Family Happenings

We got right to work in getting things crossed off our list in preparation for Zach's mission.  His passport took a little over three weeks to get here.  His shots are done.  He had to have another physical, lab work and a chest xray for his Visa to New Zealand.  We couldn't do that until after March 26th so his appointment was on Friday.  We are waiting for a print out of the results and then the last thing we need before we can send everything in, we need to get the FBI clearance back.  Things have been going smoothly.  He has gotten a suit, ties, shoes, socks, luggage, scriptures, missionary books, towels and a few odds and ends.  We need to buy shirts, coat, raincoat and maybe another pair of shoes. (and a lot of other odds and ends)  He will be riding a bike, so we need to send a check to New Zealand for that.  It is nice to cross things off the list. 

Zach went through the Temple on March 20th.  It was a very special day.  He asked three of his friends (Branson Bowler, Tanner Richardson and Jake Smith) to come along and then Greg and I.  It was so neat to be in the Temple with him--we look forward to going more times before he goes.  Zach has been to the Salt Lake Temple and then the Logan Temple again since then. 

Mountain Crest Baseball has started and is in full swing.  Tanner has had the opportunity to start at 2nd base in a few of the Varsity games.  He has been hitting the ball well and was mentioned in the local paper a couple of times!  Tanner is such a great kid, he has worked really hard in school this year and made the honor roll both trimesters.  He worked it out this time that he doesn't have any tough classes this trimester when he has baseball.  His schedule is Seminary, Computer Tech, Foods, Digital Photography and Baseball--sounds rough, huh? 

We all went to St. George for the Mustangs baseball tournament and really enjoyed the sunshine and getting away.  It is always nice to get away as a family and it's even better when there is baseball involved and sunshine!  We are planning a get away this week to California to visit Shannon and the boys will get to go see the Giants and Cardinals game. 

Kaden has really been working hard in school this year--either working hard or it comes easy, I don't know.  He got a 3.94 the first trimester and a 4.0 the second.  He has really enjoyed the March Madness tournament--but was disappointed that Kentucky wasn't in it this year.  If Louisville wins the tournament, he will be the winner of the family brackets...if not--Mom wins!

Brynn has been playing Volleyball and loving it.  She has gotten really tall this year and is just about taller than Mom.  Can't believe she will be at the middle school next year!

Greg was called to serve as the 2nd Counselor in the Logan YSA 2nd Ward on USU Campus.  He has been there a little over a month now and he loves it.  He goes to his own ward now--but the family goes with him to Ward Prayer on Sunday nights and then we do family home evening on Mondays with the ward groups.  It is going to be a fun experience over the next three years.

Denise was recently called to serve a the 2nd Counselor in Young Womens.  She will be working with a great group of women and loves the girls.  It is nice, too, that Brynn is about 16 months away from being in Young Womens.  She does get to go to the activities on occasion!

Yesterday, Greg, Zach, Kaden, Grandpa Butler and a friend of Kaden's went to see the Mariners and Rockies at the SL Bees stadium.  We got the tickets for Christmas.  Tanner couldn't go because he had MC games in Stansbury Park!  He was so sad to miss out.  The weather was beautiful and it was a great way to welcome in Opening Day of baseball!