Dear Sarah

My darling Sarah,

I can't believe you are in Nicaragua! We got your letter! We laughed and cried and then re-read it over and over again. What an adventure! And what I wouldn't give to walk those dirt roads with you and wash your aching feet at the end of a long day. Words can't express our love for you and for the people taking care of you. Bless them! The people you are meeting will never forget you and forever be blessed for your service and example. Send us pictures! Oh man, mother's day can't get here soon enough!

Thank goodness you finally received one of my packages. The other two will hopefully find their way to you sooner than later. Here is a picture of the t-shirts you requested. I will send them to your new address 1st thing tomorrow. Crossing my fingers they make it there soon!

Since I know you love pictures, I'll give you an update of what everyone's been up to along with a few pics.

Tulips are in all their glory on Sunnydale. They make me smile every time I look outside or drive up. Wish they lasted more than 3 weeks.

Analisa just finished her 1st year at BYU! She is officially set on majoring in Elementary Ed and wants to minor in Modern Dance. To quote her final instagram on campus, "It's been real. Till next Fall. #rollout " 

We went to the Creamery to use up the last of her meal card $ and ran into two boys that she'd dated earlier in the semester. They both teased her about being a heart-breaker and looked at her longingly as they said good-bye. See ya in two years, she chirped. Or not, she whispered to me ;) Scott on the left is heading to Canada and Christian to Dallas, Texas Spanish speaking.

After taking a 4 1/2 hour Accounting final, cutie pie Ryan helped her move two carloads full of stuff back home. A few nights later after a late night drive home from SLC to Provo he fell asleep at the wheel two blocks from his place and ran into an apartment building, totaling his car! He is fine but we have since moved her curfew up to 10pm in hopes of saving that poor boy's life. I'm sure she'll tell you all about it in her next letter. 

Kate went with the Skyline orchestra and choirs to sunny California on tour. Remember the pic you and Canon took at that very same beach on the very same tour? You'll have to tell me when his homecoming is so we can welcome him back to the states and test out his Español.  

I went along for the fun of it and had a blast chillin with baby Kate.

In the dark on Pirates waiting to check out Jack Sparrow!

Can I just tell you Cars Land at California Adventures feels like you just stepped into real life Radiator Springs! We are definitely going there when you get back. Your brothers are planning out the whole thing. It'll be awesome.  

 

Chester says hello and sends his best. He is fat and happy and could probably use a little more time on his exercise wheel (so could Topher for that matter) :)

Jacks dogs are the cutest things ever. Jack informed me the other day, as only Jack can, that they do not speak English so next time they take a nibble at Sammy he needs to yelp so they understand he doesn't approve.  Wonder what language Nicaraguan dog's speak? Ha

As part of the activities committee we put on a Linger Longer after church where people brought food to share as we stayed and mingled. It was fun and I got my two church besties to pose for a picture. They ask about you all the time and are praying for you!  

Uncle Chris came by last Sunday and took us all out on rides. Joseph was the 1st passenger and is giving you a personal thumbs up! The boys all love when I read your letters to them. They pray for you too and you're example gives them great desire to follow in your footsteps someday.  

Sweet Sammy pulled off a great Neil Armstrong at the 2nd grade Great American Wax Museum. It's nice to have his Halloween costume all taken care of come Fall. 

He is a also a proud member of the Grasshoppers baseball team. Mr. Tough Stuff himself scored a run last game which had us all on our feet cheering! Dad was substitute coach that day and led the little guys to an 11-4 victory against the Iron Pigs. No joke.

Matthew and I went skiing for the last time this season. Be sure to tell those Nicaraguan mamas he's a real gentleman. He insists on helping me put on my boots and carries my skis to and from the car.  We talk about music the entire way up and down the mountain. He instinctively knows so much and hears things I can only hear once he points them out. He is obsessed with the album Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay and is really developing his singing voice.  

We will be blasting your music recommendations! MoTab and Prince Royce look out :)  

Keep those letters coming sweet girl! You are a ROCK STAR in our eyes. We love you and pray for you constantly!! Rock on!

Love, 

Mom