ben and tamme mathews

Well, I don't want to be the last one to reply.  I wouldn't even have a good excuse like Amy, she has family from Australia in town.  Half of my crew is in Utah, enjoying loves from Grandma and the cooler weather.  Which I am so jealous about.  We are still in the high 80-90s.  Yuck.  Last night we finally had some rain.  It was fast and furious, but can't complain when its been forever.

First is Kloey, she is now in the 6th grade.  In our little town the 6th graders have their own school.  Which is pretty cool, because they start switching classes for each subject.  She loves her Language Arts teacher, Mr K.  She says she just laughs and laughs in his class.  I even got a call from him one day telling me how much he enjoyed having her in class.  So cool!  She is still reading ever chance she gets and decided to take dance one more year.  She will be singing a solo in the Primary Program this year.  

Kael is a lot of fun.  He is playing soccer and taking piano (along with Kloey).  He just loves to be active.  We feed the missionaries every week and before dinner Ben and Kael take them on in a game of basketball.  I think Ben and Kael have more wins then the missionaries. It is fun to watch him play- any sport.  The other day he told me that the "jocks" in 4th grade tease him because he is smart.  He said he didn't care, because he would have a better life then them one day.  He sure loves his little brother.  He is so sweet to him.  

Galilee is happy as ever.   I love her "everything is awesome" attitude.  She is doing soccer right now and loves it.  She likes to play goalie, because she stops all the balls.  She has a  best friend that they love to do things with each other.  She is in the 1st grade and likes her teacher Ms Ott.  Her and Kael ride the bus in the mornings this year and they think its pretty cool- for now.  

Sadee is sassy as ever.  She started preschool 2 days a week this year and I think the jury is still out on whether or not she likes it.  Her teacher told me that she is an angel and a joy.  On Thursday I received a call from the preschool that Sadee's throat hurt.  As I was talking to the lady, she tells me that Sadee had a silly smile on her face.  We decided to let her ride it out and that she was trying to pull a fast one on us.  She is a smart little girl.  

Kole, is one cute kid.  He is talking more and more and just makes old ladies and girls swoon all over him with his dimples and curly blonde locks.  He loves to ride bikes and be outside with his buddy Sadee.  I love hearing him yell, sisher!, sisher!  throughout the house. He loves to go with Ben everywhere in Big Bertha, our 1987 Suburban.  He also loves Kael.  He will sit by Kael when we watch a movie and snuggle under the blanket next to him.  I love to see their relationship forming.  

Ben is busy, busy, busy.  He just performed marriages for two kids from our ward and has a 3rd in November.  He does a great job.  He takes people out to eat so often he is getting sick of it and I think, sounds good to me.  While in Utah, he went to Cheesecake Factory 2x in one day.  He loves to play with the kids.  

Me, I'm just doing the mom thing.  Trying make a menu and cook dinner.  Trying to get a jump start on Christmas this year.  And running these crazy kids around.  Wouldn't have it any other way.

We haven't had visitors in, oh, I don't know how long.  Time for some.

Love, The Texas Mathews

jill and tim mathews

Hello everyone!

Deb we are way excited for your new moving adventure!  The email updates about everyone have been fun to read.  Thanks Deb for suggesting we do these again!  

We have been enjoying Central California:). Tim absolutely loves his job and is making such an impact for his company.  I love that he comes home happy each day and shares such positive news about new things he's implemented and how he's so respected for his knowledge.  Such a difference from his other work experience.  

Ellie is adjusting to her new school and making friends.  She's in the second grade now.  She was chosen Super Sailor of the month for September for demonstrating respect to her teacher and classmates.  It was so great getting to go to her awards ceremony at school.  Elle is doing gymnastics, ballet and tap this year!  She has a full schedule but loves it

Liam started preschool this year... He loves it!  It's a parent participation school so I get to go into his classroom to be a helper often.  Liam is also doing gymnastics.  He is doing great making new friends.  He's recently had a few play dates without me and he thinks that's pretty cool! He's met a really nice friend that lives close and they have the love of Legos and Superheros in common so it makes for fun times! 

Carson is doing well and getting so big! This past week has been rough with him having pneumonia.  He's better though.  He loves to give lots of kisses and says "DAD" all day long!  He loves his daddy! 

And me... I'm doing well:) I recently started Real Estate school ( an online program) .  I am hoping to be finished in December.  I'm also serving on the PTA at Elle's school.  It's quite demanding but a lot of fun.  I am also volunteering in both Elle and Liam's classrooms...so while I'm away... Little Carson has a nanny once a week that is so great with him!  It's good because once I start working part time in real estate he will be used to being away from me a few hours.  

We are excited that we will be in Utah with mom and dad for Thanksgiving! It would be great to see u all if any of you can come too!  I miss playing board games with you all... A good game of hand and foot sounds fun to me!

Well happy harvest time... Sending our love!  

Tim, Jill, Elle, Liam and Carson

marlies mathews

Hello everyone!

I agree with Deb – we do not talk enough!  I love you all so much.

Not much happening in Vegas.  I recently got back into my graduate program.  It is interesting and I am actually enjoying a lot of the things we are working on.  Classes this month are Leadership and Statistics.  I will bet you can guess which one I like J (hint – it isn’t statistics)

I am headed to New Mexico next week to spend my Birthday with Becky.  We are going to the hot air balloon show!  I am super excited to see her, Adam and little Elizabeth.  We are also going to hit up my New Mexico quarter.  Becky found a friend who is going to take us on a tour of a pueblo that their sun symbol is named after.

I just bought my tickets to Hawaii with Melissa for Christmas!  We are going to be there December 17 – 25^th.  We are going to the main island of Hawaii and spending the entire week there.  We thought about island hopping but honestly decided that we would rather spend money on fun activities on that island than trying to rush another island.  It should be super fun!!!

I will send pictures out!  I havn’t had a visitor in almost two weeks – getting lonely so you are all invited J

Marlies

bill and rosi mathews

Hello Family

Loved reading Deb and Becky's letters.  I know you two are super busy.  Thanks for taking the time to update us on your lives.  

Fall is gorgeous here in Utah Valley.  Tomatoes growing in our backyard that are the envy of the grocery store.  We have had blackberries as large as my big toe for the last many months... and not just a few.  Delicious.  Emma is the award winning "Berry Picker".  She can find a handful more even after Grandma has picked "all" of the ripe ones.

Kael and Kole are here with us for a few days...  along with Daddy Ben.  We are having such a great visit.  Yesterday we went to the pumpkin maze.  EJ went with us last year.  It is such a fun place and FREE.  It is worth a drive to Springville just to to take the kids there.  Petting Zoo, corn crib, slides, corn and baled hay maze, pyramid to climb and more.  Plus pumpkins everywhere!!!  I wish it would still be around in November when Tim and family comes for Thanksgiving. (By the way, you are all invited!!)  Elle and Liam would love the Maze.

Along with the visit, Dad and I have had six doctor appointments this week.  I think that is a record for us.  I had an MRI on my brain on Tuesday.  Results: my brain is fine.  I just have to learn to regulate my meds so that I am not dizzy and so that I don't dilute their potency by taking them at the wrong time of the day.  The pain in my face is less.  I had had a really bad weekend last week and that was what prompted me to go back to the doc and try to figure things out.  Dad's appt. were mostly check ups and then a trip to the dermatologist.  He has some battle scars from that visit

We are looking forward to the BYU vs Utah State football game tonight.  I love both schools so "Go Cougs and Aggies."

  

We are also looking forward to General Conference which begins tomorrow morning.  It will be a very pleasant weekend. Wish you were here!

Much love to you all.

Mom

adam and becky frus

Wow Deb,

that house looks so wonderful.  I love that it is in a cul-de-sac and has a huge fenced in backyard.  I am so glad that you found something that you will be comfortable with.  Believe me, I understand when you don't feel safe in your own house.   Your move is right around the corner too.  I wish I could be there to help...

As for me and mine.

We are doing really well here in ABQ.  We moved in August.  The house is smaller, but the workshop and property are larger and more technologically updated (meaning that both Adam and myself are happier). So the house is easier to clean and Adam can stand up straight in his workshop.

The fall is going really good.  Since the start of the semester we have been non-stop busy.  I have been very motivated this year.  I have given many talks and seminars on my research and feel that I am moving in the right direction.  Not surprisingly, the PhD has been quite a challenge.  I have and am learning so many new things, I am amazed by what I have done, but also a bit overwhelmed by all that still needs to be done.  This is one of those things that I will never stop needing to learn (kind of exciting).

Adam is really getting involved with several different communities here in ABQ.  The art community has opened its arms, since the beginning.  Adam has an art show this weekend (the 8th best Arts and Crafts Show in the nation).  He finished helping install a public art piece this week for another artist.  He is volunteering 2 days a week at the New Mexico Museum of Arts and Science as well as still involved in the ABQ Mineral Club and mineral collecting.  Very busy

Elizabeth is really growing up.  I can't believe how big she is.  Her language is robust and she is quite athletic.  She started preschool 2 full days a week.  I am not sure she loves being there all day and she usually comes home with a bump or scrape, but I do think it is good for her to be around so many kids.  We are working on her letters and she is getting closer and  closer to recognizing all of the letters in her name (and it is a long name).

Last Feb we also made some major adjustments to our family by significantly changing our diet.  We cut out wheat and refined sugars and it really has made a difference.  Adam and I both have lost a good deal of weight (don't ask me how Adam could, but he did).  We are sleeping better and exercising more.  We have really been enjoying eating fresh local veggies and meats.  

We are sure looking forward to seeing Marlies next week.  She is coming to visit for her birthday and we will also get to participate in Balloon Fiesta, which should be AMAZING.  We will be going out into the field to get some of my research done as well as visiting some of the Pueblos.  EJ is so excited she keeps talking about Lies and when is she going to be here?

Anyway, this is my update.  Love to all of you!!

becky, adam, EJ

nick and deb sorensen

Hello Family!

We stopped writing to each other and I hate that. I never hear about you, unless its from Mom. I'd love it if we could keep something going so I know how you all are. I miss you guys and love you and want to know...well, anything would be nice.

So, I'll start:

We are moving to Katy, Texas on October 15th-ish. They pack us on the 13th and 14th and then take our cars on the 15th. I went down last week to look at houses for rent. It was a rough time, to be honest. I had all these 'great' houses picked out and then when I went and saw them, I would see the neighborhood they were in and know I wouldn't feel safe there with four kids and a husband that travels...so we drove right on past. We finally found this one and a few others, but WHOOOSH! It's a bit expensive to rent down there. Not as expensive to buy, but holy moly! So, this is our house, if you're interested. Thanks to Jill, I was able to make getting a top school a priority. 

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3043-Fresco-Wells-Dr-Katy-TX-77449/28537555_zpid/

Claire is in first grade and loves her teacher so much that she calls me Mrs Pate on occasion. She is quite a little athlete and I hope to put her in gymnastics when we get down to Texas. She loves to color, be the center of attention and mother everyone. She's a great helper and a good listener.

Matthew aka Bruiser is in preschool and is exactly what you would expect. He's a rough and tumble kid who loves his big sister so much that he's been known to cry when she goes off to school without him. He LOVES legos and Star Wars (probably thanks to Marlies). He was so proud of himself today when he folded a blanket all by himself. Pretty awesome kid. We take 2-3 walks a day because of his silly hip problems. He gets tuckered out and tries to sit in Zoey's seat. He's a big tease.

Monser, I mean Zoey, is so full of personality. When I hear mothers describe their children this way I laugh cause I really think they are just saying that the kid has some loud and abrasive issues. At least that's what I mean when I say it. She squaks to get her way, is not opposed to bite or hit. Yet you can't help but love her. She isn't really into talking much but she makes noises for excuse me, thank you, and bless you. She uses her signs pretty well and for that I'm grateful cause the squaking is a little grating. She likes to be in charge almost as much as Claire.

Thomas aka Tom Tom aka The Tank is a huge smiler and he now giggles and rolls over. At 2 months he has all of us watching his every move cause you just want to snuggle with him. Even Zoey is gentle with him. She's better to him than to her other 2 siblings. 

We are blessed. 

We love you.