CATCHES FROM CHRIS

We hope everyone is doing great. Nothing very exciting is happening with us, but I guess that is good. Chris has been working a lot of hours and that is great we have no complaints. He also spent the weekend with the scouts on a SNOW camp in Cedar City. There were six leaders and a dozen or so twelve year old boy's. He said there was about three feet of snow in the tent. The weekend was filled with snoring, sledding, snow fights, a trip to the emergency room and no trip would be complete with out some crying. Chris told the boy's that his three year old daughter didn't cry or complain as much as they did. In spite of it all he had a good time, did I mention that Don Whipple went too. Last week we finally got the garden planted. We planted seeds and six big tomato plants and some squash. It looked great and then the temp dropped and it all froze!!!! I hope the seed's will be ok. I felt bad after all the work we put into it ,but I thought chris was going to cry. Chris thinks we better wait a week or two and then try again. Maybe it will warm up by then!!!!!!!

Leslie got to spend a week with her Nana when she came to visit in Feb. We had a great time and hated that she had to go home.( I hate the airport!!!) Leslie is excited that she is going to have a sister and can't wait for July. We are looking for Baby NAMES if any of you have any suggestions. We like Madysen, but we can't think of any others. Leslie keeps asking when she can play with Kambri, Michael, and McKayla. We can't wait to see everyone.

Love, Chris, Summer ,and Les

MEL'S MELODIES

Well, March is roaring in like a lion here in Eastern Iowa. We are recovering from 9 or 12 or maybe more inches of snow that were dumped on us over the weekend. Today we ventured out to church in 4-degree weather (that's Fahrenheit) I just keep thinking people actually choose to live here?

Enough of the weather: here is the news of our fam. Kambri is still the queen of kindergarten. Her social life hit an all time high at the peak of her life. The event? Her six-year-old birthday party! Originally I told her no party this year, but when she pleaded with me and told how life is pretty much over after six, I was reminded of Becca when she turned six or seven and planned her own party and the invitation said "cum to Becca brfda" So we had nine little girls over for quite the bash. She had a butterfly cake that was more stress to decorate than managing the actual party, but that is another story.

February is the party month in our family, McKayla celebrated her second birthday with a Winnie the Pooh cake decorated all in stars. Secret from the cook: freeze your cake prior to decorating and it makes a world of difference. Mom is celebrating not being pregnant. Michael's gift to McKayla included a complimentary hair cut. So now she sports a cute bob, not part of my long term hair plan for her, but it turned out really cute and she loves the effect she has when she flips her head and says, "No way!"

Andy lined up a babysitter and took me to the movies to celebrate 5 years of marriage. We saw Lord of the Rings, not very romantic, but we felt content that we got our money's worth. He also had a wedding picture engraved on granite. It looks sort of cool.

Andy just threw a grand cookie party. We had nine couples bring a batch of their fav cookies and then we pigged out. I dub the night a success. Andy sure makes a mean sugar cookie, he even colored the frosting yellow and black to coordinate with U of I colors.

Michael can't wait for his birthday, he keeps telling me that he just wants to be four. April is so far away. In the meantime, all scissors are locked up safely out of his artistic reach.

I have been thinking about warmer skies, just counting down until our departure. This past month I cut my running down and did a lot more cross training. some of my running friends tried to get me to sign up for the Minn marathon, but I didn't feel ready for something so intense. So then a friend approached me about joining a bike ride across Iowa. When I stopped to think I realized if 26 miles of running sounded too intense, perhaps 60-80 miles of riding for 7 days is just crazy. But I want to give it a shot.

And that is the news.

Love Melanie

Many different things happened to us during the past month; both good and scary. We are doing well and hope the same for everyone else. MK's big day is quickly approaching. We're very excited to see everyone. I only wish we all had the same spring break schedule to play. I'm not sure when Becca's is, but it's too bad Mel and Andy get off before everyone else. Then it's also too bad Jeremy and I get off after everyone else. I wish there was a "national" spring break when it could be the same across the country. At least we'll have one or two days during MK's farewell when we can be together. It sounds like MK has some fun adventures planned. Of course going anywhere with our boys is an adventure!

I have a weird type of anticipating feeling about seeing everyone this time. I know it's because there are so many emotions involved. It's not a completely joyful anticipation where one of us is getting married or it's our 2nd family reunion. It's a childlike excitement knowing we'll get to be together as a family. At the same time, I have this growing lump in my throat knowing it will be the last time for a while that we'll be able to goof off with MK or have him take us on a four-wheeler ride.

About Paraguay: I came across some interesting information that might be of use for MK. "Dueling in Paraguay is legal as long as both parties are registered blood donors." I'm thinking MK better register as a blood donor as soon as he gets the chance in Paraguay!

We made a big step towards our goal of dental school this past month. Jeremy took the D.A.T. He studied two weeks straight for it and then went up to Sacramento for a day to take the actual test. I just waited in the testing room lobby for him while he took it. The test was 5 hours long, but I wanted to see him during his 15-minute break during the middle of the test. So I took a book and got a lot of reading accomplished (I don't know who was more stressed, Jeremy or me!). He ended up doing pretty good on it. He scored a competitive score on the academic portion an amazing score on the visual portion- in the 99th percentile!

It felt very good to get the D.A.T. over with. We "narrowed" our dental school choices down to the 5 in California, 1 in Oregon, 1 in Washington, San Antonio, and Baylor (sorry Mom and Dad, not LV). Jeremy talked to the people he has planned to write letters of recommendation for him. We're shooting for the application and all that goes with it to be ready to send out by June. It gets me very excited to edge nearer to our next big step!

Here's the scary experience that happened to me: I was robbed. My purse was stolen right from my arm by two big guys in a car. I was pretty scared. It was around 8pm and I was walking alone out of a grocery store in the parking lot towards my car. I could hear a car behind me so I scooted over to the edge of the aisle. I heard the car slow way down and get right behind me then I felt it pull up right very next to me. A big arm came out of the driver's window, grabbed my purse and then hit the gas and drove off. My purse was yanked from my arm from the fast acceleration. I just stood there for a minute dumbfounded and shaking, not really believing what had just happened to me. Yano, I had the run-in with the gorilla-masked rapist at BYU but he just turned out to be a guy answering the wrong girl to a dance. So while I was standing there in shock watching the car drive off I almost thought the car would turn around and they'd say, "Oops, we accidentally took your purse while driving by almost running you over, sorry--here it is." But they didn't; they just drove off and I stood there with my lip quivering. There really was no witness. A lady with a husband and some kids saw the car so the lady stayed with me while I waited for the police. I got a hold of Jeremy and he canceled all the cards. It still gives me the creeps because I had so much stuff about me in that purse. They have my license. They know where I work. They know what my family looks like. They have my spare key to our Jetta. They know where I live. Yea, it gives me the creeps. People say not to worry because they're only after the cash ($45).

However, I've been getting strange phone calls lately from people saying they're with my credit card company who want to verify where I live. They were very pushy on the phone and then hung up on me when I asked them to hold while I talked to my husband about the matter. I called my credit card company to complain and they said that they had no record of calling me and plus they would have never asked what my address was because they already know it and it's a policy to never hang up on a customer. So you can only imagine how much more paranoid I am now. I remember when Becca used to get after me when I'd roll up my car window when we drove by "gang-member looking" people! It doesn't help that Jeremy has night classes Monday through Thursday this semester. On Tuesday and Thursday his class doesn't get over until 10:00. After I had the weird phone call incidents I've been going over to a neighbor's house when Jeremy's gone. From this whole purse incident I've learned that not everywhere is like Logandale or Provo. I don't go shopping at night by myself. I've also invested in a smaller purse that hangs across my upper torso. Jeremy jokes with me that I need to carry scissors in case anyone tries to steal my purse again. If they try and yank my purse from me and drive off, I can cut the purse loose from my straps so I'm not dragged on the ground!

Remember how concerned I felt about rumors circulating that my school planned to cut back the music program next year? They considered eliminating the 6th grade electives, which meant the end of my job. Well the plan for next year just came in. Thankfully, they decided to keep the 6th grade music program, so they still need me, and they've even added a stipend for my jazz band. What a dream come true! (Editor's note: what principal in his right mind wouldn't choose to keep Martha on with her outstanding music program!)

We're VERY EXCITED to see everyone this month. Take care until then!

SMARCH* NEWS FOR BERECCA

After hearing the latest rumor that I was pregnant with quintuplets and Nick had just endured a grueling hair transplant surgery I realized that I had missed the family newsletter deadline. First I'll begin by setting the records straight. No I am not pregnant with quintuplets however we did find out that I am having a boy. The lady who took the sonogram gave us a funny picture of his "you know what." Well now his "you know what" is hanging on our refrigerator. Nick did not receive nor is planning on having hair transplants. However, we suspect his oldest brother uses Rogain. We noticed he has more hair now than in our wedding pictures.

The biggest excitement this month was Nick's acceptance to Pharmacy School. We received the letter while he was at work and I was at home. So I took the letter, wrapped it in a fancy blue ribbon, and brought it to his favorite restaurant with a bottle of Martinelli's. I gave it to the hostess there before I brought Nick in. Later at the restaurant Nick sure was surprised when the waiter brought us a tray with the bottle of Martinelli's and a letter from the U of A. I sure was relived that it was his actual acceptance letter and not anything else that the School of Pharmacy could have been sending him.

We also found out that we are having a boy, like I stated earlier. The ultrasound doctor also said that from the baby's measurements she suspects the baby will be born closer to the 14th. Happy anniversary! At least we'll never forget how long we've been married! Or how old our oldest child is. . .

Also this last weekend was an old friend from music camp's wedding, Megan Metheney. It was a great wedding. Nick and I agreed that BBQ beef and beans beat any expensive ritzy meal even if the flowers were edible!

This week is my spring break so we are headed to Logandale tomorrow (3/14). Don't worry we'll be there for McKay's farewell too.

Nick and I have began working on a baby room. We painted it light blue and yellow yesterday and put up jungle animal borders today. Next I hope to make matching curtains. . . Another project Nick has been working on is our new rose vines. Nick tore out the hideous cactus in front of our house and replaced them with climbing roses. Now we're just waiting for them to grow out of the stump stage. Now Nick is getting really excited to uproot the wild palm tree in the middle of our yard. I think I'm going to make sure I'm not home to see that. If the tree falls one direction it will crash in our trailer. If it falls the other direction it will crash in his brother's trailer. And if it falls the other direction it will collide with our Pepper tree. Nick is confident that he can make it fall in the one direction that won't crush anything. I believe him, I'd just rather not be around to stress everyone out.

I guess I must be feeling pretty crafty lately because I also sewed a formal maternity dress for playing the harp in at this expensive high class lodge on the edge of Mount Lemon. It turned out alright. It even with stood my falling down the stairs into the lobby where I play. Too bad I can't say as much for my ankle. I couldn't walk for a few days but it is mostly healed now. Nick came to my rescue that evening and carried me and my harp out for me. I'll be playing there again next week. Hopefully the incident will have been forgotten by then . . .

We are very excited for McKay. I'll try not to be too emotional. I always thought I was emotional but man, trying to balance my regular emotions with pregnant ones sure it tough! We also look forward to seeing the whole family for a short little while. Can't wait to see you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Smarch is the month considered to be halfway through March

MATTHIAS AND HIS EXCITING NIGHT LIFE!

A lot has happened in two months (I failed to write an article last month) so I'll try to be complete yet interesting. First of all, reverse was this weekend, and oh man, fun to the point of exhaustion! My date was the foreign exchange student from Denmark, a funny little girl named Louise Ladegoord (I don't know how to say it any better than I spelled it). We were in a group with three other girls. I counted up all the different activities we did and the number came up to twelve, 12! And all the things we did reminded me so much of my sisters. For example, one activity was playing in the dirt. We drove to a spot special for playing in the dirt. Other activities included: hiking, spelunking, campfire cooking, Danish pancakes for breakfast, country line dancing, Frisbees in ankle-deep irrigation water (might I add freezing cold), and experiments with glow-sticks and the fluid inside! After we got cleaned up, the girls treated us to a fully-authentic Japanese dinner (we even had to take off our shoes and sit on the floor). Then of course there was the reverse dance, but like that's even important! All in all, the time was great and I have included pictures!

Another chunk of my night life has been devoted to evening (and often well into the night) theatre rehearsals which are in full swing. I don't think I've said much about this play. It's called "See How They Run," a delightful comedy in three acts. I think I'm the lead role, but I'm not exactly sure. There are a lot of big parts and I have one of them. I also get a "rough and tumble" scene along with a lot of running around and other great action.

Near the beginning of February, I participated in Solo and Ensemble. I played my piece absolutely spotless, and you could just feel it. I got nearly perfect marks and then ended up with a 2. But Mrs. Delgadillo contested it and based on what the judge had written, they changed it to a 1. I also traveled to Reno for state basketball with our 100-piece pep band last month. After our first game, the principal of Alamo High School offered to pay the band to play during their games. We didn't really jump to the offer until they offered free breakfast instead of money. After that, we received three other offers to play for other schools, but alas the time was up. At our final and championship game, the other school had a 12-piece band that was weak and amped. They were outshone and shamed by far.

My academic life is great. Stressful at times, but I managed to crank out another report card. Phew! Everything else is okeedokee. Oh yeah, the dates for my upcoming play are April 16, 17, and 18. It's going to be a good 'n. I can't wait to see you all at MK's big day. Love--Matthias

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