Cathy

Earlier this week a friend of mine from Vienna passed away. She had a tough battle with cancer that finally won. The cancer won her body but not her spirit. She was the one who ALWAYS had a smile on her face. She played the piano for Sacrament Meeting and she radiated love for everyone......and she was tough!!! This is what I thought about her and I know a lot of people do plus so much more. I only knew her for 7 months in Vienna and then facebook friends but in that short time she had an impact on me and my family.
It got me thinking though.......what will I be remembered for. I know I will be remember for the roles I've played but what kind of person....nice? tough? stubborn? helpful? sarcastic? etc......Maybe that's kinda weird to think but death does make you think beyond the every day things. I wonder if I will make a positive impact on this world that I will be remembered for good. Cathy will be missed by so many but what she leaves behind is a great example of a very beautiful, amazing and strong woman.

Vanhin Peck

Dear Family,
So how are things going back home? That's way so awesome that Emily get to be "Alice" in the dance.
Emily, Mina olen ylpean sinan. Not sure if I conjugated that right.
So things here are going good. It was our first week of being actual zone leaders. So me and Elder Cassity are pretty much in charge of everyone. Ha ha. Not really, but sometimes it kinda feels like it.
So tomorrow I have to teach the second lesson with Elder Mortenson (another Elder in my district) which could be weird because neither of us have taught together before and I believe we both have different teaching styles. So it should be pretty interesting.
The Finnish is coming along great. Me and Elder Mortensen memorized the first part of the First Vision today so that's pretty awesome. Yesterday we went through as a class the First Vision and translated it. Elder Wiklor took a picture of my notes so when he gets those developed I'll send you a copy because it was crazy. Yeah and yesterday we learned so much freaking Finnish my brain felt like it was going to explode. So yeah, it was intense.
Anyway it sounds like mom and dad had a great anniversary. And Jaron and Emily had a great time at home.....ha ha. Welp, I do believe that's about everything.
Oh sorry, I forgot. Yesterday for the MTC devotional Elder C. Tom Perry came and spoke to us. It was really cool! And my zone actually was able to get seats right in the front. So that was way awesome.
Welp now I think that's everything. Take care I love and miss you all.

Vanhin Peck

ps. So I was thinking......you should send me some pictures........because they're Mahtava <----- You can figure out what that is.

5 minutes??

We bought a ceiling fan over a month ago cuz ours died in our bedroom and it's much needed in the summer when you sleep upstairs. But anyway.....I was going to have Nathan help me install it before he went into the MTC....5 minutes.....piece of cake. Time went by way too fast and we never did it.

Today I decide that I had some spare time so I could tackle this. Look at the box.......it looks so easy!!!! And only 5 minutes!!!

Three hours later I finally get it done. I'm pretty good at getting things like this done around the house but there is no way anyone could get this done in that short of time unless there were a lot of people to help. I could have used an extra person to hold the fan while I did the wiring but I finally did get the thing together. And the good thing is.......it worked on the first try!!

Not too bad.....huh?

Happy Anniversary....to us!

This year we decide to do something for our anniversary that we have never done before.......to actually get away. We have never in our 27 years had the chance to get away just the two of us. Plus after a very busy and crazy beginning of the year, we NEEDED this!!!


So we went to the Homestead. We were in room 124 in the Sunshine Cottage. It was great!!!.....a little piece of heaven!!

Saturday we went into the hot springs. The water is 90 degrees and 60 feet deep. You can tell by the pics how warm the water is and cold the air was. It was one of the highlights!!

We also walked down town Park City. It was pretty dead though but the Park City outlet mall was really busy and did some fun shopping.

It's been a great couple of days!!! We did learn that we need to do this more often. Everyone needs time to play. For sure we are going to do this again next year!!

Way too much fun

Here is Nathan's weekly letter. You know he's working and studying hard but as you can see by the pictures.......he's making time for fun!!!

Dear Family,

Hey everyone! How is everything going in the home land? Sounds like you are all doing Great.

So things here are going good but it has been a pretty busy week. We have been learning a lot Finnish and it is kinda hard to keep up with everything that we are learning. We are always learning new cases to put on the end of each word. Like this last week we learned the "nut case" that you have to use for past negative sentences or perfect sentences.

Here is an example of both in a sentence.

Mina en allut puhunut---I had not talked.

So yeah that is just a simple example of both. However we also learned about model verbs and imperatives. But yeah that's just some of the stuff.

Yup so that's about all for the Finnish. However in other news this coming Sunday I am going to be made zone leader with Elder Cassity. So yeah that is going to be kinda intense I would say. Pretty much what that means is that on Sunday's I'm going to have to go to a bunch or meetings and when new people come into our zone we have to meet them and talk to them and stuff. So I think it will be pretty hard but it'll be a good experience.

Well everything is going good. I think I'm coming down with a slight cold but I think I'll be okay. Well take care. I love and miss you all.

Nate

My question is......who would of thought Nathan would be talking about grammer? Not me :)

Love and uniqueness

Lately I have been thinking about different things that have been happening in my life. One thing I've been thinking a lot about is the word "fear". I hear so many things of......be scared of this, be scared of that.....you don't know what's going to happen......be scared of these people, etc. And there are lots of fear tactics too. So it's been bugging me and I read in the scriptures that the opposite of fear.....is love. 1 John 4:18 " There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
Why do we do the things we do sometimes. Is it out of fear or out of love. Do we obey our Father in Heaven out of fear of the horrible judgement that might come upon us if we don't do exactly what He says? Or is it out of love for Him and our fellow beings. I hope it's the latter but lately I've been hearing more and more of the first. And I'm really tired of it so I've been doing more concentrating on why I do somethings and doing them with my heart.
I also try to think of myself as someone who kinda goes with the flow. I can't stand contention so I avoid it like the plague. I wonder though......when is it time to step in and say, "Enough"? How far do you let people push you or try to control you? I've had long discussions with Steve and some friends about this topic. And I know everyone is different with how far they will let things go. This week I had my "enough" moment but I'm not sure where to go from here. I feel it's important for all of us to be unique.....to be different. We all shouldn't be exactly the same or feel like we should be or to have it forced upon us.
Well.....just some things going through my head.

Tricky me.

When we dropped Nathan at the MTC I thought he was totally set up with just about everything he needed. Some stuff he needs to get in Finland but basically he was ready to go. Like a day or two after he left we got a letter from him saying the needed and actual copy of his shot record. Not only did he tell us that but he went into more details about what's going on there, his companions and how much fun he is having......cool!
P- days came around and we got more letters. Then yesterday (not a p-day) we got another letter saying how he got the shots and how much it was. Then went into more detail about life there and learning the language. He also stuck in a short note for Emily.
I honestly thought Nathan was updated on his shots but now......I'm really glad he wasn't. We've been getting additional letter and it's been great. Not that I'm suggesting to anyone to do this but if it happens.......oooopppsss!!!

Daddy - Daughter

I know I put this picture up on facebook but I really love it!! To me it captures the love Emily has for her dad and the joy she brings to him. There are just some pictures that melt your heart and this is one of them for me.
I wanted to make sure that this one would be put in the "blog book". Now it is :)

Planting time

Durring this time of year my table is usually cover with plants, pots and dirt. Luckily my family is patient with not having a table for a month......or so. This is pretty cleared off to what it was. Yesterday I planted some flowers and seeds. I have the farmers tan to prove it.

Last week the table was covered with computers and camera gear of Melanie's.

I do remember a time when the table was used for eating at......but that was a long time ago :)

MTC-week 2

Dear Family April 14,10

Hey how is everyone? Was it super fun having Aunt Melainie over? How did Emily's dance go?
Sorry, you'll probably answer all these questions when I get your letter which will hopefully come today.
So things here are going pretty well. The language is coming along pretty good but it is super tough. I don't know if I mentioned this but whenever you are writing a sentence you have to construct the while thing to the subject. So you have to find the stem of every verb. Then you have to find the plural or singular stem for the noun or pleural or singular partitive form of the noun......in most cases. There are about 15 total cases you have to learn (those two examples are 2 cases) and we've only learned about 5 of them.
Mina olen lahetyssaarnaaja mayonpion aikaen pshien jeesuksen kristuksen kirkkosta.
(I am a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)
Well I'm pretty sure that's right. We haven't really learned how to do long sentences too well. But yeah it's fun. I do know how to ray in Finnish and I can also say pretty simple sentences in Finnish. So it is coming along pretty good.
So how is everyone back home? Anyone used the PS3 yet? Ha ha!
So Tyrel Howard is coming to the MTC today so I'm going to try and find him.
Hey has any of you heard where Jeff is going on his mission? I haven't heard anything from any of my friends so I don't really know whats going on.
Well I do believe that is everything. Take care and good luck with everything. I love and miss you all.

Nate Peck

Vanhin Peck, Vanhin Mortenson, Vanhin Cassity, Vanhin Wiklop

front- Vanhin Pearson

Still in Aaauuuhhh!

I know this picture is little but I remember Melanie taking it the day before she left to go home. Emily had dance class and Melanie wanted a picture of her on her pointe shoes. Wow!! What a cool shot!! I never expected it to turn out so beautiful. Melanie never ceases to amaze me!!!
Plus Emily has beautiful feet and leg too :)

Here is Nathan's email I got yesterday....

Hi Mom!!

Hey hows it going. Its so weird that I have already been here for 2 weeks its so crazy.... so guess what... as I was walking back from the temple today Erik drove by!! It was way exciting I got to say Hi to him for like a minute but then the light turned green so he had to leave. But it was really cool seeing him for that sort time. so lets see I dont have a lot of time so lets see what else is going on... Things are going good and the language is coming along good, but its really tought though. But we're learning so much that we have to keep up or we'll be left behind.. so its all pretty exciting. Besides class nothing much else happens I'm having fun... oh and I dont know if you heard but I saw Tawna Howard on I believe monday, cuz she was helping out the Romaniens... but yeah... Tyrel comes in today too so I'll have to find him... well i better I need to change my laundry... and if you talk to dad tell him i'll mail him in a bit... I love and miss you a ton

Nate

Dinner at Christopher and Lesa's

Yesterday we drove up to Christopher and Lesa's for dinner. They live in Heber so we made some stops on the way to take pictures. We got some great pictures up at Bridle Veil Falls. Melanie took lots of pictures of Christopher, Lesa and Maddox. Here is one of them. It's such an adorable picture and there is more to come. Melanie is still tinkering with some of them.
Christopher made us homemade fauta's that were to die for.
Tomorrow Melanie heads back to Virginia. It's sad to see her go but I'm so glad she came. It has been a total blast hanging out with her and catching up. She will be greatly missed!!!

Final Show

Last night all of us went and saw the last show of the Labyrinth. Emily did a great job as did all the performers. Afterwards we took some pics.

Christopher, Emily and Jaron being serious......goofballs!!!








The whole gang.....except for Melanie cuz she's taking the picture.













Melanie and I and also Melanie with Emily. What a great time!!! Now off and getting ready for the June recital.

Final night

This is it.......the last night. Emily has done great and she has enjoyed every single performance. I have to say I've enjoyed it too for lots of different reasons.
1. Watching Emily dance always is fun for me and seeing how happy she is dancing.
2. Having my sister here to enjoy it with us has been so fun!! And the pictures she's taken are incredible!!
3. I really did like working back stage. I have to say it was fun.

But this is it and then next week Emily is starting to learn "Alice in Wonderland" for their June recital. Never ends but it keeps all of us out of trouble :)

You did awesome Emily!!

Still going and busy!!

I have been having a blast with my sister here. Melanie is a fun person to hang out with and she overflows with talent. We haven't had much time to sit around.....but that's a good thing since neither one of us like to get bored. We get fidgety too easily.......so we've been on the go. Emily has thoroughly enjoyed being with her and is soaking in as much as she can being with her. Melanie's photography is just incredible.
She has taken thousands of photos for the Labyrinth. She printed out 5 of them to the dance company and they love them.......they're totally incredible!!!! She put 6 of them on facebook so far. She puts hours into these pictures and tinkers with them and makes them perfect.
So here we go night #2........dancing, shooting and moving sets. Tomorrow night we will be part of the audience and watch. It will be the final night but it has been lots of fun!!
This is a cute picture of Kingston that Jess sent me today. He has his shorts on his head........what a cutie!!!!

Dress Rehearsal

Yesterday WE had dress rehearsal from 2:30 in the afternoon till around 8 that night. I have to say "we" because Emily was dancing, Melanie was shooting and I was working back stage moving props. So when we came home last night all of us were totally wasted.
But Emily did great and the whole production looks so cool!!! The first performance starts tonight and goes through Saturday.
We'll all be back at the theater at 5pm for the 7:30 start time. Another busy but great night of dancing, shooting and moving!

Jare-bear

This is a picture that Melanie took of Jaron on our way to Five Guys for dinner.
Cool looking huh?
Melanie is so funny though. We stop along the side of the road so that she can take pictures. Let me just say though that her pictures are incredible!!!
I'm still waiting for that picture she's going to take of me that will make me look 20 years younger!!!

Sheeeee's Heeerrreee!!!

This morning I (and Emily, Lesa and Maddox) picked up my sister, Melanie, from the airport. We got there early so we wouldn't miss her. She texts me and wonders where we are waiting for her at. I tell her the baggage place. We wait......and wait......no Melanie. I get a phone call from her wondering where we are. I tell her at the baggage place. Then it clicks in my head.....there are two baggage places and we just happen to be at the wrong one. Ugh!
All of us hike over to the other one and we find her. It is so great seeing her. Ten years is way too long!!! Most of her luggage is camera's and camera stuff.......and a tiny, tiny bit a clothes in between. We stopped at Subway on the way home cuz she's starving (airplane food, no need to explain more)....and the rest of us are only hungry.
We have been keeping her very busy so far. We just got back from Emily's dress rehearsal......3 hours long. Melanie took tons of pics. and we will be keeping her busy taking even more. Plus she said she could take a picture of me and can make me look 20 years younger.....Wow!! I can't wait to see the younger me :)

First letter

Ok....we got a letter from Nathan today. Here it is word for word....

Dear Family,
Hey how are you guys doing? Things are going really good. So far the language is really tough but I think I'll be okay. So there is a guy in my district from Sweden, Vanhin (Elder) Wiklof. (There's suppose to be two dots over the "o" but our computer doesn't have that...sorry). He is a really cool guy. There are 4 of us going to Finland, Vanhin Cassity, Mortensen and Wiklof.
Well anyway I'm suppose to write you about vaccination info. They need the dates for Hep. A, Hep B and tetanus. There should be a pink paper with this info.
Thanks and take care. I love you guys.
Nate Peck
ps. My P Day is Wednesday

I'm so glad I didn't update his immunization so I could get a letter. Yeah!!!

Sing

Christopher, Lesa and Maddox came by this morning. It's always so much fun to see them and Maddox is always giving everyone huge smiles. He had fun eating soda crackers with Steve. Then Steve put some music on and started dancing with Maddox. What was so cool is that Maddox started singing to the music. You could tell he was trying hard to sing with it and he did that through a couple of songs. He is a very talented kid!!!!

End of the Beginning

Yesterday was Emily's last tour performance before the REAL performance of the Labyrinth. She did a great job and I can't wait to see the whole thing.
These pics. are better than the last ones but if you really want to see some great ones........wait till Melanie gets out here and they are going to be incredible!!!

Emily's friend, Morgan, came out to watch too.

Another big thing I did.....and am still doing, is cleaning Nathan's room for Melanie to stay in. OMG.....I have so far taken out 3 huge garbage bags of........garbage!!!!! And there's still more to do. So back to work.......but it is starting to look like a bedroom again.

A Change of Plans

Just for a quick update.....

We got a call last night from the MTC about Nathan. No worries......he's doing fine but I guess there was a problem with the number of missionaries going to Finland. There was suppose to be two of them but Nathan was the only one who showed up. Which makes him alone in learning Finnish and the only one in his class......kinda awkward.

So they asked him, and us if he didn't mind going to Sweden instead and being with those missionaries in the MTC. They said that Nathan was fine with it. We are too. So I guess now we are going to have a Swedish missionary.

He also won't be staying in the MTC as long. He'll be there 8 weeks instead of the 12. That will be great for him!! We will keep everyone posted as we get news.





BTW......april fools :)