Dinner and a Play

Last night, Ricky and I were invited to Central Florida Community College, for dinner and a play. Cocktails and networking was first. Everyone was very friendly, and were pleasantly surprised that Ricky really does have a wife, they were beginning to worry.
The dinner was spectacular. Four courses.....

1. 3 shrimp on a cocktail glass, 3 green grapes, 3 small slices of cheese, each a different one, 3 crackers, and 2 little phyllo pastry shells with a scallop and herbs inside
2. a fresh slice of mozarella cheese sandwiched between two slices of tomato, topped with watercress, drizzed in olive oil and spices
3. 3 oz. of the most mouth wateringly tender filet mignon, topped with melted goat cheese, 3 asparagus spears sprinkled with crumbled bacon, and a little bit of wild rice bundled in phyllo pastry, tied up like a chocolate kiss
4. a goblet of fresh (and sweet) strawberries, blackberries, with a dobble of sweet yogurt and a sprig of mint

Then there was more wine or sweet tea. We drank water.

The play was hilarious. They weren't college students, but talented adults in the community. We laughed the whole time.

Tom, Dick and Harry
Comedy by Ray Cooney and Michael Cooney
In this hilarious story of three brothers, Tom and his wife are about to adopt a baby. His brothers are anxious to help make a good impression on the woman from the agency who has arrived to check on the home and lifestyle of the prospective parents. Unfortunately, Dick who has stashed boxes of brandy and cigarettes in the house, and Harry, who is in possession of a cadaver he is planning to sell illegally to a medical school, fail miserably. The adoption agency representative is aghast – and the illegal Croatian aliens who do not speak English are no help at all!

The couple were so sad that they were not able to adopt. The wife found out they were expecting a baby of their own! That's how it ended. Really cute.

News from Addison

Hello Everyone,
Some of you may have thought my adventures in Africa were over. However they continue, I hope to keep everyone up to date through e-mail till I find myself back in the states again! I was home for the holidays and it was truly great seeing home again and especially my family. My wonderful mother drove me to the airport on the 15 January and that is where it starts. The plain ride was long as some of you may know, luckily for me the airlines provided me with the most delicious food ever. The flight was over 18 hours from Atlanta to Johannesburg South Africa! I was hoping for an aisle chair or the best….emergency exit row but I happened to sit between two old ladies. When I finally got off the airplane I was so happy but I found it very hard to walk in a straight line!!! Anyway Johannesburg was not my final destination. I was heading to Lesotho a country of its own. I quickly went to the ticket counter to buy a ticket to Lesotho. It was now about 5 in the evening and the ticket counter told me that the next available plane will leave in the morning at 9. WOW!!! I’m not sure how many of you reading this email have had to sleep over in an airport, but I really wouldn’t recommend it at all! Just in case in the future you plan a trip which requires such an activity let me give you a few helpful tips:
1-Don’t sleep but if you do, never let go of your luggage.
2-You should really bring a pillow for such a night, but just in case you forgot yours….your carry-on makes for a great pillow.
3-Last but not least, when you do wake up from such a sleep do not be surprised who might be right next to you!!!
Anyway the morning finally came and a bus took us to our airplane. I was getting really nervous when the bus was driving further and further away from the airport. It finally stopped and there it was….the airplane. It looked like something Indiana Jones would use or something. It was so small but with the faith I had I boarded the plane. It took off and it was really going. In fact it felt like some ride you would experience at Six Flags. It was a short flight to my relief and landed safely in Lesotho, a small one strip airport. We were greeted by the customs and official.
Just in case you were wondering why I’m back in Lesotho (Africa) I will fill you in just a little. I strongly believe that I found the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with. Her name is Mabulane, and as time goes on as you read my emails I’m sure you will get to know her!
I do not have time to go through every single day (sorry mom) but I will for sure fill you all in with the main events. It was great to see Mabulane again after some time, and to our surprise we where both a little speechless. As time went on we continued to have a great time and to even learn much more about each other. As Sunday came around we both went to church together and wow I wished I had a camera to capture some people’s faces. No one really knew I was coming back except Mabulane and her family. Everyone was so shocked to see me and it was even nice for me to see some old friends again. Mabulane has 3 sisters and you can say 4 brothers. I know most of them to some degree and it is a great family. A few of them stay in Lesotho itself while others live further away. Majubere (her older sister), Macheli (her other older sister), and Moshe (her little brother) I know really well. They are all great however and so very nice to everyone including me.
Mabulane and I for so many different reasons have decided to get married to each other. I can compare our relationship to a puzzle, everything just fit together so nicely. In the Lesotho culture it is a little different to get married than anything back home in America. Just to say a little, I have to go speak with her father about the marriage and something called labola. Labola is where you pay her family for her good up bringing. Usually you pay in cows, but the cows can be exchanged for money. Anyway to make it simple to all of you just watch Johnny Lingo the movie and it should make a little more sense. Well just this weekend Mabulane, Majubere and I made the long travel to the father’s home. The public transport drops us off on the end of this long road and the rest of the travel has to be done by foot. It took about an hour walk to his house. He lives in a real African village I can say. No electricity or running water in the house. The village is located right below the beautiful mountains and a wonderful river running along side the village. Many donkeys, cows, and sheep can be found roaming the village. The time came for me to speak to the father whose name is Cheli (Chedie). The father included the older son in the discussion and everything went well. They were happy for Mabulane and I but told me a few things I must do, including things about the wedding and of course how much to “pay”. It was a great trip even to see where Mabulane grew up for some time. Many pictures were taken and it was a trip well worth it.
Well perhaps that’s all for now! Mabulane says hi and the same goes with me.
You’re Friend,
Addison

Unpacking

We are just about unpacked, except for a few stray boxes......Today is garbage day and this is the second load of boxes for the trash collector. Sean started school at Vanguard High School last Wednesday. http://picswithsean.blogspot.com High School starts at 9:15 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. They only have six periods instead of seven. There is only one band and it meets before school every morning at 8:00. Early morning seminary is at the church from Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 7:20 a.m.

I am so thankful I got a GPS for Christmas, because that is the only way I know to get around town. The city is on a quadrant system, but all the streets turn, twist and wind their way so that I have no idea where I am!

We went to church on Sunday, to a different ward than Ricky was going to. Everyone was so friendly and warm, and welcoming. I have been grocery shopping twice. Publix is the main grocery store, and it has a lot of different types of food. Lots of cheeses and lunchmeats that are popular in the Northeast, and fresh seafood at a good price, and BlueBell ice cream. Jealous, Lindsay??? We even discovered it in pint size yesterday so Vanessa made a store run after dinner and we each picked our favorite flavors.........

When we first arrived to Ocala, there was a freeze warning. The temperature dropped to below freezing for 3 nights in a row. The days were really cold too. Now the weather is beautiful. About 75 degrees, just like a warm spring day. I love this weather if it would stay like this. I know that there is blazing heat ahead.....I haven't found a place to take exercise classes yet. I went to a fitness center and that is off the list. There is a yoga/pilates place by the house that I will check into, and the YMCA. Well, stay tuned, I will try and find some interesting things to post, such as what the house looks like inside.........Have a great day!

Leaving South Jordan

This is the huge moving truck that is moving our belongings to Florida.

This is the kitchen all packed up...

This is the kitchen empty......

This is the end of one chapter.

In Dallas with Lois and Doug

Here I am with Doug and Lois. I haven't seen them in over four years, at Jordan's missionary farewell. When Lindsay and Jeremy lived in Houston, Ricky and I, and Jordan, Addison, Vanessa and Sean, drove to Logan to witness their temple wedding. We have so many fond memories with Lois and Doug. Well, who doesn't have fond memories with family.

Lois really wanted a picture with Sean, because she said she has known him since he was a fetus....in my womb.......Personally, I think she has known him longer than that! No seriously, if Lois was 9 and Lindsay was 10, and Sean is soon to be 16, then you do the math.....

Here's a memory........Before (or just after) Lindsay and Jeremy were married........I think it was after. Lindsay and Lois were having a wonderful time laughing and joking around and laughing. I took a picture of the three of them. In the photo, Lindsay kissed Jeremy on the cheek. Before anyone could say or do anything, Lois kissed Jeremy on the cheek at the same time. Jeremy was mortified and turned bright red. Well, this is the reinactment of that event. Maybe you had to be there to think it was funny, but it really was. Seriously, it was really funny! I'm not kidding! Remember, Jeremy????

On the Road Again.........

Well, we left Utah on a freezing cold Friday morning. We drove through Price, and through a little corner of Colorado. Then we were in New Mexico. There were no rest areas, and there were no DWI signs every mile throughout the whole state. The pedal was to the metal because we had to make it to Albuquerque for a decent place to spend the night. Since making these looooong road trips, we have discovered The Holiday Inn Express. It has incredibly comfortable beds with soft pillows, very nice bathrooms, and good continental breakfasts.

After driving through New Mexico for all of Friday and part of Saturday, we entered the great state of Texas. It's true what they say......everything is bigger in Texas. The flags, the cars, the food portions, the signs, everything! We drove through part of Jordan's church mission area. We drove through Amarillo and it is so much bigger than I remember, almost 30 years ago. I looked for the restaurant "The Big Texan" but couldn't find it from the highway.

Another thing about this route is that we had to drive through a lot of small towns and stop at a lot of traffic lights.

The second night we stopped in Dallas. I was hoping to, but just didn't know how it would work logistically. Anyway we made it to a Holiday Inn Express, and I called Lois, Lindsay's friend since they were 9 years old. They only lived about 10 miles away, so they came to the hotel and we had a great visit. It was great to see Lois and her husband Doug. We caught up on each other's news and took some pictures. I know that Lindsay wishes she had been there!
On the road again, to Mississippi. Nothing eventful.....then Louisiana.

We spent the third night in Mobile, Alabama. I was exhausted.....We stayed in a Holiday Inn because the GPS wouldn't tell us where a closeby Holiday Inn Express was. The room wasn't as nice, even though the price was way higher, and the TV didn't get ABC so I couldn't watch my favorite shows. Great!!!! There was no free breakfast either. The next morning we drove eight miles down the interstate into Florida and there was my favorite hotel just down the road... oh well.....

We made it to Florida, always driving about 9 miles above the speed limit. To make a long travel story short, we made it to Ocala at 3:15 Eastern time. Ricky kept texting every 5 minutes asking where are you now? About 5 miles closer than the last time.......He was waiting in the parking lot when we arrived. Yes, he was so happy to see us and we were so happy to see him!

Everyday was like the movie "Groundhog Day".....Get up, drive, drive, drive, drive, sleep......get up, drive, drive, drive, sleep........you get the idea.

Sean went to his first day of school today. His Science teacher is from Taylorsville, Utah and was wearing a BYU jacket. What a small world......

Tomorrow the moving truck comes........stayed tuned.........

One more thing....

Uncle Addison looked after Bridger and Kennedy for an hour on Friday, and they had a lot of "silly" fun.

Temporarily Out of Order

Yup, it starts on Monday.

Hopefully we won't have to take too much in the car....That's Sean driving....I'm probably clutching onto the front dash, or strapped onto the roof.....
I hope the weather isn't like this when the movers load the truck...

I'll be relieved to see this sign at the end of our four day drive.

It will be exciting to see these....

And mouth watering to taste these.....

Today is the last day that I will have access to the internet for a couple of weeks.....The movers will be here from Monday to Wednesday, I clean on Thursday, and Sean and I will begin our drive to Florida on Friday. I will try to document the process on film. Til then, take care of yourselves, keep us in your prayers and remember to leave a comment the next time you hear from me.

Food Jeopardy

Since we are moving, there are certain things we can't take with us. Addison organized a Jeopardy Game to figure out who got first choice on what to pick. He organized all the food that I gave him, and this is how he did it...

He used the question cards from the game "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and whoever got the question right, got to have first pick. Unfortunately,Rebecca and Dave weren't able to come. I put a lot aside for them before we even started.

This is the 100 point pile, less desirable because the products were opened.

This is the 200 point pile, a little more desirable.

The 300 point pile. I guess I didn't get a picture of the 400 pile. Lots of #10 cans for food storage.

Jordan and Kim, concentrating on the correct answer....not really, they weren't too hard.

Lindsay and Jeremy, hoping to get the Aunt Jemima maple syrup. By the way, did you know that Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben were married? A little piece of trivia you might not have know. It was a fun night, and everyone went home with a lot of food to add to their pantries. I on the other hand, won't have to pay the movers as much money for the heavy cans. I'm still taking 4 grocery bag fulls in the car.

Sean got his braces off

Sean just arrived at Dr. Anderson's orthodontic office. Notice all the balloons in the background, lots of kids getting their braces off.
Dr. Anderson told Sean that his teeth still aren't as perfect as he would like them, because Sean didn't wear his elastics often enough. We don't really want to spend more money with another orthodontist after we move, so the decision is made to take the braces off. Sean has worn his braces since November 2004!

Dr. Anderson's daughter Natalie, takes the braces off.....

Wow, that is a nice smile. Sean's teeth used to be incredible crooked with a huge overbite. Nice job Dr. Anderson. Haven't seen those pearly whites in a loooong time!

Tradition at Dr. Anderson's office, is when you get your braces off, they play the song "Celebrate" really loudly throughout the whole office for everyone to hear. Sean told us that he would dance, but I guess he chickened out. Then they present you with a ton of candy, a toothbrush and dental floss, all nicely packaged and attached to colorful balloons. I think they have a deal with our dentist down the hall.....ha ha ha!

Baby Addison

When Addison was in Kaynamazane, a little baby was named after him. He brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to Baby Addison's mother Patrina, and she wanted her baby to grow up just like Elder Horst.
Here is Elder Horst holding the birth certificate. Another baby was named after him the same week!!!

Happy Birthday Mabulane

Elder Hanson and Elder Horst baptized Mabulane in the country of Lesotho.

Addison is going back to Africa to visit Mabulane.

Here is Mabulane with (from left to right) Majubere, Thapelo, Moshe, Elder Horst, Nthabiseng, and Mabulane, they are all of Mabulane's siblings, except for her friend, Nthabiseng.

Mabulene turns 22 on January 5.

She is studying political science at college and is in her third year. She wants to be a political analyst.

Addison and Mabulane are made for each other. She sure is pretty!

New Year's Eve

We went to Lindsay and Jeremy's house for New Year's Eve. Jeremy cooked stew with biscuits and steak and carrots and fingerling biscuits, in his dutch oven, outside. It was so delicious. It tasted like we were camping in the mountains. I had two helpings! Thanks for the great meal, Jeremy.

Here we are enjoying our meal. Jeremy, Kennedy, Dave, Rebecca, Lindsay, Addison and Bridger.

And then, the many adorable faces of Kennedy with her big blue eyes. I couldn't decide which one to pick, so I chose them all.