June 2008- Woodwards, Kevin & Tammy & Family

As we review the activities of the month of May, we must admit that life has been a bit more eventful than we have enjoyed in the recent past. On April 26, the Woodward family along with Torrie and Emma, Ryan and Alexis and Ryan's family went to Orlando, Florida to enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort. Ryan, Alexis and Ryan's family returned after one week. We, along with Torrie and Emma reenlisted to stay on for another week. More than half of the fun was being able to experience the resort with Emma, to see her reactions to the sights, sounds and characters. On May 10, we all returned to Colorado Springs.

Torrie and Emma stayed with us while Levi was in Europe for the month. We prepared for our stake conference which was held on May 17 and 18. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came to attend our conference and reorganize our stake presidency. This was necessitated by our current stake president and his wife being called to preside over the New Zealand Auckland mission starting in July. Tammy and I were informed that I was on the list of interviewees Elder Holland would be meeting with on Saturday. We were asked to be available all day. At 11:00 AM, I arrived at the stake center to meet with Elder Holland and Elder Godoy of the First Quorum of the Seventy. As I walked into the stake president's office, Elder Holland stood to shake my hand, and told me that he really liked my light-blue tie. Elder Holland was also wearing a light-blue for which I immediately returned the complement. He told me that he had contacted Sister Holland who in turn coordinated with Sister Woodward to ensure that we both had matching ties that day.

We had a very good, five-minute conversation. I returned home to each lunch. About ninety minutes later, I received a telephone call from our stake president asking if Tammy and I would immediately come to the stake center. Twenty minutes later we walked into the stake offices. Elder Holland invited me into the stake president's office and Elder Godoy met with Tammy. After a searching worthiness interview, Elder Holland invited Tammy and Elder Godoy to join us. Elder Holland told Tammy and I that he and Elder Godoy, after fasting (they had come fasting) and prayerful inquiry, felt prompted to extend to me the calling of stake president of the Colorado Springs Colorado North Stake. He proceeded to explain the calling to both of us. After about 15 minutes he asked us, "Did I hear you say that you would accept this calling?" Our reply was "Absolutely".

Tammy was excused to go back home, and I was directed to go about the task of selecting counselors. I had about 30 minutes to prayerfully make this selection. The selected brethren and their wives were similarly invited to come to the stake center where they too met with Elder Holland and Elder Godoy.

We had a wonderful stake conference, and enjoyed the messages and blessing provided by these General Authorities. 70% of the stake's 3600 members were in attendance. It required two sessions on Sunday. After conference, these brethren set the presidency apart. I, along with our newly released stake president accompanied Elder Holland and Elder Godoy to the Colorado Spring Airport. One of the two Huntsman jets (reserved for the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve) was waiting for them to arrive. We drove out onto the tarmac, they got out of the car, gave us hugs, wished us well, and boarded the jet for the short hour-plus flight to Salt Lake City. It was certainly a weekend to remember.

The following Friday (May 23), Arianna received her high school diploma with the rest of her Pine Creek High School graduating class of 2008. The ceremony was held at the Air Force Academy. It was wonderful to see her reach this important milestone. She was thrilled to have it all behind her.

Alexis and Ryan came to Colorado Springs for Arianna's graduation. Ryan, Torrie and Emma flew home to Salt Lake/Provo on Monday, the 26th. Alexis stayed until Friday, the 30th before flying home. Things are pretty quiet now. According to the calendar, it appears that it is time to start the month of June.

We love you,

The Woodwards

May 2008 - Picture of the Month

Levi, Torrie & Emma attending Levi's BYU graduation for his Masters in Mechanical Engineering

May 2008 - Executive Office of Kenneth Woodward

Dear family,

My sister Ina and her husband Eldon and a couple children came to visit me last month. They were on their way to San Francisco to tour an aircraft carrier in the harbor Eldon was on during the Big One. But also to get away from the Franklin, Idaho weather. It must have been real bad across the line in Utah.

I've been doing a little gardening lately and just to make you out-of-staters feel jealous about our weather, I have blossoms on my tomato plants.

One subject which has received a lot of attention in our house lately was the length of Zachari’s hair. Finally Joshua and I decided we could look at it no longer so we forced a visit to a barber and ask that Zack be given a slight trim. It was a tearful event, going and coming. When we got home and Zack could study the extent of the atrocity in the privacy of the bathroom mirror he came out and said to me, "grandpa, you've just ruined my most precious possession." Then Joshua started to cry.

I asked Josh why he was crying, that after all, he was the one who was most insistent on the cut, and he said he had changed his mind. I can't say much about his timing.

Six more weeks of school and then I'll have them home full time. But we'll survive. They have ambitious plans for our summer, most of which are out of the question, and they are now old enough that I can leave them alone for a few hours at a time, and they are pretty good company. Our home would be very lonesome without them and I'm grateful they are such an important part of my life---haircuts notwithstanding.

Love, Dad

May 2008 - Ekins, Justin & Emily

We Moved Out of the Pit! So Justin and I finally moved out of the pit, and moved into an apartment that, thus far, doesn't have gang graffiti on the outside walls. I'm enjoying my graduate program thus far, despite the socialists, but I'm converting them to the truth and light. :) My friend and I are committed to creating the US' hub of libertarian PhD political science students at UCLA. Justin is still enjoying consulting and Monitor and of course they absolutely love him. The only other claim to fame is that we made it into Glamour Magazine, p 165 of April's magazine. You'll see our pictures and some phony quotes that we didn't say. Please let us know if you are in town. We moved to the Beverly Hills/West Hollywood area and there is so much to do around here. We'd love to see you.

~Emily & Justin

May 2008- Haupt, Levi & Torrie & Family

And we're off!!! Well the chaos of the summer has begun. We decided to kick things off with a bang. This week has been really busy. It started with the ultrasound. Friday was BYU graduation. Last year I walked in graduation for my bachelor's degree. We had a lot of family come, and it was great, but it didn't quite seem real since we knew we still had a least a year to go. This year was different, it was a little more low key, since no one flew in from out of town Torrie was solely responsible for controlling Emma and managing the camera. Torrie did a fantastic job with both tasks. Emma behaved as well, she didn't make a big scene like last year when we walked across the podium. Also Torrie gave me a graduation lei, reminiscent of our time in Hawaii- thanks babe!

Emma is seeing right through the "graduation" knowing I still have work to do.

Saturday was just as busy as Friday. It was Emma's 2nd Birthday!! To celebrate we went to the Wilcox's where Tracy and Alexis graciously hosted us and had a cake for Emma to boot. It was fun to hang out with Todd and Brenton too, thanks-a-bunch Wilcox Family!

Our other huge news this month is that we're pregnant with our second, actually about half way through.... but you should all know that since you're all consistent subscribers to our personal family blog.... We found out just before graduation that we're having another girl!!! Levi was excited and I was in shock I was certain this one was a boy because this pregnancy has been so different, so long to the old wives' tale that pregnancies resulting in the same gender are similar! we're very excited and we'll have even more fun to tell you of next month. Ta ta for now!

May 2008 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

April at the McClintocks was pretty ordinary. General Conference was different without Pres. Hinckley. Our Stake conference Authority reorganized our Stake Presidency. Bob photographed a wedding and kept the Bishop's appointment schedule humming, Anna attended some club meetings and got some new shoes, and Susan practiced music with her very few choirs. In fact, the most traumatic event that can take place at the McClintock Cottage is when someone forgets to clean and replace Anna's bedroom commode. That is a life threatening circumstance but we can't reveal who's life is threatened. In all, April was ordinary. The McClintock's are grateful they got through it and that each time Susan called the Watt Avenue home, Grandpa Woodward is still lively enough to answer. At least that is good news.

Love to you all,
The McClintocks

May 2008 - Slade, Jeff & Crystal & Family

The Slades are doing well and busy, busy, busy. Crystal is in full swing of job applications (not fun) and deciding the best place to work next year (not fun) and just got back from family time in San Diego ( soooo fun it makes up for the job applications and the work decisions!) I was treated to a wonderful long weekend by Cassie who pampered me and took care of me (because moms need that sometimes.) I got to see all of my family except Adam who was out in L.A. protecting the public (thank you Adam) and I have to say, I think my family is packed with great people (OK, I may be a little biased, but I think I am allowed to be.) My sweet family here is Colorado is keeping busy with school etc. Mathew is busy with GATE projects and scouts. He has been bringing a school friend with him to scouts weekly and it is so fun to see him be a little missionary, but better yet, just a good example. Felicity is doing well in school and piano. Jeff's mother is her teacher (she actually is extremely talented and bonus is teaching her for FREE.) Gay, Jeff's mom, is very pleased with Felicity's progress and actually says that she gets excited to see that her own grand daughter have a little extra gift and picks up on things more quickly than most of her other students. Andrew is SO ready for preschool. Mainly for the social interaction. He just can't have enough play dates and mom (yes, believe it or not, me) is apparently quite boring. So, we are excited for summer (which equals sibling interaction) and preschool to start. Jeff's business is picking up and he is doing well. I still don't understand some of the complexities of what he does, but I guess that is why he is passed the gazillions of tests on financial advising and I just smile and let him explain what he does. He is very happy and loves his job. Life is good. Now if it would just stop snowing......

May 2008 - Westover, Mel & Carol

Again, this month as flown by. We are starting STAR tests tomorrow. Once that is over it means that the school year is over and it is downhill from then on. I still have to meet with several parents regarding retention. That will be the not-so-nice part of the school year.

Mel and I are in a new ward. The ward boundaries were realigned about a month ago and we are now back into Sierra Ward. We are very happy. This building is five minutes away, verses 15 minutes away by freeway. Mel is the second counselor in the High Priest Group Leadership. I am still ducking and weaving. I just want to get through the school year.

Last weekend Mel and I flew to San Diego. Crystal flew in from Colorado and Erica drove in from L.A. We had a great time together. This is the first time Crystal has been back in California for two years. The weekend went by way too fast. It was nice having my kids all together again.

Hope everyone has a great month!!

Mel & Carol

May 2008 - Woodward, Kevin & Tammy & Family

The month of April was rather quiet in the Woodward household. Kevin had a week-long business trip to New Orleans during the month. The meeting was at the Lockheed Martin facility that produces the large liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen tanks (big orange backbone) for the Space Shuttle. He stayed in the French Quarter, which really is not the nicest part of town, but historical. Flying into the city and seeing the mighty Mississippi River's terminus brought to memory the fact that a good number of our ancestors arrived in the US through this port. The devastation from Katrina still abounds, but progress is being made.

Tammy spent the month preparing for a family vacation to Florida which we will discuss in our June entry. She was also preparing to receive Torrie and Emma for a period of time after the vacation, as well as Alexis and Ryan. All will be in town for Arianna's high school graduation ceremony which is scheduled to be held at the US Air Force Academy later in the month of May. In the meantime, Arianna continues to excel in her cosmetology studies.

We send our love to the family,

The Woodwards

April 2008 - Picture of The Month

Anna and Susan McClintock

April 2008 - Executive Office of Kenneth Woodward

Dear family,

We just completed the 2nd of a full-week school vacation since New Years day, and now we have nothing to look forward to but regular school routine for another month. Recently when Josh suggested he not go to school that particular day I ask him to give me one good reason why he shouldn’t go. After thinking about it for a few moments he said, “there’s just too much learnin.” Don’t we expect an awful lot from our school kids these days?

The boys enjoyed the occasion of their 11th birthday with the usual hoopla, and with grandpa Shubin’s gift of a Nintendo Wii which has been in use every waking hour since.

Stephanie at the Party

Kristy and Susan hosted an Easter Sunday dinner at Kristy’s domain, and I want them to know how much I appreciated it starting on time, and that the food was served with dispatch, allowing me to get away without unnecessary delay. With what little time I have left I have to be very prudent in how I use it.

For those of you who live in Colorado Springs, or in a similar disagreeable climate, you’ll be interested to know that shortly I’ll be setting out my tomato plants. They are getting almost too big for the window sill. I’m planning a very conservative garden this year, three tomato plants and innumerable weeds. I even thought I might make some homemade root beer, but upon further reflection, gave up the idea. Kevin is no longer around to turn the bottles.

Overall, it has been a very boring month. I read the last Newswire thoroughly twice and could find nothing to get after Aaron about except his laying a guilt trip on little Hannah, and neglecting to tell us whether the home he and Mindy are in the process of purchasing is west or east of I-5.

And Kristy came out, just like the groundhog. She probably saw her shadow and we won’t hear from her again for another six weeks, or Memorial Day, whichever comes last.

Love, Dad

April 2008 - Bessey, Ryan & Alexis

Hello Family!

This month was crazy fun for our little family and we would like to share with you a few funny stories. Earlier this month Ryan and I wondered whether or not we could share the same clothes. We had at first thought that no one would ever find out about our curiosity because we are in the safety and privacy of our own home, knowing of course that there was a huge gender and social obstacle which would not allow us to publicly exercise and share our curiosity. As you can tell, since I am sharing this story with you, our secret had to be let out in order for me to tell about another funny experience. On a particular Sunday Alexis thought it would be funny to dress in Ryan's church clothes and take pictures as if they were missionary companions; they had the clothes, the name tag, and an appropriately small and messy apartment in which to pull this gag off. Right before they took the picture, Alexis realized that she still had her ring on. She quickly slipped it into Ryan's pants (on Ryan) and exclaimed "we can't be married missionaries!" And then the picture was taken. Later on that day Ryan's pants, no longer needed since they were changed into normal attire, were later slung over the bathroom door...that bathroom door swings right into the toilet, and Alexis' ring is (was) still in the pants... For about two and a half weeks we searched frantically all over the house for the missing ring, checking in all of Ryan's pants but it was no where to be found. After approximately two and a half weeks Ryan came running into the bathroom, where I was, doing a "happy dance." In his hand was the "lost wedding ring," on his legs were the pants that I was wearing on the Sunday the pictures were taken. Of course this story isn't quite as funny retold as it was lived because I must also add that this story has really circulated all across BYU, including to the jeweler, whom I am sure still mocks my stupidity for not insuring the ring upon receiving it. And I thought they were just trying to get more money out of me, who knew that they are actually there to help me when I act stupidly.

This next experience taught Ryan and me that you can be married and still be really silly; you could even look and act as silly as you were when you were dating. Well on this particular Monday Ryan and I thought we would try to fly. They say that two heads are better then one, but they forgot to mention that the quality of both, or at least one, of the brains must surpass or at least equal that of a normal brain... ours combined don't make the cut. Enough gilding of the lily, Ryan and I were walking to his old apartment to visit with his roommates when Alexis started trying to throw her leg up behind herself and kick Ryan in the fanny. Ryan thought this was funny, not only was it a silly looking thing to do, but Alexis wasn't doing it right; she wasn't even making contact. So Ryan had to show her how it was done. So, anybody watching us would see two idiots walking along laughing and kicking each other. We don't know how this was accomplished but, we ended up with both legs entangled and in the air. Well, when four legs are in the air and not beneath the two bodies that they are attached to, people get hurt. We ended up flat on our faces with our backpacks over our heads; we couldn't account for our arms; we don't know where they went. Let me just say that people were behind us, and laughing at our misfortune. It was one of those moments that you wished you were watching and not participating, you know like the BYU vs. Utah football game? In the end, we have tons of fun. We are both still working very hard to finish up the semester with outstanding grades. The prospect of having to continue the jobs that we currently have inspire us to work very hard academically. We love you all and we hope that you laughed at least a little, for that was my intention. We hope your month was as fun as ours, but hopefully less painful.

Ryan and Alexis Bessey

April 2008 - Cannon, Aaron & Mindy & Family

Due to a family trip to Utah The Cannons will not be participating in this months newsletter. Assuming we survive the trek you will be able to tune in next month for details on Jakobs exploits as well as whether or not Hannah survived the 14 hour ordeal. In the meantime, Grandpa can tell you some "stories" about our trip. Why not? Our stories and his stories are likely to be equally accurate.

Go Lakers

Aaron

April 2008 - Cannon, Adam & Erica & Family

Cannon, Adam, Erica, Maja, Annika and soon to be baby girl.

If you didn't read the heading...we are having a girl. That will be 3 girls and one poor, poor, poor, daddy. This has been a good month. Maja is doing great in school, we had a parent teacher conference and the teacher said Maja was ready for 1st grade. Then she said Maja was ready for 1st grade before she started Kindergarden. I blame all of her smarts on her mother. Annika is still a very funny girl. She has a distinct sense of humor that makes me think my Dad is having some sort of influence on her. Erica is finishing up school, taking good care of the home, and the girls and she even has time for me...if I am ever home. I have been busy keeping the motoring public safe from violators.

That is all

April 2008 - Christiansen, Kristy & Todd & Sarah

Hello to All,

Its that time again. March flew by rather quickly (except for Dad who had two 11 year olds home for a week during Spring Break.) Inasmuch as students and teachers (and parents) gauge their time according to the school year, my year has only 9 weeks left. The rest of the year 2008 becomes a new year again in August. So for now, the teacher and two students living in Citrus Heights are looking at the first week in June with longing. (I'm sure Dad doesn't have the same perspective.)

We are all flirting with the flu. I had my flu shot, as I always do, but they tricked us by not including the vaccine for this year's flu virus. Therefore, for the first time in several years Kristy is actually sick. If this goes as it has for others with this strain of virus, it could be a few weeks before all is well. Sarah is not quite sure if she has the full blown flu, but being pregnant is probably to her advantage. (All of those extra immunities.) Todd hasn't been sick yet and shows no signs of it, yet. He will probably escape it, as he always does (shot or no shot.) So, Kristy is taking it VERY EASY because being near the end of the year, she has to finish up teacher's observations, PAR reports, Exit Interviews for those people finishing their Teaching Credential. Let's hope this flu is mild and short. I hope others of you have avoided this "plague."

Spring has sprung, trees are getting new leaves, the grass is greening up, and flowers are starting to grow. For those of you that live Southward, this probably happened awhile back or your grass never went dormant at all. However, those of you in the Rocky Mountains or other parts Northward, are still experiencing snow and colder temperatures. Don't worry. Your turn will come. Here in Sacramento, we vary between the heater on and the heater off. Soon enough it will be the AC weather.

Nothing more to report.

Kristy, Todd, Sarah, and pending new little one.