva sent the following joke:

A man is driving along a highway and sees a rabbit jump out across the middle of the road.

He swerves to avoid hitting it, but unfortunately the rabbit jumps right in front of the car.

The driver,
a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulls over and gets out to see what has become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit is the Easter Bunny, and he is  DEAD .

The driver feels so awful   that he begins to cry. A beautiful blonde woman driving down the highway sees a man crying on the side of the road and pulls over.

She steps out of the car and asks the man what's wrong.

"I feel terrible," he explains, "I accidentally hit the Easter Bunny with my car and KILLED HIM."

The blonde says,"Don't worry."

She runs to her car and pulls out a spray can. She walks over to the limp, dead  Easter Bunny, bends down, and sprays the contents onto him.

The  Easter Bunny  jumps up, waves its paw at the two of them and hops off down the road.

Ten feet away he stops, turns around and waves again, he hops down the road another 10 feet, turns and waves, hops another ten feet, turns and waves, and repeats this again and again and again and again, until he hops out of sight.

The man is astonished. He runs over to the woman and demands,

"What is in that can? What did you spray on the Easter Bunny ?"

The woman turns the can around so that the man can read the label.

It says..

(Are you ready for this?)

(Are you sure?)
(You know you're gonna be sorry)

(Last chance)

(OK, here it is)

It says,

"Hair Spray
Restores life to dead hair, and adds permanent wave."

Happy Easter!!!


Saturday, April 23, 2011

Kenneth Anderson wrote about Danish Missionary Addresses


This message has a dual purpose:

1. To identify valid addresses that are to be used for the invitation to the special missionary

     event on July 15th in the Provo area.

     You need only to click on the confirm receipt box to verify!

2. If you have or are aware of e-mail addresses or anyone who has a list of e-mail addresses for

    former missionaries, could you please send them so as many as possible can receive an invitation?

Tak skal I ha’!

Kenneth Anderson

Myrna wrote: It sounds exciting. Thanks! Tak skal I ha'!

We have the e-mail address for Russell and Beth Durfey. Russell served with Leonard and was his companion in Copenhagen from Dec. 1957 to May 1958.

Russell and Beth Durfey(redbot41@yahoo.com)  

How an Underactive Thyroid Can Affect Weight Loss


Losing Weight with Hypothyroidism
How an Underactive Thyroid Can Affect Weight Loss
By Mary Shomon, About.com Guide

Information adapted from the book The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss

Many hypothyroid patients struggle with an inability to lose weight. At first, if you'd gained weight before your thyroid problem is diagnosed, you were probably told you'd be able to lose it more easily -- or perhaps you were even told you'd lose all the extra weight -- once you started on your thyroid hormone replacement. 

So you take your thyroid hormone, and the weight doesn't come off.

Later, despite "normal" TSH levels, and lower-calorie, low-fat diets and exercise, you find yourself still gaining, or not losing weight. You may also have high cholesterol levels. The doctor then tells you that your weight problem doesn't have anything to do with your thyroid. 

Some of this site's visitors have reported to me that they were on a 900-calorie a day diet, walking 3 miles a day, and not losing weight, and the doctor says, "well, you just must be eating too much." 

What thyroid patients need to know more about are three factors that are likely at work for many of us with a difficulty losing weight -- a changed metabolic "set point," changes in brain chemistry due to illness and stress, and insulin resistance. 

Metabolic Set Point

According to Dr. Lou Aronne, author of the best-selling Weigh Less Live Longer, when you begin to take in too many calories, you have a small weight gain. Then, in order to maintain your set point weight, "your metabolism speeds up to process the excess calories, your appetite decreases, and some of the newly gained weight drops off." He calls this metabolic resistance.

Dr. Aronne believes that every person's body has what is called a weight "set point." Just like your body works to maintain a temperature "set point" of 98.6, it also appears to work toward maintaining a particular weight "set point." 

His theory is that in people with a chronic weight problem, the body puts up only modest metabolic resistance to weight gain. If you continue to take in more calories than you burn, the metabolic resistance loses strength, and your body then establishes a new, higher weight set point. 

What this means is, if several years ago, as a woman at 5'7" and 160 pounds you needed 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, and now, after a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and a steady weight gain, at 210 pounds, you need 2800 calories to maintain your weight, if you dropped your calories back to 2500, would you lose the extra 50 pounds? No, as you reduce your calories and lose weight, your metabolic rate slows down, and according to Dr. Aronne, you'd probably only drop to around 197 pounds, although you'd be consuming the same number of calories as another woman of the same height who's stayed steady at 160 pounds. 

This is probably the mysterious factor at play when we see someone who apparently eats even more than we do, but maintains a lower weight level, or conversely, the person who swears they don't eat that much, but gains weight, or stays heavier. 

Dr. Aronne believes you can't completely eliminate the metabolic resistance, but a slow steady approach to dieting helps to minimize it. Also, a key way to increase metabolism is through exercise. 

Changes in Brain Chemistry

Hunger is intricately tied to your brain chemistry. According to Dr. Aronne, your hypothalamus senses you need energy, and issues the brain neurotransmitter neuropeptide Y (NPY) with the message "eat carbohydrates." The surge of NPY is what you experience as "hunger," Once the hypothalamus senses you've eaten enough carbohydrates, it releases serotonin to tell the body, "enough carbohydrates." 

But this system can be dramatically altered by several factors, all of which can be present in chronic thyroid disease:

Your metabolism is too slow for the appetite level set by your brain. Thyroid disease slows down the metabolism. What your brain perceives as appropriate food intake levels can then exceed your body's metabolism, creating weight gain.
Your body is under stress, which interferes with the neurotransmitter functions, and is known to reduce the release of serotonin. In fact, part of the success of the recently recalled diet drugs fen-phen was the fact that they increase serotonin and create a "feeling of fullness."
Dealing with brain chemistry, and helping to stimulate serotonin can be dealt with in several ways in addition to taking traditional anti-depressant drugs. Alternative medicine guru Andrew Weil, M.D., author of bestsellers Spontaneous Healing,, and Eight Weeks to Optimum Healthbelieves that the natural alternatives to boosting serotonin include aerobic exercise. Dr. Weil recommends at least 30 minutes of some vigorous aerobic activity at least five times a week. Dr. Weil also recommends the herbal treatment called St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). More information on Dr. Weil's natural recommendations for dealing with serotonin are featured at his website. 

Insulin Resistance

Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas. When you eat foods that contain carbohydrates (which make up the majority of most of our diets), your body converts the carbohydrates into simple sugars. These sugars enter the blood, becoming "blood sugar." Your pancreas then releases insulin to stimulate the cells to take in the blood sugar and store it as an energy reserve, returning blood sugar levels to a normal level.

Carbohydrates can be"simple," high-glycemic carbohydrates such as pasta, bread, sugar, white flour and cakes, or"complex" lower-glycemic carbohydrates, like vegetables and whole grains.

Current theory claims that sugars and starches are far easily broken down than in our more prehistoric past, and today, many of us simply do not need and cannot process the amounts of carbohydrates that are considered "normal" by current dietary standards. For an estimated 25% of the population, eating what appears to be a "normal amount" of carbohydrates in fact raises blood sugar to excessive levels. The pancreas responds by increasing the secretion of insulin to the level where it will drive down blood sugar. For this group, consistently eating too many carbohydrates -- but remember, what is too many for this group is not necessarily too many for the average person -- creates a situation called "insulin resistance." 

Insulin resistance means that cells have become less responsive to the effects of insulin. So your body has to produce more and more insulin in order to maintain normal blood sugar levels. The insulin can also remain in your blood in higher concentrations. This is known as hyperinsulinemia. 

In addition to those who seem to have a lowered need for carbohydrates, some people simply eat too many carbohydrates. Today's low-fat diets emphasize more and more pasta, bagels, Snackwells, and sugary fat-free products, and most of these are high-glycemic carbohydrates. Basic over-consumption of high-glycemic foods carbohydrates can also trigger insulin resistance and overweight.

If you are insulin resistant, eating carbohydrates can make you crave more carbohydrates. You'll gain weight more easily, and have difficulty losing it. It is estimated that 25 percent of the general population -- and 75 percent of overweight people -- are insulin resistant.

High insulin levels can stimulate your appetite, making you feel even hungrier than normal for carbohydrate rich food, while lowering the amount of sugar your body burns as energy, and making your cells even better at storing fat, and even worse at removing fat.

When you're creating this excess insulin, it also prevents your body from using its stored fat for energy. Hence, your insulin response to excess carbos causes you to gain weight, or you cannot lose weight. 

The weight problems are not the worst aspect of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance may set up a whole syndrome of other serious health problems. For example, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, which tend to go together, are often precursors of diabetes. And insulin resistance is also associated with a substantially increased risk of coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. 

Insulin Resistance and Thyroid Disease

It seems likely that hypothyroidism, with its penchant for slowing down everything else in our systems right down to our cells, slows down our body's ability to process carbohydrates and our cell's ability to absorb blood sugar. Hence, the carbohydrates we could eat pre-thyroid problems now are too much for our systems to handle. So excess carbohydrates equals excess insulin equals excess weight. Plus, the fun side effects of blood sugar swings (tiredness, dizziness, fatigue, exhaustion, hunger, etc.) that we may be mistaking as thyroid symptoms and our doctors say can't possibly be.

Any illness -- such as the chronic thyroid problems we all face -- also creates physical stress. And stress raises cortisol levels. And increased cortisol increases insulin levels. (I know my cortisol was through the roof last time the doctor checked. She had no idea why.) More insulin means increased chance of insulin resistance.

There's also a vicious circle aspect to this. The liver mediates between the activities of the insulin-releasing pancreas and the adrenal and thyroid glands, which are supposed to "tell" the liver to release glucose. If the adrenals and thyroid aren't working properly on the "telling" end, or if the liver is sluggish, stressed out, or toxic, and not working on the "receiving" end, the system goes out of balance. Either way, the result is elevated excess insulin.

And ultimately, if your adrenal glands are stronger than your pancreas, this can potentially lead to diabetes. If your pancreas is the stronger organ, which is more common, then you get fatigue, lowered body temperature, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). 

All these factors mean that insulin resistance is probably even more of a factor for overweight people with hypothyroidism than for the general population. 

How to Lose Weight and Fight Insulin Resistance 

Weight loss is the most important method of eliminating insulin resistance. So it's one of those chicken and egg situations. The less you weigh, the less insulin resistant you will be. But insulin resistance makes it difficult to lose weight. 

So, for people who are insulin resistant, one of the only effective methods is by eating a low fat, low carbohydrate, protein sufficient diet. This means that in addition to the usual restrictions of a low-fat diet, you also need to seriously limit intake of sugar and starches, cutting back on pasta, rice, potatoes, white flour breads, cereal, corn, peas, sweet potatoes, desserts, dairy products, meats, and fruit with a high sugar content. 

You may feel frustrated that there's nothing left to eat. But you need to rethink your eating habits, shifting to a diet of chicken, turkey, fish, non-starchy vegetables, legumes, and certain grains. And for those who are insulin resistant, once you start eating this way, you'll find it easier, as your carbohydrate cravings will subside dramatically. 

Exercise

Finally, according to Jean-Pierre Despres, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Physical Education and Director of the Lipid Research Center at Laval University Hospital in Quebec, "Exercise is probably the best medication on the market to treat insulin resistance syndrome." "Our studies show that low intensity, prolonged exercise -- such as a daily brisk walk of 45 minutes to an hour -- will substantially reduce insulin levels," says Dr. Despres. 

This article was adapted from the book, The Thyroid Diet, by Mary Shomon

Mary Shomon, About.com's Thyroid Guide since 1997, is a nationally-known patient advocate and best-selling author of 10 books on health, including "The Thyroid Hormone Breakthrough: Overcoming Sexual and Hormonal Problems at Every Age," "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss," "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know," "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism," "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease," and "Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia." 

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Robert Pitts Had Surgery


Kimberley Pitts wrote:

Good Morning Everyone! I need a favor... Will you please say a prayer for my Dad and our family today? He is going in for carotid artery surgery. This is the only time that I won't be able to be with him. He is always there for me, but my sister, Diane will be driving him in and looking after my mom for a few days. Thank you , Diane for being there. And thank you all in advance for your kind thoughts and prayers!

Myrna Trauntvein wrote:  I did! He looked great by 4 p.m. and is such a trooper. We are all proud of him and are relieved that he seems to be healing quickly.

Re: The rest of the story.

I'm glad that you had fun in Cali with the rest of the family. I'm glad that you were able to have fun regardless of the weather! 
Okay, about the family that we baptized: They had been receiving the lessons from the missionaries at one point in time but then they stopped coming (I imagine that a transfer happened and they never came back). Well, we found them sitting on a street corner and we reviewed all that they had learned with them. That is why I referred to them as a miracle family. Not to worry grammy, I am a good missionary, not like all the other missionaries that happen to be in my mission. There are lots of missoinaries who would do otherwise, it truly is somewhat sad. Like our fun phrase goes, "The church is perfect, but the members aren't."
Well, I love you and I hope that you have a great week this week! ;)
Elder B

On Mon, Apr 25, 2011 at 2:32 AM, L H and Myrna Trauntvein <mandlht@msn.com> wrote:
I accidentally hit the "send" button rather than the "save" button. That is a first for me but, I guess, you are never too old to learn how to mess up one more way.

I started to tell you about Rachel and Disneyland. She had drawn a picture of Rapunzel and gave it too her when she finally (after an hour and 45-minute wait) got to see the princess. Rapunzel took a look of time with Rachel and even had Flynn Rider put Rachel's picture up on the mantel because she and Rachel are "fellow artists." She also told Rachel that they had the same color hair. After the visit, Rachel was on cloud nine. Jacob, when he went, was excited to see Mickey Mouse. He could hardly stand it until he got to stand by him. Mickey (mask and all) gave him a peck on the top of his head.

My great-uncle, Frank Pritchett, was a wealthy man and knew Walt Disney and invested in Disneyland. As a result, when I was about 16, we got to take a tour of the place before it was finished. That was quite fun. It was just in an open area and not hemmed in like it is today.

Alyssa said she had decided what she wanted to do to earn money for college--she wants to work for Disney as a princess. "In real life, I really am a princess," she said.

The days were warm enough but at night, for the light shows, it was so very cold. We wished we had packed our winter woolies and not just our spring jackets. Todd and family were there the week before us and they had warm weather. Of course, we drove down in the snow and came back in the snow so I don't suppose it was too warm anywhere in North America. You probably are not at all chilly where you are.

"Four days later, President McKay set Elder Hinckley apart as an Assistant to the Twelve….He would travel extensively–something he endured rather than enjoyed.  And his young family would have to adjust to his frequent absence…Because he continued to serve as executive secretary of the Missionary Department, his office wasn’t even changed.  Neither were circumstances adjusted immediately in the East Millcreek Stake, where he continued to serve as stake president.  He worked by day as a General Authority, held stake meetings on weekday evenings, and divided his time on weekends between his own stake and assignments to attend conferences in other areas…After a couple of months of doing double duty, Elder Hinckley called to the attention of President Joseph Fielding Smith the fact that he was holding down two very demanding jobs…Finally, on August 17, 1958, four and a half months after being sustained as a General Authority, Elder Hinckley was assigned to assist Elder Harold B. Lee in reorganizing the stake." Excerpted from President Hinckley’s official biography, "Go Forward With Faith." (Pages 196-200.)

I have a question about your last letter. You told of the man, and his wife, who wanted to marry and be baptized. Had they had the discussions? It didn't sound like they had but I thought that was the rule--teach the discussions and then baptize. I guess I didn't understand.

I am going to go to bed. I have a bad cold and I think I should already be asleep. 

We keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We love you!!!!!!!

Grammy and Gramps

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A Word to Parents


Siovhan Bolton wrote:

 I just feel like kids are being robbed of being kids. No 8-year-old should be worried about her midriff, or if her push-up bikini is the right choice. They should be learning long division and playing kickball, and watching cartoons and figuring out which friend can come over this weekend. My 13-year-old little sister wouldn't be caught dead in this kind of thing, and I'm proud of her for that. And I agree -- if parents don't buy, kids get the message, retailers get the message and hopefully kids can be kids again.

Siovhan wrote the above in response to the article, "Parents, don't dress your girls like tramps," by LZ Granderson who writes a weekly column for CNN.com. A senior writer and columnist for "ESPN The Magazine" and ESPN.com, he has contributed to ESPN's "Sports Center," "Outside the Lines" and "First Take."


STORY HIGHLIGHTS
LZ Granderson: Some parents dress their young girls in provocative outfits.
Retailers have encouraged this behavior by marketing inappropriate clothing.
He says it's OK to blame retailers, but it's parents who are ultimately responsible.
Children need parents who will set rules, not be their friends, he says.


Uncle Bob Surgery


Kim Pitts wrote: Dad (Bob Pitts) has his cholesterol checked several times a year and has had since his triple bypass about 13 years ago. It has never been high probably due to good eating habits and Lipitor.

But he has really dreaded and put off this surgery. I can't say that I blame him, especially since the last surgery was so brutal. But I am sure he would love to see you and he is supposed to spend a minimum of two days at Utah Valley. But we all understand how busy you are, so my dad does understand if you cant visit. He was upset at me for telling you about his surgery, as he didnt want to worry or upset you. He loves you dearly....we all do!

Thank you for responding to my letter...I am replying on my cell phone. The screen is very tiny and has my eyes seeing very blurry screen. I appogize in advance for typos...lol. I just cant see, so I will end for now.

My cell # is. 435) 820-0949 and dads is (435)820-0873.
We love you, sweetie!

Walter Smith and the Bonham Family


This is some information sent to us from Donnette Smith
Gordon

Thought you might like to read this and save it with your family histories.
Donnette

Walter Smith and the Bonham Family
by Donnette Stringham Smith 2011

Thomas Smith had been born 4 Sept. 1837 in Bicester, Oxfordshire,
England, the oldest son of James and Ann Smith of Wretchwick Farm.

Thomas Smith married Matilda Heritage on 12 Apr 1864. They had six
children, Edith Annie, Emily Matilda, Herbert James, Beatrice Ellen,
Minnie and Florence Mary. In May of 1872, when Florence was only seven
months old, Matilda became very sick and died.

Thomas had a large group of family members to help with the six
children. Matilda’s older sister, Mary Ann Heritage Smith (wife of
George Smith who was no relation to our Smiths) had cared for Matilda
and her children through her last illness and promised to take the baby,
Florence, and raise her as her own. Mary Ann and George Smith moved to
Sheffield, Yorkshire and were good parents to little Florence. Two of
Thomas and Matilda’s girls, Edith Annie and Beatrice Ellen, were raised
at Wretchwick Farm by Thomas’s parents.

In 1874 Thomas Smith married Mary Ann Heritage Smith’s oldest daughter,
Mary Ellen Smith (often called Nellie). Thomas and Mary Ellen moved to
Pennsylvania to try to get better employment. They took three of
Thomas’s children, Emily, Herbert James and Minnie, to America with them.

In Pennsylvania, Mary Ellen had three children, Nellie, Lillie and
Walter. Mary Ellen died after Walter was born in 1877. There ws no close
family around to help with the children.

Mary Bonham Scott born in Pennsylvania in 1832, wife of James J. Sco tt,
a plasterer, seems to have cared for Thomas Smith’s children after the
death of his second wife, Mary Ellen.. When Thomas married Mary Bonham
Scott’s younger sister, Margaret Bonham in 1879, Mary didn’t want to
give up the baby, Walter, and was given permission to adopt and raise him.

In about 1884, Margaret and Thomas moved to Utah with his other
children. Somehow Margaret and Thomas lost touch with Margaret’s sister,
Mary Bonham Scott, and with Walter and didn’t know what happened to
Walter. Beatrice Annie Harrison Edwards (daughter of the Florence Mary
Smith who was raised by her aunt in Sheffield, Yorkshire) said that
Thomas Smith didn’t ever let them know about his children. Years later
someone in the family thought Walter might have moved to Texas.

Recently I became interested in Walter and Mary Bonham Scott and decided
to try to find what happened to them. The Bonham family were found in
many US Censuses which were taken every ten years and which have been
transcribed and indexed by Ancestry.com.

In 1850 Mary Bonham is shown as 17 years old living with her parents,
Matilda and Llewellyn Bonham in Ohio, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania -
just a few miles north of Pittsburgh on the Ohio River.. Mary was
probably married in 1859 and was not living with her parents in the 1860
census. The census in 1860 shows that her father had died and her little
seven year old sister, Margaret was at home.

The 1870 census shows Mary in Sewickley, Allegheny County married to
James J Scott, age 38, a plasterer and they had a nine year old
daughter, Anna M. Scott..

Ten years later, in 1880 in Leet Township, Allegheny County, Pa., J.J.
Scott, and his wife, Mary had two children at home. Anna M Scott who was
now 18, (all of them born in Pennsylvania and their parents all born in
Pennsylvania,) and Walter K. Scott, their two year old adopted son (who
was born in Pennsylvania, but whose parents were both born in England).
Just a short distance away, Thomas Smith and his third wife, Margaret
Bonham Smith, were living with three of Thomas’s children by his first
wife, Matilda Heritage, Emily age 14, Herbert age 12, and Minnie age 10,
and the two girls by his second wife, Mary Ellen Smith, Nellie age 5 and
Lillie age 4. Thomas Smith and his family soon moved to Utah so he could
work for the railroad.

The 1890 census was all destroyed by fire.

In the 1900 census Mary Bonham Scott was living in Sewickley with her
daughter, Margaret A. Scott McDonald, and Margaret’s family, (husband
John A McDonald, son Roydon Hunter and daughter Ethel M. Hunter). Walter
was living in the same house and was now going by the name of Walter Smith.

It is interesting that in 1870 and 1880 Mary has only one daughter
living with her, Anna M. But from 1900 to 1920 Mary was living with her
daughter, Margaret A. In 1900 Mary says she has had two children and
both are living. I thought for a while that Mary had two daughters, Anna
M and Margaret A. Now I wonder if she meant she had one daughter, Anna
Margaret and one son, Walter.

By 1910 Margaret A. Scott McDonald’s husband had died and her mother,
Mary Bonham Scott, was still living with her.

By 1920 Mary Bonham Scott and her daughter, Margaret Scott McDonald, are
living with Margaret’s daughter, Ethel Hunter Hotby, who during that
last ten years had married, had three children and had been widowed.

In 1910 Walter had been living nearby as a hired hand helping a farmer.
In 1920 Walter was living alone in Clearfield, Butler County,
Pennsylvania and working as a station agent for the railroad. .

During WWI the men had to register for the war. On Sept 12, 1918 Walter
registered as Walter Kennedy Smith with a birthdate of 15 Nov. 1877. He
was short in height, medium build, grey eyes and light colored hair. His
nearest relative was listed as Mrs. Mary Scott. This is the first time
we have known what Walter’s middle name was, and the earliest complete
birthdate given.

The 1930 Census, which is the last one open to the public, shows fifty
one year old Walter, still single and not married, owning a home and a
radio in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was still an agent for a railroad.
Living with him was his “sister”, seventy year old Margaret A. McDonald.
His adopted mother, Mary Bonham Scott, must have died. It is interesting
to note that the census says that Walter’s father was born in
Pennsylvania and his mother in England. I suspect Margaret was the one
who gave the information to the census taker and she didn’t realize that
Walter’s father, Thomas Smith, was also born in England.

Walter registered for the draft in 1942. He was six feet tall, 188
pounds, ruddy complextion, black hair and brown eyes. Walter was working
for the B & O Railroad as a telephone operator.
The person who will always know his address is Mrs. O.E. Johnston of
Rochester, PA who happenes to be Ethel Hunter Hotby Johnston, daughter
of Margaret Scott McDonald and granddaughter of Mary Bonham Scott.

The following entry was found in the Social Security Death Index which I
think must be our Walter’s entry. He had given his birthdate as Nov 1877
in the 1900 census, and the 15 Nov 1877 date jibes with the WWI and WWII
Registration forms, and he did work for a railroad..

From: Ancestry.com
Social Security Death Index - Is this our Walter? Probably
Walter SMITH
SSN: 705-10-1467
Last Residence: Pennsylvania
Born: 15 Nov 1877
Died: May 1964
State (year) SSN: Railroad Board (issued Through) (Before 1951)

So, it seems that Walter worked for the railroad, never married. but did
stay fairly close to his adopted family. He died at age 87 within a few
miles of where he was born and spent his whole life.

_____________
Sources:

1850 Census Ohio, Allegheny, Penn.
Roll: M432_744; page 390B; Image 785;FHL film 552,822
Luellen Bonham 48 m farmer -value of estate owned 900
Matilda Bonham 37 f
Caroline Bonham 18 f
Mary Bonham 17 f
Rachel Bonham 15 f
Anne Bonham 14 f
James W Bonham 12 m
Samuel Bonham 10 m
Madison Bonham 8 m
Elizabeth Bonham 4 f
Leah Bonham 2 f
[Mary was Walter Smith’s adopted mother.]

1860 Census Ohio, Alleghany, Penn.
Roll M653_1065; Page 519; FHL film 805,065
Matilda Bonham 47 f born in PA
Madison Bonham 18 m PA
Elizabeth Bonham 14 f PA
Leah Bonham 13 f PA
Cordelia Bonham 9 f PA
Margaret Bonham 7 f PA
Luellen Bonham 4 m PA [Llewellyn Bonham]
[Margaret married Thomas Smith]

1870 CENSUS -; Census Place: Sewickley, Allegheny, Pennsylvania;
Roll: M593_1299; Page: 387; Image: 293.
Scott, James J 38 Male White Plasterer born in Penna
Scott, Mary 34 F W keeps house Penna
Scott, Anna M 9 F W Penn.

1880 CENSUS for Alleghany, Leet Township, Penn. house 109 family 113
Scott, J.J. 48 m w plasterer M Pa Pa Pa
[born in PA, father and mother born in PA]
Scott, Mary 47 f w keeping house wife M Pa Pa Pa
Scott, Anna M. 18 f w at home daughter s Pa Pa Pa
Scott, Walker K. 2 m w adopted son s Pa Eng Eng
[Born in PA,, father and mother born in England]
[Mary Scott is sister to Margaret Bonham who married Thomas Smith. The
Scotts
took Walter Smith when his mother died and raised him.]

1900 CENSUS Alleghany Co. Penn., Sewickley, Borough 2nd Ward
T623-1371 Vol 26, E.D. 489, sheet 7, lines 68-73
[2 families in 1 house ] Beaver Street, Dwelling #133, family #139 & #140
68 Walter Smith head white Male birthdate Nov 1877 age 22 single Penn.
England England
clerk in steel works
69 John A. McDonald head w m birthdate Oct 1872 27 m Penn Penn Indiana
musician
70 Margaret McDonald wife w f birthdate Mar 1863 37 m Penn Penn Penn
married 3 years - mother of 2 children, 2 living
71 Rowdom? S. Hunter son in law w m birthdate Mar 1886 14 s Penn Penn Penn
[Roydon - step son to head of house]
72 Ethel M Hunter dau in law w f birthdate Nov 1887 12 s Penn Penn Penn
[step daughter]
73 Mary Scott mother in law w f birthdate Mar 1832 67 wid Penn Penn Penn
mother of 2 children 2 living
[Walter was known as Walter Scott in the 1880 Census but as Walter Smith
in all later records.]

[It is interesting that in 1870 and 1880 Mary has only one daughter
living with her, Anna M. But from 1900 to 1920 Mary was living with her
daughter, Margaret A. In 1900 Mary says she has had two children and
both are living. I thought for a while that Mary had two daughters, Anna
M and Margaret A. Now I wonder if she meant she had one daughter, Anna
Margaret and one son, Walter.]

1910 Census Moon, Alleghany, Pennsylvania
Roll T624_1296; page 4a; enumeration district 1065; Image 184
FHL film 1375309
Margaret A Mcdonald 49 head f w widow
married 13 years - 3 children and 3 alive Pa Pa Pa
Royden S.H. Mcdonald 8 son m single Pa Pa Pa [Alan?]
Royden S Hunter 24 son m s Pa Pa Pa
Ethel M Hunter 22 dau f s Pa Pa Pa
Mary Scott 77 mother f wid married 51 yrs (no children noted)
Pa Pa Pa
[I think this means Mary Scott was married 51 years ago in 1859 - but I
haven't found her in the 1860 census. This also means Margaret A
McDonald had been married 13 years before to John McDonald.]

1920 Census Rochester, Beaver, Pennsylvania 14 Jan 1920
Roll T625_1532; pg 12b; Enumeration Dist 64; image 815
Holby, Ethel head rent female white 32 widow Pa, Pa, Pa (Hotby in 1930)
boarding house - private home
Holby, Charles son M W 8 single PA, PA, PA (Hotby in 1930)
Holby, Margaret dau F W 6 single PA, PA, PA (Hotby in 1930)
Holby, Emmett son M W 4 -3/12 single PA, PA, PA (Hotby in 1930)
McDonald, Margaret mother F W 59 widow PA, Virginia, PA
McDonald, Alan half brother 18 single PA, PA, PA laborer in steel mill
Scott, Mary grandmother F W 87 widow PA Ohio Ohio

1910 Census, Oakland, Butler, PA - 27 Apr 1910
Roll T624-1322; pg 4b; enumeration district 0099; Image 181; FLS 1375335
William O Vandivoer 55 head farmer
Joseph R 16 son
Walter K Smith 32 hired man; single,
born in PA - father born in Eng, and mother born in Eng
[Oakland, Butler, PA is 20 -30 miles north of Pittsburg.]

WW I registration card. for 12 Sept 1918.
Name: Walter Kennedy Smith
Birthdate: 15 Nov 1877
His nearest relative: Mrs. Mary Scott. of Vanport, Beaver, PA
Height: Short; Build: Medium; Eyes grey, Color of Hair: light
(There are a couple of lines I need to look at again. I think one says
that he worked at that time as a telephone rutstor? for some Independent
Telephone Co. in Fenelton, Butler, PA)
[It is interesting that Walter seems to have a middle name starting with
K in the 1880, 1910 and the 1930 census and this record finally gives us
that name.]


1920 Census Clearfield, Butler, PA [living alone]
[ 25 to 30 mi NNE of Pitsburgh by Oakland, PA]
Roll T625_1544; pg 8b; Enumeration Dist. 36; Image 363
Walter Smith self 42 single renting station agent for rail road - on wages
born PA - Father born Eng. -Mother born Eng.


1930 Census Clearfield, Butler, PA - April 9, 1930
Roll 209 pg 4a; Enuneration district 25; image 7720
Smith Walter K Head owns home, has a radio, doesn't live on a farm, male
white 51 single, didn't attend school last year, reads & writes PA PA Eng
Agent for Railroad
McDonald, Margaret A. sister Female white 70 Widow (age at 1st marriage
23) PA, PA PA
[ Margaret probably gave the information as to Walter’s father being
born in PA and not Eng.]





Source Citation: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA);
Washington, D.C.; State Headquarters: Pennsylvania; Microfilm Series:
M1951; Microfilm Roll: 296.
Ancestry.com
Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Rochester, Beaver,
Pennsylvania; Roll: 1997; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 90; Image: 809.0.
Ollie E. Johnston head m w 38 mar (mar at age 30 for 1st time) Rent PA
PA PA
blower of glass
Ethel M Johnston wife f w 42 Married (mar at age 23 for 1st time) PA PA PA
Charles A. Hotby step son m w 18 single yes yes PA PA PA
Margaret R. Hotby step dau f w 16 s yes yes PA PA PA
Harry E. Hotby step son m w 14 s yes yes PA PA PA

Ancestry.com.
U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line].
Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data:
United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration
Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. National Archives and Records
Administration Branch locations: National Archives and Records
Administration Region Branches.
Serial number U 470
Apr 27, 1942
Walter Kennedy Smith,
Fenelton, PA, Clearfield Twp., Butler, PA
Mailling Address - same
Telephone: none,
Age in years 64,
Place of birth: Allegheny PA
Date of birth: Nov 15, 1877
White, Height 6, 188 lb, Ruddy complexton, hair black, eyes brown
Name & Address of Person who will always know your address
Mrs. O.E. Johnston, 399 Penna. Ave, Rochester, PA
Employer’s name & address
B & O R.R., Fenelton, PA (telephone operator)

From Ancestry.com
Social Security Death Index -
From: Ancestry.com
[Is this our Walter? Probably]
Name: Walter SMITH
SSN: 705-10-1467
Last Residence: Pennsylvania
Born: 15 Nov 1877
Died: May 1964
State (year) SSN: Railroad Board (issued Through) (Before 1951)

I told Stuart about finding the WWII registration. He sent this:

For a second I thought it was interesting that he tried to enlist at age
64. But after reading about that database on a.com, I see that all men
ages 18-65 were required to register. Here's the info:

About U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
The U.S. officially entered World War II on 8 December 1941 following an
attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Just about a year before that, in
October 1940, President Roosevelt had signed into law the first
peacetime selective service draft in U.S. history, due to rising world
conflicts. After the U.S. entered WWII a new selective service act
required that all men between ages 18 and 65 register for the draft.
Between November 1940 and October 1946, over 10 million American men
were registered. This database is an indexed collection of the draft
cards from the Fourth Registration, the only registration currently
available to the public (the other registrations are not available due
to privacy laws). The Fourth Registration, often referred to as the "old
man's registration", was conducted on 27 April 1942 and registered men
who born on or between 28 April 1877 and 16 February 1897 - men who were
between 45 and 64 years old - and who were not already in the military.
Information available on the draft cards includes:
Name of registrant
Age
Birth date
Birthplace
Residence
Employer information
Name and address of person who would always know the registrant's
whereabouts
Physical description of registrant (race, height, weight, eye and hair
colors, complexion)

Monday, April 18, 2011

Uncle Bob Pitts

He has his cholesterol checked several times a year and has had since his triple bypass about 13 years ago. It has never been high probably due to good eating habits and Lipitor.
But he has really dreaded and put off this surgery. I cant say that I blame him, especially since the last surgery was so brutal. But I am sure he would love to see you and he is supposed to spend a minimum of two days at Utah Valley. But we all understand. How busy you are, so my dad does understand if you cant visit. He was upset at me for telling u about his surgery, as he didnt want to worry or upset you. He loves you dearly....we all do! 
Thank you for responding to my letter...I am replying on my cell phone. The screen is very tiny and has my eyes seeing very blurry screen. i appogize in advance for typos...lol
I just cant see, so I will end for now. My cell # is. 435) 820-0949 and dads is (435)820-0873.
We love you, sweetie!



Kim Pitts

Michael's Grad Party


Michael Trauntvein's GRAD PARTAYYY!!!
Tomorrow, April 19 at 2:00pm
Location: My Place

Michael Trauntvein6:46pm Apr 18th
Subject: Oops.
Sorry, everyone. I hit the "create message" button before changing the date on the calendar. the date of the party is May 28th.

Thanks!

Not Forwarded

Kirsten wrote: You saw that Auntie Eva already forwarded the article that you sent from her to all of us?  Just FYI

Kirsten

Myrna wrote: NOPE! I didn't pay any attention. :)


Kirsten wrote: Everything she sends, she copies all of us on.

Kirsten

Myrna wrote: Hehehe! And I shouldn't send forwarded email to the Trauntvein siblings (Helen, Eva, Don) and their children because? 

However, she doesn't. Shawn, Melanie, Eric, AnnMarie and David are not included. Actually, just you and Todd receive the email forwards.

Kirsten wrote: Hmmmm.  Now that's interesting.


Melanie wrote: I actually didn't receive it from Aunt Eva.

Melanie



Sunday, April 17, 2011

Easter

Myrna wrote: You might want to open your packages before you color eggs. There is a package of egg coloring dye inside. It is not extraordinary--just regular stuff but we thought it was fun. We will pretend we are coloring eggs with you. We haven't decided, Gramps and i, if we should go ahead and color a few just for the fun of it or not.


Melanie wrote: Your package came on a day when it was most needed: Mikaela was home sick with a fever, sore throat and sinus infection. She was so happy to open it. Thank you!

Melanie



Myrna wrote: I am glad that Mikaela enjoyed the package. I hope she is well by now. It is easy to be grandparents--all you have to do is send love. If the packages were empty, the kids would be happy. As for you all, you just know that it is great to have kids that grow up to be your friends and marry people that can be your friends. We are glad you enjoyed the package. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Kirsten wrote: We colored eggs last night!  Thanks for the package!  The kids loved it!  You are the best parents in the world!!!! :)


Love, 
Kirsten


Myrna wrote: Well it is easy to be grandparents--all you have to do is send love. If the packages were empty, the kids would be happy. As for you all, you just know that it is great to have kids that grow up to be your friends and marry people that can be your friends. We are glad you enjoyed the package. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!





Saturday, April 16, 2011

What Can We Do? We love you!

We want to help with your crisis. We just don't know what to do. Do you need us to come there and help?  

Erin, hang in there. You are a lovely girl and we love you dearly. I miss talking to you on the phone. I would like you to call me and talk to me. I am sorry that sometimes I am not home when you call but I always try to call you back. So does Gramps. We like hearing about all that is happening in your life. Remember that we all love you. Sometimes it is hard to be the oldest and to try to help when you don't quite know how.

Donovin, we hope that you are doing OK. It is hard to have a mother who is sick but, if she gets the help she needs, she will be fine again. She is getting that help and the doctors are working to help her get well. 

Caydin, let your family help you. It is wonderful that you have a sister, a brother and a father who can take care of you.

David, you know that we will always love you. I think that Bree would need you to take the same training that she is getting. That really helped Amy and Eric.

We will try to figure out a way for you all to come here and visit. Texas, after all, is not THAT far away. I know it is hard to watch your vacation eaten up with illness but, when Bree starts to be better, like Eric is now, it will be worth your work.

All of you, including you, David, remember that mom/Bree will be well and everything will be fine.

Friday, April 15, 2011

We are back in Nephi



We came home to 10 phone messages and 801 pieces of email on the msn site. 

We had lots of fun with AnnMarie, Brandon and kids at Disneyland. 

Sorry Todd, but AnnMarie and I thought it was really, really cold at night. I should have worn my winter woolies. 

Thank you AnnMarie and Brandon for paying the way for the two old people who tagged along. It was a lot of fun. Rupenzel was very happy to see the picture Rachel had painted for her and put it on the mantel. I think it is great that the famous princesses of Disney take time for their fans and make them feel special. 

I wish the rest of the world would realize how important children are. What an awful place this world would be if we were all born adults.

How many of you have your Easter packages?

Emily Jessie wrote: I DO! THANKS!:)

Myrna wrote: Thank you, Sweetheart! I love you!


Emily Jessie wrote: love you too!


Amy G. wrote: We got ours. Thank you! 

Sorry it was cold in the evenings for you guys.  Two of the three night we were there, we didn't even put our jackets on it was so warm.  We must have hit a "great weather" week!  Beach was nice too, not warm enough for swimming, but definitely nice to spend a couple hours and get our legs wet.  Hope you all had a great time.  I love Disney.  I get to be a kid all over again.  :)

Amy

Myrna wrote: I like Disneyland. That is because all is within walking distance. Guess what my favorite ride is? Yep, the one from my early adulthood--Small World. I remember my Uncle Frank Pritchett taking us, Grandmother and me, to see the place under construction. He was involved as one of those early contributors. I was 18 before it opened. 

Amy wrote: I like Disneyland for that same reason!  Ah, Small World!  Love it!  Kids were so embarrassed by me because I sang loud and clear right along with all the dolls, the whole ride, lol!  I think the other people in the boat were annoyed too, but I really didn't care.   That ride is the best, besides (my #1 fave) Haunted Mansion, of course.   Very cool you got to see the place when it was being constructed.  Awesome memory for you!

Todd wrote: We got ours. Welcome back. Sorry it chilled for you. We were fine. 

Kimberly wrote: We do.


Erin wrote: We have ours grandma. Wow thats a lot of msg(s) on both. love erin.

Myrna wrote: Thanks for letting me know that you got your package. I love you!!!!!!!


Myrna wrote: I remember taking our kids to Disneyland when they were small. I think it was back in 1976 during Spring Break. It was really inexpensive back then. We camped in a great place where the kids could pick oranges for breakfast. Later, when Disneyland became landlocked, Walt's vision for the place had to be moved to a larger location and that was Disney World. One of the things I do like in Disney World  is the way you can walk from country to country and have food from each of the countries in the one area.



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