December

Scripture of the Month: John 10:16

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

12/3/17

Hi Tyrell,
This will be short again. On Saturday we went to the Christmas Breakfast. The food was so yummy. Then on Sunday we went to Ariana’s homecoming. Out of all the Uncle’s, Uncle Jody was the only one that showed up. There weren’t a lot of boys to do the haka but we did it and it was loud for a small group. Dad didn’t come because he was embarrassed to do the haka at the airport. After that we went to Auntie Monica’s house to eat delicious food. Their house is so nice and big. Hope you have a great week!!! Love, Jaxon XOXO

Hey Big Bro,
It’s been awhile since I last wrote to you. Yesterday I had Sadie’s and the theme was Ugly Sweaters. For our day activity we went to Midway Crater and swam in it. That was the place you dived into shallow water and go a bloody nose hahaha, I still remember that. Then we ate dinner at Myoung Ga, an authentic Korean steampot place, then we danced, and then we went to Julie’s house to make gingerbread houses and eat ice cream. It was fun. I had my opening Charity week assembly on Friday, someone was rude and pulled the fire alarm During MY assembly. Anyways, we all had to leave the school then we came back in and I had to restart. During my assembly, I had Polyville perform some dances and they also did a Taualuga(money dance). I said if we raised more than $175 during the dance and Miracle Minute (where we run up and down the aisles collecting money, then we get to throw cream pies at a few of our teachers and administration. Well, I totally underestimated everyone because we raised $680!! Just in a couple minutes! The money will go to a family whose four year old son has cancer, Ben Snow. The Snow family was there. Oh and the Madrigals performed too. Anyways, Ariana came home today! Love you! #BensBrigade -Mina

Hello Tyrell,
I had my very first temple baptism this week! Uncle and Aunty Heather picked dad, mom, and I to go to the temple so Kage and I can do our temple baptisms. It was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life! It was so beautiful inside and so warm! We looked at the Christmas lights after then went to Charlie Chows to eat. Two days before that, Wednesday, I went to Young Women’s and did something called the Iron Chef. We had to make a main dish, an appetizer, and a dessert with ingredients they gave to us. There was a secret ingredient which meant we had to put it in every dish, cream cheese. We combined with the Riverview ward for the activity. We were on different teams that were different colors. We each got a foil ball that had a colored cotton ball in it. The judges we name the team’s most tasty or most creative. My team, the blue team, got the Bishopric’s favorite, YAYAH! On Saturday, we had our Christmas breakfast. After that, Erana and I played over at Kage and Dray’s house. Today was Ariana’s homecoming from her mission, and she got soo tan! We went to the airport to see her arrival, then we went to Jonah’s house to eat, I had Jonah give me a tour around the house since it was the new house. They have a big house! I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!
Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Tyrell, I went to church and went to the airport to see Ariana and Maya come home from Paris. Went to Maya’s new house to have dinner, I played with my cousins and ate yummy food. Love you Erana xoxo

Hi Son, Well Christmas is upon us, have been doing Christmas shopping in stores and online. Will get you your polaroid for Christmas, was there anything else you needed? Dad and I went with Uncle Scott and Aunty Heather to Salt Lake Temple to do temple baptisms with Kage and Leila, it was there first time. I know Grandma was there with us, I was teary eyed while they were being confirmed, thinking about Mum being there. Well today we went to the airport to welcome home Ariana. And then we ate at their home, they are renting a home in Provo, it’s big and nice, but very far away. Her homecoming is on the 17th. We had the Ward Christmas party on Saturday and took photos with Santa. It’s getting cold now and I’m not looking forward to winter. We hope you are doing awesome, keep up the good work, try to write us an email even if it’s one sentence just to say hi and you’re good! We love you and know you are in good hands - the Lord’s hands, love Mum and Dad xxx

12/10/17

Hi Son,
Christmas is fast approaching and trying to buy gifts for everyone asap, want to be finished this coming week, so I need to know what COLOR CAMERA you want - black, white, blue, red? It’s hard to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas when it’s so hectic with making sure all the kids have what they want and have equal amounts of gifts, kinda stressful! Lol It’s really cold now, haven’t had much snow yet though. We love you and hope you are good and keeping busy with the Lords work, we love and pray for you always, Love Mum & Dad xxx

Hello Tyrell,
I went to Gardner Village for Young Womens for an elf hunt on Wednesday. I had my Tausala practice on Thursday. On Friday, Erana and I baby sat Addy. Yesterday, I biked to Kage’s house, but they weren’t there, they were at the movies. When I came back, mom dropped Erana and I off at Kage’s house, straight after I came back! Today is Aunty Heather’s b-day. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!
Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Tyrell,
I went  to church. I went to Aunty Heather’s today for her Birthday and I gave her a love rock! Love erana xoxo

Hi Tyrell,
We went to Auntie Heather’s birthday today. That’s the only thing interesting that happened this week so hope you have a wonderful week, keep preaching the gospel, and you’ll get many blessings. Love, Jaxon XOXO

Hey Big Bro,
I quit Cupbop because I was sick of the gossip and druggies there lol. I’m freeee. I am super packed with Charity week stuff this week. I am in charge of a volleyball game tomorrow, hardly anyone signed up tho haha. I really want to see pics of the winter in North Carolina, so please send some! It hasn’t snowed yet, there was some sprinkle snow but none on the ground. It doesn’t really feel like Christmas haha.  We raised above $6,000 this last week.. Let me tell you our dares if we raise a certain amount of money. If we raise:
$5,000 - Luis (our Historian) wears a tutu and tights for a week
$6,000 - We get to shave our custodians mustache off (Rosario)
$7,000 - Kristian (Vice President) and Bill (Secretary) get to mud wrestle
$8,000 - Gio (our president) bleaches his big afro
$9,000 - Me and Julie gets covered in tarantulas
$10,000 - Bill, Jon, and Kristian eat ghost peppers
$15,000 - SBO’s dye their hair Purple for Ben
So we are already doing the first two dares haha. Hope you stay warm and cozy, love you! -Mina

12/17/17

Hi Son,

Last Monday President Trump came to my work, the State Capitol so they blocked it all off and they told us to work from home. I saw the snow in your photos. That must not happen very often, or does it? We have a little snow. Yesterday was the most it snowed in Taylorsville so far this year but was only an inch or less and most of it melted. We went to Ariana’s homecoming today. She gave a very good talk about gaining a testimony and told experiences from her mission. She has already gone on many dates in her short time home. Mina has a concert choir downtown today at the Assembly hall on Temple Square. We didn’t go, we’re going to the concert at her school tomorrow. We also went to our church in the morning to see Braden Fox’s farewell address. He also gave a good talk. He goes into the MTC 12/27. He made a big change too to get to this point. It wasn’t so long ago that he didn’t want to go on a mission and was even engaged. But he had a change of heart. Sounds like Hunter may be going through the same phase Braden did. But it’s wonderful how the Lord can change hearts and you’ve already seen that. We continue to pray that the Spirit will touch the hearts of all you come in contact with. Look forward to talking to you on Christmas. How will you be calling Christmas? Will it be a video call? Let us know if we need to use our Apple ipad or something else and what time you will call. Love Dad and Mum xxx

Hello Tyrell,

We went to Shauna’s house on Monday to look at her decorations and to have some snacks, Erana and I watched the Polar Express in her basement. Tuesday, Erana and I had our piano practice, then we played my friend Jenna’s house. On Wednesday, for Young Women’s we decorated cookies and jars and played a game called the White Elephant. You play White Elephant by getting a gift that is either good, stupid, or funny, everyone brings a gift. Then, a person picks a gift, and it goes on and on, but you can either pick a gift, or steal someone else’s gift. A person who gets their gift stolen gets another gift. A gift can only be stolen twice, like if a ball was a gift and it got stolen twice, than no one can steal it anymore. The next day, Daphne and Lidia, Erana’s friends from church, came over for a tea party and played for a while, then I had my Tausala practice. Erana and I slept in our fort we made with Daphne and Lidia. We went shopping with mom and ate at the Asian Market on Friday. Yesterday, Kage and Dray played over, then I watched Kage’s basketball game, his team one (of course.) Today was Ariana’s homecoming so we only went to Sacrament meeting, then went to Jonah’s church and ate at their house. Erana and I slept in our fort all the way through from Thursday to today, Mina slept with us last night. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU TYRELL!!!

Love, Leila XOXO

Hey Big Bro,

This week we will have the closing assembly for Charity Week. I don’t know how much we made but I know it’s above $10,000. On Friday, I missed school because of a FBLA Competition (Future Business Leaders of America Club) with schools in the Granite District, Salt Lake County District, and the Tooele District. I competed in Website Design and Social Media Campaign. I had to make a website and give information and present it to judges by myself. I placed 4th in Website design. I had a partner with Social Media Campaign. We had to create a healthy food delivery service and make social media platforms for it and present it to judges. We placed 5th. Today was Ariana’s homecoming talk, it made me think of when you will be home! Stay safe, Love you -Mina

Hi Tyrell,

I went to  kage and Drays  house on saturday. I went to shanas house on monday. My friends came over to play on thursday. I did my piano with vicky I went to Jennas house on tuesday. I went to Ariana's Homecoming on sunday and we went to their house it was so cool. Love, Erana xoxo

Hi Tyrell,

I went to the Morley’s house to look at their decorations and eat their snacks and treats. Then on Saturday I went to Uncle Jared’s house to babysit with Talia. We listened to Braydon’s farewell talk because he’s leaving on his mission on the 27th to serve in Brazil. He did a wonderful job on his funny talk. Then we went to Ariana’s Homecoming on Sunday. She did an amazing job on her talk, and we were happy to listen to her wonderful mission stories. After that we went to their house to eat. They had delicious food and delicious desserts. We had to leave early for Mina’s Concert Choir. That’s all I have for you this week so hope you have a wonderful week. Love, Jaxon XOXO

12/24/17

We had sacrament only for church. We had our Christmas Eve dinner. We had shrimp soup and stuffed mushrooms and other yummy food. The kids opened the gifts they got each other. Our tradition we want to keep doing. Candi and I got the presents ready after 12am when all the kids wen to bed. Friday we went to see the Star Wars, The Last Jedi movie with the family. I had already seen it Tuesday for work. It has nice special effects but they ruined the story. I did not like what they did to Luke Skywalker. It was totally against his character they built up in the original movies. I didn't like the sjw (social justice warrior) elements and the token diversity cast that Disney is throwing out. I'm done seeing these crap Star Wars movies. I'll pretend they are some fan film and not official canon. Wednesday we went to the Tarawhiti wedding. Waynes' daughter Kotahi got married in Provo. The reception was at the Library. Got to visit with Sinny, Taylor, Jayson, Uncle and Auntie. The next night we went to Chuck-a-Rama in American Fork and met up with all the Tarawhiti family. Had a good visit. Took Jaxon and Mina with me. Jared's family came and Eugene Ackerman's. Also Fisi. Nancy was also there. She's a professor at BYU Hawaii. Auntie Cairo and Uncle Taylor are volunteer missionaries at the PCC. I think their time is up in August. They love it.

Letter to Auntie Cynthia:
I didn't mail out any Christmas cards this year so I'm emailing to let you know what's going on, not sure if this is a current email address?

Merry Christmas! Aunty hope your Christmas was filled with family, fun and food. It's Christmas eve here, and we've already eatin and made ginger bread cookies for santa, watched Mr Krueger's Christmas and Mr Beans Christmas! lol And now we're playing board games.
Excited for Christmas tomorrow especially for the kids and to speak to my son Tyrell who is serving an LDS Mission in North Carolina, we get to speak with him twice a year Mother's Day and Christmas. He will serve for two years he left this year in March. Jason's Mum passed away just this October and we still miss her, holidays just aren't the same without her.
Well we are doing good, the weather is cold, hoping it will snow tomorrow for Christmas day. Our oldest Daughter Wiramina 18yrs old is a senior in high school and wants to go to college in Hawaii - Brigham Young University next year. Jaxon 14yrs old is doing good in school too, he just went back this school year, he was being home schooled, he is also learning to the play bagpipes. Leila 12yrs and Erana 7yrs my babies are being home schooled and they are growing up too fast. All our kids are doing good and they are such a blessing to us.
I just spoke with my family on facebook messenger, and the weather in Aussie and NZ look so nice and sunny, wish I could be there with them instead of this cold.
Well hope you and Uncle Kimson
are doing great, and we send our love to you, take care and Happy New Year aswell.
Love Jason, Candi, Wiramina, Jaxon, Leila and Erana xxx

12/31/17

Christmas morning we were up around 7am. The kids had a good time. It was a lot getting all the gifts. It's hard to know what to get each year as the kids get older. An expensive but they are worth it. We ate lunch at Scott's. We had gift exchanges later in the afternoon but Tyrell called during that. Had a good talk with Tyrell. The connection for a video call wasn't good so we ended up doing a regular phone call. He seems happy and more talkative. Candi gave out her gift to the girl cousins. A compact mirror with Mum's picture and lipstick she used to wear. She spent a lot of time making those and getting the resin just right to cover the photo but it turned out awesome. It was our first Christmas without Mum. It wasn't the same but I'm glad most of the grand kids are older and can remember those Christmases we had with her. I also took Tuesday off, the day after. Didn't do a whole lot. New Years Eve was at our house but only Scott's and Jared's families could come. It was small but nice. Had lots of food. We played some games. Scott did his trivia game again. Played pictionary with the see through plastic board to draw on. The kids were laughing a lot when Scott guessed one of the pictures Heather was drawing was a penis. It was a cannon. We also did a Just Dance competition. The final dancers were Leila, Jaxon and Scott. Leila won. This year 2017 went by so fast. Seems ridiculous how quick it goes. In some ways it is nice and other ways sad. The kids growing up so fast is sad. 2018 here we come!

Happy New Year!!! Sorry Son we forgot to write you last night, too busy with New Year festivities. Only Uncle Scott & Uncle Jareds families were with us last night when we rang in the new year, kinda sad. Oh well we had lots of yummy food and did our trivia game and other games. Had a just dance dance off, Leila won! And watched some home made movies. Everyone's still asleep. We love you,  hope this year is the best for you,  just consume yourself in the Lord's work, follow the rules and be prayerful in all you do and you'll be good! LOVE YOU, Mum & Dad xxx

November

Scripture of the Month: John 7:17
"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

11/5/17

Hey Son,
What an emotional rollercoaster the last few weeks were. Lots of laughter with friends from NZ and crying for Grandma. The others explained a lot of what went on last week. It was quite the experience. We received lots of love and support from the ward, friends and relatives. But life goes on and we can do our best to follow Grandma’s example in being loving and always having kind words to say. We had halloween at Uncle Scott’s and the kids went around that neighborhood. That was a little strange since we were so used to going to Sandy. But Uncle Jody moved to Provo and we didn’t want to go that far. Mum made boil up that night. We saw Thor Ragnarok Friday. It was good and funny. The maori director Taika Waititi did a good job and put in his scab-a-laughs. He was the voice of the rock guy and just did his maori accent and words and was a crack up to hear that on the movie. Hope all is well. Don’t forget to write us or leave some time on your busy p-day to do that :). Love you heaps, Mum and Dad xxx

Hi Tyrell,
I love you and miss you. Happy Thanksgiving! All I want for christmas is you. Love Erana xoxo

Hey Big Bro,  Nothing much has happened this week. I am applying for scholarships and I need to apply for colleges. Ugh. I just can’t wait to go on my mission and worry about more school later. Haha, How are you doing Tyrell? Any big or small experiences? I had a normal week, nothing much to write about. Write to you next week! Love ya- Mina

Hello Tyrell,
I went with dad and Erana to a small party with some Ward members, and played bingo on Monday. We went to Uncle Scott’s for Halloween, it was okay. On Wednesday, I went to my first Young Woman’s. I forgot what I did on Thursday. We went to the movies to watch Thor Ragnorok on Friday, and played with Kage and Dray for a little bit at our house. The next day, I had a basketball game, then Erana and I played at Kage and Dray’s house. I had my first Sunday at Young Woman’s today, I got a little confused of where to go. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!
Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Tyrell,
I went to go see Thor Ragnarok on Friday. It was sooooo funny and awesome. My favorite Avenger is Thor now. I also worked hard and raked a lot of needles and leaves in the backyard so that I can get a game. I was going to get Call of Duty WW2 but I don’t think it lets you turn off the swearing and blood. So I got another game that’s really fun. I got Middle Earth Shadow of War. Remember the game Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor. Well Middle Earth Shadow of War is the second game of that and it’s super fun. That’s everything interesting that happened this week so hope you have a wonderful week, hope you be safe. Love, Jaxon XOXO

 

11/12/17

Hi Son,

Went to exchange your coat, but they didn’t have your size, will keep an eye out for it though. Also sending you the red ukelele, and found your Zanarkland sheet music.  Life’s going back to normal last Monday was the first time I woke up not thinking or feeling sad about Mum’s passing. Last fast Sunday Mina got her YW medallion and Leila graduated from Primary. Also Dad and I bore our testimonies and thanked everyone for serving us during Mums passing and funeral. Friday for ‘Veterans Day’ went to the Tabernacle went to Mina’s Veterans Concert. Tyler also came and gave us a presentation about his company, and it was about finances and life insurance. Our finances etc are pretty awesome so not sure if he could help. But he knew his stuff and seemed very confident, he says he feels like he’s still on his mission. On Wednesday had YWIE night Harry Potter theme and it was awesome. Went to Devin’s homecoming luncheon today. Anyways posted stuff on our fb page. Love you hope you are doing awesome. Love Mum & Dad xxx

Hi Tyrell, I did primary program.  I went to Aunty’s for Dinner.  Love Erana xoxo.

Hello Tyrell

I hope you had a great week! I kind of did! We had a Harry Potter themed Young Womens. There was lot’s of DELICIOUS treats there! I helped them make the treats before we went to Young Women. We went to Wiramina’s Veterin’s Day concert choir on Friday, she only sang like 3 times so it was pretty boring. The next day, I had a basketball game and lost but they shouldn’t have won because they are a dirty team. That means they foul so many times and the ref doesn’t call it, it’s so annoying. I had Tausala practice before my basketball game. Erana and I went and played at Kage and Dray’s house. After that, I went with Kage to his friend’s house for night games, he had nice but teenagery friends. We went to our cousin’s house for Devin’s homecoming today. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!

Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Tyrell, not much happened this week so this will be short. I went to go see Thor Ragnarok again with Talia and then helped babysit Adiki and Alessandra on Saturday. We watched 3 episodes of Stranger Things on Sunday. We also went to Devin’s mission homecoming and ate food there. We went to Mina’s veteran’s choir concert thing on Friday too. I slept mostly through it. That’s everything interesting that happened this week so hope you have a wonderful week. Love, Jaxon XOXO

  

11/19/17

Hi Son,

Highlight of the week was just going to the movies as a family on friday and watching 'Justice League', I'll let the kids tell you about it, but it was fun. We had dinner last night with Uncle Scott's family. And also I worked out at a gym on thursday, cause Leila does her Tahitian at a gym, so I worked out while she danced. I was a little shy at first, was on the eliptical and then tried out a climbing stair machine and some weight lifting ones. Haven't worked out so much! lol Anyways will be at Aunty Tania's for Thanksgiving. Jody's family won't be coming, their picking up Ariana in Spain, and bringing her home. You should be getting your package today with your coat and uke. Let me know when you get it. Love you Mum and Dad xxx

Hi Tyrell, this will be a quick one. Nothing that interesting just the same old daily things like school. We did go see The Justice League on Friday. It was pretty good. We ate at Auntie Heather’s house on Sunday. I only have 2 days of school this week because of Thanksgiving. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!!! Love, Jaxon XOXO

Hi Tyrell I went to Kage’s house to eat Dinner. I went to church and dad left me and Leila. Love Erana xoxo.

Hello Tyrell,

I hope you had a great week! For Young Womens we helped at the Food Bank. We put food into boxes. I was on cranberry juice duty. Went to Tausala on Thursday. Friday, Erana, dad, and I went shopping and I got my friend a birthday gift. Yesterday, I had my last basketball game, then mom and I went shopping so I can get my friend 2 more gifts and a card, then we went to her house to give her the presents, but she wasn’t there. Her mom said if I can go to Jenna’s birthday party that was on Sunday at 4:00, mom said I can. Today, I went to Jenna’s birthday party after church, she loved my gifts. The cake had a unicorn face with a beautiful mane, Jenna’s aunt made it. Mom picked me up and we went to Kage and Dray’s house because the rest of the family were eating dinner there. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!

Love, Leila XOXO

11/26/17

Hey Son,

Was awesome to hear about your baptism. I’m glad you got to experience that. We had Thanksgiving at Auntie Tania’s. There was too much food. The weather has been warm for this time of year. In the mid to high 60’s. We had about 30 minutes to gather everyone and started teaching them Karangatia ra and the haka Tika Tonu. We’re going to try and teach the cousins more maori culture. Saturday Mum and I went to Tyrone and Marci’s sealing in the Timpanogos temple. You remember them? We went to Tyrone’s Dad’s funeral in NZ, Uncle Alwood. Marci has the 2 little girls. Tyrone has done really well to get back into church and now has gone back to the temple. It was Marci’s first time. The ceremony was spiritual. Three former missionaries came to the sealing that helped get Tyrone reactivated. I think you met all 3 at some point. Elder Dawson, Elder Wolf and Elder Stephan. They’ve been home off their missions for over a year but they remember you going to some lessons with them and they asked how you were doing. After the sealing we went and ate at Rodizio grill. I taught Elders quorum today on Elder Holland’s last conference talk, “Be ye therefore perfect...eventually.” Hope all is well. The church is true, Jesus is the Christ and I know you’re much good in His name as His representative. Keep it up. Love you always, Dad and Mum xxx.

Hello Tyrell,

I hope you had a great week! On Wednesday, we had no school. Thanksgiving was very fun, we shot some hoops and played Billiard. Erana and I slept over at Kage and Dray’s house after we went to the cemetery which was after Thanksgiving. Friday, we played a little at Kage and Dray’s and then Kage and Dray played over at our house. Yesterday, I went to Tausala practice then played with Kage and Dray at our house for the whole day because both our parents went to the temple. Today was a normal Sunday, but still a special one. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!

Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Tyrell it was my first time sleeping over at Kage and Dray’s house.Love Erana XxOoXO.