...Hit by a car...

After the fireworks it takes about 2 hours to get home (which it usually takes about ½ and hour) because there are so many people there. So we tried to go through the back roads to get home, but the back roads were just as busy and crammed.
So we had been waiting on this one road stopping and going and we were parked in front of this family out in their front yard setting off fireworks. It was really the Dad’s setting off the fireworks and the kids running around like crazy. To give you an idea of the type of people (just for future clarification) the Dad’s were smoking while setting off fireworks (not to smart), the Mom’s were no where to be seen (probably drinking) and it was midnight and there were children running around everywhere.
Well, there was a truck in front of us and they called one of the guys over and gave him a dollar if he brought them a soda- so he walked to the truck to get the dollar and one of the little girls followed him. When he turned back to go get the soda there were cars coming, so he waited but the little girl didn’t look and she just jetted out in front of the traffic. Well, this little girl (probably about 7) got hit by a car right outside Ben’s window. The car was only going about 5-10mph but it bounced the girl off. The parents of the girl ran over and started cursing and screaming at the woman in the car (I thought they were going to hit her). They completely blamed the woman and didn’t think it was their girls fault at all. The little girl wasn’t hurt- but they took her away in an ambulance (probably not knowing how expensive they are).
When the police got there Ben gave a statement as a witness. It was all really upsetting to him (he was afraid the family would come after him because he said what he saw- that the little girl ran out and the car wasn’t speeding.

Independance Day!!

Rexburg does a ‘large’ 4th of July Parade down Main Street. Like some crazy parade lovers, Ben and I went an hour and a half early- so that we could get a good seat. The parade was WAY bigger this year then in the past- there were a lot of people there watching. Parades, we’ve decided, are large walking advertisements, yet they are worth it because they give away a lot of free stuff. There are two main ‘floats’ that make the whole experience worth it indefinitely and this year NEITHER of them were there. We love the Reed’s Dairy’s float because they pass out free Chocolate milk (but because there were SO many people this year- they didn’t). And we love the Ray’s Car washing float- because they have all their car washing boys do a dance in the middle of the road. But even without those two floats, it was still really fun to go to the parade.

We went to Grandma Lewis’ house in Idaho Falls for lunch. She made homemade fried chicken and pasta salad. It was so good. Then we got to spend time helping her around the house and talking with her. It is so fun to spend time with her and get to know her better.

After eating with grandma we went to the Greenbelt (the river right outside the Idaho Falls Temple) where we met with some old roommates and friends. We had a barbeque, played games and had lots of fun. Ben and I staked out a spot (with blankets and chairs) before we went to Grandma’s house so we got an okay spot. People here will stake out spots the night before to get prime firework viewing. Our spot was good, but there were a couple of tree branches in the way. The fireworks show in Idaho Falls are said to be the best show west of the Mississippi River. They have the show set to patriotic music (that we had blaring on a radio) so it is really touching and emotional. The fireworks are also set off above the river- so it looks really neat. It was so wonderful to watch the fireworks and remember those who died for our freedom.

THE BIKE!!

Ben crashed and broke his bike and since we have had it here meaning to get it fixed. Well we FINALLY got it fixed. Ben was so excited.

WE MOVED!!

Well, Ben and I MOVED this weekend. We were accepted into subsidized housing (the gov’t pays a percentage) and so we were able to move and decrease our rent by $150- YAY. We just moved across the street (so we are still in the same ward). We are a little sad to be leaving our neighbors (they were wonderful) but we already have met and hung out with our new neighbors.
These pictures are how far our unpacking has gone thus far. We still have boxes and random piles of stuff that aren’t put away yet- but this a good general idea.

We are on the second floor in a corner- so we have a balcony and LOTS of window. This new apartment is smaller, with less kitchen storage/shelves (but a storage closet outside for suitcases and boxes-yay). We still have to go to a laundry mat- but it’s free (wahoo) which is great. We are happy and excited to be saving some money.

1964- The Tribute

Ben and I went to a ‘1964 Tribute’ concert. It was four guys who dressed up, sang and looked like the Beatles. They sang all old Beatle’s songs (it was based on 1964- so none of the new songs were played). We got there really early and got to stand right up front by the stage. It was so much fun to dance and sing along with the Beatles- I felt like a young crazy teen girl in the 60’s. Then afterwards there was a fireworks show that we stayed and watched. It was an enjoyable evening and a great break from life.

I MADE A CAKE

So, for those of you who don’t know me, this doesn’t seem like a big deal. But for those of you who know me, or have experienced my cooking, you will appreciate this…
I MADE A CAKE...successfully.
Yes it was from a box (and so you might not seem that impressed). But I didn’t burn it, didn’t add to much oil, made the frosting, frosted it and then…gave it away piece by piece (I only had one piece- that is an accomplishment). So I was really proud!
(Charlotte, my friend on a mission in Chili, sent us some Chilean dulce de leche and so Ben wanted to put that on top- so that is what that is.)

Break Between Semesters (4-11-08 to 4-20-08)

We finished our finals and the winter semester. We were able to go home to Colorado and see our families between the semesters. It was great to be able to spend time with our family and see everyone. Colorado was beautiful (much warmer then Idaho) and we were able to spend time outside enjoying the spring.





Saturday we spent the afternoon with at the Stones home eating and playing games. We even got the parents to play tag and soccer with all the kids. It was hilarious and so much fun.





We had a chance to go see our niece, Mylie’s soccer game. It was so fun watching them run after the ball and being able to spend that time with out siblings.






Wednesday we went with the Newson’s to Utah, where we got to see Ben’s cousin Micah get married. Micah and Amanda were married in the Salt Lake Temple and it was beautiful. (This was the first sealing we’ve seen since our own, so it was emotional and very memory provoking.) We had a chance to go through a session (Brea’s first live session) and to spend time at the temple. The luncheon and reception were fun- it was great to see all the relatives and family.



We stayed with Jeremy (Ben’s brother) and Heidi and got to spend time with their family- watching soccer, playing games and eating Krispy Kremes. While we were there we were able to spend time with Ben’s other brother, Tobin- who we don’t get to see often.

It was a great week off from school and visiting family. We are glad we had that chance to see everyone.

NEWSON FAMILY UPDATE:

We are coming to the end of our winter semester and thought we would update you on our lives. We have been married for 8 months now- we can not believe how fast the time has gone. We are living in Rexburg (Idaho) in a small apartment. We are enjoying having our own place (with our own stuff) and pretending to be all grown up. We are both very excited for the snow to melt and winter to be over.

Both of us are in our senior year at Brigham Young University-Idaho. Ben is studying Organizational Communications (consulting) with a minor in Spanish. He will be graduating in July (but he might wait to graduate and take pre-reqs for his masters). He is looking into different major programs and schools but he is also considering going back to work for a couple years to get experience. Breanne is majoring in Health Science with an emphasis in Health Promotion and Lifetime Wellness. She is getting two clusters (two clusters= minor) in Business and Ballroom Dance. If all goes as planned Breanne will be graduating in December and then do her internship next winter (wherever Ben’s schooling/job takes them).

Breanne’s health is doing much better- thanks for all the prayers and warm wishes. Breanne had a seizure at the end of January and was hospitalized and very ill. We had some tests done, but they all showed no problems. She has been seeing a neurologist and chiropractor and has improved immensely. She has caught up in all her schooling and is back to her normal (loud) self. April 10th she hits her three month mark and is off ‘seizure watch’ (meaning she can drive, lock the bathroom door, climb latter’s and swim alone). She is very excited to be able to drive again and is counting down the days.
Ben is teaching Career Workshops on campus and is getting a lot of experience teaching different groups of people. He is getting more responsibilities this summer, so he will be working more and he is excited for the experience he is gaining. Ben is taking a golf class in the summer and is very excited to have an excuse to go out often. He is also planning numerous camping and biking trips when it gets warmer.
We hope you are all doing well and we would love to hear what’s new in your lives.

Dinner at the Arizona/Idaho Stones

After the last session of conference we went to dinner at Rachel and Curtis’ house (Brea’s cousins) with Ally and Ben. Bailey and Avery were adorable and warmed up to us in the end. It was fun to get to hang out with all of them. The food was great, the company was great and the games were fun (we played a men vs woman trivia). It was an enjoyable evening.

Weekend at Benson's Cabin

Friday night Ben and I went with our friend Brandon to the Benson’s cabin (Brandon knows the Benson’s from his home ward in CO). The cabin is in Driggs (about an hour from Rexburg) in the Teton Mountains. To call this a cabin would be an understatement; it is like the castle of cabins- with two kitchens, heated floor tiles, a walk around deck and imported furniture from Israel. It was beautiful. We decided that it would be a night for relaxation- so I took a bath.

Yes, it sounds weird but they had a HUGE bathtub with jets and bubbles. I am not really a bath person, but after that bath I have decided to join the realms of Ernie and Rubber Ducky. I felt like I was 4 again (although at the age of four I never had a bath like that). When we turned on the jets it mad the bubbles puff up…a lot. Ben thought it was hilarious and took pictures (don’t worry I was modest, there are so much bubbles I could be in an Eskimo suit and you wouldn’t even know).

When we woke up this morning the boys made a big breakfast (bacon, pancakes, orange juice and eggs) and we got ready to go to conference. After the first session we decided to drive up (in the jeep) to Jackson Hole, WY (only about 20 minutes away-over the pass) to explore. As we started up it was beautiful and so wonderful to be in the mountains, about half way up it started snowing- hard. We had no place on the narrow winding mountain pass to turn around so we had to press on. We got to Jackson and the boys decided that we should just turn around and go back- because they were worried the pass would close. So we got behind the gravel layer and followed it back over the pass- at times we could only see the blinking lights of the gravel layer through the blizzard (yes, and its April). We decided to go straight back to the cabin and listen to conference (which put me to sleep- ugg I know I am bad).
That night we watched movies (well I did while the men-folk were at the Priesthood session) and we played dominos all night (which made me feel like an elderly person in a nursing home- we were bad). We came home Sunday between sessions. It was so much fun to be up there and have a relaxing weekend.
Thanks Benson’s!!

Uniform Drive

SUPPORT YOUR TROOPS, SUPPORT YOUR SCOUTS
The Young Men living on Camp Pendleton, a military base in Southern California, are eagerly awaiting the summer and their opportunity to go to Scout Camp. However, due to the limited income and resources of these military families, many of the boys do not have scout uniforms or the equipment necessary to attend camp. The young men have personally been working hard to raise the money to attend scout camp, however they cannot raise enough for the equipment and/or uniforms required by the camp. We are working hard to encourage people to donate used uniforms and/or equipment for these young men.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP OR DONATE PLEASE CONTACT ME AT STO04033@GMAIL.COM

New Home Addition

Brenda gave us some old furniture for our apartment. Some of the pieces were in her friend’s house when there was a fire- so they were sooty and dirty. I scrubbed them off (haven’t painted or sanded them yet- it’s to cold outside) and they look good. We are happy to have new additions to our home.
(*and yes…Ben is studying on the floor!)

Happy 21st Sean!

We drove down to Logan (March 16) for Sean’s 21st Birthday party. It was fun to be with family and be able to play and relax. Brenda made an amazing meal (mostly green) with WONDERFUL cheesecake for dessert. Then we all sat around and talked- it was great. I love my family!

Guitars Unplugged

On campus there is a big concert called GUITARS UNPLUGGED. This is a concert of all the best bands/musicians in the school. It is a very big shindig and is always so much fun. This year (March 15, 2008) we went with Jordan and Michaela Spence. The music was great and the atmosphere is cool (almost like we aren’t in the Rexburg ‘bubble’). It was so much fun.

Elder Michael David Stones

Michael has a blog with all his mission letters home. The address is...http://elderstones.blogspot.com/
Check it out.