Ranger Time

Zac and CJ & Treyson got a "Ranger" - basically a 4-wheeler (BIG)

Skydiving

Landon and his friend Kacey Brooks went skydiving on Monday, October 8th. It was a BEAUTIFUL day for it. Everything went very well.

Church History Tour was GREAT !!

Gwen and Landon had a great time visiting sites across Iowa and the city of Nauvoo. We we able to attend sessions in both the Nauvoo and Winter Quarters temple.

Zone Conference in Helena Montana

A great experience ! See Landon's mission blog for more details.
Click here

Landon's trip to California

He had a great time, went to the beach, saw a ML Baseball game, watched BYU lose to UCLA, etc. etc.

Fun at the State Fair

We had a great afternoon at the Fair on Saturday the 8th. Roger, Gwen, Manda, and Camryn went. We had a good time looking at all of the animals.

Labor Day 4-wheeling

We had a great morning. Mom, Dad, Gwen & Roger, Landon and Kacey Brooks, Manda & Camryn, Zac & CJ & Treyson. We went 4-wheeling in the mountains behind Round Valley.

Special Day

Early Saturday morning (September 2) , Landon and Gwen headed to Provo to the Missionary Mall. We went up over Heber and down Provo Canyon and made it there in one hour and 10 minutes !! We picked up 4 pair of slacks, 8 ties, 12 socks, 1 pair of shoes, an electric shaver, a pillow protector, and a battery charger. After all of that, they threw in a free tie, a little flag of Peru, and a $10 gift certificate to a restaurant across the parking lot, which we used while waiting for Landon's pants to be hemmed. Then we headed for the Salt Lake Temple, and met Erika there. Landon was impressed with the beautiful rooms, and the live session. Afterwards, we met up with Tiana, and Landon was able to baptize and confirm all of us for about 30 people. What a special day !!

December 2006

December 1, 2006

Well, I got my Cingular bill, and it was $15.40 more than it should have been, due to text messages.  They said that someone had called on 10/22/06 (the day after you played CSI at Twin Falls), referencing cell phone number 801-829-8024, and said they were Gwen, and knew the last four digits of my SSN# and got text messaging reinstalled on 829-8024.  I have a hard time believing that you would do this.  I mean this sincerely.  I CANNOT believe that you would do this, and I believe you are totally honest with me.   I'm not sure how it was done...... and the thing I think is very strange, is that the text messaging did not start immediately, but on 10/30/06 (8 days later)???  - and the first message was an incoming text???  I'm not sure what is happening with this.  I got her to credit me $7.70 on my bill, and I had a password protection put on my account, so I don't believe it will happen again.  I don't know if you have my SSN#  laying around? for someone to get a hold of.........  I wouldn't think so.  I just can't figure out how this could have happened, unless I did it in my sleep?   Maybe I'm losing my mind.  Please let me know what you think about all of this.  I am worried and confused. 

LOVE MOM 

 December 1, 2006 – email from G & G Dickson to Landon

Boy it sure is cold here in Morgan, but then I guess we haven't fully adjusted after being in Cambodia.  Grandpa checked the temperature the other morning and it was 0 degrees.  How would you like to be out in that with just a short sleeved shirt on, or as Grandpa would say, "wearing only a pair of spurs."  I hope it hasn't been that cold in Ontario.  Just keep bundled up good.

We hope you are getting along fine and moving around a lot better.  Just remember to take it easy and not over do, especially with lifting or straining.

Grandpa and I went to the wrestles last night.  They were great.  Jaden really hung in there and it was good to see him get a pin.  He felt a hundred times better than last week at North Summit.  I've always said that wrestling is hard, especially when there are just the two of you on the mat and there can only be one winner.

We are looking forward to having you home again next week.  Study hard and ace those finals. 

We love you, Grandma and Grandpa Dickson

December 4, 2006

What makes us happy?  It is such a joy every night about 10 pm……… we get a phone call from Landon who is away at school in Oregon.  It has become a nightly ritual.  One we look so forward to.  I don’t think he realizes just how much we enjoy it.  Landon is such a good boy, and always tries to make others happy.  He is so considerate of others feelings.  The other night I was on the phone to him, when some of his friends were leaving, and he said, “Just a minute” to me, and then I heard him say to his friends, “Hey – if you need a ride, call me !”.  That is Landon, always there, always offering a hand.  Landon probably doesn’t realize how much it means to us to hear his voice each night, and hear him recount the simple things he has done that day, but it is one of the highlights of our day.  We love him so much 

What makes us happy?  Having a son who is willing to help us out when needed.  Zac came up yesterday and replaced all of the lights in our kitchen ceiling.  It was definitely a two man job, and Zac got up and down off of the stool (It would have killed Roger’s knee), and Roger handed him tools.  He is so handy.  We appreciate him taking time to help us, leaving his family and giving of himself to us.  I don’t know why Zac likes to work so much.  It must have been just the way he was born, a gift from our Heavenly Father.  We always try to help him out when he needs help with his “projects”, and we surely appreciate all of his help, like when he stepped in and went to work on Amanda’s bathroom in her new little home. I don’t think he realized how happy that made her. We love him so much.

What makes us happy?   Watching our daughter Amanda, who has overcome some set-backs in her life, make her way forward with such strong convictions.  She is such a good mother, a good daughter, a good employee, and a good person !  She is smart, and forward looking and thinking.  She has goals, and works hard to achieve them.   We know she will go far.  We appreciate her concern for us and others, and her willingness to pitch in to help us and her brothers.  She has tender feelings, and is always looking out for those same feelings in others.  She is very professional in her dealings at work, and others there have recognized that quality in her, and we know she will go far. Camryn surely has a good mother, who wants the best for her.  We are very proud of Amanda, and we love her so much.

What makes us happy?  The little people in our lives, Camryn Dee and Treyson Lee, are so special.  What a joy to have them around.  They are so different in looks and personality.  They will be like our three children, so very different, (you can hardly believe they are related!) yet so very loved.  It is hard to believe the feelings of love you can have for the children of your children. We always want the best for them, and we will always be there for them.  It is fun to watch them interact, and they remind me so much of Amanda and Zachary at that age.  Camryn is such a talker, and loves to be I the middle of all the action, and is so smart !  Treyson has such a cute grin, and is very watchful and quiet, absorbing all there is around him.  They are so innocent, and so loving, and so very precious to us.  We love them so much.

December 5, 2006

I had my face lasered again (2^nd time) yesterday at Manda’s work.  Boy I’m swollen up like a Shar-Pei puppy today.  It didn’t do this last time – I can’t go to work looking like this !!  I’ve GOT to go to Roger’s Doctor appointment this afternoon, and also I wanted to go to the Joseph  - A tribute from Nashville tonight.  I hope the swelling goes down.  Did I mention, Manda is going out with Josh Cowart for the first time this Friday – I hope they hit it off.  Also, Zac took his Journeyman practicum test (residential) on Saturday, and he thinks he did well.  Landon doesn’t have much going on at college today, just studying for two finals tomorrow.  Well, maybe I can get some banana bread made today, and also the Christmas decorations up. Might as well be useful !!

December 12, 2006

Updates – Roger was referred to a knee specialist, Dr. Watson, and we went yesterday, and he is going to take 5 shots over the course of 5 weeks, of synthetic cartilage? Made from Rooster combs. We’ll wee if that relieves some of his pain.  If it doesn’t help much, then he’ll probably opt for a partial knee replacement, and ACL replacement.  

The Joseph tribute from Nashville was WONDERFUL.  I have about worn out the CD listening to it.  My face DID recover, but I wonder if this is really worth it………… Zac has NOT heard how he did on his test yet, probably sometime this week he will.  Landon made it home, and it is good to have him home.  He is reading the heck out of Harry Potter 6, and of course partying with friends.  The first night he didn’t come home until 3:30 am, and I was NOT very happy about that. He ended up with C’s in all classes, except Math, where he got a B+.  I wish he would have done better, but oh well, at least they count as credits.  Manda had a good time with Josh on Friday, and they are planning on going out this week to lunch.  He came in the office yesterday to “chat”, but I didn’t say or ask anything because I didn’t want to appear the meddling mother, or make things “weird”.  Tonight I am going down with the YW/YM to temple square to see the Joseph Smith movie, and the lights.  Hope all goes well.  Here is what we are giving for Xmas this year.

Mom and DAD – going in with Mark and Erika to get them a TIVO

Ben & Lu – 3 lifetime chairs

Amanda – doormat, snow shovel, drill, canisters, clock and a gift cert for massage, and $50 cash

Zac & CJ – Garage door opener (installation and door paid for)

Landon – New razor phone, nice slack/shirt/tie ensemble, stacking game, Bluetooth accessory for phone

Camryn – doctors set, nativity set, animals to play with at Grandma’s, $50 into college fund, blanket

Treyson – truck, nativity set, animals to play with at Grandma’s, $50 into college fund, blanket

 

 

 

November 2006

November 2, 2006

Email from Grandma Rich to Landon

Hey Babe,    How are you doing.  Your dad called and told me about the World Series.  Good for the Blue Team.  Have you made all of your pledge contacts.  How did you do.  I forgot to tell you that Keysto is going to work for Taylor.  Taylor and two friends went into business for themselves.  They are doing great.  Taylor called and asked Keysto if he wanted to come to work for them.  He decided he would.  He gave Randalls his two week notice.  He starts his new job a week from Monday.  How is the weather there.  It is really cold at night here but it warms up during the day.  Good luck on you 100 inning weekend.  Remember we love you and keep you in our prayers.  We are looking forward to Thanksgiving.  I know you are having dinner with the Dicksons but come up after.  Talk to you later..

                                    Love Grandma Rich

 

November 4, 2006

Well it’s been 2 years and one month since we learned that Manda and Camryn would be coming back to live with us.  They moved back on Oct 12, 2004 when Camryn was 5 months old.  She is now 2 ½ years old, and such a sweet little girl.  We love you so much.  It has been such an enjoyable 2 years !  Today she and Amanda are moving out into a little house across the street from my mom and dad at 71 N. 200 W.  We will surely miss them, but know that this will be the best for them.  We are surely glad they are staying in Utah and MORGAN !!

Email written to Bishop Fisher November 9, 2006 (Craig and Julia are Mission President in Billings, Montana (July 2006 - July 2009)

Candace Montanesi called me today, to tell me that she is engaged!   She will marry Mario Molina in the St. George Temple on January 27, 2007. Mario will graduate from Dixie College with a bachelors degree soon, and then they will come north to live so he can go to law school. He has lived in St. George growing up, and she met him at institute.   Her parents are thrilled, and really like him. She is working on the family home evening committee in institute, and has enlisted Tim Poll from Morgan to help her on this committee. I am so thrilled for her, and so happy that she has stayed strong and active in the gospel.  Her email is  candyice@yahoo.com  (They ended up divorcing)

Hope you an Julia are well and good in Missoula - Jared Olson either got his mission call yesterday (Wed) or next Wed.  I haven't heard yet.  I asked him what he would do if he opened it, and it said Missoula Montana Mission??  He got a smile a MILE wide.

Landon is coming home this weekend - in fact he's on the road right now.  Thanks again for all of the good influence you were and are in his life.  We love you both!  Take care and work hard (haha)

Love Gwen

His reply

Thanks So much for the information-

I always thought Candice would do well!!

I called and talked with Landon this past weekend- It was sure great to catch up on things-

I love him like son- thanks for sharing him!  I can hardly wait for him to get his call to the Montana Billings Mission- (Ha- what are the chances?!)  I would drop to my knees and thank Heavenly Father if that happened!

Sounds like a few changes in our Ward!  I don't know any of the details, but do we get back what we lost originally?

Thanks, Gwen - for being so kind to Jill.  I knew you would love her- and we all appreciate it!

Keep in touch

 My reply back

Yes we will get back exactly what we lost, and also the north side of Young Street from the "Y" to Jess Hopkin's home - we will pick up approx. 10 young women and the young men get quite a few also.  We are practicing for another "program" to present to the ward on November 28th.   More beautiful songs, and also there are three solos, Jake Nicolas, Sage and Anne, and Deborah Peay sings the Maker's touch which just makes you cry to hear her beautiful voice and the spirit is so strong.  Don't know if you heard, but they stole Lynelle from me, she is the new Stake Young Women's pres.  She is doing a wonderful job !!

Take care

Love Gwen and family

 

Email from lee and Veloy to Landon

November 15, 2006

It sure did seem great to see you this past weekend.  Grandpa and I are looking forward to Thanksgiving and having you around again.  We picked up the frozen turkey yesterday (20 pounds) and the ham.

It is nice having Amanda and Camryn next door.  I can wave to Camryn when they leave in the morning and drop in at night after they get home.  Amanda is a good little mother and is enjoying getting things fixed up in her own house.  It is great to have her here in Morgan and not so far away in Arizona.  Her new stove was delivered yesterday but Lynn Mickelson wasn't able to get it installed last night.  Hopefully he can today sometime.

We had Treyson with us the other day when CJ went to Weight Watchers.  He is so fun to entertain and play with.  I had forgotten how fast little ones can be.  One minute they are by your side and the next minute you are hunting them down.  He is such a happy little guy.  He has discovered the hall closet with the toys and the bottom drawer in the kitchen that holds a lot of odds and ends (spoons, lids, funnels, etc.).

Grandpa has a doctor's appointment this afternoon for his back.  He has been having a little trouble with it lately.  I keep telling him to slow down and not try to do so much physical stuff, as he is getting older and with that comes aches and pains.  Of course, that doesn't mean he is to ignore the "Honey Do List" I have for him.

Well, take care and keep studying.  By the way, your new indoor facilities sure look nice.  I'm glad your Mom is keeping things updated on your web site.  You have great parents.  We love you and are pleased with what you are doing.

Love, Grandma (and Grandpa)

Email Gwen sent to Rhea Zaldain (Meridian Idaho)

Do you remember me?  We sat through a baseball game together at TVCC in Ontario.

I was just wondering how your road trip with your friend went.  I hope all went well,

and that I didn't lead you astray with my suggestions.  How is your grandson doing at CSI?

Our son Landon is coming home this week for Thanksgiving.  He is our youngest and it

has been hard (although it is getting easier) to have him gone.  I have had a great time

with a website that I created for him.  You might enjoy looking at it.  It can be accessed

by going to www.landonrich.blogspot.com

Take care, I would love to hear from you.

Gwen Rich

Morgan, UT

Reply from RHEA

Hi Gwen,

It was great to hear from you.  I visited Landon's web site - you have done an excellent job.

Yes!  Yes!  Yes!  We went on our wonderful trip.  I loved Thanksgiving Point.  Thank you so much for recommending it.  We would never have stopped there if you hadn't told me about it.  We spent most of a  day there and I dropped a lot of $$$.  I now have some fun treasures to show others.  I highlighted all your suggestions on the map.  We made it to all the National Parks, took lots of pictures, and followed a few trail.  We didn't make it to the Morgan loop, but we are going again in late April. We want to see those tulips blooming and we'll check out the Grand Canyon on our way to Arizona. 

I plan to see you this spring at the games.  The CSI Coach has decided he wants Trever to red shirt this year.  He is the youngest on the team and this will give him a little more time in the program.

I look forward to seeing you this spring.

 Rhea 

November 19, 2006

Landon called yesterday and apparently he has a hernia.  He hasn’t been to the doctor yet, but from his description, we are sure this is what he has.  He has had it since he went up to college, and never said anything to anyone, because he didn’t want to spoil his fall ball season!  We will try and get him in for surgery while he’s home for Christmas.

  

November 21, 2006

"Fathers and mothers, pray over your children. Pray that they may be shielded from the evils of the world. Pray that they may grow in faith and knowledge. Pray that they may be directed toward lives that will be profitable and good. Many of them walk a very difficult road with countless problems and great perplexities. Plead with the Almighty that they may be guided, blessed, protected, inspired in their righteous endeavors. . ."

Landon I want you to remember (as I'm sure you do) that you have many people praying for you in all that you do. We love you so very much.

LOVE MOM

 

Landon went to the doctor up in Ontario last night and he has a double hernia.  An inguinal hernia which is in the crease of his leg, and a scrotal hernia which is in his scrotum.  The doctor said you do not usually see two at a time. Landon is not in any pain at all at this time.   Our plan is to have him come home as usual, and then after a wonderful Thanksgiving day, we’ll go down to the emergency room on Friday morning, and hopefully they will see him, and admit him and do surgery on him on Friday.  If he is well enough, he’ll go back to Oregon on Sunday evening as planned, and if not, he will take a couple of extra days at home to heal up. We pray for the Lord’s blessings upon him.

 

Instant Messaging between Gwen and Stacy Lafitte on November 21, 2006

Gwenarooskie says:

Good Morning

stacy says:

Right back at ya!

Gwenarooskie says:

Do you want to hear some news from the Rich Family?

stacy says:

tell me some news

Gwenarooskie says:

Well, we all got called up to Ben & LuAnn's last night for a BIG family meeting

stacy says:

yes......

Gwenarooskie says:

We couldn't imagine what it was about - did somebody die, was somebody going to die??? or was it just a ploy to get us all there for some SALES pitch !?!?!

stacy says:

Come on!!!!   You're killing me!!

Gwenarooskie says:

LuAnn turned the floor over to Kelly, and he got up.......

stacy says:

GWEN!!!!

Gwenarooskie says:

and he said....

Gwenarooskie says:

Well, Me and Michelle and the boys have been discussing this for the past 6 months and we have come to a decision

Gwenarooskie says:

I personally was thinking.... new baby??

Gwenarooskie says:

Then he dropped the bomb shell

Gwenarooskie says:

Stay tuned for the next installment of this story tomorrow at 8 am

stacy says:

DON'T YOU EVEN!!!!!

stacy says:

Come on!!

Gwenarooskie says:

They are moving to Korea for THREE WHOLE YEARS !!!

stacy says:

noooooo

stacy says:

Why?

Gwenarooskie says:

For Kelly''s job at Autoliv - he is a BIG WIG !!

stacy says:

Is this a good thing for them?

stacy says:

How does Michelle feel?

stacy says:

Does she work?

Gwenarooskie says:

Yea, they are really excited.... Michelle went over for a week last month with the baby, and we all wondered WHY in the heck she would drag a 1 1/2 year old over there, and only stay for 3-4 days, but it was to pick out a house, check out schools, etc. etc.

Gwenarooskie says:

Michelle works for Nutraceutical, and she will have to quit

stacy says:

So they will take the boys and actually move and everything?

stacy says:

Did she pick out a house?

Gwenarooskie says:

Well, they won't move furniture (they could, as the company would pay for it....) but they will just take the money and buy new stuff, and only take clothes, basics, etc. 

Gwenarooskie says:

The home is actually a huge apartment on the 16th floor of an apartment building

Gwenarooskie says:

Kelly will have a car.  They will be about 20 miles south of SEOUL, in a town called BoomDIM or something like that.  His work is another 30 miles south.

Gwenarooskie says:

The boys have to pass tests and write essays in order to be accepted into the school over there, and get this...........they will be leaving (Kelly and the boys) right after Christmas, as they have to be there for school on Jan 8.  Michelle will go with baby in Feb-March.

Gwenarooskie says:

He didn't talk money or anything to us, but I would guess that they are making it So worth his while, that he can't turn it down. They will not sell their home.... but rent it out

stacy says:

How do the boys feel about it?

Gwenarooskie says:

They are excited.  The final decision was left up to them

stacy says:

Does it make them nervous that they have to test and write essays?  Are they ok to leave their friends?

Gwenarooskie says:

They are a little nervous about the tests, etc. and I guess they are okay about the friend part.... I feel bad that Chase will miss most/all of his high school in Morgan, but he will be back to do his senior year here.

Gwenarooskie says:

and he's one of the youngest, so Kelly was even saying that he might come back and do 11th AND 12th here, but I bet he is so far ahead (with the hard schools over there) that he'll just do 12th.

stacy says:

Holy Cow!!  What news!  Was the whole family blown away?

Gwenarooskie says:

Yea..... it was kind of like 20 years ago when Linda and Bruce and family went to Okinawa for 2 years, and then extended for another 1-2 years...... but we knew before hand that they were "thinking" about it...... and when they finally made the decision it wasn't such a mind blower !!

Gwenarooskie says:

I guess LuAnn has known about it for the last 6 months (that they were thinking about it) and didn't say a word...... which is quite unusual.

stacy says:

At least they will be here for Christmas.  But then it will be sad for them to go.  Will they opportunities to come back for visits?

Gwenarooskie says:

Yes, the company will pay to fly the whole family home at least once a year, and if there is an emergency, death in family, etc. then they will fly them home for that also.

stacy says:

That is just crazy.  I don't think I could do it.  I'm such a home town girl.  That would have been a very hard decision to make.  But that sounds good that they (especially the boys) are so excited about it.

Gwenarooskie says:

yup - well I better get to work

 

11/22/06

Hello all – I hope you don't mind me using your email address in order to get tickets for Young Women's combined activity. Please just disregard……….as I have the confirmation on hard copy

Reply from Manda

you have got to be kidding me --- you are laughing inside right now -- i better not be getting junk church mail.

Reply from me

Hmmmmm I never thought of that??  You are now on their LIST !!!  heheJ - seriously if you do get something else, which I don’t think you will, it ALWAYS has a thing at the bottom to cancel and remove you from any future

Mailings……sorry hon, I was desperate !!  Landon has just left for the airport in Boise, and we are leaving between 3:30 and 4 to go and pick him up in SLC, then we are going up over Parley’s to North Summit to the wrestles, and won’t be home until late – do you need us to do anything for you except pick you up in the morning??  What time do you want us at your home in the morning?  Please call us on our cells sometime,  Love MOM

Friday after Thanksgiving – November 24, 2006

Landon was operated on for an inguinal hernia today.  All went well.  We showed up at the Emergency room at 9:30 a.m, and they took us back quite quickly, and we were in the bowels of the emergency room for 1 ½ hours, and they told us that if “the stars were aligned” then Dr. Moesinger would do the surgery later in the day, but that it would be a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng wait.  I must preface this by saying that me and Landon kneeled down this morning and prayed that if it was Heavenly Father’s will that he get this done TODAY, that all would work out, and if not………..then we would know that it would be okay to wait until mid December.  At 11 a.m., they sent us back out into the Emergency room waiting room to wait, and after 3 hours there I was afraid they had forgotten about us, but then they pulled us back into another “back” room at 2 pm, and we waited there to talk to the doctor.  At 4:30 pm, I went to check again.  Roger had come and gone home, sure that the surgery would NOT be happening today.  They had apparently LOST us – they then transported Landon up to same day surgery via gurney, with a CUTE nurse.  He was finally operated on at approx. 5:30 pm,  at 7 pm the surgery was done, and we were home at 9:30 pm.  The nurses all LOVED him of course…………. And all’s well that ends well.  The doctor DID try an talk him out of the surgery, as he was worried about finals and all……………. But it all worked out.

 

Monday, November 27, 2006

You are supposed to call me too - just kidding.  I know you are tired and sore.

Hey - FYI.... Boise and surrounding area have about 200,000 people, and Salt Lake and surrounding area are at about a million !

Also - Your silly mom forgot your BLUE shorts - they were still in the dryer, I'm so sorry.  Do you need them for the next two weeks? 

If so, I can overnight them up to you.  Please let me know, and again, I am so sorry.

LOVE MOM

PS  Glad you made it home and all safe and sound. 

PPS Try lying on your side, with your knees drawn up a little - sorry you had such a bad night.

I love you so much